By JOSHUA KUCERA
Associated Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, has announced he will run as a Democrat against Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr.
Goode said last week he is leaving the Democratic Party, will seek re-election as an independent and will participate in policy-making caucuses with the Republican Party.
Boyd accused Goode of ''skipping out'' on the Democratic Party.
''Anytime you take Democratic funds and skip parties, you have done wrong ... to the people who supported you,'' he said at a news conference Wednesday at the General Assembly building. ''I will be true to the Democratic Party.''
Boyd said he has been courted by national Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri,  Michigan Rep. John Conyers and California Rep. Maxine Waters.
Boyd is stepping down as head of the Black Farmers Association after leading a fight against the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Boyd accused the agency of systematically denying loans and other assistance to black farmers.
A discrimination lawsuit against the USDA was settled in April. Lawyers and lawmakers say it could net black farmers as much as $2 billion.
Asked Wednesday whether he could beat Goode, Boyd answered: ''I've got just as good a shot at this seat as I did against the federal government.''
Carl Eggleston, the 5th District Democratic chairman, said he has not decided whether to support Boyd. He did not know of anyone  else interested in the nomination for the largely rural district in south-central Virginia.
Linwood Duncan, a spokesman for Goode, had no comment on Boyd's announcement.
Boyd, 34, is a tobacco farmer in Meck-lenburg County. He was born in New York City, moved to Virginia as a teen-ager and founded the National Black Farmers Association in 1995.

By LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Sandy Sowers worked for Tultex Corp. for 15 years and took pride in her self-sufficiency. Then on Dec. 2, she learned her employer was filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing its Martinsville plant.
She lost more than just her job, Sowers told the legislative committee Wednesday.
''I have a sense of shame over not being able to pay my bills on time,'' she said. ''... Losing my job through no fault of my own has robbed me of my independence and my dignity.''
Sowers was one of nearly 300 unemployed textile workers from Southside Virginia - mostly Martinsville and Henry County - who rode buses to the Capitol to promote legislation to increase their jobless benefits and help them get health insurance.
Forty-six individuals from South Boston and Halifax County were scheduled to make the trip but never got to leave home.
"We had 46 people who were on the bus ready to go and then we started to smell something and the bus never left the parking lot," said Wanda Jeffress.
"Everyone was really excited and ready to go," added Jeffress, "and when they learned that the bus had broken down, they were really disappointed.
"They were very excited to be involved and they saw the trip as an opportunity for them to participate in something that would affect the outcome of their futures."
The County Administrator's Office reserved the bus for the local group. An attempt was made to secure a replacement bus but it was too short of a notice.

The workers, wearing bright orange lapel stickers pleading for ''Not a handout but a hand-up,'' crowded into a hearing room and heartily applauded pledges of support from members of the House Committee on Commerce and Labor.
However, some committee members also warned that the Textile Workers Relief Act could still come unraveled in the legislative process.
''When they leave here today, a lot of well-financed special interests are going to go to work on this legislation,'' said Del. C. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County.
Although the increased unemployment benefits and elimination of a one-week waiting period for starting them would drive up costs for businesses, nobody spoke against the legislation at the committee's public hearing.
Instead, the panel heard from several of the approximately 3,300 textile workers who have lost their jobs, either through plant closures or layoffs. The workers and the legislators sponsoring the bill blamed the job losses on the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has prompted many labor-intensive industries to relocate to Mexico because of cheaper labor.
Unemployment is 19.6 percent in Martinsville and 11.6 percent in Henry County.
The bill proposed by Del. Ward Armstrong, D-Martinsville, would make jobless people in high-unemployment areas eligible for Medicaid. It also would boost the maximum unemployment check in those areas from $232 a week to $332.
Sowers said that while she is grateful for the check she's now getting, it's less than half what she earned at Tultex.
''I cannot afford to purchase health insurance, and this is a terrifying feeling,'' she said.
Other workers had similar stories. Ronald McDowell, who lost his job with Dan River Fabrics after 26 years, said his wife asked him the other day, ''When are we going to be happy again?'' He could only answer, ''I don't know, dear.''
Kenny Hairston, a 22-year employee and a union leader at Tultex, said he learned three days after losing his job - and his health insurance - that he is diabetic.
''But my personal situation pales in comparison to what some of my former co-workers, my friends and neighbors are going through,'' Hairston said. ''Some will have their utilities turned off. ... Some will be evicted from their homes. Some will die if they don't hurry up and get affordable health insurance.''
The workers gave a standing ovation to Carolyn Franck, whose husband Bill retired a decade ago after 25 years as Tultex president. She made the trip up from Martinsville to support the unemployed workers.
''Largely, they need jobs,'' she told the committee. ''Meantime, the unemployment benefits are not enough.''
House Speaker S. Vance Wilkins Jr., R-Amherst, told the workers that legislators and Gov. Jim Gilmore's administration are looking for long-term solutions to their problems. That means bringing in new industry and retraining people for new jobs.
He said in an interview later that he has not read the legislation and has not decided whether to support it.
At the close of the hearing, Cranwell asked the committee to amend the bill to make it retroactive to Jan. 1. Del. Robert Bloxom, R-Accomack, referred the amendment to a subcommittee that will consider the bill.
The full committee will vote on the legislation Feb. 9, Bloxom said

