Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Senate Unveils New Budget Plan
Proposal Holds Line On Taxes, Includes One-Time $339 M Transportation Fund

From Staff and Wire Reports
The Senate on Tuesday passed a revised budget that bows to the House of Delegates’ demand to hold the line on taxes and postpone the debate on a transportation plan as late as this fall.
The retreat could signal a breakthrough in a historic budget stalemate that threatens to partially shut down state government if not resolved when the current two-year budget expires June 30.
The Senate bill, which passed 24-8, includes a one-time expenditure of $339 million for transportation — but there is a catch.
The money will be spent on roads and rail projects only if the General Assembly passes a statewide transportation plan that includes tax increases by Nov. 1. Otherwise, the money will go to the school construction fund and other capital projects.
Sen. Frank Ruff, who represents Halifax County, said yesterday that the plan is indicative of the Senate’s willingness to come to an agreement on the stalemate that has stalled the budget plan for over four months.
“We’re trying to find a common ground,” he said. “There is a real issue out there with road construction statewide. It’s not just Northern Virginia or the Tidewater area. Those areas can take care of themselves if we give them the authority.
“We have an issue, particularly in rural Virginia, with bridge replacement. I think we were trying to address that in the budget, but it’s obviously not the time and place to do it, so we’re trying to yield to a position that both sides can agree to,” Ruff added.
But Halifax County Del. Clarke Hogan said shortly after the vote that it is too early for members of the House of Representatives to comment before seeing the entire Senate plan.
“Until we have a chance to look at the details of the proposal, it would be premature to say whether this will lead to a breakthrough on the budget impasse or not,” he said.
But Hogan said the most recent plan would seem to indicate that the Senate is willing to compromise.
“We see it as a substantial step in the right direction,” he said. “I look forward to reading the details of the package as it becomes available.”
Sen. John H. Chichester, R-Stafford and chairman of the Finance Committee, said it’s now up to the House to decide whether Virginia will have a meaningful transportation plan.
‘‘We’ve done all we’re going to do on it,’’ he said after the committee sent the bill to the Senate floor.
Democrats Richard L. Saslaw and Janet Howell, both of Fairfax, voted against the revised bill in committee.
‘‘It abandons northern Virginia to an endless traffic jam,’’ Howell said after the meeting.
The transportation debate is at the center of a budget standoff that has reached 133 days, surpassing the record 115-day budget stalemate of 2004.
The Senate, controlled by moderate Republicans, has insisted on new, long-term revenue sources for the first major transportation overhaul in two decades.
The House, led by GOP conservatives, has taken a hard line against tax increases.
Shortly after yesterday’s vote, Governor Tim Kaine urged the House to work for a compromise.
“Once again, the Senate has extended the hand of compromise to the House. The House leadership demanded that transportation be separated from the budget, and they now have transportation bills separate from the budget. The House leadership then demanded a budget free of tax increases, and they now have a budget free of tax increases.
“The time for House leadership to come to the negotiating table is long overdue. We are rapidly approaching the end of the fiscal year, and the need for a solution to address the shortfall in statewide transportation funding becomes more urgent every day. For the best interests of the Commonwealth, House leadership should now take up the Senate transportation bills they have not acted upon for three weeks, and immediately return to work with the Senate to pass a budget,” he said in a prepared statement.

Virgilina Does It Again
Community Prepares For 24th Annual Celebration Saturday. Event Begins At 11 A.M.

The town of Virgilina once again opens the streets to the public for its annual 24th Summerfest on Saturday. With its yearly parade, food and music all day long, Virgilina has prepared for another successful summer event.
The festivities will begin with a parade at 11 a.m., with games and rides available for children all day long. Arts and crafts will also be on sale. There will be the all-famous Virgilina Fire Department stew for lunch along with hamburgers, hotdogs, french fries, and other foods. Starting at 2 p.m., barbeque pork and chicken plates will be served.
A LifeFlight helicopter will be on display, with possible rides. Cruise in Cars will be displaying their antique cars throughout the streets for the public’s enjoyment. Bands will play from 1-5 p.m. There will be dancing in the street once night falls and the Konnection Band kicks up the entertainment from 6-9 p.m.
The VVFA, Virgilina Volunteer Fire Auxiliary, will be sponsoring a raffle drawing at 9 p.m., complete with cash prizes. All those attending are asked to bring lawn chairs to watch the day’s festivities.
The Mighty Men of Valor will host “Little Tree” as their House of Prayer Puppet Show. Several local and supporting counties also donated their support and time to the annual throw-down.
The following Sunday, there will be a Memorial Day service at the Virgilina Cemetery starting at 11 a.m. Senator Frank Ruff will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend and remember the forefathers who sacrificed their lives for freedom. Flags will be placed on the graves of all veterans. It is one of the county’s most anticipated events.

