New Face Of A Historic Span

n Officials Say Clarkton Bridge Repairs Almost Complete
Repairs that supporters hope will turn the aging Clarkton Bridge into a tourist destination are nearing completion, according to VDOT Assistant Resident Engineer Zack Weddle.
Weddle said yesterday that work should be completed this month, “if we don’t get much of a weather delay.”
Repairs are about 80 percent complete, he said.
“For the last several weeks we have been re-decking the entire structure with wood decking and installing a pedestrian handrail,"Weddle said.
“We have also been replacing some of the guardrail on the existing access road with a wooden fence to protect pedestrians,"he added.
Once the decking and rails are complete, VDOT will put the “finishing touches"on each end of the bridge.
“We need to put some things there to prevent vehicle access and we also will work to provide parking on the Halifax County side,"Weddle said.
He added that an opening ceremony is in the planning stages.
“We are planning to work with the Clarkton Bridge Alliance to set the ceremony for sometime in the fall,"Weddle said.
After a long and sometimes bitter battle between the Clarkton Bridge Alliance – formed to protest the planned closure of the century-old structure – and former VDOT Commissioner Phillip Shucet, Weddle said he was pleased to see the groups working together to preserve the bridge.
“I think this has been a collaborative effort between (Charlotte and Halifax) counties, VDOT and the Alliance, and we’re glad we could come to this point where people will be able to get together and enjoy nature,"Weddle said. “It really is a nice place.”
Built in 1901, Clarkton Bridge spans the Staunton River between Charlotte and Halifax counties.
It was closed in 1998 due to safety concerns.
In 2003, the Clarkton Bridge Alliance was given the opportunity to find a suitable owner, delaying the awarding of a demolition contract for the bridge.
But in a letter to members of the Alliance in early June, 2004, then-Transportation Secretary Whitt Clement said the department had tried to cooperate with the Alliance but, citing safety and liability issues, time had run out.
Demolition began shortly thereafter, but was put on hold as a one-week reprieve was offered to spare the structure. The bridge was subsequently spared as an agreement was reached between VDOT and the Alliance.
Advocates said saving the bridge was the first step in a regional initiative focusing on heritage tourism and outdoor recreation along the Staunton River corridor.
“The bridge is the catalyst for a larger tourism effort in the county using the Staunton River as a centerpiece,” W.W. “Ted” Bennett said shortly after the bridge was spared. “If we’d lost the bridge, there would have been a large piece of the puzzle missing.”
Bennett said that despite the initial controversy over the bridge, the working relationship between the Alliance and VDOT couldn’t have been better as construction progressed.
“The former VDOT commissioner (Shucet) and VDOT couldn’t have been more helpful, understanding and accommodating in agreeing to save the bridge, and even went farther than that in agreeing to keep the bridge in the state system,"he said. “That means that the costs for all future repairs and maintenance will be borne by VDOT."
Through support from several area corporations, contributions from individual donors and the cooperation of Shucet, critical repairs to the span began in late September, 2004.
Bennett said that most of the repairs and materials were provided at “much below"cost.
Proponents of saving the bridge say the structure could be an economic engine by promoting tourism and could be a part of planned birding and heritage tourism efforts.
It has been designated a stop on Virginia’s Birding and Wildlife Trail and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reynolds To Get $12,188.34

Council Also Agrees To Two Week Severance Pay. Reynolds To Decide 60-Day Transition Offer.

