SouthsideCentral » Henry County

Breaking News: Fatal accident in Henry County

SouthsideCentral — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:37:21 +0000

Sunday morning turned deadly on the roads of Henry County.

At 11:15 AM, William Decarlo Wade (54) was driving on Rock Hill Community Rd. (SR 843) near the intersection of John Henry Rd. (SR 780) when his vehicle ran off the right side of the road. Wade overcorrected his steering, causing his 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva to go across and off the left side of the road. The vehicle then struck a tree and Wade was ejected from the vehicle. Wade was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the Virginia State Police, Wade was not wearing a seatbelt. The accident is still under investigation at this time.

Breaking News: Man arrested in Martinsville C-store murder/robbery

SouthsideCentral — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:25:39 +0000

SouthsideCentral & Star News are the first to bring this to you.

From the Henry County Sheriff’s Office…

Media Release
UPDATE – Arrest in Homicide / Malicious Wounding / Robbery Investigation
June 14, 2010

Steven O’Neal Porter, a 26 year-old male, of 3424 Columbus Drive, Bassett, VA and currently incarcerated in the Henry County Jail, was arrested this evening for first degree murder, malicious wounding, robbery and three counts of use of a firearm in commission of a felony. Steven O’Neal Porter was arrested at the Henry County Jail this evening at approx. 9:00 pm. He is being held without bond and a photo is attached below.

This investigation has been a cooperative effort of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsville Police Department, the Virginia State Police, ATF Task Force Officers and the U S Marshall Service.
This arrest is in reference to the homicide, malicious wounding and robbery which occurred at B G’s Express, 1777 Old Chatham Road, Martinsville, VA on Friday, May 28, 2010, shortly after midnight.
The homicide victim, Nirmal Singh, 57 year old male of Chatham Heights Road, was found in B G’s Express with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. William Thomas, a second employee was wounded in this same incident and he was treated and hospitalized at Memorial Hospital.

This investigation is continuing and anyone having any information about this incident is requested to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office or the Martinsville Police Department at 276-638-8751.

The Crimestoppers Program offers reward money up to $1000.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information provided determine the amount of reward paid. Call Crimestoppers – 63-CRIME (632-7463).

Some thoughts about today’s Stanley Furniture news…

SouthsideCentral — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:28:50 +0000

Just when you think it couldn’t get worse for Henry County, Stanley Furniture announces plans to eliminate 500+ jobs.

It all started today as I was getting ready to head to our Reidsville studios when I got a call saying we had “Breaking News in Martinsville”, so I’m needed in our Martinsville studios. Our sources had already told us what was going to happen so we were just waiting for the official announcement. By now, you probably know what happened. Today was another tough day in the media business…

Star News’ Bob Sharp was outside the Stanley Furniture plant in the Stanleytown area. The employees were in a meeting with the CEO of the company and were getting the bad news. Bob interviewed some of the employees as they drove out and I was totally surprised at the employees’ attitudes. There were a few that had tears in their eyes as they contemplated their futures, but the majority of the attitudes were a surreal form of acceptance. We talked about that in the studio.
Unlike the American of Martinsville plant closing, the management of Stanley Furniture gave the employees over four months notice before their jobs will be lost. I’m guessing that factored in to the “acceptance” attitude.
Once we got the official word from Stanley Furniture, the enormity of the job losses hit home. Henry County simply can’t take any more job losses of this scale, or any scale for that matter.
We broadcast over 5 hours of continuous coverage on this and heard from lots of viewers. There was a sense of defeat in almost everybody’s voice whether or not they were personally affected by the Stanley Furniture news.
As a libertarian at heart, I never want to think that the government is obligated to help in any way… businesses should prosper or fail on their own merits. Today, I have a large exception to that theory. Henry County is dangerously close to falling apart. Local, state and federal government must get involved quickly to attract industries to Henry County, and those industries must locate quickly. They’re out there somewhere and it’s time to devote every resource to reach that goal.

Sometimes, people think that we enjoy reporting stories like this. We don’t. We’re human and we hurt along with everyone else when news like this happens… but it is news, and we’ve got a responsibility to make sure everybody knows all of the facts in stories like this. We did a good job today doing just that.

