After discussing a number of possible sites for a consolidated
E-911 communications center during its organizational session
Wednesday, the E-911 board decided it "might be getting the
horse before the cart."
Instead, the board named Halifax County the fiscal agent for the
E-911 project and asked the county administrator to seek professional
assistance in organizing and implementing the center.
Someone with E-911 expertise can look at available sites with
an experienced eye and determine feasibility based on information
that the board may not have, observed one board member.
The consultant would help determine the center's location, design
and, perhaps, help set policy. He would produce an implementation
plan.
Although the board is seeking a plan, its members heard information
Wednesday night that favored location of the center near the magistrate's
office and the Regional Jail in Halifax since arresting officers
must process paperwork as well as prisoners.
Also, data that officers must access is always available in Halifax
since there is 24-hour coverage by personnel in the communications
center.
However, broadband and fiber optic access in the future will have
an important impact on communications overall, noted Ted Daniel,
South Boston town manager. Already, South Boston's communications
center and its police department are at separate locations.
Part of the new consultant's duties will be to help determine
the best site for a consolidated communication center to meet
present and future needs.
A second issue, raised by David Martin, concerned communications
equipment for volunteer fire department members.
Martin said that the board has encouraged volunteer fire department
personnel to "hold off" buying equipment until the overall
communications system is determined so that they would all be
using compatible systems.
Martin asked that the new consultant be specific in recommendations
for volunteer in-the-field communications gear.
Martin also noted that not all residents have posted their E-911
address on their house or in their yard, which has caused delays
when rescue squad or police personnel try to respond to calls
for help. Martin recommended enforcement of the ordinance that
calls for placement of the addresses.
Sheriff Oakes told the board that he is continuing his effort
to acquire space on communications towers for antennae to fully
cover communication needs for emergency needs.
The E-911 board of directors is scheduled to meet again February
12 at 5:45 p.m. in the South Boston Council chambers on Yancey
Street. On Feb. 16, during the joint county/South Boston and Halifax
meeting, state representatives will be invited to address the
wireless deadline set for July 1, 2002. At that time counties
and towns must be capable of receiving wireless E-911 calls.
Jerry Lovelace, assistant county administrator, told the E-911
board that state funds were available to help with wireless conversion
but that the money had to be used in designated categories. "The
coordinator wants to speak with you," Lovelace told the board.
During the Wednesday night session the board elected R.E. "Dickie"
Abbott as its chairman and Tom Raab as its vice-chairman.
Board members at the Wednesday night session included Sheriff
Oakes, Lisa Waller, representing the Town of Halifax, South Boston
Town Manager Ted Daniel, who represented absent board member Chris
Elliott, Tom Raab, representing South Boston , supervisors David
Martin and R.E. Abbott, and David Pulliam, representing the fire
commission
The driver of a car involved in a police pursuit that ended
in a crash and a foot chase Wednesday was facing an outstanding
felony drug indictment and scheduled to to be tried on February
2, for driving after having been declared an habitual offender.
Verlie Marion Word Jr., 28, of Halifax remains in jail under $20,000
bond and now must answer to two more felonies, that of attempting
to elude police and felony habitual driving. The indictment charges
Word with cocaine possession last September.
South Boston Police Officer Rick Hess said he " didn't like
the way" the two men acted when he approached their vehicle
in a mostly-routine traffic stop Wednesday.
Corporal Hess said that he observed the 1992 Mercury "zigzagging"
in and out of traffic and traveling above the speed limit on U.S.
501 in front of Halifax Middle School. He then stopped the vehicle
and as he approached it, the pair appeared to have been reaching
for something under the seat .
"I backed off" said Hess as he radioed for backup and
watched the vehicle speed away.
The driver refused to stop for sirens and lights and a chase ensued
as the suspects turned into Halifax Square Shopping Center and
then traveled along a short section of private road leading to
Halifax Christian Academy.
At the end of the school parking lot the suspects' vehicle slammed
head-on into a tree and the two jumped out and ran into a wooded
area. Officer Hess left his cruiser and gave chase on foot and
was able to overtake Word. The second suspect continued to run
but was picked up by police later near The Woodview nursing home.
He was not charged.
The vehicle, which was destroyed in the crash, was registered
to Nicole Woody. Police say that she had given Word permission
to use the vehicle but was unaware that he was not legally licensed
to operate it.
