"I listen to a lot of older people in my community, and they say they have never seen the water situation this bad," Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Martin said yesterday.
Martin called the current drought conditions a "crisis," and said Halifax County residents should conserve water as much as possible.
"We need to take this water problem seriously," he said.
The board issued a resolution to the governors office asking for an official drought designation and any available assistance for the farmers.
"I would like the farmers in the county to know we are concerned about their welfare," Martin said. "It's one of our main motivating factors (in the drought resolution).
"We are doing everything possible to support our farmers and are trying to get them some help," he added.
When asked how bad the drought conditions are in the county, Martin laughed.
" I was looking for the best people to call to find out information on the drought so I could know how adamantly to encourage water conservation," he said.
"Joe Satterfield said I should drive over the Dan River and look out the window," Martin added.
Halifax County residents should begin conserving as much water as possible immediately, he said.
"I don't think it makes good sense to put it off until we get something in writing from the governor.
"I thought it would be beneficial for the leadership to point out it would be wise to begin conserving water now," Martin said.
Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan agreed with Martin.
"The county definitely has a problem," he said. "David Martin emphasized it during Monday's meeting."
Morgan said common sense dictates residents should conserve water.
Farmers are feeling the brunt of the dry conditions, the county administrator said.
"It's a critical time as far as crops making it," he said. "A lot have already been lost. The impact on tobacco is critical right now."
Morgan said the only water system the county operates is the town of Clover.
"As far as I know we aren't having a shortage, but we definitely don't need to be wasting water," he pointed out.
"I think it's appropriate to emphasize we need to voluntarily conserve," Morgan said.
South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel said that although the town isn't having any problems with water currently, "we have been recommending that people start conserving water."
Daniel said that although he hasn't heard about the flow of the Dan River, the town isn't having any production problems at the raw water intake.
"Last month we pulled 1.4 million gallons from the river," he said. "The flow was above that."
The town manager said it's always appropriate to conserve water, "especially at a time of drought like this."
Bruce Pearce of Halifax County Soil and Water Conservation said drought conditions were "terrible."
"There's no rain in the forecast and things are continuously looking worse as far as pastures and hay are concerned," he said.
Pearce said that tobacco crops that have been irrigated are looking pretty good but crops that haven't been irrigated are looking bad.
"Wells are continuing to go dry around the county," he said. "This is a well-diggers paradise."
It will take a lot of rain over an extended period of time to bring water levels up to normal, Pearce said.
"I'm talking about above normal rainfall over a period of several years to get us back to close to where we were," he observed.
If everyone voluntarily conserves water, Pearce thinks the county can get through the drought.
"I would hate to see water conservation become mandatory," he said. "But we're headed that way if we don't get any measurable rainfall in the next thirty days.
"There is no rainfall in the forecast for the next 10 days," Pearce said.
Effects of the drought are terrible, according to the conservationist.
"I'm seeing large streams all over the county drying up," he said. "These are streams that have sizeable watersheds.
"The farmers are feeling it worse than anyone else right now," Pearce said. "I hope it rains pretty quick."
The Halifax Town Council called for voluntary water conservation at its last session.
Halifax Town Manager Bobby Greene said the town is also asking for voluntary conservation.
"We have a sufficient water supply right now, but we are looking at the possibility of it diminishing," he said.
Greene said he would like for people to conserve mainly due to the stress on the water plant.
"We are running the water plant at full capacity seven days a week for three shifts," the town manager observed.

