Monday, September 20, 2004

Halifax, Supes Will Discuss E-911 Tower
Halifax County Braces For The Remnants Of Hurricane Ivan; Flooding, Tornadoes Possible

Supervisors and town councils face a relatively light agenda when they convene for their joint meeting tonight, but a meeting between Halifax and the county could address the E-911 tower issue.

The meeting gets under way 6 p.m. at the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Following the joint meeting, members of Halifax Town Council are expected to meet with supervisors to address the proposed E-911 tower at the Mary Bethune Complex.

Litigation challenging the location of the tower is currently pending against the two bodies.

Interim County Administrator Jerry Lovelace has advised the Board not to comment on any statements made during the address.

"If the town wishes to make a public statement or otherwise address this matter in a public meeting, I believe the town has a right to do so," Lovelace wrote in a September 16 letter to supervisors. "However, without knowing exactly what the town intends to say, I believe that county interests are best served by hearing the town's statement and the Board make no public response or comment, nor take any action pending resolution of this legal matter."

Halifax resident and town Planning Commission member Frank Carr has led the fight to stop the construction of the tower at the historic school, ultimately filing suit claiming the town violated Virginia Code in the handling of the permit process.

In his motion challenging the location of the tower, filed on August 9, Carr asked a court to intervene and stop the planned tower.

The Motion for Injunction, filed in Halifax County Circuit Court, named both the county and town as defendants.

Carr claimed that public hearings held by the town on a permit request for the towers were conducted more than 21 days after notices for the hearing were published.

The notices were published on June 10 and June 17.

Halifax held its public hearing on July 13.

Virginia Code requires that the last notice for public hearing be published no more than 21 days prior to the hearing being held, according to the bill of complaint.

Claiming the doctrines of sovereign immunity and legislative immunity preclude any legal challenges, attorneys for the Town of Halifax and Halifax County filed an answer on August 27 denying any wrongdoing in locating a communications tower at the Mary Bethune Complex.

Three items are on the agenda under new business for the joint body, including a report from the county's tourism department, a request to make the Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival an annual event, and choosing a day to observe the Halloween holiday that falls on Sunday this year.

With October 31, the traditional Halloween celebration, falling on a Sunday, the joint Board is expected to designate a day to observe the holiday during tonight's meeting.

Former County Administrator Joe Morgan wrote a letter advocating the Heritage Festival, an event held for the first time on July 31.

"I recommend the Board of Supervisors give the heritage effort committee an official status," Morgan wrote. "It would allow the festival effort to evolve into a permanent event."

The official status would, according to Morgan, be similar to the status of the War Memorial Commission.

It would allow insurance and property rental support for the committee.

"It would also allow the festival to have a convenient tax-exempt status, with a separate fund under the custody of the county treasurer," Morgan added.

One of the organizers of this year's festival, Bobby Conner, is expected to report to the joint Board tonight and request the designation of the committee.

During tonight's meeting, the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce is expected to request the Boards designate Wednesday, December 15 as "Halifax County Chamber of Commerce Day."

Supervisors and Town Council members are also expected to hear a report from Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy on the Keziah Walker Community Garden in the town.

The joint Board is also expected to receive a report from the town and county Water/Sewer Working Group.

At the conclusion of the meeting with Halifax, supervisors are expected to convene to discuss the bid award for the taxiway location and T-hanger complex at Tuck Airport.

The Board is also expected to take action on a fireworks permit for Ronnie Hackney at Lasco Bathware, and a resolution for the Halifax-Pittsylvania Court Services.

A Message Of Hope
Olympian Tisha Waller Challenges Youth To Reach Higher

"We must teach children to dream,” two-time Olympian and South Boston native told a cheering crowd Saturday. “We must give them a support system.”

Approximately 120 residents turned out as the county honored one of its own during Tisha Waller Day Saturday.

The event, planned for Constitution Square, was moved to the Halifax County High School auditorium due to the weather.

But moving it indoors did little to dampen the spirits of the many supporters in attendance.