HCHS Students Awarded For ‘All-Star’ Excellence
Awards Presented To 132 Students Monday Night

It was a day a year in the making as 132 students from Halifax County High School were recognized for excellence during the school’s annual All-Star Banquet Monday.
During the event, three students, Shannon Bird, Glenn Brown and Christopher Beale received special Three Times An All-Star Awards.
One student, Michael D. “Dane” Ferguson, was awarded a Four-Time All-Star Award.
Initiated several years ago, the banquet recognizes outstanding students who have excelled in academics, athletics and other extracurricular activities.
During the ceremony, Halifax County High School Principal Albert Randolph presented the awards honoring the students.
“Halifax County High School is pleased to host this event honoring outstanding students for their achievements during 2005-2006,” he said. “We congratulate the students recognized this evening for their significant contributions to the life of their school.”
STEM Center teacher David M. Norris was the guest speaker for the event.
The theme for the event could best be summed up by a quote from former Secretary of State Colin Powell that was printed on the program:
“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”
Students receiving awards during the ceremony were as follows:
Gabriel Aguilar, Perfect SOL score: Algebra II; David Anderson, MVP-Indoor Boys’ Track, MVP-Outdoor Boys’ Track, MVP-Defensive Varsity Football; Derek Anderson, President-DECA; Jordan D. Bagbey, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography; Jamie A. Ballou, President-Voices; Benjamin T. Bamberg, Perfect SOL Score: World History II, DCC’s First Year Studies Certificate Candidate; Amanda L. Barksdale, MVP Varsity Cheerleader-Football; Humberto Barksdale, Perfect SOL Score: Geometry; Colleen M. Barnes, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, Virginia Girls’ State, MVP-Girls Tennis Team:
Christopher J. Beale, Perfect SOL Scores: VA and US History, Chemistry, Ace of Aces, Residential VA Governor’s School, Susan Schearer Award for Creative Arts in Latin, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Sandra Benn, Foreign Exchange Student-Germany; Tierra M. Bethel, President Sophomore class; Shannon N. Bird, Perfect SOL Scores: World History II, Biology; Heather M. Boden, President Young Republicans; Alexis Bostick, MVP-Varsity Cheerleader-Basketball; Chase A. Bowes, Perfect SOL Score: VA and US History;
Felicia J. Bowman, MVP-Girls’ Outdoor Track; Michael J. Boyd, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, MVP-Golf; Derek A. Brooks, Perfect SOL Score: Geometry, MVP-Boys’ Basketball; Taylor M. Broome, Perfect SOL Score: Earth Science, Silver Medal and Maxima Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam;
Glenn T. Brown, Perfect SOL Scores Algebra II, VA and US History; Sarah E. Burkholder, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; LaDonna D. Canada, MVP-Girls Indoor Track; Anne C. Carrington, Perfect SOL Scores: World History II, English 11-Reading, Literature and Research, English 11-Writing; Juanita L. Carter, President Fashion FCCLA II; Jason H. Cash, Silver Certificate and Medal on the National Mythology Exam; Damon Chambers, Virginia Boys’ State, MVP-Wrestling, MVP-Defensive Varsity Football, Sports Hall of Fame; Jeremy A. Clauden, MVP Special Team Football, MVP-Boys’ Outdoor Track; Caroline Clements, MVP-Girls’ Swim Team; Shamika S. Coleman, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Amy L. Comer, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Matthew Conner, MVP-Golf;
Melissa Conner, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Reading, Literature and Research, Charles M. Coursey, Perfect SOL Score: VA and US History; Charles G. Crawley, Perfect SOL Score: VA and US History, MVP-Wrestling, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Sarah E. Crews, Perfect SOL Scores: Algebra II, Earth Science; Robert L. Dallas, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography; Amanda N. Davis, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Writing; Justus D. Eisenbesis, MVP-Boys’ Tennis, Foreign Exchange Student-Germany; Jaimee D. Emswiler, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Richard B. Evans, Perfect SOL Scores: English 11-Writing, VA and US History, Latin Club President; Jonathan W. Fallen, Perfect SOL Score: World History II
Lauren M. Faulkner, Perfect SOL Scores: World Geography, Geometry, World History I, several second place awards at the VJCL Latin Convention; Michael ‘Dane’ Ferguson, Outstanding Art Student, MVP-Boys’ Swim Team; Mark A. Ferrell, MVP-Offensive Varsity Football; Marteia Ferrell, MVP-Girls Indoor Track; Priscilla Fisher, Perfect SOL Score: Geometry; Brittany S. Foster, MVP-Girls’ Outdoor Track; Tasheia Foster, President Junior Class; Dustin K. Francis, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography; Judy Francis, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Writing; Katherine Francis, President-FFA; David M. Glasscock, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Writing; Trevor R. Griffin, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Jill N. Hailey, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II
Kevin D. Harris, Outstanding JROTC Cadet; Shanique L. Harris, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Courtney Hines, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate;
