Blacksburg leaders are asking for residents' thoughts on how to spend an additional $12,151 allotted by the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.

The money can be used for police, prevention and education, drug enforcement and treatment, corrections, technology improvement, prosecution and court and victim and witness programs, according to a news release from the town.

Ideas should be e-mailed to ByrneJAGprogram@blacksburg. gov.

-- The Roanoke Times

Montgomery County's flood map to be amended soon

Montgomery County's flood map is about to change, potentially affecting some 3,000 pieces of property.

The Federal Emergency Management Association has given the county notice that the special flood hazard areas on the flood insurance rate maps  will change Sept. 25, according to a news release from the county.

Federal law requires flood insurance on all structures within such flood hazard areas that have a federally backed mortgage.

The county, Christiansburg and Blacksburg have mailed notices to affected landowners. Three open house-style public meetings have been set up for any resident to view the maps and ask questions. Meetings are:

From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Elliston Fire Station, 5001 Enterprise Drive

From 4 to 6 p.m. June 17 at the Blacksburg Recreation Center, 725 Patrick Henry Drive

From 4 to 6 p.m. June 25 at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg

For more information, see www.fema.gov/business/nfip or www.floodsmart.gov or contact the Montgomery County planning department at 394-2148, the Christiansburg planning department at 382-6120 or Blacksburg water resources at 961-4667.

-- The Roanoke Times

Progressive dinner offered at area eateries

A "Taste of the Burgs," a four-course meal presented by the Blacksburg/Christiansburg Visitor's Center and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, will take place Thursday.

Of the 100 tickets at $50 each originally available, fewer than a dozen remain on each of the routes, said Aradia Zenobia, vice president with the chamber.

The tickets can be purchased through the chamber, and each participant will enjoy a four-course meal, traveling to a different restaurant per course. Diners may choose from four routes named after the restaurant presenting the entree: Bull & Bones, Bud Foster's, Outback and Zeppoli's.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and culminates at a reception at Awful Arthur's.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 552-2636.

-- The Roanoke Times