Winter Storm Floods the Commonwealth

Six Southwest Virginia counties declared a local State of Emergency due to flooding over the weekend. Gov. Glenn Youngkin deployed the National Guard to help people in Wise, Russell, Lee, Buchanan, Scott, and Dickenson counties.

“Many roads are completely impassable and have been closed,” Dickenson County warned, and some residents who remained in their homes were warned to boil water before drinking it.

At least 100 people were rescued from flood waters after a deluge dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain onto saturated soil. High winds yesterday followed the soaking, raising concerns that trees could be uprooted.

Strong winds and rain also swept across Central Virginia, knocking out power, causing flash floods, and triggering tornado warnings.

This week’s forecast calls for a major snow event beginning on Wednesday.

Virginia Nearing No-Kill Status

Lawmakers celebrated with animal lovers at the state capitol as Best Friends Animal Society hosted a rally for the 80 Virginia animal shelters that are now considered no-kill shelters, meaning they do not put down the animals they take in.

The organization’s goal is for the entire state to become a no-kill state, meaning at least 90% of adoptable animals would be placed in permanent homes instead of being put to sleep.

“We are here because it is possible. No-kill is within reach,” the group’s Laura Donahue said. “This may have been a moon shot goal 10 years ago, but now it is very clearly achievable.”

The organization said that if 0.1% of Virginians adopted a pet instead of purchasing from a breeder, nearly 9,900 pets would be saved, and the Commonwealth would become the largest no-kill state in the country. That represents just 100 people in each Virginia House of Delegates district.

Roanoke’s Seven Sisters

Many Virginians hail from large families, but the Roanoke Valley may have the largest. It has formed connections with seven sister cities on four continents.

The cities include Wonju, South Korea; Kisumu, Kenya; Pskov, Russia; Florianopolis, Brazil; Opole, Poland; Lijiang, China; and Saint-Lô, France. 

The relationship with Pskov, Russia, is currently on hold due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The sister cities program dates to the Eisenhower administration. The goal was to connect Americans with people from other cultural backgrounds. The Roanoke Valley program has been active for decades.

Some recent exchanges and events include welcoming a guest artist exhibit from France, sending young people to South Korea, and supporting a widow and orphans’ home in Kenya.

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➤ Richmond: State lawmakers permitted Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling to vote remotely after she gave birth this month. She is the first delegate allowed to vote from outside the chamber due to childbirth. (Details)

➤ Southwest Virginia: Three senators sent a letter to the Virginia State Corporation Commission expressing “utter frustration over the lack of responsiveness by Appalachian Power Company to chronically high rates” and demanding answers to a list of questions. (Read the Letter)

➤ Northern Virginia: The federal Department of Education launched an investigation into five school districts—Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William—to determine whether their protections for transgender-identifying students violate Title IX. (More)

➤ Blacksburg: A record number of students applied to attend Virginia Tech. The university received 57,622 applications for fall 2025, up 10% from last year’s record number. Of those, about 7,000 will be accepted. (Details)

➤ Richmond: A bill that would make mail theft a Class 6 felony passed the legislature and is set to go to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for consideration. If he signs it, people caught stealing mail could face five years in state prison. (More)

➤ Statewide: Virginia’s spring burn ban took effect this weekend. Outdoor burning is prohibited between midnight and 4 p.m. until the end of April. (More)

➤ Undefeated lightweight boxer Keyshawn Davis hinted he may defend his new WBO championship belt at home in Norfolk. He took the title over the weekend in New York City. (Details)

➤ UVA’s women’s basketball team beat Pitt 80-67 on the road to move to 13-13 on the year. (Details)

➤ Richmond’s women’s basketball team beat Saint Louis 59-49 for its 12th win in a row. The Spiders are 13-1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. (Details)

➤ George Mason’s women’s basketball team won its 11th straight, stopping UMass 76-66 in Fairfax. The Patriots are 23-3.  (More)

➤ College sports fans know the future is being shaped by name, image, and likeness policies. The way to stay ahead of the curve is to sign up for NIL Wire.

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | NASCAR | Soccer | Tennis | PGA

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➤ Richmond’s Planning Commission approved a proposal to redevelop a 75-year-old strip mall in the Westhampton neighborhood. The city council is set to vote on the plan on Feb. 24. (More)

➤ The Northern Virginia Transit Revitalization Advocacy Coalition said it wants a feasibility study to consider whether to build a commuter rail alongside the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. (Details)  

➤ Joann Fabrics, in bankruptcy for a second time, officially announced plans to close more than 530 of its 800 stores, including 13 in Virginia. (The List)

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➤ A Chesapeake woman has been living with a transplanted heart for 31 years. Tina Buck, 46, has survived twice as long as the average heart transplant patient. (Her Story)

➤ The Age of Dinosaurs exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville opened over the weekend, featuring fossils and animatronic displays. The exhibit runs through July 2026. (Details)

➤ A species of flightless Appalachian grasshopper isn’t extinct, after all. A Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation zoologist tracked one down in the wild, the first time the insect has been spotted in eight decades. (More)

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Should the legislature allow remote voting?

1. Always
2. Never
3. When medically necessary

Friday’s Results:

Are you dining out for Valentine’s Day? 

1. No: 43%
2. Yes: 29%
3. More romantic at home: 28%

What is the official state fossil of Virginia?

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