By Keith Strange

Several public health and tobacco-control groups are advocating a 60-cent increase in the state cigarette tax.
Virginia's current tax is the lowest cigarette tax in the nation, at 2.5 cents per pack.
A poll conducted by the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids shows that Virginia voters overwhelmingly support a 60-cent increase in the state's tobacco tax to encourage children not to smoke and raise revenue for the state.
The group said they chose the figure because it would put Virginia's tax closer to the national average, which they claim is a reasonable goal for a tobacco-producing state.
The poll was a result of a survey of 625 registered voters. It was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research between Aug. 12 and Aug. 14. Its margin of error was four percentage points.
Following Gov. Mark R. Warner's announcement earlier this week that the state faces an unprecedented $1.5 billion budget shortfall, the groups assert that now is the time to increase the state's cigarette tax.
Two-thirds of Virginia voters (67 percent) support a 60-cent increase per pack in the state, according to the group.
This support comes from a broad-bases coalition of voters including 61 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of Independents.
Thirty-two percent of voters oppose an increase in the tobacco tax, according to the group.
It hasn't been increased since 1966.
"Even if adjusted only for inflation during this time, the tax would today be 15 cents per pack," said Michael Schwartzberg, spokesman for the American Cancer Society.
But J.T. Davis, a board member with Concerned Friends of Tobacco, said the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement amounted to a tax on the tobacco industry.
Under the agreement, the nation's largest cigarette companies have agreed to pay about $206 billion to 46 states, including Virginia over the next 25 years. Virginia is scheduled to get up to $4 billion.
"Manufacturers have raised their prices on cigarettes to cover the payments for the agreement," Davis said.
The group said the proposal was a win-win for Virginia.
Voters Wishes Are Clear
"The science and the poll together clearly demonstrate that an increase in the state's tobacco tax is a win for public health, a win for the state's fiscal health and a win among Virginia voters," Schwartzberg added.
Cynthia Coldwell, chairperson of the American Lung Association for Virginia, said the voters' wishes are clear.
"The state legislature should listen to the people of Virginia and act quickly to raise the tobacco tax," she said.
The increase was projected to generate $367 million in revenue for the state, the health groups said. They estimated the higher prices would decrease youth smoking by 13 percent.
"By taking aggressive action, we can save precious lives," Coldwell said. She said the increase would prevent about 9,500 deaths from smoking-related diseases.
The group also said the poll showed that Virginia voters would reflect their wishes at the polls.
According to the group, Virginia voters would look favorably on a candidate for state office who supports the increase rather than one who opposes it, regardless of the candidate's party affiliation.
"Voters would favor a Democrat who supports the tax over a Republican who opposes it by a margin of 51 percent to 37 percent," Schwartzberg said.
He added that the numbers include 29 percent of Republicans who would cross over to the Democrat.
Likewise, the group said voters would favor a Republican who supports the tax over a Democrat who opposes it by a margin of 56 percent to 28 percent.
"This includes a 53 percent majority who would cross over and vote for the Republican who acts to protect kids and address the budget deficit with the tobacco tax," he added.
"Clearly the public views the tobacco tax in a separate category from income or other taxes," said Larry Harry of Mason-Dixon Polling and Research. "Therefore, they are not inclined to punish lawmakers who support even a substantial tobacco tax increase."
Davis Responds
But Davis said more studies need to be conducted before any proposed tax is considered.
"It isn't what it appears to be," the board member said. "We need to look at the evidence at hand that says if this goes forward there will be unintended consequences."
Davis also questioned the revenue the group said the increase would generate.
"We feel the revenue isn't out there that they are projecting," he said yesterday.
Davis said Concerned Friends has conducted its own research on possible consequences of a tax increase.
"It would have unintended consequences," he said.
"Our research says states lose money on a cigarette tax.
"The state will lose money because more people will be buying their cigarettes on-line.
"The state of New York just raised their tax and now New York consumers go on-line and buy from sovereign nations," Davis said.
Davis said Virginia could to lose in the long run.
"We stand to lose a lot of revenue," he said. "Connecticut raised their tax 62 cents and have lost $6.3 million in revenue this year according to a Fox News report on July 18."
A tax targeting smokers isn't the answer to Virginia's revenue problems, according to Davis.
"It's a regressive tax," he said. "You hurt the people the most you want to hurt the least.
"Lower income people would be the ones that suffer the most (from the tax)," Davis added.
"We should be very careful at how we approach this.
"Hopefully the Governor and legislature will look at the consequences from every point of view," he said.
Legislators Could Be
Reluctant
The group said they plan to lobby aggressively for the tax increase.
It will not be an easy task, however.
Legislators have shown little interest in any tax increase in the past, especially on tobacco.
Southside legislators have said they will not support any tax increase on cigarettes.
"It's one of those things that people look at to pay for everything in the world," Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham, said earlier.
"I think what bothers me the most is we have been told by the people proposing the increase that this would deter people from buying the product, yet they want to rely on the product to balance the budget," Hawkins added. "It just doesn't make any sense."
Gov. Mark Warner announced earlier this month that he would be open to the idea of the General Assembly raising taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to help ease the state budget crunch.
The question was proposed to the governor during his monthly radio call-in show, "Ask The Governor," in Richmond.
Warner had promptly rejected the idea of raising the state's tobacco tax in the past, a measure he qualified with a message last week. "That was then, this is now," the governor said.
"We're facing a level of cuts that are basically unprecedented," he added.
"I don't think you can take it off the table," the governor said.
Warner said that Virginia needs to join other states in looking at the so-called 'sin tax' to ease the budget crunch.
The Maryland General Assembly recently voted to increase the tax by 31 cents to an even $1 per pack. Maryland's increase is expected to generate $101 million in the coming fiscal year.
North Carolina and West Virginia joined the 14 other states this year that increased cigarette taxes.
Virginia's $237 million shortfall last year was the worst recorded since the state began keeping statistics on revenue collections, and has prompted Warner to call for deeper cuts in operating budgets across the state.
Monday's projection suggested that revenues will fall at least another $1.5 billion from their forecasts.
The projected shortfall is in addition to $3.8 billion in cuts Warner and the General Assembly made in February to balance last year's budget and put together a new two-year spending plan.
''In plain English, this latest shortfall means that there is no general fund revenue to support $1.5 billion of the nearly $25 billion in general fund spending which was appropriated in the biennial budget,'' Warner told legislators.
''Since January, we have now faced a budget problem equal to $750 for each and every man, woman and child in the commonwealth of Virginia - a total of $5.3 billion,'' Warner said.

