Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Town Sells Surplus (To Employees Only)

Two pickups and a backhoe were bought by South Boston employees during a sealed-bid offering Friday, Town Finance Director Vandie Saunders confirmed yesterday.
Bidding was open to town employees only.
Some citizens are crying foul, saying taxpayers bought the equipment and the town’s auctions should be advertised and open to the pubic.
“Making sure you have a competitive bid is the requirement,” Town Manager Ted Daniel said yesterday.
South Boston Mayor Carroll Thackston said it was “all news to him” when contacted yesterday. “We sort of treat that as internal practices. I really cannot offer any opinion. I assume it was legal the way it was done or Ted and Vandie would not have done it, as far as I’m concerned,” he added.
Saunders was one of the buyers in the auction, offering the high bid of $1,650 for a 1990 Dodge Pickup 250. Mileage on the four-wheel truck is unknown due to a broken speedometer, Saunders said. The truck’s condition, which had been hit in the rear, was rated fair to poor by Allen Auld, director of Public Works, and Charles Pruitt, fleet manager, according to Saunders.
The finance director said a $800 minimum bid was set on the Dodge, and that there were three bids, with the low $1,322 and the high, $1,650.
The 1994 backhoe drew seven bids with a low of $1,200 and a high of $4,999 by Ron Taylor, according to town officials. A $1,000 minimum was set on the backhoe, which had an estimated 8,000 hours on it and was described as in poor condition.
A 1986 Ford F150 two-wheel drive pickup brought a high of $327 from Danny McCormick. The vehicle drew three bids, with the lowest $222, according to Saunders. The truck had been in a wreck with damage to the side of the body, he added.
The finance director said the Kelly Blue Book value on an ’86 Ford in fair condition was $538. “And this one was wrecked,” he added.
Saunders said that sealed bids had to be submitted by 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, with successful bidders notified early this week.
“The first one done that I am aware of,” Daniel said yesterday when asked if the town had previously followed this procedure.

 

Virgilina Man Charged ‘Love Triangle’ Murder

A Virgilina man was charged with first-degree murder Saturday for his involvement in an apparent “love triangle" that turned violent, resulting in the death of a 43-year-old Oxford, N.C., man, according to Granville (N.C.) County Sheriff David T. Smith.
Percy Lynn Nelson was found dead Saturday morning in his truck at the Granville County Landfill, north of Oxford, according to the sheriff.
After an intensive daylong investigation, investigators with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office identified two suspects, who turned themselves in Saturday evening, according to police.
The two suspects were identified as Jamie Paul Auld, 27, of Rip Rap Road in Virgilina and Vallie Elisha Tucker, 31, of Kittrell, N.C., police said.
“All three knew each other,” Smith said. “Our investigation is revealing that this really was a love triangle type situation that heated up over the last few months.”
According to the sheriff, the altercation at the landfill stemmed from Auld and Nelson’s relationship with Tucker. Auld is currently dating Tucker and Nelson had a previous relationship with her.
Tucker has children by both men, the sheriff said.
According to police, the situation turned violent at the landfill.
“An altercation took place outside the vehicle and the victim was cut,” Smith said. “We recovered the knife at the scene.”
Police are attributing Nelson’s death to injuries sustained from the knife. During the altercation, police believe Nelson got into his truck in an attempt to escape the attack.
“Instead of turning left to exit the landfill,” the sheriff said, “the truck continued straight, struck a tree and became lodged in a embankment.
“We are thinking that after the altercation Nelson was disoriented and maybe that’s why he hit the tree,” Smith added.
A citizen using the waste deposit station at the landfill reported a vehicle with a body slumped over to authorities. Police received the call at approximately 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Granville EMS personnel later determined Nelson was dead, according to police.
Nelson’s body was transported to the state medical examiner’s office in Chapel Hill for an autopsy, police said.
Auld and Tucker are currently being held at the Granville County Jail with no bond. Their next scheduled court appearance is set for February 16.

