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Richmond School Board decides against closing two schools

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The Richmond School Board is now scrambling to come up with $1 million after a cost cutting plan fell through. Board members voted in the 11th hour of Monday night's meeting not to close two schools originally on the chopping block.  

Parents say they're glad their kids will still be able to go to Clark Springs Elementary school; however, school board members will still have to find the money they would have saved by closing it down. 

Michelle Goodnight simply wants the best for her daughter who will attend Clark Springs when she's old enough.  

"I think it's a good idea to keep it open," said Goodnight. "I didn't want them to close it down. My brother is doing well at the school. It's a good school for all the kids and their environment." 

6-month-old conjoined twins from Va. separated at VCU

BEFORE SURGERY: A’zhari (pink bow) and A’zhiah (blue bow) gaze at the camera. (Source: Allen Jones, VCU University Relations)

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A 14-hour operation successfully separated six-month-old conjoined twins from Franklin at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Monday.

A'zhari and A'zhiah Jones are now in stable condition in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where they have spent their entire lives. This the first reported successful, phased-separation surgeries of twins sharing vital organs and conjoined at the abdomen and heart like the Jones girls, according to Dr. David Lanning, surgeon-in-chief at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

"We're very optimistic that the twins will have a full and complete recovery," said Dr. Lanning. "At this point we don't anticipate any future operations or need for any long term medications. I see the girls living full happy lives as individuals."

Richmond School Board decides against closing two schools

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The Richmond School Board shot down a controversial plan to close two schools on the city's north side.

The school board chair says the board opted to put off the cost-cutting measure in a 5 to 4 vote. The decision to close the schools came two months ago, and would've saved $1 million.

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Police: Cross-dressing crook nabbed in Shockoe Bottom

Richmond police say they nabbed a cross-dressing crook in Shockoe Bottom.

Terrell A. Reid, 30, is accused of robbing the Exxon station at 17th and Broad streets. K-9 units were called in to help track the suspect.

"I frequent that Exxon. I get gas there. I go in there to shop," said Charles Willis who is executive director of Citizens Against Crime. "At one time, folks would rob you and they would put on a mask. Now, folks are just going out at will with no mask or anything."

Police say the suspect ran from the Exxon along Broad Street to 18th and Grace streets, where the trail went cold. It turns out he was hiding behind a white picket fence. Police say the suspect had taken off the clothes he wore during the robbery and changed into women's attire.

"Evidently it was an attempt on his part to fool the responding officers," said Lt. Jason Hudson. "It didn't work."

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12 INVESTIGATES: Worst intersections in Richmond

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Ever drive through an intersection in Richmond and think it's an accident waiting to happen? It could be. Three intersections are tied for the worst this year. All of them have 15 crashes each.

There were 15 crashes a year at Belvidere and Leigh streets - for 3 years running. This location is a crossroads for the city. It's busy, mainly because of the on and off ramps for the interstate. Drivers can also make left turns into on coming traffic.

Cowardin and Semmes Avenue is new to the top spot, jumping from just 6 crashes here one year ago. We even caught Richmond police targeting the intersection, looking for speeders.

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On Your Side Alert: Do Not Call Registry Scam

There is a warning that the next phone call you receive may be a scam call. The Better Business Bureau is warning that crooks are making calls claiming to be with The National Do Not Call Registry.

If you're trying to stop those annoying telemarketing calls, chances are, you've ended up on The National Do Not Call Registry website. It's the place you go to register your phone number to stop or limit the calls you don't want. Crooks are aware of the site and now they are calling consumers, claiming they are with the registry.

The criminals tell callers they can sign them up for the service.  The call is not coming from the Federal Trade Commission, which operates the site. We've learned that the callers are after your private information. If you fall for the trick, you could be the victim of identity theft.