Homecoming

They’re home.
Without a great deal of fanfare, 60 area guardsmen quietly returned to Halifax County yesterday to their families and friends after serving 12 months of active duty as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The soldiers from the South Boston-based A Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion were among 170 soldiers from the Roanoke-based E Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion who returned to the Roanoke Armory Tuesday morning after serving in Iraq since July 2007.
South Boston Mayor retired Maj. Gen. Carroll Thackston, welcomed the soldiers of E Company home Tuesday morning telling them, “You truly answered the call, served the caller and fulfilled the calling.”
Spc. Tyrone Younger, 22, a soldier from A Company, Detachment 3 assigned to E Co. 429th Brigade Support Battalion, drove 18 wheelers while in Iraq.
Upon his return Tuesday, he said, “Driving trucks in Iraq was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was great because of the people I was serving with. They were like my brothers and sisters.”
“We’re the backbone of the Army,” Younger said. “Nobody could do their job without the supplies we drove in.”
Soldiers from the South Boston unit were organized into Detachment 3 of A Company to serve with E Company for the mission.
The unit mobilized in May 2007 and conducted mobilization training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., before arriving in Iraq.
E Company was attached to 1144th Transportation Battalion from the Illinois National Guard while they were deployed and conducted motor transport operations.
The 1144th was assigned to 4th Sustainment Brigade headquartered in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
The unit had more than 60 trucks capable of hauling 40-foot long trailers carrying all manner of critical supplies in the theatre of war. The unit logged nearly 5.5 million miles and ran more than 130 missions into Iraq and more than 160 missions throughout Kuwait.
The unit had no soldiers wounded in action, but had one soldier killed in action during the deployment.
Staff Sgt. Jesse A. Ault, 28, of Dublin, died April 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered in Tunnis, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.
With the arrival of E Company, more than 1,300 Virginia National Guard soldiers have returned home in the last three weeks.
Approximately 400 soldiers from the Tidewater area returned home on May 8 and 10 after having served in Iraq and Kuwait since September 2007.
The soldiers are assigned to the Portsmouth-based Headquarters Troop, the Norfolk-based A Troop, the Suffolk-based Troop B and the Virginia Beach-based C Troop.
About 780 soldiers from the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team returned to their home armories in late April and early May after serving in Iraq and Kuwait since September 2007.
Approximately 125 Soldiers from the Fredericksburg-based F Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion returned home May 7, and on May 8 approximately 125 soldiers from the Fredericksburg-based D Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and approximately 80 soldiers from the Winchester-based Headquarters Company returned home.
The first wave of soldiers from 3rd Battalion returned to their home armories of Charlottesville, Leesburg and Woodstock in late April.
About 150 soldiers were assigned to each company.

South Boston Budget
Sails Through Hearing

South Boston’s proposed $8.9 million general fund budget carrying a $9,515,436 total figure with cemetery, drug task force and landfill closure, sailed through its first reading Monday night drawing no public comment.
The proposed 2008-09 budget reflects a 3 percent decrease over last year’s budget, with landfill closure a major factor. The current budget reflects $2,226,850 in the landfill closure fund, but the proposed budget carries $326,212 in the fund, an 85.4 percent decrease.
There are no capital projects proposed in the new budget, according to town officials.
The proposed budget carries the same 19 cents per assessed $100 real estate tax reflected in last year’s budget. However, with the recent reassessment the reduced tax rate would fall to 17.3 cents. Due to this change, a Monday, May 19, tax rate public hearing is scheduled at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
On June 9 council is expected to take final action on the 2008-09 budget, one that carries the same personal property tax rate, $2 per assessed $100, as this year’s, with no other tax rate or fee increase.
In other business, a public hearing Monday night on the revocation of a 2006 conditional special use permit allowing “The Shop” to operate a vehicle repair establishment at 1096 Huell Matthews Highway in the Riverdale community drew no speakers.
Previously, the planning commission recommended revoking the permit since the owner failed to meet conditions set when the permit was issued, specifically paving an area for off-street parking within one year. The permit was issued to Robert Pulliam.
Council unanimously voted to revoke the permit.
Council also approved an option for health insurance coverage for council members, but with councilmen paying full cost of benefits selected.
Tax Burden Shift
Two Washington Avenue residents, Tom Eggleston and Mark Foster, sought council’s support via resolution regarding the proposed land-use tax benefits for farmland and forestal districts, noting their concern the tax burden would shift to homeowners to make up the loss.
“It is logical the resulting (tax) decrease is going to hit us hard,” said homeowner Eggleston. “If you are not benefiting, it is going to cost,” he added.
“This seems to me not to be reasonable,” said Foster, noting land values based on $1,000 per acre for the agricultural/forestal district (AFD) program.
“We’re talking about land going up in value, and housing at best holding value. It seems unreasonable for the county to set a $1,000 (per acre) basis that lasts for 10 years. Are we going to take (our taxpayer) funds to help people watching (their) property values appreciate?”
Foster said the program has an effect on South Boston because if revenue is lost in the county, obviously it has to be made up somewhere.
Councilman Ed Owens said the issue had been discussed in the past, “the potential shifting of the tax burden,” and that he would like the county to show how the loss would be addressed.
“Every homeowner in the county is going to be affected by this,” said Councilman Bill Snead, describing the issue as not town/county but all homeowners.
Councilmen asked Town Manager Ted Daniel to present information on the agricultural and forestal districts at council’s May 19 meeting. Councilman Coleman Speece advocated forming a resolution.

