By PHILIP BRASHER
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Tobacco farmers who say that cigarette makers are trying to put them out of business are suing the industry for $69 billion, opening a new front for the companies in their ongoing legal battles.
A class-action lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court alleges that the companies misled farmers into helping them stop congressional legislation in 1998 that would have given growers $28 billion. The companies later reached a settlement with the states that will provide growers with much less - $5.15 billion over 12 years.
''All we're asking for and all we've ever asked for ... is to be treated fairly. We haven't been treated fairly,'' said Lamar DeLoach, a Metter, Ga., grower.
He is one of 4,010 plaintiffs in the lawsuit who grow tobacco or own federal tobacco quotas, the licenses that a farmer must either own or rent to sell the crop. There are about 500,000 farmers and quota holders nationwide.
Attorneys general of 14 tobacco-growing states are listed as co-conspirators in the lawsuit along with a Philip Morris USA lobbyist because of their role in getting the settlement.
Last week, the companies were sued by wholesalers who allege they fixed cigarette prices.
The companies deny wrongdoing in either case. Jay Poole, a spokesman for Philip Morris, said the growers' lawsuit was a ''direct assault'' on the states' settlement with the industry.
The Lorillard Tobacco Co. said it believed frustrated growers filed the suit in response to challenges from a changing marketplace. The cigarette maker called the suit groundless and a frivolous endeavor organized and encouraged by Washington trial attorneys.
''We regret the action taken today by a small segment of the tobacco grower community,'' Lorillard said in a written statement. ''It is always unfortunate when customers are sued by their suppliers. ... Lorillard continues to value the relationship we have with the more than 100,000 tobacco farmers who have chosen not to follow this ill-advised course.''
Tobacco farmers have seen their income decline sharply in recent years because of declining consumption and increased imports of cheaper foreign leaf. Since 1997, the amount of tobacco farmers are allowed to grow under the quota system has been reduced by more than half. Small-scale farms that must rent allotments have been especially hard hit.
USDA fixes the quotas each year based on the companies' purchasing intentions, exports and existing tobacco stocks.
The farmers who are suing the industry say the companies want to do away with the quota system and contract directly with a select number of producers.
The legislation that the growers helped the industry defeat was intended to settle state lawsuits against the companies and would have cost them $500 billion. The settlement they reached with the states will cost $206 billion. The farmers say the companies made vague promises to ''take care'' of them if they lobbied against the legislation.
Other farmers oppose the lawsuit, preferring to negotiate with the companies instead.
''We don't think it's time to give up yet,'' said Danny McKinney, chief executive officer of the Burley Tobacco Grower's Cooperative in Lexington, Ky. ''You don't bite the hand that feeds you.''
John Boyd, a Virginia grower, said the lawsuit could tie up states' settlement and prevent farmers from getting their payments.

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's tobacco farmers are a step closer to getting $328 million in federal assistance that was approved as part of a farm-relief bill last fall.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency will have the authority to distribute the money beginning Wednesday, when the rules for doing so are posted in the Federal Register, said Larry Mitchell, deputy administrator for farm programs at FSA.
''The process starts to move tomorrow,'' Mitchell said Tuesday. He added that state officials would then be required to let FSA know how they plan to implement the program.
''I would not be surprised if some of the money is transferred in a week or two,'' Mitchell said, adding that the bulk of the aid will go to Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.
The states are then expected to take up to a few months to distribute the funds.
The legislation was approved because the Agriculture Department,  which stabilizes tobacco prices by regulating production, cut back  sharply on how much tobacco farmers could grow last year.

