Monday August 14, 2006

 

Child Pornography Trial Set Today
Facing 36 Charges Including Sexual Battery And Production Of Child Pornography

A Halifax County jury will hear evidence this morning in the case of a 58-year-old Scottsburg man accused of filming children engaged in sexual acts.
The trial of Edwin Odell Martin, of MacDonald Road, is expected to get under way in Halifax County Circuit Court at 9:30 a.m.
Martin has been charged with 14 counts of aggravated sexual battery, seven counts of object sexual penetration, five counts of forcible sodomy, two counts of the production of child pornography, six counts of enticing a child to engage in child pornography and two counts of the possession of child pornography, according to Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White.
According to White, the children involved were a nine-year-old female, an 11-year-old male and a 14-year-old male at the time the alleged crimes occurred.
Martin was arrested in April and was initially charged with causing a minor to perform or be a subject of sexually explicit visual material, possession of child pornography and aggravated sexual battery on a minor less than 13 years of age, according to police records.
He was arrested after Sheriff’s deputies and investigators executed a search warrant a the MacDonald Road residence stemming from information provided by a concerned citizen and the Virginia Department of Social Services, according to Captain Larry Fears of the Sheriff’s office.
“As I understand it, some individuals had been shown a videotape depicting children and they reported it,” White said Friday. “The subsequent investigation led to the execution of a search warrant.
The search allegedly yielded a number of videotapes that “appeared to have been produced at the residence and reportedly involve a number of children under the age of 18,” White said shortly after Martin’s arrest.
Martin was arrested by Investigator Angie Tribble of the sheriff’s office.
Since his arrest, he has been held in the Halifax Regional Jail without bond.
Martin is being represented by Blackstone Attorney Joseph Teefey Jr.

Low In-Patient Census Prompts Regional Hospital Belt Tightening
A low in-patient hospital bed census is prompting budget “belt tightening” at Halifax Regional Hospital Health System, CEO Chris Lumsden said Friday.
That action includes a voluntary pay cut for senior managers ranging from 5 to 2-1/2 percent and no pay increase for the remaining managers
“Other employees will receive a general pay increase,” he added.
The hospital system’s new budget year begins September 1.
“The last month or two we have been looking at costs, revenues, volumes, and we are tightening out belt,” explained Lumsden. “We are executing a plan to make sure we stay strong.”
While the in-patient hospital census is low, Lumsden said that other hospital system services are very busy, citing the 320-bed long-term care facilities, hospital out-patient care and emergency room services.
“It is a balancing act of managing finances prudently,” added Lumsden. “No one has ever accused us of not trying to protect this community asset.”
The regional health care system is the largest private employer in the county with approximately 900 employees, according to Lumsden.
The CEO said that in the last few months in-patient admissions have been less than anticipated, but he said the census “can go from high to low overnight.”
He said in-patient beds in the hospital’s acute care number about 80 that are staffed, although the hospital is licensed for more. The in-patient census also tends to fluctuate with the seasons, according to the CEO.
“We focus on our mission and our values and it is very important to us that we manage our finances while maintaining standards of excellence. Right now, as we always have, we are adjusting our expenses and our costs, nothing that any other business doesn’t do. It is nothing drastic, it is related right now more to the in-patient side of our system.
“The good news, from our perspective, is that we have really grown over the years,” said the CEO.

