Friday, February 9, 2007

IDA Offers G-P
As Possible Waste Transfer Station Site

At the request of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, the Industrial Development Authority offered approximately seven acres at the former Georgia-Pacific site for a proposed solid waste transfer station.
The IDA Board approved making the land available with several stipulations, including that the station not impact any current or future grants and not hurt the overall marketability of the 104-acre site.
According to County Administrator Bryan Foster, county staff was instructed to continue seeking viable sites for the facility during the supervisors’ retreat while proceeding with a 44-acre site the county has optioned on Route 58.
Route 58 property owners in the vicinity of the site have strongly opposed the 44-acre site for the transfer station
At the G-P site, IDA Board members Marcus Hargrave and Bill Kelehar, who serve as the IDA’s property management team, will oversee the potential development for the authority and work out the specifics if the site is selected.
The site offered by the IDA to the county is located in the northwest corner of the property and IDA Chairman Larry McPeters said he envisions trucks entering the station from U.S. 360 onto Route 879 (Plywood Trail) and then onto an access road that will run along the northern property line of the site.
This will mean there will be minimal intrusion on the G-P site, McPeters said.
According to McPeters, the IDA was approached Tuesday by a representative of the Board of Supervisors to inquire about a potential site in the former Georgia-Pacific facility and responded to the county’s request.
“We’re trying to support what the county needs,” McPeters said, noting that the site has not yet been reviewed by the project’s architects for suitability.
Also during their Thursday morning meeting, the IDA voted to approve a site plan in Sinai Industrial Park for The Woodcraft Company.
Woodcraft’s new 8,400 square-foot facility will be located on 2.2 acres in the industrial park, according to IDA staff.
Construction is slated to begin in April for the company, which is currently operating out of a facility on Eastover Drive.
The Woodcraft Company, owned by Merlin Brougher, constructs wooden pallets and other products, IDA officials said. The company currently has four employees and a truck driver on staff.
The IDA then scheduled a special called meeting for Tuesday, February 13, at 6 p.m. to vote on a resolution summarizing the agreements with ABB for its expansion project and authorize the IDA chairman to sign the contracts and ABB’s performance agreement.
IDA members declined to vote on the resolution during their meeting yesterday because the document was received from the IDA’s attorney Monday and there was insufficient time for review.
The special meeting will precede a meeting to the Board of Zoning Appeals, which will also meet Tuesday to address a height variance for the new ABB facility.
A Phase One archeological study for the G-P site was also approved by the IDA at a cost of $18,700.
Eades told the Board that a preliminary engineering study has estimated the demolition costs at the site at $1.2 million, some of which will have to be trimmed because of funding limitations.
Eades also told the IDA members that renovation work is under way at the Flex Tec facility.

Old Jail Coming Down?

Supervisors are mulling the fate of the old Halifax County jail with an eye to South Boston landfill’s closing date Dec. 31.
“The reason we’re looking at it now is because the landfill is closing,” explained Halifax County Administrator Bryan Foster yesterday. “Doing it before the South Boston landfill closes is the least expensive way we will have to demolish and dispose of it.”
A blueprint for the 7,560-square-foot jail is dated 1959, with an early 1960’s construction date estimated by Foster.
The jail, which contains 36 cells, has been used for storage since the new Blue Ridge Regional Jail opened across the street in 1999.
“The issue is that the jail is not very usable currently,” said Foster. “And the way it’s cut up into cells, with the construction - cement, steel and rebar- it is not conducive to any kind of renovation.
“We’re looking to tear it down so we will have the footprint available for future needs at the courthouse,” added the administrator.
“So there’s no plan at the moment, we just need to do the demolition and have that space available.”
Since the jail is connected to the adjoining building along part of one wall, Foster said estimates are being sought for the demolition. “It’s not just knocking it down,” he said. The building must be checked for shared electrical or other utility connections.
The old jail building does not include the brick-arched section which now serves the General District and which is visible from Main Street in Halifax.

