An accident involving a milk truck this morning has forced the closure of 4th Street in Salem near the intersection of McClelland St.

Due to damaged power lines in the area, the street may be closed for several hours.

4th Street is on one of the main arteries in the City of Salem. so motorists are advised to avoid the area and/or expect delays.

Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem

For the second year in a row, we asked readers of So Salem to pick The Best of Salem. The votes poured in; more than three times as many as last year. In some cases, we had repeat winners, and we’ve noted those with an asterisk (*). But we also had some new winners — and some new categories, too.
So without further ado, here’s who you picked as this year’s Best Of . . .

Best reason for living in Salem
1. The people*
2. Schools
3. Small town feel

Best place for breakfast:
1. Famous Anthony’s*
2. Pancake House
3. Denny’s

Best coffee:
1. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea *
2. Starbuck’s
3. McDonald’s

Best iced tea:
1. McDonald’s *
2. Hardee’s
3. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea Read more »

My daughters, 3 year old Tommi Woo and 4 month old Charli Woo, enjoying the spring sun in their Salem backyard!

Photo taken and submitted by Amanda Woo.

My middle child and a couple of neighbors decided to create this poster and pick up trash on our street to celebrate Earth Day!  They literally put on rubber gloves, and pulled a wagon up and down our very long street to clean it up!  They arrived back home with a wagon full of trash!  Standing left to right they are: Sarah Ahlers, Hannah Ahlers, Braeden Sluss.  Little sister, Aurelia Sluss, decided to join in the photo and is the one seated…all live in South Salem!

Submitted by Jill Sluss.

Jacob Sorenson, a member of Pack 449’s Bear den, placed third in the Boy’s Life 2009 Say Yes to reading contest. Jacob wrote his essay about the book Hatchet written by Gary Paulsen. Jacob enjoys reading realistic, adventurous fiction. Jacob received a $50 gift certificate for his third place essay. Pack 449 is charted by the Salem Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Submitted by Mike Conklin

National College (www.national-college.edu) in the Roanoke Valley has released the Dean’s List for the Winter Terms. The following students achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 out of a possible 4.0 and thus achieving the honor and privilege of being placed on the Dean’s List:

1ST WINTER TERM (From the Salem area only)

Salem 24153: Ashley Alcorn,  Brandice Alley, Sherri Blake, Kenneth Brown, Rebekah Carroll, Ivy Colazo, Murri De Vaux, Michelle Hooker, Danielle Jennings, Yvonne Kirsch, Sandy Link, Ethel Rhodes, Cheryl Starr, Barbara Vencill, Myra Whitley

The Virginia Tech Union programming council has announced its officers for 2010-11. The officers are responsible for planning concerts, films, speakers, and the Lively Arts Series performances that take place at Virginia Tech.

Each officer volunteers his or her time to bring special events to the entire Virginia Tech campus. Virginia Tech Union is the largest programming organization at Virginia Tech, hosting more than 60 events each academic year.

The 2010-11 Virginia Tech Union officers are:

==> President: Matthew Parker of Waterford, Va., is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering<http://www.eng.vt.edu/main/index.php> (http://www.eng.vt.edu/main/index.php);
==> Vice President: Kelley McKew of Round Hill, Va., is a first-year student majoring in communications in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences<http://www.clahs.vt.edu/> (http://www.clahs.vt.edu/); ==> Director of Films: Claire Holman of Fairfax, Va.; is a junior majoring in English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences; ==> Director of Web Design: Jacob Sherry of Fulton, Md.; is a sophomore majoring in architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies<http://www.caus.vt.edu/> (http://www.caus.vt.edu/); ==> Director of House and Hospitality: Alexandra Ong of Centreville, Va.; is a junior majoring in hospitality and tourism management in Pamplin College of Business<http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/> (http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/); ==> Director of Graphic Design: John Alexander McElmurray of Salem, Va.; is a first-year student majoring in computer science in the College of Engineering; ==> Director of Special Events: Brandon James Love of Lynchburg, Va.; is a senior majoring in economics in the Pamplin College of Business; ==> Director of Lively Arts: Samantha Holdren of Richmond, Va., is a sophomore majoring in psychology in the College of Science<http://www.science.vt.edu/> (http://www.science.vt.edu/); ==> Director of Speakers: Michelle McGuire of Round Hill, Va., is a first-year student majoring in psychology in the College of Science; and ==> Director of Public Relations: Ashley Dalton of Richmond, Va., is a sophomore double majoring in psychology in the College of Science and human development in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Virginia Tech Union<http://www.vtu.org.vt.edu/> (http://www.vtu.org.vt.edu/) is the largest programming organization at Virginia Tech hosting more than 60 events each academic year. Founded in 1969, Virginia Tech Union’s mission is to provide quality educational and social entertainment that represents the diverse culture of Virginia Tech’s students and its community. In addition, the Virginia Tech Union enhances Virginia Tech students’ out-of-classroom experience through leadership and volunteer opportunities. Virginia Tech Union is advised by the Virginia Tech Department of Student Activities<http://www.uusa.vt.edu/studentActivities/leadershipDevelopmentinfo.php> (http://www.uusa.vt.edu/studentActivities/leadershipDevelopmentinfo.php), a unit within the Division of Student Affairs<http://www.dsa.vt.edu/> (http://www.dsa.vt.edu/).

