Tag: holidays
Winter months are leading home fire months
Cooking, heating, holiday decorations and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months.
State Police: Five killed in Christmas holiday crashes in Virginia
Five fatal crashes over the Christmas holiday weekend resulted in the deaths of one pedestrian, one moped operator and three drivers on Virginia’s highways.

Red Cross seeks holiday blood and platelet donations
As millions of Americans get ready for the holidays, the American Red Cross reminds donors to give the most meaningful gift of all: the gift of life.
Professional drivers offer safe driving tips for Christmas holiday travel
The Virginia Trucking Association is urging the 2.8 million Virginians expected to travel our highways over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays to drive safely.

Dinner Diva: Four free-range holiday decorations
Today we’re not talking about food. Don’t worry— as we approach the holidays, there’s going to be plenty of food talk.

Home or away for the holidays: Pet parents including the whole family
With the holiday season upon us it’s time to start shopping, planning, and getting excited for all that much needed family time and love.
Decorate for the holidays from the outside in
It’s hard to find a simpler, yet more personal way to decorate your home for the holidays than with fresh evergreen trimmings from your yard or garden.

Support your local farmers when planning holiday meals
From now until the start of 2016, festive occasions abound that cry out for local products. Let’s start with Thanksgiving. In every part of the state, consumers can find pick-your-own farms, roadside stands, farmers’ markets and grocery stores laden with local food favorites.
Study: December most unproductive and distracting month at work
A study of 3,000 people in the USA has found that December is the month when people are most distracted by browsing the internet at work.
UVA basketball moves up to #3 in both national polls
UVA basketball, off to its first 11-0 start since 1992-1993, moved up two spots to #3 in the AP and coaches polls on Monday.

Mathers thanks you for giving this holiday season
The Mathers Team, our colleagues, associates and friends pitched in to make the holidays brighter for a number of people in need this Christmas season.

Free throws lift Ball State to 69-64 win over Longwood
The holidays weren’t quite finished for Ball State, which took advantage of 35 free trips to the free throw line to outlast Longwood, 69-64, Sunday afternoon at Worthen Arena.
Virginia State Police: Drive to save lives
This time of year, with all the holiday parties and festive occasions, many partygoers will be drinking. If you’re celebrating with alcohol this holiday season, the Virginia State Police has a message for you: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Paid family leave: An employee benefit that benefits employers
Employers might want to provide paid family leave, but feel that the business can’t afford to. Luckily there is a solution. Just over one year ago, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the FAMILY Act that would create a national paid family leave insurance program.

Holiday cheer extends to lower gas prices
Holiday cheer has come early for the motoring public, with the average for gas at its lowest level in more than five years.Friday’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline dropped to $2.45.

Gas prices drop to five year low: A holiday gift for motorists
Rising disposable income, an extended holiday period, and lower gas prices are boosting this year’s year-end holiday travel, said Martha Mitchell Meade, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
JMU women’s basketball wins at Ohio U., 69-62
Key free throws down the stretch helped James Madison women’s basketball grind out a 69-62 victory at Ohio University on Monday night.

Woodrow Wilson birthday celebration in Staunton
On the evening of December 28, 1856 in the Presbyterian Manes at the corner of North Coalter St. and Frederick St. in Staunton, Virginia, Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born.

Ken Plum: A legislator’s holiday season
The multiple celebrations that make up the holiday season bring travel, big meals, and family and friend reunions. For state legislators the end of the year and the holidays bring an additional dimension: preparation for the next legislative session.
SCC: Review your insurance plans before the holiday season
When planning for the holiday season, the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance reminds Virginians to check with their insurance agent.

Attorney General Mark Herring shares important tips for safe holiday shopping
Whether shopping at the mall, at a local small business, or online, 2014 holiday sales nationwide are forecast to reach approximately $616.9 billion dollars.

Randy Forbes: Is your identity safe this holiday season?
When busy shopping malls were the primary way to shop during the holiday season, lines wrapped around the stores and the biggest security concern was to make sure you didn’t leave your purse or wallet unattended while you reached into your cart or put bags in your car.

Kaine calls on Congress to debate, vote on ISIL mission before adjournment
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine reiterated his months-long call for Congress to debate and vote on U.S. military action against ISIL – a mission that has gone on since August without congressional authorization.

Red Cross calls for blood and platelet donations this holiday season
This holiday season, the American Red Cross encourages individuals to give something that means something – a blood or platelet donation.