Although its been raining the past few days - and the chance of rain for today is at 70 percent - experts and local farmers say that the rain is not going to be enough to end what many are calling a severe drought.
"We are still in a drought," said Mike Emlaw, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "The rain you have gotten in Halifax County is certainly beneficial, but we feel that you're 12-24 inches below normal over the last three years."
"We have the specter of a drought of historical proportions showing up this summer," said Patrick J. Michaels, state climatologist.
Emlaw said that Halifax County residents shouldn't contemplate getting out from under drought conditions any time soon.
"The thing that we're trying to tell people is that it took us a long time to get into the drought, it will take us a long time to get out of it," he said.
Emlaw said that the state Drought Task Force met last week to deal with the possibility of drought conditions this summer.
Kevin Bohon, USDA executive director for Halifax County, agrees.
"It's going to take more than a couple of days of rain to get us out of drought conditions," he said.
Bohon said that any rain that the county gets will help to put some moisture in the top surface of the soil, and will help crops.
"But for the water table in the longterm, we need weeks of significant rain to get back to where we should be," he added.
He said that one indicator of how low the underground water is is well drilling.
"Across the county, we're seeing areas where we're drilling wells 450-500 feet deep in order to reach water," Bohon said. "In years past, we used to hit water before 200 feet.
Bruce Pierce of Halifax Soil and Water Conservation agrees.
"The average well depth in Halifax County used to be 110 feet," he said.
Pierce said yesterday that a drought of the magnatude that we are experiencing is unprecedented.
"I don't think that this area has seen anything like it, at least in this generation," he said.
He added that the weather conditions over the past week have helped the rainfall soak into the soil.
"The good thing about this rain is that it hasn't been too windy or sunny, and that gave the rain a chance to soak into the ground," Pierce said.
Area farmers are counting on rainfall to help with crops this year.
"The rain is certainly a blessing," said Lucy Conner."I'm tickled to death to get this much rain, but we need a lot more."
Conner said that without a significant amount of rain, farmers will end up spending more to raise their crops.
"Irrigating crops is an expensive proposition, and without more rain, the ponds will be so low that we won't be able to irrigate," she said.
Hudson Reese said that without more rain, the 2002 season could be a catastrophe.
"Without more rain, there won't be a crop hardly this year," he said.
He added that the rain that we have received this week will help the pastures and hay crops.
"But rain that we get in March won't help much during a hot, dry spell in July."
Reese said that he hadn't heard of any wells running dry so far.
"But it will take a lot more rain to affect the water levels here," he said.
Conner said that she knew of farmers that were breaking up the ground to help absorb the rainfall.
"We need to do everything we can to get the water into the ground," she said.
Stream flows are below normal in every major basin in the state, and new record lows for December were posted at gauges in the York, James and Roanoke river basins, said state officials.
Michaels' office reported 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 during the period.

