In an effort to consolidate the South Boston and Halifax branches
in the area, BB&T bank has filed a zoning permit to build
a new, larger facility in the Centerville area.
The new facility means that the bank's two current locations,
on Wilborn Avenue and Halifax Road, are expected to close, but
no jobs will be lost in the transition, according to Ron Rash,
senior vice-president of the corporation.
"We expect, in time, to increase the number of employees,"
he said.
He said that the reason behind the consolidation is to improve
customer service.
"We are committed to small communities," he said. "The
most important thing for us is to put everyone under one roof."
But the move is far from a done deal, Rash pointed out.
"We are actively pursuing a new site," confirmed Rash.
But the bank is "waiting for approvals from multiple state
and federal regulators."
According to the site plan for the potential bank, unveiled during
Wednesday's meeting of the South Boston Planning Commission, the
new facility will feature five drive-through windows and plenty
of parking.
The actual location for the new bank, although a closely guarded
secret, is rumored to be at 4028 and 4030 Halifax Road, currently
the locations of 220 Seafood and The Grapevine.
Pat Wingler, who owns the property in question, has consistently
declined to confirm the deal.
Petitions have been filed against a 15-year-old male Nathalie
juvenile in Halifax yesterday, charging him with the vandalism
of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
"We received a report of the incident Wednesday at approximately
5 p.m.," Lt. John Barber of the South Boston Police Department
said yesterday.
Barber said that when officers arrived at the church, they discovered
that two doors of the church were damaged with an axe, and several
windows were broken.
"There is definitely thousands of dollars worth of damage
to the church," Barber said.
Investigators suspect that the crime was committed on Tuesday,
because they arrested the juvenile charged with the crime for
skipping school and wielding an axe Tuesday.
The damage remained undiscovered until Wednesday, according to
investigators.
"Parishioners arrived at the church Wednesday and discovered
the damage," Barber observed.
"While investigating the vandalism at the church, we learned
that a 15-year-old had been picked up in the White Oak subdivision
for skipping school and running around with an axe," the
lieutenant said.
"Thankfully, the suspect wasn't able to get inside the church,"
Barber said. "He could have done some major damage if he
had."
Investigators were still trying to determine where the child obtained
the axe used in the crime.
"If that can be determined, additional charges are expected
to be filed against the juvenile.
It was unclear at press time whether the juvenile would be held
for the crimes until his court date.
A Virginia State Trooper escaped serious injury after flipping
his cruiser several times on U.S. 360 while responding to a call,
according to investigating Sgt. L.D. Bishop.
First Sgt. Jeff Lane said yesterday that Trooper Jason L. Crowder
was responding to reports of reckless driving and shots being
fired in the Scottsburg area around 9 p.m. when the accident occurred.
"We had reports that shots were possibly being fired from
a vehicle, and he was en route to investigate," Lane said.
Bishop said that Crowder was eastbound at a high rate of speed
when he lost control of his cruiser in a curve.
"He ran off the left side of the highway and struck a sign,
which caused his left front tire to blow," Bishop said.
"At that point, the rim dug into the soft shoulder and caused
the car to overturn," he added.
According to police reports, the car flipped several times before
coming to rest on its roof with Crowder suspended upside-down
in the vehicle.
"All of the trooper's radios were disabled in the crash,
so he used his personal cell phone to call the incident in,"
the investigating sergeant said.
Lane said that the fact the trooper was wearing a seat belt probably
saved his life.
"He suffered cuts, abrasions and bruises in addition to scratching
the cornea of his eye," Lane said. "But that seat belt
saved his life.
"Thankfully, no other vehicles or property damage were involved,"
he added.
Crowder was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital, where he
was treated for injuries sustained in the crash and released.
The vehicle, a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, was declared a total
loss.
Crowder was assigned to the Halifax field office approximately
six months ago after graduating from the Virginia State Police
Academy.
It was unclear how long he will be out of work as a result of
his injuries.
Both Lane and Bishop said that an administrative investigation
into the circumstances surrounding the accident would be conducted,
and that any potential disciplinary action would be handled within
the department.
The South Boston Police Department needs your help.
At approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday night, a black male armed with
a handgun entered the Video Den in Riverdale and demanded money
from the clerk.
"After robbing the clerk at gunpoint, the suspect fled the
building with an undetermined amount of money," Lt. John
Barber said yesterday.
It remained unclear yesterday whether the suspect left in an automobile
or on foot, according to police.
Officers said scant information was available as to the identity
of the culprit.
"The only description we have is (the suspect) is a black
male who had a hood over his face and was carrying a handgun,"
Barber said.
Police are continuing their investigation and are trying to determine
the identity of the subject.
If you have any information on this or any other crime, you are
asked to call Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS or 476-TIPS.
Free recycling bins and a resolution supporting
renovation of Halifax Elementary School topped Halifax Council's
agenda Tuesday night.
Town Council unanimously endorsed a recommendation supporting
the renovation of Halifax Elementary School rather than consolidation
with Sinai Elementary at the Sinai site.
The School Board is exploring its capital projects options, seeking
input through a series of public hearings.
