Friday, January 30, 2004

Halifax United Way Seeks Help

The United Way ended its $150,000 drive in mid-December, but its president said yesterday he thinks UW will be "well short of its goal."

Even more important, will Halifax United Way survive?

About a dozen Halifax County agencies receive funding from UW.

UW President Ryan Garrett estimated yesterday about $3 per person had been raised in the county. The UW guidelines suggest $10 per person for the county.

Garrett said about $90,000 had been requested by agencies.

"We are going to try to fund the agencies. One of the things I've talked about, there was some money in the bank, rainy-day funds. How much of a rainier day do we need?" asked the UW president.

UW certainly ran into its share of rainy days this year.

Its director, Beth Hochstein, left in the middle of the campaign, which was difficult, according to the UW president.

Also, Garrett said only about five people were "very active" in the campaign.

"The first thing I tried to do was make some tough business decisions," added the president.

With a salary for a full-time administrator, rent, and supplies, Garrett said costs had to be cut.

"For administration to cost about $50,000 when we're only raising $150,000 or $l75,000 ....

"It just didn't make sense, a full-time staff person."

Since UW lost its director in mid-campaign, Garrett said yesterday that the drive has produced no final tally.

Virginia Richardson has been hired as a part-time administrator and will begin work next week.

She will work at a smaller location in the Bank of America building, according to the UW president.

Most important, in Garrett's mind, is the community's response to UW.

"The concern I have is: Is there anybody out there?" said Garrett. " Surely there are people who want to help, who don't know we are in this position.

"We have not had a campaign chairman for the last four years," he added.

Is UW still viable in the community?

"I had a meeting with about 30 prominent business and community leaders this morning and I posed that question: Should we have a United Way or is there a better idea.

"It will take the community to decide this is what we want."

In neighboring Pittsylvania County which, Garrett said, has had its share of economic problems, the UW raised about $12 per person.

"Because this (Halifax) community still sees UW as viable and important, hopefully we will find community leaders ...," he added.

"Rebuilding the board and rebuilding a community vision," that's the first order of business as Garrett surveys the scene.

Community agencies served by United Way include: American Red Cross Halifax County Chapter; Association for Retarded Citizens of Halifax County; Blue Ridge Mountain Council of Boy Scouts; Doves, Inc.; Halifax County 4-H Clubs; Halifax County Community Action Agency; Halifax County Unit Salvation Army; Halifax/South Boston Volunteer Literacy; Mental Health Association of Halifax County; Mentor/Role Model Program Post 99; Virginia Legal Aid Society; Virginia Skyline Girl Scouts Council; YMCA of Halifax County.

Internet Scam Under Investigation
Local Woman Reported Fraudulent Auto Sale To Sheriff's Office

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating an Internet scam involving auto trading that may have ties to an organized group of criminals in several foreign countries, according to Sheriff D.J. Oakes.

"The scam involves extensive use of the Internet and 'purchases' are attempted using counterfeit cashier's checks drawn on a small bank in Texas," Oakes said.

A second fraudulent endorsement appears on the check from a bank in West Virginia, according to the sheriff.

He said the check is complete with a water mark on the back and appears authentic to the untrained eye. "A similar cashier's check was successfully deposited in Lynchburg, with the victim losing $6,000," Oakes said.

"Details of the most recent scam involve a local woman who advertised her vehicle on the Internet through a popular auto trading website," Oakes said.

Approximately two months after advertising her vehicle, the victim was contacted by e-mail about her vehicle.

"The price was negotiated and plans were made to have the car picked up by a shipping company operating in the Netherlands," the sheriff said.

Police officials say the woman was given specific instructions to take the check to the bank and cash it, not deposit it, and wire the balance to the shipping company in the Netherlands.

"In January, a courier service delivered a package to the victim that contained a cashier's check for $17,500 to cover the purchase and transport of the car," Oakes said.

After receiving the check, the victim questioned the authenticity of the cashier's check and made several attempts to verify the information on the document, according to police.

"Telephone calls to the prospective buyers were directed to an interpreter and never reached their destination," Oakes said. "Subsequent attempts to contact the parties by e-mail proved futile when the e-mail addresses were found to have been changed."

According to police, the cashier's check was verified as counterfeit by a local bank and no funds were ever wired to the "shipping company" in the Netherlands.

"As of today's date, the local woman has not lost any money," Oakes said.
"However, the suspects have made several attempts to contact the victim, threatening legal action if she fails to comply with their demands for the completion of the transaction.

"Thankfully, the victim became suspicious from the beginning and used several avenues to verify the authenticity of the documents as well as contacting local law enforcement officials," Oakes said.