By Cathy Cochelin
The News-Progress
KEYSVILLE - Alone, there is little one Southside Virginia community can do to attract visitors for more than a few hours or a day. But when several communities pool their cultural, historic and recreational assets and properly market them, the possibilities for reaping healthy benefits from the tourism industry are endless.
That was the message dozens of people carried away Monday from a Virginia's Retreat Regional Tourism Marketing Summit held at the Southside Virginia Community College Workforce Development Center here.
Representatives from various state and local governmental agencies, chambers of commerce, historic sites and other tourist destinations in the 12-county area served by the Petersburg-based regional tourism marketing consortium attended the event, which explored ways in which Southside Virginia can be developed and positioned as a tourism destination for people from around the world.
"Every county, city and town is an industry," Fifth District Congressman Virgil H. Goode Jr. told summit participants during his keynote luncheon address. "Tourism is an industry that is right in our backyard."
Statistics show that in Virginia, tourism is the third largest retail industry, generating some 207,000 jobs in 2000, and an estimated $13.1 billion in revenue, Goode said.
"Eighty percent of travelers come from outside of Virginia," he said. "That means that 80 percent of that $13.1 billion is new money."
Goode said that trends show that as the pace of life has quickened, individuals and families are more eager than ever to grab time for getaways that would require only a long weekend. And they are seeking more rural venues - such as those offered in Southside Virginia - for those three- and four-day trips.
He praised Virginia's Retreat for its Lee's Retreat Driving Tour, Virginia's first self-guided Civil War driving trail, and said he looks forward to the May debut of the organization's Wilson-Kautz Driving Tour, which will be the second self-guided Civil War driving tour in southern Virginia.
He also cited the organization for its efforts to promote the many outdoor recreational opportunities the region has to offer through fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, horseback riding and more.
"You are focusing on the fact that individuals have varying tastes and interests, in addition to the variety of traditional tourist activities," Goode said. "This makes for a positive experience."
The congressman stressed the importance of the Internet in attracting visitors, adding that marketing and advertising for tourist sites can be accomplished for minimal investment.
Also speaking at the Monday summit were Joyce French of the Lake Country Marketing Council, and Stephanie Hamlett of Virginia's Heartland Partnership, both of whom hailed tourism as an important part of economic development.
"Tourism is economic development in the Lake Country Marketing region, equally as important as attracting an industry," French said. "We need diversity ... and tourism makes the ride through the rough times easier."
She said that 1999 figures show that $79.6 million was spent in Mecklenburg County on travel, with $21.3 million spent in Halifax County, $8.3 million in Charlotte, and $3.5 million in Lunenburg. Those figures could be much greater, she said, if more people knew what is available in the region.
"We have the amenities and it's our responsibility to make sure the word gets out," she said.
Other speakers expressed similar observations, focusing on the need for a regional approach to drawing visitors.
"We have a wealth of assets at our disposal and we need to use them," said Ken Copeland of the Longwood Small Business Development Center. "We have a worldwide audience and a very, very well-kept secret."
Virginia's Retreat, which is comprised of representatives from the City of Petersburg, and Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties, plans to hold another tourism summit in 2004.

By KEITH STRANGE
Halifax County sheriff's deputies had to wash more than road grime off their cars after a pursuit Monday.
Their vehicles were coated with powdered cocaine following an afternoon chase on Route 58 that resulted in the arrest of Timothy Allen Slate, 44, of Claudeville.
"It was definitely the most expensive coating our cars have ever had," sheriff's department officials said yesterday.
Sheriff's deputies received a call from a citizen at approximately 5:30 p.m. stating that he was following a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe that was towing a yellow tandem-axle trailer he had reported stolen in Pittsylvania County two weeks ago.
Deputies began following the vehicle, which was traveling eastbound near the Halifax County Industrial Park.
While deputies T.C. Spencer and S.A. Moore attempted to stop the vehicle, Slate began throwing out large bags of a substance later identified as cocaine and methamphetamine.
"The cocaine was dumped out over a mile and a half area," said Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax County/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
According to police reports, the deputies' vehicles were covered with the powdery drugs.
"There was powder cocaine all over the windshield and hood," Spencer confirmed yesterday.
"We tried to collect the cocaine as best we could," he said.
Slate's vehicle was finally stopped near Old Cluster Springs Road.
"I pinned him in with my car," Spencer said.
Pulliam said that a large amount of cocaine, methamphetamine and cash were seized.
During the ensuing investigation, the bomb squad was brought in because investigators found what appeared to be a pipe bomb in Slate's vehicle.
"It was determined that there was no bomb in the vehicle," said Capt. Larry Fears of the Sheriff's Department.
"(Slate) has been convicted of drug-related offenses in the past," Fears added.
Fears said yesterday that the trailer in question was not the one that was reported stolen.
Slate is currently being held without bail at the Halifax Regional Jail.
Assisting the Halifax County Sheriff's Department with the pursuit were officers from the South Boston Police Department, the Department of Corrections and the Virginia State Police.

