FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 24, 2012

Franklin County, Goodwill Industries^® of the Valleys, Prudential Waterfront Properties, Earth Environmental and Civil, and Franklin Community Bank are excited to announce the results of the 4^th Annual Franklin County E-Cycling Day.  The event took place on Saturday, April 21^st at the Goodwill^® Store and Franklin Community Bank in Rocky Mount, as well as Prudential Waterfront Properties in Westlake.  In an effort to keep material out of area landfills, the public was encouraged to donate their old computers, computer equipment, small appliances, and electronics.  Additionally, confidential on-site document destruction was offered at Franklin Community Bank.

Thanks to great community support a total of 12,248 pounds of material was collected.  Many people also took advantage of the shredding truck at the bank location with more than 10,000 pounds of documents destroyed.  This year’s event saw an increase of 47.3% in the amount of material collected over last year.  Since the first E-Cycling Day in 2009 over 21 tons of materials were kept out of area landfills.  “We are very pleased about these outstanding results. The E-Cycling Day is not only a great way to celebrate Earth Day, but is also benefiting the environment and our community as a whole,” said Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and Communications for Prudential Waterfront Properties. “Thanks to everyone who participated and donated to this great cause.”

The Franklin County E-Cycling Day is an extension of a Goodwill partnership with Dell Computers and an effort to increase awareness of recycling and green initiatives throughout the Franklin County area.  Through the Dell RECONNECT^TM partnership, computers and computer related hardware are responsibly recycled by Dell with proceeds benefiting Goodwill job training and employment programs. “Events like Franklin County E-Cycling Day reinforce that people are growing more conscious of recycling and protecting the environment,” states Lucie Touchton, Goodwill Marketing Manager . “For Goodwill it is important to stress that people don’t have to wait for an event like this to responsibly dispose of their old computers and electronics. They can bring these items to Goodwill every day.”

In 2011, Goodwill kept over 14.3 million pounds of material out of area landfills throughout the 31 county, 14 city territory in Virginia.  Through successful salvage efforts, the organization works diligently to see that the community’s castoffs do not come back to harm the environment. The revenues generated through the sale of donated goods, including salvage and recycling operations, support Goodwill programs, which train individuals and help place them in competitive, community employment.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, a United Way partner organization headquartered in Roanoke, serves 31 counties and 14 cities in the New River, Roanoke, and Shenandoah Valleys.  Its mission is to help people and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence.  In 2011 Goodwill assisted 75,734 individuals and in this difficult employment market placed 2,111 people into jobs in the community.

For over 25 years, Prudential Waterfront Properties markets real estate throughout Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas. As members of the Multiple Listing Service, Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS^® are able to assist buyers and sellers with all listed properties in a variety of price ranges and locations throughout the lake and surrounding areas. Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS^® are consistent leaders in sales as well as customer and client service.

Franklin Community Bank, N.A. opened its doors for business in September 2002. Part of its mission is to support through active participation the communities we serve along with providing the highest level of service to help our clients achieve financial prosperity. We invite you to visit with us at one of our 3 locations in Franklin County and you will see why “your bank is here.”

Earth Environmental and Civil, Inc. has been providing environmental and civil engineering service throughout the region for 22 years. With large company capabilities and small company accessibility, our Engineers, Geologist, Scientists, and Planners keep our clients satisfaction as their top priority. At EEC, our emphasis lies in our ability to consistently provide quality service while effectively meeting budgets and schedules. Our experience ranges from project conceptualization through initiation to implementation and finally, the satisfaction of project completion.

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For more information, contact:

Lucie Touchton

Marketing Manager

Office: (540) 581-0620, Ext. 174

Cell: (540) 529-9290

ltouchton@goodwillvalleys.com

Christopher E. Finley

Director of Marketing & Communications

The Willard Companies

Office : (540) 721-5288

chris@thewillardcompanies.com

The festival continues through the weekend with acts like Roanoke’s own The Worx and country artist Craig Campbell. Don’t miss the crowning of the Dogwood Queen on Saturday at noon, followed by the annual Dogwood Parade.

Click here for a schedule of events!

News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lt. Todd Maxey
540-483-6601
toddmaxey@franklincountyva.org

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Continues Search for Missing Woman
Heather Dialian Hodges has been missing for a week
ROCKY MOUNT, VA (April 16, 2012) – The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the
search for a Franklin County woman who’s been missing for a week now.
22-year-old Heather Dialian Hodges was last seen by her boyfriend, Paul R. Jordan II, on Monday,
April 9, 2012 at approximately 10:30 p.m. Jordan, who’s 39-years-old, advised deputies that he left the
residence they shared in Franklin County for approximately ten minutes and upon returning was unable
to locate Heather.
A member of Heather Hodges family saw her earlier in the day
on April 9. Heather’s sister told deputies that she last saw
Heather when she dropped Heather off at her residence at 6:30
that morning. Heather is the mother of a two year old girl.
Family members say over the past week Heather has not called
to check on the child and that this is extremely unusual. The
two year old is currently staying with family members.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has utilized the VA State
Police helicopter, tracking dogs, the Franklin County Swift
Water Rescue team as well as interviews with family,
neighbors and friends in an effort to locate Heather Hodges.
Heather Hodges is a white female with blonde hair and blue
eyes. She is 5 foot one and weighs 100 pounds. Anyone with
information on the whereabouts of Heather Dialian Hodges is urged to contact the Franklin County
Sheriff’s Office at 540-483-3000.
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Smith Mountain Lake, VA (April 20, 2012) – Westlake Cinema is scheduled to begin converting to digital cinema in late April. The process will take approximately one week and the theater plans to debut its new technology with the release of Marvel’s The Avengers on Friday, May 4^th.

