More than $5,000 in damage was done to three South Boston police cruisers when they were struck Friday night by a motorist who blacked out while traveling on Ferry Street.
South Boston Police Lt. R.D. Loftis said yesterday that 37-year-old Glenn Curtis Chandler of 105 Fairmont Apartments blacked out while traveling west on Ferry Street and lost control of the car he was driving.
The 1993 model car driven by Chandler and owned by Michael Douglas Dickey of 1344 Shepherd Street in South Boston crashed into three police cars parked near the police department headquarters on Ferry Street, continued on, and struck the Taylor Building which houses the town's Public Works Department.
Loftis said that Officer R.E. Redd's report stated that the car driven by Chandler sustained an estimated $6,500 damage. One 1993 model police cruiser sustained an estimated $3,500 damage. A 1994 model police car sustained an estimated $1,000 damage and a second 1993 model police patrol car sustained an estimated $750 damage.
Damage to the Taylor Building was estimated at $300.
The only charge filed against Chandler by Officer Redd was a charge of driving with no operator's license.
"Since there was a medical problem involved we did not file any other charges," Loftis explained.
An estimated $56,000 in damages resulted when a late Thursday afternoon fire razed an Aaron's Creek community home.
Midway Volunteer Fire Department Captain Monty Lowery said that the two story log frame residence of Jackie Coleman located on Route 58 about two miles west of the Halifax-Mecklenburg County line was destroyed by the fire despite the efforts of two dozen firemen from three area fire departments to save it.
Lowery said that the house was a total loss and estimated damage to the structure at $40,000. Virtually all of the home's contents were also destroyed, Lowery said, with the loss of contents estimated at $16,000.
The cause of the blaze that destroyed the house owned by Mandy Pulliam of South Boston is not known. Lowery said that the fire could have started either as an electrical fire or from a kerosene heater.
Nobody was at home when the fire was spotted by a passerby and the alarm turned in at 4:03 p.m. Lowery stated. Sixteen Midway firemen and three units from the department responded. Three firemen from the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department brought a unit to the fire and two men from the South Boston Fire Department brought a unit to the scene.
The blaze began in the front portion of the living room and had gotten a good start by the time the first Midway firemen arrived.
"The house was fully involved when the first firemen got there," Lowery said.
"The fire had already broken through the roof."
Firemen were able to contain the fire and bring it under control in about 10 minutes. But, because the fire had gotten such a big start and due to the fact that firemen were dealing with an old log barn that had been converted into a house, the fire was a stubborn one to extinguish.
"We had to drown it in water to make sure that all of the fire was out and that it would not reignite," Lowery noted.
"We thank all of the firemen from the other departments that came in and assisted us. And, we want to commend them for a job well done. All of them did a heck of a good job."
Coleman arrived and found the remains of his smoldering home just as firemen were preparing to pack up their gear and return to the station.
Firemen were at the scene for about two and a half hours.
The initials haven't changed.
But the but the meaning and focus of SADD has.
Earlier this year national officials changed SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) to stand for Students Against Destructive Decisions. That move, explained Halifax County High School SADD president Mary Saunders, gives the national student led organization more of an impact.
"We noticed that Students Against Drunk Driving made a statement in the community," Saunders said.
"We believe that if we enlarge the meaning it will make more of an impact."
Saunders pointed out that with the name change and the broadening of the scope of what SADD stands for, it is the hope of everyone that more young people and their parents will hear and adopt the SADD message.
"With the name change comes a new meaning and more activities," stated Saunders.
"This is a chance to expand the meaning of SADD and include more people in what SADD stands for."
Halifax County High School's SADD chapter held its annual Candlelight Vigil Thursday, a ceremony that included the signing of the Contract For Life.
A handful of parents were on hand to join the estimated 50 teenagers in attendance to as they pledged to not drive while intoxicated and make destructive decisions. There was representation from the law enforcement community as well as South Boston Town Council at the ceremony.
One by one students and parents carrying candles filed past a candlelit table, stopping to sign the Contract For Life. After signing the contract, a member of the HCHS SADD chapter board lit the student's and parent's candle.
Then, under the soft light of the burning candles, the students paused for a moment of silence to remember and reflect on the loss of someone they knew who had perished as a result of an alcohol or drug related incident.
