Roanoke Cement Company (RCC), founded in 1950 and acquired by Titan America in 1992, has been a longstanding member of the Catawba Valley community. Located between the Appalachian Mountains and Jefferson National Forest, Roanoke Cement is privy to the energy-intensive nature of its industry and works assiduously to minimize its carbon footprint.

As a result of these efforts, Roanoke Cement is pleased to announce that we have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR certification for the 7th consecutive year. The ENERGY STAR certification signifies that our industrial facility performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

“It is rewarding to know that small adjustments in air pressure, for example, can result in huge savings over the course of the year and add up to a tangible difference,” said Stephen Knox, Electrical Manager. “Energy savings benefits the company by reducing our energy costs while also contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing overall energy demand.”

Earning ENERGY STAR certification highlights Roanoke Cement’s status within the top 25 percent of cement industries in the nation with regard to energy performance. Since our first certification in 2007, Roanoke Cement has made countless strides to lower its energy consumption. Efforts include reductions in plant air usage, installation of VFD on a major fan, reduction in the use of heaters throughout the plant, and automation throughout the plant. These upgrades have resulted in more than 2 MW of reduction since our first year of certification.

Roanoke Cement understands and embraces its obligation to continuously lower energy consumption as we strive to be leaders in sustainability and environmental stewardship for our industry. Initiatives for achieving future energy reductions include:

• Reducing or eliminating the use of inefficient or unnecessary lighting

• Maximizing the use of alternative fuels

• Targeting other fans as candidates for VFD upgrades

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.

For more information about Roanoke Cement Company, visit:

http://www.titanamerica.com/our_company/business_activities/roanoke_cement_company/

–Submitted by Jennifer Coleman

Jasmine Forest is petting the rabbit that Jonathan Austin pulled out of the pot! Photo courtesy of Barbara Livingston

Buchanan Elementary enjoyed Field Day despite the rainy day.  Jonathan Austin, the Magician, began our festivities by amazing us with magic tricks, comedy, and juggling.  Then we all played games inside with Mr. Falls and his many assistants.  Classes ate picnic lunches in their classrooms.  PK-2^nd grade had a blast in the Bounce House or riding scooters and playing tag.  Some classes played games in their classrooms.  We also autographed our friends’ yearbooks.  We know how to have fun on rainy days at Buchanan Elementary School!

– Submitted by Barbara Livingston, Buchanan Elementary School

James River High School held graduation indoors for the first time in years. The “new gym” of the school’s sports complex was packed with enthusiastic supporters of the class of 2013. 127 graduates in the Class of 2013 walked into the gym to the JRHS concert band’s arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance.”  Senior Amber Tiller opened with “The Star Spangled Banner.” Later the JRHS Singing Knights performed with a solo by Senior Morgan Rakes.

Words of wisdom and encouragement came from  Class president Kelly Albert and SCA president Maggie Grumbine. Salutatorian Jessica Simmons spoke,  “Assistant principal Mike Ketron called the school “Mayberry” when he first arrived. Since then he has even dressed as Barney Fife.”  It is a small town school, one of the benefits of the JRHS tradition.   Joey Kane the Valedictorian is heading to college to major in engineering at UVA. Kane encouraged, “Return to the Roanoke Valley to work after you pursue your degrees.”  Be sure to do what you enjoy as a career path was part of his message.

Principal Jamie Talbott read from a Dan Casey, Roanoke Times column about the JRHS students donating their efforts of a Toy Mountain concert to Staunton River High School after the deaths of three students at SRHS. He commended the students in the class and offered them a standing ovation from the well over 1,500 people in the gym.

School Superintendent Dr. Tony Brads announced that there were 127 graduates, out of them 54 will attend a 4 year college, 43 a 2 year, 29 are entering the workforce and 1 the military. 105 received a Technical education seal. 97 received college credit.

After diplomas were awarded,  the students were pronounced graduates. 13 years of school erupted in tossing of caps and oodles of silly string flew through the air.  Finally, the grads marched out of the gym  and into the future.

4H Livestock Daycamp is June 19th at Limestone Park

Botetourt County 4-H Offers Cloverbud Livestock Day Camp for youth ages 5 – 12

As school is dismissed there is a new season of vacations, adventures and water sports approaching but nothing says summer like camp! This year the Botetourt County Cooperative Extension Office is excited to be hosting a Cloverbud Livestock Day Camp.

The camp will be held on June 19, 2013 from 9:00 – 12:30 at Limestone Park in Buchanan. The camp will be available to students from the ages of five to twelve and will be designed to give participants a hands-on, safe, educational experience in agriculture.

