Monday, August 2, 2004

SoBo Man Charged In Drive-By
Alleged Drive-By Shooting Occurred Saturday On Easley Street In SoBo

A Bane Street resident was arrested Saturday on charges stemming from an alleged drive-by shooting following an incident on Easley Street, Lt. B.K. Lovelace of the South Boston Police Department said yesterday.

George L. Hill Sr., 58, was arrested and charged with shooting from a vehicle and possession of cocaine, police said.

Lovelace said that officers from the department responded to Easley Street at approximately 5:17 p.m. to a call reporting shots fired in the area.

When Officer W. Ozmec and Cpl. S.T. Moser arrived on the scene, they discovered at least one cartridge casing on the street, according to reports.

"After talking to witnesses, it was discovered that a red truck had slowed down and the passenger in the truck started shooting at a group of people walking up the street," Lovelace said.

No one was injured in the shooting, according to police.

While en route to investigate the drive-by, Lovelace was notified that Virginia State Police Trooper P.W. Leath and deputies with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office had located a truck matching the description of the truck involved in the incident in a trailer park on Bane Street, police officials said.

"Evidence was discovered in the truck that connected it to the Easley Street shooting," Lovelace said.

The owner of the truck, identified as Hill, was placed under arrest.
Additional charges are pending against Hill and an additional suspect, Lovelace said.

According to police, a 1994 Ford Escort and the building belonging to DJ Carwash was damaged during the shooting.

Hill is being held on a $50,000 secured bond, Lovelace said.
In other police business, South Boston Police officers surprised a burglar in a Wilborn Avenue restaurant early Friday morning, according to reports.

Although investigators have surveillance tape of the crime, at the time of the incident the thief managed to elude capture, Lovelace said.

The lieutenant said that Senior Patrol Officer C.T. Jones responded to an alarm call at Hill's Tavern at approximately 2:45 a.m.

"When officers arrived, they discovered the person still in the building," Lovelace said.

Using information gained from a surveillance tape from the crime scene, police described the suspect as a black male in his 30s with a stocky build, according to Chief Mick Reed.

According to police, the suspect was able to escape from a side door before he could be taken into custody.

Police believe that entry to the restaurant was gained through a side window.
Lovelace, who processed the scene for evidence, reported that several bottles of liquor and beer were missing from the business following the break-in.
According to police, the investigation into the incident is continuing.

• At approximately 3:54 a.m. yesterday morning, Lovelace discovered that the glass in the front door of the Jiffy's Store on Wilborn Avenue had been shattered in an apparent break-in.

"At this time, the amount of loss has not been determined," Lovelace said.
Police ask that anyone with information about these crimes call Lovelace or the Criminal Investigation Division of the South Boston Police Department at 575-7273, or Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS.

A Glimpse Of The Past
Heritage Festival Organizers Aim For Event To Resemble Old County Fairs From Past

It was a day-long glimpse into Halifax County's past, as a good crowd gathered at the First Annual Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival at the Halifax County Fairgrounds Saturday.

Antique farm machinery, including a lineup of tractors, assorted antique tools, classic cars and motorcycles, as well as various artwork and antiques highlighted the exhibits on display.

Festival organizers had wanted the event to resemble the old county fairs from the past, without the "big rides," but with enough exhibits and attractions to entertain the family.

That goal was accomplished, according to Linda Shepperd and Bobby Conner, who helped organize the event.

"I'm thrilled to death with the turnout for a first-year event," said Sheppard yesterday.

She said organizers are hoping to turn the festival into an annual event showcasing the county's rural farming heritage, and garner support for a heritage park planned for the new James Edmunds Memorial Park.

Judging by the response, both from exhibitors and the general public, that goal was accomplished.

"We did this to determine the interest in such an event, and obviously we were right," said Sheppard.

Sheppard said the turnout was excellent, adding many people found out about the festival simply through word-of-mouth.

Conner agreed.

"For a first-time event, the support of the community has been overwhelming," he said.

"The involvement of both Halifax County and the Town of South Boston was instrumental in providing the infrastructure for us."

Festival organizers expected over 100 exhibitors from as far away as North Carolina and Richmond.

