South Boston's outbreak of rabies - two confirmed cases this week alone - could increase before it lessens. Those and other concerns prompted Animal Control Warden Terry Farris yesterday to strengthen warnings to residents now that a total of eight persons are undergoing treatments after having been exposed to two cats, one of which tested positive for rabies.
"Do not touch any pet, even if happens to be your neighbor's!" Farris cautioned.
Strong advice, but two of the eight persons being treated now are children who were licked by the cat which tested positive for rabies. The children were neighbors to the pet owner who was also bitten by the same cat and who is now among those being treated for the potentially deadly disease.
Rabies is spread by the saliva of infected animals. Thus, the child who was licked was exposed to the virus, which can enter the body through a wound or even a scratch.
Authorities say that neither of the cats had been vaccinated and were allowed to roam free during the daytime while confined inside the owner's home at night.
On Monday, one of the cats attacked the owner who lives on Third Street. That same afternoon, another adult was bitten by the same cat in the area of Third Street.
Authorities have withheld the names of all persons involved in the incidents, including the owner of the diseased cats. They do say, however, that the same person had been previously charged with having an untagged dog.
Since those reports, Farris said that more information has led to the exposure of other persons and animals including a dog thathad been vaccinated but is now under quarantine. Confinement of a vaccinated animal having been exposed to a rabies-infected animal is 90 days. For an unvaccinated, exposed animal, the confinement period is six months.
Published reports have raised the awareness of the need for vaccinations it seems. "Mobbed!" was how the receptionist as the Animal Medical Clinic of South Boston described the number of animal owners rushing to have their pets vaccinated this week. And the majority of those pets receiving the vaccine are cats.
Many cat owners, surprisingly, don't know that cats are also carriers of rabies. Of the many that do, too many believe that one vaccination protects the animal for as long as it lives.
Not so!
First-time vaccination, for dogs or cats, will last for one year. After the second vaccination, every three years thereafter, a single booster is needed. For vaccinated animals suspected of having come in contact with a rabies-infected animal, a booster shot is needed.
Rabies vaccinations cost just $6 at both veterinary centers in South Boston and Halifax.
According to Farris, this is the second incidence of rabies in the Town of South Boston this year.
Farris was hired as animal control warden three years ago and soon discovered that the wild animal population inside the corporate limits was high. With the use of traps, she was able to capture and destroy over 50 skunks.
Although nonewas tested, Farris believes as many as half would have tested positive for rabies.
Wild animals often find a unique refuge in towns, particularly those which have dog leash laws such as South Boston. Dogs left to roam will often prey on wild animals and thus establish a degree of natural population control.
Homeowners often encourage wild animals to hang around by providing food. Throwing leftover food outside, or making pet food accessible to wild animals, contributes to the population and to the risk of spreading rabies.
Make no mistake, rabies is serious. Deadly. Humans exposed to the virus must receive treatment as soon as possible.
If you think you've come in contact with a rabid animal, don't wait for any signs of illness before receiving medical attention. Waiting for signs of the illness might be too late!