South Boston Speedway Owners Consider Putting Testing Facility At “Your Hometown Track”

No action was taken by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors on a potential Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application following a hearing and presentation by Tim Frost, president of Frost Motorsports.
The action came during Monday’s meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
Frost’s presentation was the result of a 2004 planning grant to look at the expansion of South Boston Speedway to include testing facilities.
“This feasibility study had four things to look at,” Lovelace told the Board. “If a testing facility were established here, how much support would it have? What incentives, in addition to the test track, would be necessary for teams to locate here? What would we need to incorporate into the facility to make it an attraction destination? And finally, would the facility create jobs for low-to-middle income residents?”
Frost told the Board that the proposed facility would include a testing facility located on 300 acres currently used as the Halifax County Fairgrounds.
It would include an oval test track of one-half mile, three-quarters of a mile and one-mile. In addition, the facility would have a quarter-mile drag strip.
Plans for the property include incentives for race teams to locate to Halifax County and a theme park, Frost said.
“It’s our opinion that this type of facility doesn’t exist in the country,” he said. “This is a unique opportunity to benefit various segments of the economy.”
Frost said the total construction costs would be in the neighborhood of $20-$25 million and would generate around 364 jobs.
Speaking in favor of the proposal, former NASCAR driver Ward Burton said motorsports is a burgeoning industry.
“You should look at this with an open mind,” he said. “It could be a way to add a lot of excitement and economic development to the area. Our children have a very limited opportunity to stay in this county. There are not enough jobs and opportunities.
“There are a lot of jobs in motorsports,” Burton added. “Not just driving or owning teams. There are a lot of positive things that could happen through a plan like this. This is something you should look into.”
Speedway owner Joe Mattioli said he took an option on the property based on the assumption that there was a market for the planned facility.
“Right now in NASCAR, there are restrictions on how much testing they can do on their tracks,” he said. “I have contacted Rousch Racing and they said if a track were built within two and a half hours of Charlotte, they’d use it 200 days a year.
“The up and coming teams would be looking at the economic advantage of moving to an area like South Boston.
“We have this idea and we aren’t big enough to do it ourselves,” Mattioli added. “If you get the teams to locate here, I can’t think of anything else that would help South Boston turn around quicker.”
“I have no problem with it,” Rev. Ford said. “But it bothers me that we talk about job creation for low to middle income families and it never seems to happen. If you’re going to put in for this type of money and get it on the backs of low to middle income people, they should see some benefits from it.”

Margaret Lawson Hundley Barley

Margaret Lawson Hundley Barley, 84, of Bassett died February 7 at Stanleytown Health Care in Bassett.
Mrs. Barley was born May 22, 1920, the daughter of William T. Lawson and Rosie Rorrer Lawson, and was first married to the late Culas Hundley and then to Abner Barley. She was a member of Fort Trial Baptist Church and retired from Fieldcrest Mills after 40 years of service.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Judy Scott of South Boston and Linda Barham of Winston-Salem, N.C.; two sons, James Hundley of Orange Park, Fla. And Steve Barley of Midlothian; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Barley was also preceded in death by four sisters, Lula L. Barley, Lillie L. Turner, Bertie L. Wright, and Virginia Carmichael; and four brothers, Charlie E., Edgar S. G. Buren and W. Carl Lawson.
Funeral services will be held at Norris Funeral Services Chapel in Martinsville at 2 p.m. tomorrow, February 10. The Rev. Joey NcNeill will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Burial Park.
The family will receive friends this evening, February 9, from 6:00 until 8:00 at the funeral home and other times at the home.

Dwayne Ray Hatten

Dwayne Ray Hatten, 45, of Marble Falls, Texas died February 4 at Seton Medical Center in Auxtin, Texas.
He was born February 22, 1959, in Norfolk the son of Patsy Ruth Hatten Maki and the late Donald Eugene Hatten.
Survivors of Mr. Hatten include his mother of Marble Falls; three sisters, Brenda Watkins and Patricia Hatten-Knzen, both of Marble Falls, and Jeannie Marie Hatten of Semora, N.C.; and one stepson, Brian Roehl of Marble Falls.
Funeral services will be held today, February 9 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel in South Boston. The Rev. Dr. Michael Parnell and the Rev. John Woodward will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.

