Once we carve and light pumpkins, most people think their value is gone. Think of this: just as many resources went into growing that Virginia grown Jack O’lantern as any other food product, and it will produce a nutrient-dense compost as it rots. Putting every bit of your pumpkin to good use takes a little effort, but it can be a fun family activity and a way to do something good for the planet.

Dominion Energy reports that power has been restored to more than 250,000 of the 600,000 customers affected by Tropical Storm Michael and that the vast majority of customers will have power restored by the end of the day on Monday.

Supervisor Jeanine Lawson announced that her annual land use town hall meeting will be held Thursday, October 18 in the Marsteller Middle School Cafeteria starting at 7 p.m.

Work on the 88-year-old Arlington Memorial Bridge began this past the summer and will continue until early 2021, according to a National Park Service statement. Learn how to plan travel around bridge construction activities at an info meeting Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

Dan Swingle, Electric System Operations vice president, says NOVEC crews are assembling equipment and supplies. "Our utility trucks are well stocked in anticipation of Hurricane Florence and all employees are on alert."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Sept. 11 that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Virginia to supplement Commonwealth, tribal, and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by Hurricane Florence beginning on September 8, 2018, and continuing.

Governor Northam announced Sept. 11 that the Governor’s Capitol Classic Car Show is postponed due to inclement weather predicted for this weekend and has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29.

As a result of the major hurricane forecast, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services advises farmers to take the following precautions now to help protect their families, farms and livestock.