William D. Hunt, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Kandance B. Irby, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Writing; Victoria N. Jackson, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Zena A. Jeffress, Virginia Girls’ State, President National Honor Society, President Peer Mediation; Kenneth Jemielity, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Cierra Jones, Perfect SOL Score: World Georgraphy; Matthew Jones, Perfect SOL Score: World History II, Achievement Certificate on the National Latin Exam; William Jordan, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate;
Alissia C. Keaton, Perfect SOL Score: English 11-Reading, Literature and Research, Outstanding Fashion FCCLA Student; Craig S. Keys, SCA President, 2006 Homecoming King, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Juanita L. Kincy, MVP-Girls’ Indoor Track, MVP- Girls Outdoor Track; Keara King, President Fashion FCCLA I; Mary Lantor, Perfect SOL Score: English 11 Writing, Outstanding Halifax County Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Student; Olivia Leonard, President Young Democrats; Deelynn K. Leigh, MVP-Volleyball, Sports Hall of Fame; Ari T. Lewis, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; William ‘Bret’ Lewis, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, FBLA President; Matthew A. Lindley, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Ronnie D. Link, MVP-Boys’ Cross Country; Emily A. Martin, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II;
Donna McCollum, Perfect SOL Score: VA and US History; Talesha Medley, MVP-Girls’ Basketball; Samuel A. Mitchell, Outstanding Theatre Student; Jessica N. Morris, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, MVP-Girls’ Volleyball; Frank Morton-Park, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, Editor-in-Chief of the Star, Perfect SOL Scores: English 11 Writing, VA and US History; Lee Murphy, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Eric R. Nelson, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, MVP-Boys’ Swim Team; Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Nelson, 2005-2006 Homecoming Queen; Jason A. New, Perfect SOL Scores: World Geography, World History I; Amanda N. Newton, Bronze Certificate on the National Mythology Exam; Tyler S. Nunn, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Heather M. Oakes, President-HOSA;
Benjamin W. Owen, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II, Outstanding Achievement Certificate and ribbon on the National Latin Exam; Robert A. ‘Bobby’ Owens, MVP Offensive Varsity Football, Sports Hall of Fame; Ricky J. Owens, Perfect SOL Score: World History II, Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam; Lauren E. Pigg, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Melanie B. Pool, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Carolyn Reynolds, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Melvin Reynolds, Virginia Boys’ State, President Robotics Team; Sierra D. Richardson, Virginia Girls’ State, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate, President Senior Class; Alex C. Robbins, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography, Gold medal and Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam; Bradley Rogers, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate;
Dennis K. Roller, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography; Christopher M. Rorrer, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Emily L. Rosche, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Kemper Russell, MVP-Girls’ Basketball; James W. Rutherford, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Holly N. Rutledge, Outstanding Yearbook Student; Jessica R. Saunders, Outstanding Art Student; Travis C. Saunders, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography; Joshua L. Shealy, MVP-Offensive Boys’ Soccer; Stephen P. Sibley, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Emarie K. Skelton, Perfect SOL Score: World Geography, first in sweepstakes at the Latin Convention for ninth graders; Marynn Skelton, Perfect SOL Score: English11-Writing, Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam;
Jason M. Slabach, Perfect SOL Scores: English 11-Reading, Literature and Research, English 11-Writing; Erin Squires, MVP-Cheerleader Competition; Willie J. Stephens, MVP Special Team Varsity Football; Ashley K. Stovall, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Sara R. Suniga, Perfect SOL Scores: English 11-Writing, VA and US History, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Lindsey K. Sutphin, perfect SOL Score: World History II, Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam; Patrick L. Terry, MVP-Indoor Boys’ Track, MVP-Outdoor Boys’ Track; Beth N. Throckmorton, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Amey Totherow, MVP-Girls Cross Country; Danielle L. Vaughn, Captain, Pom-Pom Squad; Laure V. Vongerichten, Foreign Exchange Student-France; Sekia Watson, Outstanding SCA Officer;
Mandy L. Watts, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; Whiney D. Welcher, Perfect SOL Score: Earth Science; Lacy A. Will, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II, MVP-Girls’ Swim Team; John A. Williamson, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Amber Wilson, Perfect SOL Score: World History II, Gold Medal and Summa Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam; Jennifer A. Yancey, Perfect SOL Score: Algebra II; Kathleen E. Yates, DCC’s First Year Studies: Certificate Candidate; and Gina M. Zanarini, Perfect SOL Score: Biology.

