Monday, July 5, 2004

Human Remains Found In River
Badly Decomposed Partial Body Discovered In Hyco Flats; Investigators Have No Evidence Of Foul Play

Officials with the Halifax County Sheriff's Department recovered partial human remains from the water in an area known as Hyco Flats yesterday morning.

The badly decomposed body parts were discovered at around 9:30 a.m., according to Sheriff D.J. Oakes.

Oakes said the remains were "absolutely unidentifiable" due to their condition, but officials were investigating the evidence to determine the identity of the remains.

"I can't say definitively whether it was a male or female," he said. "But from the clothing it would appear that it was a male."

No age or race of the remains was immediately available.

The sheriff said that investigators currently have no evidence to suspect foul play.

"There is no foul play suspected at this time," he said. "But you have to understand that due to the level of decomposition, it will be difficult for the best forensic experts to put a lot of information together."

The sheriff said that some personal items were located on the body that investigators will use to help with the identification.

Discovery of the body was reported by Dan River Basin Society President Paul Johnson Saturday at around 6 p.m., according to Oakes.

"They were on the river during an outing floating on canoes," he said.

The partial remains were discovered in a section where the Hyco and Dan rivers converge at the "very western portion" of Buggs Island.

In addition to investigators with the sheriff's office, Oakes said members of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the Halifax County Rescue Squad and medical examiner Dr. Phillip Ward assisted in the recovery.

Oakes said Ward's assistance was invaluable to the recovery effort.

"When he was called, he brought his own boat and equipment to help us with this investigation," he said. "He was instrumental in the recovery and identification of the remains."

The sheriff said that while efforts were being made to locate the remainder of the body, the location of yesterday's recovery made it difficult.

"There were about eight people out this morning looking for additional portions of the remains," Oakes said yesterday. "There's so much debris and undergrowth it makes it very difficult to do a whole lot."

The remains will be sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy, he added.

Investigator Sheldon Jennings is the lead investigator on the case.

In other police business, Timothy Irving Dixon, 47, of Cheerful Lane in Vernon Hill, was arrested yesterday and charged with the assault and battery of a family member.

The alleged offense occurred Saturday.

Deputy D.H. Barksdale was the arresting deputy.

Clarkton Bridge Is Spared
Proposal To Make Critical Repairs Accepted By VDOT

In making an abrupt about-face on their previous stance, Clarkton Bridge will stand pending the repairs that VDOT calls "critical safety issues," according to a Friday announcement.

VDOT Commissioner Philip Shucet said he received a proposal drafted by Halifax attorney W.W. "Ted" Bennett that detailed how bridge advocates would take care of the interim repairs necessary to address the safety factors associated with the bridge.

"It looks like they tried but weren't able to come up with the $1.5 million," Shucet said, referring to the mandated amount necessary to save the span put forth by VDOT on June 24.

"But they did come up with $200,000," he said. "That is enough to address the interim repairs that consist of under the pier, deck and railing."

During their June 21 meeting, supervisors voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting the creation of the authority, allocating up to $20,000 to the effort.

But Bennett cautioned that the long-term preservation of the bridge would require concerted effort.

"There's going to have to be some significant private fund-raising and a long-term endowment for the bridge," he said.

In a telephone conversation Friday, Shucet echoed Bennett's comments.
"The funding for the additional long-term repairs will remain with them," he said. "Those repairs will have to be made if this thing is to remain in service."
Bennett's seven-part proposal, accepted by Shucet, stipulates the following:
• Halifax and Charlotte counties will immediately form a recreational authority to take ownership of the bridge. The authority will bear the cost of annual inspections and repairs and liability insurance.

• The counties will, within the next two weeks, receive estimates on the critical interim repairs of the bridge.

• Pier repairs could be shared 50/50 with VDOT. If VDOT declines to participate, the counties will absorb the cost.

• The authority will raise funds necessary for all future repairs.

• Before pedestrians are allowed to use the bridge, it will be certified safe and inspected annually.

