Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers bobblehead commemorates 2019 basketball national championship
Virginia beats Texas Tech in overtime to win national championship
In a remarkable season of redemption, the Virginia Cavaliers won their first men’s basketball championship in school history, defeating Texas Tech 85-77.
USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE — The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled an officially licensed Virginia Cavaliers 2019 Men’s Basketball Championship Court Bobblehead.
The bobblehead features Virginia’s mascot, Cavman, standing on an actual piece of the court that Virginia played on when it won the 2019 Men’s Basketball National Championship in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 8, 2019.
The release is in conjunction with the conclusion of the 2024-25 college basketball season and this week’s anniversary of the national championship.
The bobbleheads will be available exclusively in the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum online store at store.bobblehead.com. The bobbleheads are expected to ship in October.
Each bobblehead will be individually numbered to only 319. The bobbleheads are $100 each plus an $8 flat-rate shipping charge per order.
Suited up in a uniform and giving the No. 1 sign while holding a basketball with the school logo, the Cavman bobblehead is standing on an authentic game-used piece of basketball court from the Final Four where the Cavaliers won the 2019 NCAA title. The court base also features Virginia’s logo and details about Virginia’s first Men’s Basketball National Championship.
Virginia won its first men’s basketball national championship with an 85-77 overtime victory over second-seeded Texas Tech in the championship game before a crowd of 72,062 on April 8, 2019.
De’Andre Hunter scored a game-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Kyle Guy, who was named the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, scored 24 points. Virginia finished 34-3 overall.
Playing in their first Final Four since 1984, the Cavaliers advanced to the final with a 63-62 victory over Auburn. Virginia beat Gardner-Webb, 71-56, in the first round and Oklahoma, 63-51, in the second round. The Cavaliers then outlasted Oregon, 53-49, in the Sweet 16, and beat Purdue in overtime, 80-75, in the Elite Eight.
Other schools featured in the series are the Baylor Bears, Kansas Jayhawks, North Carolina Tar Heels, and LSU Tigers.
“We’re excited to unveil the Virginia Cavaliers game-used championship count bobblehead in conjunction with Artsman,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “This bobblehead will be the ultimate way for Virginia fans to relive the thrill of victory and commemorate the school’s first Men’s Basketball National Championship. The bobblehead will be a keepsake that fans pass down to future generations of Virginia fans.”
Each bobblehead stands on an authentic piece of the championship court supplied by Cincinnati based Artsman, a company that creates handcrafted artifacts from game-used elements of sports history including the Men’s and Women’s College Basketball National Championship games.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on Feb. 1, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country.
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach police are investigating after a large crowd of teens were fighting Saturday evening at Nova Adventure Park.
A Virginia Beach police officer was in the 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway at approximately 9:35 p.m. when a large group of teens started fighting. Additional officers arrived and the teenagers disbursed.
Police said at least one victim involved suffered an injury that was not life-threatening.
The incident is under active investigation.
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Gas prices in Virginia are easing slightly, but any relief at the pump may be short-lived.
AAA reports the state average is now $4.01 per gallon, down about four cents from last week. Despite the dip, prices remain significantly higher when compared to recent months, up roughly 65 cents from a month ago and nearly a dollar more than this time last year.
The national average is also elevated, sitting at $4.12 per gallon.
Experts say the primary driver behind the sustained increase is the rising cost of crude oil, fueled in part by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Even if those pressures begin to ease, analysts warn that drivers should not expect immediate relief.
“The old adage is about gas prices going up they go up like a rocket and then come down like a feather. So they tend to go up very fast in geopolitical crisis like this, but they come down much much slower. So we’re watching and waiting to see what happens there in the Middle East,” said Morgan Dean, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA.
For now, the outlook remains uncertain as global events continue to influence what drivers are paying at the pump.
Virginia
Whitley’s Peanut Factory Marks 40 Years with an Eye on Virginia’s 250th Celebration | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily
GLOUCESTER — What began as a small kitchen experiment has grown into a staple of Virginia’s peanut industry. This year, Whitley’s Peanut Factory is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of family tradition, innovation, and steady growth in Gloucester.
For owner Todd Smith, the milestone is both personal and professional.
“We’re doing something right,” Smith said. “The quality of the product and great customer service, those two things have carried us for 40 years.”
The company officially launched in 1986, though its roots trace back to Smith’s upbringing in the peanut business. His father worked closely with farmers supplying seed peanuts, giving Smith early exposure to an industry that would later define his career.
The idea for the business came from a homemade recipe.
“My dad used to cook these peanuts in our kitchen,” Smith said. “We decided to try it commercially, put them in a can, and see if we could sell them.”
Starting with a small retail store, a single cooker, and just a few employees, the company has since expanded into a multi-location operation. Today, Whitley’s employs dozens of workers, particularly during the busy holiday season when demand peaks.
Despite its growth, the company has remained committed to its original process.
“We’re doing the same thing today that we did 40 years ago, just on a bigger scale,” Smith said.
That consistency has been key to maintaining the brand’s identity and loyal customer base. At the same time, the company has found ways to evolve without compromising quality.
Remaining in southeastern Virginia has been essential to the company’s success. The region is known for producing Virginia peanuts, a variety prized for its size and flavor.
“We’re close to where the peanuts are sourced,” Brett Smith said. “That’s always been important.”
Over the years, Whitley’s has also become a significant employer in Gloucester. During peak seasons, the company employs around 90 people, contributing to the local economy and providing long-term opportunities for many workers.
As Whitley’s celebrates 40 years, the focus is also on what comes next. Todd Smith hopes to eventually pass the business on to his son, who joined the company five years ago.
“The goal is for him to take over and carry on the legacy,” Smith said.
Brett Smith sees both opportunity and challenge ahead.
“The world is changing fast,” he said. “It’s about adapting to that while staying true to what’s made us successful.”
The company’s 40th anniversary comes at a unique time for the Commonwealth, as Virginia prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. For Whitley’s, the overlap adds another layer of meaning to the milestone.
To mark both occasions, the company has introduced commemorative packaging and is participating in local events and festivals tied to the anniversary, particularly in historic areas like Williamsburg and Yorktown. From community gatherings to major seasonal celebrations, Whitley’s is using the moment to highlight both its own history and Virginia’s broader story.
“It’s kind of the bigger picture,” Brett Smith said. “We’re proud of 40 years, but 250 years is pretty incredible.”
As Virginia reflects on its past, Whitley’s Peanut Factory is celebrating its own legacy, while positioning itself to remain part of the state’s future for years to come.
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