Friday, May 20, 2005

Huber To Begin $19 M Expansion This Year

Huber Engineered Woods will invest $19 million in its oriented strand board (OSB) plant in Crystal Hill, Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Mike Eades announced yesterday.
The expansion is expected to begin later this year and be completed in early 2006.
Although the project will create few new jobs for the county’s work force, several existing employees at the plant will receive additional training, Eades said.
The IDA director also said that such a high investment in the Crystal Hill plant illustrates the company’s headquarters has faith in the employees of the local plant that will pay dividends beyond jobs.
“I think it’s obvious that this will increase the tax base of Halifax County, thereby increasing the funds for schools and other projects,” he said. “This shows how important this facility is for Huber’s business for them to make such and investment in the county.
“It’s also a testament to the employs of the Halifax County plant, it shows that the company’s management has confidence in the plant’s management and employees ability to realize a return on such an investment,” Eades added.
The first phase of the project will include design and improvements of the existing drying and environmental abatement system, a move that must be approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
“Permit requirements will be met and necessary amendments (to the permits) obtained to ensure compliance (with existing emission requirements),” Eades said.
Additional investments will include improvements to log handling and utilization of log resources.
Other upgrades will improve the existing infrastructure in various areas inside the facility that are designed to lower production costs and enhance the availability of the highly-sought-after AdvanTech Flooring, Sheathing and Rim Board.
The Crystal Hill plant was constructed in 1994 and employs 160 people.
Plant Manager Jeremy Catron expressed his appreciation to the county for its ongoing support of the plant.
“The Halifax Opportunity Fund program offered by Halifax County was a key ingredient in helping Huber justify this investment,Ó he said.
The Halifax Opportunity Fund offers companies considering locating in the county or expanding production facilities to receive a two percent reimbursement of its qualifying capital investment over a period of five years.
William Fitzgerald, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said the announcement illustrates the need to focus on existing industry as well as working to recruit new businesses to the county.
“We appreciate the confidence that Huber has in Halifax County and its people as demonstrated by this announcement,Ó he said. “The timing of this announcement during Business Appreciation Week in Virginia is particularly noteworthy as we celebrate the importance of existing business to our local economy.Ó

Accused Killer Will Be Facing Death Penalty

Jesse James Harris Charged With Murder Of Alton Woman

The district attorney in North Carolina plans to seek the death penalty for Jesse James Harris, the Riverdale man who allegedly killed an Alton woman in a Roxboro motel in late Januart, according to reports in the Roxboro Courier-Times.
Harris had been fighting extradition for his crimes.
The 43-year-old was the subject of a March 28 governor’s warrant that authorized Person County authorities to transport the suspect to North Carolina on April 4.
He is charged with murder in connection with the January 30 murder of 53-year-old Barbara Jean Link Cunningham at the Days Inn motel on North Madison Boulevard.
The next scheduled court appearance for Harris is June 13 when a
pretrial hearing is slated.
The District Attorney’s office filed formal notice in Roxboro on Friday that they intend to pursue the death penalty when Harris is tried for the murder of Cunningham.
Members of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Harris on February 2, when he went to the Dollar General plant to pick up his paycheck.
Since arriving in North Carolina, Harris has been held in the Person County jail without privilege of bond.
Motel employees found Cunningham dead, lying in a pool of blood on the
floor in a room at the Days Inn on North Madison Boulevard.
Police said shortly after the incident that Cunningham had suffered
a wound to the head and that they had located what they believe to be the murder weapon.
Police also confirmed that when the body was discovered, a two-year-old child who was believed to be the grandson of the victim, was in the room.
A 1984 Honda Civic that was registered to the victim was later discovered in South Boston.

