Commonwealth’s Attorney White:
Gangs Are Everyone’s Problem

Task Force Formed To Combat Rising Gang Population

BY Keith Strange
strange@gazettevirginian.com

“Where you are right now is where Richmond was 15 years ago as far as gangs go,” Special Agent Mark Campbell of the Virginia State Police said yesterday.
Campbell was in Halifax County assisting Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White in educating teachers about gangs and gang problems in the state.
Today, the list of gangs in Richmond reads like a who’s who of national criminal organizations, White said. MS 13. Gangster Disciples. Latin Kings. Bloods. Crips. Pagans. Hell’s Angels. 18th Street. Folk Nation. Skinheads. Asian Gangs. Vice Lords.
Although many residents may not know it, gangs – both national organizations and locally-formed gangs - are already operating in Halifax County, according to White.
She said authorities have already identified members of seven national gangs – even members of the well-known Bloods and Crips – in the county. Another six locally-organized gangs have also been identified, she added.
In an effort to combat the problem, White has formed a 48-member anti-gang task force comprised of a cross-section of the community.
“We have members of law enforcement, business and education leaders, health professionals, government officials and members of the faith community on the task force,” White said. “The reason we have such a diverse membership is that a gang problem is a community problem.
“In order to combat it effectively, the community has to unite to come up with true prevention goals,” she added. “(The community) has to support tough prosecution of gang-related offenses.
“Right now, we are at a perfect time to make a difference in this community,” White added. “To send a message to the national gangs that we don’t want them here.”
“We intend to give the teachers a ‘Gangs 101,’” White said. “Our hope is that when teachers encounter gang indicators in the classroom, they will know what they’re looking at and will either get the student the services he or she needs and/or make the proper reports.”
In the Southside and Piedmont region, national gangs include: 18th Street, MS 13, Folk Nation, Bloods, People Nation, 5% and Crips, according to White.
The gang task force has two primary goals, White said.
“First, it’s to prevent gang activity by educating the community about what to look for and by identifying programs that will assist our youth in making good anti-gang choices,” she said. “The second goal of the task force is to identify and eliminate any gang problems already existing through law enforcement and prosecution efforts.
“It is against the law to be a member,” White added. “Virginia’s anti-gang legislation is getting tougher and tougher each year. It is against the law to be a member of an organization that contains three or more people primarily organized for the pursuit of criminal activity.”
By their nature, gangs are everyone’s problem, the commonwealth’s attorney said.
“The biggest commodity gangs deal in is drugs,” White said. “Unfortunately, small communities like Halifax County are not immune to the drug problem. National gangs will send representatives called recruiters to establish a presence in that community.”
Population centers like South Boston aren’t the only places gang activity has been identified, according to White.
“Certainly, there is a heavy emphasis of gang or gang-related activity within the Town of South Boston,” she said. “We also know it’s in our local jail and prison facilities. We’ve also made observations of gang indicators in our schools.”
There is also known gang activity in the Cody community and rumored activity in Clover, according to White.
Gang tags – graffiti consisting of signs or symbols meaningful to a particular gang - have been spotted in both rural and populated areas, according to White.
“To some gangs, stars have significance,” White said. “To others, pitchforks. Others, crowns. We have found tags throughout the county.”
Why do gangs exist?
“Money,” the commonwealth’s attorney said. “They are the primary distributors of drugs in the United States and commit secondary crimes to provide support.”
Gangs also provide a sense of belonging to young members.
“It’s like a family,” White said. “They can get what they think they aren’t getting at home.”
For more information on gangs and gang activity, visit www.knowgangs.com.
Next, what to look for and what parents, teachers and the community should do if they spot or suspect gang activity.

 

High School Open House Set Thursday

Halifax County High School will hold an Open House for students in grades nine through 12 Thursday from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
An upper classman orientation session on “The Academy Approach” will be held for tenth, eleventh and twelfth-grade students and their parents at 4:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Later, at 5:30 p.m., an orientation session and a second “Academy Approach” session will be held for incoming ninth-grade students and new students and their parents at the school auditorium.
Students who are not registered for classes should report to the Guidance Department during the Open House session on Thursday or on Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
HCHS Principal Albert T. Randolph said new students must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian in order to enroll in school. Also, new students who are not eligible to remain at their previous schools are not eligible to enroll at Halifax County High School.
School officials noted that new students who have not enrolled and registered for classes by Friday are to report to the Guidance Department when school officially opens Monday.
Students having questions concerning their 2005-2006 class schedules should follow the procedure outlined in the school’s letter to them, which was included with their class schedule.
Open House will be held Thursday at all of the county schools as a prelude to the 2005-2006 school year which begins Monday.

