Friday, January 7, 2005

State Park Swells To 1,935 Acres

Park Gains 338 Acres Along Staunton River

For the first time since opening its gates to the public in 1936, Staunton River State Park just got bigger.
District Park Manager Tim Vest said the 1,597 acre park acquired an additional 338.3 acres on the Halifax County side of the river in December.
“This really gives us more room to expand,” he said. “This is very important. In the property we own now, the planners have been having a lot of problems deciding where to put facilities the public has requested.
“This new property gives us the ability to expand while still maintaining a park atmosphere. We will always have property that is not developed.”
Although no official plans for the property’s development have been determined, Vest said he expects the additional land to double the size of trails the park has to offer.
“We still have to go over the entire property, but it was very well managed for timber and has a number of fire roads that should be easy to convert to trails,” he said. “But we still have a lot to do to make sure it is safe for the public to go into the property and not get lost.”
The new land also includes a pond, which may allow for children fishing programs, according to Vest.
Vest said the park’s master plan would have to be revised due to the size of the addition.
Those revisions would provide for public comment on the use of the new land.
While no date has been set, Vest said he expected to have meetings for public comment sometime in the spring.
Vest said the park had been looking for property to expand since the General Obligation Bond was approved in 2002.
“It gave us something we never had, which is money to expand, so we had been putting our feelers out to various landowners," he said. “Luckily James Edmunds was willing to sell to us.”
The additional property was purchased for $554,725.20, according to Vest.
“We still have funds to buy additional land,” added Vest. “But no one else has come forward and we are not going to go in and condemn land. This has to be something landowners want to do.”

 

State Fatalities Decline

Halifax County’s Fatalities Increased In 2004 To 15

Despite suffering one more traffic fatality in 2004 than 2003 in Halifax County, Virginia’s roads saw a five- percent decrease statewide, according to the Virginia State Police.
Halifax reported 15 fatalities on county roads in 2004, up from 14 in 2003 and 11 in 2002.
According to preliminary reports, there were 900 fatalities on Virginia’s roadways in 2004, the lowest total in four years.
“If you look at it, the statewide numbers are really encouraging," First Sgt. Jeff Lane of the Virginia State Police said. “Unfortunately in the county there was an increase."
In an effort to battle traffic fatalities, Lane said the department will be using various enforcement techniques in 2005.
“We’re going to be doing some random saturation patrols on the primary roads in the county with officers solely dedicated to traffic enforcement," he said. “We want to be as visible as possible."
There were 942 fatalities in 2003, 913 in 2002, 925 in 2001 and 930 in 2000 reported in the state, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Crash Facts.
“The decrease in fatalities can be attributed to the untiring efforts of Virginia’s law enforcement and motorists driving more responsibly,” said Colonel W. Steve Flaherty, Virginia State Police superintendent. “And for that we can all be thankful."
Flaherty encourages all drivers to buckle up, secure children in an approved child restraint seat, obey the speed limits and be conscientious and courteous drivers.
Over the recent holiday weekends, police are reporting six fatalities over the Christmas weekend and seven over New Year’s, both figures are down from 2003.
Of the six reported over Christmas, five were caused by reckless driving and involved alcohol, police said. In the seven over New Year’s, one victim was driving a motorcycle, one was a passenger in a vehicle, three were drivers and one was a pedestrian, according to the State Police.
Information is still pending on one crash.
Of the victims required to be wearing a seat belt, none were wearing safety restraints, police said.
According to DMV statistics, sixteen fatalities were reported over the five-day Christmas holiday in 2003 and 12 in 2002.
For the New Year’s holiday, 11 fatalities were reported in 2003 and 10 in 2002.
If you look at it, the statewide numbers are really encouraging. Unfortunately in the county there was an increase

 

