Monday, February 2, 2004

Council To Discuss $4.5M Bond
Public Hearing Will Be Held On February 9 At SoBo Council Meeting

Following their regular monthly work session tonight, the members of the South Boston Town Council will convene to hold their first reading of a proposed $4.5 million bond anticipation note.

The meeting will convene at 5:45 p.m. in Council Chambers on Yancey Street.
If approved, the funds will be used to provide interim financing for improvements to the town's water and sewer system, operating expenditures for the town's general fund and $1.5 million in funding for the town and county's donation to The Prizery.

The town is scheduled to hold a public hearing and second reading during its regular monthly Council meeting on Monday, February 9.

Prior to the reading the Current Issues Committee will receive an update on economic development issues from Kenneth Cassada of the Economic Development Council.

Members of the CIC will also discuss the requirements necessary to update the town's policies regarding civic club signs at the town's gateway at Constitution Square. There will also be an update on the Rotary Club's initiative to install flag poles and landscaping in Constitution Square.

South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall will report to the committee on parking issues at the corner of Wilborn Avenue and Carrington Street.

Town Clerk Jane Jones will discuss pending appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Halifax County Improvement Council.

Members of the BZA serve a five-year term and are appointed by the Circuit Court.

Mrs. Kimberly White has submitted her resignation from the BZA due to her being elected Commonwealth's Attorney.

Chairman Billy Clark's term on the BZA expires at the end of the month after having served one full term and one partial term. Clark is eligible and willing for reappointment.

Other members of the BZA are Morris Bryant, Gerald Burnett and Dewey Compton.

There is a vacancy on the Improvement Council due to the resignation of Mary Ellen Hupp. The town's other representative on the Council is Charles Phillips.
Members of the town's Finance Committee will receive a regular monthly update on the town's financial status from Town Finance Director Vandie Saunders.

Following the update, the committee will receive a presentation on the town's 2004-2009 capital improvement plan from Town Manager Ted Daniel.

A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for February 9.

Pair Pledge To Protect Resources
Lewis, Francisco Join Forestry Department

The Halifax County office of the Virginia Department of Forestry has added two new employees who pledge to "work with the community to be good stewards of the county's forest resources," according to Dave Snyder, assistant Regional Forester.

Former Appomatox resident Shannon Lewis joined the office on October 10 as an Area Forester.

Lewis, a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Forest Resource Management, is new to the Halifax County office, but has spent several years with the Department of Forestry as a part-time employee.

He spent three years working with the Department of Forestry doing land use and timber surveys.

"I spent several years working in inventory analysis," Lewis said. "It's a research program that gathers statistics on the percentage of forests in Virginia."

In his new position, he will be working with the community to develop and promote good forest resource management.

Halifax County native Jeff Francisco was hired as a Forestry Technician on January 10.

Francisco graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Forestry.

He will work as the county's new Forest Technician, a position that monitors timber harvesting.

Implementing good forestry practices and ensuring that Best Management Practices related to standing timber are being followed in the county will also be Francisco's responsibility.

"My main goal is to look after water quality and make sure that Best
Management Practices are being followed in timber harvesting," he said.

Francisco is a member of the Hunting Creek community, and serves as the chief of the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department.

Jeffress Sentenced To Six Years For Drug Charges
Fourth Suspect Convicted In Federal Court Following Clay’s Mill Drug Raid

The alleged "ringleader" of a suspected cocaine distribution ring received a six-year sentence in U.S. District Court Friday, according to Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston Regional Drug Task Force.

Charles Edward Jeffress, aka "Dave," 24, of Paul James Road in Halifax, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and two counts of distribution of more than five grams of crack cocaine.

As part of his plea agreement, Jeffress accepted responsibility for distributing between 500 grams and 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine during the conspiracy.
Jeffress, described by law enforcement as the "ringleader," is the fourth defendant sentenced in federal court following a raid conducted at a residence in the Clay's Mill community, Pulliam said.

Prior to Jeffress' sentencing, Anthony William Mason, aka "Butter," 25, of Reverend Coleman Road in Clover, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison, Edward Hane Poindexter, aka "Budroe," 54, of Paul James Road in Halifax, was sentenced to 135 months in prison, and Clifton Stephen Terry, 24, of Bane Street in South Boston, was sentenced to 123 months in prison for their roles in the drug ring.

Mason had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack and one count of distribution of less than five grams of crack cocaine, according to law enforcement officials.