 

Obituaries

Terry Rea Boyd

Mr. Terry Rea Boyd, age 55, formerly of Nathalie, died August 12 in Fairfax.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Margaret Boyd of the home, two daughters, Angela Boyd Miller (Marvin) and Vanessa Stone Freeman (Robert); one god-daughter, Sheree Jones Crawley (Roscoe); two sons, Larry Williams and Christopher Williams; his mother, Sallie Boyd, three grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six god-grandchildren; five sisters, Joyce Boyd, Louvener Jennings (James), Patricia Williams (Kevin), Carolyn Jones (Alexander) and Queen Boyd; three brothers, Lorenzo Boyd (Maxine), Sam Boyd (Lula) and James Boyd; four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 18, at 2 p.m. with services at Second Buffalo Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Condolences may be e-mailed to Jeffressfh@aol.com.

Overton Tremain ‘O.T.’ Clay

Overton Tremain ‘O.T.’ Clay, 68, of 1137 Paradise Road, Alton died August 13, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Clay was born February 22, 1937, in Person County, N.C. the son of Noel Duncan Clay and Virginia Bass. He was a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son, Roger Dale Clay and wife, Kathryn, of Alton; three daughters, Kathy Lynn Clay and friend, Ronnie Smith, of Alton, Deborah Conner, and Joanne Miller and husband, Kenneth, of South Boston; two brothers, Junior Clay of South Boston and Larry Clay of Vernon Hill; four sisters, Rose Curry and Virginia Comer of Vernon Hill, Nancy Joan Duque of Halifax, and Barbara Anne Whitt and husband, Doug, of Roxboro, N.C.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandc hildren.
Mr. Clay was preceded in death by three brothers; two sisters; and one grandchild, Sammi Jo Clay.
Graveside services will be held today, August 17, at 2 p.m. at Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. H.V. Conner officiating.

Mary Lee Clarke Mitchell

Mary Lee Clarke Mitchell, 81, of Richmond, formerly of Halifax County, died August 14 at Retreat Hospital in Richmond.
Mrs. Mitchell was born in Halifax County on October 10, 1923, to the late Willie Clarke and Canilius Clarke, and was married to the late Leonard Mitchell Sr. She was a member of Sunflower Baptist Church.
Survivors include seven daughters, Rebecca Wright, Cynthia Coles, Elvira Tilman, Molly Mitchell, Claudette Mitchell, Billie Manning, and Scarlet Harris; six sons, Leonard Mitchell Jr., the Rev. Ronnie Mitchell, Barfield Mitchell, Randy Mitchell, John Mitchell and Edward Mitchell; one sister, Sarah Clarke; a devoted sister-in-law, Sylvia Hosten; 25 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Mitchell was preceded in death by one daughter, Susan Mitchell.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, August 18, at 1 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church with the Rev. Byrd B. Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church tomorrow.

Jason Dean Tuck

Jason Dean Tuck, 28, of 106 Robin Hood Road, South Boston died August 14 at his home.
Mr. Tuck was born November 4, 1976, in Halifax County the son of Sharon Cline Tuck and Michael Dean Tuck.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, August 18, at 11 a.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Roarabaugh officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Tuck include his parents; one brother, Chris Tuck; his grandmother, Hilda Tuck; and his grandfather, J.H. Cline, all of South Boston. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Elizabeth Cline; and his grandfather, C.R. Tuck.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home this evening, August 17, from 7 until 8, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider your favorite charity.

Johnie William Watson Sr.

Johnie William Watson Sr., 74, of 3111 Colclough Avenue, Durham, N.C. died at his home August 15.
Mr. Watson was a native of Hillsville, but had lived most of his life in Durham. He served in the United States Army and was retired from Mead Container.
Mr. Watson was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosie Watson Cox.
Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Cox Watson; a son, Johnie W. Watson Jr. and wife, Debra; daughters, Ivy Walker and husband, Jamie, and Nevada Grubler and husband, Mark; grandchildren, Melissa and Kelsey Grubler, Gabrielle Gardner, Rachel Walker, Austin Walker, Stacey Watson, Patty Smoak and Tony Lee Harris Jr.; great-grandchildren, Richard and Jeremy Kelly and Nicholas Lee Harris; his step-children, Judy Green and husband, David, Sandy Smith and husband, Van, and Bill Cox; three step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Pete Watson; and three sisters, Elizabeth Sharp, Carrie Musquik and Peggy Watson.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 19, at 11 a.m. at Hudson Chapel with Rev. Brad Johnson officiating.
The family will receive friends tomorrow evening, August 18, from 6-30-8:30 at Hudson Funeral Home, Durham. Flowers are acceptable.