A jury on Wednesday awarded $50,000 to a South Boston woman, Lynda O. Spencer, who sued the owners of the dog that attacked and bit her near her home at 1023 Shady Lane, a state-maintained road just east of town off U.S. 360.
The jury ruled that the dog's owners, Charles Hazelwood, his wife Nancy and their son Jason, were negligent and that their negligence was a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injury and damages.
The Hazelwoods live at 1081 Shady Lane.
Halifax attorney Bill Watson entered a motion in Halifax County Circuit Court seeking $250,000 in damages against the defendants following the August 25, 1999, incident.
Spencer claimed that the Hazelwoods knew of the "violent and turbulent" demeanor of the dog, a Chow or Chow mix, and that the animal posed a danger to members of the general public.
Not only did the owners fail to restrain the vicious animal, but allowed it to leave their premises, enter a public highway and "viciously maul and attack" the defendant, the motion stated.
Spencer was bitten on her elbow, stomach and thigh, injuries that resulted in over $2,300 in medical expenses and $1,500 in loss of earnings, according to evidence presented during the trial. She is a beautician.
Perhaps the most incriminating evidence presented during the trial was a written statement by Halifax County Animal Control Warden Emmett Edmonds. Edmonds, who interviewed Jason Hazelwood shortly after the incident, said that Jason Hazelwood told him that the dog had previously tried to bite his father, Charles Hazelwood.
But when questioned during the trial, neither Charles nor Jason Hazelwood admitted to having knowledge of any such occasion when the dog threatened to bite its owners.
Jason Hazelwood, according to Edmonds written account, heard the dog barking, yelled at it and ran towards Spencer and the dog. Before he could reach and restrain the animal, the dog had knocked Spencer down and was biting her.
"When I got to them, I tried to make him stop but he didn't," Jason Hazelwood told Edmonds, according to the statement that Judge Charles L. McCormick admitted as evidence in the trial.
"I had to kick him to get his focus off her, then he came at me. He acted like he had gone mad...like he wanted to bite me."
Jason Hazelwood destroyed the animal shortly after the attack.
Jason Hazelwood, according to the statement, said the animal had "never did anything like this before," but added that "we should have got rid of him or did something with him we he tried to bite my dad..."
Attorney for the Hazelwoods was John Cook of Lynchburg.

