BY JOE CHANDLER
The anticipated move of South Boston Speedway's NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race to a proposed Baltimore-Washington. D.C. racing complex in the year 2000 would mean a $1 million dollar loss to the South Boston-Halifax County economy and as much as a $2 million to $3 million economic loss on a regional level.
"It will be a sad day when we don't have it (the NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race) anymore," said Bill Confroy, the Executive Director of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority after piecing together some quick economic estimates yesterday.
"And, a lot of people won't recognize it until after it's gone. The horse is out of the barn door now."
Confroy explained that economics involve a variety of factors including ticket sales, souvenir sales, and food and beverage sales at the speedway itself, revenues from which the community receives tax dollars, the sellout of all motel and hotel rooms in Halifax County and South Boston on race weekend, and estimates of additional business generated by local restaurants, gasoline stations and convenience stores, and other local retail businesses.
"I think people need to recognize the contribution that the NASCAR Busch Series race brings to the community economy," Confroy remarked.
"My numbers are just estimates. There are a lot of intrinsics and peripheral things involved in this. If we are to lose it (the Busch Series race), it will have a significant economic impact on our economy. "
Confroy said that not only will the local community be affected in terms of dollars lost to the economy, other spinoff areas will suffer a hit.
"When you have the race it brings more people into the area," Confroy explained.
"And that helps our tourism as well. It helps the Staunton River State Park and the battleground. It helps Occaneechee State Park, it helps the businesses around Buggs Island Lake. It has an impact on tourism."
Confroy also pointed to the efforts by several area Chambers of Commerce in establishing the Virginia's Racing Region to promote both NASCAR racing and the tourism industries in the localities involved.
"This will be devastating to the Racing Region," Confroy noted.
Another devastating loss to the South Boston-Halifax County area Confroy says will come in lost community exposure. South Boston Speedway's NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division races have been televised live across the nation on TNN (The Nashville Network) and broadcast live nationally on radio by MRN (the Motor Racing Network). And, during the broadcasts, some mention is made about the community.
"The question is what is it worth to the community to have that kind of national exposure?" Confroy said.
"What is it worth to have the national media attention generated by the race? It's hard to say but it's worth a lot."
"One of the things that communities like to do is to establish an image," Confroy explained.
"The Busch Series race is the only major professional sports event that we have here. NASCAR racing is one of the fastest growing and most popular spectator sports in the United States. When they say South Boston, one of the first things that comes into the minds of people from corporate CEOs to the race fans and others, is that that is where the race track is, that is where the Busch race is, that is where the Burton brothers are from."
"That is important," continued Confroy, "because that is one of the things that helps distinguish us in this region."
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Newly released documents show lawyers for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. suppressed research and destroyed evidence of the hazards of smoking.
The papers, some of 39,000 documents subpoenaed and released by a House committee on Wednesday, suggest that tobacco industry lawyers controlled decades of tobacco research and attempted to sway the National Cancer Institute's own nicotine investigations.
Previously released documents that have shown that tobacco companies marketed their products to children have infuriated the former tobacco allies on Capitol Hill, who spent years defending the industry against anti-smoking forces.
One formerly staunch tobacco ally, House Commerce Committee Chairman Tom Bliley, R-Va., waged an aggressive campaign this year for the cache of documents and on Wednesday released them on the Internet.
''I am very concerned about teen-age smoking, and am taking steps to help reduce it,'' Bliley said in a statement. ''Getting these documents out and into the open is one of those steps.''
In a rare display of unity, President Clinton and such liberal Democrats as Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., congratulated Bliley on the documents' release.
Critics say the newest documents for the first time show the extent to which lawyers fought growing public concern by controlling what research came to light.
''This massive fraud and conspiracy left an unprecedented toll of death and disease in America,'' said Minnesota Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III, whose ongoing anti-tobacco lawsuit helped lead to Wednesday's release of the papers.
RJR, makers of Winston and Camel cigarettes, countered that the lawyers were merely exploring every avenue to protect their clients.
They ''were doing what lawyers are supposed to do - preparing the company to defend itself in litigation and regulatory challenges,'' the company said in a statement. ''Every American citizen, whether an individual or a corporation is entitled to obtain such advice on a privileged and confidential basis.''
Among Wednesday's revelations:
Bliley put the papers on the Internet two weeks after the tobacco companies exhausted their last appeal with the Supreme Court, failing to convince the justices that the documents were privileged attorney-client communications.