Ronnia Furches has a new kidney and a new lease on life, compliments of donor Nancy Hazelwood.
But this story neither begins nor ends at this point.
It took a leap of faith on the part of both women to begin their unique relationship, one that is certain to endure a lifetime.
Furches was diagnosed in 1998 with a progressive kidney ailment that would eventually result in the loss of both of her kidneys.
"Kidney problems are hereditary in my family," said Furches.
"Both my mother and brother had the same problems that I had."
In July 1998, both kidneys failed, and she underwent surgery in preparation for home dialysis.
Furches' leap of faith came unexpectedly in August 1998, when she attended an organizational meeting for her church bowling team.
"My husband was interested in bowling and I decided at the last minute to go with him," Furches said, adding she knew that her recent surgery would not allow her to bowl.
She mentioned her surgery during the meeting. Nancy Hazelwood approached Furches after the meeting and told her that she would give her one of her kidneys.
"To think that someone I hardly knew was willing to donate her kidney to me really surprised me.
"She was a godsend in her willingness to do that," said Furches.
On February 4, Hazelwood donated one of her kidneys to Furches during a procedure at the University of North Carolina Hospital at Chapel Hill. Dr. Mark Johnson performed the transplant.
"We had it scheduled twice before, but had to postpone the operation due to an irregular heartbeat I had developed and because of the big January snowstorm," said Furches.
"I was in the right place at the right time," said Hazelwood, referring to her leap of faith that night at the bowling alley.
"There was a lot of testing to be done in order to determine if I could donate my kidney to her, but I was willing to do it if possible."
Hazelwood considered the impact her decision would have on her family, but her faith told her that the more immediate concern was for Furches' well-being.
"I had thought what would happen if a member of my family needed one of my kidneys," Hazelwood said.
"I can't live for 'what if,'" Hazelwood added, saying that she hopes someone is there for her children should they need similar help one day.
According to both women, this union of donor and recipient was meant to be.
"She has become the sister I never had," said Furches,
"We like the same colors and the same cuisine. We even like to shop at the same stores."
Furches and Hazelwood acknowledged the support they received from the physicians involved with the donation process.
Dr. Frank Maddux of Danville Regional Health System and Dr. Terry Ketchersid of Danville Urology and Nephrology Clinic were were very helpful during the time before the transplant, according to both women.
The list of people awaiting a new kidney far exceeds the supply. Furches and Hazelwood did not even know if they were compatible. Everybody involved, from physicians to friends, were supportive throughout the procedure.
"My husband would have supported me in any decison I made," said Furches.
"God sensed a need and provided for me, at a time of His choosing."