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) - Tultex Corp. President and Chief Executive  Officer O. Randolph Rollins agreed to resign in exchange for a severance package.
According to a motion filed Jan. 27 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Danville, Rollins and the textile company agreed that he should  resign. Judge William E. Anderson will consider the motion Feb. 9.
As part of the deal, the company would pay Rollins $150,000 severance, forgive the balance of a loan from the company for $10,035.20, and continue Rollins' medical coverage for up to two years.
Rollins did not immediately return a phone message left Thursday by The Associated Press.
Tultex filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, slashing more than 2,000 jobs in the Martinsville area.

South Boston police are calling the shooting deaths of two brothers at a Hoover Street residence a murder-suicide.
According to police reports, the bodies of 30-year-old Leon Squire and 28-year-old Robert Squire were discovered by a relative inside a house at 1815 Hoover Street at about 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall said one body was found in a hallway and the other in the living room.
Chief Hall declined to say how many times the victims had been shot and stated details will not be released until at least such time as an autopsy report is made available to police.
The bodies of the two men were examined at the scene by a medical examiner and were later sent to the state's forensic lab in Richmond for an autopsy.
A semi-automatic weapon, some shell casings, and other evidence were collected by police at the scene.
Chief Hall said that from all indications, the incident occurred sometime between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Robert Squire, according to the police report, had recently been laid off at a local plant along with other people.
The call to the South Boston Police Department 911 Dispatch Center reporting the shooting came in at approximately 6 p.m., Hall said.
Officers found the two bodies upon their arrival at the scene.
Lt. R.D. Loftis, who heads up the police department's Investigations Unit, and Investigators B.K. Lovelace and Wanda Garner are investigating the incident.
The Halifax County Rescue Squad also responded to the call.

Illegal drug traffiking charges have been filed against a South Boston businessman and a Long Island resident stemming from the undercover drug investigation authorities referred to as Operation Winter Chill.
Cecil David "Quincy" Thomas, 50, of Cowford Road, Halifax, was charged with one count of distribution of cocaine and released on an unsecured bond. Thomas is an auto body shop owner/operator.
Michael Dance, 24, of Buffalo Road, Long Island, was arrested on two counts of distribution of cocaine and is being held in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifax under a $50,000 secured bond.
The round-up phase of Operation Winter Chill, a multi-focused investigation taking place over the past year and a half, began with three arrests on Dec. 14. Agents arrested 20 additional suspects the following weekend and petitions were issued for three juveniles for distribution and possession of cocaine.
According to Major R.S.B. Pulliam, task force coordinator, one phase of the undercover drug investigation targeted suspected street-level dealers ranging from roadside crack dealers to dealers operating out of crack houses and local bars and restaurants in the Town of South Boston and Halifax County.

