South Boston Manager Highlights $8.9 Million Budget

Highlights of the proposed $8.9 million South Boston budget were presented to town council by Town Manager Ted Daniel Monday night as councilmen move toward a May 12 public hearing for the budget’s first reading.
The proposed budget carries the same 19 cents per assessed $100 real estate tax reflected in last year’s budget. However, with the recent reassessment, the reduced tax rate would reflect 17.3 cents.
A public hearing is scheduled May 19 on the proposed 19 cents real estate tax rate if council supports the 1.7 cent increase.
The personal property tax rate remains at $2 per assessed $100, and the budget reflects no capital projects.
No other tax rate or fee increase is proposed in the 2008-2009 budget, according to Daniel’s summary.
“There are no dramatic changes in here at all,” Councilman Ed Owens observed Monday night.
Council’s regular work session is scheduled April 28.
Councilmen also unanimously passed a resolution in support of establishing a local veterans health clinic; unanimously supported an Adopt-A-Street program; and agreed to a support a resolution honoring World War II D-Day veteran Allen Moorefield, who died last week. In seeking the Moorefield resolution, Owens desribed the late warrior as “a real hero” and an outstanding citizen.
In other business, councilmen heard a request by South Boston businessman Andy Crowell regarding a storm water drainage problem affecting his property, which is located on Wilborn Avenue adjacent to the Haislip Dental Lab.
He said the water issue also affects Charlie Payne’s property.
Crowell complained that he had been trying to resolve the water issue for 1 1/2 years with town officials, and said that he wanted to make council aware of the problem.
Crowell charged the storm water runoff is a town responsibility and that the water needs to be redirected.
The businessman said it was his understanding that the storm runoff comes from a number of businesses located on the north side of Main Street and also the public alley and parking area which is located on the south side of the building.
The businessman said the storm water issue is hampering his attempts to sell his property, and he also charged there is no easement for the use of the storm water runoff through the Crowell Motor Company property, Without a storm water resolution, Crowell said all efforts to sell his property stall.
In a March 7 letter, Crowell wrote: “There is no easement for the use of the sewer and storm water runoff through Crowell Motor Company property and because of its location (it) has become a detriment to the sale of the property. If the town cannot produce documentation of such an easement within 10 days of the date of this letter, I am asking for the halt in its use of the property for drainage of the sewage and storm water runoff.”
In a March 14 letter, the town manager replied to Crowell. “The town has been trying to determine the origin and location of the 100-plus-year-old storm water structures in the areas around the alley and the properties adjacent to it.”
Daniel noted the town had spent “engineering money” to help locate the storm water pipes in the area, and had spent time digging on Charlie Payne’s lot to determine where the drain on his property terminates. Daniel also noted smoke testing had been implemented on the known storm water line to determine access points on the line.
Daniel described the town’s efforts as hampered by “ancient unmapped and undocumented storm lines,” but said Crowell’s questions had not been ignored.
Daniel said the smoke testing indicated the Crowell Building is connected to the line that runs across Payne’s property and previously ran under the old warehouse, which was destroyed by fire.
The town manager said the town’s attorney is searching old records seeking any easement agreements with previous owners regarding the storm lines, and asked Crowell for any evidence he might have regarding an easement.
“We don’t know,” said Daniel of any previous agreement. “It could have been a handshake.”
Daniel estimated installing new drains to reroute the water could cost the town in excess of $150,000. He said if the current storm water inlet is not used, it could flood other neighboring buildings.
“One hundred fifty thousand dollars doesn’t come out of our little budget easily,” noted Councilman Speece. “We would like to see something worked out,” he added.
Crowell indicated he and Payne would be willing to financially participate in a solution.
“My frustration is nothing is being done,” said Crowell.
“A lot is being done but no resolution,” said Speece.
In other action, a resolution supporting the establishment of a local veterans’ health clinic came in response to a letter from retired South Boston physician Roger Browne to Mayor Carroll Thackston suggesting creation of a Southside VA Clinic.
Browne noted area veterans must often travel to Salem or Richmond VA centers and indicated up to 4,000 veterans live here.
Thackston said Monday night the resolution will be forwarded to Congressman Virgil Goode. Thackston said he had recently talked with Goode who indicated he thought the project had a chance.
The Halifax County Improvement Council sought the town’s support for the Adopt-a-Street Program. The program previously operated in the town, according to Speece, who said he had participated in the program through the Rotary Club.
Washington Avenue residents have expressed interest in instituting the program in their area, according to town officials.
Local businesses, informal groups and formal organizations, such as civic, social or school groups, may adopt a street.
Adopting groups agree to pick up litter on both sides of the roadway at least four times a year, according to program terms and conditions. The town agrees to pay for producing, installing and maintaining the Adopt-a-Street signs.
Budget Highlights
While the town’s overall proposed 2008-09 operating budget is $8,937,457, the basic operating budget is proposed at $7,493,836 as compared to $7,353,986 for 2007-2008, or $139,850 more which represents a 1.9 percent increase.
The budget also proposes implementing the 2006-07 Springstead Inc. Classification and Compensation Study increases to the General Fund salaries totaling 5.9 percent. The actual pay percentage increase for individual employees will vary due to bringing each individual onto the new pay scale chart designed by Springstead, according to town officials.
The total operating budget reflects the three following additions to the budget for 2008-2009:
n While the town no longer has a water/sewer budget, the Service Authority will make debt service payments to South Boston in the amount of $734,221 during the fiscal year to cover the w/s portions of the town’s general obligation bonds. The town pays the general fund portions of those existing bond issues, said Daniel in a prepared summary.
n The town received a $640,000 Community Development Block Grant for the Community Health Center that remains in the planning stages. Daniel said those funds are included in the budget since they have been awarded to the town and might be used in the coming fiscal year.
n The town has applied for $114,400 in grant money to replace the South Boston Fire Department’s first responder vehicle. That funding is reflected in the budget in anticipation of receiving the federal grant.

