Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Dan River Floods

Motorists traveling to work following the holidays yesterday found the Dan River significantly above flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.
“The Dan River is at moderate flood level today, and is expected to crest in South Boston at 27.4 feet at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday morning,” said Jim Hudgins, meteorologist.
The meteorologist said forecasters predict the river will begin slowly receding today and fall below flood stage by Thursday evening.
Hudgins said that forecasters had originally predicted higher water levels from the New Year’s Day storm, but lowered the predictions when the worst of the storm spared the region.
“The numbers were adjusted down this morning based on the latest information,” he said. “It’s not going to be as bad as we’d previously thought.”
Normally, the Dan stays below 10 feet in South Boston, according to the weather service. “Flood stage is 19 feet,” Hudgins said.
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg said an average of 2 1/2 inches of rain fell on Southside during the New Year’s Day storm, although rainfall of 4 and 5 inches was reported in some spots.
South Boston recorded 1.18 inches at 7 a.m. Monday morning and .38 inch on Tuesday for a total of 1.56, according to Aubrey Clark at the town’s Waste Water Treatment plant.
Portions of at least 10 county roads were closed yesterday due to flooding, according to dispatcher Francisco. Among those were Highways 659, 600, 760, 778, 691716, 685 as well as Cowford Road and North and South Terry’s Bridge Road.
“We had a few reports of creeks coming out of their banks, but it’s hard to tell if that’s from the rainfall or due to backup from the drainage during the rain,” Hudgins said.
But saturated ground could present problems later in the week, the meteorologist cautioned.
“Another rain system is expected to move through your area Thursday, but it doesn’t look nearly as bad as this past storm.
“Still, it bears watching since the ground is so wet,” Hudgins said.
Preparing Residents for Flooding
In anticipation of the expected flooding potential in the Riverdale area, Emergency Services has tried to contact businesses and individuals so they can prepare, Helen Compton, deputy coordinator of Halifax County Office of Emergency Services, said yesterday
“Everyone is encouraged to use caution as they travel throughout the county as some secondary roads have already been closed,” she warned.
Compton said notifications in the Riverdale area began Monday, following the Danville area flood. She said personnel from South Boston and the county were involved .
The deputy coordinator said that the town and county’s Emergency Services continue to monitor the situation and that VDOT, state police, South Boston Police and the town’s public works department and other agencies have been notified of the potential flooding in an effort to be in a ready state.

