The Bedford County Public Service Authority is seeking permission to draw up to 3 millions of gallon of drinking water from Smith Mountain Lake.

POPLAR FOREST — Sweating under the hot July sun, Katie Alaimo spent her 22nd birthday digging in Bedford County dirt thousands of miles away from her Oregon home.

The three counties that border Smith Mountain Lake would like Campbell County to join the commission that lobbies for lake interests, from debris removal to weed control.

With accidents on the rise and the busiest months of August through October ahead, Blue Ridge Parkway rangers are stressing “parkway etiquette” and reminding drivers to use caution throughout its 469 miles.

Conservation Officers with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries charge a man in connection with a boating accident that hurt a young wakeboarder at Smith Mountain Lake.

An exploding Sea-Doo watercraft on Smith Mountain Lake sent a woman to the hospital yesterday, authorities said.

For the first time, Bedford voters will elect City Council members on the same November day they vote for president. Council elections were held in May, prior to a 2005 vote that changed the date to November. The switch, Wandrei said, was to improve turnout while saving money.The city saves from $3,500 to $4,500 by holding one election, said City Registrar Randi Herrick.

BIG ISLAND — Ninety-degree temperatures, overcast skies and a strong summer shower couldn’t keep bluegrass fans away from the last day of Bluegrass at Sedalia, a music festival celebrating its 12th year. Hundreds mulled about at Bedford County’s Sedalia Center, chatting, picking up concessions and, of course, taking in traditional and modern bluegrass tunes.

Approaching its fourth year, Central Virginia Community College’s branch in Bedford continues to draw more students and offer more classes.

The Bedford County School Board on Thursday discussed whether to cut up to 40 high school classes that currently enroll fewer than 15 students for the 2008-09 school year.

The Bedford County School Board will have a 6 p.m. closed meeting and a 7 p.m. regular meeting today at the Bedford Science and Technology Center auditorium.

A rap performance at a New York City nightclub officially ended Shaquille O’Neal’s association with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office and Operation Blue Ridge Thunder.

A deadly crash is blocking Route 24 in Bedford County, near Staunton River High School.

BEDFORD — Tattoo parlors can now make their mark on the city of Bedford.

BEDFORD — City of Bedford and Bedford County officials spoke publicly Tuesday about considerations to change the city’s status to a town.