But that doesn’t make days like this any easier.

Debra Buchanan fights her battle courageously

SouthsideCentral — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:40:55 +0000

Debra Buchanan is the chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors and on-camera talent for Martinsville’s NewsChannel 18. She’s a courageous woman who’s fighting cancer and she’s talking about it.

Buchanan sees cancer fight as challenge

Debra’s got the right attitude and we wish her only the best as she fights and conquers her challenges.

Whitt Clement makes some more money off of Southside!

SouthsideCentral — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:46:04 +0000

He might have bailed out of Danville, but he’s still getting rich off of Martinsville.

Remember Whitt Clement? He was a well-known Danville lawyer and served seven terms in the Virginia House of Delegates. He gave up that job for a run at Attorney General but finished third in a four-way primary. Mark Warner selected Clement as his Secretary of Transportation, so he packed up his family, moved to Richmond and never looked back at Southside VA. Clement did return to the area for a speech at the Institute in 2008, but that’s about it.

But that hasn’t stopped ol’ Whitt from capitalizing on the region. He’s now a Richmond lawyer who specializes in “transportation infrastructure, government affairs and lobbying”. It seems that Martinsville needs those services from Whitt, as they’ve used his services before on the I-73 quagmire. On Thursday, the Henry County Board of Supervisors put another $18,000 into their “professional services” budget to pay Whitt’s law firm (and by default, Whitt) to help lobby for them.

Whitt Clement may not remember where Southside VA is anymore but he sure knows where the checks come from, eh?

UPDATED: A Library Board that causes problems…

SouthsideCentral — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:23:21 +0000

(Originally Published on: Dec 5, 2009 @ 21:59)

And it’s not the Halifax County one!

Library director assails ‘hostility’

It’s refreshing to see that another Library Board is causing problems, isn’t it? Or is it disturbing?

For more information on this story, here’s the letter written by the Blue Ridge Regional Library Director that’s referenced in the article.

Update #1: The Blue Ridge Library Board Does Not Approve of the Library Director’s interview in the newspaper.

One of the stupidest bomb threats of all time.

SouthsideCentral — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:16:22 +0000

Are you frustrated with your job? Things not going the way you want them to? Well, we don’t have any solutions for you but we can advise you on how not to deal with that situation.

From our friends at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office…

On Monday, November 9, 2009, at approximately 8:38 a.m., the Martinsville and Henry County 911 Communications Center received a bomb threat. The caller, a female, spoke briefly to the 911 Dispatcher and quickly ended the conversation. The female caller stated she had put a bomb in a building located at Stanley Furniture Company, located at 1641 Fairystone Park Highway, Bassett, VA. The female caller appeared to be upset over company layoffs.

A search of the facility found no such device. The investigation is continuing. The Virginia State Police and the ATF assisted in the investigation. Anyone who makes a bomb threat is in violation of the Code of Virginia, Section 18.2-83, a class 5 felony. Anyone who may know the identity of the female caller reporting the bomb threat is urged to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751.

So, we bet you’d like to hear what this bomb threat sounded like, right? Here you go… Click on this link to hear the bomb threat audio.

Martinsville/Henry County dedicates new shell building

SouthsideCentral — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:03:04 +0000

Shell buildings attract new businesses. That’s the bottom line.

Shell building dedicated

Mark Heath, the president of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation says it all…

Heath said his perspective is that “we do have a client for this building. We just don’t know who it is right now.”

Deep Roots Music at Spencer-Penn Centre this Friday

SouthsideCentral — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:05:47 +0000

From our friends at the Martinsville/Henry County Economic Development Office of Tourism…

The Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Office of Tourism in collaboration with The Spencer-Penn Centre is bringing an outstanding bluegrass and old time music program to the region on August 28, 2009. The concert will start at 7 p.m. and feature, award winning artists Wayne Henderson and Jeff Little.

