A three-year drought is already taking its toll in Halifax
County and state climatologists say the state could be looking
at a record-breaking drought this year.
"Some of these grand old oaks have succumbed," Halifax
County horticulturist Bill McCaleb said yesterday. "Some
of the evergreens, too."
Since it takes an oak a couple of years to die, according to McCaleb,
the grand oaks and evergreens are simply joining dehydrated shrubs
that can be found on the sick and dying list.
"We are in a severe drought. No mistake about that,"
said Bruce Pierce, district conservationist with the Halifax County
Soil and Water Conservation District.
"I'm concerned about the large underground aquifers. There
are a lot of wells going in where existing wells had gone dry.
I think people should start conserving water," Pierce urged.
"Farmers are very concerned about going to a spring planting
season with farm ponds down. It is a scary situation when your
livelihood depends on water for irrigation."
Pierce said that all small grains are suffering and that cattlemen
are concerned about moisture in top level soils for grass and
hay.
"If we don't get replenishment, it's going to be a long spring
and fall," added Pierce. "I know that we are about 11
or 12 inches (rainfall) behind last year," Pierce added.
"We had drought-related programs for livestock farmers in
1999, and since that time we have not really seen anything rebound,"
observed Kevin Bohon, county executive director for Halifax County
Farm Service Agency. "We haven't really seen a good season."
Bohon said that there is "hope on the horizon" for help
for this and future years.
"There is some help available now for last year's pasture
if they want to check with the FFA office," said Bohon.
Some small springs and creeks are also disappearing, according
to Bohon.
He said a spring that fed livestock at one county farm had not
gone dry for three generations of farmers. "But it is dust
now," he said.
"We have the specter of a drought of historical proportions
showing up this summer," warned state climatologist Patrick
J. Michaels last week.
Michaels requested a special meeting of the state's drought task
force next week.
Stream flows, too, are below normal in every major basin in the
state, and new records lows for December were posted at gauges
in the York, James and Roanoke river basins, according to state
officials.
Michaels' office reports that statewide, rainfall in November,
December and January is only 60 percent of normal, with 5.5 inches
of rain. There should have been 9.2 inches.
By KEITH STRANGE
A proposal that would provide high speed Internet access for Halifax
County was aired at Monday night's meeting of the county's Economic
Development Committee.
Drs. Tim and Nancy Franklin of the Virginia Tech Institute for
Advanced Learning and Research Center presented a proposal that
was enthusiastically greeted by members of the EDC and those supervisors
attending.
"It's exciting stuff," said Supervisor James Edmunds.
While the presentation was the first time any of the supervisors
had a chance to look at what the Institute was doing in Danville,
many of them were cautiously supportive of such a proposal.
"I brought them here because I think that this is something
we need to take a look at," said Supervisor David Martin,
chairman of the board, who introduced Franklin to the group.
Franklin is currently assisting Danville with the eDAN project,
whose goal is to bring an advanced network infrastructure to the
Dan River region.
"We are trying to have the prototype up and running in Danville
by August," Franklin said.
She added that the trend in business is to use the Internet to
create a global economy.
"Having a telecommunications infrastructure in place is the
catalyst for bringing new business into the region," she
said.
Martin noted that the tobacco commission has a call out for proposals
to fund in Southside and Southwest Virginia.
Franklin commented that the region will be stronger in the end
if residents think of Southside as a region rather than individual
communities.
"What we are trying to do with the eDAN project is 'leapfrog,'
or move ahead of any current technology in place," she added.
"By doing this, we can use the infrastructure to entice new
industry and entrepreneurs to Southside," Franklin claimed.
She reminded the committee that Halifax and Pittsylvania County's
location between Research Triangle Park in Raleigh and Northern
Virginia can "make Southside a very attractive place to be
for new industry."
The infrastructure being put in place in Danville and Pittsylvania
county will be using next-generation technology, which Franklin
said is 1,000 times faster than 99 percent of the country.
"What we are trying to provide is very high bandwidth to
a broad range of public and private users at an affordable rate,"
she said.
The project could get funding through a variety of sources.
