Two North Carolina suspects captured in last Friday's holdup of a Brodnax bank will be charged in the January 5 armed robbery of the Centerville branch of BB&T. Their arrest Friday followed a high-speed chase along Interstate 95 and ended in Northhampton County, N.C., where they abandoned their stolen vehicle and fled on foot.
Arrested and charged with armed robbery of First Citizens Bank were 24-year-old Carl Richard Cuthbertson of Hillsborough, N.C., and 28-year-old Elton Gregory McEachin of Chapel Hill, N.C,
McEachin, according to police, attempted to hang himself inside Brunswick County Jail and has been transferred to another state facility where he is undergoing psychiatric evaluation.
The two are also being questioned in connection with bank robberies in Roxboro and Durham, N.C.
As many as 20 law enforcement officers from Virginia and North Carolina were engaged in Friday's pursuit that involved speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Police said that one armed robber entered the bank while a second waited outside in a late model Pontiac.
Emporia police spotted the vehicle on U.S. 58 near I-95 not long after a bulletin bearing their descriptions was issued. The vehicle headed south on I-95 and crossed into North Carolina where additional officers entered the chase.
The suspects exited onto Highway 46 and drove another five miles before stopping and fleeing on foot. Both were captured within minutes according, to reports.
Brunswick County Sheriff's Investigator Brian Roberts said that a large sum of cash and a handgun were recovered. Police say the vehicle was stolen from a North Carolina dealership approximately six weeks ago.
South Boston Police Lt. Rick Loftis said that he and Investigator B.K. Lovelace questioned the two suspects on Saturday and determined that there was sufficient reason to believe the same men were involved in the January 5 robbery in Centerville.
Photographs taken by bank security cameras during that robbery showed two, unmasked black males as they approached a bank teller and demanded money. One was carrying a handgun, but unlike the Brodnax robbery, no getaway vehicle was ever seen.
One customer inside BB&T, at the time of the robbery, was also a victim of the crime. Loftis refused to reveal her identity but did say that she had just walked away from a teller's window with cash she had received when the two robbers entered the bank.
Loftis said that one of the robbers approached the woman and took her money.
Police intend to add a strong-armed robbery charge for that act.
The two had been scheduled to appear for an arraignment today but, because of the apparent suicide attempt by one suspect, it did not take place.
Because of the nature of the crimes, the two could be tried in federal court.
Prior to their capture, photos taken inside the South Boston bank were published in several newspapers and seen on area television stations. Loftis said that a number of persons responded with information, although none of it proved to be accurate.

Allen S. Bober, who had previously advised the E-911 Study Committee on concepts regarding a consolidated dispatch center, will be offered the position of planner for the proposed center.
The Halifax County E-911 Emergency Communications Board of Directors approved a motion to appoint Bober at Monday night's meeting.
Bober, of Navarre Corporation, had previously worked with the E-911 Study Committee, presenting a detailed study for a consolidated center at an October meeting of the committee.
Bober's responsibilities, as outlined by Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan, will include planning and implementation of the consolidated E-911 Communications Center for the county.
Bober would be responsible for determining the center's location, equipment, budget, fund accounting, staffing and other organization, reporting directly to the E-911 Communications Center Board of Directors.
According to Morgan, the planner would "come on board" for about a year to plan and organize the center, and be compensated as a county employee.
Morgan added that termination of the planner's engagement would be allowed by either party with three months notice, and that the planner, if qualified could eventually serve as the E-911 Communications Center Director.
The hiring of the center's director would follow advertisement for the position.
The board of directors also studied a Letter of Intent to purchase base radio equipment at Monday's meeting.
Ron Wells, sales manager for Commonwealth Radio Services, presented a proposal outlining a timetable for the implementation and purchase of additional base radio stations for the dispatch center.
The method of implementation suggested by Wells would allow the consolidated E-911 system to "piggyback" onto the upgraded equipment coming into the center, which would consist of at least two operator dispatch positions.
According to Wells, the installation of new equipment would run simultaneously with normal operations during the changeover, therefore eliminating any downtime involving normal dispatch operations.
Wells answered board concerns over the cost of upgrading the system over the long-term by stating that new equipment for further upgrades can be added and integrated into the system at a nominal cost.
"The system, if bought now, won't be obsolete in a year," Wells said.

