Town and county residents will have an opportunity to air their views Wednesday night during a public hearing on the proposed boundary adjustment between Halifax County and the Town of Halifax, one which would increase the town's size five-fold.
Town councilmen and supervisors are expected to vote on the proposal following the joint public hearing.
The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors' Conference Room in the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Town of Halifax councilmen first approached the county seeking boundary adjustment in 1992, according to Mayor Dennis Osborne, but serious negotiations did not get underway until early last year.
The county was under a December 1, 1997 deadline by both Halifax and South Boston for a boundary adjustment agreement.
By reaching voluntary boundary adjustment agreements the three governments expect to avoid costly annexation litigation. The three also hope agreements will promote a positive and stable working relationship for the future and, through cooperation, encourage economic development.
In that regard, Burlington Industries is excluded from the proposed Town of Halifax's new boundary, and South Boston excluded the Route 58 Industrial Park as well as other industrial properties from its new boundary proposal.
If the Town of Halifax and Halifax County proposal is approved by both governing bodies following the Wednesday night public hearing, it will then be submitted to the Halifax County Circuit Court for approval, with an effective boundary adjustment date of midnight, December 31, 1997.
Members of the Association for Better Government, an organization of South Boston, Town of Halifax and county residents who have voiced opposition to boundary adjustments, are expected to attend the Wednesday night hearing as well as the South Boston/Halifax County proposed boundary public hearings scheduled next week at the senior high school.
Last week, Association for Better Government co-chairman Mike Armstrong urged citizens to attend both the Halifax and the South Boston public hearings.
"This organization continues to seek consolidation of services to save money," said Armstrong. "The citizens don't want the boundary adjustments."
With approval of the Town of Halifax boundary adjustment, the town would gain approximately 3,119 acres, but not Burlington Industries or the Salishan subdivision.
Support agreements concerning water and sewer services and future boundary adjustments as well as general guidelines and principles concerning those issues have also been discussed and put into resolution form by the two governments.
Organizers of the Alton Christmas Parade have drummed some unique methods for Santa Claus' arrival over the years.
From parachuting from a plane to horse and buggy, jolly Santa has arrived in Alton in practically every imaginable way.
But, for Saturday's Alton Christmas Parade, Santa Claus took a different mode. Decked out in a leather vest and dark sunglasses, Santa arrived in a motorcycle sidecar waving to youngsters along the parade route.
A crowd estimated at about 1,000 people, many sitting in cars and pickup trucks along the parade route, braved cold temperatures and the gusty winds to enjoy the annual Yule event.
Stacy Hughes, one of the parade organizers said that while the turnout wasn't too bad, she was disappointed that more people didn't come out.
"I'm a little disappointed because we have such good weather," Hughes said as she cast a glance toward the clear skies.
"Last year we had rain and that hurt the crowd a lot. I know it's cold and windy but I was hoping for a little better turnout."
Approximately 40 units took part in the parade and there were some excited individuals and groups that won awards for their efforts.
The William M. Tuck Airport Association won the award for the Most Creative and the South Boston Fire Department's Fire Safety House float won the Best In Show Award.
Halifax County High School's JROTC Drill Team won the award for Best Drill Team and a dance group from Lillian's Dance Academy won the award for Best Twirlette Group.
Ashley Link won the award for Best Dressed Horse and Rider and the Turbeville 4-H Club entry won the award for Best Dressed Horse and Buggy.
Saturday's parade day activities included some art and craft displays. The Alton Homemakers Club sold baked goods and the Cedar Grove United Methodist Women sold baked goods and hot dogs.
Hughes said that the date for next year's Alton Christmas Parade will be moved to the second Saturday in December in an effort to attract more interest and entries from area high school bands.
"We had a good time this year," Hughes said, "and we're looking for next year to be bigger and better."
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's largest cigarette makers ended a confrontation with a longtime congressional ally today by complying with subpoenas to release more than 800 documents that purportedly illustrate industry crime and fraud.
