Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994                   TAG: 9404250145
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

Manufacturing activity in five mid-Atlantic states increased in March due primarily to growth in shipments, order backlogs and new orders, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reported this week.

The Fed's monthly survey of 123 manufacturers in Maryland, the Carolinas, Virginia and West Virginia also showed that the average work week increased, but the number of employees did not. Manufacturers said they expected the next six months to show an increase in shipments and exports, but anticipated little change in the number of workers.

- Associated Press

Crestar raises dividend

Crestar Financial Corp., Richmond parent of Crestar Bank, on Friday declared a 21 percent increase in its quarterly common stock dividend , or 40 cents per share, payable May 20 to shareholders on May 2.

- Associated Press

Bankruptcy court gets 5 petitions

Five petitions with business connections have been filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Western Virginia at Roanoke:

Woolridge Trucking Inc. of Roanoke filed for reorganization and protection from creditors. The president, George A. Woolridge, said the company had assets of $46,000 and liabilities of $175,000.

R&H Coal Company Inc. of Jewell Valley also asked for reorganization and protection from creditors. Its president, Larry D. Long, estimated both assets and liabilities at less than $50,000.

Robert Lee Whetsel and Mary Katherine Taylor Whetsel of Christiansburg filed for liquidation. They are the owners of Country Boy Drive-In. They reported assets of $102,300 and liabilities of $270,688.

Robert A. Lindamood and Elizabeth B. Lindamood of Christiansburg filed for liquidation, estimating assets and liabilities at less than $50,000. He is the owner of High Q Repairs.

Paul Gaetano Giordano of Roanoke, former operator of Giordano's PC Repair, had assets of $46,715 and liabilities of $86,591. He filed for liquidation.

- Associated Press

Briefly . . .

Appalachian Power Co. said Friday it has fallen behind schedule in performing routine maintenance, construction of new facilities and installing service to new customers because of the workload created by this winter's storms. Ice storms in February and March caused the utility's crews to work on restoring electric service after widespread outages, the company said.