South Boston Town Council unanimously approved a five-year Capital Improvement Program at Monday's meeting, following a public hearing in which no one spoke for or against the proposal.
Total capital outlay expenditures recommended for the first fiscal year of the CIP beginning July 1, 2001, are $3,110,207, according to Town Manager Ted Daniel.
"This puts us ahead of the game in determining next year's budget," Daniel said.
General Fund Expenditures
Recommended capital outlays for the general fund for 2001-2002 are $1,912,207, according to the CIP.
Allocations scheduled for public works projects include funds for street repaving, curb, gutter and sidewalk upgrades, traffic signal upgrades and vehicle replacements.
The Community Development segment of the General Fund earmarks about $400,000 for upgrading the Taylor building, with a majority of that amount coming from a potential Community Development Block Grant.
Approximately $230,000 is budgeted for the police department, with priorities listed as bullet-proof vests, radio upgrades and continued improvents to the new police building on Hamilton Boulevard.
The Planning and Engineering segment of the General Fund is scheduled to receive about $66,000 for continued mapping of the sewer system, while upgrades to Houghton Park are budgeted to receive about $40,000 in the Parks and Recreation Fund.
Water and Sewer Fund
Recommended capital outlays for FY 2001-2002 for the Water and Sewer Fund are projected to be $788,000, down from $1.3 million in FY 2000-2001.
Priorities for the fund are continued sewer system rehabilitation - specifically infiltration and inflow identification and repair, as well as vehicle replacements.
Hilden Mill Acquisition
Daniel reported to council on continued negotiations to purchase Hilden Mill, and on the progress of the hazard mitigation project concerning the property.
"The next step is to purchase the Hilden property," said Daniel.
Town Council went into executive session at last week's committees' meeting to discuss options concerning the upcoming purchase.
According to the town manager, estimates on demolition and asbestos removal within project funding have been accomplished, with initial estimates for the removal of asbestos being from $50,000 to $75,000.
Council authorized Daniel to negotiate a final price with Hilden America, after receiving from him a price range to negotiate the best purchase price for the town.
Other Agenda Items
· Council voted to refund portions of water and sewer fees paid by a number of Brentwood subdivision petitioners.
A $1250 availability fee for water and sewer went into effect in July 1999. In November 2000, council okayed those fees to be reduced to $750 each.
Between July 1999 and November 2000, $26,250 was collected from 14 hook-ups (12 applicants).
The total refund of $18,550 for all 14 connections is based on the November 2000 fee schedule, with the refunds applying to the person who got the building permit.
The period for receiving the refunds ends effectively on June 30.
· A revised master agreement between the towns of Halifax and South Boston for emergency water services was approved on Monday.
The 1998 agreement will provide emergency water services for Halifax in the event of natural disasters, such as floods. The site for the proposed connection is Webb Park in Halifax.
The major revision to the agreement called for an annual renewal, rather than an annual review, of the agreement.
· Council adopted unanimously a resolution supporting the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission's position on securing Master Settlement Fund payments and creating a permanent trust fund.
The resolution is a show of support for the commission from the Executive Committee of the Southside Planning Commission and the Lake Country Marketing Council.
· Council approved a VDOT safety improvement project to rubberize the railroad crossing on South Main Street.
· Council followed the recommendation of South Boston Treasurer Vandie Saunders on Monday and decided not to list the 1997 delinquent real estate tax for the immediate future.
· Council approved a request from John Pittard of Tomz Inc., to install a HVAC system on an exterior wall of his business at 303 Main Street.
The proposed installation of the HVAC system would encroach over the public right-of-way, thereby requiring council approval before its installation.
The installation plans met building code requirements and the local building official's structural requirements before being presented for approval.
· Council approved amendments to Town Code on Monday adding additional holidays for the Friday preceding the third Monday in January for Lee-Jackson Day, and the second Monday in October for Columbus Day.
The third Monday in January will be reserved to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Friday following Thanksgiving was added to that holiday's observance, as the result of council's actions.
South Boston landfill employees were added to the list of essential workers required to work on legal holidays, as a result of another amendment.
· In final action, council sought to fill four vacancies on the local IDA, the regional library board, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Halifax County Improvement Council.
Council will ask Ronnie Crabtree to serve on the Industrial Development Authority, Barbara Speece to serve on the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library Board, Dr. Gerald Burnett to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals and Shawon Edwards to serve on the Halifax County Improvement Council..

