Juvenile Steals Truck After Bike Ride

A 15-year-old Danville juvenile decided he was going to ride his bike to Richmond and then realized he wasn’t going make it, according to statements made to the Virginia State Police. In Charlotte County, the youth reportedly decided to turn around and head for home, but he got a flat tire so he began knocking on doors looking for someone to help him get back to Danville. When he was unable to find an adult he allegedly spotted a pickup truck parked near a residence. The 1996 Chevrolet pickup, belonging to Devin Skelton, had the keys in it, according to the juvenile’s statement. The boy told police he took the truck and drove towards Danville. In South Boston, the juvenile lost control of the truck while attempting to make a right turn onto Route 58 west from U.S. 360, according to Trooper T.C. Comer. After the truck struck an embankment, the juvenile continued on foot. A short distance down Route 58, the boy was picked up by his football coach from Danville, who was driving a Swift transfer truck. A witness who had seen the accident wrote down the number of the truck, according to Comer. Law enforcement authorities flagged down another Swift truck and had the dispatcher locate the driver of the truck headed for Danville. The driver said that the juvenile denied being part of the accident, according to police, and told them where the boy resides. Pittsylvania authorities were called and went to the juvenile’s residence, where he confessed, according to Comer. The state police will seek petitions charging the youth with felony hit and run and driving without a license, Comer said, and additional charges are pending from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Supes Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Decline To Take Action On Proposed Leash Law For Fordland Estates