Cell Phone Policy Is Reviewed By Trustees

During its meeting Monday night, the Halifax County School Board got its first look at proposed revisions to the school system’s Code of Student Conduct, including changes in the cell phone policy.
Leon Johnson, director of pupil personnel services, presented the proposed changes to the board.
One change states that in extreme emergencies, cell phones may be used by students at the principal’s discretion.
Other changes reflect revisions in policy regarding violation of the cell phone policy in school. For the first offense, the phone will be held by the principal for two days and will be returned to the parent/legal guardian at the end of the second school day. The parent/legal guardian must report in person to the school at the end of the second school day to receive the cell phone.
For a second violation of the policy, the phone will be held by the principal for five school days and will be returned to the parent/legal guardian at the end of the fifth school day. Again, the parent/legal guardian must report in person to the school at the end of the fifth day to receive the phone.
And for the third violation of the policy, the phone will be held by the principal for 10 school days. It will be returned to the parent/legal guardian at the end of the 10th school day, and the parent/legal guardian must report in person to the school at the end of the 10th
school day to receive the phone.
Like the current school year, a second violation will result in three-day suspension from school for the offender, and the third violation will result in a 10-day suspension.
Board member Walter Potts said he had heard of students being caught with cell phones on their person but not taken. Potts said he heard of the policy not being enforced across the board. He said the current policy may not be working. Superintendent Paul Stapleton said a student could not have the phone on their person, including in a pocket, on the belt or in their hand.
Middle school Principal Gail Bosiger said students are not searched for cell phones on a normal day. She said if the student takes out the phone or has it in plain sight, teachers or administrators take them.
High school Principal Albert Randolph said on any given day, there are about 1,500 cell phones in the building. Like at the middle school, Randolph said they don’t search students for cell phones at the high school. He said when they see a cell phone, it is taken from the student. He added at the end of the school day when students are coming down the stairwell, many students have cell phones out calling parents or someone else.
When asked, Stapleton said the first phoned in bomb threat at the high school was made by a student from a cell phone within the high school building. Board member Devin Snead said when he visited several high school classrooms with the principal, several students inquired about using the cell phone in the event of a bomb threat. Snead said he told the students if there was a bomb in the building, an electronic signal from a cell phone could possibly activate that explosive device. He said students were not educated in understanding the potential harm of using their cell phones in a case such as that.
Randolph said there are extenuating circumstances, where he would allow a student to use a cell phone to get in touch with a parent.
He told the board with the size of the county and the long distances students have to travel, parents feel safer with their children having cell phones.
The board will vote on revisions to the cell phone policy, in addition to other revisions to the Code of Student Conduct at its June meeting.

Obituaries

Leonore Vogel Anderson
Leonore Vogel Anderson, 59, of 1025 Harris Drive, South Boston died May 8, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Anderson was born June 17, 1948, in Marktwertz, Germany the daughter of the late Albert G. Vogel and Erika Adams Vogel and was married to Wayne Anderson. She was employed as a seamstress at Crown Craft.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, Peter Anderson and wife, Karen, of South Boston, and Thomas Vogel of Germany; two daughters, Karen Anderson Walker and husband, Dick, of Halifax, and Andrea Lay of Germany; three brothers, Robert T. Vogel of Albuquerque, N.M., Albert G. Vogel Jr. and Donald Vogel, both of Washington; one sister, Karin V. Silence of Stedman, N.C.; and eight grandchildren.
Two grandchildren also preceded Mrs. Anderson in death.
A memorial service for Mrs. Anderson will be held at the Brooks Funeral Home today, May 14, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@embarqmail.com

