A severe thunderstorm packing high winds and hail roared through central Halifax County Saturday afternoon toppling trees and leaving varying amounts of property damage along a path from just north of Halifax eastward to Scottsburg.
Steve Nogueira of the National Weather Service in Blacksburg said yesterday that NWS officials have no reports of any confirmed tornado touchdowns in Halifax County which was placed under a tornado warning and a severe thunderstorm warning for much of the early to mid afternoon hours.
Published reports had the storm striking near the J.M. Huber plant outside of Halifax.
Employees there, according to a story in the Danville Register and Bee, said a funnel cloud passed close to the plant hitting a large crane used to unload trees.
The employees said the crane operator was treated at Halifax Regional Hospital for injuries suffered from the storm.
Nogueira said that the storm cell that hit Halifax County intensified as it moved into the county. The storm, Nogueira said, picked up a lot of intensity as it moved along a path just east of Halifax and northwest of Scottsburg "and really went to town after passing near Halifax.
It was near Scottsburg that the storm reached its peak, Nogueira said, with most of the damage reports coming in between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Nogueira said that National Weather Service reports stated that "spotters" reported a large tree having fallen down across Route 501 north of Halifax and hail an inch in diameter falling in that area.
He also stated there were reports that several large trees were downed, some of them uprooted, in the Scottsburg area. He stated that NWS reports showed a report of a two foot diameter tree having been toppled in the Scottsburg area as well as reports of quarter sized hail.
There are no official reports concerning the speed of the winds spawned by the damaging thunderstorm.
"We had people estimate 60 mile per hour winds," Nogueira said.
"But, we think the winds were probably stronger than that based upon the fact that a lot of large trees were downed."
A severe thunderstorm warning, he said, means that winds are expected to be 50 knots or higher.
While an area just a few miles north of Halifax and areas around Crystal Hill and Scottsburg were pounded by high gusty winds, hail, and heavy rain, other areas of the county received little, if any, rain. And, in some parts of the county, including South Boston, the sun remained out all afternoon.
After roaring through Halifax County, the storm cell continued to move eastward into Charlotte County and on into Mecklenburg County.
The National Weather Service spokesman said a report of three quarter inch size hail came in at around 3 p.m. from near Red Oak in Charlotte County as the storm continued its eastward trek.
The storm system that cut a swath through Halifax County was one of two major storms that brewed up in the state Saturday. The other major storm brewed up and caused problems in the Allegheny Highlands and moved eastward along a path that took it north of Lynchburg.
Residents in an area of Buckingham County were pelted by baseball sized hail as the storm passed through that area.
Nogueira said that weather forecasters were calling for a good chance of thunderstorms last night, today, and into Tuesday. However, none are expected to be anywhere near the intensity of the storms that rocked the area Saturday.
The long range outlook, Nogueira said, shows that after Tuesday generally good weather is expected in our area with only a slight chance of an isolated thunderstorm through the middle and latter parts of the week.
This Saturday's re-enactment of the Battle of Staunton River Bridge, will be the first ever on the original battlefield where, on June 20, 1864, the Confederacy scored its last victory of the war against the Union Calvary.
A volunteer force of upwards to 400 Confederate and Union Cavalry of re-enactors will be staging the battle at the same time of the day, 5:00 p.m., the actual event took place.
In 1864 a volunteer force of 492 old men and young boys joined 296 Confederate troops under the command of Colonel Benjamin Farinhold, in an effort to save the railroad bridge from being burned by Union troops. School boys, home guards, local defense troops, farmers, prison guards, doctors and preachers, regular troops on furlough and disabled veterans all came to the bridge to help Colonel Farinholt.
The bridge was part of a vital supply line for General Robert E. Lee and his besieged Army of Northern Virginia which was then in Petersburg.
The Confederate troops held their ground that hot, summer afternoon and were successful in the face of an overwhelming force of 5,000 Union calvary raiders under the command of Brigadier General James H. Wilson.
General Wilson was assisted by Brigadier August V. Kautz and his cavalry, and it was the men of General Kautz who actually lead the four attacks on the bridge.
The original railroad bridge that spanned the Staunton River at the battle site was covered wooden structure and the largest bridge on the Richmond and Danville Railroad east of Danville.
The Staunton River Bridge, although successfully defended on that day, was burned by the Confederate soldiers during General Lee's retreat to Appomattox. The bridge was later rebuilt by the railroad.
The current four-span steel trust bridge now in its place was constructed in 1902 on the original stone piers.