Following a lengthy public hearing where the majority of residents opposed the measure, the Halifax County Board of Supervisors declined to take any action on a proposed leash law in the Fordland Estates subdivision. The action came as the Board met for their regular monthly meeting at the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax. Despite a petition carrying 53 signatures from the 71 homes in the subdivision, supervisors recommended that supporters and those opposed to the measure meet to "try to work it out." "I’ve always been a proponent of people trying to get together and work things out," said Supervisor Bryant Claiborne, who suggested a community meeting to resolve the issue. Asked by supervisors about the issue, Animal Control Officer Emmett Edmonds agreed. "At one point, we received numerous complaints from Fordland," he said. "(But) we haven’t had a complaint in a couple of months now." Edmonds said the majority of the complaints were coming "from four residents." "The community needs to work together and be neighbors toward each other," he said. "If they could get together and come to neutral ground, let it be that way." Speaking in opposition to the leash law, Fordland Drive resident Patricia Burton also called for a compromise. "Some of our neighbors would have you believe our dogs terrorize delivery drivers," she said. "That’s not true. The petitioners would have you think our children are at risk playing outside when the truth is the people with the children are the ones with dogs. "We are open to any compromise, but it’s a county neighborhood (that allows dogs to run free) and we want to stay there because our children and dogs can play outside," she added. "Please don’t take that pleasure away from us." The single resident speaking in support of the measure, Evergreen Trail resident Eloise Wilder said that dogs were destroying her property. "I really don’t think it’s fair to us that the dogs can come onto our property and destroy what we have maintained," she said. "It’s unfortunate that (this has) become a personal issue and I’m sorry the relationship has deteriorated. I respectfully request that this Board consider enforcing the leash law." But Donner Court resident Nelson Pulliam said supporters of the leash law never attempted to resolve the issue with their neighbors, suggesting that their aggressive attitude toward their neighbors’ dogs contributed to the problem. "(Some residents) have been harassing our dogs for months, carrying sticks, aerosol spray, etc. They have, over a period of time, conditioned these animals (to become aggressive). As soon as the dogs see these people, they immediately get on the defensive," Pulliam said. "We moved there because we wanted to raise children and have dogs," said resident John Cole. "You could look at these petitions and they would lead you to believe there’s a dog problem there (in Fordland), but I would suggest there’s a people problem. "I think the real solution is for us to get together, work out a compromise among ourselves and try to improve the situation for everyone who lives there," he added. The supervisors agreed. "I think it’s worth a try as a compromise for the entire community," Board Chairman William Fitzgerald said. "It seems tonight that the majority of people are against the law, but yet we have signatures from a majority supporting it. I’d like to ask the two of you (Cole and Wilder) if you could come to a workable solution to the problem." "I’d strongly encourage the residents to communicate with each other," Supervisor James Edmunds said, offering a motion to table the issue. "I think an ordinance should be a last resort." With a second by Supervisor Doug Bowman, the issue was unanimously tabled. Continuing with dog issues, supervisors set a public hearing on an increase in dog license fees, a county kennel ordinance and a noise ordinance for their September 6 meeting. Responding to a complaint from Chatham Road resident Wayne Conant, county officials are proposing a stricter zoning ordinance on operators of kennels and a substantial increase in the costs of dog license tags. The increases proposed are as follows: o For residents owning between one and five dogs, the new tags will be $5 if the dog is spayed or neutered, $10 if not spayed or neutered. The current fee is $3. o For a kennel housing between six and 10 dogs, $40. The current rate is $20. o A kennel with between 11 and 20 dogs - $60, double the current rate of $30. o For a kennel with 21 or more dogs - $75, up from the current rate of $37.50. Proposed changes to the zoning ordinance regarding kennels reflect changes in minimum setbacks from roadways, requirements in offsets from rear and adjacent property lines, waste disposal regulations, a requirement that at commercial kennels dogs are kept inside an enclosed building between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., a noise ordinance and other requirements. Other Business A proposed ordinance requiring that all inoperable vehicles in the county have county decals and either be kept inside a shelter or screened from view was sent back to the drawing board Monday. The Board’s legislative committee will continue to work on the issue after vocal opposition from Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott. The draft ordinance would require that "any person may keep outside of a fully enclosed building one and no more than one inoperable vehicle, provided such inoperable vehicle is shielded or screened from view. In addition, any person may keep outside of a fully enclosed building no more than …. (supervisors never determined a number) inoperable vehicles that are shielded or screened from view by covers." "I don’t know who wrote this, but they didn’t know what they were doing," Abbott said yesterday. "You don’t have a junkyard off where you can’t see in it, and then go in and make them have to pay $25 every year for those cars to stay there, that’s what I’m opposed to. There are cars everywhere like that. "They’re (owners of salvage companies) going by the law the way it was written and now these people are wanting to change it. "The supervisors with these ordinances are making it so people can’t do anything. It’s crazy," Abbott added. "I thought we had better people than that running the county, but we don’t." After discussing the issue Monday night, supervisors agreed to send the draft ordinance back to the legislative committee for revision. o In other business, supervisors declined a request from the IDA to be allowed to keep approximately $170,000 in their account to be used as needed for economic development. Executive Director Mike Eades told the Board that the funds came from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund and was previously allocated for incentives for Annin, Inc. Eades has asked supervisors to keep the funds for future prospect opportunities. "My sense is this Board has been receptive to requests for incentives the IDA brings to us," Bowman said. "I see no reason for that to change. "The IDA has this Board’s full support but the matter is a matter of financial discipline. This money should be applied to taxpayers’ general account fund. "Nothing about this is intended to be a show of lack of support for the IDA," he added. "It’s just good fiscal discipline." On Bowman’s motion to "politely decline the request," the Board unanimously voted to appropriate the money for the county’s general fund. o Supervisors did agree to allow the school system to carry over $190,540 in state funds that was the result of student membership exceeding the projected figures last year. The funds will be used to supplement the $100,000 allocated in this year’s budget for temporary classrooms at the middle school. Finance Director Bill Covington told the Board that the temporary housing is expected to cost the school system around $300,000. "We thought that this would be a good use of those funds," he said. The motion passed unanimously on a motion by Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan and with a second by Bowman. o In a procedural step, supervisors unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Virginia Public School Authority School Financing Bonds for the school system to cover $17.5 million in construction costs for the middle school renovation project. o County Administrator Bryan Foster told the Board that a pre-trial conference on the King Village issue has been scheduled for September 14. Foster said the judge is expected to rule on whether the county can condemn the adjoining property owned by the Lacy family at that time. o Supervisors also agreed to form an ad hoc committee to oversee and organize the annual Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival. The committee will initially be comprised of William Coleman, Tom West, Worth Hudson, James Anderson, Garland Ricketts, Bobby Conner and J.T. Davis.