You might want to hold off on your bouquets and candy until you see another side to Valentine's Day.
At least 14 area couples will renew their wedding vows tonight at Clover United Methodist Church, including the Rev. Melvin Cook and his wife, Judy.
The Rev. Cook is minister of the East Halifax Charge of the United Methodist Church, serving both the Scottsburg and Clover United Methodist churches.
"It was kind of a mutual thing - I suggested it and it went "haywire," said Judy Cook, talking about the ever-growing number of couples asking for their vows to be renewed.
"I've always wanted a church wedding," Judy Cook added.
The Rev. Melvin and Judy Cook were married in a civil ceremony 21 years ago.
"My wife mentioned that she would like for us to renew our vows," said the Rev. Cook.
"It started with the church in Clover and spread to the church in Scottsburg and through the community."
According to the Rev. Cook, the Rev. Ann Norton, who served his charge from 1989 through 1998, will administer the vows tonight, after a joint service starting at 7 p.m.
"She thought it was a great idea," said Cook.
"The Rev. Norton and her husband, Ed, will renew their vows as well. In that case, I'd administer the vows."
Long-Term Commitment
Among the couples renewing their vows on Wednesday are Hugh and Grace Edmondson, of Clover, and Ira and Mary Wilkerson, of Scottsburg.
"If more couples went through what we had to go through, they'd appreciate their time together more," said Grace Edmondson, who, with her husband, will celebrate 59 years of marriage in April.
The couple had begun dating before one of them moved to South Hill. That was followed by a longer period of separation after Hugh Edmondson served in the Army during World War II.
"My husband had been in the service for one year, and he got a seven-day leave for our wedding," Grace Edmondson recalled.
"We were married for ten months before he was shipped overseas for 31 months."
The Edmondsons hope to make it a family affair tonight. Their son, H. Brandford Edmondson and his wife, Faye, will also renew their wedding vows at the same time.
Ira and Mary Wilkerson will celebrate 54 years of marriage this December.
The Wilkersons also thought renewing their vows was a good idea, placing a renewed emphasis on along-standing relationship.
Originally high school sweethearts, the couple has resided in Scottsburg all their lives.
"I reckon she was the only one who'd have me," said Ira Wilkerson.
"The preacher started all this," exclaimed Mary Wilkerson, speaking of the "snowball effect" news of the renewal vows has started.
"It's been an excellent marriage," said Ira Wilkerson.
"But it's been so long between vows, I may not remember what to say!"
Other couples so far committed to renewing their vows are the Rev. Ann and Ed Norton, the Rev. Marvin and Judy Cook, David and Brenda Conner, Cecil and Mary Tharpe, Frank and Edith Williams, Johnny and Margie Ligon, Johny and Karen Ligon, Nelson and Frances Wilson, Click and Juanita Smiley and Don and Betty Wilkerson.
Don Wilkerson and Juanita Smiley are brother and sister, and will renew their vows jointly with their spouses.
A "wedding" reception for the still-happy couples will follow the renewals.

Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt pitched the proposed $10.7 million Phase II of school system capital improvements program to the Halifax County School Board Monday night.
About 15 parents from Virgilina and Wilson Memorial Elementary schools, which are targeted for closure under the plan, braved Monday night's nasty weather to attend the meeting.
Virgilina area residents have already seen the plan and have vowed to fight the closure of the school.
However, Monday night was the first view of the plan for the parents from Wilson Memorial Elementary School.
They, too, are disturbed.
There was no comment from the public or school board after Witt's presentation of the plan that includes renovations of Turbeville Elementary School, South of Dan Elementary School and Cluster Springs Elementary School to accommodate 350 students in grades K-6.
After the meeting, Wilson Memorial Elementary School PTO President Lisa Strange said an attempt will be made soon to set up a meeting with their school board representative Wanda McDowell.
"The parents want to meet and discuss it," Strange said.
"We want to get with Mrs. McAdams (the school principal) and Mrs. McDowell and see if we can meet and let the parents voice their opinions.
"Maybe somebody can come up with another idea," added Strange.
Another Wilson Memorial area resident, Jay Satterfield, said if the school board is seeking alternative plans, he will work to try to come up with one.
This plan, he said, is one he doesn't like.
"Why are they going to renovate Turbeville Elementary School and close the newest school other than the high school in the county?" queried Satterfield.
School system officials pointed to the high energy costs associated with the all-electric Wilson Memorial Elementary School, which was constructed in 1964, as being one of the factors associated with the proposal to close the school.
"It's energy inefficient but that can be changed," Satterfield said.
Satterfield added, "this is not just a Virgilina-Wilson Memorial issue. We want everybody in the county to come together and say this is what we need to do to make it educationally viable and bring industry into the county."
Witt began the presentation by emphasizing to the Virgilina and Wilson Memorial parents, the school board, and others in attendance that the proposed plan was just that, a proposal.
"We know you love your school," Witt said.
"We want to share some data with you and the school board.
Witt also emphasized that there will be ample opportunity for the public to express its opinions and offer alternatives.
Public hearings will be held before any action is taken by the School Board, he said.
"We always welcome alternative plans if anyone wants to put one on the table for us to consider," Witt stated.
"We have to decide where we're going," he added.
"We can continue to beat it around or we can continue to move forward with something we've started."
School Board chairman Steve Anderson told the audience that the body will consider the proposed Phase II plan and decide what to do from there.
"When a decision is reached," Anderson said, "we will have a public hearing at each facility to allow time for questions and any recommendations for input you as a community would like to make."
The school superintendent pointed out that the proposed $10.7 million Phase II project could be supported with a minimal financial impact.
He said a three-and-one-half cent real estate tax hike by the county could pay for the project.
What that translates to, Witt said, is that a $50,000 homeowner would see an increase of $17.50 while a $100,000 homeowner would pay $35 a year in additional taxes.
The current tax rate is 36 cents per $100 assessed value.
As part of his presentation, Witt also unveiled a proposal for Phase III, a $15 million package that would include renovations and additions to Halifax County Middle School, Halifax Elementary School, Sinai Elementary School and C.H. Friend Elementary School.
A decision would be needed on whether or not to close or renovate Washington-Coleman Elementary School as part of that plan.
The Phase III project, if taken separately, would need a six-and-one-half cent real estate tax levy.
If the two proposed projects were combined and undertaken as one project, a 10-cent tax hike would be needed to float the project, Witt said.
During the presentation, Witt emphasized points that had been made before, primarily that having a large number of schools and having a handful of small schools results in the school system being inefficient in both programs and operational costs.
Closing Virgilina Elementary School and Wilson Memorial Elementary School would save the school system $604,000, he said.
Witt also compared Halifax County, which has 15 elementary schools for 3,435 students, to surrounding counties.
Pittsylvania County, which has 3,870 students has nine elementary schools, Campbell County has eight elementary schools to serve 3,798 students and Mecklenburg County has seven schools to serve 2,341 students.
He also noted that Virgilina Elementary School, with its 107 students, has the highest cost per pupil and Wilson Memorial, with its 119 students, has the second highest cost per pupil in Halifax County.
The two schools are also among the highest in annual operation and maintenance costs.
In terms of pupil-teacher ratio, both Virgilina Elementary School and Wilson Memorial Elementary School have a pupil-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, the lowest in the county.
"It's good for them but it is out of kilter for the rest of the school system and you have to pay for that," Witt said.
The pupil-teacher ratio for the county averages between 18 to 1 and 20 to 1.
Another factor, Witt said, is that the school system's enrollment is not growing.
Enrollments at both Virgilina Elementary School and Wilson Memorial Elementary School could drop to 100 or less the next school year.
"We're not a growing school system," Witt said.
"We could drop into the 5,000s by the end of this year and next year. If the class sizes coming up hold, we could go up above 6,000 again."

It is something of a daunting task that the Halifax County High School Blue Comets face this week as they wrap up the regular season.
The Comets have two big games this week against teams that are among the top 20 in the state.
Halifax County was on the road in Rocky Mount last night facing Franklin County, a team that has won 16 games and is arguably one of the state's top 20 teams.
The Comets will conclude the regular season here Friday night with a huge Western District game against archrival GW of Danville.
GW is ranked ninth in the state and thanks to a loss to Albemarle last Friday night, needs a win over Halifax County in order to earn a tie with Albemarle for the regular season championship.
The Comets, on the other hand, cannot improve their standing by running the table this week.
But, wins will be important as a confidence booster and momentum -builder for next week's district tournament.
Halifax County should have plenty of momentum behind it when it takes to the hardwood this week thanks to last Friday's dramatic 54-52 come-from-behind win over E.C. Glass.
The win over E.C. Glass, in fact, is a game that many people may point to at the end of the season as being one of the team's most pivotal games.
Halifax County High School's win over E.C. Glass Friday night in Lynchburg was big for a number of reasons.
The reasons, in fact, are so long that they would probably have trouble fitting on a laundry list.
Friday night's win assured Halifax County of a third place finish in the Western District and a better draw in the upcoming Western District Tournament.
It also guarantees Halifax County High School coach Garrett Dillard of no worse than a .500 mark for the regular season.
The Comets had to go on the road last night to face Franklin County in Rocky Mount and they will conclude their regular season here Friday night against GW.
Another big item to note is that Friday night's win over the Hilltoppers marked the first time that the Comets have won two games in a row since the BB&T Bank Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament in late December.
But, perhaps the most important thing about the win was that the Comets' players proved to themselves that they have the ability to overcome adversity.
To digress, the Comets trailed by 15 points with just over seven and a half minutes left to play in the game, staged a dramatic rally and won the game on a last-second shot by Dashawn Baird.
"It's big because we tried to come back against Albemarle we tried to come back against GW, William Fleming, Person High and Franklin County," Dillard noted.
"We've tried so many times to come back and hadn't been successful.
"Now the guys know what it feels like to come back," he continued.
"Hopefully this will let the guys know, like Mr. Randolph (HCHS Principal Albert T. Randolph) said, you don't ever give up, you keep believing and you keep working."
The win, Dillard said, would be a big help as the team approaches the final two games of the season.
"It keeps us focused mentally," he pointed out.
"It also helps keep the guys excited. Hopefully this will carry us on and give us a little extra momentum."
The Comets' Shamoni Faulkner, who made the rocket-like pass to Baird on the final play of Friday night's game, probably put it best when asked about this week.
"We've just got to bring the heat," Faulkner said.
"That's all we've got to do."

