www.roanoke.com

Sen. Smith Distributes U.S. Flags
1,000 Flags Placed in Salem and Roanoke County for July 4

Roanoke, VA--Neighbors in Salem and Roanoke County were greeted by U.S. flags in their yards when they returned from work this evening. The flags were placed there by Senator Ralph K. Smith (R-Botetourt).

Senator Smith placed 1,000 flags along Chapparral Drive and Merriman Road in addition to neighborhoods in southwest Roanoke County and the city of Salem to help celebrate July 4th.

"This year was a test run with 1,000 flags in parts of Salem and Roanoke. I wanted to see how this would work logistically, but next year I want to get significantly more flags out," said Smith.

Smith says he hopes to get more flags out next year by having people volunteer to place the flags at homes in their neighborhoods. He said the reception he has received makes him think people would be interested.

"The calls and emails about the flags have been great. People appreciate what the flag represents and the sacrifices that our veterans made to keep it flying," said Smith.

Submitted by state Senator Ralph Smith

The City of Salem shares these surveillance photos from Thursday's robbery of a Stellar One branch in the 1200 block of West Main St. in Salem. Two photos are from from inside the bank. Salem spokesman Mike Steven says the the other two are of the suspect fleeing in the parking lot.

You can view the photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Here is the full release from the Salem Police Department:

Salem Police Investigate Bank Robbery
On July 2, 2009 at approximately 4:30pm, the Stellar One Bank branch located in the 1200 block of W. Main St., Salem reported a bank robbery. Employees advised that the suspect, described below, entered the bank and produced a note announcing a robbery and that he was armed, although no weapon was displayed.
The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of currency. He then fled the bank and was last seen on foot traveling west in the bank parking lot in the general direction of Spartan Drive.
The Suspect is Described As:
A white male, 30-40 years of age, 5’6”-5’8” – medium build, clean shaven with a ruddy complexion. He was wearing a gray “hoodie” sweatshirt, with the hood pulled up over a red baseball cap. A white shirt was worn over top of the sweatshirt. The subject also was wearing blue jeans and dark oval sunglasses.
Anyone with any information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Detective Division of the Salem Police Department at 540-375-3083 or the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 540-344-8500.

Whatever it is you're doing this weekend -- whether having a backyard barbecue or hitting the Salem Fair-- surely you're taking photos right? If so, you can share them at news@sosalem.com.

Happy Fourth of July!

Glenvar Steales 12U All Stars Team went 4-1 to win championship.

(Yes, Steales -- we checked!)

Submitted by Emily Martin

Do you have photos involving teams or players from Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

It's time for the fair!
In this week's print edition of So Salem, you'll find schedules and other info. But if you just can't wait, well, you can go online and look at the photos we posted earlier this week of all the rides going up.

Every day, we post upwards of a dozen new items here on So Salem, making this Salem's equivalent of a daily digital newspaper. There's no way we can squeeze all those photos into the weekly print edition, though, so we routinely refer readers online to check out all the online extras.

Here's what we've got for you this week:

* Police statement on truck-train collision
* Rancho Viejo coming to Salem
* Master gardeners hold events at Farmers’ Market on Saturdays
* Podcast with Salem native Harry Turner, music manager
* More photos from Relay for Life
* More photos of the color-changing pig at Henry's Memphis BBQ (Have you painted the pig? Share your photos!)
* More paparazzi photos from Salem Red Sox game

AND IN SPORTS . . .
* More photos from the Salem rec girls basketball camp
* More photos of the Virginia Attack vs. Staunton River

So how can you get your news and photos in So Salem? Easy! You can share at news@sosalem.com. (And a special request this week: Be sure to send us your holiday photos!)

For more information on us -- and how to advertise and reach more than 90 percent of the households in Salem and western Roanoke County -- see below:

Read more »

It's true: The Zaxby's restaurants in Salem and Roanoke will give out a limited number of Nibblers on Monday.

Food writer Lindsey Nair has details on her Fridge Magnet food blog.

Jessica Lambert shared this photo is of Cameron Walsh sharing a flower with her friend Kara Lambert in Longwood Park on Monday, June 29.  Cameron is the daughter of Justin and Sonnie Walsh of Salem, and Kara is the daughter of Tom and Jessica Lambert of Salem.

