Former Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett, who served in the
House of Delegates for six terms, announced yesterday that he
was "seriously considering" running against incumbent
Frank Ruff for his 15th District seat in the Senate
Bennett said the current economy requires a proactive approach
to leadership for Southside.
"People are hurting down here about as bad as I've ever seen
it," he said yesterday.
"I just don't see any proactive effort being made in the
General Assembly that could serve as a catalyst for our area,"
Bennett added.
A reactive approach to leadership is costing Southside economic
development dollars, according to Bennett.
"We can't afford not to be proactive if our people and Southside
are going to make it in the long run," he said.
He cited the area's nine and 10 percent unemployment levels.
"People are being threatened with losing their homes,"
he said.
"I don't see any initiatives coming out of Southside on any
of that," Bennett added."Those are the types of things
that destabilize our community."
Bennett said the area's current economic problems require a creative
approach to leadership.
"I think a position in the senate would give me some clout
to deal with them," he said. "I know most of the people
in Richmond and have worked with them over the years.
"I think I have a voice that they would listen to,"
Bennett added.
But he hedged before formally announcing his campaign.
"I haven't absolutely committed yet," Bennett said yesterday.
"There are some barriers that I still have to deal with,
but I'm seriously considering it."
Since the district lines were redrawn in 2001, Bennett said that
there were some counties that he has yet to campaign in.
"If I announce officially, I won't do it before going around
the district and listening to how people feel," he said.
"I've represented most of the counties, I just want to get
a feel for the new counties in the district."
But Bennett said many citizens in the district have been prompting
him to consider the run.
"I've heard from a ton of people from all across the district
who have called me," he said.
Bennett was in Richmond Wednesday for a private meeting with Gov.
Mark R. Warner, who is encouraging the former delegate to run.
It's deja vu all over again, as Halifax County residents cope
with yet another batch of winter weather, this time a wintry mix
of sleet and freezing rain.
Up to a quarter inch of ice was predicted for the area yesterday,
according to the National Weather Service, with highs only reaching
the low 30's.
Another round of freezing rain, sleet and snow was predicted for
the area last night, with accumulations ranging from one to three
inches, according to Tony Wilf with the National Weather Service
in Blacksburg.
Wilf added a quick melt off would occur Friday, with highs ranging
from 45-50 degrees.
A total of 22 VDOT trucks have been busy spreading mixtures of
salt, calcium chloride and sand since the storm began Wednesday
afternoon, according to VDOT spokesman Donnie Bomar.
Bomar said yesterday both primary and secondary roads throughout
Halifax County were in "moderate" condition, and recommended
use of snow tires or snow chains.
He added that some of the less traveled secondary roads had yet
to be treated as of Thursday morning.
But, Bomar warned if a second round of snow, sleet and freezing
rain occurred Thursday night as predicted, road conditions could
possibly become "severe."
As of 11 a.m. Thursday morning, VDOT reported snowfall throughout
the Lynchburg District ranging from approximately 1.5 inches (Prince
Edward County) to 4 inches Amherst County).
Halifax County had an estimated 3 inches of accumulation.
Dominion Power spokesman David Botkins reported Thursday that
only 55 of 17,500 customers in the South Boston regional area
were without power.
"And, those outages may not be weather related," Botkins
added.
"Bottom line, the weather has not been a factor, so far."
Precipitation from the latest storm will certainly add to what
has so far been a wet winter, at least since January.
Carroll Anderson, superintendent of the South Boston Wastewater
Treatment plant, reported that since January 6.75 inches of precipitation
had fallen, as of 7 a.m. Thursday morning.
In a continuing attack on drug trafficking in Halifax County,
three Halifax County men and a female juvenile were arrested Tuesday
afternoon on drug distribution charges, according to Maj. R.S.B.
Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotics Enforcement
Task Force.
"Task force officers, assisted by members of the Halifax
County Sheriff's Office, stopped a vehicle in Centerville and
arrested Brian Reep and a female juvenile," Pulliam said.
