Our network

Minacs opens call center in Henrico

HENRICO, VA (WWBT)- Minacs, the company opening a new call center in Henrico, held it's grand opening today.

Minacs is an international outsourcing company that's opening a call center for a high-tech, Fortune 100 company that it hasn't named yet.

They're investing $2.5 million and hiring 250 people, then up to 500 over the next few years.

Said Minacs Chief Delivery Officer Keith Callahan, "Every other week we'll have a training class start. There's 4 weeks of training and then they hit production, so we'll be continuing to roll until we hit the 250 + mark.  Then we'll get into the Christmas rush and we'll be up 300 hopefully by the end of the year."

Minacs is renting the third floor of the former Circuit City headquarters, which Allianz Global assistance has turned into the Allianz building.

Community Sponsors

Towing and recovery specialists serving Richmond & the surrounding areas since 1995
Richmond's Destination for Hand-held Desserts

Plans revealed for west end's Libbie, Grove, Patterson shopping area

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Richmond planning department officials will unveil their idea for the future of the west end's Libbie, Grove and Patterson Avenue shopping area. Their goal is to make the district a unified shopping and business area, while keeping the community's wish to maintain a quaint atmosphere.

"They want to maintain the small town, village feel of Libbie and Grove," said Richmond Planning Department Director Mark Olinger.

Olinger says parts of Patterson will be rezoned to allow more offices and shopping.

"Buildings closer to the street, parking behind (buildings)," described Olinger.

Libbie Avenue will have a newly-created zoning, called "transitional." Homes along the road will be used for offices.

"It still feels like a nice street, but has more commercial uses. Houses might be converted to galleries, other things," continued Olinger.

12 INVESTIGATES: Tattoo regret

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A survey by USA Today reveals that Richmond is the third most tattoo'ed city in America. Only people in Las Vegas and Miami have more tattoos than we do.

With so much "ink being done" here, there are bound to be mistakes - or at least regrets. That's where Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Travis Shaw comes in - with his Lutronic "Q-switched laser" that has revolutionized tattoo removal.

As recently as five years ago, laser technology for tattoo removal had a tendency to burn skin, sometimes leaving it discolored or scarred - but no longer.

"It doesn't harm the skin that's around it," said Dr. Shaw. "It only targets the colors that are in the tattoo themselves."

12 ON YOUR SIDE: Tips for donating safely

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The aftermath of disasters like the tornado in Moore, OK can bring out the best in people -stories of heroism, of help, of survival... but it can also bring out people who want to take advantage of your generosity. Urgent appeals for donations by phone, email or social media are probably not on the up and up and are likely scammers.

According to the National Weather Service, Moore residents had 36 minutes to get ready for death and destruction in Oklahoma.

The first code red warning sounded at 2:40 p.m. Monday, 16 minutes before the tornado touched down 10 miles west of the city. It reached Moore at 3:16.

"We hope this inspires people in Richmond to take steps to prepare now, whether that's downloading our Red Cross tornado app or just having a conversation with our family about what would they do if a storm did come through Richmond," said Jonathan McNamara with the American Red Cross.

Devastation in Oklahoma: School safety concerns

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The small town of Moore, OK is a landscape of flattened homes and debris after being hit by an EF-5 tornado, with winds of at least 200 miles an hour.

The search for the dead and for survivors is nearly complete. The number of dead stands at 24, including at least nine children. Hundreds of people were injured.

Among the most horrifying scenes in the vast destruction were two elementary schools, which took direct hits from the twister - taking some of the youngest lives in this tragedy, but sparing others. 

The storm ripped off the roof and knocked down walls, as students and teachers huddled in hallways and bathrooms.  

Tornado watches and warnings are common in Virginia -- and the images from Oklahoma are a brutal reminder of the need to be prepared. 

How to help Oklahoma tornado victims

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Several organizations will allow you to send $10 directly to the Oklahoma disaster zone by sending a text message. The donations will simply be added to your cell phone bill, no credit card information is required. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way.

American Red Cross:
Text REDCROSS to 90999

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma:
Text FOOD to 32333

Salvation Army:
Text STORM to 80888

You can also donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund by clicking here. The Red Cross has also set up a Safe & Well's site to search for missing relatives or friends.

You can also call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.

VCU professor forgives killer after losing his mother and brother

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- If someone violently beat and murdered your mother, could you honestly find it in your heart to truly forgive the killer?

That's exactly what happened to a VCU professor. He lost his mother and eventually his brother to a brutal crime. He had to learn to live the message he preaches every day.

For years, Everett Worthington lectured and even wrote book after book about letting go of grudges and bitterness.

"There's great power in forgiveness," said Worthington.

His theory was put the ultimate personal test New Year's Day, 1996.

"There was blood all over the walls. There was blood on the floor." 

His 76-year-old mother, Frances Worthington, was sexually violated and murdered in Knoxville, Tennessee.

"It was a pretty horrific scene. A very gruesome and upsetting sight. One that I just will never forget."

Police believe this started as burglary, but quickly turned barbaric.