The Halifax County Public School system was awarded a $70,000 grant by the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation last week to be used to help anti-smoking efforts for area youth.
Superintendant of schools Dennis Witt says the grant will be used to fund a full-time counselor in Halifax County Middle School.
"The check came in the mail this week," Witt said last Friday.
He went on to say that the grant will be used to hire a counselor to create a program that sparks a positive environment in the school.
"This positive action program has different components, but will provide an onsite professional to deal with positive attitudes and anti-tobacco and drug campaigns," the superintendant said.
Witt said that the grant was very competitive.
"There were grants applied for that weren't accepted, so we're proud to have been awarded the grant.
"Our folks put together a good proposal," he added.
The grant proposal was put together by Barbara Speece and Ann Leggett.
Witt said that he thinks that the addition of the counselor at the middle school will be a step in the right direction to educate middle school students about the dangers of tobacco use.
"The grant will be used to provide a student-assistance counselor at the middle school next year," he said.
The school system will hire the counselor as soon as possible.
He said that the program would be implemented before this school year is over and continue through next year.
"I think that we can renew the grant for five years, and then we will apply for re-funding," Witt said.
Over 250 grants were awarded, and participants from all over the state were in Richmond last week for the VSTFs first annual grantee training conference.
"This event was not only an excellent format to educate and provide information to our grant recipients, but demonstrated to everyone in attendance how committed Virginians are to the health and well-being of our youth," said VTSF Executive Director Marty Kilgore.
The VTSF Board of Trustees issued contracts with 84 community-based organizations across the state to distribute $6.8 million for use in tobacco use prevention programs.
The awarding of the grants was the culmination of a three-month process that included organizations applying for the grant, a review of the proposals by the Foundation's advisory boards, and the vote by the Board of Trustees.
The VSTF is a political sub-division of the Master Settlement Agreement and was created by the General Assembly in 1999 to use 10 percent of the payments Virginia receives from the MSA.
A Foundation spokesman said that the VTSFs mission is to work to prevent the youth of Virginia from using tobacco products through marketing and advertising efforts, local programs and education, research and enforcement of regional tobacco laws.

Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton will be honored April 13 at his hometown racetrack in South Boston.
The Ward Burton Day Celebration will include activities at the speedway, as well as a unique tribute to Burton's wildlife preservation interest.
"Club 22 is not only to honor his win at the Daytona 500 and his achievement in NASCAR racing, but also to benefit Halifax County and the children through his Wildlife Foundation," said Celebration Committee member Larry Clark.
"He sees young people as the beneficiaries of the foundation."
Foundation membership is normally $25, but during the celebration membership will be $22, which is also the number of Burton's race car.
"It will be possible to join Club 22 at the speedway that day," added Clark.
The committee's decision to channel celebration of the event through the foundation is because is it a "true focus" for Ward, explained Clark.
The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit organization, was created in 1996 and dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Currently, the foundation has approximately 2,000 acres of prime habitat located in southern Virginia, which provides wildlife food plots for a variety of animals.
With seven and a half miles of river frontage bordering the property, there is an ongoing wetlands project being developed for the well-being of migratory waterfowls and other nongame species.
Over 800 acres of 90 to 130-year-old hardwoods are being protected for the benefit of neotropical migrants, as well as a host of resident birds and animals.
One of the foundation's goals is to establish and maintain an educational program for youngsters and adults, helping them to understand their stewardship responsibilities for the natural environment.
"Preserving our natural resources has become a passion that was instilled in me by my grandfather," Burton explains in a foundation brochure.
"Although we formed the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation in Virginia, we realized that across North America people are becoming more aware of the need for protecting and preserving habitat and wildlife resources.
Our goal is to take that message nationwide, working with volunteers willing to help our program.
"We believe that it is the inherent responsibility of all sportsmen and conservationists to preserve the wildlife, habitat, traditional and values that we hold so true," Burton said.
For additional information, see www.thewardburtonwildlifefoundation.org.