Council Expected To Adopt Goals, Address Road Safety
Tonight, South Boston Council will honor firemen for their “heroic life-saving efforts” during a July house fire on Chalmers Street in South Boston.
Council also is expected to consider and adopt Strategic Goals and Objectives for 2006-2008 addressed during its July retreat, which included the following:
Consolidation of selected county and town services by continuing to work with the county and Town of Halifax to evaluate and implement the Draper Aden Halifax County Water/Sewer Master Plan recommendations regarding consolidation of utility services, meeting the water supply needs of the Town of Halifax and providing rate reduction relief for out-of-town customers.
Also proposed, renewing efforts with the county to consolidate the two existing library facilities into one centralized location in the Halifax County Urban Planning Area.
Other proposed goals include upgrading the police department’s computer system to enhance information-sharing capabilities and to accommodate future technologies in regional and state interoperability projects.
• Fund Capital Improvement Projects for FY 2007-2008, with landfill closure a primary effort.
• Priority Capital Improvement Projects (Town Funded) – FY 2008-2011, which includes storm water management upgrades, a community park in Sinai area, and a town recreation center.
• Priority Capital Improvement Projects (Grant/Revenue Sharing Dependant) FY 2008-2011, which include North Main Street, TEA-21 Improvement Grant; Cotton Mill Park; biking/hiking trail; storm water management upgrades (prioritized).
• Strategic Planning and Land Use Development Goals include the town’s Comprehensive Plan update completion and the North Main Street Historic Planning area.
In other business, Council is expected to address a resolution requesting VDOT to program two safety projects, upgrading the rail crossings at Seymour Drive and Sutphin Road.
Economic Development: Maintain and market Enterprise Zone incentives to encourage business expansion and development. Also to aggressively pursue State Enterprise Zone Renewal Application to increase size and retain state program incentives, and to encourage historic redevelopment within and around the Crossing of the Dan site and promotion as a tourist destination.
• Emphasize Mission And Values On a Daily Basis including enhancing the quality of life for South Boston citizens by providing effective municipal services. Town Council will place special value on leadership, innovation, customer service, integrity and open government.

Eva Alease Davis Rudder
A funeral service for Mrs. Eva Alease Davis Rudder will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Brookneal Baptist Church with the Rev. Troy Mays officiating.
Burial will follow in Clover Bottom Baptist Cemetery.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7:00 to 8:30 at Henderson Funeral Home and at other times at the residence of her daughter Eva Jean Mason, 1162 Stage Coach Road in Nathalie.
Mrs. Rudder, 83, died Sunday, August 13, at The Summit in Lynchburg.
She was born in Halifax County on October 16, 1922, the daughter of the late Charles T. Davis and Anna Fisher Davis and was married to the late R.O. Rudder.
Mrs. Rudder was a member of Brookneal Baptist Church and a member of the Wee Hour Bridge Club for over fifty years.
She is survived by a daughter, Eva Jean Rudder Mason and husband Tonchie of Nathalie; four grandsons, Ty and wife Kim, Robbie, Kurt and wife Laura, all of Nathalie, and Clif and wife Kim of Brookneal; three great-grandsons; a sister, Edna Davis Thelen of Myrtle Beach, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Rudder was preceded in death by a sister, Amy Lee Davis Holt and a brother, John Thomas Davis Sr.
Memorials may be made to Brookneal Baptist Church, the Brookneal VFD or the Brookneal Rescue Squad.

Jeffress, Owens Named HCHS Athletes Of Year
Jeremy Jeffress And Bobby Owens Have Been Named As The Top Male Athletes At HCHS

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Jeremy Jeffress and Bobby Owens have been named as co-recipients of the T.C. Watkins III Outstanding Male Athlete Award at Halifax County High School.
The announcement was made Friday by Halifax County High School officials.
Jeffress, a basketball and baseball standout at Halifax County High School, was best known for his prowess on the baseball diamond.
In his three years on the Comets varsity baseball team, Jeffress compiled a 21-6 record, recorded 288 strikeouts, pitched 17 complete games, eight of which were shutouts and logged an earned run average of 1.22.
This past season, Jeffress had a 9-1 record, hurled six complete games, three of which were shutouts, fanned 121 batters and had an earned run average of 0.44.
At the plate, Jeffress batted .200 during the past season, had two home runs and eight RBIs.
This past June, Jeffress was the first-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2206 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and was drafted 16th overall in the first round.
He began his professional baseball career with the Arizona Brewers in the Arizona Rookie League.
Jeffress’ pitching record entering this past weekend’s action was 2-2. He had an earned run average of 3.97 and had recorded 25 strikeouts and walked 15 batters.
Owens participated in three sports at Halifax County High School, competing in indoor track, football and baseball.
As a member of the 2005 Comets varsity football team, Owens was named as the Western Valley District Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the Second Team of the All-Northwest Region Football Team.
Through the Comets’ 10-game regular-season schedule, Owens passed for a total of 2,600 yards and 31 touchdowns. He completed 54.9 percent of his passes.
Owens ran for a total of 549 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 4.16 yards per carry.
As a member of the Comets baseball team, Owens batted .328 this past season, had two home runs and six RBIs. In pitching, Owens was 1-2 on the season with a 3.55 earned run average.
Defensively, Owens’ fielding percentage was .867.
Owens was a participant this summer in the Virginia High School League Coaches Association all-star football team, serving as quarterback for the West team.
He was named as the Offensive Most Valuable Player for the West team, hitting five of his nine pass attempts for 70 yards and running for a total of 28 yards.
Owens signed with Hampden-Sydney College this past spring and will continue his football career there.

