(When will it ever stop raining?
Probably not today since the liklihood of continued rainfall,
according to the National Weather Service, is 40 percent.
Temperatures will, however, rise into the low 80s.
The National Weather Service has Halifax County under a flood
warning for the Dan River at Paces and South Boston.
Minor flooding is forecast for the Dan River at Riverdale as the
river rises to an expected crest of 24.7 feet today.
Flood stage is 19 feet, but at the predicted elevation none of
the businesses located along U.S. 501 south of the bridge should
be affected. Flood water should begin receding this afternoon.
With the threat of more rainsome of it possibly heavyhanging
over most of Virginia, weather forecasters and transportation
officials warned residents yesterday to watch out for flooding
of smaller streams and low-lying areas.
In Halifax County, high water has forced the closing of portions
of Routes 601, 730, 716 and 797 on Tuesday.
The rainy season has been especially difficult for construction
workers who have been battling the weather since early March.
South Boston's largest construction project, a new Lowe's store
located on the Old Halifax Road, is virtually at a stand still
because of the weather.
Since the start of the project in early March, over 35 work days
have been lost because of the weather according to Jeff Flattery,
one of the principals involved in the estimated $20 million project.
Rainfall at the 33-acre site during the month of May measured
18 inches, according to Flattery.
Completion of the new Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse had been
set for late October and Flattery said that he expects the project
to remain on schedule despite the early delays.
Several stores and a restaurant, including Dollar Tree, Blockbuster
Video and Applebee's, will be joining Lowe's at the same location.
Farmers and gardeners are struggling with delayed planting and
diseases associated with too much water.
"Everything is late for me this year," said Patsy Puryear
Harris whose parents are commercial growers of vegetables and
fruits.
Excessive rain reduced their strawberry crop and mold and mildew
now threaten corn, beans, tomatoes and other vegetables that are
in need of some warm, dry weather.
"We need some sunshine, it feels just like September,"
she said.
Just a friendly reminder... when you finish pumping gas, replace
the nozzle in the pump before you drive off.
Members of both the South Boston Police Department and the South
Boston Fire Department were called to the Jiffy Store on Wilborn
Avenue Monday evening after a customer attempted to leave the
premises with the gas pump nozzle still in his gas tank, according
to Assistant Police Chief Jim Binner.
"The best we can tell, the individual pumped the gas, went
into the store and paid for it, then drove away with the nozzle
still in his car," Binner said yesterday. "The pump
is supposed to cut off when something like this happens, but in
this instance it didn't."
According to a spokesman for the fire department, the call was
received at 7:37 p.m.
"When the car drove away, they pulled the pump down with
them," he said.
The fire department responded with three trucks and 14 firefighters,
the spokesman said.
Fire department officials said that fuel spilled down the driveway
of the convenience store and ran down the curbing on Wilborn Avenue.
"We estimate that between 30 and 50 gallons were running
down the street," the spokesman said.
Members of the fire department were at the scene of the spill
for approximately one hour, he said.
Firefighters put down absorbent material and called the Virginia
Department of Emergency Management, according to the spokesman.
The firefighter said that VDEM brought in a contractor who specializes
in hazardous material spills to clean up after the incident.
Halifax County Extension Agent Larry McPeters said yesterday
that there are both good and bad sides to this year's forage crops.
"Like other farming crops and everything else, there's an
upside and a downside to the wheat and hay situation," he
said.
"The upside is that our pastures are in really good shape,"
McPeters observed.
The extension agent said that Halifax County livestock consist
primarily of feeder calves.
"Basically, the more weight we can put on them, the more
dollars we can put in our pockets," he said. "And this
year, our cattle have had plenty to eat."
But McPeters said the downside to this year's forage crops required
some careful planning from producers.
"We have a tremendous hay crop on the land," he said.
"But it's gotten tough and we aren't going to be able to
make any hay out of it.
"If this weather pattern continues for another couple of
weeks, we're going to lose our entire crop," McPeters added.
While the extension agent said that hay production per acre has
been plentiful this year, the quality was rapidly waning.
"If we are able to harvest it, it will be over-mature,"
he said. "Mature hay is low in protein and energy and will
need to be supplemented this winter."
McPeters expects the intake per cow to be reduced due to the "increase
in fiber of over-mature hay."
"Poor quality hay, coupled with reduced intake will result
in poor performance both in milking ability as well as reproduction,"
he warned.
McPeters said farmers could expect reduced and/or delayed cycling
of cattle on poor quality of feed.
"Poor quality feeds can also result in retained placenta
and reduced weaning weight of calves," he pointed out.
But McPeters said that farmers who haven't already cut their hay
crop and exposed it to rainfall were "better off than those
that have."
"It's better left standing than cutting it and letting it
get wet," he said.
A lot of farmers depend on corn silage to feed their herd through
the winter, McPeters said, but there are some alternatives that
should be considered this year.
"We need to think about planting grain or forage sorghum
to replace corn silage this year," he suggested. "But
the key is to pick a short-maturing variety to ensure frost doesn't
get to it before you can get it to the silo."
