Monday, June 12, 2006

 

Webb, Miller Contend For U.S. Senate Nomination
Tuesday’s Democratic Primary Open To All Voters; Polls Open At 6 a.m.
Staff and Wire Reports

All registered voters in Halifax County can vote in Tuesday’s Democratic primary that pits James H. Webb Jr. of Falls Church against Harris N. Miller of McLean for the right to face incumbent Senator George Allen in November’s general election.
The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and state law requires all voters to show identification or sign an affirmation of identity.
For additional information about polling places contact the Halifax County Registrar’s Office at 476-3322.
Miller is a long-time Democratic activist and lobbyist and Webb is a former Republican and decorated Vietnam veteran.
The two candidates sparred Friday during a joint radio appearance over the war in Iraq, dealing with illegal immigration and suggestions that an obscure Webb flier is anti-Semitic.
Even so, the third and final broadcast forum between Miller and Webb was the most conciliatory yet, with more agreement than dispute and mutual pledges to unite after Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primary.
Questioners for the Friday debate on Washington Post Radio confronted Webb about a flier intended for distribution among labor groups done in a comic-book cartoon style and titled ‘‘Miller the Job Killer.’’
It depicts Miller, who is Jewish, with a grotesquely hooked nose and cash spilling from his suit pockets as he orders an underling to find ways to export U.S. jobs overseas. A line of accompanying text refers to Miller as the ‘‘anti-Christ of outsourcing,’’ a characterization Webb first used in May.
Miller called it ‘‘despicable.’’
‘‘One of the things I hoped we would keep out of this campaign because it has nothing to do with the campaign is my religion and my background,’’ Miller said.
Webb said it was not intended to disparage Miller’s religion or heritage and apologized if that’s how it is perceived.
‘‘I would not in any way look at that and say that it was anti-Semitic. Harris is the one who’s played the race card in this campaign by distorting my views on affirmative action,’’ Webb countered.
A line on the flier says it was authorized by the Webb campaign. Webb acknowledged it and said it originated in southwest Virginia.
‘‘Apparently it was distributed only in certain parts of Virginia, as if people there would fall for that imagery,’’ Miller said.
On Iraq, Webb repeated his views he has written about at least since 2002 decrying the invasion as a strategic blunder because it would force U.S. troops to become a long-term occupational force in a hostile culture.
‘‘Quite frankly, if you look at where we were before we went into Iraq and where we are now, we’re certainly in a less safe world,’’ said Webb, a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War. A U.S. withdrawal could begin in 1 1/2 to two years, he said, but he would not support an immediate withdrawal or hard deadline.
Miller, a wealthy businessman and former Internet industry lobbyist, sought to portray Iraq as ‘‘a business problem.’’
‘‘The U.S. government sits and tells the Iraqi leadership these are the objectives: we train a certain number of Iraqi military, that’s cause for a drawdown of U.S. troops,’’ Miller said. If the White House didn’t do that, he said, he would vote in the Senate to immediately cut off funding.
Webb, a rifle company commander in Vietnam, was incredulous. He said two of America’s most intractable military entanglements came with businessmen — Robert McNamara during Vietnam and Donald Rumsfeld now — as secretaries of defense.
‘‘You can’t take a business approach to something that is so complex,’’ Webb said.
Webb said he supported a 5 percent tax break to people who sign up for the military, a step that he said would buoy sagging military enlistments.
On immigration, Miller said he favored targeting employers who hire illegal workers with prison time. ‘‘Of course, George Bush has not been interested in focusing on the employers because those are his buddies, his supporters in his political campaigns,’’ Miller said.
He also accused Allen, who is taking a hard line on illegal immigrants, of ‘‘immigrant bashing.’’ Deporting 11 million illegal immigrants would take 398 years, he said.
Webb advocated tough steps to regain control of U.S. borders with Mexico, then take a hard line with Mexico’s leaders.
‘‘We can’t just be doing this from inside our own country. There’s a push going on from inside Mexico because of economic conditions there that I think encourages immigration, and I do not favor guest worker programs,’’ Webb said.
Miller said he opposes repealing the estate tax, a posthumous levy on the estates of millionaires. ‘‘It puts a lot of money in the pockets of Paris Hilton and Dick Cheney’s heirs. It does nothing for the average working person in Virginia,’’ he said.
Webb said his concern is the threshold of $2 million is too low because it could place on farms and family businesses that meet that value a tax burden payable only by selling out.

