South Boston and Halifax County seem to have borne the brunt of an early winter snow storm which buried the area under a blanket of snow Thursday, prompting the closing of area schools, businesses and industries.
Primary and secondary roads in Halifax County were in "moderate" condition as of late yesterday morning, according to Joe Barkley, VDOT resident engineer.
VDOT uses five classifications of road conditions, with "clear" being the best and "closed" the worst.
Moderate is in the middle, between "minor" and "severe."
Barkley termed progress so far as "real good."
"We've been pushing all night on the primary roads and are starting to push now on secondary roads," Barkley noted yesterday about 10 a.m., with primary roads already being treated with chemicals and treated abrasives.
"There is some ice underneath," Barkley cautioned.
As of yesterday morning, snow accumulations ranged to over seven inches locally, with more snow forecast for later in the day.
Barkley noted that 11 additional pieces of hired equipment had been brought into the county to assist with the 30 pieces of VDOT equipment to deal with the snow, which started falling about 10 p.m. Wednesday evening.
VDOT had on hand 2,000 tons of salt, 9,000 tons of treated sand, 400 tons of calcium chloride and 7,000 gallons of liquid calcium to deal with the storm, according to Barkley.
Areas to the south generally received similar accumulations, while areas to the north and west seemed to receive less.
Snowfall accumulations as of yesterday morning ranged from nine inches in the Bethel area, seven and one-half inches along Route 501 south toward Cluster Springs, six inches along Route 58 west and five and one-half inches toward Volens.
The City of Lynchburg received a light dusting of snow as of yesterday morning, while there were reports of 2.5 inches of snow in Appomattox and Charlotte counties and six inches in Pittsylvania County, according to VDOT.
Snow removal was "going pretty good" in South Boston as of yesterday afternoon, according to Ron Marshall, director of public works.
Marshall said that the town had three large trucks and one smaller one on the road, and that they had finished with primary roads by early afternoon.
"They're all clean and in good shape," said Marshall, who added work on secondary streets had started.
Marshall also said that the entrances to the landfill, fire department and water and sewer treatment plants were opened during the morning.
Local motorists seemed to have heeded warnings to avoid travel unless necessary.
Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeff Lane reported that except for a couple of minor fender benders, there have been few accidents.
South Boston and Halifax police reported no significant accidents during the storm.
Lane did recommend people stay off the highways unless absolutely necessary, cautioning that secondary roads in particular were still difficult to navigate.
Halifax County public schools closed both yesterday and today, but students will make up for the two days lost to snow later this month.
Students will lose both the Lee Jackson Day Holiday on January 18 and the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on January 21.
Road Condition Update
VDOT upgraded primary roads to "minor" by 3 p.m. yesterday, with secondary roads still "moderate," according to Zach Weddle, assistant engineer with VDOT.
Weddle said crews would be continuing to work on secondary roads throughout the night to finish pushing the snow, and then begin work on "cold spots," or areas on roads subject to icing, such as shady areas.
He warned drivers to be especially careful on all secondary roads and to be aware of cold spots as they form overnight.
Road conditions may change if it continues to snow, Weddle warned, adding crews would be working around the clock until the roads are dry or wet with no possibility of freezing.
Continuing precipitation may result in snow-covered and slushy roads by this evening, VDOT warned yesterday, with remaining wet snow a concern as temperatures drop overnight.
Drivers are warned to be extra alert to conditions on bridges and overpasses that freeze prior to road surfaces.
Motorists may obtain information about road conditions statewide by contacting VDOT's Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD (TTY users, please call 711) or on-line at www.VirginiaDOT.org.

