Monday, April 17, 2006

Hearing Set On School Budget
Budget Work Session To Follow Hearing

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing to seek comment on a proposed $60.7 million FY 2006-2007 school budget tonight.
The meeting will get under way at 6:30 p.m. in the public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
School officials are seeking $13,292,430 in revenue generated from county taxes and $1.8 million in locally generated funds.
In addition, school system officials are seeking a proposed $38.7 million from the state and $6.9 million in federal funds.
No funds can be allocated to the county’s schools until action is taken on the budget by supervisors.
Following the public hearing, supervisors will conduct a work session on the county’s proposed $129,785,741 fiscal budget for 2007, the largest operating budget in county history.
The proposed budget reflects a decrease in real estate taxes to 37 cents per $100 from the current rate of 41 cents per $100 due to last year’s reassessment, but increases the real estate tax by six cents to cover debt service on a $60 million school construction project.
If approved, the county’s adjusted tax rate will be 43 cents per $100.
Currently, the personal property tax rate is $2.50.
Based on next year’s assessment levels, one cent of tax rate generates the following:
• Real estate - $327,643.
• Personal Property - $20,654.
• Machinery and tools - $12,728.
During tonight’s meeting, supervisors are expected to take action on appointments from the Board of Supervisors to the Southside Planning District Commission.
The terms of Board Chairman William Fitzgerald and Supervisor Tom West expired on December 31, 2005.
In addition, the citizen-at-large terms of Garland Ricketts and William Royster expired at the end of January. Roger Ford’s term on the Commission expired on October 31, 2005.

West Point Cadets March Through County’s History

West Point Cadets marched across the Staunton River Bridge battlefield Saturday to see firsthand the site where outnumbered Confederates turned the tide of battle against overwhelming odds.
For the second consecutive year, the United States Military Academy Cavalry and Scout Club walked the rail beds and crossed the bridge, getting a unique perspective of the action otherwise known as the Wilson-Kautz Raid.
The raid occurred in July 1864, during which “old men and young boys” from Halifax County successfully helped defend the bridge against a superior Union force.
This visit may be a fixture for the Cadets in the future, the ride having earlier been designated the Captain Andy Houghton Memorial Staff Ride in honor of 2001 USMA graduate Andy Houghton, who died in Iraq in April 2004.
Staff rides are used to reinforce classroom instruction, providing a unique opportunity for the Cadets to see firsthand the ebb and flow of battles from the past, explained Colonel Peter J. Curry.
Curry, a 1984 graduate of West Point, is Commandant of USMA for all military training and military science instruction to all 4000 plus Cadets.
He said the club is one of several at West Point, their purpose being to encourage those Cadets who are thinking about going into the armored cavalry.
“We also hope to reinforce the military instruction the Cadets receive at the Academy,” said Curry, while explaining how the ride to the Staunton River Battlefield site came about.
“We use staff rides to reinforce our technical training, and the Wilson-Kautz Raid was a perfect example of what we want to instruct. I think that with the right funding, we can turn this into an annual trip.”
Curry explained that trying to teach tactics in the classroom is one thing, but visiting an actual battle site firsthand can be far more valuable in reinforcing what the Cadets learn in the classroom.
“Especially with the support we receive,” added Curry, mentioning the assistance of Chris Calkins of the National Park Service, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Greg Eanes and Halifax County resident and historian Douglas Powell, among others.
Powell, as he did last year, conducted a walking tour of the battlefield on Saturday for the Cadets.
“They give us a lot of insight into what actually happened that you don’t get out of a textbook. Those three people kept the staff ride alive with their research and insights, and it’s something we wouldn’t have gotten if we had done it ourselves.”
The idea for dedicating the ride to Houghton came from the fallen soldier’s parents,” continued Curry.
“He [Houghton] graduated in 2001 and was a member of the club that belonged to the Department of Military Instruction at West Point,” said Curry.
“His parents contacted us and asked if there was any way they could contribute to his memory, and naming this the Andy Houghton Staff Ride is a good way to keep the memory of a fallen comrade alive.”
Naming a trail ride in memory of a fallen comrade is not a new concept, according to Major Paul Hayes, who serves in the Department of Military Instruction at West Point.
“The concept is not new, the Army has been doing it at a higher level with Colonels or Majors for a number of years,” said Hayes.
The Major explained the uniqueness of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge for instructional purposes.
“One of the missions for the club is tactical, and we’ve gone into the field for about six weekends this year,” he began.
“That’s the doctrinal piece of it, the other is how we tie it into history and the traditions of the U.S. Cavalry.
“The good thing about this battle is that you see both success and failure. The raiders were successful coming down [from Petersburg] and when they got here, they weren’t successful [in taking the bridge].
“I think they were a little overconfident and it’s good for the Cadets to see what could happen even with superior numbers and equipment.”
Another Cadet tradition, the Troop Change of Command ceremony, took place Saturday at Staunton River Battlefield Park.
Cadet Lieutenant Keith Angwin of Killen, Texas, passed command of Blackhawk Troop to Cadet First Sergeant Nick Blunt, of Thornton, Colorado, under the direction of Sr. Commander Lieutenant Colonel Ron Bashista and Captain Dave Maxwell, both officers with the Department of Military Instruction at West Point.

