Men and women competed in a high heel race down Salem Avenue this past weekend as a charity benefit for Apple Ridge Farm. Our paparazzi photo crew was there. Click through this gallery and you’ll find these people from Botetourt County who stepped onto the red carpet:

* Sherwood Kasey
* Betty Noell
* Myra Hubbard
* Tara Ivins
* Summer, Mia, and Abby Harper

The Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into a fatal crash that occurred today around 12:10 pm on Route 11 three tenths of a mile north of Route 622 in Botetourt County. The investigation revealed that a 2000 Mack tractor-trailer was traveling southbound on Route 11 when the driver ran off the left side of the roadway striking an embankment and then several trees.
The driver was identified as Harry Addison Siler, age 73, of Natural Bridge, Virginia. Siler was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

No further details or information regarding the crash is available at this time.

Submitted by State Police

This group picture includes the six students in the initial Children’s Books Illustration Certificate course, which is part of the Masters in Children’s Literature Program at Hollins University. The program was launched last summer, and the group calls themselves the “guinea pigs.”

The four women standing are the instructors and teach drawing, color media, writing and drafting. The program is led by Ruth Sanderson. The dog is our mascot.

The certificates were especially made for us by the instructors. The border is made using block printing. The lettering is calligraphy done by another instructor, and the coloring is added by several of them. They are quite lovely and unique and a true treasure to own.

– Submitted by Faye Caldwell

Freedom First Credit Union is proud to announce the recipients of $6,000 in scholarships to local students, including a new $1,000 scholarship in partnership with the Cabell Brand Center for Global Poverty and Resource Sustainability Studies.

Derek Lituek of William Fleming High School and Kristen Obenchain of Blacksburg High School each received a $1,000 Charles Perkins Scholarship. Both of these outstanding young people plan to attend Virginia Tech.

Freedom First awarded its $1,000 Fritz Kehn Scholarship to Lucas Tyree for the third year in a row. The Salem High School graduate recently earned a degree in agriculture at the University of Hawaii and is attending graduate school at Yale University. Tyree is the first person in his family to attend college, and once he finishes his studies he plans to teach sustainable agriculture practices to the Monacan tribe in Virginia.

The Credit Union awarded the $1,000 City of Salem/Frank Turk Scholarship to Vickie Sword, who is studying business management in Averett University’s adult/accelerated program while working full time in the City of Salem’s recreation department.

Lord Botetourt High School graduate Andrew R. Long was awarded the $1,000 2012 Torie Phillips Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Credit Union, in recognition of his exemplary character and academic achievement. He will attend Virginia Tech.

The Credit Union has expanded its scholarship program through a partnership with the Cabell Brand Center to support students whose goals include “working towards the common good.” The first student to earn the $1,000 FFCU Cabell Brand scholarship is Franklin County High School graduate Tray A. Arthur, who plans to attend Virginia Western Community College.

For more information about the scholarships offered by Freedom First Credit Union, visit freedomfirst.com.

– Submitted by Laura Mitchell, Freedom First Credit Union

Emily Turner is going to Anaheim, CA

Emily Turner, particapated in the Virginia National American Miss pageant in Reston, Va on July 7-9th. This was the state pageant. Emily placed third in the Top Modeling and the Casual Modeling contests.

Since she is one of the top 5 finalists, Emily is invited to participate in the National pageant. She will be representing VA in the top modeling and the casual modeling events. This pageant takes place during the week of Thanksgiving in Anaheim, CA.

–submitted by Gwen Turner

Come sing at Karaoke Night on Aug. 4

The Buchanan Theatre with the help of DJ Randy Riddle will hold a Karaoke night this Saturday night Aug. 4 Regular admission of $6 for adults and $3. The event begins at 7:30 and ends at 9 p.m.

“Every age is welcome to participate,” said, Sharon Coleman president of Standing Room Only. Participants will receive a free movie pass.

The Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association’s 2012 Duane Whitenack City/County Championships were held Friday and Saturday at the Salem Family YMCA.

We have photos from a variety of teams in the championship meet, including Botetourt teams Ashley Plantation, Limestone Park and Read Mountain, taken by John Wimmer. You can view them in the slideshow above, or in a gallery with captions here.

Read Mountain placed third overall among teams, and won its four-team division.

You also can read a full report on the meet from The Roanoke Times, which includes a list of individual winners.

Do you have photos to share from the championship? Email news@botetourtview.com

Learn Ham Radio at the Eagle Rock Library

One of the most valuable things in an emergency situation is information. If communications were ever cut off, how would you find out what was going on? Ham radio is the answer! Not only does ham radio give you and your family an information lifeline if communications were ever disrupted, but it’s also a fun way of speaking with people throughout our country and the world.

The Eagle Rock Library will hold a six-session, bi-weekly class covering the basics of operating a ham radio starting on Monday, August 13th, 2012 (from 5:30-7:30pm). The class itself is free, but you will need to purchase the book Ham Radio License Manual with CD (ARRL Ham Radio License Manual) by H. Ward Silver (available on Amazon.com for around $20.00). There will also be a $15.00 fee for the license examination, which will take place at the end of the class series.

Students who successfully complete the class and pass the exam will earn their Technician Class license and will be able to legally operate a ham radio.

For more information about the class or to register, please call the Eagle Rock Library at 540-884-3880.

RADFORD – Two residents of Blue Ridge graduated from Radford University at the end of the spring semester.

Earning Bachelor of Science degrees were Garrett Shane Brumfield, media studies; and Philip M. Knouff, computer sciences and technology.

Earning  a certificate in information security was Philip M. Knouff.

Radford University is a comprehensive, mid-sized university located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia. Serving a student population of approximately 9,400, Radford features small class sizes and a strong service orientation on a beautiful 191-acre campus. Progress continues on a $212 million building and renovation program designed to transform its American classic campus with 21st century opportunities. A 2009 renovation of Young Hall has created one of the most technologically-advanced academic buildings in the United States. Construction on a $44 million signature building for the College of Business and Economics is set to be completed in fall 2012. The university offers 67 degree programs and two certificates at the undergraduate level; 16 master’s programs with 19 concentrations and three doctoral programs with four concentrations at the graduate level; and five post-baccalaureate certificates.  A NCAA Division I member, Radford currently participates in 19 varsity sports, 11 for women and eight for men. Radford University is recognized for its commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of economic, social and environmental resources.  More information is available by visiting www.radford.edu.

Submitted by Radford University

RADFORD – Four residents of Troutville graduated from Radford University at the end of the spring semester.

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree was Granville Todd Glasco, mathematics and statistics. Earning Bachelor of Business Administration degrees were Will Dearing O’Connor, management; Whitney Christine Massey, finance; and Jordan Scott Brinkley, management.

Radford University is a comprehensive, mid-sized university located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia. Serving a student population of approximately 9,400, Radford features small class sizes and a strong service orientation on a beautiful 191-acre campus. Progress continues on a $212 million building and renovation program designed to transform its American classic campus with 21st century opportunities. A 2009 renovation of Young Hall has created one of the most technologically-advanced academic buildings in the United States. Construction on a $44 million signature building for the College of Business and Economics is set to be completed in fall 2012. The university offers 67 degree programs and two certificates at the undergraduate level; 16 master’s programs with 19 concentrations and three doctoral programs with four concentrations at the graduate level; and five post-baccalaureate certificates.  A NCAA Division I member, Radford currently participates in 19 varsity sports, 11 for women and eight for men. Radford University is recognized for its commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of economic, social and environmental resources.  More information is available by visiting www.radford.edu.