Registrar Randy Wertz said Caldwell’s submitted petition was reviewed and fell short of the number of names needed to qualify for candidacy. He declined to disclose how many names Caldwell submitted or whether some names were deemed ineligible.

To appear on the ballot, Caldwell needed signatures of 125 registered voters residing in District C.

Caldwell said Thursday that some of the 125 signatures he turned in were not valid because some may not have been registered voters. Candidates must submit several pieces of paperwork along with the petition, including statement of organization, declaration of candidacy and statement of economic interests.

That leaves the District C seat without a candidate on the ballot. Incumbent board member David Dunkenberger, who has been on the board for only one term, is not running for re-election, citing other time commitments.

That has been a pattern in the eastern part of the county. In 2005, no one appeared on the ballot for the seat, and Dunkenberger was elected through a write-in campaign.

Caldwell said he still is “seriously considering” a write-in campaign, but he won’t likely make a decision until late next week.

— Lerone Graham and Anna L. Mallory

Deadline is today to apply for boards

Today is the last day the Blacksburg Town Council is accepting applications from people interested in serving on its board of zoning appeals, its Greenway-Bikeway-Sidewalk Corridor Committee, its historic and design review board and its recreation advisory board.

Applications can be obtained in the town clerk’s office at the Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St., or online at www.blacksburg.gov. Appointments will be made this month.

For more information, contact the clerk at 961-1147 or clerk@blacksburg.gov.

— The Roanoke Times

Motorcycle riders gather to aid St. Jude

Hundreds of motorcycle riders are expected in Barren Springs on Sunday for a benefit ride for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The ride begins at 1 p.m. at Hilly Haven Market, 1496 Wysor Highway.

Participants will travel about 100 miles, returning to the Barren Springs Fire Department for food, raffles and other fun, said Sally Davis of Hilly Haven Market, the ride’s sponsor.

Last year’s ride raised about $10,000 for the research hospital. Davis said participants have already contributed about $16,000 this year.

“Times are hard. Things are rough. But people keep giving,” she said. “It just blows me away.”

For more information, call the market at (276) 766-3811.

— The Roanoke Times