Hearing Set On Rt. 92 Bridge Closing

Serious deterioration of the Route 92 bridge over the Staunton River at the Halifax/Charlotte county line has prompted Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials to begin the process of bridge abandonment.
Built in 1930, the bridge was closed Nov. 7 after VDOT officials inspected the 960 foot-long structure and discovered four steel trusses contain fracture critical members.
Following a review of the inspection report, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Residency Administrator J. D. Barkley II said the department has determined it is not feasible to repair this structure which averaged a daily traffic count of 478 vehicles in 2005.
Prior to its closing, the bridge’s posted capacity was 17 tons.
VDOT has begun the process of abandoning the sections of Route 92 in Halifax and Charlotte Counties leading to and including the bridge.
According to Barkley, a 0.27 section of Route 92 in Halifax County from 3.61 miles east of Route 600 to 3.88 miles east of Route 600 at the county line is proposed for abandonment.
In Charlotte County a distance of 0.21 of a mile is proposed for abandonment from 0.42 mile west of U.S. 360 to 0.63 mile west of U.S. 360 at the county line.
The sections of road under discussion are within the federal government property owned by the Corps of Engineers adjacent to the Staunton River that often floods, Barkley said.
VDOT will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 24, to receive comment from Halifax and Charlotte County citizens concerning abandonment of the road.
Barkley said repairs to the bridge to make it capable of handing a 17-ton capacity would cost an estimated $2.6 million, with that estimate including only the four truss spans.
In 2005, VDOT estimated complete rehabilitation of the bridge would cost $4,881,000, with a new structure estimated to cost $4,882,000.
Demolition of the bridge is estimated at $1.1 million, Barkley explained.
VDOT’s announcement of the proposed road abandonment has met with opposition from some residents of Highway 92.
Jennifer Nichols, a resident of Highway 92, said people in both Halifax and Charlotte counties are “very upset” about the prospect of the bridge on their road being abandoned.
“That bridge is very important to a lot of people who depend on it to get to and from work as well as other places. If there were an emergency, there would be no way out for the residents at that end of the road,” she said.
Nichols is currently circulating a petition asking the county to rebuild the bridge.
“Any person who feels that this abandonment is unfair and is willing to put their name down is asked to sign the petition,” she said.
Currently copies of the petition are located at Clover General Store, Clover Power Plant, Carol’s Beauty and Barker Shop and Rose Lane Beauty Shop in Clover, Morgan Lumber Company in Saxe, and at Tops In Halr Care in South Boston.
Persons wishing to sign the petition also can call Nichols at 454-6232 or 579-2796 to add their name to the list.
Nichols said she plans to present the petition signatures to the Halifax County Supervisors at their March 3 meeting.

Murder Investigation Continues

“We’re working on various leads,” said South Boston Capt. B.K. Lovelace, regarding the death of 19-year-old Timothy J. Marshall of South Boston.
Marshall’s body was found in the driveway of Greens Folly Golf Course Saturday morning, triggering the murder investigation.
Marshall’s body was sent to the medical examiner’s office in Richmond for autopsy, and the results were made available Tuesday.
“The state medical examiner has determined Marshall died from a single stab wound to the upper chest,” Lovelace said. “It’ll take a minimum of six weeks to receive a toxicology report,” he added.
Lovelace said investigators have no main suspect at the present time, but they’re attempting to determine Marshall’s activities from Friday. “We’re trying to put together a timeline from Friday night to Saturday morning,” the captain said. “Tracing his steps and whereabouts could help determine possible suspects.”
South Boston Police were called to Greens Folly Golf Course at approximately 8:42 a.m. Saturday for a report of a body lying in the driveway with a single wound to the chest.
When officers arrived, along with deputies from the sheriff’s office and Halifax County Rescue Squad personnel, Marshall was dead, according to South Boston Investigator Tim VanAernem.
The area was roped off as a crime scene, and the investigation into Marshall’s death began.
Lovelace said the sheriff’s office is continuing to work closely with the South Boston Police Department in the case.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the South Boston Police Department at 434-575-4271, or call Crime Stoppers at 434-575-TIPS.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the crime, according to VanAernem

Uranium Meeting Postponed

The House Rules Committee postponed its Tuesday afternoon meeting to discuss a bill that authorizes the establishment of Virginia Uranium Mining Commission to assess the risks and benefits of developing uranium resources in Virginia.
According to Del. Clarke Hogan’s office in Richmond, the meeting has been rescheduled for later this week, but no definite date had been set as of press time Tuesday evening.
Hogan is a member of the House Rules Committee.

