HAMPTON ROADS BRIEFS.(LOCAL)

REGIONAL

Squadron soon off

for Saudi Arabia,

Langley official says

After having its departure twice delayed, Langley Air Force Base's 27th Fighter Squadron is scheduled to leave June 12 for a 45-day deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a Langley spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The departure of the 12-plane squadron of F-15C Eagles and about 220 support personnel was originally scheduled to begin April 4, then May 3. However, shortages of tanker planes to refuel the squadron's jets caused the deployment delays.

First Lt. Erin Bradley, a spokeswoman for the Langley-based 1st Fighter Wing, said the tankers were needed to support the ongoing NATO airstrikes in Yugoslavia. Over the past month, the United States has sharply increased the number of tankers overseas, helping to alleviate the shortages.

Air Force officials said the 27th Fighter Squadron will relieve a squadron of F-16s from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

Bridge-tunnel news is now

on 3 more local Web sites

The Virginia Department of Transportation has expanded its traffic camera coverage to include the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

Internet users can now access traffic images from the two new cameras as well as 38 others on three local Web sites: www.pilot online.com, www.gohampton roads.com and www.hamptonroads.com.

Two cameras have been placed about a half-mile from the east and west tunnel entrances for optimum viewing. One camera is in Hampton on Interstate 64 adjacent to Strawberry Banks Inn and monitors traffic heading east to the Southside. The second camera is in Norfolk, also on I-64, near 15th View Street and monitors traffic heading west to the Peninsula.

Workshop to help business

owners contract with TRT

A workshop to help women and minority business owners learn how to write and submit contracts to Tidewater Regional Transit/Pentran will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday in Virginia Wesleyan College's Boyd Dining Room, 1584 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk.

Participants will learn the do's and don'ts of submitting contract applications for services rendered to the agency, including vehicle and bus parts, promotional information, advertising, printing, office supplies, fuel, computer hardware and software, computer information systems, cleaning supplies and banking.

Other businesses and organizations participating in the event include the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center, Committee of 200+ Men of Hampton Roads, the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise and the Tidewater Regional Minority Purchasing Council.

The conference is free. For details, or to reserve a spot, call 499-9627.

People may also register at the door the day of the event.

Norfolk

School to break ground

on new wing this week

Norfolk Christian Schools will celebrate a Day of Jubilation when it breaks ground on a $6 million high school wing, which will include a library and media center. The ceremony will begin at 11:45 a.m. June 4.

The construction is part of a $16 million building campaign that includes a $1.4 million lower school already being built, said spokesman Hank Prevette.

School officials hope to build the additions without incurring any debt, Prevette said. After the new wing is finished, the school will renovate its existing buildings, installing fiber-optic cables and upgrading a computer lab, as well as constructing a new gymnasium and fine arts center. The lower school is scheduled for occupancy in January. The high school wing should be done by 2001. The lower school facility will be shared by Tabernacle Church of Norfolk.

Norfolk Christian Schools is at 255 Thole St. For details, call 489-2257.

VIRGINIA BEACH

Help buying prescriptions

is just a phone call away

Pennies for Prescriptions, a campaign run by Virginia Beach Social Services, helps buy medication for low-income residents without insurance.

Prescriptions are bought on a one-time basis for people in a medical crisis. Many of the pennies are donated through religious and community groups across Virginia Beach.

The campaign can be reached at 437-3214.

Welfare-to-work incentive

in need of some mentors

Volunteer mentors are being sought to help people successfully leave welfare in Virginia Beach.

Training for the mentors will be held each Thursday this month - including this week, June 10, June 17 and June 24. Classes will run from 6 to 9 p.m. each time at Virginia Beach Social Service, 3432 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.

Those wishing to become volunteer mentors should call in advance to Ofelia Wattley, coordinator, 437-3270.

Run, swim event to benefit

national heart association

Over 300 competitors are expected to toe the starting line June 26 in the first Virginia Beach Brave Heart Run-Swim-Run, an endurance contest aimed at raising funds for the American Heart Association.

The event requires entrants to run a mile, swim a mile and conclude with 3.1-mile run.

Kevin Martingayle, one of the organizers, said the race begins at 8 a.m. at the Oceanfront Park at 17th Street. Check-in time is from 6:30 to 7:30.

There is no race day registration. The entrance fee is $35 per person.

Checks will be payable to the American Heart Association.

For additional information about application forms or the race, call Martingayle or his wife, Elisabeth, at 491-6308 or Tricia Hudson-Childers, at 671-8636.