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Today’s edition · Sat., Nov. 7

Cheryl Miller signs off at WTVR after 42 years

Plus, a drunk raccoon raised $250,000 for Hanover Animal Control

The 5AM Mechanicsville team2 stories16 sources5 min read

Central VirginiaTop story

Cheryl Miller anchors her final newscast on CBS 6 after 42 years

Cheryl Miller's career led to a final newscast on Nov. 6

  1. 1973Miller begins her broadcasting career in radio.
  2. Sept. 1984WTVR brings her to Richmond to anchor the noon newscast.
  3. 1999She starts co-hosting Richmond's Christmas Parade.
  4. 2003She starts hosting the quiz show .
  5. Nov. 6She anchors her final newscast on CBS 6.

Source: WTVR.com

If you grew up with the noon news in Central Virginia, Friday was the end of an era. Cheryl Miller anchored her last newscast on WTVR CBS 6 as parent company E.W. Scripps goes through a companywide transformation that has included a workforce reduction. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports she said she was among the station's layoffs.

Miller covered historic elections, natural disasters and national tragedies, and became one of CBS 6's go-to political debate moderators. She isn't leaving the station entirely. "And if you see me out and about, please say hello," she said.

  • Last newscast: Fri., Nov. 6
  • Still hosts: quiz show
  • Back in December: co-hosting Richmond's Christmas Parade

Miller's run at CBS 6 spans four decades

42 years
behind the anchor desk at WTVR
27 years
co-hosting Richmond's Christmas Parade
2003
the year she began hosting Battle of the Brains

Source: WTVR.com

Asked

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Asked

Will you tune in when Cheryl Miller co-hosts Richmond's Christmas Parade in December?

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Henrico

Henrico Fire mourns veteran firefighter Kenny Waters, who died off duty Wednesday

The Henrico Division of Fire is mourning veteran firefighter Kenny Waters, who served the department for more than 18 years. Waters died Wednesday while off duty, the department announced Thursday. WWBT reports he joined Henrico Fire in March 2008.

More than 18 yearsKenny Waters served the Henrico Division of Fire

He joined in March 2008.

Sources: WTVR.com, WWBT

The recently named him its 2026 Firefighter of the Year, an award for "community service, professional dedication to duty, or acts of heroism."

“As our division mourns this loss, our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends and fellow coworkers.”

Henrico Division of Fire
  • Cause of death: not released
  • Survived by: his wife and two children
  • Also served: on the division's dive team

Waters served Henrico Fire from 2008 until his death this week

  1. March 2008Waters joins Henrico Fire.
  2. 2026 names him Firefighter of the Year.
  3. Nov. 2026Waters dies off duty Wednesday; the division announces it Thursday.

Sources: WTVR.com, WWBT

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News Notes

Volleyball

Hanover County teams stand on both sides of the region volleyball playoff brackets, with a chance to claim the 2026 titles. Richmond Times-Dispatch

Raccoon

Nearly a year after a drunk raccoon was captured in a Hanover County ABC store, the "Trashed Panda" campaign has raised $250,000 for Hanover County Animal Control. The donations will cover more than half the cost of a new tool for officers to document animal cruelty investigations. WWBT

Derby

The Virginia Derby at will again be a qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, for the third straight year. The 2027 race runs March 13, 2027, and its winner gets 50 qualifying points. WWBT says tickets go on sale at noon Nov. 10. WTVR.comWWBT

50qualifying points for the winner of the 2027 Virginia Derby

The Virginia Derby at will be run March 13, 2027.

Sources: WTVR.com, WWBT

Richmond

A 45-foot Norway spruce is in place at CarMax Park as the ballpark prepares for , opening Nov. 19. In BizSense Beat, VPM News and Richmond BizSense report that Union Hill's Metzger Bar & Butchery, which opened in 2014, and its adjacent cocktail bar, Pink Room in Church Hill, will close Dec. 19. The Savory Grain on West Broad Street closed Nov. 1 after over 13 years. Richmond Times-DispatchVPM

Goochland

Goochland County's Dover Hall has been named the top venue in North America for weddings and events by Condé Nast Johansens, an international luxury travel guide. It's the third straight year. Richmond Times-Dispatch

