Refining school bus routes and examining the possibility of implementing some form of dual bus system are two approaches school system officials are eying in efforts to reduce the time students spend on the school bus each day.
With Halifax County High School moving to a 4x4 Block Schedule format next year and the school day being extended for all of the county schools, school superintendent Dennis Witt said efforts will be made to prevent students, particularly young ones, from having to board buses earlier and arrive buses later than they already are.
"We're going to be looking at any we can to reduce that amount of time," Witt said.
"We may be able to do some (dual bus routes) in some of the outlying schools. It may be only with three or four buses but it's something we're going to look at."
Rev. Roger Ford, backed by a large throng of supporters, asked the school board Monday night to take steps toward reducing the number of students, especially young children, that have to board buses very early in the morning and arrive at their destinations late in the afternoon.
He also asked school trustees to take steps to transport elementary school children and high school students on separate buses.
"Some of the children in the county are having to catch the bus by 7:10 in the morning and are getting back (home) in the afternoon at 10 to five," Rev. Ford said.
"It has been said that it has not been that many (children). Even if it is one, it is one too many. We have a great concern that that is an awful long day for a kid that is in kindergarten or first grade. Most of us (adults) don't work a ten hour day."
Rev. Ford also added that he and his supporters do not feel that elementary school children should be riding the same bus with high school students.
"We know how high school kids will pick on young kids and aggravate young kids," he pointed out.
"We feel the county needs a separate bus system."
In making the request, Rev. Ford noted that he understood that the school system's problem in moving to a dual bus system is rooted in money.
"We are ready to go to the Board of Supervisors and tell them to stop getting elected on not raising taxes," he said.
"You can't do the things you should be doing if you don't have the money. The people that come out on the short end of the stick are the children and the teachers."
A concerned parent, Clarice Buster, told the school board a story regarding her child.
"My oldest son got off the school bus one day last year and couldn't hardly breathe because high school students were smoking on the school bus," she stated.
"I don't appreciate elementary school students riding the buses with high school students. They already learn enough badness without being influenced by the older children."
School board chairman Alan Gravitt told Ford that "I think you're preaching to the choir" and that the school board is genuinely concerned about the matter.
Gravitt told Ford that money is a major factor and that school trustees plan to take the issue up with the Board of Supervisors.
"You get what you pay for," added school board vice chairman Carl Furches.
Witt said yesterday that work is continuing toward implementing the school system's new computerized transportation software program, a program that when all of the data is entered, will provide a good deal of help in refining and producing more efficient bus routes.
"We are now down to within 200 students of having every student with a 911 address entered in the data base," Witt noted.
"After that data is entered, we can take each bus and the routes they run, plug in the student 911 addresses, and see exactly where they are. We feel that by this summer we should have that done. Then we can message those routes."
"We feel that this program will be a big help to us," added Witt.
"Getting the data entered into the system has been the toughest part of it."
The school chief said that he felt that Rev. Ford's presentation was good and that it reflected some of the some school board's concerns as well.
Witt noted that "there are probably still a handful" of children that face the situation of having to board school buses early in the morning and not arrive home until very late in the afternoons.
"We want to reduce that number as best we can with the resources we have."
It will be at least another month before school system administrators will air a proposed school facilities development plan in front of school trustees.
County school superintendent Dennis Witt said late last week that the proposal, which he termed as a "hybrid" of earlier proposals presented by the school facilities study taskforce, will include some school consolidations and renovations and additions to some existing schools.
"We are still working with a committee to bring a recommendation to the school board," Witt told school trustees Monday night.
"We have not reached that point. It has simply taken us more time than we anticipated to bring it to a point we could have the documentation to support it."
Witt said that plans are to have some experts come in, take a look at the plan, offer input, and then further refine the proposal.
"I think we'll bring a reasonable recommendation to the table," Witt said.