One exhibitor, Wayne T. Smith, exemplified the spirit of the festival.

Smith, a Virgilina resident, drove his 1948 Allis-Chalmers tractor-baler from Omega to the fairgrounds, a distance of 12 miles.

"It was the first round baler ever produced," said Smith, who added it took an hour to drive the tractor the 12 miles to the festival grounds, with baler in tow.

Supes To Address Two-Year Tax Plan
Biennial Reassessment, New County Chief Expected To Be Addressed At Meeting

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors are expected to name a new county administrator and could vote on a proposed biennial property reassessment during tonight's meeting.

Supervisors will convene in the public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax at 7 p.m.

Late last week, Policy and Personnel Committee Chairman William Claiborne said the field of candidates to fill the county administrator's seat had been narrowed to two.

Claiborne said the Board would meet in closed session prior to tonight's meeting and make their decision.

A vote naming the final candidate is expected during tonight's meeting.

During their June 27 meeting, Board members voted to table biennial reassessment until tonight's meeting to study the issue.

At the earlier meeting on the issue, Finance Committee Chair Doug Bowman said reassessing property every two years would mean new income for the county.

"The more frequent reassessment has a positive impact on the revenue stream regardless of the budget," he said in making a motion to adopt the measure effective January 1, 2006.

But Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan countered that supervisors didn't have enough information to adopt the measure.

"I'd like more time for us to talk about it," he said during the June meeting.
Vaughan's motion originally tabled the issue until September, but was amended to be taken up during tonight's meeting.

Bowman told the group during the earlier meeting that the measure needed to be passed as soon as possible in order to be implemented in 2006.

"Any time you lose on the process will make it difficult to get it done in time (for the 2006 roll-out)," then-County Administrator Joe Morgan cautioned.

Financial Consultant John Anzivino has said that a reassessment every two years, while it could affect the county's composite index for state school funding, would net the county between $150 - $200,000.

According to Anzivino, a change in the reassessment cycle will have no impact on the composite index until 2011 due to South Boston reverting to a town, but it could possibly affect the composite index (in 2011).

But much of that difference could be made up in the property value of the Clover Power Plant, according to the financial consultant.

"In Halifax County, 34 cents of every real estate dollar is paid for by utility companies," he said in presenting the issue to supervisors. "The (six-year) reassessment cycle the county went through resulted in a net loss to the county of around $330,000."

The cost of setting up and staff a county reassessment office would be between $135 - $150,000, according to Anzivino.

"Overall, in looking at what the impacts would be to the county, it appears that the impact could occur that could affect school funding," he said earlier.

"On the one hand you'd be gaining revenue from the power plants, but it could be taken away from educational funding.

But the consultant said that when the costs of additional staff are taken into account the move could still be beneficial to the county.

"It appears the county could come out with a net of between $150 - $200,000 (annually)," Anzivino said during his earlier presentation.

During tonight's meeting, Board members are also expected to receive an update on the King Village Trail rural addition and be briefed by VDOT resident engineer Joe Barkley.

Jules Modlinski of the Southside Community Services Board and Jason Fisher of the Virginia Cooperative Extension are also expected to address the Board.

Season Ends For HC South
Halifax County South Saw Its World Series Bid Fall Short With A 3-0 Loss To Rustburg Friday

By Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax County South Dixie Youth all-star team fell shy in its bid for a World Series berth Friday night with a 3-0 loss to Rustburg in the championship game of the Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball Major League State Tournament here at the Day Complex.

It was a tough loss for Halifax County South which had split its first two encounters with Rustburg.

Nevertheless, Halifax County South manager Harold Carmichael said his team had given a good effort in its quest to become the first Halifax County South team to earn a berth in the Dixie Youth Baseball Major League World Series.

"I couldn't be happier for the boys," said Carmichael.

"I know they're disappointed right now, but, once they look back on it, they will realize what a great summer we've had."

Carmichael said he didn't feel either team was under a great deal of pressure in the title contest.

"I really enjoyed playing Rustburg because they were a well-coached team and they had fine ballplayers and fine fans," he pointed out.

"It was going to be put your knuckles up and go to swinging and the best team wins. Tonight, Rustburg did and I tip my hat to them."

