The South Boston Police Department is continuing
the investigation into two shootings that occurred in Halifax
Square Shopping Center Tuesday night.
Both victims of the shooting, Donald Carter Rickman, 41, of Vernon
Hill, and Juanita Kirkman Rickman, 35, were transported to Halifax
Regional Hospital, where they died.
Both bodies have been sent to the state laboratory for autopsies.
Captain J.W. Binner of the South Boston Police Department said
Wednesday that the department received a call reporting shots
fired in the parking lot of the shopping center at 8:20 p.m.
"Upon arrival, police found two individuals lying in the
parking lot with gunshot wounds," Binner said.
Officers recovered a .357 Magnum revolver at the scene.
Following the initial investigation, Binner concluded that the
shooting was the result of a domestic dispute between the two.
Binner said Juanita Rickman was leaving her job at Tractor Supply
when she was confronted by her estranged husband in the parking
lot.
"An argument ensued, during which Mr. Rickman produced the
gun," Binner said.
Police report that Juanita Rickman was shot twice in the chest,
and Donald Rickman received a single gunshot wound to the chest.
"Right now, the charge that the shooting was a murder/suicide
is in dispute," Binner said yesterday.
He said investigators are waiting for the autopsy report before
making the determination.
The police captain said investigators had received conflicting
reports from witnesses.
"We have reports of a fourth shot being fired, and at this
time we aren't sure where that shot originated," Binner said.
He added that Sgt. B.K. Lovelace will be speaking with the medical
examiner, and will be taking over the investigation.
Binner said officers cleared the scene at approximately 1 a.m.
Wednesday morning.
It has been a tragic year for the Rickman household.
In February, Donald Rickman was the driver of an oil truck that
struck a pickup on Route 360, killing 46-year-old Angela Kenaleatha
Walker and a 14-year-old juvenile.
Reckless driving charges were later filed against Rickman following
an investigation of the accident.
The trial was scheduled for July 10.
The number of candidates vying for the job as director of the
consolidated E-911 Center has been reduced to two who were interviewed
last night.
Currently, the existing E-911 planner, Alan Bober, and long-time
Fairfax 911 director Joseph Peyton are the final candidates for
the job, which has an advertised salary between $35 and $45 thousand
dollars per year, according to board member Tom Raab.
The final two applicants were interviewed by Chief Glenn Stanley
and Sheriff Jeff Oakes on June 6, a fact which has angered other
board members.
"Glen and I met with the final two applicants on the sixth
of this month," Oakes reported to the board last night.
"Irrespective of the mix-up in the datebooks," Oakes
added.
The confusion as to the scheduling ruffled the feathers of at
least two board members.
Chris Elliott sent an e-mail to both Stanley and Oakes objecting.
"The thing that bothers me the most was Chris' e-mail that
someone is conspiring to do something underhanded," Oakes
said.
Both Oakes and Stanley said the previous interviews were simply
a scheduling error.
"I thought everybody knew the meeting was on the sixth,"
Oakes said.
Both candidates were re-interviewed last night, Peyton at 7 and
Bober at 8.
"The chief and I will forestall any opinions until the full
board has a chance to interview both candidates," Oakes said
last night.
But Stanley said both candidates were qualified for the position.
"Based on the earlier interview, I think both candidates
are extremely strong," the chief said.
Raab suggested to the board two things that could prevent any
further mishaps.
"I think from a housekeeping standpoint, this board needs
to mail out agendas to all members, and call the members prior
to a meeting," he said.
Chairman R.E. "Dickie" Abbott said he thought the board
was ready to move on from the scheduling problem.
There are several issues facing the board.
Currently, Sheriff Jeff Oakes has five state compensation board
paid dispatchers working with him. According to state mandates,
those dispatchers would be under the control of the sheriff, not
the dispatch director, Raab said.
"If we open a new center, we want to be able to offer the
positions to the best qualified, not simply transfer five people
to the new center," said E-911 added Raab.
"What I envisioned was, we take the two centers and make
them one, open up hiring to everybody and hire the 12 best dispatchers
we can find," he said.
However, some committee members want to keep the comp board positions
to save money.
