One Killed In Sunday Crash

State police say a 52-year-old county man was killed early Sunday morning when he was partially ejected from the vehicle he was driving after it left the road and hit a tree.
Sgt. David Cooper said William Henry Elliott of Bill Tuck Highway, South Boston, was traveling eastbound on Rt. 613 (Terry’s Bridge Road), when he lost control of the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee he was driving in a right curve.
Cooper said the SUV slid off the left side of the road and struck a tree, partially ejecting Elliott.
The crash occurred at 2:24 a.m. Sunday, two-tenths of a mile east of U.S. 360.
Trooper D.H. Hess is the investigating officer. Cooper said the crash is still under investigation.
Elliott becomes the eighth fatality on Halifax County roads in 2008 and the second this month. Tyler Wayne Hunt, 16, was killed in a two-vehicle crash April 3 on U.S. 501, north of Halifax.

IDA Axes Office Manager Position

Industrial Development Authority (IDA) board members voted Friday morning to eliminate the position of officer manager effective June 30 due to cuts supervisors made in the IDA budget.
Also not funded in the proposed draft budget is the executive director’s position.
Currently, Patsy Vaughan is serving as interim executive director following last month’s resignation of Mike Eades.
After June 30, the IDA will employ only Vaughan and Nancy Smith until a new executive director is hired.
“As it stands right now, the IDA is considering the implications of what that might mean, and we hope to have a planning meeting for our long-term goals. We’re going to take a look at it,” IDA Chairman Garland Ricketts said.
According to Ricketts, when supervisors cut funds for the office manager’s position, they agreed to have county personnel assume some of the duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
IDA had included $237,016 in payroll expenses in their proposed 2008-09 budget.
However, after county budget cuts eliminated funding for the executive director’s position and the office manager’s position, IDA’s newly proposed budget now only includes $95,556.97 in that line item.
The payroll fringe benefits line item was reduced from $312,945 in the original proposed budget to $126,581.69 in the new draft proposal.
A quorum of five IDA board members approved the $3.4 million draft budget during the special called meeting at Riverstone Friday with William Kelehar and Lisa Kipps-Brown unable to attend.
The draft budget includes a $21,121 contingency fund to pay the interim director’s monthly increase in pay of $3,000 while she assumes the director’s responsibility.
Other cuts made in the IDA budget include:
n $21,025 to $17,350 in administrative and general expenses;
n $6,800 to $5,300 in professional fees;
n $6,650 to $75 in subscriptions;
n $7,500 to $6,550 in telecommunications;
n $15,195 to $12,695 in memberships and continuing education;
n $58,395 to $43,195 in administrative and general;
n $93,500 to $55,500 in prospect development and visitation;
n $2,250 to $2,000 in website;
n $4,250 to $2,750 in public relations;
n $9,085 to $7,585 in Riverstone Technology Park;
n $20,565 to $19,065 in Riverstone Building Two;
n $1,141,404 to $1,134,94 in Riverstone Building One;
n $18,375 to $17,875 in 515 Broad Street Property;
n $10,000 to $7,500 in real estate legal services;
n $7,500 to $4,500 in construction site management;
n $720,721 to $663,992 in pass through funding projects;
n $25,000 to $12,500 in other expenses;
For a total budget reduction from $3,793,146 to $3,402,103.
Although no action was taken in open session concerning the search for an executive director, Ricketts said the IDA intends to discuss the issue “in detail” at their next meeting.
“We have a committee working on that, and we’ve got some things in, but there’s no action to be taken in open session,” he added. “But we are working on it.”
No final decision has been made on the membership of the search committee at this time, Ricketts said.
“Our intentions have not changed, but we have not named the final committee. The supervisors have expressed a verbal interest to have one or more members on the committee, and we intend to accommodate that when the time comes,” he said.
During the IDA’s three hour closed session, Ricketts said members were updated and had “a lot of discussion about prospects.”