School Board To Break Ground
Officials Break Ground Today For South Boston, Cluster Springs Elm. Schools

For the first time in decades, the Halifax County School Board will conduct groundbreaking ceremonies to launch the construction of two new elementary schools in Halifax County.
A ceremony for the new elementary school in South Boston will begin at 11 a.m. today.
The site is located on Parker Avenue, parallel to the Houghton Industrial Park. A second ceremony for the new elementary school in Cluster Springs will follow at 1 p.m. on Route 501 adjacent to Patrick Henry Boys Home.
“I have been looking forward to this very special occasion. These two schools will be the first new schools built in more than 40 years in Halifax County,” said School Board Chairman D.H. ‘Mac’ McDowell. “On behalf of the Halifax County School Board I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and the citizens of Halifax County for supporting this project. This will undoubtedly have a positive effect on our community and our children.”
Nearly 100 leaders and officials from Halifax County and South Boston will join special guest Virginia Deputy Secretary of Education Dietra Y. Trent to recognize the occasion.
“The modern design of these schools will provide a wonderful learning environment for today’s children and future generations. Education is a key factor in putting a solid foundation under our quality of life goals and to further enhance economic development,” said Superintendent of Schools Paul D. Stapleton. “These facilities will create enthusiasm and a renewed sense of pride for our students and community.”
The new 91,000-square-foot elementary school in South Boston will replace C.H. Friend Elementary and Washington-Coleman Elementary and will house approximately 850 students. The new 80,850-square-foot elementary school in Cluster Springs will replace Cluster Springs Elementary and South of Dan Elementary and will house approximately 650 students.
Classes are expected to begin at the new schools for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Obituaries