Wayne Henderson was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1995 in honor of both his fine playing and his exquisitely handcrafted steel-string guitars. Born, raised in Rugby, Virginia, Henderson is an accomplished guitarist who has toured internationally with the United States Information Agency, performed at Carnegie Hall, the Smithsonian Institution and for “America’s Reunion,” during the 1992 Presidential inauguration.

Jeff Little, a remarkable musician and esteemed pianist, steeped in the tradition of his native Blue Ridge, yet also a virtuosic and eclectic innovator. Little’s involvement with fiddle tunes, old time country, and rockabilly dates to his growing up in Boone, North Carolina, where his father, owned a music shop. The shop was a regular gathering place for musicians. Little started playing at the age of five and has played professionally since the age of fourteen. Little has performed his traditional roots music, around the world, including performances in Sri Lanka, Oman, France, and Tanzania. Other notable performances include The Smithsonian Institution, National Public Radio, Folk Masters, and The National Council for the Traditional Arts “American Piano Masters”.

Jeff and Wayne have performed as a duo in numerous venues throughout the nation. The two have just returned from a performance in Butte Montana’s National Folk Festival. “This will be a first class show with first class performers”, says Debbie Robinson, Director of Tourism for the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. “I have listened to both perform live and am confident that those who attend will be pleased with the level of energy and skill both will display. I encourage all bluegrass and old time music enthusiasts to join us on August 28th.”

Advance tickets are available for $10 and $12 at the door at Spencer-Penn Centre located in Spencer, Virginia. Tickets may be ordered by phone at 276-957-5757.

For more information on upcoming events visit online at www.TheCentreatSpencerPenn.com or www.VisitMartinsville.com

10th District House Race – Update #1

SouthsideCentral — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:20:34 +0000

This Virginia House of Delegates race is on the edge of our primary coverage area but it’s got an interesting twist.

The 10th District is the section of Henry County west of Martinsville, all of Patrick County and 2/3 of Carroll County. Ward Armstrong (D) is the incumbent with 18 years experience. He’s got an opponent this time who just moved into the district to challenge him (more about that later). Let’s go to a rundown of the candidates.

>>>>>

Ward Armstrong (D) – Long-time incumbent, elected to A.L. Philpott’s seat, minority leader in the House, never seriously challenged, relatively popular to most in district.

Ed Creed (R) – Political newcomer, moved to the 10th from Roanoke 2 weeks before filing deadline.

>>>>>

Breakdown: This should be an easy win by Armstrong.

Random Thoughts: I’m featuring this race this election cycle because I believe that Ed Creed has committed a political sin that almost dooms any support that I’d ever have for him at all. You don’t move to an area because you want to run a political campaign. You move to an area because you want to live in that area. Ed Creed is the definition of a carpetbagger and I have supreme disgust for that practice. (See Clinton, Hillary & Keyes, Alan). Even though I’ve mocked some of Armstrong’s stands and completely disagreed with him at times, it’s going to take a complete meltdown by Armstrong for him to not get SouthsideCentral’s endorsement because of Creed’s recent move into the district.

Creed just threw out a statement saying he won’t take contributions from power companies. Armstrong shot back with this quote (from this Martinsville bulletin article)

“Why didn’t my opponent appear before the SCC and speak out?” Armstrong asked. “I can tell you why: Because he’s only lived here for two months, and he probably doesn’t know where Richmond is or where Wytheville is.”

Zing!

>>>>>

Prediction of the popular vote: Armstrong 64%, Creed 36%

>>>>>

OddsMakers of winning the election: Armstrong 92% (Yep, that high even this early in the race and I’m being objective)

Jennifer Short Scholarship Car/Bike Ride on Sunday

SouthsideCentral — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:02:01 +0000

Seven years and still no closure to this case. People still remember.

Short car/bike ride is Sunday

I truly believe that this case will be solved one day. Thumbs up to the people that participate in this ride and keep it in everybody’s memories.

Hot Pursuit in Henry County

SouthsideCentral — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:36:03 +0000

Our friends at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office had a little “fun” on Tuesday night.

