The South Boston Flue-Cured Tobacco Market will open tomorrow, a day after the opening of the Old Belt Market.
South Boston will open with sales at 8:30 a.m. at Victory Warehouse, moving then to Planters-Independent and finally to Star Warehouse.
Quota cuts and contract leaf sales have cut into the local market to the point that only 13 sale dates have been scheduled.
More dates, if necessary, can be added at the end of the season, said Market sales director Teresa Pool.
There will be no formal opening ceremony, but the public is invited to attend.
This year's Halifax County quota has been cut by over two million pounds from last year with an effective 9,627,946 pounds.
Last year's quota was 11,843,493 pounds.
So far 432,222 pounds of this year's quota has not been designated, a small sign of the affect contract purchasing will have on the tobacco market.
Farm Service Agency Director Kevin Bohon said a lot of the contract leaf has also been designated for sale in the warehouse system.
Sales on the local market are scheduled for August 15, 23, 28 and 31; September 6, 12, 14, 18, 21 and 29; and October 3, 10 and 16
By ROB SIMMONS
News Progress
CLARKSVILLE - During the weekend of Sept. 22, Clarksville resident
Donna Tollerson will be walking her way toward a possible cure
for breast cancer.
While Tollerson isn't a scientist or specialist heading research
for a cure, she is one of 2,000 women who have agreed to take
on the_ challenge of the 60-mile Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk-A-Thon
in Atlanta, Ga.
According to Tollerson, a nurse at Halifax Endocrinology and Osteoporosis
Center in South Boston, she has come in contact with a number
of women over the years who have this life-threatening disease
- including one grandmother.
Because of that, she wanted to find a way to help those in need
of treatment now, and prevent the disease from striking others
in the future.
"I had originally seen information about the walk-a-thon
a couple of years ago and I decided then it would be something
I might be interested in doing," the 36-year-old Tollerson
said last week.
"In January of this year, I received a handout describing
the various marathons and events that would be taking place around
the country for Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, and I chose to be involved
in the 60-mile trek in Atlanta, Ga., because it was being held
at an appropriate time of the year that would allow me to not
only efficiently train, but also raise much-needed money."
According to Tollerson, she nearly signed up for an Avon Breast
Cancer 3-Day event in Washington, D.C., last May, but she changed
her mind and decided to take up the challenge for the walk-a-thon
in Atlanta because she felt that participating in the earlier
event would have been tough to get ready for in time.
Tollerson stated that the Atlanta event next month should be quite
a challenge, as she and other women from around the country will
walk a total of 60 miles from Lake Lanier to Piedmont Park in
downtown Atlanta within the scheduled three-day period. This particular
event, according to Tollerson, is just one of seven events set
up by Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day to raise money to help find a cure
for breast cancer and other diseases that affect women.
Reports indicated that since the first Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day
in Los Angeles, Calif., some two years ago, walkers have helped
raise more than $37 million for the fight against the disease.
"Over the years, I have come into contact with many women
who suffer from breast cancer, including my grandmother, who was
a breast cancer survivor for over 30 years," Tollerson said.
"And as a result, breast cancer had always been a subject
that was a little bit close to me.
"I see as the months and years go by, more and more women
who battle breast cancer, and I would just like to see us (the
medical community) in this day and age take a turn where we don't
see so many women suffer from this disease, because for many of
them, it is a battle that they do not survive."
While the challenge of walking such a marathon - 20 grueling miles
a day - will be very physically taxing to Tollerson, this mother
of two stated that she has never been more compelled to make the
necessary sacrifices and reach her goals because of the knowledge
that her hard work will make a difference to so many lives.
"I felt like this was a worthwhile, upstanding organization
that was raising the money, and this was a way I could make some
kind of contribution (to those in need) other than just my nursing,"
Tollerson said.
"Hopefully something like this (fund-raising for the walk-a-thon)
will help raise people's awareness, because it is important that
women continue with their breast exams and have mammograms done
because early detection is still our biggest weapon.
"The earlier something like this is detected, the more options
are available, including different treatments and the avoidance
of surgery."
While Tollerson would like to raise more money for such a worthy
cause, she stated that $1,800 was the bare essential needed to
help continue the race for a cure that has not been won.
