Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Fiber Project, VIR Get Tobacco Funds
Regional Backbone Initiative Gets $9M Grant, VIPER Project Nets $1.3M

The Tobacco Commission announced grants yesterday totalling $11.5 million, including two grants earmarked to further the Regional Backbone Initiative (RBI) and a motorsports project at Virginia International Raceway.

The announcements came following the Commission's quarterly meeting in Abingdon last week.

During the meeting, a $9 million technology grant was approved to further the funding for the RBI.

Halifax County Industrial Development Authority Chairman John Cannon called yesterday's announcements a "significant opportunity."

"This commission is really helping out Halifax County," he said. "(Yesterday's announcements) will mean a whole lot for the county and Southside as a whole. I can tell you that I was very pleased with these grants."

The RBI, announced in Danville on June 18, received the additional funds in the form of a grant to the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative, the group formed to oversee and manage the network.

The funds will be used to design, construct and operate a fiber network throughout Southside.

During an earlier meeting, commission members voted to award $6 million in funding to match the money already awarded by the federal government through the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Phase I of the project will connect the communities of Stuart, Martinsville, Rocky Mount, Ferrum, Danville, South Boston, Keysville, Clarksville, South Hill, Lawrenceville and Emporia with a 294-mile fiber optic backbone along Routes 58, 220 and 360.

Once complete, the entire project will span over 700 miles, connecting 56 industrial parks and 22 counties in Southside by December, 2006, Tobacco Commission Technology Commission Chairman Clarke Hogan said.
"What this money is doing is finishing up the primary laying of fiber of along the network," Cannon said. "This funding will tie everyone into the fiber and run pretty much all the wire.

"We in the economic development community are elated to have received this funding," Cannon added. "This fiber initiative is extremely important because it truly puts Southside on the information highway."

VIPER Funding

In addition to the RBI award, members of the Commission's Special Projects Committee recommended funding nine projects totalling $2.5 million.

Included in these awards is a $1.3 million grant to Danville's Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to fund the Virginia Institute for Performance Engineering and Research (VIPER) at VIR.

VIPER, a partnership of the Virginia International Raceway, the Institute and the Virginia Tech Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Lab, is a Southside-based testing and research facility for the automotive and motorsports industry.

Cannon called the VIPER funding "the key that's going to turn the motorsports initiative loose at VIR."

"It will mean all kinds of motorsports businesses coming to this area," he said.

The VIPER money will be used to fund a Seven-Post Rig - a machine that will set the race cars up for specific stresses using computers to simulate the track conditions anywhere they are going to run, Cannon said.

"The interesting thing about the VIPER program is Halifax County and VIR are all tied together on the same board and all the profits will go back to fund more VIPER projects," he added.

Once the VIPER project is up and running, Cannon suggested that Halifax County and Southside would have cutting-edge facilities for motorsports research.

"To me, it's like having a mini- Research Triangle at VIR tailored to the motorsports industry," he said.

Committee members also voted to approve two projects totalling $340,000 for the Virginia Heritage Music Trail.

The grants will assist in the marketing efforts to promote the
launch of the trail as well as signage and listening boxes along the route.

The trail will initially include several major heritage music destinations beginning at the Blue Ridge Institute in Franklin County.

Leaf Sales Begin Aug. 9
SoBo Warehouse Has 2.3 Million Pounds Designated This Season

The doors to New Brick Planter's Warehouse will open wide Monday as South Boston warehouseman Charlie Payne begins accepting tobacco for the 2004 marketing season.

"We're going to open and start receiving tobacco on August 2," Payne said Monday. "The sales will begin August 9."

With last year's growing season too wet and the 2002 season relying on irrigation, Payne said he is optimistic that this year's crop will be "the best I've seen in many years."

"It will definitely be a better crop than last year," he said. "We didn't make anything last year because of the way the weather was. But this year has been a perfect growing season."

The optimal growing season should translate into a better grade of leaf and better prices, Payne predicted.

"I'm pretty optimistic," he said. "Anytime there is better weather, it's going to grade better and sell better."

According to Kevin Bohon of the U.S.D.A. office in Halifax, 169 Halifax County farmers have designated the South Boston warehouse to sell 1,658,233 pounds of leaf.