Trustees To Tackle School Zones

With two new elementary schools expected to open for students next year, members of the Halifax County School Board are expected to set a date for a work session to consider new attendance zones in the county Monday night.
The action is expected as trustees meet for their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
While no preliminary information is available, Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark said that Board members need to make a decision sooner rather than later.
“The information will be released after the Board meets,” he said. “During Monday’s meeting, the administration will make a proposal to the Board to begin considering the new attendance zones. And in order to do that, we need to establish a timeline.”
But Clark said any staffing decisions related to the new schools will be made prior to deadlines set by the state.
“We have to be cognizant of the fact that we have to make a decision prior to April 15 (the state-mandated deadline for any personnel changes),” he said.
School Superintendent Paul Stapleton said earlier that the construction of two new schools in the county means redistricting this year is a given.
“The whole basis is that with the two new schools, we’re going to have to redistrict,” he said. “The Board will actually draw lines on a county map and that’s where the busses will run. We need to get as much information right now as we can to determine how many students we’re going to allow to enroll in the new schools.”
Based on enrollment projections for the 2007 school year, Stapleton told the Board during an earlier meeting that the new school in South Boston is expected to house 593 students next year and the new Cluster Springs school will house 562 students.
“South Boston can accommodate 850 students and Cluster Springs can hold 750 students,” he said. “That is 250 additional students you can put in South Boston and 190 in Cluster Springs.
“The key will be to find out how many students want to attend out of their zone,” Stapleton added. “It’s all going to boil down to how many students want to attend the new schools.”
The out-of-zone requests will be taken into account during the redistricting work session, according to Clark.
In other business, trustees are expected to consider dedicating the track facility at Halifax County High School in honor of track standout and Olympian Tisha Waller for March 30.
“That’s the day we believe Tisha Waller can be here,” Clark said. “We had to work the dedication around her schedule.”
During Monday’s meeting, Board members are expected to receive an update on the school system’s finances from Financial Officer Bill Covington and convene in closed session to address personnel and student discipline issues.

Obituaries

Christine Eades Mills

Christine Eades Mills, 72, of Nathalie died February 8, 2007, at Berry Hill Nursing Home. She was born in Pittsylvania County May 26, 1934, the daughter of the late Ocie William Eades and Sallie Barbour Eades, and was married to the late Arthur Presley Mills Jr.
Mrs. Mills was a member of Catawba Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Cynthia ‘Cindy’ M. Glass and husband, Reuben Glass Jr., of Nathalie; one granddaughter, Anne Elizabeth Lloyd of Nathalie; two sisters, Ruth E. Mullins of Charlottesville and Mildred E. Womack of Halifax. Four brothers and one sister preceded Mrs. Mills in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, February 10, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael O’Shea officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, 2170 Volens Road, Nathalie.

Flave Edward Brown

Flave Edward Brown, 61, of Roxboro, N.C., formerly of Halifax County, died January 31, 2007, at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C.
Mr. Brown was born in Clover on December 5, 1946, to the late Adolphus N. Brown and Emma Ewell Brown, and was married to Odelia Street Brown. He was a former member of Bethel Grove Baptist Church in Mt. Laurel.
Services for Mr. Brown will be held in Roxboro, N.C. at Elijah Grove Baptist Church.

Josephine Prince Marshall

Josephine Prince Marshall, 75, of 1613 Elliott Avenue, South Boston died February 5, 2007, at Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk.
Mrs. Marshall was born May 8, 1931, in West Virginia to the late Robert Prince and Mattie Clinton Prince, and was married to Lewis R. Marshall. She was a member of Ebenezer CME Church.
Mrs. Marshall was a retired educator with Danville Community College, elected to South Boston City Council in 1984, re-elected in 1988 and 1992, during which time she served as mayor of South Boston, elected president of the Virginia Municipal League, president of Tri-River Chapter Habitat for Humanity, member of the Board of Directors for Halifax Regional Hospital, past president of Cornerstone, vice chairperson for the Virginia Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, a member of Southside Regional Planning District Commission, a member of Tri-Rivers Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and she was a charter member and secretary of Wind Beneath the Wings, Inc.
Survivors of Mrs. Marshall include her husband; one daughter, Teresa E. Chapman of Richmond; two sons, Timothy L. Marshall of Virginia Beach and Lewis A. Marshall of Ft. Washington, Md.; four grandchildren; one sister, Lorene Simms of Springfield, Ohio; one brother, Jackie Prince of San Bernardino, Calif.; one son-in-law, Lawrence Chapman of Richmond; and one daughter-in-law, Jacqueline R. Marshall of Virginia Beach. One sister, Bobby Ann Wilson; and one brother, Sylvester Prince, preceded Mrs. Marshall in death.
Funeral services will be held February 11, at 2 p.m. at Ebenezer CME Church with the Rev. Michele F. Parker officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home tomorrow, February 10, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider donations to Wind Beneath the Wings, Inc. or the West End High School Alumni Association, Clarksville. Donations may be sent in care of Jeffress Funeral Home, 2000 North Main Street South Boston 24592