It’s A Race For South Boston Council

South Boston Mayor Carroll Thackston is unopposed in his bid for re-election May 6, but Morris Bryant, Coleman Speece, Sandra Thompson, Dr. Mark Morris and Radford Trent are vying for only four open council seats.
Councilman Chris Elliott announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election, but Speece, Bryant and Thompson are seeking re-election.
One council seat, the unexpired term of the late Don Thompson, will be a two-year term. Thompson’s seat, currently held by his wife, Sandra Thompson, expires in 2010. Of the winning candidates, the candidate who receives the least number of votes will fill the remaining two years of Don Thompson’s original term, according to a South Boston official.
Candidates
Mayor Carroll Thackston
Reviewing his last term and looking forward to the next four years, Mayor Thackston named schools, taxes, town revitalization, services and economic development among the town’s accomplishments and challenges.
First on his list, closing the landfill.
“A lot of communities didn’t meet the deadline established by DEQ as of Dec. 31, a significant challenge. I’m proud of the fact we closed without undue pressure from DEQ.
“I’m very proud that we have the new grammar school in South Boston. The town donated the land. There’s a lot of satisfaction in seeing a new ultramodern school come to our town.”
Thackston also names the town’s contribution to The Prizery, “a first-class fine arts center that’s brought much to the community,” Destination Downtown’s revitalization efforts and the Taylor Lofts project, which will provide 44 apartments for low to moderate income families, as developments that make him very proud.
He’s also pleased council has not had to raise taxes any significant degree. “We’ve certainly done our best to hold increases to a very minimum,” he added.
The Mayor also appreciates the town’s relationship with the county. “We’ve got a wonderful relationship with supervisors,” he said. As an example, Thackston named the creation of the Service Authority.
And he recognized town officials, complimenting Town Manager Ted Daniel, Jane Jones and department heads. “They’re all dedicated and work hard; it’s a great crew. I’m particularly proud of the great police and fire departments.”
In the “challenges” ledger, the Mayor did not hesitate.
“The challenge right now is how do we handle the solid waste problems.”
Thackston said getting the transfer station up and running is a priority due to the “enormous cost” to transport waste to the regional landfill.
“The Number One challenge is to get the transfer station built and operating, which we hope to have by June,” he added.
Other challenges named included:
•The four-laning of Hamilton Blvd.
“With the new school there I’m certainly aware we have some traffic congestion, particularly in the morning and afternoon.” Thackston said he hoped that work could get under way in 2009.
•Continuing to improve the beautification of town by removing blighted houses and buildings.
•Economic development
“We continue to work diligently to locate light manufacturing or small businesses in our Houghton Industrial Park. We’ve got several things in the works that hopefully will come to fruition. Also, there are a number of vacant buildings, some on Main Street and Wilborn Ave. We try, as best we can, to locate businesses in that area. We have a very active economic development authority. They are very competent and they are constantly searching, trying to bring businesses and light industry to the town.”
In closing, the Mayor said it has been a privilege to serve.
“It’s an honor for me to serve, and I appreciate the confidence people have had in me. I am proud to have played a small part in the accomplishments.”
Morris Bryant
Incumbent councilman Morris Bryant is seeking his second four-year term.
South Boston’s biggest challenge?
“I still see economic development for the town and our region as the biggest challenge,” said Bryant. “I think we’ve got to have some influx of industry to provide a good job base, and we have to continue to work on our public schools and the higher education system. We are doing good things there. Hopefully the graduates will be able to find good jobs, because that is key.”
However, after losing all the textile jobs, Bryant said many have never been replaced, and he is concerned they never will be.
“We must have some kind of industrial base to replace that. We talk about losing kids, the brain drain, but we have to have something to keep them here. This is a real challenge for us.”
The councilman is most pleased about the creation of the Public Service Authority.
“I also think the revitalization of Church Hill and the development of Taylor Lofts offer new opportunities in that historic area,” he added.
Bryant, a retired school administrator, looks forward to serving his community.
“I want to express my appreciation to South Boston residents for allowing me to serve the past four years. It has been a real learning experience for me. I’ve learned a lot about how the town works. It’s also a privilege to work with the councilmen and councilwoman. It’s a good team, and I certainly want to ask for your support May 6.”
Sandra Thompson
Councilwoman Sandra Thompson views the creation of the Public Service Authority as of prime importance.
“The operation and management of the public water and sewer system is huge and warranted a full-time director to focus on just this system,” she said. “And, because these systems transcended government jurisdictions, the decision-making board needed representatives from Halifax County and the towns of Halifax and South Boston. Now we have pooled our resources, and it makes it stronger.”
What are the town’s greatest challenges?
“I suppose I see the greatest opportunity to work on some quality of life issues,” she said, noting the acquisition of the Washington-Coleman building and the park that is being planned for the Cotton Mill property. “So I think the challenge will be finding creative ways to fund those initiatives. I think we will step up to the plate and meet those challenges, but I think that will be a primary focus.”
Thompson is optimistic about the town’s future.
“I think the future looks bright. I think a lot of the initiatives are going to add to the quality of life, particularly revitalization of downtown and the Crossing of the Dan (exhibit) at The Prizery. I think that will bring more people downtown.
Thompson is the Middle College director for Southside Virginia Community College.
Radford Trent
Former councilman and vice-mayor Radford Trent names economic development a priority as he makes a bid for one of the four council seats.