Upcoming Virginia Tech Union events include Soundfest 2010 which is scheduled for Friday, April 30 in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom. Five bands will perform. The event is free and open to students and the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. More information about Virginia Tech Union’s spring schedule<https://weboutlook.vt.edu/owa/unirelvtnews-resc@exchange.vt.edu/Virginia%20Tech%20Union’s%20spring%20schedule> (http://www.vtu.org.vt.edu/index.php?action=calendar) is available at the Virginia Tech Union website.

Written by Katie Noland. Noland, a senior from Berryville, Va., is majoring in English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Submitted by Sandy Broughton.

 Stephanie Sebolt of Salem, a Ph.D. student majoring in curriculum and instruction in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, has been named to the national list of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges this year.

Each year, Virginia Tech selects students to be honored for their academic achievement and demonstrated leadership by naming them to the list. The students will be included in the distinguished biographical volumethat honors the nation’s most noteworthy students of higher learning.

Sebolt, is one of 91 Virginia Tech students that have been named to the Who’s Who national list this year.

Who’s Who Among Students is one of the most prestigious awards the academic community can bestow. Who’s Who candidates are chosen on the basis of scholarship ability, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship and service, and potential for future achievements.

Submitted by Virginia Tech

The Fort-Lewis Elementary BBQ and Spring Auction will be held on Friday, April 30.

This event will be held in the gym, cafeteria and playground, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Please mark your calendars for this evening, to come out for a wonderful BBQ dinner (all for only $5 each) and be entertained by our live auction, plant sale and bake sale, while the kids play on the playground at the FREE children’s activities, provided by Ziggy’s Entertainment.

Food will be served beginning at 5:30 pm. Pork BBQ, baked beans, cole slaw,  chips, desserts and drinks. There will be many exciting events, including a Bake Sale, Plant Sale and activities for the kids provided by Ziggy’s Entertainment.  (Activities and games will be free!)

Our Live Auction will include many great items, including two footballs autographed by Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, a no-limit gift certificate for dinner for four to Mac-n-Bob’s, many other store and business gift certificates and one-of-a-kind items.

 Food cost: $5 per person

Submitted by Tracy Martin

We have a gallery of photos by John Wimmer from Tuesday’s tennis match between Glenvar and Radford.

Here is some information about the match, which was not completed Tuesday:

Singles matches:
Glenvar girls Radford girls
Haley Goodes vs Casey Wojteva 4-6 / 3-6 Casey wins
Heather Harris vs Cypress Beach 1-6 / 3-6 Cypress wins
Kelly Hill vs Hannah Cooley 1-6 / 1-6 Hannah wins
Elizabeth Sherer vs Morgan Miano 6-0 / 6-4 Elizabeth wins
Katie Sue Smith vs Neha Desai 7-5 / 6-4 Katie Sue wins
Allison Jones vs Hannah Facemine 6-4 / 4-6 / 6-3 Allison wins

Allison Jones’ match was a long one. They even had to have a break for the girls.

Doubles match:
Haley Goodes and Heather Harris vs Casey Wojteva and Cypress Beach 7-5 / 6-3 Haley and Heather win

They couldn’t finish the other two doubles matches because they ran out of light.
The total that  day was Glenvar 4 matches to Radford’s 3.

You can view the photos in the slideshow above or in another view by clicking here. Have photos from spring sports? E-mail news@sosalem.com.