A new automotive center has opened on Electric Road in Roanoke. Here is a press release from Midas-SpeeDee:

The co-branded Midas-SpeeDee automotive service center at 3820 Electric Rd, here, will stage a grand opening celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2.

The existing SpeeDee Oil Change and Tune-Up shop, known for its quick oil change services has been transformed into a Midas SpeeDee co-branded franchise. In addition to providing SpeeDee services, the shop will now offers Midas’ full range of automotive repair and maintenance services. The Midas-SpeeDee co-branded shop has eight service bays. Read more »

Congressman Bob Goodlatte has introduced legislation to combat retail theft rings. Here is a press release from Goodlatte’s Office:

Today the House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Bob Goodlatte which provides the Department of Justice the additional tools and resources necessary to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft rings.

Organized retail theft rings target anything from everyday household commodities to health products to baby formula that can be easily sold through flea markets, swap meets, shady store-front operations, and through online marketplaces.  Thieves often travel from retail store to retail store, stealing relatively small amounts of goods from each store, but cumulatively stealing significant amounts of goods.  Once stolen, these products are sold back to fencing operations, which can dilute, alter and repackage the goods and then resell them, sometimes back to the same stores from which the products were originally stolen.  These goods are also sold at flea markets, pawn shops, and increasingly on the Internet. Read more »

Construction will begin on the Hank Norton Center at Ferrum College this Saturday. Here is a press release from the college:

What: Ferrum College will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new $5.5 million athletic center on campus. It will be named for longtime football coach and Athletic Director, Hank Norton.

When: The ground breaking will take place Homecoming weekend, at 1 p.m. on Saturday October 2, immediately following the Ferrum College Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and prior to the Panther’s football game with North Carolina Wesleyan. Read more »

Valley Compounding Pharmacy is now open at 2201 Langhorne Road in Lynchburg. A Grand Re-opening and Ribbon Cutting was held Sept. 25.

The company compounds, or formulates, prescription medications in individual dosages for patients needing medications in a different formulation than what is produced by major pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Pharmacists/owners are Vince and Jodi Ettare, at center of ribbon cutting photo.

The State Corporation Commission will start a new regulation program effecting motor vehicle title lenders Oct. 1. Here is a press release from the SCC:

The State Corporation Commission will begin regulating motor vehicle title lenders on October 1. A comprehensive licensing and regulatory framework for companies that make motor vehicle title loans was adopted during the 2010 session of the Virginia General Assembly.

To date, the SCC’s Bureau of Financial Institutions has received 15 applications, many of which include multiple office locations throughout the Commonwealth. Read more »

Kevin Costello, receiving his award

The Botetout County Office of Tourism has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society. Here is a press release from the county:

The Botetourt County Office of Tourism received the Shining Example Award in the category “Tourism for Tomorrow” from the Southeast Tourism Society at its meeting in Greenville, South Carolina, on September 8, 2010. The Shining Example Awards highlight the best work in travel and tourism across a 12-state region. Read more »

Americans for Prosperity is supporting Governor McDonnell’s work toward privatizing liquor in Virginia. Here is a press release from AFP:

In response to Governor Bob McDonnell’s proposal to privatize the sale of distilled spirits in the Commonwealth of Virginia, president of Americans for Prosperity Tim Phillips released the following statement:

“By calling for the elimination of the outdated and unjustified government monopoly on the sale of a legal product that should be properly handled by the private sector, the Governor is seeking to make state government smaller while focusing that government on its core functions. Americans for Prosperity supports this important effort to bring badly needed free market reform to Virginia’s government.” Read more »

Twist & Turns, a metal furniture and home decor store, has relocated from downtown Roanoke to a new home at Valley View Mall. Here is a press release from the City of Roanoke:

Cynthia Willis, owner of Roanoke’s home-based Twist & Turns glows when she walks through her new store.  The retail store, home grown in Roanoke for 18 years, opens at the District at Valley View at 4822 L Valley View Blvd. on Friday, October 1, 2010 with a grand opening ceremony beginning at 10 a.m.  Mayor David Bowers, Congressman Bob Goodlatte and Roanoke personality, Larry Bly will be on hand for the festivities. Read more »

Representative Tom Perriello’s request for $1 million for the Center for Emerging Industries in Martinsville has cleared a key legislative hurdle. Here is a press release from Perriello’s office:

Rep. Tom Perriello today announced that his appropriations request for the New College Institute’s Center for Emerging Industries has cleared a major hurdle in the appropriations process. At his request, the House Appropriations’ Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education subcommittee has included $1 million in their budget for NCI’s planned Center for Emerging Industries. The federal assistance will be used to develop and implement four new degree programs and may include the purchase of equipment. The Center for Emerging Industries will build on the area’s manufacturing heritage and lead the transformation of the region to the nation’s “idea center” for the future of American manufacturing. Read more »

Dominion Power has awarded several grants to colleges throughout the state. Awards in our area include $25,000 to Central Virginia Community College, $30,000 to Hollins University, $30,000 to Virginia Highlands Community College and $40,000 to Virginia Tech. Here is a press release from Dominion:

The Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources (NYSE: D), has awarded $500,000 in grants to colleges and community colleges in Virginia.

“This new program was created specifically for higher education,” said William C. Hall Jr., a vice president of Dominion and president of The Dominion Foundation.  “We see the importance in funding and cultivating the innovative studies that are happening at our colleges and universities and their potential for the future.” Read more »