 

 

Rogers Is Right On Course

As The HCHS Comets Boys Indoor Track Team Continues To Step Up

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

Taron Rogers and the Comets boys indoor track team are right on course for one of its best seasons in several years.
Rogers, a senior and team tri-captain along with fellow seniors Justin Davis and Dewane Bradley, has set his sights on a regional championship in the 500-Meter Race, after finishing third in that event at the district meet.
The Comets boys indoor track team finished a strong third in that meet, held last Saturday at Heritage High School in Lynchburg.
In all, 18 of 20 Comets boys qualified for the regional meet compared to only two last year, and that progress hasn’t escaped the notice of coach Ralph Robinson.
The difference, he noted, is attitude.
“The big difference from last year to this year is that I see a totally different attitude," he noted. “We have the same kids this year, but they’re tougher and their attitude has changed. That makes all the difference in the world."
“They show up to practice, and our coaches are a lot tougher on them than before. We demand a lot from this year’s team and we’ve gotten everything we’ve asked from them," continued Robinson.
“We ask them to do something and they go out and do it, and they actually enjoy it."
That hard work has “upped the ante" for expectations from this year’s team, a challenge Rogers is happy to accept.
“He wants the best out of us," said Rogers. “We’ve been working a lot harder, and coach Robinson has been pushing us a lot harder. That’s the only way to get better."
Rogers, who has competed in indoor track for two years and outdoor track for three, said the sport has benefited him enormously, both mentally and physically.
“Track has given me more focus, has made me more focused in school and it gives me something to do after school," he noted.
“I don’t know what I’d do without track or where I would be right now."
Running and training has become a full-time passion for Rogers, who has run cross country in the fall the past several seasons.
He even trains through the heat of summer and has traveled to Lynchburg to train at times.
Rogers’ goal is to attend college on a track scholarship, preferably at Virginia State University in Petersburg, but is currently focused on the regionals, after a close third-place finish in the 500 at the district meet
“I had a good finishing kick but not quite enough to catch the leader, and I’m working real hard the next two or three weeks to be number one at the regionals," said Rogers.
“That’s my goal."
Robinson said Rogers’ work ethic has had a positive influence on his teammates, with obvious results.
“Taron’s been here for two years, and he’s a very tough kid," began Robinson.
“His attitude and his toughness have boiled over to the rest of the team. He’s a leader, a captain and everything you ask him to do, he does. Not only does he go through the school’s strength and conditioning program, he comes out to practice and works twice as hard, as do some others."
Rogers epitomizes what being a really good athlete is all about, according to Robinson.
“If you want to be the best, you’ve got to do it year-round," said Robinson. “He’s one of the best runners in the region.
“Honestly, I’m just glad Taron is part of the team. Every single day, he comes to work and there’s no joking in it. The kids who are around him see the work ethic he brings and it trickles down to them.
“They really want to have that success, and the one thing I remind my seniors is if you’re going to be a leader, do it the right way. Taron does a great job of that, for the things he says around them and the way he acts.
“The things he does exemplifies a captain and team leader."
Rogers mentioned a friendly rivalry with the Comets girls track team as extra motivation for the boys track team.
“I’m not vocal, but I try and set an example for others to follow," said Rogers. “I have to be good at what I do in order to be thought of as a leader, and I try to be the best I can be. I like being there to lead the team and I’m happy to be a team leader.
“This year, we want it more," he emphasized. “We know we are better and are capable of doing great things, so we want to compete.
“We can’t let the girls get ahead of us and we have to prove something to them," he noted with a wry smile.
“They’re always telling us about their first-place finishes and stuff like that, so we need to show them what we can do."

It’s Tournament Time For HCMS Boys, Girls

Lions Basketball Teams Unbeaten As They Enter Tonight’s Opening Round Of The Southside Middle School Conference Basketball Tournament

