Wednesday, July 19 2006

 

Halifax Town Council

New Health Clinic Eyeing Halifax

Halifax Town Council will hold a special call meeting on Wednesday, July 26, to receive a presentation from the Community Health Care Advisory Committee on a proposed health clinic in the town.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. in Halifax Town Hall preceding the planning commission’s regular monthly meeting.
The committee has identified the Booker Building in downtown Halifax and a site in Houghton Industrial Park in South Boston as the two potential locations for the proposed clinic, according to town officials.
Town Manager Carl Espy told Council that he and Mike Blankenship, a building consultant, were going to tour the Booker Building on Tuesday.
Mayor Leon Plaster, who serves on the advisory committee, said he expects the town to make its presentation to the committee in September.
Also at the Monday meeting, with three councilmen absent, Allen Stevens failed to garner the necessary votes to be elected vice-mayor.
With councilmen Stevens, Cabell Daniel and Dick Moore absent, Councilman Jack Dunavant nominated Stevens to serve the two-year term as vice-mayor.
Councilman Phil Hollis offered an amended motion nominating Stevens to a one-year term.
The motion failed for the lack of a second.
Hollis then seconded Dunavant’s motion to nominate Stevens to a two-year term.
When put to a vote, Dunavant and Hollis voted for Stevens, Councilman Charles Parker abstained saying he was not present when Stevens’ nomination had been discussed at a previous work session.
With no majority Plaster tabled the vice-mayor’s post vote.
During the public comment period, resident West Wooding raised two issues with Council.
He asked Council if the town had an ordinance on the books banning nasty signs like the ones being displayed in a storefront on Main Street.
Plaster and several Council members told Wooding that they have all received numerous negative comments about the signs, but they are limited with what they can do because of First Amendment concerns.
Wooding also asked if there was anything that could be done about the elaborate holiday displays on Bill Granger’s property on Main Street.
Wooding called the displays a “zoo.”
“I don’t know what is too much,” Plaster said. “We can ask the town manager to look into it.
“We never had any negative comments about it before,” he added.
“Now you’ve had one,” Wooding said.
Also during the meeting, Parker announced that he will resign from the town’s planning commission.
Only one councilman is to serve on the planning commission at a given time and with Moore’s election to Council there are two.
Parker said he spoke with Moore and with his term almost up he would resign.
In other business, Council voted to formally recognize the Veteran’s Day activities scheduled for November 11 and voted to adopt the administrative agreement between the town and the county for VDOT revenue sharing projects on North Main Street.
During the vote, Dunavant asked Espy to keep the town’s engineering committee involved in the VDOT projects.

 

Supes OK Sunnybrooke Bid

More County Employees Join Pay Program

The Halifax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $12,250 bid submitted by Dodson & Sons Construction to construct 720 linear feet of sidewalk in the Sunnybrooke subdivision.
The action came as supervisors met for a brief monthly meeting Monday night.
Construction of the sidewalk is one of the final work items in Phase I construction of the subdivision. The work is expected to be completed within the next few months, according to Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace.
Other bids for the project were Virginia-Carolina Paving - $17,950 and J. Harmon Saunders - $25,200.
Supervisor Doug Bowman made the motion to accept the bid with a second by Supervisor Lottie Nunn.
The motion passed unanimously, with supervisors R.E. “Dickie” Abbott and James Edmunds absent.
In other business, supervisors unanimously approved an agreement between the Board and the five offices of constitutional officers in the county to include their employees in the new pay and classification study.
“They have to opt in, and they all agreed to participate in the new pay program,” said County Administrator Bryan Foster. “We need the Board to approve this so the changes can be made in the payroll system.”
The agreement extends the coverage of the county’s personnel policies and procedures to all employees in the offices of constitutional officers including the County Treasurer, the Sheriff’s Office, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Commissioner of the Revenue and the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Under the new pay plan, all employees in the county will receive annual salary increases based on merit rather than a percentage of salary.
Supervisors approved the new pay plan earlier this year following a pay and classification study conducted by the county’s financial advisors, Springsted and Associates.
The motion passed unanimously on a motion by Supervisor Bryant Claiborne and with a second by Nunn.
During Monday’s meeting, supervisors also agreed to recommend the appointment of Willis N. Dunn to the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
Following the open portion of the meeting, supervisors met in closed session to discuss a prospective industry in the county.
No action was taken when supervisors returned to open session.

