A Halifax man was pronounced dead at the scene Saturday night
when the car he was driving rolled numerous times on Route 360,
ejecting him.
Paul Eldred Smith, 36, of Back Street in Halifax, died at the
scene, according to Virginia State Trooper P.W. Leath's report.
A passenger, Lawrence Majors, survived the crash, according to
police, who said Majors was wearing a seat belt.
The 11:35 p.m. accident occurred on Highway 360 about one-tenth
mile east of Route 683, according to police reports.
The 1989 Sterling was west bound on Route 360 near Oak Level Road
when it ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, ran
off the left side of the road and flipped numerous times, according
to police reports.
Police officials said yesterday that the accident is still under
investigation.
In other reports,
Slick conditions resulting from Thursday nights' brief snowfall
contributed to a pair of single-vehicle accidents, according to
the Virginia State Police.
The first accident occurred 10:30 a.m. Friday morning on Rte.
778, three-tenths of a mile west of Rte. 682.
Trooper G.M. Gilliam reported that 35-year-old Cynthia Denise
Penick of Halifax was driving a 1998 Hyundai when she lost control
of the vehicle on a patch of snow, and ran off the right side
of the road, striking a guard rail.
Penick was treated and released from Halifax Regional Hospital
following the accident.
Gilliam estimated $2,000 damage to the Hyundai, and charged Penick
with reckless driving.
Another single-vehicle accident Friday morning resulted in charges
leveled against a 21-year-old Nathalie man.
The accident occurred on Rte. 753, three miles north of Rte. 57
about 11:30 a.m, according to Trooper Larry Testerman.
Testerman reported that Juvester Anthony Carden Jr. was driving
a 1999 Ford sedan when he hit a patch of snow, lost control of
his vehicle, and ran off the left side of the road, striking an
embankment.
Testerman estimated $4,000 in damages to Carden's vehicle and
charged him with reckless driving/failure to maintain proper control.
· A 25-year-old Clover man was charged by Trooper P. W.
Leath with DUI after another Friday morning accident on U.S. Route
360, six-tenths of a mile east of Rte. 721.
Leath reported that Jeffrey Thomas Martin was driving a 1994 Toyota
pickup when he ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected,
then ran off the left side of the road into the median strip.
Martin's vehicle then struck an embankment and overturned.
Martin was treated and released from Halifax Regional Hospital
following the accident.
Leath estimated $3,000 damages to Martin's vehicle and charged
him with DUI.
· Trooper Larry Testerman charged 20-year-old Jonathan
Arthur Gulley of South Boston with reckless driving/failure to
maintain proper control Friday afternoon after the 1990 Mazda
Gulley was operating ran off the side of the road and struck an
unoccupied vehicle.
The accident occurred about 1:30 p.m. on Rte. 613, 300 feet east
of U.S. Route 360, when Gulley's vehicle ran off the left side
of the road and struck an unoccupied vehicle, which was there
from a previous accident, according to Testerman.
Testerman estimated $800 damage to Gulley's vehicle and charged
him with reckless driving/failure to maintain proper control.
"Dr. King was a man who gave of himself unselfishly, untiringly
...trying to right a wrong," Rev. Leonard Jones of Ebenezer
CME Church said yesterday.
Jones was addressing the crowd of approximately 250 who had gathered
to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a celebration
at Banister Hill Baptist Church.
The tribute was sponsored by the Halifax County Business and Professional
Council.
The featured speaker for the event was Richmond educator Sally
Luck Collins.
"It's so important that we not forget whose shoulders we
stand upon," Luck said. "That we take this pause to
reflect, lest we forget."
She reminded the audience that during this 18th celebration of
his birthday, Dr. King was being remembered all over the world.
"The life that Dr. King lived was his destiny," she
said. "We know what he did, we know his dream, his vision.
"The question for us today is, what statement will our lives
make?"
Improvements to the John Randolph Bridge, put on hold in December
due to budget restrictions, seem to be getting the green light
to begin as scheduled thanks to Secretary of Transportation Whit
Clement.
Clement told Del. Clarke Hogan on Friday that he plans to use
available money to advertise construction on the John Randolph
Bridge, improvements at Dryden and to the Blue Ridge Parkway Crossing.