The End Of An Era

Mobile Units At Middle School Being Demolished

After nearly four decades of service, the mobile units at Halifax County Middle School are coming down. Workers from CMC Excavating were at the school Monday tearing down some of the 13 units at the school. "All but one will be demolished," said Director of Operations and Maintenance Larry Roller. "That one is a mobile unit with a frame under it that can be moved pretty easily." But Roller said that most of the units are modular structures that "makes them tough to move." "Eight of them are nearly 40 years old," he pointed out. The debris from the demolition will be deposited at the South Boston landfill. For the upcoming school year, temporary units erected in the teachers’ parking lot will be used to house the students while construction is under way. "We’re glad to get rid of them," Roller said. "They were too old to be used by students and the new ones will have better heating and ventilation systems and are just a better environment than the old ones can provide." Roller said he hopes to have all of the former mobile units down before the start of the 2005-2006 school year. Last year, 1,027 students attended the middle school, according to Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark. "In the fall of 1966 when I started teaching in the county, I taught in one of those mobile units," Clark said. "I certainly think the county has gotten its money’s worth." Although plans call for sixth grade students to be moved to the new school, Superintendent Paul Stapleton has said they will be housed in a separate addition, essentially a "school within a school." "The sixth-grade wing of the building will be a totally separate complex," he said shortly after a design meeting on the planned improvements. "They will have no contact with the older students. They won’t even be in the hallways with the others." According to Stapleton, the only time the younger students will be in the main building will be to use the cafeteria and gymnasium. Security is also an issue, and Stapleton said an assistant principal’s office will be located in the sixth-grade building. Stapleton said the move will offer sixth graders access to better facilities. "They will have band, art and access to extracurricular activities at the middle school," he said. "This is the best of both worlds. We’re offering them the very best we can offer them by putting them in the middle school." The addition to house the new students will be a two-story addition at the rear of the existing building. On the ground level of the existing building, seventh-grade students will be housed, eighth-grade science and technology labs will be located on the second floor of the addition. Stapleton has described the planned renovations for the middle school as an "extreme makeover." Much of the renovated space will be topped off with a pitched roof, while glass will be prominent throughout. Plans also include circular entrances to all parts of the building and banded windows with a curved façade throughout. The building will feature a curved glass front of the existing library and outside seating for the cafeteria. -30- cutline: **HCMS Trailer Pic** FINALLY – Workers with CMC Excavating were at Halifax County Middle School earlier this week as demolition began on the 13 mobile units at the school. This year, students will be temporarily housed in mobile units in the teacher’s parking lot while construction at the school is under way. (G-V Photo/Keith Strange) Pull Quote: "In the fall of 1966 when I started teaching in the county, I taught in one of those mobile units. I certainly think the county has gotten its money’s worth." Larry Clark Assistant Superintendent Of Schools

Obituaries

Robert Lee Bostick

Robert Lee Bostick of Richmond died July 29 at his home.
Mr. Bostick was born December 8, 1942, the son of the late Viola May Bostick, and was reared by Rosa Breedlove Staten. He was married to Marsha Dennis Bostick, who survives. He was a member of Riverview Baptist Church in Richmond where he served on the usher board, was employed by M.C.V. and was a Vietnam Army veteran.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Bostick is survived by his stepmother, Georgia C. Owens of Richmond; one sister, Gloria O. James Francis of Chesterfield; four brothers, Peyton Owens Jr. of Petersburg, Wayne A. Owens, Jerry J. Owens and Johnny R. Owens and his wife, Kathy, all of Richmond.
Funeral services were held August 2 at 1 p.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Scottsburg with Drs. Whitfield Scott and Stephen L. Hewlett officiating. Burial with military rites followed in the church cemetery.

Isaac Wade Brandon

Isaac Wade Brandon, 92, of 2231 Virgie Cole Road, South Boston died July 31 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Brandon was born in Halifax County on August 1, 1912, to the late Jones Brandon and the late Ellie Wade Brandon and was married to Virginia Faulkner Brandon. He was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Hattie B. Norrell of Richmond and Dorothy B. Shackleford of Chester; three sons, John H. Brandon of Scottsburg, Isaac G. Brandon and Melvin L. Brandon, both of South Boston; eight grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Alberta Lawson and Lillian Brandon, both of Baltimore, Md.; one son-in-law, Michael Shackleford; and one daughter-in-law, Marilyn Brandon.
Funeral services for Mr. Brandon will be held tomorrow, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Mayo Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be no public viewing.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Bryan Lee McKinney

Bryan Lee McKinney, 25, of 1085 North Terry’s Bridge Road, Halifax died at his home. He was born in Halifax County on September 23, 1979, the son of James Edward McKinney and Linda Logan Hancock. He was a member of Open Door Revival Center.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Kenneth Hancock of Halifax; his father of Halifax; three brothers, Benjamin James McKinney, Clinton Wayne McKinney and Jason Tyler McKinney, all of Halifax; one sister, Samantha Pulliam of Halifax; his grandparents, Kelly and Mary Louise McKinney of Scottsburg, and Marjorie R. Logan of Halifax; and two nephews.
A graveside service for Mr. McKinney will be held tomorrow, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery at Scottsburg.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, August 3, from 7 until 9.

