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Lack of rain in the region prompted officials from Appalachian Power Co. to decrease the flow from the two-dam Smith Mountain project this week in an effort to raise the water level at Smith Mountain Lake -- hopefully by a foot or more.

MARTINSVILLE -- Signs promoting Tom Perriello for the 5th Congressional District seat could be seen Wednesday along the road leading up to Binding Time Cafe.

But the literature in the hands of dozens of people lined up outside the small cafe wasn't anything about Perriello.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Franklin County Republican Virginia Dudley definitely supports Jim Gilmore for the U.S. Senate.

But she found herself intrigued by one aspect of a recent political ad for his Democratic opponent, Mark Warner. So on Wednesday, when Gilmore stopped by Olde Virginia Barbecue for a rally with about 50 supporters, Dudley -- the wife of former Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount -- made sure to ask him about it.

Manishimwe Leoncia turns over a card to reveal a picture of a hat. She stares at it, long and hard. You can almost see the thoughts whirring inside the preschooler's head.

It was quieter on the Blue Ridge Parkway around FloydFest this year.

Frederick W. Hutchins Jr.

Guestbook

• Sign the guestbook for Fred Hutchins

Authorities investigated the mysteries surrounding the death of U.S. Senate aide Fred Hutchins on Wednesday, a day after his body was found beside his sport utility vehicle on U.S. 220 near Fincastle.

Summary: A recent poll indicates that 66 percent of Hispanic-Americans favor Barack Obama over John McCain.

A tres meses de las elecciones presidenciales, muchos se preguntan acerca de que es lo que piensan los hispano-americanos votantes. Para responder a esta pregunta el Pew Hispanic Center realizó una encuesta a nivel nacional cuyos resultados fueron dados a conocer recientemente.

The national commission that accredits law enforcement agencies has awarded the Roanoke Police Department re-accreditation, marking the end of a months-long evaluation process.

Three assessors for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, who are law enforcement officials from Michigan, Georgia and Alabama, were in Roanoke in April to inspect documents, observe and interview departmental staff, and review their activities from 2005 to 2007.

A Roanoke woman reported missing Saturday has been found unharmed in South Carolina.

Clarissa Edwards Noland, 40, was found Wednesday morning during a traffic stop in Georgetown County, S.C., by the local sheriff's office, according to a news release issued by Roanoke police.

RICHMOND -- The Virginia State Corporation Commission is setting an Oct. 28 hearing to consider adjustments in premiums charged for workers' compensation insurance.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance has requested the changes. The Florida-based rate-making group represents insurance companies licensed to write workers' compensation insurance in Virginia. Almost all Virginia employers are required to carry the coverage.

Peter Morici

Morici is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Business and former chief economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Once again, we have good news and bad from Wall Street.

Pete Sarjeant

Sarjeant is retired from Westvaco and moved recently to Bedford.

The Southern Environmental Law Center (whomever this may be) is appealing and trying to obstruct the state board's permits for the Dominion VA Power plant in Wise County by citing a failure to meet Clean Air Act requirements, namely providing for means to capture the carbon dioxide pollution.

Virginia's jobless rate in June, at 4.2 percent, was the highest state unemployment rate in more than four years, according to numbers released Wednesday by the Virginia Employment Commission.

The Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area's jobless rate also was up, at 4.1 percent, compared with 3.2 percent in June 2007.

Police are investigating a reported aggravated assault that occurred early Wednesday morning at a Northwest Roanoke convenience store.

Police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson said officers responded to the Nu Deli Mart in the 3400 block of Shenandoah Avenue about 3:45 a.m. A clerk there told them he was inside the store when he heard a noise and saw someone standing outside the store with a gun. Police discovered that shots had been fired at the store from outside.

Roanoke police Wednesday were investigating a home invasion during which, among other items, $15 was taken from a child.

According to a search warrant filed in Roanoke Circuit Court, officers responded about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 1000 block of 12th Street Southeast. A male, who did not speak English, told police through a translator that three men had broken into his bedroom and assaulted him. The men took his cellphone, he said, and forced him upstairs where they encountered two other residents, an unidentified male and a 9-year-old child. The robbers took cash from the child and a wallet from the male. A digital camera was also taken.

BLACKSBURG -- Cleopatra Borel-Brown has fond Olympic memories.

Soon she will make some more.

Borel-Brown, who has been part of the Virginia Tech track and field staff for six years, will compete in the shot put on Aug. 15 in Beijing for her country, Trinidad and Tobago.

Floyd County High School graduate Jessica Hollandsworth shot a final-round 3-under-par 68 on Wednesday to record a comeback win at the Virginia State Golf Association Junior Girls' Championship at Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club in Portsmouth, Va.

Earlier this month, Davidson basketball star Stephen Curry was in Los Angeles, attending the ESPY Awards show along with famous athletes and entertainers.

But Curry hasn't become too big-time not to return to Roanoke College.

Even if Tyrod Taylor wins the starting quarterback job at Virginia Tech this season, fans still might see a Glennon starting at quarterback in the ACC.