County Administrator, Sheriff: FOIA Requests Were Handled Properly

Halifax County Administrator Bryan Foster says any report that Halifax County did not reply to a request for public emails is simply untrue.
Sheriff Jeff Oakes said that a person entered his office in September and asked a secretary to “see your records,” and then asked to look at her computer.
Foster said he compiled the two weeks worth of emails sent between Halifax County supervisors requested by a woman in mid-September.
“She asked for two weeks of email correspondence between the Board chairman and members,” he said. “I told her it would be later (than the five days prescribed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act) because I’d have to ask each Board member individually.
“We’re not the record keeper in any way,” Foster explained. “These emails are on their own personal accounts. It took a couple of weeks to get all that stuff together and get what they had.”
He was not in the office when the woman requesting the information came by, Foster said, but she left him a note and he emailed her.
“We traded emails,” Foster said. “I sent word to her once the emails were compiled.”
Foster said he doesn’t know why the Danville Register & Bee and Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Halifax County did not comply with the request.
“The only thing I can guess is that the person never came to pick it up,” Foster said. “I don’t know why she said she didn’t get it (the emails), she certainly didn’t follow up with me.
“We always respond to anybody who makes requests,” Foster added. “We had the emails compiled in the latter part of September.”
And according to Foster, there was nothing of any consequence in the emails requested for the two weeks in September.
“It was between eight and twelve emails,” Foster said. “Many of them were the same.”
One email Foster recalls was sent by Supervisor Doug Bowman to other Board members telling them about an informative article in Virginia Business Magazine about health insurance options.
Foster said it is also possible that Halifax missed a deadline that was set by the requester for the information, but he has not heard from them and is not sure if they ever picked the emails up at the county administration office.
“They certainly weren’t denied access,” Foster said.
Oakes said the request for information from his office was denied because it did not meet the FOIA requirement of being “reasonably specific” and because the information in the computers at the sheriff’s office is secure from public view.
“I never spoke to this individual,” Oakes said in a statement. “Nor was I or anyone on my staff presented with a written request for this information.”
Oakes says he was later contacted by Danville Register & Bee reporter Susan Elzey to follow up on the information request.
“Ms. Elzey advised me that my office had failed to comply with a FOIA request from an individual acting on behalf of the Register & Bee and wanted to know if I had any response,” Oakes said. “I told Ms. Elzey that I had no knowledge of what she was talking about and she proceeded to provide vague details of the encounter with my ‘receptionist.’
“I informed Ms. Elzey that if she could not identify the person in my office that I could not confirm her report,” the sheriff said. “I later emailed the newspaper’s editor, relating my concerns with the scope and temperament of the article as well as my dissatisfaction with the overall concept of exposing a ‘perceived’ deficiency in law enforcement.”
According to Oakes, the Register & Bee’s editor did not reply to his concerns.
Oakes said that the Virginia Freedom of Information Act provides several exemptions for law enforcement agencies.
“Most relate to active investigations, juvenile/victim/defendant identification, informant information and personnel matters,” Oakes said. “In providing information to the public, a law enforcement agency must be vigilant in protecting the identities of victims, witnesses or undercover officers.
“Likewise, we must be careful not to disclose investigative techniques and tactics that might easily find their way into the hands of criminals,” Oakes added.
Below is Sheriff Oakes’ statement in its entirety:
Dear Editor:
January 2, 2007
I would like to begin by saying how disappointed I am in your newspaper after reading the article about a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) audit conducted by the Danville Register & Bee. In my humble opinion, the Gazette-Virginian has an obligation to the community to fairly and accurately report the news. Your article was neither fair nor accurate in reporting the facts!
Several months ago, an individual entered the sheriffs’ office and verbally asked one of my secretaries to “see your records” and then asked to look at her computer. The request was denied because it did not meet the FOIA requirement of being “reasonably specific” and secondly, the information on our computers is secure from public view. I never spoke to this individual nor was I or anyone on my staff, presented a written request for information as stated in your article.
On Friday, December 29, 2006, Susan Elzey of the Register & Bee called my office to follow-up on the September audit. Ms. Elzey advised me that my Office had failed to comply with a FOIA request from an individual acting on the behalf of the Register & Bee and wanted to know if I had any response. I told Ms. Elzey that I had no knowledge of what she was talking about and she proceeded to provide very vague details of the encounter with my “receptionist.” I informed Ms. Elzey that if she could not identify the person in my office then I could not confirm her report. I later e-mailed the newspaper’s editor, relating my concerns with the scope and temperament of the article as well as my dissatisfaction with the overall concept of exposing a “perceived” deficiency in law enforcement. I was not afforded the courtesy of a reply.
I did accuse Ms. Elzey of running a scam and I did suggest that her paper was trying to do an expose’ on law enforcement, based on our conversation. The individual dispatched to my office did not request specific information as required by FOIA, as was the case in about 30 percent of the exercises. Secondly, the person failed to provide name and address information which is necessary to provide copies of the records. Third, no appeal was ever made as to why the request was not granted. I stand by my characterization of the Register & Bee article. And a final point of clarity, please identify our county fire marshal, by name!
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act provides many exemptions for law enforcement agencies, most of which relate to active investigations, juvenile victim/defendant identification, informant information, and personnel matters. In providing information to the public, a law enforcement agency must be vigilant in protecting the identities of victims, witnesses, or undercover officers. Likewise, we must be careful not to disclose investigative techniques and tactics that might easily find their way into the hands of criminals.
The 2006 Law Enforcement Guide to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act states that one of the most extensive protections from FOIA disclosure is provided to “criminal investigations information which includes all complaints, memoranda, correspondence, case files or reports, witness statements, and other evidence relating to a criminal investigation.
The other “protected” records relate to non-criminal incidents or other investigative reports or materials that may contain identifying information of a personal, medical or financial nature where the release of such information could jeopardize the safety or privacy of any person.” Separating the “allowable” from the “protected” information will require a great deal of time and effort from my staff and I ask for your patience and understanding as you make those requests. Improper disclosure of any of the above information, by me or a member of my staff, would be considered a violation of state law and punishable as a Class 2 misdemeanor. Thanks.
Sincerely,
D. J. Oakes

