Friday, March 18, 2005

Daniel Named VEC Call Center Manager

Linda Daniel, manager of the Virginia Employment Commission office in South Boston, has been named manager of the new VEC Call Center at Riverstone Technology Park.
Daniel also will continue as manager at the Seymour Drive office, according to Bob Mitchell, director of Call Centers.
Daniel, who began her career with the VEC in 1986, was named manager of the South Boston office in 2000.
Ella Jones, assistant manager for the Grundy Call Center, has been named assistant manager for the South Boston Center.
The anticipated opening of the new 15,000-square foot Call Center here is mid-May, with staff training to begin in mid-April.
The new Call Center ‘s design features 100 workstations; each equipped with a telephone and computer.
“It will have a tremendous impact,” on the South Boston/Halifax County community, said Mitchell.
The South Boston Call Center was designed “to supplement” and share the volume of services now being provided by the Grundy Call Center, which Mitchell said is operating at near capacity with 75 employees.
The South Boston and Grundy Call Centers are part of the network of services provided by the VEC and are unique in that inquiries from the public are handled by phone personally by a VEC representative in addition to personal visits to VEC offices or online services via the Internet.
Callers will dial a toll-free number, 1-866-VEC –2363, which will be directed to the next available agent. Mitchell describes the system that determines whether the call is forwarded to Grundy or South Boston as “virtual configuration”.
A Halifax County native, Daniel is a graduate of Bob Jones University. She has pursued work toward s a master’s degree through Longwood University and the University of North Carolina. She is married to Dr. Tim Duncan.
“We look forward to delivering excellent customer service to our local areas as well as the state,” Daniel said yesterday. “We’ve always tried to have excellent service, so we will just expand that,” she added.

Mary Mitchell Alkins

Mary Mitchell Alkins, 87, of Roxboro, N.C. died March 15, at Durham Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Alkins was born in Person County, N.C. to the late James Mitchell and Dora Long Mitchell, and was married to George Ward Alkins, who survives. She was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Julia and John James; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Nancy Alkins; seven grandchildren, Mary A. Bowes, Brynn Alkins, Laura-Ann Alkins, James Alkins, Heather Alkins, Donna Alkins and Michaela Alkins; and one great-grandchild, Emily Bowes, all of Roxboro.
Funeral services for Mrs. Alkins will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 18, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eugene Jenkins officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, Person County Unit, P.O. Box 165, Roxboro, 27573.

Henry Lloyd Edmonds

Henry Lloyd Edmonds, 71, of 817 Easley Street, South Boston died March 16 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Edmonds was born in Halifax County on June 4, 1933, the son of Henry H. Edmonds and Beatrice Hargrove Edmonds. He was first married to Flossie Edmonds and later married Damita Hughes Edmonds. Mr. Edmonds was a member of Christ Temple Blue Rock Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Betty Edmonds and Josephine Edmonds, both of Bridgeport, Conn.; six sons, Henry Brandon of South Boston, Henry Edmonds of Atlanta, Ga., Jack Edmonds, Eugene Edmonds, Richard Edmonds and Michael Edmonds, all of Bridgeport; eight step-children, Tameika Hughes, Shakeitta Hughes, Shahaad Hughes, Shahydah Hughes, and Shataya Hughes, all of South Boston, Becky Bracey of Bridgeport, Jonathan Moales of South Boston and Thomas Barksdale of Bridgeport; 22 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Dorothy E. Younger, Annie R. Williams and Beatrice O. Tyner, all of Bridgeport, Hallie M. Sparks of South Boston, Hazel E. Edmonds of Hamden, Conn. and Carolyn L. Jackson of Rochester, N.Y.; nine brothers, Nathaniel Edmonds of Chatham, Preston W. Edmonds, Joseph H. Edmonds and Willie Womack, all of South Boston, Elijah W. Edmonds, Irving A. Edmonds, Gregory M. Edmonds, Calvin E. Edmonds and Lawrence C. Edmonds, all of Bridgeport.
Funeral services for Mr. Edmonds will be held tomorrow, March 19, at 2 p.m. at The Crawford House Chapel in Halifax. Burial will follow in Christ Temple Blue Rock Holiness Church Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

 