Elder Charles Faulkner

Elder Charles Faulkner, 91, of Newport News died February 5, 2007 at his home.
Mr. Faulkner was born in Halifax County on July 31, 1915, to the late Mary Faulkner.
Survivors include two nieces, Lula Claiborne Olds of Danville and Dorothy C. Braithewaite and husband, Leslie, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three nephews, Carter Claiborne Jr. and wife, Christine, of Brooklyn, William J. Claiborne of Atlantic, City, N.J. and William Bryant Claiborne and wife, Harriett, of South Boston. One sister, Elizabeth Claiborne and one brother, Joe Faulkner, preceded Mr. Faulkner in death.
Funeral services will be held February 11 at 1 p.m. at Christ Temple Holiness Church in Newport News.
A graveside service will be held February 12 at 11 a.m. at Rose Garden Cemetery in South Boston.
The family will receive friends at the gravesite Monday.

James Ernest Mills

James Ernest Mills, 59, of 2221 Old Grubby Road, South Boston died January 29, 2007, at his home.
Mr. Mills was born in Halifax County April 30, 1947, to Thalia Mills Ragsdale.
Survivors include his mother of South Boston; four sisters, Doris Ragsdale of South Boston, Price Ragsdale, Nancy Lee Ragsdale and Fannie Alice Ragsdale, all of Philadelphia, Pa.; six brothers, Leon Ragsdale of South Boston, Michael Ragsdale of Newport News, Harvey Lee Ragsdale, Lonnie Ragsdale, Nathaniel Ragsdale, and Henry Ragsdale, all of Philadelphia; one Godsister, Glenda Royal of New York City; one sister-in-law, Doshie Ragsdale of South Boston. One brother, John A. Ragsdale, preceded Mr. Mills in death.
Memorial services will be held February 12 at 2 p.m. at The Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with the Rev. Dr. Roger Ford officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Ragsdale, 1623 Ridge Street, South Boston.