Obituaries

Alice Lee Cook
Alice Lee Cook of Tanglewylde Drive, South Boston, died Thursday, February 21, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 49.
Ms. Cook was born in Halifax County on February 10, 1959, and was the daughter of the late Lee Alex Cook and Mary Alice Lovelace Cook.
She was a member of Millstone Baptist Church and was employed by the Woodview Nursing Home.
She is survived by one son, Jawhaun Cook, of the home; two sisters, Alender Wilson and Hazel Hynum, both of South Boston; two brothers, Alex Cook and Ricky Cook, both of South Boston; one sister-in-law, Jackie Cook; one aunt, and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence W. Lovelace.
Funeral services for Ms. Cook were held Tuesday, February 26, at 2 p.m. at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with Rev. Chester Spruill officiating.
Burial followed in the Millstone Baptist Church Cemetery.

Eliza Reese Ferguson
Eliza Reese Ferguson, infant daughter of John William Ferguson and Leslie Aileen Kendrick of Halifax died at birth February 23, 2008, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
She is survived by her parents; grandparents, Bill and Diane Ferguson of Vernon Hill and Wayne and Patricia Kendrick of Nathalie; her great-grandparents, Cynthia C. Kendrick of Nathalie, Aubrey and Myrna Lewis of Halifax and Betty Ferguson of Halifax; her aunts and uncles, Kristy and Chad Myers of Baltimore, Md., Maggie Kendrick of Nathalie and Amy and Maggie Ferguson of Vernon Hill.
One brother, Mason William Ferguson; and her grandfather, Howard Mitchell Kendrick, also preceded her in death.
A graveside service for Infant Ferguson will be held tomorrow, February 28, at 2 p.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Paul Rowles officiating.

Ronald Dow Marshall
Ronald Dow Marshall, 65, of Brandon, Fla. died February 22, 2008.
Mr. Marshall was the son of Earl Thomas Marshall and the late Frances Anderson Marshall.
His survivors include two sons, Matt and Sean Marshall of Brandon; two daughters, Stella Griner and Stephanie Marshall of Warner Robins, Ga.; four grandchildren; his father of Halifax; three brothers, Wayne Marshall and wife, Cheryl, of Columbia, S.C., Bruce Marshall and wife, Anne, of Williamsville, Vt., and Dean Marshall and wife, Sarah, of Halifax.
Funeral services were incomplete at press time.

Curtis Luck Jr.
Curtis Luck Jr. of Washington, D.C. died February 24, 2008, at Greater Southeast Community Hospital.
Mr. Luck was born in Halifax County on July 13, 1950, to the late Curtis and Bertha Peters Luck.
Survivors include a brother, Jerry Luck of Fort Washington, Md.; six sisters, Dorothy L. Miller and husband, Calvin, Patricia L. Davis and husband, Hurley, Bertha L Miller and husband, Claude, Patty Luck and Donna M. Stephens, all of Nathalie, Annie M. Luck of Washington, D.C.; one aunt, Beatrice Davis of Vernon Hill; two uncles, James White of Brooklyn, N.Y. and James L. Peters of Williamtown, N.J.; and numerous other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends at Dunn and Sons Funeral Home, Halifax on Friday, February 29, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held for Mr. Luck on March 1, at County Line Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Otis Dillard officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service at 1 p.m.
The family will also receive friends at the home of his sister, Dorothy Miller, Beulah Road, Nathalie.

Mary Moore Lamond Tanner
Mary Moore Lamond Tanner, 60, of Mosley died February 21, 2008, at Saint Francis Hospital in Midlothian.
Mrs. Tanner was born May 6, 1947, in Halifax County to the late Dallas S. Moore and Maria Wood Moore and was married to Frank Tanner. She was a retired assistant librarian for the Virginia State Library in Richmond.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Katherine Smith and husband, Darrell, of Powhathan, and April Barnett and husband, John, of Mosley; three grandchildren; two brothers, Rob Moore of Vernon Hill and David Moore of Austin, Texas; three sisters, Barbara Stevens of South Boston, Elizabeth Barbee of Spartanburg, S.C. and Virginia Smith of Halifax.
A memorial service for Mrs. Tanner will be held on March 1, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Chesterfield with the Rev. Henry Riley Jr. officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the SPCA, 2529 Hermitage Road, Richmond, 23220, or a charity of your choice.

