I purchased a house three months ago and have been using credit cards to help pay for renovating the property. My plan initially was to refinance and consolidate all the debt after I was done with the construction. However, my credit score has fallen and I am afraid I won't be able to get the best rate. What should I do?

I'm going to assume you haven't missed any payments along the way.

125% Home Equity Loans Now Close Concurrently with a 100% First-Second Mortgage Refinance from BD Nationwide

BD Nationwide Mortgage introduces the "125% Home Equity Refinance Loan Combination" for refinancing 1st and 2nd mortgages into a new 100% first mortgage with a 125% home equity loan that funds simultaneously. The latest home equity product from BD Nationwide helps homeowners refinance their adjustable rate mortgage to 100% loan-to-value and enables them to consolidate additional consumer debt like revolving credit cards and unsecured high rate loans with a 125% second mortgage. On average, borrowers are saving $800 a month with 1st-2nd combo loans that were clearly created to convert and consolidate adjustable rate mortgages into fixed rate no equity loans that maximize savings. .

ChoicePoint(R) Reports Second Quarter 2007 Results

For the second quarter of 2007, ChoicePoint Inc. (NYSE: CPS - News) reported a 3.3 percent increase in service revenue from continuing operations to $264.0 million, compared to $255.5 million for the second quarter of 2006. Total revenue from continuing operations was $269.4 million in the second quarter of 2007, compared to $260.6 million for the second quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ("EPS") for the second quarter of 2007 was $0.43, compared to $0.40 for the second quarter of 2006. Excluding the other operating charges detailed in the table below, EPS would have been $0.44 for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $0.43 in the second quarter of 2006.

The following table provides a reconciliation of EPS excluding other operating charges to EPS calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for the second quarter of 2007 and 2006:

2007 Updated Outlook

Refer to our attached Summary of Projections for the Year Ended December 31, 2007.

Superintendent answers questions about use of proposed tax increase

In a recent interview with Dr. Barry Carroll, superintendent of the Limestone County Schools, he provided the following answers to questions posed to him regarding the 1-cent sales tax vote that will take place Aug. 14. Q: What options do citizens have to generate more money for schools?A: There are basically two options for increasing revenue for schools. One is through property taxes and the other is a sales tax.Q: Why did the school board decide to ask for a sales-tax increase instead of a property-tax increase?A: About a year ago, the citizens of Alabama were asked to vote on a property tax increase in order to bring all school systems in the state up to the 10-mil equivalent. For the Limestone County and Athens City Schools that was a 1.5 mil increase. Although the measure was approved statewide, more voters in Limestone County voted against the increase than for the increase, therefore, we decided a 1-cent sales tax would be our best option.

Student Loan Network Announces New Monthly Scholarship Opportunities

ScholarshipPoints.com, a free service from the Student Loan Network, announces changes to the Scholarship program. ScholarshipPoints.com will continue to award a $1,000 scholarship every quarter -- but has replaced quarterly second and third place scholarships with a new monthly drawing for a $250 scholarship.

Students who sign up at ScholarshipPoints.com can start earning points toward the scholarship drawings. "Each month we offer opportunities to keep earning points -- through refer-a-friend programs, surveys and other promotions," said Joe Cronin, president of the Student Loan Network. "And, we've gotten such positive feedback from students and financial aid offices alike. It made sense to start doing monthly drawings in addition to a quarterly drawing."

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PLUS Loans From NextStudent Can Give Parents a Way to Help Their Children Pay for College

As parents of undergraduates review financial aid award packages for the upcoming school year, they may realize they might need a little help meeting their expected family contribution. Or some parents may have children who didn't receive any financial aid at all. When parents of undergraduates need a financial boost in order to help their children pay their unmet college expenses, a Federal PLUS Loan may be the solution they're looking for, says NextStudent, a leading Phoenix-based education funding company.

PLUS loans (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students) are non-need-based federal education loans designed to help creditworthy parents meet their undergraduate child's educational expenses. Since PLUS loans aren't awarded based on financial need, eligible parents, regardless of their income or assets, can qualify for PLUS aid.

Water merger agreement between Valdese and Rutherford College Water Corporation

The Water Corporation purchases water in bulk from the Town and redistributes the water to its customers located in the Rutherford College area. The Water Corporation intends to consolidate its Water Distribution System into the Town Water System. This Agreement establishes the terms and conditions of the consolidation and extends certain rights to the Members and customers of the Water Corporation.

BASED UPON THE FOREGOING PREMISES AND UPON THE FURTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN, THE TOWN AND THE WATER CORPORATION AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. DEFINITIONS. The following words or terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them:

Board - The Board of Directors of the Water Corporation.

Changeover Date - The date agreed upon by the Town and the Board as the date on which the Existing Rutherford College Water Customers will begin receiving Water Service from the Town.