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Rain has caused the North Fork of Catawba Creek to spill from it's banks and onto Breckinridge Mill Road around 8 a.m.

With the continued rain from a nor'easter formed from the remnant of Hurricane Ida, the area has seen a great deal of rain in the past 36 hours.

The following roads have water across them in Botetourt County as of 8 :30 a.m. Rain is expected to continue through out today and into early Friday.

Rice Road in Lithia, Breckinridge Mill Road in Fincastle, Grove Hill Road in Fincastle, White Oak Road in Blue Ridge, Stoney Battery Road near Camp 25 in Troutville and Parkway Drive  off Rt 43 near Buchanan.

Here are the iFlow stats for Botetourt County as of 9 a.m.

Last Updated: Thursday November 12, 2009 at 09:00:02 AM EST Missing gage reports are indicated by dashes (-). Current Rainfall Data for Botetourt County, Virginia:

     GAGE NAME           ID  15 MIN    30 MIN    1 HOUR    3 HOUR    6 HOUR   12 HOUR   24 HOUR

  Tinker Creek       1101  0.00      0.00      0.04      0.32      0.72      1.68      2.52
  Daleville          1102  0.00      0.04      0.12      0.28      0.64      1.40      2.52
  Carvin Creek       1103  0.00      0.00      0.08      0.32      0.84      1.92      3.00
  Glade Creek        1104  0.00      0.00      0.08      0.44      1.16      2.24      3.32
  Troutville         1105  0.00      0.00      0.08      0.40      0.88      2.00      3.08
  Lithia             1106  0.08      0.08      0.08      0.24      0.88      1.76      2.72
  Apple Orchard Mt   1108  0.00      0.04      0.04      0.24      0.52      0.64      1.60
  Sloan Branch       1109  0.00      0.00      0.08      0.52      0.84      2.84      4.84
  Oriskany           1110  0.00      0.00      0.00      0.08      0.56      1.92      2.60
  Buchanan           1187  0.00      0.04      0.08      0.24      0.52      0.92      1.64
  North Fork         1188  0.00      0.00      0.00      0.00      0.36      1.64      2.48

Stage Data (In feet). (-) indicates no report for specified time frame.

                                CURRENT    3 HOUR   6 HOUR    12 HOUR   24 HOUR
                              9:00am    6:00am   3:00am     9:00pm    9:00am
     GAGE NAME           ID     (11/12)   (11/12)  (11/12)    (11/11)   (11/11)
  Buchanan SG         1480      8.9       7.1       5.0       4.1       2.7
  Daleville SG        1489      3.4       3.2       3.0       2.4       2.2

What are you seeing in your part of Botetourt? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by email at news@botetourtview.com.

This sunset looks like a coyote!

It's Terrific Tuesday again. How are things in your neck of the woods?

The coyotes or as the old cow poke might say, "Kai yoats" are driving me crazy. For the past couple of weeks they have been haunting our farm particularly with the recent full moon. They howl and sing and  get every dog within miles to bark furiously. Including mine and the farm beagles. it keeps me awake, then gives me spooky dreams.

Thought I'd share an old coyote story from my previous life. In the summer of 1984, I vacationed in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico for 12 days. This was life prior to parenthood and with husband number one, Bobby Benson, may he rest in peace.

The Preamble:

We made a trip out to Yellowstone National Park. Hubby had arranged for us to spend the night away from civilization in a cabin. It seemed like we drove all day. When we arrived, a Momma and almost grown pair of Grizzly cubs were walking down the forlorn road in front of our cabin. I promptly refused to spend the night. Having watched, "Night of the Grizzly" with Clint Walker too many times, I am still positively convinced that a wooden cabin door would not stop a hungry Grizzly bear. Looking back now, the Far Side cartoon of the polar bears and the Igloo come to mind when I think about that cabin and those Grizzly bears, "Hmm, just like I like 'em crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside."

So, I refused to stay and we had to drive all the way back to civilization. The hubby was not amused. Later that week we drove through Colorado and rode that insane cog railroad up the side of Pike's Peak so he paid me back. From there we trekked southward to the cow's tail of the world, Las Vegas, New Mexico and spent the night in a hotel with velvet paintings, shag carpet and a sign by the front desk that said, "We rent swimwear." And please do not get Las Vegas, New Mexico confused with Las Vegas, Nevada. They are poles apart yet similar in a gaudy, not so good way. Thus I come to my coyote tale.