 

Police Seek Armed Robbery Suspects
Investigators with the South Boston Police Department are seeking information about the suspects involved in an alleged armed robbery Friday, according to Chief Mick Reed.
Reed said that at approximately 10:30 p.m. Friday, a Halifax County resident told police that he was in the turning lane on Halifax Road attempting to turn into Halifax Square Shopping Center when two suspects approached him and “demanded his money.”
According to the chief, the suspects are described as white males wearing black clothing and ski masks.
One suspect “possibly” had a gun and the other was carrying a skateboard, according to police.
“The male with the skateboard took an undisclosed amount of money from the victim and both suspects took off running,” Reed said.
A subsequent search of the area using tracking dogs from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Department was fruitless, according to the chief.
Anyone with information about this, or any other, crime is asked to call the South Boston Police Department at 575-7273 or Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS/.

Man’s Face Broken By Youth’s Punch
Juvenile Held In Detention Center

A 17-year-old male juvenile is being held in Danville’s W.W. Moore Detention Center after he allegedly punched a 59-year-old Halifax man, according to the Town of Halifax Police Department.
Officer David Martin said the juvenile and Ballou Trail resident Haggood Coleman became involved in a verbal confrontation at the Halifax Jiffy Store when the juvenile “struck Coleman in the face,” reportedly causing facial fractures.
Coleman was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital where he was treated for injuries sustained in the altercation and released.
The alleged offense occurred June 3.
The juvenile was arrested by Martin Saturday.
In other police business, Anthony Jerome Wilson, 28, of Route 1, Saxe, was charged Friday with third offense driving while suspended.
The alleged offense occurred Friday.
Deputy T.C. Spencer executed the summons.
Paul Tucker, 37, of Chestnut Road in Halifax, was charged Friday with possession of marijuana.
The alleged offense occurred Friday.
Deputy A.W. Britton executed the summons.
Janie Elizabeth Abernathy, 26, of L.P. Bailey Highway in Halifax, was charged Saturday with the assault and battery of Sharon Waller.
The alleged offense occurred Saturday.
Deputy J.M. Burton executed the summons.