Halifax Council last night added $222.74 in additional sick leave to $11,965.60 paid to former town finance director Rocky Reynolds on June 30 for accumulated comp, vacation and sick hours.
Reynolds had sought $18,318.40 in overall accumulated time.
Council also agreed to pay Reynolds, who worked for the town nine years, two weeks severance pay at his former level.
“Town policy requires we give him two weeks notice,” said Mayor Leon Plaster.
Councilman Dr. Charles Parker made the motion for severance pay and Councilman Buddy Guthrie offered the second.
At its meeting last week, Council also agreed to offer Reynolds 60 days employment during the transition period.
Town Manager Carl Espy said last night he expected to learn today whether Reynolds would accept the 60-day offer.
Town Council, with only Councilman Allen Stevens absent last night, agreed to the 240 comp and 240 vacation hours allowed by town policy. Reynolds had sought 393 comp hours and 398 vacation hours as well as 552.28 sick leave hours.
“These hours are clearly not within policy,” said Plaster.
Addressing vacation time, Dunavant asked: “Do we pay by employee rules and regulations or go beyond that?”
“I do not understand how a finance director accumulated this comp time,” said Guthrie.
“I am concerned about comp time for salaried employees,” added Dunavant.
Explaining the $11,965,60 payment to Reynolds following last Thursday’s meeting, Mayor Plaster said the town “paid per its policy,” which was due Reynolds his last workday, June 30. “It came to my attention that night,” added the Mayor.
Thursday’s action followed Town Council’s decision to eliminate the finance director’s $41,000 position during a June 30 final budget session.
Dunavant said the decision to eliminate the finance director’s job came after “much soul-searching.”
Council’s action June 30 countered the advertised budget’s proposed three-cents per assessed $100 real estate tax increase, which would have increased the tax from 19 cents to 22 cents per assessed $100.
Council also agreed last week to hire the accounting firm of Burnett & Sneed to handle all accounting functions for the town, and has since made that arrangement, according to Plaster.
Last night, Plaster also announced Jack Dunavant would serve as chairman of the finance committee. Parker and Councilman Phil Hollis also serve on that committee.

Obituaries

James Hagood ‘PeeWee’ Terry

James Hagood “PeeWee” Terry, 54, of 2109 Eastover Drive, South Boston, died July 5 at his home.
Mr. Terry was born in Halifax County on March 22, 1951, the son of the late James Singleton Terry and Bertha Smith Terry and was married to Patricia Lewis Terry. He was a member of the East Street Band and the News Ferry Hunting Club.
His survivors include his wife; son: James Mitchel Terry of South Boston; his mother; and brother: Bobby Terry of South Boston.
A funeral service will be held today, July 8, at 11 a.m., at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. John Eure officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials, consider the Patrick Henry Boys Home, Drawer 40, Cluster Springs, VA 24535.

Annie Hendricks Fitzgerald

Annie Hendricks Fitzgerald, 62, of Vernon Hill died July 5 at her residence.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was born in Halifax County on December 9, 1942, the daughter of Flossie Dixon Hendricks and the late Fred Hendricks. She was married to William Isaac Fitzgerald and was a member of County Line Baptist church.
Her survivors include her husband of Chatham; daughter: Pamela Daniels of Baltimore, Md.; sons: William Tucker of Philadelphia, Pa., and Ivan Fitzgerald of Washington, D.C.; her mother of Philadelphia; sister: Linda Hendricks of Forest Heights, Md.; and five grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Sat., July 9, at 11 a.m., at County Line Baptist church with Rev. Dr. Otis Dillard officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence, 11000 Chatham Rd., Vernon Hill. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Caring House, 2625 Pickett Rd., Durham, NC 27705 in the name of Annie Fitzgerald.

Howard Clinton Puryear

Howard Clinton Puryear, 50, of Wilmington, Del., and formerly of Charlotte County, died July 4 in Delaware.
Mr. Puryear was born in Charlotte County on May 15, 1955 to Howard and Ruth Pulliam Puryear. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg.
His survivors include his son: Clinton Puryear of Richmond; his parents; sisters: Ruth Puryear of Georgia, and Emma Ragland and Cynthia Puryear of South Boston; brothers: Donnell Puryear of Chase City, Roy Lee Pulliam, Herman Pulliam and Charles Puryear of Delaware; and grandmother: Annie Johnson of Delaware. Survived also by one brother-in-law and three sister-in-laws.
A funeral service will be held Sat., July 9, at 3 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Wylliesburg, with Rev. Earnest Goode officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of Cynthia Puryear, 2104 Jeffress Blvd., South Boston.