The Terrible Night of the Howling Coyote:

By now you may have guessed I am interesting traveling companion. Our friends, the Bishops, had a ranch in North Central New Mexico in dot on the map called Lindrith just near enough to a town called Cuba to have some civilization close. Kind of like just having Fincastle by itself some where in the middle of nowhere, about as far away as Pulaski County, though not nearly as quaint as Fincastle or full of fast food like Pulaski!

We drove out the five mile dirt driveway full of arroyos and snakes and desert to their little ranch house. When we got there no one was home. The house was locked up tight as a drum and Old Shep the wonder dog slept so soundly he didn't even wake up to check us out. We decided to wait as going back to Cuba seemed fruitless.

We waited and waited some more. In the darkness the sky lit up with a million stars. No ground clutter light out there where never a discouraging word is heard.  It was spectacular.  Then the coyotes began to howl. Not unlike the bears theory associated with a movie, I thought of Stephen King's book Cujo, except Cujo Juniors in a pack of Coyotes.

They seemed to surround us. I rolled up the window of our rental car. The howlers sounded like they were everywhere taking turns, building my imagination in the dark. Hundreds had me surrounded, I was sure of it.

An hour passed and there we sat, still in a stellar heaven surrounded by coyotes. Another passed and I couldn't take it any more. That last Pepsi Cola back in Cuba needed to be released.  The coyotes continued to howl out in the fields and on the mesa and mountain.

It was like something out of the Twilight Zone. My camel bladder gave out on me and I had to bear the   hubby chuckles as I crept from the shot gun seat and went around in front of the car. There I assumed the position and dropped my shorts and well never mind what happened next.

Something cold and wet nosed me on my bare behind. I screamed as loudly as I could and leapt on to the hood of the car. My heart raced and certain I had been attacked by a Wiley Coyote, I continued to scream.

Like most men, the hubby's reaction was slow. It seemed an hour passed before he flipped on the high beams, me on the hood screaming and him outside the car with cassett tape case in his hand to wield as a weapon against Wiley Coyote.

What a surprise.

Old Shep the wonder dog whom we soon discovered had cataracts and couldn't hear well, had drifted up to the car and well he still had a good nose so he was trying to ID me by his sense of smell.

Indeed I had not been attacked by anything other than a deaf and blind old shephard. The husband laughed so hard, he scared all the coyotes away.  We never heard another howl for the rest of the evening. Later that night our friends made it back to the ranch. They had been delayed  by a train and in the years before a cell phone, if there is even service out there now, had no way to tell us. We had waited through the terrible dark night of the howling coyote. Or howling Cathy depending on who told the story. And survived to tell about it.

See you next week!

A first annual home tour (gallery) is coming to Troutville! In their energized quest to make a strategic plan for the Town of Troutville, the Friends of the Troutville Park have organized a Christmas tour for homes, businesses and a church on Sunday, December 6 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 each and may be purchased at any of the homes.

The tour begins at Everything Art at Mill Creek which used to be Mill Creek Garage, then flows along Lee Highway to the Rader home at 8910 called Cave Spring Farm and home to Jack Rader.  The Rauscher House at 5559 Lee Highway built around 1908 is also featured. The Town Park Caboose numbered X544 circa the mid  20th century, Southern Past Times a small country and decor business in a one floor plan home typical of the 1940s. Cave Hill Dairy Farm is located at 87 Henderson Way off Catawba Road (west of Daleville) which has a Troutville address. The Henderson home is one of 9 Dairy Farms left in Botetourt County and home to Jerry and Donna Henderson, "The Pickle Lady." The tour ends at Troutville Church of the Brethern  on Lee Highway in the center of town, with a reception.

Photos courtesy of Kathy Conner, Shutterbug photography.

Taylor Newcomb of Buchanan shares these photos of fall leaves on the Peaks of Otter.

Thanks, Taylor.

Do you have photos from around Botetourt? If so, you can share at news@botetourtview.com.