Rep. Thomas Bliley, R-Va., who heads the House Commerce Committee and has been a staunch tobacco supporter, subpoenaed the four companies late Thursday after they ignored his month-long demand to provide Congress with the papers.
Bliley announced today that the companies complied. Now, Bliley said he will establish ''a bipartisan process for reviewing and disclosing the documents.''
''Congress has a right to examine these documents as part of its consideration of the proposed tobacco settlement, and today's development will give Congress the information it needs to make more informed and responsible decisions,'' he said in a statement.
Spokesmen for Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson and Lorillard Tobacco did not return phone calls seeking comment.
They had been furiously fighting disclosure of the papers in a Minnesota court that next month will hear that state's lawsuit seeking to recover the costs of treating sick smokers.
The industry said the papers are protected by attorney-client privilege. But a court-appointed officer who reviewed some of the documents has said they contain evidence that the industry deliberately misled the public about the dangers of smoking.
Tobacco companies last summer signed a proposed settlement with state attorneys general under which they would pay $368 billion and change how they advertise tobacco in order to settle some 40 state lawsuits against the industry. In return, cigarette makers would win immunity from future lawsuits and protection from federal tobacco regulation.
Congress must approve any tobacco deal before it becomes law. Lawmakers and President Clinton have called for significant changes. Hearings are scheduled next week, but no action is expected until next spring.
Bliley, whose committee will play a large role in passing any settlement, last month declared it vital for Congress to know what is in the papers and ordered the companies to release them. They ignored his call, so he issued subpoenas late Thursday.
''Given the tobacco companies' continued intransigence and pathetic predilection to tar and nicotine the truth, Chairman Bliley is doing the courageous thing,'' said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who had urged Bliley to issue the subpoenas.
Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, welcomed Bliley's action.
''The tobacco industry wants unprecedented legal immunity but Congress should not grant it without disclosure. Complete and unfettered access to the facts should be a critical component of any proposal considered by Congress and this is a good first step,'' Leahy said.
Bliley's move against the industry is particularly notable given his longtime tobacco support. When he became chairman of the Commerce Committee in 1994, one of his first acts was to cancel an investigation of the industry.
A heart attack was responsible for the death of a Crystal Hill man who died late Thursday morning in the wake of a single vehicle mishap on Route 626.
Trooper D.J. Cline reported that 53-year-old Winston Sydnor, Jr. of Crystal Hill apparently had a heart attack and his vehicle ran off of the left side of the road and struck an embankment.
The trooper noted in his report that after striking the embankment, Sydnor's auto continued down the embankment until it bottomed out in a ditch and came to a stop.
The mishap occurred at 11:20 a.m. on Route 626, a tenth of a mile north of the intersection of Route 621.
The auto driven by Sydnor, a 1980 model car, received an estimated $500 damage.
Five persons were injured early Thursday night in a two car crash that occurred on Route 501, a tenth of a mile south of the intersection of Route 129.
Both of the two drivers involved, 79-year-old Evelyn William Neal of South Boston and 63-year-old Alfredia Curtis Ballou of South Boston were injured in the 6:05 p.m. crash.
Also injured were two passengers in the Neal auto, 34-year-old Dale Alan Neal and 15-year-old Alysa Fawn Larsen. A passenger in the Ballou vehicle, Rebecca Palmer Ballou, 60, was also injured.
Trooper S.M. Krantz reported that Neal pulled out of a parking lot into the path of the oncoming car driven by Ballou.
Damage to the 1986 model car driven by Neal was estimated at $2,500. An estimated $2,000 damage was done to the 1985 model car driven by Ballou.
Trooper Krantz charged Neal with failure to yield the right of way.
An 18-year-old Halifax woman and a year old infant were injured in a single vehicle accident that occurred Thursday at 3:20 p.m. on Route 360, two tenths of a mile east of the intersection of Route 832.