Their release promises to add fuel to a Justice Department investigation of an alleged tobacco industry conspiracy to mislead the government. And they're bad publicity for the industry just as it tries to kill a bill that would charge it $516 billion over 25 years and provide it none of the legal protections it demands.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., is fiercely opposed by other GOP leaders. Several Senate leaders and House Speaker Newt Gingrich favor a more narrow bill that charges the companies less money and combines teen anti-smoking with anti-drug use measures.
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The House Commerce Committee site is www.house.gov/commerce; the Blue Cross site is www.mnbluecrosstobacco.com; the tobacco companies' site is www.tobaccoresolution.com.
A tractor trailer apparently taken for a joy ride was recovered early Tuesday morning, according to the South Boston Police Department.
The 1982 Mack tractor and low-boy trailer rig was stolen from the J. Harmon Saunders Construction Co. on Easley Street sometime during the early morning hours of Tuesday, SBPD Lt. H.B. Rice said.
The driver turned left onto Easley, south onto Wilborn Avenue, took a right on Edmunds Street, and then turned onto Noblin Avenue where the truck's clutch finally burned out, according to Lt. Rice.
A woman who was headed to work shortly after 5 a.m. reported the truck to police. At that point, it was stopped in the middle of Noblin. When police arrived, the engine was still running, according to the investigation.
"We could tell which direction the truck took by the tire marks," Lt. Rice explained. "A brake on the trailer's wheels hadn't been turned off."
While police are still trying to determine the damage of the truck, heavy damage was sustained to a telephone pole and large telephone line at the corner of Edmonds, Lt. Rice added.
An estimated $25,000 in damage was sustained by the telephone company, Lt. Rice said.
The incident is still under investigation by SBPD Officer C.T. Gordon.
"If anybody has any information on this case we would appreciate them giving us of Crimestoppers a call," Lt. Rice said. The SBPD can be reached by calling 575-4271 and the Crimestoppers is 575-TIPS.
Police arrested a Love Shop man early Thursday morning on a felony count of auto theft.
Warren D. Hendricks, 23, was arrested after he flagged down deputies on U.S. 501 near the North Carolina state line, according to South Boston Police Lt. H.B. Rice.
Shortly after midnight, Hendricks allegedly stole a 1988 Chevrolet Caprice which was owned by Ron Johnson of Mason Street in South Boston, according to the investigation.
Johnson reported the theft to police after he heard someone start the car and leave from his driveway, Lt. Rice said. The keys were not in the vehicle, he added.
Later in the night, a resident on U.S. 501 south heard someone trying to get into her car which was parked at her house. She called a neighbor, who drove over and flashed his headlights on the car.
At that point, a black male was observed running from the scene by the neighbor, Lt. Rice said.
Halifax County Sheriff's Department deputies were called to the scene and spotted a black male next to the highway, according to the investigation.
The subject, who was Hendricks, told police that his car had broken down. Since police knew about the earlier theft and had found the Caprice, Hendricks was arrested.
He is currently being held in the Halifax County Jail pending his preliminary hearing in the Halifax County General District Court on June 22.
Taking part in the investigation and arrest were SBPD Officer B.K. Lovelace, deputies Keith Tribble and H.L. Farmer, and Virginia State Troopers M.S. Roark Jr. and L.G. Perkins.
By BRUCE SCHREINER
Associated Press Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A tobacco plant disease that plagued Kentucky farmers in recent years is making an early springtime appearance before the new burley crop is even put in the fields.
Blue mold was spotted this week in young tobacco plants in Todd County in southern Kentucky, the state Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. It also has been found across the state line in Robertson County, Tenn.
''This thing is isolated and we hope that it's a very narrow incidence,'' state Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith said in an interview. ''But it causes farmers to be on the outlook for protection.''
The infected plants were shipped in from Florida, Smith said.
Smith said he didn't know how many farmers were affected, but the plants had not yet been transplanted into fields. He thought the plants were confined in greenhouses, which should help prevent spread of the disease.
Early arrival of the fungal disease, however, surprised farm officials.
''It's very uncommon we have this this early in the season,'' said Danny McKinney, chief executive officer of the Lexington-based Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association.
Normally, blue mold doesn't become a concern until late spring, after the plants are in the fields, he said. The biggest threat c omes when plants are waist-high in summer, when high humidity fosters the disease's spread.
McKinney said that the early presence of blue mold is reason for concern and that farmers should be vigilant in checking seedlings.