"Simultaneously, officers with the task force and sheriff's
office 'jumped out' on individuals on Ball Park Loop Road."
After both arrest scenes were secured, task force officers conducted
a search of Reep's residence.
Reep, 20, of Hall's Trail in Halifax, was arrested on seven counts
of distribution of crack cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute
crack cocaine, three counts of possession of a firearm while in
possession of crack cocaine, and one count of distribution of
drugs to a minor, according to Pulliam.
He is currently being held in the Halifax County Jail without
bond.
Jeremiah Dwain Womack, 19, aka "Doughboy," was arrested
in the raid at Friendly Corners and charged with seven counts
of distribution of crack cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute
crack cocaine.
Currently, Womack is being held in the Halifax Regional Jail under
a $50,000 bond.
Carl Alvin Brown Jr., 22, aka "Bootney," of Beulah Road
in Nathalie, was also arrested in the raid at Friendly Corners.
Brown was charged with one count of distribution of crack cocaine.
He has subsequently been released on a $7,500 secured bond.
A petition was issued for the juvenile for one count of conspiracy
to distribute crack cocaine.
She is currently being held in the W.W. Moore Juvenile Detention
Center in Danville without bond.
In the search on Reep's residence, officers with the task force
seized a substantial amount of cash, crack cocaine and marijuana.
A vehicle, various electronics and numerous other items were seized
for forfeiture, Pulliam said.
"These recent arrests are part of the task force's efforts
to eliminate drug distribution in our community," Pulliam
said.
He added that some of the individuals arrested in this latest
raid were also involved with the drug distribution network operating
out of the Willow Oaks apartment complex.
Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
"The task force is grateful for the telephone calls and letters
passing along information about drug activity in our community,"
Pulliam said.
Three South Boston men are being held in
Baltimore after being arrested on three inter-state narcotic trafficking
charges, according to the Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic
Enforcement Task Force.
Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam said the three men were arrested by members
of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police following a traffic
stop.
"Officers seized 46 bags of marijuana, one bag of crack cocaine
and approximately 140 Ecstasy tablets," Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam
sad yesterday.
The three men, Ryall Quincy Majors, Derrick Marchello Ragsdale
and Stacey Wallace Majors, are being held in the Baltimore Detention
Center.
Ryall Majors, 29, aka "Teeny," of Westside Drive in
South Boston, way charged with possession with intent to distribute
marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession
with intent to distribute Ecstasy.
He is being held under a $75,000 bond.
Ragsdale, 21, of Country Green Apartments in South Boston was
also charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana,
possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with
intent to distribute Ecstasy.
He is being held under a $50,000 bond.
Stacey Majors, 33, aka "Stone Cold," was also charged
with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession
with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to
distribute Ecstasy.
He is being held under a $50,000 bond.
Pulliam said members of the task force were working closely with
the Maryland authorities and additional charges are expected.
When something works, stick with it.
That's exactly what Halifax County High School head coach Garrett
Dillard says his team will do when it faces the Woodbridge Vikings
here Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the Northwest Region
Tournament.
"We're going to play our game," said Dillard.
" When you start making major changes to fit some other team
just for that one game, sometimes you hurt yourself. We may make
some minor changes like an adjustment in the starting lineup or,
if we see them defending our offense really well, we'll run a
different set.
"But, we're going to do what we do early," added Dillard.
"As coaches, we have to be smart enough to realize that if
what we do is not working, we'll change."
Dillard said he and the coaching staff will emphasize pushing
the ball up the floor against Woodbridge.
"We're going to continue to emphasize pushing the basketball
up the floor," noted Dillard.
"We didn't start emphasizing fast breaks until about midseason.
We had two tenth-grade guards and we were a little reluctant to
turn them loose on the break.
"But, as was evident at the PH game, those guys did a great
job of pushing the ball down the floor and finishing the breaks,"
Dillard added."
