The Halifax County Middle School’s Newspaper and Yearbook Staff will be heading to the 87th Annual Journalism Convention at Columbia University in New York City March 15. Other planned attractions include a Broadway show: Phantom of the Opera, Times Square, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Wax Museum. Italian Delight owner, Viny Sarnataro, is holding a buffet special to help raise money for this trip. The buffet will be held on Sunday, Feb. 27, from 11:30 am–6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased from any HCMS publications student for $8 or for $10 at the door. The buffet includes pizza, pasta, salad, and a drink. All of the proceeds will go towards the classes taken at Columbia University.

HCHS ACE coach Beth Layne offers encouragement to the starting four in Saturday’s Regional Scholastic Bowl at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas. The Comets went 0-2 on their two regional matches after going undefeated in the Western Valley District regular season and tournament. See more photos at SoVaNow.com (David Conner II photos)

Fred Clark

New signs on the bins in South Boston tell recyclers they don’t need to sort their recyclables any more — it’s OK to mix them. Commingled recycling is already under way in South Boston, Volens and Four Forks, and it’s coming soon to the rest of the county. Just two requests from county officials: Don’t tie up recyclables in plastic bags; that messes up the process. And, of course, keep garbage separate.