Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 6, 1993 TAG: 9301120363
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff Reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
IN BUSINESS
North Carolina to get 3 area codesSouthern Bell, the major telephone company serving North Carolina, said Tuesday it will divide that state into three area codes, effective Nov. 14.
The new area code, 910, will affect subscribers in the Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Wilmington calling zones. Phones in the Raleigh and Rocky Mount, N.C., calling zones will remain in the 919 area code. The western part of the state, now 704, will not be affected by the change.
Clifton Metcalf, Southern Bell manager of public information, said the new code is needed because 919 is rapidly running out of unassigned NXX codes, three-digit combinations that designate local exchanges and are required for the creation of new telephone numbers.
If all NXX codes are assigned, no new exchanges can be created and consequently no new telephone numbers would be available, he said. - Staff report
\ 2 Va. retailers report December sales up
Two Virginia-based retailers with operations in Western Virginia have reported healthy increases in December sales.
Circuit City Stores Inc., a Richmond consumer electronics chain, said Tuesday its December sales were $568.9 million, a 21 percent increase from December 1991 sales of $469.7 million and a 9 percent increase in comparable store sales. Comparable stores are those that have operated for at least a full year.
Heilig-Meyers Co., a Richmond-based home furnishings retailer, said December sales increased 25 percent to an estimated $68.8 million from $55 million for December 1991. Comparable-store sales rose 11.8 percent. - Staff report
\ Virginia to sell its 1st bonds today
The first issue of Commonwealth of Virginia Public Facilities Bonds, approved Nov. 3 by voters, will be sold today, state Treasurer Eddie N. Moore Jr. said Tuesday.
It will be the first sale of Virginia general obligation bonds since 1978. Bidding for the bonds, available in $5,000 increments, will begin at 10 a.m.
The $100 million bond issue will provide $82.8 million for higher educational facilities, $5.3 million for mental health facilities and $11.9 million for parks and recreational facilities. Subsequent bond issues are planned each June and January for the next three to four years. - Staff report
\ Briefly . . .
Home Shopping Network Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla.-based television retailer with an order-filing warehouse in Salem, said Tuesday it has notified First Union National Bank of Florida, trustee for its 11 3/4 percent senior notes due Oct. 15, 1996, to pick for early redemption a principal amount of $100 million of the notes. On Nov. 30, $143,252,000 principal amount senior notes were outstanding.
The American Automobile Association said Tuesday it will begin issuing monthly reports of average gasoline prices, replacing weekly reports it launched in August 1990 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The first monthly report is to be released Jan. 19.