This Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Parks are encouraging people to ‘opt out’ of the shopping and chaos and ‘opt outside’ instead.

After 52 years of dedicated service to the community, Brownies Hardware and Auto Parts is set to close its doors for the final time at the end of this year.

The 33rd annual Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour is happening this weekend, and you’ll have the chance to check out beautiful homes with stunning views.

Celebrating classic boats at Smith Mountain Lake, the Antique and Classic Boat Show is next weekend. 10 News photojournalist Greg Moore gives us a sneak peak at what you can expect.

Virginia State Parks are trying to brighten people’s day, literally, by unveiling viewfinders for people who are colorblind.

After hearing of the electrocution incident, the owner of Blackwater Diving Company wanted to do something to educate people about the dangers of stray voltage near docks at the lake.

Pirate Days has events all weekend long at Bridgewater Marina and Goodhue Marina at Blackwater, formerly Crazy Horse Marina.

A family vacation took a tragic turn on Thursday when an 18-year-old died after swimming in the lake. Investigators say he may have suffered from electric shock drowning.

Holiday boaters flocked to Smith Mountain Lake to celebrate the Fourth of July with various water activities.

A man is dead and two others are injured after an electrocution incident at Smith Mountain Lake.

The Department of Wildlife Resources is urging safe boating ahead of the Fourth of July: avoid alcohol, wear life jackets, and remember, "throw, don’t go."

It’s been a year since the harmful algal bloom took over a section of Smith Mountain Lake.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office said the drowning appears to be from an accidental fall, but will continue to investigate.

Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days will remain at Crazy Horse Marina, now known as Goodhue Boat Company at Blackwater.

Monday is the unofficial kick-off to summer, meaning businesses on the lake are preparing for a busy season.

These sunny days are giving people the itch to head outside and get in and on the water, and with Memorial Day weekend coming up, Smith Mountain Lake is expecting the crowds.

If you’re looking for new places to eat, check out the Smith Mountain Lake Restaurant Week until April 30.

Residents and the business community at Smith Mountain Lake have formed the Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Alliance to educate the public about harmful algal blooms.

If you’re looking to lend a helping hand, there are about 40 nonprofit organizations that you can give back to today on SML Gives Day.

While it may be winter, the Smith Mountain Lake Association is working to protect the watershed with a dock watch program.

Thanks to Amy Hunter for sending in today’s Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake.

A close friend of Jerson Martinez said she had a dream that led her to his body.

A Roanoke man is dead after drowning at Smith Mountain Lake Monday, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Virginia Department of Health has provided an update regarding the harmful algal bloom that was discovered on Smith Mountain Lake in early June.

The park will have whitewater features, scenic overlooks and calm river playing areas.

Thanks to Lindsey Davis for sending us today’s Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake.

Crews with Smith Mountain Lake Fire and Rescue are working to clean up a portion of the lake this morning after a barge overturned.

The annual Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days are back

Thanks to Laker Charlie for sending us today’s Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake.

Officials have been continuing to monitor the harmful algal bloom in portions of Smith Mountain Lake.

The Smith Mountain Lake community got to hear more about why some of the lake water has been a blueish-green color.

The Smith Mountain Lake Association is hosting a town hall meeting Thursday, July 6 to discuss the health of Smith Mountain Lake.

Conservation Police arrested three people and reported one tubing crash during the July 4th holiday weekend at Smith Mountain Lake.

Before you head out on the water, make sure you keep a few things in mind.

As we head into the Fourth of July holiday weekend, health officials said there are no new updates on the harmful algae blooms in the Blackwater arm of Smith Mountain Lake.

Scientists with the DEQ are still probing the waters for signs of algae that caused swimming advisories when warm weather arrived earlier this year.

The Smith Mountain Lake Association is offering a new resource to keep visitors informed on the harmful algal bloom affecting parts of the lake.

Smith Mountain Lake Association is hosting its signature event, A Day At the Lake. This is a free and interactive event that the whole family can enjoy.

Bright blue or teal water at Smith Mountain Lake is due to algae bloom, according to the Virginia Health Department.

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer for many, but this year it feels more like fall. Businesses at Smith Mountain Lake weigh in on how the weather affects one of their biggest weekends.

Some events have been changed, others have been canceled

Hitting the water this summer? Smith Mountain Lake officials want you to keep safety and of course, fun, top of mind.

Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers are coming to The Coves at Smith Mountain Lake, and now for only our WSLS Insiders - you can go for free!

A man is dead after he drowned at Smith Mountain Lake, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

A solar farm proposal is off the table in Franklin County.

The Coves Amphitheater at Smith Mountain Lake is set to hold a Charity Concert Series in an effort to help local charities better support those in need.

A ribbon cutting is highlighting the first of many new bank branches coming to our area.

Thanks to Charlie for sending today’s Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake.

Two bodies that were recovered from Smith Mountain Lake on Thursday morning were confirmed to be the two boaters missing after a boat capsized Monday.

Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials announced that they’re sending additional divers into Smith Mountain Lake to continue recovery efforts.