Jeffress Wins Louisville Slugger State Player Of The Year Award
Former HCHS Standout Jeremy Jefffress Has Been Named As The Louisville Slugger State High School Baseball Player Of The Year In Virginia

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
Former Halifax County High School baseball star Jeremy Jeffress has been selected as the recipient of Virginia’s 2006 Louisville Slugger State High School Baseball Player of the Year Award.
Louisville Slugger® and the National High School Baseball Coaches Association (BCA) in conjunction with Baseball America announced the state award winners Friday.
A player of the year was selected in 47 participating states and Washington, DC by coaches who are members of the BCA.
Recipients of the Louisville Slugger State High School Player of the Year Awards will receive specially engraved black and silver Louisville Slugger bats noting their achievement.
“We are proud to join Louisville Slugger and Baseball America in honoring these fine young baseball players from all across the United States,” said BCA Executive Director Ron Davini.
“These players have been selected by coaches in their jurisdictions as the best player in their respective home states. We’re sure to be hearing more about these players in years to come, at both the collegiate and professional levels.”
This is the third year of the Louisville Slugger State High School Player of the Year Award program. Louisville Slugger initiated the awards in 2004 as part of its 120th anniversary.
The company is proud of its rich heritage and tradition in baseball. Louisville Slugger bats have been linked to so many of the greatest moments in baseball history.
“Louisville Slugger is the official bat of Major League Baseball and in addition to all of our history, we have the majority of MLB players using our bats today,” said Louisville Slugger President Marty Archer.
“These State High School Player of the Year Awards are a way to honor today’s high school stars for their outstanding accomplishments as they work to try to become the Major League stars of the future.”
Jeffress, the Western valley District and Northwest Region Player of the Year, was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as their first selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He was the 16th draft pick overall.
The South Boston resident began his professional baseball career in June with the Arizona Brewers of the Arizona Rookie League.
Jeffress’ pitching record entering this past weekend’s action was 2-2. He had an earned run average of 3.97 and had recorded 25 strikeouts and walked 15 batters.

Johnson Reaps Win At SoBo Speedway
Veteran Eddie Johnson Was In The Right Place At The Right Time And Snapped A Three-Year Win Drought Saturday Night At South Boston Speedway