Agricultural, Forestal Districts Proposed In Halifax County

Land-use tax advocates say little is being done to preserve and sustain a local $252 million industry, but supervisors are getting serious about land use taxation and agricultural and forestal districts (AFDs) after discussing it on and off for several years.
During their April board meeting, supervisors were presented a proposal for AFDs in Halifax County prepared by Agricultural Development Director Linda F. Wallace, County Administrator Bryan D. Foster and County Attorney Jeremy E. Carroll.
Supervisors discussed such a proposal during their annual planning retreat in January and directed staff to develop a plan for implementing the AFDs in the county.
According to the county administrator, if supervisors decide to implement the AFDs, a local ordinance would have to be adopted that codifies the framework and any changes the board desires to make to the proposal.
This enabling ordinance would specify criteria, application process, and procedures governing the creation of an AFD.
In preparing the proposal, Wallace pointed out the value of agricultural land has been escalating at an alarming rate in recent years.
In a presentation last year to supervisors and members of Halifax and South Boston town councils, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue and County Assessor Harold Throckmorton said, “Farmland has increased more rapidly than residential property.”
Throckmorton suggested some form of land use taxation might be the answer to ever-increasing values on farmland.
“Offering farmers a means to alleviate increasing real estate assessments and the resulting taxes is a step toward insuring the sustainability of an industry that contributes approximately $250 million to the local economy,” Wallace said.
The Virginia Department of Forestry estimates the forest industry in Halifax County contributes $134,581,304 directly, $40,392,300 indirectly, and $21,142,402 through induced effects.
Forestry’s overall contribution to the economy of Halifax County totals $196,116,967 annually.
According to the National Agricultural Statistical Service, agricultural production within Halifax County nets approximately $28 million in cash receipts annually; and agriculture contributes $56,000,000 to the local economy.
Combined, forestry and agriculture within Halifax County represent a conservatively estimated $252 million industry, according to Wallace.
Despite these impressive figures, the agricultural development director said little is being done to insure preservation and sustainability of these vital “industries.”
The establishment of AFDs within the county would be one such means of providing a greater degree of protection and sustainability of farm and forest lands, she added.
Supervisors agree, and in the recently adopted Halifax County Comprehensive Plan, the preservation of productive agricultural and forestal lands was specifically addressed and noted as a prominent issue that warrants the attention of local government and county citizens.
In the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce Vision 2020 process, agriculture and forestry figure prominently in three of the five goals established during the visioning process.
“Citizens of Halifax County clearly have demonstrated their desire to maintain open space, working farmlands, and productive forests,” Wallace said.
According to a summary of AFD proposals, the AFDs will be for a minimum of 200 contiguous acres of active farmland and/or actively managed forested land suitable for forestal production that can either be a single parcel or multiple parcels with different owners.
AFDs will automatically qualify for use-value assessment, and will require a $500 application fee.
The minimum term of the district will be 10 years with the application deadline for creation or modification of a district set for September 1 each year.
Applications will not be accepted at other times of the year, and the board will make a decision on each application received no later than March 1.
All property withdrawn from an approved AFD will be subject to five years of rollback taxes plus interest, and districts may be reviewed and renewed by the board at the end of each term, according to the plan summary.