Historical Significance
Several years ago the bridge was planked for pedestrians and a multi-use trail was developed from Fort Hill (Halifax side of the river) to the village of Randolph, which faces the battlefield site. The enlargement of Staunton River Battlefield State Park in 1997 by the 190 acres of original battlefield land - plus the donated 8/10's mile of railroad bed - both in Charlotte County, was of historical significance.
Most of the actual fighting took place in the same area where the re-enactment will be staged, with the Confederates in a shallow line of rifle trenches on the Charlotte County side of the bridge, near the river. The battlefield is still being used for agriculture, and the vistas viewed from the rail/trail and battlefield appear as in 1864.
Exhibits in the Visitors Center tell a more complete story of the battle and its significance to the Confederacy and to the surrounding communities. The Visitors Center and gift shop will be open during Saturday and Sunday, 1 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In addition to the events listed in the program, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Halifax Chapter, will be hostesses at a lemonade social Saturday afternoon for the re-enactors' wives and families who accompany them.
The re-enactment is co-sponsored by the Historic Staunton River Foundation; 18th Va. Infantry, Co. B, Danville Grays and the 42nd Va. Infantry, Martinsville and the Staunton River Battlefield State Park, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.
Chuck Hillsman of Amelia is the commander of the Confederate troops and John Wagstaff of Nathalie is the Confederate calvary commander.
Federal troop commander is Jim Maupin of Richmond and with him will be Federal calvary commander Dave Houser of Richmond.
Gary Brown of Martinsville will be among the re-enactment force. Brown is a 14-year "veteran" and has participated in the largest scale re-enactment ever staged (Antendum) where an estimated 17,500 troops were in uniform.
Brown did the research, wrote the narrative and constructed the components for the exhibit in the Staunton River Battlefield State Park visitors' center.
Employed by the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville, Brown is a student of American history and has collected over 250 volumes of books on the Civil War. He makes his own uniforms and equipment and like others who participate in battle re-enactments, admits that the all-consuming "hobby has become a lifestyle."
The encampment at Staunton River Bridge will be laid out according to military manuals; a street where officers are posted separate from regular troops and an area for parade and drills.
Establishing a camp and battlefield lines produces not just authenticity, but promotes safety. The re-enactment involves real weapons (using blanks) including, perhaps, as many as six field artillery guns.
Admission to the event is $2 (pre-schoolers and under free). Events start Saturday with the battle from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. followed by a memorial services and Period (1860s) music and dance performed by re-enactors at the Clover Visitors Center beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Visitors are asked to bring chairs, blankets and flashlights.
At 9:15 p.m. a night artillery demonstration will conclude the day's events.
On Sunday, Period Soldiers Church Service at the Armies' camp will begin at 10 a.m.
The Armies march to battle positions and present tactical demonstration (near Armies' Camp - Randolph side of Staunton River Bridge) will take place from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Halifax Town Council unanimously approved its 1998-99 budget of $694,844 and also approved a draft agreement to be sent to county supervisors on the Grubby Road sewer project during its Thursday night session.
The town budget reflects a real estate rate of 22 cents per $100 and a personal rate of 80 cents per assessed $100.
The budget, however, did raise some questions from council members before final approval.
Councilman S.J. "Jack" Dunavant Jr. noted "a couple of concerns" about the proposed budget. Dunavant said the budget seemed to be presupposing a real good year at the police department and sewer plant, particularly noting overtime expenses and the high turnover rate at the police department in the past.
"We were a training center for officers," replied Greene. The town manager said the town had moved to address officers' salaries and numbers in a manner to help eliminate turnover rates.
Greene also said the town police chief was investigating a used vehicle for the department rather than new. The request to purchase would also come back before council, it was noted.
Dunavant said he withdrew his objection under those conditions.
"I do think the budget is optimistic and we should be very careful," added Dunavant.
"We have to find other sources of revenue," added councilman Harold Younger Jr.
The budget, a reduced version of last year's $712,777 budget, was then unanimously approved. "I think this is the last year the budget can go down," added councilman John Murphy.
Council also discussed the state of the town's sewer treatment plan and long-range plans for its capital improvement.
Council then discussed the Grubby Road agreement, one drafted by the county and re-drafted for submission to county supervisors. The agreement would currently call for 12,000 gallons per day.
"There is no guarantee the county will approve the draft copy," said the town manager Friday morning.
Councilman Harold Younger Jr. asked what revenue to the town would come based on 12,000 gallons per day at the agreed price and the town manager replied about $15,200.