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
There are times when being in the right place at the right time is more important than having
It was that way for veteran driver Eddie Johnson of Midlothian Saturday night at South Boston Speedway.
Johnson inherited the lead with 57 laps to go when the top three cars of Philip Morris, Drew Herring and Adam Barker crashed on the backstretch to bring out the fourth and final caution period of the race.
From there, he held off Davin Scites of Mooresville, N.C. and Wayne Ramsey of Amherst to score his first Late Model Stock Car division win since having won here in 2001. Scites grabbed second place from Ramsey with 11 laps to go and held on to grab the runner-up spot in only his second appearance here this season.
Richard Boswell of Friendship, Md. raced from his 23rd starting spot to finish fourth. He was the final driver to finish on the lead lap in the crash-marred race that featured a 29-car starting field. Nick Smith of Hampton rounded out the top five finishers, making this his third straight top-five finish.
Curtis Truex of Mayetta, N.J., a cousin of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and Busch Series driver Martin Truex, finished sixth. Scott Young of Mooresville, N.C., Randy Burnett of Concord, N.C., Chris Cepa and Greg Sheppard of Princeton, W.Va. rounded out the top ten finishers.
The win was Johnson’s his first feature race win of any kind since win since he triumphed in a Rolling Thunder Modified Series race in 2004 at Richmond’s Southside Speedway.
His margin of victory over Scites was .961 second.
“It’s a magnificent feeling,” Johnson said.
“I just want to revel in the moment and save it. It’s been a long dry spell. That’s why I took a long victory lap and enjoyed all of it.”
Johnson had run fourth for most of the race, biding his time and hoping to nail down a solid top-five finish. On this night, the end result was much better.
“We didn’t have the fastest car but we were able to stay out of trouble and stay clear of everybody’s misfortunes and come out on top,” Johnson said.
“I’ve lost a lot of races where I felt I had the best car and didn’t win. It’s one of those “gimmes” that came back to me.”
The win thrust Johnson back into contention in the race for the track’s NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car division championship which has turned into a real donnybrook with three points races remaining. Four of the top five drivers in the points standings found themselves involved in mishaps in Saturday night’s race.
Jonathan Cash of Oxford, N.C., who finished ninth, has unofficially regained the points lead. In unofficial tabulations, he leads Herring by eight points with Owen Miller of Emporia standing in third place, 16 points down. Johnson, who started the night 60 points out the lead, is in fourth place, 34 points down and Jon Denning of Springfield, N.J. is in fifth place, 68 points out of the lead.
Cash, Herring, Miller and Denning were all involved in crashes during the race and, with a 29-car field, fell down in the finishing order. Behind Cash in seventh place were Miller in 14th, Herring in 18th, and Denning in 21st.
Morris, driving Peyton Sellers’ car, entered the night in the third place in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division I national standings and needed a win to pick up ground in the national chase. The lap 93 mishap relegated him to a 17th-place finish and knocked him out of an opportunity to gain points in the national championship chase.
The race left several drivers harboring some ill feelings, especially Herring and Barker, both of whom blamed Morris for the crash on lap 93 that took out the top three cars. Morris, however, pointed the finger at Herring who was in the process of making a bid for the lead when the crash occurred.
“He (Herring) had a good run on me, but it looked to me like he just got impatient,” Morris said.
“We were getting ready to have a caution (for a car that spun) in turns three and four. When I came up off of (turn) two the wreck (in turn three) was already there. He just wholloped me, ran into the back of me. I couldn’t save it. He had me plum sideways. There was no way I could save the car. The next thing, I saw him come right over the front end. It bent the (wheel) spindle on the car and that finished us up for the night.”
Herring had a different view.
“I made a run on him, got under him and took my time passing him,” Herring pointed out.
“We came up on a lapped car and he (Morris) turned down on me and pushed me into the lapped car and about spins me out. I look up and he just spins out on his own, driving over his head.
“That happens sometimes and I don’t have any control over that,” added Herring.
“I’m just fed up with it. That’s twice this year I’ve been wrecked by somebody that’s not racing for points here.”
Barker, who running third and right behind the two leaders, wasn’t as kind with his comments.
“Drew was faster than he (Morris) was,” Barker noted.
“Drew was up under him. Philip was doing all he could to stay on the high side and beat him. It looked like Philip got up into the wall and came down on Drew and Drew came down on me. It wasn’t Drew’s fault. Drew did what he’s supposed to do. It was Philip running too hard.
“I know I’m a rookie and I’m not perfect,” added Barker.
“But he (Morris) needs to play a little bit smarter coming down here to somebody else’s track and wrecking two of the top contending cars. I don’t think it’s right at all. I think he should stay at Motor Mile and leave us alone.”
Johnson averaged 56.477 mph in the race that took one hour, four minutes and three seconds to complete.