March 2014


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Dominion Power and Library of Virginia Honor Eight African-American 'Strong Men & Women in Virginia History'


Dominion Virginia Power and


the Library of Virginia celebrated the leadership and accomplishments of eight outstanding African Americans during the


second annual • "Strong


Men & Women in Virginia History" awards program held Wednesday at the Richmond Marriott.


African


The program honors prominent Americans,


past and


present, who have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth.


"It is only fitting that we honor and showcase the achievements of these exceptional men and women during Black History month," said


Robert M. Blue, president of


Dominion Virginia Power. "These honorees have demonstrated a drive to excel and achieve great things during their lifetimes – and we are all the better for it."


"Each year, I am awestruck and humbled by the stories of the men and women who are honored through the Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program," said Librarian of Virginia Sandra G. Treadway. "Their lives and accomplishments have made a difference in our world and are an inspiration to us all."


The following honorees educator, Richmond


• The Honorable William D. "Bill" Euille – first African-American mayor of Alexandria


• Mary Alice Hatwood Futrell, were


recognized: • James Heyward Blackwell*


–


Ed.D. – educator and organization leader, Lynchburg


Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly* – seamstress and author, Dinwiddie


• Olivia Ferguson McQueen – civil rights pioneer, Charlottesville


• John Mitchell, Jr.* – newspaper editor, Richmond


• The Honorable James R. Spencer – first African-American federal judge of Virginia, Richmond


• Marcellus "Boo" Williams, Jr. – youth sports mentor, Hampton


*Posthumous honor.


Four high school students who wrote winning essays about overcoming obstacles in their communities also participated in the ceremony.


• The winners of the 2014 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History student essay writing contest are:


• Garrett Jones – Greenbrier Christian Academy, Chesapeake


• Jocelyn Lee – Franklin Military Academy, Richmond


• Tyler Phillips – Turner Ashby High School, Rockingham County


• Lexi Maycock – West Springfield High School, Fairfax County


Each student will receive a laptop computer and $1,000 for their school. The


winning essays and program


details, as well as photos and videos of the event will be posted on www.lva. virginia.gov/smw.


RICHMOND - The State Council of Higher Education


SCHEV and Dominion Resources Announce 2014 Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients for Virginia


(SCHEV) and Dominion Resources are pleased to announce the twelve faculty members from Virginia's public and private colleges and universities who have been selected as recipients of the


2014 Outstanding Award (OFA).


again partner with Dominion to honor these extraordinary


"The Council is pleased to once educators who


help make Virginia's system of higher education among the finest in the nation," said SCHEV Director Peter Blake. "The scholarship and dedication of these honorees is a testament to the strength of Virginia's public and private, two-year and four-year institutions."


sponsored the


"Dominion is proud to have Outstanding


Faculty Faculty


Tax Season any income and/or


FROM PAGE 1 deductions on


the return that you do not recognize. Unsupported income and deductions can be signs of an unscrupulous preparer who may deliberately make fraudulent errors, such as inflated claims for deductible expense. When the IRS detects these unsupported claims, the taxpayer is responsible for paying additional taxes, interest and perhaps costly penalties.


Be cautious with offers by tax preparers to handle your refund. These include


suggestions that they can


somehow get your money faster or that you should direct deposit your refund into any bank account other than your own. These services can be costly and perhaps even put you at additional risk for fraud. "Keep in mind that the IRS issues refunds to more than 90 percent of taxpayers in less than 21 days," noted Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC's Outreach and Program Development Section.


Find out if you may be eligible for free tax-preparation assistance through the IRS. One example is the IRS "Free File" program, which allows taxpayers who earn $58,000 or less (for returns to be filed during 2014) to use a software program available to them free through the IRS Web site to prepare and file their


federal taxes. Taxpayers who


exceed the income threshold and are comfortable calculating and preparing their own returns without a software program can manually complete their federal forms through the IRS Web site.


elderly


Also, low-income, and


non-English


disabled, speaking


Awards for the last 10 years," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. "Each year we are impressed by the diverse accom- plishments of these talented professors. These individuals strengthen their communities and the Commonwealth through their commitment


to


discovering and sharing knowledge. They serve as an inspiration not only to the students in their classrooms but to all Virginians."


Need help with your bottom line? Read the Hampton Roads Messenger online 24/7


This year marks the 28th anniversary of the statewide awards program,


which honors faculty


members for excellence in teaching, research, knowledge integration, and public service. The twelve recipients were selected from a pool of 115 applications


based on accomplish-


ments that strongly reflect the missions of their respective institutions.


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com Advertise in the


Hampton Roads Messenger Call (757) 575-1863


taxpayers can receive free tax-prepa- ration assistance by trained, certified volunteers through the IRS-coordinat- ed Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs. For details, start at www.irs. gov/Individuals/IRS-Free-Tax-Return- Preparation-Programs.


These various IRS-affiliated


options enable you to electronically file your return, which is generally the easiest and fastest way to get your return to the IRS. Note: Certain tax returns are not eligible for e-filing.


Direct deposit your tax refund


into your bank account. "Direct deposit is generally the fastest and safest way to get your refund," Reynolds said.


The Hampton Roads Messenger 5


Put some of your refund into savings or toward paying down debt. If you're expecting a refund, consider deciding how much of it you can save toward a goal or for a "rainy day fund" for unplanned expenses. You can direct deposit your tax refund into up to three different accounts at three different U.S. financial institutions, including savings accounts. And, you can use part of your refund to purchase a U.S. Savings Bond for yourself or for someone else. Also consider using part of your refund to pay high-cost loans and other bills, starting with the ones that charge the highest interest rates.


If you owe money on your taxes, consider the best way to pay it. You can have your payment withdrawn electronically from your bank account on a date you specify, such as April 15, but make sure you have enough money in your account. If you don't have money to pay your tax balance, you have several choices, including an IRS monthly installment plan. Also remember that borrowing money on a credit card to pay your taxes can be costly.


Plan for next year's tax return. If


you're expecting to receive a significant tax refund or owe money, consider filling out a new W-4 form with your employer to adjust your "personal allowances."


This adjustment


reduce or increase the taxes withheld each pay period.


"Many people are excited about


getting a big refund, but that really means they have overpaid on taxes and missed an opportunity to invest or otherwise use the money," said Elizabeth


Khalil, a Senior Policy


Analyst in the FDIC's Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection. "If this happens year after year, it may be time to reevaluate how much you are having withheld."


And, if you owed a lot of money on last year's taxes, you may want to increase your withholding (or your estimated


tax payments if you are


self-employed) to reduce the risk of a penalty for underpayment of your taxes during the year. Regardless, you may be able to reduce your taxes through contributions to tax-preferred retirement plans and higher education savings vehicles such as a 529 Plan for college savings.


For more information on taxes,


start at www.irs.gov or consult a tax advisor. For tips on other useful financial topics, visit www.mymoney. gov.


will


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