Sewer line ownership, control, maintenance, pumping stations and the town's sewer capacity were among some of the questions raised by councilmen during the discussion.
"We do have the capacity. There's no question about that," said Greene.
The cost would run $3.46? per 1,000 gallons to customers, according to town manager Greene, with the town bearing no capital outlay cost. He said the county would also be responsible for maintenance, and he added the charge could be reviewed annually.
"But it would cost to treat it," said Dunavant.
One councilman asked what capacity that would leave the town?
Greene replied 80,000 to 85,0000 gallons per day capacity.
The town is currently averaging 160,000 to 210,000 a day, said the manager with a base capacity of 300,000. "This would only add 12,000 gallon on this," observed Greene.
Councilman Guthrie also discussed use of the town's limited capacity, what the town would do with it and could it be better utilized someplace else. "This is not an expansion area," noted the councilman.
"I personally recommend it," said Greene. The town manager later said he thought "it would be good for the town," adding the town always said it would work with the county.
Younger made the motion to seen the draft agreement to the county and it was passed unanimously by councilmen.
In other business, Dunavant and Sam Thompson of the Property Committee offered a list of eight recommendations: edging sidewalks along Main Street and Mountain Road (all sidewalks); cleaning leaves and debris from gutters and curbs all streets; trimming hedges and bushes that obstruct sidewalks; cleaning and mowing island south of Toot's Creek; requesting VDOT install curb and gutter around flowered island at railroad tracks' suggesting future sidewalks should be done by private contractors using 3000# low slump concrete. Edges should be straight and walks should be scored at 4' intervals before broom finishing. The new concrete should be covered by min. 4 mil. plastic for at least 7 days; request Virginia Power to remove pole from middle of sidewalk in fro of the Jim Davis' house.
Also on recommendations: street repairs. Anyone (i.e. contractors, sewer department, etc) who digs up the town streets shall be required to repave these areas as soon as they are backfilled (i.e. same day). If a permanent pavement repair cannot be made at that time, a temporary repair consisting of 3" minimum cold mix asphalt over an approved stone base shall be made and maintained by the responsible party. To insure that this is done, a good faith bond of $1,000 (cash or certified check) for each disturbed area shall be required before authorization to proceed. In the event said party does not perform properly , the town of Halifax shall make or have made the necessary repairs and shall be compensated for this from the bond provided. Any bond remaining shall be refunded 30 days after permanent repairs have been successfully completed and approved by VDOT.
Council adopted the recommendations.
South Boston Town Council is expected to complete its 1998-99 fiscal planning at a special meeting to be held tonight.
The governing body will do this by adopting the 1998 tax rate resolution and the '98-'99 budget.
The special meeting, open to the public, will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers on Yancey Street.
This will be the time for the second and final reading on the $15,814,509 budget package.
South Boston, having expanded its boundaries and fiscal responsibilities on January 1, will be functioning under its largest budget in history.
In another matter, Council will consider an agreement for purchase of electricity service by municipalities and counties from Virginia Power.
Council will talk about possible dates for a working retreat during August.
A South Boston man will spend 13 years in prison for the November, 1997 armed robbery of the Jiffy Store on Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.
Murray D. Sanford, 29, was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended, for the armed robbery conviction. He was also sentenced to three years in prison for a conviction of using a firearm while in commission of a felony.
Sanford was sentenced Tuesday in the Halifax County Circuit Court by Circuit Court Judge William L. Wellons.
Sanford robbed the Jiffy Store by gunpoint at 10:46 p.m. on November 4, then drove to Danville where he committed armed robbery of the Stratford Inn at 2:09 a.m., according to the investigation.
He was arrested a short while later by the City of Danville Police Department.
The suspended sentence portion of his term for the Jiffy Store conviction is on condition of his good behavior for 25 years following his release from prison.
In other cases heard last week:
· Joshua Rod Palmer, 33, of South Boston was sentenced to two years in prison for each for nine counts of check forgery. Those convictions stem from incidents which occurred from August 18 to November 26, 1997.
In addition to that 18-year sentence, Palmer was sentenced to five years in prison for distribution of cocaine and three years for possessing a firearm while in possession of cocaine. Those two convictions stem from an incident on April 27, 1997.
Of the eight years for the drug charges, all but three years were suspended on condition of his good behavior for a period of 10 years following his release. He must also complete two years of supervised probation.
· Ronnie Dean Newbill, 35, of South Boston was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but 17 months suspended, for a conviction of distribution of cocaine.
Newbill was charged with selling cocaine on June 14, 1996. He was arrested during "Operation Fall Harvest" on September 25, 1997.