By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A state commission will dole out about $69 million to tobacco farmers by June 1, allowing farmers to recover about 16 percent of the money they have lost the last two years from steep quota cuts.
The $69 million represents about 80 percent of this fiscal year's money at the disposal of the state Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. The remaining 20 percent - about $17 million - will be set aside for regional community revitalization projects.
The commission is responsible for spending half of the $4 billion Virginia expects to receive over the next 25 years as its share of the national tobacco settlement.
The commission's vote Wednesday in favor of an 80-20 split goes against the recommendation of Gov. Jim Gilmore, who wanted all of this year's money to go to tobacco farmers.
C.D. Bryant III, a Pittsylvania County tobacco farmer and commission member, said he and other farmers felt it would set a bad precedent for farmers to gobble up all of the money right away.
''We recognize some money needs to be appropriated for economic development,'' Bryant said.
The $69 million will be in addition to roughly $22 million sent out to farmers in December from a separate tobacco fund.
That money is dwarfed by the losses that the state's tobacco farmers have seen as the federal government has slashed the amount of tobacco they're allowed to produce.
State officials said farmers and quota holders will lose about $554 million in 1999 and 2000 because quotas have been cut 44 percent from 1998 levels.
The payments approved Wednesday - combined with previous the $22 million already approved - will allow producers and quota holders to recover about 16 percent of the losses caused by the quota cuts, Bryant said.
The commission also balked at a series of recommendations made by Gilmore on how to spend tobacco money for the next two years.
Gilmore had wanted the commission to spend about $53 million on capital projects at colleges in Southside and southwest Virginia and another $16 million on tourism projects in the region.
Commission co-chairman Sen. Charles R. Hawkins, R-Pittsylvania, said the panel may vote to accept Gilmore's plan at a later date.
''The governor has made recommendations that need to be considered,'' Hawkins said.
But some commission members said the governor's plan won't leave enough money for direct payments to farmers in the next two years. Others said the higher education projects selected by Gilmore are only peripherally related to economic development.
''I'm in a very hard spot,'' said Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Tazewell. ''Some of these projects are right in my back yard. But I have a hard time stretching it to say these projects qualify as community revitalization.''
Gilmore said during an impromptu news conference Wednesday that he considers the education projects a vital component of economic redevelopment.
''The most important part of all of this is revitalization.'' he said. ''That's why we're putting these projects forward.''

Halifax Town Council unanimously approved Residential-1 zoning for all the newly incorporated areas of the town during its Tuesday night session.
R-I is the most restrictive zoning.
No one spoke during a public hearing prior to council's action.
Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene called the zoning action "just a starting point," adding that the town will draw up a new zoning map over time.
Council also asked Greene to move with "due haste" to enforce the town's existing building maintenance code.
The code provides for town condemnation of buildings due to safety and health concerns.
Building owners are first alerted by town officials that the structure is regarded as in violation of an ordinance that could lead to condemnation.
The building owner has 30 days to respond to the notice. Conditions are established by the town and a time set to correct the violation. If not, the building may be condemned.
Council also instructed Greene to take steps to sell tax delinquent properties. Greene estimated about $10,000 was due in delinquent taxes.
Council members also discussed the volume of truck traffic within the Town of Halifax, noting that South Boston has a truck route diverting traffic around the town.
"I have had a lot of people complain," said councilman Jack Dunavant. "They (trucks) come barreling down Mountain Road by the elementary school."
However, diverting traffic could add an additional 14 miles for some trucks, Dunavant acknowledged. Council members seemed unsure of an alternative plan and its impact.
Council was told by Greene that he counted over a dozen trucks passing his Halifax home during a 35-minute period.
Halifax Town Council members directed the street committee and town manager to set up a meeting with the highway department to investigate available options in rerouting truck traffic.
Council members also approved a resolution congratulating the Halifax Woman's Club for providing the town and the county with "the perfect location to place a commemorative monument" in War Memorial Park. The club purchased the property at the corner of Mountain Road and Main Street as a park site and gave it to the county.
In other business, Halifax Police Chief Shawn Sweeney gave council members a copy of South Boston's animal ordinance. He asked council members to note particularly the sections on destructive dogs and dogs running at large.
Under destructive dogs, the South Boston ordinance states the following: If any dog bites any person or disturbs any person by running after him in the streets in a vicious manner, or if any dog shall go upon the premises of a person other than the owner and shall commit acts of destruction, such as destroying or injuring vegetables, shrubbery, flowers or any other property of such other person, the owner of such dog shall, upon conviction, will be punished as the code may direct.
Under dogs running at large, the ordinance states: No owner or keeper of any dog shall permit such dog to run at large at any time, whether licensed or unlicensed. A dog shall be deemed to run at large while roaming, running or self-hunting off the property of its owner or custodian and not under its owner's or custodian's immediate control. Any person violating the provision would be guilty of a class 4 misdemeanor.
Halifax Town Council members were given copies of the South Boston ordinance to read and consider before taking up the issue at their next regular session.