Theft Arrests Made After Traffic Stop

Three suspects were arrested Thursday on grand larceny charges following a traffic stop on L.P. Bailey Highway in the Town of Halifax, according to Halifax Police Chief David Martin.
Patricia P. Bryant, 38, of Halifax County, and Phillip E. McKenna Jr., 38, and Ernest K. Slusser, 29, both of Campbell County, were arrested during the traffic stop and charged with stealing a four-wheeler, Martin said.
At approximately 8:15 p.m., Martin said he was patrolling Halifax Road when he observed a burgundy Oldsmobile SUV pulling out of Jerry Epps Landscape Company.
The SUV was pulling a trailer carrying an all-terrain EZ-GO vehicle, according to police.
Martin stopped the vehicle with backup from Halifax officers S.M. Comer and F.L. Holland.
The all-terrain vehicle, valued at approximately $3,000, was recovered and returned to Jerry Epps Landscape Company, police added.
“The incident has sparked a subsequent investigation which may reach into adjacent counties with the possibility of further arrests and charges,” Martin said.
Martin said Halifax officers were assisted by the Virginia State Police and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Bryant was released on bail and McKenna and Slusser are being held in the Halifax Regional Jail without bond, Martin added.

Obituaries

Mary Lena Boyd

Mary Lena Boyd, 46, of Halifax died December 31, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Miss Boyd was born in Charlotte County October 31, 1960, to the late William C. and Irene Boyd. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Laurena Boyd. Survivors include five children, Christopher Boyd of Baskerville, Shauntelle Boyd, Stephanie Boyd, Brandon Boyd and Mikayla Boyd, all of Halifax; four sisters, Deborah Boyd, Rose Morals and husband, Armondo, Donna Boyd and Tammy Duncan, all of Chase City; two brothers, Don W. Boyd and Tyrone Boyd both of Red Oak.
Funeral services for Miss Boyd will be held at 2 p.m. January 6 at First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg, with the Rev. Opie Terrell, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.harrisfhc.com.

Virginia Faulkner Brandon

Virginia Faulkner Brandon, 88, 2231 Virgie Cole Road, South Boston died December 30, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Brandon was born in Halifax County on December 18, 1918, the daughter of the late Freeman Watkins and Rebecca Mary Lena Faulkner Watkins, and was married to the late Isaac Wade Brandon. She was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Hattie Brandon Norrell of Richmond and Dorothy Brandon Shackleford of Chester; two sons, John H. Brandon and Melvin L. Brandon, both of South Boston; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Michael Shackleford of Chester; and one sister-in-law, Lillian B. Brandon of Baltimore, Md.
Funeral services for Mrs. Brandon will be held today, January 3, at noon at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home with the Rev. Jerry Rudd officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mayo Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 22, Alton, 24520.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Marlon Brandon, 1321 Jeffress Street, South Boston.