The motion to support renovation of Halifax Elementary School
was offered by Councilman Jack Dunavant, with a second by Councilman
D.F. Guthrie.
On Wednesday, town officials also added free storm debris collection
twice weekly throughout March.
Small tree limbs that fell during the wintry storms will be collected
on Wednesday and Friday, if residents call the town office to
schedule a collection, town officials said Wednesday.
Limbs and sticks must fit into a pickup truck and must be placed
near the driveway for collection.
In a renewed residential and commercial recycling effort, 18-gallon
bins for recycling are being offered to residents.
Town Manager Robert Greene urged residents to sign up for the
service at the town office.
Cardboard, newspapers, tin and aluminum cans as well as plastics
will be recycled, but not glass.
In other business, councilmen were introduced to Raymond and Debbie
Schillo, a Keeling couple who plan to open Massey's Catering,
Cakes and Crafts in the building being vacated by the ABC store
on Main Street.
The Halifax and South Boston ABC facilities are consolidating
in Centerville. That facility is scheduled to open later this
year.
"We are shooting for a June opening," said Raymond Schillo
yesterday. "We expect ABC to be in until April. We will remodel
in May and open in June."
While the bakery will be the couple's focus, they also plan luncheon
specials at the Main Street business.
The bakery will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until
6 p.m., while lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, according
to Schillo.
"If business warrants, we'll open the bakery Saturday mornings,"
added Schillo.
Public Hearing
During a joint town/county meeting scheduled Monday, March 17,
at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax, a public hearing will be held
at 6:30 p.m. seeking input on the proposed Community Development
Block Grant for the town.
Carl Espy, chairman of the town's Planning Commission, said $700,000
is being sought in the CDBG.
County and town endorsement of the application are expected following
the public hearing.
The main part of the Streetscape project is facade improvements
for Main Street buildings.
"A good portion of funds would be used in a 50/50 facade
improvement program with property owners," explained Espy.
"At this point we have about 75 percent of downtown property
owners who have signed a statement of participation for the facade
improvement program."
Curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements are also part of the package.
Town Council also approved a Halifax Dixie Youth League request
to allow use of the public address system for the league's April
opening and June closing at Halifax Elementary School.
Greene also updated Council on the light fixtures for Treybrook.
The town manager is hoping installation will be complete within
a month.
Gloria Yvonne Davis, 50, of Forestville, MD, formerly of South
Boston, died March 8 at Arlington Hospice Care Center in Arlington.
Ms. Davis was born in South Boston on October 6, 1952, the daughter
of Samuel Davis Sr. and Rosa Majors Davis. She was a member of
Faith United Church of Christ in Washington, DC.
Survivors include her mother of South Boston; two sisters, Sandra
Davis-Johnson of Forestville, and Audrey Davis-Sehon of Sunnyvale,
CA; and two brothers-in-law, Walter Johnson and Michael Sehon.
Graveside services for Ms. Davis will be held tomorrow, March
15 at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens in South Boston. The
family will receive friends at the gravesite Saturday.
James Louis Sanders, 62, of Smithville, NC, died March 10 in MD.
Mr. Sanders was born in Smithville on October 15, 1940, the son
of Robert and Quissie Sanders.
Survivors include one son, Michael P. Sanders of MD; one daughter-in-law,
Tyra Sanders; four grandchildren; and his former wife, Queen Davis.
He was preceded in death by a friend, Sarah Canty.
Burial for Mr. Sanders will be held tomorrow, March 15, at 10
a.m. at the Miller Family Cemetery in South Boston.
Vianna Lowe 'Vi' Pleasants, 81, of 206 Yates Street, South Boston,
died March 11 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Pleasants was born in Somerset, KY on January 6, 1922, the
daughter of William Jackson Lowe and Lillie Ware Lowe and was
married to Alton Baxton Pleasants. She was a member of First Baptist
Church of South Boston.
Survivors include her husband; two sons and daughters-in-law,
Alton B. Pleasants III and wife, Sarah, of South Boston, and Rodney
M. Pleasants and wife, Donna, of Danville; one brother, David
Lowe of Somerset.
Mrs. Pleasants was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Lori
Michelle Pleasants; five sisters, Violet Vorich, Jesse Plummer,
Violet Girdler, Ruth Helen Roberson, and Virginia Lowe; and one
brother, Daniel Lowe.
Services will be held today, March 14 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist
Church with the Revs. Dane Skelton and Tim Nuckles officiating.
Burial will take place in Danville Memorial Gardens.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax
County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, 24592.
Arthur Lee Williams, 84, of 1110 Deer Ridge Trail, South Boston,
died March 10 at the Veterans' Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Mr. Williams was born in Halifax County on February 13, 1919,
the son of James H. Williams and Willie Barksdale Williams. He
was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church and was also a Navy
Veteran.
Survivors include one daughter, Dorothy Williams Screen of Bronx,
NY; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother,
James Williams of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Williams will be held March 15 at 2 p.m.
at New Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Ford officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Noel
Screen, 1094 Deer Ridge Trail, South Boston.