Obituaries

Stella Frances Rogers Baird
Funeral services for Mrs. Stella Frances Rogers Baird were held Sunday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church on Parker Avenue in South Boston.
Viewing was at Dunn and Sons Funeral Home on Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. At other times guests were received at the home of Corlys Ballou in South Boston.
Mrs. Baird, widow of the late Rev. W.J. Baird, died Wednesday, June 7, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 101.
She was born on May 3, 1905 in South Boston, the daughter of the late Lazarus Rogers and the late Sallie Faulkner Rogers.
She was a retired schoolteacher.
Mrs. Baird is survived by two sons, Dr. W. Edwyn Baird and Eldridge A. Baird, and a daughter, Corlys Ballou.
Mrs. Baird was preceded in death by two sons, Reginald Elbert and Rogers Alvin; a son-in-law, Frederick L. Ballou Sr.; a brother; two sisters; one grandson; Derrick Ballou; and one great-grandson.
Gene Hudson Hall
Funeral services for Gene Hudson Hall, of Scottsburg, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dana Hunt officiating. Interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Visitation will be today at Brooks Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m., and at other times at the home, 1060 Welldrillers Trail.
Mrs. Hall, 78, died Sunday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was a former secretary with Leggett Department Store and a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Hall was born May 14, 1928, a daughter of the late Elihue Hudson and Hallie Conner Hudson and was married to the late Herman Belt Hall Sr.
She is survived by her daughter, LaVerne H. Bennett and husband Roger, of Scottsburg; one son, H.
B. Hall Jr. and wife Wanda, of Scottsburg; three granddaughters, DeLayne Sons, Sallie Snow and Elizabeth Hall; two grandsons, Roger Dale Bennett Jr. and Trey Hall.
Mrs. Hall was preceded in death two sisters, Christine Bradshaw and Alise Puryear, and one brother, Huell Hudson.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston or the Alzheimer’s Association, Southside VA Chapter, P.O. Box 310, South Hill, Va. 23970.
Drew Llewellyn
A memorial service for Drew Llewellyn, 23, of Charlotte, N.C., was held Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte. Brian Silldorff, director of Youth Ministries, officiated.
Mr. Llewellyn died Wednesday at Duke University Medical Center.
He was born February 13, 1983 in Raleigh, a son of Boxley and Jane Llewellyn.
He graduated from the Hyde School in Woodstock, Conn., in 2002 and was a rising senior at East Carolina University.
He was a former Charlotte Soccer Club player and a proud member of the 82 Blue Team. He is remembered by friends and family as one who “approached life at full speed.”
In addition to his parents, Llewellyn is survived by two sisters, Melissa Katafiasz and husband Daniel of Fuquay-Varina and Mary Cox and husband Wade of Charlotte; a brother, Benjamin Llewellyn, a student in Melbourne, Australia; paternal grandmother Mrs. Robert B. Llewellyn of South Boston; maternal grandparents Mary Lee and Henry Brown of Purcellville, and friend Jordan Dean.
In lieu of flowers, please consider The Adult Stem Cell Center at Duke University, Medical Center, P.O. Box 3961, Durham, N.C., 27710.
Lou Ella Coleman Cunningham
Funeral services for Mrs. Lou Ella Coleman Cunningham will be held today at 1 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Lawrence Wilkerson officiating.
Burial will follow in the Coleman Family Cemetery, 3158 Virgilina Road.
Mrs. Cunningham, 86, formerly of Halifax County, died Tuesday, June 6, in Oklahoma.
She was born in Halifax County on April 8, 1920 the daughter of the late Edward Coleman and Jannie O. Coleman and was married to the late Theodore Watkins and then to John Cunningham.
Mrs. Cunningham is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Taiwann Garland of Oklahoma; a son, Leroy C. Watkins of South Boston; four sisters, Jean Hairston of Springfield, N.Y., Roberta C. Jennings of Long Island, Gladiola Peerman of New York and Dolichos Hughes of Danville; a brother, Edward Asa Coleman of Manassas; two sisters-in-law, Mary S. Coleman of Virgilina and Maxine Coleman of Manassas; a brother-in-law, Otis Hughes of Danville; an aunt, Helen O Goode of Vaux Hall, N.J., and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Donnie Gray Anderson
Mr. Donnie Gray Anderson of Turbeville Road, Alton, died Thursday, June 8, at his home.
He was 56.
Mr. Anderson was born August 14, 1949 in Halifax County, a son of the late Archer Acken Anderson Sr. and Lucille Snead Anderson.
He was employed by Goodyear and was a Vietnam-era Army veteran.
Mr. Anderson is survived by one daughter, Angela A. Reaves and husband Ray of South Boston; two sons, Mickey Allen Anderson Sr. and Travis Scott Anderson, both of South Boston; his mother, Lucille Snead Anderson of South Boston; two sisters, Georgia A. Sizemore of Halifax and Penny Lee A. Phillips of South Boston; one brother, Archer Acken Anderson Jr. of South Boston; and four grandchildren, Mickey Allen Anderson Jr., Daniel Keith Anderson, W. Cody Reaves and Amanda Marie Reaves, all of South Boston.
He was predeceased by his father, Archer Acken Anderson Sr.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Powell Funeral Home.