William Wayne Wakely

William Wayne Wakely, 62, of L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Nathalie died January 1, 2007, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home.
Mr. Wakely was born in Campbell County April 11, 1944, the son of the late Joe Mitchell Waller and Pency Barksdale Waller. He was of Baptist Faith and a retired mechanic and carpenter.
Survivors include two brothers, Mitchell Waller and Luther Waller, both of Brookneal; three sisters, Cindy W. Fears fo Nathalie, Nancy W. Kress of Brookneal and Helen W. Wooldridge of Lynchburg.
A graveside service for Mr. Wakely will be held at 3 p.m. today, January 3, by the Rev. Keith Williams in Falling River Baptist Church Cemetery.

The Year In Sports

By Doug Ford
GV Staff Writer
The year 2006 was again full of individual and team accomplishments in Halifax County sports, of stepping up and stepping down.
Perhaps the biggest story was South Boston’s Jeremy Jeffress, the Comets’ senior pitcher being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft in early June, 16th overall.
Jeffress subsequently signed a contract containing a reported $1.55 million signing bonus, before flying to Arizona to join the Arizona Brewers Rookie League team.
A hard-throwing right-handed hurler with a fast ball clocked at close to 100 MPH, Jeffress recorded a 21-6 record in a three-years varsity career.
He pitched 17 complete games, including eight shutouts, while striking out 288 batters and finishing with an overall 1.22 ERA.
Jeffress received a number of post-season honors,including being named the Louisville Slugger State High Schol Player of the Year in Virginia.
He was also named Player of the Year for both the Western Valley District and Northwest Region.
As a rookie for the Arizona Brewers in the Arizona Rookie League, Jeffress compiled a 2-5 record.
He started four games, pitched a total of 33 and two-thirds innings and finished with a 5.88 earned run average. Jeffress fanned 30 batters and walked six.
Harris Resigns As Comets
Football Head Coach
John Lacy Harris, who guided the Halifax County High School varsity football team to a combined 16-6 record and two Northwest Regional appearances in two years, resigned as Comets head football coach and school guidance counselor in early December.
Saying “he simply needed a break,” Harris added that it was “time to slow down a little bit and pull for the Comets.”
A longtime head football coach at Comets’ rival Person High School, Harris brought with him an entertaining, wide-open brand of football.
The “Gulf Coast” offense featured spread formations and a quarterback operating out of the shotgun, with a number of skill position athletes getting the opportunity to display their skills.
Halifax finished 8-2 in each of Harris’ two seasons at the helm, advancing each time to the first round of the Northwest Region playoffs.
Jeff Burton On Comeback Trail
South Boston native and NEXTEL Cup race driver Jeff Burton got his career back on track with a seventh-place finish in the Chase for the Championship in 2006.
Burton, a driver for Richard Childress Racing, won one race in 2006, at Dover, while collecting four poles, seven top-five finishes and 20 top-ten finishes.
Named NASCAR’s Comeback Driver of the Year, Burton led the Chase for the Championship through five races.
Ward Burton Gets
Full-Time Ride
Following a two-year layoff, Ward Burton will return to racing full-time in 2007, this time behind the wheel of the #4 Chevrolet Monte Carlo of Morgan-McClure Motorsports.
Burton, the winner of the 2002 Daytona 500, has compiled five wins, 25 top-five finishes and 85 top-ten finishes in 359 career starts since 1994.
He drove three races for Morgan-McClure Motorsports at the end of the 2006 season.
HC-SB Sports Hall Of Fame Inducts Four
The Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame inducted four new members in April.
The late Don Thompson, Bill Maxwell, Jack Crews and Fred “Scooter” Savarese, became the latest inductees into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame in April.
Thompson, a winner at every basketball coaching stop at Altavista, Amherst and Halifax County (twice) in addition to Hampden-Sydney College, spent several years as Athletic Director at Halifax County High School.
Bill Maxwell, a three-sport standout in the South Boston recreation leagues, excelled in basketball and football while in high school.
Jack Crews was also a high school standout in football and basketball, and earned a football scholarship to Virginia Tech, while Savarese, a New York City native, became a stalwart shortstop for the South Boston Wrappers baseball team.