Dorsey William Waller
Dorsey William Waller, 82, of 435 Bull Creek Road, Nathalie died April 14, 2006, at his home.
Mr. Waller was born in Halifax County on May 6, 1923, the son of the late Payton Miles Waller and Josephine Davis Waller. He is survived by two nieces; five nephews; and his caregivers, Julian and Betty Waller of Nathalie.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. April 16, at Clover Bottom Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Margaret Virginia Stevens Seamster
Mrs. Margaret Virginia Stevens Seamster of Halifax died Saturday, April 15, at the Berry Hill Nursing Home. She was born in Halifax County on October 22, 1922, and was 83.
Mrs. Seamster was the daughter of the late William Henry Stevens and the late Rebecca Susan Satterfield Stevens and was married to the late Frank Easley Seamster. She was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church and was a retired employee of Craddock Terry.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara Joan Seamster Royster and husband William Royster Jr., of Halifax; one sister, Elma Josephine Stevens White of Keeling; two grandsons, William S. Royster III and Edward Benjamin Royster, both of Denver, Colorado.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Bob Watts will officiate. Burial will follow at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery in Halifax.
Visitation will be held at Powell Funeral Home from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Monday and other times at the home of William and Barbara Royster, 1020 Holly Court, Halifax.
For memorials, please consider the Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Ian John Morgan
Funeral services for Mr. Ian John Morgan, of Vaughan Street in South Boston, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
The Revs. Phil Showers and Ray Bucklew will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Morgan died Sunday, April 16, at his son’s home. He was 72.
Born in Cindeford, England, Mr. Morgan was a retired textile worker at J.P. Stevens. He was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one son, Ralph Morgan and his wife Raquel; one sister, Lillian Thomas; his mother-in-law, Rebecca Bowen Russell; two grandsons, Justin and Jamie Morgan, all of South Boston; one niece, Patricia Long of Wilmington, N.C.; one nephew, Billy Thomas of South Boston, and numerous friends and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Russell Morgan; his father, Ralph Morgan; his mother, Francis Moore Morgan and his father-in-law, Frank Otto “Red” Morgan.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.
Lucille Midkiff Cox
Funeral services for Mrs. Lucille Midkiff Cox will be held at 11 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church of Graham (N.C.) with the Dr. David Kolb and the Rev. Chris Phelps officiating.
Burial will follow in the Pine Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Cox, 94, died Thursday, April 13, at Alamance Regional Medical Center.
She was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of the late James and Ethel Midkiff and married to the late Harold Cox.
Mrs. Cox was a retired employee of Burlington Industries, a member of the First Baptist Church of Graham and a member of the Woman’s Missionary Union.
She is survived by a son, Harold Douglas “Doug” Cox and wife Carol of Chesterfield; two grandchildren, Bryan D. Cox of Richmond and Caroline Matzell and husband Rob of Mechanicsville and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Cox was preceded in death by a sister, Pattye Shoffner and three brothers, Brantley Midkiff, Johnny Midkiff and David Midkiff.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Graham, 224 North Main Street, Graham, N.C. 27253.
Henry Archer Byrd
Mr. Henry Archer Byrd, of Main Street in South Boston, died April 13 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 87.
Mr. Byrd was born in Halifax County on April 19, 1918, the son of the late Joseph Lazarus Byrd and the late Bertha Cardwell Byrd. He was a member o the First Baptist Church in News Ferry.
He is survived by two sisters, Malissa Byrd and Carrie D. Jones, both of Philadelphia; three brothers, Monroe G. Byrd of Philadelphia, Berkley B. Byrd of South Carolina and John Marshall Byrd of Paterson, NJ; one sister-in-law, Sarah B. Byrd, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Henry Archer Byrd will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, at the First Baptist Church in News Ferry.
The Rev. Ronnie L. Keene will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church from 11 a.m. until noon.
Pauline Burgess Richardson
Graveside services for Mrs. Pauline Burgess Richardson will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Tim Cannon officiating.
Mrs. Richardson, of Hamilton Drive in South Boston, died Saturday, April 15, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 100 years old.
She was born October 27, 1905, in Halifax County, the daughter of the late Samuel Hale Burgess and the late Nannie Henderson Burgess and was married first to Oscar A. Ford and then to Albert “Pete” Richardson.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Richardson is survived by a sister, Lessie B. Thaxton of Greensboro; two brothers, John A. Burgess and wife Myrtis of Alton and Wilson Burgess of Alexandria, and two nieces, Frances Orrell of South Boston and Hilda Baxter Koch of Cairo, Ill.
For memorials, please consider the First Baptist Church, 815 Main Street, South Boston, Va. 24592.