After more than 18 months of planning and renovations, the $1.1 million Halifax County Career Center officially opened Wednesday afternoon.
Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe Satterfield and Halifax County School Board Chairman D.H. McDowell Jr. cut the ribbon to open the facility as a number of school system officials and a good crowd of visitors looked on.
An Open House was held in conjunction with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, giving visitors an opportunity to tour the facility and view its amenities.
The new Halifax County Career Center, located in the former Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation facility in Halifax, will serve as the focal point of the school system's Alternative Education, School-To-Work and GED Preparation programs.
Jacqueline Venable, who will serve as principal, said that approximately 15 to 20 students will begin attending the facility Monday morning.
"The enrollment for this semester will be 75," Venable said.
"We already have more people than that interested in our programs."
Venable said that applications from interested individuals will be reviewed and those that best fit the criteria for the programs being offered at the facility will be accepted.
The facility has the capacity to serve 150 students.
"I'm extremely excited," Venable said.
"We have such a great chance to do good things for the students and they will have the chance to succeed."
Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt said in his opening remarks that while the price tag came to $1,109,201, "We think we're getting a lot for the money."
"We hope to provide opportunities to train and re-train displaced youth and adults," Witt said.
"That is our mission."
The 20,000-square-foot facility contains several specialized instructional areas, including a complete food service training center and a Certified Nursing Aide classroom facility.
Also included in the facility are 56 student computer stations and 18 adult computer stations.
Staff members include Venable, Kathereen Puryear who will be the School-To-Work Placement Coordinator and Dropout Prevention Coordinator Joan Bowers.
Donald Claiborne will serve as the Food Service teacher, Peggy Jackson will be the part-time CNA teacher, and John Marra will serve as a teacher.
GED teachers will include Scottie Clowdis, Shelley Dance and Clarence Davis.
Officer Lisa Atkinson of the Town of Halifax Police Department will serve as the School Resource Officer, William Penick will serve as a combination aide and driver and Jennifer Barbour is the school secretary.

By PHILIP BRASHER
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says the administration's proposals for $11.5 billion in new farm spending  will ''lay the groundwork'' for developing a new agricultural  policy that is better for the environment and targets money to small-scale producers.
At the top of the administration's wish list is a new system of ''supplemental income'' payments targeted to small and medium-size farms and estimated to cost $5.6 billion through 2002, when the 1996 farm law is set to expire.
The administration wants to spend an additional $2.7 billion for  conservation programs, including $1.2 billion in direct payments to farmers who take steps to curb runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from their land. An additional $1.3 billion would go toward expanding the federally subsidized crop insurance program and providing discounts to farmers on the premiums.
To Glickman and some farmers, the ''supplemental income''  program would correct they see as a flaw in the Republican-authored  1996 farm law, which scaled back on crop subsidies, ended controls on planting and gave farmers a series of fixed annual payments. Critics say the fixed payments were insufficient when commodity prices fell sharply in 1998.
Congress has passed $15 billion in emergency assistance over the last year to compensate farmers for the low prices as well as weather-related crop losses and is expected to consider another big aid package this year.
The administration's plan is intended to substitute for additional emergency bills that many lawmakers and administration  officials think are inevitable otherwise.
''Two years of plunging commodity prices, natural disasters and nearly $15 billion in emergency relief was a tacit admission that the 1996 farm bill was not satisfactory,'' Glickman said at a news conference Wednesday. ''We cannot ask farmers to wait any longer.''
The supplemental income plan already is coming under criticism from farm groups and in Congress, largely because of the administration's proposed $30,000 cap on payments. The fixed ''market transition'' payments that farmers get under the 1996 farm bill would count toward the $30,000 limit.
''The administration's paltry plan for farmers is out of touch with the economic crisis in rural America,'' said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Indiana Republican Richard Lugar, predicted earlier this week that farmers would reject the plan as inadequate.
The new program also runs the danger of driving commodity prices down further by encouraging small farms to grow more crops that are already in surplus, said Bruce Gardner, an agricultural economist at the University of Maryland. The 1996 farm bill was designed to do just the opposite.
''We're getting into the 21st century. To say you're going to use commodity policy to prop up these marginal farms ... is not a sustainable, long-term path for agriculture,'' Gardner said. ''I can't believe we're going to try to keep these small operations in business.
USDA officials say they don't believe the supplemental income payments would have any significant impact on production.
Most of the spending in the administration's proposals would be in the government's 2001 and 2002 budgets. The ideas include:
-$500 million in low-interest loans to finance construction of grain bins on farms so producers can hold commodities off the market.
-$300 million in dairy subsidies.
-A freeze in rates for government crop subsidies, which would otherwise fall this year because they are tied to recent averages in commodity prices. The freeze would cost taxpayers an estimated $530 million through 2002.
-$400 million to develop a bioenergy program for turning crops into fuel.
-$130 million to assist livestock producers in forming cooperatives for processing meat