A letter from Burlington Industries seeking tax reductions for its Halifax plant was rejected by the Board of Supervisors' Finance Committee during its Monday afternoon meeting.
"The answer was that the resources the county has would focus on the next industry that occupied that building, not the one that is leaving," said Joe Morgan, Halifax County administrator.
Specifically, Burlington sought reduction of its machinery and tools property tax basis as well as it real estate tax.
In its letter, Burlington said it would be lucky to get $2 million for all of its Halifax County real estate, but that the county's 2001 assessed value totaled about $5 million for the real property.
Burlington announced earlier this year that it will close its Halifax plant this summer, which will claim approximately 650 jobs.
In other business, the finance committee reviewed budget projections that reveal locally controlled revenues of about $19 million.
From $19.8 million in locally controlled revenues, Morgan said the county was down to about $19 million in estimates.
"Another $40 million is coming from state and federal government," added Morgan.
With the additional $3.5 million in revenue coming to the county through the change in the county's composite index rate, the supervisors' deficit picture improved.
"School revenue would make up $3.5 million of the $4 million projected deficit," the county administrator said yesterday.
"Instead of a big hole, we have a shallow hole," added Morgan.
Supervisors
Supervisors will begin their April 1 regular session in the conference room in Mary Bethune Complex, but will move to the gym for public hearings.
Last month over 200 hunters attended the board meeting seeking reversal of a 2001 county ordinance that required a 100-foot offset from the center lane of a road when hunting.
The board granted a public hearing April 1 to address the hunting issue. The anticipated turnout for that hearing prompted supervisors to designate the gym as the site for the public hearings scheduled that night.
During their joint session with towns Monday night, county supervisors and towns endorsed a Henry County proposal asking the United States to "initiate meaningful and appropriate action to assist communities impacted by trade policies enacted by Congress."
Henry County has lost 9,359 jobs and 24 complete plant closings since 1993. Henry County officials say they now face more potential losses due to trade with China.
In Free Trade Impact Zones (FTIZ), Henry County is proposing corporate federal income credits and abatements; creation of FTIZ Special Economic Assistance Fund; appropriation of $75 million to create a FTIZ Redevelopment Assistance Fund; $100 million to create a FTIZ Public Education Support Fund; $80 million to create a FTIZ Utility Support Fund.
Supervisors and town councilmen also heard a report from Douglas Powell about Virginia's Retreat. Powell is the area's representative working on the tourism initiative.
Ten years ago, counties began pooling their resources to promote tourism, Powell told the board.
"Lee's Retreat Driving Tour is a worldwide, tremendous success," he added.
The Wilson-Kautz Driving Tour, which includes Staunton River Battlefield Park, will open this summer.
Powell also introduced a resolution proposed by three organizations to proclaim April Confederate History and Heritage Month.
The resolution was sought by the Armistead-Hill-Goode-Elam Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Halifax Chapter, and the Cabell-Graves Camp 1402 Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The request will be addressed at the April meeting.
In other business, supervisors adopted resolutions naming April 13 Ward Burton Day and recognizing March 17-23 as Virginia Agriculture Week.
With the state's primary roads hearing approaching, supervisors also approved a joint resolution with the towns to continue funding for the John Randolph Bridge and Route 501 improvements, without reducing secondary road funding.
The county and towns will be endorsing the primary roads projects not only as governing bodies but as part of the 501 coalition.
"They can't tell us where the bridge stands. In April it was listed for advertisement, but it's no longer listed," advised the county administrator.
"We've been talking about the John Randolph Bridge for 25 years," added Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott.
In other business, supervisors confirmed the following appointments, Supervisor Corky Rorrer to the Old Dominion University/Danville Community College Advisory Board. W.W. "Ted" Bennett and Ed Talbott were appointed to the Economic Development Council.

