Halifax County voters will cast their ballots for both statewide and local leaders when the polls open tomorrow at 6 a.m.
"Please be careful to go to the correct precinct," urged Jim Farrington, Electoral Board secretary. "If you are unsure, particularly at South Boston's East Precinct Armory, we will have a person at the entrance to help you with the location of your precinct."
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. at the county's 21 precincts. All have voting machines.
Voters will find the following on the ballot for governor, Sue Harris DeBauche, a Reform Party candidate, Donald S. Beyer Jr., the Democratic candidate, and Republican James S. Gilmore III.
Seeking the lieutenant governor's post are Reform Party candidate Bradley E. Evans, Democrat L.F. Payne Jr. and Republican John H. Hager.
There are two candidates seeking the state attorney general's post, William D. Dolan III, a Democrat, and Mark L. Earley, who carries the GOP standard.
Locally, Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett Jr., is seeking re-election to the 60th District seat.
Three supervisors, William Coleman of District 6, Thomas E. West of District 2 and Joe Satterfield Jr. of District 3, are seeking re-election to the Board, but only one, Coleman, faces opposition.
Political newcomer W. Page Wilkerson, running as a Republican, is vying for the District 6 Board of Supervisor's seat in a hotly contested race with Coleman, an Independent. The two races in District 6, one for the supervisor's seat and one for the school board seat, both featured door-to-door campaigning for the contested seats.
Vying for the District 6 school board seat are Barbara D. Bass and D.H. "Mac" McDowell, who seeks re-election. Also seeking re-election to her District 3 school board seat is Wanda G. McDowell, who is running unopposed. Steve H. Anderson, also unopposed, is making his first run for the District 2 school board seat.
Halifax County voters will also vote for three Soil and Water Conservation Directors in the Halifax District with the following three names offered on the ballot, R. Kenneth Cassada, J. Hudson Reese and Bruce A. Riley.
Already showing signs of two strong opposing factions, a public hearing on lifting the ban on hunting deer with rifles has been scheduled for Monday, November 17 beginning at 7 p.m.
The hearing will be conducted by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and will take place in the second floor public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
Dean Throckmorton, an avid hunter from Scottsburg, recently appeared before the board to ask for the authorization of the public hearing.
In addition to receiving public input on a proposed lifting of the rifle ban, the supervisors will also receive input on adding a section of the County Code which sets hunting seasons in the county.
Copies of the petition and proposed ordinances are available for public viewing in the Office of the County Administrator on Main Street in Halifax, officials said. Their office hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For more information, call the County Administrator's Office at 476-3300.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Republican Jim Gilmore has expanded his lead over Democrat Don Beyer in the race to be Virginia's next governor, a poll shows.
Only two days before Tuesday's election, Gilmore has the support of 44 percent of the registered voters surveyed between Monday and Thursday, Beyer has the support of 32 percent and 18 percent said they were undecided.
The results suggest that Gilmore had widened his lead in the past week. A poll released Thursday by Mason-Dixon Political/Media Research Inc. found the former attorney general with 49 percent support to Beyer's 40 percent. That survey also showed that only 11 percent of the respondents were undecided.
The survey of 780 registered voters statewide was conducted for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and television stations NBC 12 and Newschannel 10. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
The survey, taken from Monday through Thursday, also shows Republican candidate for attorney general Mark Earley with the support of 39 percent of respondents to Democrat Bill Dolan's 30 percent support, and suggests the race for lieutenant governor remains in a statistical dead heat.
In that race, Democrat L.F. Payne was favored by 34 percent of those surveyed, the GOP's John Hager was favored by 33 percent and one in every four respondents still had not decided which candidate to support.
Clover Volunteer Fire Department officials said yesterday that approximately $6,000 was raised Saturday during the fire department's annual Fall Festival.
"It wasn't one of our best years but it wasn't one of the worst either," Clover fire chief Bert Martin said of the Fall Festival, the fire department's major fund raising event of the year.
"We are shooting for between $8,000 and $10,000. We are hoping to get additional donations over the course of the next few weeks. This event usually serves as a reminder for a lot of people, so, we're hoping that a lot of people will still come forward and help us."
"Anyone that would like to make a donation to the fire department may contact me or any fire department member," added Martin.
"We will accept donations at any time."
