Virginia First Responders in Florida

Hundreds of Virginia National Guard soldiers are on the ground in Florida, helping the Sunshine State recover from a pair of powerful hurricanes.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed off on spending as much as $14 million on the mission. Those costs will eventually be paid back by Florida’s government.

The deployed first responders also include members of the Chesterfield County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Scuba Rescue Team, which was on hand before Hurricane Milton hit to help in search and rescue efforts.

In addition to first responders, many Virginia civilians are in Florida or on their way. Some of the groups they are with include Dominion Energy, Mercy Chefs, and Operation Blessing.

Commanders Fall in Baltimore

The Washington Commanders took a step back on the season, dropping to 4-2 with a 30-23 loss on the road to the Ravens.

Rookie of the Year candidate Jayden Daniels led the way for Washington. He connected on 24 of 35 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 22 yards on six carries.

It was the fourth straight win for the Ravens, who boast superstars Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry and are looking like a potential Super Bowl contender in a loaded AFC.

Washington will face an easier challenge next week when the Commanders return home to play a struggling Carolina Panthers squad.

Getting Cold in the Commonwealth

As the nearby weather forecast page indicates, our beautiful Fall days are now being paired with much colder Fall nights, including temperatures in the 40s and even 30s.

Gardeners in northern areas still have a few weeks to bring in or cover up ornamental plants, as the average first frost occurs on November 12.

Nationwide, this was the fourth hottest summer on record, so it makes sense that warmer than usual temperatures have lingered into mid-October. However, especially in western areas, expect cooler temperatures this week. 

The National Weather Service has already issued frost warnings, and a hard freeze can’t be far behind.

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➤ Shenandoah National Park: Almost 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is open for drivers again after segments of the road were damaged by Hurricane Helene. (Details)

➤ Abingdon: Dr. Rotimi Iluyomade, a doctor from Northern Virginia, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to distribute more than 7,000 oxycodone pills and other controlled substances. (More)

➤ Virginia Beach: The Military Aviation Museum will be the permanent home to about 70 historic military aircraft after a $100 million gift from philanthropist Gerald Yagen. (More)

➤ Fredericksburg: Dr. Gladys West, the 93-year-old mathematician who helped develop GPS, attended a ceremony to name an elementary school in her honor. (Details) 

➤ Danville: Volunteers with the group “God’s Pit Crew” packed 2,400 buckets with 30 needed items and delivered them to people across hurricane-ravaged areas in Georgia and the Carolinas. (More)

➤ Henrico: A suspended principal from Albemarle County has been acquitted of an assault and battery charge, but it is not yet known whether LaRuth Ensley will be reinstated. (More)

➤ The Washington Capitals dropped their season opener 5-3 to the visiting New Jersey Devils, despite goals from John Carlson, Dylan Strome, and Tom Wilson. (Details)

➤ The Cavaliers took a tough loss against Louisville, allowing a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter to lose 24-20 and drop to 4-2 on the season. (More)

➤ The Washington Wizards picked up their first preseason win. The team benched free agent addition Jonas Valanciunas in favor of rookie forward Kyshawn George. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | NBA | WNBA | NASCAR | NHL | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Marble Systems will expand its stone-cutting business in Caroline County, investing almost $10 million and adding scores of new jobs. (More)

➤ Currie Medical Inc. of Tennessee plans to open a Hampton Roads facility and hire 60 employees. (Details)

➤ Richard Tugman, who has been serving as interim leader of Centra Health of Lynchburg since March, will remain as permanent President and CEO.  (More)

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➤ On this Columbus Day, a restored statue of the explorer now stands in New York’s Rockland County. The statue, cast in 1925, was removed from Richmond after it was defaced during a round of protests in 2020. (Details)

➤ Richmond’s historic Byrd Theater plans to renovate its balcony seating, a project that should be finished by March. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Creeper Trail from Abingdon to Damascus is open after being closed for more than a week because of damage from Hurricane Helene. (More)

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Will the Capitals make the Stanley Cup playoffs this season?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

Have you voted yet? 

1. Yes 25.4%
2. No yet 29.6%
3. I’ll wait for Election Day 26.7%
4. I don’t plan to vote 18.2%

On what date is the average first freeze at Richmond?

Show me the answer