COUNTYWIDE

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development recently announced a decrease in the home mortgage interest rate for its Section 502 Homeownership Direct Loan Program. Effective this month, the new interest rate has been reduced to 5.375 percent, down from 5.750 percent. The rate decrease makes now a good time for limited-income families to purchase a home through the USDA Rural Development program. The Section 502 direct loan program is available to eligible, very-low- and low-income households to purchase an existing home, purchase a site and construct a dwelling, or purchase a newly constructed dwelling in rural areas. Financing under this program is available for up to 100 percent loan-to-value, and no down payment is required. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Applicants must have acceptable credit histories, and debt-to income ratios. Depending on household incomes, mortgage payments may be subsidized to as low as 1 percent interest rate.

• The Utah County Health Department invites women ages 40-64 to the Gift of Thanksgiving, a women's health fair, today and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Utah County Health and Justice Building, 151 S. University Ave. Room 1709, Provo. The event will offer free or low-cost skin cancer, vision, blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, breast exams and pap smears, along with mammogram vouchers (free or low cost based on income on a sliding fee scale). Fasting cholesterol tests will be available by appointment for $25.00. Prizes, food and incentives will be available for participants. Bilingual staff and female nurses will be available. For more information, visit www.UtahCountyHealth.org or call 851-7031.

• A. Lynn Scoresby, Ph.D., in conjunction with The Legacy Foundation in Orem, is sponsoring a free seminar for parents on improving family leadership at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 703 S. State St. Suite 1, Orem. The seminar will cover how to motivate kids, improve the quality of family life, and increase family unity, among othher topics. Seating is limited so e-mail Jeremy@TeachR.org or call 225-4066 to reserve your seat.