John Bryant Waller

John Bryant Waller, 73, of 539 Thornton Rd., Nathalie, died July 6, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Waller was born in Halifax County on March 25, 1932, the son of the late Peyton and Josephine Davis Waller. He was married to Lenora Ruth Church Waller and was a member of Clover Bottom Baptist Church.
His survivors include his wife of Evington; daughter: Margie Duff of Evington; son: Edward Waller of Evington; brother: Dorsey Waller of Nathalie; and grandchildren: Heather Ramsey of Madison Heights, Daniel Walker of Brookneal and Brandon Duff of Evington.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, at 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Millstone. The family will receive friends Friday, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Powell Funeral Home.

Sue Barnes Bates

Sue Barnes Bates of 4018 Asbury Church Rd., Vernon Hill, died July 6 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Bates was born in Halifax County on April 21, 1916, the daughter of the late Jacob S. and Ruby Williams Barnes and was married to the late Charles Bates Jr. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.
Her survivors include her sons: Robert W. (Helen) Bates Sr. and Charles A. (Geneva) Bates III of Vernon Hill; grandchildren: Richard Bates, Robert Bates Jr., and Susan McLamb of Vernon Hill. She was preceded in death by a grandson: Charles Bates IV.
A funeral service will be held today, July 8, at 2 p.m., at Asbury United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Simmons officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
For memorials, consider the Alzheimer’s Foundation, P.O. Box 310, South Hill, VA 23970 or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

Bridie Ann Doyle

Bridie Ann Doyle, 72, of Alton, died July 5 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Doyle was born December 7, 1932 in Rascommon, Ireland, the daughter of the late Thomas and Lena Maxwell Sharkey. She was married to John James Doyle and was a member of the Roman Catholic faith.
Her survivors include her husband; daughter: Patricia Goetz of Old Bridge, N.J.; two sons: John Doyle of South Amboy, N.J., and Thomas Doyle of Alton; sisters: Mary Moen of Sharon Spring, N.Y., and Catherine Brennen of Bronz, N.Y.; brothers: Joe and John Sharkey of Yonkers, N.Y., Patrick Sharkey of England, and Hubert Sharkey of Roscommon; and two grandchildren.
A mass was held at Powell Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday afternoon, July 6, with Father John Kloepfer. Condolences may be sent to Powell@gcronline.com.

Earl Carl Walton Sr.

Earl Carl Walton Sr., 69, of Humps Trail, South Boston, died July 1 at his home.
Mr. Walton was born in Halifax County on March 31, 1936, the son of the late Joseph and Belle Long Walton. He was a member of Crossroads Baptist Church.
His survivors include his daughters: Frances Jones and Yvette Everett of Alton; sons: Tony Featherston of Danville, Earl Walton Jr. and Burkley Walton of Alton; sisters: Dorothy Featherston of Alton and Lou Fannie Medley of Turbeville; brothers: Edward (Snap) Walton of Alton, Charlie (C.B.) and William (Billie) Walton of South Boston; grandchildren: Montia, Ashley and Erica Featherston, and Ebony, Kadeem, Shacara, and Tonisha Walton and Mel’Quan Burrell. He was preceded in death by a brother: Thomas Walton.
A funeral service was held yesterday, July 7, at Crossroads Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery.

Glenn Allen Walker

Glenn Allen Walker, 79, of 3012 Harmony Rd., Alton, died July 5 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Walker was born in Halifax County on November 29, 1925, the son of the late William and Bessie Thomas Walker. He was married to the late Virginia Marie Walker and was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church. He was a WWII Army veteran and former employee of Eaton Corp.
His survivors include a son: Ricky (Yvonne) Walker of Roanoke; daughters: Cheryl (Ricky) Barber of South Boston and Tina Harris of Roxboro, N.C.; step son: William (Remona) Murray of South Boston; step daughter: Bonnie (Donald) Fox of Roxboro; grandchildren: Sheila Reaves, Bobby Mangum, Staci Miller, Sabrina Barber, and Christina and Virginia Harris; step grandchildren: Melinda Conner, Willie Murray, and Dustin and Joni Fox; great-grandchildren: Caleb and Tyler Reaves and Ethan and Morgan Mangum; step great-grandchildren: Corey and Joshua Conner and Brittney Murray. He was preceded in death by a son: Glenn “Buddy” Walker Jr.; daughter: Phyllis Holt; brothers: Edward, William and George Walker; and sister: Virginia Conner.
A funeral service was held yesterday, July 7, at Harmony United Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Liz Buxton officiated.
Those wishing to give memorials, consider Harmony U.M. Church, P.O. Box 12, Alton, VA 24520.