According to reports, breast cancer is the second leading cause
of cancer death for all women, and the leading cause of death
in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Both its cause and the
means for its cure remain undiscovered.
"Currently, one million women in the United States have the
disease, but don't know it. And they probably won't know about
their potentially fatal illness for another five to eight years,"
Tollerson said.
"That's why I'm walking so far ...... to do something that
will challenge me as much as breast cancer challenges those millions
of women.
"I hope people will share this in credible adventure with
me by sup- porting me in my fund-raising efforts."
According to Tollerson, she is currently walking a minimum of
five miles a day on the weekdays and at least 12 miles a day during
the weekends to get ready for the 60-mile walk.
"I have a phone coach that has taken me through what a training
schedule should be and given me a lot of literature since day
one, so I feel good about how my training is coming along,"
Tollerson said.
"Besides the 2,000-plus women who have signed up as walkers
for this grueling event, there is a large number of people that
will be part of the event crew, which goes ahead of each walker
and sets up the tent city and each pit stop along the course.
"Ann Bowers, who will be going to Atlanta as a member of
the event crew, and Monique Derby have been a great help to me
to prepare for this and get the word out to others about the walk-a-thon."
According to Tollerson, although she will be quite some distance
from home during the Atlanta event, she won't be alone, as there
will be a number of people walking with her in spirit every step
of the way, including three local women, who are currently fighting
breast cancer or other diseases affecting women, as she will be
wearing a badge with their names on it each of the three days
for the 60-mile walk.
"As well as donations, I humbly ask everyone for their prayers
not only for myself, but for the patients in whose honor I will
walk," Tollerson said."
Anyone wishing to get involved and help Tollerson reach her fund-
raising goal of $1,800, and help stop this killer known as breast
cancer, can make checks payable to Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, Care
of LaSalle Bank, 135 F LaSalle, Department 2215, Chicago, Ill.
60674-2215. According to Tollerson, those interested in helping
need to place her walker number (1507) on the check or money order.
Tollerson said donations could also be sent to her at 13050 Hwy.
58, Clarksville, Va. 23927, but checks would still need to be
made out to Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day.
Juan Rico Tucker, 28, of Halifax, was sentenced to five years
in prison on Friday in Halifax County Circuit Court for each of
two counts of the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
Judge Leslie M. Osborn suspended all but three years and nine
months of Tucker's sentence, conditional on Tucker's good behavior
for 10 years.
Tucker will be on probation for three years after his release.
· Donnie David Bowen, 38, of Virgilina, was sentenced to
five years in prison on Friday for one count of the distribution
of cocaine.
The court suspended all but nine months of Bowen's sentence. Additionally,
the court suspended imposition of Bowen's sentence for one year
during which time home electronic monitoring is authorized.
· Jeffrey Wallace Comer, 22, of Virgilina, had his previously
suspended five-year prison sentence revoked on Friday for violation
of probation conditions.
The court suspended all but 30 days of Comer's sentence.
· Sean Nathaniel Dorsey, 27, of Clover, was sentenced to
five years in prison on Friday for the possession of heroin.
The court suspended the entire sentence on condition of Dorsey's
good behavior for five years, and that he refrain from drug use.
Dorsey will also be on probation for one year.
· Floyd Elam, 36, of Nathalie, was sentenced to five years
in prison on Friday for one count of unlawful wounding.
The court suspended all but 30 days of Elam's sentence, and authorized
work release during that time.
The court additionally ordered Elam be placed on probation for
two years, undergo substance abuse counseling, and make restitution
to his victim.
· Charlton J. Earl Hazen, 27, of Nathalie, was sentenced
to prison for one year each for two misdemeanor counts of practicing
a profession without a license.
The court suspended all but three months on each charge, for a
total sentence of six months. The suspended sentence is conditional
on Hazen's good behavior for two years.
Hazen will be on probation for one year after his release and
was also ordered to make restitution to his victim.
Work release was authorized for Hazen.
Johnny Johnson, 37, of Nathalie, was sentenced to 12 months in
prison on Friday for one count of hit and run.
The court suspended all but three months of Johnson's sentence,
and also authorized work release.
Johnson will be on probation for one year after his incarceration.