It’s Official: Jeffress Inks Pact With Brewers
HCHS Hurler Jeremy Jeffress Leaves This Morning To Report To The Arizona Brewers Rookie League Team
Jeremy Jeffress’ dream of becoming a major league baseball player has become a reality.
The Halifax County High School hurler Jeffress made it official Friday in Milwaukee, Wis., passing a physical exam and formally signing a contract to play baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to published reports on MLB.com, Jeffress, who was selected as the 16th overall pick and as the Brewers’ first pick in last Tuesday’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, inked a contract containing a reported $1.55 million signing bonus.
The hard-throwing right-hander is scheduled to leave his South Boston home early this morning to travel to Phoenix, Ariz. where he will join the Arizona Brewers, the Brewers’ rookie Arizona League team and launch his pro baseball career.
“We are very pleased to have come to terms with our first-round selection,” Milwaukee Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Amateur Scouting, Jack Zduriencik stated in a press release issued by the Brewers.
‘I think what it says is this kid realizes that the sooner he gets started, he can get a good glimpse of the big picture,’’ added Jack Zduriencik.
“So get him a uniform and get him out there right away.’’
That, the Brewers did.
Jeffress, accompanied by his parents, Fred and Yolanda Jeffress, visited Miller Park Friday, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. There, Jeffress and his parents met with Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin, manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Mike Maddux.
“When I visited Miller Park, I saw my dream right there on the field,” Jeffress said yesterday.
“It’s very pretty. I love Milwaukee.”
Brewers officials got Jeffress into a uniform, took him out to the bullpen and had him throw a few pitches.
“It was fun,” Jeffress said.
“There was no pressure at all. I threw a few pitches, maybe 11 or 12. They said they like me very much. They gave me a few pointers while I was there, too.”
Jeffress and his parents also got to see the Brewers play the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night in Miller Park. The young pitcher got to see the game up close from a front-row seat next to the Brewers’ dugout.
“That was the most fun,” Jeffress said.
“I got to meet the players. They made fun of me a little bit but it was all in fun. They said they can’t wait until I get there.”
Jeffress said yesterday he is anxious to get started.
“I’m ready to go,” he said.
“The (Rookie League) season starts Tuesday and I’m ready to jump right in.”

Legion Post 8 Baseball Team Opens New Season Tonight
South Boston Will Face Martinsville Here Tonight At 7 P.M. At Halifax County High School
The South Boston American Legion Post 8 baseball team launches its 2006 season here tonight with a new head coach and optimism for a good season.
At the helm of the Post 8 team is veteran coach Will Hill who has served as either a head coach or assistant coach for the team for a total of 11 years.
W.J. Long and Halifax County Middle School head baseball coach Barry Powell, who has also had experience in the Post 8 program, assisting him this season.
Post 8 opens its season here tonight with a non-district contest against Martinsville Post 421, a team that has former Halifax County High School baseball standout and Virginia Tech club baseball standout Chris Parker as its coach.
Tonight’s game is the first game of a 14-game slate that the Post 8 team will face this season. Martinsville is currently the only non-district team that South Boston will face. Hill noted, however, that he is attempting to schedule some additional games including some Legion JV games.
The South Boston Post 8 team will be part of a four-team district this season that will include Danville Post 325, Lynchburg Post 16 and Big Island.
South Boston’s schedule includes four doubleheaders. The doubleheaders will be comprised of two seven-inning games. Single games will be nine-inning contests. The team’s first six games will be played here at the Halifax County High School field.
Hill said he is optimistic about the season and noted that the team will be facing tough competition, especially the games with Danville, Lynchburg and Big Island.
“We’re going to have to give a hundred percent effort each time out,” Hill said.
“It’s going to be a tough road playing Lynchburg, Danville and Big Island. If we come out and bring our best playing ability we should be competitive.”
Hill has a 14-player roster and is hoping to be able to add another three or four players prior to the upcoming deadline for submitting his final roster.
In looking at the Post 8 mound corp, Hill has Jacob Shelton, a player who played with the Averett University team this past spring as a relief pitcher. Shelton, Hill noted, had a 2.21 earned run average this spring.
Hill also has Halifax County High School hurler Kyle Long and Halifax County High School junior varsity pitcher Daniel Wilborn on board. Sophomore Justin Jacobs and freshmen Tyler Hunt and Chris Sizemore are also listed as part of the Post 8 pitching corp.
Looking around the infield, Hill has tentatively set Comets freshman catcher Kaleb Long behind the plate and sophomore first baseman Justin Bagbey at first base. Comets senior second baseman Scott Gieselman appears to have the inside track there and freshman Eric Brandon, who played for the Comets junior varsity team this past spring, appears to be a top candidate for shortstop.
Third base is wide open with a number of possibilities including Shelton, Jacobs and former Comets players Ryan Gieselman and Blake Waller.
Waller, who played centerfield for the Comets a year ago, could also see action in the outfield where there are a lot of possibilities for movement among the players.
South Boston Post 8’s roster also includes Luke Griles and Dale Trent, a pair of players who will be rising freshmen at Halifax County High School.
One of the good things about this year’s team, Hill noted, is the fact that he has players that he can interchange at a number of different positions.
“It’s a good group of players to move around,” Hill said.
“There is a lot of flexibility in this group.”

