Xfinity’s Storm-Ready WiFi Equipped with Cellular Back-Up Enabling Customers to Work and Stream Without Interruption  Device Doubles as a WiFi Extender; Delivers Strong WiFi Signal to Hard-to-Reach Corners of the Home

PHILADELPHIA, PA – August 15, 2023 – Today Comcast becomes the first Internet Provider to offer a product designed to maintain connectivity when a storm hits, trees are down, or a customer experiences a local outage, with the launch of Storm-Ready WiFi.

With severe weather impacting many parts of the country, there has never been a greater need for a back-up connectivity solution. Comcast’s new Storm-Ready WiFi device is equipped with cellular back-up and a four-hour rechargeable battery, more than enough power to keep customers up and running for the average power outage in the U.S. of two hours*. Storm-Ready WiFi gives customers peace of mind that they’ll be able to maintain connectivity at home, as it provides a seamless connection with auto failover. When the power goes out, the customer’s network is automatically transitioned to cellular back-up so they can continue the use of their Internet.

Storm-Ready WiFi also doubles as a WiFi extender to deliver a strong WiFi signal to those hard-to-reach corners of the home. The device works with Xfinity gateways to create a wall-to-wall mesh network that seamlessly extends coverage throughout customers’ homes. Storm-Ready WiFi is also WiFi 6 capable, elevating the WiFi experience in the home with faster speeds, lower latency and increased bandwidth to power more devices in the ever-increasing connected homes of today.

“With so much of our daily lives dependent on WiFi connectivity, we knew our customers needed a product that could help keep them connected no matter what life throws at them – even during a storm,” said Emily Waldorf, SVP, Consumer Internet Services, Comcast Cable. “Storm-Ready WiFi is that solution. Not only does Storm-Ready WiFi extend coverage to deliver our best-in-class WiFi to hard-to-reach corners of the home, but it also gives customers the peace of mind that their connection at home can continue even when the power is out.”

Storm-Ready WiFi’s Key Features Usher in a New Era of Reliability:

Powered by the Xfinity 10G Network

The Xfinity 10G Network that powers Storm-Ready WiFi provides increased speed, capacity, reliability, and lower latency. Storm-Ready WiFi is just the beginning of the next-generation Internet experience Comcast will pioneer, with roll outs of multi-gig speeds to markets across the country planned for later this year.

Seamless, Always-On Connection and Unlimited Cellular Data

Storm-Ready WiFi automatically transitions to free unlimited cellular data during outages**. And its rechargeable back-up battery maintains reliable service for customers for up to 4 hours. 

Extended WiFi Coverage

In addition to providing back-up connectivity, Storm-Ready WiFi is one of the best WiFi extenders on the market today capable of delivering high-speeds over WiFi. It uses the Xfinity 10G Network and is WiFi 6-capable, which provides an added layer of strong, reliable WiFi coverage to help eliminate dead spots.

Quick, Easy Set Up with Auto Failover

Getting started with Storm-Ready WiFi is as simple as plugging it in and following the activation flow in the Xfinity app. No activation fees are required. The device simply integrates with customers’ existing Xfinity Gateway and WiFi network, as well as the Xfinity app, without any need to switch networks in-home. Any time the Storm-Ready WiFi transitions to cellular, customers will receive a notification and their devices will automatically maintain connectivity.

Recycled Materials
Comcast’s commitment to sustainable innovation includes reducing materials, increasing recyclability, and utilizing recycled materials in products. Storm-Ready WiFi is Comcast’s first device designed using recycled materials, with the casing made from 65% post-consumer recycled plastic.

Great Value

For the low price of $7 a month for 36 months, customers can purchase Storm-Ready WiFi that comes backed with WiFi extending capabilities that stretch speeds to all corners of the home, a back-up cellular connection, unlimited cellular data, a 4-hour back-up battery that gives customers the peace of mind that they’ll always be connected, even when the power goes out.  

Xfinity’s Storm-Ready WiFi goes on sale today. The device will be available for purchase at Xfinity Stores and on www.xfinity.com.

RICHMOND, VA- the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is thrilled to announce that on May 29th, 2023, Brittany Watkins from Henderson, North Carolina landed a 6-pound, 8 ounce Saugeye from the Virginia portion of Lake Gaston.  Ms. Watkins caught the trophy-sized fish with a crankbait.  The fish measured 25 ¼ inches, with a girth of 14 ½ inches and was officially weighed at Bobcat's Bait and Tackle in Clarksville, VA.   

After biologist verification and review by the State Record Committee, Ms. Watkin's catch was certified and is recognized as the current Virginia State Record Saugeye.  The Saugeye surpassed the previous record of 6 pounds, 0 ounces caught by Michael Miller in 2022 from the Staunton River.   

For more information on Saugeye, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/fish/saugeye/ 

Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) will continue with a full schedule of classes for the fall semester beginning August 21, 2023.  With multiple class options available for students, the college is again taking a "HyFlex" approach to course delivery.  This means class options (depending on the needs of each discipline) may include full-time in-person instruction, or a mix of in-person instruction, expanded online offerings and a "Zoom to Home" option.

"Beginning a new academic year at SVCC is always an exciting time as we welcome students of diverse backgrounds including first generation, dual enrolled, governor's school, adult learners and returning students eager to earn degrees and/or certificates," said Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, SVCC President.  

"The fall semester marks SVCC's 53rd year as an institution of higher learning and I could not be more proud of our faculty & staff that continue to carry out the college's mission in educating the people of southside Virginia," stated Johnson.

SVCC offers academic and workforce classes at two campuses, the Christanna Campus in Alberta and the John H. Daniel Campus in Keysville, and five centers: Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center in South Hill; Estes Center in Chase City; Occupational Technical Center in Blackstone; Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston and the Southside Virginia Education Center in Emporia.