Rustburg hurler Brandon West held Halifax County South to three hits, a single by Michael Puryear in the second inning, a hit by Jonathan Turner in the third inning and a bunt single by Demetre Faulkner and a double by Tyler Long in the fourth inning.

West fanned six of the 23 Halifax County South batters he faced, scattered the four hits and gave up no walks.

Despite getting only three hits, Halifax County South had a couple of possible scoring opportunities only to see them go by the wayside.

In the top of the third inning, Jonathan Turner reached base on an error to kick off the inning.

He moved to second base when Cody Reaves grounded out to the second baseman on a fielder's choice.

Curtis Reagan was hit by a pitch and went to first base to give Halifax County South two runners on base with one out.

The inning ended with Taylor Elliott going down on strikes and Ralph Tuck grounding out to the second baseman.

In the top of the fourth inning, Faulkner got things started with a bunt single and a one-out double by Long sent him to third base, putting runners on second base and third base with one out.

Again, Halifax County South stranded a pair of runners as Scott Rickman went down on strikes and Michael Puryear was robbed of what appeared to be a certain hit by a great catch of a line drive by Rustburg second baseman Lucas Moore.

Halifax County South stranded five runners in the contest.

"I think that's got a lot to do with the caliber of pitching we faced," Carmichael said.

"The pitcher that threw for them was probably the best pitcher we've faced all year. He didn't do anything but pound strikes in there and made us swing the bat.

"We swung the bat but they caught a couple of hard-hit balls," added Carmichael.

"Their second baseman made a heck of a catch that saved them two runs (in the fourth inning). If that hit drops in, it's a different ballgame."

Rustburg did all of its damage early, plating all three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Timmy Bagby tagged Long, Halifax County South's starting pitcher, for a one-out single to trigger the rally.

Dusty Arrowood reached base on an error to put two runners on the sacks and West helped his own cause with a two-RBI double to give his team a quick 2-0 lead.

Arrowood moved to third base and scored when Ross Garner grounded out to the HCS shortstop Tyquan Graves to give Rustburg a 3-0 lead it would never relinquish.

Halifax County South's defense did some nifty work in the second inning to prevent the game from getting further out of its reach.

Rustburg got back-to-back walks from Long to start the inning.

That proved to be the curtain call for Long as Puryear was brought to the mound.

Things got stickier when Cornell Brown, the first hitter Puryear faced, reached base on the second Halifax County South error of the game.

A nice catch by Graves of a hot line drive off of the bat of Rustburg's Tyler Morris saved a run.

Puryear fanned Bobby Bryant for the second out and the next batter, Tyler Brooks, grounded out to second base to end the inning.

Halifax County South also turned back a Rustburg threat in the third inning after Rustburg got singles from Grayson Gibson and Arrowood.

Puryear fanned three of the final six Rustburg batters he faced in the final two innings as HCS held Rustburg at bay.

But, HCS was unable to generate enough offense to manufacture a run.

Rustburg finished the game with six hits with Arrowood leading the way with two hits and Gibson, Bagby, West and Brown each chipping in a hit each.

Obituaries

James Willie Duffey

Funeral services for Mr. James Willie Duffey will be held today at 2 p.m., with services at the Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church.

The Revs. Steve Byrd and Courtney W. Coffer will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Mt.Laurel United Methodist Church cemetery.

Mr. Duffey died Saturday, July 31, at The Woodview.

He was 77.

Mr. Duffey was born in Halifax County on September 26, 1926, the son of the late Allie Schoolfield Duffey and the late Mamie Lou Williams Duffey.

He was a retired employee of Craddock & Terry, was a farmer and was a member of the Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Carrie Bell Duffey of South Boston; one daughter, Carolyn Wilson and husband Glenn of Clover; two sons, Ray Duffey and wife Bonnie and James Duffey, all of South Boston, eight grandchildren; Sandy W. Cabaniss of Clover, Cindy W. Collins of Crystal Hill, Johnny Wilson of Clover, Shawnie W. Cline of South Boston, Misty Jordan of Clarksville, Tasha Burton of Winston Salem, N.C., Cody Duffey of South Boston and Brooke Duffey of South Boston; and six great-grandchildren, E.C. Collins, Jessica Collins, Savanna Cabaniss, Jared Cabaniss, Gavin Jordan and Chase Burton.