Hogan Endorses McDonnell For A-G Position

During last night’s meeting of the Halifax County Republican Party, Delegate Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax, announced that he would be joining Congressman Virgil Goode in endorsing Bob McDonnell in his bid for the Attorney General’s seat.
A member of the General Assembly for 14 years, McDonnell is being challenged by Steve Baril for the Republican A-G nomination during the June 14 primary.
Hogan said yesterday that McDonnell is the best person for the job.
“Tonight marks the first time I’ve publicly endorsed Bob,” Hogan said. “I think in a lot of cases, when you’re looking at a candidate to support, unless you know them personally you don’t really know what they’ll do once they win the election.
“In Bob McDonnell’s case, we know exactly what he’ll do and that makes me very comfortable supporting him. He has a proven track record, is hard working, honest, smart and will try to determine proper public policy and carry it forward for the benefit of all of Virginia.
“I’m willing to support him not because he’s a Republican," Hogan added. “I really believe in this guy based on having worked with him over the last four years and knowing where he stands."
The Halifax County delegate said last session was a good example of what McDonnell considers important.
“This is a man who carried welfare reform," he said. “And this past session Bob was responsible for private property rights reform.
“It was on life support when he got it to the governor’s desk through his efforts and over the objections of VDOT and Dominion Virginia Power."
McDonnell has represented Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates since 1992, after defeating a 20-year Democratic incumbent to win the seat. He is the Chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee and also serves on the committees on Health, Welfare and Institutions, Commerce and Labor and Rules.
In the 2003 session, he was the chief co-patron of legislation to abolish the death tax in Virginia and was the patron of several bills to reduce the tax and regulatory burden on businesses.
Since 2000, McDonnell has served as the vice-chairman of the Virginia Crime Commission, responsible for setting the state’s comprehensive criminal justice policy.
“I’m delighted to have Clarke Hogan’s support," McDonnell said yesterday. “He’s one of the rising stars in the General Assembly. He’s politically savvy, bright and is an accomplished businessman. Having his endorsement is vitally important."
If elected, McDonnell said he intends to defend the core values of Virginians.
“I think there are three issues," he said. “Number one is public safety. We have to make sure we’re standing up for victim’s rights and keeping the laws tough.
“We also have to make sure we’re focusing on the economic climate in the state in order to maintain our regulations, keep taxes low and ensure that litigation rates are kept low.
“If I’m elected, I plan on standing up for traditional Virginia values and aggressively defending the law in Virginia’s courts."
McDonnell said his experience makes him the “best qualified" person for the job.
“I’m a retired Army officer, a former prosecutor and have 14 years in the General Assembly culminating with my appointment as assistant majority leader," he said. “I have the range of credentials to be successful as the Attorney General.
“In addition, I’m very cognizant of the economic climate in Southside, with textiles and tobacco under attack for the past five years. We’re going to have to provide the incentives on the state level to get business and industry to locate in Southside," he said.
McDonnell holds an undergraduate degree in management from Notre Dame, an MBA from Boston University and a Master’s Degree and law degree from Regent University.
He served 21 years in the Army, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Currently, McDonnell is a partner at the law firm of Huff, Poole & Mahoney, is married and has five children.

 

Traffic Stop Leads To Drug, Firearm Charges

A Thursday traffic stop by members of the narcotics unit of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Department resulted in drug and firearms charges of a Stagecoach Road couple, according to Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam.
Jeffrey Ernest Shearin, 31, and Connie Darlene Shearin, 34, were arrested following a traffic stop conducted by investigators on Golden Leaf Road, Pulliam said.
Jeffrey Shearin was charged with the possession of a concealed firearm, and Connie Shearin was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, according to police.
During the traffic stop, investigators seized a firearm and a quantity of marijuana, Pulliam said.
Both Jeffrey and Connie Shearin were released on a $2,500 secured bond.

Myrtle Lloyd Ratliff

Myrtle Lloyd Ratliff, 97, of Drakes Branch died March 16 at The Woodview.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie S. Ratliff; and four children, Lloyd McKinney, Ray H. Ratliff, Willard Ratliff and Ralph Ratliff.
Survivors of Mrs. Ratliff are her children, Robert F. McKinney of Martinsville, Lorene Neighbors of Reva, Mary Lou Toombs of Drakes Branch, Ann Morningstar of Buffalo Junction, and Alma Anderson of South Boston; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 19, at 2 p.m. in Drakes Branch Presbyterian Church with burial in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Browning Funeral Home in Keysville this evening, March 18, from 7:00 to 8:30.