Some of the activities held as part of the Fall Festival had to be moved inside after heavy rains Friday night and into the early morning hours Saturday. And, while the weather likely had an impact on the attendance, it didn't dampen the spirits of the people that did come out to support the fire department.
The morning activities consisted of a Brunswick Stew and bake sale. During the afternoon, there was a children's carnival complete with a Moonwalk, contests with children bobbing for miniature pumpkins, and a sack race.
There were activities for the adults as well including a Turkey Shoot. The only event that had been scheduled for the day that was not held was a horseshoe tournament
The fire department's barbecue supper was also a major highlight of the event. Martin said that the fire department had enough food for 250 plates and sold 142 plates.
While that doesn't seem like a lot, those that attended had no plans to be hungry anytime in the near future as the fire department sold all of the barbecue that remained after the dinner by the pound.
There were several drawings for cash prizes and Sandy Brown of Halifax came away as one of the big winners as she won a $200 prize.
Several individuals won $100 prizes including Jared Cabaniss of Clover, Jane Barker of Clover, Clyde Smith of Scottsburg, Debbie Glover of Clover, and Roy Craighead of Clover.
The final score might suggest otherwise, but the Comet football team did indeed bring home a handful of positives from its Friday night engagement with a very strong Cave Spring team.
A close game was never in prospect, though, after the Knights returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and had a three-touchdown lead before the first period was half gone.
The rout was on bigtime, with the final score reaching 60-13. But, indeed, there were some positives to count.
Consider:
*The Comets controlled the football in a manner that might have produced a victory against a lighter weight than Cave Spring.
*They put together an offense that produced 347 total yards, best of the year.
*They manufactured several mini-drives, enough to rack up 18 first downs to a mere five for the Knights.
*And, perhaps the most startling stat of all--they took twice as many snaps from center as did Cave Spring, 64 to 32.
There's more:
*The Comets scored two touchdowns in one game for the first time all season.
*They were guilty of only three penalties.
However, all those positives could not offset the damage inflicted from one major negative:
The Comets simply could not avoid giving up the big play, starting with that 84-yard kickoff return by Brad Nichols to open the game. That put the Knights ahead 6-0 before either team had run a play from scrimmage.
The Comets came right back for a very promising drive that went from their own 35 to the Knight 24. Instead of having a first-and-10 at that point, though, there was a Halifax County fumble that turned the ball over to the Knights.
On first down Quarterback Corey Paxton handed off to Michael Hamlor, who tooled 76 yards for the second Cave Spring TD, with 3:12 having elapsed.
Halifax County's second possession ended near midfield on an interception, and presently Paxton pitched 32 yards to Joe Mullins for the third TD with 6:10 still on the clock.
Before the first quarter had expired, Paxton had thrown another touchdown, this one with 59 seconds on he clock, and the score had ballooned to 26-0.
The Cave Spring scoring slowed after that, but there still were five more big-play touchdowns to be registered, the nine scoring plays coming from an average distance of 55.3 yards.
The Cave Spring runaway scoring was diluted somewhat, however, by the two touchdowns Halifax County scored in the second half, making the second half total a very respectable 20-13 in favor of the Knights.
The Comets, who enjoyed a strong passing attack all game--except for two interceptions--scored twice on passes in the last quarter.
Diante Medley pitched 15 yards to Stanley Davis for the first Comet TD and Justin Shepperd connected with Kerry Clark on a 16-yarder for the second. Ben Howerton kicked the conversion after the first of these scores.
The Comets turned in some good offensive numbers.
Diante Medley led the rushing and the passing, notching 64 yards on 13 carries and completing 12 of 22 passes for 133 yards. Shepperd was 5-for-10 for 95 yards, putting the Comets well over 200 yards through the air.
Clark was the reception leader, snagging seven balls for an even 100 yards and his touchdown.
Now at 0-9 for the season, the Comets will close it up Friday night in Danville against George Washington, which will be a heavy favorite to hand Halifax its tenth straight setback.
BY JOE CHANDLER
Tickets are on sale for the 1997 South Boston Speedway NASCAR Winston Racing Series Awards Banquet which will be held Friday night, November 14 at 7 p.m. at the Bright Leaf Forum in South Boston.
The tickets are priced at $20 and may be ordered by contacting the speedway office at (804) 572-1013 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Also, tickets may be ordered by writing to South Boston Speedway, P.O. Box 759, South Boston, Va. 24592.
Credit card orders will be accepted.
