Darlene Keener was talking with Caroline County parks and recreation officials when someone mentioned that girls in the county needed mentors. A couple of hours later, at a different meeting, the topic came up again. "I couldn't believe I heard the same thing within two hours. That told me there was a need," Keener said. So Keener and others set about starting Divas with Promise, a mentoring program that was launched in January and now includes about 70 girls. Activities have centered on etiquette, education and career opportunities.

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors boosted school funding and added fire and sheriff's department positions before approving the 2007-08 budget Tuesday night. The $74.4 million operating budget keeps the county's 48-cent real estate tax rate the same. The supervisors added two fire/rescue positions, bringing to six the number of new positions to help start implementing 24-hour coverage of the Ladysmith area, said county finance director Garland Adkins. The board also added two sheriff's deputy positions, giving the department a total of three new deputies and two other full-time positions.

Caroline County Administrator Percy Ashcraft is one of five finalists for a job in Iowa, according to a published report. Ashcraft, who has been Caroline's administrator since 1999, is vying for a similar position in Mason City, Iowa, according to the Globe Gazette newspaper. The city, about 120 miles north of Des Moines, has a population of about 29,000. Caroline's population is about 25,500.