"This is a great day in the history of Halifax County and South Boston," William Claiborne, one of the event's organizers, said to loud applause. "We have here, returned to us, a real hometown hero.

"Tisha Waller started right here at Halifax County High School and went on to make history," he added. "She's been around the world but today she's come home."

The county gathered to honor Waller, a 1988 graduate of Halifax County High School and two-time Olympian, just a week after the School Board voted to name the new track and field complex after her.

Waller is the 1996 and 2004 Olympic trials champion in the high jump, a four-time U.S. Outdoor track and field champion and a five-time U.S. Indoor track and field champion.

And, she still holds the Halifax County High School high jump record.

But organizers of Saturday's event emphasized that her accomplishments outside of sports made her equally worthy of recognition.

"I think we're truly blessed to have someone as special as Tisha Waller in this community," said Interim County Administrator Jerry Lovelace. "She excels not only in sport but in life as well."

Currently an Atlanta resident and school teacher, Waller was honored in 1997 as the Teacher of the Year in DeKalb County, Georgia.

She also received the 2003 U.S. Track and Field Humanitarian Award.

William Fitzgerald, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, told the audience that he hoped Waller's accomplishments would be a light for others to follow.

"Hopefully what she's done will inspire others to excel as well," he said.

Waller said to inspire others to push themselves farther and to greater success in life would be her greatest honor.

She looked directly at the Halifax County High School Girl's Track Team assembled in the front of the auditorium.

"Today is about testimony," she said to a cheering crowd. "And my testimony is that despite challenges and obstacles, you can achieve. I'm proof of that."

"This is very special to me," Waller said. "This isn't about Tisha Waller. I want to bring the message that if you have role models and people supporting you, you can do anything.

"When I stand here you see a product of you," Waller added. "Because you made me what I am.

"This is a town that produces great people. This is home. It's always been home and it'll always be my home."

Juvenile Is In Custody Following Friday B&E
Suspect Was Arrested While Still Inside The Victims’ Home

Deputies with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 17-year-old male Friday at the scene of a breaking and entering on Leda Road, according to Sheriff D.J. Oakes.

The suspect was taken into custody while inside the residence at approximately 12:15 p.m., Oakes said.

“The suspect was observed entering the home through a rear window by a neighbor who contacted the dispatch center in Halifax,” the sheriff said.

According to police, the neighbor maintained surveillance of the home until Deputies T.C. Spencer and S.M. Cassada arrived at the scene.

Approximately 20 video games and several pocketknives, valued at around $420, were found near the rear door of the home, Oakes said.

After he was taken into custody, the juvenile, who was not identified because of his age, appeared before a juvenile intake officer prior to being transported to a juvenile detention center in Danville, according to police.

He has been charged with breaking and entering and grand larceny in connection with the alleged crime.

Oakes said the information provided by the neighbor was invaluable to the quick arrest.

“Without citizen involvement, our attempts at crime prevention often fall short of our goals,” he said. “In counties as large as ours, it is extremely difficult if not impossible to apprehend a suspect inside a residence.

“We must have help from the community if we are to become successful in solving these types of residential burglaries,” Oakes added.

Comets, Person High To Square Off Tonight
HCHS And Person High Will Meet Tonight At 7 P.M. In Roxboro, N.C. In A Game Postponed From Friday Night

BYJOE CHANDLER
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County High School and neighboring Person High will square off tonight in what will be the 43rd renewal of their football rivalry.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms spawned from the remnants of Hurricane Ivan forced a postponement of Friday's game.

Person High School officials set a 7 p.m. kickoff for tonight's game in Roxboro, NC.

The Comets enter tonight's game with a 22-19-1 record in their long-standing rival against their Person County, NC neighbor.

However, Halifax County has defeated Person High only once in the past six years, that coming when the Comets pulled out a 28-27 win in 2002, the season in which Comets coach James Hodges' team won six games and made it into the Northwest Region playoffs.

Person High won last year's contest 18-13.

