JPS Apparel Fabric officials yesterday would neither confirm nor deny that operations at its South Boston plant might be curtailed.
Rumors spread like wildfire this week that the textile plant that provides employment for an estimated 350 persons might, indeed, cease to operate.
Employees received their paychecks several days earlier than normal and were told to cash and or deposit them immediately. Many were even allowed to leave their work stations, cash payroll checks and return to work.
"We want to make sure our people get paid," said Ron Brown, JPSAF human resources manager who added, "the company is going through some difficult times."
Brown said that JPS Apparel's three manufacturing plants, two of which are located in Greenville and Laurens, S.C., were planning to shut down the last week of June and the first week of July.
Brown called the week of the fourth of July shutdown "normal" since the policy of closing during the holiday was a tradition. The additional week of shutdown, however, is uncommon and is being done because of poor business conditions.
"Business is tough!"
"We are operating in a very difficult economy," said Brown who noted that JPSAF operating schedules were no different than those of its competitors.
Unique to its South Boston operation are troubles that have nothing to do with the economy however. A devastating fire March 29 resulted in significant losses at the 60-year-old textile facility.
Fire of undetermined origin broke out not long after the plant experienced an electrical power failure that afternoon. Fire was concentrated in the weave room and spread to the ceiling and rooftop before being contained, a task that took firemen almost 12 hours to accomplish.
As many as seven looms were damaged or destroyed and, as a result of the fire, a number of employees were temporarily laid off.
The South Boston plant operates four, 12-hour shifts and, according to Brown, has no immediate plans to change its work schedule
JPS Apparel Fabric was formed in last November when Greenville, S.C.-based JPS Industries agreed to sell off the South Boston plant along with two textile operations in South Carolina.
JPSA Acquisition Corporation, a company formed by two veteran textile executives, H. Doug Kingsmore and Jerry E. Hunter, purchased the three plants and assets from the JPS Apparel Division.
The South Boston plant started 60 years ago as Carter Fabrics, was later acquired by JP Stevens and was once a part of West Point Pepperell.
Today, JPS Apparel produces synthetic acetate and rayon fabrics used primarily for women's fashions and sportswear.
The three manufacturing facilities, corporate headquarters, marketing and sales organization, had approximately 1,200 employees and sales of $120 million annually when the acquisition was announced November 17, 2000.

Maurice Daniel Dance, a 23-year-old South Boston man, was sentenced yesterday in Halifax County Circuit Court to a total of six years in prison for his convictions on two firearms charges.
Judge Charles L. McCormick III additionally revoked two years of Dance's previously suspended 10-year prison sentence for failing to comply with his conditions of probation and parole as ordered by the court.
The court suspended all but two years of Dance's five-year sentence for possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, and ordered it to be served concurrently with Dance's 12-month sentence for misdemeanor possession of a concealed weapon, as well as with the reimposed two-year sentence for the probation violation, for a total of two years in prison.
The suspended portions of Dance's sentence were made conditional on his good behavior for five years following his release.
· Rickie Lewis Compton, 32, of South Boston, was sentenced yesterday to five years each in prison for two habitual offender convictions, and to 12 months each for a misdemeanor second offense of DUI and felony hit and run.
Judge McCormick suspended all but 12 months each of Compton's habitual offender convictions, and ordered them to be served concurrently with the 12-month DUI and hit and run charges, for a total effective prison sentence of two years.
The court additionally ordered a two-year period of active supervised probation for Compton upon his release, and also ordered him to abstain from alcohol and undergo alcohol counseling.
Work release was also authorized for Compton.
· Carolyn Denise Goode, 28, of Virgilina, was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison for the possession of cocaine.
Judge McCormick suspended Goode's entire sentence, conditional on her good behavior for five years.
The court additionally ordered Goode to serve a two-year period of active supervised probation and undergo random drug tests.
· Tony Anthony Jones aka Ira Tony Jones, 22, of South Boston, had one year of his previously suspended five-year prison sentence revoked yesterday for a violation of probation conditions.
The court ordered a one-year probationary period for Jones following his release.
· Lamont Boyse Williams, 24, of South Boston, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for the possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Judge McCormick suspended all but two years and five months of Williams' sentence, conditional on his good behavior for 10 years following his release.