Louis Howard Seamster

Louis Howard Seamster, 79, of 275 Cedar Lane, Halifax died March 17 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Seamster was born in Halifax County on August 23, 1925, the son of the late Louis Hester Seamster and Lillian Whitmore Seamster and was married to Mildred Satterfield Seamster. He was a member of Center United Church of Christ where he was a deacon and an usher, a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, a member of American Legion Post 8, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and a former member of Halifax Fire Department. Mr. Seamster was retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, L.H. Seamster Jr. and wife, Kaye T. Seamster, of Vernon Hill; three daughters, Barbara Seamster Collie and husband, Ronnie R. Collie, of Alton, Susan Seamster Terry and husband, H.T. ‘Hank’ Terry III, of South Boston, and Patsy Seamster Fisher and husband, Samuel Fisher, of Halifax; his grandchildren, Eric Younger Seamster and wife, Heather, of South Boston, Stephanie Michelle Wilkins of Clarksville, Adam Thomas Terry of South Boston, Casey Wayman Collie of Charleston, S.C., Christopher Scott Wilkins of Halifax, Cameron Louis Collie of Wilmington, N.C., and Traci Nicole Terry of South Boston; his great-grandchildren, Chelsea Ashworth, Christina and Nicholas Seamster; one brother, Curtis Daniel Seamster of South Boston; and one sister, Mossie Seamster Hodge of Chase City.
Mr. Seamster was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Garland Seamster; and one sister, Mary Ellen Francisco.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 19, at 4 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. John Wilder and Bill Wilkins officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Rites.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 18, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.

 

Tough Opponents For Lions Baseball, Softball Teams

HCMS Invitational Baseball/Softball Tournament Set Saturday

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County Middle School baseball team is looking to begin one streak, while the softball team is hoping to continue one here tomorrow at the HCMS Invitational Tournament.
Opening round play begins at 9 a.m., with Central playing Stanford in baseball and Franklin County playing Stanford in softball.
Both the Lions baseball and softball teams are scheduled to take on Nottoway at 10:30 a.m. in the semifinals of the tourney.
First round losers will play the consolation game at 12 noon, followed by the championship game in softball at 2 p.m. and the title game in baseball at 2:30 p.m.
The Lions baseball team had a 43-game winning streak snapped in last year’s tourney finals with an 11-7 loss to Dinwiddie, while the softball team continued its string of Invitational titles with an extra inning 5-2 decision over Nottoway.
Both the Lions baseball and softball teams got a chance to play those same opponents again later in the season, the baseball team exacting a little payback with a win at Dinwiddie.
That was perhaps the turning point of its season in which the Lions won their eighth consecutive Southside Middle School Conference Tournament title.
The Lions softball team played Nottoway again, this time in the finals of the Southside Middle School Conference Tournament, going to extra innings again for a 2-1 win, its sixth consecutive title.
Although Dinwiddie does not return to the field, this year’s tournament field is arguably the toughest ever.
Stanford Middle School, out of Hillsborough, N.C., will send its baseball and softball teams to the tournament, and both have been staunch opponents in years past.
It was the Stanford baseball team that last defeated Halifax before Dinwiddie turned the trick last year, defeating the Lions 9-8 in a regular season contest in 2001.
And, the Stanford softball team, has always proven to be a tough challenge for the Lions softball team.
Nottoway is back again this year, the baseball team an 11-1 loser to Halifax in last year’s tourney semifinals, while the softball team fell to Halifax in the final game.
Rounding out the field are conference opponent Central of Charlotte Courthouse on the baseball side and newcomer Franklin County in the softball tourney field.
Central gave Halifax all it could handle here two years ago in the Southside Middle School Conference Tournament final, before the Lions rallied to win.
Franklin County will feature some of the same players who will compete with Halifax at the high school level in upcoming seasons, and judging by that, Franklin County will be a worthy addition to the field.

 

