What's News Today: July 12, 2016

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(WSLS 10) - Cows Say, Eat More Chicken. Today is Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-Fil-a. Until seven o'clock tonight, you can get a free entrée if you wear anything cow-like into the restaurant. Kids dressing in a cow costume will get a free Kid's Meal. The restaurant chain's iconic cows have been around since 1995 with the first Cow Appreciation Day taking place in 2005.

Today is Amazon Prime Day. This is the second year of the discounting event which launched to commemorate Amazon's 20th anniversary and to advertise the $99 a year service which offers free two day shipping. There will be deals big deals, including dash buttons where you can reorder items with the press of a button. Last year, some customers grumbled that the deals were not that impressive and some items ran out too quickly. Wal-mart is trying to capitalize on the day, offering free shipping on all orders this week.

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The man found guilty of groping a woman on the Roanoke River Greenway will be sentenced today. Alexander Billow was convicted of abduction with the intent to defile for the August 2015 incident. Billow also entered a no contest plea on charges of exposing his genitals to a child and obscene exposure in public. Felony abduction with intent to defile carries a penalty of 20 years to life in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

Sentencing takes place today for the mother of Noah Thomas, who was found dead in a septic tank on the family's property last year. Ashley White was convicted of three felony counts of child abuse and neglect in February.

VDOT holds a public hearing today in Altavista about improvements to Route 29. The plan includes replacing the Main Street bridge. People will have the chance to see the plans and the detour.

The Andrew Haley Memorial/Smith Mountain Lake Lions Junior Golf Tournament continues today. Today, golfers will tee off for another 18 holes of golf before the awards ceremony.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch testifies before the House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Members will look at several issues facing the Department of Justice including recent terrorist attacks and the decision to not file criminal charges against Hillary Clinton for her handling of emails. Virginia Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte chairs the committee.

Representatives from Danville and Pittsylvania County will join Governor Terry McAuliffe in England for an Economic Development Announcement. The announcement will be made from the Farnborough International Airshow.

The Greenbrier Resort in While Sulphur Springs will reopen today following last month's deadly flooding. The grounds of the resort suffered major damage, prompting resort leaders and the PGA to cancel the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament. The hotel was opened up to flood victims with more than 700 staying there. Many employees cheer the news that they will return to work.

Martinsville City Council receives and update about upgrades to the city's waterwater treatment plant. In December, council authorized staff to execute a contract with Johnson Controls for upgrades to the wastewater sludge process as well as converting street light to LED and upgrades to utility meters.