A proposal by Halifax Regional Hospital to rezone land along Beechmont Road in order to construct a new parking lot will come under scrutiny during a public hearing at tonight's South Boston Planning Commission meeting.
Tonight's meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at council chambers on Yancey Street.
Beechmont Subdivision property owners expressed their objections to the hospital's original plan to rezone approximately 4 acres of land from a R-1 Low Density Residential District to a T-1 Transitional District.
As a result, hospital officials will ask for only a 50-foot variance at this time in order to construct the parking lot to their specifications.
Several homeowners of the Beechmont Subdivision are expected to attend the meeting and some are expected to air their concerns.
Residents' objections centered around increased traffic on Beechmont Road, neighborhood integrity and safety.
"We worked out a compromise. I told Chris (Lumsden, CEO, Halifax Regional Hospital) I would support a 50-foot variance as opposed to rezoning the whole hill," said Beechmont resident L.F. Elliott.
The rear of the Elliott property will face the proposed parking lot.
"They (hospital officials) said they were going to landscape it amd make it as inconspicuous as possible.
"I'm sure this is going to degrade some of the value of my property, but I feel it is a good compromise," Elliott added.
"We're keeping the bottom of the hill in trees and are maintaining the integrity and value of the neighborhood."
Elliott said any move by the hospital to go beyond the current project and develop property further down the hill along the side of Beechmont Drive will be opposed.
The proposal also directly affects the property of Eric and Sterling Roberts, located just down the hill and directly across from the proposed location of the parking lot.
Roberts and Elliott are the two landowners who would be most affected by the move.
Sterling Roberts, who expects to be at tonight's public hearing, said she was concerned with increased traffic and the resulting safety issues surrounding the project.
Eric Roberts indicated yesterday that he and the Elliotts were going to support the compromise move.
Lumsden said yesterday that the 50-foot variance would "allow us to build the approximate 100-space parking lot the way we want to build it."
"We initially asked for the whole parcel to be zoned T-1...we've since changed and asked for a piece to be rezoned T-1 for us to build a parking lot," said Lumsden.
Elliott and Roberts were sent letters informing them of the hospital's plans soon after the original proposal was presented to town officials about six weeks ago, according to Lumsden.
"We submitted the request (to town officials), then sent a letter to those whom we felt were the most affected, even though it's not a requirement to do so," said Lumsden.
"We've tried to be accommodating and understanding," added Lumsden, saying tonight's public hearing is a chance for other subdivision residents to air their concerns.
Lumsden added the additional parking was needed to accommodate the future growth of the hospital, and that it would be available to hospital staff, patients and visitors.
The Halifax Regional CEO said he is aware that the parking lot would result in additional lighting and traffic, but that it was needed for the hospital to grow and expand in an appropriate way.
Lumsden said also that outside of the zoning issue, the hospital would work with the town on speed limit signage and enforcement, as well as a restriction to parking along the curb in certain sections.
Lumsden said that the hospital had no plans at present for the rest of the parcel currently zoned R-1.
"We're seeking what's needed for our growth - it's not worth it to fight the battle if we don't have a use for the rest of the parcel."