· Kenneth Harold Stewart, 34, of Nathalie, was sentenced
to five years in prison on Friday for possessing a firearm after
being convicted of a felony.
The court suspended all but two years of Stewart's sentence on
condition of his good behavior for five years.
Stewart will also be on probation for one year after his release.
· William Edmond Thornton, 21, of Nathalie, pleaded guilty
on Friday to one count of the possession of marijuana with the
intent to distribute, during a bench trial before Judge Leslie
M. Osborn.
Thornton was remanded pending a presentence report during the
September term of court.
A 43-year-old Halifax woman was arrested Saturday by Officer
T.A. Mocarsky of the Halifax Police Department on felony counts
of food stamp fraud.
Minnie Guill, of North Halifax Street, was charged with four counts
of food stamp fraud, one count of perjury and one count of a falsified
document to receive food stamps.
· A Scottsburg man was arrested Saturday by sheriff's deputies
on a felony charge of an unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Ronald Lee Rickmond, 40, of Dryburg Road, was charged with the
unauthorized use of a 1986 Chevrolet S-10 truck, valued over $200,
and belonging to Joseph Francisco.
Rickmond was also charged with appearing in public in an intoxicated
manner.
The alleged offenses occurred on the day of the arrest.
· Antione Jerrod Scott, 19, of Ponderosa Road in South
Boston, was arrested Friday by sheriff's deputies on a misdemeanor
count of burglary.
Scott allegedly stole fresh meats and a GE cordless telephone
belonging to Carolyn King and valued under $200 on August 4.
A Mentor/Role Model Angel Tree, with ornaments designed to
help students get a head start in school, is going up Wednesday
at the YMCA.
The tree's First Presbyterian Church sponsors are hoping that
the public will seize the chance to share the Christmas spirit
with 60 youths in August.
Each ornament on the tree will be numbered and will carry a list
of suggested items for a particular child's back-to-school bag.
Pens, pencils, notebook paper, rulers, composition books, folders,
glue stick and age-appropriate T-shirts are among suggested items.
Sponsors estimate the cost to fill a list at $15.
Items must be turned in to the YMCA by Wednesday, August 23.
"Everybody can give at Christmas time, but this is a chance
to add to the spirit of giving in the hot and wet month of August,"
said the Rev. Russell Lee, pastor of First Presbyterian Church.
"The next ten days are the time we have, so don't delay,"
he urged.
Halifax Boy Scout Morgan Irby initiated the Back-to-School Angel
Tree last year. It is a program First Presbyterian Church's members
hope to make a helping tradition.
To pick up an Angel Tree ornament number before Wednesday, or
for additional information, call the First Presbyterian Church
office at 572-3581 or stop by the church.
By SONJA BARISIC
Associated Press Writer
SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) - On a sticky summer morning that seemed tailor-made
for a trip to the pool, Joey Huss pulled on his Power Rangers
backpack and went back to school.
Joey attends Booker T. Washington Elementary, one of two schools in
Suffolk trying out a year-round schedule this year. That meant pupils
who just left school in mid-June were back at their desks on Aug.
7 - a month before most Virginia public schools open.
But 7-year-old Joey didn't mind coming back to school so soon.
'''Cuz I like to learn,'' Joey said with a serious look on his face.
Joey's parents, Wendi and Scott Huss, also took the shortened
summer vacation in stride.
''I think continuous learning is good for the kids,'' Wendi Huss said
before the family accompanied Joey inside the brown brick building.
Other parents dropping off their children also said they approved
of the new calendar, even though it might mean adjusting family
vacations and day care schedules.
It's not clear how many schools in Virginia follow a year-round schedule;
the state education department does not keep such figures.
But at least 20 schools are year-round, up from a dozen last
year, and supporters say interest in the concept is growing, perhaps
as educators seek ways to help students do better on the state's
Standard of Learning tests.
Nationwide, about 2 million students attended about 3,000 year-round
schools last year, according to the San Diego-based National
Association for Year-Round Education.
The concept of year-round education dates to 1904, when Bluffton,
Ind., tried a four-quarter schedule.
Today, students on a year-round schedule attend school the same number
of days, usually about 180, as students on the traditional nine-month
calendar. But students on a year-round schedule have several
short vacations rather than a three-month summer break.
