Friday, March 19, 2004

Middle School Is Latest Victim Of Bomb Threat
Prank Calls Continue To Plague Law Enforcement

For the second time in three days, state police officials were investigating a bomb threat in Halifax County schools yesterday - this time at the middle school, according to Virginia State Police First Sergeant Jeffrey Lane.

According to the first sergeant, a 911 call was received at dispatch headquarters at approximately 9:30 a.m., reporting an explosive device at the middle school.

Lane was quick to point out the similarities between yesterday's bomb threat and a call that state police received Tuesday reporting a bomb in the high school.

"It was the same type of call that was made Tuesday," Lane said. "A young male made the call reporting a bomb."

Immediately after receiving the call, dispatchers alerted middle school administration.

According to Principal Gail Bosiger, 968 students and 144 staff members were evacuated to the high school campus within minutes.

"By the time we got here, the students were already evacuated," Lane said.

After investigators from the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Halifax County Sheriff's Department and the South Boston Police Department determined the call to be a hoax, the students were returned to the campus at 2:25 p.m.

"It took us longer to get the bomb specialists and explosive-detecting dog here because they were out of town," the first sergeant said.

State police officials said yesterday that the department was investigating what was described as "solid leads" on suspects in both the high school and middle school bomb threats.

In addition to following the leads, the Criminal Intelligence Division of the state police is in the process of checking the cell numbers in each case to determine who made the calls, Lane added.

The call reporting yesterday's bomb threat was recorded by state police and will be kept for evidence.

"Obviously, we're looking for an arrest and charges in this matter," the first sergeant said. "A prank like this costs a lot in terms of resources from both a law enforcement standpoint and the schools.

"It's totally unnecessary and it's frustrating to us because of the trouble for the children who want to be here and learn.

"But we have to take each call seriously. We don't have an option because we have to make sure the children are safe when they are in school," Lane added.

Both law enforcement and school system administration praised the job the middle school did in the evacuation process.

"It was a very fast, very professional undertaking," Lane said. "They had a plan in place and followed it through."

"Cooperation between the high school and middle school administration made the evacuation and transportation of students go very, very smoothly," Halifax County Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark said.

Ramsey Resigns As Head Of IDA
Chairman Cites IDA Internal Management Concerns And His DCC Obligations

Industrial Development Authority Chairman Carlyle Ramsey resigned Wednesday amidst reports the Riverstone project could face well over $400,000 in immediate construction shortfalls.

The surprise move came during a marathon four-hour meeting in South Boston.

Ramsey distributed his resignation letter as the meeting got under way Wednesday. It was a decision he said yesterday that he had weighed for a month.

His resignation as chair, effective April 14, would allow Ramsey to vote in Board proceedings.

The action came as the Board faced a $323,000 shortfall in funding for Building II at Riverstone, as well as discovery of a 10,000-cubic yard soil deficit for the Riverstone project parking lot even though early soil borings had been part of the early process.

IDA Director Scott Morris estimated Wednesday that the soil replacement cost could be $7 per cubic yard.

However, Morris said the Building II funding difference came about because the Virginia Employment Commission added 5,000 square ft. to its previous 10,000 sq. ft. for that facility, which would create about 100 jobs rather than 75.

The Board decided Wednesday, on Larry McPeters' motion, not to ask supervisors for the $323,000 difference.

Board members agreed to wait until a final figure was available on Building II and to explore IDA financing the difference rather than seeking funding from supervisors.

Ramsey recommended talking with supervisors about options to give them a "fiscal heads up."

A natural gas connection could also produce an estimated $150,000 cost at Riverstone.

Morris told the Board he is meeting with the State Corporation Commission about the natural gas cost, citing the company's refusal to name its cost for the line.

"Most customers want natural gas," observed Ramsey, following a Board discussion regarding use of propane instead of natural gas.

Resignation
"I have concerns about the direction and effectiveness of the IDA's internal management and the magnitude of expenditures of several projects which I believe could hamper the centrality of our mission, i.e., recruiting and retaining jobs," Ramsey wrote in his letter of resignation as chairman.

"I have concluded that I can be more effective by focusing on these two issues as a Board member, vis-a-vis serving as Board chair."

He also named his DCC obligations in making his decision, noting the college has just begun a highly intensive 18-month institutional self-study process with the Southern Assn. of Colleges and Schools, as well as recent retirements; he is seeking two senior vice presidents (finance and academic affairs); and the college is engaged in several major capital construction projects for the next two years at a cost of more than $6 million.

