Friday, July 28, 2006

 

Mecklenburg, Halifax County Authorities:

Investigation Into Sunday Abduction, Rape Continuing

Authorities with the South Boston Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office are still searching for suspects in the case of a 28-year-old woman who was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from the South Boston Goodwill store Sunday.
According to reports from Mecklenburg County Investigator Terry Edmonds, the victim, identified as a white female, was allegedly abducted by a gun-wielding suspect around 6 p.m. and was forced to drive the man into Mecklenburg County, where she was allegedly sexually assaulted before being made to drive him to a location near Newton’s Trailer Court in Buffalo Junction.
The alleged suspect was described as an African-American male between 35-45 years old, approximately 5’7” and weighing between 125-150 pounds. He was described as having short brown hair and teeth with “gaps in them.”
After the alleged victim was freed, she drove to a location in Clarksville where she alerted authorities.
Edmonds reported yesterday that the victim and investigators from Mecklenburg County drove along a similar route in order to determine the exact location of the alleged crimes.
“The drive-through performed Wednesday showed that the alleged incident did occur in Mecklenburg County,” Edmonds told reporters yesterday.
“A ‘perp kit’ is being sent to the lab to determine if there’s any DNA evidence to be evaluated and compared with DNA information on file through the state crime lab,” he added.
Investigator B.K. Lovelace with the South Boston Police Department said yesterday that South Boston authorities are interviewing all employees who were working Sunday at the Goodwill store in order to see if there were witnesses to the alleged crime.
“We’re still continuing our investigation and trying to follow up on any leads we get,” he said. “Any arrests in the case will be announced at the proper time jointly by Mecklenburg County and South Boston authorities.”
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Edmonds at 434-738-6171, the South Boston Police Department at 575-4270 or Crimestoppers at 575-TIPS.

 

Ten County Groups Net $210,000 In Grants

Ten Halifax County community organizations received grants totaling $210,000 awarded by The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region from the Chastain Home Fund at The Prizery Wednesday.
The South Boston/Halifax County YMCA was the biggest beneficiary receiving a $93,500 grant to purchase an energy recovery unit and provide memberships for older adult needing assistance.
YMCA Executive Director Marcus Hargrave said the new energy recovery unit will allow the facility to conserve energy and better regulate the temperature of the pool.
Hargrave said the Y is helping individuals live longer, healthier lives and that these funds will further that cause.
Other recipients were the Alzheimer’s Association, Southeastern Virginia Chapter, who received $10,000 to provide family caregiver training and provide assistance to low-income families.
The Halifax County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office netted $2,000 to support the Halifax County Community Gang Taskforce.
The Halifax County Cancer Association received $17,500 to assist elderly men and women with cancer-related medications, home care and medical bills.
The Halifax County Public Schools Education Foundation was awarded $18,750 to purchase automated external defibrillators and simulators designed to help save lives and teach the next generation of rescue squad and health care professionals.
Twelve defibrillators will be purchased with the funds and one will be located in each of the county’s elementary schools, according to Audrey Davidson, who works with the Foundation.
The Lake Country Area on Aging received $33,000 to provide personal care to qualified elderly woman in Halifax County.
The Mentor-Role Model Program was awarded $15,000 to reduce and prevent juvenile crime among at-risk youth.
Operation New Vision received $5,250 to provide food, household and health care items for the elderly and underserved.
The South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History was awarded $7,500 to complete the new research center by adding safety features and furnishings.
Wind Beneath the Wings, Inc. received $7,500 to offer an intergenerational project where elderly women and children will get to interact in educational and cultural activities.
Before awarding the grants Samuel A. Kushner, president of The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, who made the grants from the Chastain Home Fund, said Wednesday was a happy occasion with a touch of sadness.
“We love this community and want to come back year after year,” Kushner said, noting that the $210,000 distributed Wednesday was the last of the original million dollar donation from the Chastain Home Fund.
“We are out of money to do good things in the community,” he added.
Kushner asked those in attendance to think about the CFDRR like other donors in the Dan River Region have. The foundation has assets of over $14.5 million, but the funds are for set purposes like scholarships or to support area volunteer fire departments.
Halifax County residents could set up a scholarship or fund that would serve a local agency or students in perpetuity, he said.

