Hopefully, as you're reading this, you're huddled inside a
warm home beside a crackling fire. If you're outside, it's a safe
bet to say you're cold, to say the least.
With a biting blast of Arctic air sliding through Halifax County
from Canada and dropping 5-6 inches of snow on the region yesterday,
temperatures last night were expected to drop to the lowest point
since January 19, 1994, according to Climatologist Donato Cacciapaglia
of the National Weather Service.
"Temperatures overnight will dip into the single-digits with
a wind chill of 10-15 below zero," Cacciapaglia said yesterday.
He added that the area was under a wind chill advisory throughout
the day yesterday and last night.
Late yesterday morning, Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis
Witt had already made the announcement to close schools today.
"The roads are not going to be ready in time for school,"
Witt said. "And to tell you the truth, I'm not sure we could
get all of the parking lots cleaned in time with the cold."
Bitter cold temperatures also hampered road clearing efforts overnight,
according to Joe Barkley, VDOT resident engineer.
"Right now, we have every piece of equipment we own on the
roads, and have hired people to assist us as well," Barkley
said yesterday morning.
He added that 30 pieces of equipment would be working 24 hours
a day until the roads are clear, but said the cold could slow
the efforts down considerably.
Supervisors delayed action on a request for Tobacco Commission
funding for Riverstone Technology Park, and decided to set their
Commission funding priorities following their February 7 retreat.
The action came during the Board's Tuesday night session.
Scott Morris, Industrial Development Authority executive director,
advised supervisors that his IDA board, the South Boston IDA and
the Economic Development Commission, endorsed construction of
a proposed $10 million building at the site.
Morris sought $3 million from the 2003 Economic Development allotment
from the Tobacco Commission, and $1 million of future allotted
Economic Development funds.
"We ask the Board of Supervisors to support the development
of this building with their moral obligation and place Riverstone
as the priority community project," Morris said.
"The intention of the (IDA) Board is never to have the county
pay," added Morris.
However, he said the supervisors' pledge would allow borrowing
from financial institutions to complete the project.
In addition to Tobacco Commission funds, Morris said income for
the project could be generated through rents, land sales and
the EZ Development Fund/Technology Zone Fund, with the worst case
scenario of tapping the county's moral obligation.
However, two supervisors, Tom West and James Edmunds, questioned
future Tobacco Commission funding.
"We are number two in terms of tobacco production and funds
should be available," said Morris.
Supervisors also failed to endorse a priorities rating for Tobacco
Commission projects offered by Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan.
Those priorities were:
· (1) $3 million for the Riverstone Building proposed by
the IDA.
· (2) $1 million for the Tultex Building Business Support
and Expansion Center proposed by South Boston.
· (3) $500,000 for Industrial Building Rehabilitation proposed
by the IDA of Halifax County.
· (4) $1.5 million for South Boston sewer improvements
proposed by the town.
· (5) $200,000 for Volens Continuing Education facilities
proposed by the county.
· (6) $500,000 for Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
initiatives proposed by the Halifax Educational Foundation.
· (7) $900,000 for Cow/Calf Project cost sharing proposed
by the county.
· (8) $100,000 for Farm Product Niche Marketing.
Vaughan's motion failed for lack of a second.
Supervisor West suggested reviewing the county's Tobacco Commission
priorities at the Board's February 7 retreat.
The Board voted to have a recessed meeting following the retreat
to take action.
Tucker Watkins, a member of the TICRC, said, "We do like
to have priorities from Boards of Supervisors."
Supervisor Edmunds said that he thought they should be unanimous
in their (priority) action.
"I feel like if divided, it does not speak well of the goal
itself," added Edmunds.
Doug Bowman, South Boston IDA chairman, encouraged prioritizing
at least the top three projects for presentation to the Tobacco
Commission.
"I think it is important to unify around the top three projects
that we are willing to go to war for," Bowman urged.
IDA Unification
A steering committee was named "to work through the process"
of combining the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County
and South Boston's IDA into a single economic development authority.
Named to a committee to explore the option were: Doug Bowman,
South Boston IDA chairman; Herman Roller, Halifax County IDA chairman;
South Boston Councilmen Ed Owen and Tom Raab; Dennis Witt, Economic
Development Council chairman; Halifax County IDA director Scott
Morris; Supervisors Lottie Nunn, James Edmunds and Ronnie Vaughan.
In other business, the South Boston Council and supervisors -
with Supervisor James Edmunds abstaining - endorsed a Virginia
Recreational Trails Grant application for $150,000 for trail development
in the northern section of the Paul Edmunds Jr. Memorial Park
project.
Supervisors also ratified a resolution supporting equal taxing
authority. The resolution supports the same taxing authority for
the county that towns and cities have.