CLARKSVILLE - Dozens of people who make their home within the lower Roanoke River Basin answered an invitation from the Wilmington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week for input into a study the federal agency is conducting on the needs and opportunities for changes to the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir project.
Listening sessions for the reconnaissance study that is expected to consider environmental resources, land use, water supply, flood control, hydropower and other issues, were held in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., on Tuesday, in Clarksville on Wednesday, and in Williamston, N.C., on Thursday.
During each five-hour session, residents, local officials and other interested individuals had an opportunity to informally present their concerns and questions one-on-one to Corps representatives.
Comments collected during the meetings will be combined with written comments that are being accepted through April 28, and all will be considered as the study proceeds, Corps officials said.
The John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir study is being conducted under Section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970, and officials say it is likely that potential changes that are significant in scope will be analyzed in more detail in a subsequent feasibility study. If significant changes are recommended, it is likely that further authorization from the U.S. Congress will be required, they said.
The study area includes the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir and the Roanoke River Basin beginning at the dam and proceeding downstream to the Albemarle Sound.
Because the reservoir has had such a dramatic impact on life in
Clarksville and Mecklenburg County since its completion in 1952, and will continue to play an important role in the future of those municipalities, local officials said Wednesday they wanted to make sure their positions are included in the Corps' reconnaissance study.
"The economy of Clarksville was irrevocably changed 50 years ago when the reservoir was formed," Clarksville Town Manager Melinda Moran said in the statement she presented to Corps officials Wednesday.
"This community lost land, businesses, homes, school, churches, cemeteries, historic and cultural resources, railroads and streets. In fact, when you enter or exit the east side of town adjacent to the lake, please note that the town now begins at Second Street. This is because First Street is under water.
"Much was given up 50 years ago, but we gained a beautiful lake in return. Now that we have it, I don't think you will find anyone willing to trade again. Clarksville has survived all of these changes, but we will not prosper unless we can derive the economic benefit that our location on Buggs Island Lake should provide."
Moran cited a recent federal commission report that noted that the nation's manmade federal lakes have great untapped potential for fishing, boating and other recreation, which is one of the authorized project purposes for John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir.
"One of the 16 recommendations made by this commission was that federal agencies get more flexibility to address recreational needs," she said. "We are in complete agreement with this recommendation, and we urge the Corps to seek greater flexibility to address recreational needs here in Clarksville.
"We respectfully request that the Corps work with the town to develop a new paradigm for administering the Corps property adjacent to and within the town limits with the goal of meeting challenges rather than forming road blocks. The town currently falls under the same Corps regulations as all other adjoining property owners, even though the issues and concerns faced by the town are much different. We have some significant projects we intend to pursue in the near future, and we hope that the Corps will enter partner with us in a meaningful and cooperative spirit."
In his comments for the study, Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce President Charles F. Simmons asked the Corps to help the community by changing the way it does business on and around the lake.
He listed four management policies that concern the chamber and the local business community: short-term lease requirement on any private enterprise to develop business on Corps property; the new camping reservation system, which local officials feel is vague and confusing and has resulted in considerable reduction in visitation; mitigation of badly needed recreation areas to remote sections of the lake "when our community is the only commerce center directly on the lake"; and restrictions against commercial activities on the lake that prohibit the provision of services to visitors to the community and the lake.
"The lake has a tremendous presence and we are asking to be allowed to maximize benefits that come from our proximity to the lake," Simmons said on behalf of the chamber. "We also ask that you consider the fact that the Corps management does not operate in a vacuum. Your management policies affect the citizens of the lake community in a magnitude that is hard to judge. We hope for increased sensitivity from the Corps management toward the needs of your many neighbors."
Addressing the concerns of the Clarksville Industrial Development Authority was John Feild, who expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be included in the study.
"In the past and present we have been, and are being, subjected to a flawed federal energy regulatory process," Feild told Corps officials. "Power projects are looked at in a piecemeal fashion, which does not provide the proper opportunity for potentially impacted communities to receive information or provide input on management considerations that may have ramifications extending far beyond the boundaries of the project being considered for relicensing.
"We would encourage the Corps to use its knowledge and expertise in conjunction with the (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) at the federal level to limit the scope of items to be considered in the relicensing process or adopt a comprehensive approach as you are doing," Feild said in the IDA's prepared statement.
"The John H. Kerr Project, being the principal flow regulating facility for the Roanoke River Basin, causes changing flow regime impacts to accrue here. This has the ability to impact this portion of the basin economically, environmentally and aesthetically."
IDA officials requested that the Corps adopt a new paradigm in its relations with communities and individuals around the reservoir, "adopt a positive more facilitating approach where all of the potential benefits of the project may be realized as long as they don't compromise or contravene the authorized project purposes. This should apply particularly to lands adjacent to the town of Clarksville, the only incorporated community fronting directly on the reservoir proper."
The IDA also "would like to strongly encourage the maintenance of a geographical balance in the distribution of Corps-sponsored recreational facilities so that all communities around the John H. Kerr project can compete on an equal basis for industrial and economic development. The availability of quality recreational opportunities being a vital component in the recruitment process."
Concerns over flooded roads were raised to Corps officials by John S. Massingill, a member of the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors.
"When the lake was being planned, studies of the demographics were conducted to decide which roads would need to be raised so as not to create problems when the lake was high," Massingill told Corps officials.
"Since then, many things have changed. First, the demographics of the area have made the area look quite different from the way it was 50 years ago. New subdivisions have been developed, many of which rely on secondary roads for access.
"Secondly, the lake is not being dropped as much as it used to be. This would not be a problem if it were not for the fact that it is still expected to contain the same amount of floodwater and runoff. Also, there has been 50 years of tree growth that has either occurred naturally or by the reforestation efforts of the Corps. These are taking up space in the flood plain that obviously cannot be taken up by floodwater.
"The problem of flooded roads is more than just an inconvenience. The response of ambulances, fire trucks and police officers to emergencies is often seriously affected by having to take a roundabout route to provide help. A more day-to-day effect when roads are flooded is that school buses have to be rerouted and people have to find alternate routes to work. This concentrates more traffic on roads that were not designed for that sort of volume."
Written comments for the Corps to consider may be mailed no later than April 28 to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Attention: CESAW-PM-C/Haggett, P.O. Box 1890, Wilmington, N.C. 28402-1890.