Three men arrested during a raid on an alleged 'crack house' in the Clays Mill community have been charged with federal crimes, according to Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
Twenty-year-old Anthony William Mason aka "Butter," of Reverend Coleman Road in Clover, Edward Hane Poindexter aka "Budroe," a fifty-three-year-old, Paul James Road resident in Halifax, Clifton Stephen Terry aka "Lunch," 22, of Bane Street in South Boston and twenty-two-year-old Charles Edward Jeffress aka "Dave," of Paul James Road in Halifax were arrested Wednesday by the Task Force.
All three were arrested on federal warrants charging them with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The three appeared before a federal magistrate yesterday and were arraigned on the new charges.
Mason was placed on a $10,000 secured bond.
Poindexter, Jeffress and Terry's bond hearings have not been set as of press time.
The charges stem from a multi-year investigation that began the arrest phase on May 3.
The task force executed a search warrant on that date at the Poindexter residence in the Clays Mill community.
"There were 13 people in the residence when we executed the warrant," Pulliam said.
"Three individuals ran and were quickly apprehended.
"One of those who ran was observed throwing a firearm and crack cocaine," he added.
The Task Force coordinator said that individual was later identified as Terry.
Once the scene was secured, Pulliam said law enforcement seized approximately 20 firearms, cash, a substantial amount of crack cocaine and marijuana, TVs, stereos, DVD players, VCRs and various other electronics and vehicles.
"This area has been responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine on a daily basis," Pulliam said. "And this residence had a large customer base."
The investigator said many of the customers have been identified and face potential charges.
"These customers traded stolen merchandise, firearms and sex for crack cocaine," he observed.
Pulliam said the investigation is continuing and more suspects will be arrested.
"The success of this investigation was the result of undercover agents purchasing crack cocaine from these locations as well as valuable information provided by concerned citizens to law enforcement," he said.
"The Task Force would like to express thanks for all the telephone calls and letters passing along information of drug activity and violators in our communities," Pulliam said. "But most importantly, for citizens' patience necessary to allow the investigation to conclude."

Jesse William Adams

Jesse William Adams, 53, of 1005 Hall's Trail, Lot 2A, Halifax, died August 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Adams was born in Halifax County on July 6, 1949, the son of Ellis Henry Adams and Florence McGregor Adams.
Survivors include one son, Jess Harper Adams of Ruffin, NC; one daughter, Brenda Carol Adams of Vernon Hill; two granddaughters, Erica Cheyenne McKinney and Autumn Sierra McKinney, both of Vernon Hill; his mother of Halifax; one sister, Rosa Ann Oakes of Halifax; three brothers, Henry Lee Adams of Lynch Station, Frank W. Adams of South Boston and Roy Junior Adams of Halifax.
Graveside services for Mr. Adams will be held today, August 23 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Java at 11 a.m. The Rev. Rudolph Jacobs will officiate.

Vanessa G. Chaney

Vanessa G. Chaney, 82, of South Boston died August 8 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Chaney was born in Pittsylvania County on March 20, 1920, the daughter of William Henry Glass Sr. and Julia Kirby Glass. She was a member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Charlie Chaney and his wife, Sharon of Springfield, PA; three grandchildren, Joanna, Brooke and Luke, all of Springfield; six sisters, Hazel Glass, Fannie Stephens and Marie Crews, all of South Boston, Hattie Womack of Blairs, Mildred Woods of Danville and Anna Palmer of FL; three brothers, William Glass and Luther Glass, both of South Boston and James Williams of NY.
Memorial services for Mrs. Chaney will be held August 24 at 6 p.m. at Mountain Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Arthur E. Crews officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the services.