Simon-Owens Named Vice-Chair Of State Social Services Board

Danville Community College workforce services coordinator Nettie Simon-Owens has been elected to serve as vice-chair for the Virginia Social Services System (VSSS) Board of Social Services.
“It is certainly an honor to have been elected by my fellow board members to the vice chair position,” said Simon-Owens, a South Boston resident. “I look forward to continuing the collaborative work of the board and the various stakeholders as we strive to provide policies that enable our social service agencies to better serve our citizens and fulfill the mission of the Virginia Department of Social Services.”
Simon-Owens’ term began July 1.
“We are delighted that Ms. Simon-Owens will be continuing to serve on the state social services board,” said Anthony Conyers Jr., Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
“Her experience and guidance have been central to the direction the board has taken over the last few years.”
The state board of social services consists of nine members appointed by the Governor. The board is intended to include members from each region of the state, and Simon-Owens was originally appointed to represent the southern region by former Governor Mark Warner effective July 1, 2004.
“It is my hope that this board will provide policies that enhance the services that our local agencies provide, protect our most vulnerable citizens, and positively impact the lives of the citizens and communities served,” Simon-Owens said.
Responsibilities of the board include providing guidance and advice to the VDSS Commissioner on matters that arise throughout the social services system. The board investigates questions and resolutions to issues and provides updates, findings and recommendations to the Governor or Commissioner. The board also adopts regulations as may be necessary and examines potential fiscal impact of such regulations on local boards.
Board members are chosen based on qualifications that demonstrate each member’s suitability to consider and act upon the various needs and decisions within the board’s area of responsibility.
Simon-Owens works as coordinator of workforce services for Danville Community College’s Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training.
She was born in Albany, N.Y., grew up on a tobacco farm and is a graduate of Halifax County High School. She lives with her husband, Edward Owens, in South Boston.
Simon-Owens is the daughter of Arnie Simon and the late Winfred Simon Sr. of Clover.

Debs 4-0 After Wins Over Cumberland, Timberlake

HC Debs Get Two More Wins In State Tourney

The Halifax County Debs all-stars made it four wins in four games at the Virginia Dixie Debs Tournament in Halifax, routing Timberlake 14-4 Monday after shutting out Cumberland 10-0 the day before.
Halifax County played South Hill yesterday, needing only to win one of two games for an undefeated record in Bracket “A” and a shot at the state title in a best two out of three game set with the winner of Bracket “B”.
Halifax County 14 Timberlake 4 (Monday)
A five-run third inning gave Halifax a lead they would never relinquish, and the Debs went on from there to rout Timberlake 14-4 in six innings.
The game was close through the first three innings, Halifax using a combination of walks to Heather Oakes and Ally Thompson, a single by Mandy Watts and Timberlake errors in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.
Timberlake rebounded, scoring one run in the second on a base hit and a pair of walks, and three runs in the third inning, coming on three walks, an RBI groundout and Halifax errors to take a brief 4-3 advantage.
Halifax County struck for five runs in the bottom of the third inning, Heather Oakes, Jasmine Parker and Emily New (RBI) getting base hits and Watts reaching on a walk, Timberlake errors helping Halifax take a 8-4 lead.
Halifax plated two runs in the fourth and four more in the sixth to end the game under the mercy rule.
Sims drew a walk to start the Halifax fourth, Jessica Morris hit a RBI double and Heather Oakes a RBI single in the fourth inning.
In the sixth inning, Shayna Oakes drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a passed ball, Sims hit a single and stole second. Morris hit her second double of the game and Watts followed with a two-out RBI double, later scoring the final run of the game.
Jessie Lloyd started the game for Halifax County on the mound, hurling the first two innings, with Amber Bowman and New sharing pitching duties in the third inning. Jasmine Parker came on to pitch the final three innings for Halifax.
Halifax County 10 Cumberland 0 (Sunday)
Four Halifax County pitchers hurled a combined no-hitter and the Debs broke the game open with eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings to rout Cumberland 10-0.
Halifax had taken a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Morris double, and walks to Thompson, Heather Oakes and New, and added a run in the fourth on a walk to Parker, RBI double by Heather Oakes.
Mandy Watts followed with a two-out double, but was stranded at second base.
Four runs in the fifth inning made it 6-0, Liz Trickey starting the rally with a base hit and Bowman following with a double.
Sims reached on an error, Lloyd on a walk, Morris an error and Parker on a walk to help Halifax plate the runs, and another four runs an inning later ended the game.
Heather Oakes reached base on an error, Watts hit a double, New reached on an error and Amelia Saunders walked. Shayna Oakes hit a sacrifice fly and Bowman a RBI single to help make it 10-0.
Morris, Parker, Lloyd and New hurled a combined no-hitter against Cumberland, Morris pitching the first two innings, Parker innings three and four, Lloyd the fifth and New the sixth inning to close out the game.