The New Brick Planter's Warehouse has been designated to sell a total of 2.3 million pounds of tobacco this year.

Payne said that very little leaf, some 20,000 pounds, would be carried over from last year's sale.

Buyers from Universal Leaf and Export Leaf have already indicated they would be purchasing leaf from the South Boston warehouse, according to Payne.

"And I think Dimon will probably send someone," he added.

"We'll have people there to buy and I expect we'll have some really good tobacco to sell," Payne said. "This is one of the best uniform crops I've seen.

"Anything can happen, of course, but at this point in time, it's looking like a good year for everyone."

SoBo: A Main Street Community
Governor Warner Announcement Yesterday Could Mean Jobs For Area

South Boston is among the communities across the state that have received the Virginia Main Street Community designation, Gov. Mark Warner announced yesterday.

South Boston, Harrisonburg and Luray were tapped for inclusion in the program, the governor said.

Community Development Coordinator Tamyra Vest said shortly after the announcement that the downtown community is thrilled with the designation.

"We're really excited about it," she said. "Destination Downtown and the town itself have worked really hard to get this designation."

"We're just elated to be able to join the network of communities who are working on helping their downtowns become solid generators of economic growth.

"I feel like this designation is a great economic boon for South Boston," Vest added. "We feel like this is our next step in continuing to keep our downtown economy viable."

She said that dignitaries would be joining Virginia Main Street officials on Wednesday, August 25, to officially welcome South Boston into the Virginia Main Street community.

Yesterday's announced designations bring the total of Virginia's Main Street communities to 20 across the state.

Since its inception in 1985, the program has supported the creation, expansion, or retention of over 3,000 businesses and helped to create over 8,200 jobs in Main Street communities.

During its April meeting, South Boston Town Council passed a resolution authorizing the town's financial support of the designation over the next five years.

During a work session earlier this year, Destination Downtown President David Martin told members of the town's Finance Committee that inclusion in the program could mean jobs for the area.

He said that for communities designated as Main Street communities over the past 11 years, the average number of businesses opening in Main Street districts is 169, with an average 411 jobs created in the district.

Each designated community utilizes the technical assistance, training, and resources of the Main Street program to revitalize their downtown areas.

"I am a strong advocate of efforts to revitalize our traditional downtown commercial districts," Warner said. "The Main Street program has achieved great success in bringing new life to our downtowns and making them excellent places for people to again live, work, and conduct business."

The program helps communities develop strategies that create economic growth and pride in their downtown areas.

"The Virginia Main Street program is a successful economic development model that is making great things happen in Virginia's historic downtowns," said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Michael Schewel. "It's a pleasure to welcome Harrisonburg, Luray, and South Boston to the Main Street program. I know the communities will take full advantage of the program's resources as they work to achieve their individual revitalization goals."

Communities seeking Main Street designations must have populations of 75,000 or less and have a traditional downtown district that includes at least 50 businesses and 70 commercial structures. Often, the downtown structures are older and have historic significance. These buildings are targeted for redevelopment through the Main Street program.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) accepts applications for new Main Street designations every three to four years.

In addition to the economic benefits that the Main Street program creates, it also makes significant improvements to the older, architectural structures that exist in Virginia's historic downtowns," explained Bill Shelton, DHCD Director. "Over the past 20 years the program has encouraged over $264 million in private investment that has helped restore these buildings and increase the sophistication and charm of Virginia's downtowns."

Two of Virginia Main Street's designated communities have been recognized as national Great American Main Street communities by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Staunton received the award in 2002 and Manassas in 2003. The Great American Main Street Awards recognize exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America's historic and older main street commercial districts.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development implements the Virginia Main Street program.

HC South Makes Way To Final Four
The Halifax County South DYB Major League All-Star Team Is Two Wins Away From The Virginia DYB Major League Title; South Boston Eliminated By Rustburg

BY JOE CHANDLER
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County South all-star team now occupies a unique position in the Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball Major League State Tournament at the Day Complex.

Halifax County South cruised to an easy 13-3 win over Blacksburg Monday night, to make its way into the Final Four.

Not only that, Halifax County South is the only remaining unbeaten team in the tournament and is now within two wins of the state crown and Dixie Youth World Series berth.