The Halifax County High School varsity softball team will defend its regular season and district title this season without many of the key ingredients of last year's squad.
"We lost six starters, and when you lose six starters, you lose a lot," remarked head coach Melanie Saunders, who will be assisted this year by Allen Lawter.
Charity Overby, who played under Saunders in high school, is also helping out during practice.
"But we have these kids coming in who are working hard and working at different positions. They have some versatility, which is good."
Gone are All-Northwest Region selections Anna Lewis, Lindsay Stolzenthaler and Branda Best.
They, along with All-Western District selections and fellow seniors Jenny Armistead, Amberly Moon and Brandi Conner, led the Comets to an undefeated Western District regular season as well as the tournament title.
They finished 19-2 overall.
The Comets will also miss the services of graduated seniors Laura Elliott, Joni Foster and Paige Gasperini.
But coach Melanie Saunders sees some positives in this year's edition, despite a low player turnout.
"We didn't have the numbers as last year, with only 13 coming out," Saunders pointed out.
"But, I'd rather have 13 people come out who are eager to play than 30 who don't want to learn, added Saunders.
"These kids out here are willing to learn and are giving it 150 percent."
The Comets have a nucleus of talent returning from last year's team, including All-Western District performers Felicia Sprattley and Jennifer Roller, as well as Erica Owen.
Seniors Kristi Tuck and Laura Gosney return as well, with Tuck available to play first or third base, and Gosney playing first base.
"We have some leadership back from last year," Saunders said.
"They're stepping up and taking the new players under their wing."
Saunders said she doesn't have a set lineup and that the lineup would likely change from game to game, but that versatility would be a strong point.
"Roller can play outfield or catcher, Sprattley can play outfield, catcher or pitcher and several others can play infield or outfield," said Saunders.
Pitching seems to be steady, although the Comets will miss Western District MVP and Northwest Region Co-Player of the Year Anna Lewis.
"Emily Pool returns, and Kristi Myer is up from the jayvees," noted Saunders.
"We'll miss Anna, but Emily can step into that role, with Kristi behind her, and then Sprattley behind her."
The Comets also have some big shoes to fill at the catcher position, which was anchored by Best last season, and at third base, where Lindsay Stolzenthaler played.
Saunders said she was working several players at the catcher position, including Emily Stolzenthaler, Sprattley and Roller.
The Comets will play in the Western Valley District this year, adding Cave Spring and Franklin County to an already tough district, which includes arch rival GW-Danville.
Saunders' team defeated Franklin County three times last year, including a tight game in the first round of the Northwest Region Tournament, before losing to Cave Spring in the Region Tournament Semifinals.
"All of the Franklin County games came down to the last inning and one hit and Cave Spring beat us 3-0 in the regionals last year," said Saunders.
"They're solid teams and GW is very solid too. They have a lot coming back.
"The district is going to be tough, and we're preparing the kids the best we can," added Saunders.
" The pitching is going to be faster, but the talent is there for us."
The varsity softball team is scheduled to open its season today at home against non-district opponent Dinwiddie.