 

Halifax County Falters In Dixie Majors Title Game

Charlotte County Downed Halifax County 5-2 Monday To Win The Virginia Dixie Majors Baseball Tournament And Earn A Berth In The Dixie Majors World Series

Halifax County had the upper hand on Charlotte County early in Monday’s Virginia Dixie Majors Baseball Tournament title game. But, it couldn’t make it’s 2-0 third-inning lead stick.
Charlotte County rallied to score twice in the fourth inning and added a run in each of the final three innings to down Halifax County 5-2 to win the state tournament crown and a berth in the Dixie Majors World Series in North Charleston, S.C.
“We gave it a good run,” said Halifax County manager Jeremy Satterfield after his team had lost to Charlotte County for the second time in the five-team round-robin tournament.
“ Charlotte County is a good ball team, a well deserving ball team. It was our best against their best. That’s the way you want to go down. If you lose, you want to lose against their best.
“I’m proud of my guys,” Satterfield added.
“ I’m sorry for the 19-year-olds that won’t be back next year. I really wanted them to be able to go to North Charleston (for the World Series) but we weren’t the better team this year.”
Charlotte County hurler Justin Ferrell held the Halifax County offense in check, yielding seven scattered hits and three walks while fanning 11 batters.
Two of the Halifax County hits came from catcher Ryland Clark who had a perfect 2-2 night at the plate that included a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning that produced Halifax County’s only runs of the game.
Most of Halifax County’s offense came from the bottom portion of the lineup as Nathan Clements, the eighth batter in the lineup, picked up two hits and Clark, the last man in the batting order, had two hits.
David Clark, who batted second in the Halifax County lineup, had two hits and reserve Trey Garrett came off of the bench to chip in a hit.
Satterfield said he was somewhat surprised at that turn of circumstances.
“I felt good going in,” Satterfield said.
“ In the first game we faced them, we lost 4-2 and had the same number of hits they did and I thought we would fare well in this game. Some of the guys that I didn’t expect to swing the stick as well hit and our big guns didn’t come through.”
A trio of Halifax County errors opened the door of opportunity for Charlotte County and it took advantage of halifax County’s mistakes.
Halifax County made the two-run lead it gained off of Ryland Clark’s second-inning homer stick through the first three innings before a miscue opened the door for Charlotte County in the top of the fourth inning.
Kit Brooks reached base on an error to open the inning. Kyle Bradley walked with two out and a single by Jacob Lipscomb loaded the sacks. Ferrell helped his own cause with a single to left field, a hit that scored Brooks and Bradley to deadlock the game at 2-2.
Halifax County’s second error of the game allowed Charlotte County’s Derrick Adams to reach base to lead off the top of the fifth inning. Adams stole second base and moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Brooks. A single by Sam Catron scored Adams to put Charlotte County up 3-2.
A third Halifax County error, that coming in the top of the sixth inning, opened another door of opportunity for Charlotte County.
Lipscomb reached base on an error and moved to second base when Halifax County hurler Jacob Vest was cited for a balk. Ferrell helped his case further with a single that plated Lipscomb, a hit that gave Charlotte County a 4-2 lead.
Charlotte County manufactured an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Adams reached base on a single to right field. Halifax relief hurler Chris Perkins hit Rob Clowdis with a pitch to put runners on first base and second base.
Catron hit into a fielder’s choice that resulted in Clowdis being erased on a force-out at second base. Adams scored, however, giving Charlotte County its final 5-2 edge.
Halifax County had its chances but could not capitalize on them.
In the bottom of the first inning, Tony Barbour walked, moved to second on a single from David Clark and moved to third base when Perkins walked to load the bases. The opportunity went by the board when Vest and Joey Rogers were retired on back-to-back pop-ups in the infield.
Halifax County got a one-out single from Ryland Clark in the fourth inning but Clark was left stranded on the basepaths. Garrett hit a single to centerfield for Halifax County to kick off the seventh inning but was erased when David Clark hit into a fielder’s choice.
Charlotte County had seven hits with Adams, catron and Ferrell each getting two hits and Lipscomb finishing the night with one hit.
South Boston stranded eight runners in the contest while Charlotte County left seven runners on the sacks.
Halifax Co. 13 Carroll County 3
Halifax County earned a berth in Monday night’s state championship game with an easy 13-3 win over Carroll County Sunday night.
It was a big night offensively for Halifax County as it pounded Carroll County hurlers for 14 hits that included three from Patrick Currie and two hits each from Jason Vest and Nathan Clements.
Tony Barbour, David Clark, Brett Lewis, Neal Hatcher, Roberto Valera and Joey Rogers each had one hit.
Halifax County opened the game with six runs in the first inning, half of them coming on a three-RBI triple by Lewis, to take a 6-0 lead.
Carroll County mustered up a run in the bottom of the inning to make the score 6-1 but Halifax County put the game out of reach with four runs in the second inning to make it a 10-1 lead.
A two-run homer from Carroll County’s Willie Yates made the score 10-3 and three more Halifax County runs in the top of the sixth inning made the final 13-3 count.