Trooper R.L. Hodges said that the driver of the car, 18-year-old Wykinna Latrice Williams of Halifax and a passenger in the car, one-year-old Dayshawn Malik Wells, were injured in the crash.
Trooper Hodges' report stated that the car driven by Williams ran off of the right side of the road, struck a culvert, became airborne, and overturned.
The 1986 model car driven by Williams by declared a total loss with damage estimated at $1,500.
Williams was charged with reckless driving.
A 31-year-old Milton, N.C. resident, Coy Junior Swanson, was injured in a single vehicle crash that occurred Friday at 10:57 p.m. at the intersection of Route 693 and 764.
Trooper Krantz reported that Swanson's vehicle ran through the intersection and struck a wooden post and a cement deer on the lawn of Reuben Farmer of Alton.
Damage to the 1974 model pickup truck driven by Swanson was estimated at $200. An estimated $400 damage was done to Farmer's property.
Swanson was charged with driving under the influence by Trooper Krantz.
TThe school day for Halifax County students will be increased by 20 to 30 minutes next year if the county school board implements block scheduling at Halifax County High School.
School superintendent Dennis Witt said yesterday that he was unable to give a proposed starting or ending time for the school day for the county's elementary schools and middle school at this point.
He did say, though, that he anticipates that the school day would be increased by 20 to 30 minutes with the minimum increase being 20 minutes.
The amount of time that the school day would be lengthened will be determined primarily by circumstances surrounding transportation.
"It depends on transportation and how much we can have a dual transportation system," Witt stated.
According to a proposed school day schedule that was distributed to the 150 or so parents that attended Wednesday night's informational meeting on block scheduling at Halifax County High School, classes at Halifax County High School will begin at 8:35 a.m. with the school day ending at 3:30 p.m.
The atmosphere of Wednesday night's meeting was much calmer than the atmosphere that surrounded a similar meeting two years ago when Halifax County High School made its initial attempt to move toward implementing a block schedule format.
One parent, referring back to that time three years ago, asked school principal Larry Clark if the teachers at the school had voted on whether or not to implement the proposed 4x4 Block Schedule.
Clark stated that back then he felt that he needed the support of 75 percent of the faculty in a vote to make the move. But, pointing to the pending implementation of the state's new Standards of Learning, increased graduation requirements, and new state accreditation standards, Clark said "the circumstances have now changed."
"I do not see that we can put it to a vote," Clark stated.
"I think we have no choice but to do something to the school day. I have met with the faculty and they have expressed their concerns. I think the majority of them are going to view this positively as a challenge that we can meet."
Clark, Witt, and other school system personnel have previously indicated support to changing the high school's school day schedule to a 4x4 Block Schedule format.
And, while the Halifax County School Board has not formally acted to implement the 4x4 Block Schedule format at the high school next year, it has given Clark the nod to conduct student registration for the 1998-99 school year based upon a 4x4 Block Schedule format.
After the registration process is completed, Clark will appear before school trustees at the county school board's January 12 meeting to air a report on registration data as well as what impact block scheduling will have on a variety of areas.
Whether or not the school board will take action on implementing block scheduling at that meeting is unknown.
During Wednesday night's meeting, Clark, school administrators, and Witt fielded a variety of questions concerning the proposed 4x4 Block Schedule.
Some of the high points that were emphasized were:
- There will not be an exaggerated "down time" for students taking sequential courses such as Foreign Language with plans calling for no longer than a one semester separation;
- There will be a good deal of staff development training with teachers attending training sessions on how to diversify teaching techniques;
- There will be a structured makeup system put in place so that students that are absent from school will have an opportunity to make up their school work;
-That odd numbered courses such as Spanish I and Spanish III as an example, will be taught second semester with even numbered courses such as Spanish II and Spanish IV being taught during first semester; and
-A student who is unsuccessful in a course will not have to wait a full year to retake that course.
A Virgilina area juvenile who escaped from custody Monday following his arraignment in Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court was nabbed in the woods on Spencer Hill Thursday night.