With only three starters and a total of six players returning from last season's team, Halifax County jayvee girls softball coach Kirk Barnes characterizes this year's squad as talented, but young.
Barnes lost six players from last year, including Emily Stolzenthaler, Emily Pool, Kristi Myer, Lindsey Hastings, Taryn Garland and Mashonda Dismuke.
All six have moved up to the varsity.
"We have three returning starters from last year, Jamie Anderson, Erica Elliott and Kim Ford," said the fifth-year coach.
Fellow coach Kevin Neal is in his sixth year coaching the jayvees.
"Jamie was our catcher, Kim an outfielder and Erica was at second base. Our other returnees are Samantha Stewart, Vicky Forest and Samantha Forest."
Barnes and Neal will benefit from a contingent of 10 freshman, up from the strong Halifax County Middle School team a year ago.
"We have quite a few ninth-graders and we'll use the first few games to see who will play what position, rotate them around, see who can hit," said Barnes.
"There are still a few question marks left," he added.
Pitching looks pretty good, according to Barnes.
Tracy Nelson and Amanda Rogers (both right-handers) will do the bulk of the pitching.
"We feel that with these two, we'll be okay," said Barnes, who added left-hander Mallory Lawter could contribute as well.
In addition, Barnes said he would be working Jessica Lewis and Dani Lawter at the pitching position as the season progressed.
Versatility is a strong point of this year's jayvee team, as well as depth, according to Barnes.
Barnes said many of his players can be inserted at multiple positions.
"Vicky Forest can play both in the infield and outfield, (Jamie) Anderson can play outfield and (Kim) Ford can play about anywhere," said Barnes.
The jayvees were 17-0 last year, primarily due to the overall talent in the high school ranks, according to Barnes.
"We're blessed," Barnes said.
Most any of the teams we play don't have overall depth to their programs. If a ninth or tenth grader can play, they're pulled up to the varsity.
"We have enough talent to have both a good jayvee and varsity program."
Barnes feels his greatest competition this year in the Western Valley District will probably come from Cave Spring and Franklin County, two teams with established youth softball programs similar to Halifax County's.
Barnes is hoping that the jayvees, like the varsity, could participate in a season-ending tournament.
"I wish the jayvees could have a tournament," said Barnes.
"We were undefeated last year and have a lot to live up to this year. To go 17-0 would be nice, but my expectations are to win as many as we can and look at one game at a time.
"The girls have been working hard," he added.
The Halifax County High School jayvee softball team is scheduled to open its season at home today against non-district foe Dinwiddie.
Game time is 5 p.m. at Halifax County Middle School.

There is a big youth movement underway on the Halifax County High School girls track team.
Eleven of the 27 team members are freshmen. There are also 10 sophomores.
What that translates into is a very young team, a team that has 21 freshmen and sophomores out of a 27 member roster.
"This is definitely a building year," Douglas said as she and her team eye Friday's scheduled season opening meet at neighboring Person High School.
"When you look at the number of ninth-graders and tenth-graders we have, this is going to be a major reconstruction year."
While the team is very young with a large number of first-year participants, Douglas says don't write this team off of the scoreboard.
"We have some talent," Douglas said.
"I think we'll be okay. By the time we get to the Western Valley District meet, I think we can be a contender."
In addition to having to do some intense teaching, Bostick is also having to work with the young ladies to change their attitude and outlook toward track and field.
"We have some talented girls," Douglas said.
"A lot of them have to get the "sillies" out. They have to understand that they have to commit themselves to this.
"Competing on the high school level is a lot different than competing at the middle school level," added Douglas.
"They have to realize they are in high school and those people they beat last year in middle school are now in high school and that everybody on the high school level goes all out to win."
Douglas noted that for the majority of the girls, competing in track this season will be a truly eye-opening experience.
"The girls that ran indoor track over the winter have seen the difference in competing on the high school level," Douglas said.
"It will be a real experience for some of these girls when they go to a meet this year that has 40 or 50 teams as opposed to a middle school conference meet that has maybe six teams.
"These girls just need to realize where track and field can take them if they will dedicate themselves to doing the right things."
While this Comets team is a young one, there is some experience on board as well.
This season will be the swan song for senior Ashley Epperson who has qualified for the Group AAA state track meet each season since her freshman year.
Epperson finished fifth in the long jump in last year's state outdoore meet.
She placed third in the long jump in the Group AAA state indoor track meet a few weeks ago and is seemingly poised for another big season.
Epperson will be a busy young lady this spring, competing in the long jump, triple jump, the 100-meter or 200-meter race, the 400-meter race and running as a member of the Comets' 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relay teams.
Senior Ciji Moore is also expected to be a big contender for the Comets this season.
Moore has competed in state competition in the past in the shot put and will be hurling the shot and discus for the Comets this spring.
Three members of the Comets team that are returning from this past winter's indoor track team to help give the team some experience.
They include freshman Siobhan Howerton who qualified to compete in the Northwest Region meet during he indoor track season.
She will compete in the long jump, triple jump and high jump and will run in some middle-distance races.
Freshman Bre'Onda Sparks also qualified to compete in the Northwest Region meet during this past indoor track season.
Sparks is expected to compete in the high jump, long jump and triple jump as well as try her hand at the shot put and discuss and some of the sprint races.
Also coming to the team after having competed in indoor track this past winter are Beverly Ragland who will compete in the long jump, triple jump and sprint events and Shameka Woody who will see action in the high jump, long jump, triple jum, shot put, discus and some sprint races.
Other members of the team that are showing early signs of promise are Tearrney Miller who will be used in several of the sprint races and will try the long jump and triple jump and Natalie Acosta who is showing signs that she may become a good sprinter.
Shamelia Brandon is also showing some good signs in sprint races as are Sanqunetta Davis, Ashton Claiborne, Florine Taylor and Lakisha Wade.
Kim Adefope and Jessica Henry are showing some good early form in distance races.
Freshman Dakiesha Teeters is doing well in the shot put and discus.
"I think she is going to give Ciji a run for he rmoney," Douglas said.
Teeters may also attempt to compete in some sprint races.
Ashley Hill has also shown some promise in the high jump. However, a bout with tendonitis has slowed her down somewhat.
After Friday's scheduled season opener, the Comets' schedule heats up quickly.
On Saturday, April 6, the Comets will compete in the Vince Bradford Relays in Lynchburg followed by a meet against Patrick Henry four days later and the Radford Invitational Meet on April 13.