Ollie Mae Linkous Gregory, age 86, of 2001 Wolf Trap Road, South Boston, died January 29, 2000, at her home.
Mrs. Gregory was born in Rocky Gap on April 17, 1913, the daughter of James Miller Linkous and Sally Bell Stowers Linkous and was married to John Higginbotham Gregory. She was a retired school teacher having taught at Rocky Gap Elementary School in the Bland County School system for 34 years.
Survivors include two sons, John Richard Gregory of South Boston and James Edison Gregory of Salem; two grandchildren, Richard W. Gregory of Richmond and Michael D. Gregory of South Boston; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Edison Davis Linkous.
Graveside services for Mrs. Gregory will be held February 7 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Revs. Jerrel Good and Jack Stewart will conduct the service.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Sunday from 7:30 until 9:00 p.m. and other times at the home.

Ragain Gyder, age 77, of 11969 Boston Road, Roxboro, N.C., died February 1, 2000, at Durham V.A. Hospital.
Mr. Gyder was born in Lenoir City, Tenn. on August 3, 1922, the son of John Gyder and Martha Gyder and was married to Arley B. Gyder. He was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include one cousin, Paul Gaston of Ariz.; three nieces, Grace Elliott of Scottsburg, Janice Alspaugh and Norma Newbill, both of Halifax; one nephew, Larry White of North Royalton, Ohio; and special friends Randy and Cathy Talbott of Roxboro.
Graveside services for Mr. Gyder will be held February 5 at 11 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery with Father Mathias Newell conducting the service.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Person County EMS.

Jane Cotten Towler, age 91, of 103 Rosehill Drive, South Boston, died January 26, 2000, at The Woodview.
Mrs. Towler was born in Petersburg on April 22, 1909, the daughter of John Whitaker Cotten and Bessie Meade Riddle and was married to William Albert Towler Jr. She grew up in Richmond, attending Farmville State Teachers College, now Longwood in Farmville, before enrolling in and graduating as a Registered Nurse from St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Richmond. She and her family moved to Halifax in 1948 and the family moved to Roanoke in 1970. She returned to Halifax after the death of her husband. In 1988 she moved to Bedford, Texas, returning to Halifax County to become a resident of The Woodview. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Halifax.
Survivors include two sons, William A. Towler III of Arlington, Texas and John C. Towler of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; five grandchildren, William Alexander Towler and Mark C. Towler, both of Edmond, Ok., John C. Towler Jr. of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Grayson T. Towler of Boulder, Co., and E. Blake Towler of Fort Rucker, Al; and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Mrs. Towler will be held February 7 at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider St. John's Episcopal Church.

Hilda Walton Evans of South Boston died January 29, 2000. She was the daughter of Robert Walton and Mary James Walton.
Mrs. Evans was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church and was married to Col. Donald Henry Evans with whom she traveled extensively for 26 years in the United States Army. She participated in the Officers Wives Club, Post Ladies of the Chapel Activities and the American Youth Activities. She received several awards for her outstanding community work.
Survivors include two sons and their wives, Donald and Ingrid Evans of Knoxville, Tenn. and Michael and Renae Evans of Richmond; two sisters, Annie C. Walton and Margaret W. Greene, both of Philadelphia, Pa.; two brothers, James R. Walton and Marion F. Walton, both of Washington, D.C.
Graveside services for Mrs. Evans will be held February 9 at 1 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Habitat for Humanities or Halifax County Cancer Association.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Mildred W. Johnson, age 78, died January 30, 2000, at her home in Philadelphia, Pa.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Halifax County the daughter of Sydney and Emma V. Wilkerson on February 7, 1921, and was married to Veresia Johnson.
Survivors include four children, James J. Johnson, Lauretta Wilkerson, Carolyn Byrd and Denise Avery; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, all of Philadelphia; four sisters, Annie Wiggins and Beatrice Tolbert, both of Trenton, N.J., Gracie W. Brooks and Thelma C. Hargrove, both of South Boston; one brother, Fred Wilkerson of Savannah, Ga. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services for Mrs. Johnson will be held February 5 at 11 a.m. in Morristown, Pa.