The total cost of the three projects is approximately $220 million,
Clement said yesterday.
In a letter to Hogan, Clement said that all Route 58 projects
currently under construction will continue, all projects currently
in right-of-way acquisition will continue and the three projects,
including the bridge, will be the next priority as funding allows.
"To the extent that funding is available, three projects
that will be ready to advertise for construction this spring will
be the next priority," Clement wrote.
Hogan said yesterday that he was cautiously optimistic that funding
would be available to complete the bridge as scheduled.
"I'm extremely pleased that priority has been given to the
construction of this bridge, and that Halifax County will directly
benefit from the continuation of this important statewide project,"
the delegate said.
In his letter, Clement suggested that funding had been identified
for the improvements of the bridge.
"While we are all disappointed that revenues are simply not
available to meet all the needs in the Route 58 Corridor, we are
pleased that over $840 million, including $685 million in Route
58 bonds and $155 million in primary system allocations and other
sources, has been invested," the secretary wrote.
In mid-December, VDOT Commissioner Phillip Shucet announced a
shortfall in excess of $272 million that was earmarked for the
Route 58 Corridor Program.
The shortfall was revealed by a five-month audit of the program.
Shucet then suspended 34 projects, including construction to the
John Randolph Bridge.
According to the Six Year Program that was adopted by the Commonwealth
Transportation Board, $485 million had been allocated to improvements
on Route 58.
But as of October 31 of last year, only $213 million was available
for the project.
Preliminary engineering costs of $2.7 million have been expended
for the bridge project, as have $450,000 of an estimated $526,000
for right-of-way purchase, according to VDOT.
Construction on the bridge is expected to cost $28.6 million.
The John Randolph Bridge Program was initially funded by the Virginia
Transportation Act of 2000.
Completion of the project will include the four-laning all of
the existing two-lane Route 360, constructing two two-lane bridges
and replacing the damaged Vaughan Street Bridge over Route 360.
The public is invited to celebrate Julia
Moss Day during a 4-6 p.m. reception Tuesday prior to the joint
towns and supervisors meeting.
The reception for the retiring assistant county administrator
will be held in the Mary Bethune Complex Gym in Halifax.
Moss is retiring after almost 31 years service with the county.
She was hired by the county's first administrator, the late Col.
Walter Brady.
The joint supervisors/councils' meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in
the second floor conference room in Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Town and county officials face a full agenda, which is expected
to open with a 30-minute presentation by Dr. Timothy Franklin,
director of University Outreach Programs - Southside Virginia,
on Virginia Tech Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.
There will also be an update on The Prizery building renovations
by Community Arts Center Foundation President Chris Jones.
Scott Morris, executive director of the Industrial Development
Authority of Halifax, will discuss IDA work and recommendations.
South Boston Council will also receive requested information regarding
county-owned water and sewer systems including rates charged,
revenues versus expenses for each system the county owns and findings
and conclusions of the Halifax County Regional Utility Master
Plan compiled in 1997.
Supervisors and town councilmen are also expected to hear an update
on potential projects for funding from the Tobacco Commission
for county projects.
The joint session is also expected to endorse a Virginia Recreational
Trails grant application for Edmunds Park.
In other business, supervisors will consider a resolution supporting
equal taxing authority
Talk about a busy week.
The Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball team has
one this week.
The Comets, embarking on a key portion of their schedule, are
facing a busy three-game week to kick off a six-game stretch of
road contests that will keep the team on the road the rest of
the month.
Tuesday night, the Comets journey across the border to face neighboring
rival Person High School.
Then on Friday night, the Comets face a big game, a Western Valley
District contest against arch-rival GW in Danville.
Rounding out this week's tough three-game stretch is a Saturday
road trip to Lynchburg to face Group AA opponent Heritage High
School in a non-district contest.
Tuesday night's non-district game against neighboring rival Person
High in Roxboro, N.C. is a big game for the Comets.
The Comets, 6-4 overall and 2-1 in Western Valley District play,
will get their final opportunity of the season to knock off the
Rockets.