A dispute over spaces in a Halifax parking lot is boiling over to police dispatch problems for the Town of Halifax.
Some town officials are calling the sheriff's action "reprisals" and say that he has no part in deciding the use of the parking lot.
Town officials are expected to have the matter placed on the Board of Supervisors' agenda next week and councilmen voted yesterday to meet with South Boston officials to see if they would accept town 911 calls and also to see if Sprint could code town calls for 911 to the South Boston Dispatch Center.
Halifax Town Council met in emergency session yesterday to respond to a December letter from Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes advising the town that it would need to make arrangements by Dec. 31, 2001 with another law enforcement agency for dispatch services involving license information and other criminal background checks.
Halifax Police Chief Glen Stanley turned to South Boston and its police department is currently dispatching Halifax police calls.
Town of Halifax citizens should continue to dial 911 in emergencies.
South Boston, Halifax and county officials are moving to an overall Emergency 911 system with September as the target date.
"What are we supposed to do?" Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene asked, citing the sheriff's letter of December 20 naming "continued misuse" of the parking lot by Halifax police vehicles.
Oakes wrote: "My office will continue to provide VCIN/NCIC information to your department until December 31, 2001.
"Additionally, this would also be an appropriate time for you to remove your radio system from the county's dispatch center, that I supervise, until such time as those services are consolidated," wrote the sheriff.
Yesterday, Oakes said that he would never endanger public safety. Major Richard Pulliam confirmed Oakes' statement. He said that they had worked with Chief Stanley.
The sheriff said that South Boston and Halifax can dispatch on the same frequency.
Letters written by Sheriff Oakes to Mayor Dennis Osborne and Halifax Police Chief Glen Stanley as well as Stanley's response and a meeting with the sheriff document the parking space escalation.
It seems everyone agrees the parking lot controversy boiled over.
"It's ludicrous to have gotten to this spot over four parking spots," said Oakes. "What I asked was easily doable."
"That is ridiculous," said Halifax Councilman Buddy Guthrie during council's discussion of the problem.
Chief Stanley was only interested in the public safety issue. During the meeting he worried that the time lapse to dispatch could delay to police response. However, later he said that he had learned the transfer might be seconds.
The parking spaces in question are at the rear of the town's administration building.
Town officials say that the agreement with the county and Blue Ridge Jail following the jail's construction allowed the town to use the upper part of the parking lot.
Correspondence about the parking lot problem began as early as October.
Sheriff Oakes said yesterday that he wrote Mayor Osborne about the parking problem in an effort to resolve it. He also said that he talked with the town police chief in an effort to have town police cars not in use parked at another location so that Town of Halifax employees could use the vacant space.
The sheriff said that on court days, with all courts in session, dispatchers and police personnel required for court, parking is at a premium.
Oakes also said Jerry Lovelace, assistant county administrator, discovered new facts after researching the parking lot agreement and that a new letter regarding the parking lot's use could be issued this week.
"In my original letter, the parking lot has two sides. There was an agreement for town use," Lovelace said late yesterday.
"It was a verbal agreement," said Lovelace, who has been working with Blue Ridge Regional Jail authority since 1995 when Halifax became a member of the authority.
"The verbal agreement was that the row of parking adjoining the town office building is for the use of the town.
"The opposite side (west side) is for the use of all law enforcement agencies and the jail authority.
"My letter (written yesterday), a question arose about three additional spaces on the east side of the lot. My memory is that was not covered by the agreement . However, I talked to the authority administrator and he has no objection to the town using those three spaces. The authority owns all of it," Lovelace said.
With Mayor Dennis Osborne and Vice Mayor Jack Dunavant absent from yesterday's emergency session, four councilmen voted two courses of action, both introduced by Councilman Harold Younger.
In a 3-1 vote, with Councilman H.C. Phillips opposing, council voted to have Phillips and Chief Stanley determine the time frame involved if police/emergency calls are transferred to South Boston dispatch.
Phillips said that he was concerned about 911 since the Halifax Fire Department covers 92 square miles of county.
Phillips worried that the change would cause problems for rescue and fire personnel. He also expressed concern that the South Boston dispatch system was not strong enough to set off pagers for Halifax fire personnel.
South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall said yesterday that call transfers "take as long as it takes to push a button, seconds."
Hall also said that he and the Halifax police chief have an agreement. "I told him that I would assist him. I will assist anyone when public safety issues come in," he said.
Council also voted 3-1, with Councilman Sam Thompson opposing, to have Town Manager Greene and Chief Stanley work with the South Boston administration to approach South Boston Town Council to see if it would be willing to take over 911 calls for the town.
Included in that proposal is a request to Sprint to see if town telephone numbers could be coded so that 911 calls go to South Boston dispatch.
Even in the emergency town council meeting, councilmen were perplexed. "Childish is the word," said Councilman Buddy Guthrie.
"It is just very childish," added Harold Younger Jr.

