A South Boston man remains in the Person County Jail after
being charged with killing a Person county woman while driving
drunk last week.
Leon Benjamin Stanfield, 52, of Ragland Street, has been charged
with felony death by vehicle and with driving while impaired in
the Friday night accident.
Patricia Carrington-Anderson, 57 of Fontaine Road in Person County
was pronounced dead in the two-vehicle accident, which occurred
shortly before 11 p.m., Friday on 501 north of Roxboro.
Carrington was en route to her home after attending a civic event
in Roxboro, according to police reports.
According to investigating North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Trooper B.J. Dumas, Stanfield's 1997 Kia ran off the right side
of the highway as Carrington-Anderson's 1992 Oldsmobile was approaching
from the other direction.
Police reports say Carrington-Anderson was traveling north on
the highway and Stanfield was traveling south at the time of the
accident.
The Kia then came back onto the roadway, lost control and veered
into the path of the Oldsmobile.
Carrington-Anderson's vehicle collided with the spinning Kia in
the passenger side as the Stanfield vehicle crossed her lane.
The South Boston man was listed as receiving only minor injuries,
according to Dumas.
Stanfield, who is employed at the Collins & Aikman plant in
Roxboro, is being held in the Person County Jail under a $25,000
bond.
In other police business, no charges were filed following a single-vehicle
accident on Route 638 last Saturday.
Trooper G.M. Gilliam said that 71-year-old Lenore Church Waller
of Nathalie lost control of her 1982 Ford pickup in a curve, ran
off the left side of the highway and struck a power pole owned
by Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative.
Gilliam estimated that Waller's vehicle sustained $3,000 in damage,
while the power pole sustained $1,500 in damages.
Waller was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital following
the accident, where she remains in serious condition.
Tony Andrew Venable, 36, of Mountain Road in Halifax, was arrested
Wednesday and charged with the assault and battery of a family
member.
Deputy P.C. Clayton was the arresting officer.
The alleged offense occurred Wednesday.
Patrice Williams Venable, 29, of Dan River Church Road, was arrested
Wednesday that charged with the assault and battery of a family
member.
Deputy P.C. Clayton was the arresting officer.
The alleged offense occurred Wednesday.
Halifax residents made it very clear Tuesday night they will
not support a consolidation of Halifax Elementary School and Sinai
Elementary School.
The estimated 150 persons that attended Tuesday night's public
hearing at Halifax Elementary School said they want Halifax Elementary
School to remain open.
They also indicated a willingness to support proposed renovations
for the two schools.
"We wanted to know what their opinion was," said School
Board member Alan Gravitt who represents the district containing
the two schools.
Now, Gravitt said, those people who support renovating the two
schools must be willing to take that message to the Halifax County
Board of Supervisors.
"People are very passionate about their schools," Gravitt
said.
"They're very passionate about education. The people of Halifax
County want good schools but they have to express that to the
Board of Supervisors."
The Halifax County School Board held Tuesday night's public hearing
to gather public opinion on the question of renovating both schools
or bringing the students from both schools into one large 600-700
student K-6 school at the Sinai Elementary School site and closing
Halifax Elementary School.
That issue is one school system officials must decide as part
of the a proposed $50 million school capital improvements project.
The proposed $50 million project calls for, in part, $6.7 million
in renovations and additions to the K-2 Halifax Elementary School
to allow for a capacity of 285 students.
In addition, the proposed project calls for $2.8 million in renovations
and additions to Sinai Elementary School, which houses students
in grades three through six.
The expansion would allow Sinai Elementary School to have a capacity
of 425 students.
Architects had previously indicated the cost of renovating and
expanding Sinai Elementary School into one large K-6 school would
be about the same as the combined cost of renovating the two schools.
Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt reminded the
audience after reviewing the entire proposed $50 million project
that a tax increase will be needed to fund the proposed school
renovations.
And, with regard to the renovations at Halifax Elementary School,
students attending that school will have to be moved to another
school for one year while the construction and renovations are
completed.
"I think it's a sacrifice we'd all make for one year,"
commented Eric Arthur, Jr.