"We have access to several grants at this time, and there
are other means of funding a project like this," Franklin
said.
The goal of the institute, Franklin said, is to level the playing
field for disadvantaged communities by providing them with cutting-edge
technology.
She said that Virginia Tech is looking for three characteristics
when setting up an infrastructure.
"We want to encourage private-sector-based development of
the infrastructure," Franklin pointed out.
She also noted that the Institute only worked with counties and
communities that invite them.
"And lastly, we encourage open access to the infrastructure.
We don't want this to be just for the largest businesses, everyone
needs to have access to it."
Franklin said that the infrastructure is a little more complex
than just running a piece of fiber from one end of U.S. 58 to
the other.
"It's about multiple connections in and out of every community,
it's about redundancy- the ability to dynamically re-route traffic."
Virginia International Raceway is being suggested as a research
facility for military vehicles.
U.S. Senator John Warner mentioned that talks were underway with
the Department of Defense during his recent campaign swing through
Southside.
During an Economic Development Committee meeting Monday night,
county administrator Joe Morgan said that talks were underway
with VIR for high-performance combat system simulation at the
raceway.
The Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Department put together
the framework of the proposal, integrating it with the Department
of Defense and private sector.
While the project is still in its planning stages, Congressman
Virgil Goode said that it would involve using the facilities at
VIR to test tires and vehicles for the Department of Defense.
Goode said that both his and Warner's offices had been talking
with some governmental and private sector representatives involved
with testing of military vehicles about using the VIR facility
as a testing ground.
"No specifics are available at this time," Goode said,
"But talks are underway with as yet unnamed independent businesses
and Department of Defense representatives."
"We don't know if it will come to pass or not, but this is
something that we are trying to do," the congressman said.
He added that there is no legislation pending because talks are
still in their infancy.
"If everything falls into place this could be a very big
deal. Anytime something new comes into the area, you will get
some kind of money," Goode said.
The congressman said that while talks were in very preliminary
stages, the legislators will know more about the outcome in a
few weeks.
"I think our area has opportunities for new industry that
they will never get in the bigger cities," he said.
"We are really excited about this," Connie Nyholm, VIR
vice president, said yesterday. "We are optimistic, everyone
is working together so handsomely."
Should VIR become a laboratory for research and development by
Defense and private industry, the economic development door could
swing wide open at VIR and in the region for support as well as
incubator businesses.
Goode, who introduced Sen. Warner at Thursday's gathering in Danville,
said that the senator had been working on transportation projects
like the Interstate 785 project, as well as trying to provide
secure job opportunities for Virginians.
The senator said that the VIR talks were an example of how he
and Goode were working on behalf of Southside Virginia.
Sen. Warner, a Republican, recently announced plans to seek his
fifth term in office.
The driver of the Ready Oil Truck involved in the fatal accident
that claimed the life of two Clover residents February 13 was
charged Sunday with reckless driving.
Donald Carter Rickman, 40, of Halifax was charged in the accident
that claimed the life of a 14-year-old juvenile and 46-year-old
Kenaleatha Walker.
"After a preliminary investigation, we feel that there is
enough evidence to make this charge," said First Sergeant
Jeff Lane of the Virginia State Police.
The driver of the pickup in the accident, Edward Crawley, was
pinned under the crushed remains of the truck for more than an
hour.
A Virginia State Police medical helicopter landed in the middle
of Route 360 to transport Crawley to Duke Medical Center.
"I feel that under the circumstances we can charge Rickman
with reckless driving because he wasn't giving time and attention
to the road," said Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker,
who reviewed the evidence presented by the State Police.
Greenbacker said that his understanding of the accident was that
the Crawley vehicle wasn't turning from Route 360, and was struck
while righted in the road.
"(Rickman) said that he was riding down the road and the
pickup just appeared in front of him," the commonwealth's
attorney added.
Members of the State Police accident reconstruction team are conducting
an investigation of the accident, but results were not available
at this time.
Rickman was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital after the
accident, where he was treated and released.
ABB repeated as champions of the Business and Industrial League,
defeating O'Sullivan 85-78 in the title game of the league tournament
Sunday at Vaughan Armory.