Supervisors officially adopted the county's $59,934,310 million FY 2001-02 county budget package Monday night, one carrying a 4-cent real estate take hike that moves rates from 36 cents per assessed $100 to 40 cents.
The budget reflects an $800,000 increase in school funding, the only agency increase as supervisors fought to keep expenses down.
The personal property tax will be $1.26 per $100 valuation. The industrial machinery and tools tax (per $100 valuation) based on 50 percent of original capitalized cost is $1.26.
The 4-cent real estate tax hike this fiscal year is the first in a series of proposed 4-cent hikes through 2002 as the county attempts to restore a cash reserve. In 2004 the current proposal would have the rate drop to 40 cents but then return to 43 cents in 2005 and 48 cents in 2006.
During the Monday night session supervisors also accepted a $1,130,000 bid by Shamrock Environmental Corp. to close the old section of Bethel Landfill. Shamrock's was the lowest of three bids received.
Supervisors also approved a recommendation to have the Bethel area closure monitored for quality assurance.
DEQ requires that the older area be capped. Joe Morgan, county administrator, told supervisors that the capping should be completed in 2002.
Morgan also said that the cost of new landfills will require tipping fees for all users, not only commercial users.
The county administrator said that over 400 tons per day would be needed for a cost effective operation. With over 400 tons, the tipping fee would be closer to $30 per ton, according to the county administrator.
Supervisors action on the Bethel site followed an earlier presentation by South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel and Morgan on the South Boston landfill, which is currently used by Halifax County as the town moves toward an anticipated closure date of its site by December 2007, two years later than the original date.
Daniel said Monday night that the 2007 closure date was achievable.
Site activity at the HC-SB Landfill in South Boston from July 1, 2000 through June 15, 2001 reflects 15,142 total tickets processed. Total revenues charged equal $440,414.
Supervisors and South Boston Town Council also passed an EMS resolution supporting the Virginia Association of Counties recommendation urging that the effective date of new regulations be delayed at least one year until Jan. 1, 2003.
The Virginia Dept. of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services is in the process of revising the Virginia EMS regulations and since the draft consists of nearly 300 pages of text, local officials worried many small and rural jurisdictions may be unaware of the changes proposed and that there is not sufficient time to address many required changes and any budgetary adjustments by Jan. 1, 2002, the date the Virginia Office of EMS sought as the effective date.
The Halifax Town Council, which did not have a quorum present Monday night, is to take action on the EMS resolution at a later day.
In other business, Linda Daniels, manager of the Virginia Employment Commission, presented a program on the Workforce Investment Act.
Supervisors approved two requests for fireworks permits, one by Falcon Fireworks for Virginia International Raceway for July 7, 2001, and one by the Halifax County Fair Association for Oct. 2, 2001.

Larry L. McPeters, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Halifax County, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the Extension professional honor organization, during its annual meeting in Blacksburg.
McPeters was cited for a career of service to agriculture and especially for his work in economic development. He has served on the Halifax-South Boston Economic Development Commission since 1984 including as chair from 1989 through 1994. During his tenure five new industries, with a capital investment of $1.3 billion, were started in the region.
He received several awards for his work including the Virginia Economic Development Volunteer of the Year Award in 1992, the State Extension Director's Award for Excellence in 1988, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award in 1985.
He also was appointed to the A.L. Philpott Commission and Legislative Task Force for Economic Development Study and the Philpott Commission for Studying Alternative Uses for Tobacco. He joined a task force to find new market alternatives consistent with the production resources available in Southside. Its work led to the construction of the Southside Virginia Produce Cooperative. That effort was honored by Epsilon Sigma Phi as the state outstanding team in 1984.
McPeters continues to develop new programs to help tobacco growers adapt to the changing environment. For example, one of the programs offered with other agencies in the region provided research-based information to about 3,400 tobacco producers and allotment holders last year alone.
David Barrett, director of Virginia Cooperative Extension, said that the Epsilon Sigma Phi awards provide the opportunity for Extension to honor those whose many contributions make Extension an outstanding organization in the Commonwealth.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, a part of Virginia Tech and Virginia State universities, provides scientific information that citizens can use to improve their lives at work and home. Extension is a cooperative effort of local governments, state government, the land-grant universities, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A late bid by the Halifax County Collegiate Sluggers baseball team fell short Monday night in a 4-1 loss to the Ringgold All Stars.
The loss was the team's second of the year and put the Sluggers at 9-2 for the season.
Halifax County had demonstrated good hitting through the early stages of the season but couldn't ignite the bats against Ringgold.
Trailing 4-0, the Sluggers plated their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Justin Saunders walked, moved to second base on a passed ball and scored on a hit from designated hitter Chris Conner.
Halifax County had an opportunity to climb back into contention in the bottom of the final inning but was unable to score and break the game open.
The Sluggers managed to load the sacks with a base hit and two walks and were facing a two-out situation when Saunders came to the plate.
Saunders went down swinging on the third strike but the ball got past the Ringgold catcher.
All of the Halifax County runners were on the move but Ringgold threw out Collegiate's Chad Compton at the plate to get the final out and end the game.
Ringgold got on the scoreboard early with a solo homer in the third inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Ringgold got a hit and a pair of walks off of Collegiate hurler Justin Smith to load the sacks.
Conner came to the mound in relief and the first batter hit a grounder to Conner who triggered a double play by firing the ball to Compton, the catcher, to get the force out at the plate.
Compton, in turn, fired the ball to first baseman Jerry Dallas to nail the batter going to first base.
Unfortunately, the next Ringgold batter came up with a hit that scored a run to make it a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth inning, Ringgold managed to get a pair of runners on the bases and came up with a base hit that plated both to take a 4-0 lead.
That set the stage for the Halifax County bid in the sixth and seventh innings that fell short