Tips on research and opportunities to increase farm income in 2002 and beyond were topics Friday when Extension Agent Larry McPeters met with farmers.
The extension agent told producers about profitable crops that can be produced in Halifax County.
He emphasized that with the current downturn in the economy, many part-time farmers have now lost their outside jobs and are having to use their farms as their only source of income.
"With tobacco falling by the wayside, many of you are looking for other sources of income," McPeters said.
Some of those other sources of income include cow and calf operations.
"With our ability to produce forages, this could be a big industry in Halifax County," he said.
Another income source for farmers is timber.
"Timber is going to be a big player in the future," McPeters predicted.
He mentioned some area industries as indicators of the benefit of growing timber.
"With Huber, GP and LP right here in Halifax County, timber can be a great source of income for your farms," he said.
Another source of income for farmers to consider is contract livestock.
"An example of contract livestock would be the hog operations that we have tried to get started in the past," he said.
McPeters said that there were eight farms contracting livestock in the area right now, and that it was a viable option for farmers to consider.
"There is also limited opportunity for produce growers in Halifax County at this time," he said.
McPeters said that these were some options for farmers to consider when choosing the direction of their farms.
"We feel like these enterprises are profitable because there is a market for your products," the extension agent said.
He said that now was the time for farmers to change their thinking.
"The traditional farmer thinking is you research the product, produce the product, and market the product," he said.
McPeters feels that now is the time to think about how to exist in a new market.
To illustrate his point, McPeters showed a slide presentation of the cash income of agricultural commodities.
While tomatoes were on top of the income scale, tobacco was ranked sixth.
"When you look at a list like this, you want to go out and grow tomatoes," McPeters said.
"But the question is, where are you going to sell them?"
He feels that making a farm profitable in the future will depend on farmers' taking a few necessary steps.
"One of the things that you need to do is to create high yields," he said.
He added that there is a lot of research available to the farmer to help him get high yields.
Another step in creating a profitable farm enterprise is to have quality products.
"And one of the most important things a farmer can do is to have a network of marketing sources in place," he said.
The final step in creating a profitable farm is to enroll in farm commodity programs.
"A lot of people are too proud to sign up for these government programs, but the money is there to help you," he said.
McPeters said that there were a lot of other farm income opportunities available.
"You need to look at trucking opportunities, machine hiring, and fee hunting, as well as home-based businesses," he said.
McPeters summed up the changes in agricultural enterprise.
"We must look at change as the opportunity to make money."
After McPeters opened the meeting, Eric Eberly, farm management agent, addressed the group on marketing strategies for their farm.
Eberly said that one of the most important changes a farmer can make is a change in their marketing attitude.
"You can take a price that is available for your product, or you can determine your own price and develop a strategy to get that price," Eberly maintained.
Eberly said that the farm bureau has a farm marketing department to help farmers.
Kevin Bohon, executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Halifax County, addressed the group on USDA and FSA programs that were available to the farmers.
"You need to take advantage of every program that's out there," he said.
Bohon detailed the options of the new farm bill that was being considered by congress.
He also addressed the group on risk management programs and crop insurance.
"Crop programs can be the difference between profitability and non-profitability for your farm," he warned.
McPeters addressed the group before it adjourned for lunch.
"Everybody is looking for that specialty crop that will give you big money, and I just don't think it's out there," he said.
"The trick is to know your research and know your markets.
"Get to know the people that are here to help you," he concluded.
After the lunch break, a farm income opportunity panel was on hand to exchange ideas with the farmers.