To help students get registered for classes, SVCC is offering extended hours at each location from August 14th - 17th from 8:00AM to 6:00PM.

For more information or to contact a college representative, please visit southside.edu or call (434) 949-1000.

KENBRIDGE, VA – Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. (BMBN), the Kenbridge-based hold­ing company for Benchmark Community Bank, announced unaudited results for the three- and six-month periods ending June 30, 2023. Net income for the second quarter amounted to $3,860,138, a 21.86% increase from the $3,167,623 posted for the second quarter of 2022, while earnings per share increased from $0.70 to $0.85 for the quarter. Net income for the first six months of the year amounted to $8,390,870, a 61.50% increase from the $5,195,532 earned last year, while earnings per share increased from $1.15 to $1.86 for the period.

Notable Items:

• Interest income increased from $18.2 million to $25.3 million when comparing the first six months of 2023 to the same period last year, while interest expense rose from $998,296 to $2.6 million during the same period. The result was a 32.58% increase in net interest income, which increased from $17.2 million to $22.8 million.

• The Bank has experienced mark-to-market gains of $86,413 year-to-date, compared to losses of $595,477 through the first six months of 2022.

• Non-accrual loans have increased from $636,529 to $880,118. The bank does not hold any foreclosed property as of June 30, 2023.

• A total of $257,766 was provisioned to the loan loss reserve during the first six months of 2023, compared to a provision of $220,826 during the same period last year. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of net loans was 0.83% on June 30, 2023, compared to 0.84% last June.

• Interest expense on borrowings, used to support the company’s stock repurchase program, amounted to $46,957 year-to-date. Interest expense of $67,296 was recognized last year during the same period.

• A total of 4,539 common shares have been repurchased year-to-date at an average price of $24.00 per share. A total of 6,550 shares were repurchased at an average price of $24.00 during the first six months of 2022. The Company had 4,521,257 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2023.

As of June 30, 2023, total assets were $1.12 billion, an increase of $61.8 million over the June 30, 2022, balance of $1.06 billion. Over the past twelve months, total loans have increased by $120.9 million, while total deposits have increased by $49.7 million. Shareholders’ equity, net of unrealized gains on investment securities, was $99.6 million on June 30, 2023, an increase of $12.7 million, or 14.6%, over the June 30, 2022, balance of $86.8 million. All capital ratios exceeded regulatory guidelines for a well-capitalized financial institution under the Basel III regulatory requirements as of June 30, 2023.

Key Financial Ratios:

• Return on average equity (ROAE) increased from 12.52% to 18.21% and return on average assets (ROAA) increased from 0.99% to 1.52% year to date.

• Yield on loans increased from 4.90% to 5.31%, while the bank’s cost of funds increased from 0.19% to 0.51%.

• Net interest margin has increased from 3.47% to 4.39% as a result of rising interest rates and growth in both loans and investments.

• Current book value of the Company is $20.52 per share, compared to $17.68 one year ago. The closing market price at quarter-end was $22.95 per share, or 111.9% of book value.

The common stock of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. trades on the OTC Pink marketplace under the symbol BMBN. Any stockbroker can assist with purchases of the company's stock, as well as with sales of holdings.

Benchmark Community Bank, founded in 1971, is head­quartered in Kenbridge, VA. It is the company's sole subsidiary which oper­ates seventeen banking offices through­out central Southside Vir­ginia and northern North Carolina. Additional information is available at the company’s website, www.BCBonline.com.

Crater Community Hospice has been named a 2023 Hospice CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) Honors Award recipient by HEALTHCAREfirst. This prestigious annual review recognizes agencies that continuously provide a positive patient experience and high-quality care as measured by patient and caregiver surveys.

To qualify for the Hospice Honors award, agencies must score above the national average on Willingness to Recommend and above the national average on at least 85% of the remaining evaluated questions.

“We began our Annual Hospice Honors Award program more than ten years ago as a way to highlight those agencies that are truly leading the way in providing and demonstrating quality patient care,” said Ronda Howard, Vice President of Revenue Cycle and CAHPS at HEALTHCAREfirst. “We congratulate Crater Community Hospice on their success and are so proud and honored that they have chosen to partner with us in helping drive success for their agency.”

Crater Community Hospice CEO, Zach Holt, credits CCH employees and volunteers. He said, "Every member of our staff comes to work each day with the goal of helping those in need. When you are caring for someone in their final days, only the very best care is good enough. Quality of care and empathy are our hallmarks."

RICHMOND, VA- The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is seeking public review of the draft 2023–2032 Virginia Black Bear Management Plan through September 5, 2023. The first Bear Plan, completed in 2001, has been revised twice through the involvement of public stakeholders and managers of bears in Virginia. Because DWR's mission includes managing "wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present and future generations," it is important that the process used to develop and revise the Bear Plan incorporates both public values (e.g., economic, sociological, cultural) and biological considerations. 

The revised Bear Plan will guide bear management across the Commonwealth through 2032. This plan describes the history of black bear management, current status of bears and bear management programs, and the future of bear management in Virginia. The plan provides a framework of what needs to be done and how it should be done. 

Guided by the DWR mission, the Bear Plan includes a mission statement and six goals that address the areas of populations, habitat, recreation, human-bear conflicts, and bear health and welfare. Specific objectives help guide the attainment of each goal. Potential strategies then clarify how each objective could be achieved, but without delving into the operational details. This plan will provide clarity and direction on the goals of bear management in Virginia for the next decade to the DWR Board of Directors, DWR administrators and staff, agency partners, and the public. 

For more information on bears in Virginia, please visit: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/