Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Tentative Agreement On King Village Land Price
County Will Pay $50,000 For Right-Of-Way Land

Following a day of negotiations at Riverstone Technology Park, attorneys for the county and the Lacy family have reached an agreement on the price of 2.9 acres that will be taken by the county for a right-of-way into the King Village community.
Russell Slayton, the county’s attorney, said yesterday that representatives from both parties have agreed to purchase the property for $50,000.
“The payment will not be made until the entire matter is concluded,” he said.
According to hand-written notes taken during the negotiations and provided to the media, the county and the Lacys agree that:
“Upon the conclusion of all appeals and the vesting of clear and marketable title to the subject property in the county, payment shall be made by the county in the total amount of $50,000 to D. Epps Lacy and James Lacy as full and final compensation for the property it (Halifax County) seeks to take by its petition for condemnation and any damages, if any, to the residue.”
Prior to yesterday’s negotiations, two hearings were scheduled.
“There was a hearing scheduled for May 8 to determine the compensation to the landowners,” he said. “That will not go forward.”
The second hearing, a pretrial hearing to finalize other issues related to the case, will be held today.
Yesterday’s agreement was subject to approval by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors.
At a called meeting early yesterday evening, on a motion by Supervisor Bryant Claiborne and with a second by Doug Bowman, supervisors unanimously passed the resolution to accept the agreement with Supervisors James Edmunds and Wayne Conner absent.
The trial is scheduled to begin May 8, according to a spokesman for the Halifax County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

 

Murder Suspect Commits Suicide
With Police Outside The Door

With police closing in, murder suspect Hubert Anderson reportedly took his own life Sunday afternoon in a Volens residence, according to Captain Larry Fears of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Anderson, 58, of Cornelia’s Lane in Nathalie, was wanted by the Granville County (N.C.) Sheriff’s Department for questioning regarding a Sunday morning shooting in North Carolina that left his wife, Deloris “Sissy” Anderson, dead and another woman, Carolyn Almond, in serious condition at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, Fears said.
Almond, who was shot three times, was able to make a statement to investigators and indicated that Hubert Anderson was the shooter, Granville County Sheriff David Smith said.
The Granville Sheriff’s Department then put out an all-points-bulletin for Anderson and his wife’s 2002 Ford Explorer with North Carolina tags, Fears said.
Halifax County deputies later received information on Anderson’s reported whereabouts at a friend’s residence on Handy Bottom Trail in Volens, Fears said.
Investigator Jimmy Clay, Halifax County deputies and Virginia State Police officers surrounded the residence and an officer knocked on the door, Fears said.
Officers then heard a gunshot inside the residence, according to the police report.
Inside the home, officers found Anderson lying on the floor with a small-caliber gunshot wound to the head, Fears said.
North Carolina authorities are still investigating the murder and said they do not yet have a motive for the shooting, Smith said.
The Andersons were separated and had not lived together for some time, Smith added.
At approximately 11 a.m. Sunday, Granville deputies responded to Sissy Anderson’s residence after receiving a 911-call from the victim’s brother, Smith said.
Sissy Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene, Smith added.
A Duke Medical Center spokeswoman said she could not give out information on the condition of Almond because the hospital does not release information on victims of violent crime.

County Facing Record Budget
Proposed 2007 Budget Reflects Six-Cent Tax Increase, School Capital Improvements

