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Lemonade stand in Chesterfield helps Oklahoma tornado victims

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- While people in Oklahoma are recovering from a second round of tornadoes, a group of children in Chesterfield worked hard Saturday to collect hundreds of dollars -- and all it took was a lemonade stand.

On a hot day, a cold glass of lemonade is pretty ingenious. Their tireless effort at a street corner in the Bayhill Pointe neighborhood pays off as a wave of cars stop by to get a cup or just make a donation.

In two hours, they raised close to $800 and donations continue to roll in.

NBC12 was on hand to catch all the action and we asked one of the children how they came up with the plan:

"I just wanted to help out with them, and because I was at the dinner table and wanted something to do," said Rachael Hicks. "They're all my friends and all live in my same neighborhood and I just asked them to help."

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Six people displaced in Chesterfield house fire

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A family of six in Chesterfield has been displaced after a house fire.

Chesterfield fire crews say they got a call around 11 Saturday night for a house fire in the 6600 block of Rollingridge Lane. Once on scene, crews said flames were visible and there was a lot of smoke inside the house.

Firefighters remained on scene for a few hours, cleaning up the damage so the Fire Marshall could get inside to investigate.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but crews say it appears to have started on the first floor.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

Gas line repaired and service being restored in Chesterfield

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- Columbia Gas of Virginia has repaired a damaged natural gas line on Westwood Village Way in Chesterfield County.

The two inch main natural gas line was damaged by a contractor on Friday night and it resulted in the loss of natural gas service to 124 residents of Westwood Village Apartments.

Crews worked overnight and into Saturday to safely repair and restore service due to the extensive damage. The company has started restoring service to Westwood Village residents and all residents will have service restored Saturday afternoon.

No injuries were reported.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Free tricks to lower your power bill

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- We demonstrated how you can lower your power bill using inexpensive gadgets, but there are ways to do it without spending a dime. Here are a few simple steps that can reduce what you pay the power company.

You'll know where to start by looking at your usage history on your monthly statement.

"This house has a very high usage in July, August, September," said  Andy Farmer, manager at Va Energy Sense. "Address tasks and projects to reduce your use of the air conditioning system."

Experiment with your comfort level by raising your thermostat a degree or two.

"It can maybe save you 10, 20% on your utility bill."

If you've got a ceiling fan, use it. It pulls a lot less energy than your AC.

"It's important that it's going clockwise in the summer so it's pushing air down."

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MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Cheap ways to lower your energy bill

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Cicadas aren't the only things buzzing in our area - 90-degree days have air conditioners working overtime and raising your power bill. Here are a few gadgets that will pay for themselves and bring your bill under control.

One house owner implemented simple, inexpensive changes to keep his power bill low. Last month alone, the bill on his 3500 square foot house was only $92.

"Air leaks are a major problem, even in newer homes," said Andy Farmer, manager at Va Energy Sense.

Farmer bought the house in 2008. One of the first things he did was spray foam to seal the outlets.

"There were gaps, and the first winter we were here we could feel cool air coming through."

Then he installed foam gaskets to further seal the outlets.

"These are a small, inexpensive device that fits over the switch plate. Cover it up, and you've got a good seal," said Farmer.

Police: Hopewell man drunk when he struck Chesapeake man

Giovanni Mothersille (Source: Chesterfield Police)

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A Hopewell man faces charges of driving under the influence in a crash that left a Chesapeake man fighting for his life.

Police arrested Giovanni Mothersille, 39, Sunday on charges of driving while intoxicated and maiming as a result of DWI. Officers say he was driving

Chesterfield Police are investigating a crash that sent one person to the hospital early Sunday morning.

Police say around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, 39-year-old Giovanni Mothersille was driving on East Hundred Road near Rivers Bend Boulevard when he hit 55-year-old Joseph Summers as he was crossing the street. Summers was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Chesterfield Police are asking anyone with information about this accident to call Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660.

Deadly police chase suspect in Chesterfield court

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- The man accused of murder after a police chase in the Midlothian area will be in Chesterfield court Friday.

23-year-old Karon Porter faces several other charges, including attempted carjacking, felony eluding police, and DUI.

Police say Porter led them on a chase that ended in the deadly crash that killed 73-year-old Chesterfield marine, George Van Orden. Van Orden's wife, who also was in the wreck, is now forced to use a wheelchair. 

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.