ASHLAND, VA (WWBT)- The Ashland Town Council voted to up the cost of cigarettes and hotel rooms. A three-cent tax hike on cigarettes, and a two-percent raise on the hotel tax was passed Tuesday evening. The increase will fund a three-percent pay raise for Ashland town employees, including police. Government workers in town haven't had a raise in five years. It's all part of an $11.3 million budget, which carries no debt, according to officials.

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RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The aftermath of disasters like the tornado in Moore, OK can bring out the best in people -stories of heroism, of help, of survival... but it can also bring out people who want to take advantage of your generosity. Urgent appeals for donations by phone, email or social media are probably not on the up and up and are likely scammers.

According to the National Weather Service, Moore residents had 36 minutes to get ready for death and destruction in Oklahoma.

The first code red warning sounded at 2:40 p.m. Monday, 16 minutes before the tornado touched down 10 miles west of the city. It reached Moore at 3:16.

"We hope this inspires people in Richmond to take steps to prepare now, whether that's downloading our Red Cross tornado app or just having a conversation with our family about what would they do if a storm did come through Richmond," said Jonathan McNamara with the American Red Cross.

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Several organizations will allow you to send $10 directly to the Oklahoma disaster zone by sending a text message. The donations will simply be added to your cell phone bill, no credit card information is required. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way.

American Red Cross:
Text REDCROSS to 90999

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma:
Text FOOD to 32333

Salvation Army:
Text STORM to 80888

You can also donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund by clicking here. The Red Cross has also set up a Safe & Well's site to search for missing relatives or friends.

You can also call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.