A former Nathalie-area man, Douglas Wayne Donald, was sentenced to a total of 20 years in the penitentiary this week after being convicted on two counts of forgery and uttering checks totaling over $1,200. Charged with the same offenses was his estranged wife, Deborah Leigh Donald, 35, also of Nathalie.
Both appeared before Circuit Court Judge William L. Wellons who found the woman not guilty of the same charges which stemmed from the August 8, 1999, incident.
Douglas Donald claims he obtained two checks from two subjects in Roanoke before returning to South Boston where he picked up his former wife and the two signed and cashed the checks inside a South Boston bank. He claimed that his wife had no knowledge the checks had been forged.
The full prison sentence against Donald was suspended except for time he has already served on conditions that he remain on good behavior for 10 years and serve one year of supervised probation.
· Pamela Miller Gravitt, 38, of South Boston was convicted of petit larceny after facing two felony charges of breaking and entering and grand larceny. Gravitt was charged with entering property belonging to Karen Annette Traynham on August 18, 1999, and stealing two gold link chain necklaces.
Gravitt will be sentenced on February 29.
· Robert H. Perkins Jr., 19, of South Boston was found guilty of conspiring to distribute marijuana and obstruction of justice, crimes which took place July 22, 1999.
A presentence report was ordered for the March court term.
·, Junior Willie Williams Jr., 20, of South Boston was found guilty of conspiring to distribute marijuana on July 22, 1999. He was remanded to jail where he will await a presentence report in March.
· Ricky Carlton Walker, 20, of Cluster Springs, was found guilty of receiving stolen goods after facing a more serious charge of grand larceny. Walker claimed he purchased for $100 a color television and a stereo from David Blanks on June 4, 1998.
Walker was allowed to remain free on bond until his sentencing in March.
 · Phil Rex Davis, 47, of South Boston was convicted of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. Walker, a convicted illegal drug offender, was released to await sentencing in March.
· Jabar Ebony Blanding, 23, of Clover was found guilty of grand larceny in the theft of a car belonging to Mary Torain Walker on July 17, 1999. Blanding's bond was revoked and he was placed in jail to await sentencing in March.
· Judge Wellons reimposed a revoked prison sentence against Edward Dean Ballou, 22, of South Boston for his failure to pay court costs ordered in his January 27, 1998, trial. Except for the time Ballou has served in jail, the balance of his sentence was suspended.

Halifax County High School administrators are beaming over the results of the end-of-course SOL Tests which were administered last fall.
Just over 66 percent of the 1,701 tests that were given had passing marks, with 114 of the tests being passed with advanced status.
There were major improvements in the percentages of students passing the SOL Tests in virtually every area.
Of primary note was the fact that 78 percent of the students taking the Algebra I test passed and that 76 percent of the students taking the World History-to-1000 AD test passed.
The highest previous mark in Algebra I was 49 percent, which was recorded for the first semester of the 1998-99 school year.
Previously, the best mark in the World History to 1000 AD was 51 percent in the first semester of the 1998-99 school year.
"Our faculty worked really hard to improve the test scores," remarked Gail Bosiger, Halifax County High School Assistant Principal.
"Most of the teachers felt that the time spent reviewing and preparing for the test during the last week before the tests were given made a difference.
"The praise goes to our teachers and students," added Bosiger.
"They achieved these scores and they deserve the credit."
Other highlights of the test results showed that 78 percent passed the English reading literature and research test, and 77 percent passed the English writing test.
The results of the Algebra II test showed 45 percent passing, which was up from the 26 percent total from last year and that 64 percent passed the Geometry test, which was an improvement from the 54 percent total of last year.
A big gain was noted in earth science where 65 percent passed. The previous high mark there was 48 percent in the second semester of the 1998-99 school year.
Another big gain was noted in chemistry where 85 percent passed, a mark that topped the previous best figure of 57 percent for the second semester of the 1998-99 school year.
Also, 75 percent passed the Biology test, a mark that bettered last year's total of 70 percent.
The percentage of students passing the U.S. History test was a disappointing 23 percent.
However, that mark topped the previous best mark of 16 percent which was posted during the 1997-98 school year.
On Monday night, Halifax County High School Principal Larry Clark told the Halifax County School Board Monday he felt the incentives that were given to the students made a difference in the performance.
Students who passed the end-of-course SOL Tests were given passing marks in their class even if they happened to have a failing grade average.
And, students that passed the SOL Tests were excused from taking final exams.
"I didn't think I'd ever live to see the day when students came to the office and ask if they could make up a standardized test," Clark said.
"I want to thank the teachers who worked extremely hard to cover the content part of the SOL Tests and most especially the students who took them seriously and realized their (the tests) importance, not only to them individually, but to the school."