Glenn Clay
Glenn Clay, 38, of 1144 Woods Creek Lane, Scottsburg died May 12, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Clay was born October 14, 1969, the son of the late Bonnie Clay McKinney and was married to Janet Clay who survives.
In addition to his wife survivors include five stepchildren, Dwight, Desiree and Dexter Clay, Devin Snead and wife, Christie, of Halifax, and Shawn Snead and fiance, Kayla, of Dryburg; his mother, Patty Clay, of South Boston; three brothers, Len Clay of Alton, George McKinney and wife, Kathy, of Cluster Springs, and Addie McKinney and wife, Debra, of South Boston; one sister, Patsy Luke of Williamsburg; two step-grandchildren, Allie Powell and Christopher Beadles.
Graveside services, with the Rev. Bruce Hagy officiating, will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at a location to be announced at a later date.
The family will receive friends May 16, from 7-8:30, at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Lettie Short Conner
Lettie Short Conner of 5041 James D. Hagood Highway, Scottsburg died May 12, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Conner was born February 25, 1937, in Sycamore the daughter of the late Lundy Steveson Short and Lena Fuller Short and was married to Edward Aldine Conner, who survives. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, survivors include three sons, Carson Conner of Millersville, Md., Michael Conner of South Boston and Robin Conner of Scottsburg; one daughter, Susan Wray Conner of Scottsburg; four sisters, Elna Burton and Joan Waller of Halifax, Frances Glass of South Boston, and Elaine Hamlette of Charlotte Court House; one brother, Al David Short of Greenville, S.C.; three grandchildren, Karen Clay, Nicholas Conner and Dale Conner; and one great-grandchild, Brian Clay.
Three brothers, Robert Lee, C.W. and James Short; and one sister, Dot Barksdale, also preceded Mrs. Conner in death.
Funeral services will be held May 16, at 3 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Frank Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, May 15, from 7:00 to 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

John Pershing Loftis
John Pershing Loftis of Richmond, formerly of South Boston, died May 7, 2008. He was born October 28, 1918, the son of the late O.D. and Allie Arrington Loftis and was married to Virginia Brown Loftis who survives.
Mr. Loftis was a member of Skipwith United Methodist Church, Richmond, and was a World War II veteran.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Anita L. and husband, Chris Dickens, of Richmond, and Gail L. and husband, David Evans, of New Jersey; seven grandchildren; and three sisters, Inez Green and Edith Burton of South Boston, and Lottie Hutchins of Richmond.
Four brothers, Howard C., William H., Francis J. and Douglas E. Loftis; and two sisters, Modell L. Garnett and Mabel L. Morningstar, also preceded Mr. Loftis in death.
A graveside service was held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens at noon on May 10.

Rose Landrum Owen
Rose Elizabeth Landrum Owen, 86, of Vernon Hill died May 12, 2008, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Owen was born August 13, 1921, in Paces the daughter of the late James Oscar Landrum and Rose Ester Dunn Landrum and was married to the late John Woodrow Owen. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors of Mrs. Owen include one daughter, Rose Lee Simerson and husband, Dan, of Salisbury, N.C.; one son, David Allen Owen and wife, Carol, of Lynchburg; and one granddaughter, Katherine Leigh Owen of Lynchburg.
One son, Oscar Stuart Owen; one sister, Elsie Kathleen Cole; and one brother, James Clarence Landrum, also preceded Mrs. Owen in death.
Graveside services will be held May 16, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, Vernon Hill, with the Rev. Bill Wilkins officiating.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, May 15, from 7:00 to 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, 23060.

Richard Owen Traynham
Richard Owen Traynham, 91, of 2032 Traynham Grove Road, Alton died May 11, 2008, at The Woodview Nursing Home.
Mr. Traynham was born in Halifax County on April 27, 1917, the son of the late Richard Traynham and Elizabeth Street and was married to the late Mattie Reed Traynham. He was a member of Harmony AME Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Essie Thomas of Alton; two sons, Aaron Traynham of Randallstown, Md. and Ivory Traynham of Baltimore, Md.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and three daughters-in-law.
One son, David Traynham, also preceded Mr. Traynham in death.
Funeral services will be held May 16, at 2 p.m. at Harmony AME Church with the Rev. Michael Dunn officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home tomorrow evening, May 15, from 6 to 7, and other times at the home.