Comets Varsity Teams
Make Regionals
The Comets varsity football team advanced to regional play for the second straight season in 2006.
Halifax finished the regular season with a 8-2 mark and almost erased a 28-point deficit before losing 28-21 at Colonial Forge in the semifinals of the Northwest Region playoffs.
Several Comets football alumni continued their football careers in college, Bobby Owens and T.C. Stevens at Hampden-Sydney among others, while two Comets football seniors, Patrick Terry and Corey Jackson will take their games to Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond, respectively.
Another key contributor to the Comets football team, middle linebacker Allen Stephens, capped a stellar junior season by being named Northwest Region Defensive Player of the Year.
Former Comets running back Alonzo Coleman finished a four-year career at Hampton as the all-time leader in rushing, touchdowns and points scored in the Mid-East Athletic Conference (MEAC).
Both the Comets varsity baseball and softball teams advanced to the regional finals in 2006, the baseball team defeating Forest Park before falling at Osbourn.
Another Comets baseball alumni made news in 2006, Christopher Parker being named the head baseball coach and athletic director at Patrick Henry Community College.
The Comets girls defeated Osbourn Park in the first round of the regionals before losing at Massaponax.
Sophomore shortstop Lashunda Davis, a starter for the Comets varsity softball team since her freshman year, was named both Western Valley District and Northwest Region Player of the Year.
Other Comets sports teams sent individuals to regional competition in 2006, with the wrestling team sending nine grapplers and the cross country team two runners ran in the regionals.
The Comets swim team had a banner season, finishing the year with three individual and three relay school records, while sending 17 swimmers to regional competition.
Jeffress, Owens, Clements
Reap Awards At HCHS
Jeremy Jeffress and Bobby Owens shared the T.C. Watkins III Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year award at Halifax County High School in 2006, while Caroline Clements was named winner of the Francis J. Mitchell Female Athlete of the Year award.
Jeffress competed in baseball and basketball at HCHS, and Owens in football, baseball and track. Clements competed in volleyball and was captain of the Comets swim team.
HCMS Racks Up Championships
Halifax County Middle School racked up conference championships in six sports in 2006, beginning with a second straight for boys basketball and a fourth straight for girls basketball in February.
Both the Lions baseball team and softball teams won conference championships in the 2006 spring sports season.
The Lions football team won the conference crown and the volleyball team finished with its second straight conference title, both coming in the 2006 fall sports season.
South Boston Speedway Crowns 2006 Champions
South Boston Speedway enjoyed another competitive year.
Drew Herring, of Benson, N.C., won the Late Model Stock Car points title in the division’s final week of racing, while South Boston’s Bruce Anderson took home his first Limited Sportsman Division championship.
Chuck Watkins, a Stem, N.C., resident, won the Pure Stock Division, while Jeremy Cook of Hampton won the INEX Legends Car Series points title at South Boston Speedway.
The USAR Hooters Pro Cup again visited South Boston Speedway for two races, Clay Rogers winning the April race, while Shelby Howard took the checkered flag in August.
In addition, the first annual Mason Dixon Meltdown, a three-day event featuring a variety of racing, including Super Late Models, came to South Boston for the first time.
VIR Gears Up For
Extended Season
VIRginia International Raceway near Alton hosted a number of major professional and amateur racing events, including the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals, GT LIVE/Grand Am Cup and the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.
The multi-use facility continued to host its signature lineup of events, including the SCCA Oak Tree Nationals, the HSR Virginia Historic Races, the annual Gold Cup and the Stock Car Spectacular.
In addition, VIR held the inaugural United States Kart Grand Prix in December.
Mat Mladin swept both Superbike events at the Big Kahuna Nationals, while the Mike Rockenfeller and Patrick Long won the VIR 400 Rolex Sports Car Series Race.