 

Halifax Planning Commission

Tower Ordinance Sent To Council For Action

The Town of Halifax Planning Commission voted Wednesday to send the Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Siting Ordinance to Council for their consideration but with one dissent.
Commissioner Frank Carr was the lone vote against the ordinance after the Commission decided against additional language stipulating how far apart towers had to be located from each other.
Commissioner Charles Parker said the proposed language would further open up the ordinance to court challenges.
Parker said the ordinance, as written, sets a high threshold of requirements that have to be met before a new tower could be erected in the town.
Before constructing a new tower one would have to prove that no existing tower or town-owned facility like the water tower would be serviceable. And collocation on a site with existing telecommunications facilities must also be explored, according to the new ordinance.
The ordinance also forbids towers on land zoned for residential use.
Also at the planning commission meeting Parker tendered his letter of resignation to Chairman Dick Moore.
Parker, who also serves on Council, agreed to resign from the commission since only one councilman serves on the commission at a time.
Moore, who was elected to Council in May, also announced that he will step down as the commission’s chairman with Vice Chairman Beth Ann Gillis slated to take over the chairmanship on October 1.
Moore will continue to serve on the planning commission.
Under unfinished business, Commissioner Lisa Waller said that she agreed with recent public comments denouncing the signs displayed in several shop windows across the street from town hall.
Commissioners agreed to draft a letter and send it to the owner of the building asking that the signs be removed.
Before the planning commission meeting, Council held a special call meeting to receive a presentation from the Community Health Center Advisory Committee.
During the presentation Committee Vice Chairman Stewart Nelson and Health Care on the Square Executive Director Carol Dill laid out the realities of health care accessibility in Halifax County.
According to Dill, there is a health care provider shortage in the county in the medical, dental and mental health fields. It is at a crisis level for pediatric dental services and adolescent mental health.
A study showed that over a three-year period that 60 percent of emergency room visits were primary care visits that probably could have been handled by a family physician, Dill said.
The committee is now in the site selection process, Nelson told Council, noting that the committee was primarily focusing on two locations, the grocery store building in downtown Halifax and a site in Houghton Industrial Park in South Boston.
In its search for a site the committee is focused on location, access, growth potential and cost, Nelson said.
Initially the facility will be between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet, “but we have to be ready to handle success,” Nelson said.
“It is important in our plan that we have room to grow,” he added.
It is the committee’s goal to receive a proposal from each town at the beginning of September, he said.
The new community health care facility will be a satellite of the Health Care on the Square facility in Boydton, Dill said.
It has been in operation for over twenty years and is a private non-profit organization.
An economic impact analysis was performed by Capital Link of Boston and it found that the new facility will impact the local economy with an aggregate estimate of $4.2 million and will add 58.5 new jobs, both full and part-time with $2.4 million in household earnings across industries.
The health care center would not be a “free” clinic, Nelson told Council. Free clinics can only see patients without insurance and that would not be viable.
Rather the center will have a sliding fee program that follows the federal income poverty guidelines and it will accept all insurance like the facility in Boydton.
After the presentation Council asked questions about the health care center.
Councilman Phil Hollis asked about funding for the new facility and how the two facilities would be linked.
Most of the money for the facility itself would come from low-interest federal loans, Dill said, along with $500,000 to a million in grant money.
The Boydton facility, located in a former car dealership across from the Mecklenburg County Courthouse was funded with a federal loan, Dill said.
For running the two facilities, Dill said most of it would be done over the Internet and would allow them greater efficiency. She pointed out that the health clinic in Charlotte Court House is in a network of 16 facilities.
Parker, who is a medical doctor, asked if anyone had studied the negative impact the clinic would have on existing doctors’ practices.
Nelson responded that while some level of competition may exist, there is currently a large segment of the population in the county that is not receiving primary care.
Also, if one of those private practices were to close its doors there could be a crisis, he added.
Parker also asked if the facility would be open at night and on the weekend.
The clinic would not be open at night and on the weekends right away, committee members said, but it would be responsive to community and patient needs.

