Arson Charged

An 18-year-old Halifax County man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly setting fire to two mobile homes, including one owned by his mother.
Officers were called to Lakewood Trailer Park on Daniels Trail, Halifax, at 6 p.m. for a mobile home fire. According to Capt. Larry Fears, the mobile home owned by Patricia Womack was destroyed by the fire and one owned by Patricia Ashworth was damaged.
Deputy Keith Redd’s investigation led to the charges. Melvin Womack allegedly set the fires following an argument with his mother, according to Redd.
According to Fears, Redd arrested Melvin Womack at the scene and charged him with two counts of arson. He is currently being held without bond in the Halifax Adult Detention Center and will be arraigned in General District Court on Aug. 6, Fears said.
In other police news: Latonya B. Sims, 32, of Edmunds Street, South Boston, was charged with using profane or threatening language over the telephone. The offense allegedly occurred June 7, and the warrant was served on Sims July 25 by Deputy D.D. Irby.
Twenty-eight year-old Roger Owen III of Jeffress Boulevard., South Boston, was charged with failure to appear in court July 9 on a misdemeanor offense. Deputy S.W. Gilliam served the warrant on Owen on July 24.
Sherman O. Howard, 23, of Sinai Road, South Boston, was charged with contempt of court and assault and battery. The contempt offense allegedly occurred July 23, and the assault offense allegedly occurred May 16. Howard was served the warrants July 25 by Deputy D.W. Martin.
Nineteen year-old Kendall S. Sydnor of Scottsburg was served notice of revocation on July 18 of his pre-trial release. Deputy C.S. Yeatts served the warrant on July 24.

Halifax, South Boston Receive Transportation Safety Grants

South Boston and the Town of Halifax are among the localities named by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to receive portions of more than $13 million in grants to local, state and non-profit programs that support transportation safety.
The grants are comprised primarily of federal funds, but include $2.6 million in local matching funds.
Virginia is currently experiencing an increase in the number of traffic fatalities, according to statistics released by the Virginia Transportation Research Council at the University of Virginia.
Preliminary data indicate 544 fatalities so far this year, compared to 527 fatalities during the same period in 2006.
Grant funds will support programs designed to increase the use of safety belts and child safety seats, deter aggressive and impaired driving, and promote awareness of risks for both teen and older drivers.
South Boston will receive $12,980 in federal funds, $2,596 local match, for a total of $15,576.
Halifax will receive $12,912 in federal funds, $2,582.40 local match, for a total of $15,494.40.
South Boston Director of Public Works Alan Auld said more information on South Boston’s grant would be forthcoming. Efforts to reach Halifax Town Manager Carl Espy were unsuccessful at press time.
Mecklenburg County will receive $30,000, Clarksville will receive $28,527.60 and Charlotte County will receive a total of $17,954.40.
In total, 263 grants were approved and awarded to sixteen state agencies and 247 non-profit organizations and localities.

Good For Business, Good For Parents

South Boston retailers say last year’s sales tax holiday was good for business, and they’re looking for even better things this year.
“It was the best promotion we had last year,” said David McCollum of McCollum-Ferrell Shoe Store in downtown South Boston. “I think it kept local people shopping in our area,” he added.
“Last year was very positive for us,” said Amanda Smith, area sales manager for Belk. “Our customers saw it (sales tax holiday) as an opportunity to save money,” she added.
Goody’s Store manager Linda Lacks said, “Sales were good last year, but we were expecting more. We’re having our Kids Fest that Saturday in conjunction with the sales tax holiday, so we’re looking for a big day.”
During the three-day period from Friday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 5, certain purchases will be exempt from the 5-percent state and local retail sales tax.
Sales tax will not be charged on school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, or on articles of clothing, including footwear, costing $100 or less each.
The “holiday” was approved unanimously by the 2006 General Assembly to take place each year on the first Friday-Sunday in August. This back-to-school sales tax holiday is permanent. Earlier this year, state lawmakers approved two additional sales tax holidays.
A four-day tax holiday is set for October that exempts certain energy-efficient appliances. The third will be a week-long tax holiday in May for purchasing equipment to prepare for hurricanes. Both of these sales tax holidays will expire in a few years.
Nancy Pool, president of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce, said, “I think this sales tax holiday will give people the opportunity to save money and purchase additional goods.”
She added, “I hope it will encourage everyone to shop locally and take advantage of this rare opportunity.”
The Virginia Department of Taxation is estimating that Virginia’s taxpayers will save approximately $3.8 million for the 2007 back-to-school holiday.
“The state’s first tax holiday was very popular last year as parents, students and others saved money on back-to-school purchases,” said Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen.
“We certainly expect this year’s holiday to draw a lot of attention too. It’s perfect timing to get ready for the new school year,” Bowen added.