Person High, 11-1 overall, defeated the Comets 60-50 here on December
20 and downed the Comets 66-59 to win the championship game of
the BB&T Bank Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.
Since that time, the Comets have won four of their five games,
their only loss being a disappointing one-point loss to Page High
School of Greensboro, N.C.
The big game of the week comes up Friday night when the Comets
journey to Danville to face GW in a key Western Valley District
game.
Halifax County needs a win over GW to maintain its hold on second
place in the district standings.
GW, 5-5 overall, is winless in its first two district games and,
uncharacteristically, is in the cellar of the Western Valley District
standings.
Regardless of the respective team records, every GW - Halifax
County game is a big one and Friday's game should be no exception.
Saturday night, the Comets will travel to Lynchburg where they
will face Heritage, a team that, last week, was ranked among the
top 15 Group AA teams in the state in the Associated Press Prep
Poll.
Halifax County defeated Heritage in its last outing, grabbing
a big lead early and hanging on to score a 52-41 win here this
past Wednesday night.
Halifax County had a road game scheduled against Carlisle School
this past Friday night.
However, snow forced postponement of the contest. No makeup date
has been set.
The Comets will enter this week's action on a good note.
Halifax County has won both of its past two games, something that
should bode well for it in terms of momentum.
The Comets are shooting the ball pretty well, having hit 65 percent
of their shots from the floor against Page, knocking down 48 percent
of their shots against Heritage and doing better than 40 percent
against Franklin County.
If there are any disturbing aspects, it is that the Comets forged
big early leads against both Franklin County and Heritage and
then had to fight down the stretch to stave off a late rally.
Comets coach Garrett Dillard says he feels his team needs to get
off a few more shots in the second half.
"We need to get off a few more shots in the second half just
so that we can put some more points up," Dillard said.
"If you are playing a single-shot game against somebody that
is getting five or six shots, the odds are against you.
"We've been emphasizing situations so much that the kids
might be thinking 'I don't want to shoot a jump shot because we're
up and this isn't the time to be shooting a jump shot,'"
added Dillard.
"In the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter, any
shot that is within your range is still a good shot unless somebody
is open. We've just to let the kids know that and keep putting
them (shots) up early in the half. Late in the half we'll worry
about good shots and bad shots."
Vincent Edgar Anderson, 71, of 1012 Thornton-Jim Trail, Nathalie,
died January 17 at his home.
Mr. Anderson was born in Halifax County on May 29, 1931, the son
of Dorsey Edgar Anderson and Ruth Cage Anderson and was married
to Lois Adell Clay Anderson. He was a member of Falling River
Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Vincent Allen
Anderson of South Boston; one daughter, Wendy A. Shelton of South
Boston; his mother, Ruth Cage Anderson of Brookneal; three stepdaughters,
Linda Seamster of Gladys, Joanne Saunders of Appomattox and Dianne
Strange of Nathalie; one stepson, Sammie Warriner of Nathalie;
four step-grandchildren; one step great-grandson; two brothers,
Eddison Anderson of Brookneal and Robert L. Anderson of Madison
Heights; five sisters, Connie Pollard and Ruby Reynolds, both
of Brookneal; Betty Lou Davis of Gladys, Mildred Worsham of Lynchburg,
and Barbara Ann Webber of Pamplin. He was preceded in death by
two sisters, Nancy Moorefield and Alene Aldred.
Services for Mr. Anderson were held January 19 at 4 p.m. at First
Baptist Church of Millstone with the Rev. Bob Watts officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Funeral services for retired cattle farmer and logger Thomas H.
Coleman, 80, of Chase City will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at
Wood Funeral Chapel in Chase City.
The Rev. Robert Rooks will officiate.
Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery with military honors by
American Legion Post 43.
Mr. Coleman died Sunday, January 19.
He was a World War II Navy veteran and a member of American Legion
Post 43 and VFW Post 8228.
Mr. Coleman was a member of Salem United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Bernie Coleman, and daughters
and sons-in-law, Brenda and Eddie Hite of Buffalo Junction, Susan
"Tedie" Hooper of Chesterfield, Tina and Tim Almond
of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, and Anne and Dwayne Tharpe of Chase
City.