South Boston Town Council will have its monthly meeting Monday night at the council chambers, 502 Yancey Street. The meeting will start at 7 p.m.
Items on the agenda are:
· Resolutions honoring Juanita Bates, Charlie Francis, Rubye Bell, Dollye Ragland, Phil Conner and Roscoe Walton;
· A public hearing on the proposed Community Development Block Grant application for the Tobacco Warehouse District Revitalization Project;
· An amendment to Chapter 70, Article III of the town code concerning the carrying of concealed weapons.
Council will have time set aside for citizens' comments during the meeting.

The Halifax County School Board will receive public comment Monday night on its record $43.3 million 2000-2001 county school budget.
However, no action from school trustees on the budget is anticipated in the wake of the public hearing that will headline Monday night's meeting.
Monday night's county School Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the second floor public meeting room of the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
The meeting is open to the general public.
Trustees adopted the $43,382,172 budget at a March 20 meeting despite a large differential in the amount of local money to finance the package and the funding that the Halifax County Board of Supervisors will apparently provide.
School system officials say that $13,299,661 in local money will be needed to fund the package.
However, a proposed county budget shows supervisors chipping in only $12,910,601 in local monies.
The result is a $389,000 gap.
At a recent joint meeting with the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, school system officials said that $300,000 in lottery funds it has received from the state could be made available to help bridge the gap.
However, that still leaves $89,000 which will have to be addressed.
The school budget includes an average 2.4 percent pay hike for employees and six additional positions among its major items.
Also Monday night, school system officials will present to the school board the salary scales for the various categories of school system employees as they exist under the budget package the school board adopted March 20.
No action is expected to be taken by the school board on the salary scales until final word from the Board of Supervisors is received regarding local school funding.
All in all, the agenda for Monday night's county School Board meeting appears to be a relatively routine one.
Among the items appearing under new business are two sports-related items.
One of them concerns the use of the swimming pool at the South Boston-Halifax County YMCA by the Halifax County High School swim team.
High School principal Larry Clark said yesterday that the YMCA is asking the school system to pay a $6,000 fee for the use of the pool for practices and swim meets during the high school's winter swimming season.
However, the high school principal says that it will offer to pay the YMCA a $1,000 fee.
That fee, Clark said, is the same fee that the school pays Greens Folly Golf Course for the use of the golf course for practices and matches held during the fall golf season.
Clark explained that the $1,000 fee that is being offered by the school is based upon what the school's overall athletic budget is and what the school can realistically afford to pay.
It is also based upon, Clark said, that in fairness, the school should pay an equivalent fee for what it is paying for golf.
Clark said noted that the school's offer has been communicated to the YMCA but as of late yesterday afternoon the school has received no response.
The other sports-related matter concerns an agreement with Green Acres Day Care regarding the use of a softball field at its facility for a practice field for one of the high school's girls softball teams.
Also Monday night, school system officials will unveil proposals for revisions to the school system's Code of Student Conduct.
And, there will be a special recognition of students who won both school division and regional awards in the Virginia School Boards Association Southern regional Forum Art Competition.