Man Arrested B&E, Abduction Charges

Break-Ins Continue To Plague Police

Tony A. White, a 26-year-old Halifax resident sought for allegedly breaking and entering his ex-girlfriend’s residence and eluding a subsequent police search, was arrested yesterday by the Danville Police Department, according to South Boston Police Lieutenant B.K. Lovelace.
Lovelace said White was arrested without incident at a residence in Danville.
South Boston Police obtained warrants for White charging him with abduction and breaking and entering with intent to commit assault Sunday, after White allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home located at Cavalier Apartments.
Before officers could arrive, White fled out of a back bedroom window, according to Lovelace, adding three officers pursued White on foot but lost him in the woods behind the apartments.
The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office responded to a request from South Boston Police for a tracking dog, which was able to track White to Willow Oaks Apartments, where he lost the scent.
The investigator said Sunday that Police had obtained warrants for White charging him with abduction and breaking and entering with intent to commit assault, with further charges pending investigation.
White is currently held at Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond, according to Lovelace.
In other police business, South Boston Police reported two break-ins, both occurring Wednesday, and also responded to a call from Halifax County Middle School yesterday in reference to a student bringing brass knuckles to school.
South Boston Police responded to Fisher Auto Parts at 523 Edmunds Street on Wednesday following a report of breaking and entering, according to Cpl. William Ozmec.
Ozmec said he received a call from the night delivery driver at 1:49 a.m. When he arrived at the scene, Ozmec discovered a side window broken out of the business. Police had not received an inventory of missing merchandise from the business at press time.
Also on Wednesday, Cpl. Ozmec discovered a broken window at Around Again, located at 1314 Wilborn Ave. According to Senior Patrol Officer L. Kozlik, several electronic items had been stolen from the business. Ozmec discovered the break-in about 5:30 a.m. while on routine patrol.
South Boston Police Cpl. S.L. Warf and Senior Patrol Officer L. Kozlik responded to Halifax County Middle School yesterday in reference to a student bringing brass knuckles to school, according to Lovelace.
Upon investigating further, Warf and Kozlik learned the student had been in an altercation prior to the holiday break at school. According to their report, the student was suspended yesterday and will remain suspended until the school board decides his punishment.
In other police business, Donald Wayne Gurganious, 44, of Sandy Beach Road in South Boston, was arrested Tuesday and charged with the assault and battery of Cynthia White, a family or household member.
The alleged offense occurred Tuesday.
Deputy W.G. Yancey was the arresting deputy.
Cynthia Diane White, 31, of Sandy Beach Road in South Boston, was arrested yesterday and charged with filing a false police report.
The alleged offense occurred yesterday.
Deputy Q.W. Clark was the arresting deputy.

Obituaries

Maggie Clark

Maggie Clark, 85, of 1428 Ward Street, South Boston died January 4 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Clark was born in Halifax County on May 9, 1919, the daughter of the late Allen Clark and Fleeter Shelton Clark. She was a member of Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty C. Green of South Boston; five sons, Robert Lee Clark, Alexander Clark, Levi Clark, George Thomas Clark and Joe L. Clark, all of South Boston; two sisters, Dorothy Clark of South Boston and Rebecca Sykes of Richmond; two brothers, Beverly Clark of South Boston and Thomas Clark of Winston-Salem, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one son-in-law; three daughters-in-law; three sisters-in-law, Margaret Clark of South Boston, Lillian Clark of Halifax County and Barbara Clark of Winston-Salem, N.C. Ms. Clark was preceded in death by one son, Oscar Wayne Clark.
Funeral services will be held January 9 at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church with Dr. Andre’ Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Sallie Younger Crowder

Sallie Younger Crowder, 81, of Glen Burnie, Md., formerly of Halifax County died January 2 at her home.
Mrs. Crowder was born in Halifax on February 12, 1923, to the late Frank and Estelle Younger. She received a Home Economics degree from Virginia State University and taught in the Mecklenburg County Public School System and the Baltimore Public School System. She was a member of Victory Pentecostal Church in Glen Burnie and the widow of Samuel Edward Crowder.
Survivors include four children, Samuel Edward Jr., Felix, Vernetta and Jean; nine grandchildren, Teniesha, Vernon, Verniese, Mark, Jeremy, Brittany, Jimmie, Justin and Nathaniel; one brother, Raleigh Younger; six sisters, Florene Miller, Jessie Johnson, Christine Edmunds, Earle Brown, Edith Edmunds and Jugurtha Byrd; four brothers-in-law, Frances Miller, Edward Edmunds, Rev. James Davis and Earl Byrd; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Younger and Katherine Davis.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crowder will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, January 8 at St. Mark Baptist Church, Buffalo Junction, with her son, the Rev. Felix Crowder, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Paten ‘Jack’ Owens

Paten ‘Jack’ Owens, 76, of Richmond died January 4 at his home.
Born March 20, 1928, in Halifax County, he was the son of the late Lena Owens and was married to Georgia C. Owens, who survives. He was of the Baptist Faith and was a self-employed mechanic.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Owens is survived by five sons, Robert L. Bostick, Wayne A. Owens, Jerry J. Owens, Johnny R. Owens, all of Richmond, and Peyton N. Owens Jr. of Petersburg; one daughter, Gloria O. James of Chesterfield; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, two daughters-in-law, two brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.
Funeral services for Mr. Owens will be held today, January 7 at 1 p.m. at Murphy’s Grove Baptist Church in Nathalie. Dr. H.J. Robertson will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Comets Face Big District Test Tonight

HCHS Will Square Off Against Franklin County Here Tonight In A Game That Will Have A Big Impact On The Western Valley District Race