Truman Kincy

Truman Kincy, 59, of 3065 Shady Grove Church Road, South Boston died August 1 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Kincy was born in Halifax County on December 4, 1945, to the late Janadious Henry Kincy and Irene Hinton Kincy. He was a member of White Oak Fork Baptist Church and was employed by Georgia Pacific Plywood Company.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandra Claiborne of South Boston; two sons, Mack Kincy of Scottsburg and Leanda Kincy of Virgilina; two foster children, Antawn Marrow of South Boston and Carra Tunstall of Richmond; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Nannie Bell Kincy and Janie Carrington, both of Raleigh, N.C. and Estelle Bethune of Durham, N.C.; two brothers, Henry Kincy and Paul Kincy, both of Raleigh.
Funeral services for Mr. Kincy will be held tomorrow, August 4, at 2 p.m. at White Oak Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Harold Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Sandra Claiborne, 1220 Cherry Hill Church Road, South Boston.

Laura Moore Saunders

Laura Moore Saunders, 66, of 5099 Liberty Road, Nathalie died August 1 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Saunders was born in Halifax County on March 27, 1939, the daughter of the late Letcher Moore and Nora Nell Dunaway Moore, and was married to the late Lacy Johnson Saunders.
Survivors include four daughters, Amy Thaxton and husband, Tommy, of South Boston, Christine Winn of Virgilina, Bernice Humphries and husband, Charles, and Rebecca Lynn Saunders, all of Nathalie; two sisters, Mary Calhoun of New Milford, Conn. and Percy Crews of Nathalie; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Saunders was also preceded in death by two sons, Edward Smith and Larry Smith.
Funeral services will be held August 5 at 11 a.m. at Catawba Baptist Church with the Revs. Ed Griffin and Michael O’Shea officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends tomorrow night, August 4, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home.

Otis William Wyatt Jr.

Otis William Wyatt Jr., 79, of 3460 Old Halifax Road, Halifax died July 31 at The Woodview.
Mr. Wyatt was born in Halifax County on May 24, 1926, the son of the late Otis Wyatt Sr. and Almera Alderson Wyatt, and was married to Waynesboro Bassett Wyatt. He was a deacon at Peaceful Tabernacle Baptist Church, A WWII Army Veteran and retired from J.P. Stevens, Inc. For many years he served as a mentor at Campt 23 Correctional Facilities and with the Halifax Mentor-Role Model Program.
Survivors of Mr. Wyatt include his wife; one daughter, Ella Mae Wyatt of South Boston; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Palmer of Halifax and Frances Brooks of Little Rock, Ark. He was preceded in death by one son, William Lee Wyatt.
Funeral services will be held August 5, at 11 a.m. at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with the Revs. Jackie Stamps and Sandy Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens with military rites by American Legion Post 99.
The family will receive friends at the home. Viewing hours will be tomorrow, August 4, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home in South Boston.