In order for land to be considered for an AFD, the following standards must be met:
Agricultural/Farmland
n Land must have been devoted, for at least five consecutive years prior to application to production for sale of plants or animals.
n Area must be a minimum of five acres.
n Land is being used in a planned program of soil management and soil conservation practices.
n Specific animal unit groups are being raised such as livestock, dairy, or poultry.
Forest Land
n Area must be a minimum of 20 acres;
n Must qualify as productive forest land (merchantable/harvestable), or if nonproductive, must have quantifiable adverse site conditions;
n Owner must certify land is in a planned program of timber management and soil conservation practices.
Establishment of Advisory Committee
The proposal calls for the establishment of an advisory committee charged with making recommendations to the planning commission and board of supervisors regarding all AFD applications received.
The committee, which will serve at the pleasure of the board of supervisors, will be comprised of the following:
n Four Halifax County landowners actively engaged in agricultural or forestal production;
n Four other Halifax County landowners;
• Commissioner of the Revenue or Chief Property Assessment Office; and
• One board of supervisors member.
This committee will be responsible for advising the local planning commission and local governing board as well as assisting in creating, reviewing modifying, continuing or terminating districts within the locality.
The committee also will render expert advice as to the nature of farming and forestry and agricultural and forestal resources within the district, according to the AFD proposal.
Approval Process
All applications received will be referred to the planning commission for a recommendation to the board of supervisors.
When considering each application, factors to be considered will include the following:
n The agricultural and forestal significance of land within the district and in adjacent areas;
n The presence of any significant agricultural lands or significant forestall lands within the district and in adjacent areas that are not now in active agricultural or forestal production;
n The nature and extent of land uses other than active farming or forestry within the district and in adjacent areas;
n Local developmental patterns and needs;
n The comprehensive plan and zoning regulations; and
n The environmental benefits of retaining the lands in the district for agricultural and forestal uses.
Once the board receives a report from the planning and advisory committee, it will hold a public hearing and then adopt an ordinance specific to the creation of each individual district.
According to the proposal, supervisors do not have to adopt land use taxation in order to have AFDs. Use-value assessment applies only to the land and does not apply to buildings and other improvements on the land.
The proposal suggests the use-value of farmland and forestal lands in an approved AFD be set at approximately $1,000 per acre.
Examples offered in the proposal include the financial effect to the county for a 250- acre, 500-acre and 2,500-acre AFD.
In the example of a 250-acre AFD, the total deferred taxes are $18,077.09, or an average of $1,807.71 per year over a 10-year period.
A 500-acre AFD would have deferred taxes totaling $36,154.17, or an average of $3,615.42 per year over a 10-year period.
In the example of a 2,500-acre AFD, the total deferred taxes are $180,770.85, or an average of $18,077.09 per year over the 10-year period.
In an effort to understand what AFDs can mean for citizens, supervisors have asked the deputy commissioner of revenue and county assessor for a report on the reassessment process.
ED#4 Supervisor Doug Bowman said this annual report from the board of equalization and county assessor would help the board understand how the reassessment process worked in regards to the particularly large rural parcels that seemed to have so much variation in the amounts.
“I think that would help us go a long ways to understanding what the benefits of ag-forestal districts will do to help some people in those situations,” Bowman concluded.