Michael Jackson scored 24 points and raked in an unofficial 33
rebounds to pace ABB, which finished the season undefeated.
Sunday's final pitted the tournament's first and second seeds
and the game lived up to expectations, as ABB fought back from
a five-point halftime deficit to win the title.
Lamont Boyd scored 16 of his team-high 21 points in the first
half, as O'Sullivan took a 40-35 lead at intermission.
Clyde Waller, who finished with 23 points for ABB, kept his team
close by scoring 20 points in the first half.
Jackson, Rodney Chandler and Lamonte Traynham took over the scoring
for ABB in the second half, as ABB hit seven three-pointers.
Jackson scored 17 points, Chandler scored 10 of his 17 points
and Traynham netted all 16 of his points in the second half.
Traynham hit five three-point buckets and Chandler two treys during
the decisive surge, as ABB kept pace and finally edged ahead despite
four players being in foul trouble.
Boyd collared 10 rebounds for O'Sullivan to go along with his
21 points, with Duane Whitlock adding 11 points and five rebounds.
Eugene Faulkner had nine points and five rebounds, while David
Garner had eight and David Scott seven points for O'Sullivan.
2001-2002 Awards
The Business and Industrial League announced its award winners
for this past season after Sunday's title game.
Regular Season Champions - ABB (undefeated at 13-0)
Regular Season MVP - Quinton Lewis
Leading Scorer - Kenneth Shaw (Mecklenburg) averaged 19.92 ppg
Top Free Throw Shooter - John Giggetts (Dollar General) shot 81.82
percent from the line
Sportsmanship Award - Everette Overby (Mecklenburg)
Tournament Champions - ABB
Tournament Runner-Ups - O'Sullivan
Tournament Third Place - Lasco
Tournament MVP - Lamonte Traynham (ABB) five three-pointers, 16
second-half points in title game
Leading Rebounder in Tournament Game - Michael Jackson (ABB) 33
rebounds in title game
Coaches of the Year - Lewis Traynham (ABB)/Tiffany Davis (Dollar
General).
Frances Lynn Thompson, 73, of 3029 Cluster Springs Road, South
Boston died February 24 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Thompson was born in Halifax County on March 2, 1928, the
daughter of the late Calvin Arthur Thompson and Clarice Loftis
Thompson. She was a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church.
Survivors include a number of cousins.
A graveside service for Ms. Thompson was held February 26 at p.m.
at the Loftis Family Cemetery, Cluster Springs. The Rev. H.V.
Conner officiated.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Black Walnut
Baptist Church, PO Box 20, Cluster Springs, 24535.
Ola Mayhew Ferrell, 89, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston died
February 23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Ferrell was born in Halifax County on June 2, 1912, the daughter
of Jesse W. Mayhew and Lizzie West Mayhew and was married to Garland
Flenroy Ferrell. She was a member of Dan River Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Carroll O. Ferrell of
Portsmouth and Roy J. Ferrell of Opelika, AL.; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and four brothers, David,
Willie, Guy and Clarence Mayhew.
Services for Mrs. Ferrell will be held today, February 27 at 3
p.m. at Dan River Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Lynn Marstin
officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service
from 2:00 until 3:00.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity
of your choice.
Barbara Mathie Chinnery, 77, of 1163 John Henry Brown Road, Clover,
died February 24 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Chinnery was born in Glasgow, Scotland on February 15, 1925,
the daughter of Gavin Mathie and Helen Phillips Mathie. She was
of the Catholic Faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Helen Riddick of Palm Desert,
CA. and Barbara Jean Clay of Clover; one brother, Ian Mathie of
New York, NY; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Mrs. Chinnery will be held at Powell Funeral
Home Chapel on February 28 at 3 p.m. with Sister Edna Maier conducting
the service.
Haywood Renn Evans, 81, of Henderson, NC, died February 19 at
his home.
Born in Vance County, NC, he was the son of the late Thomas John
Evans and Margaret Renn Evans Croom and was first married to Mary
Newman Evans and later to Ann Starkey Evans and Lessie Burgess
Evans.