Over 50 exhibitors are expected to provide cutting-edge technology related to tobacco production as Halifax County High School hosts the annual Virginia Tobacco Conference and Trade Show on February 9.
"This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in the tobacco industry to come out and see new innovations, as well as talk to industry experts," said Larry McPeters, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent.
The show will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon in the gymnasium, with approximately 50 vendors displaying their wares.
Equipment exhibits of interest to tobacco producers will be on display in the parking lot.
The trade show is sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association and is expected to run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the school cafeteria- "Dutch Treat."
"The show will feature tobacco-related items. We will have representatives from FSA and NRCS, new machinery and barn retrofitting displays," McPeters said.
He said that "anything related to tobacco production and marketing" will be available.
"This is a good way for the farmers to keep up with the market. They can talk one-on-one to dealers and distributors from the industry," McPeters added.
Following the show, the annual conference will be held in the auditorium.
During the conference, speakers will provide the industry's most recent information on some of the most important topics in the industry.
Among the speakers scheduled to appear and topics to be discussed are:
· Rep. Virgil Goode will discuss items on the legislative agenda that relate to the industry.
· Kirk Wayne, president of Tobacco Associates, Inc. will discuss the export industry and how contract tobacco will affect international exports.
Wayne will concentrate on new strategies to promote U.S. flue-cured tobacco on the international market.
· Information on the buyout situation will be presented, with the speakers to be announced.
· Representatives from state government will be on hand to discuss the Tobacco Commission and future economic development plans for southside and southwest Virginia.
Following the conference, the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association will hold its annual meeting, nominating the Board of Directors for 2002.
The trade show and conference is open to everyone, and there is no registration or fee charged to attend.
Tobacco producers are especially encouraged to attend and become updated on production, marketing and legislative issues associated with tobacco.
Anyone wishing more information about the Tobacco Conference and Trade Show can call the Virginia Cooperative Extension - Halifax Office at (434) 476-2147.

Proposed cuts in state aid to local libraries may cut in half the purchase of new books if approved by the Virginia General Assembly.
That is, if Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore's proposed 2002-2004 budget is approved, and that's a pretty big "if", according to Paul Johnson, director of the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library.
"Everything is up in the air," commented Johnson Wednesday, when referring to the proposed 25 percent reduction in state aid to public libraries each year of the two-year budget.
That would amount to a reduction of $5.1 million statewide each year.
Johnson said that the final budget of a "lame duck" governor is rarely passed without revisions
Even so, Johnson says the local library system can adjust its budget if it knew how much state funding it would receive.
What concerns Johnson most is current state funding and the possibility that some of it may be diverted.
Currently, the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library is budgeted for approximately $147,000 in state aid each year.
"It looks like it'll cut book buying in half, if state aid goes down 25 percent each year," said Johnson, who added the libraries would probably put a freeze on materials expenditure.
Johnson said he felt the proposed reduction in state aid is disproportionate to other cuts, but conversely that state aid to local libraries had been increased three years ago.
Gilmore's proposed budget will likely be altered by the General Assembly before passage, but Johnson anticipates library lobbysists to come out in full force to defend full funding.
The quarterly meeting of the Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for later this month at the Halifax Library, with possible state funding cuts a probable agenda item.

Larry Thomas Ridgeway

Larry Thomas Ridgeway, 52, of 3166 Ball Park Loop Rd., Halifax, died December 31 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Ridgeway was born in Halifax County on December 29, 1949, the son of Roy T. Ridgeway and Eunice S. Ridgeway.
Survivors include three sons, Jamie Lee Ridgeway of Lynchburg, Jeremy Rea and wife, Nicole Ridgeway of Lynchburg, and John Thomas Ridgeway of West Hampton, N.Y.; one daughter, Julie Renea Ridgeway of Lynchburg; one granddaughter, Bayley Renea Ridgeway; his parents of Halifax; one brother, Mark David Ridgeway of Greenville, Ohio; and one sister, Mae Beth Odom of Kinston, N.C. He was preceded in death by one son, Jason David Ridgeway.