Clarence Shelton Morris Sr., 80, of 2196 Hitesburg Church Road, Virgilina, died February 12 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Morris was born in Halifax County on September 12, 1920. He was a member of Union United Church of Christ and was a retired carpenter.
Graveside services will be held today, February 14 at 2 p.m. at Virgilina Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating.
Survivors of Mr. Morris include three sons, Clarence S. Morris Jr. of South Boston, James Morris of Roxboro, N.C. and Ricky Morris of Turbeville; two daughters, Judy M. Overby of Virgilina and Diane Lane of Oxford, N.C.; two sisters, Mary Tuck and Louise Rice, both of Virgilina; one brother, Louis Morris of Virgilina; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pearl Tuck Morris and his second wife, Thelma Overby Morris.

Junior Lewis Vaughan, 74, of 2902 Halifax Road, South Boston, died February 12 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Vaughan was born in Halifax County on January 20, 1927, the son of Robert Junior Vaughan and Susie Moore Vaughan and was married to Catherine V. Vaughan. He was a member of Seven Oaks Baptist Church, a member of Woodmen of World Camp #106 and a Veteran of WWII.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Steven J. Vaughan and wife, Gail of South Boston; two grandsons, John Scott Vaughan and Steven William Vaughan, both of Halifax; one granddaughter, Leslie Sue Hess of Halifax; four brothers, Charlie H. Vaughan, Elmer L. Vaughan and Bobby Vaughan, all of Halifax and Cecil N. Vaughan of South Boston; one sister, Doris V. Garber of Halifax and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mr. Vaughan will be held today, February 14 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ray Bucklew and John Wilder conducting the service. Burial will take place in Union United Methodist Church Cemetery with W.O.W. rites.

Nannie Brame Chiles, 89, of 211 Ragland Street, South Boston, died February 10 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Chiles was born in Halifax County on June 23, 1911, the daughter of James Brame and Elizabeth Ragsdale Brame and was married to Warner Chiles. She was a member of Williams Temple CME Church and retired from Lake Country Area Agency on Aging.
Survivors include one daughter, Mae Reed of New York, N.Y.; two sons, James Chiles and Allen Chiles, both of South Boston; one sister, Pearl Childress of Albany, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Chiles will be held February 16 at 11 a.m. at Williams Temple CME Church with the Rev. George Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Marie McSparran Culley, 77, of 1226 Red Level Church Road, Scottsburg, died February 13 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Culley was born in Greensboro, N.C. on July 11, 1923, the daughter of James Graham McSparran and Maude Smith McSparran and was married to John L. Culley Jr. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Greensboro.
Graveside services will be held February 15 at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro with the Rev. Sam Russell Jr. officiating.
Mrs. Culley is survived by her husband of Scottsburg.
Visitation will be held this evening, February 14, at Brooks Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.

Marian Bailey, 67, of Ohio, formerly of Halifax County, died February 9 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ms. Bailey was born in Halifax County on January 11, 1934, the daughter of Harvey Bailey and Ellen Huntley Bailey. She was a member of New Hope CME Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Joannie Hastlett of Columbus and Sandra Bailey of Halifax; one son, Andre Morgan of Ohio; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, Fred Bailey, Bobby Bailey and Ralph Bailey, all of Columbus; two sisters, Eleanor Joyce Hill and Shelia Bailey; and one son-in-law, William Stockton.
Funeral services for Ms. Bailey will be held February 16 at 2 p.m. at New Hope CME Church with the Rev. Arlene Boozer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home of Sandra Bailey, 4061 Clays Mill Road, Scottsburg.

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