Comets Trio Ink Football Pacts

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Patrick Terry could hardly contain his excitement. Neither could Corey Jackson and Lavell Tucker.
“I feel like a little kid on Christmas Day,” Terry said with a huge grin as he signed his name to the first of a handful of documents.
“It’s a dream come true,” Jackson added with a huge smile
“It’s a big accomplishment for me,” Tucker chipped in as he looked at the papers on the table in front of him.
The three Halifax County High School football players made it official Wednesday, inking pacts to play college football on National Signing Day.
Surrounded by family members and Halifax County High School coaches and officials, Terry signed with Virginia Tech, Jackson signed with University of Richmond and Tucker signed with Winston Salem State University.
Another Comets football player, Flave Rogers, announced late Wednesday that he has accepted an offer from Division III Christopher Newport University to play football next season. Christopher Newport does not offer athletic scholarships.
Terry, a 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver, verbally committed to Virginia Tech prior to the start of this past football season. The Comets senior had 24 catches for 395 yards and scored six touchdowns during the Comets’ 10-game regular-season schedule.
Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer said Wednesday he is glad to have Terry coming to play football for the Hokies.
“We liked him from the very beginning,” Beamer said.
“I have great hopes for him. He’s got great track speed. He wants to be a complete receiver. He’s a fast guy that I think has toughness. He’ll block and, I think, will go up and catch the ball across the middle.
“I really like what he’s all about and really feel like he will be a great addition for us here at Virginia Tech.”
Beamer said he’s not concerned about Terry’s slender size.
“As soon as Coach Gentry has him for awhile (on the team’s weightlifting and sports nutrition program) he’ll fill out,” Beamer pointed out.
“He’ll be okay. He’s got some toughness to him. I think the strength in his body will catch up and he will be fine.”
When asked if he felt Terry could be an immediate contributor for the Hokies, Beamer said it is a wait-and-see situation.
“We’ll get him in here and let him compete and work on his body a little bit,” the Virginia Tech coach said.
“I think next year, for sure and we’ll see what happens this year.”
Terry said he is excited about the prospect of playing football for Virginia Tech.
“I’m truly blessed to be in the situation I’m in right now,” Terry said.
“Today is one of the happiest days of my life. I never second-guessed my decision. I always thought I had made the right decision.
Jackson Inks With UR
Jackson, a 6-3, 255-pound senior, was a defensive lineman and was one of the key players on the Comets’ defensive unit. He also played offense at times, taking turns at center.
On defense, Jackson had 47 tackles, 14 of which were for a loss, and recorded eight sacks. He caused two fumbles and recovered three fumbles.
Like Terry, Jackson had made an early verbal commitment to the University of Richmond prior to the start of last season and made it official Wednesday by signing the papers.
Jackson was recruited by the Spiders as a defensive lineman.
“I’ve always dreamed of going to the next level and playing college football,” Jackson said.
“The way it has come has been amazing. This is something that is far beyond what my expectations were.”
University of Richmond head coach Dave Clawson said Wednesday that Jackson will be a good fit to the University of Richmond football team as it competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Jackson and another player, Chris Shields from Ocean Lakes High School, were the only two defensive linemen recruited by the University of Richmond.
“We’re very excited about Corey,” Clawson said.
“One of our assistant coaches saw him at the UVA camp and we had him at our camp. We really liked him. He’s a big guy and moves extremely well. We think he’s a great athlete. We’re also very taken by him as a kid. He’s one of those guys we really liked a lot and we offered him very early in the process.
“We think he’s a real good character guy and we think he will fit real well in Richmond,” added Clawson.
When asked if he felt Jackson and Shields could step in and make an immediate contribution, Clawson said it is a wait-and-see deal.
“We have the option of red-shirting them,” Clawson noted.
“We’re telling them to get themselves ready to compete and come in with the attitude that they’re going to play and if they’re going to contribute a lot as a freshman we’ll play them and, if not, we’ll red-shirt them.”
“We graduated our three tackles in the rotation, Johnny Campbell, Ryan Beers and Pete Parzielli,” Clawson continued.
“ It’s a huge need we have. We have some younger guys in the program. We feel with those guys combined with Corey and Chris we have a very solid group there that will put us in a very strong position for years to come.”
Jackson said he hopes he can go into the University of Richmond program as a red-shirt.
“That’s what I asked for,” Jackson said.
“If not, I can handle that. I’m ready for any challenge that comes.”
Jackson said the prestige that the University of Richmond holds both athletically and academically is one of the things that makes this opportunity special.
“The prestige of that school is amazing,” Jackson remarked.
“I’ve already heard the Atlantic 10 Conference is pretty tough. If I go up there and work to the best of my ability, which is what I plan to do, I’ll be playing real soon. Education-wise and athletics-wise, I’m going to make it worth it.”
Tucker Heading To Winston-Salem State Rams
Tucker, a 6-1, 175-pound defensive back, had a big season for the Comets last season. He logged 62 tackles, had 18 assists, broke up 21 passes and had seven interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also caused five fumbles and recovered three.
“This a big accomplishment for me,” Tucker said.
“Not everybody gets to sign on National Signing Day. Now I’ve just got to go and do what I’ve got to do in college.”
Winston-Salem State University, which will be entering its third year of a five-year transition to the NCAA Division I level, will play an 11-game schedule this season including nine games against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teams.
Mike Ketchum the defensive coordinator for the Winston-Salem State University Rams, says Tucker will fit well into the program.
“Lavell has a good combination of size, speed and aggressiveness,” Ketchum remarked.
“That’s what we were looking for and that’s what made him stand out.”
Ketchum said the Rams’ coaching staff saw last year the need to recruit larger defensive backs.
“After playing several I-AA teams last year, we noticed that we would need bigger, stronger kids in the (defensive) secondary,” Ketchum pointed out.
“ Lavel fits into those plans when considering that.”
Ketchum said he and the WWSU staff will look at Tucker at both cornerback and safety.
“We’ll try him out at safety first, but may also try him at cornerback,” Ketchum said.
“We’ll experiment with him at corner during spring workouts.”
(Editor’s Note – Staff member Doug Ford contributed to this story.)