A proposed 20-year master plan for Staunton River State Park
drew less than 12 residents during a public comment session Tuesday
night, but a bond referendum could trigger three park projects.
Park planner Bob Munson told those gathered in Halifax that if
the park bond issue passes this fall, perhaps three items could
go to contract within two years.
The three priorities named by Munson were: the visitors center,
$460,000; camping facilities with shelter and bathhouse for horseback
riders and facilities for horses, $750,000; boat ramp improvements
facility on the Dan River with support services including gas
pumps and concessions, $200,000.
Munson also said that citizen comment taken Tuesday night would
be taken back to the master plan committee for possible modification.
"In about one month, we will have a public meeting again,"
added the park planner.
Those attending the session, which included several park employees,
cited several issues of interest.
Harold Woosley of the Halifax County Saddle Club named widespread
interest in facilities for horses and riders. Another citizen
asked about future land acquisition.
One resident sought continuation of the cultural and historical
programs at the park, including the summer Shakespeare in the
Park program.
Yet another questioned the development of a 40-room inn with meeting
facilities and a restaurant, one of the objectives offered for
consideration by the master plan's committee.
The committee's proposed master plan included:
· Protecting and conserving the natural and cultural resources
of the park, which includes working to protect the viewshed to
and from the shores of the park.
· Provide recreational opportunities for day-use visitors
to the park, which would include enhancing the swimming pool area
to increase family use and adding pool toys for young children;
developing multi-use trails in the park and linking with other
organizations; providing ADA accessible fishing facilities; participating
in the he development of canoe/water trails in the area.
Another objective in that category was to consider a "prime
season" boat launch on the Staunton River side of the park
with an established "no wake zone" within 50 feet of
the shore.
A proposal for construction of three additional picnic shelters,
including one where the tennis courts are currently located, drew
opposition. Past problems when shelters were located that close
to the swimming pool were cited, naming alcohol consumption, which
is not allowed.
Also proposed, construction of a fringe pier along the bank for
fishing near the boat ramp on the Staunton River. Also proposed
by the committee, a "T" shaped pier in one of the picnic
areas to allow boater access.
· Provide enhanced facilities for overnight visitors to
the park. Committee suggestions include replacing the bathhouse,
enlarging boat trailer storage area, developing an equestrian
camping facility, construct four additional cabins and a group
lodge with view of the water; develop 20 additional RV sites with
full hookups, including a shelter and bathhouse.
One proposal in that category, investigating the feasibility of
developing a 40-room inn with meeting facilities and a restaurant,
drew an objection from one resident.
· Provide environmental education programs and interpretive
services to the public.
The committee recommended increasing self-guided interpretive
programs with more signs and brochures; providing guided interpretive
and educational programs in the visitor's center and on trails
and waterways and interpreting Native American sites within the
park as appropriate.
· Participate in mutually beneficial efforts with partner
organizations to enhance the entire region.
Named were partnering with other stakeholders in the watershed
to ensure the protection and conservation of the area.
Among suggestions were to work to stabilize the water levels of
the Kerr Reservoir to reduce impacts on park visitors, foster
community support and volunteerism and continue coordination of
local and regional planning efforts to foster sustainable land
use in the area.
· Administer and manage the park in a manner which fosters
the public's trust.
One of the five objectives in that category included developing
a plan to integrate the operations and marketing of Staunton River
State park, Staunton River Battle field State Park and Occoneechee
State park.
Under additional considerations , changing the name of the park
to Buggs Island State Park or The Forks State Park.
Postage is jumping three cents for first class mail June 30.
The new first class rate is 37 cents.
Issued June 7 were the U.S. Flag stamp and a set of four Antique
Toys stamps, depicting a mail wagon, steam locomotive, taxicab
and fire engine, all 37-cent first class stamps.
Also issued June 7 was a 3-cent "make up rate" stamp
featuring a star highlighted in red, white and blue.
This stamp makes it convenient for customers to use any remaining
34-cent stamps they may have on hand.
In addition to the individual stamps, the Postal Store is offering
"Rate Change Kits" containing rate change stamps in
various formats (coils, panes and booklets), along with a handy,
wallet-size rate card.
