Strong winds blew through the state Wednesday wreaking havoc for local power companies as they worked through the night to restore power to thousands of customers.
Wind gusts estimated to have reached 60 mph at times knocked down trees, snapped branches and tangled lines, knocking out power to more than 3,500 households throughout Halifax County.
Line crews from Virginia Power were still working Thursday morning to restore power to approximately 71 customers who were still without electricity following the powerful storm, Va. Power spokewoman Patty Campbell said.
"We started getting outage reports around 10:15 a.m. when the storm blew in, and they continued up through 6:30 p.m. that night," Campbell said. "Each successive wave of wind knocked more branches and trees down."
According to Campbell, approximately 3,500 Virginia Power customers were affected by the storm.
"The most we had out at one time was 2,500, and they were widely scattered throughout the area. Wind is really no friend to electric utility companies," Campbell said.
Local Virginia Power crews of about 25 men worked throughout the day to clear lines and were augmented by two crews from South Hill.
Campbell said 71 customers were still without power Thursday morning, but the problem would be corrected by 5 p.m. that evening at the latest.
Line crews from Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) were also busy Wednesday night.
David Lipscomb said the calls reporting downed lines and power outages started to come into MEC around noon Wednesday.
"But it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been if the ground had been wetter. We had about 170 customers in Halifax County who lost power, but we work very hard to maintain our right-of-ways and keep them free from limbs, which made a big difference," Lipscomb said. "There are a number of customers who really work with us in that respect. They know what it's like to have a tree limb knock out the power, and they let us trim and cut down trees near lines so that doesn't happen to them or their neighbors."
Most of the problems affected customers in Vernon Hill after 3:30 p.m. when the storm was especially powerful. Approximately 100 customers in that area lost power between 3:30 p.m. until just after dark, Lipscomb said.
The lights went out for approximately 40 customers in Nathalie for about 45 minutes, as well.
"We had crews out from our Chase City District Office as well as our Gretna office, while about 10 people came in and worked the phones and helped coordinate the restoration efforts," Lipscomb said.