A 10 run first inning explosion lifted the Halifax County Middle School Lions baseball team to a 12-2 win over Park View here Wednesday.
The victory, the Lions fourth in a row and second in Southside Middle School Conference play, was spurred by a combination of good pitching and solid hitting.
Jason Lloyd, Robert Carter and David Lacks all took turns on the mound and held Park View to a total of four hits while allowing only two walks and fanning 12 batters.
Lloyd started the contest and struck out five of the eight batters he faced. Park View reached him for one hit in his two innings of work.
Carter struck out four of the eight batters he faced in two innings of work and gave up a walk and a hit in the fourth inning.
It was in that inning that Park View scored both of its runs with the runs resulting directly from a pair of Lions errors.
Lacks faced five batters in his one inning of work in closing out the contest and struck out three of them while giving up a pair of hits.
The Lions got nine hits in the contest with Dion Ferrell leading the way with a prefect two for two day at the plate.
Lloyd, Carter, Ryan Gieselman, Chris Perkins, Justin Armistead, Keith Snead, and Tyler Clark each contributed a hit apiece to the Lions' attack.
The Lions got off their first inning off to a good start when Park View's starting hurler walked four of the first five batters he faced to produce a run.
Perkins, the team's designated hitter, plated two runs with a double and other run scored when Andrew Bradley grounded out to second base.
Two more walks resulted in another run. Then Ferrell, batting for the second time in the inning and Carter, also batting for the second time, each came through a two RBI hit.
Lloyd completed the big inning with a two run homer that lifted the Lions to a 10-0 edge.
Halifax County upped its lead to 11-0 in the second inning on a solo homer by Gieselman.
The Lions went back to work in the third inning to produce another run.
Ferrell opened the inning with a base hit, stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. He scored on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by Snead.
While Park View scored both of its runs in the third inning, it had opportunities in both the second and fifth innings but couldn't manufacture a score.
Park View got runners to second and third base in the second inning after starting the inning with a base hit and a walk.
But, Lloyd took control after that and fanned three batters in a row to get out of the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Park View came up with a double and a single with two out and got runners to second and third base again.
But, the Park View rally was throttled when Lacks, the Lions' closer, picked up his third strikeout of the inning to end the rally and end the game.
The Lions will be on the road Monday to face Dillard.
And, next Saturday (April 15) the Lions will host E.W. Wyatt in a Southside Middle School Conference doubleheader that will start at 12 noon.

The Halifax County Middle School Lions girls softball team had a tough time getting on track early in Wednesday's contest against Park View.
But, once they got the ball sailing in the third inning, the game quickly became no contest.
The Lions, on the strength of a three run third inning rally and a six run blast in the fourth inning, manhandled Park View 15-3 to win their second Southside Middle School Conference game of the season.
Lions hurler Emily Pool had a big day fanning eight of the 22 batters that she faced, allowing only one hit, that being a scratch single in the third inning, and four walks.
Two of the four walks that Pool gave up came in the top of the first inning and led to Park View scoring the first run of the game and taking a 1-0 lead.
A walk and the hit in the third inning led to Park View scoring a run in the top of the third inning to deadlock the game at 2-2.
Two Lions errors in the top of the fifth inning led to Park View's final run of the game, a run that proved to be far too little and much too late at that point in the game.
On the other side of the coin, the Lions hit the ball well, coming up with 11 hits including three home runs and three triples.
And, they got help from 13 walks given by Park View's hurlers and two errors made by the Park View defense.
Lindsey Hastings had two of the three home runs on a day when she was two for two at the plate. Amanda Rogers had the other round tripper.
Pool helped her own cause with a pair of hits, one a two RBI single.
Tracy Nelson, Jamie Anderson, Jessica Lewis, Angela Link, Sarah Burton and Beth Throckmorton all had a hit each in the winning effort.
After seeing Park View tie the contest in the top of the third inning, the Lions got three runs in the bottom of the third inning, two of them on Hastings' first homer.
Two walks and a run scoring hit by Erica Elliott accounted for the third run of the inning and a 5-2 Lions lead.
The Lions' sixth run fourth inning rally was launched by Rogers' solo homer that put the Lions up 6-2.
Four straight walks led to another run that upped the Lions lead to 7-2.
A Park View error, a run scoring hit by Burton, and a two RBI hit by Pool were the other major dingers that contributed to the rally that left the Lions holding an 11-2 lead.
Park View scored in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 11-3 but the Lions added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth, one on Hastings' second home run of the game, to polish off the contest.

Audrey Jane Hendricks Guillory, age 73, of Willis, Texas, died March 3, 2000.
She was the daughter of the late Cabell and Lucy Tuck Hendricks and the granddaughter of Ernest and ADel Elliott Tuck and Charles and Hallie Hendricks. She grew up in the Virgilina area and graduated from Virgilina High School. She was retired from Gordon Jewelers in Houston, Texas.
Surviving are: her husband, Doyel Sidney Guillory; one son, Doyel Guillory Jr. of Carmichael, Calif.; two daughters, Auburn Ray Guillory of Houston and Linda Guillory DuBose of Conroe, Texas; a brother, Glenn Hendricks of Richmond; and a sister, Margery H. Mitchell of Vienna. Burial was in Brookside Cemetery in Houston.