The extension agent said summer annual hays can be seeded up to
July 1 and still produce average yields given a normal season.
"Soybeans or foxtail millet will provide about two-and-a-half
tons per acre of forage of better quality hay than over-mature
fescue," he said.
McPeters recommends seeding two to three bushels of soybeans per
acre and fertilizing with 300 pounds of 0-10-20 per acre.
"Be sure to inoculate the seed to enhance plant growth,"
he said.
Foxtail millet should be seeded at 35 - 40 pounds per acre and
fertilized with 400 pounds of 20-20-20 per acre or equivalent,
according to the extension agent.
"Farmers should harvest soybeans when pods are half full
and harvest foxtail millet at the bloom stage," McPeters
said. "These forages should not be seeded as a mixture, rather
seeded as separate crops."
"I would suggest farmers plant some of those to offset the
quality of the over-mature fescue," he said. "They can
then alternate feedings to balance the rations the cattle are
eating."
Wheat
The extension agent warned that this year's wheat crop is becoming
mature and "needs to be combined as soon as moisture levels
of the grain reach 13 percent."
But he said the wet, rainy and high-humidity weather continue
to keep the grain too wet for harvesting.
"The wind has blown over some wheat," he said. "Producers
who purchased crop insurance should contact their insurance agent
if the wet weather continues."
McPeters said that some wheat fields have begun to deteriorate
due to frequent rains while others are becoming green with ragweed
and other weed pests.
Grain receiving stations will not tolerate green weed trash in
combined wheat without the farmer taking a hit on the receiving
price, according to the extension agent.
But proper action on the part of the producer ensures a better
price.
"Wheat can be sprayed with a herbicide prior to harvesting
to kill green weed pests," he said.
McPeters recommends labeled herbicides for controlling weeds in
wheat to be harvested, including Roundup Ultra Max at .8 to 1.6
pints per acre or 2-4-D Amine at one to two pints per acre.
"But producers should consider the cost of herbicide treatment
and losses from application equipment damages before treating,"
he said.
Producers wishing more information should contact the Halifax
County Extension Office at 476-2147.
Members of the South Boston Police Department
are investigating a break-in at Schewels Furniture, according
to Investigator B.K. Lovelace.
He said that the crime was committed sometime overnight Monday.
"We received a call at approximately 8:30 this morning alerting
us to the incident," Lovelace said yesterday.
According to the investigator, the thief or thieves attempted
to gain entry to the establishment through the front doors.
"They got into the building," Lovelace confirmed. "But
we aren't sure whether anything was taken."
He said that the employees of the store were taking a complete
inventory of their stock to determine whether anything was stolen.
Lovelace said investigators currently do not have any suspects
in the crime, but the investigation was continuing.
He added that investigators would be contacting the Halifax Town
Police to determine if the Schewels break-in could be connected
with the break-ins in Halifax last week.
"Anyone with information about this crime are asked to call
Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS," he said.
In other police bussiness, three accidents resulted in in over
$26,000 of damages.
· Maria M. Seybert, 35, of Chase City was charged with
reckless driving Saturday evening following an accident on Route
58, about half a mile west of Route 658.
Trooper D.J. Cline said that Seybert changed lanes abruptly, lost
control of her 2003 Ford, struck a guardrail and overturned.
Seybert, a 10-year-old passenger and a 14-year-old passenger were
listed as injured in the accident.
Cline estimated that the Ford sustained $10,000 in damages and
the guardrail sustained $400.
· A 78-year-old South Boston man was charged with driving
under the influence following a single-vehicle accident on Route
659, one mile east of Route 691, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according
to Trooper D.J. Cline.
Cline said John Chandler ran his 1974 Dodge pickup off the right
side of the road, wrecking the vehicle which caught fire.
Noblin estimated that the Dodge sustained $15,000 in damages.
· A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with reckless driving
Sunday afternoon following an accident on Route 58 four miles
west of Route 501, according to Trooper L.J. Testerman.
The Roanoke juvenile ran his 2000 Volkswagen off the right side
of the road striking a ditch.
Testerman estimated that the Volkswagen sustained $1100 in damages.
By JOE CHANDLER
Halifax County High School's Jason Lloyd has been named to
the Second Team of the All-Northwest Region Baseball Team.
Lloyd, who played third base for much of the season, also pitched
late in the year.
He led the team in hitting with a .455 batting average and had
four homers and 20 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .522.
As a pitcher, Lloyd made three appearances after recovering from
an injury and compiled a 1-1 record with a 1.75 earned run average.
Because only those players that earn First Team honors are eligible
for the voting for the Group AAA All-State Team, Lloyd will not
be eligible as an all-state pick.
Four players from neighboring GW were named to the First Team
All-Northwest Region Team.
That group includes Jon Fulton, who, last Friday, signed a contract
to play baseball for the Florida Marlins Major League baseball
team, Nathan Daly, Kenny Lewis and Steven Bowers.
Fulton was named as the Northwest Region Most Valuable Player.
E.C. Glass hurler Jared Bolden was also named to the First Team
The four GW players and the one player from E.C. Glass were the
only players from the Western Valley District to make the First
Team of the All-Northwest Region Team.