The 26th annual C.H. Friend Antique, Craft & Art Show will open its two-day run Saturday at 10 a.m. with all antique booths filled.
Adult admission is $3 and student admission is $1.
The show also features delicious food, entertainment and the chance to have caricatures done by Halifax artist Forrest Lane.
The following list suggests but a sample of each dealer's exhibit. Antique dealers will be located in the school's main auditorium/gym.
Antiques
Antique dealers featured this year will include the always popular Foster's Antiques of Phenix with David and Nancy Foster and their selection of silver, antique baby clothes and linens; Melton Antiques of Roxboro with a variety of selections including an oak dresser, lamp stand, walnut desk, chairs and pine cupboard; Anything Old Antiques of South Boston with Brenda Couch/Jerry Throckmorton featuring American country furniture, stoneware pottery, flow-blue and paintings; Ash Grove Antiques of Richmond with Bonnie Harris and Carolyn Gallier featuring Depression glass, fiesta ware, linens, silver and pottery; M&M Estate Jewelry of Winston-Salem with Martha Melvin/Kathy Parker, cameo pins, gemstone rings.
Other antique dealers include Lewis Antiques of Lynchburg with Myra Lewis and Tom Lewis, saltglaze stoneware, twig furniture, old food tines and buttons; Yesterday's Dream Antiques of Forest with Barbara Sazynski/Edith Crafton/Carlton Witt/Beulah Witt with a selection of vintage jewelry and purses, small decorative items and glassware; Southern Thymes Antiques of Forest with Diane Harmis and Marcella Harmis featuring china, small furniture, glassware, vintage ladies clothing and linens; Frances Bateman Antiques of Roughemont with FrancesBateman/Gary Bateman featuring yellowware, salt glaze, primitives and oak furniture; Yesterday Memories of Hillsborough with Judith Kuykendall and Don Kuykendall featuring antique dolls, vintage baby clothing and strollers, children's things; Bushy Fork Antiques of Hurdle Mills with Bernard Bowes and Linda Bowes with a selection including Watt pottery, Depression glass, oak clock, tea pots and pie safe.
Also showing, Heirloom Originals of Blacksburg with Martha and Lawrence Heiskel featuring fine china, porcelain, specializing in "Open Salts"; Treasures From the Past of Danville with Arlene Suttle and R. Suttle with a selection of vintage jewelry, fine china and glassware, Depression glass, autumn leaf jewelteh, and three tier candle holders.
Garnets & Other Gems of Keysville with Garnet Shook featuring glassware, kitchen items and costume jewelry; Bar-J Antiques of Danville with Barbara Hines/Jess Hines featuring oil paintings, antique frames, silver and china; Grandma's Antiques of Wendell, NC with Marie Knight/Jan Harding with a selection of glass and furniture including Fenton glass, crystal and a Victorian gentleman's chair.
Attics of Yesteryear of Petersburg with Halifax County native Tom Mayo and Doris Hobeck featuring glassware, china and Depression glass, also furniture, linens, books and records. Nut "N" New of Turbeville with Catherine McDonald/James Ray with a selection of antiques including a Pennsylvania Dutch dry sink , farm tables, early quilts and architectural items.
Other antique dealers include Miss Annie Tiue with Nancy Kendricks/Doris Lyles with coin silver art, Majolica and flow-blue; Frances Seal Antiques of Amelia with a collection of glassware, cookie jars and blue willow; Country Flare Antiques of Hertford, NC with Becky & Pete Perry featuring oak furniture, stained glass, doll furniture, children's furniture; Times Gone By of Raleigh, NC with Giner Sabel/Brett Russo with a selecton of primitives and Depression glass.
Artists
Artists featuring their work will include Karen Shelton/Fine Art, South Boston; Lee and Cathy Farley, Enhanced Realism, Inc., Danville; Judith R. Schaier, Naturally Wildlife, South Boston; Bob Flippen, Southside Virginia Historical Press, Farmville; Celeste Hicks, Handmade Paper Collage, Wicomico.
Crafts
Belinda Worsham with clocks and fabric will exhibit in Room11 at C.H. Friend School; Betty White of Dolls by Ruth with dolls and carousel horses will exhibit in Room 11; Dani Cage of Gifts from Nature will feature bent willow furniture and will exhibit in Room 12; Karen Washburn, egg sculpting, will exhibit in Room 12; Kay Lewis/Linda Elliott of Simple Touch will feature painted glassware and gift baskets in Room 36; Lloyd Cobb will exhibit paintings in Room 36; Becky Boone will feature lollipops, rubber stamps and Easter creations in Room 36; Ann Chandler of Patchwork Heart will exhibit patchwork, jar lamps, baskets in Room 39; Shirley Short will feature lighthouses, churches and Disney characters in Room 39.
Other crafters include Pauline Quintez,Crooked Star Signs, hand painted crafts and seasonal outdoor welcome signs will exhibit in Room 46; Saree O'Brien, Alley Cat, will feature wearable accessories, pins and earrings in Room 46; Lynn Greene will feature wrought iron furnishings in Room 46; Linwood Harris, Harris Gem Crafts, will exhibit necklaces, pins and gemstone buckles in Room 47; Susan and Doug Tedder, Fruits of Gentleman's Ridge, homemade jams, jellies, gift baskets will exhibit in Room 47; Sidney & Hazel Johnson, J's Crafts, with birdhouses, feeders and stools will show in Room 47.
In Room 48 will be found Anita Bruhnsen and Misty Meadows, Soaps-N-Herbs, hand-made soaps and candles in Room 48; Sandra Thorpe, Country Creations, ceramics, windchimes, Room 48; Janice Davis, Lady Bug Crafts, sconces, paper towel holders and laundry hampers, Room 48.
Other crafters include Darlene Edwards, Countryside Crafts, handmade lamp shades, accessories, Room 49; Angelie Powell, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry, Room 49; Betty Abbott, Betty's Flowers & Gifts, silk wreaths, pottery, Room 50; Arlene Akers, Akers Wood and Fabrics, small tables, shelves, doll furniture and doll accessories, Room 50; Jeana Azar, Sterling Phoenix, Room 50; Joan Purdy-Lighthouse Crafts, wood crafts, Room 51; Ellen Neas, embellished t-shirts, floral candle creations, Room 51; Linda Frazier, silk table arrangements, Room 51.
The South Boston Museum will have a booth in the hallway outside the cafeteria. Biddie Plaster, Jewelry, will be located in the hallway outside the computer lab.
Raffle Prizes
The raffle drawing will be held Sunday at approximately 4 p.m. for prizes including a $1000 Downtown Shopping Spree, donated by the Downtown Business Association and the PTO; a trip to Maggie Valley, NC, donated by Uniglobe-Southside Travel; Two Season Tickets to Halifax County Little Theater Productions and a dinner for two, donated by Halifax County Little Theater and Oscar's Restaurant & Lounge.