Weather permitting, Halifax County South was to face Rustburg in the nightcap of last night's tournament doubleheader.

Halifax County South had already recorded a 4-2 win over Rustburg on Sunday night.

A loss by Rustburg last night would eliminate it from the tournament.
In last night's early game, Dinwiddie National and Blacksburg were to square off in an elimination game.

While Halifax County South worked its way to the Final Four, the South Boston Major League all-star team was eliminated from the tournament in Monday's early game with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Rustburg.

Also on Monday, Dinwiddie National defeated Vinton 4-2 to bounce Vinton out of the tournament.

HC South 13 Blacksburg 3
Halifax County South manager Harold Carmichael celebrated his birthday in a big way as his team pounded out 13 hits in a 13-3 win over previously undefeated Blacksburg.

Tyquan Graves had three hits with Michael Puryear, Josh Rogers and Kelsey Campbell each chipping in two hits.

Tyler Long, Scott Rickman, Aaron Mitchell, Jonathan Turner and Taylor Elliott each had a hit in the win.

Blacksburg had six hits in the game with Vinny Oddo leading the way with two hits.

Halifax County South went with a three-man rotation on the mound with Rogers starting, Puryear coming in for two innings and Rickman serving as the closer in the final inning.

Between them, the Halifax County South hurlers fanned eight batters and gave up only one walk.

Halifax County South jumped on top quickly, plating three runs in the top of the third inning to grab a 3-0 lead.

Rogers singled to start things off and attempted to score on a double by Long only to be thrown out at the plate.

Rickman reached base on a fielder's choice and Puryear was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Graves then unloaded a two-RBI single and Campbell singled with two out to score Puryear.

Blacksburg countered with run in the bottom of the second inning with Oddo getting a leadoff single and scoring later when Ricky Sowers grounded out.
Three more runs in the top of the third inning gave Halifax County South a 6-1 lead.

Rogers walked with one out and was erased when Long reached base on a fielder's choice.

Rickman walked and Puryear reached base on a fielder's choice to load the sacks.

Graves walked to force in a run and Mitchell followed with a two-RBI single to make the score 6-1.

Blacksburg scored a run in the bottom of the third inning when Trevor Bennett came up with a leadoff triple and scored when a throw on an attempted pickoff by Halifax County South sailed wide.

Halifax County added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning to increase its lead to 9-2.

Puryear kicked the inning off with a solo homer. Graves singled and moved to second base on a passed ball.

Mitchell walked and both runners advanced on a passed ball to put runners on second base and third base.

Graves scored when Campbell grounded out for the second out and Mitchell scored when Turner grounded out for the second out of the inning.

Four runs in the top of then sixth inning gave Halifax County a big 13-2 lead.
Rickman reached base on an error, Puryear singled and a single by Graves plated Rickman.

Campbell singled to score Puryear for the second run of the inning.

Turner and Ralph Tuck walked and two runs scored when Rogers reached base on an error.

Blacksburg picked up a run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a single by Zak Wall with two out to make the 13-3 final score.

Rustburg 1 South Boston 0

Rustburg, which had lost to Halifax County South the previous day, staved off elimination by downing South Boston 1-0 in a thriller.

Both teams had good defensive and pitching performances with each team getting three hits.

South Boston got a hit each from Dale Trent Jr., Zane Long and Cody Thomas.

Rustburg got two hits from Dusty Arrowood and one from Ross Garner.
Trent and Antonio Walker shared the pitching duties for South Boston with Trent going the first four innings and yielding one hit and five walks while fanning one batter.

Walker hurled the final two innings, allowing two hits and striking out one batter.

Chris Walker went the distance for Rustburg, allowing three hits while fanning nine batters and allowing one walk.

Rustburg got the only run of the contest in the top of the second inning when Garner was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base when Walker reached base on an error on a dropped fly ball, moved to third base when Geoffrey Walker walked and scored on a passed ball.

South Boston tried several times to get something going but couldn't make it happen.

Long led off the bottom of the second inning with a single but was erased on a fielder's choice.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Thomas led off with a single but was stranded when the next three South Boston batters went down in order on strikes.
Walker walked to give South Boston a baserunner with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning but was stranded.

South Boston's defense did a good job squelching Rustburg threats in the third and fourth innings.