The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of five years following his release.
· Sean Jerrells, 21, of South Boston was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but time served, for a conviction of distribution of cocaine.
The charge stemmed from an incident on August 5, 1996. The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of 10 years and the successful completion of two years of supervised probation.
· Susan Crews Wilborn Irby, 38, of Nathalie was sentenced to 90 days in jail during a show cause hearing held Tuesday.
She violated terms of a previously suspended sentence on a grand larceny conviction stemming from the theft of two diamond rings on November 15, 1995.
Judge Wellons revoked 90 days of that suspended sentence. She was remanded to jail.
· Demestra Lashawn White, 19, of South Boston was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but three months suspended, for a conviction of distribution of cocaine. The incident occurred on April 4, 1997.
The suspended portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of five years following his release and the completion of two years of supervised probation.
· David Hughes, 35, of South Boston was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison, with all but three years suspended, for three counts of cocaine distribution.
The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of 20 years following his release. He must also complete two years of supervised probation.
· Dwayne T. Henry, 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y. was sentenced to five years in prison, with all time suspended, for a conviction of possession with the intent to sell marijuana (more than one-half ounce but less than five pounds). The incident occurred on August 27, 1997.
The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of five years following his release from prison. He must also complete two years of supervised probation.
· A co-conspirator of Henry's, Keith Holt, 21, of Brooklyn, New York was also sentenced to five years in prison, with all time suspended, for a conviction of possession with the intent to sell marijuana (more than one-half ounce, but less than five pounds). The incident occurred on August 27, 1997.
The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of five years following his release from prison. He must also complete two years of supervised probation.
· Robert Eugene Farrar, 23, of Halifax was sentenced to two years in prison, with all but 10 days in jail suspended, for a felony conviction of hit and run.
Farrar's vehicle struck a 1986 Chevrolet driven by Elnora D. Mayo on November 8, 1997. Mayo and two passengers were injured in the crash which occurred on Rt. 1339.
The suspended sentence portion is on condition of his good behavior for a period of two years following his release from jail.
· On Thursday, George William Forrest, 40, of Newport News pleaded guilty to three felony counts of distribution of cocaine. The incidents occurred on September 20, 1996, November 15, 1996, and October 24, 1996. Forrest pleaded guilty to the charges on an "accommodation" basis.
A presentence report was ordered for his sentencing hearing which will be held in the September term of court. He was allowed to remain free on bond pending the hearing.
· Justin Charles Lastique, 21, of Brooklyn, New York pleaded guilty to two felony counts of distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The charges stem from an incident on May 8, 1997.
A presentence report was ordered for his sentencing hearing which will be held in the Sep
tember term of court. He will remain in the Halifax County Jail pending that hearing.
· Isaiah Alexander Boyd, 42, of South Boston pleaded guilty to a felony count of possession of cocaine. The incident occurred on February 19, 1997.
The judge will withhold a finding of guilt for a period of one year, depending on Boyd's behavior during the period.
Race fans headed northwards on U.S. 501 after Saturday night's race at South Boston Speedway saw additional vehicular action, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
Police were called to a stretch of U.S. 501, one mile south of the intersection with Liberty Road, to investigate a "large animal" which was impeding traffic. The calls came in about 1 a.m., police said.
Deputy H.L. Farmer arrived on the scene a few minutes later as the post-race traffic had to drastically slow down and drive around what turned out to be an escaped emu.
"I didn't know what it was at first," Farmer said. "Its head was higher than mine and when I walked up to it and said 'shoo,' it just looked down at me like it could care less."
The bird hindered traffic for about five minutes after his arrival, even striking a Corvette that had come up to a virtual stop, according to the investigation.
Farmer finally managed to get the emu off the roadway. "It was moving pretty fast after it got off the road," Farmer said. "It just disappeared into the night."
In other matters, deputies arrested a 32-year-old Nathalie man on a misdemeanor count of reckless use of a firearm.
John Marvin Cassada was arrested Saturday for the charge which allegedly occurred on June 13, police said.
He was released on bond pending his trial in the Halifax County General District Court on July 17.
For the second time in less than a year, a high-speed police chase from Mecklenburg County ended in Halifax County with the use of a tire deflation device called the "Stinger."
Anthony Eugene Hall, 27, of Laurel, Maryland was arrested Friday night after his 1991 Ford Fiesta ran over the Stinger on U.S. 58, near the intersection of Rt. 853, according to Sgt. Bill Crowder of the Virginia State Police.