Poindexter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, Pulliam said.

Terry pleaded guilty to distributing more than five grams of crack cocaine and possessing a firearm in the furtherance of drug distribution, according to Pulliam.

"There were numerous additional individuals prosecuted in state court for various drug violations (as a result of the raid)," he said.

Pulliam said the convictions of the four resulted from a multi-year investigation into drug distribution in the county.

"The arrest phase of the investigation began when the task force executed a search warrant at the residence of Edward Hane Poindexter," he said.

At the time of the raid, there were approximately 13 people in the residence and three ran from officers and were quickly apprehended, Pulliam added.
As Terry was fleeing the scene, he was observed throwing away a firearm and crack cocaine, according to police reports.

"After the scene was secured, law enforcement seized approximately 20 firearms, cash, a substantial amount of crack cocaine and marijuana, TVs, stereos, VCRs, DVD players and various other electronics and vehicles," Pulliam said.

"This area has been responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine on a daily basis and this residence had a large customer base," he added. "These customers traded stolen merchandise, firearms and sex for crack cocaine."

Pulliam said the success of the investigation was the result of undercover agents purchasing crack cocaine from the location and information provided by citizens and the law enforcement officers of Halifax County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Wolthuis and Regional Drug Prosecutor Jeb Terrien prosecuted the group.

"The investigation is continuing and additional suspects will be arrested," Pulliam said.

Championship Week Is Here
HCHS Faces A Busy Three-Game Week With The Western Valley District Title Hanging In The Balance

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

It's Championship Week.

For the Halifax County High School varsity boys basketball team, this week will be the pivotal week of the regular-season - the week in which the Comets can control their own destiny and lock up the Western Valley District regular-season title and a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament.

This will be a busy three-game week for the Comets (12-6 overall, 4-0 in district play) who are tied with Franklin County for the top spot in the Western Valley District standings.

Two of this week's three games will pit the Comets against Franklin County with the first of those coming tonight when the Comets hit the road to face the Eagles in Rocky Mount.

Halifax County will face Franklin County again here Friday night in what will be the Comets' final home game of the regular season.

Before the Comets face Franklin County for the second time here Friday night, they will have to take on Patrick Henry Tuesday night in Roanoke.

The two battles between the Comets and Franklin County will highlight the week as the two teams have a two-game cushion over their closest challenger.

However, neither team can afford to stumble between their two meetings.
Halifax County will need to take care of business Tuesday night against Patrick Henry in Roanoke.

Franklin County, which also has a big three-game week, must take care of business when it faces GW Wednesday night in Rocky Mount.

That game could have a big positive impact on the Comets' fortunes if GW upsets Franklin County.

The bottom line to this week is that if the Comets run the table and win all three of their games they will clinch the regular-season title.

That is a big chore - an important chore.

Halifax County High School head basketball coach Garrett Dillard said his players understand well the importance of this week.

"Coach Cowan (assistant coach Alexis Cowan) told the kids after Friday night's game (following the win over E.C. Glass) this is championship week and told them to be prepared like a champion because every game gets you closer to the championship," Dillard said.

"We explained the situation to them so they don't have to think about it next week.

"We want them to understand the importance of the ballgames," continued the Comets coach.

"We want them to understand that you can win the regular-season and it's an automatic berth in the regionals and all of the different things that come with winning the regular season."

Dillard says he and the team are going to manage this week by focusing on one game at a time.

"We're going to take it one game at a time and, each night, take a look at the situation as to what a win would do for us," Dillard said.

"We're not going anywhere with the thought of losing. We're going with the intent to win. That's our purpose."

Dillard also pointed out that should the Comets come out of tonight's road game against Franklin County with a loss, the big message is that it is not the end of the team's bid for the championship - not by a long shot.

"A loss doesn't kill you because you come back and get Franklin County again here on Friday," Dillard noted.

The Comets will enter tonight's road game against Franklin County with a good deal of momentum on their side.

Halifax County has won nine of its last 11 games, the only two losses in that stretch coming at the hands of Mt. Zion, the country's second-ranked prep hoops team.

"We're playing with confidence right now and that's the big thing," Dillard pointed out.

"We were 3-4 and now we're 12-6. We're 9-2 in this last stretch of the season and the two losses have been to Mt. Zion. We feel good about where we are."
Tonight's game against Franklin County will be one in which the Comets will pit their speed and quickness against the size of the Eagles.