Despite a search of the vehicle and the area where Word was captured,
police were unable to find any evidence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
By Beth Robertson
It appears that the Board of Supervisors will decide the fate
of the Halifax County war memorial.
The memorial, dedicated to county citizens killed during war in
service to their country, is to be located near courthouse square.
If there continues to be differences of opinion on the memorial's
design, Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott called yesterday
for the differing opinions to be presented to the full board on
February 5. Abbott serves as chairman of the Courthouse Grounds
Committee.
The supervisor's statement came during a meeting of the Courthouse
Grounds Committee, which followed a mid-day meeting of a subcommittee
of six equally representing the War Memorial Commission's design
committee and designated members of the Courthouse Grounds Committee.
"As is often the case with matters of great importance, there
have been differences of opinion," Abbott said. "Our
liberty demands we respect those differences. We understand the
differences include: the shape of the memorial roof; complementary
colors of the memorial; and the availability of full funding for
the memorial."
Although the supervisor said that it is the responsibility of
elected officials to hear those differences, he said it is also
their responsibility to make the final decision.
The Halifax County War Memorial Commission first proposed and
designed a monument honoring county citizens killed in all wars
in the service of their country.
The Halifax Woman's Club later raised funds to purchase a lot
at the corner of Main Street and Mountain Road in Halifax for
the memorial site, and raised additional money to help fund the
project.
However, design controversy has surrounded the project for over
a year.
The following is Abbott's statement in full:
I want to thank all that helped bring the war memorial closer
to completion.
Many citizens have helped in this process. Those involved have
taken the matter seriously, as it deserves. To honor the lives
that have been given for our freedom requires no less. Now is
the time for work on the memorial to be finished.
As is often the case with matters of great importance, there have
been differences of opinion. Our liberty demands we respect those
differences. We understand the differences include: the shape
of the memorial roof; complementary colors of the memorial; availability
of full funding for the memorial.
It becomes the responsibility of your elected officials, the Board
of Supervisors, to hear those differences and make the final decision
on the memorial. The Building and Grounds Committee will consider
the information and opinions it has heard and make a recommendation
to the full board of supervisors. That recommendation should be
presented to the board at its February 5 meeting.
As a public monument, the memorial must also be structurally sound.
A qualified architect or structural engineer is needed to certify
the memorial's soundness and compliance with all applicable codes.
If there continue to be differences of opinion on the memorial,
those opinions should be presented to the Board of Supervisors
on February 5. Presentations should be brief and to the point.
Those with shared opinions should make a single presentation.
The Building and Grounds Committee thanks the Halifax Woman's
Club, the War Memorial Committee and the Courthouse Grounds Committee
for your work to make the memorial a reality.
For young people, it's an opportunity for adventure and discovery.
Impact Virginia!, a faith-based program that assists in priority
housing needs will be in South Boston for one week during the
summer (June 24 to 30) to repair homes in need of improvement.
Teenagers, eager to participate in the coed youth program, learn
hands-on experience through teamwork in renovation that involves
painting, roofing, cleaning, interior/exterior renovation and
general carpentry.
The project, organized by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board in
Richmond, will be accepting applications from about 150 to 300
teenagers (seventh- to 12th-graders) at a cost of $160 each.
While registration is limited to 300 participants, a $50 deposit
is required per person and due with the completed registration
form.
The $110 remainder is due one month prior to the project date
and refunds of the deposit are non-refundable after March 1.
The cost covers housing (bring your own bedding), meals, evening
programs, supplemental accident insurance, work materials, T-shirt
and hat.
Lodging will be at the Halifax County High School.
Potential sites are of homeowners who qualify as nonrentals.
Area churches are involved in raising $25,000 to $30,000 in material
costs, of which $8,000 has already been raised.
Churches will also sponsor sites with house repairs averaging
a cost of $1,200.
Currently, Dan River Baptist, Bethel Baptist, First Baptist Church
of South Boston and Aarons Creek Baptist Church have sponsored
sites.
A crew of 10 to 15 youths and two adults, a crew chief and a crew
leader will be assigned to each site.
Last year, 1,400 youths throughout Virginia participated in Impact
Virginia!, which involved 105 homes, according to Alden L. Hicks,
mission resource consultant.
The purpose of Impact Virginia! is to make homes warm, safe and
dry.