 

Belles Determined To Make Most Of First World Series

The Halifax American Belles Hope To Continue Momentum From State Win

The Halifax American Belles all-stars have had less than two weeks to come down to earth following their first Virginia State Dixie Belles title, and must now focus on the task at hand – the Dixie Belles World Series starting tomorrow in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Halifax American plays Georgia in game one of the World Series, and American manger Jesse Spencer thinks the team is ready for a good run.
“These girls are something special with the way they’ve pulled together and the mood of the team is very good,” noted Spencer.
“I think we’re ready to go.”
American had something to prove this year after coming up short in the District VII tourney here in 2005, losing two straight games to Charlotte County after finally getting the best of long-time rival Halifax National.
American served as the host this year for the Virginia State Dixie Belles Tournament, and had to get past National again to get to the World Series.
American went 2-1 against their rival in the state tourney, winning the first game 3-2 and losing the second by an 8-4 margin, before winning 1-0 on the final day of the tournament.
That erased the bad memories from last year, according to Spencer.
“We had a few girls back from last year and those two losses to Charlotte County made them hungrier to win the state this year,” began Spencer.
“The girls really pulled together during the tourney and were almost flawless except for one game against National. We also had a problem with Whitney [Womack] getting hurt, but I think that made the rest of the team really want it bad for her.”
Six current American Belles all-stars and two coaches have World Series experience, all as a part of the American Angels 2002 World Series team.
Sara Stewart, Kim Snead, Johanna Spencer, Dalyn Hall, Kisha Crowder and Christine DeGeorgis have all experienced at least that one World Series, in addition to coaches Rodney Watts and Tammy Hall.
For teammates Lashunda Davis, Caitlyn Lawhorn, Sharilyn Walton, Ashley Adkins, Corinna Aguilar and Womack, this trip will be their first.
“Ironically, in 2002 when some of them went as Angels, Whitney hurt her arm and couldn’t go, so this is special for her,” said Spencer.
Defense is the name of the game for Halifax American, which won the two one-run squeakers against Halifax National and a 1-0 decision over South Hill during the state tournament.
“There’re not many things you can do about a good, clean hit, but the team played very good defense during the state tournament,” recalled Spencer.
Hall, Stewart and DeGeorgis, as well as Womack, shared time on the mound for American in the state tourney, and were backed by a solid defense which made plays when it needed to at key times.
“No matter who’s pitching, all we want is for the other team to put the ball in play, because we have a strong defense,” he noted.
“Put the ball in play, that’s what we’re trying to do, so we can let our defense work – put it in play and let the defense take it from there.
Catching duties normally fall to Spencer, while Crowder or Womack is usually at first, Stewart at second, Davis at shortstop and Walton at third, while Hall, Lawhorn, DeGeorgis, Aguilar, Snead and Adkins man the outfield.
Several players, however, are capable of playing more than one position and that diversity is another team strength.
Offensively, American had the luxury of the speedy Davis at the plate to start crucial innings against National and South Hill, and each time she scored runs that proved pivotal in the outcomes of those games.
Spencer, a first-time World Series manager, was quick to add that several other players had key at-bats at key times during the tournament, and that needs to continue if the Americans are to make a run in Alexandria.
“I think that losing a game in the state tournament put things in perspective for us,” said Spencer.
“Sometimes, you don’t lose and you feel you can’t be beaten, but anyone can lose, no matter how good you are.
Spencer said he and the coaches will try and make the team’s schedule as normal as possible in the hoopla that is the World Series,
“I just hope everything falls into place,” he explained.
“We’ll go with the same game plan and try to take advantage of situations as they present themselves, and we plan to have a good time, relax and play well.
“But, we have to be careful not to let them have too good a time,” he laughed.
“We’re going down there to play ball and if we come back with the trophy, we’ll stop on the way back to celebrate.
“It’ll be nice to see that American plaque next to the National Belles as World Series champions.”

 