RICHMOND-A Halifax County home, Carlbrook, will be among 22 properties to be considered for inclusion in the Virginia Landmarks Register when the Virginia Board of Historic Resources meets March 17.
Carlbrook is located in the northwest section of the county and belongs to Jesse Spencer Jr. and the late Mrs. Milly C. Spencer.
Other nominations include: Bowyer-Holladay House Archaeological Site, Botetourt County; Breckinridge Mill, Botetourt County; Fort Pocahontas, Charles City County; The Iron Industry of Virginia, 1620 to 1920 (Multiple Property Document); Australia Furnace, Alleghany County; Callie Furnace, Botetourt County; Catawba Furnace, Botetourt County; Catherine Furnace, Page County; Elizabeth Furnace, Shenandoah County; Glenwood Furnace, Rockbridge County, Mount Torry Furnace, Augusta County; Raven Cliff Furnace, Wythe County; Roaring Run Furnace, Botetourt County; and Van Buren Furnace, Shenandoah County; Marshall-Rucker-Smith House, City of Charlottesville; John Moore House, Rockbridge County; North Wales, Fauquier County; Oak Forest, Hanover County; The Old Custom House, York County; Rocky Mount Historic District, Franklin County; and Terra Haute, Powhatan County.
All nominations to both the Virginia and national registers are made either at the request, or with the willing consent, of the property owners. While formal historical designation does not impose any restrictions or mandates on the owners of historic properties, the two registers officially recognize some of Virginia's most treasured and significant resources.
The historic designation may qualify properties for the recently instated State Rehabilitation Tax Credit, and in some cases listed properties may also qualify for a Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
The tax credit has become an important tool for preserving Virginia's past and encouraging private and public investment in Virginia's historic cities and rural areas.

Two Danville men and one juvenile were apprehended Tuesday afternoon following a brief foot chase and charged with breaking into two River Road residences, car theft and other offenses in this and Pittsylvania County, according to reports from the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Major Ray Link said officers arrested Bobby L. Poole, 20, and Corey L. Averett, 20, both of Robin Hood Drive, Danville, and one juvenile, also from Danville, Tuesday afternoon while investigating a break-in at a River Road residence.
According to Link, a citizen called in a report that three men were breaking into Ruth Medley's home, and a description of the suspects' vehicle was broadcast.
Halifax County officers Corp. Keith Tribble and Deputy Sheldon Jennings, who were on their way to meet Corp. J.L. Lucia at the scene, spotted the vehicle, alerted Lucia, and gave chase.
"Corp. Lucia put up a road block with his car, and when the suspects got to it they stopped their car and got out and ran," Link said. "But they couldn't have picked worse officers to run from, because all three are young and are fit from working out."
The three men were apprehended after a brief chase.
When investigators searched the impounded vehicle, they discovered more than they expected, Link said.
"At the time, we didn't even know there'd been another break-in on River Road because it hadn't been reported yet. But when the officers searched the vehicle, they discovered more items than had been taken in the Medley break-in, including a typewriter, three rifles, bullets, a doll and a jewelry box, that came from Frances T. Owen's place, also on River Road," Link said.
A detailed description of the items missing from the Medley residence was not available, but Link said a television, guns and VCR were among the items reportedly stolen, and the items from both houses were valued in excess of $200.
Deputies believe that most, if not all of the items from both houses will be recovered from the vehicle, but at this time the items are still being inventoried, Link said Thursday.
The vehicle, a 1987 Nissan two-door, was traced to Danville, where it had been reported stolen from Veronica Wilson of Axton. The vehicle has an estimated value of $3,000.
Upon further investigation, investigators also discovered the suspects had allegedly shot a cow in a pasture along River Road with a .22 caliber pistol, which was allegedly stolen, as well.
Link said the three men will probably be charged with recklessly discharging a firearm from a vehicle from the road. He said the cow apparently was not seriously harmed by the low-caliber bullet.
Link said both Poole and Averette were charged with felony breaking and entering and grand larceny in both the Medley and the Owen cases. Poole is being held without bond in the Blue Ridge Halifax Adult Detention Center, while Averette is also being held in the Halifax Adult Detention Center under $5,000.
Both men have been scheduled to appear in Halifax County General District Court March 10 for preliminary hearings.
The 17-year-old juvenile faces the same charges, and has been released into his parents' custody pending the issuance of juvenile court petitions.
Link said Pittsylvania County authorities have also linked the three suspects to a number of break-ins in that area, and charges are pending.