Projects have included replacing deteriorated kitchen cabinets,
installing fireproof walls for heating and putting on new roofs
to prevent leakage.
"It's a win-win situation for the youths involved, the homes
and the community," Hicks said.
Lauren Schopen, a 10th-grader at Halifax County High School, expressed
excitement about becoming a part of Impact Virginia!
"It's a good example of how to do something for the community,"
Schopen said.
Active in numerous summer youth programs, including Habitat For
Humanity, Schopen said the experience with Impact Virginia! would
be more of a hands-on program that would allow her greater involvement.
For those interested in information about Impact Virginia! contact
the Rev. Tony Brooks, associational coordinator, at 476-6376.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Opponents of a constitutional amendment guaranteeing
Virginians the right to hunt and fish have dropped a court
challenge.
Heidi Prescott, national director of the Fund for Animals, said Wednesday
that the fight wasn't worth pursuing since voters approved
the amendment in a Nov. 7 referendum.
''It's an after-the-fact issue now,'' she said. ''We tend to put our
resources where we can help more animals.''
Prescott's organization and the Humane Society of the United States
filed a lawsuit before the referendum claiming that the wording
of the measure was unconstitutionally vague. A Richmond Circuit
Court judge rejected their argument, and the groups filed a notice
of appeal with the Virginia Supreme Court.
Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley said the decision to drop the
case ''confirms our success in defeating those who would take away
hunting and fishing rights.''
It's that time again!
Tonight is one of the biggest nights of any Halifax County High
School basketball season.
It's one of the two nights of the season when Halifax County and
archrival GW square off on the hardwood.
Tonight's game in Danville, the first meeting of the two teams
this season, is a pivotal one for both teams.
GW enters tonight's Western District game ranked fifth in the
state in the Associated Press Group AAA State Prep Poll with a
13-3 overall record and a perfect 2-0 mark in the Western District.
Halifax County, by contrast enters tonight's game with an 8-6
overall record, a 1-1 slate in Western District play and in need
of a big win.
A win by the Comets tonight could result in a three-way tie at
the top of the Western District standings, depending, of course,
upon the outcome of tonight's E.C. Glass-Albemarle clash.
The Silver Eagles, on the other hand, can claim sole possession
of first place in the standings and gain a big leg up in the district
race.
Halifax County coach Garrett Dillard says tonight's game is not
a make-it-or-break-it game for his team.
But it is important nonetheless.
"You can't put all of your eggs in one basket," said
Dillard.
"No matter what your record is, no matter how many games
you've lost in a row, you just can't put all of your eggs into
that one basket."
"It's a ball game that we must play well," Dillard continued.
"You can't lose a game like this (the William Fleming game)
and then go to Danville and not play well and expect to come back
and beat a team like Albemarle the following Friday."
The thing Dillard is emphasizing about this game is the importance
of bringing something positive back home at the end of the night.
"We have to come away with something positive, whether it's
good defense, whether it's a win or tight ball game or whether
somebody stepped up or the guys really came together," Dillard
pointed out.
"We hope a win will be the positive thing that we will come
away with."
Last year's first meeting between the Comets and GW took place
here at the Comets gym.
The Comets fell behind by 21 points but came back to defeat GW
in one of the more dramatic comebacks in Comets basketball history.
GW took measure of the Comets when they faced each other the second
time around in Danville.
In GW, the Comets will face a team that is solid at virtually
every position.
The key cog in GW's operation is standout Antonio Fitzgerald.
"GW's definitely not a one-man show," Dillard said.
"But, at the same time, I think if you can stop that wheel
in the middle, you can make everything else run a little bit ragged."
Dillard notes that GW has big guards, good shooters, some height
and "guys who can play."
"But I feel like if our guys play, we can definitely play
with them," he added.
The biggest thing Dillard, a former assistant coach at GW, feels
his team has to overcome tonight is the rowdy sellout crowd that
is expected to line the bleachers and floor at GW tonight.
"The toughest thing about going to GW is the crowd,"
Dillard stated.
"You walk into the gym and its almost like people are standing
on top of your head, banging your head, and you've got to play
through that.
"When I coached there I didn't think about that," he
continued.
"When we go there as a team I'm thinking about these guys
and people are pretty much looking right in your face. It's almost
like "old school" basketball where they had the fences
around the gym and whatever."