Dr. Shelton H. Short III

Dr. Shelton Hardaway Short III, an educator, philanthropist and dedicated citizen of Mecklenburg County, died July 30, 2005.
Dr. Short was born November 9, 1926 in Richmond. He spent his youth growing up on Boyd Street in Chase City. His parents, Bessie Morton Goode Jeffreys Short and Shelton Hardaway Short Jr. were prominent in the local business community. His family’s involvement in Jeffreys-Spaulding Manufacturing Company, Jeffreys-McElrath Manufacturing Company, Jeffreys Motor Company, as well as tobacco and timber farming, all shaped his future.
Education was always of utmost importance to Shelton. After graduating from Chase City High School and serving our country in the Army Air Corps, he attended and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (class of 1948). Shelton had hoped to attend Randolph Macon College, following his father’s footsteps, but was unable to do so because the school was closed during the war.
Shelton continued his quest for education for decades, obtaining Masters Degrees from The International College of Elsinod, Denmark and The University of Nevada, Reno. Not to be satisfied and in an effort to quench an endless desire for knowledge, he pursued and earned a Doctorate of Philosophy from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Short continued his studies serving as The Patrick Henry “Scholar-In-Residence” of Hampden-Sydney College (1972), The John Randolph Bicentennial Historian at Randolph Macon College (1973) and The Nathaniel Macon Scholar and Historian at Randolph Macon College (1999).
In 2000 Shelton and his beloved wife, Jean, both received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees for Randolph Macon College. This completed a formal education spanning over five decades. Additionally, Shelton was involved with researching and teaching at many Colleges and Universities worldwide. From the College of William and Mary to the Hague, from The University of Virginia to the International College of Eldsinod, Denmark, from the University of Nevada, Reno, to Hampden Sydney, Prince Edward County, Virginia from Virginia Tech to virtually every Forestry School in the Southeast, from Chase City High School, Boydton High School, to his most loved Randolph Macon College, Ashland, Virginia, Shelton left his mark. His many published works and letters as well as volumes of notes and compiled research will serve all for generations.
Although the classroom took much of his time, Shelton continued his parent’s heritage of business success. The legacy of over 6,000 acres of Pine Plantation in Charlotte, Lunenburg and Mecklenburg County, Virginia, will stand as a testament to Shelton’s insistence on continued use of “Best Management Practices” and an example of modern Forestry at its best. A world traveler, Shelton would always prefer a rock on the edge of Butcher’s or Allen’s Creek rather than a table with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Service to his fellow countrymen was also important to Shelton. After a brief venture into elected politics, he settled into serving our State and Country through the United Nations. Being appointed by governors of both parties, he served for over 18 years as Virginia’s Representative to the United Nations, and chairman of “United Nations Day in Virginia”. For years he had also been with the World Wide United Nations.
His forest, his studies, and his international service all took a back seat to his beloved wife, Jean. Their marriage in the William and Mary Chapel on November 25, 1989 culminated a lengthy courtship. Jean and Shelton traveled extensively, especially enjoying their time together at the Greenbrier in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Together they enjoyed life on the shores of Buggs Island Lake in Clarksville, Virginia. Their home, ‘Wheatland By The Lake’, reflects Shelton’s continued respect for the past. Elements of the home and compound include the Law Office of Congressman William O. Goode (moved from Wheatland, reported to have been built in the mid 18th century) a log home and museum built from tobacco barns of Southside Virginia and a brick manor home incorporating the grand staircase, heart pine mantels and flooring of his families ancestral home.
Shelton and Jean served together on many Boards and Committees. Shelton most recently served as Trustee Emeritus of the George Marshall Foundation, and a Director of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Forestry and Natural Resources Board. Past service includes Trustee of Berkley Plantation First Thanksgiving Celebration, Trustee of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Forest Landowners Education and Research Board of Directors and Trustee of St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, Virginia.
Shelton devoted much of his life to the improvement of the forestland and wildlife habitat of rural Virginia. His steadfast support of national and local conservation organizations continued until his death. He and Jean are life members of the Virginia Forestry Association, The Southern Forest Farmers Association Quail Unlimited, The Wild Turkey Federation, Arrowhead Gun Club, the Fraternal Society of Cincinnati and many others.
The Forestry Center on Old Cox Road, north of Boydton, is located on land gifted to the Virginia Department of Forestry by Shelton to honor his parents. On the property is a restored log cabin built by Shelton’s father and moved to this site for all to enjoy. The cabin’s original location was on the banks of Allen’s Creek. The Forestry Center fulfilled Shelton’s goal of providing a “first rate” facility to promote the timber industry in Southside Virginia.
Sharing educational opportunities became Shelton’s life work. Jean and he together have used their financial resources to provide educational opportunities for many. The Short’s have funded scholarships for students enrolled at Virginia Tech’s Forestry School and Randolph Macon College. These endowments have allowed many of Southside Virginia’s young adults to receive higher education. Additionally, they have funded many scholarships to attend forestry schools throughout the country. Shelton’s generous support of Randolph Macon College includes not only student support, but also professorship opportunities.
Congressman Virgil Goode, during an address to The House of Representatives on April 1, 1998 said it best, “Dr. Short and his wife, Jean, are distinguished citizens and active participants in their community in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Their families contributed in significant ways to that community, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation over the course of the last two centuries.”
Graveside services with military honors will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Wheatland Cemetery. Family friend, Bill Baker, will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Wood Funeral Service, Chase City, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be emailed to Mrs. Short at woodfs@kerrlake.com.