"The ceremony recommits people to SADD who may have drifted away," Saunders pointed out.
"It serves to commit people to what we stand for and it reopens the opportunity for students to join SADD and be a part of what SADD means."
For parents, the commitment to SADD means that they will stand by and help their children under both good and bad circumstances and give them the guidance they need to make the right decisions.
"When a parent signs the contract, they are saying that if their child comes into a situation where he or she is unable to drive or doesn't trust someone else to drive because they're intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, they will come and pick up the child, take him or her home, and not approach the subject with the child until after both have had a chance to calm down and think about the situation."
"It is basically that parents are saying they will be there when their child needs them and that they will help prevent the child from making a destructive decision," she added.
The student, on the other hand, agrees not to drink and drive, drive while under the influence of drugs, and, as Saunders says, "agrees to not make destructive decisions like doing drugs."
Annie Wilborne, the vice president of SADD, told her fellow students during the ceremony that SADD has a variety of meanings to a number of people.
"To some people, it is an organization for them to join and put down on a college application," she said,
"But, to some people, when they come here and sign the contract they mean it and agree they're going to keep it."
South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall, the guest speaker for the Thursday program, told the students that they are doing a good thing.
"I commend each of you for the commitment that you are willing to make," Hall said.
"I think if we could get all of the young people in the United States to make that commitment we would save a lot of lives."
South Boston Police said yesterday that they expect to make an arrest in the near future in connection with the early Saturday morning robbery of the Super 8 Motel in Riverdale.
Lt. R.D. Loftis said that a black male entered the Super 8 Motel in Riverdale at 1:09 a.m. Saturday, distracted desk clerk Lisa Daniel, jumped over the counter, grabbed money out of the cash register, and fled on foot.
Loftis did not specify the amount of money taken by the bandit but did say that it was in excess of $200.
The robber did not display a weapon or threaten the clerk, Loftis said.
Officer R.E. Redd is investigating the case.
In other matters:
South Boston Police have been cracking down on trespassers at area apartment complexes and made a point of it by making several arrests late last week.
Three persons were arrested Thursday night and charged with trespassing at the Westside Village Apartment complex in Sinai.
Loftis arrested Allen G. Fallen, 20, of 1336 Lincoln Drive and 20-year-old Derrick Lawson of 1021 Union Church Road, Halifax, while Officer Redd arrested Wesley Napoleon Williams, 22, of Cheraw, S.C. All three were arrested at 6:45 p.m.
The previous night, Loftis arrested 34-year-old Ricky Marcell Chandler of 307 Greentree Apartments, South Boston on a similar charge. Chandler's arrest was made at 7:19 p.m.
In another matter:
Officer Redd arrested 31-year-old Barry Keith Hudson of 715 Magnolia Drive, South Boston, on a capias that had been issued against Hudson for an alleged bond violation.
A misdemeanor count of assault and battery was filed Sunday against a Nathalie man, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Billy Joe Brightwell, 25, allegedly assaulted Nancy Brightwell, a household or family member, on Sunday and was arrested by Cpl. S.T. Moser, according to the investigation.
Brightwell was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on February 25.
In other cases:
· Michael Lamont Jones, 18, of Halifax was charged Friday with a misdemeanor count of destruction of property, police said.
He allegedly damaged a vehicle owned by John Vass. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to the investigation.
Jones was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County General District Court on March 20. He was arrested by Deputy S.A. Jennings.
· An investigation is continuing into the breaking and entering of the Meadville Elementary School which took place during the early morning hours of February 11, police said.
The school was discovered broken into at 7:37 a.m. that morning. Approximately $64 in cash was stolen during the break-in, according to the investigation.
Malcolm Lloyd "Mac" Nunn, 70, husband of Glenna Griffin Nunn, died Saturday, February 14 at Danville Medical Center in Danville.
He was the son of the late Walter E. and Hassie T. Nunn.
He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a member of the Clarksville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and as a treasurer for 25 years. He also served as finance chairman for the Concord Baptist Association.
Prior to his retirement in 1992, he was president of the Taylor Nunn Insurance Agency, Inc. and had been chairman of the board of Virginia Southern Bank (now NationsBank) of which he was one of the founders.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason of the Twin Rivers Lodge in Clarksville and Past Master of that lodge; he also was a member of the Danville Valley Scottish Rites.