 

McCargo Named HCHS Girls Basketball Coach

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Matthew McCargo, who has served as the head coach of the Halifax County High School junior varsity girls basketball team for the past three seasons, was named yesterday as the school’s new head varsity girls basketball coach.
McCargo succeeds Ray Reaves who resigned from the post earlier this spring.
“We’re very proud that he has taken the job,” Halifax County High School Principal Albert T. Randolph said during a press conference yesterday morning.
“He comes from a family of tremendous athletes who have competed for this school and have represented this community extremely well. I have had the opportunity to observe him and work with him here with our jayvee program. I think he has brought a lot to our programs already.”
Randolph thanked Reaves for his service and dedication to the girls basketball program.
“We want to praise Mr. Reaves for what he did for the program,” Randolph said.
“We think we made some steps forward there and think we can make some further steps forward as we continue in our process of improving our girls basketball program.”
McCargo, a former standout basketball player for Halifax County High School, went on to attend and play basketball at Lees-McRae Junior College. He earned all-conference honors playing basketball for Lynchburg College and Averett University.
The new Comets coach will continue to hold his current job as the director of the South Boston Department of Parks and Recreation.
“I have had the opportunity to speak with the Town Manager (Ted Daniels) and he gave his blessing to it,” Randolph said.
“He was just super to work with. I know Mr. Daniel very well and we indicated we will work closely together so that he (McCargo) can continue his present job and also provide the needs that are here with our girls basketball program.”
McCargo said he is pleased to have the opportunity to lead the Halifax County High School girls basketball program.
“I’m really happy about being able to be the head coach,” McCargo said.
“I always wanted to be a part of the program. A dream of mine was to coach and I thought that dream had passed me by. Then, this opportunity came along to be able to coach at the high school level. I was content doing it in the rec leagues. I think it was also a blessing that I didn’t get it (a high school coaching opportunity) early because I got to learn a lot from coaching kids.
“You have kids that come into the (rec) program that have no fundamental skills. You have to teach them from the ground level and bring them up and do it in the short time frame that you have from the time that you draft your team and start the season,” he added.
“That experience helps.”
McCargo’s coaching philosophy is a two-fold approach – one of keeping things simple and putting people in positions where they can succeed.
“I try to keep it simple so they can all understand,” McCargo explained.
“I also believe in putting people in a position where they can succeed.”
McCargo cited several examples, one of them citing Comets varsity player Lauren Daniel, who is noted as a good shooter from the outside.
“If I have a shooter and the other team is playing a zone, Lauren Daniel is a pure shooter, I want that person in the game,” he said.
McCargo said one of his biggest influences in basketball and in coaching was the late Hugh Moore. Moore, a longtime community sports writer, served as a coach in the South Boston Midget Basketball League for many years.
“He said every time you pick up this ball and you’re around it, you will get a little bit better,” McCargo recalled.
“I took it a little more than what he meant because I actually carried a ball around with me for four or five days thinking I would automatically get better,” he added with a smile.
“Mr. Moore took me on when I got into the midget program and I played for him. I got to travel all around with the Comets because he covered all the games for the newspaper and he would often take me with him. I got to see Coach Thompson (late former Comets coach Don Thompson), Coach Lloyd (former Comets coach Wayne Lloyd) and all of those coaches and got to see the players. I got to see tradition. That was the biggest thing. They were winning and were expecting to win. I can still remember how close all the players were. Before home games, the players would come in together and sit together.They were all buddies.”
McCargo says he feels the Comets girls basketball program is heading in the right direction and that he feels the Comets will soon be able to be competitive with other teams in the Western Valley District.
“Coach Reeves had it going in the right direction,” McCargo said.
“Some of the coaches before Coach Reaves had it going in the right direction. There is a lot of potential there and girls there with a lot of athleticism. I think we’re right there. As far as doing it in Year One, I think we can compete, but even when you get to that level, you have to learn how to win in close ballgames and do it against seasoned teams.
“We have the athleticism and we have the players at every position,” McCargo added.
“We still need an experienced point guard. That’s going to happen in time. We’re not going to be able to develop a point guard the first year. We know that going in. We have a good, young, strong JV team and the middle school continues to provide good players. I think we ‘re going to get to the point pretty quickly to where we can compete with these (Western Valley District) schools.”