• Funding for the authority, estimated between $30 - $35,000, will come from the counties.

• The two Boards of Supervisors will hold immediate special sessions to vote on the proposal.

But during the special session in Halifax Friday afternoon called by Supervisors R.E. "Dickie" Abbott and James Edmunds, Board chairman William Fitzgerald said he was "offended" with the manner in which Bennett handled the bridge issue.

"I object to the manner in which this matter was handled," he said. "This issue is being pushed on this county and neighboring county. It is not for this Board to stand up financially to save this bridge."

"I recognize you feel I impinged on your turf and I apologize," Bennett replied. "I would not have done it had I been smarter."

While no vote was taken on the matter, bridge advocate and Southside Concerned Citizens Board Member Bob Cage applauded Bennett for his efforts.

"I would like to recognize Ted for what he's done of this," he said to the applause of those in attendance. "I don't know of anyone who has been more of a steward for the county."

Supervisor Doug Bowman said that Bennett had essentially "turned an aircraft carrier around on a dime".

"I do commend the advocates for getting the impossible done in about a week," he said of the brief reprieve to save the bridge offered by VDOT. "I think it's amazing what they've done."

"I have no problem working with the Board to create an authority for the preservation of the bridge," Fitzgerald said following the brief meeting.
The funds for the interim repairs were raised through contributions from anonymous private donors.

Shucet said that implementation of the interim repairs was enough to address the safety concerns officials cited in their decision to demolish the span.
"(The $200,000) is a substantial, honest effort on their part to invest their own capital to save the bridge," Shucet said.

VDOT will begin dialogue addressing the interim repairs this week, according to the Commissioner, "keeping our eye on the issue of permanent ownership in the future."

"As far as I'm concerned, this is a big step they took to come up with the funds for the interim repairs," he said.

The bottom line?

"The demolition of Clarkton Bridge as been put on hold pending repairs that VDOT deem critical," Shucet said. "I don't mind saying that my heart has always been with these folks, but I've had to pay careful attention to what is a very real public safety threat.

"I'm glad that we were able to sit across the table, look each other in the eye and come to some agreement in the form of private funds to take care of the immediate needs to put the bridge in an acceptable state of repair," he added.
Bennett said Friday that VDOT's decision marks the turning point of the future of the historic span.

"The way is now clear for the bridgework to be done and ultimately preserved and enjoyed by the general public," he said.

The Halifax attorney said he understood Shucet's position, and thanked him for changing his mind on the future of the Clarkton bridge.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Shucet for his public service diligence and willingness to take a hard look at the situation and agree with us that the bridge was worthy of being preserved," he said. "He has assured me that the Commonwealth will work with us as much as they can and I assured him that we'd work with them in any way we can in a mutually cooperative effort for the good of the community."

Bennett also thanked the anonymous donors for making the critical do nations necessary to save the bridge.

"If we can increase their contributions with contributions from private individuals to set up an endowment, the bridge will have a long and prosperous future," he said.

YCC Program Not Just A Walk In Park
Program Has Youth Working Hard In Staunton River Parks

While most high school kids are flipping hamburgers or lounging by a pool, 13 girls from throughout Virginia and Massachusetts have found a way to make some money this summer while helping to preserve Halifax County's natural beauty.

The girls would make Franklin D. Roosevelt proud.

They are spending three weeks working on conserving and protecting the natural, cultural and recreational resources at Staunton River State Park and Staunton River Battle Field State Park through the Virginia State Park Youth Corps Program.

The program was developed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to mirror the Civilian Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps programs that were originally started during the Great Depression, and through which many of the original buildings at Staunton River State Park were built.

"This program is not necessarily about teaching the girls special skills," said Staunton River State Park Ranger Randy Wade. "It is geared more toward creating environmental stewardship.

"Not everybody has land to go to, so it is imperative that we teach young people the importance of state parks and conservation," he added.

The girls are paid $500 for the three weeks of work.

And, the girls are making sure the state gets its money's worth.