The Comets (12-9 overall) enter the contest as the Western Valley
District champion.
Halifax County has won three big games in a row.
The Comets downed GW at home in the regular-season finale to earn
second place in the district.
Then, the Comets defeated Franklin County at home in the district
tournament semifinals to earn a berth in the Northwest Region
Tournament.
Lastly, and most importantly, the Comets defeated regular-season
champion Patrick Henry in Roanoke in an overtime thriller to win
the district title and earn the top seed and a home game in the
opening round of the Northwest Region Tournament.
"We have played three outstanding basketball games,"
Dillard pointed out.
"The kids were down at the half in all three games and were
able to come back out in the second half and win those games against
quality opponents."
Dillard said it has been "back to business" this week
as his team prepares for Saturday night's Northwest region Tournament
opener.
The Comets coach gave the team the day off Monday and had them
back at work in the gym Tuesday to begin preparing for Saturday
night's game.
Dillard said the point of emphasis this week is that while winning
the Western Valley District championship for the first time in
10 years was nice, there is much more out there to be gained.
"We haven't done all the things we want to do," pointed
out Dillard.
"We have to come back with the attitude that we're not satisfied.
The kids need to know this was just the beginning and we have
more work to be done.
"The kids can't think they've done something," continued
Dillard.
"At the end of the year, we'll come back and talk about this
district championship and how great it is. Right now, we need
to mention it and keep on going because you can't think you've
done something. You've to realize there is more out there."
Woodbridge (16-9 overall) enters the game as the number two seed
from the Cardinal District after having lost to Gar-Field 49-43
earlier this week in that district's championship game.
The Vikings won the regular season Cardinal District championship,
defeating C.D. Hylton in a one-game playoff to determine one of
the district's berths in the Northwest Region Tournament.
Gar-Field, which won the district tournament championship, will
host Patrick Henry of Roanoke, the Western Valley District's second
seed, on Saturday.
This year marks the 13th straight year that Woodbridge has made
it into the Northwest Region Tournament.
Last year, Woodbridge lost to eventual state champion Cave Spring
in the semifinal round of the regional tournament.
The Vikings are led by a sharpshooting junior guard, Daniel Fountain.
Dillard saw the Wooodbridge-Gar-Field game Tuesday night and pointed
out that the Vikings are a very methodical team.
"They run a screen-motion game looking for the three-point
shot," the Comets coach said.
"They've got one kid in particular, Fountain, who shoots
the ball pretty well."
Dillard said the Vikings are a very methodical team that plays
a half-court man-to-man defense.
"They don't play an E.C. Glass-type slow," explained
Dillard.
"It's similar to the type of style that E.C. Glass and Patrick
Henry plays. These guys are much more methodical than Patrick
Henry but are not as slow as E.C. Glass. They appear to like a
45-50-point ball game."
Size-wise, the Vikings appear to match up well with the Comets
with small guards at 5-10 and 5-11 and three other players that
will range from 6-2 to 6-4.
While the Comets and the Vikings appear to match up well size-wise,
Dillard cautioned that his players cannot take Woodbridge lightly.
"We can't feel like this going to be an easy game,"
Dillard said.
"Harry Johnson (a former GW head coach) always said when
you get to this point in the basketball season there are no creampuffs.
There are no guys that can't play basketball.
"They might be small, they might be slow, they might be whatever,
but everybody that is still playing once you get into the regionals
is a good basketball team. You can't take anybody for granted.
Other Northwest Region Tournament Notes
Bad weather forced postponement of Wednesday night's district
championship games in the Cedar Run District and the Commonwealth
District.
Those games were rescheduled for last night, weather permitting.
In the Commonwealth District, former Western District member Albemarle
will face regular-season champion Culpeper.
The winner of that game advances into the Northwest Region Tournament
as the district's top seed while the loser will be the district's
number two seed.
A little further North in the Commonwealth District, it is Stonewall
Jackson (Manassas), the district's fourth seed, facing the district's
second seed, Osbourn Park in the championship game.