Farm Service Agency Swamped

Attorneys Will Return Monday To FSA To Help With Legal Issues

Tobacco producers and owners jammed halls and waiting areas at the Farm Service Agency Wednesday seeking legal advice before applying for the Phase I tobacco payout.
At the end of the day, less than half the 65 to 70 owners/producers were seen by the attorney, according to FSA officials.
“He’s going to be back here with reinforcements Monday at 10:30 a.m.,” FSA Director Kevin Bohon said yesterday.
The deadline to apply is June 6.
Those hoping to meet with attorney Stephen Rosenthal on Wednesday were “people who have problems with the papers the Tobacco Commission sent out last week for the Phase I payments,” explained the FSA director.
On Monday, the attorneys will address legal issues and changes that some owners/producers need to make before applying for the Phase I payout.
Tobacco farmers began gathering at the Farm Service Agency early Wednesday morning.
“He’s taking one about every 20 minutes,” said one lady hoping to see Rosenthal. She said she had been timing the morning visits.
Adding to the crowd Wednesday were those applying for other FSA programs, which include the crop disaster and grain program as well as the tobacco buyout, according to Bohon.
FSA officials have been inundated with Phase I questions but Wednesday “it spilled over,” according to FSA officials.
“The office staff (in Halifax) have done a tremendous job,” said Jacquelin Easter, state director of the Virginia Farm Service Agency. “It’s because the attorney is here today.
“Most farmers are extremely patient because they understand it is a big job,” she added.
The Halifax FSA is the largest office (in numbers) of owners and producers in the state, according to Easter. “This is the busiest I’ve seen,” she said of the office.
Statewide, about 66 percent of the applications (expected for the tobacco buyout) have been taken, she said, with first payments expected by September.
Ray Smart, district FSA director, said he is hoping it will be sooner. Smart’s large district covers 14 counties from Amelia to Danville.

Obituaries

Annie Maude Younger

Annie Maude Younger of Seat Pleasant, Md., formerly of Halifax County, died May 15, in Md.
Ms. Younger was born in South Boston on November 7, 1910, to the late Extra Younger and Mattie Younger, and was a member of Dan River Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara A. Bailey and Geraldine Drew; one son-in-law, Robert A. Bailey; three sisters, Odella Williams, Gracie and Lucy Beard; two brothers, Bernice Younger and Johnny Younger; one sister-in-law, Ruby Younger; four grandchildren, Robert Allan Bailey, Paula Drew, Wanda Drew and Henry Drew; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Ms. Younger will be held tomorrow, May 21, at 11 a.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Preston Medley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church Saturday.

Comets, GW Ready To Square Off For Third TimeHCHS And GW Square Off Tonight At 7 P.M. At Dan River High School For The Regular-Season Title And A Regional Tourney Berth

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County and GW will square off for the third time this season tonight at 7 p.m. at Dan River High School with the stakes being ratcheted up for both teams.
Tonight’s game is a playoff game for the two teams with the Western Valley District regular-season championship and an automatic berth in the Northwest Region Tournament at stake.
In addition, the winner of tonight’s game will get to play at home in next week’s district tournament championship game, that is, if tonight’s winner goes on to win its opening-round district tournament game Tuesday night.
Both teams will have a home game in Tuesday’s Western Valley District Tournament semifinals.
Halifax County won a small victory Wednesday as it won a coin toss and will be designated as the home team for tonight’s contest.
The Comets (16-3 overall, 7-1 district) finished their regular season by winning their last seven games. That run of seven consecutive wins included four straight district road games and a narrow 5-4 win in eight innings over Franklin County in Tuesday’s regular-season finale.
GW (16-2 overall, 7-1 district) enters tonight’s game fresh off of a 10-2 win over Group AA Bassett Tuesday in its regular-season finale.
The contest will mark the third meeting of the season between the two archrivals with both teams having scored a win over the other.
GW handily defeated the Comets 12-5 when the two teams met here at Halifax County High School in April and the Comets netted a 6-4 win over GW in Danville a week ago.
However, all of that will be thrown out of the window when the two teams settle in tonight to battle it out for the regular-season district title.
Comets head coach Kelvin Davis says that while he is glad his team has the opportunity to play for the regular-season title, he feels badly that the Comets and Eagles have to play an extra game before the start of next week’s Western Valley District Tournament.
“You’re wasting a pitcher for that night for that game," Davis pointed out.
“But, it’s a big game and the winner gets that regional tournament bid. There is a lot at stake in this game and you have to try to do what you have to do to win."
Davis pointed out that the rivalry factor being throw into the mix for what is at stake tonight will mean that both teams will be pumped up and ready to play.
“It’s something we look forward to and I know the guys are going to get up for it," said Davis.
“We know Scooter and his ballclub will be up for it also. It’s going to be another great ballgame."
Davis said the key for his team tonight is simply playing good, fundamental baseball.
“We’ve just got to play good, fundamental baseball when we play those guys," said the Comets coach.
“We can’t afford to make errors and we’ve got to take advantage of things we can take advantage of.
Davis says the difficulty factor increases the more times two evenly-matched teams like Halifax County and GW square off against each other.
“It’s baseball," he pointed out.
“These are two great teams going at one another and anything can happen on any given night. We have to be mentally ready to play those guys. It will take a lot of mental work to win that ballgame."
The starting pitcher assignments for both teams likely won’t be made until game time. The Comets started Jeremy Jeffress against GW here and went with Tyler Clarke against GW last Friday.
GW coach Scooter Dunn had his top hurler, Jonathan Walker on the hill against the Comets in their first meeting and started Rob Whitley against the Comets last Friday.
“We don’t know who we will throw Friday," said Davis.
“We’ve also got to think about Tuesday coming around.We don’t know who they (GW) will throw and we don’t know who we’ll throw. But, I can guarantee you it will be a great ballgame."
In addition to looking at this playoff game, both coaches will also have to look at the big picture of their pitching rotation for the Western Valley District Tournament, which opens Tuesday.
Davis said the pitching moves that he and Dunn make for the playoff game will have an impact next week. The Comets’ coach pointed out that his team will need a win Tuesday to get to the district championship game on Thursday and have a shot at the district title and the district’s top seed and a home game for the Northwest Region Tournament.
“It’s a tough district," Davis said.
“You can never count anybody out of this thing. The (district) tournament is coming up and a lot of teams get really geared up for the tournament. We’ve got to make sure we have the right pitching rotation going and, hopefully we can take advantage of the opportunities that come our way."