Lions Baseball Will Feature Pitching, Defense

HCMS Seeking Ninth Consecutive SMC Conference Title

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County Middle School baseball team is looking to a strong nucleus of returnees and a talented group of newcomers to deliver the school’s ninth Southside Middle School championship in as many years.
Five eighth-graders return, all of whom got valuable experience during last year’s 13-1 title run, including Kyle Long, Kaleb Long, Chris Sizemore, Eric Brandon and Michael Owens.
They will be joined by fellow eighth-graders John Nichols, Josh Hudson, Michael Puryear, Tyler Hunt, Tyler Lewis, Travis Stevens, Sam Lantor and Tyler Truitt.
Four seventh-graders round out the team, including Aaron Mitchell, Dale Trent, Luke Griles and Josh Rogers.
The five returnees are looked upon to provide leadership and stability, according to Lions head coach Barry Powell.
“They’ll be the nucleus on which we’ll build," said Lions coach Barry Powell.
“They bring experience to the table, and they’ve all matured physically and mentally since last year. All five of them played football, so they have a good deal of conditioning already.
“We’re looking at them to be our mainstays," added the veteran coach.
“That’s what we’re looking for from these young men. Last year, Brandon, Sizemore and Owens got a good amount of playing time, and Kyle and Kaleb started for us."
“If you’re lucky enough to get a seventh-grader who can perform at this level, you’re fortunate. On average, you bring them in, teach them the system and make the adjustments so they will produce for you as eighth-graders."
Pitching and defense will be strong points this season for the Lions, with pitcher Kyle Long and catcher Kaleb Long forming a strong battery.
“They’re both third-year players, are hard-nosed and love the game," said Powell.
“Kyle is a hard-throwing pitcher from the left side, and he’ll stabilize our outfield when he’s playing there. Kaleb is one of the best eighth-grade catchers I’ve ever had here. He has a good arm, he’s aggressive and his hitting has improved."
Versatility is Sizemore’s calling card, Powell having him pegged for duty as a pitcher, catcher and infielder, while Brandon is slated for infield and pitching duties.
“He’ll [Brandon] will probably see time at third and short. He has a lot of power potential and he’s matured a lot since last year. He’s made tremendous strides and we’re looking for a lot from him."
Michael Owens, another versatile athlete, is listed at left field, third and second on the roster.
“He’s real knowledgeable, he’s fast and we feel comfortable with him in left field, where you have to deal with the sun. Mike also has more bat speed this year."
Lewis, Stevens, Lantor and Truitt are pegged for the outfield, with Lewis also listed as a pitcher and Truitt at second base.
“Lewis is a good control pitcher from the right side, he throws strikes and that’s valuable in any league. He has a good feel for the breaking ball and for pitching.
“Stevens is a gifted athlete, strong and fast, and he’ll hopefully run down balls in the gap. He throwing should get better with practice. Lantor runs well, throws well and he’ll contribute in the outfield.
“Truitt is an aggressive hitter with a strong arm. He’ll see some time in left field and second base."
Nichols, Hudson, Puryear and Hunt round out the eighth-grade contingent, all of them listed at multiple positions.
“Nichols is a right-handed pitcher with one of the better curve balls on the team, and an above average fast ball. He may get some time behind the plate and at third base," said Powell. “Hudson is our utility man, and can play at second, third or catcher.
“Puryear is a right-handed pitcher with a good running fast ball that’s hard on right-handed hitters. He has good velocity and we’ll work with him on the off speed pitch. We’re looking at Hunt as a front runner for first base. He’s big and strong, with pop in his bat."
Four seventh-graders made the team, all of them with a great deal of potential, according to Powell.
“Griles is an over achiever, and has played on travel teams. He can step in and help us on the mound with a nice curve ball, and good control, and hits to the opposite field.
“Trent is very gifted and light-footed. We can see him at third, second, in the outfield or on the mound. He’s also very good with the bat. Mitchell is a contact hitter and line drive hitter. We’re looking at him for probably left or right field.
“Rogers is a left-handed thrower and throws strikes from the left side. He hits from the right side and puts the ball in play. I hope he will hit with power later on."
Powell said the team’s strength at this stage of the season is pitching and defense.
“We have eight to ten young men who with a little work can be very good pitchers for us. Hopefully, pitching can keep us in the game until we iron out some flaws with the bats.
“We’re going to rely on pitching and defense early on and give us time for our bats to come around."
The Lions may have to rely on their “short game," including the bunt to move runners over and hitting behind the base runner, until the bats warm up, added Powell. “Hopefully, our pitching can get us far enough along so we have a chance to win the game and won’t have to rely on the long ball in the late innings.
“It’s crucial for coach [Justin] Saunders and myself at this time of year to understand the players and to know what to ask of them. We really have to learn their strengths in running, throwing and hitting.
I think we have the potential to be a great team, but our strength right now is pitching."
Halifax County Middle School Baseball Team 2005
NO. NAME GRADE POS.
7 Aaron Mitchell 7 OF
1 Chris Sizemore 8 INF-P-C
9 Dale Trent 7 INF-P
13 Eric Brandon 8 INF-P
17 John Nichols 8 P-3B-C
2 Josh Hudson 8 C-3B-2B
5 Kaleb Long 8 C -P -SS
10 Kyle Long 8 CF-P
8 Luke Griles 7 3B-P
18 Michael Puryear 8 P-1B -3B
19 Tyler Hunt 8 IB-3B
3 Tyler Lewis 8 P-LF
16 Travis Stevens 8 OF
7 Mike Owens 8 LF- 3B-2B
11 Sam Lantor 8 OF
4 Tyler Truitt 8 LF-2B
12 Josh Rogers 7 P1B-LF