 

Lack Of Firepower Thwarts Halifax County

Appomattox Blanked Halifax County 5-0 Here Monday To Win The Virginia Dixie Pre-Majors State Baseball Tournament

You don’t win games if you can’t hit the baseball and the Halifax County Dixie Pre-Majors all-star team can attest to that.
Appomattox held Halifax County to two hits and blanked Halifax County 5-0 Monday to win the Virginia Dixie Pre-Majors State Baseball Tournament and earn a berth in the Dixie Pre-Majors World Series.
“We just didn’t hit,” said Halifax County manager Mike King whose team had lost to Appomattox 9-8 in Saturday’s tournament round.
“We can overcome four runs if we hit the ball. We gave them opportunities to score runs and didn’t hit.”
Despite the outcome, King said he was pleased with his team’s performance in the five-team round-robin tournament.
“I’m proud of our guys,” King said.
“They have worked hard for a month getting ready for the tournament. They just came out flat today.
“I think we are as good as they are. I think we’ve got equal teams.”
Halifax County’s only hits in the game were a single by Brad Rogers in the first inning and a hit by Sam Lantor in the fifth inning.
The team had few base runners in the contest, having only two base runners through the first four innings and only six base runners in the game.
On the other end of the spectrum, Appomattox had seven hits with Chris Anderson and Logan Harvey leading the team with two hits each and Josh Bradshaw, Ben Harris and Gary Crawford each chipping in one hit.
Halifax County’s best opportunities to score came in the first inning when Billy Joe Garrett walked with two out, stole second base and moved to third base on Rogers’ hit. The inning ended when Shawn Hylton was thrown out on a ground ball.
In the fifth inning, Josh Williams reached base on an error with one out. Lantor singled to put runners at first base and second base. That attempted rally ended though, with Tyler Lewis going down on a strikeout and Michael Ferrell grounding out to second base.
Appomattox opened its scoring in the second inning when Ryan hardy reached base on an error with one out, moved to second base on a passed ball and scored on a single by Crawford.
A squeeze bunt play by Chad Wisecarver on which Halifax County didn’t execute well defensively allowed two runs to score to move Appomattox to a 3-0 lead.
Appomattox added to its lead in the fourth inning when Anderson reached base on an error and advanced to third on a bloop single by Bradshaw that sailed just over Ferrell’s head at second base and scored when Harris hit into a fielder’s choice.
An insurance run was added by Appomattox in the seventh inning when Bradshaw reached base on a Halifax County error, moved to third base on a hit by Harris and scored when Timmy Dudley hit into a double play to make the 5-0 final score.
Halifax County advanced to Monday’s championship game when Carroll County forfeited Sunday night’s scheduled game between the two teams.
A Carroll County player who was injured in an earlier game on Sunday and was unable to play in Sunday’s nightcap left Carroll County with not enough players to play the game against South Boston.

 