While those in attendance at the public hearing made their preferences
known, some expressed an interest in seeing school system officials
change Halifax Elementary School into a K-3 school after the renovations
are completed and making Sinai Elementary School a school for
grades four through six.
Gravitt said after the public hearing he could support such a
change.
"I think because of the way the SOLs are, it would be very
likely to make this a K-3 school because this is where you will
get your first important SOL test," he pointed out.
"It's really not fair to have a K-2 school and then send
the kids to the other school with a different principal and make
them responsible for those kids.
"From a managerial standpoint," continued Gravitt, "you'd
want one principal, one school for kids in grades K-3. Preliminarily,
that would be where I would go."
About a dozen persons spoke at the public hearing, virtually all
of them extolling the advantages of retaining two schools.
A handful of the speakers told the School Board that closing Halifax
Elementary School would be a devastating blow to the Town of Halifax.
Sarah Epps, who has a seven-year-old son in the first grade who
represents the third generation of her family to attend the school
addressed both sides.
Epps pointed out that Halifax Elementary School "for generations
has been a focal point in the Town of Halifax.
"The principal teachers and staff know the students personally.
It is small enough to care about the individual child, which is
what a child needs today..."
Epps noted that consolidating the two schools would create a school
of between 650 and 700 students.
"How can little children who are 5, 6 and 7-years-old feel
nurtured and a part of something good when, in reality, they would
be merely a number - one small person engulfed in large masses?"
asked Epps.
"Bigger does not always mean better. Consolidating Halifax
Elementary and Sinai Elementary would, I think be a big mistake
- one for which our children would pay the price.
"Lets spend the money to improve what we already have and
not create a monster we could regret," she added.
"Halifax does not need any more empty buildings. Consolidation
is not in our children's best interest."
Jack Dunavant, a Halifax resident, agreed consolidation is the
wrong way to go.
"I think we've done enough consolidating of schools in Halifax
County," he said.
" I think consolidation is dead in Halifax county - at least
I hope it is dead.
"In education, smaller is better than bigger," added
Dunavant.
"You get more parents involved in a small school and you
get more feeling of belonging in a small school. You get more
rapport with the teachers.
"It makes no sense to take 200 and some children from this
school and put them into a bigger school where the kids are overwhelmed,
the parents are overwhelmed," stated Dunavant.
"You need to look very carefully before you take a school
out of a community."
Jennye Thaxton, who resides next to the school, said she also
favors keeping the school open.
"It (Halifax Elementary School) is absolutely wonderful even
though I wholeheartedly say we need improvements," said Thaxton.
"I think the people here in this community feel the school
is an integral part of the community. I've always felt that the
school, the courthouse and the churches is what make up our community.
"Every child I have ever known, their parents feel they have
received the very best care and a loving family-type relationship
(at Halifax Elementary School)," added Thaxton.
"I really would hate to see this school closed."
Jill Will said she feels keeping the two schools open is the best
option.
"I like the separation of lower and upper elementary schools
here," Will said.
"I'd much rather see my kindergartener and first grader come
to a school with 200 or 300 students than a school of 700 students.
Will also feels that the historical Halifax Elementary School
should remain open.
"I think there is a lot to be said for keeping historic buildings,"
she stated.
"Halifax County is becoming a wasteland of abandoned buildings
and I hate to see that happen again and again.
Others including Halifax Mayor Leon Plaster cited opinions opposing
consolidation and the closing of the town's school.
Plaster cited other enterprises that have closed in the Town of
Halifax such as the town's former major grocery store and the
impending closing of the town's ABC store.
"I feel that losing our elementary school would be another
blow to the Town of Halifax," said Plaster.
One Halifax resident, Cathy Bane, offered an interesting opinion
that had not received a lot of prior attention.
Bane pointed out there is something of a traffic problem already
existing at the intersection adjacent to Sinai Elementary School.
Consolidating the schools would add more traffic and more congestion
in that area, she pointed out.
"The intersection doesn't lend itself to much more traffic
than is already there," she pointed out.
School Board member Carl Furches noted he supports keeping the
two schools open.
"Most of the people I've talked to in this county say if
we had only had sense enough to build two high schools we'd be
a heck of a lot better off," Furches said.