Do you have photos of people or events around Salem? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com

BLACKSBURG, Va., July 2 -- The following students enrolled at Virginia Tech were named to the dean's list for the spring 2009 semester. To qualify for the dean's list, students must attempt at least 12 credit hours graded on the A-F option and earn a 3.4 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the semester.
Founded in 1872 as a land-grant college, Virginia Tech is the most comprehensive university in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is among the top research universities in the nation. Today, Virginia Tech's nine colleges are dedicated to quality, innovation, and results through teaching, research, and outreach activities. At its 2,600-acre main campus located in Blacksburg and other campus centers in Northern Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond, Southside, and Roanoke, Virginia Tech enrolls more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 180 academic degree programs.

Kendall L. Atkins

Atkins is a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Kaitlyn M. Barnett

Barnett is a sophomore majoring in human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Sarah J. Beddingfield

Beddingfield is a sophomore majoring in psychology in the College of Science.

Maggie S. Beehner

Beehner is a junior majoring in biology in the College of Science.

John S. Bowen

Bowen is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering  in the College of Engineering.

Meredith E. Buckley

Buckley is a sophomore majoring in human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Jacqueline E. Busic

Busic is a senior majoring in psychology in the College of Science.

Kelly C. Clark

Clark is a junior majoring in human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Shannon J. Cummings

Cummings is a junior majoring in English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Matthew L. Dixon

Dixon is a junior majoring in biology in the College of Science.

Christopher K. Dorsey

Dorsey is a senior majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Anna C. Furry

Furry is a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Warren M. Gardner

Gardner is a sophomore majoring in finance in the Pamplin College of Business.

Sean W. Gart

Gart is a junior majoring in engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering.

Rena E. Glavas

Glavas is a junior majoring in classical studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Rachel R. Gresham

Gresham is a junior majoring in architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

Kevin L. Hammond

Hammond is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering in the College of Engineering.

Joanna L. Hardie

Hardie is a senior majoring in human nutrition, foods and exercise in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Robert K. Hipp

Hipp is a senior majoring in landscape architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

Michael T. Hochkeppel

Hochkeppel is a senior majoring in computer science in the College of Engineering.

Joshua S. Jenks

Jenks is a senior majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

John A. Kayrouz

Kayrouz is a junior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Kelley M. Knoebel

Knoebel is a freshman majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Kevin R. Logan

Logan is a sophomore majoring in English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Todd D. Loritsch

Loritsch is a junior majoring in business information technology in the Pamplin College of Business.

Jayne C. Marshall

Marshall is a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering in the College of Engineering.

Tara J. Meredith

Meredith is a freshman majoring in university studies at Virginia Tech.

Wallace J. Nelson

Nelson is a senior majoring in architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

Joshua L. Pratt

Pratt is a senior majoring in civil engineering in the College of Engineering.

Aaron L. Price

Price is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry in the College of Science.

Joshua D. Quesenberry

Quesenberry is a senior majoring in computer engineering in the College of Engineering.

Gaurav J. Raja

Raja is a senior majoring in computer science in the College of Engineering.

Ryan L. Rotanz

Rotanz is a freshman majoring in university studies at Virginia Tech.

William G. Secor

Secor is a senior majoring in agricultural and applied economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Austin D. Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury is a senior majoring in mining engineering in the College of Engineering.

Daniel C. Snyder

Snyder is a junior majoring in management in the Pamplin College of Business.

Corey A. Taylor

Taylor is a junior majoring in biology in the College of Science.

Matthew O. Tiller

Tiller is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering  in the College of Engineering.

Crandall M. Turner

Turner is a senior majoring in communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Carol J. Tyree

Tyree is a junior majoring in human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Calvin M. Waldron

Waldron is a senior majoring in food science and technology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Corey B. Whisler

Whisler is a senior majoring in business information technology in the Pamplin College of Business.

Do you have news or photos involving college students from Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

Students from Virginia high school and college technical education programs won the nation's highest awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Industry leaders representing over 1,100 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for their demonstrated excellence in 91 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.

Top student winners received gold, silver and bronze medallions. In addition, for the third year, the high scorers in the contests received Skill Point Certificates.  The Skill Point Certificate was awarded in 86 occupational and leadership areas at this year's National Leadership and Skill Conference.  The Certificate is earned by achieving a score defined by industry, based on contest standards designed by industry representatives.  While the SkillsUSA Championships have been a premier event since 1967, the Skill Point Certificates were introduced two years ago as a component of the SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System:  The Way Ahead.