Comets Edge FC; Tie GW For District Title

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

Halifax County survived a big test here Tuesday night and did it with some pretty high stakes hanging in the balance.
The Comets, needing a win to gain a tie with GW and force a playoff for the regular-season Western Valley District title, rallied from a two-run deficit to plate the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning and edge Franklin County 5-4.
Tuesday’s win allowed the Comets to tie GW for the district title and force a playoff game with GW tonight at 7 p.m. at Dan River High School with the regular-season title and a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament going to the winner.
“We fought hard for this game,” said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“We knew the situation we were in trying to tie for first place in the district. This shows the heart that this team has. I’m so thankful for that. It’s a great win for us.”
Davis said the come-from-behind win in the crucial game is a big confidence booster for his ballclub.
“That’s a big momentum boost for us with us coming back like that,” Davis said.
“I can’t say enough about how well that helps mentally prepare for the next game.”
Halifax County had nine hits in the game but had difficulty in coming up with the right hit at the right time – that is – until the final inning.
With the game tied at 4-4 with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ryan Gieselman nailed a long ball to left field that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double. Blake Waller followed with a single, a hit that scored pinch-runner Jacob Swillie for the game-winning run.
The Comets led 2-0 early, scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning when Chris Conner led off with a hit, stole second base, moved to third on a Franklin County error and scored on a two-out single from Chris Perkins. They added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Blake Waller doubled with two out and took advantage of a pair of wild pitches to score.
The Comets’ lead didn’t last long.
Franklin County took advantage of two Comets errors, a pair of wild pitches and a pair of hits to score four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-2 lead.
Halifax County rousted up a run in the bottom of the fifth inning which began when Conner reached base on a Franklin County miscue after he had swung and missed a third strike.
Conner scored on a hit by Justin Armistead to pull to within a run.
The Comets looked like they were going to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Clyde Brooks led off with a double and moved to third base on a sacrifice fly by Perkins. However, Brooks was stranded at third base and the Comets came up empty.
Halifax tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when Bobby Owens reached base on an error and moved to third base on a wild pitch. Conner walked to put runners on first base and third base.
After Franklin County made a pitching change, Armistead came to the plate. Before Armistead went down on strikes for the first out, Conner stole second base. The Eagles intentionally walked Comets hurler Jeremy Jeffress to load the bases. A sacrifice fly to deep centerfield by Perkins allowed Owens to score the game-tying run and deadlock the contest at 4-4.
The visitors threatened to score again in the top of the seventh inning after Jeffress hit the leadoff Franklin County batter in the inning. Two passed balls allowed the runner to move to third base. But, Jeffress bailed himself out of trouble by fanning two batters in a row to end the inning.
“Some nights you come out here and you’re going to be struggling,” Davis noted.
“I told the guys that sometimes we’re going to have to scrape, steal and borrow some runs and that’s what we had to do tonight. My hat goes off to my guys for staying in there and trying to work through some tough situations to pull this win out for us.”
Halifax County’s nine hits were distributed among seven players with Perkins and Waller leading the way with two hits each. Conner, Armistead, Jeffress, Brooks and Gieselman each chipped in a hit.
“My hats goes off to those guys that stepped up and got the big hits,” said Davis, “Blake Waller coming in and getting that key hit and Chris Perkins getting that first big RBI for us. It takes things like that to win games like this.”
Jeffress went the distance for the Comets on the mound, struggling at times to get his pitches over the plate. Yet, when the night ended, Jeffress had fanned 12 batters and allowed only three hits. He gave up eight walks.
“I thought Jeremy threw well,” said Davis.
“It wasn’t his best night out there but he did the things it took to keep us in the ballgame.”

