Wednesday, June 2, 2004

John Randolph Bridge Project Should Survive VDOT Cuts
Loss Of Transportation Money Could Force $1.3 Billion In Cuts

A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation said yesterday the John Randolph Bridge project isn’t expected to be included in those programs flagged for elimination due to a smaller than expected state transportation budget.

Around $602 million in highway projects could be eliminated from the state’s six-year construction plan on July 1.

“They’re still working on it,” Lynchburg District Public Affairs Officer Paula Jones said yesterday.

But according to a tentative list of projects impacted by the reduced funding, the U.S. 360 bridge will not be affected.

The funding for the original projects was included in the budget based on Governor Warner’s proposed budget.

“Now we’re backing out some of those things that would have been funded had the money become available in the budget,” Jones said.

She added that available funding would go to projects that have already been constructed. “If there’s funding left to be paid, that’s where the money will go first,” she said.

After paying for projects already completed, available monies will be used to fund projects currently underway, “such as the new John Randolph Bridge”.
“There is also state bond money attached to the project,” Jones added. “That’s not an example of one that would probably be stopped.”

During an earlier meeting, VDOT Resident Engineer Joe Barkley said work on the nearly $25 million John Randolph Bridge project was progressing on schedule.

The project includes the construction of a new bridge parallel to the existing bridge, rerouting traffic to the new bridge and the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a second new bridge.

Included in the project is the four-laning of U.S. 360 to the point where it is currently four-lane and the construction of a new Vaughan Street overpass.

Work on the project began in August, 2003, Barkley said yesterday.

He added that approximately 25 percent of the work on the project has been completed.

Officials estimate the project to be completed in August, 2007.

Around $600 million in projects has been identified as facing possible cuts, Jones added.

The proposed early round of cuts would affect 186 projects. It would eliminate road construction and safety improvements, postpone work and delay payments on highway jobs already completed.

‘‘Obviously, with the need to cut $1.3 billion in funding for the six years, additional reductions will need to be made,’’ warned VDOT Chief Financial Officer Barbara W. Reese.

Department officials attributed the cuts to the state budget’s lack of new money for transportation.

VDOT already has canceled a $55 million, 60-mile pavement rehabilitation for Interstate 64 from Richmond to Newport News, citing tight funding.

The project had been aimed at fixing the road in time for the Jamestown quadricentennial in 2007.

‘‘Our program isn’t even close to being able to use the words ’going forward,’” said state Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet. ‘‘It is the beginning stages of a wind-down program.’’

Among spending reductions being considered:

• $3.8 million toward widening 4.6 miles of I-64 to eight lanes east of Interstate 295 in Henrico and New Kent counties.

• $64 million to start work on high-occupancy vehicle lanes linking Interstates 95 and 395 and the Capital Beltway through the Springfield Interchange in Fairfax County.

• $16.7 million for a highway in Norfolk connecting Interstate 564 to the Norfolk International Terminals and the naval station.

• $19.9 million for the U.S. 460 Virginia-Kentucky connector from the Kentucky line to the Coalfield Expressway in Buchanan County.

While the Commonwealth Transportation Board will make the final decision on the shape of the six-year plan, the proposed projects ‘‘are a very good indication of things that will not get done,’’ Shucet said.

Also among the possible spending cuts are delays in paying off construction deficits on 19 projects in the program. Previous state administrations had approved building projects costing more money than the state had allocated.
Though the projects are finished, the state is still making adjustments within VDOT’s budget to pay for them. As the state delays paying off construction bills, even less money will be available to deal with rising highway needs.
The proposed list of cuts will get bigger, said department spokeswoman Tamara Neale.

VDOT has a total annual budget of about $3.4 billion. To reach the needed $1.3 billion in cuts, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will have to reduce its draft $7.2 billion, six-year highway program of nearly 1,700 projects by about 18 percent.

The Transportation Board is scheduled to approve the final - and reduced - construction program June 17.

Veterans Of America’s Early Wars Honored At Memorial Day Service
Groups Gather At War Memorial For Service

"Today is not Veteran's Day, the day when veterans are honored," Doug Powell of the Dan River Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution said Monday. "And today is not Armed Forces Day, the day when those serving are honored.

"Today is Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in America's wars," he added.

Representatives of the Berryman Green Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Halifax Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Col. Thomas Williamson Chapter of the Military Order of the Stars and Bars and the John M. Jordan Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans joined the Sons of the American Revolution for Monday's ceremony at the Halifax County War Memorial.

"This war memorial honors many who served and paid the ultimate price," Powell said. "Including those who defended our homeland during the early American wars."

He added that just as Americans are dying for their country today, the veterans from the early wars were serving their country.

"Men in all of these early American wars died for Virginia and provided homeland security for this community.

"Today we honor all who served America during time of war and gave their lives," he said.

The organizations placed wreathes at the memorial in commemoration of the soldiers who died in the early wars.