From a HCSO press release…

On July 21, 2009, at approximately 6:23 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Hampton Inn located in Collinsville, Va. after receiving a report of suspicious circumstances involving 2 occupied vehicles in the parking lot. Both vehicles left the premises prior to deputies arriving at the scene. The vehicles were then located at a nearby convenience store on Rt. 220. Corporal K. S. Keen stopped a gray 2001 Buick being driven by a female on Lafayette Avenue in Villa Heights regarding the incident. Deputy Keen discovered that there were no tags displayed on the vehicle. The operator, Cindy Lou Custer, age 39, of 727 Wilson Avenue, Martinsville, Va. was ticketed by Deputy Keen for failure to display tags on vehicle. Deputy Keen located and seized drug paraphernalia found in the vehicle, which is presently under investigation.

Deputy T. L. Frye attempted to stop the other vehicle, a gray 1987 Chevrolet Caprice, at Bojangles Restaurant in Villa Heights, which was being driven by Marvin Leron Webb, age 29, of 285 Riverview Court, Martinsville, Va. Mr. Webb failed to stop for Deputy Frye. Deputy Frye pursued Mr. Webb through the Koehler area, Fieldale area, and onto the 220 bypass heading north. Mr. Webb exited the bypass onto Route 220 Business at the Collinsville exit, then made a U-turn and drove back to the bypass heading south. Mr. Webb traveled south on the bypass and exited onto Joseph Martin Highway. He then got back onto the 220 bypass heading north and exited onto Route 58 West where he continued to be pursued into Patrick County. Mr. Webb lost control of his vehicle into a guard rail approximately 8 to 9 miles into Patrick County.

Deputy Frye arrested Marvin Webb for felony elude law enforcement officer, and for reckless driving and driving while suspended, which are misdemeanor charges. Mr. Webb was incarcerated in the Henry County Jail with no bond. A search of the vehicle discovered a handgun and contraband, which is currently under investigation. The Virginia State Police and Patrick County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the pursuit and apprehension of Mr. Webb.

Congrats to the involved agencies in making these stops and arrests!

Police roundup for Wednesday

SouthsideCentral — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:40:09 +0000

It’s been a busy day around the area. Let’s take a quick rundown of what happened on Wednesday.

1) Danville Police were able to arrest one person responsible for the shootings on Saturday morning. Here’s what they had to say about the situation.

At approximately 2:40 A. M. on Saturday morning, Danville Police responded to the 200 block of Ross St on a shots fired call. Officers found 30 year old Latoya Hubbard and a 19 year-old male, both Danville residents suffering from gunshot wounds. Fire and EMS also responded. The victims were transported to the Danville Regional Medical Center for their injuries. Latoya Hubbard died as a result of her injuries. The 19 year-old male was treated for his injuries and later released.

As the result of the investigation, Danville Police have charged Tremon Antonio Wimbush age 19 of Danville with shooting the 19 year old male in this case. Wimbush was arrested on a traffic stop in Pittsylvania County at approximately 10:00 PM last night, and is currently in the Danville City Jail under no bond. The homicide in this case is still under investigation.

Our sources say that the suspect was trying to flee the area and head northward when he was caught.

2) The Henry County Sheriff’s Office had a “shots fired” call in the Villa Heights area. Here’s what they had to say about the incident.

On July 15, 2009, at approximately 6:59 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a citizen in the Villa Heights community reporting that a gunshot and a woman screaming had been heard in the neighborhood. The caller reported a disturbance at 134 Dexter Street in the Villa Heights community. The Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence where the disturbance was occurring.

Upon arrival on the scene, deputies found Alisha Nicole Vaughn, age 22, of 219 Wilson Street, Martinsville, Virginia, who had fled the home located at 134 Dexter Street. Miss Vaughn reported her and a male friend, who resided at the home with his parents, got into an argument inside the home. Miss Vaughn reported Jessie Brian Morrison, age 27, of 134 Dexter Street pointed a gun at her face and then lowered the weapon in the direction of her leg and then fired the weapon (handgun) at her. Miss Vaughn was not injured and fled the home. Miss Vaughn further stated that when she exited the home, Jessie Brian Morrison attempted to strike her with a piece of wood but was unsuccessful and she reported he assaulted her by kicking her in the stomach.