"If we don't watch it, we're going to be saying same thing
about the elementary schools."
David Martin, the chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors,
told the gathering that they need to make their wishes known to
the Board of Supervisors since the county's governing body will
have the final say in how the school system's proposed capital
improvements project is handled.
"It is incumbent on each of you to spread that sentiment
- to support your elected officials while they're making these
difficult decisions," Martin said.
"If you don't think it's worth the money, let's go ahead
and adopt a closure plan and go home.
"If you think it (school capital improvements) is worth the
money, don't sit at home and whine about it - tell your elected
officials what you wish."
Gravitt echoed that message.
"Lots of people have a lot of passion about small schools,"
Gravitt said.
"We see that at school board meetings all the time. You go
to the Board of Supervisors meetings and there are people there
who are passionate about not having another penny on their real
estate taxes.
"I don't think I've ever seen anybody go to a Board of Supervisors
meeting and say I'm passionate about us having small schools,"
continued Gravitt.
"They weren't there when our budget was being considered
last year, eventhough they had been at our meeting when we discussed
Virgilina (Elementary School) in huge volumes.
"Those things are related," added Gravitt.
"It is more expensive to operate a smaller school. The Board
of Supervisors is looking at us all the time. We get pressure
to keep those budgets down, to keep costs down.
Gravitt said there is no way the public can say it wants small
schools and not expect to have to pay more in taxes to support
them.
"You can't realistically say "I want really small schools,
really small community schools" at our meeting and then just
walk away and expect it to happen," he said.
"You have to tell the Board of Supervisors that."
A "marriage" of community colleges' forces at Southern
Virginia Higher Education Center will be more efficient for students
and will allow the colleges to explore new programs.
Danville Community College President Dr. Carlyle Ramsey and Southside
Virginia Community College President John Cavan announced the
consolidated effort Wednesday morning at SVHEC.
"We teamed up to combine staffs, to look at new programs,
to enhance services," said Dr. Ramsey.
Dr. Cavan hailed the move, calling the partnership "the most
efficient way to function in higher education," when faced
with the state's fiscal problems.
Longwood University President Dr. Patricia Cormier, whose university
oversees SVHEC, lauded the move.
"I think this arrangement is probably the best we have ever
seen for the center," she said. "While I feel that we
have done a lot here, there is still a lot more we can do.
"The future of this state depends on our ability to work
together," Dr. Cormier added, noting 38,000 more students
are forecast to enter the public school system in the next few
years.
"I am not sure this is not a prototype for the Commonwealth,"
added Dr. Cavan, explaining that he did not know of another setting
with two community colleges and a four-year institution.
The two community colleges served approximately 3,000 students
this past year, according to the SVCC president.
"The future is extremely bright for higher education in Halifax
County. These two colleges make a great team," added Dr.
Cavan.
Because of the consolidation of staff, students at SVCC will be
able to receive the benefits of both schools through one office
located in the center on Bruce Street.
Earl McDaniel, a South Boston native, has been named Director
of Community College Programs at SVHEC, and will direct the Halifax
operations of both colleges.
Other personnel include Norma Lee, Counselor/Financial Aid Officer,
and Kathryn Whitt and Tammy Jackson, both Administrative and Program
Specialists III.
"We are committed to expanding educational access to the
residents of Halifax County,," said Dr. Ramsey.
"The consolidation of the services at the SVHEC will offer
a single point of contact for our comprehensive community college
offerings. I am sure that Earl, Norma, Tammy and Kathryn will
provide excellent service," he added.
Through classes offered at SVHEC, without ever leaving the South
Boston area, students can complete the Associate in Applied Science
degree in Business Management, Information Systems Technology,
Administrative Support Technology and Human Services or complete
college-transfer courses that lead to the Associate in Arts &
Science degree in Liberal Arts, Science or Business Administration.
Other programs are available that lead to Certificates in Electrical/Electronics
or Office Information processing.
Residents can also receive Microsoft Certification, complete computer
classes, take high school dual enrollment courses, receive health
care training as a Certified Nurse Aide or Licensed Practical
Nurse or enroll in the Truck Driver Training School.