Focus areas of the camp will include animal selection, animal health and animal showmanship utilizing goats and lambs. Students will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of animal agriculture and the importance of the industry to their families as consumers. Animal health and animal husbandry will also be featured topics. The camp will end with a segment in animal showmanship. Participants will be partnered with a senior 4-H member and have the chance to try their hand at showing sheep and goats with the assistance of an older member. Camp registration is free but participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch for a picnic following the program. Please register by June 17th by calling the Botetourt Extension County Extension Office at (540)-473-8260. For registration or questions please contact Katherine Carter, Associate Extension Agent 4-H Youth, carterke@vt.edu or Joy Powers, VCE-Intern joy4@vt.edu .

Our paparazzi photo crew was at opening night of “Stuart Little” at the Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and here are the Botetourt County people who stepped onto the red carpet.

* Allison Argabright and Carolyn Doak
* Abby Day

Click through to see the photos individually or click here to see them all at once as thumbnails.

The show runs through Sunday; you can find details here.

The Square Society hosted its 2nd Annual Light Up the Night 5K Walk/Run in Downtown Roanoke to raise money and awareness for Center in the Square. Our paparazzi photo crew was there and here are the Botetourt people who stepped onto the red carpet:

* Philissa Taylor
* Lawrence Harding, Sr. and Lawrence Harding, II
* David and Debra Helmke
* Xinia Fuccella and Kevin Fuccella
* Bonnie Davis

Click through to see the photos one at a time or click here to see them all at once as thumbnails.

– Submitted by Rebecca Evans

Caitlyn Overbay left and Brooke Williams right, are Salutatorian and Valedictorian for the LBHS Class of 2013.

Brooke Williams is the Valedictorian of the  Lord Botetourt High School Class of 2013. She will attend the University of Virginia to pursue a degree in Neuroscience. “I have been in Roanoke Valley Governor’s School all four years. I have loved being there and here. My teachers have been crucial to my success.” This summer she plans to go on mission trips with Bonsack Baptist Church. Other wise she is preparing for her  next level of academics and getting ready to go to UVA.

Caitlyn Overbay is the Salutatorian for the LBHS class of 2013. She is also going to attend the University of Virginia.  “I enjoyed my four years at Roanoke Valley Governor’s School, as well as Lord Botetourt. My success has been a collaborative effort from everyone around me.” She will work at Ashley Plantation and Read Mountain Swim Clubs this summer before  she is off to UVA to major in Kinesiology.

Principal Jamie Talbott has announced James River High School graduation will be indoors on Wednesday, June 12. Due to the recent wet weather, the football field was not suitable for a stage or chairs he said.

“The doors of the new gym in the sports complex will open at 6: 15 p.m. No tickets will be required. Both the front of the school and the sports complex will be open as entrances for the event.”

“Handicap parking  will be available at the Sports Complex entrance,” he noted.

Graduation ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m.

SALEM — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a citizen information meeting to gather public input on the environmental study being conducted for Interstate 81 in the Roanoke and New River valleys. VDOT launched the Tier 2 Environmental Assessment of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Study for the section of I-81 between exit 118 (Christiansburg) and exit 143 (Roanoke) last fall, but in April 2013 added an addition seven miles to extend the study from exit 143 north to exit 150 (Troutville).

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Lord Botetourt High School, 1435 Roanoke Road, in Daleville. The meeting is being held to provide an opportunity for citizens and organizations to give VDOT comments or suggestions on the proposed project and the scope of issues to be addressed in the environmental study. The meeting will be held in an open-house format with no formal presentation given. VDOT representatives will be present to discuss the study and to answer questions.

Comments about the study may be submitted at the meeting or until July 6, 2013, by mailing them to Ms. Angel Deem, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Comments can also be emailed to Angel.Deem@VDOT.Virginia.gov. Please reference “I-81 Tier 2 EA” in the subject line.

Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact Patrick Hughes at 804-371-6839, 800-367-7623 or TTY/TDD 711.

Based on traffic analysis associated with the Tier 2 document, VDOT determined that the traffic and ramp volumes and commuting patterns along the seven-mile portion of I-81 between exit 143 and exit 150 represent a more logical breakpoint that is consistent with the original study section between exit 143 and exit 118. Therefore, VDOT expanded the study area to include the additional seven miles north to exit 150. VDOT held two previous citizen information meetings for the Tier 2 Environmental Assessment in early February in Christiansburg and Salem.

The environmental study is the next required step before a widening project along the study area can be designed and constructed. The proposed widening project would involve the construction of no more than two general purpose lanes in each direction, where needed, to address future traffic demands for this section of I-81. VDOT is completing the Environmental Assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

–submitted by VDOT