"To all those who pause in this place, may this memorial remind them of the nobility of life well lived and quicken response of acknowledgement of the ever-continuing call to unselfish service," said Jane Edmunds of the DAR. "As our ancestors rose to the challenge in founding a new nation, may we have the courage, wisdom and ability to protect and preserve it."

Police Probe Three Break-Ins
Crimes Are Similar In Nature; Police Search For Possible Suspects

Three downtown South Boston businesses were the victims of break-ins over the Memorial Day weekend, according to the South Boston Police Department.

Investigators from the department responded to the three businesses yesterday morning.

The crimes were discovered within minutes of each other as employees returned to work after the extended weekend, according to Chief Mick Reed.
A break-in at Atlantic Medical on Mineral Street was discovered at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The Styles-R-Us Salon on Short Street was discovered shortly after 8:30 a.m.
The Hair Hutch on N. Main Street in South Boston was discovered at approximately 9 a.m.

Entry into each of the businesses was gained at either a back or side door, Investigator C.L.Carswell said.

While investigators believe nothing was taken, Reed said that the businesses were ransacked so badly that a full inventory will have to be conducted to determine if anything is missing.

"As best as we can tell at this time, nothing was taken," he said. "I believe it was a really amateur way of looking for cash or merchandise."

The crimes were similar in nature, and police are currently in the process of narrowing down the suspect or suspects in the break-ins.

"Anyone with information about these crimes are asked to contact the South Boston Police Department at 575-4271 or Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS," Carswell said.

Citizens with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects are eligible to receive up to a $1,000 reward.

Comets Advance To Sweet Sixteen
The HCHS Baseball Team Will Face C. D. Hylton Here Tonight At 6 P.M. In A Northwest Region Tournament Semifinal Game

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Halifax County is in the Sweet Sixteen and one win away from a berth in next week's Group AAA state baseball tournament.

The Comets (17-4) will be looking to land that big win when they face the C. D. Hylton High School Bulldogs of Woodbridge here tonight at 6 p.m. at Comets Field in one of the two Northwest Region Tournament semifinal games.

Admission for tonight's game will be $6.

The Comets advanced to tonight's Northwest Region Tournament semifinal game with a 5-1 win here Monday over the Stafford High School Indians.

Comets hurler Tyler Clarke held the Indians to just four hits and got key hits from his teammates at critical times as Halifax County advanced into the second round of the regional playoffs.

Colonial Forge, the top seed of the Commonwealth District, downed GW of Danville 7-6 Monday and, tonight, will face the winner of last night's game between the Cardinal District's top seed, Gar-Field, and the second seed from the Cedar Run District, Stonewall Jackson.

The winners of tonight's two regional semifinal games will advance to the regional championship game which is set for Friday.

Halifax County High School Athletic Director Don Thompson said yesterday that if the Comets win today's game, there is a very good likelihood the Comets will have to travel to Northern Virginia for Friday's regional championship contest.

Right now, though, the Comets, having savored their win over Stafford, are focusing their attention on tonight's contest against C.D. Hylton.

Monday's win over Stafford, which saw its season end with a 14-10 slate, was a big win for the Comets.

Comets coach Kelvin Davis said good execution at the right time enabled his team to get the win.

"We got hits when we needed to get hits, stole a base and manufactured runs," said Davis.

"It's the little things that win big ballgames. That's what we did tonight."

Halifax County had six hits in the game, two each from Jason Lloyd, Chris Perkins and Jacob Owen.

They came at just the right time.

A prime example occurred in the first inning when Robert Carter led off with a walk, moved to second base when designated hitter Nathan Thomas grounded out to third base and scored on a long double by Lloyd to put the Comets up 1-0.

That score was a big lift for the Comets after they had squelched a potential Stafford rally in the top of the first inning in which the Indians got a pair of runners on base with a leadoff single and a walk by Clarke with two out.

It was a similar situation for the Comets in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Long was walked by Stafford hurler Matt Bryant, moved to third base on a double by Perkins and scored on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by Owen.

That sequence netted Halifax County a 2-0 lead, a lead that was cut in half when Bryant belted a booming homer well into the pine trees behind the rightfield wall in the top of the fifth inning.

Stafford threatened to make a run at the Comets in the top of the sixth inning, using a pair of hits to get two runners on the sacks.

After the second hit, a two-out single by Allen Peake, Clarke fanned Brett Mitchell to end the inning and record his fifth strikeout of the game.

Halifax County came up with three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to ice the contest.

Lloyd opened the inning with a single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch.

Long walked two put Comets runners on first base and second base. A double by Perkins plated Lloyd to put the Comets up 3-1.

Owen followed with his second hit of the game to score Long and put the Comets up 4-1.

Clyde Brooks, who entered the game in the fourth inning, walked. Perkins scored when the next batter, Ryan Roller, grounded out to the shortstop to give the Comets their 5-1 lead.

Clarke did the rest, striking out the three Indians batters in order in the top of the seventh inning to seal the contest.

The Comets' hurler finished his night with eight strikeouts while giving up only one walk.

Davis praised the work of his team's pitcher.

"Tyler's been doing this for us all year," Davis said.