Trustees Set Budget Work Session

At its Monday night meeting, the Halifax County School Board decided to hold a work session to adjust its budget for 2008-09, one with $2.3 million less local funding than sought.
The work session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 21, in the conference room on the first floor of the school board office.
In a letter to Superintendent Paul Stapleton, County Administrator Bryan Foster officially informed the school board the county’s budget for fiscal year 2009 includes a local contribution to schools of $13,586,000.
The amount approved by the supervisors is an increase of $343,000 in funding over the county’s local contribution to the current year’s budget, but $2.3 million less than the amount of local funding requested by the board.
In other business, Deputy Superintendent Larry Clark updated the board on the progress of the state-mandated Triennial School Census currently under way supervised by Phyllis Jackson and Kathy Reagan.
Clark told the board every child residing in Halifax County between the ages of five and 19 should be counted in the census. Clark told the board they also were assessing Halifax County children ages birth as of Jan. 1 to five years of age to assist school officials in making future enrollment projections.
Clark said children home-schooled, attending private school, or attending school in another county should be accounted for, if they live in Halifax County.
Clark stressed the importance of including every child between the ages of five and 19 reported in the census. “We’re not trying to impose or intrude on any family’s decision as to where their children might be educated,” Clark explained.
“The purpose of the Triennial School Census is to determine from that number what funding we will receive from Richmond,” Clark said. “It truly is in everyone’s best interest, whether you have children in school, whether your children attend public school or private school, that all of these children are reported to us properly in this census process,” he added.
“It makes us less dependent on local funding if we’re getting our fair share from Richmond,” Clark explained. “And our fair share is going to be based upon the accuracy of this census.”
Clark said the school system is using the declaration method to take the census. “We no longer do door-to-door,” he explained.
Director of Maintenance Larry Roller reported to the board on the activities of his department over the past month. When asked about the lights at the high school’s tennis courts, Roller said the school board pays for the electricity.
All the safety lights attached to the buildings at the new schools can be controlled, according to Roller, but lights in the parking lots are operated by photo-cells. Roller said his department is currently looking at ways in which the parking lot lights can also be controlled. Security lights at the old elementary schools, as well as the parking lot lights at the high school, are controlled by timers, Roller said.
Roller told the board preliminary figures indicate last Saturday’s auction sale of surplus school equipment and furniture grossed approximately $30,000.

Obituaries

Phyllis Jean Browning Butler
Phyllis Jean Browning Butler, 71, of Glen Allen, formerly of Clover, died April 12, 2008.
Preceded in death by her husband, Bernard B. Butler Jr., she is survived by her daughter, Deborah J. Butler of Glen Allen; four sons, Dr. Bernard B. Butler III of Winchester, Donald Bruce Butler and his wife, Donna, of Buffalo, N.Y., Steven C. Butler and wife, Kara, of Mechanicsville, and James Erik Butler and wife, Deanne, of Mechanicsville; three sisters, Margaret Halford of Norfolk, Loreita Manning of Prince George and Louise Purdy of Castleton; six grandchildren, Bruce Butler Jr. and Jarred Butler, Erin Butler, Megan Butler and Jordan Butler, and Chase Mummau.
Mrs. Butler worked as a part-time elementary school teacher, a nurse in a Halifax family medical practice, an ICU nurse with the Halifax Regional Hospital, and a nurse at the Mecklenburg Correctional Unit. She was a founding member of South Boston Church of Christ, and was active in her other church families including South Hill Church of Christ, Hopewell Church of Christ and Three Chopt Church of Christ.
Funeral services for Mrs. Butler will be held today, April 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Three Chopt Church of Christ. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in Clover Cemetery, Clover.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Ukraine Ministries, payable to Norfolk Church of Christ, 4805 Fort McHenry Parkway, Glen Allen, 23060, or to Bon Secours Hospice, 5875 Bremo Road, Richmond, 23226.

Albert Sunday Holbein Sr.
Albert Sunday Holbein Sr., 94, died April 7, 2008, at Riverside Methodist Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane; daughters, Sallie Holbein of Halifax, Evelyn Aleshire and husband, David Locklin, of Columbus, Ohio; a son, Albert ‘Bud’ Holbein Jr. and wife, Charlene; grandchildren, Cynthia Nelson Katsolis and husband, Tom, Leroy Legg Jr., Evelyn Legg, Henry Nelson Jr. and wife, Cristy, Nancy Locklin and husband, Steve Sather, Barbara Locklin, Kathy Aleshire and husband, Frank Morgan, Joe Aleshire, Hans Holbein and wife, Tiffany, Jeffery Holbein, Ramona Curley and husband, Jared Donnellon; 22 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sadie Huntley; father, Fred Holbein; seven brothers and sisters; and granddaughters, Mary Michael and Heidi Blizzard.
Funeral services for Mr. Holbein were held at 10:30 a.m. on April 12 at O.R. Woodyard Funeral Home in Columbus with the Rev. David Griebner officiating. Burial followed at Green Lawn Cemetery.