"These girls have really learned how to work," said Wade. "We had planned for them to stain one building and a couple of shelters, but they finished that in one day.

"We have had to find more work for them," he added. "They certainly have plenty of energy and enthusiasm."

In the first week at the park, the girls have stained six buildings, made shelters for ducks to raise their young, and cleaned up forest areas bordering the park's pool.

Next week the girls plan on working on the park's trails before moving to Staunton River State Park for their final week.

"They are going to be fixing drainage and erosion problems in new trails we built after the hurricane," said Wade.

One of the group's supervisors, Dawn Lipscomb, said there was much more to the program than just manual labor.

"They are here to work, but they learn as much as they work," she said.

"Since they live together 24/7 they learn a lot from each other."

Lizzy Allen, another supervisor of the program, said the park staff had also had a lot to do with the program's educational elements.

"The staff at this park is wonderful," she said. "They spend a lot of their free time making sure our time is worth it.

"They have really gone out of their way to make sure we have what we need."
Staunton River State Park Interpreter Jennifer Roller said she had tried to make the program more than just manual labor.

She has developed 15 evening educational programs for the girls ranging from papermaking to carving walking sticks to moonlight canoe rides.

Roller said that in addition to the crafts and information about the park the girls were also learning things that would help them throughout life.

"They have had to learn teamwork and how to get the job done," said Roller.
One of the girls, Ky Gross, 17, of Abington, agreed.

"Living with 13 other girls has been really good preparation for what college will be like," she said. "I plan on going into an environmental field and this has been really good preparation for that."

Roller said she hopes the park will be able to host the program in years to come.

The program is open to high school students throughout the state.

Applications for the program can be downloaded from the DCR website, http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/ycc.htm.

Dixie Majors Advance
The South Boston Dixie Majors All-Star Team Advanced To The District Tourney Title Game With Pair Of Easy Wins

BY JOE CHANDLER | GV Staff Writer

With a pair of easy wins at its back, the South Boston Dixie Majors all-star team is in good position to lock up the district championship.

South Boston can do that with a win tonight in a game in which it will face the winner of last night's Charlotte County-Mecklenburg game.

The big ticket in South Boston's favor is that it would have to lose twice to a once-beaten team, a circumstance that appears unlikely given the nature of its two wins, in order to lose its grip on the district title.

South Boston polished off Charlotte County 12-1 Friday night and rebounded to score a 19-6 win over Mecklenburg County Saturday night in games that were shortened by a slaughter rule.

In Friday's opening-round contest against Charlotte County, South Boston produced 10 hits with Jason Lloyd leading the way with a big 3-4 effort at the plate that included 4 RBIs.

Seven other players, Kirby Barbour, Brent Long, Chris Conner, Steve Smith, Ryland Clark, Jacob Owen and Jody Nelson, all had one hit.

Clark's one hit was a huge one, a grand slam homer in the bottom of the sixth inning.

South Boston's bats were every bit as hot Saturday night with Lloyd leading the way with another 3-4 night.

Clark, Long, Nelson, Owen, Nathan Thomas and Chad Lewis each had one hit in Saturday's 13-run win over Mecklenburg.

South Boston 12
Charlotte County 1

South Boston jumped on top quickly, scoring a run in the bottom of the first to grab a 1-0 lead.

Barbour walked, advanced to second base on an error and scored on a hit by Long.

South Boston added another run in the bottom of the second inning when Smith walked and advanced to third base on a single by Owen. A single by Lloyd scored Smith to make it a 2-0 game.

Two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning gave South Boston a 4-0 lead.

Smith walked but was erased when Owen hit into a fielder's choice that left Owen on first base.

Nelson reached base on a fielder's choice that left both runners on the bag.
A single by Lloyd scored Owen and a sacrifice fly to left field by Barbour plated Nelson.

Charlotte County cut its deficit to three runs with a solo homer by Cam St. John in then top of the fifth inning.

South Boston answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend its lead to 8-1.

Chris Lowery walked and Thomas flied out to centerfield for the first out of the inning.