 

HCMS Lions Softball Team Boasts Depth, Pitching

Lady Lions Open Season Saturday

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

One of the deepest and most versatile Lions softball teams in coach James Smith’s eight-year tenure hopes to keep a multi-year winning streak alive through an upgraded schedule this season.
Halifax County Middle School enters the season with an 80-game winning streak, having won six consecutive Southside Middle School Conference Tournament titles.
Six starters and nine players overall return this year, returnees including Whitney Womack, Betty Rose, Paige Rickman, Heather Hudson, Jessica Weingarten, Lyndsay Lawter, Christine DeGeorgis, Lauren Daniel and Katie Barnett.
New to the team this season are eighth-graders Melissa Morris and Kaitlyn Moorefield, along with seventh-graders Kisha Crowder, Jessica Bagbey, Stephanie Clark, Brittany Cole, Megan Day, Johanna Spencer and Sharilyn Walton.
The Lions’ depth is apparent when scanning the roster, especially in pitching, with no less than seven players listed at that position, including Rickman, who hurled a lot of innings last season.
“Pitching’s a key this year, we’re probably as deep in pitching as we’ve been since I’ve been here," noted Smith.
Returnees Heather Hudson, Lauren Daniel and Lyndsay Lawter can also toe the rubber if needed, all three with mound experience last year, and the Lions add Moorefield, Bagbey and Clark to the pitching rotation this season.
Each of them can play other positions, as can the majority of the team, and that is another strength.
Smith is cautiously optimistic approaching the season, team speed and outfield depth among his primary concerns.
“We lost a lot of offense and speed from last year," noted Smith.
Another key is to find someone to fill the role of lead off batter, and to replace two outfield positions, he added.
Smith has six starters penciled in thus far, including the returning battery of Rickman on the mound and Rose catching. Womack will be at first base, Weingarten in left field, Hudson at third base and Daniel in center field.
All other positions are up for grabs going into the season, but Smith is hoping veterans Weingarten, Barnett and DeGeorgis will step up in the outfield. Smith will also need to replace players who started at shortstop and second base last year.
“We lost the middle of our infield," said Smith, who is working out several different players at shortstop and second base.
The starting lineup may be different as the year goes along, Smith emphasized.
“We’re deep, and have eighteen versatile players," said Smith. Just because you’re in the starting lineup doesn’t mean you’ll stay there. I’ve seen too many times in the past where the starting lineup at the start of the year isn’t the one at the end."
Smith hopes a tough tournament to open the season and a strong non-conference schedule will better prepare his team for the big prize at the end, the Southside Middle School Tournament Championship.
There are still a lot of questions remaining to be answered, however.
“We’re looking for a good year, we have a good group of girls, but we just haven’t had enough time outside because of the weather," he said.
“We’ll be tested early in the tourney, with the toughest teams since I’ve been here. That’s good for the girls, and that’s why we’re playing a strong non-conference schedule.
“I’d rather lose one out of conference in the beginning of the year than at the end of the year – it’s how you finish that counts."
Halifax County Middle School 2005 Softball Roster
NO. NAME GRADE POS.
24 Whitney Womack 8 1B
12 Jessica Weingarten 8 OF/3B
18 Sharilyn Walton 7 C/3B
13 Johanna Spencer 7 C/OF
99 Betty Rose 8 C
4 Paige Rickman 8 P/OF
9 Melissa Morris 8 OF
00 Kaitlyn Moorefield 8 P/2B
6 Lyndsay Lawter 8 P/3B/2B
3 Heather Hudson 8 P/SS/3B
1 Christine DeGeorgis 8 OF
8 Megan Day 7 2B
10 Lauren Daniel 8 P/OF
22 Kisha Crowder 7 1B
2 Brittany Cole 7 OF
5 Stephanie Clark 7 P/SS
7 Katie Barnett 8 OF
14 Jessica Bagbey 7 P/SS/2B