Sheriff’s Office personnel, along with the agency’s SWAT Team, cordoned off the immediate area where the incident had occurred and attempted to negotiate with Jessie Brian Morrison to exit the residence and surrender himself to authorities safely. The parents of Jessie Brian Morrison were discovered to be inside the home during this incident. The Sheriff’s Office established contact with the parents and coordinated their exiting the home safely. Jessie Brian Morrison remained inside the home. The Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Mr. Morrison’s father, were able to get Jessie Brian Morrison to safely exit the home and surrender himself to authorities. A 9mm handgun has been recovered and there was a bullet hole found in the floor of the bedroom where the incident occurred.

All the occupants of the home were safely removed from the home by approximately 9:36 a.m.

JESSIE BRIAN MORRISON WAS CHARGED WITH THE FOLLOWING OFFENSE:

• UNLAWFULLY SHOOT A FIREARM WITHIN AN OCCUPIED DWELLING (FELONY)

JESSIE BRIAN MORRISON IS INCARCERATED IN THE HENRY COUNTY JAIL UNDER NO BOND.

The following agencies assisted the Henry County Sheriff’s Office during the incident:

Henry County Department of Public Safety
Stone Ambulance Service
Virginia State Police

(Thanks to the Henry County Sheriff’s Department for getting this info out quickly today)

3) There was a big drug bust in “Operation Nutcracker” in Eden NC that started this morning. We’ll have more details on this tomorrow, but the biggest name involved in the arrests was a former co-owner and pharmacist of Pharmacyland. (If you ever watched WGSR, you’ll remember their idiotic commercial with people line dancing and working out on exercise machines to piano music played by a creepy guy). Lots of drug warrants were served in this police operation.

And that’s the Wednesday rundown from Southside VA’s law enforcement agencies. (And NC, too).

Sometimes there’s just no answer why…

SouthsideCentral — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:27:07 +0000

The guy seemed happy (but how many times have we heard that before?)

Others saw no signs of trouble

One of our sources say that a note was left, but we haven’t confirmed that yet. More to come on that.

3 dead in Axton murder/suicide

SouthsideCentral — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:50:22 +0000

Our friends at the MartinsvilleDaily have a horrible story breaking from Axton, VA

Murder-Suicide in Axton claims 3, injures 1

Sigh… not much more we can add to this one.

14th District House Race – Update #1

SouthsideCentral — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:40:52 +0000

The 14th District includes Danville, southern Pittsylvania county and southeastern Henry County. Let’s take a look at the race.

Danny Marshall is a 4-term incumbent who barely hung on to his seat 2 years ago. He beat Danville City Councilman Adam Tomer 52-48 in a very nasty campaign that totaled over $1,400,000 for both candidates. Tomer ran a nasty campaign that took some bizarre shots at Marshall including Social Security (which state legislators have absolutely no say in).

His opponent this time is a former member of Danville’s City Council, Seward Anderson. Anderson gave up his council seat in 1996 after a 14 year run that included 10 years as Mayor. He tried to get back on Council in 2002 but lost.

Lets go to a BreakDown…

Marshall (R): Pros: 4 term incumbent, business experience, popular. Cons: May be vulnerable because of his last rough campaign.

Anderson (D): Pros: Prior government experience, business experience. Cons: Relatively unknown due to non-activity, last election was a startling loss.

Currently, Anderson has been tailgating Marshall with a message of “He’s ok, but I’ll be better”. Anderson made a speech today (really? no notice on his website?) catering to veterans interests.

Current observations: Marshall gets the early edge in the predictions due to his incumbency, but this race is relatively open at this early stage. If Marshall gets into dangerous territory, he’ll be getting large sums of campaign money just like he did to counter Tomer. We can only hope that Anderson’s campaign won’t get controlled by outside political money like Tomer’s was two years ago.

Vote prediction: Marshall 55 – Anderson 45

OddsMakers of victory: Marshall 62% – Anderson 38%

It’s way too early for any of these predictions to have much validity at all. SouthsideCentral will be following this race closely and will have lots more from both campaigns as the election comes into view.