Halifax County Sheriff's Department Major R.L. Link said that the youth was found clothed in a pink ladies sweater, pink ladies slacks, and pink ladies bedroom slippers, all of which may have been taken from someone's residence.
The youth, who was facing two felony breaking and entering charges and a felony grand larceny charge, has also been charged with a felony escape charge.
Link told reporters that the youth was seen in Scottsburg Wednesday night and that he obviously needed footwear because he "ran out of his boots" when he was spotted.
The youth was seen in Scottsburg again Thursday night but an elderly man, apparently unaware of who the young man was, gave him a lift to Halifax.
Link said that the youth was spotted a second time Thursday, that time in Halifax, and authorities were able to find and arrest him.
The sheriff's department spokesman noted that the youth had apparently been sleeping at various places in the woods during his brief period of freedom.
The youth is now being held at the W.W. Moore Detention Home in Danville.
In another matter:
Thirty-five-year-old Danny James Marshall of Danville was arrested Friday by Deputy T.E. Logan and charged with a felony escape charge.
The escape charge was lodged in connection with an alleged incident that occurred May 13.
A South Boston man was admitted to Halifax Regional Hospital early Saturday night after sustaining a stab wound to the back.
South Boston Police Lt. R.D. Loftis said that Larry Mosley was stabbed at his residence at 1900 Howard Avenue at about 6 p.m. Saturday.
Officer R.E. Redd arrested Mosley's wife, Virginia Mosley, on misdemeanor charges of being drunk in public, obstruction of justice, and cursing and abusing at the scene a short time after the incident.
No charges have been filed in connection with the stabbing.
Loftis said that a knife with blood on it was recovered at the scene and that the knife and some items of clothing that police took into custody as evidence will be sent to the state lab for analysis.
Officer A.J. Hicks is continuing to investigate the stabbing.
In another matter:
South Boston Police arrested a 17-year-old juvenile after an early Saturday morning chase on charges of eluding police, driving under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and failure to obey a traffic light.
Loftis said that Officer B.K. Lovelace attempted to stop the vehicle driven by the youth on Route 360. However, the youth continued on and made a right turn onto Route 58. The youth stopped, Loftis said, and, when Lovelace exited his vehicle, the youth sped away.
This time, the youth turned left and headed back onto Route 360. From there, the youth turned down Route 854 and then onto Route 714. Loftis said that the chase continued for two to three miles down Route 714 before the youth stopped his car and fled on foot. South Boston Police Officer Todd Gordon was able to apprehend the youth and take him into custody.
Loftis said that speeds during the chase hit in excess of 70 mph.
Mrs. Alice Sue Perkins Wilborn of Danville, formerly of South Boston, died Thursday, December 4 at the Woodview at the age of 72.
Mrs. Wilborn was born in Halifax County on September 6, 1925, the daughter of Mr. Roskey James Perkins and Mrs. Lorine Landrum Perkins. She was married to William Earl Wilborn and was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Her survivors include one daughter: Jackie Gatewood of Danville; two sisters: Gladys P. Green and Margaret P. Canada of South Boston; two grandchildren: Randy Earl Gatewood of Danville and Stefanie Osborne Flack of Hampton and one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her husband; daughter, Bonnie W. Osborne and granddaughter, Amy Lynn Osborne.
Graveside services were held Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Delia Earnhardt conducting the service. Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Mr. John Ferrell of North Carolina, formerly of Halifax County, died Tuesday, December 2 at the Lake Norman Medical Center in Mooresville, NC at the age of 53.
Mr. Ferrell was born in Halifax County on June 19, 1944 and was a member of the Jones Chapel Baptist Church in Mooresville.
His survivors include four brothers: Fletcher Ferrell of Alexander, Andrew Ferrell of Clover, Lawrence Ferrell of New York and Alfred Ferrell of Jacksonville, NC; three sisters: Mary Terry and Edmonia Adams of Mooresville, and Anna Dee Carden of Albany, NY.