The case is currently being investigated by Inv. Angie Tribble.

Oakes cautions citizens not to give personal information to people over the Internet, or release bank account information to strangers or anyone else over the Internet, through the mail or in person.

"Legitimate businesses or individuals do not require this type of information from you before conducting a business transaction," he said. "If you are asked for personal or account information over the phone or Internet, politely refuse the request and/or ask for a written request via standard mail."

Puryear Charged In Fas Mart, Sheetz Robberies

Tuesday's arrest of a suspect in the strong-armed robbery of Fas Mart in South Boston has led to additional charges involving last week's robbery of Sheetz, according to police officials.

Jarrid Michael Puryear, 21, of Mt. Carmel Road in Alton, was arrested by South Boston Police Officer Grey Yancey and charged with breaking and entering, grand larceny and robbery, according to police reports.

Investigator C.L. Carswell said Puryear is suspected of taking an undisclosed amount of money from a cash register at the Wilborn Avenue business while a clerk was operating the register.

"(Puryear) then fled the store and was apprehended shortly afterwards by South Boston Police officers," Carswell said.

Based on information received from the South Boston officers and citizens of the community, deputies of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office arrested Puryear last Tuesday and charged him with the strong-armed robbery of Sheetz in Riverdale, according to police.

Fears said that at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, Puryear allegedly entered the store and approached the cashier with a pack of chewing gum.

"As the cash drawer was opened, the subject (suspected to be Puryear) jumped over the counter and took an undisclosed amount of cash from the drawer," before fleeing the scene, the captain said.

Puryear has been charged with one count of entering the business with the intent to commit robbery, two counts of robbery of U.S. currency and three counts of stealing money from employees of the business, according to Capt. Larry Fears of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.

In other police business, Halifax County Sheriff's Investigators Jimmy Clay and Angie Tribble arrested Otha James Adams of Nathalie and charged him with the possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine.

The arrest was the result of an October incident involving Adams, Fears said.

He has been released from custody on bond.

Comets Looking For Sweep
A Win Over E.C. Glass Here Tonight Will Keep HCHS In A Tie for The District Lead

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Halifax County will be looking to take another step forward toward the Western Valley District title tonight when it hosts E.C. Glass.

The Comets, 11-5 overall and 3-0 in Western Valley District play, will be trying to keep pace with Franklin County and remain in a tie with Franklin County for the district lead in tonight's contest, the next-to-last home district game of the season.

A win over E.C. Glass would drop the Hilltoppers three games out of the district lead.

The Comets got a tune-up for tonight's game with a road contest against nationally-ranked Mt. Zion.

Due the weather, the Comets have been idle for much of this week with a Wednesday workout being the first action on the hardwood since last Friday night's dramatic win over GW.

"We came in Wednesday and worked on the things we feel like we needed to work on," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard.

"We worked on defense and got some shooting in. This time of year a lot of it is not the big things, it's the little things that you have to do better, like get a few more rebounds, take a few less bad shots, play better "help" defense and things like that.

"We focused on those things and some things we think some other teams might start doing," continued Dillard.

"The second time around teams start doing some different things and we covered our bases on that. We don't want to get in a situation where a team does something and we haven't worked on it."

Halifax County downed E.C. Glass 46-38 when they met in Lynchburg on January 6.

While the contest finished as an eight-point game, it didn't get that way until the Hilltoppers made a big run against the Comets' reserves in the final two minutes of the game.

Dillard says that from a strategy standpoint, his team will not make any big changes tonight against E.C. Glass.

The Comets coach says that will be the case even if Glass' big post player, 6-10 senior Drew Crank, is in the lineup.

Crank did not play when the Comets faced E.C. Glass in Lynchburg earlier this season.

"If he plays, we're going to play the way we play and go up and down the floor," Dillard said.

"With the team we have, there is not a lot you can do differently. We have speed and we've got Chase Weddle on the inside, so it's not like you can make a lot of adjustments and do a lot of different things.

"You have to do what you do well," continued Dillard.

"The adjustments that you can make are if you get a lead early and feel comfortable with it you can stop pressing and slow the game down.

"But," added Dillard, "as far as personnel, as far as style of play, there is not a lot we can do. We just have to play the way we play and let speed be the emphasis in what we do."

E.C. Glass enters tonight's game with only four wins and being winless in district play.

Dillard said that while that is the case, nobody should overlook the Hilltoppers.
"You don't overlook anybody at this time of the year. It's all about survival. It's all about positioning yourself for the district tournament.