Margaret L. Navis

Margaret L. Navis, 76, of Newport, died March 16 at Britthaven of Newport.
Ms. Navis was a member of Newport Baptist Church.
Her survivors include three daughters: Joyce Hendrick of Newport, Pat Bessola of Bonita Springs, FL and Kathy Nevis of Newport; son: Robert Nevis of Fort Lawn, SC; three sisters: Virginia Johnson of Martinsville, Lillian Kidd of Bowie, MD and Edith Ray of Morehead City; brother: Oscar Tuck of Durham, NC; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Tuesday at Munden Funeral Home with the Rev. Kit Teaslade officiating. Burial will take place today, March 20 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Boston with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating.
Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimers Disease Research Center, Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.

Edith Pounds Borders

Edith "Janice" Pounds Borders, 78, died March 17 at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Mrs. Borders was the daughter of the late Edwin and Sophronia Logan Pounds. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
Her survivors include her sisters: Emily Griffith of Fredericksburg, and Helen Brown and Annie Ford of Washington, DC and a brother: Edwin Pounds of South Boston.
A memorial service will be held at a later date with burial in the Pounds family cemetery.

Beatrice Smith Woosley

Beatrice Smith Woosley, 84, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston, died March 19 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Woosley was born in North Carolina on December 14, 1917, the daughter of Squire and Gertie Eggars Smith. She was married to William Lawrence Woosley and was a member of Alton Baptist Church.
Her survivors include two sons: Lawrence Henry and Catherine Woosley of Alton and Earl Thomas and Glenda Woosley of Nathalie; brother: Carl and Margie Smith of Green Bay; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter: Annie Mae Barksdale.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at Alton Baptist Church with the Rev. Phillip Ellenburg officiating. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home on March 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home of her son, 4135 Cluster Springs Rd., Alton.

Ida Grey McCraw

Ida Grey McCraw, 67, of 9216 James D. Hagood Hwy., Scottsburg, died March 17 at the Halifax Regional Hospital.
Miss McCraw was born in Halifax County on July 14, 1934, the daughter of Pattie Williams McCraw and the late Weldon McCraw. She was a member of the Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Her survivors include her mother; three aunts: Anna Laurel of Washington, DC, Clarine Williams of South Boston and Cora Dixon of Baltimore, MD; three uncles: James Canada and William Hawkins of Nathalie and John Stovall of Alton. She was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at the Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.