Lottie Crews Fisher, age 84, of Tobacco Road, Nathalie, died April 5, 2000, at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Ahoskie, N.C.
Mrs. Fisher was born in Halifax County the daughter of Jesse Jackson Crews and Gracie Short Crews and was married to Clarence Fisher. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove.
Survivors include one son, Carlton Ronnie Beale Sr. of Ahoskie; two grandchildren, Lisa Beale Riddick and Carlton Ronnie Beale Jr. both of Ahoskie; one sister, Catherine Robey of Lynchburg; five brothers, William Crews of Brookneal, Edison Crews of Gretna, Verp Crews, Roy Crews and Richard Crews, all of Hurt.

A graveside service for Mrs. Fisher will be conducted at 11 a.m. today, April 7 at First Baptist Church of Republican Grove Cemetery by the Rev. Shelton Miles.

Lula Tucker Davidson, age 83, of Brookneal, died April 5, 2000.
Mrs. Davidson was born in Campbell County on August 7, 1916, the daughter of Thomas Randolph Tucker and Mary Elizabeth Mason Tucker and was married to Jessie Walker Davidson. She was a member of Falling River Baptist Church where she was active in the Sunshine Sunday school class, bible study and prayer groups. She was retired from Campbell County Schools.
Survivors include one son, Jimmy M. Davidson and his wife, Juanita of Gladys; two daughters, Dale Carwile and her husband, L.K. of Rustburg and Dianne Padgett and her husband, Bobby of Lynchburg; two brothers, Harry Tucker and wife, Marion of Brookneal and Johnnie Tucker and wife, Elizabeth of Gladys; two sisters, Mary Ann Cash of South Boston and Beck Andrews and husband, Jimmy of Charlotte Courthouse; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Marshall Thomas Davidson.
A funeral service for Mrs. Davidson will be conducted at 2 p.m. April 7 in Falling River Baptist Church with the Revs. Dib Mills, George Kriedel and Frank Casper officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Concord Rescue Squad, PO Box 48, Concord 24538 or Brookneal Rescue Squad, PO Box 922, Brookneal 24528.

Caroline Hedderly Canada Matze, age 74, of Lennig, died April 5, 2000.
Mrs. Matze was born at Lennig on June 29, 1925, the daughter of Beverly Thomas Canada and Hallie Tuck Canada and was married to Mervin Linn Matze. She was a member of Catawba Baptist Church and the WMU, and was the former Lennig-Nathalie Homemaker's Club president. She was also a m ember of the VFW Post 8243 Ladies Auxiliary and the Halifax Woman's Club. She worked as agent at Lennig for the Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. for 17 years and was postmaster for four years. She did private nursing as a GNA for 30 years. After retiring, she was curator of the South Boston-Halifax County Historical Museum for four years.
Survivors include four daughters and one son: Vivian M. Kidder of Fayetteville, WV, Amy M. Duncan of St. Louis, Mo., Susan M. Cheever of South Boston, Mary Jo M. Lewis of Oak Level and Melvin Thomas Matze of South Boston; and eight grandchildren: Laura Kidder and Sarah Kidder, both of Fayetteville, Matthew Duncan and Hannah Duncan, both of St. Louis, Courtney Caroline Cheever Carrie Cheever, Mel Matze and Megan Matze, all of South Boston. She was preceded in death by her husband, and two brothers, Phal Hawthorne Canada and Thomas Clinton Canada.
Funeral services for Mrs. Matze will be held today, April 7 at 2 p.m. at Catawba Baptist Church with the Rev. Ed Griffin conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Immediately following the service, the family will receive friends at Mrs. Matze's home, 1072 Lennig Road, Nathalie.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the WWII War Memorial, PO Box 787, Halifax 24558.