The postponement of the game until tonight is no detriment to the Comets.
For one thing, Halifax County has an open date and does not have a game scheduled for this coming Friday night.

Also, the postponement of the game until tonight gave the Comets a little more time to get some help with its offensive backfield which has been made thin by injuries.

The Comets are still without last year's returning starters in the offensive backfield, Willie Stephens and Brandon Richardson.

That, coupled with the loss of running back Morgan Brown a week ago Friday with a high ankle sprain, has left the Comets thin in the offensive backfield.

Bobby Owens, who was converted from quarterback to tailback, and Marcus Coleman, who came in to run at fullback in the Comets' recent win over Dinwiddie, represent the Comets' running game.

Owens and Coleman are the only two running backs available that have experience running the football.

In an attempt to help shore up the offensive backfield, Hodges and his coaching staff have been looking at some new faces.

That group includes Travis Word, a 6-0, 183, soph. at fullback some and David Anderson (5-9, 165, Jr.) and Rodale Pippen (5-11, 169, fresh.) at tailback.

Considering those circumstances, Hodges said the postponement helps more than it hurts.

"The later we play the better," he said.

"It gives our new backs a chance to get more reps. It also gives some kids a little extra time to heal."

The Comets will enter tonight's game with a 1-1 mark for the season and momentum from a 13-6 win over Dinwiddie at their backs.

Person High, on the other hand, enters tonight's game with a 1-2 slate.

Person High's lone win was a victory over J.F. Webb High School of Oxford, NC.

The two losses were against GW and Western Guilford.

Tonight's game is a big one for both Halifax County and Person High, a pair of teams that need a positive outcome to help propel them down the course of their remaining schedules.

After tonight's game, the Rockets will face two-time defending North Carolina AA champion Reidsville (NC) High School at home Friday.

Following that contest, the Rockets' remaining seven games are against teams that made it into the North Carolina playoffs last season.

Halifax County has the good fortune of having an open date Friday before facing North Carolina powerhouse Mt. Tabor here on October 1.

Following the Mt. Tabor game, the Comets will dive into the meat of their schedule, facing Bluestone and Martinsville on the road and then squaring off against their four Western Valley District opponents, three of which will face the Comets here at Tuck Dillard Stadium.

Obituaries

Nancy Russell Morgan

Funeral services for Mrs. Nancy Russell Morgan will be held today at 2 p.m. at McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Phil Showers officiating.

Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mrs. Morgan of Vaughan Street in South Boston, died Friday at her residence at the age of 67.

She was born in Halifax County on November 29,1936, the daughter of Rebecca Bowen Russell and the late Frank Otto "Red" Russell. She was married to John Morgan.

Mrs. Morgan was a retired book keeper for Maddox Oil Company and a member of the McCanless Memorial UMC for over 50 years, where she was a member of the U.M.W, treasurer of the Memorial Fund and a choir member.

Mrs. Morgan is survived by: her husband, John Morgan; a son, Ralph Morgan and wife Raquel of South Boston; two grandsons, Justin and Jamie Morgan, both of South Boston; an aunt, Lucille Hobstetter of South Boston; a sister-in-law, Lillian Thomas of South Boston; a niece, Patricia Long of Wilmington, N.C.; a nephew, Billy Thomas and wife Sharon of South Boston; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Luther Hunter Rudd

Funeral services for Halifax County native Mr. Luther Hunter Rudd will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Sunflower Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Tucker officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Margaret Bates, 2131 Wilson Memorial Trail, Vernon Hill.

Mr. Rudd of Durham, N.C., died Thursday at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Durham.

He was 65.

Mr. Rudd was born in Halifax County on March 27, 1939, and was the son of the late Garland Rudd and Annie Mayo Rudd.

He was an Army veteran, a member of the Union Baptist Church in Durham, and a former member of the Sunflower Baptist Church.