The chase began at approximately 8 p.m. just east of Clarksville when Hall allegedly committed an act of hit and run. A deputy sheriff of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department attempted to stop Hall, but he continued through the Town of Clarksville and towards Halifax County, police said.
As many as ten police vehicles were in pursuit of Hall, while troopers were radioed ahead in Halifax County to set up the "Stinger."
Virginia State Trooper S.M. Krantz activated the Stinger about four miles into Halifax County, which penetrated one of the vehicle's four tires, according to the investigation.
The Ford traveled 1.3 miles before coming to a stop, with the tire having run off the wheel, Sgt. Crowder said. No injuries occurred.
Hall will face numerous traffic violation charges which will be brought by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Department.
Last year, Virginia State Trooper R.T. Ridgeway activated a Stinger on a vehicle that was also being chased by police westbound on U.S. 58 from Clarksville. All four tires in that vehicle was deflated, with the two occupants fleeing from the scene when it stopped.
Jennifer Clements Major, 21 of 22 Whitehall Road, Long Island, died Friday, June 12, 1998. She was the wife of Marvin Byrd Major III.
Born July 25, 1976 in North Carolina, she was the daughter of Donald Wesley and Joan Clements Milnor of Long Island, and the late Richard L. Clements Jr. She was a member of Edge Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by one son, Richard Charles Major of Long Island, one brother, Michael Milnor of Gladys, one sister, Angela Milnor of Lynchburg; her maternal grandmother, Nancy Gaddy Clements of Long Island, and her mother in-law and father-in-law, Virginia and Marvin Major Jr. of South Boston. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Richard L. Clements Sr.
A funeral service for Mrs. Major was conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14 in Edge Baptist Church by Revs. Andy Grose and David Jackson. Burial was in Kedron Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, c/o 2250 Murrell Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501.
Calbot Junior Barksdale of 611 Easley Street, South Boston died Wednesday, June 10, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 23.
Mr. Barksdale was born in Bridgeport, CT on November 25, 1974 the son of Calvin Barksdale and Flossie Venable Barksdale.
Survivors include one son, Michael Lawson of South Boston; his father of Bridgeport; one brother, Quincy Venable of South Boston; his paternal grandmother, Lucille Barksdale of Bridgeport; two aunts, Peggy Venable of South Boston and Alice Venable of College Park, MD; and one uncle, Elvin Logan of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Barksdale were held Sunday, June 14 at 3 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth DuBose officiating. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Funeral services for Col. Stone Gregory Jr. of Java will be held today at 11 a.m. at Shockoe Baptist Church by Col. Henry V. Langford and the Rev. Michael Huff.
Interment will follow in the Highland Burial Park with full Military Honor Guard and Follow.
Col. Gregory died Saturday, June 13, 1998 at his home, Stone's Throw.
He was born on October 4, l 917 at Java, the son of the late Samuel Stone Gregory, Sr. and Mary Stone Gregory.
Col. Gregory attended Randolph-Macon Military Academy, The Citadel and the United States Military Academy and he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in June 1940.
He served for seven years in East Indies, the British Isles, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Europe which include four years of combat command operation. During this period, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel at the age of 27 and he received fourteen American and foreign awards and decorations.
After returning to the Pentagon for staff duty, he transferred from the Regular Army to the Active Army Reserve in 1947 and organized and commanded the 168th Reserve Infantry Division with headquarters in Danville, until his retirement from the Army in l 970.
Col. Gregory was the owner of Gregory General Farms, Gregory General Store, Gregory Hog Hotel, Gregory Hickory Products and other business interests covering an international area.
He served on many boards and commissions over the years including Averett College, Randolph-Macon Academy, American Red Cross, the Pittsylvania County Planning Board, Danville Pittsylvania County Mental Health Board, the Danville Chapter of the Retired Officers Association and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
He was a life long member of Shockoe Baptist Church and served on the Board of Trustees for many years.
Col. Gregory was married to Helen Martin Gregory who predeceased him in 1983. On Feb. 14, 1987 he was married to Doris Hundley Dixon Gregory who survives.
In addition to his wife of the residence, survivors include three daughters, Helen Wise, Princeton, NJ, Mary Riddle, Atlanta, GA and Sallie Gregory, Java; two sons, Stone Gregory, III and John Gregory, both of Java. He also has a stepdaughter, Lisa Dixon and a stepson Mark Dixon, both of Danville; 12 grandchildren, one great grandson and one step-grandson; two brothers James B. Gregory and Lewis W. Gregory, both of Java.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Cancer Association of your choice.