Harry Thomas Smith

Harry Thomas Smith Sr., age 93, of Nathalie, died July 5 in New York.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Martha Smith of the home; one son, Harry T. Smith Jr., of Manhattan; two daughters, Joyce Smith of Jersey City, N.J. and Jeanette Bau of Senora, Ca.; one brother, Roosevelt Smith of Queens, N.Y.; and a host of grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Harry Thomas Smith Sr. will be held Monday, July 11 at 2 p.m. at the Brown’s Memorial Church of God in Christ in Nathalie, with interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 304 Lusardi Dr., Brookneal.
Condolences may be emailed to Jeffressfh@aol.com.

 

Halifax National Ponytails Walk To District Title Over Halifax American

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax National Ponytails all-stars rallied to score six runs in the fourth inning, three runs coming home on bases loaded walks, for a 6-3 win over Halifax American Wednesday night and the Dixie Softball Ponytails District VII title.
Halifax National will play in the Dixie Softball Ponytails State Tournament, beginning July 15 at Crewe-Burkeville.
Halifax National collected five hits for the game, Jennifer Vaughan smacking a triple, and Jameshia Smith, Jamilia Smith, Brittany Long and Emily Conner singles.
Jennifer Lacks hit a RBI triple for Halifax American, Samantha Gibson had a sacrifice bunt to score another run, and Blaire Hodges had a double and run scored.
Halifax National had the better scoring chances early on, Jamilia Smith hitting a single to lead off the bottom of the first inning, but American turned a double play on Jessie Bagbey’s bunt attempt to get out of the jam.
Three consecutive two-out walks loaded the bases in the second for Halifax National, but a strikeout ended that threat.
It was Halifax American who plated the first run of the game in the third inning, Jerri Mabe reaching on an error, reaching second on a passed ball and scoring on a throwing error to make it 1-0.
American added two more runs in the top of the fourth to make it 3-0, on Hodges’ double, Lacks’ triple and Gibson’s sacrifice bunt, but National staged its game-winning rally in the bottom of the inning.
Jameshia Smith started the rally with a leadoff single, went to second on a passed ball and stole third base. Robin Jennings reached base on an error and stole second, before a walk loaded the bases.
A hit batsman drove in the first run, and another run scored on a fielder’s choice by Cassie Howerton. Walks to Jaynee Campbell, Allison Thaxton and Melissa Blanks plated three more runs and a groundout produced another.
Those were all the runs Halifax National needed, with Halifax American retired in order the next two innings, five on strikeouts.
Lacks started the game on the mound for Halifax American, recording five strikeouts before Dalyn Hall came in for part of the fourth inning. Lacks returned to the mound later in the fourth inning, before Kate Bane came on to hurl the remainder of the fourth and the fifth inning.
Melissa Blanks hurled the first two innings for Halifax National, Jill Trickey pitched innings three and four, and Bagbey hurled the final two innings, striking out five of six batters to seal the win.