"The school board will evaluate that. I think everyone agrees that we need to make forward progress on our school facilities in Halifax County. I hope we can have something by the next board meeting to bring to the table."
Witt, replying to a question from school trustee Steve Anderson, said that he hopes that the process will move forward in a manner that will allow for a bond referendum to placed on the November election ballot.
"If a bond were to pass in November, you'd be looking at two to three years before you'll reap the harvest," Witt told school trustees.
"If you are using Literary Loan money, there will be a year's waiting time before you get the money."
Witt added that even with new state and federal proposals for programs to make money available for school construction, you're still looking at a year's time before money will become available to begin whatever project or projects are passed.
"It all usually takes a three to five year cycle," Witt added.
Only one production shift was missed after a Sunday night fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damages to the JPS Converter and Industrial Corporation located off Vaughan Street.
The fire began at 10:24 p.m. and no injuries occurred. Production efforts at the 60-year-old facility resumed at 8 a.m. the following morning, officials said.
"I think the fire department did a bang-up, great job in containing this fire," commented JPS Plant Manager J.R. Griffin. "If not for their quick and professional efforts, no telling what would have happened."
A spark from an overhead tram rail in the Slasher Department apparently ignited rayon and acetate lint, Griffin explained.
The resulting fire was quickly drawn upwards to the roof through a ventilator shaft, causing a section of the roof to burst into flames, he added.
"With a sixty-year-old roof, there was indeed the potential for the fire to spread rapidly," Griffin pointed out. "But, thankfully, the fire wasn't as rapid as the firefighters who arrived and got things under control."
Twenty-four firefighters and five fire trucks of the South Boston Fire Department responded to the scene. In addition, 12 firefighters and three fire trucks from the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department responded. Firefighters from other departments also arrived in case they were needed.
Since all available firefighters and trucks were being used at JPS, elements of the Cluster Springs Volunteer Fire Department were called to be on standby at the South Boston Fire Department's station house, in case another fire occurred.
The ladder truck, which is owned by Halifax County and is stored at the South Boston's station house, was another key factor in getting the roof blaze under quick control, officials said.
"Aside from one relatively small section of the roof, there was really no structure damage," Griffin said. "Most of the damage was in equipment and materials."
Griffin also commended the night shift of the Slasher Department and company maintenance personnel for all-night, intensive cleanup and repair efforts which allowed production to continue the next morning.
"Obviously, nobody likes to see a fire like this happen," Griffin reflected. "But, in a case like this, it really shows the dedication and professionalism of both our employees and members of the fire departments of our community."
Preliminary plans for two new restaurants and a small animal clinic in South Boston are being reviewed by the planning commission and are expected to go before town council for approval on March 2.
Shoney's, a Nashville, Tennessee-based restaurant chain plans to build a 5,700 square foot facility on Route 58 just east of Zip Mart. The parcel of land is part of Riverdale Plaza Shopping Center.
In the Centerville area on the Old Halifax Road and east of the intersection with US 501, Sonic Drive-In restaurant will be built on an approximate one acre tract. That same parcel of land was owned by Ryan's, a Greer, South Carolina-based restaurant chain, which has said it will build and open in 1999.
No plans have been submitted by Ryan's according to town officials.
The three restaurant chains had sought to locate in Halifax County prior to South Boston's annexation of areas where all had either purchased or obtained options on lands. Under existing ordinances, all annexed territory is classified as R-1 (residential), thus requiring all commercial applicants to obtain a special use permit prior to construction of any building.
Town Manager Ken McLawhon said that the special use permit process is not intended to impede the progress of development. It does however, said McLawhon, allow both town officials and adjacent property owners an opportunity for review and consent.
Based on the issuance of special use permits, Sonic Drive-In restaurant will likely be completed and in operation first since plans call for a facility of just more than 1,350 square feet. The site has been basically cleared and ready for construction to begin.