Obituaries

Theodore F. Collins
Theodore F. Collins, 83, of Milton, Fla., a native of South Boston, died May 21, 2006, at his home.
Mr. Collins is survived by his wife, Dorothy Collins of the home; one son, Thomas Collins of Milton; his stepchildren, Al Kirkland of Mims, Fla. and Elaine Morris of Hagerstown, Md.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Lewis Funeral Home in Milton is in charge of arrangements.
Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt Terrell
Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt Terrell, 62, of Halifax died May 20, 2006, at his home.
Mr. Terrell was born May 13, 1944, in Halifax County to the late Gaddis Roosevelt Terrell and Winnie Mildred Allen Terrell.
Survivors include one son, Theodore Roosevelt Terrell Jr. of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Elaine Carden and Jackaline Bailey, both of Scottsburg; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Terrell will be held tomorrow, May 25, at 3 p.m. at Spanish Grove Baptist church with the Rev. Ronnie Womack officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Jackaline Bailey, 4169 McDonald Road, Scottsburg.
James G. Thompson
James G. Thompson, pastor emeritus of Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, died Sunday, May 21, 2006.
Born in Halifax County, July 25, 1918, he was the son of William C. and Edna Vaughan Thompson. He received a B.A. degree from Hampden-Sydney College and a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.
Ordained to the ministry in 1943 by Roanoke Presbytery, Rev. Thompson served two pastorates: the Pamplin Group, 10 years, consisting of Beale Memorial, Buffalo, Concord and Madisonville Presbyterian congregations and the Quaker Memorial Presbyterian congregation, 30 years, in Lynchburg. Since retirement, he has been occasional supply pastor in various churches in Bedford, Campbell and Charlotte Counties.
Preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters, he is survived by two sisters-in-law, Gladys Thompson of South Boston and Martha B. Thompson of Halifax and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., tomorrow, May 25, at Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the historic South River (Quaker) Meeting House, c/o Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church, 5810 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg, 24502.

 