Critics argue that year-round education creates logistical problems
for parents trying to schedule day care and vacations, and that
reducing summer vacation also cuts down on job, education and recreation
opportunities that students would have during the long break.
''It didn't work in the horse-and-buggy days out of which this was
born, and I don't think it's going to work in the new millennium,''
said Billee Bussard, spokeswoman for Time to Learn, a Jacksonville,
Fla.-based nonprofit organization that opposes year-round
schools. The group is backed in part by the amusement park
industry, which woos students as consumers and workers during summer
breaks from school.
Hundreds of communities have tried and abandoned year-round schools,
or else studied the concept and decided not to pursue it, said
Bussard, who is co-author, with Suzanne McCrary, of the book ''Year-Round
Education: Lessons Learned the Hard Way.''
But advocates say year-round schedules help children retain what they
learn and provide more opportunities throughout the school year
for remedial work and enrichment.
''With a traditional calendar, kids who fall by the wayside fail,
and you send them to summer school,'' said NAYRE executive director
Marilyn Stenvall. 'This is a completely different philosophy.''
Some districts choose a year-round schedule to deal with overcrowded
schools, because a portion of children are always on vacation.
That generally is not the situation in Virginia's year-round
schools, Stenvall said.
Jim Bradford, superintendent of Buena Vista schools in southwest Virginia,
said the year-round calendar has worked so well at his district's
high school that Buena Vista's middle school and two elementary
schools also have adopted the concept. He predicts more districts
will follow suit and that there will be at least 50 year-round
schools in the state in the next five years.
''The SOLS have done more to encourage the year-round program than
any other single thing that has been done,'' Bradford said. Starting
with the class of 2004, Virginia students will have to pass
six SOL tests, or state-approved substitutes, to graduate from high
school.
Bradford said research has shown that shorter breaks sprinkled throughout
the year reduce ''learning loss'' - kids forgetting what they
had studied before they went on vacation.
That seems to be the case in Buena Vista, where the high school has
been year-round since the 1973-74 school year, making it the longest-running
program in the state, Bradford said.
''Our research has documented that our (standardized) test scores
improved when we went into it as much as 18 to 20 percentile points,''
Bradford said.
Whether year-round education will mean that kind of success with SOLs
remains to be seen, Bradford and other educators said.
Bussard said that research about the academic benefits of year-round
schools is mixed at best. Often, initial improvements in test
scores have more to do with teacher enthusiasm and curriculum changes
introduced at the same time, she said.
Bussard also questioned whether hot summer days are conducive
to learning, even if schools have air conditioning.
''The children ride hot buses, go outside to hot recess periods and
come back in hot and sweaty,'' she said. ''The heat is a factor in
your ability to concentrate.''
The Virginia Education Association teachers' union supports year-round
education as long as it is a local option and teachers are
paid for any extra days they might work.
''Our position is that you need to have that site-based input,'' VEA
President Jean Bankos said. ''If a school division makes the decision
that we're interested in year-round schools, what's the motivation?
What's in it for the kids?''
''Our basic philosophy is if you're just going to do more of the same,
that might not be the right approach,'' Bankos said.
In Suffolk, the school board required at least an 80 percent approval
rate among parents before a school could go year-round, Booker
T. Washington Elementary principal Patricia Montgomery said.
Some parents opted not to send their children to Booker T. Washington
Elementary because of the year-round schedule, but others
transferred their children there because of the new calendar,
Montgomery said, so enrollment remained stable.
A few staff members chose not to return because of the year-round
schedule, but those positions have been filled, Montgomery
said.
Montgomery said that in a society that no longer is largely agrarian,
it doesn't make sense to disrupt learning for three months
in the summer.
''Children are expected to know more and to do more,'' Montgomery
said. Besides, she added, ''They're ready to come back. They're
bored.''
< B>---<P>
On the Net:
The National Association for Year-Round Education: http://www.nayre.org/
Time to Learn: http://www.timetolearn.org
Virginia Beach public schools' site on frequently asked questions
about year-round education: http://www.vbcps.k12.va.us/yrsfaq.html
Buena Vista public schools: http://www.bv.rang.k12.va.us/
Miss Geneva V. Elliott, 74, of 1097 Scottsburg Road, Scottsburg,
died August 11, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was born in
Halifax County, on March 24, 1926 and was the daughter of Mr.