A pivotal player in America's fastest growing spectator sport, NASCAR racing, will be the featured speaker at the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet in March.
Bill Davis will focus on the business side of racing, offering an inside perspective to chamber members and their guests. But for many in South Boston, Davis is best known as the owner of the team featuring driver Ward Burton.
"We are thrilled that Bill Davis has agreed to come to South Boston to speak to the business community here," said Nancy Pool, president of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce.
"Every weekend we hear South Boston, Virginia, on the national media through the Winston Racing Series," added Pool. "It is publicity we could not afford, publicity that brings recognition to our community."
Both Davis' #22 Caterpillar Winston Cup team, with Ward Burton driving, and his Amoco Ultimate Team 93 Busch Series Pontiac team, with Dave Blaney driving, are in the top-ten in their respective point standings.
At one time, Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte also drove for Davis' teams.
The 2000 season marks Davis' first time as a multi-car team owner. He is fielding two Winston Cup cars, No. 22 and No. 93 Pontiac cars, from his 65,000 square-foot racing facility in High Point, NC.
The No. 20 Busch team is housed in the 41,000-square-foot racing facility located across the street from the Winston Cup race shop.
Davis and his wife, Gail, own Bill Davis Trucking, Inc. in Batesville, Arkansas, where they operate a fleet of 35 tractors and 45 refrigerated trailers.
Celebrating their 25th business anniversary in 2000, they operate as a core-carrier for Con Agra Frozen Foods, in addition to transporting fresh produce from California into markets in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.
The annual chamber banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at the World of Sports.
Invitations and reservations will be mailed soon, according to Pool.
Since last year's event was a sellout, Pool recommended getting reservation forms in early.
"We can only seat 450 people," she said. "Corporate tables will again be offered and, remember, they are allocated as we receive the reservation forms on a first come first serve basis."
"I am so pleased we will have the opportunity to extend the hand of welcome to Davis and show him the hospitality of the people of Halifax County," added Pool.

Eventhough tonight's Halifax County-GW game in Danville is not a "must win" game for the Comets, it will be a pivotal game nevertheless.
A win will give the Comets sole possession of third place in the Western District standings with a possible outside shot at second place.
Assuming Albemarle defeats E.C. Glass tonight, a Comet win would drop district leader GW into a tie with Albemarle for the regular season title.
The result of that could possibly be that GW and Albemarle would be forced to face each other in a playoff game to determine which team will get the top seed for next week's Western District Tournament.
"It could be a big win but it's not necessarily a "must win" like the first game with GW was," remarked Comets coach Garrett Dillard.
"The big thing is that you don't want to finish fourth in the district. We want to win because if we do that, we don't have to worry about Glass possibly beating Albemarle and we can just let that game fall where it may."
Dillard and the Comets are heading to Danville tonight expecting to pull another upset over GW.
The Comets will enter tonight's game coming off of a 47-44 double overtime loss to William Fleming Wednesday night in Roanoke.
Halifax County spent a lot of energy and intensity in that game. Yet, Dillard says his Comets will still bring a full plate to the table tonight when they face their arch-rival.
"It's Halifax County-GW," Dillard said.
"It's one of those games that it wouldn't matter if we played Wednesday night and Thursday night and again tonight.
"They won't have any trouble getting "up" for the game," Dillard added.
"Everything is there. It's GW's final home game. It's Senior Night. It's the last game of the regular season.
"Some of these guys have never beaten GW twice in a season," added Dillard.
"Some of them have never beaten GW at GW. It's one of those games that I think will bring out the best in us."
Dillard is beaming with confidence about tonight's game. He concedes that GW is a tough opponent. And, he concedes that GW is a tough place for a visiting team to enter.
Despite those acknowledgments, Dillard says his team is capable of pulling off a win.
"I feel like it's a game we have a chance to win," Dillard pointed out.
"We just have to seize the moment and drive for victory."
The game will be a big one for Dillard on a personal level.
Tonight will mark his second trek to Danville to face GW coach Chris Carter, the man under whom Dillard served as an assistant coach before coming to Halifax County.
And, Dillard will be seeing a lot familiar faces upon his arrival at what was his former home court.
"I'm excited about it," the Comets coach said of his return to GW.
"It's a great atmosphere to play basketball in. It's a smaller gym and the fans are everywhere yelling and screaming. It's almost like they're on top of you. It brings out a lot of energy."