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposed $129,785,741 fiscal budget for 2007, the largest operating budget in county history, according to County Administrator Bryan Foster.
Last year’s total budget was $96,616,342.
The proposed budget reflects a decrease in real estate taxes to 37 cents per $100 from the current rate of 41 cents per $100 due to last year’s reassessment, but increases the real estate tax by six cents to cover debt service on a $60 million school construction project.
If approved, the county’s adjusted tax rate will be 43 cents per $100.
Currently, the personal property tax rate is $2.50, but Foster noted that a change in the way motor vehicles are assessed – for the first time at loan value rather than retail value – resulted in a $3.30 rate because the change in assessment methods must be revenue neutral.
By law, the county must remain revenue neutral when reassessing the value of property and real estate.
“At existing rates, the current property tax assessment will result in $20,772,040,” Foster said.
Based on next year’s assessment levels, one cent of tax rate generates the following:
• Real estate - $327,643.
• Personal Property - $20,654.
• Machinery and tools - $12,728.
According to Foster, funding for the school system has had the most significant impact on next year’s budget.
“The proposed budget submitted by the school board totals almost $60.8 million, an 8.3 percent ($4.6 million) increase over FY 2006,” he said.
The county administrator said the school system is requesting an additional $854,177 in operating funds from the county, an increase of $6.9 percent from last year’s allocation.
Foster said that debt service would increase from $875,000 to $3.9 million “all attributable to the school construction projects.”
Last year’s budget allocated $14 million to the schools for capital improvements. This year, $40 million is allocated to improvements in the schools.
Insurance Costs Skyrocketing

According to the county administrator, for the first time, the county will be spending in excess of $1 million for health insurance for its employees in 2007.
In March, the county received a quote from Anthem/Local Choice – the county’s insurance provider – which reflects a 24.3 percent increase over last year’s rate.
Because the county currently pays 100 percent of the employee’s insurance, the new rate represents a $1,056 annual increase per employee, for a total increase of $211,000.
“The county will be paying $5,400 per employee for health insurance in FY 2007,” Foster said.
The total does not include the school system, which has a separate policy.
Foster said the county has the option to withdraw from the policy with a 90-day notice, and is currently in the process of “examining other options for health insurance coverage.”
Last year, health insurance premiums increased 1.4 percent over the 2005 rate.
The county’s contribution to the Virginia Retirement System is also increasing dramatically,” Foster said.
Last year the county contributed 9.88 percent of an employee’s salary to the system, but next year’s rate will be 13.18 percent of salary, representing a 33 percent, or $237,000 increase.

 