Owens’ HR Lifts Comets To Win Over FC
Halifax County Will Face GW Here Thursday At 7 P.M. In The Western Valley District Tournament Championship Game
Bobby Owens blasted a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning and lifted the Halifax County High School varsity baseball team to a dramatic come-from-behind 4-3 win over Franklin County here last night in a semifinal game of the Western Valley District Tournament.
Halifax County will face archrival GW here Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Comets Field in the tournament championship game with the district title, the district’s top seed for next week’s Northwest Region Tournament and a first-round home game in the regional tournament hanging in the balance.
Owens’ homer capped a big night for the Comets senior. He led the team with a big 3-4 night at the plate with the round-tripper being the big hit of the night.
The Comets’ senior said he knew what was coming from Franklin County hurler Lincoln Garner.
“He (Garner) liked to lead off a bunch with fastballs,” noted Owens.
“I knew if he wasn’t going to shake the catcher off he was coming with the fastball. I tried to hit it out in front. When I hit it, I knew it was gone. As soon as I made contact I knew it was out of here.”
Owens and his Comets teammates reveled in the win, a big win that propelled the Comets into Thursday night’s championship game.
“We need to win one more, but this one (win) gets us to the next game,” Owens said.
“ We need home-field advantage (for the Northwest Region Tournament) and this was a big part of getting that.”
Not only did the Comets get a big night at the plate from Owens, Comets senior hurler Jeremy Jeffress did his part to keep the game close.
Jeffress fanned 18 batters while yielding five walks and three scattered hits and went the entire nine-inning distance.
“He (Jeffress) went out there and did what we wanted him to do,” said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“He kept us in the ballgame until we got the sticks going.”
Davis said this game was one of those games that tests a team’s heart and that the win should be a big boost to his team’s confidence.
“This is a big win for us, not only because we got the win, but because we came back and won,” Davis pointed out.
“Sometimes you just have to try to endure to the end and that’s we did. We endured to the end and waited on opportunities. We got our opportunities and collected from them.”
Things didn’t look good for the Comets early as Franklin County’s leadoff batter Frank Morris walked to start the game and, on a surprise play, stole home with two out to give the Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
The Eagles’ Seth Sigmon nailed a leadoff homer in the top of the fourth inning to put Franklin County up 2-0.
Through the first four innings, the Comets had only two hits and had stranded four base runners. Franklin County, on the other hand, had gotten its leadoff batter on base in each of the first three innings and Jeffress had had to come up with a series of key strikeouts to hold Franklin County at bay.
The Comets finally awoke in the bottom of the fifth inning when Owens led off with a double off of the centerfield fence and scored on a double by Jacob Swillie. A hit up the middle by Justin Bagbey plated Swillie to tie the game at 2-2.
Halifax County took the lead when Gieselman hit a short squibbler toward Garner at the mound and Garner threw the ball away trying to make the throw to first base. That opened the door for Patrick Currie, who was running for Bagbey, to score and put the Comets up 3-2.
Franklin County deadlocked the game by scoring a run in the top of the seventh inning. Riley Brubaker led the inning off with a hit. He moved to second base on a sacrifice and used a passed ball to get to third base with one out. Another passed ball allowed Brubaker to score and tie the game at 3-3.
The game remained tied until Owens broke the deadlock with his homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Halifax County had seven hits in the game with Owens leading the way with three hits. Bagbey, Gieselman, Jeffress and Swillie had one hit each.

Comets Softball Team To Face FC Thursday In WVD Title Game
Comets Advance With 7-0 Win Over E.C. Glass Here Yesterday
The Comets varsity softball team knew it had clinched a berth in the upcoming Northwest Regional Tournament after Friday’s 7-6 playoff win over Franklin County for first-place in the regular season Western Valley District standings.
It also knew that it would take two more wins and the district tournament title to secure at least one home game in the upcoming regional tournament, and Halifax took the first step toward that goal here Tuesday with a solid 7-0 win over E.C. Glass, the Comets finishing with nine hits to back a combined no-hitter by hurlers Beth Throckmorton and Jessie (Moo) Morris.
Halifax will play here tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. and will face Franklin County for the Western Valley District Tournament championship and the district’s top seed in the regionals.
The Comets were sharp in all phases of the game against Glass, offensively and defensively, maintaining the momentum from Friday’s big win over Franklin County, according to coach Melanie Saunders.
Still, the game was tougher than it appeared on the scoreboard, she noted.
“Glass has come a long way and the score doesn’t show it, but they put the bat on the ball. They made some errors, but they’re much better than they’ve been the past couple of years, and our pitchers really had to work,” said Saunders.
“The score doesn’t reflect what our kids had to do in order to win the ball game.”
The Comets got two hits each from Melissa Sims, Heather Oakes and Shayna Oakes (double), and one each from Lashunda Davis (double), Key Ferrell (double) and Morris in the win, Sims finishing with two RBI’s, and Jasmine Parker with two RBI’s.
Heather Oakes, Shayna Oakes and Davis each added a RBI, and that was plenty of run support for Throckmorton, Morris and the Comets’ defense, which allowed only one Hilltopper to reach base in seven innings.
Halifax struck early to take control of the contest, five of its hits coming in the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead.
Sims led off the bottom of the first with a base hit, Heather Oakes sacrificed her to second and Davis slugged a RBI double to make it 1-0, and the Comets took advantage of two Glass errors and three hits to hike its advantage to 4-0 after two innings.
A drive to deep center field by leadoff batter Parker was muffed for an error, Parker reaching second base, and an error on Throckmorton’s sacrifice bunt put runners at the corners with no outs to start the second.
Shayna Oakes followed with a RBI single, Throckmorton taking third base on the play, and Sims slapped a two-run base hit for the final runs of the inning.
The Comets executed again at the plate for single runs in the third and fourth innings, Betty Rose leading off the third with a fly ball that was dropped for another Glass error.
Ferrell lay down a sacrifice bunt, Rose hustling to third on the play, and she scored when Parker hit a ground ball to the right side.
Halifax again put its leadoff batter on base in the bottom of the fourth, Shayna Oakes hitting a double and advancing to third on Mandy Watts’ flyball out.
Heather Oakes followed with a two-out base hit to make it 6-0 after four innings, and the Comets tacked on its final run in the fifth inning.
Ferrell slugged a one-out double and advanced to third on a passed ball, before Parker again hit a RBI groundout to the right side for the final run of the game.
Comets pitchers Throckmorton and Morris were in control from the start, the senior duo combining for the no-hitter, while facing only one batter over the minimum in seven innings.
Throckmorton hurled the first three innings, striking out six batters and walking none, while Morris pitched the final four frames, finishing with five strikeouts and no walks, neither pitcher allowing a ball out of the infield.
Glass had one base runner the entire game, that coming in the fourth inning after the Comets’ only error of the game.
Saunders said the Comets did a good job of keeping their focus after Friday’s playoff game, executing both offensively and defensively against Glass.
“We ran the bases well, moved the base runners and we were able to score runs because of that,” noted Saunders.
“Defensively, we played much better than Friday, we made some errors then but we were able to come back.
“Defensively, we were “on” today.”
Saunders said she liked the way the Comets came out of the gate against Glass following the emotional win against Franklin County, knowing they had already clinched a spot in the regionals.
“I told them that they had to keep the momentum going and stay positive this week, and we’re where we should be entering the championship game.”