Services for Mr. Ridgeway will be held today, January 4 at 2 p.m. at Centerville Baptist Church with the Revs. Richard Saunders, Mark Ridgeway and Ralph Neal conducting the service. Burial will follow in Halifax Baptist Church Cemetery.

Charlene Easley Hartridge

Charlene Easley Hartridge of Washington, D.C. died December 27.
Mrs. Hartridge was born in Halifax County on April 1, 1935, the daughter of the late Willie Holt Easley Sr. and Elizabeth Younger Easley and was married to the late L.C. Hartridge. She was a former member of New Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Eugene and Michael Hartridge of Washington, D.C. and Gary Hartridge of Landover, Md.; seven sisters, Juanita Marshall of Washington, Aline Martin, Evelyn Anderson, Inez Hartridge, Lou Bailey and Mattie Logan, all of Halifax and Joann Hendrick of Baltimore, Md.; five brothers, Willie H. Easley Jr., Frank Easley and James Easley, all of Halifax, Joe Easley of Washington and Rev. R. Thomas Easley of Philadelphia, Pa.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hartridge will be held today, January 4 at 11 a.m. in Washington at Refuse Temple Church.

Sam Peters

Sam Peters, 81, of Volens Rd., Nathalie, died December 28 at his home.
Mr. Peters was born in Halifax County on October 27, 1920, the son of the late Pete Peters and Mary Peters.
His survivors include his wife, Rosa Peters; two daughters, Lavonnie Parker of Philadelphia, Pa. and Margaret Jackson of Yeadon, Pa.; one so, David Roass of Java; two sons-in-law; one daughter-in-law; six grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; three sisters, Judy Marshall of Nathalie, Lovelean Marks and Nannie Robertson, both of Capital Heights, Md.; one brother-in-law, John Marshall of Nathalie; two sisters-in-law, Mattie Montgomery and Jane Green, both of Philadelphia.

Funeral services for Mr. Peters were held January 2 at 2 p.m. at Millstone Baptist Church with the Rev. James Traynham officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Durelle Zee Hodges

Durelle Zee Hodges, 75, of Boydton, died December 31 at Community Memorial Health Center in South Hill.
Mr. Hodges was born in Halifax County. He was a member of Boydton United Methodist Church, Boydton Ruritan Club and worked for Burlington Industries, retiring after 41 years.
A funeral service was held January 3 at 2 p.m. at Watkins Cooper Lyon Chapel in Clarksville with burial in Boydton Presbyterian Cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Hodges include his wife, Altina Sneed Hodges; three sisters, Rothwell Clark of Clarksville, Agnes Walker of Buffalo Junction and Pansy Lail of Victoria; two brothers, Rev. Cecil Hodges of Savannah, Ga. and James Hodges.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Presbyterian Cemetery Fund, c/o Woodrow Lipscomb, Boydton, or Boydton United Methodist Church, 35 Bank St., Boydton 23917.

Elise Slate McCanless

Elise Slate McCanless, 89, of 2130 Hyco Bend Farm Rd., Virgilina, died December 31 at the home.
Mrs. McCanless was born in Halifax County on November 14, 1912, the daughter of William Clem Slate and Jannie Ragland Slate and was married to William A. McCanless Jr.
Survivors include two daughters, Sara Payne of Virgilina and Milly Garrett of South Boston; four grandchildren, Diana Moran of Reidsville, N.C., Molly Zimmerman of Gibsonville, N.C., Glenn Garrett of South Boston and Katherine Waltman of Vernon Hill; five great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. McCanless were held January 2 at Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Don Davidson officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Shady Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Robert Paul Easley