A key play of the fourth inning came when Arrowood was cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning, leaving only a runner at first base that was ultimately stranded.

Two South Boston errors allowed Rustburg to get runners on base in the top of the fifth inning but South Boston forced Rustburg to leave those runners stranded as well.

Rustburg got a single from Arrowood with one out in the top of the sixth inning and got a double from Garner with two out but was not able to score a run against South Boston's stingy defense.

Stranding runners was a key focal point for Rustburg which left eight runners stranded in the game.

South Boston left three runners on the bases in the contest.

HC South 4 Rustburg 0

Halifax County South surpassed a big hurdle Sunday night by downing Rustburg 4-0 in one of two winner's bracket games.

Living big on the long ball, Halifax County South scored all four of its runs in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run homer from Rickman and a two run-homer by Mitchell.

The big inning started when Long reached base with a single with one out and Rickman following with the first round-tripper to put his team up 2-0.

With two out, Graves walked and advanced to second base on a wild pitch.
The next batter, Mitchell, followed with another homer to give Halifax County South a 4-0 lead it would never lose.

Halifax County South set Rustburg down in order in the bottom of the fourth inning and did likewise in the fifth and sixth innings to preserve the win.

Both teams had opportunities to get something going prior to the fourth inning but neither team was able to scratch up a run.

Halifax County South loaded the bases in the third inning on a hit by Turner, a walk to Curtis Reagan and a hit by Elliott with two out, but left all three runners stranded.

Two runners were stranded by Halifax County South in the fifth inning which started with a single from Turner.

Turner was erased when Tuck hit into a fielder's choice and Tuck was put out when Josh Rogers hit into a fielder's choice.

Long followed with a double that sent Rogers to third base but both were stranded when Rickman went down on strikes.

Rustburg stranded a pair of runners in scoring position in the first inning after Timmy Bagbey laced a double with one out and Lucas Moore walked.

Later, in the third inning, Rustburg left the bases loaded after Geoffory Walker, Tyler Brooks and Arrowood reached base.

Rustburg stranded six runners in the game while Halifax County South left seven runners on the bases.

Halifax County South had nine hits in the game with Long leading the way with a 3-3 night and Turner having a 2-2 night at the plate.

Rickman, Michael Puryear, Mitchell and Elliott had a hit each.

Long had a good night on the mound, fanning 10 batters while allowing only one hit, Bagbey's double in the first inning, and scattering five walks.

Obituaries

Harvey Christopher Baynes

Harvey Christopher Baynes, 82, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, July 23, 2004.

A funeral service was held Monday, July 26, 2004 at Oakey’s Funeral Service and interment followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke.

Mr. Baynes was a native of Halifax County and was married to Virginia Green Baynes, formerly of South Boston.

Mr. Baynes was a retired Exxon employee and drove charter buses for a number of years.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Baynes is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Larry Rakes of Roanoke, two sisters, Essie B. Tune of Roanoke and Ruth B. Guthrie of Durham, N.C.; and a number of nephews and nieces.

Robert B. Burton Jr.

Robert B. Burton Jr., 38, of Reidsville, N.C. died July 25. He was the son of Robert B. Burton Sr. and Alice Jean Lloyd, and a native of Halifax County.
Mr. Burton was employed with Culp Finishing and was a member of Providence Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Neatherly Potter Burton of the home; his mother of South Boston; his father and stepmother, Rebecca Burton of Blanch, N.C.; three daughters, Ashley Dean Burton of Lynchburg, Rachael Michelle Burton and Hannah Grace Burton of the home; one son, Justin Lee Burton of Jacksonville, N.C.; one sister, Teresa Sutula of Jacksonville; four brothers, Allen Dale Burton and Thomas Nola Martin, both of South Boston, Thomas Anthony Wade of Deneine, New Mexico, and Jimmy Carson Wade Jr. of Madison, N.C. He was preceded in death by one brother, Douglas Eugene Burton.

Graveside services for Mr. Burton will be held tomorrow, July 29 at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church by the Rev. John W. Martin.

The family will receive friends this evening, July 28, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Marley Funeral Home in Yanceyville, N.C., and other times at the home of Robert Potter in Yanceyville, and Mr. and Mrs. Burton of Blanch.