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

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Around Virginia

Licenses

If you're 18 to 20 and still waiting on a first driver's license, new rules start Jan. 1, 2027: a 90-day learner's permit and an approved driver education course. WRIC says adults over 21 can choose a course or a permit held at least 60 days. The rules come from House Bill 1224 and apply to people who have never held a license in Virginia, another state, a U.S. territory or another country. WAVY.comWRIC ABC 8News

Young adults face new license rules starting Jan. 1, 2027

AgeTo get a first license
18 to 2090-day permit and approved driver ed course
Over 21Approved course or 60-day permit

Sources: WAVY.com, WRIC ABC 8News

Opportunity Zones

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Friday that the U.S. Department of the Treasury approved 153 new Opportunity Zone areas her administration had recommended. CBS19 News

Asked

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Asked

Which seasonal outing are you most likely to make?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

— Cesar A. Cruz

Things to Do

Things to Do

Mechanicsville, VA

Saturday, Nov. 7

See every Mechanicsville eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

Submit your Job listing

Do you know just the job for our readers? Share it on our Jobs board.

The Buy

The Wrap

Through The Garden Gate, the Mechanicsville shop, has gone full Christmas for its 22nd Annual Christmas Celebration, and every nook and cranny of the shop is decked out in holiday cheer. The shopping event is today, Saturday, Nov. 7, and starts at 9 a.m. Jingle all the way.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Regulators hear a split crowd on the Dominion-NextEra deal

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition16 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WTVR.comwtvr.com
  3. Richmond Times-Dispatchrichmond.com
  4. WTVR.comwtvr.com
  5. WWBT12onyourside.com
  6. Richmond Times-Dispatchrichmond.com
  7. WWBT12onyourside.com
  8. WTVR.comwtvr.com
  9. WWBT12onyourside.com
  10. Richmond Times-Dispatchrichmond.com
  11. VPMvpm.org
  12. Richmond Times-Dispatchrichmond.com
  13. WAVY.comwavy.com
  14. WRIC ABC 8Newswric.com
  15. CBS19 Newscbs19news.com
  16. Mechanicsville events calendar5ammechanicsvilleva.com

Past issues

  1. Fri., Nov. 6Regulators hear a split crowd on the Dominion-NextEra deal
  2. Thurs., Nov. 5Dominion and NextEra accept 101 merger conditions; hearing today
  3. Wed., Nov. 4Richmond, Chesterfield voters appear set to OK school sales tax
  4. Tues., Nov. 3Dominion's offshore wind surcharge will start dropping next year
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5AM Mechanicsvilleto me · Sat., Nov. 76:00 a.m.

Cheryl Miller signs off at WTVR after 42 years

Plus, a drunk raccoon raised $250,000 for Hanover Animal Control

The TLDR

  1. Cheryl Miller signs off after 42 years at WTVR
  2. Henrico Fire mourns veteran firefighter Kenny Waters
  3. A drunk raccoon's fame raised $250,000 for Hanover Animal Control
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM Mechanicsville’s other editions

All the news
UtilitiesRegulators hear a split crowd on the proposed $67 billion Dominion-NextEra mergerIf you get a Dominion Energy bill, regulators just heard from your fellow Virginians. At the State Corporation Commission's third in-person public comment session Thursday, speakers filled nearly every seat for roughly three hours on NextEra Energy's proposed acquisition of Dominion.Friday’s editionRead Things to DoThe Craftsmen's Christmas Classic returns to Richmond Raceway through SundayIf you're starting on holiday gifts, hundreds of artists and craftspeople from more than 20 states are setting up indoors at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 East Laburnum Avenue in Henrico. WWBT lists the same Nov. 6 through Nov. 8 run.Friday’s editionRead Your BillDominion and NextEra accept 101 merger conditions but reject a rate moratoriumIf you pay a Dominion Energy bill, this one's yours. Dominion and NextEra accepted 101 of the 117 proposed conditions as they seek approval for their $67 billion merger, and took 13 more with changes. The all-stock deal would create the largest regulated utility in the country.Thursday’s editionRead

Around Mechanicsville

From Richmond Times-Dispatch, VPM and WWBT, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

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    Saturday Shout out: Henrico Heroes clean up on Nine Mile Road

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