ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, December 22, 1995              TAG: 9512220033
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: C-8  EDITION: METRO 


IN BUSINESS

internet provider serving Roanoke

PSINet's Pipeline USA, a Herndon-based Internet services provider, has begun offering Internet access in the Roanoke area through a local phone number.

The service sells unlimited access to the Internet, 24 hours a day, to owners of Windows-based personal computers for a monthly fee of $19.95. Five hours of access are available monthly for $5.

PSINet, founded in 1989, offers Internet access in 185 communities worldwide. Its phone number is 703-904-4100.

- Staff report

Norton law school wins Allen approval

Gov. George Allen has endorsed an application to the Appalachian Regional Commission for $280,800 that would help fund preliminary work on a proposed Appalachian School of Law in the coalfields community of Norton.

The school, expected to open in August 1997, was one of 19 applications to the ARC approved by the governor. It is to focus on the study and practice of alternative forms of dispute resolution.

- Staff report

Briefly ...

SWVA Bancshares Inc. of Roanoke, holding company of Southwest Virginia Savings Bank, said Thursday its board has approved purchase of up to 22,823 shares of company stock in open market transactions from time to time during the next six months. The stock closed Thursday at $16.50 a share.

Bedford Bancshares Inc. of Bedford, holding company of Bedford Federal Savings Bank, declared a quarterly cash dividend of 9 cents a share payable Jan. 18 to shareholders on Jan. 3. It is the third dividend declared by the company since the initial issuance of its stock in August 1994.

Smithfield Foods Inc., parent of Valleydale Foods Inc. of Salem, said Thursday it has completed its acquisition of John Morrell & Co., from Chiquita Brands International Inc. Smithfield said it paid $58 million for the marketer of processed meats. Smithfield issued 1,094,273 shares of common stock.

U.S. stock and financial markets will be closed Monday for the Christmas holiday. The weekly auction of short-term bills by the Treasury Department will be postponed until Tuesday. The Roanoke Times will publish business news but no financial tables Tuesday; financial tables will resume in Wednesday's editions. Today, the Treasury bond market will close at 2 p.m. Stock and commodity markets will operate normally.


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