There are a number of advantages converting to digital cinema. “The viewing quality will greatly improve the overall movie going experience and we will now have the capabilities to show 3-D (three –dimensional) movies,” stated Thomas Althoff, General Manager at Westlake Cinema. Althoff added that a premium of $3.50 will be set for 3-D movies, which is industry standard.

Converting to digital cinema consists of replacing traditional 35MM film with an electronic copy. This removes any of the image degradation seen with traditional 35MM projection systems.  Westlake Cinema partnered with Sonic Equipment Company based in Iola, Kansas for the project. They will be installing industry leading Christie® DLP Cinema® projectors.

According to Lee Willard, Vice President of Corporate Holding at The Willard Companies, owners of Westlake Cinema, “Converting to digital is a good business decision. Although there is a large cost in doing so, we believe it will provide a better financial future for Westlake Cinema. Not only will our theater be able to play 3-D movies, but we have also positioned ourselves to be on the cutting edge with high frame-rate technology. We are very excited to bring the 3-D and digital movie experience to the local community so folks no longer have to drive outside of the area to enjoy.” The projectors will have the ability to play the newest “high frame-rate” films such as The Hobbit this December, Willard added.

The company estimates the conversion costs around $275,000 to complete. Westlake Cinema will continue to operate business as usual without any interruption to hours of operation.  Future 3-D showings will include Men in Black III, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Prometheus, The Amazing Spider-Man, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Ice Age 4: Continental Drift.

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About Westlake Cinema (www.westlakecinema.) – Westlake Cinema is a 13,800-square-foot cinema featuring a four-plex movie theater with stadium seating, concessions and games. In addition, Westlake Cinema offers Dolby® Digital Surround Sound and optional headphones hooked to a USL Infrared Hearing System for those with hearing impairments. Westlake Cinema’s goal is to offer moviegoers an upscale theater with first run movies, state of the art sound system and full service concession area.

About Sonic Equipment Company (www.sonicequipment.com) – Sonic Equipment Company is a leading provider of sales, service, installation, new construction, remodeling, and consulting to community-owned theatres and independent exhibitors. They staff a fully trained and certified group of technicians, installers, and sales managers to meet the needs of today’s growing digital cinema industry.

Christopher E. Finley, CCDS

Director of Marketing & Communications

(540) 721-5288 | (800) 858-4653

The classes begin this Wednesday, April 25, and will continue every fourth Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at Trinity Ecumenical Church on Route 122 in Moneta. Attendees will have the opportunity to network in a structured, supportive environment; as well as participate in workshops addressing relevant issues. Childcare will be provided for infants and toddlers, and school-aged children will participate in Christian education.

If you are a grandparent raising your grandchildren and want to know more about participating in this ministry, call Trinity Ecumenical Parish at 721-4330.

Smith Mountain Lake, VA (April 3, 2012) – The Willard Companies has purchased two properties including the existing pad for a second 48-unit condominium project at Bridgewater Pointe as well as Bridgewater Grande, a 30 acre track featuring 5,900’ +/- water frontage. The properties were purchased for $5.6 million and closed on Friday, March 30.

“We are very excited about being involved in future plans for a second tower at Bridgewater Pointe and the Bridgewater Grande development. These projects will bring economic development to the Smith Mountain Lake region, which has continued to rebound from the recession,” said Ron Willard, President of The Willard Companies. In 2010, The Willard Companies was involved in the marketing of the first tower, featuring 48-units that sold out in 2 ½ hours during a lottery style sale.

Development for the second 48-unit project will mirror the architecture of the exiting condominium tower and plans for Bridgewater Grande will include residential and commercial mix on 30 acres.

Willard started his development and construction company in 1973. “For us, the timing of this investment made excellent business sense. Not only were we able to purchase at attractive pricing, but the location of these properties are within a few miles from our office headquarters and in close proximity to all of our company subsidiaries,” said Willard.

The Willard Companies is the umbrella for Willard Construction of Roanoke Valley, Inc., Prudential Waterfront Properties, The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge and The Westlake Golf and Country Clubs. The company is involved in country clubs, building, developing, marketing and real estate. The Willard Companies is also affiliated with Westlake Towne Center, Westlake Cinema, Westlake Salon & Spa, Window and Door Design Gallery and Smith Mountain Building Supply. Visit online at www.thewillardcompanies.com.

While in Roanoke, make a day of it by spending some time perusing the vendors at the city market. The market building recently reopened after a complete renovation, so if you haven’t had the opportunity yet, this weekend is the perfect time to check it out.

The event will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 10am to 4pm, and is the inaugural event in a series of open house lectures at Tufton Farm (just 1.3 miles east of Monticello). The event includes a presentation from wildflower photographer Jackie Bailey Labovitz, a workshop on landscaping with native and naturalized plants by Brian Hartsock, and advice on jumpstarting your garden with cool season crops by Lily Fox-Bruguiere.

And if that’s not enough excitement for one weekend, on Saturday the 28^th the site of the Business Expo will be transformed from tents filled with businesses into tents filled delicious BBQ, great tunes, and your favorite brews! A variety of barbecue will be served from North Carolina to Kansas City and everything in between. Admission is $5. Children 12 and under free.