"He concentrates well on the mound. He knows how to pitch and what to do in situations. My hat goes off to him."

Davis pointed to the times when Clarke encountered difficulty, the first inning and sixth inning when two Indians batters reached base, and got out of the jam.

"Tyler's got experience," Davis pointed out.

"One of the things we have to commend him for is his going out there day after day in practice and working as hard as he does. He really concentrates on the things he is going to need in game situations. That is what is making him so effective right now."

Davis says he is expecting a tough battle tonight when C.D. Hylton comes to town.

"Any team from up North is going to be good," said Davis.

"This Stafford team is a good ballclub. We just jumped on them early and mentally took them out of the ballgame."

Obituaries

Myra Averett Anderson

Myra Averett Anderson, 79, of Bellevue Road, Halifax died May 28 at The Medical Center in Plano, Texas.

She was the daughter of the late William James Averett and Greta Clark Averett and was married to the late Henry Belt Anderson.

Mrs. Anderson was a member of First Baptist Church and was a retired cafeteria manager within the Halifax County School System.

Survivors include four sons, David Barry Anderson and wife, Bobbi, of South Boston, William Lewis 'Chip' Anderson and wife, Theo, of North Logan, Utah, Albert Jackson Anderson and wife, Cheryl, of Richardson, Texas, and Craig Mason Anderson and wife, Janet, of Midlothian; one sister, Kathlyne A. Russell of Scottsburg; six grandchildren, Stephen Anderson of Richmond, Stephanie Beth Anderson of South Boston, Molly and Katy Anderson, both of N. Logan, Utah, Joshua and Lauran Anderson, both of Midlothian. Mrs. Anderson was also preceded in death by one sister, Lonie Averett, and one brother, Jack Averett.

Graveside services will be held June 5 at 11 a.m. at Dan River Baptist Church Cemetery with the Revs. H.V. Conner and Jack Stewart officiating.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home June 4 from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., and other times at the home of her son, Barry Anderson, 1400 Moore Street, South Boston.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Alan, 23060, the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, N. Canton, Ohio 44720, or the Patrick Henry Boy's and Girls Plantation, P.O. Box 1398, Brookneal, 24528-9905.

Tommy Ray Clay

Tommy Ray Clay, 56, of Boydton died at his home. He was the son of the late Elmer Jasper Clay and Irene Tuck Clay.

Mr. Clay was a retired truck driver and was of the Baptist Faith.

Survivors include his mother of South Boston; one daughter, Ginger Clay of Raleigh, N.C.; one son, Tommy Ray Clay Jr. of Raleigh; two brothers, Robert Shawn Clay of South Boston and Walter Danny Clay and wife, Colleen B. Clay, of Winterville, N.C.

A graveside service for Mr. Clay was held May 31 at Halifax Memorial gardens with the Rev. Dr. John Eure officiating.

Ellis Martin Hazelwood

Ellis Martin Hazelwood, 84, of 1140 Mt. Laurel Road, Clover died June 1 at the home of her daughter.

Mrs. Hazelwood was born in Halifax County on July 4, 1919, the daughter of the late George Oliver Martin and Kate Whittimore Martin and was married to the late William T. Hazelwood. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy.

Survivors include four sons, Sam Hazelwood of South Boston, and James, Ronald and Roger Hazelwood, all of Clover; three daughters, Margaret Seamster of Skipwith, Carrie Wilmouth of Nathalie and Mary Newcomb of Clover; one brother, Archer Martin of Halifax; two sisters, Louise Martin of Scottsburg and Rosa Kincaid of Clover; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Hazelwood was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Ed Martin.

Funeral services will be held at Church of God of Prophecy on June 5 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Courtney W. Coffer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home Friday night from 7 until 9, and other times at the home of Mary Newcomb, 2144 Mill Road, Clover.

Selma Owen Murphy

Selma Owen Murphy, 98, died June 1. Born July 15, 1905, in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of James Thomas Owen and Georgianna Crane Owen. Mrs. Murphy was a lifetime member of Oakland United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Murphy; two sons, Herbert O. Murphy and Roland B. Murphy; three sisters, Ola O. Shelton, Ruby O. Oakes and Minnie O. Murphy; four brothers, John, Elgin, Eddie and Spurgeon Owen; and a son-in-law, Malcolm Francis.
Mrs. Murphy is survived by three daughters, Mary M. Harris and husband, William J., of Chatham, Lois M. Clark and husband, Ryland, of Nathalie, and Faye Francis Tucker and husband, Fletcher, of Evington; two daughters-in-law, Patsy Murphy of Appomattox and Audrey Murphy of Chatham; three sisters, Janie O. Shields, Anna O. Hayden, and Irene O. Yeatts, and one brother, Richard Owen, all of Danville; 16 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside funeral will be held at Oakland United Methodist Church June 3 at 11 a.m. with the Revs. Travis E. Witt and David Dickerson officiating.

The family will be at the residence of William H . Harris, 801 Tightsqueeze Road in Chatham.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Oakland United Methodist Church building fund.