Reporter

Colin Warren-Hicks

Colin Warren-Hicks is the features reporter for The Virginian-Pilot, covering arts and entertainment and writing general assignment enterprise and feature stories. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill before earning a MA in journalism from NYU. He treasures story tips about extraordinary circumstances, eccentrics, has-beens, would-bes and never-wills.

Jacob Blake, listening during the August group meeting. He suffered second- and third-degree burns when, as he practiced a weld, a spark ignited a few loose strands of a T-shirt under his flame retardant gear. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

Trauma survivors share road to healing in re-formed support group

August 31, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

A support group for burn and trauma survivors at a Sentara hospital disbanded during the pandemic and was revived this year as the Cliff Golby Trauma Peer Support Group.

The sign for Virginia Stage Company at The Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

Rain floods historic Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk

August 21, 2026 at 6:18 p.m.

The Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk, a National Register of Historic Places site, was flooded Thursday by rainwater.

Dennis Doughty, the longtime owner of The Banque nightclub in Norfolk, died Aug. 5, 2026. (Courtesy/Kay Wampler)

Founder of Norfolk nightclub The Banque dies at age 81

August 20, 2026 at 10:57 p.m.

Dennis Doughty, the longtime owner of Norfolk nightclub The Banque, died this month at age 81.

Amos Housworth, left, with Jimmy Fallon, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Hardesty and Dan Hardesty performing "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley, Aug. 12 on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” (Courtesy/Todd Owyoung/NBC)

The Last Bison promotes Matthew McConaughey film featuring their songs on ‘Tonight Show’

August 19, 2026 at 2:01 p.m.

The Last Bison’s “Tonight Show” appearance was part of a promotional tour for the film “The Rivals of Amziah King,” which stars McConaughey and Kurt Russell and features a soundtrack...

Singer-songwriter Roberta Lea plans to perform at “Read Between the Vibes" on Sept. 12. Here she's in her home in Norfolk, November 2020. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot file)

No shushing, only music: Virginia Beach library is throwing a party

August 15, 2026 at 1:42 p.m.

The fundraiser, “Read Between the Vibes,” will feature live music from Hampton Roads performers and benefit the Virginia Beach Library Foundation.

A microphone at the ready, Nov. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

DJ Shaggy cuts ties with Virginia Beach radio station Z104 after 25-year on-air career

August 14, 2026 at 3:29 p.m.

Local disc jockey Brandon Stokes, known as DJ Shaggy, announced on Facebook is no longer working at Virginia Beach radio station Z104 after 25 years as an on-air personality.

Virginia author David Poyer. (Courtesy/David Poyer)

Retired Navy captain and Eastern Shore author of 51 books revives series after 30 years

August 10, 2026 at 8:50 a.m.

Eastern Shore author and retired Navy Capt. David Poyer has written a new Tiller Galloway novel for the first time in 30 years.

Judy Benjamin, an 81-year-old Norfolk resident, is walking across the U.K. to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease. (Courtesy of CareScout)

Norfolk octogenarian walked across US last year. Now she’s taking on the UK

August 8, 2026 at 11:16 a.m.

Judy Benjamin, an 82-year-old Norfolk resident, will attempt to walk across the UK for Alzheimer’s awareness.

Randy Roberts — the stage name of Robert Falls — as Cher. (Courtesy/Randy Roberts/Nick Doll Photography)

Acclaimed drag queen and Norfolk native Randy Roberts to be home for 2 shows

August 7, 2026 at 11:02 a.m.

Randy Roberts, the drag queen who grew up in Norfolk as Robert Falls, will give two shows in September at the Hugh Copeland center.

A baby lesser Madagascar tenrec was born June 29 at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach. (Courtesy/Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center)

Not a hedgehog: It’s a baby tenrec, born at the Virginia Aquarium

August 8, 2026 at 1:41 p.m.

The first successful birth of a lesser Madagascar tenrec at the Virginia Aquarium took place on June 29.

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