''It's a threat in that it's being brought in and it's in the greenhouses,'' he said. ''If it's not totally eradicated, it will be around and spread to the fields and then spread to neighboring fields.
''It's not a devastating thing today; however, it causes concern to have it this early.''
Blue mold is highly weather-sensitive, and the recent cool, wet, overcast weather conditions are ideal for spread of the disease.
McKinney said farmers with infected seedlings had two options - either apply fungicides to rid the disease from infected plants, or not transplant them at all and get another batch of seedlings.
Blue mold robbed Kentucky farmers of millions of dollars in lower production the past two growing seasons, state agriculture officials said.
Kentucky burley growers are coming off what Smith called a ''very mean crop year'' in 1997, when a range of weather woes from heavy spring rains to summer drought to early fall freezes curtailed production.
Smith said south-central Kentucky was especially at risk of blue mold, which can be controlled by fungicides.
One way to reduce the threat of blue mold would be to lessen dependence on outside sources and grow more seedlings in Kentucky, he said.
''We've encouraged more greenhouse growing and more production of these transplants in Kentucky,'' Smith said. ''It's a good cash business.
''We just feel like that we've got a lower risk and better rate of reducing the presence of blue mold if we produce our own plants.''
Smith said his department is trying to develop a voluntary program for farmers to certify that transplants were produced under guidelines most conducive for preventing blue mold
Dorothy Marie Jones Lawrence of Gladys died Saturday, April 18, 1998 at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 59.
Mrs. Lawrence was born August 5, 1938 the daughter of Leroy Jones and Sallie Adams Jones and was married to Joseph Lawrence. She was a member of Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Darlene Sellers of CT and Annette Woodruff of Lynchburg; two sons, Joseph Lawrence Jr. of FL and Lorenzo Lawrence of TX; her parents of Nathalie; six sisters, Virginia Perry of CT, Sarah Logan, Barbara Logan, Evelyn Johnson, Alice Canada and Emma Guy, all of Nathalie; two brothers, Willie Lee Jones of Alexandria and Richard Jones of CT; eight grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lawrence were held Wednesday, April 22 at 2
p.m. at Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. L.S. Otey conducting
the service. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Helen Knicely Lindholm of Clarksville died Monday, April 20, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was 82 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Lindholm was born in Rockingham County on October 15, 1915 the daughter of John and Nora Knicely and was married to Frederick W. Lindholm Sr. Before retiring she was a nurse at Harrisonburg and Farmville hospitals.
Surviving are two daughters, Julia L. Paquin of HA and Linda L. Cabaniss of Clover; four sons, Frederick W. Lindholm Jr. of Clarksville, Martin Lindholm of Lake City, SC, John Miles Lindholm of New Milford, CT and Robert F. Lindholm of Falls Church; 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home, Clarksville.
John David Conner Jr. of 7139 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie died Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 81 years of age.
Mr. Conner was born June 13, 1916 in Halifax County the son of John David Conner Sr. and Mary Lou Wilborn Conner and was married to Margie A. Conner. He was a member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church, where he was a former Deacon. Mr. Conner was a member of Kerns Masonic Lodge #143, Woodmen of the World Camp 136, the Halifax County Saddle Club, was a retired security guard with ABB, and a Army Veteran.
Funeral services will be held today, April 24 at 4 p.m. at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with Revs. Lee Roy Davis and Melvin Bradshaw conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Conner include his wife; one son, J.D. Conner III of Halifax, one daughter, Gayle Medley of Clover; one sister of Agnes Anderson of Nathalie; four grandchildren, and a special friend, Dora Lee Ambrose. He was preceded in death by one sister, Audrey Ingram; and two brothers, Everett and Tommy Conner.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Lung Association, 6318 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019-1828.
Earnest Alfred Anderson of 3044 Abbott Hill Road, Halifax died Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at his home. He was 74 years of age.
Mr. Anderson was born in Halifax County on March 14, 1924 the son of Henry Anderson and Lillie Crews Anderson and was married to Lillie Crews Anderson. He was a member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Phillip W. Anderson of Nathalie and Randy B. Anderson of Jarratt; one daughter, Dana Carol Anderson of Halifax; two brothers, Edgar Anderson of Lynchburg and Glen Anderson of Halifax; three sisters, Lucille Martin of Volens, Inez Newbill of South Boston and Helen Owen of Clover; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Earnest Larry Anderson.
Graveside services for Mr. Anderson will be held today, April 24 at 2 p.m. at Hunting Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Lee Roy Davis conducting the service.