North Carolina State opens camp with three contenders at quarterback, and true freshman Mike Glennon -- younger brother of Tech QB Sean Glennon -- has a realistic shot to win the job, according to Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien.

Five percent off doesn't amount to much on small purchases. Consider that a $15 book bag would cost a mere 75 cents less. Lately, however, consumers are looking for savings where they can get them.

It took an extra two years, but Kerri Gardin has finally reached her goal.

Gardin is averaging 3.0 points and 14.3 minutes as a backup for the Connecticut Sun. She has played in all 26 of the team's games. In May, she became the first ex-Virginia Tech player to make a WNBA regular-season roster.

Kevin Carkeek shrugged it off, which was impressive in itself.

He'd taken a full body slam hard enough to rearrange the Es in his last name from 6-foot-2, 205-pound Brandon Snyder and held onto the ball to prevent a game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning.

BLACKSBURG -- It's official: Roanoke's Matt Harman has unquestionably blown his cover on the statewide junior golf scene.

Emphatically proving again that his game contains a lot of goods, Harman produced a second straight 3-under-par 69 Wednesday at Blacksburg Country Club and will head into today's final round of the 56th VSGA Junior Amateur Championship only one shot off the lead.

A common "what if?" in fishing concerns the size of fish caught in the summer.

The reason is that females are often significantly lighter after the spawning season than before the spawning season in early spring.

This weekend

Mountain Valley Cluster Dog Show

Today through Sunday: An all-breed dog show at the Salem Civic Center with free admission for viewers. Each of the more than 100 breeds is judged in 10 different rings until the favorite gets named "Best of Show." Find your favorite dog by going to infodog.com and checking out each day's judging schedule. Judging usually starts about 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. For your furry friends, you'll have to pay, but there are clinics all day today. A microchip clinic will cost $35, a SERF eye exam will be $25 and a cardiac exam for Fido is $35. Visit infodog.com and find this show to get more information about the clinics.

PULASKI -- Mayor Jeff Worrell has decided to conduct discussions about candidates for a town council vacancy appointment in public.

Some town residents had expressed skepticism about the transparency of the process, and Town Manager John Hawley indicated last month that the town could cite personnel law as a reason to discuss the candidates in closed session. But David Warburton, the town's attorney, said Tuesday evening that he has advised Worrell that discussing the vacancy appointment in closed session is not permitted under the state's Freedom of Information Act that governs public meetings.

BLACKSBURG -- Need a necklace made of coffee beans? Want to learn about belly dancing? Can't find that perfect lawn ornament?

Friday and Saturday, the streets of downtown Blacksburg will have that and more during the 28th Steppin' Out, the annual street festival featuring arts and crafts, food, live entertainment and more.

Several cars of a coal train headed toward Norfolk derailed in Montgomery County on Tuesday night, a Norfolk Southern Corp. spokeswoman said.

The derailment happened about 10 p.m. next to Slate Branch Creek off Coal Hollow Road west of Christiansburg.

Still laughing at box wines? Maybe it's time you put a cork in it.

If you're looking for bargain prices, convenience and packability -- especially in what you're taking to the beach -- the box has it all over bottles.

Today

Indian cuisine

Seasonings and spices to expand your Indian cuisine repertoire.

Where: The Gourmet Pantry, 401 South Main St., Blacksburg

-- today --

CLOSINGS

l WVTF Art Gallery

"Angels, Goddesses and Crones," the ancient yet contemporary work of sculptor Cheryl Dolby.

Friday and Saturday

Steppin’ Out

With Laura Reed and Deep Pocket, the Afromotive, Missy Raines and the New Hip, The Fat Daddy Band, The Emily Brass Band, Melissa Reaves, Barrel House Mamas and more

Last Thursday night at FloydFest’s Hill Holler stage, folks got a taste of some hot funk from a great singer — Laura Reed, from Asheville, N.C., by way of South Africa. This woman packs huge soul in a tiny frame. Her band, including Botetourt County’s Debrissa McKinney, has more than enough chops and taste to support her. Reed and her cohorts headline Saturday night’s doings at Blacksburg’s annual fun fest. Go to roanoke.com/community/botetourt/neighbors/wb/167126 to read an interview with McKinney.

Details: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Free. Downtown Blacksburg. dlpconcerts.com, laurareedanddeeppocket.com.

Saturday

Downtown Rocks!

With Carolina Rain, Matt Ramsey and Lisa Dames

The second in Downtown Roanoke Inc.’s inaugural summer music series features country artists. This is turning out to be a Botetourt-centric Top Tickets — Ramsey, like Deep Pocket’s McKinney, is a former Botetourt County resident. Now he’s a Nashville cat who writes songs with Phil Vassar and was featured working with the former Marcia Brady, aka Maureen McCormick, on the CMT reality show "Gone Country." Both Dames and headliner Carolina Rain bring pop-country music featuring traditional country instruments. Carolina Rain even name checks Prince’s "Purple Rain" in its song, "American Radio." Read more about Ramsey at roanoke.com/extra/wb/158548.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday. Market Square, downtown Roanoke. downtownroanoke.org, carolinarain.musiccitynetworks.com, myspace.com/mattramseymusic, lisadames.com.