South Boston’s biggest challenge?
“A couple of things,” he began. “Jobs are a big issue. Companies are moving in all around us, but not here. And, the economy is terrible.
“We need to try to relocate industry here. We need to concentrate on young families trying to work and pay utility bills.”
Trent also proposed consolidating more services.
“I think they have done a good job doing that, but we need to continue consolidating.
Trent’s vision for the future?
“Retain existing industry, like ABB, and help promote others,” he replied. “Also, look at new industry. People are driving to Raleigh, Durham and Lynchburg daily to work.”
But Trent, a director of support services at Halifax Regional Hospital for 20 years before retiring to begin a new career in real estate, is quick to name area pluses.
“People are moving to the area,” he began. “They are tired of high taxes and crime in big cities and like the rural life, and that’s drawing them to our area,” he explained.
Trent says he will bring his business experience and community commitment to the job as councilman.
“I enjoyed being on council, working with councilmen and trying to make a difference in the community,” added Trent, who complimented Town Manager Ted Daniel and council for their work. “I feel like I have a lot to contribute, and I would like to help make it an even better place to live, a better quality of life.”
Dr. Mark Morris
Morris is making his first bid for political office in the May 6 council race.
The ophthalmologist, who has been in practice in South Boston 18 years, names area employment opportunities a major concern.
“What I would like to see is a vibrant downtown where businesses could come in, be established and thrive and prosper,” began Morris.
“Also, I would like to see an improvement and an increase in employment opportunities for our community. I think that is an area where we are struggling, and it would be wonderful for this county if employment opportunities increased.”
His vision for the area is focused on jobs.
“I would like to see opportunities for our young citizens,” he said. “I know a lot of children in the community will go on to college and not very many of them come back to South Boston. I think some of that is due to the fact there are not many opportunities, employment-wise. once they get here.
“For me, the ideal would be to have a thriving, vibrant economy with lots of opportunities for our young people so that when they do finish their college education, they will want to come back and raise their families here.”
The physician also has compliments for council. “I see positives in recent years, goals accomplished. I think they’ve done some wonderful things for the community,” he added. “I think the new Washington-Coleman Community Center is going to be quite an asset.”
What does the former Richmond resident like best about South Boston?
“I like the people. I like the convenience. I like the warmth of the community and how wonderfully we’ve been accepted as members of the community since moving here.”
Morris hopes to bring the business experience he has gained in operating a solo physician practice, being involved in the day-to-day running of the practice and making all of the decisions, to town service.
“I’m excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to the opportunity to help my community continue to grow and thrive.”
Coleman Speece
Coleman Speece is seeking a third council term in the May 6 election.
As a councilman, he has played a role in some of the town’s recent consolidation efforts, but sees other challenges as the town moves forward.
The Public Service Authority remains a Speece priority.
“I think one of the big challenges was the creation of a service authority and having the town’s interests blended with the county’s and adjoining areas,” he began.
“We’ve been working hard to do that for several years, trying to serve the needs of the area for utilities in both residential and industrial growth, and also to protect the interests of South Boston’s citizens.
“As you know, I think we’re well on our way to doing that, but it’s not over. It is still in its infancy with a number of issues to work through.
“Another thing that is critical to South Boston is the general economic difficulties that face the entire area,” he added.
The answer, he suggests, involves the attraction of people, businesses and industry to South Boston.
“And that is one of the reasons I’ve believed in the Service Authority,” he said. “I think that South Boston has some really great things going for it, the Continuing Education Center, The Prizery, businesses that have come to town, the rejuvenation of the downtown area and the Destination Downtown South Boston organization.
“And, I am pleased that South Boston has a contest for town council seats. I think it is very unfortunate and doesn’t speak well for the area that we had school board and supervisor seats uncontested.
Cooperation, Speece, says is essential.
“Our town must work in lockstep with the county board of supervisors and IDAs in trying to provide industrial development for our people. Whatever is good for the area is good for South Boston. That’s why I believe in the Service Authority, there’s no question that it will make it easier to court industrial prospects.”
What experience does he bring to council?
“I think some of my industrial experience has been a value to me, and I hope to the town in some of these efforts we’ve been making in solid waste and the PSA, because I had some experience with these issues with my company,” said Speece, a retired vice president with Burlington Men’s Wear Division.
“I’ve been on council for eight years, and I’ve tried to do my best and hope that has been acceptable to citizens and, if they want me another four years, I will be honored.”
In other municipal contests, in the Town of Halifax, Bill Confroy, Robert Holt Evans, Randy Savage and Tommy Reagan are seeking for two open at-large seats currently held by Dr. Charles Parker and Phil Hollis. Neither Parker nor Hollis is seeking re-election.
In Virgilina, the following candidates have qualified: Ralph Murray Jr., running for mayor, and for council: Rufus Chandler Jr., Tammy Elliott, Mary Helen Gravitt, Kirke Hooper, Jason Johnson, Thomas Keith Tuck Jr. and Ralph “Owen” Murray Sr. Seven candidates are seeking the six council seats.
In Scottsburg, incumbent Mayor Ira Wilkerson II is seeking re-election, and in the council race, Robert Elliott, James Stoner, Connie Glass, Robert Guthrie, Harvey Perkins and Russell Ivan Puckett Jr. are seeking seats. The mayor’s post and five council seats are open.