Both teams are 10-12 overall.
Potomac (19-4), the district's regular-season champion, lost to
Stonewall Jackson in the opening round of the district tournament.
However, because Potomac won the regular-season title, it will
advance to the Northwest Region Tournament as the district's number
two seed.
The winner of the Stonewall Jackson-Osbourn Park game will advance
to the Northwest Region Tournament as the Commonwealth District's
top seed.
If Halifax County wins Saturday night, it will face the winner
of Saturday's game between the top seed from the Commonwealth
District and the second seed from the Cedar Run District.
Nat Daniel Anderson, 70, of Halifax, died February 22 in Berry
Hill Nursing Home.
Born May 17, 1932, in Halifax County, he was the son of the late
Doc Nat Anderson and the late Florine Coles Anderson and was married
to Sallie Pat Jones Anderson, who preceded him in death.
Survivors of Mr. Anderson include two daughters, Karen A. Traynham
and husband, Douglas, of Greensboro, NC, and Michelle Anderson
of Galax; six sons, Randy C. Anderson and wife, Christine, of
Blairs, Daniel C. Anderson and wife, Nadine, and Ray C. Anderson
and wife, Jennifer, all of Galax, Lander G. Anderson and wife,
Margaret, and Duncan D. Anderson, all of Halifax, and Jerome Anderson
of NC; 23 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law,
A.J. Jones; one brother, Dallas S. Anderson and wife, Carrie,
of East Orange, NJ; one sister, Glossie O. Anderson and husband,
Lorenza, of Edison, NJ; and one sister-in-law, Mary Anderson.
A funeral service for Mr. Anderson will be held today, February
28, at 2 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie
N. Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Eva Hamlett Crews, 82, of 8101 Clarkton Road, Nathalie, died February
24 at her home.
Mrs. Crews was born in Charlotte County on June 5, 1920, the daughter
of Luther Hamlett and Annie Trent Hamlett and was married to Roger
Greenwood Crews. She was a member of Staunton River Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Elbert Crews
and wife, Evelyn, of South Boston; one daughter, Vivian C. Sweeting
and husband, Seth, of Nathalie; one grandson, Bill Crews and wife,
Tricia, of Nathalie; six sisters, Rosa Cook and Esther Martin,
both of Crystal Hill, Eunice Hux of South Boston, Beatrice Jones
of Nathalie, Mary Hudson of Clover, Alice Lowery of Bay City,
Texas and Daisy Meurrens of Norfolk. She was preceded in death
by two brothers, Cabel and James Hamlett; and three sisters, Nellie
Jennings, Georgia Beadles and Velma Glass.
Services for Mrs. Crews will be held tomorrow, March 1 at 2 p.m.
at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Stanley officiating.
Burial will take place in Staunton River Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening
from 7:00 until 9:00, and other times at her home.
Blanche Walker Harris, 91, of 1107 Handy Bottom Trail, Nathalie,
died February 25 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on April 26, 1911, the daughter
of Emmitt Walker and Mamie Elder Walker and was married first
to Sonny Mason, then to William Dallas Harris. Mrs. Harris was
a member of Falling River Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, William T. Harris and wife, Eleanor,
and James A. Harris, all of Nathalie; one daughter, Mamie H. Seamster
and husband, Raleigh, also of Nathalie eight grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Harris will be held today, February 28 at 2
p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Keys conducting.
Burial will take place in First Baptist Church of Republican Grove
Cemetery.
Mattie Pryor Lovelace, 61, of Atlantic City, NJ, formerly of South
Boston, died February 24 at Atlantic City Medical center.
She was born in Halifax County on August 17, 1941, the daughter
of Thomas Lovelace and Frances Robertson Lovelace. She was a member
of Trinity Baptist Church.