Mr. Evans was a retired carpenter, and a retired security guard
with Allied Security, Inc., in Raleigh, NC. He was a member of
the Loyal Order of the Moose in Henderson.
Survivors are his wife; a brother, Donald Powell Evans of Greenville,
TN; a stepdaughter, Brenda Thaxton Platt of Madison, NC; a stepson,
John W. Thaxton of Greensboro, NC; and two grandsons. He was preceded
in death by a son, Ronnie H. Evans.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. February 22 at Elmwood
Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Tim Burgess.
James Edward Harris, 72, of 5192 East Hyco Road, South Boston
died February 23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Harris was born in Halifax County on September 8, 1929, the
son of the late William Harris and Lottie Murphy Harris and was
married to Ann Ragland Harris. He was a member of Blue Wing Grove
Baptist Church, was an Army Veteran having served in Korea and
Vietnam, and was a member of American Legion Post #99.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Jarious Harris of Philadelphia,
PA and Derrick Harris of Richmond; eight sisters, Lucy H. Talley
of High Point, NC, Janie H. Wilkerson of Brooklyn, NC, Rose H.
Cohen of East Orange, NJ, Susie H. Whitehead of south Toms River,
NJ, Verdella H. Cowell of South Boston, Vernessa H. Whidbee of
Brooklyn, NY, Catherine H. McCall of Washington, DC and Gladys
H. Roberts of Forrestville, MD.; two brothers, Willie D. Harris
of Virgilina and John M. Harris of South Boston, four grandchildren;
and one great-grandson.
Funeral services for Mr. Harris will be held March 1 at 2 p.m.
at Blue Wing Grove Baptist with the Rev. Haywood Jennings officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Ray Garland Creasy Jr., 52, of 1050 Hardie Lane, Halifax died
February 24 at Duke University Medical Center.
Mr. Creasy was born in Halifax County on March 18, 1949, the son
of the late Ray Garland Creasy Sr. and Etta Conner Creasy. He
was an Army Veteran and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America.
Survivors include one son, Timothy Wayne Creasy of Roxboro, NC;
one daughter, Angela M. Gregory of FL.; four sisters, Marion Morris
and Becky Echols, both of Ringgold, Barbara Snead of South Boston
and Debbie Root of Waynesboro; one brother, Bernard Creasy of
Halifax; one grandson, Anfernee Craig Creasy; and one granddaughter,
Adria Nicole Gregory. He was also preceded in death by one sister,
Ruby Hughes.
A funeral service for Mr. Creasy will be held today, February
27, at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel at 3 p.m. with burial to follow
in Ebenezer Mennonite Church Cemetery, Wolf Trap Road, South Boston.
Aubrey Lewis Anderson, 81, of 5225 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie
died February 25 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Anderson was born in Halifax County on December 24, 1920,
the son of the late Nathan Comer Anderson and Myrtle Hardie Anderson
and was married to Sarah Conner Anderson. He was a member of Hunting
Creek Baptist Church, a Mason with Kerns Lodge, Crystal Hill and
Woodmen of the World #106, Nathalie.
Survivors include his wife; four sons, James Aubrey Anderson and
wife, Anne of Buffalo Junction, Jackie Conner Anderson and wife,
Judy, David Ray Anderson, Ricky Lynn Anderson and wife, Betty,
all of Nathalie; two granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Jones and husband,
Steve of Midlothian and Susan A. Williams and husband, Mark of
Matthews, NC; four great-grandchildren, Sandra and Sarah Jones
of Midlothian and Sydney and Cooper Williams of Matthews; one
sister, Edna Mae Bagley and husband, Wilson of Kenbridge; two
brothers, Dewey H. Anderson and wife, Cleo and C.L. 'Charlie'
Anderson and wife, Margaret, all of Nathalie.
Services for Mr. Anderson will be held tomorrow, February 28,
at 2 p.m. at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. H.V.
Conner and Tony Sisk conducting the service. Burial will take
place in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening
from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Patrick
Henry Boys and Girls Plantation, PO Box 1398, Brookneal, 24528,
or Southside Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association,
PO Box 310, South Hill, 23970.