The Halifax County School Board learned Friday that it will have an additional $3 million composite index windfall for its school budget beginning with the curent school year and extending for the following 10 years.
That, along with proposed capital projects including construction of a track at Tuck Dillard Stadium and renovations to restrooms at Halifax County Middle School, and a public hearing on proposed changes to the attendance zones for Clays Mill and Scottsburg Elementary Schools top the agenda for tonight's Halifax County School Board meeting.
Tonight's meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room on the second floor of the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
It is open to the public.
While the 2002-2003 school year budget picture will receive quite a bit of attention, the current year's school budget will also be discussed.
A big factor in the development of next year's budget will be the impact of an additional $3 million in state composite index funding that the school system will receive for the current year's budget as well as for the following 10 years.
County leaders have been pursuing the composite index monies for the past two years.
Now that the money has been included in the state House and Senate budgets, the windfall will help ease the county's financial burdens as they pertain to school funding.
Tonight Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt will inform the school board of the Board of Supervisors' proposed budget calendar.
Then, he will ask school trustees to set a special meeting for later this month to develop a budget and adopt a draft budget.
Witt will also ask the School Board to set a public hearing on the proposed 2002-2003 school budget for April 8, the date of the body's scheduled April meeting.
The School Board is expected to meet with the Board of Supervisors on April 11 to review the school system's proposed budget and discuss the school system's educational needs.
A final budget session with the Board of Supervisors will be tentatively set for April 29.
In a related financial matter, the School Board is expected to discuss some capital projects to be undertaken during the current school year.
Witt said Friday that among the proposed projects are the construction of a new track at Tuck Dillard Stadium.
Due to the conditions of the track facilities, Halifax County High School has been unable to host a track meet in at least five years and has had to travel for all of its competitions.
The conditions of the facility have also resulted in Halifax County Middle School losing some of its home track meets as well as losing the ability to host the annual conference championship meet which it hosted for several years.
Also on the drawing board is the construction of tennis courts at Halifax County High School.
Tennis courts are badly needed at the high school as the current tennis courts at Halifax County Middle School are in something of a state of disrepair.
Other projects being eyed are the renovation and repair of restroom facilities at Halifax County Middle School, painting the school gym and the installation of acoustical tiles in the ceiling to help abate the noise and echo problems in the gym.
Also on the list is the paving of some parking lots.
In another related monetary matter, Songa Crawley, representing school system's cafeteria workers and Michael Stovall, representing the school system's custodians, will appear before the board tonight to ask the school board to consider pay hikes and additional benefits for their respective groups.
Also tonight, representatives of the Halifax County High School Baseball Booster Club are expected to ask the School Board's permission and assistance in the construction of a building near the school's baseball field to house a batting cage and pitching cage.
Another major subject on the School Board's agenda tonight is a public hearing on the attendance zones for Clays Mill Elementary School and Scottsburg Elementary School.
Changes in the attendance zones for the two schools are necessary due to the closing of Clover Elementary School which will take place at the end of the current school year.
School system officials met with parents of children attending the three schools at Scottsburg last Monday to discuss the proposed attendance zones.
Witt said no real opposition was noted by parents to the changes in the school attendance zones for Clays Mill and Scottsburg.
Tonight's public hearing, Witt said, will give parents and any other interested individuals a final opportunity to express their opinions and concerns.
The School Board is expected to adopt the proposed school attendance zones following the public hearing.
The only other matter before the School Board tonight under new business is the inclusion of a YMCA "Learn To Swim" program in the high school physical education curriculum as a pilot study program during the second semester of the current school year.