A Danville man was charged with driving under the influence after he wrecked his vehicle shortly after midnight Monday morning.
According to Virginia State Police reports, Algie Wilson Brandon, 40, of Danville, was driving along Route 58 1.7 miles west of Virgie Cole Road (Route 658) at 12:50 a.m. when he ran off the right shoulder and struck a ditch, causing his 1990 Eagle to flip twice before coming to rest on its top.

Reports indicated that Brandon was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was thrown from the vehicle. He suffered minor injuries and was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston where he was treated and released.Investigating Trooper S.M. Krantz charged Brandon with driving under the influence.
Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $6,000.Later that same evening a Crystal Hill man lost control of his vehicle after hitting a dog on Chatham Road (Route 832).
Reports indicated that Jerry Lee Franklin, 27, lost control of his 1989 Ford after striking and killing a dog .1 mile east of Beulah Road (Route 753) at 6:55 p.m. Monday.
Franklin crossed the center line and ran off the road to the right.
Another vehicle, driven by Erdine Barley Walker, 47, of Nathalie, slowed to avoid Franklin, and was struck from behind by a 1993 Jeep operated by a 17-year-old driver from Java.

Damages to Walker's 1994 Chevrolet were estimated at $5,000, while the Jeep sustained an estimated $3,000 in damages.
Damages to Franklin's vehicle were estimated at $300.
Investigating State Trooper D.O. Cooper II charged the juvenile with following too closely.

Harry Thomas Turner, 77, of Lawrenceville died March 2, 1999.
Survivors include his wife, Annette Weatherford Turner; his daughter and son-in-law, Harriette and Tim Evans of Colonial Heights; two grandchildren, Jonathan and Joanne Evans; one sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Robert Edwards; nieces, Phyllis Foster and Nancye Simpson; nephews, Bobby Edwards and Joe Foster.
Mr. Turner was retired from Virginia Power after 36 years and served in World War II. He was a member of Lawrenceville United Methodist Church, Jefferson Jones Bible Class and former member of the Administrative Council where he served as chairman of the Property Committee for many years and a member of the Central Brunswick Ruritan Club.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 4 at 11 a.m. at Lawrenceville United Methodist Church. Burial was at 2 p.m. at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Alton.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society or Lawrenceville United Methodist Church, Elevator Fund.

Janie Hall Threatt, 78, of Durham, NC died Tuesday, March 2, 1999 in Meadowbrook Manor Nursing Home in Durham.
Mrs. Threatt was a native of Pittsylvania County. She moved to Durham as a young woman and attended the Watts Hospital School of Nursing. She retired from Erwin Mills. Her husbands, Mallie B. Clark and John B. Threatt and a brother, Eugene l. Hall, preceded her in death.
Graveside services will be held today, March 5 at 2 p.m. in Maplewood Cemetery with Rev. Everette Smith officiating.
Survivors of Mrs. Threatt include one step-son, John Benjamin Threatt Jr. of Irmo, SC; one brother, Clyde Hall of South Boston; two sisters, Gladys H. Moorefield of Danville and Ruby H. Osborne of Fairview, PA; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450 or Triangle Hospice, 1804 Martin Luther King Jr., Pkwy., Suite 112, Durham, NC 27707.