Mr. Nunn had served on the Town of Clarksville Council and participated on the Planning Commission.
At one time he owned and operated Farmers Tobacco Warehouse and he was Chairman Emeritus of Roof Systems of Virginia located in Richmond. His past time hobbies included golf and participating in the Sandy Fork Hunting Club.
Surviving are his wife Glenna Griffin Nunn; a son and daughter-in-law Malcolm Lloyd Nunn, Jr. and Teena Nunn of Richmond; two sisters, Margaret N. Montague of Buffalo Junction and Betty Lou Perkins of Virgilina; a brother, Wallace G. Nunn of Virgilina; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held today at 2 p.m. in the Clarksville Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. H.V. Conner. Burial will follow in the Oakhurst Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society c/o Mildred
Jolly, 104 Dan Circle, Clarksville, Va. 23927.
Mary Pulliam Talley of 1048 First Street, South Boston died Saturday, February 14 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 80 year old.
Born September 1, 1917 in Halifax County, she was the daughter of Bob Pulliam and Jennie Thomas Pulliam and was married to Melvin H. Talley.
Mrs. Talley was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Melvin H. Talley of South Boston; two sisters, Roxie P. Smith of Virgilina and Anna P. Thaxton of South Boston; and a brother, Jordan Pulliam of Virgilina.
Graveside services will be held today at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Cooke officiating. Burial will take place in the North Fork Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. John Henry Millhiser of 1185 Deer Ridge Trail, South Boston died Saturday, February 14 at his home.
He was born in Halifax County May 24, 1925 and was 72 years of age. He was the son of Michael Millhiser and Virginia Smith Millhiser and was married to Laura Lewis Millhiser.
Mr. Millhiser was a member of Arbor Baptist Church, a retired farmer, and a World War II U.S. Navy veteran.
Survivors of Mr. Millhiser include his wife, Laura Lewis Millhiser of South Boston; two daughters, Mrs. Janet M. Gent of Great Falls and Mrs. Dale M. Smith of Danville; one sister, Mrs. Rosa M. Davis of Lynchburg; two granddaughters, Angela Tune of Danville and Laura Gent of Great Falls; three step-grandchildren, Darren Gent of Columbia, S.C., David Gent of Blacksburg and Scott Gent of Atlanta, Va. He was preceded in death by his son, John Ray Millhiser.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Averette Witcher conducing the service.
Burial will take place in Oak Level Presbyterian Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight from 7:00 until 8:30 and other times at his home.
Mr. Robert Claytee Cameron of Alexandria and formerly of Halifax County died Wednesday, February 11 in Alexandria at the age of 36.
He was born in Halifax County April 23, 1961 and was the son of Mr. Robert Claytee and Ms. Gracie Cameron.
Mr. Cameron is survived by his mother, Ms. Gracie Cameron of Alexandria; three sisters, Ms. Doria Cameron of South Boston, Mrs. Brenda Noell and Mrs. Virginia Logan, both of Durham, N.C.; two brothers, Joe Cameron of Lima, Ohio and William Cameron of Charleston, S.C.; three aunts and four uncles.
Funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Baptist Church with rev. Sandy Palmer officiating.
Mr. Edward "Eddie Ball" Waller Howerton, 83, a widower of Elizabeth Owen Howerton, died Friday, February 13 at his residence in Clarksville.
Mr. Howerton was a graduate of Clarksville High School and Washington Lee University Class of 1936. He was a member of Jamieson Memorial United Methodist Church and a past member of VFW Post 8163. He retired from Burlington Industries and also served as treasurer of the Prestwould Foundation. Mr. Howerton was a charter member of the Clarksville Lion's Club and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.
Funeral services were held yesterday at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was Rev. Keith Moore. Burial took place at Oakhurst Cemetery.
Survivors are a dear friend, Nada Hundley of Clarksville; and two brothers, Robert Walter Howerton of Clarksville and Dr. William Bruce Howerton of Pinehurst, N.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Prestwould Foundation, P.O. Box 872, Clarksville or Mecklenburg County Lifesaving & Rescue Squad.