 

‘Play Smart, Play Hard And Play As One’

New Comets Head Football Coach John Lacy Harris Greeted 54 Varsity Players, 25 JV Players As Football Practice Began Monday

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

There was new sense of enthusiasm and a new sense of purpose Monday as the Halifax County High School varsity and junior varsity football teams held their first official practice sessions of the new season.
Fifty four players varsity players and 25 junior varsity players went to work under new Halifax County High School head coach John Lacy Harris and a revamped coaching staff that includes some new faces as well as a handful of familiar ones.
According to Harris, the first practice was a good one for all involved.
“It was really good," Harris said of the initial day of drills.
“We were excited about the fact that the kids were in reasonably good shape when they came in. They had done a good job over the summer getting themselves prepared."
Not only was it a good day for the players, it was also a good day for Harris who had been looking forward to the first official practice since being named as the new head coach of the Comets back in the spring.
“It was good to be out there," Harris noted.
“ Knowing our coaching staff had worked so hard during the summer and that the players had taken it upon themselves to be at workouts like they have made it a special feeling."
The opening day of practice was fast-paced with drills being focused on conditioning and basic football fundamentals.
“The main thing we’re trying to get across to the kids is having a tremendous pace to practice," Harris explained.
“We’re going to try to get in as many reps (repetitions) as we can. The players kept getting better about getting to stations in a hurry."
Harris said there is a high level of enthusiasm and desire among the players.
“They want to win and have a good program," said the new Comets coach.
“We want them to have a good experience."
The good turnout for the opening of varsity and jayvee football practice was a continuation of the good participation Harris has seen from prospective players who immersed themselves in weightlifting during the summer months.
“We’ve been averaging over 100 (kids) a day for weightlifting with about 125 coming each day most days.” Harris said.
“They’ve been coming and they’re doing well. It’s a tribute to the parents as well as the kids.”
Harris and the football coaching staff have had the weight room open from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. each day, Monday through Friday, since the end of the school in June. Students have been able to come out and lift weights as it fit their schedule.
“The kids have been trying hard and have been working hard at it,” Harris said.
“That is what we have asked them to do.”
There is a new lineup to the Halifax County High School coaching staff this season. Joining Harris are Stan Hodgin who will be the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Garrick Vogt who will be the offensive line coach, and South Boston native Jay Cole who will coach the wide receivers.
Ralph Robinson returns to the team and will serve as the defensive coordinator and defensive secondary coach. Newcomer Joseph Stone will be the defensive line coach, longtime Comets assistant coach and former head coach Fred Palmore will serve as the linebackers’ coach.
Kenneth Day returns to the staff and will coach the running backs and Dennis Seamster will return to the Comets football program to serve as a coach for the defensive secondary.
The varsity coaching staff will also serve as coaches for the junior varsity team.
Shawn Torian, Mike Lewis and Joe Wilkerson will return to the Comets football staff this season and will serve as coaches for the ninth-grade team.
After today’s workouts, Harris and the coaching staff will stage a mini-camp for the varsity players. When players arrive for tomorrow’s drills they will stay together at the field house through the end of Saturday’s practice, after which they will return home.
During the mini-camp, the players and coaching staff will get to know each other better while literally eating, sleeping and living football.
The Saturday practice session that will end the mini-camp will be the team’s first day of work in pads.
“Our biggest thing this year will be to play smart, play hard, and play as one,” Harris pointed out.
“That’s what we’re going to try to get the kids to do. We feel the mini-camp will help us bond together as a team.”
Drills will continue for the varsity and jayvee teams team next week, with the ninth-grade team set to open its preseason practice on Monday.
The Comets varsity team will face its first real test when it travels to Gretna High School to face the defending Group AA state champion team on Friday, August 12.