Cage Slams Senior Peers In State Tennis Tourney
Bob Cage Won The Recent Virginia Senior Olympics Tennis Title And Earned A Berth In The 2007 National Senior Olympics

Bob Cage has his game back, but not his worn out knees.
Surgical scars are proof-positive that the South Boston resident has replacement knee caps which he claims give him a competitive edge on the courts.
And the gold medal he wears around his neck is undisputable evidence that his “game,” indeed, is very good.
Replacement parts notwithstanding, Cage slammed his way to the top in the 75-79 age group at the recent Virginia Senior Olympics in Virginia Beach.
In the men’s singles event, the former World Champion Tobacco Auctioneer had winning sets of 8-3, 8-5 and 8-3 over his opponents, Moser of Richmond, Knowlson of Hampton and Poloson of Newport News.
Cage’s win earns him a berth in the National Senior Olympics to be held June 2007 in Louisville, Ky. It will be the second time Cage has competed at the national level having won the bronze in Baton Rouge, La.
“It’s the most enjoyable thing I do,” said Cage.
He played tennis with passion as a youth but laid his racket aside until, at age 50, Cage returned to the court to become nationally-ranked.
Knee surgery in 2005 limited his tournament play to just one match.
He’s not pain-free but his movement on the court is much improved and certainly good enough to be a Virginia, if not national, champion tennis player.
You don’t stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing
The History Of The NSGA
In 1985 in St. Louis, Missouri, a group of seven men and women formed the original leadership for what was initially known as the National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO).
In the fall of 1985 they hosted a meeting of individuals who were currently conducting games for seniors in their 33 states.
That group planned the first National Senior Olympic Games, held in 1987 in St. Louis. The games were a great success with 2,500 competitors.
The NSOO was formalized during the games with a Board of Directors elected, articles of incorporation filed in the State of Missouri and By-Laws adopted. Over 100,000 spectators viewed the first Games’ ceremonies featuring Bob Hope at the St. Louis Riverfront Arch.
The second national Games also took place in St. Louis in 1989, hosting 3,500 seniors and was covered by the New York Times, ESPN and Good Morning America.
In 1989 an agreement was reached with the United States Olympic Committee based on their objection to the use of the term Olympic in the organization’s corporate name and the name was changed to the U.S. National Senior Sports Organization.
Today, the organization does business as the National SeniorGames Association. The organization continued to name its signature event the National Senior Games – The Senior Olympics and, through a grandfather clause, States that were using the name Senior Olympics at the time of the USOC agreement were allowed to continue that privilege.
The National Senior Games Association moved its corporate office to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1998 where it exists today as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to motivating active adults to lead a healthy lifestyle through the senior games movement.
Its signature event, the Summer Games, has grown to one of the largest multi-sport events in the world.