Morell E. Elliott and Mrs. Clara Snead Elliott.
Survivors include four sisters, Maurine E. Ligon and Edith Williams,
both of Scottsburg, Dorothy Ann Dance, of South Boston, and Jeanette
Hazelwood, of Clover; four brothers, Donald Elliott, of Scottsburg,
Harry B. "Butch" Elliott, of South Boston, William "Brownie"
Elliott, of Clarksville, and Robert W. Elliott, of Huntingtown,
Md. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Edgar Lawrence
Elliott, Willie Lee Elliott, Floyd Julius Elliott, and Cecil Elliott;
one sister, Ruth E. Pulliam.
Graveside service for Miss Elliott were held Sunday, August 13,
at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, the Rev. Ronald Davidson conducted
the service.
The family will receive friends at the home of Donald and Grace
Elliott 1103 Scottsburg Road, Scottsburg.
Helen James Newton, 72, of 1708 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston,
died August 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Newton was born in Halifax County on August 8, 1928, the
daughter of Charles Aaron James and Josephine Noel Stevens James
and was married to Wallace Ira Newton. She was a member of First
Baptist Church and was retired from The Gazette-Virginian.
Survivors include her husband; one sister, Margaret J. Bennett
of South Boston; one brother, Stover S. James of South Boston;
two nieces, Barbara A. Bennett of Arlington and Wendy J. Woltz
of Cary, N.C.; five nephews, Harry T. James Jr. of Merrill's Inlet,
S.C., John B. James of Alton, Col. Stover S. James Jr. of Atlanta,
Ga., Charles P. Bennett of Rocky Mount, and Douglas R. James of
South Boston. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry
T. James, William N. James and Charles Ryland James.
A memorial service for Mrs. Newton was held Saturday, August 12
at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeanell
Cox conducting the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the SPCA,
First Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Minnie Mae Lacks Martin, 80, died August 11 in The Woodview.
Mrs. Martin was born in Halifax County on May 30, 1920, the daughter
of Walter Lacks and Liza Jane Hazelwood Lacks and was married
to John Thomas Martin. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's
Witnesses.
A funeral service will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel today,
August 14 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Ellis Creek Baptist
Church Cemetery, Nathalie.
Mrs. Martin's survivors include her husband of South Boston; four
daughters, Dicie M. Shores of Farmville, Pauline Carper Womack
and Catherine "Kitty" M. Stewart, both of South Boston
and Gladys M. Brumfield of Scottsburg; one son, Ernest E. Martin
of Scottsburg; Mrs. Martin was legal guardian of Patricia Palmer;
18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American
Lung Association, 6318 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, 24019.
Joseph Burlie Clay, 48, of Madison Heights, died August 12
at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Clay was born in Campbell County on September 5, 1951, the
son of Morton Edward Clay and Mary Oakes Clay and was married
to Donna Allen Clay. He attended the Tree of Life Church and was
employed by Burruss Company in Lynchburg.
Survivors include his wife; one step son, Marshall E. Womack of
Madison Heights; one step daughter, Deborah W. Miller of Va. Beach;
two step-grandchildren, Stephanie M. Frazier and Dominique E.
Womack; one brother, Charlie Clay of Nathalie; two sisters, Nellie
C. Akers of Rustburg and Delma C. Talbott of Rustburg. He was
preceded in death by two brothers, Morton L. Clay and Clarence
W. Clay and one sister, Lucy C. Eades.
A funeral service for Mr. Clay will be held today, August 14 at
2 p.m. at Brookneal Church of God of Prophecy by the Rev. Mike
Dodson. Burial will follow at Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery.
Sally Elizabeth (Bet) Powell, 86, of South Boston, died August
12 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Miss Powell was born in Halifax County on October 13, 1913, the
daughter of Nathan Powell and Rena Anderson Powell.
Survivors include two sisters, Helen P. Setzke of Ellicott City,
Md. and Rosalie P. Day of Ashville, N.C.
Graveside services for Miss Powell will be held Tuesday, August
15 at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery at 11 a.m.