Smithfield Foods make loan/donation

Smithfield Foods has given the Future of Hampton Roads, Inc., a $50,000 loan to continue preliminary engineering work on the proposed Hampton Roads Motorsports Complex, officials said Thursday.

Money from the loan is already being used to conduct soil bearings on the 1,20 acre site where planners hope to build the $19 million superspeedway.

Should the motorsports venture fail, Smithfield will consider the loan a donation, and if it succeeds the agreement calls for repayment or other compensation.

Board split on employee absence policy

A proposed personnel policy change last night brought discord to a normally agreeable Suffolk City School Board.

Traditionally providing two days of excused absence per year to school employees, the board considered a policy that would no longer require those employees to state a reason for requesting the days off. The new wording would allow the employees to merely state “personal” for the absence.

The request was submitted by the Education Association of Suffolk, and according to board member Barbara Ryder, they make the request every year. Vice Chairman Dorothy Rawles said the request was “no problem,” but Board Chairman Joseph Barlow agreed with Ryder.

“It lends itself to abuse,” Barlow said. “While 90 per cent wouldn’t abuse, 10 per cent might. If the superintendent made the decision, he’d be the only one to know.”

Sisisky to run again

Democratic congressman Norman Sisisky announced this morning that he will seek reelection to congress from Virginia’s fourth district n a region which includes Suffolk. The two term representative was first elected in 1982, when he defeated Robert Daniel. He was reelected in 1984.

Sisisky resides in Petersburg, and has amassed a sizeable income as a Pepsi-Cola distributor in the Richmond tri-cities area.

Folly will serve again

With a respectable business man as chairman, G. S. Hobbs; a former governor as honorary chairman, Mills Godwin; and a $10,000 starter gift from the Birdsong Trust Fund, there are signs of serious determination as Suffolk’s Riddick’s Folly launches a campaign to raise $250,000 for what is termed as “restoration for adaptive use” of the 149 year-old Greek Revival mansion.

It should be another proud feather in Suffolk’s cap if the campaign make sits goal.

Actually, the restoration is expected to cost $400,000, but $200,000 is already in hand.

The building got its name when Mills Riddick built it in 1837 to house his family of 12. It was so large that neighbors labeled it “Riddick’s Folly.”

NSA name Hobbs as basketball coach

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy announced that Tripp Hobbs will be the school’s new basketball coach, replacing Randolph Davis who resigned last month.

The 28-year old Hobbs, a Suffolk native and 1975 graduate of Suffolk High School has been at the school for seven years.

serving as an advanced English instructor and a coach in three sports. As JV coach for two years, he compiled a 50-6 record.

Chargers walk to victory over Churchland

The John Yeates baseball team got a taste of revenge for an earlier embarrassment, shocking Churchland High School of Porttsmouth, 11-9.

Last Friday the Chargers suffered a pair of losses to Tabb of the peninsula, fanning 21 times in the first game.

The Truckers took an early lead in the second inning, but the chargers roared back with 8 runs.

The Chargers literally walked away with the game in the second inning, as the Churchland pitchers handed out nine walks.

John Yeates committed seven errors and only four hits, but the scoreboard is what counts.

Mandrell at Busch

Singing star Barbara Mandrell, one of the country’s most popular female entertainers is back, 17 months after a near fatal automobile accident. She will be in concert at the Royal Palace Concert Theatre in the France section of Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, on Sunday. During her 15 year career, Mandrell has soared to the top of the country music charts, being the first ever to win “Entertainer of the Year” two times.