Lady Comets Rout GW In Regular Season Finale

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Comets varsity softball team and Franklin County will again have a one-game playoff for the regular season championship in the Western Valley District and an automatic bid to the Northwest Region Tournament.
Halifax County ensured the second playoff game in two years between the two rivals with a 14-0 rout of GW in Danville Monday night to end the regular season.
The Comets finished with 19 hits against GW, pitcher Paige Rickman going 4-5 at the plate with five RBIs, and Lashunda Davis also going 4-5 with two RBIs.
Katie Barnett had a pair of RBI singles, Amber Bowman and Betty Rose (double) two hits and two RBIs, Lauren Daniel (double) two hits and an RBI, Stephanie Clark and Whitney Womack each a double and Kim Snead a base hit for the Comets.
Halifax County (9-1 WVD, 16-2 overall) has won 12 of their last 13 games, the one loss a 4-2 home setback May 6 against Franklin County.
The Comets bats came back to life against GW after several off games at the plate, and the timing couldn’t be better, according to coach Melanie Saunders.
“It’s good to see our bats come back to life,” explained Saunders.
“We were really flat the past several games and we’ve been hitting the ball, but haven’t hit it when we needed it.
“Today, we had that flat spell for a couple of innings in the middle of the game and started hitting again.
“It’s good for the girls to be able to do that, especially with this game (Franklin County) coming up Thursday.
“It’s a situation where we got all of our players in the game and move them around, with everyone getting to bat.
“That’s always good before you go into a tournament.”
Three runs on three hits in the first inning got the Comets off to a good start at GW, Clark with a leadoff double and Davis with a one-out single before Rose reached base after being hit by a pitch to load the sacks.
Rickman promptly unloaded them with a triple that made it 3-0, and the Comets added another run in the second when Davis singled and later scored when Rose (RBI) reached base on another error.
Womack was stranded after a one-out double in the third, and Halifax was retired in order in the fourth before striking for two runs in the fifth inning.
Rose doubled to lead off the inning and went to third on a passed ball, before Rickman singled her home. Daniel reached base on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on a Barnett single to make it 6-0.
Bowman doubled and scored on a Davis single in the sixth and the Comets added seven runs on nine hits in the top of the seventh to complete the rout.
Rickman doubled, Daniel singled, and Barnett (RBI) singled, before Bowman’s hit scored two runs.
Clark reached on an error and Snead singled, before consecutive RBI hits by Davis, Rickman and Daniel finished the scoring.
Rickman went the distance on the mound to get the win, scattering four hits in seven innings of work, with 10 strikeouts and four walks, while the Comets played error-free defense in support of Rickman.

Comets, FC Square Off Thursday For District Title

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
For the second time in three years, the Western Valley District girls softball championship will be settled between Halifax County High School and Franklin County High School.
The two teams tied for the regular-season Western Valley District title and will square off Thursday at 5 p.m. in Danville in a playoff game that will decide the regular-season championship and the district’s top seed and a home game in the first round of the Northwest Region Tournament.
Halifax County won the first meeting between the two teams 2-0 but lost to Franklin County 4-2 when they met at HCHS May 6.
“You’ve got two evenly matched teams going head-to-head wanting win that game and get that home field advantage for the Northwest Region Tournament,” said Comets head coach Melanie Saunders.
“Both teams are going to want it very badly. It’s just going to be a matter of who gets that key hit when they need it and make the (defensive) play when they need it. It’s going to be a good game to watch.”
The Comets and Franklin County are no strangers when it comes to playoff games. In 2006, the Comets edged Franklin County 7-6 in a game that went nine innings to win the regular-season championship. Franklin County, however, bounced back to edge the Comets in the championship game of the district tournament.
Last year, Franklin County won the regular-season championship and the Comets bounced back to win the district tournament.
“You rarely have two teams that are so evenly matched,” Saunders pointed out.
“Up there (at Franklin County), when we won 2-0, we had two hits and they had one hit. When they (Franklin County) came here, we had 10 hits and they had eight. We’re even all around on the field as well as at the plate.”
Saunders said her Comets team is ready for the challenge. A game the Comets were scheduled to play today against Tunstall High School was cancelled, leaving her team with two days of rest and preparation for Franklin County.
“The last time we played Franklin County they (the players) were so psyched up and so wound up tight,” Saunders pointed out.
“The big thing for Thursday is to be relaxed. It’s a ballgame. It’s an important one, but we’ve been practicing and playing all year. We’ve just got to get it done.”
The key to her team’s success, Saunders noted, is being able to come up with hits at key times in the game.
“We both hit the ball well,” Saunders said.
“Getting the hit with runners on (base) is the key. The last game, they (Franklin County) hit with runners in scoring position and we didn’t. We got the runners on (base), we just couldn’t get that hit we needed to score them. We also weren’t able to put a couple of bunts down and advance runners. The fundamentals is what we’ve got to come back to and make work for us.”
Saunders hopes her team’s bats will be as lively Thursday as they were in Monday’s regular-season finale against GW. The Comets produced 19 hits in a 14-0 rout of GW. That was quite an improvement from the team’s previous outings when it struggled at times at the plate.
“Hopefully, we won’t get flat at the plate,” Saunders remarked.
“Hopefully, we will get the hits when we need them and will continue to play defense behind our pitchers like we have been, If we do that, we’ll be fine.”