Obituaries

Lucille Yancey Covington
Lucille Yancey Covington, 76, of 3193 Dan River Church Road, South Boston, died April 10, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Covington was born in Burlington, N.C. on August 6, 1929, the daughter of the late James Yancey and Gertie Smith Yancey, and was married to the late Roy Edward Covington. She was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church and was retired from Burlington Industries, Inc.
Survivors include one daughter, Phyllis Covington Jackson of South Boston; one son, Roy Edward Covington Jr. of Chesterfield; two sisters, Jean Carol Martin of South Boston and Lorine Granger of Scottsburg; and two grandchildren, Tiffany A. Jackson and Travis L. Jackson.
Graveside services for Mrs. Covington will be held today, April 12, at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Glenwood United Methodist Church, 4030 Philpott Road, South Boston, 24592, or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720.
Helen Wilson Farthing
Helen Wilson Farthing, 93, of Blairs, died April 11, 2006 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Farthing was born in Halifax County on July 9, 1912, the daughter of the late William Wilson and Fannie Hardie Wilson, and was married to the late Paul William Farthing. She was a member of Blairs Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, was active in the W.M.U. and choir, and had served as church treasurer. Mrs. Farthing was retired from the United States Postal Service, where she had worked as postmaster of Blairs. She was a Girl Scout leader.
Survivors include one daughter, Naomi F. Satterfield of the home; two grandchilden, Steve Satterfield and wife, Dorothy W. Satterfield, of Halifax, and David Satterfield and wife, Lucy H. Satterfield, of Danville; and eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Farthing will be held tomorrow, April 13, at 11 a.m. at Blairs Baptist Church with the Rev. Jon Reed officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends this evening, April 12, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Wrenn-Yeatts, North Main Chapel in Danville, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Blairs Baptist Church, 5260 U.S. Highway 29, Blairs, 24527, or Blairs Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 242, Blairs.
Mary Elizabeth Logan Poindexter
Mary Elizabeth Logan Poindexter, 71, of Nathalie died April 9, 2006, in Lynchburg.
Mrs. Poindexter was the daughter of the alte Major Logan and Virginia Logan Britton and was married to Warren G. Poindexter. She was a member of Millstone Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; her children, Raymond E. Barbour and Alease P. McClanahan, both of Nathalie, Phillip C. Barbour and wife, Sheila, of Naruna, Lindsay A. Barbour and wife, Sherry, of Culpepper, Teresa Y. Barbour of Richmond, Warren E. Poindexter, and wife, Gladys, of Fort Washington, Md., Gloria A. Poindexter of Chesterfield, Winifred P. Taylor and husband, Arthur, Ronald G. Poindexter and wife, Irene, and Raleigh A. Poindexter, all of Richmond; 18 grandchildren; and one brother, Raymond Logan and wife, Joyce, of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mrs. Poindexter will be held April 14, at 2 p.m. at Millstone Baptist Church in Nathalie with the Rev. Chester Spruill officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, April 13, from 7 to 8, at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Brookneal.
Condolences may be e-mailed to JeffressFH@aol.com.
Willie Mae Coleman Wagstaff
Willie Mae Coleman Wagstaff, 84, of 301 Ragland Street, South Boston, died April 7, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Wagstaff was born July 12, 1921, in Halifax County to the late Pleasant Coleman and Lillie Jones Coleman and was married to the late Rev. Penick Wagstaff Sr. She was a member of First Baptist Church of South Boston and was a retired employee of Halifax Regional Hospital.
Survivors include one son, Penick Wagstaff Jr. of Columbia, Md.; and one grandson, Penick Wagstaff III of Landover, Md.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wagstaff will be held today, April 12, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald K. Booker officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Glenda ‘Doll’ Francis Woosley
Glenda ‘Doll’ Francis Woosley, 53, of 1011 Piney Ridge Road, Nathalie, died April 11, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Woosley was born in Halifax County on October, 25, 1953, the daughter of the late Earnest T. Francis and Marlene E. Francis who survives. She was married to Earl Thomas Woosley, and attended Childrey Baptist Church.
Survivers include her husband; her mother of Nathalie; one daughter, Joanne W. Martin of Nathalie; one son, Gary Thomas Woosley of Raleigh, N.C.; two brothers, Gernie Francis of Clover and Bruce Francis of Nathalie; and two grandchildren. Mrs. Woosley was also preceded in death by one brother, Carlton Francis and her grandparents, Elmo and Gracie East.
Graveside services will be held tomorrow, April 13, at 11 a.m. at Childrey Baptist Church with the Rev. Andy Ferguson officiating.
The family will receive friends this evening, April 12, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Brooks Funeral Home, and other times at the home of her daughter, 2224 Acorn Road, Nathalie.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592.

Baseball Is Still Waller’s Passion
Former Halifax County High School Baseball Star Casey Waller Is Teaching The Game He Loves