Mr. Rudd is survived by: a companion, Marion Edwards Rudd; seven sisters, Margaret Bates of Vernon Hill, Mary E. Rudd of Halifax, Thelma B. Connelly and Julia Whitaby, both of New Haven, Conn., Mattie Kay and Nannie Rhone, both of Philadelphia, and Hattie McGregor of Cromwell, Conn.; three brothers, John Garland Rudd of Philadelphia, William Rudd of Baltimore, and Billy Darnell Rudd of Hamden, Conn.; two step-children, Clifton Edwards and Shirley Edwards, both of Durham; three step-grandchildren; four brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a brother, James Rudd.

Hewill Henry Throckmorton

Mr. Hewill Henry Throckmorton of South Boston died Friday at his home.

Mr. Throckmorton was born October 23, 1929, in Halifax County and was 74-years-old at the time of his death.

He was the son of the late Abraham Walter Throckmorton and the late Nora Vaughan Throckmorton and was married to Virginia Lacks Throckmorton of South Boston.

He was a member of the Scottsburg Baptist Church and was a retired excavator.

Mr. Throckmorton is survived by his wife; one daughter, Phyllis T. Hudson and husband Donnie of Scottsburg; one son, Larry Throckmorton of Scottsburg; one sister, Eulalia T. Thomas of Scottsburg; one stepson, Danny Moorefield and wife Dorothy of Halifax; one stepdaughter, Nancy Estes and husband Skip of Roanoke; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Beatrice Throckmorton.
Funeral services for Mr. Throckmorton were held yesterday at Scottsburg Baptist Church, with the Rev. Terry Scearse officiating.

Burial was at Oakland Cemetery in Scottsburg.

For memorials, please consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, Va., 24592, or the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, Va., 23060.

Online condolences may be directed to Powell@gcronline.com.

Weldon Harris Thrower

Mr. Weldon Harris Thrower, 81, of East Hyco Road in South Boston, died Saturday at Hunter Holmes McGuire Virginia Medical Center.

Mr. Thrower was born May 9, 1923, in Person County, N.C., the son of the late Thomas Jefferson Thrower and Rena Harris Thrower, and was married to Lois Cole Thrower of South Boston.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, a retired corrections officer at Camp 23 in Halifax County, and a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church.
Weldon Harris Thrower is survived by his wife; one daughter, Rosa Lee Newton Eades of Halifax; two sons, Wayne Thrower and Jeff Thrower, both of South Boston; three sisters, Buline Clayton of Roxboro, Dora Lee King of Niceville, Fl., and Maxine Carey of Henderson, N.C.; five grandchildren; and one great grandchild, Ashely Watson of South Boston.

Mr. Thrower was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Weldon Thrower Jr.; a brother, William Thrower; and two grandsons, Kevin Thrower and Neal Thrower.

Funeral services for Weldon Harris Thrower will be held today, September 20, at 11 a.m. at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, with the Revs. Raymond McGarr and Don Davidson officiating.

Burial will be in the Shady Grove United Methodist Church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 4129 E. Hyco Rd., South Boston, Va., 24592.

James Hilton Wood

Mr. James Hilton Wood, 78, of Roxboro, N.C. died September 15 at Person Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Wood was born in Halifax County to the late Gertrude Nichols Eakes and Clarence Wood. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Henderson Wood.

Mr. Wood was a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church and a retired farmer.
Survivors include four children, Linda W. Spires and husband, Bill, of Columbia, S.C., Dale Wood and wife, Shirley, of Halifax, Barry Wood and wife, Kathy, of Durham, N.C., and Laura W. Wilson and husband, Noel, of Roxboro; four grandchildren, Jamie Spires, Thomas Spires, Amy Wood and Cassidy Wilson; one brother, Thomas ‘Pete’ Wood of Halifax; three sisters, Virginia Hite of Oxford, N.C., Peggy Anderson of Charlotte, N.C. and Eva Ellis of Hopewell.

A funeral service for Mr. Wood was held at 11 a.m. September 18 at Olive Branch Baptist Church with the Rev. Victor Blackwell officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Home Health & Hospice of Person County, 325 South Morgan Street, Roxboro, 27573.