Obituaries

James David Epps Jr.
James David “Jimmy” Epps Jr., 94, of Dan River Church Road, South Boston, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, at his home.
He was born November 8, 1913, in Halifax County, the son of the late James David Epps Sr. and the late Melissa New Epps and was married to Ophelia Lenora Wilmouth Epps, who survives.
He was a member of Dan River Baptist Church, an avid golfer, and he was a member and a 1995 inductee into the South Boston-Halifax County Sports Hall of Fame. He also was a retired sales manager with Blue Ribbon Creamery.
Mr. Epps is survived by his wife; two daughters, Norma E. Chaney and husband Bob of South Boston, and Scottie E. Felton of Halifax; one son, James David Epps III and wife Mary Jane of Halifax; one stepson, Henry Cole and wife Clevie of Scottsburg; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Dan River Baptist Church with the Rev. Rod Chaney and the Rev. Doug Gibson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and other times at his home.
Those wishing to give memorials should consider the South Boston-Halifax County Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 12, South Boston, Va. 24592, or the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.
Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.

William Henry Elliott
William Henry Elliott of Bill Tuck Highway, South Boston died Sunday, April 27, 2008. He was 52.
Born March 12, 1956, in Halifax County, he was the son of John K. Elliott of Halifax and Gladys Phillips Elliott of South Boston and was married to Debra W. Elliott of South Boston.
He was a foreman at Climate Control, Inc. and was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by two sons, William Justin Elliott and Jared Wayne Elliott, both of South Boston; one daughter, Jenna Nicole Elliott of South Boston; one step-son, Brian Epps and wife Christi of South Boston; three sisters, Gladys Murray of Virgilina, Patsy Brewer of Nelson, Donna Talley of Virgilina; two brothers, Charles Danny Elliott of Scottsburg and John Randolph Elliott of South Boston. Also surviving is special relative Brad Rice of Virgilina.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at press time and will be announced later by Brooks Funeral Home.

Gracie K. Wilborn
Gracie K. Wilborn of Linden Place, South Boston died Friday, April 25, 2008 at The Woodview. She was 92.
Born February 9, 1916, in Halifax County, she was the daughter of the late Alex King and the late Lottie Hancock King and was married to the late Walter R. “Curly” Wilborn.
She was a retired J. P. Stevens employee and was a member of the South Boston Church of God.
She is survived by two daughters, Ruby L. Newton of Halifax and Faye L. Eanes of South Boston; a son, Mack Laughorn and wife Linda of Scottsburg; a brother Earl King of High Point, N.C.; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas B. Laughorn, and grandson, Tyler Blake Laughorn, and a number of brothers and sisters.
A graveside service was held Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Bruce Hagy officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home, 610 Linden Place, South Boston.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Katie Wells Singleton Gravitt
Katie Wells Singleton Gravitt, 92, of South Boston died Sunday, April 27, 2008, at The Woodview.
She was born September 9, 1915, in Halifax County to the late William Cornelius Singleton and the late Ella Lou Francisco Singleton and was married to the late James William Gravitt.
She was a member of Dan River Baptist Church and was a former employee of Burlington Industries, having retired in 1977.
Mrs. Gravitt is survived by two sons, John Page Gravitt and wife Eloise, and Elmer Mitchell Gravitt and wife Constance, all of South Boston; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a number of other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by one son, Francis Burnell Gravitt, and by three brothers and five sisters.
Graveside services will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, with the Rev. Doug Gibson officiating.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery one hour prior to the service and other times at the homes of her two sons.
For memorials, please consider the Dan River Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.