"Early on, most teams play and whatever happens happens," continued Dillard.

"The second time around, teams will come out say the only way we can beat them is do this or do that. Some teams will focus on that, whether it's holding the ball, whether it's play zone, whether it's play zone press or feel that they have to run and get up and down the floor with us.

"We have to be ready for whatever," added Dillard.

"The good thing is we're battle tested. We've had several games this year that have been one, two and three-point ballgames and we've been able to come out on top in most of them."

As a result of that experience, Dillard says he feels his team can be comfortable whatever way the game goes.

"Whether it's a close game or whether its a wide-open game, we feel comfortable that we can do enough good things down the stretch to come away with the win," Dillard concluded.

Obituaries

Louise Williams Dunkley

Louise Williams Dunkley, 82, of Clays Mill Road, Crystal Hill died January 27 at The Woodview Nursing Home.

Mrs. Dunkley was born in Halifax County on March 7, 1921, the daughter of the late Louis Williams and Mary Susan Perkins Williams and was married to the late Joseph Elvin Dunkley. She was a member of The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary E. Clark of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Dunkley was preceded in death by two sons, Owen Elvin Dunkley and Richard Edward Dunkley.

A memorial service will be held February 2 at 11 a.m. at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Col. Hugh Carter Holt Jr.

Col. Hugh Carter Holt Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), 77, of Halifax and Orange died January 25.

Col. Holt was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Reeves Holt, and is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Moore Holt of Orange; four children, Elizabeth Holt Harris and husband, Douglas, of Hollywood, Md., Laura Holt Diaz and husband, Richard, of Petaluma, Calif., Carter Holt of Los Angeles, Calif., John Holt and wife, Linda, of Nevada City, Calif.; two grandsons, Daniel Holt of Nevada City and Alex Harris of Hollywood.

Col. Holt was born in Scottsburg in 1926. He graduated from West Point in 1950; served in Korea and Vietnam and received medals including the Legion of Merit. He retired in 1980 and moved to Halifax where he served as Town Manager. He was a member of Beth Car Baptist Church, the Retired Officer's Association and Dun Roamin'.

A funeral service will be held at Beth Car Baptist Church today, January 30, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Parnell officiating. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Beth Car Baptist Church in Halifax.

Minnie Lee Young Hatchett

A funeral service for Minnie Lee Young Hatchett, 85, of Danville, formerly of Tennessee, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 31 at Doak-Howell Funeral Home in Shelbyville, Tenn. with Brother Reggie Smith officiating.

Burial will follow in the Hazel Cemetery in Bell Buckle, Tenn.

Mrs. Hatchett died January 26 at Danville Medical Center in Danville.

She was the daughter of the late Martin Luther and Fannie Elizabeth Pucket Young and was married to the late Kennerd Hall Hatchett.

Mrs. Hatchett was a member of Bell Buckle Baptist Church and later Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Larry Dale Hatchett of Danville; three grandchildren, Deborah Hatchett Sager of Lascassas, Tenn., Randy Steven Hatchett of Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Lisa Michele Beck of Dry Fork; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Johneda Trail Hatchett.

Ernest 'Sonny' Medley

Ernest 'Sonny' Medley, 81, of 331 Logan Street, South Boston died January 28 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Medley was born in Halifax County on June 3, 1922, the son of the late Ernest E. Medley and Margaret Crews Medley. He was married to the late Rebecca Penick Medley and was a member of Banister Hill CME Church.

Survivors include one son, Ernest P. Medley of South Boston; other relatives and friends. Mr. Medley was preceded in death by two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Medley and Winifred Charletha Medley.

A funeral service will be held February 1 at 2 p.m. at Banister Hill CME Church with the Rev. Betty Boston officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will be receiving friends at the home.

Richard Allen Satterfield

Richard Allen Satterfield, 73, of Halifax died January 27 at Duke University Medical Center.

He was born in Halifax County on July 27, 1930, the son of William Henry Satterfield and Mary Ann Rottler Satterfield and was married to the late Doris Yeatts Satterfield. Mr. Satterfield was retired from Burlington Industries and was a U.S. Navy Veteran.

Survivors include one daughter, Gale Walker of Halifax; one granddaughter, Wendy A. Walker Gano, USAF, Germany; one brother, Clarence Satterfield of Clarksville; two sisters, Annie Mae S. Satterfield of Vernon Hill and Leona S. Huskey of North Highlands, Calif. He was preceded in death by a son, Clarence Eugene Satterfield.

A private graveside service will be held with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, 23060, or the Halifax County Humane Society, P.O. Box 969, South Boston, 24592.