Funeral services were held Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. at the Jones Chapel Baptist Church in Mooresville.
Lavalette Elliott Creasy of Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg, formerly of Gretna, died Saturday, December 6 in Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 87.
Born September 9, 1910 in Pittsylvania County she was a daughter of Stover Henry Creasy, Sr. and Maud Elliott Creasy. Miss Creasy was a member of Anderson Memorial United Methodist Church. She attended Chatham Hall.
She is survived by a sister: Marjorie "Bubbles" Lacy of South Boston.
She was predeceased by three brothers: Cecil, Thomas Claiborne Sr. and Stover Henry Jr.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at the Creasy Family Cemetery by Dr. Edward T. Wright.
Miss Creasy will be carried to her home on Main Street, Gretna Tuesday
morning prior to the service.
Mr. Bernard Clayton Womack of 4195 Mountain Road, Halifax died December 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 38.
Mr. Womack was born in Halifax County on November 29, 1959, the son of Bernard Mack Womack and Mary Davis Womack.
His survivors include his father; two sisters: Joan A. Womack and Linda W. Haskins of South Boston; one brother: Jimmie W. Womack of Roxboro, NC.
Graveside services will be held today, December 8 at 3 p.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Richard Saunders conducting the service.
The family will receive friends at his home.
Mr. John Benjamin Medley of South Boston died on Thursday, December 4 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 78.
Mr. Medley was born in Halifax County.
His survivors include his devoted companion: Lillian Woody of South Boston, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was held Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Home in Halifax with interment in the Williams Temple CME Church Cemetery, News Ferry. Elder Abner McCraw officiated.
Lacy Roosevelt Peade of 15063 L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Nathalie died Sunday, December 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 64.
Mr. Peade was born in Halifax County on August 22, 1933, the son of John Tennie Peade and Ida Anderson Peade. He was a member of Ellis Creek Baptist Church and attended West End Baptist Church. He was married to Shirley Francis Peade.
His survivors include his wife; three sons and daughters-in-law: Kenneth and Cathy Peade, Timmy and Donna Peade, Barry and Tracy Peade of Nathalie; three grandchildren: Kelly P. Puckett of Halifax, Holly A. Peade and Leanne N. Peade of Nathalie; two step-grandchildren: Tyler Whitmore, Brittiany Whitmore of Nathalie; five brothers: Glenwood Peade of Rockwell, MD, W.T. Peade of Petersburg, Nathaniel Peade of South Boston, Cecil Peade of Prince George, Osnby Peade of Manassas; and two sisters: Audrey Vaughan of South Boston and Geraldine Broyles of Petersburg.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Ellis Creek Baptist Church cemetery by the Rev. Larry Martin.
The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday at Henderson Funeral Home and at other times at the residence.
Mr. Winston Sydnor Jr. of 1152 Crystal Hill Road, Crystal Hill died Thursday, December 4 in Crystal Hill at the age of 53.
Mr. Sydnor was born in Halifax County on September 27, 1944, the son of Mr. Winston Sydnor Jr. and Mrs. Florine Jennings Sydnor. He was married to Shirley Wilkerson Sydnor and was a member of the Brown's Memorial Holiness Church.
His survivors include his wife; one daughter: Latasha Sydnor of Alexandria; one son: Stacey Sydnor of Jacksonville, NC; three sisters: Mary Byrd of Nathalie, Ada Barksdale and Jean Stephens of Halifax; three brothers: Willie Sydnor of Alexandria, Carl Sydnor and Herman Sydnor of Halifax; and his mother-in-law, Amanda Wilkerson of Halifax.
A funeral service was held Sunday, December 7 at 2 p.m. at the Ellis Creek Baptist Church, Nathalie with Elder William Mosby Jr. officiating. Burial followed in the Brown's Memorial Holiness Church cemetery and at other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Stephens, 1047 Dudley Road, Halifax.