Also issued June 7 were the 23-cent Carlsbad Caverns National
Park stamped postal card, illustrating a scene inside a cavern
in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, N.M., and the Ribbon Star 37-cent
stamped envelope, showing five strands of red, white and blue
forming a white star in the center of the design.
In addition to two large coils of stamps issued June 7 and generally
used by businesses, denominated versions of the 37-cent U.S. Flag
design will be available in additional formats over the next several
weeks.
Denominated versions of the Antique Toy stamps, all bearing the
37-cent rate, will be issued July 26 in Rochester, N.Y.
Other rate change stamps and philatelic stationery scheduled for
later this summer are the Coverlet Eagle 60-cent "second-ounce"
rate stamp, depicting a woven eagle and shield and the motto "E
PLURIBUS UNUM" (to be issued July 12 in Oak Brook, Ill).
Also on the schedule for release are the Jefferson Memorial $3.85
Priority Mail rate stamp (late July, Washington, D.C.; and the
U.S. Capitol $13.65 Express Mail stamp (late July, Washington,
D.C.).
The Edna Ferber 83-cent "three-ounce" rate stamp (July
29, Appleton, Wis.), featuring a "scratchboard" portrait
of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and short story writer
is also anticipated.
She is the fourth honoree in the Distinguished American series.
Gen. Joseph W. Stilwell and Claude Pepper were honored in 2000,
and Hattie Caraway in 2001.
Stella Hubbard Crowder, 90, of Nathalie, died June 14 at Berry
Hill Nursing Home.
Mrs. Crowder was born in Halifax County on September 30, 1911.
Survivors include two sons, Algie Crowder and Steve Crowder, both
of South Boston; and one sister, Mary Walters of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crowder were held June 19 at 1 p.m.
at Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Terry officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Doris Puryear Marks, 64, of 2300 Heron Place, Lynchburg, died
June 20 at Virginia Baptist Hospital.
Mrs. Marks was born in Halifax County on November 6, 1937, the
daughter of the late Wilson Peyton Puryear and the late Mary Wilborn
Puryear and was married to Bernard 'Bunny' Marks.
She was a member of Peakland United Methodist Church and Oakwood
Country Club, was a charter member of the Hospital Auxiliary in
Lock Haven, PA, and served for a time as president of the Women's
Golf Association at Clinton Country Club.
Mrs. Marks graduated from Halifax County High School, attended
Mars Hill College and received a B.S. in Elementary Education
from Longwood College in 1960. She taught school for several years.
Survivors include her husband; one son, Lt. D. Wilson Marks of
the United States Navy; two sisters, Nell P. Hudson of Virgilina
and Betty P. Caldwell of South Boston; four brothers, J.T. Puryear
of Virgilina, Phil Puryear of South Boston, Lindy Puryear and
Jerry Puryear, both of Roxboro, NC; and one granddaughter, Anna
Elizabeth Marks.
Funeral services for Mrs. Marks will be held June 22 at 2 p.m.
at North Fork Baptist Church, Virgilina at 2 p.m. The Rev. Robert
M. Fox Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home this evening, June
21, between 7:00 and 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider North Fork
Baptist Church, 5106 North Fork Church Road, Virgilina, 24598.
William Thomas Martin, 80, of 309 Merritt Street, South Boston,
died June 17 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Martin was born in Halifax County on February 12, 1922, the
son of the late Felix D. Martin and the late Mary Powell Martin
and was married to Chrystine Coates Martin. He was a member of
First Baptist Church of Millstone, was an Army Air Force Veteran
of WWII, was a POW in Normandy, was a survivor of the Grostychow
Death March, received four bronze stars, a POW Metal and an Air
Metal. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 8.
Survivors include his wife; two sisters, Essie M. Wade of South
Boston and Hallie M. Puckett of Nathalie; one granddaughter, Amanda
Stone of Oak Ridge, TN.; and one son-in-law, Gary Stone of Oak
Ridge. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lois M. Stone.
Services for Mr. Martin were held June 19 at 2 p.m. at Powell
Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Watts conducting the service.
Burial followed in the First Baptist Church of Millstone Cemetery
with Military Rites.