Comprehensive workforce training programs are also available to
businesses and industries in the Halifax County area.
Both Southside and Danville are members of the Virginia Community
College System.
The two colleges share Halifax County a part of their region of
service. The mission of the VCCS is to provide comprehensive higher
education and workforce-training programs and services of superior
quality that are financially and geographically accessible and
that meet individual, business and community needs of the Commonwealth.
McDaniel has worked in the community college environment for the
past six years. He was previously Director of Special Projects
for SVCC and also taught numerous computer classes for the college.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond
and a Masters in Education from Longwood University. He is also
a Microsoft Certified Professional, Trainer and Systems Engineer.
Lee joined DCC's staff in 2002 as a Counselor of Development Studies.
She has more than 12 years experience in the areas of school counseling
and career exploration. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business
Administration and her Master's in Counselor Education, both from
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Whitt is a graduate of SVCC having completed a degree in Information
Systems Technology in May of 2002.
Jackson is a 2002 graduate of DCC, having received an Associate
in Applied Science degree in Information Systems Technology-Microcomputer
Specialization. She previously provided office support at the
Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
The facility housing the newly consolidated community college
offerings opened its doors in August of 2001. Formerly known as
the Continuing Education Center of Longwood College, both community
colleges have offered classes through the center since it opened
in 1986 serving about 100 students.
Today, more than 6,000 people use the newly renovated facility
that was once a tobacco warehouse donated to the Halifax Education
Foundation for use as the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
For information about the community college programs available
in Halifax County, call 434-572-5451, 434-572-5456 or 800-283-0098
(toll free).
Residents may also visit the SVHEC offices at 820 Bruce Street
in South Boston.
Make plans now to attend the 30th Annual C.H. Friend Antique, Craft and Art Show and Sale this weekend. The show will be held at the school this weekend, Saturday from 10-5 p.m., and Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
Winter-long wet weather has put a damper on preparations for
spring sports, but Halifax County Middle School coaches Barry
Powell and James Smith have each found a silver lining in preparations
for the upcoming baseball and softball seasons.
Powell, head coach for the Lions baseball team, said his players
started two-a-day workouts the first week of January on a volunteer
basis.
"Most of the guys who came out attended one or two of them
a week, so we gained a lot there," commented Powell.
"We're fortunate to have an inside batting cage here, and
that's helped us a lot with our hitting."
Powell admitted the wet weather has put conditioning behind, and
his team has taken advantage of the few sunny days to take the
workouts to the field, no matter how wet the conditions.
"Nothing takes the place of being on the field, and just
getting outside is a big plus for us."
The baseball team is definitely on the fast track in order to
prepare for the season-opening tournament starting next Friday.
Assistant coach Will Hill added the team was doing a month's worth
of work in one week to prepare for the upcoming season.
"When we go outside, it's like starting all over again,"
Hill said.
The weather has also slowed down pre-season conditioning and practice
for coach James Smith and his Lady Lions softball team.
"It's slowed us down, especially in taking infield and outfield
practice," noted Smith.
"The only thing more we can really do inside is give our
pitchers some work."
Many of Smith's players, like Powell's, took advantage of the
inside batting cage and a voluntary off-season conditioning program.
Like Powell, Smith was pleased with the attitude his players have
taken to prepare themselves for the season.
"The only thing about the batting cage is that after a week,
you need to get away from using it," remarked Smith.
"The ball comes straight at you in a batting cage,"
Smith explained.
"It doesn't move, and you see strikes all the time.
"A batter needs to get outside and face real pitchers who
throw inside, outside, high and low."
Smith also had the advantage of a fall softball program to give
him a better idea of what he had to work with this spring.
"We went into the fall thinking pitching would be our weakness,
but our pitching was pretty good last fall.
Both Powell and Smith, veteran coaches with outstanding records,
are looking past the mud and rain to spring sunshine.
"They're eager to go and I'm eager to go," said Powell.
"I'm just looking for some more sunshine."
Lucy Holt Byers, 84, of 1139 Union Church Road, Halifax, died
March 5 at her home.