Mildred Price Thomas

Mildred Price Thomas, 79, of McLeansville, N.C. died February 24, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Thomas was born September 20, 1928, in Reidsville, N.C., the daughter of the late William Harrison Price and the late Mary Boaz Craddock Price, and was married to the late Morris Thomas. She was of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Reagan of South Boston and Jackie Lynn Cangus and husband, Mike, of Greensboro, N.C.; two sons, Dennis Ray Conner and wife, Denise, of Browns Summit, N.C. and Timothy Lamar Kincaid of McLeansville; one sister, Mary Thaxton of South Boston; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A son, Terry Lee Kincaid, also preceded Mrs. Thomas in death.
Funeral services will be held today, February 27, at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Teresa Ann Greenwell Newton

Teresa Ann Greenwell Newton, 76, died February 25, 2008, at Hosparus Care in Louisville, Ky.
Mrs. Newton was a native of Nelson County, Ky., a graduate of Bethlehem Academy, attended Bellarmine University, graduated from University of KY at ECC Community College and Danville School of Nursing. She was a retired LPN and a homemaker, and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Agnes Greenwell; and two sons, Larry Keith and Joseph Michael Newton.
Survivors of Mrs. Newton include her husband, Joseph Richard ‘Dick’ Newton of Bardstown, Ky.; four daughters, Sharon Magyar of Samuels, Ky., Donna Hagan of Bardstown, Teresa Brown of Bloomfield, Ky. and Nancy Clark of Nathalie; three sons, Stephen and Michael Newton of Bardstown, and Dickie Newton of Hodgenville, Ky.; 15 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian burial will be tomorrow, February 28, at 1 p.m. at Basilica of St. Joseph Proto Cathedral with Fr. Bill Hammer officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 until 8 this evening, February 27, with prayers at 6 p.m. at Greenwell-Houghlin Northside Funeral Home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider St. Joseph Church Cemetery.

William Wyche ‘Dub’ Wilkins Jr.

William Wyche ‘Dub’ Wilkins Jr., 91, of 2083 Wilkins Road, Alton died February 23, 2008, at his home.
Mr. Wilkins was born January 10, 1917, in Halifax County the son of William Wyche Wilkins Sr. and Eva Byerley Wilkins, and was married to Margaret Granger ‘Stuff’ Wilkins. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder. Mr. Wilkins was a member of American Legion Post 8, Men’s Social Club-Turbeville, Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department, Turbeville Ruritan Club and Sons of Confederacy. He was a U.S. Postal Service retiree, a tobacco and cattle farmer, and was a U.S. Army Veteran having served during World War II.
Survivors of Mr. Wilkins include his wife of the home; one daughter, Marsha W. Owen and husband, Tom, of South Boston; one son, William W. Wilkins III and wife, Donna, of Alton; one sister, Louise Shelton of Atlanta, Ga.; one brother, Bailey Wilkins and wife, BJ, of Amherst; one sister-in-law, Margaret E. Wilkins of Virginia Beach; three grandsons, Ben and Zach Owen, and William W. Wilkins IV and wife, Sarah; and two granddaughters, Maggie and Elizabeth Wilkins.
Two brothers, Banks Wilkins and Edward B. ‘Buck’ Wilkins, also preceded Mr. Wilkins in death.
Funeral services will be held today, February 27, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Richard Henderson and Jeaux Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home following the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592, or Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church, 4227 Turbeville Road, South Boston.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