Obituaries

Orpha Lipscomb Calloway
Orpha Lipscomb Calloway, 95, of 1003 Wooding Road, South Boston died July 16, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital. She was born in Halifax County on August 16, 1910.
Mrs. Calloway was the daughter of the late Howard Lipscomb and the late Alice Edmonds Lipscomb and was married to the late Dewey Taft Calloway. She was a member of White Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Sallie Samuel and husband, James, of Sutherlin; three sons, Paul Calloway and wife, Mildred, of Philadelphia, Pa., Wayne Calloway of Danville and Thomas Calloway of Sutherlin.
Funeral services for Mrs. Calloway will be held at 1 p.m. on July 21 at White Oak Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Melvin Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services and other times at the home.
William Cralle Brann II
William Cralle Brann II died June 29, 2006, in LaPorte, Texas. Born in South Boston, April 25, 1944, he was the son of Dr. William Cralle and Luise Tuck Brann.
His survivors include two daughters, Kitty B. Brandon of Yanceyville, N.C. and Kristen Foster of Danville; two grandsons; and one sister, Barbara B. Johnston of South Boston.
Mr. Brann was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Betty Lu Ramsey. He was a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy and Mars Hill College.
Burial was in Texas.
Irving Alexander Edmonds
Irving Alexander Edmonds, 60, of Bridgeport, Conn., formerly of Halifax County, died July 13, 2006, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport.
Mr. Edmonds was born in Halifax on November 19, 1945, to the late Henry Hurt Edmonds and Beatrice Hargrove Edmonds, and was married to Rosa P. Crawley Edmonds. He was a member of Fellowship Temple Church and was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, LaWanda Edmonds and Cassandra Edmonds, both of Bridgeport; two sons, Randy Crawley and James Riggs, both of Bridgeport; six sisters, Dorothy Younger, Annie Williams and Beatrice Edmonds, all of Bridgeport, Hazel Edmonds of Meriden, Conn., Hallie Sparks of South Boston, and Carolyn Jackson of Rochester, N.Y.; eight brothers, Elijah Edmonds, Gregory Edmonds, Lawrence Edmonds and Calvin Edmonds, all of Bridgeport, Nathaniel Edmonds of Chatham, Preston Edmonds, Joseph Edmonds and Willie Womack, all of South Boston; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A son, four brothers and a sister preceded Mr. Edmonds in death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, July 20, at 1 p.m. at New Mt. Olive Apostolic Church in Halifax with the Rev. Leonia Palmer officiating. Burial will follow at Christ Temple Blue Rock Holiness Church Cemetery in Vernon Hill with Military Rites by American Legion Post 99.
The family will receive friends at 911 Easley Street, South Boston. Public viewing for family and friends will be tomorrow at the church.
Millie Ann Stephens Edmonds
Millie Ann Stephens Edmonds, 96, of 125 Glendale Drive, South Boston died July 11, 2006, at Berry Hill Nursing Home.
Mrs. Edmonds was born in Pittsylvania County on April 9, 1910, to the late Garfield Stephens and Eliza Glass Stephens, and was married to the late Rev. Dothes Edmonds. She was a member of St. Paul CME Church.
Survivors include two stepsons, the Rev. Thomas Edmonds of South Boston and James Edmonds of Albany, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Eric Edmonds, Curtis Edmonds, Cynthia Edmonds, Linda Edmonds and Randy Edmonds; eight great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Diane Edmonds of South Boston and Marie Edmonds of Albany; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Stephens of South Boston and Mary Eliva Stephens of Danville.
One sister, Eunice Blake; and two brothers, Jimmie D. and Tommie Stephens preceded Mrs. Edmonds in death.
Funeral services were held July 15 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul CME Church with the Rev. Samuel Terry officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Roy Dillard Moore
Roy Dillard Moore, 87, of 1313 Ash Avenue, South Boston, died Sunday, July 16, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Moore was born in Halifax County on March 1, 1919, the son of the late Hurley Moore and Eliza Dunnaway Moore, and was married to Lottie G. Moore.
He was a long-time employee of the Gazette-Virginian, a member of First Baptist Church where he was a member of the Lacy Bible Class, and was a World War II Army Veteran.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Roy D. Moore Jr. and wife, Joyce, of Richmond; one daughter, Sharon McKinney and husband, Gerald, of Halifax; four grandchildren, Jeremy McKinney, Eric McKinney, Heather McDade and Derek Moore; four great-grandchildren, Sierra, Ethan, Sophie and Mackenna; one sister, Ruby Seamster of Halifax; and one brother, Mason Moore of South Boston. One brother, Hagood Moore, and one sister, Myrtle Moore, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Mr. Moore were held July 18, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in South Boston with the Rev. Tim Cannon officiating. Burial followed in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Organ Fund, First Baptist Church, 815 North Main Street, South Boston, 24592.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Mable Williams
Mable Williams, 91, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Vernon Hill, died July 12, 2006, in Providence Hospital in Washington.
Born June 18, 1915, in Buckingham County, she was the daughter of the late Jim and Annie Edward Morgan, and was married to the late Samuel Williams. She was a member of Vernon Hill Baptist Church and was retired from George Washington University and Florence Crittenden Home for unwed mothers.
Three children, Samuel Williams Jr., Jerlean Williams and Lucille Jones, preceded her in death.
Survivors of Mrs. Williams include four daughters, Mary Alice Penick of South Boston, Yvonne Jennings and husband, Ira, of Lanham, Md., Edna Lee Richardson of Landover Hills, Md. and Janie Williams of Danville; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Arthur E. Crews conducted a funeral service July 17, at 1 p.m. at New Vernon Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.