Other survivors include one brother, Preston H. Coleman of Chase
City, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at Wood Funeral Service, Chase City, from 7:00-8:30
p.m. Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to Chase City Rescue Squad, P.O. Box
81, or VFW 8228, c/o Lewis Crowder, 225 Hutcheson St., or American
Legion Post 43, c/o Jack Tanksley, 231 South Main St., Chase City,
Va. 23924.
Condolences may be sent to woodfs@meckcom.net
Walker Judson 'Pete' Ferguson, 69 of Hurt, died January 16 at
his home.
Born April 6, 1933, in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of the
late Walker Douglas Ferguson and Cecil Shotwell Ferguson. He was
a member of the Tree of Life Pentecostal Holiness Church, was
a retired employee of Limitorque and was a US Army Veteran having
served a tour of duty in Germany.
Survivors of Mr. Ferguson include his wife, Nera Tucker Ferguson
of the home; three sons, Johnny Ferguson of Hurt, Nelson Ferguson
of Long Island and Ronald Ferguson of Gretna; two daughters, Betty
Jean Mattox and Debra Hamlett, both of Altavista; a stepson, Ronnie
Thomas of Madison Heights; a stepdaughter, Susan Ward of Roanoke;
two brothers, Barry Ferguson of Lynchburg and Lowell Ferguson
of Nathalie; three sisters, Frances Clark of Keysville, Elizabeth
Guthrie and Carolyn Francis, both of Nathalie; nine grandchildren;
and three step-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. January 18 at the Colbert-Moran
Chapel in Gretna with the Rev. Mike Dodson officiating. Burial
with military honors by VFW Post 4165 and DAV Chapter 46 followed
in Altavista Memorial Park.
Funeral services for Lewis Easley Martin of Randolph, will be
held Monday, January 20, at Wylliesburg Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Kenneth Davis will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. Martin died Friday, January 17.
He was 76.
Mr. Martin was a retired employed of Moore's Chevrolet in Clarksville
and was a member of Wylliesburg Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Allice Martin, children Tommy Martin
and James Martin, both of Saxe, Ervin Martin Sr., of Sutherlin
and Lucille Welch of Randolph. grandchildren Eugene Martin and
Anthony Welch of South Boston, Tammy Welch of Richmond, Tabitha
Burton of Scottsburg and Chrisie Martin of Saxe, one great-grandchild,
Gena McKinney of Sutherlin, step grandchildren, John Shaffer and
Eric Shaffer, four step great-grandchildren, Jamie Wilson, Heather
Shaffer, Amber Shaffer and Adam Shaffer, brothers Robert Martin
of Roxboro, N.C., Roy Martin of Randolph, Edwin "Booster"
Martin of Saxe, sisters Linabea Newcomb of Victoria, Mary Martin
of Randolph, Helen Wilson of South Boston and Irene Rickman of
Saxe.
Condolences may be sent to woodfs@meckcom.net.
Funeral services for Mr. Michael Dean Wagstaff will be held Monday,
January 20, at Powell Funeral Home.
The Rev. Tony Brooks will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Bethel Church Cemetery.
Mr. Wagstaff died Friday, January 17.
He was 29.
Mr. Wagstaff was born in Halifax County on June 12, 1973, to Mr.
Dean Wagstaff and Mrs. Deborah Wilborn Adcock.
He was married to Dana Spangler Wagstaff, and was a member of
Bethel Baptist Church.
Mr. Wagstaff is survived by his son, Aaron Michael Wagstaff and
his wife Dana Spangler Wagstaff, both of South Boston, his parents,
Dean Wagstaff and wife Peggy of Scottsburg and Deborah W. Adcock
and husband Wayne of Halifax, two sisters, Donna Wagstaff Gordon
and husband Tony of Halifax and Desirae Nicole Wagstaff of Scottsburg,
his grandparents, Earl and Edith Wagstaff of Scottsburg and Shirley
Wilborn of South Boston, one great-great-grandmother, Sterling
Wilborn of South Boston and one nephew, Gavin Gordon of Halifax.
For memorials, please consider the American Diabetes Association.