The following student is a Skill Point Certificate recipient from your
area:

Team A (consisting of Jessica Astacio, Brenna Ramirez, Erica  Lloyd), from Burton Center for Arts & Technology (Salem), was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in TechPrep-Human Services.

"Over 5,400 students from every state in the nation came to compete in the SkillsUSA Championships this week," said SkillsUSA executive director Tim Lawrence. "This is the SkillsUSA partnership at its best. Students, instructors and industries are working together to ensure America has a skilled work force and every student excels. These students prove that career and technical education expands opportunities."

According to Lawrence, recent survey data says that 75 percent of these students will go on to higher education. Included in that number are 40 percent who will be attending college and working at the same time. Of those graduating from school, 76 percent plan to work in the field for which they've trained.

"They're the employees industry wants to hire and promote," Lawrence said.

Industry support of the SkillsUSA Championships is valued at over $35 million in donated time, equipment, cash and material. All contests are run and judged by industry experts using industry standards for employment. Contests assess hands-on, employability and academic skills.
Over 1,100 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year.

The SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System was developed as an extension of the SkillsUSA mission and supported by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The System recognizes students for excellence in occupational training; it assesses and documents the entry-level technical proficiency and cumulative experiences of candidates. For more information about the SkillsUSA Work Force Ready System, visit www.workforcereadysystem.com.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually and has served more than
9.9 million members since its founding in 1965. The organization has more than 17,000 sections and 54 state and territorial associations.

Submitted by SkillsUSA

Roanoke County Council of PTA Book Grant: Taylor Laughon, Chelsea Waldron
Burger King Scholar: Abigail Noble
Glenvar Sports Foundation: Emily Skaar, Derek Abdelnour
Glenvar Youth Boosters: Jonathan McGhee
Glenvar Middle School: Judd Peverall
VT Pamplin Leadership Award: Rebecca Lane
Salem/Glenvar Rotary Club: Chelsea Waldron, Candice Hicks
Sandy Huffman Memorial Scholarship: Abigail Nobel
Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award: Dakota Barlow, Kelci Thompson
Ft. Lewis PTA: Emily Skaar
Bryan William Thomas Scholarship: Rebecca Lane
DAR: Korie Philpott
Marines Distinguished Athlete: Tyler Trevillian
Marines Scholastic Excellence Award: Judd Peverall
Marine Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence: Judd Peverall
Roanoke County /Salem Chamber of Commerce: Emily Skaar
Outstanding Burton Student: Candice Hicks, Bradley Asimakopoulos
Glenvar High School PTSA: Justin Williams, Emily Skaar, Rebecca Lane, Renea Downey, Chelsea Waldron
James Meador Foundation: Casey Martin, Chelsea Waldron
Wendy' Heisman: Emily Skaar, Chris LawsonDEPARTMENTAL AWARDS
Art Awards: Amanda Rhodes senior Artist; Casey Martin, Cody Dillman - Out standing portfolio; Samantha Pack, Art Award
Marketing Student of the Year: Kim Martin
Donna Rhodes Price Memorial Science: Amanda Rhodes
English Student of the Year: Amanda Rhodes
World Language Awards:
Latin Exam: Ali Clark; French: Tiffany Gibson and Liz Trinchere; Latin: Garrett Clay and Jonathan Marino; Spanish: Judd Peverall Rachel Pinard
Girls State/Boys State: Caroline Thomsen, Clayton Stuckwisch

Social Studies Department Award: Huxley Greer
Ankrom Award: Jacob Meredith

Theatre Arts Award:
Best Actress: Bethany Wine;
Best Supporrting: Jackie Fields, Best Actor: Alex Kelly, Best Supporting: Scottie Carroll;
Best Tech: Andrea Spence;
Dir: Award: Jonny Marino, Emily Mann and Taylor Lawrence

ORGANIZATIONAL AWARDS
Senior Keyette of the Year: Korie Philpott
Donna Price Award Keyettes: Chelsea Waldron, Casey Martin, Jerra Willis
Science Club Award: Alex Hawes
SCA Teacher of the Year: Charlie Filer, Adam Gray
VHSL Outstanding Female: Elizabeth Trinchere
SCA Highlander of the Year - Female: Martha Garman
SCA Highlander of the Year - Male: Daniel Santamaria
Uri and Blanche Smith Scholarship: Tyler Trevillian