Robert Paul Easley, 65, of Halifax died December 30 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Easley was born in Halifax County on May 28, 1936, the son of Mary Coleman Easley and the late Arthur Easley and was married to Nancy Easley.
Survivors include his wife of Halifax; one daughter, Tanisha Martin of Halifax; his mother of Halifax; one granddaughter, Jerkia Cole; three brothers, Levelle Easley and Arthur Easley Jr., both of Halifax and James Easley of Hampton; nine stepchildren, Jimmy Holmes, Oliver Holmes and Anna Holmes, all of Ruston, La., Susan Daley of San Jose, Ca., Dwight Holmes and Michael Holmes of Sacramento, Ca., Anthony Holmes of Detroit, Mi., Debbie Cooper of San Angelo, Texas and Laura El-Disi of Falls Church.
Memorial services for Mr. Easley will be held January 5 at 11 a.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Chapel with Bishop Allen Graves officiating.

Velma Stephens Shelton

Velma Stephens Shelton, 89, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston, died January 2 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Shelton was born in Gretna on October 20, 1912, the daughter of John Oliver Stephens and Mattie Wright Stephens and was married to Larkin W. Shelton. She was a member of St. Lukes Methodist Church in Danville.
Survivors include two sisters, Mavis Stephens Cundiff of South Boston and Erma Stephens Howe of Oak Ridge, Tn.; one brother, Calvin P. Stephens Sr. of Gretna, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Services for Mrs. Shelton will be held Saturday, January 5 at 3 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dane Skelton conducting the service. Burial will take place in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, January 4, from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home of her niece, Trudy Epps, 3115 Philpott Road, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Southside Virginia Chapter of The Alzheimers Association, PO Box 310, South Hill, 23970.

Willie Anne Medley

Willie Anne Medley Green of Philadelphia, Pa., formerly of Halifax County, died December 30 at her home.
Survivors of Mrs. Green include three sisters, Edna R. Medley of South Boston, Addie M. Jones of Willingboro, N.J. and Mable L. Medley of Great Neck, N.Y.; three brothers, Joseph Medley and Leon Medley, both of Baltimore, Md. and Rufus O. Medley of Philadelphia; and one foster brother, Jessie J. Medley of South Boston.
Funeral services will be held January 5 at 11 a.m. at Greater White Rock Baptist Church in Philadelphia with burial to follow.

Henry Lorinzo Yancey

Henry Lorinzo Yancey of Alton died January 1 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Yancey was the son of William Henry Yancey and Mary Frances Yancey and was married to Diane L. Yancey.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Lorinthea Yancey and one son, Eric Yancey, both of the home; his father and mother of Alton; one brother, William Thomas Yancey and wife, Ann; four sisters, Mary Deloris Clay and husband, Alvin, Shirley Y. Holt and husband, Lloyd, Diana White and husband, Lenzie and Edith Y. Hamlett and husband, William, all of Alton.
Funeral services for Mr. Yancey will be held January 5 at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Alton with the Rev. Pettiford officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 8:00 today, January 4 at the Chapel of Kent, Ballou and Crowder Funeral Chapel.

Rev. Paul F. Spraggs

Rev. Paul F. Spraggs Sr., 82, of Farmville died December 29, 2001.
He was married to the late Louise Spraggs and most was serving as pastor of Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Farmville and had served as principal of Central Elementary School in Palmyra.
Rev. Spraggs was a recognized leader for not only his work in education and religion, but also for his work in the area of Poverty Programs that benefited many. He received the Outstanding Personality of the South award for his achievements.
Survivors include two sons, LeVohn and Paul and his wife, Rynzelle; one adopted daughter, Mary Woodson and her husband, Kenneth; two grandchildren, Daryn and Marques; three sisters, Dr. Rosa S. Langston, India Redd and Lucile Wood.
Funeral services for Rev. Spraggs will be held at noon January 5 at the Tearwallet Baptist Church in Cumberland. The Rev. R.Q. Lawing will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today, January 4 at the Carl U. Eggleston Funeral Establishment, 914 South Main Street in Farmville.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mercy Seat Baptist Church, 52 Kingsville Rd., Farmville, 23901; Robert R. Moton Museum, PO Box 908, Farmville; or the Cumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad, PO Box 171, Cumberland, 23040.