In the Centerville Shopping Center, Dr. Laura Smith-DVM is seeking a special use permit that would allow for the opening of a veterinary clinic in space last occupied by a Chinese restaurant. The shopping center is owned and leased by Neari & Associates of Winston Salem, NC.
Dr. Smith and her husband, Dr. Jefferson L. Smith, are two of the seven veterinarians practicing at the Animal Medical Center of Danville located at 3620 Franklin Turnpike and at Mt. Hermon.
The clinic at Centerville will be staffed by Dr. Kathy Dixon Edmunds who now practices in Lynchburg. Dr. Edmunds formerly practiced medicine in Halifax.
Full veterinary services including medication and surgery with limited boarding primarily for dogs and cats are planned for the South Boston clinic that is expected to open in May.
All three businesses are to be advertised under the special use provision ordinance.
E.C. Glass won the battle of the two undefeated titans of the Western District varsity academic competition Monday night, defeating host Halifax County 317-238.
Earlier on the night, Halifax County High School's jayvee ACE (Academic Competition for Excellence) team won its battle against the E.C. Glass jayvees, scoring a close 90-80 win in another battle of undefeated teams.
The loss by the Comet varsity ACE team left Halifax County in a tie for second place with GW which escaped with a narrow 257-250 win over Amherst County. Both teams are 268 points behind E.C. Glass in the overall district team standings and Amherst County trails with a 138 point deficit to the Comets and GW.
In the overall district standings for the five categories of the ACE competition, Halifax County remains on top in the All Around category with a two point lead over Glass and a seven point spread over GW.
Halifax County is in second place in the overall Science category standings, trailing leader E.C. Glass by 15 points while being ahead of third place GW by two points, and in second place in the History category where they trail Glass by 137 points and hold an 18 point cushion over third place GW.
The Comets are in third place in the Math standings, 63 points out of the lead, and are tied with Amherst County for third place in the Literature category where both teams face a 78 point deficit to Glass.
Halifax County's jayvee ACE team, meanwhile, remains in the lead in the overall district jayvee team standings with a 45 point cushion over second place E.C. Glass, a 65 point edge over third place GW, and a 145 point lead over fourth place Amherst County.
In the overall category standings, the Comets lead the History/Literature category by an 85 point spread over Amherst County with Glass and GW tied for third place 95 points down.
In the overall Math/Science category standings, the Comets are in third place, trailing leader E.C. Glass by 50 points.
In Monday night's varsity contest, Halifax and Glass tied 65-65 in the Math portion competition which opened the match. The Comets then won the second round, the Science category, 55-49 to take a 120-114 lead over the Hilltoppers.
The third round, the History category, proved to be the pivotal round as Glass scored a big 100-38 win to take a 214-158 lead. The Hilltoppers then tacked on a 25 point 55-30 win in the ensuing Literature round to up its lead to 269-188 and secure the contest.
Halifax won the final round, the All Around category, 50-48, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 79 point loss.
The jayvee contest was a tight one all the way with Glass opening the competition with a 45-35 win in the Math/Science category. Halifax came back with a strong showing in the final round, the History/Literature category, to score a 55-35 win that allowed the Comets to win the match by a 10 point spread.
Janie Carden Crews of 1198 Crystal Hill Road, Crystal Hill died Monday, February 9, 1998 at her home. She was 79 years of age.
Mrs. Crews was born in Clover on August 18, 1918 the daughter of Charlie F. Carden Sr. and Mamie Nichols Carden and was married to Hampton Lee Crews Sr. She was a member of Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church, and the Henry W. Woodall Chapter #80 Order of The Eastern Star.
Survivors include one daughter, Dixie L. Barnett of South Boston; eight sons, Harold Jones of South Boston, H.L. Crews Jr. and Kim Carden Crews, both of Halifax, Rex Crews, James E. Jones, John B. Reese Jr. and Wallace Jones, all of Crystal Hill and William B. Crews of Powhatan; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one brother, Harry Carden of Chatham.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crews will be held Thursday, February 12 at 11 a.m. at Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church with Rev. Bernie Morris conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, February 11 from 7 until 8:30 and other times at her home.
