The Shadow
90 Years Ago
Would Title Of ‘Hurricane Hoffman’ Do?
Every time the Clifton Forge Mayor and his policemen get mixed up in the doings of Alleghany County affairs, the business of the Tower of Justice suffers.
Mayor Frank and two of his best men, Chief Bell and Cyclone Coron, were in Covington yesterday to testify in the preliminary hearing of Guy Tucker and as a result there was no Mayor’s court, either yesterday or today.
Really, folks, it’s a deplorable condition.
Oh, well, Clifton Forge has to help out, we suppose.
The principal speculation in Clifton Forge now is what name to give Officer Hoffman since he became a motorcycle cop.
Various cognomens have been suggested.
Somebody with a low sense of humor mentioned “Window-Buster,” out of respect for Mr. Hoffman’s penchant for running into windows; but that, of course, is from a biased mind and cannot be attributed to the brawny officer.
Probably the best and most suitable name that has been offered comes from the well-known “Chubby” Powell, big clam and beer man for Sol Sachs.
“Chubby” says he ought to be called “Hurricane” Hoffman as a worthy successor to Cyclone Coron.
If there are no objections, the name will be adopted.
75 Years Ago
Council Authorizes Annexation Survey Estimate Cost Made
Gingerly handling what was obviously a touchy topic, the Covington Town Council last night agreed to the request of the Covington Planning Commission for a preliminary survey to determine what would be the cost of a full survey of the annexation question.
Dimitri Troubs, chairman of the planning commission, presented to the council a letter setting forth the difficulties of the commission in making its studies in “connection with planning for better housing, sanitary conditions and other things for better living” without knowing the policy of the council on possible future annexation.
The commission wanted a preliminary survey made by a competent engineer who would give an estimate of the cost of a comprehensive study that would consider all aspects of annexation.
The council agreed to this, with all parties understanding that no one was committed for or against annexation, but only were initiating the steps to determine if the town could afford the cost of a full study.
Possible legislative action by the General Assembly to make annexation a very difficult and complicated matter was anticipated by Mr. Troubs in asking that no time be lost in gathering all information possible.
“If we should find by a survey that Covington wished to annex additional territory, these proceedings should start before the convening of the next session of the General Assembly in January.”
50 Years Ago
Robert Mills: Drum Major To Lead Colt Band Friday
Robert O. Mills, 17, first performing drum major at Alleghany County High School, will lead the Colt Marching Band, performing during the Alleghany-William Byrd football game Friday night at Colt Field.
He is a member of the senior class at ACHS and resides at Boys’ Home.
Having completed a course in drum majoring at William and Mary’s Summer Band School, Williamsburg, Bobby returned to ACHS to assume the duties of drum major, which he described as “hard work, hoping you will give the band a chance to look right and answering to eighty different people if you make a mistake.”
Bobby expressed his pleasure in leading the ACHS Band, saying, “The band has been surprising Colt fans all season with their great playing and sharp appearance and style.”
He hopes for a career in teaching and conducting music.
Bobby began his musical education at the age of 12, playing the alto saxophone, while attending Callaghan Elementary School.
He also plays the baritone sax, tuba and recently began studying piano.
His extracurricular activities include the ACHS Stage Band, writing a column every two weeks for the band newspaper, scouting, and last year proved his athletic prowess by ranking seventh in the district in cross country.
25 Years Ago
Major Crime Response Team Forming In Area
Covington Police Chief Jack Thurston, Alleghany County Sheriff Butch Simpson and Clifton Forge Police Chief Barry Balser have recently agreed to join the Virginia State Police in forming an Alleghany Highlands Major Crime Response Team.
The team’s function would be to investigate homicides or other major crimes in any of the participating jurisdictions.
The locality where the crime occurred would be able to utilize specially-trained personnel from the other jurisdictions as well as its own personnel.
Chris Alderson, commonwealth’s attorney of Covington and Alleghany County, is supporting the formation of the Major Crime response team.
In the event of a major crime, which would usually be homicide in a relatively-small, rural locality such as the jurisdictions in the Alleghany Highlands, the department where the crime took place would request activation of the Response Team.
Sheriff Simpson commented, “I’m in full support of this response team and feel it will be a big benefit to all the area departments. I plan on assigning three of my officers to the response team, which will have specialists in different aspects of major crime investigation. I look forward to working with the other area departments.”
10 Years Ago
Covington Upgrading Treatment Plant
Just underfoot and rarely thought of, a vital piece of the city of Covington’s infrastructure will be undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation and improvement to meet Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) standards.
Thursday afternoon, Covington officials signed an agreement with the Blacksburg engineering firm Olver to manage the project and begin the bidding process.
The $6 million project is funded by the Virginia Resource Authority.
Of that total, $5 million will be in the form of an interest-free loan and the other $1 million will come in the form of a principle-forgiveness loan which is essentially a grant, Covington City Manager John Doane said.
The improvements allow the city to meet DEQ requirements.
While the state is seeking some improvements, Doane said since the city is being proactive and addressing these wastewater issues now, the city is not under any state order to refurbish the treatment plant.
When improvements are complete, Covington will have one of the most efficient, state-of-the-art sewage treatment facilities for a fraction of the $45 million required to build a new treatment facility, Covington City Engineer Steve Carroll said.