As far as the game itself, Dillard says he expects it to be a dandy.
"I expect it to be a great game down to the last shot," Dillard said.
"There will be a lot of high powered offense and defense. It will be Halifax County-GW."

The Halifax County High School Blue Comets cagers overcame an early deficit before losing a 47-44 double overtime contest to William Fleming Wednesday night in Roanoke.
"It was two real good teams that have the potential of playing in the regionals and potentially winning in the regionals that went after each other," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard.
"The game was a game that didn't really mean anything to anybody but both teams played really hard."
Halifax County led by four points with 30 seconds to play in regulation but gave up one easy basket and committed a turnover that allowed the Colonels to score again and tie the contest at 38-38 at the end of regulation.
Fleming got the possession on the jump ball to launch the first overtime period, worked the ball around, and scored to take the lead.
The Comets tied the game at 40-40 with a pair of free throws from William Jennings who scored 15 points on the night.
Those were the only points that the two teams scored in the first overtime.
The difference in the contest, however, came at the charity stripe.
Where the Comets hit eight of their nine free throws in the fourth period and first overtime period, they made only two of their six attempts in the second overtime period.
Fleming made its free throws down the stretch and pulled out the win.
"That (the Comets' missing the free throws) was a sign of fatigue," Dillard pointed out.
"We thought about putting in a sub but the guys had such a good flow going both offensively and defensively we were afraid to change."
Dillard said he was very proud of the effort his team gave in the contest.
"I would compare it to the GW and E.C. Glass games," he pointed out.
"The guys played so hard. They were very much into it and just fell shy."
Halifax County got off to a slow start against Fleming and, with only three field goals, two from Fred Price and one from William Jennings, trailed 13-6 at the end of the first period.
But, they picked things up in the second period with the help of five points from Terez Garland and closed to within three points at 22-19 at the half.
The Comets grabbed the lead for the first time midway through the third period and, from there, it was a see-saw battle the rest of the way.
Along with Jennings' 15 points, the Comets got 11 points from Price and seven from Cardell Mosley.

Mary Alice Fuller, age 82, of Chatham, died February 13, 2000, at Stratford Health Care Center.
Mrs. Fuller was born July 21, 1918, in Pittsylvania County, the daughter of Christopher Myers and Ada Edwards Myers and was married to James H. Fuller. She was a member of Callands Baptist Church, where she served on the Missionary Board, the Deaconess Board and was a member of the senior choir.
Survivors include one daughter, Ethelene Hines of Upper Marlboro, Md.; three sons, James A. Fuller and Harvey Fuller, both of Nathalie, and Richard H. Fuller of Chatham; two sisters, Martha Dickerson of Roosevelt, N.Y. and Elizabeth Jones of Flushing, N.Y.; one brother, George W. Myers of Washington, D.C.; and numerous grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Fuller will be held February 18 at 2 p.m. at Callands Baptist Church with Rev. Obediah St. George officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Sarah Jane Hatchett, age 70, of Ringgold, died February 12, 2000, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born January 17, 1930, in New York, she was the daughter of Robert Holt and Ethel Carter Holt and was married to William Edward Hatchett.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two daughters, Chernelus Hatchett of Danville and Medure Hatchett of Laurel, Md.; four sons, William Thomas Hatchett of Youngsville, N.C., Sylvester Hatchett of Jonesboro, Ga., Robbin Hatchett of Ringgold and Wilbert Hatchett of Laurel; five brothers, Jack Holt and Robert Holt, both of New York, Elijah Holt of Halifax and Ting Holt of Burlington, N.C. and Samuel Holt of Md.; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Mrs. Hatchett was held February 16 at White Rock Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis Strader officiating. Burial was in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.

Elizabeth Baldwin Mooreman, age 97, of White Plains, N.Y., died February 11, 2000, at Ruth Taylor Care Facility in Hawthorne, N.Y.
Mrs. Mooreman was born in Halifax County on January 5, 1903.
Survivors include one sister, Estella Chambers of Roxboro, N.C.; one granddaughter, Patricia Chapman of White Plains; four great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mooreman will be held February 19 at 1 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Chapel in Halifax with Rev. Louis Leigh Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home of her nephew, Willie Chambers, 965 Old Allensville Road, Roxboro.