"It will be their inside game and our outside game," Dillard pointed out.
"It will be them (Franklin County) pounding it in and us tryting to get up and down the floor.

"Eventhough they have some size on us, we feel we can do some things to make their big guys have to give the ball up or have our guards get down there and get a hand on the ball," added Dillard.

Dillard also pointed out that the numbers on the scoreboard this season are in the Comets' favor.

"They (Franklin County) have had about seven games this year in which they've scored 60 or more (points) and we've had 15 games where we have scored 60 or more points," Dillard said.

"We feel pretty good about that."

Obituaries

James Brooks

James Brooks, 82, of Oxford, N.C. died January 27 at his home.

Mr. Brooks was born in Halifax County on May 22, 191, the son of the late Ethel Brooks Jones. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Virgilina.
Survivors include two aunts, Della Lassiter of Virgilina and Mary Lou Tuck of Granville County, N.C.; a devoted friend, Alec Yancey; and other relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Mr. Brooks was held January 31 at 2 p.m. at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Lorenzo Love officiating. Burial took place in First Baptist Church of Virgilina Cemetery.

Lucille Overstreet Daniel

Lucille Overstreet Daniel, 84, of 201 Pine Lane, South Boston died January 29 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Daniel was born in Halifax County on January 12, 1920, the daughter of Jesse R. Overstreet and Gracie Crenshaw Overstreet and was married to Clifton Norman Daniel Sr. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church.

Survivors include one son, Norman Daniel Jr. of South Boston; two sisters, Hilda O. Daniel of South Boston and Janice O. Montgomery of Largo, Fla.; four brothers, Jesse R. Overstreet Jr. of Clarksville, James E. Overstreet of Virginia Beach, C. Thurman Overstreet of Dillwyn, and Hunter D. Overstreet of South Boston; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.

A graveside service for Mrs. Daniel was held February 1 at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Christian Church Cemetery with the Rev. James Dane Skelton officiating.

Denise Anne Sivertson King

Denise Anne Sivertson King, 46, of 695 Cedar Point Drive, Buffalo Junction, died Friday, January 30 at Duke University Medical Center.

Mrs. King was born in Portsmouth on September 20, 1957, the daughter of Andrew Thomas Sivertson Jr. and Barbara Sharrett Sivertson and was married to Isaac W. ‘Ike’ King III. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and Ducks Unlimited.

Survivors include her husband; her mother of Portsmouth; one brother, Gary T. Sivertson and wife, Lee, of Chesapeake; and two nephews, Jared and Grant Sivertson, both of Chesapeake.

A funeral service for Mrs. King was held Sunday, February 1 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Andrew Bawtree officiating. Burial will take place in Olive Branch Cemetery in Portsmouth tomorrow, February 3 at 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends at Sturtevant Funeral Home in Portsmouth this evening, from 7:00 until 8:30.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Humane Society, PO Box 969, South Boston, 24592, or a charity of choice.

Irma Thames Puryear

Funeral services for Mrs. Irma Thames Puryear of South Boston will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Homes Chapel with the Rev. Phil Showers officiating.

Burial will be at Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Puryear, 80, died Friday at Halifax Regional Hospital.

A Mecklenburg County native, she was born July 20, 1923, a daughter of the late John Robert Thames and Sarah Elizabeth O'Geary Thames. She was married to the late Page Grant Puryear.

Mrs. Puryear, a homemaker, was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.

She is survived by three daughters, Paigie Puryear Allnutt and husband Robert of Halifax, Judith Puryear Wynne of Richmond and Lydia P. Thompson of South Boston.

Other survivors include one sister, Rachel Thames Hunziker of High Point, N.C., two brothers, Billy Thames and Garland Thames, both of Clarksville, one grandson, Robert Harold Allnutt and wife Lisa of Roanoke, four granddaughters, Stacey Allnutt Goin and husband DeWitt of Prospect, Kelley Michelle Wynne and Brittiany Lynne Wynne, both of Richmond, and Shannon Bowery Mangum and husband Bobby of Roxboro, N.C., five great-grandchildren and other nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by brothers Woodrow Thames, Frank Leo Thames and Clifton Thames, and sisters, Rosa Thames, Jean Tisdale, Virgie Elliott and Vera Patterson.

Visitation time at Brooks Funeral Homes is Tuesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home, 111 White Oak Drive, South Boston.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Headquarters, 3300 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85718.