Paul Franklin Humphries
Paul Franklin Humphries, 86, of 406 Oak Lane South Boston died April 13, 2008, at South Boston Manor.
Mr. Humphries was born in Halifax County on May 24, 1921, the son of the late T.J. Humphries and the late Clare Mae Brooks Humphries, and was married to Grace Guthrie Humphries. He was a member of Denbigh Presbyterian Church in Newport News, was an Army Veteran of World War II, and was a retired Labor Investigator with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In addition to his wife, survivors include one sister, Janice H. Jones of Oxford, N.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be private
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Humane Society, P.O. Box 969, South Boston, 24592, or your favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to Grace G. Humphries, 434 Hamilton Blvd., South Boston, 24592, or online to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Eunice Polly Davis Morris
Eunice Polly Davis Morris, 74, of 5202 Red Bank Road, Virgilina died April 13, 2008, at her home.
Mrs. Morris was born in Pittsylvania County on September 22, 1933, the daughter of the late Benjamin L. Davis and Cora Lee Richardson Davis, and was married to Louis Carlson Morris. She was a member of Union Christian Church where she served on many committees, and was retired from the Halifax County School System.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Bruce Carlson Morris and wife, Wendy of Virgilina; five grandchildren, Christopher Wayne ‘C.W.’ Morris, Starr Leeann Morris, Hayley Rose Morris, Karly Lizabeth Morris, and Dale Walter Morris; two brothers, Joseph Davis of Pelham, N.C. and John Davis of Hampton; three sisters, Hattie Davis Landrum and Nannie Davis Reynolds, both of Danville, and Hilda Davis Young of Kernersville, N.C.
One son, Christopher Louis Morris; two brothers, William and Robert Davis; and two sisters, Eva Davis Hunt and Mary Frances Davis, also preceded Mrs. Morris in death.
Funeral services will be held today, April 16, at 3 p.m. at Union Christian Church with the Rev. Jimmy Pulliam officiating. Burial will follow in Virgilina Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592, or Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 266, Virgilina, 24598. Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Comets Bury Amherst County 14-4

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County High School baseball team is apparently back on track.
Halifax County buried host Amherst County High School 14-4 Monday night, giving the team its second straight win in a slaughter-rule shortened contest.
Monday night’s win in the non-district contest improved the team’s record to 6-3 overall.
The Comets pounded Amherst County hurlers for a dozen hits. A 3-3 effort with four RBIs from Eric Brandon and a 3-4 night at the plate from Jeremy Foster that included a three-run homer in the top of the second inning, led the Comets’ offensive attack.
Kyle Long chipped in two hits and Daniel Wilborn, Justin Bagbey, Dale Trent and Courtney Ervin had one hit each.
Wilborn, the Comets’ starting pitcher, had a good night on the mound, scattering one and three walks through four innings while fanning one batter.
Foster went to the mound for the Comets in the bottom of the fifth inning with his team leading 14-0 but was tagged for four hits and four runs including a two-run homer.
Halifax County got off to a good start in the top of the first inning with Wilborn reaching base on a walk and scoring on a triple from Brandon to put the Comets up 1-0.
The Comets tacked on eight runs in the top of the second inning with five hits that included a three-run homer by Foster with two out in the inning and a two-RBI single by Brandon. Two Amherst County errors and two walks from the Amherst County hurler also helped the Comets in the inning.
Leading 9-0, the Comets added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 12-0 lead, Bagbey led off with a walk and scored on a double by Brandon. Brandon scored when Trent reached base on an error on a missed fly ball by the Amherst County rightfielder. A single by Foster scored Trent to give the Comets the double-digit lead.
Halifax County scored two more runs in the top of the fifth inning when Wilborn reached base with a single and Bagbey followed it up with a home run.
The Comets had a good night defensively and encountered only one tough inning, that coming in the bottom of the fifth inning when the host Lancers tagged Foster for four hits and four runs that included a two-run homer.
Halifax County was back in action last night, traveling to Lynchburg to face E.C. Glass in a Western Valley District contest.