Casey Waller’s days of playing baseball may be over but the love of the game is still firmly etched deeply inside.
“I love talking ball, I love playing the game and I love teaching the game,” said the former Halifax County High School and Virginia Tech baseball star.
“It’s still a passion.”
Waller is in his third season as the head coach of the Loyalsock High School Lancers varsity baseball team of Williamsport. Pa. As a coach, the former pro baseball player is able to remain active in the game that has been a major part of his life.
“I enjoy coaching,” Waller said.
“ It’s frustrating at times having to deal with parents and things. I try to communicate with the parents and communicate with the players. My main thing is that the players understand their role with the team.
“The parents at Loyalsock have been great to me,” he added.
“ You’re going to get some (parents) now and again that may not be happy, but you hope they will understand that you’re trying to put the guys in a situation where the team will win and get guys in the game where they can be successful at certain times.”
Waller was a member of the 1984 Halifax County High School baseball team that won the Group AAA State Championship. He went on to become a standout player at Virginia Tech. The former Comets player became an eleventh-round draft pick and left Virginia Tech after his junior year to play baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.
“I went to the Phillies organization and got into AAA,” Waller explained.
“ When I got into AAA, I got into a platoon situation playing once every three or four days. That’s tough mentally. I had a tough year that year in AAA and asked for my release.”
From there, the former Comets player went to the Florida Marlins. There he played AA baseball and ultimately was released.
“When I got released I went to Canada to play ball,” Waller said.
“ I also played in the Dominican Republic and Alaska.”
While Waller’s hopes of having a lengthy career playing Major League baseball did not materialize, he harbors no resentments.
“It’s always hard to hang it up, especially when it’s something you love with a passion,” Waller said.
“I played with a lot of great guys that are in the big leagues now like Frank Thomas, Mo Vaughan, Jeff Kent, Mike Livitar who’s still with the Phillies, and Jeff Bagwell. It was a good run for me and I enjoyed it.
“I have no resentment about anything,” he continued.
“ I worked hard out there. I learned a lot about life and I learned a lot about myself going through it. It was a great experience for me. I was grateful to have that experience. A lot of guys dream of getting an opportunity to put a big league uniform on and I was fortunate enough to do that.”
Waller eventually married and settled in Williamsport, Pa. where he resides with his wife and and six-year-old son. He teaches at Loyalsock Middle School and serves as coach of the Loyalsock High School Lancers baseball team. His team won its district championship last season and missed making it into the state playoffs by two games.
As a coach, Waller still has a deep love of the game of baseball and he tries to instill that love of the game into his players.
“Baseball is still a passion of mine, but I put it into perspective,” Waller said.
“ My son is my number one priority in my life. At times when I was playing baseball, baseball was always my number one priority. I kind of lost sight of some things.
“I try to instill in these guys go out there and play the game hard but also take time with your family and do the right thing,” added Waller.
“I try to instill the fundamentals and work ethic in these guys. I enjoy teaching these guys as much about baseball as much as about life.”
Waller had a baseball homecoming this past Friday night when his Loyalsock High School team squared off against Halifax County High School.
“It’s exciting to come back home and see all my friends and family,” Waller said.
“ It’s also exciting to bring the team down here to see a little bit of where I grew up and understand a little bit about my background. They hear about it all the time. When I took the team around and showed them the high school facilities and showed them the weight room they were very excited.
“I keep telling them about when we won the state championship when I played here at Halifax,” continued Waller, “ and how there is no better feeling than winning the state championship. Hopefully, these guys will become hungry and will work hard to get there.”
Not only did Waller get to bring his team to his former home and former school, he also found himself reuniting with Comets head coach Kelvin Davis.
Waller and Davis were teammates on the1984 Halifax County High School state championship team. They played side-by-side in the infield with Waller at second base and Davis at shortstop.
Both coaches said the game between their two teams and their reunion made for a special night.
“K.D. is great,” Waller said.
“ I really enjoy talking to K.D. K.D. is a class act. We talked between innings every time. I was talking about his ballplayers and he was talking about my ballplayers and we were just talking baseball. I could sit down and talk baseball with him all night and they would never turn these lights off.
“It’s great to be able to talk baseball with somebody that appreciates the game, understands the game, knows how to play the game and knows how to teach the game,” Waller added.
Davis called Friday’s game and the opportunity to see Waller a special occasion.
“It was a special night for me,” Davis said.
“We’ve talked back and forth on the e-mail. I just wanted to see Casey. I don’t remember the last time I had seen him. It brought back a lot of memories.
“He hasn’t changed a bit,” Davis pointed out.
“ He’s still a hard-nosed player like I am. Casey loves the game. He loves it as much as I love it.”

 

Eleven Players Confirmed For ACC Seniors Hoops Challenge
North Carolina’s David Noel And Duke’s Sean Dockery Are Among ACC Players That Will Play Here April 21