Obituaries

Thomas Hayse Buchanan
Thomas Hayse Buchanan, 64, of Stage Coach Road, Nathalie died July 25, 2007, at his home.
Mr. Buchanan was born in Jackson County, N.C. September 12, 1942, a son of the late Thomas William Buchanan and Lillie Etta Cabe Buchanan. He was of Methodist faith and a retired farmer.
Survivors include two sons, Robert A. Buchanan and wife, Marie, and James D. Buchanan, all of Gladys; two grandchildren, Katlin Buchanan and Robert Wayne Buchanan.
A memorial service for Mr. Buchanan will be held at a later date.
Henderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Wanda Fallen McMaster
Wanda Fallen McMaster, 53, of Lynchburg died July 25, 2007, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Brookneal.
Ms. McMaster was born in Halifax County July 16, 1954, daughter of Helen Anderson Bentley of Lynchburg and the late Richard Walker Fallen Sr. She was of Baptist faith and a hotel cleaning supervisor.
She is survived by one son, Jimmy W. Fallen and wife, Jessica; one daughter, April Fallen; one grandson, Christian Fallen, all of West Barnstable, Mass.; four brothers, Richard W. Fallen Jr. and wife, Helen, of Halifax, Danny Anderson and wife, Joey, of Lynchburg, Ricky fallen Sr. and wife, Diane, of Gladys, and Robert W. Fallen and wife, Debra, of Brookneal; three sisters, Jean Lloyd of Nathalie, Shirley Hunter of Brookneal, and Carolyn Tuggle and husband, Franklin, of Nathalie; her ex-husband and friend, Floyd McMaster, of Pamplin; and her close friend, Priscilla Brooks, of Lynchburg. One daughter, Cathey McMaster preceded Ms. McMaster in death.
The family will receive friends at the home of Shirley Hunter of 106 Laughlin Street, Brookneal, tomorrow, July 28, from 5 to 7 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.
Henderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Davis Terry
Ruby Davis Terry, 66, of 1141 Highland Hills Drive, Halifax died July 23, 2007 at her home.
Mrs. Terry was born July 9, 1941, in Pittsylvania County the daughter of the late James Asbury Davis and Annie McGregor Davis, and was married to Henry Alvin Terry. She was a member of Centerville Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Carolyn T. Forlines and husband, Jason, of Scottsburg; two sons, Rick A. Terry and wife, Sandy, of South Boston, and James O. Terry of Halifax; her mother of Danville; two sisters, Mary Ann Motley of Chatham, and Irma D. Irby and husband, Ronald, of Chatham; five grandchildren, Megan Terry of Newport, Tenn., John Austin Terry and Ethan Terry, both of South Boston, Savannah Terry of Scottsburg, and Allison Forlines of Glen Allen. One brother, Clarence Davis, also preceded Mrs. Terry in death.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at Centerville Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Saunders officiating. Burial followed at Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592, or Centerville Baptist Church, 3200 Halifax Road, South Boston.
Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com

Charlie Keister Dixon
Funeral services for Mr. Charlie Keister Dixon will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Meadville with the Rev. Robert S. Wimbish officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church on Monday.
Mr. Dixon, 78, of Philadelphia, and formerly of Halifax County, died Monday, July 23, in Philadelphia.
He was born in Halifax County on March 10, 1929, the son of the late Otis Dixon and Gracie Dixon.
Mr. Dixon is survived by two daughters, Charlene K. Dixon-Hailey and Diane K. Dixon, both of Philadelphia; a son, Daryl K. Dixon of Philadelphia; two sisters, Maryellen Coleman of Halifax, and Annie-Grace Forster of Jersey City, N.J.; a brother, Linwood Dixon of Halifax; an aunt, Louis Lovelace of Halifax; an uncle, Ernest Lovelace of Halifax, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