 

Dickerson Finally Cashes In At SBS
Jason Dickerson Scored His First-Ever LMSC Win At South Boston Speedway
Jason Dickerson has been trying for five seasons to win a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car race at South Boston Speedway.
He had been close numerous times, but something always seemed to happen that would delay his victory celebration.
There was an occasion last season when victory seemed to be in his grasp after having topped a tough field. However, his joy was short-lived. He was disqualified by track NASCAR officials when his car failed to pass the post-race inspection.
But, Saturday night, Dickerson finally hit the jackpot.
Dickerson started on the pole and led all 150 laps of Saturday night’s Strutmasters.com 150 to score his first career Late Model Stock Car division win at the local speedway. His margin of victory over runner-up Jonathan Cash of Oxford, N.C. was a convincing 3.206 seconds.
“I can’t describe it,” Dickerson said when asked how it felt to score his first win here with his Ford.
“It was all car tonight. Anybody that had any ability at all to drive an automobile could have won. It was all machine. It’s a beautiful thing when a machine works like that.”
For Dickerson, it was, indeed, a race of beauty.
The Ruckersville resident had no problems to deter him from becoming the track’s third different winner in the Late Model Stock Car division in as many races. He appeared to be able to pull away from the pack at will and was challenged only briefly on restarts that followed caution periods.
“If you get out front and you have the whole track to use, it’s a lot easier on the equipment,” Dickerson pointed out.
“I thought we had a good qualifying lap and ran good times in the race. I fell off a few times during the race. I think I may have run the tires off of it too early. But, we had a good car.”
Jon Denning of Springfield, N.J., the points leader entering the race, and Nick Smith of Hampton appeared to be capable of staying within hailing distance of Dickerson early. However, the pair crashed on the backstretch on lap 119 while battling for second place.
That put rookie Adam Barker of Hurt in second place and Cash in third place for the restart on lap 123. Barker was able to hang with Dickerson for a few laps but Dickerson began pulling away as Barker and Cash battled for second place.
That restart, Dickerson said, was the only time he felt any concern.
“I don’t know whether I didn’t clean off my tires enough of what,” said Dickerson.
“I thought the 59 had me. I thought I was done. I was ready to hang it up. Once the car settled back in, it took off and I could put the hammer down.”
Cash squeezed past Barker on lap 135 to grab second place but that was as far as he was able to get. Barker finished third, Speedy Faucette of Mebane, N.C. finished fourth and 17-yaer-old Cliff Daniels of Smithfield, N.C. rounded out the top five finishers.
For Cash, the drive to second place was something to behold in itself.
The young North Carolina resident was running fourth behind Dickerson, Denning and Smith when he spun in the second turn on lap 68. He fell back to 11th place for the restart and worked his way back to the front of the field and claimed the runner-up spot.
“I had a good, strong car and I goofed up,” Cash said.
“I didn’t want to get into Nick (Smith). I drove into the corner real hard and locked the brakes up and spun out. It was my own fault and I apologize to my crew and sponsors.
Later, Cash narrowly avoided disaster when Denning and Smith crashed on the backstretch.
“I have to thank my spotter, Randy Whitt,” Cash pointed out.
“He did an awesome job getting me through that wreck.”
However, once Cash got to second place, it was all he could do on this night.
“Jason was good,” Cash said.
“I don’t think we had anything for him. I burned the tires off of it coming back through the field.”
Still, the runner-up finish by Cash, coupled with a sixth-place finish by Denning, gave Cash the points lead, making it a very good night.
“Right now, the breaks are falling for us,” he noted.
“We’ve got to take advantage of them and keep this up.”
Despite losing second place to Cash, Barker, who has posted top-five finishes in each of the first three races here in what is his rookie season, was not overly disappointed, especially noting that he was lucky to avoid being caught up in the Denning-Smith mishap.
“I don’t think I caught my breath until I got back to the front side,” barker said.
“I didn’t really see what happened on that deal. I saw one car go down and one car go up and the only place I had left was the middle so that’s where I went.
“A top three at South Boston is nothing to hang your head about,” Barker added.
“You’ve got the best in the business here. I was happy the last two weeks to finish in the top four.”
Following Denning in sixth place were Drew Herring of Benson, N.C., rookie Jonathan Bailey of Keysville, Owen Miller of Emporia and Rodney Cook of Reidsville, N.C. The top nine cars finished on the lead lap. Smith was credited with a 13th-place finish.
Dickerson averaged 66.521 mph in the race that took 54 minutes and 22 seconds to complete. The race was slowed by four caution periods.
RESULTS OF THE
STRUTMASTERS.COM 150
POS. DRIVER LAPS
1. Jason Dickerson 150
2. Jonathan Cash 150
3. Adam Barker 150
4. Speedy Faucette 150
5. Cliff Daniels 150
6. Jon Denning 150
7. Drew Herring 150
8. Jonathan Bailey 150
9. Owen Miller 150
10. Rodney Cook 149
11. Richard Storm 147
12. Mike Annett 146
13. Nick Smith 118
14. Jerame Donley 104
15. Eddie Johnson 68
16. David Quackenbush 48
17. C.E. Falk 44
18. Mark Cook 13
Pole Winner: Jason Dickerson
Time: 16.015 Sec.
Speed: 89.916 MPH
Lap Leaders: Jason Dickerson 1-150
Cautions: 4
Time Of Race: 54 Min. 22 Sec.
Average Speed: 66.521 MPH
Margin Of Victory: 3.206 Sec.