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

In recent seasons, the two Halifax County-Franklin County regular-season contests have had a big impact in determining the Western Valley District championship.
The first meeting of this season in the much-heralded series comes tonight at 7:30 p.m. when the Comets (7-4 overall, 1-0 district) host the Eagles here at Halifax County High School.
“It is a very big game – more so for us than them," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard.
“We’re at home. You have to protect home. You win at home and you go out on the road and do all you can do to get the road victories. We’ll go to Patrick Henry and to GW after that. We definitely want to be 2-0 at home so that when we go on the road we have a lot of confidence and be at the top of the pack.
“It’s going to be a good basketball game," added Dillard.
“I wouldn’t miss it. If they could clone me by Friday I would pay my four dollars and come in and watch it."
The Comets have split their two regular-season meetings against Franklin County in each of the past two seasons with the two teams each taking a win on their home court.
Two seasons ago, the Comets defeated the Eagles here in the first round of the district tournament and won the district tournament title.
Last season, with Mother Nature throwing a few curve balls in terms of inclement weather, the Comets were undefeated at 5-0 in district play and had to face Franklin County in back-to-back contests in a one-week span.
The Comets won the game here and lost to Franklin County on the road in a game that had the Comets won, they could have finished with no worse than a tie for the regular-season district title. Instead, the Eagles went on to win the district title.
“This is a three-year battle," Dillard pointed out.
“Both of us realize we’ve gotten closer and closer to GW. The two of us are trying to get over the top and get to where we can win two district championships in a row, or, for us, win two district championships in three years. Both of us want to establish that tradition and that dominance in the district."
The Comets will enter tonight’s contest coming off of Tuesday night’s 54-48 win over E.C. Glass here in their district opener. While the Comets won their third game in a row and their sixth game in their last seven starts, they did not play well against the Hilltoppers.
The Comets did not appear to be mentally focused when they faced E.C. Glass, however, Dillard says he expects his team to be much more focused and playing much better when it hits the court tonight.
“I don’t expect us to look like we looked Tuesday night," Dillard said.
“It’s like college basketball. When Duke and Carolina play Clemson and some of those other teams, they don’t play them the way they play each other. They know they can go out there and probably play about as badly as they want to and still win the basketball game.
“It’s different than when you see Franklin County, GW and Patrick Henry," continued the Comets coach.
“You see them and you come out more focused. I think the kids come out thinking differently. I expect us to have that Hali-Swagger and play to the level of our ability."
Dillard says he feels his team may have been looking past Glass Tuesday night and looking ahead to Franklin County.
“I’m sure that had a lot to do with what went on," he said.
“Jeremy Jeffress asked me back in October when do we play Franklin County. He didn’t ask about GW. He asked when do we play Franklin County. He said ‘that’s who I want.’
“I expect our guys to come out hungry Friday night," added Dillard.
“I expect the ‘Executive Warriors,’ as we call them, to come out with that warrior mentality and ready to give Franklin County everything we’ve got."
Western Valley District action will heat up even further tonight as GW (Danville) and E.C. Glass square off in what will be the Western Valley District opener for GW.
Things will heat up even more on Tuesday when GW goes on the road to face Franklin County in a game that will have every bit as much impact on the district title race as tonight’s Comets-Franklin County game.
The Comets will also be involved in Western Valley District action Tuesday as they will travel to Roanoke to face Patrick Henry in what will be the Comets’ first district road game of the season.

Comets Swimmers Win Double Dual

Boys, Girls Defeat Martinsville, Northern Vance

The Comets swim team dominated a home double dual meet here Wednesday against Martinsville and Northern Vance, both the Comets boys and girls coming away with a sweep.
The Comets boys swimmers outpointed Martinsville 70-21 and defeated Northern Vance 68-10, while the girls outpointed both Martinsville and Northern Vance by 80-13 and 77-16 margins.
The boys finished first and second in every event the 100 backstroke, where they finished first and third.
Halifax girls finished first and second in every event except one, the 100 breaststroke, with the Comets finishing second and third in that event.
Comets coach Spencer Ferguson noted the hard work put in by his swimmers after a tough meet against Western Valley District power E.C. Glass.
“I’m extremely proud of the hard work in practice since the meet with E.C. Glass,” said Ferguson.
“I told the swimmers that practice would be harder and more intense, and I told them that it they wanted to win and improve their times, it would only happen if they picked it up in practice.”
That hard work has paid off, Ferguson added, the Comets concentrating on starts, flip turns and endurance in recent practices.
“It was obvious watching them last night that their hard work has paid off,” said Ferguson, while noting some exceptional individual performances.
“While everyone looked extremely good, I have to mention Cally Zanarini, Anna Bowen, Lacy Will and Courtney McDowell,” said Ferguson. These girls pushed themselves really hard and all had moments that played major roles in the win.
“With regard to the boys, I have to mention Dane Ferguson, Eric Nelson, Phillip Saunders, Brett Kluge, Bryan Slagle and Bryan Farley.
“These boys improved their times greatly. Bryan Farley is a senior swimming for the first time, and swam his first individual event for points during the meet, finishing third in the 100 back.
“This was his best swim and I’m very proud of him.”
The Comets swim team traveled to Danville last night to take on district opponent GW, and return home Wednesday for a rematch with the Eagles.
Halifax 70, Martinsville 21, Northern Vance 10 (Boys Meet)