A Good Opening Day

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The athletic fields surrounding the Halifax County High School campus were abuzz with activity Monday as the first official day of try-outs and practice for spring sports teams got under way. According to team coaches, opening day was a good day.
Comets varsity girls softball coach Melanie Saunders and her staff greeted 35 prospective players that came out to compete for spots on the varsity and junior varsity teams. That number included a good core group of returning players from last year’s varsity team that advanced to the Group AAA state quarterfinals.
“We’re pretty pleased with the numbers,” said Saunders.
“We have a lot of talented girls out here. They seem to be pretty versatile in that they appear to be able to play different positions, which is nice to have. We’re going to look at the girls at different positions and see who can do what. We haven’t set anything.”
The Comets coach said the girls came into the opening day with a good attitude. Conditioning, however, left a little to be desired.
“Conditioning-wise, we’re not where we need to be,” Saunders pointed out.
“We’re really going to have to work on the conditioning aspect.”
Saunders noted that the players that came out Monday had not been split up as to whether they were varsity or junior varsity players. Today is tentatively scheduled as the last day of softball try-outs.
The biggest number of players reported among the spring sports teams came from the baseball diamond where Comets head varsity baseball coach said between 50 and 55 players arrived to compete for spots on the rosters of the varsity and junior varsity teams.
“I’m very happy that all of these guys came out,” Davis said.
“This gives us the opportunity to see a lot more people and see more of what kind of talent we have out there. It gives us more possibilities to look at.”
Davis noted that he expects to have the varsity and jayvee team rosters set by Friday. The Comets’ first scrimmage game is a week from today.
“We told the guys we were looking at foot speed, arm strength, fielding, hitting and attitude,” Davis pointed out.
“We gave them an opportunity to try-out for the position they wanted to try-out for. We may find that we may have to try some people at a different position, but we did give them a chance to try the position they want to play. We even had a couple of position players that also wanted to try pitching.”
As far as the players are concerned, Davis said everybody he had expected to see return this season, with the exception of one player, Allen Stephens, was on the diamond for Monday’s first day of try-outs.
“Allen signed to play football for Virginia Tech and he has some conditioning and things he needs to do with regards to that,” Davis said.
“That’s understandable. Football is his priority and he has to look out for that. We’ll miss him. We all wish him the very best.”
Davis said the players came in on opening day showing improvement from last year.
“I was happy to see the experience that the guys had,” Davis said.
“You could see they had been working during the off-season. Baseball now has become to be about a year-around sport. Players need to be doing something about baseball just about all year. You could see the guys that have been doing that.”
Davis and his coaching staff kept the players on the field and conducted drills Monday evening until it was nearly dark. With rain forecast for yesterday and sunny but chilly weather forecast today and the rest of the week, Davis said he wanted to take full advantage of Monday’s good weather.
“It was a good day,” Davis remarked.
“With the weather forecast calling for rain (Tuesday) we wanted to take advantage of the good weather we had today. We were able to get a lot done. We got to see a lot of the things we wanted to see.”
Soccer Coaches Pleased With Turn-out
Halifax County High School varsity girls soccer coach Sid Young said he, his coaching staff and prospective players also had a good day on the first day of workouts.
Young said he was pleased with the number of players as 42 prospective players came out to compete for spots on the varsity and junior varsity team rosters.
“The number of players we have out is a pretty good number,” Young said.
“Last year we were wondering if we would have enough numbers to have a jayvee team. The girls did a good job of beating the bushes to get people to come and try out.”
The Comets coach said he is looking at keeping approximately 18 players on the varsity roster and possibly a couple more than that on the junior varsity roster. The final rosters for the varsity and junior varsity teams will be posted Friday morning, Young said.
As far as returning players are concerned, Young said the players he expected to see back returned for the start of Monday’s workouts.
“Everybody that we expected back from last year was here,” Young noted.
“The eleventh-graders, the players that were sophomores on last year’s jayvee team, were here, too.”
A big positive for this year’s Comets varsity team is that will have a good number of returning players from last year’s team in the fold this season. The numbers are good enough that Young said he has players that can play every position on the field with the exception of goalkeeper where he will have to fill the vacancy left by Leah Yosich who graduated last spring.
“The big thing is that we will be inexperienced at keeper,” Young said.
“We had only one keeper last year, that being Leah. We had a couple of jayvee players that played keeper last year. It’s still too early to tell whether or not they are capable of moving up to the varsity level.
Comets varsity boys soccer team coach Frank Shealy, new assistant coach Chris Dyer and junior varsity coach Casey Dixon welcomed 29 prospective players to the field on opening day. Shealy said the group includes seven players from last year’s varsity team and four returning players from last year’s junior varsity squad. Four seniors were on the field, he noted.
“Our numbers are down,” Shealy noted.
“In past years we have had right around 40 players to try out for the teams. This year, we’ll probably end up in the low thirties.”
Shealy said he and his staff will face a challenge in that there are a lot of new players within the ranks.
“Ten of the players have had very little soccer experience,” Shealy pointed out.
“Our jayvee team will be extremely young overall.”
Dixon said the players came to the opening day with a good attitude.
“They came in with the attitude of getting the job done,” Dixon remarked.
“Most of them took part in an off-season conditioning program,” Shealy added.
“They had a pretty good work ethic when it came to conditioning and its showing up. As far as what we did today, we worked on ball control and conditioning. We’re evaluating players and expect to make decisions late this week.”
Tennis Teams See Good Number Of Returnees
Girls tennis coach Greg Donner had 20 young ladies on the courts Monday to compete for positions on the team’s 2008 season roster, including last year’s Western Valley District singles champion Shanna Luck.
Other players back from last year’s team include Seanna Bradley, Teylor Edmonds, Fallon Farmer and Lauren Tetterton.
“We have a good core group of players,” Donner pointed out.
“We’ve got a great place to start from. It’s always my hope that we can play more than six players in a match. If we can get a few more girls that learn and progress well, we can do that.”
Comets boys tennis coach David Riddle had nine players out for the team Monday and is hoping a couple more players will show up before all is said and done this week.
“We had nine players, which is up from last year,” Riddle noted.
“I’m hoping to get a couple more out as the week progresses. Having nine players and possibly getting a couple of more will certainly give us a little more leverage.”
Despite a low number of players, the Comets boys team appears to be in relatively good shape personnel-wise as five players from last year’s team are returning this season.
That group includes the team’s top three players and four of the team’s top six players from last season. That group includes Chris Moore, Pat Barnes, Jacob Trent and Ralph Tuck.
“Some of the new guys that came out showed some promise as well,” Riddle added.
While the players showed a little rust on opening day, Riddle said Monday’s workout was still good.
“There was a little rust there,” Riddle said, “but we had a good turn-out for off-season conditioning. Most of the guys who were not participating in winter sports were out there getting ready during the off-season.”