Last year's fruit sale at LBHS

The Lord Botetourt FFA is currently holding it's annual citrus fruit sale. "This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the year with much of the money going to support our community service work around the Christmas holiday's." said Stuart Byrd.  Last year the group participated in the Toys for Tots program and prepared 55 gift bags for residents of local nursing homes. They are selling premium citrus trucked in fresh from the Florida Farm Bureau. Varieties available include Seedless Red Navel oranges, traditional Navel Oranges, Tangelo's, Hamlin Juice Oranges and Ruby Red Grapefruit all of which come in both 4/5 bushel size for $25.00 per box and 2/5 bushel sizes for $15.00 per box. The FFA are also offering tangelo's in 2/5 bushel sizes only for $20.00 per box. They will be taking orders through November 23rd if you wish to help support the FFA you can place your order by calling 540 992-1261 Monday through Friday 9am -3pm.

submitted by Stuart Byrd, FFA sponsor

Ruth Everhart sent in these photos from around Fincastle.

Thanks, Ruth!

Do you have photos from around Botetourt? If so, you can share at news@botetourtview.com

Lord Botetourt didn't have any top finishers in the region Cross Country meet. It was held yesterday at the Greenfield course in the shadow of the Botetourt Sports Complex, but they ran with some of the best runners in the state and finished well nonetheless. Micah Luedkte actually ran much of the race  with only one shoe! A team mate picked it up and brought it to him said LBHS Coach Pete Walton who along with assistant coach Kathryn Mills, busily walked Greenfield watching for the Cav's runners.

As host of the meet,  LBHS's Chuck Pound the AD had plenty of helpers like retired coach Jerry Wirtz and Larry Carter the retired AD on site and especially thanked Parks and Recreation at the end of the meet for all of their help. Hundreds of parents, grandparents and friends attended the meet.

Those who ran for LBHS on Wednesday were

Girls: Erin Turney, Sarah Hammer, Jessica Snead, Taylor Cline and Samantha Bailey

Boys: Michael Chesser, Brett Crocker, Mitch Willis, Bennett Witcher, Dylan Turnan, Micah Luedkte and tyler Barnett.

For a story of the official results by Roanoke Times sports writer Mark Taylor.

Here is a photo of Caleb Van Buren's first squirrel. He shot it with a 22 rifle with scope.  He is 7 years old and enjoys hunting and fishing with his dad.  He attends Eagle Rock Elementary school and is in the second grade. Mrs. Hipes is his teacher.

Submitted by Tina Van Buren

Attention all hunters! The first day of rifle season is November 14th. Before you venture out into the woods, why not stop and enjoy a good homemade breakfast? The Troutville Volunteer Rescue Squad will be hosting a hunter's breakfast on Saturday morning, November 14th, from 5 AM to 10 AM. We will be serving sausage gravy, biscuits and pancakes, and carry-out will be available. Donations are welcomed! Not a hunter, just an early bird? No problem! Breakfast is available to those passing by too. Location TBD...just look for the signs! Stop by and see us-we are located at 20 Sunset Ave in Troutville!

Submitted by Ashley Amos.

Call it a midterm review and here is an exam of what goes on at Botetourt Technical Eduction Center (BTEC) as presented by the new principal, Joe Hardin, who came to the school recently to replace Brian Austin  who is now at the Central office in a supervisory position.

The classes held at BTEC are from the website:

Auto Service Technology, Instructor: Chris Frost: Prepares students to diagnose and repair motor vehicles. The course includes instruction in brake systems, engine tune-up and repair, electrical systems, cooling systems and suspensions.

Building Trades, Instructor: Phillip Simmons. Designed to develop skills and training in carpentry, masonry, residential wiring and plumbing. Students learn to use, care for, handle safely, tools, machinery, equipment, and materials commonly used in all building trades areas. Prerequisites - good basic math skills.

Collision Repair, Instructor: Donnie Sale. Prepares students to repair and refinish motor vehicle bodies. The course includes chassis alignment, reconstruction of components and repainting. Prerequisites - good color differentiation, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity.