Comets Back In District Race

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County High School varsity baseball team needed a sweep of last week’s two district contests to get back into contention for the Western Valley District regular-season championship.
They got it with a pair of road wins that included an 8-1 win over Patrick Henry Wednesday night in Roanoke and an electrifying 14-7 win over arch-rival GW Friday night in Danville.
With the Comets’ win over GW and a win by E.C. Glass over Franklin County Friday night in Lynchburg, the chase for the Western Valley District crown has become hotly contested.
Halifax County, GW and Franklin County are all deadlocked one game behind district leader E.C. Glass. That sets the stage for this week’s contests, a week in which Halifax County will go on the road Tuesday to William Fleming for a district game, travel to Martinsville High School for a non-district game on Wednesday and then face E.C. Glass here Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in what will be one of the more crucial games of the season.
“We’re in a situation where we’ve got to take the Glass game,” Comets head coach Kelvin Davis said.
“If we play like we have been playing I feel we can do that. It seems like we have turned the tables and we’re ready to play baseball now.”
Despite having to play three games, two of which will be Western Valley District games, Davis says his team is up to the challenge.
“We’ve been playing good baseball,” Davis pointed out after Friday night’s win against GW, a win that saw the Comets explode for five runs in the first inning and seven runs in the sixth inning to break the game open.
“We’re finally getting runners in. We were putting runners on base and tonight we had opportunities to manufacture runs. We got runners in scoring position and the guys came up with big clutch hits.”
The Comets also had a big inning, a six-run rally in the sixth inning of last Wednesday’s game against Patrick Henry to break that game open. Comets shortstop Eric Brandon says the team’s confidence is coming back.
“It (the team’s recent ability to create big innings) has gotten our confidence back up,” Brandon said.
“ It lets us know what we can do and how we can do it. I think we’ll be alright.”
Comets second baseman Michael Ferrell says the big innings have resulted from momentum.
“When that first person gets a big hit to get a runner on base, it’s just something that clicks with us,” Ferrell explained.
“We have some innings that we go three up and three down. It all just comes together and everybody sees the ball big and smacks it in the holes. We work on that in practice every day, just seeing it big.”
Brandon has been a big part of the recent spark with a 3-4 night in both the Patrick Henry and GW games.
“Everybody was trying to do more and trying to do for somebody else instead of just staying within themselves and doing what they can do,” Brandon remarked.
“I just have to stay calm, stay within myself and do what I can do to help the team.”