Motorsports Academy In Full Swing
The Halifax County Public Schools Motorsports Academy was in full swing in 2006, with a number of karting events at South Boston Speedway.
Two major announcements concerning the Motorsports Academy were made late in the year, the first a partnership with the Drive for Diversity program and race driver Terri Marks to maintain her Limited Sportsman race car at South Boston Speedway in 2007.
Jeff Burton, South Boston native and driver of the No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, made a trip home in December on behalf of Cingular Wireless to present a $5000 scholarship donation to the Motorsports Academy.
Another Active Year For County Golfers
Local golfers had a large number of tournaments to choose from in 2006, including the Mental Health Classic, Lucy Bradshaw Memorial and Jeff Nelson Memorial events among others.
The biggest event of the golfing calendar, the County Cup, saw Green’s Folly Golf Club retake the Cup from Halifax Country Club, and the Green’s Folly Seniors wining their version of the County Cup for the fifth straight year.
The Ladies County Cup also switched hands, this time going to Halifax Country Club.
Jimmy Clay and David Graham won individual titles, Clay winning the club championship at Halifax Country Club and Graham at Green’s Folly Golf Course. Bobby Wilborn and Billy Payne won senior club championships at Halifax Country Club and Green’s Folly Country Club, respectively.
Kay Burton was the Halifax Country Club Ladies Champion for the third straight year, while Pat Crewe won the Ladies Club Championship at Green’s Folly Golf Course.
One of the more poignant changes in the local tournament schedule took place in the format of the Walter McCormick Memorial Golf Tournament.
The annual handicap tournament had been played in honor of the late Walter McCormick, a member of Halifax Country Club.
From 2006 onward, the tourney will be known as the Memorial Tournament, each year honoring both Walter McCormick and another late HCC member who in himself and his family meant a lot to the club.
Phil Rinker won the first-ever Memorial Tournament and received the McCormick Cup in 2006.
Holland, Newcomb Win World Weighlifting Titles
Tommy Holland and Doug Newcomb each repeated as World Champions in the sport of weightlifting in 2006.
Holland won his first world title in the 220-pound class and seventh overall, while Newcomb took his second world title in the 198-pound Lifetime Drug Free Masters division.
Dixie Softball, Baseball Host Five Tournaments
The Halifax County Dixie Softball and Baseball programs had busy seasons, hosting a total of five state tournaments between the two of them.
The Dixie Boys 13/14 Baseball State Tournament, the Dixie Majors and Pre-Majors State Tournament, as well as the Dixie Debs and Belles State Softball tournaments were all held in July at various venues throughout Halifax County.
Two Halifax County all-star teams emerged with state titles in 2006, both from the Halifax County Dixie Softball program, as the Halifax American Belles and Halifax National Ponytails each earned a World Series berth.
In other Dixie news, long-time softball coach and manager Jimmy Wade was inducted into the Dixie Softball Hall of Fame.
Skeet, Clay Shooters Go National
A number of area skeet and clay target shooters had standout years, none more so than Ryan Tribble of Nathalie, who at age 15 became the first Virginian to shoot a “4x4” in the state meet.
Tribble shot a perfect 400 out of 400 in a two-day state competition, hitting 100 targets in four shotgun divisions, including .12 gauge, .20 gauge, .28 gauge and .410 gauge.
Tribble and four other area shooters qualified for the Scholastic Clay Target Program Nationals, including C.A. Nichols, Christopher Wilmouth, Paul MacCarty from Halifax County and Corbin Headley of Roxboro.
Bowling And Running Winners
Four area bowlers were inducted into the South Boston Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2006, including Ronnie Furches, Barbara Talbott, Wayland Talley and Don Wilkerson.
Furches and Talbott were the first women inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Two familiar faces won the annual YMCA 5K Run in 2006, Dale Ball taking the men’s event and Krista Leake the women’s 5K run.
Each was a repeat winner.
Cage, Burton Win Tennis Titles
Bob Cage and Johnny Burton each won state senior tennis titles in 2006, Cage winning the 75-79 age group at the Virginia Senior Olympics, while Burton took the Virginia Clay Court Seniors title.