In other business, the Board appointed Bob Gluhareff to the Community
Planning Management Team and reappointed Gene T. Faucette to
the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax.
A 29-year-old South Boston woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to
four amended indictments involving credit card related crimes.
The hearing took place in Halifax County Circuit Court.
Delores Terry entered guilty pleas to one amended indictment charging
her with the theft of a Capital One credit card, a Lowes credit
card, a Chase MasterCard and a Providian Visa credit card, all
belonging to Cary Hodges.
Terry pleaded guilty to three additional amended indictments,
one charging her with credit card forging and uttering involving
Wal-Mart, one charging her with credit card forgery involving
McCollum Ferrell Shoe Store, and one charging her with credit
card forging and uttering involving Belk, Inc.
The Commonwealth nol prossed six additional charges against Terry,
including four additional credit card theft charges and two credit
card forgery charges.
Judge William L. Wellons remanded Terry to custody to await sentencing
in the March court term.
· Michael Thomas Newton, 32, of South Boston, pleaded
guilty Wednesday to breaking and entering the home of Lurdy and
Nikki Stinespring with the intent to commit larceny last January
12 and January 13.
Newton was also convicted of amended indictments charging him
with the petty larceny of property belonging to Lurdy and Nikki
Stinespring on each of those occasions.
Newton's pleas came as the result of a plea agreement with the
Commonwealth.
The court remanded Newton to custody to await sentencing in the
March court term.
· Ira Tony Jones, 24, of Halifax, was convicted Wednesday
of an amended indictment charging him with the possession of cocaine.
Jones was also convicted of driving on a suspended/revoked operator's
license and possessing a concealed weapon (box cutter).
The court remanded Jones to custody to await sentencing in the
March court term.
· Davey Gene Comer, 33, of Danville, was convicted Wednesday
of driving after being declared an habitual offender and a third
offense of DUI.
Judge Wellons ordered Comer to be evaluated for the Detention
and Diversion Center programs before sentencing in the March court
term.
Comer is free on bond and under post conviction supervision by
Halifax-Pittsylvania Court Services until his sentencing hearing.
The Institute for Advanced Learning and
Research in Danville could act as a catalyst for developing an
innovative, high-tech, networking based economy in the region.
Dr. Timothy Franklin, director of Institute, brought the high-tech
message to county supervisors and town councilmen during a joint
session Tuesday night.
With the Institute under construction, Dr. Franklin said the facility's
research and educational program would set Southside apart.
The executive director told supervisors it was a rare opportunity
for Southside, and that Virginia Tech had made a commitment to
redefine the region's economy.
Dr. Franklin told supervisors that the decline of demand side
economic development is being replaced with a supply side focus
in the quest for jobs.
"Knowledge, ideas, innovative people" are key, he emphasized.
Most of the new jobs come in small economies, he explained, with
smaller employee bases.
One potential impact on the county is the joint unmanned systems
testing and research center.
The research and development facility will be run by the VT Mechanical
Engineering Department.
Vehicular robotics, simulation and vehicle dynamics research is
the focus with lab/testing facilities at Virginia International
Raceway and the Institute.
Dr. Franklin said that the Institute's presence in the region
is expected to draw engineers, scientists and others who might
found new businesses.
Scott Morris, Industrial Development Authority executive director,
also presented an update on Halifax County's Riverstone project.
Riverstone's first proposed structure is being designed to accommodate
high-tech tenants' needs.
In addition to information technology, Morris suggested biotechnology
companies might find Riverstone a positive site.
"Biotech space is expensive," Morris told officials,
suggesting small and medium-sized companies seeking space want
to direct the bulk of their funds to equipment, not buildings.
In response to a question from Supervisor R.W. Rorrer concerning
the expensive cost of biotechnology space, Morris explained that
biotech space requires separate air and plumbing accommodations.
Morris said that work is currently underway at the Riverstone
site, with earth moving a focus because of site topography.
The executive director said he hopes construction on the proposed
$10 million building could begin in June, with completion the
following June.
The preliminary building plans call for flexible office space.
"The overall concept is to begin on the development of small
clusters of highly skilled and technology-based jobs and utilize
the aesthetics of Riverstone, local incentives, recruiting efforts,
regional initiatives and competitive market rental rates to bring
in new companies to the community and create and atmosphere likely
to produce spin-offs into the park," Morris advised town
and county officials.
In other business, supervisors also received an update on The
Prizery project form Chris Jones, president of the Community Arts
Center Foundation.
Jones told officials that the $1.6 million renovation currently
underway is expected to be completed in May and that work will
include completions of the first-floor Welcome Center.