Dixie Youth Baseball Action Continues This Weekend

The Dixie Youth Baseball Major League District 2 West Sub-District Tourney Opens Tonight At Scottsburg; The DYB AAA District 2 Tournament Playoffs Open Saturday In Halifax

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Dixie Youth Baseball tournament action hits full stride here this weekend with the Dixie Youth Major League District 2 West Sub-District Tournament opening tonight at Scottsburg and the best-of-three game playoff series for the District 2 AAA (Minor League) opening Saturday afternoon in Halifax.
In tonight’s opening-round of the four-team Dixie Youth Major League West Sub-District Tournament at Scottsburg it will be host Scottsburg facing South Boston in the 6:30 p.m. opener with Halifax facing Halifax County South in the 8 p.m. nightcap.
Tournament action will continue Saturday night with the losers of the two Friday contests squaring off at 6:30 p.m. and the winners facing each other in the 8 p.m. nightcap.
On Sunday, there will be a single game with the loser of Saturday’s winner’s bracket game facing the winner of Saturday night’s opener.
In Dixie Youth AAA (Minor League) action, play begins Saturday in the best-of-three game playoff series for the District 2 title.
Saturday’s first-round game will be played at Halifax with Halifax, the West sub-district title winner facing South Hill, the East sub-district champion in a 2 p.m. game at the Halifax Elementary School Field.
Game two of the series will be played Sunday at 2 p.m. in South Hill. If a third game is necessary, it will be played at Halifax on Monday night.
This will be the second year in a row that Halifax and South Hill will have faced each other in the district playoff series. This also marks the seventh year in a row that South Hill has advanced as the East sub-district champion.
Both teams went undefeated in their respective sub-district tournaments.
The winner of the AAA best-of-three game playoff series will advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball AAA State Tournament which will open Friday, July 15, at the Halifax County South complex at Cluster Springs.
Halifax will be bidding to make it two local teams in the AAA state tournament field. As the tournament host, the Halifax County South AAA all-stars are automatically included in the tournament field.
Halifax County South is the defending West sub-district champion. Last year halifax County South toppled Scottsburg to win the crown.
From there, Halifax County South went on to face Brunswick County in the best-of-three game playoff series for the District 2 championship. After the two teams split the first two games, Halifax County South prevailed in the third game and claimed the district championship.

SoBo Dixie Majors All-Stars District Runner-Up

The South Boston Dixie Majors All-Star Team Fell To Charlotte County 5-3 Tuesday In The Finals Of The District 4 Tournament

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The South Boston Dixie Majors all-star mustered up a run in each of the last three innings but it wasn’t enough as South Boston fell to Charlotte County 5-3 Tuesday night in the championship game of the District 4 tournament at Randolph-Henry High School.
With the defeat of the Dixie Majors all-stars and the defeat of the South Boston Dixie Pre-Majors all-stars that same night (see separate story inside) South Boston has yet to have a baseball team advance into state tournament play this season.
The South Boston Dixie Youth Major League all-stars, which will open sub-district tournament play tonight, represents the final chance for a South Boston baseball team to advance to state tournament play.
Tuesday night’s game was about as close statistically as you could get.
Both teams had eight hits in the contest with South Boston getting two hits from both Nathan Thomas and Chris Perkins while Chris Conner, Clyde Brooks, Jason Vest and Jake Owen chipped in a hit each.
Steve Catron led the Charlotte County offense with three hits. J. Pulos had two hits in the winning effort.
Early on it was all Charlotte County as a two-RBI single by Catron in the first inning put the eventual district champions on top 2-0.
A double by Pulos set the stage for Charlotte County to add a run in the fourth inning and extend its lead to 3-0.
Eddie Pyle’s solo homer to start the fifth inning and a run-scoring hit by Pulos put Charlotte County up 5-0.
South Boston scored its first run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Nathan Clements walked, moved to second base on a groundout by Owen and scored on a hit by Conner.
Another run in the bottom of the sixth inning allowed South Boston to cut the deficit to three runs. That run came when Brooks reached base on a bunt single, moved to second base when Steven Smith walked, and advanced to third base on a sacrifice fly to right field by Ryland Clark. Brooks scored on a sacrifice by Vest to make it a 5-2 score.
South Boston added a run in the seventh inning when Owen led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Garber.
A walk to Thomas and a base hit by Perkins gave South Boston two base runners with one out with Brooks coming to bat and representing the game-tying run.
The South Boston rally ended with Perkins being thrown out attempting to steal second base and Brooks sending a fly ball to centerfield that was caught for the final out of the game.