Bring your spoons and your appetite to Bridgewater Marina on Saturday, Nov. 5 for the 19th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival.

The Smith Mountain Lake Center, Inc. released interior design renderings for its planned multi-purpose center at Westlake Corner.

A 42-year-old man is dead after drowning at Smith Mountain Lake Saturday, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Organizers say they planned the blood drive months ago, but the time of it being right after Hurricane Ian makes it even more important.

Each year, kids come to the Bridgewater Marina at Smith Mountain Lake to feed popcorn to the massive carp that gather around the docks. All popcorn sales are donated to Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia.

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival returns.

A new area is opening for lake-goers soon, just in time for the fall season.

The Smith Mountain Lake Center has 70% of the funds they need to purchase the building for the center.

Volunteers collected about 125 trash bags full of trash and debris from the shoreline in May

The event’s proceeds will support programs and services that assist people in the area that are struggling with poverty, the release said.

Get ready to walk to the plank because Pirates are taking over Smith Mountain Lake this weekend.

Water balloons aren’t the treasure you want to leave behind as you could end up facing fines and punishment.

With the Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days event coming on July 16, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources is reminding Virginia citizens of the new regulation that went into effect on July 1, which bans citizens from intentionally releasing or discarding any non-biodegradable or non-photodegradable balloons outdoors in the Commonwealth.

In this episode of John Carlin's Outdoors, we go striper or striped bass fishing on Smith Mountain Lake with fishing guide Travis Patsell who owns Cats and Stripers. Along for the trip is an old fishing companion, Steve Reynolds, who first showed me the ropes on striper fishing three decades ago.

Concerned residents and business owners want to enhance safety on Smith Mountain Lake by turning part of it into a no-wake surfing zone.

The risk for severe storms is in our forecast through 12 a.m. Thursday

Swimmers can now safely take a dip in all parts of Smith Mountain Lake.

People can come to Smith Mountain Lake to remember the 58,000 soldiers who fought and passed away in the Vietnam War.

Bridgewater Marina in Franklin County is helping children’s wishes become a reality.

Swimmers are urged to avoid five small areas of Smith Mountain lakes due to high levels of bacteria.

Virginia’s lakes are seeing an extra crowd of people this Memorial Day weekend, but with heavy rainfall just days ago, marina managers are advising people to take caution.

Ahead of the busy holiday weekend, conservation police with the Department of Wildlife Resources are reminding people to be safe while out boating.

As the weather gets warmer, businesses near Smith Mountain Lake are preparing for a busy season.

Hundreds of abandoned boats across the commonwealth are putting a strain on marina owners’ pockets while putting wildlife at risk.

Abandoned boats are littering Virginia and are impacting the economy, people’s safety and wildlife habitats.

Malfunctions at a nuclear plant 43 years ago will be brought to light in a new documentary on Netflix.

Thanks to SJ for sending us today’s Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake!

Prowse purchased more property near the marina to build a roller hockey rink, basketball court, and pickleball court.

Thanks to Jeremy for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake!

Thanks to Kathleen for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake!

Homes near Smith Mountain Lake are opening up their doors again for the community to take a sneak peek inside with the goal to help charities.

Smith Mountain Lake saw a lot of traffic on Labor Day. The weather was perfect for boating, playing a game of mini golf, or even enjoying a meal outside. The holiday brought in a good deal of foot traffic for businesses on the lakefront, which gave it a very different look than last year.

Labor Day weekend on the Smith Mountain Lake will be all hands on deck for conservation police.

MKB Realtor Amanda Ostrander shows us a gorgeous house on Smith Mountain Lake that you need to check out.

A local favorite at Smith Mountain Lake is doubling down on its efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

If you were looking forward to the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, you're going to have to wait another year.

Summertime is the best time to invest in Smith Mountain Lake, according to SVN Motleys Commercial.

A group of women, ranging in age from 50 to nearly 80, are making waves on the water at Smith Mountain Lake.

Thanks to Pamela for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake!

Two men from Franklin County are dead after their helicopter crashed while flying to the Outer Banks.

A Smith Mountain Lake park manager is calling on community members to change their ways after noticing major trash accumulation in the area.

On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people took cover in a water battle on Smith Mountain Lake in celebration of Pirate Days.

From petting alpacas to wearing their cozy fur, an alpaca farm on Smith Mountain Lake has it all.

Festivities include a pirate ball, several costume contests, water battles and more.

Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, Franklin County has tons of great food options

Folks on Smith Mountain Lake said this holiday weekend was one for the record books. That includes the turnout at Sunday night’s fireworks show that as of just two weeks prior, was canceled.

It’s looking like a great weekend to be outside for the holiday, and for many people, that means time out on Smith Mountain Lake.

Thanks to Manley for sending us today's Picture of the Day from Smith Mountain Lake!

Mitchell’s Point Marina announced Friday that in addition to its July 2 fireworks it will now be launching fireworks on Independence Day.

Wednesday night kicked off the 9th annual Lyrics on the Lake songwriters festival.