Payne Wins Cars Of Germany Race
Last-Lap Pass Gives Henry Payne IV And His Rare Porsche 908/2 A Victory In VIR’s Gold Cup Main Event
Anyone who says competitors wheeling ulta-expensive rare exotic racecars don’t really race them needed to have been at VIRginia International Raceway yesterday afternoon.
That’s because Henry Payne, IV of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. And Phil Daigrepont of Kenner, La. gave fans a true race.
Competing in the VIR Gold Cup weekend’s main event, “The Cars of Germany,” Payne and Daigrepont, seperated by no more than a few cars lengths at any time, showed race fans what true historic racing is all about.
Daigrepont, driving a 1972 Porsche 908/3, one of only nine such cars that remain in existence today, led the first seven laps of yesterday’s eight-lap feature. However, when he made one slip, Payne drove his rare 1969 Porsche 908/2 mount around Daigrepont on the final lap and drove to a 2.085-second win.
“It was good fun,” said Payne.
“Phil and I know each other pretty well. We can run together close. The 908/3 is a such special car and it’s quicker than my car. It’s a third-evolution 908, so it’s really fun for me to chase after him and get the most out of my car.”
Daigrepont said he knew if he made a mistake Payne would capitalize on it.
“Payne pressured me the whole time,” Daigrepont said.
“ I knew if I blinked he was going to go past me. My tires went away a little bit and unfortunately, I moved out just a little bit too much and he went flying by me. Once he did that, I couldn’t catch him.”
Payne pointed out that the two cars were pretty much equal.
“There were a couple of places where I am quicker than he is and I’m a little better under braking,” Payne pointed out.
“ His car is a little more nimble so he gets away from me a bit in the “S” curves and the downhill, so we were pretty even.”
Payne said that if the door had not opened as it did he would have had only one otyher recourse – one he wasn’t going to take.
“I would have had to try a bonzai shot under braking to get him and it’s not worth it when you’re driving priceless automobiles,” Payne noted.
Daigrepont had nothing but praise for Payne.
“He’s an excellent racer, the kind of guy you want to race with because he keeps you on your toes,” Daigrepont pointed out.
He also praised the event.
“I’ve been vintage racing for 30 years and this is one of the best events I’ve ever been to,” Daigrepont said.
“ The fans and the people have been just unbelievable with open welcome arms. They are absolutely fantastic. I’ll be back next year.”
Lee Brahin of Cherry Hill, N.J. finished third in a 1974 Lola T294 with H.E. Payne III of Charleston, W.Va. finishing fourth in a 1968 Porsche 907LH and John Romano of Danbury, Mass. in a 1970 Porsche 908/3.
Payne averaged 95.83 mph in the eight-lap, 30-minute race.
In some of yesterday’s other action, Bob Kullas of Avon, Conn. drove his 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta to a 5.912-second win over John Gaither of Kernersville, N.C. in the C Class race. Gaither was driving a 1968 Zink C4.
Dave Handy won the G Class race with Payne finishing second and Daigrepont finishing third.
Owen Ray McKenzie, driving a 1966 MG B won the feature race for Class A