Letitia Parke Spencer Strange of 12115 Mountain Road, Vernon Hill died June 17 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Strange was born in Pittsylvania County the daughter of William Draper Spencer and Annie Shelton Spencer and was married to James Hudson Strange.
Survivors include four daughters, Harriette C. Smith of Annapolis, Md., Sidney C. Barker of Mooresville, N.C., Patricia S. Tanksley of Ringgold and Kay Strange Ford of Halifax; one son, James Hudson Strange Jr. of Raleigh,N.C. and 11 grandchildren.
Graveside services for Mrs. Strange will be held today, June 20 at Highland Burial Park at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Carl Burger conducting the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Oak Level Volunteer Fire Dept., 2019 Oak Level Road, Halifax, 24558.

Lois Hamrick Fincher, 94, of Charlotte, N.C., died June 16 at Wesley Care Center.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on June 19 at Cole Memorial United Methodist Church. A family burial service was held at Sharon Memorial Park.
Born August 23, 1906, in Boiling Springs, Mrs. Fincher was a daughter of the late Edwin and Osie Foy Hamrick and was married to Joe Fincher. He and their son, Frank Fincher, preceded her in death. Her sister, Winfrey 'Wink' Shuman, died the day following Mrs. Fincher's death.
Survivors include two children, Jane Seeger of Rocky Mount and son, Ben E. Fincher and his wife, Brenda of South Boston; seven grandchildren, Becky Eller, Joe Seeger, Christy Ford, Frank Fincher, Ben K. Fincher, Will Fincher and Susan Fincher, and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by five sisters and one brother, Marjorie Parker of Charlotte, Eunice Hamrick, Martha Suttle, Dorothy Hamrick, Betty Hamrick and Thomas Hamrick, all of Boiling Springs.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the charity of choice.

John Hampton Calloway of 1017 Wooding Road, Sutherlin, died June 15 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born December 24, 1941, in Halifax County, he was the son of the late Dewey and Orpha Lipscomb Calloway who survives. He was married to Mable Calloway who also survives. Mr. Calloway was a retired truck driver.
In addition to his wife and mother, survivors include two daughters, Hilda Annette Logan of South Boston and Brenda Bennett of Danville; one sister, Sallie Samuel of Sutherlin; three brothers, Paul Calloway of Philadelphia, Pa., Thomas Calloway of Sutherlin and Wayne Calloway of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Calloway will be at 1 p.m. today, June 20 at White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Sutherlin. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Elder Eddie Davis will officiate.

Grace Gilliam Anderson, 75, of 19111 L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, died June 18 at the Medical Care Center. She was the daughter of the late Gordon B. Anderson and the late Jessie Adams Anderson.
Ms. Anderson was born in Lynchburg on January 23, 1926. She was an active member of Childrey Baptist Church, the Golden Years Club, a former Sunday school teacher and pianist. She was also a former associate member of First Baptist Church in Danville. Ms. Anderson was a graduate of Longwood College and received her Master's degree in Education at the University of Virginia, a retired school teacher of 40 years in Danville.
She is survived by her aunts, Geraldine S. Adams of Brookneal and Virginia W. Adams of Richmond; her cousins, Dr. R.F. Burke Steele Jr. and wife, Betty of Petersburg, Louise S. Steele of Raleigh, N.C., Richard T. Adams and wife, June, James E. Adams and wife, Peri all of Brookneal and Robert C. Adams and wife, Denise of Rockville.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. June 21 at Childrey Baptist Church by the Rev. Rodney Barwick. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 this evening, June 20 at Henderson Funeral Home in Brookneal, and other times at the home.