The featured attire for the evening will be Western attire and the individual that comes dressed in the best looking Western attire will receive a prize.
Activities will begin with a social hour at 7 p.m. with dinner and the annual awards ceremony following.
The major highlight of the evening will be the official crowning of 1997 South Boston Speedway NASCAR Winston Racing Series Champion, David Blankenship of Mosley.
Blankenship edged defending track champion, B.A. Wilson of Glen Allen by a slim 17 point margin to capture a record sixth career South Boston Speedway NASCAR Winston Racing Series title.
Rodney Sawyers of Ridgeway finished third in the points race behind Blankenship and Wilson with Bubba Urban, Jr. of Glen Allen, and Frank Deiny, Jr. of Mechanicsville rounding out the top five in the division.
The competition in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock Car Division was very close during the 1997 season with 10 different race leaders, eight different pole winners, and six different race winners sharing the spotlight during the track's point season which began in late March and ended September 13.
A total of 72 different drivers competed at South Boston Speedway during its 1997 points season.
Billy Myers of Hurt will be honored as the 1997 South Boston Speedway Renegades Racing Limited Sportsman Division Champion. Myers finished 14 points ahead of Bill Moshenek of Ringgold in the title chase and claimed his first ever South Boston Speedway title.
Bruce Crews of Long Island, Va., H.C. Sellers, III of Danville, and Chuck Lawson of Providence, N.C. completed the list of the top five finishers in the division.
Also among the honorees will be Chris Blalock of Kenbridge who won the 1997 South Boston Speedway American General Finance Super Stock Division championship.
Blalock finished the season with a 10 point margin over runner-up David Canada of Lynchburg. Richard Cumbie of Amelia, Roger Godsey of Phenix, and Eddie Capps of Sutherlin rounded out the top five finishers in the division.
In addition to the presentation of point fund and contingency award monies to the deserving drivers in each of the three divisions, other special awards will be presented including Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Driver, and Sportsmanship Awards.
South Boston Speedway officials have also announced that 1998 Season Passes are on sale for a special price of $105 each through December 31. After December 31, the price goes to the regular price of $210.
The 1998 season passes may be ordered by phoning the speedway or writing to the speedway at the previously mentioned phone number and address. Credit card orders will be accepted.
Persons may also purchase banquet tickets and 1998 season tickets by stopping by at the speedway office located in the Mason C. Day Paving Co. office building on Route 58 east of Riverdale.
BY JOE CHANDLER
South Boston Speedway will stage a special Late Model Stock Car Division racing event Saturday night, November 15, to benefit the South Boston-Halifax County Christmas Children's Toy Drive.
The event, which will have a special 6 p.m. start, is being staged to raise donations of toys and money for the South Boston - Halifax County Christmas Toy Drive.
Colonial Homes of South Boston will sponsor the event.
Track officials said that the Colonial Homes 160 will feature the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars in a 40 mile, 160 lap race that will pay $3,000 to win.
Qualifying time trials that will start at 4 p.m. and qualifying heat races that will begin at 5 p.m. will determine the starting order for the race. There will be a break at the 120 lap mark and, during the break, there will be a drawing to determine the starting positions for the final 40 lap segment of the race.
"We hope that fans will come out and enjoy an exciting race and help support the Children's Toy Drive," said South Boston Speedway Public Relations Director Cathy Rice.
"There are a lot of needy children in our area whose Christmas can be much brighter with our help. Also, to help the Christmas Toy Drive, we will conduct an auction of racing paraphernalia and racing items immediately after the race. Proceeds from the auction will also be donated to the Christmas Toy Drive. We feel that this is a great way to close out our 40th Anniversary season."
South Boston Speedway officials have set a special $9.99 adult admission price for the race for those adults that bring and donate a new toy to the Christmas Toy Drive. Track officials note that in order to receive the special admission price there must be a donation of one toy per admission. Admission for children will be $4.99.
Grandstand gates will open and ticket sales will begin at 3:30 p.m.
In addition to enjoying a great afternoon and evening of NASCAR racing, race fans will have an early opportunity to see Santa Claus. Santa Claus will be taking a brief break from his hectic pre-Christmas schedule to appear at South Boston Speedway between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on race day.
The race day schedule calls for pit gates to open at 12 noon and practice to start at 2 p.m. Qualifying time trials at 4 p.m. will determine starting positions 1-10 for the race.
