CHRISTIANSBURG

Dorsett announces bid to run for mayor's seat

Meghan Dorsett has announced plans to run for mayor of Christiansburg and said she wants to help the town become more sustainable and fiscally responsible.

The town's election is set for May 4.

"I want Christiansburg to have a very sustainable future, not only environmentally but economically and culturally," said Dorsett, 52.

If elected, she wants to see the town address infrastructure issues, such as storm water management and increase its support for tourism initiatives and small businesses.

Dorsett, a former Montgomery County planner, said she would take a regional approach to issues, such as water and sewer infrastructure.

Council seats up for election include those held by Mayor Richard Ballengee and council members Brad Stipes, Ann Carter and Ernie Wade.

Stipes, Ballengee, Wade and former council members Steve Huppert and Dan Canada have all either announced candidacies or filed to run through the Montgomery County registrar's office.

The deadline to file is March 2.

-- Sharla Bardin

FUNDRAISING

March of Ales tickets to go on sale Saturday

Tickets for this year's March of Ales, a fundraiser of the Blacksburg Junior Women's Club, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at blacksburgjuniors.org.

The event is scheduled for March 20 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the German Club Manor in Blacksburg. Tickets are $40.

-- The Roanoke Times

Radford University has rescheduled its "Centennial Homecoming" weekend for Feb. 19-20, because of the winter storm forecast.

Registrations will carry over automatically, according to a news release. For information or to cancel reservations, call the alumni office at 831-5248.

The winter commencement ceremony, rescheduled to 2 p.m. Sunday because of December's bad weather, is still planned.

Sunday's forecast appears clear and the university plans to proceed with the ceremony. Any change in plan will be announced by 6 p.m. Saturday at www.radford.edu, on the university marquee on East Main Street and on Public Radio WVRU 89.9 FM.

-- Mary Hardbarger

Betsy Beamer appointed to state education board

Betsy Beamer, a former member of the Radford University Board of Visitors and a graduate of Giles High School, has been appointed to the Virginia State Board of Education by Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Beamer served as Virginia's Secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov. George Allen from 1994-98. David Foster, an attorney from Arlington, was also appointed to the board.

-- Tonia Moxley