That Center will offer community maps, walking trails, etc.
The Welcome Center will be entered from the Higher Education Center
side of the building..
Jones explained that lead abatement had been a major focus with
two floors completed.
"Now they will be sealed," said Jones, adding bricks
and timbers would not be painted, which had been of concern to
some project supporters.
Because of The Prizery's historic significance, and the board's
pursuit of historic tax credits, Jones said great attention is
devoted to its renovation.
Future construction, he said, will include a stage with theatre
seating/lecture hall/long distance learning center that will seat
300.
Also scheduled, a community room/banquet hall/meeting space that
could accommodate 400 people. That area could be divided into
three sections for use, according to Jones.
An art gallery, class rooms, art, dance, music theatre and support
space is also planned.
"The Prizery really touches on quality of life," said
Jones, describing the project as a vital element in the community's
cultural life.
"It is vital to have a heart for the community," added
Jones.
The all-volunteer board and project sponsors have been working
on the project for eight years.
Jones invited county officials to visit The Prizery as construction
continues.
Joseph Johnson Dixon, 74, of 5071 Leda Rd., Nathalie, died Wednesday,
January 22 at Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Richmond.
Mr. Dixon was born in Halifax County on April 10, 1928, the son
of the late Jueall Medley Dixon. He was a member of County Line
Baptist Church, a Korean War Army veteran and a retired employee
of Daystrom Furniture. He was also a self-employed barber.
His survivors include two daughters: Sherlean D. Pannell of Long
Island and Margaret Jean Clark of Clarksville; a son: Joseph Earl
Dixon of Greensboro, NC; two grandchildren; two sisters: Elizabeth
Lovelace of Long Island and Almeda Lee of Oxon Hill, MD; three
brothers: Richard and Riley Dixon of Nathalie and Rev. Dr. Franklin
Dixon of Ft. Washington, MD.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, January 26 at 2 p.m. at
the County Line Baptist Church with the Rev. Otis Dillard officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Funeral services for Mrs. Irene Grace Carrington Garrett will
be held at 2 p.m on Sunday, January 26 at the Ellis Creek Baptist
Church in Nathalie.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Garrett, of Lynchburg, formerly of Nathalie, died Friday,
January 17 in New Jersey.
She was 82.
Mrs. Garrett was the daughter of the late Soney Carrington and
Mary Elizabeth Hunt Carrington. She was married to the late George
Lester Garrett Jr. and was a member of the Ellis Creek Baptist
Church.
She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Serita Lanham of New Jersey,
one foster son and nephew, William Tucker Carrington, seven grandchildren,
Roger Woody, Tracey and Donna Garrett, Staff Sergeant Cassandra
Fuller, Kawand Garrett and Bruce and Irene Garrett, four great-grandchildren,
one sister, Margaret Carrington, one sister-in-law, Mary B. Carrington
and a host of other relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held on Saturday, January 25 from 7 p.m. until
8 p.m. at the Carl B. Hutcherson Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mr. James M. "Jim" Oakes Jr. will
be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 27, at Main Street United Methodist
Church in South Boston.
The Rev. Doug Martin will officiate.
Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on
Sunday, January 26 at Powell Funeral Home.
Mr. Oakes died January 23 at Calvary Hospital in New York, New
York.
He was 41.
Mr. Oakes was born in Danville on June 27, 1961 and lived for
many years in South Boston.
After graduating from Halifax County High School, he earned a
bachelors degree in accounting from Virginia Tech and a M.B.A.
from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Oakes lived with his family in New York, N.Y., where he was
a managing director in the investment banking division of Salomon
Smith Barney.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda L. Oakes, a daughter, Natalie
A. Oakes, a son, Ryan J. Oakes, all of New York, his parents,
J. Marvin Oakes and Barbara D. Oakes of South Boston, his maternal
grandmother, Eula W. Dix of Danville, and one brother, Michael
T. Oakes of New York.
Memorials may be made to the Calvary Fund, 1740 Eastchester Road,
Bronx, NY, 10461, or the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 414
13th Street, Suite 700, Oakland, Ca. 94612-2603.
Bernard William Womack, 36, of 4179 East Hyco Rd., South Boston,
died January 21 at his home.
Mr. Womack was born in Pittsylvania County on October 15, 1966,
the son of the late Bernard and Nancy Venable Womack. He was a
member of the New Vernon Baptist Church and a former employee
of J.P.S. Converter Co. Inc.
His survivors include a sister: Nancy A. Womack of South Boston
and brother: Tim C. Womack of Chilhowie.
A funeral service will be held Sat., Jan. 25 at 12 noon at the
New Vernon Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Ford. Burial will follow
in the church cemetery.