Those wishing to make memorials are asked to consider the Halfiax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, Va., 24592 or the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, Va., 24592.

Lena Frances Good

Lena Frances Good, 76, of 1111 Wolf Trap Road, South Boston, died July 29 at her home.

She was born December 20, 1927, in Halifax County the daughter of the late Henry Good and Cora Brenneman Good. She was a member of Ebenezer Mennonite Church and was a retired mail clerk with Burlington Industries.

Survivors of Miss Good include two sisters, Ruth Good of South Boston and Ina Stalter of Stuarts Draft; one brother, Ira Good of South Boston; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother and four sisters, Beulah I. Good, Elizabeth Brunk, Dorothy Brunk, Mary Good and Louis Good.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 6 at 7 p.m. at Ebenezer Mennonite Church with Pastors Nathan Good and Kelvin Good officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Ebenezer Mennonite Church.

Otey Ellis Hammock

Mr. Otey Ellis Hammock, of Clays Mill Road, Halifax, died Sunday, August 1, at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 67.

He was born in Halifax County on April 27, 1937.

He was the son of James Daniel Hammock and Marie Ednes Tuck Hammock.
Mr. Hammock is survived by: four brothers, Ollie Stafford Hammock of Halifax, Kenneth Lee Hammock of Clays Mill, John Wayne Hammock of Halifax and Earl Thomas Hammock of Brookneal; three sisters, Rachel Jeannette Clay of Halifax, Margaret Arlene Morton of Charlotte Court House and Francis St John of Gladys; a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Bernice Lamb Lipford

Bernice Lamb Lipford, 64, of 1101 Ash Avenue, South Boston, died July 29 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Lipford was born in Rockingham County, N.C. on July 20, 1940, the daughter of Roland Lamb and Mary Charity Filyaw Lamb and was married to the late Phillip Owen Lipford.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Edward Spell of Mt. Laurel; one grandchild, Clayton Spell of Mt. Laurel; one sister, Marjorie Davis of Morehead City, N.C.; three brothers, Tillman ‘Dinker’ Lamb of Hillsboro, N.C., Lawrence ‘Buck’ Lamb of Lake City, S.C., and Larry Lamb of Illinois. She was preceded in death by one brother, Hammy Lamb; and one sister, Gertrude Michael.

Funeral services for Mrs. Lipford were held August 1 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Vance Midgett conducting the service. Burial followed in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Rescue Squad or the Clover Volunteer Fire Department.

Harvey Lee Lipscomb, Sr.

Mr. Harvey Lee Lipscomb, Sr., of Hankins Loop Road, South Boston, died on July 29, at his residence at the age of 65.

Funeral services for Mr. Lipscomb will be held Tuesday, August 3, at 2 p.m., with services at First Baptist Church in News Ferry.

The Rev. Ronnie King will conduct the service.

Burial will follow in the Lipscomb family plot.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Lipscomb, Jr., 1071 Hankins Loop Road, South Boston.

Mr. Lipscomb was born in Halifax County on April 25, 1939 and was the son of the late Mr. Ellis Lipscomb and Mrs. Geneva Delia Hankins Lipscomb. He was a member of First Baptist Church in News Ferry.

Mr. Lipscomb is survived by; a son, Harvey Lee Lipscomb, Jr. and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Rose Lipscomb of South Boston; five grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, other relatives and friends.

Sadie Moore Stokes

Mrs. Sadie Moore Stokes died Saturday, July 31, in Greenville, N.C.
The funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel.

Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park.

Mrs. Stokes was a native of Pitt County and a lifelong resident of Greenville.
She was employed with Burroughs-Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company for 25 years prior to her retirement. She was preceded in death by a faithful pet, Brandon.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Stokes; a daughter, Wendy Sutton Flake and husband, K.A., of Bell Arthur; a son, Randy Daniels and wife, Shona, of Farmville; four grandchildren, Lane and Page Sutton, and Miranda and Skylar Daniels; two sisters, Christine Baker of South Boston, and Doris Weathersby of Winterville; and a brother, David Moore of Greenville.