Big Innings Lift Comets Over GW

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Big innings are beginning to become a normal thing for the Halifax County High School baseball team.
A five-run first inning put the Comets on top early in Friday night’s game against arch-rival GW at Dan Daniel Memorial Park. In the sixth inning, the Comets put together a seven-run inning with two out to break a 5-5 deadlock and produce a 12-5 lead.
Halifax County, with two more runs in the seventh inning for insurance, downed GW 14-7, and clawed its way back into contention for the Western Valley District regular-season title.
Friday night’s win was the second district win of the week for the Comets (8-5 overall, 3-2 district), who downed Patrick Henry 8-1 Wednesday in Roanoke with the help of a six-run sixth inning.
“You can’t explain it,” Comets head coach Kelvin Davis said of his team’s recent propensity for coming up with big innings, “but you’re glad to see it. What we try to do is put the bat on the ball and hope the ball finds a hole. That’s what happened tonight. I’m just glad things are finally falling in our favor.”
Michael Ferrell (1-3 on the night) and Eric Brandon were two of the ringleaders in the Comets’ effort. Ferrell came up with a run-scoring double to start the Comets’ scoring in the team’s seven-run sixth inning.
“The guy (GW hurler Josh Hackworth) threw a curve ball and I just waited back like we’ve been waiting in practice,” Ferrell said of the run-scoring hit in the sixth inning. I just did my job.
Brandon, who was 3-4 on the night, had a run-scoring double in the Comets’ first-inning explosion and, came up with a key walk in the Comet’s sixth-inning rally and reached base on an error in the seventh inning that allowed two Comets runners to score.
“I’m starting to see the ball well,” said Brandon, who was also 3-4 at the plate in last Wednesday’s win against Patrick Henry.
“Hitting with runners on base, that’s what it’s all about, getting the runs in. I’ve been working hard in practice. I was in a little slump. I wasn’t seeing the ball. I’m seeing the ball now and hitting it out in front.”
Nobody is happier than Davis to see Brandon’s hitting coming around, especially with teams not wanting to pitch to slugger Justin Bagbey, who bats in front of Brandon in the lineup.
“Eric is really starting to hit for us,” Davis noted.
“It’s good to see because we’ve got him in that part of the line-up where he’s going to have to drive in some runs behind Justin.”
The Comets got off to a hot start with a five-run first inning that opened with a walk to Michael Ferrell. A double by Daniel Wilborn plated Ferrell to give the Comets a 1-0 lead. GW intentionally walked Bagbey but Brandon made GW pay with a double that scored Wilborn to make it a 2-0 game. A two-RBI triple from Jeremy Foster put the Comets up 4-0 and single by Kyle Long scored Foster to put the Comets up 5-0.
Hackworth regained his composure and held the Comets to three scattered hits before Halifax County exploded for its big seven-run sixth inning.
In the meantime, GW (6-9 overall, 3-2 district) scored five runs in the third inning with the help of two Comets errors to tie the game at 5-5. Wilborn, the Comets’ starting pitcher, was chased from the hill in the process.
After getting off to a somewhat shaky start, reliever Kyle Long settled down and got a big strikeout to end the five-run GW third inning. Long came up with two key strikeouts in the fourth inning and got another big strikeout in the fifth inning to end a potential GW threat.
The Comets’ explosive seven-run sixth inning got off to a slow start with Kyle Long popping up to the GW shortstop. Josh Williams singled but was erased for the second out attempting to steal second base.
Kaleb Long singled and Ferrell followed with a double that scored Michael Owens who was running for Long, to put the Comets up 6-5. Wilborn reached base on an infield hit that moved Ferrell to third base. GW intentionally walked Bagbey to load the bases.
Brandon, after working the GW hurler to a 3-2 count and then fouling off three pitches in a row, earned a walk to force in a run to put the Comets up 7-5. A hit by Dale Trent scored another run and put Halifax County up 8-5.
An error on a fly ball hit by Foster over the GW first baseman’s head to the shallow part of the outfield scored two runs. A muffed pick-off attempt by GW allowed another Comets run to score to put Halifax County up 11-5. A double by Kyle Long that scored Foster to put the Comets up 12-5 proved to be the curtain call for Hackworth.
Halifax County loaded the sacks again in the top of the seventh inning. Brandon reached base on an error that allowed two more Comets runs to score, putting Halifax County up 14-5.
Tyler Lewis went to the mound for the Comets in the bottom of the seventh inning. GW tagged Lewis for two hits and a walk, with one of the hits being a two-RBI single. The Comets closed the door on the Eagles and preserved a seven-run win.
Halifax County had 16 hits in the game with Wilborn, Brandon and Kaleb Long getting three hits each. Kyle Long chipped in two hits and Ferrell, Bagbey, Trent, Foster and Williams all had one hit each.
There were 10 errors in the game with GW credited with six errors and Halifax County credited with four.

Lady Comets Beats GW, PH For 5-0 WVD Start

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Comets varsity softball team turned three double plays on defense to key a late offensive surge in defeating GW 5-0 Friday at Comets Softball Field.
The win over GW, coming one day after a 9-2 road win over Patrick Henry, gives the Comets a 5-0 record in the Western Valley District and a 11-1 record overall.
Halifax finished with seven hits for the game, Ally Thompson with two singles and a run scored, Lashunda Davis a two-run double, Lauren Daniel a RBI triple, and Whitney Womack a RBI double.
Paige Rickman and Lyndsay Lawter each had a base hit, while Amber Bowman collected an RBI when she reached base on an error.
GW finished with five base hits, Erica Warren leading the way with two singles.
Comets coach Melanie Saunders said the focus of her team is still to improve from game to game and not relax, even with one win against each district opponent after wins against GW and Patrick Henry.
“Our thinking is that we’re 0-5 in the district, and we’re trying to improve every game we play,” said Saunders.
“We’re starting to go back through the district again and all the teams have seen one another and know what the other teams bring to the table.
“We don’t approach it as being 5-0.”
Saunders said that defense has been the key all season and was again against GW with the three double plays.
“That’s more key than a hit at the plate and we’ve always focused on making plays and how important it is to do that behind your pitchers so that they feel more comfortable on th