William Samuel Beard
William (Skinner) Samuel Beard of Edmunds St., South Boston, died yesterday at his residence at the age of 64.
Mr. Beard was born in Halifax County on December 6, 1942 to the late Mr. Athan Hunt and Mrs. Lizzie Beard. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Ferry St., South Boston, and was a long-time employee of Lantor’s Ladies Apparel.
Mr. Beard is survived by one brother, Claud J. Beard of Halifax; two sisters, Marquerita Riddick and Lucinda Riddick, both of Norfolk; one sister-in-law, Oveda Beard of Halifax; one aunt, Edith Woodson of Richmond; three nieces, Tracy Beard of Jersey City, N.J., Sheila Traynham of Suitland, Md., and Kim Jones of South Boston; three nephews, Claud Beard Jr. of Jersey City, Tommy Yarborough and Robert Lee Yarborough, both of South Boston. He was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Lee Beard.
Funeral services for William (Skinner) Samuel Beard will be held Sunday, July 29, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Ferry St. with Rev. Wallace Pierce officiating.
Burial will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 711 Edmunds St., South Boston.

Lorene Powell Hatcher
Lorene Powell Hatcher of 1193 Coleman Road, Scottsburg, died Wednesday, July 25 at The Woodview. She was born in Halifax County on October 11, 1918, and was 88 years old.
Mrs. Hatcher was the daughter of the late Charles Henry Powell and Annie Smith Powell and was married to Roy Swanson Hatcher Sr.
Mrs. Hatcher was a member of Scottsburg Baptist Church where she was a longtime Sunday school teacher.
The family will receive friends Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home and at other times at the home of Cecil Hatcher, 1225 Coleman Road, Scottsburg.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Hatcher will be held Saturday, July 28 at 3 p.m. at Scottsburg Baptist Church with the Reverend Terry Scearce officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery.
Mrs. Hatcher is survived by one daughter, Barbara H. Shaver and husband Jerry of Danville; two sons, Roy S. Hatcher Jr. of Scottsburg and Cecil Wayne Hatcher and wife Linda of Scottsburg; two sisters, Louise P. Hawkins and husband Benny of Lynchburg, and Jeanette P. Newton of Scottsburg; and one brother, Edward Powell of Danville.
Mrs. Hatcher is also survived by five grandchildren, Jennifer S. Clatterbuck of Danville, Heather H. Hall of Alton, Jerry Edward Shaver of California, Michael Wayne Hatcher of Scottsburg, William Franklin “Billy” Hatcher of Alton, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and one grandchild, Sandy Hatcher Wilkerson.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Scottsburg Baptist Church.