Ponytails Advance To World Series Semifinals

Halifax National Defeats Florida 4-1 Monday

By Nick Long/Doug Ford

The Halifax National Ponytails, playing with a sense of urgency following an opening game loss, have surged through the Loser’s Bracket to reach the semifinals in the Dixie Ponytails World Series in Dothan, Alabama.
Halifax eliminated Florida 4-1 Monday night to set up a rematch with Dothan, Alabama, in one of two games played last night. Host Dothan handed Halifax National its only loss of the World Series with a 1-0 win on Saturday. Tennessee and Alabama play the early game to determine the other semifinalist.
If Halifax National beats Dothan, they could earn a bye into the championship game Wednesday night.
Halifax National pitching and defense has been superb thus far in the World Series, allowing only two runs in four games, with only one of those runs earned.
Halifax National 4, Florida 1 (Monday)
Melissa Blanks hurled a complete-game, and Halifax got all the runs it would need with a three-run third inning Monday night in a 4-1 win over Florida.
The big third inning started with a walk by Jennifer Vaughan. She stole second, and moved to third on a single by Jameshia Smith. Jill Trickey singled Vaughan home, with Smith going to third and eventually scoring.
Trickey scored on a single by Robin Jennings to stake Blanks to a 3-0 lead, and Casie Howerton added the final Halifax run an inning later, when Florida plated its only run of the game on two base hits.
Jennings and Trickey both had perfect 3-3 games at the plate to lead Halifax National, while Jessie Bagbey, Brittany Long, Howerton and Blanks added hits. Jameshia Smith, Jaynee Campbell and Jennifer Vaughan each reached base twice in the win.
Blanks’ complete-game effort drew praise from manager Tony Conner, who said, “Melissa kept her focus out there and threw strikes. That’s what we needed."
Conner congratulated his team for not giving in following the opening game loss to Dothan, the host team.
“Think about it, we lost the first game to Dothan, and no one could have blamed the girls for not bouncing back, but they did," said Conner. “You’ve got to love it, and I love the spirit of the girls, they are gamers."
Halifax National 2, South Carolina 0 (Seven Innings, Sunday)
Halifax National scored twice in the top of the seventh inning to defeat South Carolina 2-0 and stay alive in the World Series.
Vaughan drew a walk to lead off the seventh, stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Jameshia Smith laid down a one-out bunt, and the South Carolina pitcher threw to first base, but no player was there to cover the bag.
Vaughan scored and Smith moved to third on the error, before she scored on a Trickey single to make it 2-0.
Halifax National pitchers Blanks, Trickey and Bagbey combined for the shutout, Blanks and Trickey each hurling two innings, before Bagbey came on to hurl the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
The win was Halifax National’s second elimination game of the day. Earlier, they sent Arkansas packing with a 10-0 rout.
Trickey went two-for-three against South Carolina, and Jameshia Smith, Bagbey, Emily Conner and Blanks all reached base safely against South Carolina.

HCHS Invitational Golf Tourney Set Thursday

The Halifax County High School Golf Team Will Open Its Season Thursday In The Annual Halifax County High School Invitational Tournament At Green’s Folly Golf Course

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

A dozen high school golf teams from across the state will tee it up Thursday morning at Green’s Folly Golf Course when the Halifax County High School golf team opens its season with the annual Halifax County High School Invitational Tournament.
Green’s Folly Golf Course’s Chris Dockerill, has taken over the duties of tournament director and says this is a tournament that has potential to grow.
“This tournament was started in the early 1990’s," Dockerill noted.
“When Don Thompson retired as athletic director at the high school we said this is something we’re going to carry on. The tournament has definitely grown and the golf course is much better now than it used to be.
“We want to have a good quality tournament," Dockerill added.
“Our members have taken an interest in it and they’re interested in the kids. It’s definitely going to be a great tournament."
Seventy-two golfers will participate in Thursday’s tournament with players being grouped in threes, Dockerill said.
Players from Manchester High School, Bassett High School and Rustburg High School will tee off on the first tee between 8:30 a.m. and 9:10 a.m.
Players from Halifax County High School, Colonial Heights and Franklin County will tee off on the first tee between 9:18 a.m. and 9:58 a.m.
On the tenth hole, players from E.C. Glass, Middlesex High School and GW of Danville will tee off between 8:30 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. Players from Brookville High School, Randolph-Henry High School and Matthews High School will tee off between 9:18 a.m. and 9:58 a.m.
Awards will be presented following the conclusion of the tournament with the awards presentations tentatively set for 3 p.m.
Thursday’s tournament is a big event for the Comets golf team which will see action on its home course only three times this season. The Comets are tentatively set to host one of the four regular-season Western Valley District golf tournaments here on August 17.