"I also want to ensure that the two community colleges, DCC and Southside, help equip and maintain the new advanced technology lab at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.

ISSUES
Asked to identify internal issues of concern, Ramsey said yesterday, "I have been somewhat puzzled that when we do our audits we do not have a formal exit interview with the Board.

"I think as a governing Board it is incumbent upon us to talk to the auditor and go through findings. Then we all know what they are. It is our legal, ethical and moral obligation."

Ramsey also said that as early as December of last year, some members of the Board thought a site manager was needed for the Building I project at Riverstone.

"I see it very clearly. We should have had some more systematic procedure for Riverstone Park because you cannot expect your executive director to be engaged in creating and retaining jobs and to manage a major project - almost $6.5 million in federal, state and tobacco money," he added.

Ramsey also said he also wanted to make sure the Board brings its procedures and policies up to date before the next audit cycle.

"That will become a major project of mine, but I know three other Board members are working on that as well."

He described some of the policies and procedures as obsolete, outdated or contradicting, noting some had not been revised in 10 years.

Specifically, Ramsey said that he wanted to make sure procurement policies are very clear and delineated.

"Before we start another project, we are going to have a more systematic approach," he added.

Riverstone
"A prudent decision, even visionary to invest a substantial amount of tobacco money in a building that is futuristic and positions us for emerging technology," said Ramsey of the investment of Tobacco Commission funds into Riverstone.

However, the DCC president also said, "We have to factor into the equation how long this money will be available.

"I hope that it is available for a decade, but we can't plan on that, so we have to be realistic in how we plan to use that money.

"I don't think we need to invest 100 percent in the Riverstone project. I think there are other needs, but I do think (Tobacco Commission) money should be used to invest heavily in infrastructure and to create jobs in new and emerging technologies.

"If you don't have buildings like that, you aren't even in the hunt," said the DCC president."

Still, the IDA chairman cited fiscal responsibility.

"We have to manage the taxpayers' money as we would our own personal accounts, in a very judicious way," he added.

Optimistic
"I remain optimistic about our future," he continued. "You have a county that has taken some tough hits with textiles and tobacco, but we have people who are industrious, a culture familiar with manufacturing and an outstanding work ethic. I think with prudent use of resources, including Tobacco
Commission money, we can take this transition to a more diversified economy.

"Sometimes we don't look at our assets enough. Yet, if we don't face liabilities in a realistic way, we are fooling ourselves."

On his decision to resign as IDA chairman, Ramsey said that he had been thinking about a for a month.

"I just felt like I needed to do it now rather than wait until June. Sometimes you just feel like it's time to make a decision.

"It is a high honor to serve on the Board, and an even higher honor to be the chair and I intend to work just as hard for the next two years, but I think I can be more productive focusing on several projects."

In his resignation letter, Ramsey named a number of recent initiatives the IDA team has taken, including: implementation of an economic development plan; the creation of a goal-setting process which includes an objective evaluation of the economic development director (due in August 2004); the development of an incentive program for new and existing industries; a more effective and creative way to apply technology in the marketing of Halifax County's economic development assets; the acquisition and improvement of sites and facilities; recent efforts to review and revise the IDA's policies and procedures; an attempt to share the IDA's work by conducting town hall meetings to inform citizens of the IDA's mission and goals; an ongoing effort to cultivate a creditable relationship with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Dept. of Business Assistance Services, the Governor's Office, legislative delegations, the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, and business and industry partners.

"While we have been committed to retaining and creating jobs, and we have met with some success, much remains to be done, and it requires a totally focused governing board," wrote Ramsey.

In other business Wednesday, the Board took the initial step in a Halifax Regional Hospital request to issue Hospital Facility Refunding Revenue Bonds.

HRH's $17 million bond issue could produce an estimated $38,000 in fees for the IDA.

The inducement resolution was unanimously passed - with Board member Gene Faucette, with a public hearing set for the IDA's April meeting.

The Board also asked that legal counsel review the agreement with HRH bearing the cost.

The IDA is also pursuing an environmental status update for the optioned Georgia Pacific Property.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for Building I and Riverstone are set for Wednesday, May 12, at 10 a.m.

Vernon Hill Man Is Convicted Of Theft

A 22-year-old Vernon Hill man, indicted last week on 21 sex-related crimes, was convicted Wednesday in Halifax County Circuit Court of an amended indictment charging him with misdemeanor theft.