Mrs. Byers was born in Halifax County on July 31, 1918, the daughter
of Robert Pinchbeck Holt and Lucy Petty Cole Holt and was married
to Joseph Crayton Byers. She was a member of Union United Methodist
Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one sister, Hallie
H. Hankins of Ingram; and many nieces and nephews.
Services for Mrs. Byers will be held tomorrow, March 8 at 11 a.m.
at Powell Funeral Home Chapel. The Revs. Thomas Boggs and Kent
Wise will officiate. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
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 a charity
of your choice.
Roy Cecil Fisher, 74, of 709 Riely Avenue, South Boston, died
March 5 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Fisher was born in Halifax County on March 8, 1928, the son
of George W. Fisher and Lena Stowe Fisher. He was a member of
Center United Church of Christ and Halifax Country Club.
Survivors include one daughter, Teresa C. Fisher of Glen Allen;
and two sisters, Gracie Fisher Dodson of Nathalie and Bertha Fisher
Motley of South Boston.
Services for Mr. Fisher will be held tomorrow, March 8 at 2 p.m.
at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Wilder officiating.
Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening
from 7:00 until 9:00, and other times at the home of his daughter
and her mother, 2604 Fernwick Drive, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax
County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, 24592, or
Halifax County Rescue Squad, PO Box 183, South Boston.
Wanda Gail Robertson Gonzales, 50, of 1017 Grove Avenue, South
Boston, died March 5 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Gonzales was born in Halifax County on May 31, 1952, the
daughter of Floyd Robertson and Helen Barksdale Robertson. She
attended Revelation Baptist Church, and was a former employee
of Wabash Magnetics and Amoco Food Shop.
Survivors include her father of Vernon Hill; two sons, Rickie
Compton of South Boston and John Richard Scheiderer of Vernon
Hill; two daughters, Angela Rocha and Jennifer Scheiderer, both
of Winston-Salem, NC; three sisters, Carolyn Barksdale and Irene
Seamster, both of Nathalie, and Shelia Martin of South Boston;
two brothers, Chris Robertson of South Boston and Ronnie Robertson
of Vernon Hill; and 10 grandchildren. Mrs. Gonzales was preceded
in death by her mother.
Services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel tomorrow,
March 8 at 3 p.m. with the Revs. Rudolph Jacobs and Richard Saunders
officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends this evening from 7:00 until 8:30
at Brooks Funeral Home, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax
County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, 24592.
Lamont Logan
Lamont Logan, 20, of Nathalie, died February 28 in Brookneal.
Mr. Logan was the son of William S. Logan of South Boston and
the late Kathy Logan.
Survivors include his father; one brother, Tony Logan; maternal
grandmother, Angeline Boyd; and his paternal grandparents, Hoover
and Mary Logan of Halifax.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. March 5 at New Shiloh Baptist
Church in Nathalie with burial in the church cemetery.
Henry L. Warren Jr., 74, of Columbia, MD, formerly of Halifax
County, died March 4 in Columbia.
Mr. Warren was born in Ansted, WV on February 12, 1929, the son
of Henry and Elizabeth Warren.
Survivors include four daughters, Deborah W. Naranjo of Columbia,
Annita Warren and Anita Warren, both of Baltimore, MD, and Shirley
Barksdale of Martinsville; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren;
and one sister, Seludia Warren of Columbia. Mr. Warren was preceded
in death by a son, Lewis Warren.
Funeral services will be held March 11 at 5 p.m. at Wayland Baptist
Church in Columbia.
Roscoe Douglas Woods, 80, of 213 Greenfield Road, South Boston,
died March 5 at his home.
Mr. Woods was born in Mecklenburg County on February 2, 1923,
the son of the late James Woods and Hallie Duggar Woods and was
married to Frances Earley Woods. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist
Church in Clarksville, was a WWII Army Veteran, and was a retired
employee of the New York Transit Authority.
Survivors include his wife; one sister, Helen Wray of New York,
NY; and one brother, Gerall O. Woods of Brooklyn, NY.
Funeral services for Mr. Woods will be held Sunday, March 9 at
2 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frederick
Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.