Ponytails Will Take Advantage Of Experience In World Series

The Halifax American Ponytails All-Star Team Is Strong And Balanced In All Areas

The Halifax American Ponytails all-star team will look to its strengths for a possible title run in the Dixie Ponytails World Series in Alexandria, Louisiana, beginning tomorrow.
Halifax American will take the field at 5:30 p.m. Saturday against Alabama, having gained much needed experience in a competitive Virginia State Dixie Ponytails tournament.
That experience will come in handy at the World Series, according to manager Barbara Lacks, whose team managed to come out on top in the state tourney, despite having to fight through some tight games.
Halifax American began the state tournament with a relatively easy 13-0 win over Grayson County, but had competitive games the next day with traditional power Powhatan and tough newcomer Clarksville.
American got past Powhatan 4-1, and lost its only game of the tourney to Clarksville by a 3-1 margin, but American stayed alive Sunday with a 5-0 shutout of Blacksburg.
After a Monday bye, American took on Clarksville again, this time for the state title, and American got a little payback with a narrow 2-1 win to advance to the World Series.
Halifax American will take a balanced team to the World Series, with strength on the pitching mound, in the field and at the bat, noted Lacks.
“This is the best team I’ve ever had in my experience as a coach,” said Lacks.
“They are very solid defensively, have depth in the pitching staff and are very strong with the bats.”
Coaches Woody Bane and Kenny Lloyd will travel with Lacks and the team to Louisiana, a squad that includes a number of veteran Dixie all-stars.
The Halifax American Ponytails all-stars have made few, if any, changes in its position lineup entering the World Series.
A deep and experienced pitching staff includes Blaire Hodges, Jennifer Lacks, Kate Bane, Samantha Gibson, Meg Bane, BriAna Pierce and Kendall Lloyd, with Gibson the fastest pitcher, said manager Lacks.
Jennifer Lacks and KiAna Pierce will hold down the catcher’s position, with Gibson in reserve if needed, while Kate Bane and Gibson are listed at first base.
Blaire Hodges and Meg Bane will see time at second base, Hodges and Lacks at shortstop, and Kate Bane, KiAna Pierce, Shannon Smith and Lucy Ferguson at third base,
Emily Nester and Taylor Mosley will patrol left field, Meg Bane will see time in center field, and Lloyd in right field.
American will need to hit the ball and score runs for a successful World Series, and Lacks said several of her players fit the bill.
Jennifer Lacks, Gibson, KiAna Pierce, Hodges, Kate Bane, and Meg Bane are all strong hitter, according to Lacks, while BriAna Pierce, Lloyd, Ferguson, Nester and Mosley are also good hitters and bunters.
Mosley is the speed merchant on the base paths, added Lacks, who will try and employ the running game whenever necessary in order to make things happen for Halifax American.
“We are hoping the Louisiana heat and long travel hours will not affect us. Otherwise, we are expecting to have a great tournament and a great time at the World Series,” she said.

 

Halifax Country Club To Honor Members In Memorial Tournament

The 45th Annual Walter McCormick Golf Tournament this weekend at the Halifax Country Club (HCC) will be held under a new name, a somewhat different format and as a tribute to a former member who in himself and his family meant a lot to Halifax Country Club.
The namesake of the tournament, young Walter McCormick, was tragically killed in an automobile accident in February 1962. He was a very popular young golfer at the club and in the summer of 1962, a handicap tournament was started in his honor, the winner receiving the Walter McCormick Cup.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the tourney and the Halifax Country Club Board of Directors and membership has decided to still honor Walter and other members who have moved on.
This new format, called the Memorial, will still honor the McCormick name but also other members of the club who meant so much to the membership and the community.
This year’s first honoree will be Lester Layne Dillard III, a prominent young attorney who passed away only one day after his 40th birthday. Young Les, as he was so fondly called by his friends, was a Halifax Blue Comet and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College, when he decided he wanted to be a Marine.
After Parris Island and active duty with the Marines, Young Les attended and graduated from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
On his return home, Les joined the law firm of Tuck, Dillard, Bagwell, Mapp and Nelson, and started his law career. Les’ grandfather, William (Bill) Tuck, was a former governor of the Commonwealth, as well as the Fifth District Representative in the halls of the United States Congress.
His father, Lester Jr., was also a prominent attorney and was just inducted into the Halifax County Hall of Fame.
Young Les was the proud father of a son and daughter who were the apples of his eye. Will, just graduated from the Fuqua School in Farmville, will continue his education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
His younger sister, Eliza, is a rising sophomore at the Fuqua School.
The tournament format will be the same as in the past, with all players using their handicaps. The low net will receive the McCormick Cup and, as an added twist the low gross will once again serve as a qualifier for the HCC County Cup team.
If the early signs are any indication, the Memorial is drawing a lot of interest from the veterans and younger club members.
Sunday afternoon, someone will win the Cup and someone will be on the County Cup team, but more importantly, everyone will honor a young man who left us way too soon and is sorely missed by all that knew him.
Next year and in the years that follow, a committee will pick a new name to be honored at the Memorial.
As Walter’s brother, Judge Charles L. McCormick III said, “The younger generation needs to have someone they can relate to…this way we are combining the past with the present and it makes for a winning combination.”