Steven Bruce Buchanan was convicted of stealing a generator from David Gluhareff on September 20, 2003, according to court records.

Judge William L. Wellons sentenced Buchanan to one year in jail, suspending all time, conditioned on Buchanan's good behavior for one year.

The court additionally ordered Buchanan to pay $200 restitution to Gluhareff within 90 days and to stay off his property.

Buchanan has been held without bond since he was indicted and arrested
March 8 for 20 counts of producing child pornography and one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor.

Buchanan was returned to custody following the trial.

Other Court
• Timothy James Carr, 41, of Nathalie, was convicted Wednesday of breaking and entering the property of Anthony Hamlett and the grand larceny of a .12 gauge shotgun belonging to Hamlett.

Carr's convictions came as the result of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.

An additional indictment charging Carr with possessing a firearm as a convicted felon was nol prossed as part of the plea agreement.

Judge Wellons sentenced Carr to 20 years in prison for each of the convictions, the terms to run concurrently, suspending all but two years on each count, also to run together for an effective sentence of two years.

Judge Wellons ordered Carr to serve his two year sentence concurrently with a separate two-year sentence previously imposed in Campbell County.

The court ordered the suspended portions of Carr's sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for 20 years.

• A 33-year-old Alton woman was convicted Wednesday of cocaine and heroin possession.

Judge Wellons sentenced Dana Holt Bartholomew to five years in prison for each of the convictions, suspending all time conditioned on Bartholomew's good behavior for 10 years.

The court ordered Bartholomew to be placed on probation for two years, to abstain from illegal drugs, to submit to random drug tests and to undergo drug treatment.

The court additionally suspended Bartholomew's operator's license for one year, restricting it for travel to and from the probation department, the physician's office and drug treatment.

• John Berry Clayton Jr., 37, of South Boston, was convicted Wednesday of an amended indictment charging him with a first offense of DUI, a misdemeanor.

Clayton's conviction came as the result of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.

Judge Wellons sentenced Clayton to one year in jail, suspending all but 10 days, conditioned on Clayton's good behavior for one year, and authorized weekend jail service.

The court ordered Clayton to perform 50 hours of community service through Halifax-Pittsylvania Court Services, to pay a $250 fine, and complete the VASSAP program.

The court suspended Clayton's operator's license for one year.

• Anthony Dean Jones, 49, of South Boston, was convicted Wednesday of an amended indictment charging him with misdemeanor driving after being declared an habitual offender.

Judge Wellons sentenced Jones to one year in jail, suspending all but 10 days, conditioned on Jones' good behavior for one year.

The court authorized weekend jail service for Jones.

The court additionally suspended Jones' operator's license indefinitely, and fined him $100.

Optimism Abounds Among Soccer Team
Steep In Experience And Talent, The HCHS Varsity Girls Soccer Team Is Looking For A Banner Year

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

To say that there are a lot of high hopes floating around the Halifax County High School varsity girls soccer team would be an understatement.

Optimism is abounding among the Comets contingent, a team that many area soccer observers say may be the best varsity girls soccer team here in quite awhile.

"I hate to make any predictions," said Comets coach Sid Young.

"But, I have high hopes for this team. This is my fifth year as coach of the girls team and I think we have the strongest team I have seen since I have been coaching the girls teams."

Young has seven players returning from last year's team which finished 6-7-2 and made it to the semifinals of last year's Western Valley District Tournament.

Six of them, Morgan Young, Attie Poirier, Stacie Griffin, Jess Lumsden, Gina Guthrie and Becky Buckman are seniors.

Also back from last year's team is junior Julia Rogers.

Another player Young classifies as a returnee, senior Deanna Leader, was with the varsity squad two years ago.

Moving up from last year's Comets jayvee team are juniors Anna Bowen, Libby Austin and Ashley Crowder.

Sophomores on the team that were on the jayvee squad last season include Courtney McGill, Emily Nichols, Colleen Barnes, Angel Wilkins and Kirsten Marvin.

Another sophomore on the team is Emily Kavanaugh who played some soccer while attending Bluestone High School.

The team has two new players, junior Rachelle Newman, who was a member of the high school varsity girl's basketball team, and Kristy Eldridge.

As far as starters go, Young, in looking up and down the field, has Austin playing at the goalkeeper spot.

Lumsden is getting the nod at sweeper and McGill is player the stopper position. Guthrie and Griffin are occupying the two wing defender spots.

At the center midfield spots, