Friday, June 30, 2006

25th Anniversary
Scottsburg 4th Of July Set Tuesday

The Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department will kick off its 25th Annual Fourth of July Celebration Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Sponsored by the fire department and Ladies Auxiliary, this year’s celebration promises to be the biggest event yet as the town of roughly 250 is expected to welcome around 10,000 for the celebration.
Event Chairman Ricky Gordon said he is excited about Tuesday’s event.
“The people at the fire department have been working every night for about two weeks getting ready and I think that we’ll be prepared for a full day of hard work to pull the event off. We have had people at the Pentagon working with us to make this day very special,” he said.
This year’s event will be a sad one due to the death of the celebration’s founder, Johnnie Hatcher.
“Johnnie has always been such a big part of this that it’s going to feel strange without him,” Gordon said. “I know he would want us to carry on where he left off.”
During Tuesday’s event, there will be a special tribute to the county’s military personnel entitled “Operation Tribute To Freedom.”
“We are asking service personnel from all branches, retired or active, to come out and be a part of this ceremony as we take time to thank them for what they do to keep our country free,” Gordon said. “Let’s face it, without them we wouldn’t have anything to celebrate.”
There will be plenty to do in Scottsburg Tuesday as the day gets under way with a parade at 10 a.m. The day’s events will continue with live music, wrestling, a fireman’s competition, vendors, games and rides throughout the day.
Music will be provided by The Liberty Band, Pizazz and the Spitting Kitty’s Band from Danville.
This year’s event will feature a $5,000 raffle that will be drawn at 9 p.m.
The day will end with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.
The rain date for the event is Saturday, July 8.
For more information, call the Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department at 454-6700.

 

IDA OKs Property Sale

Will Sell 34 Acres For More Than $600,000

The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority unanimously approved a motion yesterday that could sell 34 acres to a prospective industry seeking to locate in the county.
On a motion by Board member Garland Rickets and with a second by Board member John Bosiger, the Board unanimously approved the sale of property known as the Motorplex Property on U.S. 58 near the Halifax County industrial park.
Board members were close-lipped about the sale, saying only that the property could be sold to a prospective industry known as Project Orchard.
Located behind Bojangles, the IDA staff recommended earlier this year to purchase the property for $780,000, with funding provided by Community National Bank at 5.8 percent fixed interest. Additional funding for the purchase will come from the Tobacco Commission.
The purchase price reflects a $25,000 per acre asking price.
Originally, the option was for 42 acres, but was later reduced to 34 acres.
“We’ve amended the agreement to reflect that and entered into a monthly agreement with the owners for $1,000 per month,” Eades said shortly after the Board’s May meeting.
The executive director said that a prospective industry is considering locating on the property.
In other business, the Board voted to retain B&B Consultants to conduct a civil engineering study on property that will be used for the ABB plant expansion.
The contract stipulates a $25,300 fee, with an additional amount not to exceed $8,000 for wetland studies at the site.
Also related to the ABB expansion, Eades told the Board that an application has been submitted to the state for a grant to supply rail service to the plant.
According to Eades, IDA staff has received a planning grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to assist with a pre-engineering study for the demolition of the Georgia Pacific site.
During yesterday’s meeting, the Board received a preliminary draft of the planned Master Plan for Riverstone Technology Park.

 

Police Cruiser Totaled In Wreck

Deputy Sustains Minor Injuries

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy T.N. Bratton sustained minor injuries after her police cruiser ran off Mountain Road Tuesday night, according to Virginia State Trooper S.N. Noblin.
Bratton, 34, was reportedly heading eastbound on Route 360 responding to a call when her 2002 Ford Crown Victoria skidded on wet pavement, Noblin said.
The vehicle then ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected and struck a utility pole, highway sign and two trees, according to the police report.
The accident occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m., one mile west of Route 501, police said.
Bratton sustained minor injuries in the accident and was treated and released from an area hospital, Noblin said.
The police cruiser was a total loss, he added.
No charges have been filed.
In other police business, Delia J. Owen, 53, of Spencer Lane in Halifax, was charged Tuesday with writing bad checks.
The alleged offense occurred September 17, 2005.
Deputy A.W. Britton issued the summons.
Eloise Maude Joines, 57, of Pine Road in Gretna, was charged Thursday with DUI.
The alleged offense occurred Wednesday.
Deputy S.W. Gilliam issued the summons.
Kimberly Dawn Stipes-Dunman, 34, of East Hyco Road in South Boston, was charged Wednesday with two counts of issuing bad checks.
The alleged offense occurred April 27.
Deputy Q.W. Clark issued the summonses.

 

Tournament Season Opens Today

Dixie Youth Baseball, Dixie Softball, Babe Ruth All-Stars Take The Field
A Halifax County summer-time tradition resumes today with the start of the tournament season for 11 local Dixie Youth baseball and Dixie Softball all-star teams, while another all-star team, the Halifax County Babe Ruth 15-Year-Old all-stars, began district play last night.
The Day Complex in South Boston will host the District 2 Dixie Youth Baseball AAA (Minor League) Sub-District Tournament with two games tonight, starting with Halifax County South versus Scottsburg at 6:30 p.m.
The nightcap matches South Boston and Halifax at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule matches the losers from Friday’s games at 6:30 p.m., followed by an 8:30 p.m. game between the winners from the night before.
Halifax is the defending sub-district champion, losing a heart-breaking best of three game set to South Hill last year for the right to advance to the State AAA Baseball Tournament, which was played at Halifax County South.
The 2006 Dixie Youth Baseball AAA State Tournament starts July 21 at Crewe-Burkeville.
Seven Halifax County softball all-star teams take the field this weekend at the Brookneal Recreation Ball Park for the 2006 District VII Dixie Softball Tournament.
Action starts tonight at 6 p.m., with the Halifax National Belles all-stars taking on Motley at the upper field, while the Halifax American Angels play Charlotte County on the middle field.
The Halifax National Angels play host Brookneal on the middle field tonight at 8 p.m., with the winner advancing to play Motley Saturday at 11 a.m., also on the middle field.
The Halifax National and Halifax American Darlings all-stars play each other their first game Saturday at 5 p.m. on the upper field, while the Halifax National and Halifax American Ponytails all-stars also play each other their first game of the tourney.
That matchup is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. on the middle field.
Halifax County hosted last year’s district tournament, with the Halifax National Ponytails getting past Halifax American for the district title. Halifax National subsequently won the Virginia Dixie Softball State Tournament and advanced to the Dixie Ponytails World Series.
The Halifax American Angels all-stars came through the brackets to take the District VII Dixie Softball title here last year, defeating Halifax National in the final game, while the Charlotte County Dixie Belles all-stars won two straight games against Halifax American to take the district title, also in Halifax.
Charlotte County ultimately advanced to the Dixie Belles World Series after winning the state title.
Admission to the District VII Dixie Softball Tournament is free for youngsters ages 6 and under, $2 for children ages 7-12 and $3 for adults.
The Halifax American Dixie Belles all-stars will host the Virginia Dixie Belles Softball Tournament in Halifax starting July 14 and therefore will not play in the district tournament this year, Halifax American receiving an automatic bye.
The Darlings, the newest of the tournament-eligible divisions, will have its state tournament at Amherst, starting July 14, while the Angels state tournament is in South Hill, also starting July 14.
The Dixie Ponytails state tourney starts July 14 at Botetourt-Blue Ridge, while Halifax County is also hosting the Dixie Debs state tournament this season, also starting July 14.
Another local all-star team, the Halifax County Babe Ruth 15-Year-Old all-stars, began District II tournament play last night at Brunswick.
Halifax is one of eight teams in the tournament, the others including Colonial Heights, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Dinwiddie, South Hill, Chase City and Emporia.

 

‘New’ HCHS Weight Room Now Open

The Revamped Weight Room At Tuck Dillard Stadium Has Opened For Use; More Donations Are Needed To Cover The Cost Of The Project

There was a great deal of excitement among students and coaches alike as the newly revamped weight room at the field house at Tuck Dillard Stadium opened to Halifax County High School students and coaches Wednesday.
While the students and coaches were enjoying the use of the new equipment, officials of the Comet Football Alumni Club are continuing their efforts to raise money to cover the cost of the $32,500 project.
The club is approximately $5,000 short of covering the cost of the project and club officials are mounting another push in an attempt to cover the deficit.
“All of the flooring and equipment has been paid for,” said Ronnie Moore, treasurer of the Comet Football Alumni Club.
“But, we need to come up with the balance, approximately $5,000, to cover the total cost of the project.”
Individuals and businesses wishing to make a donation should make checks payable to the Halifax County Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc. and mailed to P.O. Box 1175, South Boston, Va. 24592. Donations are tax deductible.
Halifax County High School varsity football coach John Lacy Harris said everyone, from the coaches to the students, appreciate both the opportunity to have the new equipment and the support the community has shown through donations to the project.
“The fund-raising effort has been phenomenal,” Harris said.
“We thank everyone who has contributed to this project for supporting the students of Halifax County. We felt there would be great support for our young people from the people of the community as well as from Halifax County High School alumni that no longer live here.
“This is another step in the right direction toward making Halifax County High School competitive with the premier high schools in the state,” added Harris.
The project included the installation of a new, safer, rubber floor and new weightlifting equipment and weights. Useable equipment that was formerly in the weight room will be moved to the weight room adjacent to the high school gym to enhance the equipment offerings available there.
Harris said the new equipment and new flooring make it possible for the students to have access to new, better and safer equipment and have a much safer floor on which to work out. In addition, the new equipment makes it possible to serve more students per session.
“This enables us to work out up to 75 kids at one time instead of 35 and allows us to do it in a much safer environment,” Harris pointed out.
“We now have the proper equipment and flooring that we have needed for some time.”
Harris stressed that the new equipment will be available to all Halifax County High School student athletes.
“It will be available to athletes through their coaches,” Harris explained.
“Athletes in all sports, through their coaches, will be able to set up and participate in a workout program. What this does is take away all excuses for all of the athletes and coaches for students to not be involved in some form of off-season program.”
The Comet Football Alumni Club will hold a reception at the field house on Friday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m., the date of the varsity football team’s first home game, at which time the new weight room will be on display.

Senior Golfers Win Ridley Green Memorial Golf Tourney

CHASE CITY – Senior golfers Jim Wiley (64) and Curt McCormick (67) from Crewe put together rounds of 66-68 for a two day score of eight under par 134 to win the championship in the Fourth Annual Ridley Green Memorial Two-Ball Invitational Golf Tournament played at Mecklenburg Country Club.last Saturday and Sunday.
Despite a light rain that fell throughout Sunday afternoon on the Chase City layout, all of the golfers in the top three flights got in their entire round and played some very good and competitive golf.
Fifty-seven two-man teams competed in the annual two-day event according to Tina Moore, club manager.
Wiley and McCormick, who played from the forward or senior tees, bested the younger twosome of Woody Clay and Brad Mele from Halifax County, who played from the regular tees, to win the title by two strokes 134-136. Clay and Mele put together rounds of four under 68 on both days to finish second three strokes ahead of B.K. Kelly and Terry Dewell who had a two day score of 139 to take third place.
Mecklenburg Country Club members Don Moore and Johnny Gill gained fourth place on a match of cards over the team of Shannon Haley and Malcolm Adams. Both teams had two day scores of 141.
Robert Fallen and Donald Gravitt took top honors in the First Flight with a two day score of 138 on rounds of 71-67. Jimmy Clay and W.J. Long from Halifax County came in second in the flight with a two day score of 141 on rounds of 72-69.
Bruce Seamster and Tony Wilkins finished one stroke back at 142 to take third place. Clement Smith and Jack Tanksley finished fourth with a two day score of 143.
It took three holes of sudden death for Tim and Jimmy Coleman of Mecklenburg Country Club to top the senior team of Charlie Collins and Herbert Garrett for the top spot in the Second Flight. Both teams were tied at the end of 36 holes with scores of 142, with both team having rounds of 73-69 for their two day scores. Tim Coleman birdied the third hole of the overtime after getting birdie on that same hole in his previous two times around on Sunday.
Paul Elliott and Roland Turner from Kinderton Country Club finished third with a 143 on rounds of 74-69. Jerry Neal and Kelly Brown had rounds of 74-70 to finish fourth with a two day score of 144.
Bob Tysinger and Gary Gupton of Halifax County, on rounds of 75-69 for a 144, won the Third Flight by three strokes over Mike Gregory and Richie Burke, also of Halifax County, who had a two day score of 76-71 for a 147.
Charles Wagstaff and Harrel Parker of Kinderton Country Club tie the team of Rick Cassidy and Todd Brown for third place in the flight with a two day score of 149. Wagstaff and Parker gained third place on a match of cards.
Mike Clay and Bruce Beck won the Fourth Flight with a six stroke edge over David Dalton and J. Keith Dalton. Clay and Beck had rounds of 77-68 for a 145, while Dalton and Dalton shot 151 on rounds of 79-72.
Scott and Lee Bradshaw took third place with a score of 152. Marvin Crutchfield and Dale Wilson of Mecklenburg finished fourth with a two day score of 153.
Ed Simmons won the Arnold Palmer signature putter by being closest to the pin on hole number eight during Saturday’s round. Second prize on the same hole was a golf bag donated by Dominion Health Group, which was won by Mick Mercer with the longest putt made on Saturday. To be eligible to win won of these prizes a player had to make a contribution of $20. The club raised $1420 for the Arnie’s Army Prostate Cancer Research with this endeavor.

Obituaries

Delilah Mitchell Fallen
Delilah Mitchell Fallen, 68, of South Boston died June 27, 2006, at South Boston Manor.
Mrs. Fallen was born in Halifax County on December 17, 1937, the daughter of the late Garland Robert Mitchell and Irene Hamlett Mitchell. She was a member of Halifax Presbyterian Church and the ABWA.
Survivors include one daughter, Teresa Paige Fallen and husband, Clay Whitehead, of Richmond; six sisters, Margaret M. Epps and Janice Faye Mitchell, both of Vernon Hill, Christine M. Fallen, Mary M. Harris, and Diana M. Conner, all of Nathalie, and Carolyn M. Midkiff of Halifax; two brothers, John Robert Mitchell of Hopewell, and Roy Leonard Mitchell Sr. of Nathalie. One brother, Benjamin Franklin Mitchell, also preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Mrs. Fallen will be held today, June 30, at 2 p.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church with the Revs. Terry Blevins and Jeffrey Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, the Halifax Presbyterian Church, Halifax, or the Richard Fitz Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 310, South Boston.
Amanda Cardwell Williams
Amanda Cardwell Williams, 88, died June 27, 2006.
Mrs. Williams was born in News Ferry on July 9, 1917, the daughter of the late Lazarus and Fannie Cardwell. She was married to the late Sterling Williams.
Survivors include her children, Alvin Williams of Temple, Ga. and Frances Wright of South Boston; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lorenzo Cardwell of South Boston and Lazarus Cardwell of N.C.; and one sister, Mamie Sizer of Philadelphia, Pa.
Funeral services for Mrs. Williams will be held July 5, at 2 p.m. at Williams Temple CME Church with the Rev. George Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home, 1217 Porter Lane, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.