Survivors of Mrs. Lovelace include one son, Brian Lovelace of
Halifax; one daughter-in-law, Lynette E. Lovelace of Halifax;
two grandchildren, Latrease Lovelace and L. Brianna Lovelace,
both of Halifax; two sisters, Beulah Ford and Sarah Fountain,
both of South Boston; five brothers, Gary Lovelace of Absecon,
NJ, Dwight Lovelace of CA, Carroll Lovelace of Gaithersburg, MD,
Gerald Lovelace of Atlantic City, and James Lovelace of Philadelphia,
PA.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 1 at 3 p.m. at Mt.
Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. James M. Crowder officiating.
Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, February 28 from
7:00 until 8:00, and other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brian
Lovelace, 1099 E. Oak Hill Dr., Halifax.
Rosa Edna Boyd Street, 67, of Chesapeake, formerly of Halifax
County, died February 24 in Chesapeake.
Mrs. Street was born in Halifax County on July 1, 1935, the daughter
of Isaiah Boyd and Nannie Williams Boyd and was married to Joseph
B. Street. She was a former member of First Baptist Church of
News Ferry.
Survivors include her husband; four sons, Joseph B. Street Jr.,
Charles Street and Kean Street, all of Chesapeake, and Donald
Street of Texas; one daughter, Shryle Harris of Norfolk; several
grandchildren; one brother, Ishmael Boyd of News Ferry; and one
sister, Betty Medley of Washington, DC.
Funeral services for Mrs. Street will be held tomorrow, March
1 at noon at Dome of Canaan Baptist Church in Chesapeake. Burial
will follow in Chesapeake.
The family will receive friends immediately following the services.
Dan H. Veasey, 90, of Roanoke, formerly of Halifax County, died
February 21.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and was commanding officer
of the 2174th Army Reserve Area Service Unit. He was a 1935 graduate
of V.M.I., was a member of Lakeland Lodge #190 A.F. & A.M.
and the Appendant Shrine Bodies.
Mr. Veasey was a retired Civil Engineer with Appalachian Power
Company. He was a life member of the Roanoke Life Saving Crew,
was active in many civic and humanitarian organizations, and was
a member of Raleigh Court United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Eleanor Epperly Veasey
and Virginia Martin Cook Veasey. Survivors are his sons, William
M. Veasey and wife, Ruth York Veasey, of Brevard, NC, and Steve
Veasey; and a sister-in-law, Rosetta Veasey, of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Veasey were held in Roanoke.
Wert Lee White, 82, of 7101 Clays Mill Road, Scottsburg, died
February 25 at his home.
Mr. White was born in Halifax County on April 14, 1920, the son
of William Hampton White and Hattie Guill White and was married
to Frances Cliborne White. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church
where he was a former deacon and a member of the choir for many
years. He was also a member of the French Masonic Lodge #270.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Jenny Lee and Lee
Walters of Richmond; one son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie Dean
and Jo Ann G. White of Scottsburg; two sisters, Miriam Burton
of Clays Mill and Catherine Womack of Halifax; three brothers,
Will White of Scottsburg, Jerry White and Dave White, both of
Newport News; two grandchildren, Karen West and Scott Walters,
both of Richmond; and two great-grandchildren.
Services for Mr. White will be held tomorrow, March 1 at 11 a.m.
at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tony Brooks officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening
from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Bethel Baptist
Church.
Lester Silvan Williams, 76, of 1045 Bethel Trail, South Boston,
died February 24 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Williams was born in Granville County, NC on May 27, 1926,
the son of Jesse James Williams and Della White Williams, and
was married to Mary Sue Bowen Williams. He was a member of Ash
Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Ann Lloyd of Chesterfield
and Sandra Y. Ingram of South Boston; one son, Michael R. Williams
of Troy, IL; three brothers, James, Floyd and Carlton Williams,
all of Lakeland, FL; three granddaughters; one grandson; and eight
great-grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Williams will be held today, February 28 at 11:00
a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Eure officiating.
Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Thursday
evening from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home of his
granddaughter, Carie Hoskins, 1035 Bethel Trail, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American
Diabetes Association.