GW's Donny Price, Ben Harrelson and Bowers were named to the Second
Team of the All-Northwest Region Team.
That trio, Lloyd and E.C. Glass hurler Jared Bolden were the only
players from the Western Valley District to be named to Second
Team of the All-Northwest Region team.
GW, with six players tabbed for the All-Northwest Region Team,
landed the most players on the all-region team.
Five players from Colonial Forge were tabbed.
Only three players from Northwest Region champion Forest Park
made the All-Northwest Region Team.
Jerry Mobley, the head coach of Northwest Region Champion Forest
Park, was named as the region's Coach of the Year.
Betty Lou Vaughan Clardy, 46, of 3091 Jones
Ferry Road, South Boston, died June 17 at her home.
Mrs. Clardy was born in Halifax County on July 24, 1956, the daughter
of Cecil Nathaniel Vaughan Sr. and Virginia Saunders Vaughan.
She was married to Charles Wayne Clardy Sr., and attended Revelation
Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Kristy Leigh Clardy
and Karen Beth Clardy Kessler and husband, Nick; one son, Charles
Wayne Clardy Jr.; her parents; two brothers, Cecil Nathaniel Vaughan
Jr. and wife, Kathy, and John Stewart Vaughan and wife, Roberta;
one sister, Cathy Doss and husband, Ted, all of South Boston;
and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mrs. Clardy will be held Friday, June 20
at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Rudolph
Jacobs and Andrew Patterson officiating. Burial will take place
in Grace Church Yard at News Ferry.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Thursday
evening from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home of her
sister, Cathy Doss, 8200 River Road, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax
County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592.
Elnora Crawley Crowder died June 10 in Silver
Spring, Md.
Mrs. Crowder was born in Halifax County on February 3, 1929. She
is survived by numerous cousins.
Funeral services were held June 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Baptist
Church in Washington, D.C. with the Rev. Darryl R. Crump officiating.
Burial followed in Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Md.
Ernest Daryl Cunningham, 46, of 1214 Mason
Chapel Road, Alton, died June 14.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Halifax County on March 21, 1957, the
son of Anne Brandon Cunningham and the late Jerry Cleveland Cunningham.
He was married to LaWanda Marable Cunningham and was a member
of Mason Chapel Baptist Church. He was employed by KCI Technologies,
Inc. and was a retired Army Veteran.
Survivors of Mr. Cunningham include his wife; two sons, Rico A.
Cunningham and Derek L. Cunningham, both of Woodbridge; one daughter,
Apryl R. Cunningham of Alton; his mother of Alton; two brothers,
Joel C. Cunningham of Halifax and William M. 'Butch' Cunningham
of Greensboro, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Cunningham of
Halifax, Frances Brayboy of Alton and Dorothy Cunningham of Greensboro;
two brothers-in-law, Charles Burrell of Richmond and the Rev.
Dr. Vaughan Brayboy Jr. of Alton.
Funeral services will be held today, June 18 at 1 p.m. at Mason
Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald Claiborne conducting
the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military
honors.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Bethune
Scholarship Foundation Fund, c/o Rev. James M. Crowder, 1507 Penick
Avenue, South Boston, 24592.
Bobbie Saunders Dawson, 68, of 5093 Bethel
Road, Halifax, died June 15 at Meadowview Terrace in Clarksville.
Mrs. Dawson was born in Halifax County on November 15, 1934, the
daughter of the late Frank Saunders and Virginia Jennings Saunders,
and was married to the late Lewis Melvin Dawson. She was a member
of Dan River Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Smith of Godwin, N.C.; two
sisters, Florence Moon of Petersburg and Lillian Rudd of Nathalie;
one brother, F.W. Saunders of Victoria; one granddaughter, Brandy
Anderson of South Boston; and one great-grandson, Tyler Anderson.
She was also preceded in death by one son, Frank Benford 'Ben'
Dawson.
Graveside services for Mrs. Dawson were held June 17 at 2 p.m.
at Alton Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dennis Ball officiating.
Martha Adams Hoskins, 82, of Danville, died
June 17 at the home of her daughter.
Born May 13, 1921, in Pittsylvania County, she was a daughter
of Charlie Henry Adams and Rosa Slayton Adams, and was married
to Albert Dabney Hoskins.
Mrs. Hoskins was retired from Dan River, Inc., was a member of
Keen Street Baptist Church, Wyanette Council #22, Degree of Pocahontas,
and Halifax Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, where
she was a Real Granddaughter.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Fay and Ray Satterfield
of South Boston; three sisters, Brownie Waldron of Danville, Annie
Landrum of Blairs, and Ruthe Slate of South Boston; and one granddaughter,
Catherine Slayton Satterfield of South Boston.
She was preceded in death by her husband; four brothers, Jimmie,
Wade, Daniel and Henry Adams; and one sister, Bessie Davis.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hoskins will be held at 7 p.m. Friday,
June 20, at Wrenn-Yeatts Chapel, North Main, Danville.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax
County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, or Halifax
Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.