Ruhlman Looking Forward To ‘Home Race’ In VIR 400
When the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve rolls into VIRginia International Raceway this weekend for the VIR 400, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Greensboro, N.C., resident Randy Ruhlman.
Ruhlman, who co-drives Derhaag Motorsports’ No. 40 Preformed Line Products/Coyote Pontiac/Riley with Chris Bingham, has been a professional racing driver for 15 years. He spends a good deal of his year on the road, traveling coast-to-coast as he follows the Rolex Series on its 15-race schedule, which started in Daytona Beach, Fla., in January and will end near Salt Lake City, Utah, in September.
It’s been like that over the past 15 years for Ruhlman, who has been chasing racing since the early 1990s. He made his name in the SCCA Trans-Am Series, which ceased operation after last year.
Driving for Derhaag Motorsports, Ruhlman was the 2005 Trans-Am winner of the Long Beach Grand Prix and Cleveland Grand Prix races. He was named the 2005 BBS “Most Improved Driver of the Year” and was the runner-up for the 2005 Trans-Am Drivers’ Championship.
Fourth overall in Trans-Am Series history with 85 top-five finishes, Ruhlman has also driven in endurance series, in IMSA GT and has circle-track experience in the ASA and NASCAR short-track series.
When the Trans-Am Series folded, Derhaag Motorsports moved over the Grand American Rolex Series and debuted at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in February. One of the benefits for Ruhlman, in addition to being part of one of the fastest-growing and most competitive professional road racing series in the world, is the fact that the series visits VIR, just an hour from his home, every year.
This will be Ruhlman’s first visit to VIR since the Trans-Am series raced here in 2002. In that race he qualified eighth and was running in the top 10 when he was forced out of the race with a mechanical problem.
“We’ve really been looking forward to coming back to VIR,” Ruhlman said. “We have a little unfinished business there, since I had a mechanical problem in the Trans-Am race there in 2002 and wasn’t able to finish the race.”
Ruhlman said that even if it weren’t so close to home, VIR would still be one of his favorite racetracks.
“VIR is such a fantastic facility,” he said. “It’s not only beautiful, but it’s a fast, tough, technical track that the drivers love to race on. Being from Greensboro, it’s great to be able to race so close to home. We have a lot of friends and customers who will be coming to the track, and it really lifts your spirits when you know you have that kind of support behind you from people who are so close to you.”
The Rolex Series will be joined over the April 21-23 VIR 400 weekend by the popular Grand-Am Cup Series for modified street-stock vehicles and the Skip Barber National Championship presented by RACER magazine, one of America’s most renowned training series for aspiring open-wheel racers.
On-track action will begin on Friday, April 21 at 8:00 am. Friday’s schedule includes practice for all three series, plus a qualifying race for the Skip Barber National Championship. Saturday’s schedule includes qualifying and the VIR 200 race for Grand-Am Cup, practice and two points-paying qualifying races for the Rolex Series and the first of two races for the Skip Barber National Championship. Sunday’s schedule includes the second Skip Barber National Championship race and the Rolex Series’ VIR 400, which is scheduled to take the green flag at 1:00 pm.
Three-day Super Tickets for the VIR 400 weekend will be available at the gate, priced at $60. Also, single-day tickets will be available for Friday ($15), Saturday ($25) and Sunday ($50). VIR is a family-friendly facility, where children 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Spectator camping is available. Call 434-822-7700, ext. 116 or 300 for advance ticket sales.