Friday and Saturday

Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance

With Tony Hume

It’s a valleys twofer for a freak-music master and his latest band of genre-defying monster sidemen. Hampton, who has been confounding critics and delighting true believers for decades, stops first at Blacksburg’s newest spot for great music, The Lantern. The next night, the act hits 202 Market, his regular Roanoke stop. New guitarist Perry Osborn brings phenomenal talent and credentials that include a teaching gig at Florida State University. Both nights, Hampton’s manager, Tony Hume, opens the show. Hume is a fine guitarist/singer his own self.

Details: 10 p.m. Friday. The Lantern, 211-B Draper Road, Blacksburg. $10 in advance; $12 day of show. 951-1019, etix.com, myspace.com/thelanternblacksburg, myspace.com/thequarkalliance, myspace.com/tonyhumecollaboration. 10 p.m. Saturday. 202 Market, downtown Roanoke. $12. 202market.net.

Tonight

Leah Randazzo

Put this show in the "happy, last-minute surprises" category. Randazzo has a soul/jazz/funk style and an excellent set of pipes. She and her group are passing through on their way to the deep South. This will be about the third Roanoke appearance for Randazzo, who e-mailed us to say that she and the band "absolutely love coming to Roanoke." Do yourself a favor and catch her act.

Details: 9 tonight. Blues BBQ Co., downtown Roanoke. $5. 344-5683, myspace.com/leahrandazzogroup.

Friday

Geoff Achison

Australian Achison is a freakishly good guitar player. He’ll perform this show without a backing band. Based on what we heard from him the last time he was at 202 Market, he won’t need one.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. 202 Market, downtown Roanoke. $10. 202market.net, geoffachison.com.

Saturday

Blues in the Bowl: Scott Ainslie, Buddy Parker Band

Ainslie, a wonderful acoustic blues performer and teacher, is a Washington and Lee grad who hasn’t headlined a Lexington show in more than a decade. He’s touring to support his newest recording, "Thunder’s Mouth." Opener the Buddy Parker Band has a history of hardships and breakdowns, but it’s come out on the other side.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Theater at Lime Kiln, Lexington. $15 adults; $12 senior citizens; $10 students. theateratlimekiln.com, cattailmusic.com, myspace.com/buddyparkerband.

Space Monkey Odyssey

With The Bastards of Fate

Traveling from points across our great nation, the Evil Monkey Circus will gather at Jefferson Center. Their friend and public access cable personality Charles E. Cullen will join them for a night of glitz, glitter and glam rock that band leader Johnny Hollywood says will evoke the memories of Ziggy Stardust-era David Bowie and Queen. Opening the show is Roanoke’s The Bastards of Fate, led by Doug Cheatwood, and worth the price of admission on its own merit.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. $12. jeffcenter.org, spacemonkeyodyssey.com, myspace.com/thebastardsoffate.

Melissa Reaves

If this woman’s vocal prowess is even close to what she exhibits on the MP3 files on her Web site, this could be the show of the month — and the month has barely started. She’s a blues-rocker who’s not afraid to improvise.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Blue 5 Restaurant, downtown Roanoke. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, melissareaves.com.

Tuesday

The BOE Showcase

Catch this hip-hop and R&B collective, part of the Roanoke Library’s Emerging Artists series. Break dancing and 8-bit manipulation included.

Details: 6 p.m. Tuesday. Roanoke Library’s Brody Room Patio, downtown Roanoke. Free; all ages welcome. 853-2473, myspace.com/emergingartistsroanoke.

NEW!

Judas Priest, Heaven and Hell, Motorhead, Testament

Aug. 7, Nissan Pavilion, Bristow, (703) 754-6400

Wilco

Aug. 8, Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park, Cary, N.C., (919) 462-2025

Thursday

TO DINE BY

l Gillie's Restaurant

Steppin' Out Party featuring blues duo Chickenwings and Gravy (7 to 9:30 p.m.)

JAMS

'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' (PG-13)

It's been seven years since the last Mummy adventure, but Universal isn't about to let a successful franchise fade away without a fight.

TODAY

Party in the Park

A fundraising event for local non profits with live music and entertainment. Music this week by Jim Quick and Coastline. $6, general; ages 12 and under free. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Elmwood Park. 342-2640, pitp.org.

PULASKI -- Kris Sanchez had to have a little of what they call around here "the big head" after his senior season of high school baseball.

A little arrogance was understandable. Sanchez was on his way to the University of Arizona fresh off two state championships at Tucson's Canyon Del Oro High. He had been chosen All State in the classification that includes the state's largest high schools. His own school had something like 3,000 students and sent five guys on to current spots on major league rosters.

"I believe our policy will not affect reporters' coverage of the Olympic Games."

-- Sun Weide, chief spokesman for the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, on the Chinese government's decision to block journalists' access to scores of Web pages despite assurances as late as last week that they would have unfettered access to the Internet.