The 5th annual Ashland Harvest Run, a 10K Run/5K Run-Walk is scheduled for Oct. 25 in support of Ashland Christian Emergency Services (ACES) and St. James the Less Free Clinic. The event helps raise funds to provide food, emergency-services payments, transient aid, medical services and equipment to those in need. ACES, in coordination with local social, mental health, safe house and aging service organizations, provides assistance with utility bills, rent, household needs and food. It is an all-volunteer organization funded by donations. St. James the Less Free Clinic, which opened in 2006 offers medical, dental and vision care, by appointment, to uninsured persons ages 18-64.

Claude W. Carmack, a member of the Exchange Clubs of Mechanicsville and Glen Allen-Richmond, has been elected national president-elect of the National Exchange Club at the organization's 2008 national convention in St. Louis. The National Exchange Club is an all-volunteer national service organization for men and women. It has nearly 800 clubs and more than 25,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

Hanover County landowners who use their property for agricultural, horticultural or forestal uses or keep it in open space are invited to enroll in the Land Use Taxation Program. Under this program, qualified landowners can have their property assessed at "use value", which may be lower than market value. The application period for this program began Sept. 2 and extends through Nov.1, with an additional enrollment period from Jan.1-Feb., 2009. Anyone with eligible property is invited to apply.

The Hanover County Sheriff's Office is asking for help in finding a 14-year-old girl, Cierra Adele Powell, who is considered a runaway. Powell, who lives in the 19000 block of Vontay Road in the Rockville area, left her home on Saturday, authorities said. She was last seen at 9:40 p.m. that day at the BP gas station at 1420 W. Broad St. in Goochland County getting into a blue, four-door car with a white hood occupied by a male driver and another female passenger.

The Hanover County Department of Emergency Communications has become one of two local government agencies in its category to be recognized as a 2008 "Industry Leader" by the National Safety Council. The Department's employees worked 99,400 hours without any time lost to injuries in 2007. The department is one of 65 companies nationwide to be honored with the award, which recognizes the top 5 percent of member companies, units and facilities that meet safety criteria. It is the second Hanover County department in two years to win the Industry Leader Award. Last year the Parks & Recreation Department received the award.

Hanover County has a Youth Planning Academy to introduce young people to the process of community planning. Sept. 12, is the deadline to apply for the academy. The Youth Planning Academy will begin in September and continue through October, a total of five sessions. The goal throughout all sessions will be to share information that will positively influence the future of Hanover County.

Mike Whitley, utility superintendent for the Hanover County Department of Public Utilities, has received a major regional award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On August 27, Whitley was presented with the Professional Operation Excellence Regional Award by EPA Region III regional administrator Donald S. Welsh. Also attending the ceremony at Hanover Courthouse was Dr. Karen Remley, state health commissioner, Virginia Department of Health.