Three Comets Named To All-Western Valley District Team

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Three members of the Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball team, Michael Ferrell, Deshon Dabbs and Durrell Chandler, have been named to the All-Western Valley District Basketball Team.
Ferrell, a senior who averaged 14.4 points per game, was named to the First Team of the All-Western Valley District Team and, will be among the players that will be considered for spots on the All-Northwest Region Team.
Dabbs, a sophomore, was named to the Second Team and Chandler received Honorable Mention accolades. Dabbs averaged just over 10 points per game for the Comets.
Western Valley District regular-season and district tournament champion GW landed three players, senior Nick Barbour, junior Terrance Townes and senior Travis Tarpley, on the 10-player First Team list. District runner-up William Fleming High School had two players, juniors Troy Daniels and Jamello Hagins, to make the First Team. Patrick Henry High School had two players, seniors Brandon Keith and Makenzi Statum, to land First Team selections. Franklin County High School also had two players, senior J.T. Edwards and sophomore Chris Tyree, to be named to the First Team.
A pair of GW players, senior Michael McGeough and junior Stephen Coles, Franklin County High School senior Jamale Jopurniette and Patrick Henry High School senior Gerard Payne were named along with Dabbs to the Second Team.
Players receiving Honorable Mention accolades along with Chandler included sophomore Greg Wimbush and freshman C.J. Barksdale from GW, seniors Andre Edwards and Brian Ashford from William Fleming, seniors Mike Doss and Omar Belcher from Franklin County High School, sophomore Terrell Wilson from Patrick Henry and senior Cordaro Ellis from E.C. Glass.

Younger, McCargo, Wilson Named To All-District Team

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Three players on the Halifax County High School varsity girls basketball team, Myisha Younger, Whitney McCargo and Tiffany Wilson have been named to the All-Western Valley District Girls Basketball Team.
Younger, who was one of 10 players named to the First Team of the Western Valley District Team, averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game. She had seven games in which she reached double figures in both points and rebounds. Her top game of the season was against E.C. Glass when she scored 27 points and had pulled down eight rebounds.
As a member of the First Team, Younger will have consideration in the voting for the All-Northwest Region Team.
In addition, Younger recorded 29 steals, 29 assists and blocked 22 shots. She shot with a 55 percent field goal average for the season.
McCargo also had a stellar season, averaging nine points and five rebounds per game. She had one game in reached double figures in both points scored and rebounds. Her best game of the season was against Franklin County when she scored 24 points, collected 12 rebounds and had three steals.
In addition, McCargo logged 26 assists and 30 steals and blocked 16 shots. She had a 58 percent field goal shooting percentage.
Wilson averaged eight points and three rebounds per game. Her best game of the season came against Patrick Henry when she scored 12 points and snared six rebounds.
In addition, Wilson recorded 32 assists, 27 steals and blocked six shots. She recorded a 52 percent shooting percentage from the field.
GW topped the field in First Team selections with Erica Warren, Narcissa Grayson and Jasmine Hairston being named to the First Team.
Two players each from Franklin County, William Fleming and Patrick Henry also earned First Team honors. They included Franklin County players Shea Smith and Miranda Smith, Brandi Smith and Sidra Johnson from William Fleming and Sara Williams and Bianca Jones from Patrick Henry.
Joining McCargo in earning Second Team honors were Brittany Nelms of Franklin County, Tash Pack of William Fleming, Dessi Dupry of E.C. Glass and Latoya Flint of Patrick Henry.
Joining Wilson in receiving Honorable Mention accolades were Chelsea Holland of Franklin County, Tiasia McGeorge of William Fleming, Derika Finger of Patrick Henry and Tia Chattin of GW.