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Minacs opens call center in Henrico

HENRICO, VA (WWBT)- Minacs, the company opening a new call center in Henrico, held it's grand opening today.

Minacs is an international outsourcing company that's opening a call center for a high-tech, Fortune 100 company that it hasn't named yet.

They're investing $2.5 million and hiring 250 people, then up to 500 over the next few years.

Minacs is renting the third floor of the former Circuit City headquarters, which Allianz Global assistance has turned into the Allianz building.

People who want to apply for the call center jobs can apply through the Minacs website: http://www.minacs.adityabirla.com/. Just click on Careers.

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12 INVESTIGATES: Tattoo regret

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A survey by USA Today reveals that Richmond is the third most tattoo'ed city in America. Only people in Las Vegas and Miami have more tattoos than we do.

With so much "ink being done" here, there are bound to be mistakes - or at least regrets. That's where Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Travis Shaw comes in - with his Lutronic "Q-switched laser" that has revolutionized tattoo removal.

As recently as five years ago, laser technology for tattoo removal had a tendency to burn skin, sometimes leaving it discolored or scarred - but no longer.

"It doesn't harm the skin that's around it," said Dr. Shaw. "It only targets the colors that are in the tattoo themselves."

12 ON YOUR SIDE: Tips for donating safely

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.

Devastation in Oklahoma: School safety concerns

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The small town of Moore, OK is a landscape of flattened homes and debris after being hit by an EF-5 tornado, with winds of at least 200 miles an hour.

The search for the dead and for survivors is nearly complete. The number of dead stands at 24, including at least nine children. Hundreds of people were injured.

Among the most horrifying scenes in the vast destruction were two elementary schools, which took direct hits from the twister - taking some of the youngest lives in this tragedy, but sparing others. 

The storm ripped off the roof and knocked down walls, as students and teachers huddled in hallways and bathrooms.  

Tornado watches and warnings are common in Virginia -- and the images from Oklahoma are a brutal reminder of the need to be prepared. 

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Student abducted at gunpoint from Varina HS by classmate

Austin Martin (Source: Henrico Police)

VARINA, VA (WWBT)- A Varina High School student is accused of using a gun to kidnap a 16-year-old classmate from the school's parking lot.

18-year-old Austin Martin was trying to speak to the teenage girl in the parking lot around 8:45 a.m. Monday, but police say when she refused he pulled out a gun. He drove her to a home seven miles away, until she managed to escape a few hours later. Martin ran out of the home and that's when police caught him.

Martin is charged with abduction, use of a firearm in the commission of abduction, brandishing a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm on school property.

Henrico School officials say they were aware of the event Monday, but confirmed the incident with police Tuesday afternoon. Police and school officials both believe there was no threat to other students or school personnel existed.

Henrico man charged with murder of 3-month-old son

Source: Henrico Police

HENRICO, VA (WWBT)- Henrico Police have arrested the father of a 3-month-old child who died in February.

Police charged Cory Daniel Walls after his son was pronounced dead at VCU Medical Center. The child died from internal injuries.

Police arrested Walls Monday and charged him with one count of murder and two counts of child neglect.

Copyright 2013 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

How to help Oklahoma tornado victims

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.