Comets Fall To GW

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
For 10 minutes of Tuesday night’s game against arch-rival GW in Danville, Halifax County High School’s varsity boys basketball team looked like the team many people had hoped it would have been this season.
Unfortunately, the Comets unraveled in the last 22 minutes, opening the door for GW to race to an easy 86-53 win.
“I felt the effort was there, but we just didn’t stay focused long enough,” said Comets coach Ron Parson.
“When you have 11 people that have not played varsity basketball and you have three seniors and two of them didn’t even play last year, you’re going to run into that. When you don’t have experience, you’re going to have great moments and you’re going to have bad moments. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Tuesday night’s loss, the team’s ninth in a row, sealed a last-place finish for the Comets in the Western Valley District standings. Halifax County (6-14 overall and 0-7 district) was set to conclude its regular-season campaign last night against E.C. Glass in Lynchburg.
The Comets are now assured of having to go on the road for Monday’s Western Valley District Tournament play-in game. Halifax County’s likely opponent for the play-in game is E.C. Glass.
“We’ll go up there (to E.C. Glass) Thursday and play and then put all of emphasis on doing what we can do for Monday’s game. That’s your play-off game.”
Through the first 10 minutes the Comets gave the state’s top-ranked team all it could handle. The Comets raced to a 5-0 lead, and then a 7-2 lead in the first two and a half minutes.
With six players contributing to the scoring and the team hitting three of its game-total seven three-point baskets in the first quarter, the Comets kept the game close.
Halifax County rallied twice to tie the game after having fallen behind and trailed by four points at 21-17 at the end of the first quarter.
Just as importantly, the Comets managed to get GW into some foul difficulty, forcing GW coach Bobby Martin to sit down starters J.C. Chaney and Travis Tarpley for the second quarter.
Morgan Brown hit back-to-back baskets in the first minute of the second quarter to draw the Comets into a 21-21 tie. But, the sky quickly fell in on the Comets.
A series of missed shots and turnovers opened the door for a 20-2 run by GW as Halifax County went without a field goal for about a six minute stretch of the second quarter. The dry spell left the Comets trailing 39-23 at halftime.
“We got away from what we were doing,” said Parson.
“We let them (GW) drive down the middle on defense too many times, then we turned the ball over and took some bad shots. You can’t do that against a good team. They’ll hurt you every time.
“In the first quarter we ran our game plan perfectly,” Parson noted.
“We did a good job in the first quarter and in the second quarter we got away from what we were doing. It wasn’t anything they (GW) did.”
With the game under control, GW continued to do in the second half what it had done in its big second-quarter flurry.
The Eagles’ pair of big post players, Ridge McKeither, and J.C. Chaney, got their team off to a good start by outscoring the Comets 7-2 in the first minute and a half of the second half to give GW a 50-28 lead.
Piling up fouls and having its big post players, Allen Stephens, Chad Waltman and Russell White having to sit for extended periods, the Comets were no match for McKeither and Chaney on defense or offense.
GW ran its lead up to 65-41 at the end of the third quarter and finished the game with a 33-point lead.
The Comets had three players to reach double figures in scoring with Durrell Chandler leading the team with 12 points. Brown followed with 11 points and Pierre Brandon followed with 10 points.
Michael Ferrell and Stephens chipped in eight points each.
McKeither led GW with 22 points and 17 rebounds, Nicj Barbour followed with 14 points and Chaney finished with 12 points, nine of which came in the second half.

Wrestlers Down Nottoway, RH

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County High School wrestling team capped its best season in recent years Wednesday night by winning its final two dual matches of the regular-season.
The Comets opened their annual Senior Night event with a 49-15 win over Nottoway, a team coached by former Halifax County High School coach Grayson Throckmorton.
In the nightcap, the Comets downed neighboring Randolph-Henry 36-15.
With the wins, the Comets grapplers finished the regular season with a 13-14 slate making this the firs time in several years that a Comets wrestling team has reached double figures in the win column.
“That’s 13 wins for the season and I’m ecstatic,” said Comets coach Brady Taylor.
“It’s always great to win on Senior Night. We finished one win away from a .500 season. That hasn’t happened here in a long time. I know the kids are hyped up. It’s got to give us some confidence heading into the Western Valley District Tournament this weekend.”
Forfeits played a key role in the outcome of both matches. Halifax County won four weight classes in both matches as a result of forfeits. There were two double forfeits in the contest against Nottoway and five double forfeits in the match with Randolph-Henry.
The Comets won five of the seven contested weight classes in the Nottoway match with Brent Messick (103 pounds), Troy Ponce (145 pounds), Jonathan Fallen (189 pounds), Justin Perkins (215 pounds) and Richie Wright (285 pounds) all posting wins.
Messick, Ponce and Fallen posted pins while Perkins scored an 11-1 major decision win and Wright decisioned his opponent 9-6.
The Comets won two of the five contested weight classes in the match against Randolph-Henry with Perkins and Wright scoring wins, both a pin.
Perkins and Wright were the big winners on the night for the Comets as they went a perfect 2-0 in their matches. Messick was 1-1, his loss being a 23-7 technical fall to Tarrel Coles of Randolph-Henry, the defending Group A state champion.
“I felt we wrestled well,” Taylor said.
“ Obviously, forfeits had a lot to do with it but we won a lot of matches too.”
Taylor said one of the reasons he wanted to include Randolph-Henry in Wednesday night’s action was to have Messick go up against Coles.
“I wanted Brent to wrestle that kid and get some experience against different styles of wrestling,” Taylor explained.
“ It will be good for him. We can work with Brent in practice. If we hit somebody like that in the Northwest Region Tournament, we will know what to do.”
With the regular-season now complete the Comets will head to Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount Saturday to compete in the Western Valley District Tournament.
The top four finishers in each weight class will advance to the Northwest Region Tournament.