Christiansburg Councilman Ernie Wade said he is seeking re-election and has worked to try "to make a difference and improve things in town." The election is May 4.

Wade has been a member of the council since 2005. He was appointed to serve for a year and then ran for election and won.

Wade, 68, said he has supported a long-term plan for the community and thinks officials are working toward that with the town's Vision 2020, a long-range plan that includes pursuing green initiatives, enhancing the system of walking trails and multiuse paths, promoting the new aquatics center, focusing on public information and community relations, and reviewing and revising the zoning ordinance.

"I think there's a lot that I can still contribute to make that happen," he said about the long-range goals.

Wade also said he wants to continue to look at the town's finances and said he is always interested in the cost of a service or initiative and how the town is going to pay for it. He said he wants to make sure the services and initiatives are cost effective for the town and its residents.

The other Christiansburg council seats that are up for election are now held by Mayor Richard Ballengee, Brad Stipes and Ann Carter. Ballengee has said he will seek re-election. Former council member Steve Huppert has filed to run for a seat, according to officials in the Montgomery County registrar's office.

The deadline to file is March 2.

-- Sharla Bardin

Meeting to address design-board change in Blacksburg

Residents can learn more this afternoon about a proposed ordinance to change some powers and duties of Blacksburg's Historic Design Review Board.

The public meeting is at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers in the Municipal Building at 300 S. Main St.

Town staff will discuss the proposed ordinance and the existing regulations governing the historic district. The ordinance would allow for more mandatory powers from the board charged with preserving the integrity of the town's historic district.

In December, the town council decided to delay action on the ordinance to allow for more discussion. Some residents who spoke at the meeting said the town should better inform property owners in the historic district about the proposal.

The council is anticipated to review the ordinance again in February.

The change would make the town's Historic Design Review Board's recommendations mandatory, instead of advisory, when it comes to redevelopment plans for construction on a site where a historic building has been demolished or relocated.

For more information about the meeting, call the town's planning and building department at 961-1126.

-- Sharla Bardin

Blacksburg  now has a Facebook page

Residents can now follow Blacksburg happenings on Facebook.

Town officials have launched a page on the social networking site at www.facebook.com/Blacksburg.

The page will feature government-related news and information, in addition to photos, videos and updates on town events.

Residents can also follow town news on YouTube at www.youtube.com/wtobchannel2 and Twitter at twitter.com/Blacksburg_Gov.

-- Sharla Bardin

Grant to assist in institute project in Christiansburg

Virginia Tech's Department of History has been awarded a grant for a project titled "Christiansburg Institute's Place in History."

The $4,000 grant from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities will be used to support the development of instructional materials and strategies designed to assist middle school students and their teachers in learning about important themes in Virginia and U.S. history through the lens of the Christiansburg Institute, which educated generations of African-American students in Southwest Virginia from 1866 to 1966.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities recently awarded 15 grants totaling $43,000 to assist state organizations in their efforts to research and interpret Virginia's history and cultural traditions.

The foundation, which is based in Charlottesville, is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting the humanities.

The grants will be used to support public discussions and lectures, instructional materials, exhibits and interpretative brochures, research, oral history projects and a professional development workshop for Virginia museum professionals.

-- Sharla Bardin

Christiansburg police earn honor for crime prevention

The town of Christiansburg has received the Certified Crime Prevention Community Award from the Department of Criminal Justice Services for its efforts to curb crime.

To earn the certification, communities must meet 12 core safety elements and strategies, such as a documented Neighborhood Watch Program and creation of a local community crime prevention council, according to a news release from the Christiansburg Police Department.

-- The Roanoke Times