Computer Aided Drafting,  Instructor Veronica Spradlin. Prepares students to enter the field of mechanical and architectural drafting. Students will be prepared to read and understand drawings, use equipment of the drafting profession, perform basic drawing procedures, and progress into more specialized work such as technical shop drawings. As students advance in skills training, they are introduced to and develop practical applications on the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) System.

Cosmetology, Instructor: Phyllis Pratt. Prepares students for state licensing as cosmetologists. The course includes manicuring, shampooing, scalp and hair treatment, chemical services, hair styling and salon management. Prerequisites - hand-eye- coordination, manual dexterity, good color discrimination and ability to follow oral or written instructions.

Health Assistant, Instructor: Mary Agee. Included in the 2 year program is theory and clinical instruction in the sciences and basic nursing arts. Prepares students for state licensure as a certified nursing assistant. Also, assists students who desire for higher level health care career, such as a practical or registered nurse, dental assistant or physical therapist upon graduation.

Horticulture: Instructor, Jan Hendrickson..Prepares students to grow greenhouse plants, to design floral and plant arrangements, and to design and maintain interior and exterior landscapes. Prerequisites - an interest in the life sciences and desire to work with plants both inside and outside. Good "people" skills are a plus.

Plumbing: Instructor, Terry Agee. Plumbing is a 2 year program. Students learn to assemble, install and repair pipes, fittings and fixtures of heating,water,and drainage systems according to specifications of the plumbing code.

Senior Seminar: Instructors, Sara Zeek (English) Lindsay Brooks (Government)
Senior Humanities Seminar is an interdisciplinary, dual enrollment offering through BCPS and Virginia Western Community College. Students may earn up to 12 college credits in the program. Students are enrolled in English 111 and Political Science 211 in the first semester; English 112 and Political Science 212 are taught in the second semester. The classes are taught by a team of two teachers, and assignments frequently count in both classes. Students write a variety of essays and frequently complete group and individual projects. The courses are taught at the college level.

Welding, Instructor: Troy Linkenhoker. Welding introduces students to cutting, welding and manufacturing processes. It will provide students instruction in the fundamental principles of joining metals, welding and cutting processes, equipment operation, and safety procedures that are used in today's industrial environment.

With those classes in mind here are some of the things the 300 BTEC students have been accomplishing this fall.

Auto trades has a bid going on for two vehicles serviced by students, a 1981 Mercedes Benz and a 1998 Honda Civic. Bids should be delivered to BTEC by November 30.

Building trades I and II. Picnic tables that do not turnover are being constructed for Breckinridge Elementary School  PTA to place at the school. "The students can put together a table in one block period," said Hardin.

A  1325 modular one floor plan home based on the Moducraft model "Liberty" is being contstructed by Building trades also. On the drawing board is a possibility the Botetourt Education Foundation may purchase a lot for the home to be sold on. Plumbing and CAD have also participated in this project. If the lot is purchased, horticulture students will landscape the lot. The students also had a field trip to ModuCraft in Rocky Mount to see how they construct homes in the factory.

Auto Body students left Tuesday for a trip to the SEMA convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will see cutting edge technology and automobile ideas for the future while there.

Cosmetology Class hosted 9th year that BTEC Cosmetology has held an Annual Hair Show and invited other Cosmetology programs from neighboring counties to attend. We usually have between 250-300 Cosmetology students and this year is no exception. Participating schools are Bedford Science and Technology, Roanoke City Gibboney Center, Roanoke County Burton Center for Technology, Pulaski County High School, Blacksburg High School, and Giles County Technology Center. It will be held on Tuesday October 27th at the CAMS Forum," said Phyllis Pratt, instructor.

Health Care students get practical experience as well as classroom experience.  Horticulture students will be holding the annual Poinsettia Sale in early December.

Skills USA is a student organization for the technical trades and every year has a regional competition last year it was held at BTEC but the next one is going to be hosted by Allegheny High School. The organization is hiolding a raffle now for a canoe, a tree stand, GPS and a $50 gift card all courtesy of Gander Mountain. 41 donation and the drawing is November 24.

Skills USA is also sponsoring a food drive for the Botetourt Food Pantry in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt. Troy Linkenhoker and Veronica Spradlin can be contacted at the school at 473-8216 for information on how to make food donations or receive raffle information.