While GW is solid player-wise, the GW basketball program has been
hammered the past couple of weeks.
First-year GW head coach Ron Hollingsworth was indicted by a Danville
grand jury Tuesday on a charge of taking indecent liberties with
a minor, a female GW student.
Hollingsworth was placed on administrative leave January 10 pending
the results of an in-school probe into a complaint made to a GW
assistant principal.
Robert Doggett took over as GW's head coach January 10 and will
be at the helm tonight.
Dillard knows his opposing coach for tonight's game.
"We've played basketball against each other before,"
Dillard said.
"I know him because he was always shooting my eyes out. He
probably doesn't know me but I'm sure once we see each other he'll
recognize me. I've talked to him on the phone about some things,
talking a little basketball, trying to encourage him. I think
he'll do a great job."
Monte Hale Long, 53, of 1038 Turbeville Road, Alton, died January
23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Long was born in Halifax County on November 20, 1947, the
son of William Harris Long and Eva Puryear Long. He was a member
of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church and retired from Norfolk-Southern
Railroad.
Graveside services were held January 25 at 2 p.m. at Cedar Grove
UMC Cemetery with the Rev. Michael Sullivan conducting the service.
Survivors of Mr. Long include one daughter, Jodi Lynn Long of Winter Park, Fla.; one sister, Dale L. Reaves of South Boston; and two brothers, Harker Long and Cliff Long, both of South Boston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jeff Long.
Elizabeth Grim Turner, 95, of The Woodview, died January 21
at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Turner was born in Berryville on April 17, 1905, the daughter
of I.J. Grim and Ann Catherine Matthews Grim and was married to
Murray Carlton Turner. She was a member of Spring Hill Presbyterian
Church and was retired from M.C. Turner Store.
Burial took place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Turner is survived by one son, W.C. Turner of San Francisco,
Calif.
Berniece L. Ward, 67, of 4061 Birch Creek Road, Ringgold, died
January 23 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Ward was born December 26, 1934, in Halifax County the daughter
of Glinnie and Mary Oliver Malone and was married to Ernest Ward
Jr.
Survivors include one daughter, Deborah Jennings of Ringgold;
one son, Eric Ward of Bloomfield, NJ; four sisters, Mary Dooms,
Rosa Brandon, Julia Oliver and Sheila Gravetts, all of Alton;
five brothers, Tom Malone of Danville, Roland Malone of Alton,
John Malone, Charles Malone and James Malone, all of Montclair,
NJ; and four grandsons.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ward will be held January 28 at 2 p.m.
at Kentuck Missionary Baptist Church in Ringgold with the Rev.
Jesse Fitz officiating. Burial will follow at Brandon Chapel Baptist
Church Cemetery, Milton, NC.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. January 27 at Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home in Danville, and other times at the home.
Jeanette Vassar Hazelwood, 79, of 2030 Mill Road, Clover, died
January 24 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Hazelwood was born in Halifax County on March 13, 1921, the
daughter of Morell and Clara Snead Elliott and was married to
Noland Hazelwood. She was a member of Scottsburg Baptist Church
and retired from Tultex.
Graveside services will be held January 27 at 2 p.m. at Clover
Cemetery on Mt. Laurel Road with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating.
Survivors of Mrs. Hazelwood include her husband of Clover; five
sons, Hugh Vassar of Alexandria, James H. Vassar of South Boston,
Ronnie Vassar of Red Oak, Floyd Vasser Sr. of Scottsburg and Gerald
Vasser Sr. of Clover; three daughters, Donna Vassar of South Boston,
Sue V. Lacks of Scottsburg and Gaynell V. Wade of Clover; three
sisters, Maurine Ligon and Edith Williams, both of Scottsburg,
and Dorothy E. Dance of South Boston; four brothers, Donald Elliott
of Scottsburg, Wallace "Brownie" Elliott of Clarksville,
Harry Byrd "Butch" Elliott of South Boston and Robert
"Bobby" Elliott of Huntington, Md.; 15 grandchildren
and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son,
Jan Bryant Vassar; one grandson, Jamie Vassar; four brothers,
Cecil, Lawrence, Willis and Floyd Elliott; and two sisters, Ruth
Pulliam and Geneva Elliott.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home this evening,
January 26, from 7:00 until 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Clover Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 199, Clover, 24534.