Elizabeth Hancock Adams of Gladys died Monday, March 1, 1999 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mrs. Adams was born in Charlotte County on October 16, 1921 the daughter of Roy Hancock and Mattie Clark Hancock and was married to James Adams Sr. She was a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; four sons, Sidney Hancock of Brookneal, James E. Adams Jr. of Gladys, Eddie P. Adams Sr. of the home and Elmer Adams of Gladys; one daughter, Katherine Adams West of Nathalie; one brother, Willie Hancock of Lynchburg; 21 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Adams will be held Saturday, March 6 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Brookneal with Rev. Lorenzo S. Otey conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends tonight, March 5 from 7 until 8:00 at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home in Brookneal and other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Morell West, 6043 Clarkton Road, Nathalie.

Janie Lea Covington of 1085 Joe Crews Trail, Nathalie died Wednesday, March 3, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 58 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Covington was born in Halifax County on April 10, 1940 the daughter of Tucker Lee Covington and Lillie Ashby Covington.
Survivors include two sons, James Burl Limerick Jr. of Virgilina and Kenneth Wayne Limerick of Nathalie; two sisters, Virginia Kelly of Hurt and Kathy Jones of Nathalie; three brothers, Luther Singleton of Altavista, James Covington of Tampa, FL and John Raymond Covington of Nathalie; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Covington will be held Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James E. Griffin conducting the service. Burial will take place in Childrey Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, March 5 from 7 until 8:30, and other times at her home.

Benjamin Pool Tuck Jr. of 4109 Wilson Road, Virgilina died Thursday, March 4, 1999 at his home. He was 72 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Tuck was born December 8, 1926 in Halifax County the son of Benjamin P. Tuck Sr. and Cleo Gravitt Tuck and was married to Cecil Wilson Tuck. He was a Navy veteran and a retiree of JP Stevens.
Mr. Tuck was a member of Aarons Creek Baptist Church and a member of American Legion Post 337, Virgilina.
A funeral will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m. with Revs. Jack Stewart and Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in the Virgilina Cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Tuck include his wife of Virgilina; two sons, Wilson Lane Tuck and William Brann Tuck Sr., both of Virgilina; two daughters, Wanda Tuck Day of Winston-Salem, NC and Winnie B. Tuck of Davidson, NC; one brother, James Eli Tuck of Salado, TX; three sisters, Lou Tuck High of Petersburg, Eva Tuck Conduff of Roanoke and Lottie Tuck Nunn of Virgilina; and four grandchildren, Scottie T. Elliott, William Brann Tuck Jr., Kristie Tuck and Benjamin Tuck. He was preceded in death by one brother, Graham Tuck and one sister, Truman Tuck Swoope.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home tonight, March 5, from 7 until 8:30, and other times at the home of Lane Tuck, 4103 Wilson Road, Virgilina.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department.

Susie Ellen Newbill of 1246 Winns Creek Road, Halifax died Thurday, March 4, 1999 at Twin Oakes Nursing Home. She was 101 years old at the time of her death.
Mrs. Newbill was born in Halifax County on April 6, 1897 the daughter of Booker Epps and Nannie Epps and was married to Ira Newbill. She was a member of Winns Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Elva Crews of Halifax; two granddaughters, Betty M. Conner of Halifax and Linda and husband Davis Throckmorton of Windsor; four great-grandchildren, Joel Conner of Halifax, Deborah and husband Gene Booze of Industry, PA, David Wallwork of Walnut Creek, CA, Brien and wife Sara Throckmorton of Smithfield; one great-great-grandchild, Meredith Throckmorton of Smithfield.
Funeral services for Mrs. Newbill will be held Saturday, March 6 at 2 p.m. at Winns Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Welch conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of her granddaughter, Betty M. Conner, 1247 Winns Creek Road, Halifax.