 

Roy Lee Farmer
Roy Lee Farmer, 88, of Glen Allen, died July 24, 2006.
Mr. Farmer was born January 8, 1918, in Halifax County. He was retired from the State of Virginia Department of Consumer Affairs, and was a member of the Glen Allen Masonic Lodge #131.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Alice Farmer; his niece, Iris F. Mitchell of Hopewell; and two nephews, Kenneth Hudson of Lynchburg and Jeffrey Farmer of Vernon Hill.
A Masonic service and funeral service was held at Bliley Funeral Homes Staples Mill Chapel, Richmond at noon yesterday, July 27. Burial will be at 1 p.m. today, July 28 at Millstone Baptist Church Cemetery in Halifax County.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Ruritan National Foundation, P.O. Box 487, Dublin, 24084.
Clinton Roscoe Stinson
Clinton Roscoe Stinson, 89, of 3062 Old Grubby Road, Halifax died July 26, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Stinson was born in Alabama July 31, 1916. He was first married to the late Bertie Presnell Stinson and then to Louise Hughes Stinson who survives.
Other than his wife, survivors include one son, Daniel Stinson of Newport News.
Graveside services will be held July 31 at 2 p.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Vance Midgett officiating.
Ara Geneva Oakley Duncan
Ara Geneva Oakley Duncan, 79, of Fairfax died July 21, 2006, in Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Mrs. Duncan was born in South Boston on July 2, 1927, the daughter of the late Lizzie Catherine Conner Oakley and Johnnie Samuel Oakley, and was married to the late Charles Henderson Duncan. She was a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church and was an election official for the City of Fairfax.
Survivors include one son, Charles Henderson Duncan Jr. of Fairfax; two brothers, Henry and Walter Oakley, both of South Boston; one sister, Esther Loftis of Delaware; and one granddaughter, Heather Ara Duncan.
Five sisters, Lottie O. Lowery, Virlie O. Clark, Zelma O. Ragans, Harrell O. Cliborne and Katherine O. Franklin, preceded Mrs. Duncan in death.
Funeral services will be held today, July 28, at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Ralph Harris
Ralph Harris, 84, of 1130 Wilson Memorial Trail, Vernon Hill died July 25, 2006, at his home.
Mr. Harris was born in Halifax County on December 10, 1921, the son of the late John Harris and Ellen Dixon Harris, and was married to the late Anna Bell Hill Harris. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant CME Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Mary Harris of Vernon Hill; three sons, Charlie Harris of Albany, N.Y., LeRoy Harris and Ras Harris, both of Vernon Hill; one brother, Armstead L. Harris of Albany; seven grandchildren, including the devoted Kashyia Harris; 23 great-grandchildren; two daughters-in-law, Dorothy Harris of Dale City and Mattie Harris of Albany; and his caregiver, Ruth Ni.
Three sons, Robert, John and Willie Harris preceded Mr. Harris in death.
Funeral services will be held July 30 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant CME Church with the Rev. Evon Bush officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Thomas Carr Myers
Thomas Carr Myers, 85, of 2000 Ridgeway Road, Vernon Hill died at his home July 26, 2006.
Mr. Myers was born on July 22, 1921, in Caswell County, N.C., the son of George H. Myers and Minnie Chandler Myers, and was married to Juanita Adams Myers who survives. He was a member of County Line Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a Sunday school superintendent, and was a retired farmer.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Myers is survived by two sons, Hartwell Myers of Chatham and Carr Myers of Nathalie; three daughters, Rosa M. Whitmore of Fayetteville, N.C., Thelma M. Navarro of Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Sue M. Gregory of Java; one sister, Ellen M. Turner of Reidsville, N.C.; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two brothers, Julian and Monroe Myers and three sisters, Virginia Thompson, Thelma Hicks and Mildred Swann, preceded him in death.
Funeral services for Mr. Myers will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, July 29, at Townes Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30, this evening, July 28, at Townes Funeral Home and other times at the home.