What is traditionally a favorite way for boaters to learn safety is kicking off the boating education season at Smith Mountain Lake.

Christmas morning started early for the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department and Moneta Rescue Squad when a motorist lost control of her car near 1719 White House Rd. around 12:25 a.m. and the vehicle slammed into a barn. The vehicle and the barn sustained heavy damage, and the driver, the sole occupant, sustained injuries. Fire and EMS volunteers had to work quickly to extricate the driver, fearing that the barn might collapse, said Pete Lewis of the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department. No further information was available.

High winds causing power outages Scattered power outages caused by high winds are being reported in Bedford and Franklin counties.

The Willard Companies and its subsidiaries including Prudential Waterfront Properties, Smith Mountain Building Supply, Westlake Towne Center, Westlake Cinema and The Westlake, The Waterfront and The Water's Edge Country Clubs, partnered again with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots organization for its fifth annual toy drive.

The Board of Bedford Hospice House, Inc. announces that the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust has awarded a grant of $10,000 towards its capital campaign.

Life Line Screening, the nation's leading provider of preventive health screenings, will be at The Westlake Golf and Country Club on Jan. 27. The site is located at 360 Chestnut Creek Dr. in Hardy. Appointments will begin at 10 a.m.

Al Weed, of Public Policy Virginia, will speak at the Bedford Welcome Center on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. about climate change and the importance of growing a "green economy" in Bedford County. This presentation, hosted by the Bedford County and City Democratic Committees, will include current developments relating to energy, fuels and national issues. Light refreshments will follow the discussion. The presentation is free of charge and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, please call the Bedford Welcome Center 540-587-5681.

What is traditionally a favorite way for boaters to learn safety is kicking off the boating education season at Smith Mountain Lake.

Part 1 - This week, the Smith Mountain Eagle begins its annual review looking back at the news and events of 2008. This week features January through June. The review will conclude in the Jan. 7 edition with a review of the last six months of the year.

Tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve! With "Norad Tracks Santa 2008" you can see more of Santa's stops around the world and even see Santa and his reindeer in 3D. The service lets you track Santa as he makes his deliveries all over the world. The Google Maps will refresh Santa's position every 5 minutes.