Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 6 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
By Bill Kossler
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Trying to make a cell phone call in Rappahannock County could drive you to drink. Presently, if you have a right provider, there is service on US 211 from Washington to Fauquier County and up US 522 to Warren County. Everywhere else in the county is pretty much without service.
Sprint PCS is finishing the last of seven towers, at which point service will extend a bit further toward Sperryville.
Presently, no more expansion is planned. In the rest of the country, cell service has become ubiquitous. Land line phones are even declining somewhat as people opt to rely completely on cellular. Whether good or ill, Rappahannock lags behind the nation in cell service.
The present situation has its roots in debates and decisions made in 1999 and 2000. Cell towers were a divisive matter inspiring lively, often acrimonious debate.
Then and now, all local fire, rescue and police organizations have been strong proponents of cell service. In 1999 Sheriff Larry Sherertz
95.5%