The Roanoke Times

File 2008 Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Inc., the organization planning and producing projects related to the parkway's upcoming 75th anniversary, has launched a new Web site at blueridgeparkway75.org.

CHILDREN

POLICE OFFER INCENTIVE TO USE CHILD CAR SEATS

THROUGH JULY 11, THE CHRISTIANSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONDUCT TRAFFIC SAFETY CHECKS TO MAKE SURE CHILDREN 8 AND YOUNGER ARE PROPERLY SECURED IN VEHICLES.

THOSE WHO ARE WILL RECEIVE A COUPON FOR A FREE DESSERT FROM GARDNER'S FROZEN TREATS OR COUNTRY KITCHEN, LT. CHRIS RAMSEY SAID.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, 96 PERCENT OF PARENTS WHO USE CHILD SAFETY SEATS, BOOSTER SEATS AND SAFETY BELTS TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN THINK THEY ARE DOING SO CORRECTLY, BUT CHECKS CONTINUALLY SHOW THAT FOUR OUT OF FIVE ARE MAKING MISTAKES THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY.

"WITH KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL AND FAMILIES TRAVELING daily to various recreational activities and vacations," Ramsey said, "it is more important than ever to make sure children are properly secured in the vehicle, be they older kids secured with a seat belt or kids 8 or under secured with a child safety seat."

Parents who take the opportunity to have officers check and properly install safety seats, either at the checkpoints or by going to the police department, will also receive a coupon.

The first checkpoint was held June 25, Ramsey said. He said the program has been popular and could be repeated later in the summer.

-- Shawna Morrison

ONLINE

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY UNVEILS NEW WEB SITE

A NEW WEB SITE HIGHLIGHTS THE UPCOMING 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 75 INC., THE ORGANIZATION PLANNING AND PRODUCING PROJECTS RELATED TO THE ANNIVERSARY IN 2010, HAS LAUNCHED ITS WEB SITE AT BLUERIDGEPARKWAY75.ORG.

ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THE SITE, ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ORGANIZATION, IS THE ABILITY TO EXPLORE PARKWAY COMMUNITIES USING GOOGLE MAPS. USERS CAN ALSO LEARN ABOUT ANNIVERSARY EVENTS AND ISSUES FACING THE PARKWAY'S FUTURE.

THE SITE ALSO PROVIDES LINKS TO THE PARKWAY ANNIVERSARY ON SOCIAL MEDIA SUCH AS FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND FLICKR.

NEWCITY, A BLACKSBURG-BASED WEB DESIGN FIRM, WORKED WITH STAFF AND A TEAM OF PARKWAY BOARD MEMBERS ON THE SITE.

-- The Roanoke Times

PULASKI

HOME LOAN PROGRAM OPEN TO NEW BUYERS

THE TOWN OF PULASKI HAS RECEIVED AN EXTENSION OF FUNDS FOR THE SPONSORING PARTNERSHIPS AND REVITALIZING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, WHICH PROMOTES AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE TOWN.

HOMEBUYERS WHO QUALIFY FOR A SPARC LOAN RECEIVE AS MUCH AS A HALF-PERCENT TO 1 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD VIRGINIA HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY INTEREST RATE FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS.

THE TOWN HAS $600,000 AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPT. 30, ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE TOWN.

A APPLY FOR A SPARC LOAN, A FAMILY OF TWO OR FEWER MUST HAVE A MAXIMUM ANNUAL INCOME OF $63,000, AND A FAMILY OF THREE OR MORE A MAXIMUM OF $73,000. THE PROPERTY TO BE PURCHASED CANNOT EXCEED $225,100.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR A SPARC LOAN SHOULD CONTACT THE TOWN MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 994-8600.

-- The Roanoke Times

PETS

HUMANE SOCIETY HOSTS CAT ADOPTION EVENT

THE PULASKI COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY IS HOSTING A "SIZZLIN' HOT FELINE ADOPTION EVENT" IN JULY.

THE SHELTER HAS MORE THAN 30 CATS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

THE SHELTER REQUESTS A DONATION OF AT LEAST $85 FOR A CAT ADOPTION, BUT DURING JULY WOULD-BE PET OWNERS CAN GET TWO CATS FROM THE SHELTER'S CAT CONDO FOR THAT AMOUNT.

THE SHELTER IS OPEN FROM 1 TO 4 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND 10 A.M. TO NOON SATURDAY, BUT IT WILL BE CLOSED THIS WEEKEND FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANIMALS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.DOGSAVER.ORG/PCHS.

-- The Roanoke Times