Eleven Atlantic Coast Conference basketball standouts have been confirmed to play in the ACC Seniors All-Star Celebrity Challenge which will be held Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Halifax County High School.
The ACC player roster is headlined by University of North Carolina standout David Noel, Duke University co-captain Sean Dockery, and Wake Forest star Justin Gray.
Participants also include Duke’s Lee Melchionni who was a senior co-captain of the Blue Devils and University of North Carolina player Byron Sanders who was a member of the Tar Heels team that
The list of players confirmed for the event also includes University of Virginia player Billy Campbell who was a senior co-captain of the Cavaliers team this past season and Clemson University star Shawan Robinson who was the leading scorer for Clemson this past season.
Three players from the North Carolina State team, Ilian Evtimov, Tony Bethal and Cameron Bennerman are also on the list of players scheduled to be here. Evtimov and Bethal were co-captains of the Wolfpack basketball team this past season and Bennerman was an All-ACC pick this past season.
Rounding out the list of players confirmed for the game is Maryland’s Travis Garrison, who was an All-ACC pick this past season.
Officials of Chase Media, the agency assisting with staging the game, have noted that there may be additions or subtractions to the roster based upon player scheduling.
The ACC Seniors All-Star Celebrity Challenge is a fund-raising event for the Halifax County Middle School and Halifax County High School athletic departments.
Tickets are priced at $8 each in advance and $10 each at the door. Children ages two and under will be admitted free.
Advance tickets are available at Greased Lightning, Italian Delight, Vintner’s Cellar, Halifax Exxon and Coldwell Banker Realty.
Tickets will also be available next week at Halifax County Middle School and Halifax County High School.

 

Comets Soccer Team A Competitive Entity
The HCHS Varsity Boys Soccer Team Is Working To Become A Contender For District Wins

Halifax County High School head varsity boys soccer team coach Frank Shealy felt from Day One that his team could be a competitive entity.
Thus far, the Comets have upheld Shealy’s expectations.
At the spring holiday break, the Comets are 4-5 overall and 0-3 against Western Valley District teams. The Comets are 4-2 against non-district teams and, while winless in the Western Valley District, have played strong in a 2-0 loss to Franklin County and in a 3-1 loss to Patrick Henry - a game in which the Comets led at halftime.
“Each year I have seen people getting better,” Shealy said earlier this season.
“Each year I’ve been getting a more cohesive team, especially the last three years. However, we still have a ways to go to become a real threat in the district.”
Last year’s Comets team played well at times against district opponents but didn’t have the muscle to be a threat to win the district title or earn a berth in the Northwest Region playoffs.
“We challenged GW very well last year,” said Shealy.
“We challenged Franklin County pretty well last year. I’m hoping to at least contend with those teams very well and slow down Patrick Henry and E.C. Glass.”
Thus far, Shealy’s hopes have been realized with the Comets having competed well against Franklin County and Patrick Henry. The Comets’ first game against E.C. Glass was a different story as the Hilltoppers blanked the Comets 8-0.
“I feel like we can do pretty well against Franklin County and GW,” Shealy noted.
“I’m not betting on wins but I am betting on contending with them for wins. We’ve also been competitive against non-district opponents.”
Shealy has some experience in his lineup this season with junior Les Powell returning to play goalkeeper and senior captain Charles Crawley having returned for another season at sweeper.
At the forward spots, Shealy has returning senior Travis Smith and sophomore Josh Lacy. Lacy was on the JV team last year and is the only sophomore on the varsity squad this season.
Shealy started the season with returning junior Josh Shealy at an offensive midfield spot and returning senior Chris Beale at a defensive midfield slot. The Comets coach also had pegged returning senior Trevor Griffin at a midfield spot. Griffin, a starter last year, was injured early in the season and missed the first few games but is now available.
At the wings, Shealy has returning juniors Chris Rorrer and Robert Poirier to give the team solidity at those positions.
At defender positions, Shealy has juniors Daniel McDonald and Flave Rogers. McDonald played on the JV team last season and Rogers has returned to the team after having taken off last season.
Playing the stopper position on defense is senior Patrick Slayton. Slayton is in his third season as a varsity player and is serving as team captain for the second straight season.
In addition that lineup of players, Shealy has juniors Andy Anchetta and Tyler Bamberg who are both returning from last year’s team and newcomer Roberto Varrello, a senior who is said to be a very aggressive and physical player.
If there is a shortcoming that Shealy has to contend with this season it is a lack of depth on the bench.
“It’s been a problem the last couple of years,” Shealy pointed out, noting that he hasn’t had the luxury of having a large number of players that can get into the game to give the starters any kind of lengthy break.
“I could bring up some guys from the JV team but the JV team doesn’t have a pile of players either.”
The Comets varsity boys soccer team will be idle until April 25 when they face GW in Danville in a game slated to start at 7 p.m.