Sheila Betts Morton, 53, of 403 Rosser Avenue, South Boston, died
June 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Morton was born in Halifax County on December 26, 1948, the
daughter of Bishop Harry W. Betts and Gracie Anderson Betts and
was married to John Nathaniel Morton. She was a member of St.
Luke Apostle Church.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Melissa Boxley of
New York and Danisha Morton of South Boston; one son, Lamont Thomas
of South Boston; her parents; and two brothers, Charlie Betts
and Elder Harry J. Betts, both of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Morton will be held June 24 at 1 p.m.
at Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church with Bishop J.C. Richardson
officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7:00 until
8:00 at St. Luke Apostle Church, Ridge Street, South Boston.
Juanita Kirkman Rickman, 35, of 1217 Oak Level Road, Halifax,
died June 18.
She was born in Rockingham County, NC, and was employed by Tractor
Supply in South Boston.
Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Rivers and Buck Prewette
of Eden, NC; two sons, Jordan Dee Cochran and Joshua Ryan Cochran,
both of Pelham, NC; one daughter, Jennifer Nicole Cochran of Pelham;
one stepson, Donald Carter Rickman Jr. of Halifax; one stepdaughter,
Catlin Rickman of Halifax; one brother, Randall Wayne Stophel
of Ruffin; one stepbrother, Freddie Kirkman of Ringgold; two sisters,
Dale Stophel LaValley of North Haverhill, NH and DeLena Kirkman
Davis of Pelham. She was the granddaughter of the late Pearl Slaydon.
Funeral services for Mrs. Rickman will be held today, June 21
at Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden at 11 a.m. with burial to
follow in the Slaydon Family Cemetery in Eden.
Donald Carter Rickman, 41, of 1217 Oak Level Road, Halifax, died
June 18.
Mr. Rickman was born in Halifax County on June 14, 1961, the son
of Billy Ronald Rickman and Mary Lou Carter Rickman and was married
to Juanita Kirkman Rickman. He was a member of Oak Level Presbyterian
Church.
Survivors include his parents of Halifax; one daughter, Catlin
Denise Rickman of Halifax; one son, Donald Carter Rickman Jr.
of Halifax; four sisters, Mary Ellen Lowery and husband, Dan,
Patricia R. Stevens and husband Mike, all of South Boston, Deborah
R. Glover and husband, Wash of Clover, and Janet R. Lacks and
husband, Wally of Twenty Nine Palms, CA; one brother, Ronald L.
Rickman and wife, Sharon of Alton; also survived by Gayle Crews
Rickman and Wendy Beadles, both of Nathalie. He was preceded in
death by his grandparents, Loraine and Ellen Rickman of Nathalie
and William and Lea Carter of Roanoke.
Services for Mr. Rickman will be held June 22 at 2 p.m. at Powell
Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Kilpatrick officiating.
Burial will take place in the Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends this evening, June 21, from 7:00
until 8:30, and other times at the home of his parents, 1014 Rawlings
Trail, Vernon Hill.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Oak Level
Volunteer Fire Department or Boy Scout Troop 410.
Mildred Catherine Manuel Smith, 81, of 308 Hamilton Blvd., South
Boston, formerly of Stoneville, NC, died June 19 at Halifax Regional
Hospital.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. June 22 at Ray Funeral
Home Chapel in Madison, NC, with the Rev. Coye Still officiating.
Burial will follow at Beaver Island Baptist Church cemetery.
Mrs. Smith was born January 3, 1921, in Rockingham County, NC,
a daughter of the late Richard Manuel and the late Sarah Dalton
Manuel. She was retired from Baxter Kelly Foust with 25 years
service and was a member of Beaver Island Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Geneva Zilinsky and husband, Tom
of Honolulu, HI; one son, the Rev. James Luther Smith and wife,
Joyce of Buffalo Junction; one sister, Frank Tuggle of Mayodan;
grandchildren, Janine Todd and husband, Bill, Tabby Stakes and
husband, Hollis, Michelle Huey and husband, John; great-grandchildren,
Rebekah Todd, Tommy Zilinsky, Mikala Zilinsky, and one great-great-grandson.
The family will receive friends this evening from 7-8 at Ray Funeral
Home.