Comets Gridders Return To Work

The HCHS Varsity Football Team Is Back At Work After Last Friday’s Successful Scrimmage Against Gretna

BY Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax County High School varsity football team got good reviews from its coaching staff following last Friday’s “win” in the preseason scrimmage game against Gretna High School.
But, there was no letup Monday as the Comets returned to the practice field to review fundamentals and to correct mistakes made in their first preseason test.
“We corrected mistakes and worked on our kicking game,” Harris said of Monday’s drills.
“This is a fun bunch of kids to coach. I can’t emphasize that enough. It was 97 degrees when we started practice and the kids weren’t bellyaching about it. They went out there, went after it and stayed focused.
“Good things happen for people that work hard,” added Harris.
“Our kids are really working hard.”
The Comets players came to practice Monday after a successful preseason scrimmage against two-time and defending Group AA state champion Gretna High School Friday night in Gretna.
After having had the weekend to review the videotape of the scrimmage, Harris said the team had done well.
“I think for a first scrimmage we did well,” he pointed out.
“But, we need to do the little things better in order to be a good football team. We’ve got to tackle better and stay on our blocks better. We still have some work to do on our assignments but that’s normal.”
The Comets played well on both sides of the ball with the defense making a couple of big plays and coming up with safety and the offense responding to the defensive effort by capitalizing on the breaks it got from the defense.
On a night on which the Comets relied more upon the passing game than the ground game, Comets quarterback Bobby Owens was 8-15 for 145 yards in passing in the “live” game phase of the scrimmage with two touchdowns and one interception.
Willie Stephens unofficially had three catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns while Rodale Pippen unofficially had two catches for 59 yards.
The Comets unofficially tallied 148 yards of offense and logged five first downs while yielding one turnover.
In the three10-play cycles that opened the scrimmage, Comets quarterbacks Owens, Pippen, Arie Lewis and Stanley Thomas unofficially were a combined 5-19 for 76 yards in passing with one touchdown and one interception. Unofficially, Justin Long had three catches for 76 yards and one touchdown.
Harris said the heavy reliance upon the passing game was a circumstance that was created by Gretna.
“Their defense made us one-dimensional because of numbers,” Harris explained.
“Basically, they gave us the pass and that’s what we did.”
Stan Hodgin, the Comets’ offensive coordinator, explained the Gretna defense had one more player rushing the Comets than the Comets had available for blocking purposes.
“Basically, they had a free rusher,” Hodgin explained.
“They put our offensive line and our quarterbacks in a tough position. I was pleased with how our offensive line and quarterbacks handled that difficult situation.”
Hodgin said the Comets’ receivers did a good job as well.
“We had worked on our releases and (with Gretna) we had a measuring tool,” he pointed out.
“Their philosophy of playing us at the line of scrimmage validated all of the time and effort we had put into our releases. Our receivers handled the situation very well.”
Harris lauded the team’s defensive effort in Friday’s scrimmage, a solid effort in which the Comets kept Gretna out of the end zone, scored a safety and created a couple of key turnovers.
“I’m real proud of the kids buying into what we’re trying to do on defense,” Harris said.
“Our pursuit was outstanding. We were also playing two-deep the whole scrimmage and that was really good.”