Clay/Lewis Take HCC Two-Ball Tourney

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
Jimmy Clay and James Lewis built a six-stroke lead after one day and cruised home to a win in a two-ball tournament at Halifax Country Club (HCC) last weekend.
Clay and Lewis carded a two-day total of 62-63-125 in the tournament that honored long-time HCC regulars Elmer Nichols and Les Dillard, finishing four strokes ahead of Ronnie Moore and Phil Rinker (68-61-129).
Bobby Wilborn and Mark Repokis finished third in the First Flight with a two-day total of 61-70-131 and Drew Lewis and Brad Mele were fourth (67-68-135).
Donnie Hughes and Donald Gravitt carded a 69-67-136 to take Second Flight honors, winning the flight in a playoff with W.J. Long and Nick Lumsden (69-67-136).
Rodney Watts and Chris Cole (72-70-142) edged Mike Hailey and John Mele (72-71-143) by one stroke to win the Third Flight, while Teddy Holt and Bill White won the Fourth Flight with a 75-71-146, six strokes ahead of Bill Carter and Leonard Mitchell (77-75-152).
Moore and Rinker had a rough first day with four bogies and rallied on Sunday for a 61, but it wasn’t enough to catch Clay and Lewis, who played consistent golf for both days.
“We played together here last year for the first time and we didn’t do too well, but something clicked this time around,” said Clay.
“Yesterday (Saturday), I played really well and Jams clicked in a little bit, and today (Sunday) James played very well and I clicked in a little bit.”
The duo got it going early on Sunday to distance themselves from the field, with Lewis getting birdies on holes two, three and four, Clay chipping in on eight, and Lewis getting another birdie on nine.
“The course was wet from Saturday and that was to our advantage because of my length, but we played well together,” added Clay.
“James is a competitor, he never gives up and I like that. He drove us right through on Sunday, but “Doc” and Phil also played well.
Moore and Rinker agreed that four bogies on Saturday left them too far behind to catch the winners.
“We got off to a slow start and had four bogies on Saturday,” said Moore.
“We picked it up and played well on Sunday, but we were too far behind to catch Jimmy and James.”

Girls Track Team 4th In Knights Classic

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County High School girls track team picked up two wins Saturday enroute to a fourth-place finish in the Knights Classic invitational track and field meet hosted by Cave Spring High School and held at the Roanoke College track in Roanoke.
Tanisha Evans won the 200-meter race for the Comets, turning in a time of 27.29 seconds. Also picking up a win for the Comets was the 4x100-meter relay team consisting of Tanashia Medley, Taylor Davis, Evans and Brittany Foster. The group’s winning time was 50.90 seconds.
Halifax County picked up points in several events with the top six finishers in each event scoring points.
In the 100-meter race, Stacey Hamlett came through with a second-place finish in a time of 12.93 seconds and Davis placed fourth with a time of 13.03 seconds.
Davis placed fifth in the 200-meter race, which was won by Evans, posting a time of 27.67 seconds. Hamlett finished eighth in that event with a time of 27.92 seconds.
Evans led the Comets’ effort in the 400-meter race, finishing ninth with a time of 1:04.88. Tyiesha Pannell placed 12th with a time of 1:07.40.
Marteia Ferrell was the highest finisher for the Comets in the 100-meter hurdles with a seventh-place finish in a time of 17.45 seconds. Cherena Canada placed 27th with a time of 20.81 seconds.
Canada was the top finisher for the Comets in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 59.27 seconds. Jasmine Pointer placed 23rd with a time of 59.68 seconds.
The Comets’ 4x800-meter relay team consisting of Melyse Brown, Canada, Tiffany Wilson and Aurora Wright placed seventh with a time of 11:51.54.
Halifax County failed to qualify any participants for the finals in the high jump as Pointer and Foster finished in a tie for ninth place in the preliminary round with a jump of four feet and eight inches.
Three members of the Comets team, Foster, Pointer and Ferrell qualified for the finals in the long jump. Foster placed fourth with a leap of 16-4, Pointer placed sixth with a jump of 16 feet and Ferrell placed eighth with a mark of 15 feet and nine and a half inches.
In the finals of the triple jump, Ferrell finished fourth with a jump of 34 feet and six and a quarter inches and Pointer placed fifth with a leap of 33-10.
The Comets did not have any participants in the finals of the shot put. Monica Thorpe had a best toss of 30 feet and 11 and three quarters inches to finish seventh in the preliminary round.
Blacksburg High School won the girls meet with 80 points, barely edging Franklin County High School with 79.50 points. Host Cave Spring finished third with 50 points and Halifax County placed fourth with 45 points.