Comets Girls Tennis Team Defeats Franklin County
The Halifax County High School girls tennis team got its second Western Valley District win of the season in Rocky Mount Friday with a 7-2 decision over Franklin County.
The Comets, now 3-7 overall, won five of six singles matches to seal the win before doubles began, with Shanna Luck and Colleen Barnes winning one and two singles.
Teylor Edmonds, Lee Lewis and Seanna Bradley won at numbers four through six singles for the Comets, which also recorded wins in two of three doubles, Luck and Barnes at number one and Lauren Tetterton and Kandance Irby at number two doubles.
Comets coach Greg Donner thought the team played very well, despite missing a number of practices due to spring break at the high school.
“We played without Sarah Bradford McCollum and the number three singles spot, but the other players were able to step in and take control of their matches,” began Donner.
“Shanna and Colleen were very dominant at number one and two and showed why they are battling to be among the top players in the district at their positions. They were also totally in control in their doubles match.
“With a few more matches ahead of them, they may be in a very good position to challenge the best in the district come tournament time.”
Donner noted good performances at number two doubles (win) and number three doubles, despite the loss.
“Lauren and Kandance stepped up from the number three spot to play their number two team, which included their number one player. They were able to get a three tie-break victory, and I think it’s a feather in their cap to defeat such a highly-ranked team,” said Donner.
“We were lacking some experience at number three doubles and still were close to forcing a third-set tie-break. Teylor and Holly [Griffin] were only two points away from a tie-break when they fell 7-5 in the second set.
“It was Holly’s first competition match and Teylor’s first doubles match of the year, and after a slow start, they were able to play their opponents dead even in the second set.”
Donner said the Comets are entering the most difficult part of their schedule, with district matches at Patrick Henry and E.C. Glass on the horizon.
“I hope we will be in a very good position to challenge these teams by district tournament time, and I’m looking forward to meeting them again,” noted Donner.
Halifax 7, Franklin County 2
Singles Results
1.Shanna Luck (H) defeated Caroline Lash 6-4, 7-5
2.Colleen Barnes (H) defeated Brittany Washburn 6-2, 6-0
3.Lauren Tetterton (H) lost to Brianna Aliff 6-1, 6-0
4.Teylor Edmonds (H) defeated Laura Bauman 3-6, 6-4, (10-5)
5.Lee Lewis (H) defeated Kylee Woods 6-2, 6-2
6.Seanna Bradley (H) defeated Korre Scott 6-2, 6-2
Doubles Results
1.Luck/Barnes (H) defeated Washburn/Aliff 6-0, 6-0
2.Tetterton/Irby (H) defeated Lash/Bauman 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (5-7), (10-5)
3.Emonds/Holly Griffin (H) lost to Woods/Scott 6-1, 7-5