Smith followed with a hit that put runners at first base and third base. Clyde Brooks went down on strike for the second out.

With two out, Nelson singled to plate Lowery and Lloyd backed it up with a three-run homer that made the score 8-1.

South Boston added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to account for the 12-1 final score.

Roller and Lowery walked to start the inning and Conner singled to load the sacks.

Clark followed by belting a grand slam home run, a booming hit that ended the game under a slaughter rule.

While South Boston's big bats did the talking, South Boston came up with some clutch defensive plays to get itself out of some potentially dangerous jams.

In the top of the second inning, Charlotte County had the bases loaded with one out thanks to hits from Jarrod Duffey, T.J. Hathaway and Davis Watkins.
But South Boston got out of the jam when Charlotte County's David Hill hit a ground ball to Lloyd at shortstop and Lloyd was able to trigger a double play.

In the third inning, Charlotte County had runners on second base and third base with two out when Thomas made a big play on a ground ball and got the throw to first baseman Chris Perkins off in time to get the out and end the inning.

Perkins also had a big day defensively, snaring the ball on three difficult throws to get key outs.

Nelson went the distance on the mound for South Boston, allowing nine hits while fanning four batters and allowing three walks.

South Boston committed two defensive errors in the game.

South Boston 19
Mecklenburg 6

South Boston used its bats to get some key hits while taking advantage of 14 walks allowed by the Mecklenburg pitching corp and four Mecklenburg defensive errors.

Every inning was a big one for South Boston which scored at least three runs in each inning along the way to the win.

South Boston opened with three runs in the top of the first inning that came on a three-RBI triple by Thomas.

Lloyd singled, moved to second on a sacrifice by Barbour, and Perkins and Lowery walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Thomas' three-bagger.

South Boston added five runs in the top of the second inning to extend its cushion to 8-0.

The big hits of the inning were a two-RBI bases-loaded double by Long and a two-RBI single by Lowery.

Mecklenburg cut into the lead by scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning to make it an 8-3 score.

Four back-to-back walks pushed across one run and a pair of back-to-back fielder's choices resulted in a run each.

South Boston answered with four runs in the top of the third inning to make it a 12-3 score.

A single by Lloyd scored Conner who had led off the inning with a triple and a pair of bases-loaded walks that forced in runs accounted for the South Boston offense.

Mecklenburg didn't go away, though, as it came back with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to make it a 12-6 game.

A bases loaded walk accounted for one run and Jonathan Kurkland and Russell Ammons each had a run-scoring hit to keep Mecklenburg in the game.

South Boston made the top of the fourth inning another long one for Mecklenburg as it scored four more runs and extended its lead to 16-6.

A bases-loaded single by Chad Lewis who later scored on a Mecklenburg error, and a two-RBI triple by Owen accounted for the runs.

Three more runs in the top of the fifth inning allowed South Boston to run its lead to 19-6.

Conner and Brooks walked to start the inning. A single by Lloyd scored
Conner and a Mecklenburg error on the play scored Conner.

Back-to-back singles by Clark and Nelson each scored a run for South Boston to complete the scoring.

Obituaries

Robert Clinton Irby

Robert Clinton Irby of Rougemont, N.C., formerly of South Boston, died Saturday.

He was born in South Boston on September 15, 1947, the son of Katheryn A. Irby and the late Robert E. Irby.

Mr. Irby graduated from Ferrum College and Virginia Tech, doing graduate work at the University of Virginia and Longwood College.

He taught in the Virginia public school system and was an instructor in the North Carolina community college system.

Mr. Irby was a former employee of GTE/Verizon and American General/AIG Insurance Companies.

Mr. Irby is survived by his mother, three children, Jennifer Carol Irby and husband Chad of Winston-Salem, N.C., Robert Spencer Irby of Rougemont, N.C., and Aaron Joseph Irby of Mount Holly, N.C., one sister, Dale Glasscock of South Boston, and one brother, David Byron Irby of South Boston.

The family will receive friends at the McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday.