What's News Today: December 8, 2016

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(WSLS 10) - Two people who helped bring attention to the lead water in Flint, Michigan, will be honored today. Marc Edwards and Lee-Anne Walters won Smithsonian magazine's American Ingenuity Award. Walters reached out to Edwards for help after her children suffered elevated blood lead and rashes. After Edwards and his team tested her tap water, she learned of the extremely high lead levels.

VDOT holds a design public hearing tonight in Botetourt County about safety improvement along Route 220. The proposed improvements will take place between Iron Gate and the James River bridge near Eagle Rock. Those improvements include widening shoulders, adding turn lanes and creating passing zones. The meeting takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eagle Rock Elementary School.

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The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation holds a workshop today for small businesses. The workshop will talk about the benefits of the Enterprise Zone and how to get grants, fee waivers, technology zones and more.

Monogram Snacks Martinsville will present checks to local charities today. The company's Monogram Loves Kids Foundation is giving a total of $35,000 to the charities. Some of the groups receiving money include Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Big Brother Big Sister of Danville Area.

Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown and the Safe Surfin' Foundation kick off the Cyber SWAT Team at Jefferson Forest High School. SWAT stands for Safety While Accessing Technology. The program trains high school students in the delivery of internet safety lessons. Seniors then take the safety messages to the elementary and middle schools.

The Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine holds its first ever Puppy Graduation today in Blacksburg. The college teamed up with Saint Francis Service Dogs to raise three puppies for service dog training. Over the last year, three puppies spent their days at the school, learning foundational skills like walking on a leash and traveling on a bus.

The Christiansburg Aquatic Center will close to the public this afternoon and three and remain closed through the weekend. The center will host the Swim and Tri Winter Championship, where 1,200 swimmers will compete. The center reopens on Monday.