Still Going Strong

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
There are few people 80-years-old that have the stamina, athletic ability and willpower to play competitive tennis on any sort of regular basis.
Few of those people are consistent winners.
One of them is South Boston resident Juanita Cross.
Cross, a well-known and active player among the area tennis contingent, continues to play tennis at a high level with a steady habit of defeating opposing players younger than she is.
Recently, Cross and her partner, Bryant Claiborne, defeated the tandem of Gerald Lacks and “Mac” McIvor 6-2 in a friendly doubles match. At one point in the match, Cross and Claiborne were up 4-0 before Lacks and McIvor rallied to win a couple of games.
That was not the first time Cross has defeated much younger players on the tennis court. In fact, she does it quite regularly – sometimes to the consternation of her opponents.
“Some people don’t like it when I win,” Cross said with a twinkle of a smile.
“That’s just because of the age thing.”
Cross doesn’t win matches with overwhelming power or blinding speed. Instead, she uses her experience and finesse to pull out wins.
“You don’t have to hit the ball that hard,” Cross explained.
“I can place the ball pretty much where I want it.”
Cross also has a nice lob shot in her artillery. In fact, her tennis-playing friends in Washington, D.C. and here in South Boston have dubbed her “The Lob Queen.”
“You lob the ball and, a lot of times, they (the opponents) will mess up,” she pointed out.
While Cross may not have the overall speed and quickness of many of the younger players that she plays against, she still manages to get to the ball pretty well.
“They try to hit the short ball on me sometimes, but I can still get there a lot of the time,” Cross said.
“I can get there and put them away.”
Cross has won numerous tournaments over the years on many levels. She has also competed in the Senior Olympics in New Orleans. Through the years she has garnered numerous trophies, awards and medals.
“I have so many that I can’t put them all out,” she noted.
Cross has been playing tennis for many years, taking up the game in the late 1970’s. Living in New York, Cross would come to South Boston during the summer to visit her grandparents who had access to a tennis court. It was there that she learned how to hit a tennis ball.
At one point, Cross played basketball in Washington, D.C. but gave that up, she said, “because the girls would start fighting.”
With basketball out of the picture, Cross took up tennis.
“I didn’t how how to keep score or anything like that,” she pointed out.
“All I could do was hit.”
In the 35 years or so since she took up the game, tennis has been a big part of Cross’s life.
“The thing I enjoy is the competition of playing and playing well,” Cross said.
Cross has, indeed, played well through the years, overcoming knee cartilage problems in the process. The knee problems were such that doctors had suggested surgery.
“The thing about that,” Cross said, “is the doctors said if I had the surgery I couldn’t play tennis anymore. I’m so glad I didn’t have the surgery because I’m still playing.”
Not only does Cross continue to play the game she loves so much, she shares her love of the sport by offering lessons and helping anyone, youngsters, teenagers or adults who are serious about wanting to learn to play.
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m., weather permitting, Cross can be found giving lessons at the tennis courts adjacent to Halifax County Middle School.
“I’m willing if they’re willing to come out, work and learn,” she remarked.
“Tennis is a very good sport and it’s a sport you can play for a long time.”
One of the many young people Cross has instructed is Shanna Luck who had an outstanding season this past spring as a member of the Halifax County High School girls tennis team.
Luck won the Western Valley District singles championship, placed second in the Northwest Region singles tournament and went on to compete in the Virginia Group AAA state tournament.
“I liked working with her,” Cross said.
“She is left-handed and so am I. Shanna is remarkable. I can’t beat Shanna. She hits the ball so hard I jump out of the way.”
Cross takes a great deal of pride in being competitive in tennis and, at age 80, having the ability to defeat opponents much younger than she is. She says she will continue to play tennis as long as her health permits.
“Tennis is an addiction,” Cross said.
“You can be sick or have a cold but you still feel like you have to go out there and get on the court. I’m a fixture on the court. I’m there every night unless I have a prayer meeting or choir rehearsal at church or it’s raining.”