Frank Deiny Jr. knew he had one chance to wrestle the lead from Brandon Butler.
He took it and it paid off.
Deiny used a lapped car as a pick to dart past Butler on lap 43 and held on the rest of the way to win yesterday's wreck-filled season opening 150-lap NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division race at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway.
The Mechanicsville resident and defending Orange County Speedway NASCAR Late Model Stock Car Division champion held off Butler in a two lap sprint to the finish after the race's final caution period and edged Butler by .29 second, just over a car length.
"That was pretty exciting," said Deiny of the move that ultimately gave him a $3,500 payday and a guaranteed starting spot in the season ending 300-lap event in November.
"It was the kind of move we used to do in midgets. I was either going to be a hero or zero and I came out of it as a hero today.
"Brandon had to do what he felt he had to do to protect the lead," added Deiny, who led the final 116 laps of the race that was extended to 159 laps to allow for a two-lap green-flag finish.
"I had nothing to lose. I was going for it. I came here to win and that's what I wanted to do."
Butler, the pole winner, had a lead of about three car lengths on Deiny and eventual third-place finisher, Timothy Peters of Providence, N.C. when the leaders encountered some slower traffic.
"I caught that lapped traffic and I picked the high line," explained Butler who won $1,650 for his efforts.
"The guys are supposed to give you the courtesy underneath and they didn't, they kept racing.
"The high line was slower and Frankie picked the low line," added Butler.
"He picked the right one and I didn't."
The courtesy or, rather, the lack of courtesy displayed by some drivers of lapped cars left Butler fuming.
"The biggest thing in this race was some of the lapped cars," Butler said.
"Lapped cars cost me the race. I never got passed racing. I got passed because some lapped cars held me up. The NASCAR officials will probably try to take car of it. But, if they don't, I'm going to take care of it next time myself."
Butler stayed glued to the rear bumper of Deiny's Chevrolet the rest of the way with Peters shadowing the two leaders.
Three crashes in the last 17 laps of the race including two in the final seven laps of the scheduled 150-lap race distance allowed Butler to stay within hailing distance.
Butler got one final chance when the race was restarted for the final time on lap 157 for a two-lap sprint to the finish.
But, Deiny was able to protect his lead and hold on for the win.
"Brandon got one last shot there at the end and he took every advantage of it," Deiny noted.
"But my car ran well all day long."
Peters finished third with Nathan Buttke of Randleman, N.C. taking fourth and Ray Young of Bassett rounding out the top five.
Eddie Johnson of Ashland finished sixth, Kirk Leone of Raleigh, N.C., took the seventh spot and was the final driver to finish on the lead lap.
Kenny Bowes of Danville finished eighth, Rodney Cook of Reidsville finished ninth in a Ford and Mark Parks of Forest finished tenth. The trio were a lap down at the end.
The race was slowed by seven caution periods for a variety of mishaps one of which was followed by a red flag.
A total of 62 laps were run under the yellow flag.
One of the most spectacular crashes of the day occurred on the frontstretch on lap 133 when Eddie Johnson's Ford tangled with Todd Massey's Chevrolet and vaulted on top of Massey's car as the drivers attempted to avoid the spinning car of Jerry Holyfield Jr.
The incident triggered a multi-car mishap that blocked the frontstretch and forced NASCAR officials to bring out the red flag and stop the race.
So many cars were damaged in mishaps that the decimated field of cars looked like rolling wrecks.
Only 18 of the race's 34 starters were running at the finish.
Deiny averaged 42.133 mph in the race that took one hour and 30 minutes to complete.
Cash, Francisco Split Limited Sportsman Twin Bill
Jonathan Cash of Oxford, N.C. and Ryan Francisco of Nathalie earned victories yesterday in the Twin 50-lap NASCAR Limited Sportsman Division races.
Cash won the first race after defending division champion, Billy Myers of Hurt, and Adam Barker of Danville spun on lap 14 while battling for the lead.
The mishap allowed Cash to inherit the lead on lap 15 and the North Carolina driver held on to edge Wayne Roach Jr. of Gretna by a car length.
Francisco finished third in the first race followed by Bill Moshenek of Providence, N.C. and Charles Barnes of Chase City.
Francisco started third in the second race but jumped on top on the first lap and held on the rest of the way to get the win.
The young driver from Nathalie edged Roach by .41 second at the wire, but not without some anxious moments.
"I told the crew about halfway into the race that something was wrong with the car," Francisco said.
"They just told me to hang on and do the best I can.
"It's a good feeling," Francisco added, noting he was pleased to win with the car malfunctioning.
"That doesn't happen too often. Usually, when something is wrong with the car you don't finish that well. Apparently, it wasn't anything major."
Myers bounced back to finish third in the nightcap with Moshenek and Barnes rounding out the top five finishers.
Cash, who encountered transmission problems with his car late in the first race, was a non-factor in the second race.
He and his crew thrashed during the Late Model Stock Car Division race trying to make repairs but were unable to totally repair the problem.

Alice Sue Petty Via

Alice Sue Petty Via of 435 Hamilton Blvd., South Boston died March 10, 2002 at Somerset Court of South Boston.
She was born in South Boston on March 26, 1909 and was 92 years old. She was the daughter of Leslie Herbert Petty and Ella Weatherford Petty and was married to Albert Ross Via, Jr.
She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Tuesday Woman's Club, Halifax County United Daughters of the Confederacy, and a member and past Matron of the former Henry W. Woodall Chapter #80 Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Via is survived by a number of cousins.
Services for Mrs. Via will be held Wednesday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Pastor Doug Martin conducting the service. Burial will take place in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
A visitation will be held at Powell Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Louise Long Wilson Lowery

Louise Long Wilson Lowery of 4048 Virgilina Road, Virgilina died Saturday, March 9, 2002 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Person County, N. C. on January 11, 1915 and was 87 years old. She was the daughter of John Allen Long and Nannie Russell Long and was married to Colonel Lowery.
She was a member of Florence Avenue Baptist Church.
Mrs. Lowery is survived by her husband, Colonel Lowery; two sons: Merritt Wilson and A. G. Wilson, of Virgilina; sister, Hazel Long, of Roxboro, NC; brother, Alfred Long, Raleigh, NC; a half sister, Nannie Hatchett; three half brothers, Billy Long, Tennie Lee Long and Jack Long, all of Roxboro, NC; 15 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchilden.
She was preceded by her first husband, Acie Wilson; daughter, Christine Bates; two sons, Jerry Wilson and Curtis Wilson and a daughter, Geraldine Wilson.
Services for Mrs. Lowery will be held at Florence Avenue Baptist Church today (Monday) at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Leslie Puryear officiating. Burial will take place in the Virgilina cemetery.