Hattie Mae Dixon died Sunday, February 8, 1998 at Twin Oaks Nursing Home. She was born on November 14, 1913 in Lunenburg County to Alexander and Minnie Coleman Dixon, and was 84 years of age at the time of her death.
Ms. Dixon was a member of Womack Chapel Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Rev. Dora Dixon Coleman of South Boston and Mable Richardson of North Carolina; one brother, Lawyer Dixon of Baltimore, MD; one sister-in-law, Beverly Dixon of Baltimore; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Dixon will be held today, February 11 at noon
at Womack Chapel with Rev. Joseph Dixon officiating. Burial will follow
in the family cemetery.
Luther Franklin Tuck of Clarksville died Sunday, February 8, 1998 in Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 74 years of age.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Brown Tuck; three daughters, Patricia Tuck Overby, Yvonne Tuck Carlisles and Robin Tuck Garrett, all of Clarksville; one sister, Ethel Isaacs of Richmond; one brother, Algie Tuck of Buffalo Junction; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Tuck were held Tuesday, February 10 in Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral chapel with Revs. Rodney Baker and Charles Lloyd officiating. Entombment was in the Eternity Mausoleum at Oakhurst Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mecklenburg County Lifesaving and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1539, Clarksville, VA 23927.
Mary Covington Fallen of 1099 Middle Fork Trail, Clover died Sunday, February 8, 1998 at her home. She was 98 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Fallen was born February 7, 1900 in Halifax County the daughter of Richard J. Covington and Sally Palmer Covington and was married to J. Floyd Fallen. She was a member of Providence Presbyterian Church.
A funeral service was held at Providence Presbyterian Church Tuesday, February 10 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ed Melvin officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Surviving Mrs. Fallen are two daughters, Florine F. Bomar and Geraldine F. Overstreet, both of Clover; three sons, Ralph Fallen of Nathalie, Floyd 'Goo' Fallen of South Boston and Jackie Fallen of Halifax; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; two special friends, Barbara Canada and Connie Carrington.
She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons, Franklin Fallen and William 'Bug' Fallen; and one grandson, Ralph Calvin Fallen.
George Lee Hamlett Jr. of Goldsboro, NC died Monday, February 9, 1998 at the Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
A native of Caswell County, NC, he was the son of Beatrice Snow Hamlett of Halifax and the late George Lee Hamlett Sr. He was a member of Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Mr. Hamlett will be held today, February 11 at 11 a.m. from Seymour Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Dock Hobbs officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Linda Lancaster Hamlett of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Lisa Hamlett of Columbia, SC and Jeff and Tammy Hamlett of Pikeville, NC; one step-daughter, Denise Saunders of Goldsboro; four grandchildren, Krista and Amber Hamlett of Pikeville and Lindsey and Bailey Hamlett of Columbia, SC; one step-grandson, Cameron Saunders of Goldsboro; four sisters, Shirley H. Lewis of Halifax, Lorene H. Weaver of Wilmington, NC, Ruby H. Howerton of South Boston and Joyce Ann H. Jones of Turbeville; one brother, Alton Hamlett of Turbeville. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ricky Hamlett.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Free Chapel P.F.W.B.
Church, 187 Vance Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or the American Cancer Society,
PO Box 925, Goldsboro, NC 27533.
Charles Hinton of 1093 Shady Lane, South Boston died Saturday, February 7, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 73.
Mr. Hinton was born in Halifax County on August 24, 1924 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hinton.
Survivors include one half-sister, Gladys Arnold of Landover, MD; one half-brother, Richard Hinton of New Jersey; a devoted cousin, Richard Cousin; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Hinton will be held today, February 11 at 10 a.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Sandy Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in the Five Fork Baptist Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Wednesday morning.