Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505030043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Christiansburg - After recent spring rains, Montgomery County and other New River Valley localities have announced they are lifting their bans on outdoor fires.
Montgomery County rescinded its ban Tuesday. Other valley localities, including Giles and Pulaski Counties, and the City of Radford lifted their bans Friday. Blacksburg lifted its ban Tuesday and Christiansburg will rescind its ban today .
On May 15, as mandated by state law, burning will be allowed at any time of the day throughout the New River Valley.
Every valley locality instituted a burning ban in April after an unusually dry spring that saw dramatic forest fires in Craig County. Because of the recent rain, fire danger is lessening, officials say.
Floyd's County's Board of Supervisors was to consider lifting their ban during their meeting Tuesday night.
Drinking Water Week
BLACKSBURG - The Blacksburg, Christiansburg and VPI Water Authority will kick off National Drinking Water Week by holding an open house Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., at the water filtration plant on Virginia 114 near Prices Fork Road.
Tours of the 12.4-million-gallon-a-day plant will show the processess of filtration and purification that treats water from the New River for the residents of the two towns, Virginia Tech and certain areas of Montgomery County. Displays, handouts and refreshments will be available. For more information, call Jerry Higgins at 639-2575.
Language club
PULASKI - A Pulaski resident is seeking to form a group in the New River Valley area for people who are interested in brushing up their foreign language skills.
Nino Symlar, a former Air Force translator and interpreter in Slavic and German languages, is interested in forming a group to provide members an outlet for their linguistic inclinations. Prospective members need not be fluent in any foreign language, but must have a basic knowledge of a foreign language and the desire to communicate in that language.
For more information call Symlar at 980-6021.
Beauty awards
BLACKSBURG - The Blacksburg Townscape Committee is seeking nominations for the Town's 13th Annual Civic Beautification Awards. This year's awards will recognize landscapes that enhance the appearance of the town. Commercial and industrial businesses, single- and multi-family residences, institutions and parking areas are eligible for an award.
Nominations for the awards can be made by any individual, business or organization. The landscapes must be located within the town limits and must be visible from the street or public walkways.
A panel of three judges will determine the award-winning landscapes and gardens. Each winning recipients will receive a certificate at an awards ceremony in September.
Nominations are due by July 14. They can be mailed to the Planning Dept., 300 S. Main St., P.O. Box 90003, Blacksburg 24062-90003 or town.plan.eng.lrbev.net. For more information call Marc Verniel at 961-1114.
Rate increase sought
JOHNSON CITY, TENN. - United Cities Gas Co., which supplies natural gas in the New River Valley, has asked for a 3 percent rate increase, to take effect in September if it is approved.
The average residential customer will seen an annual increase of less than $20, or about $1.59 per month, the company said.
The State Corporation Commission must approve the rate increase.
United Gas said it has not had a rate increase since 1989 and has invested $3.5 since 1992 in Virginia, where it has 20,000 of its customers. The company has 325,000 customers in 10 states.
by CNB