Winifred Lester Crabtree, age 88, of 3170 James D. Hagood Hwy., Halifax, died February 2, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Crabtree was born in Halifax County on November 22, 1911, the daughter of John Thomas Lester Sr. and Mamie Dickens Lester and was married to William Pender Crabtree. She was a member of Halifax United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Frances H. Ligon of South Boston; one son, Horace Lester Heath of Clarksville; two brothers, John Thomas Lester Jr. of South Boston and James E. Lester of Columbus, Ga.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Crabtree will be held February 5 at 11 a.m at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Les Goode conducting the service. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, February 4 from 7:00 until 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax United Methodist Church.

Perry Lee Wilson, age 52, of Burlington, N.C., died February 1, 2000, at Chicago, Ill.
Mr. Wilson was born January 21, 1948, in Halifax County the son of Floyd W. Wilson Jr. and Gertrude Wilson and was married to Lizabeth Keaton Wilson. He was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and was retired on disability from GKN-Burlington.
Funeral services will be held February 5 at 10 a.m. at Lowe Funeral Home in Burlington. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Wilson Family Cemetery at Cody.
Survivors of Mr. Wilson include his wife; his mother of South Boston; one son, Duane Wilson; one brother, Michael Wilson of South Boston; two sisters, Deborah Wilson of Atlanta, Ga. and Linda Wilson of Richmond.
The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home this evening, February 4 from 7 until 9.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association.

Elton Carr Finley, age 87, of Teachey, N.C., formerly of Halifax County, died February 2, 2000, at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Kenansville, N.C.
She was the daughter of Silas Baker and Winnie Davis Haley Carr and was married to Willie J. Finley.
Graveside services will be held today, February 4 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery conducted by Rev. Andrew Bawtree.
Mrs. Finley is survived by one sister, Anita Talbott of Teachey.

Raye Francis Morris, age 75, of Nathalie, died February 2, 2000, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. She was the wife of Everett L. Morris.
Mrs. Morris was born in Halifax County on February 21, 1924, the daughter of Kelly William Francis and Cora Hankley Francis. She was a member of Childrey Baptist Church, the Virginia Retired Teachers Association, National Retired Teachers Association, and was a retired director and teacher for the Lynchburg School System.
In addition to her husband, survivors include one nephew, Grayson Francis and his wife, Sandra of Nathalie; two nieces, Lee Payne and her husband, Mike of Glen Allen, and Rhonda Brown and her husband, Eric of Ashburn; two great nieces and two great nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Guy W. Francis, and one sister, Virginia (Dit) Thompson.
A funeral service for Mrs. Morris will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, February 4 at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, Brookneal, by Rev. Jack Barrett. A private family burial will follow at the Tribble Family Cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.

Clarice Williams Boxley, age 73, of South Boston, died at The Woodview on February 1, 2000.
Mrs. Boxley was born in Halifax County on February 9, 1926, the daughter of Robert and Mary Williams and was married to William G. Boxley. She was a member of Jeters Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include seven daughters, Rozelle Carrington of Hampton, Beatrice Fitzgerald of Virgilina, Deloris Suitt of Halifax, Marie Poole of Danville, Cynthia Gregory, Susie Jordan and Hazel Thaxton, all of South Boston; one son, Earnest Garfield Boxley of Halifax; one daughter-in-law, Jacqulyne Boxley of Halifax; four sisters, Marie Wilkins of South Boston, Ruby Hudson of Newark, N.J., Lucy Norwood of Virgilina and Carolyn Buster of Alexandria; four brothers, Robert Williams of Virgilina, Marlyn Williams of Alexandria, Lanron Williams of South Boston and Durbert Williams of North Ampton, Pa.; 25 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Boxley will be held February 5 at Jeters Chapel Baptist Church at 1 p.m. with Rev. Roderick Fitz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.