DATE: Saturday, April 26, 1997              TAG: 9704260243

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: D2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

LOCAL SCENE

CHESAPEAKE

SOUTHLAND NAMES VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING: Robert W. Dodd was named vice president of manufacturing at Southland Technologies. He will be responsible for all rubber molding operations and the coordination and management of all manufacturing facilities and activities throughout the company. He joined the company in 1995 as general manager, automotive injection molding division.

VIRGINIA

IAIC APPLIES FOR NASDAQ LISTING: Information Analysis Inc., based in Fairfax, said it has applied for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.

RICHFOOD DECLARES DIVIDEND: Richfood Holdings Inc., based in Richmond, declared a quarterly cash dividend on its outstanding common stock for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997. A cash dividend of 3 cents per share will be payable on or about June 30, 1997, to shareholders of record on June 16.

ETHYL DECLARES DIVIDEND: Ethyl Corp., based in Richmond, declared a quarterly dividend of 12.5 cents a share on the common stock of the corporation. The dividend is payable July 1, 1997, to Ethyl shareholders of record June 16.

VIRGINIA GAS DECLARES DIVIDEND: Virginia Gas Co. increased its quarterly dividend to 1.5 cents a share from 1.25 cents. Abingdon, Va.-based Virginia Gas said the common stock dividend is payable to shareholders of record on May 15. Virginia Gas is a natural gas company that stores, gathers and distributes gas.

STATE CANCELS CONTRACT FOR MEDICAID CLAIMS SYSTEM: The state has canceled a $45 million, four-year contract to develop and manage a system to pay Medicaid claims in Virginia. The termination came almost three years after the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services awarded the contract to Electronic Data Systems Inc., even though EDS's bid was $15 million higher than its competitor's bid. State Medicaid director Joseph M. Teefey criticized EDS by letter, saying the company's dealings with Virginia officials were less than forthright. EDS had said it would deliver its system and implement it fully by the end of 1996, Teefey wrote. An EDS spokeswoman said the company was preparing a response to the cancellation. The cancellation won't endanger Medicaid services and payments to the approximately 600,000 poor and disabled Virginians who are eligible for them, Teefey said. MEMO: To submit an item, send it to Local Scene, The Virginian-Pilot

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