Confidence Key For American Belles

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax American Belles all-stars are relaxed and confident as they travel to the Dixie Softball Belles World Series starting this weekend in Marianna, Fl.
Halifax will play defending Belles World Series champion Louisiana in its first game Saturday, but that task shouldn’t intimidate a team which has compiled a 7-1 record thus far this post season.
American is a confident team because most of its players have seen tournament action together as Angels, Ponytails and now, Belles.
Experience is the key, according to manager Barbara Lacks, who points to defense, pitching depth and explosive offense as team strengths.
“This is an experienced team, with this being at least the second World Series attended by all but one player,” said Lacks.
“For most of the players, this will be their third World Series,” continued Lacks, who has been assisted this post season by coaches Tammy Hall and Stephanie Casen.
Eight players will make their second straight trip to the World Series as American Belles all-stars, including Caitlin Lawhorn, Dalyn Hall, Kim Snead, Sara Stewart, Sharilyn Walton, Kisha Crowder, Christine DeGeorgis and Johanna Spencer.
Joining them are Kate Bane, Jennifer Lacks and Miranda Conner, for Bane and Lacks their fourth World Series.
American’s defensive breakdown has Bane listed as first baseman and pitcher; Lacks as shortstop and pitcher; Lawhorn and Conner in left field; Hall as right fielder and pitcher; Snead at second base; Stewart in four positions, pitcher, shortstop, second base and right field; Walton at third base; Crowder as pitcher and first baseman; DeGeorgis in center field; and Spencer at catcher.
American has depth and experience in its pitching staff, with Bane throwing 15 innings and giving up one run in state competition.
“Dalyn Hall also had a strong performance in the state, and Kisha Crowder, Sara Stewart and Jennifer Lacks are all very strong and experienced pitchers,” said manager Lacks.
Halifax American also has depth in hitting, noted Lacks.
“Sara Stewart has the highest batting average after the state (over .500). Johanna Spencer and Caitlin Lawhorn are our power hitters, but the rest of our lineup - Lacks, DeGeorgis, Bane, Walton, Crowder, Snead, Hall, Conner - are also solid hitters.”
What makes this team unique among others she’s managed or coached is the fact that they play with confidence and don’t get rattled easily, said Lacks.
“They don’t get upset, no matter what the situation, even when they fall behind, and that doesn’t seem to bother them at all,” she said.
“The key to this team is that they know each other, rely on each other, and communicate well. Even when bad things happen, they don’t hang their heads and bounce right back.”
Stewart, who will go to her third World Series this weekend and her second straight as an American Belle, echoed Lacks’ comments.
“It’s a friendship thing. We’ve believed in each other and counted on each other over the years,” said Stewart.
“We’re very versatile, with each player having different strengths, and that makes us a team which is strong overall in hitting, pitching and defense.”
All the hoopla and distractions of a World Series shouldn’t affect this group of softball veterans,” she added.
“The more you go, the less nerves you have. The older girls are counted on to provide leadership and I think we’re ready to do that.”

HCS Wins Another Extra Inning Game In State

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax County South (HCS) AAA all-stars outlasted Charlotte County 8-6 Tuesday in a nine-inning thriller to advance in the Dixie Youth Baseball State AAA Tourney in Salem.
The game was tied 5-5 after six innings and each team scored a run in the eighth inning, before HCS pushed across two runs in the top of the ninth to win the game.
HCS, one of three teams remaining in the tournament, played the winner of the Blacksburg- Salem game.
Blacksburg and Salem played Thursday.
HCS scored twice in its first at-bat, only to see Charlotte County score three times in the bottom of the first inning.
Tristan Howerton singled to lead off the game and Dion Lassiter drew a walk. Each stole a base to put runners at second and third, before Ethan Woltz reached on an error to score both Howerton and Lassiter.
Charlotte County used a walk, double, single and another double to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the first, but HCS rallied in the top of the second.
Chase Oakes hit a leadoff single and Bryce Berryhill reached base on a bunt single, before Luke McCann bunted and reached second to plate two runs.
Ryan Glass also had a two-base bunt to score McCann and make it 5-3 in favor of HCS after two innings.
Charlotte County used two walks, a single and double to tie the score in the bottom of the third inning, and the game remained scoreless until the eighth inning.
Noah Seate hit a leadoff single for HCS, and Oakes and Berryhill later singled, before Howerton doubled to score Oakes.
Two HCS errors along with a single and double helped Charlotte County tie the score in the bottom of the eighth inning, but HCS plated the game-winning runs in the top of the ninth inning.
Lassiter lead off with a double and Eddie Chaney singled, with Lassiter scoring on a passed ball with Woltz at the plate.
Seate followed with a base hit to score Chaney with the second run of the inning to give HCS the 8-6 lead which held up for the win.
HCS banged out 18 hits for the game, Oakes hitting a double and three singles, Howerton a double and two singles and Berryhill with three base hits.
Chaney smacked two doubles, Lassiter a double and single, Seate two singles and McCann and Glass each added a bunt hit.
HCS used three pitchers in the game, Drew Link starting and hurling the first two innings, allowing three hits while striking out two and walking one batter.
McCann pitched innings four and five, allowing four hits and striking out one batter while walking one, before Howerton came on to pitch the final five innings.
Howerton allowed four hits, while striking out five and walking three batters.