Claude Elton 'Chuck' Crenshaw

Claude Elton 'Chuck' Crenshaw, 75, 7066 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie, died August 20 at his home.
Mr. Crenshaw was born in Halifax County on December 13, 1926, the son of Eula Crenshaw and Elise Newbill Crenshaw and was married to Maxine Cage Crenshaw. He was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church, and the Glen Allen Masonic Lodge #131 in Glen Allen.
Survivors of Mr. Crenshaw include his wife; one daughter, Jennifer C. Millington of Mechanicsville; one son, Glenn Crenshaw and wife, Loretta of Eureka Springs, AR; one grandson, Ian Millington of Mechanicsville; one granddaughter, McKenna Millington of Mechanicsville; two brothers, Hunter Crenshaw and wife, Edith of Silver Springs, MD and Charles Crenshaw and wife, Linda of Halifax; two sisters, Helen Morris of Halifax and Polly Fitchlee and husband, Victor of South Boston; and one brother-in-law, Norman Robarr of South Boston. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jan C. Robarr.
Services for Mr. Crenshaw will be held today, August 23 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Pizzeck officiating. Burial will take place in Clover Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, 24592 or Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church Building Fund, Newbill School Road, Nathalie, 24577.

Arttie Cornelius Ferrell

Arttie Cornelius Ferrell Sr., 72, of Washington, DC, died August 17 at George Washington University Hospital in Washington.
Mr. Ferrell was born in Halifax County on September 22, 1929, the son of Carrie Marable Ferrell and Whitt Ferrell.
Survivors include two daughters, Rosa Marie Harris of Newport News and Deborah Crite of Greensboro, NC; one son, Arttie Ferrell Jr. of Vernon Hill; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; four sisters, Melissa Crews of Halifax, Dorothy Hogue of Baltimore, MD, Roberta Marable of South Boston and Bessie Edmonds of Danville; and one brother, the Rev. Whitt Ferrell of Martinsville.
Funeral services for Mr. Ferrell will be held today, August 24 at 2 p.m. at New Arbor Baptist Church in South Boston with the Rev. Nelson Stamps officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Jesse Robinson

Jesse Robinson, 84, of NJ, formerly of Halifax County, died August 22 in NJ.
Mr. Robinson was born in Halifax County on May 3, 1918, the son of William Robinson and Rosa Clark Robinson and was married to Jennie Logan Robinson. He was a member of Dan River Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Queen Graves and husband, Jac Graves Sr. of Paramus, NJ; one grandson, Gary Cassell Robinson of South Boston; one great-grandson, Patrick Robinson of Paterson, NJ; three step-grandchildren, Jac Graves Jr., Jeneen Hopkins, both of Baltimore, MD, and Justin Graves of Hackensack, NJ.
Funeral services for Mr. Robinson will be held August 28 at 11 a.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Eva Robinson, 3246 East Hyco Road, South Boston.

Mark T. Wilkerson

Mark T. Wilkerson Jr., 70, of Edgewater Park, NJ, formerly of Halifax County, died August 16 at his home.
Mr. Wilkerson was born in Halifax County on November 9, 1931,, the son of Mark T. Wilkerson Sr. and Hallie Harris Wilkerson and was married to Cynthia Haywood Wilkerson. He was a former member of First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Marcia L. Williams; and one son, Mark T. Wilkerson III.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilkerson will be held August 25 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Penick Wagstaff officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.

Florence Elizabeth Martin Wood

Florence Elizabeth Martin Wood, 71, of 1006 Bethel Road, Halifax,, died August 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Wood was born in Halifax County on September 21, 1930, the daughter of Paul Martin and Mary Peachie Hockett Martin and was married to Charlie Wood. She was a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Priscilla A. Brown of Mitchellville, MD; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Arlyce Edmondson of South Boston; two brothers, Curtis Martin of Albany, NY and Charles E. Martin of Halifax; and one son-in-law, Charles J. Brown.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wood will be held August 24, at 1 p.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. William F. Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.