FORK MOUNTAIN - Crews on are the scene of a structure fire at Daniel's Auto Glass in the Fork Mountain area of southern Franklin County just off of 220. The fire appears to be out as of 7:15 a.m., but the building appears to be a total loss. It was still smolderin as of this writing.

Fire crews were dispatched to the area shortly after 5 a.m. Crews from Fork Mountain, Henry, Rocky Mount, Ferrum, Glade Hill, Boones Mill, and Scruggs were dispatched to the scene. Also assisting were crews from the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, Franklin Co. Public Safety, and AEP.

On their Facebook page, the owner posted a photo of the fire, along with this message in a post:

"I’m sure everyone’s probably knows that my shop was burnt up over night ... at this point we don’t know what started or caused the fire ... I’d greatly appreciate any and all prayers at this time .... I’ve gotta process all of this and figure out my next step ..... everything as far as glass work and tools and equipment was in my shop ... thanks for any and all concern ..."

Cable 12 is working to get more information. Drivers on 220 in the area can expect delays. 

HARDY, VIRGINIA, November 27, 2018 – The Willard Companies is proud to present the annual Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at Westlake Towne Center on Dec. 6, 2018, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Special holiday festivities include live concerts by the Mark Dubbeld Family, Vitalize Church, and the SML Harmeneers. After Santa rides in on a Scruggs Volunteer Fire & Rescue fire truck, guests can head inside the Westlake Library for free pictures with Santa and kids' crafts and entertainment. Outdoors, you’ll find light refreshments including mini cupcakes by Sugar & Slice Cupcakery & Confections, a live Nativity by Vitalize Church, a Santa Pony from Healing Strides of VA, and games such as cornhole and giant Jenga by the Smith Mountain Lake YMCA.

In addition, The Willard Companies is delighted to present some incredible drawings for gift cards and other prizes to Westlake Towne Center businesses – not to mention the lighting of our Christmas tree at 7 p.m.!

Register for our sweepstakes drawings either on our website or in person during the event. Anyone who registers for the drawings on our website (www.WestlakeTowneCenter.com/events) will be entered to win every prize during the giveaways, including the grand prize: a $300 gift certificate to Haywood’s Jewelers. Those who register in person during the event will be eligible to win all except the grand prize. There is no purchase necessary to sign up for the drawings, and you must be present to win. Winners will be announced at 7:20 p.m.

The first 150 guests who donate a new, unwrapped toy (or make a cash donation in the amount of your choice) to We Care of Franklin County during the event will receive a complimentary ticket to a one-time-only showing of the animated 2017 Christmas film "The Star" at Westlake Cinema at 8 p.m. that evening, immediately following the event.

Please like the Westlake Towne Center Facebook page, and find our Facebook event for the Christmas Celebration there. Please share:  https://www.facebook.com/events/328582367930923/

Toy Drive

Patrons of Westlake Towne Center businesses may donate a toy to the We Care of Franklin County toy donation program at participating businesses at any time between now and Tuesday, Dec. 18. The first 150 who donate a toy (or make a cash donation in the amount of your choice) during the Christmas Celebration event (Dec. 6) will receive a free ticket to see "The Star" at Westlake Cinema immediately following the event. 

Shop Local 

Patrons who spend $60 at any participating Westlake Towne Center business between Black Friday (November 23) and Christmas Eve (December 24) will receive two free movie passes to Westlake Cinema. Patrons must bring their qualifying store receipt to The Willard Companies’ main office at 75 Builders Pride Drive, Hardy, VA, between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Monday-Friday to pick up their passes. The deadline to pick up passes is Friday, January 11. No passes will be given out after that date. Passes are valid on any movie showing between January 1-March 31, 2018. Limit two passes per person. Some studio restrictions may apply.

RICHMOND – The 2018 Thanksgiving holiday weekend proved deadly for 12 drivers and passengers, to include a City of Winchester police officer. During the statistical counting period that began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, and concluded at midnight Sunday, Nov. 25, preliminary reports indicate 11 traffic crashes across the Commonwealth claimed the lives of nine drivers, two passengers and a motorcyclist. During the 2017 five-day Thanksgiving statistical counting period, 14 people were killed in traffic crashes on Virginia’s highways – the most killed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend since 2013.*

The 2018 traffic fatalities occurred in the cities of Danville, Hampton, Lynchburg and Winchester, and the counties of Accomack, Greensville, Hanover, Henry, Montgomery, Stafford and Wise. Alcohol was a factor in at least two of the fatal crashes. Four of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

“We are about to embark on one of the busiest and most heavily-traveled times of the year,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Today Governor Northam announced the new ‘Towards Zero Deaths’ campaign and urged Virginians to help change the Commonwealth’s traffic safety culture so we can achieve the goal of reducing the number of traffic-related serious injuries and deaths to zero. Virginia State Police troopers are committed to keeping our highways as safe as possible during the winter holiday season by increasing patrols and DUI checkpoints with our local law enforcement partners across the state. Now we just need the motoring public to commit to driving safe, smart and sober.”

To help prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday, Virginia troopers once again participated in Operation C.A.R.E., an acronym for the Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort. The state-sponsored, national program encourages law enforcement agencies to increase visibility and traffic enforcement efforts on major travel holidays. The 2018 Thanksgiving holiday C.A.R.E. initiative resulted in troopers citing 596 individuals who failed to obey the law and buckle up, as well as issuing 198 citations for child safety seat violations on Virginia’s highways statewide. In addition, state police cited 7,419 speeders and 2,157 reckless drivers. A total of 102 drunken drivers were taken off Virginia’s roadways and arrested by state troopers.

To further enhance travel safety across the Commonwealth during the coming weeks, the state police will be actively participating in the following DUI-prevention campaigns: Checkpoint Strikeforce: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) “Tie One on for Safety.”

 *Source: Virginia Highway Safety Office, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles