Woman Slain In Paces Community

An unidentified woman was killed Saturday morning on Ashton Hall Road, suffering an apparent single gunshot wound to the upper body, according to Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes.
Investigators are describing the victim as a black female, 30 to 40 years of age, 5’5” tall, 95 to 105 pounds, with black hair and a scar on her lower right shin, Oakes said.
She was wearing dark blue “Capri” pants with pink and white accents, a pink tank top and black Reebok sneakers with pink trim, investigators said.
According to Oakes, deputies and EMS personnel were called to the 3000-block of Ashton Hall Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. after a passerby noticed a woman lying near a driveway.
After checking for vital signs and finding no pulse, the passerby alerted the property owner of the situation, who then contacted the authorities, Oakes said.
The Turbeville Fire Department’s rescue squad personnel arrived at the scene and determined that the person had been killed, according to Oakes.
Sheriff’s Office Lt. T.E. Logan and Sgt. J.K. Henderson arrived at the scene at 7:45 a.m., secured the crime scene and contacted investigators, the sheriff said.
Investigators J.D. Clay and A.D. Tribble arrived and photographed the scene and processed items of physical evidence, Oakes said.
Investigators and deputies also spoke with neighbors, who said that a loud vehicle and a single gunshot were heard in the area at about 1 a.m. and that the vehicle drove away in the direction of U.S. 58, Oakes added.
At the scene, Halifax County Medical Examiner Dr. Charles Devine examined the body and estimated the time of death to be sometime between 1 and 2 a.m., Oakes explained, noting the body has been sent off to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for an autopsy.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at (434) 476-3334.

Heat Taking Its Toll

While South Boston area residents celebrated a .83 rainfall last week, overall the county is still four to six inches below normal, according to Peter Corrigan, a service hydrologist at Blacksburg.
South Boston currently falls in an abnormally dry category, which is the least serious level on the drought scale, according to Corrigan.
“June was above normal at the one official measuring station,” said the hydrologist. “It was very hit and miss.”
Farmer/cattleman James Edmunds agrees it’s hit and miss.
“It’s very dry in this area of the county,” said Edmunds as he stooped to check Willow Branch, a small stream running through his property off River Road. Along Willow Branch, there was no water in some sections and very shallow standing water in others. “No running water,” he added. “And this is a stream with 350 acres of watershed.”
Edmunds said that he will begin digging two wells today to assure water for his cattle.
He’s also feeding seven rolls of hay per day. “They’re 1,500-pound rolls,” he added.
Edmunds said that he has not seen it this dry in his area since 2003.
Driving through one of his corn stands, the weather’s hot hand was evident.
“It’s a terrible stand,” said the farmer. “There’s still a twist a day after a one-half inch rain,” he added, pointing to the curled corn leaves. Rows of corn in the field were as varied as a crowded seashore, with the tall dwarfing the short by up to four feet.
“Pasture grass can recover with rain, but corn cannot,” he added, noting there is a cycle for its growth.”
And as of Sunday, there’s no real relief in sight for the county with the opening week forecast calling for hot, hot, hot in the mid to upper 90s with only a 20- 30 percent chance of showers.
Corrigan noted there is a U.S. Drought Monitor done weekly to analyze precipitation, ground water levels, etc.

Washington-Coleman: A Gentlemen’s Agreement

Washington-Coleman Elementary School is marching to a different drummer as closed schools head back to supervisors’ custody next month.
While there appears to be no joint resolution among the three authorities, School Board, Board of Supervisors and South Boston Council, “a gentlemen’s agreement” appears to be in play.
On Jan. 10, 2005, South Boston Town Council voted unanimously - with Councilman Ed Owens absent, to convey 15.8 acres of land in the Houghton Industrial Park to the School Board for construction of the new (elementary) school in exchange for ownership of the Washington-Coleman Elementary School complex property, according to town records.
The Washington-Coleman facility is proposed to be used as a public facility (community center) to be used jointly by the town recreation department and the School Board.
“The South Boston IDA made land available in South Boston for the new school,” Town Manager Ted Daniel explained. “The IDA was interested in taking over the Washington-Coleman building and property and serving as steward of the property. The IDA wanted to preserve the historic building to be used as a community center and for recreation.”
Halifax County Administrator Bryan Foster said the transfer had not been discussed by the supervisors but that he expected the Board “would be amenable” to the transfer.
“I think the town wants to get it back,” confirmed Foster.
The legal process, however, includes the return of the property to supervisors for action, according to the county administrator.
Superintendent of Schools Paul Stapleton said yesterday that an early learning center for Pre-K classes would be the candidate to share the South Boston site.
“We would look forward to working with South Boston in their building,” he said.
The superintendent also emphasized that all Pre-K program operational funds come from federal and state preschool initiatives, not from local funds.
Stapleton said there is no space for the Pre-K programs at the new school.
The old Cluster Springs school is also on the system’s radar as a Pre-K facility in the county. Stapleton said its operational funding also would come from state and federal funds.
While Stapleton said he was not aware of a joint resolution by the three boards, he said the supervisors did accept the new school site in South Boston with the understanding the town expected to get Washington-Coleman back.
“I suppose that’s where it is,” he said.

Ola Mosley Carden
A funeral for Mrs. Ola Mosley Carden of Allens Mill Road, Scottsburg, will be held at noon Wednesday at Salem Baptist Church in Red Oak with the Rev. Harry Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Carden, 81, died Thursday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She ws born in Halifax County on January 24, 1926, to the late Morton Thomas Mosley and Alease Brooks Mosley. She was married to the late Burnell G. Carden.
Mrs. Carden was a member of Salem Baptist Church in Red Oak.
She is survived by three daughters: Pearl McCargo of the home, Creola Johnson of South Boston and Catherine Jackson of Phenix; three sons: Burnell Carden Jr. of Killeen, Texas, Lester Carden of Chase City and James Carden of Semora, N.C.; three sisters: Sarah Johnson, Eva Wilson and Florence Lee; one brother: Eldridge Mosley; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two sons-in-law: Gerome Jackson and Danny Johnson; two daughters-in-law: Frances Carden and Teal Carden; six sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Carden was preceded in death by one grandson, Leroy Boyd Jr.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. and at other times at the home of Danny and Creola Johnson, 116 Fairmont Apts., South Boston.

Ruth Ann Jeffress Dabbs
Mrs. Ruth Ann Jeffress Dabbs, 72, of Ragland Street, South Boston, died Thursday, July 5, at her residence.
Mrs. Dabbs was born in Halifax County on July 4, 1935. She was the daughter of the late George Jeffress and Elizabeth Clarke Jeffress and was married to Joe N. Dabbs. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church.
Mrs. Dabbs is survived by her husband of Richmond; three sons, Herbert Dabbs of Philadelphia, Penn., Joe Dabbs and Henry Dabbs, both of South Boston; one sister, Linear Jackson of Scottsburg; one brother, Roy Jeffress of Richmond; eight grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Juanita Womack of Richmond; a friend, Jacqueline Green; and a number of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A funeral for Mrs. Dabbs will be held Tuesday, July 10, at 3 p.m., at St. James Baptist Church with Rev. Byrd Blackwell officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home tonight from 7-8 p.m. and all other times at the residence, 311 Ragland St., South Boston.
Sallie Louhagood Coleman
A funeral for Mrs. Sallie Louhagood Coleman of Faulkner Loop, Virgilina, will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Five Forks Baptist Church with the Rev. Moses N. Dixon Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Coleman, 84, died Wednesday, July 4, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on June 28, 1923 to the late Willie Barnes and Rosa Ann McCargo Barnes and was married to Willie Coleman.
Mrs. Coleman was a member of Five Forks Baptist Church.
She is survived by one daughter: Faith Lester of Philadelphia; three sons: Perry Coleman of Hempstead, N.Y., Keith Coleman of Dover, Delaware, and Graham Coleman of Alton; one sister: Frances Fernandez of Hollis, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one son-in-law: Joe Lester; two daughters-in-law: Deborah Coleman and Jackie Coleman; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Coleman is preceded in death by a son, Willie Coleman Jr. and daughter-in-law, Julie Coleman.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 1075 Faulkner Loop, Virgilina.

Eskerline Waller DeJarnette
A funeral for Mrs. Eskerline Waller DeJarnette of Bull Creek Road, Nathalie, will be held Tuesday, July 10, at 11 a.m., at Clover Bottom Baptist Church, with the Revs. Donald Proctor and Larry Martin conducting the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Mrs. DeJarnette died Saturday, July 7, at Avante Nursing Home, Roanoke, at the age of 77.
She was born in Campbell County on May 24, 1930, to the late Archie Jackson Waller and Mary Reid Waller and was married to the late Charlie Edward DeJarnette.
Mrs. DeJarnette was a member of Clover Bottom Baptist Church.
She is survived by two sons, Charlie Edward DeJarnette Jr., of Gretna, and Robert Edward DeJarnette of Rustburg; three daughters, Dorothy Urnick and husband Donald of Morristown, Tenn., Rita Younger and husband Edward of Spotsylvania, Susan Satterfield and husband Raymond of South Boston; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four brothers, Jefferson Waller of Brookneal, Thomas Waller of Rustburg, Harvey Waller of Phenix, Richard Waller of Long Island; four sisters, Madaline Clay of Nathalie, Viola Dunkley of Long Island, Bernice Trent of Rustburg and Shirley Blackman of South Boston. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Jamie Lee Pillow, and two sisters, Mannie Waller and Lillie Maude Collins.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7-8:30 p.m., at Henderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Brookneal, and other times at the residence.

Paula Bush Watson
A funeral for Mrs. Paula Bush Watson will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Michael Haskett officiating.
Burial will follow in the Dawson Family Cemetery in Nathalie.
Visitation will be held at Powell Funeral Home from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and at other times at her home, 1151 Terry Trail in Nathalie.
Mrs. Watson, 65, died Saturday, July 7, at her home.
She was born on June 9,1942, in Jasper County, Ind., the daughter of the late Paul Bush and Margaret Louise McDaniel Bush and was married to Jack LeRoy Watson.
Mrs. Watson was a member of the Willow Oak Christian Church in Virgilina.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Watson is survived by a daughter, Jackie Leigh Dawson and husband Bobby Dawson of Nathalie; two sisters, Virginia Watson and husband Delos “Duke” Watson, and Joyce Fox and husband Roger Fox, all of Crown Point, Ind.; four grandchildren, Arianna Nicole Dawson, Justin Lee Dawson, Drew Wayne Dawson and Jarad Michael Dawson, all of Nathalie, and her father-in-law, Joseph Watson of Crown Point.
For memorials, please consider the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA 24592 or the Willow Oak Christian Church Building Fund, 2130 Wilson Road, Virgilina, Va. 24598.
Online condolences may be sent to powell@gcronline.com.

HC South, Brunswick Split In District Playoffs

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Having split the first two games, Halifax County South and Brunswick County locked horns last night at Cluster Springs in the District 2 Dixie Youth Baseball AAA League championship game with the winner advancing to the state tournament.
In what was something of an unusual turn of events, Halifax County South, in an error-plagued performance, lost to Brunswick County 13-4 Friday night in the opening game of the best-of-three game series to decide the District 2 championship.
Despite being in a hole, Halifax County South went on the road Saturday afternoon and bounced back to defeat Brunswick County 5-1 to even the series at a game each and force a third and deciding game last night at Cluster Springs.
It was all Brunswick County in Friday night’s opening game despite the fact that Brunswick County had only one hit in the game, that being a two-RBI double in the sixth inning by Triston Bishop that produced the only two earned runs Brunswick County scored in the contest.
Fourteen walks issued by Halifax County South’s pitchers coupled seven errors and a myriad of other miscues on the part of Halifax County South opened a wide door of opportunity for Brunswick County.
Brunswick County’s performance wasn’t all that sterling either with the visitors committing seven errors. However, the Brunswick County pitchers showed better control, walking only four Halifax County South batters.
As badly as things were going for Halifax County South, its train didn’t derail itself until the third inning.
Brunswick County scored a run in both the first and second innings and Halifax County South evened things up with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Eddie Chaney reached base on an error to lead off the inning for Halifax County South and a hit from Benjamin Major put runners on the corners. A sacrifice bunt by Chase Oakes scored Chaney. Major scored when Bryce Berryhill reached base on an error and tied the game at 2-2.
Brunswick County plated three runs, all unearned, in the third inning to go up 5-2. Halifax County South cut into the deficit with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it a 5-3 score.
Drew Link led off with a single for Halifax County South, moved to second base when Noak Seate walked with one out and scored when Chaney reached base on an error to allow HCS to cut its deficit to two runs.
Brunswick County put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the fifth inning and five more runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Halifax County South managed to get its last run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Chaney led off with a double, stole third base and scored on a passed ball with two out.
Halifax County South had five hits in the game with Link leading the team with a 2-3 night at the plate. Chaney, Major and Berryhill each had one hit.
HC South 5
Brunswick County 1
Halifax County South broke open a real nail-biter of a contest with three runs in the top of the sixth inning and evened the district playoff series with a 5-1 road win over Brunswick County in Saturday’s second game.
Ethan Woltz reached base on an error with one out in the top of the sixth inning and moved to third base on a hit by Chaney. A three-run inside-the-park homer by Major was the difference as it took Halifax County South from a tenuous 2-1 lead to a 5-1 edge.
Halifax County South retired Brunswick County in order in the bottom of the i9nning to seal the win.
The game was a 1-1 deadlock at the end of the first inning. Halifax County South took advantage of a Brunswick County error to score its run in the top of the frame with Link reaching base on an error and scoring later when Chaney reached base on an error.
A walk and a Halifax County South error allowed Brunswick County to score a run in the bottom of the inning and tie the game at 1-1.
Halifax County South took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Link singled with one out and scored later on a passed ball. From there, Halifax County South held on until it got its three insurance runs in the sixth inning.
Link went the distance on the mound for Halifax County South, giving up two hits and fanning four batters. He allowed seven walks.
Halifax County South had four hits in the contest with Major getting two hits and Link and Chaney getting one hit each.

National Ponytails Fall Short In District Final

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax National Ponytails all-stars fell short in their bid to repeat as Dixie Softball District 7 Tournament champions with a 3-1 loss here Thursday to Brookneal.
National held a 1-0 lead until Brookneal tied the score in the second inning, and the game stayed tied until the top of the sixth, when Brookneal pushed across two runs on three hits and a pair of National miscues.
Each team finished with three hits in championship game, Victoria Evans, Brooke Thaxton and Cassie Puryear hitting singles for National, the lone National run coming on a RBI groundout by Abby Woltz in the first inning.
Evans hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the first and stole second to get National going. She advanced on Cori Campbell’s groundout and scored on a RBI groundout by Woltz to give her team the early lead.
The lead didn’t last long, as Brookneal tied the score in the top of the second inning.
The first three batters reached base on an error and two walks, before a fielder’s choice RBI and Halifax error tied the score.
The game remained tied until the top of the fifth inning, with National coming up short despite baserunners in the second, third and fourth innings and its defense recording one-two-three innings the third and fourth frames.
Miyana Ross reached on an error in the second and Thaxton singled in the third, while Woltz reached on an error in the fourth inning, but the score was tied 1-1 until the top of the fifth.
Brookneal’s leadoff batter hit a single and reached third after two National attempts at preventing a stolen base failed.
The next Brookneal batter hit a RBI single and stole two bases before another RBI hit made it 3-1.
National had one final chance to make something happen when Puryear hit a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth.
Puryear went to second on a passed ball, but was stranded after a strikeout and popup ended the game.
Ross started the game for National and went the distance, allowing three hits, while striking out seven and walking four batters in six innings.

American Angels 1-1 In State Tournament

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax American Angels are 1-1 after two days of competition in the Dixie Softball Angels State Tournament in Amherst.
American gave up seven runs in the fifth inning in falling to Botetourt 12-6 on Saturday to even its tourney record at one win and one loss.
American rebounded from an early 4-0 deficit Friday to defeat Powhatan 8-5 in the double elimination tournament.
Botetourt 12 Halifax American 6
American held a 3-2 advantage after three and a half innings, but couldn’t hold on, Botetourt plating three runs in the fourth and seven in the fifth for a 12-6 win.
Nicole Williamson had two hits to lead American, while Sara Stephens added another base hit.
Walks to Lauren Womack, Taylor Barnes and Beth Thomas started the game for American, with Cassie Lawhorn reaching base and Williamson singling for a 2-0 lead.
Williamson singled in the second and Sara Beth Reese and Barnes walked in the third, before American broke through for a run in the fourth, when Lawhorn walked, Jasmine Lovelace was hit by a pitch, Stephens singled and Williamson walked.
Botetourt took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth, three walks and an error helping it take a 5-3 advantage.
Botetourt scored seven times in the fifth to make it 12-3, the runs coming on a triple, five walks and one American miscue, with a total of 11 batters reaching base in the inning.
An American rally came up short in the top of the sixth. Kye-Neisha Logan reached base, Lawhorn walked, Lovelace reached base, and Stephens, Williamson and Maranda Gunn walked to close the gap to 12-6, but American would come no closer.
Thomas, Barnes, Gunn and Stephens hurled the game for American, Thomas pitching two innings, Barnes three and Gunn and Stephens one each.
Halifax American pitching combined for ten strikeouts.
Halifax American 8 Powhatan 5
American scored three runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth to erase an early 4-0 deficit and beat Powhatan 8-5 on Friday.
Logan had a big base hit for Halifax, a fifth inning double, but patience at the plate paid big dividends for American, which drew 17 walks during the contest.
Powhatan used a walk and single to help it take a 2-0 lead after two innings, and added two more in the third on two walks and American miscues, before Halifax rallied in the fourth inning.
Lawhorn and Lovelace drew walks, Stephens was hit by a pitch, Williamson walked, and Ashanti Lovelace and Reese also reached base to help American close the gap to 4-3.
Three more runs in the top of the fifth gave American the lead for good at 6-4, Barnes and Thomas each drawing a walk and Logan smacking a double, Logan scoring when Jasmine Lovelace and Williamson reached base.
Powhatan added its final run in the bottom of the fifth, and American padded its advantage with two scores in the sixth, Gunn, Womack, Thomas, Logan and Lawhorn drawing walks for the final margin.
Thomas, Womack and Barnes shared pitching duties for Halifax American, Thomas hurling the first two innings, followed by Womack and Barnes.
Halifax American pitching combined for ten strikeouts against Powhatan.