Later, at 5 p.m., there will be 20 lap qualifying heat races to determine starting positions 11-28 in the starting field. There will be four provisional starting spots available from the final 1997 South Boston Speedway point standings that could expand the starting field for the race to 32 cars.
Persons desiring further information about the event may contact South Boston Speedway by telephoning (804) 572-1013.
South Boston Speedway officials have also announced that 1998 South Boston Speedway Season Passes are on sale for a special price of $105 with the special price being good through December 31, 1997.
The regular price for season tickets for the 1998 season will be $210.
Persons wishing to purchase 1998 season tickets may phone or write the speedway or stop by and make their purchases in person at the speedway office located on Route 58 east of Riverdale at the office complex of Mason C. Day Paving Co.
Dallas J. Williams of 2163 Sandy Beach Road, South Boston died October 31, 1997 at Virginia Baptist Hospital in Lynchburg at the age of 56.
Mr. Williams was born in Halifax County April 15, 1941 and was a member of Jeters Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Carrie Brame Williams; his mother, Marie Williams Wilkins of South Boston; 10 sons, Dallas Williams Jr., Lonnie Williams and Al Williams, all of North Carolina, Aundre Williams of Maryland, Vincent Williams and Don Williams, both of Danville, Schawn Williams of Craigsville, Dalphonso Williams of Halifax, Darryl Tyler and Derrick Givens, both of New Jersey; two daughters, Dalest Williams and Melissa Ballou, both of Danville; 11 step-children; 12 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren, including the devoted, Anika Marable; four sisters, Rozell Carrington of Hampton, Hilda Coley of New Jersey, Annie Barber and Linda Moore, both of Danville; three brothers, Richard O. Wilkins, Stanley Wilkins and Earl Wilkins, all of Danville; his mother-in-law, Emma Williams of South Boston; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Williams will be held Wednesday, November 5 at 2 p.m. Details of the service were not available at press time and will be published Wednesday.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Ella Irby Waller of 333 Logan Street, South Boston died November 1, 1997 at Danville Regional Medical Center at the age of 75.
Mrs. Waller was born in Halifax County on July 8, 1922 the daughter of Will Irby and Lucy Brooks Irby and was married to Charles Henry Waller. She was a member of Williams Temple CME Church.
Survivors include two sons, Orlando Irby of Halifax and Charles Waller of South Boston; two step-daughters, Geneva Harris of Baltimore, MD and Rebecca Williams of Hackensack, NJ; one sister, Lucy Newton of Buffalo Junction; one brother, Alvin Irby of South Boston; five grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one daughter-in-law, Louise Irby of Halifax; two sisters-in-law, Elvira Irby and Sylvia Irby; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Waller will be held Wednesday, November 5 at 1 p.m. at Williams Temple CME Church with Rev. George Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 7 until 8:00 and other times at the home.
Mollie Carrington Brown of 2014 Jeffress Blvd., South Boston, formerly of Richmond, died November 1, 1997 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 82.
Mrs. Brown was born on August 5, 1915 in New Jersey the daughter of Charlie Blunt Carrington and Nannie Jones Carrington and was married to William Isaac Brown. She was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Richmond and was a retired employee of Thalhimers Department Store.
Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Bessie Carrington of South Boston; one aunt, Carrie Mahoney of South Boston and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Brown will be held Tuesday, November 4 at 1 p.m. at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Rodney Hunter officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Carrington, 2014 Jeffress Blvd., South Boston.
Mabel King Rolfe, 53, of Hog Wallow Road, Nathalie died Thursday, October 30, 1997 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mrs. Rolfe was born in Pittsylvania County, January 5, 1944, daughter of Annie Mae King and George King. She was a member of Brookneal Church of God of Prophecy and an employee of Ericsson Corporation, Lynchburg.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Jaimey E. and Jennifer S. Rolfe of Nathalie; one daughter, Jennifer W. Rolfe of Nathalie; one grandson, Colton G. Mason of Nathalie; two brothers, G. Ryland King and Melvin S. King, both of Nathalie; seven sisters, Arlene Akers, Brenda Trent, Sheila Davis, all of Nathalie, Adrith Fore of Gladys, Geneva Roark of Brookneal, Barbara Elder of Rustburg and Linda Rice of Wake Forest, NC. She was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene King.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 2 at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel by Revs. Clyde Crowder and Steve Byrd with burial at the King family cemetery at Cody.