Jennie Davis Yancey

Jennie Davis Yancey of 1120 Cluster Ridge Trail, South Boston died Saturday, March 9, 2002 at The Woodview.
She was born in Halifax County on June 14, 1911 and was 90 years old. She was the daughter of Green Davis and Mary Ella Davis.
Mrs. Yancey was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and was a former employee of Halifax Cotton Mill as a loom operator.
Mrs. Yancey is survived a son, James Martin, of South Boston and a daughter, Thelma Harris, of Columbia, SC; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild.
She preceded in death by her first husband, Joe Russell Martin; second husband, Charles E. Yancey; three daughters, Ruth M. Glass, Anna Talbott and Jean C. Satterfield; one son, Joe F. Martin and two grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Yancey will be held today (Monday) at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Boston

Inez Carter Boyd

Inez Carter Boyd of 2190 Wilkins Road, Alton died Friday, March 8, 2002 at The Woodview.
She was born in Halifax County on July 7, 1916 and was 85 years old. She was the daughter of Johnny G. Carter and Fannie Stanfield Carter.
Mrs. Boyd was a member of Olive Branch United Methodist Church and was a retired Leggett Department Store employee.
Mrs. Boyd is survived by two sons, Jerry B. Boyd, of Ramseur, NC; Carter O. Boyd, of Alton; one daughter, Jackie B. Hackney, of South Boston; two sisters, Annie C. Smith and Shirley C. Collie, of Alton, seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her husband, Walter S. Boyd.
Graveside services for Mrs. Boyd will be held today (Monday) at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Teixeira officiating. Burial will be in the family cemetery, Alton.
The family request those wishing to give memorials please consider Olive Branch United Methodist Church or Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department, 8146 Philpott Rd., South Boston, VA 24592.

Marian Guy Green

Marian Guy Green of Nathalie, died Friday, March 8 at her home. Mrs. Green was born in Brooklyn, N.J. on April 2, 1956 and was 45 years of age.
Ms. Green was the daughter of Bennie White, Sr. and the late Ottrice Guy White.
Ms. Green was member of First Baptist Church of Meadville. She is survived by one daughter, Yolonda Guy; one granddaughter, YaQueera Guy; she is also survived by six brothers; Percy Guy of Connecticut, Ronald Guy of Nathalie; Timothy White, Bennie White Jr., of Conneticut, Quentin Byrd, Richard Hamlett, of Nathalie; five sisters, Inez Guy, Ottrice Canada, Brenda Hamlett, Wilheminia Hamlett and Emma Guy, off of Nathalie, a devoted Cousin Shirley Dixon, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Green will be held Tuesday, March 12 at 2 p.m. with services at the First Baptist Church of Meadville with the Rev. R. S. Wimbish conducting the services.
Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will be receiving friends at the home of Inez Guy and Mary Welch, 1048 Bessie Marion Trail, Nathalie.

Cleopatria T. Thaxton

Cleopatria Thompson Thaxton of 1816 Parker Avenue, South Boston, died Friday, March 8 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 70.
Mrs. Thaxton was born in Halifax County, on January 2, 1932 and was the daughter of the late Thaddeaus Thompson and Pensie Cunningham Thompson. She was married to the late Junior Owen Thaxton and was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Thaxton is survived by three daughters: Pensie Thaxton, of South Boston; Velda Thaxton, of Washington, DC and Endy Thaxton Jama, of Cairo, Egypt; four sons: Cardwell Thaxton of Plainfield, NJ; Mervyn Thaxton, and Rodney Thaxton, both of Washington, DC and Thadyus Thaxton, of South Boston; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Antinetta Martin of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Thaxton were held Sunday, March 10 at the McLaughlin Memorial Holiness Church with the Rev. Leonard Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Garden Cemetery.