Comets Varsity Softball Loses Tough One At FC

Last Inning Rally Falls Short In 4-3 Loss

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Comets varsity softball team’s hopes for a regular season title in the Western Valley District and automatic region berth took a hard hit Tuesday night – literally – in a tough 4-3 loss at Franklin County.
The Eagles had a two-run home run and two triples among their six hits, five hits coming in a three-run third inning. That, along with a fourth inning triple, gave Franklin County a 4-0 lead that was just enough to withstand a three-run Comets rally in the top of the seventh.
Halifax, now 6-1 in district play, had to win a rematch here with the Eagles last night to force a one-game playoff for the number one seed in the Western Valley District Tournament.
The Comets had been fundamentally sound in winning their first six district contests, but those fundamentals were lacking Tuesday, according to Comets coach Melanie Saunders, adding an off day at the plate also contributed to the setback.
“The girls were not as aggressive at the plate as we have been, our bats were flat,” began Saunders. Halifax had only three hits for the game, Cari Clark’s RBI double in the seventh, a base hit by Lashunda Davis in the fourth and a bunt single by Jasmine Parker in the seventh.
Three runs on three hits was almost enough for Comets hurler Moo Morris, who went the distance, giving up four runs on six hits in six innings, finishing with eight strikeouts and one walk.
“We did not execute the fundamentals at the plate, and we are going to have to regroup and refocus for Thursday,” continued Saunders. “We are much better than we showed last night. We made several mental mistakes and that cost us runners and runs.”
Neither team had a hit through the first two innings of Tuesday’s contest, Davis drawing a two-out walk in the first and Lori Reeves a leadoff walk in the second. Amy Betterton drew a two-out walk for the Eagles in the first, but neither of the three reached second base, Reeves thrown out on a steal attempt after her walk.
Franklin County scored three runs on five hits in the third inning to make it 3-0, a one-out single by Jessica Searing followed by a two-out triple by Lauren Thurman and two-run homer by Amy Betterton. Two more singles put runners at second and first, but a flyout got Halifax out of the inning without further damage.
The Comets tried to respond in its next at-bat, Amanda Rogers reaching on an error, but was out on a steal attempt. Davis followed with a base hit, and Reeves drew a two-out walk, but a groundout ended the threat.
Franklin County added a run on a leadoff triple and sacrifice fly in the fourth, and Halifax failed to score after a Rogers walk in the sixth, but the Comets rallied in the top of the seventh inning.
Reeves and Key Ferrell reached base on consecutive errors to start the inning, scoring one run, and Clark followed with an RBI double. Clark advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a RBI groundout by Heather Oakes to make it 4-3.
Parker reached base on a bunt, but a flyout cut the rally short.
The Comets still have a chance to turn things around, the rematch last night being the first step, but Saunders said the team needs to get its confidence back.
“We can come back and beat Franklin County, they just have to believe in themselves.”