Clay Defends HCC Golf Championship

Clay Fires Course Record 61 On Way To Five-Shot Win

BY Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer

Jimmy Clay has built a solid reputation in recent years of being one of the better golfers in Halifax County, and he did nothing to tarnish that reputation Sunday, with a defense of his Halifax Country Club Championship.
Clay fired a course record 61 on Saturday, beating his own course record by one stroke, and cruised to a five-stroke win over Jay Burnett with a 72 on Sunday for a two-day total of 133.
Burnett carded a 70-68-138 for second in the Championship Flight, while Woody Clay won a match of cards with Phil Rinker to finish third. Clay and Rinker each shot a 141 in the tournament, Clay with a 69-72-141, while Rinker carded a 67-74-141.
A strong start on Saturday led to the course record for Clay, who shot a sizzling 29 on the front nine. He was seven under par after 10 holes before a double bogey on number 11. Clay then birdied holes 13, 14, 15 and 18 for the opening round 61.
Sunday was just a matter of playing consistent, steady golf, according to Clay.
“I knew I had a big lead going into today, and I played to hit the greens, make the pars and just get the ball in the hole,” said Clay.
“The course played tougher today than Saturday, the tees were in unusual spots. I didn’t play as well today, but you can’t do much better than a course record.”
Burnett had a tough road to hoe on Sunday, entering the day’s play nine shots back, but did his best with a second round 68 that left him five strokes out of first.
“When you come into the day nine shots back, it makes it tough,” said Burnett. “All you can do is try to come out and play as solid as you can and let the chips fall where they may.
“I shot 70-68, and year-in and year-out when you shoot two under, you either win or come close to winning. But, Jimmy is a phenomenal player, and with that much to make up, it’s almost impossible.”
Burnett said he had a chance for a couple of more birdies on the front line that could have put him in better position, but thought he played about as well as he could.
“I finished fairly strong, and it was a good day for me. I shot two under for the tournament, and that’s pretty good playing, but it’s hard to play against that (Clay’s 133).
“I have the utmost respect for Jimmy, he’s a good champion.”
Burnett’s 68 wasn’t the lowest score on the second day. That honor belonged to Don Thompson, who shot a 67 enroute to winning the First Flight.
Thompson shot a 73-67-140, followed by David Meeks with a 72-73-145. Bion Fite carded a 72-75-147, being awarded third-place following a match of cards with Brad Thomasson.
Eric Arthur won the Second Flight with a 77-74-151, followed by Kelly Chappell with a 78-74-152. John Hayes finished third with a 78-75-153, breaking a tie with Teddy Holt and Buck Weatherford after a match of cards.
Bobby Wilborn won the Third Flight with a two-day total of 82-76-158, one stroke better than Dr. Jerry Burnett, who carded a 82-77-159. Roy Bradley took third in the Third Flight with a 83-79-162.
Joe Barkley took the Fourth Flight with a 88-86-174 score, and Colter Wickemeyer took second with a 90-86-176, after a match of cards with Bill Marable. Marable shot a 88-88-176 for a third-place finish.
Elmer Nichols won the Senior Gold Tee title with a 75-78-153, followed by Buddy Ferrell (84-79-163) and George Vaughan (89-80-169), while Roger Long won the Senior White Tee Championship.
Tournament Chairman Steve Vaughan said the two-day event was one of the best ever, including the largest group of golfers to participate in the tourney in some time.
“We had 74 golfers, and had two great days of golf,” said Vaughan. “Jimmy broke his own course record of 62, and his brother Woody had a hole in one on a par four hole (No. 4) on Saturday.
“That’s pretty good golfing by the Clays.”

Halifax County Comets Linksters Seeking To Make Up Ground

HCHS To Host The Second Round Of The Western Valley District Golf Tournament Today At Green’s Folly Golf Course

BY Joe Chandler
G-V Staff Writer

The Halifax County High School golf team will be looking to make up some ground today when it hosts the second round of the five-round regular season series of Western Valley District Golf Tournaments.
Today’s tournament will get underway at 12 noon at Green’s Folly Golf Course. It will be the second of only three home matches the golf team will play season on its home course.
Halifax County had a tough time of it in Monday’s opening district tournament played at Lynchburg’s London Downs Country Club, carding a round of 337, a round that left it in the cellar in the five-team district.
The Comets finished nine shots down to fourth-place finisher Patrick Henry of Roanoke and 10 shots down to third-place E.C. Glass, the home team for Monday’s round.
Halifax County coach David Graham said yesterday that while his team will have to play catch-up, he feels his team is not out of contention.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) is going to be key to finding out what we’re going to do,” said Graham.
“We’re playing on our home and we should be able to get into the 320’s. If we can do that, we can get back into contention.”
Franklin County topped the field in Monday’s district opener, posting a team total of 298. GW, which had struggled in a couple of recent tournaments including the season-opening Halifax County Invitational, placed second with a round of 307. E.C. Glass followed with a 327 total, Patrick Henry was a shot back at 328 and the Comets rounded out the field with the 337 tally.
One of the keys for today’s tournament at Green’s Folly Golf Course, Graham said, is that his team gain ground as opposed to losing ground.
“We can make up nine or ten shots in four more rounds,” Graham pointed out.
Senior Matt Conner led the Comets with a round of 80, carding a 38 on the front nine and finishing with a 42 on the back nine.
One of the day’s pleasant surprises for the Comets was the round of 81 posted by Comets freshman Raleigh Powell. Powell finished the front nine with a 41 and carded a 40 on the back nine.
“He turned in a great round of golf,” Graham said.
“He was very consistent and didn’t have any big numbers.”
Senior Michael Boyd and sophomore Michael Ferrell followed with identical rounds of 88 to round out the four scores that counted towards the team total.
Sophomore Brad Tribble carded a round of 90 and sophomore Will Hunt posted a round of 92. Neither of those scores were counted towards the Comets’ team total.
“We played like I expected,” Graham said.
“It was a case of nerves. We played a freshman, three sophomores, one of which is only in his second year of playing, and two seniors. Once they got past the first six or seven holes they did well. But, the damage had been done by then.
“We’re just young,” Graham added.
“We just need a little time.”