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

It’s tournament time for the Halifax County Middle School boys and girls basketball teams.
The two Lions squads will enter tonight’s Southside Middle School Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Halifax County Middle School with identical 8-0 records in the conference and 12-0 marks overall.
The Lions girls, the top seed in the East Division, will take the floor tonight at 5:45 p.m. against Lunenburg, the number four seed in the West Division.
The Lions boys, also the top seed in the East Division, will play Amelia, the number four seed in the West Division, at 7 p.m.
Halifax County Middle School will host the semifinal and championship rounds here this week with four games set for Friday and the two tournament title games set for Saturday night.
Friday’s semifinal games will feature the girls semifinals at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., while the boys semifinal games will be played at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Each of the two Lions teams has benefited from strong defense in the regular season. The Lions girls have averaged holding their opponents to 20 points a game, while the Lions boys team has been almost as stingy, allowing its opponents little more than 25 points per contest.
Halifax County Middle Schools two basketball teams have also gotten the job done on the offensive end of the floor.
The Lions boys team averages 52 points a game on offense, while the Lions girls are averaging a robust 58 points per game.
Competition has been keen in both the East and West Divisions this season. Park View has fielded strong boys and girls teams in the East Division, both entering the tournament as the number two seed with 5-3 conference records.
Central of Charlotte Courthouse sits atop both the boys and girls standings in the West Division, with the boys team having a 7-1 mark in conference play and the girls team having a perfect 8-0 slate.
The Park View boys drew Powhatan (4-4), the number three seed from the West for their quarterfinal assignment, while the Park View girls will face Nottoway (3-5), the number three seed from the West Division.
Russell (4-4) is the boys’ number three seed in the East and will face the number two seed in the West, Nottoway (6-2) in one of today’s quarterfinal contests.
E.W. Wyatt (2-6), the number four seed in the East, will play Central of Charlotte Courthouse (7-1), the top seed in the West in another of today’s quarterfinal games.
On the girls side, E.W. Wyatt (5-3), the number three seed in the East, faces the number two seed in the West, Amelia (4-4) in today’s quarterfinal action.
Bluestone (1-7), the number four seed in the East, gets the tough task of playing Central of Charlotte Courthouse (8-0), the West top seed, in today’s quarterfinal round.
Southside Middle School Conference Boys Basketball Tournament
Wednesday Quarterfinal Games
E.W. Wyatt Vs. Central of Charlotte Courthouse
Powhatan Vs. Park View
Amelia Vs. Halifax County – Home - 7 p.m.
Russell Vs. Nottoway
Friday Semifinal Games
(At Halifax County Middle School)
Central/E.W. Wyatt winner vs. Park View/Powhatan winner - 4:30 p.m.
Amelia/Halifax County winner vs. Nottoway/Russell winner - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Championship Game (At Halifax County Middle School)
Semifinal winners - 6:30 p.m.
Southside Middle School Girls Basketball Tournament
Wednesday Quarterfinals
Bluestone Vs. Central
Nottoway Vs. Park View
Lunenburg Vs. Halifax County – Home - 5:45 p.m.
E.W. Wyatt Vs. Amelia
Friday Semifinal Games
(At Halifax County Middle School)
Central/Bluestone winner vs. Parkview/Nottoway winner - 3 p.m.
Halifax County/Lunenburg winner vs. Amelia/E.W. Wyatt winner - 6 p.m.
Saturday Championship Game
(At Halifax County Middle School)
Semifinal winners - 5 p.m.

Comets Eye Final Two Games

HCHS Faces Carlisle Tonight, GW Friday

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

It’s the final week of the regular season and, for the Halifax County High School varsity boys cagers, it is a week that could yield a winning season.
The Comets have two contests this week, a non-district road game tonight at 7 p.m. against Carlisle School and the season finale here Friday night at 7:30 p.m. with a Senior Night contest against archrival GW.
With victories in both games, Halifax County can finish the 2004-2005 regular-season campaign with a winning record.
The Comets will enter tonight’s non-district game against Carlisle School with a 10-10 slate and having won three of their last five outings. And, with a win over Carlisle School here on January 25, the Comets will be looking to make a sweep of their two meetings with the Chiefs when they take the court for tonight’s contest.
Friday night’s contest here against archrival GW is the headline game of the week for the Comets who are battling for a good seeding for next week’s Western valley District Tournament.
Halifax County is 3-4 in district play entering Friday’s game and needs a win to have a shot at third place and a longshot of a chance at second place.
“The GW game becomes ultimately important,” Dillard said after Friday night’s disappointing overtime loss to Franklin County.
“ We have four losses and you win (against GW) and that puts you 4-4 in the district with a good possibility to finish third and a chance to finish second.”
There is a lot of activity in the Western Valley District this weekend and it will not be until Friday night’s action is concluded that a clear picture will come with regard to the final district standings and the seedings for next week’s tournament.
GW and Patrick Henry were to play last night in a game that would have a major impact on the standings. GW entered last night’s game in second place in the standings and, a pair of losses this week would put GW in a big tangle with PH and Halifax County in the battle for second through fourth place.
“If they (GW) lose and come to our place with three losses, then we have a chance to tie them and have a chance to finish in a tie for second,” Dillard pointed out.
“ PH has lost to us, GW and Franklin County and, if they beat GW and Franklin County they finish second.
“A lot of things can happen this week and we just have to play our best and see what happens,” the Comets coach concluded.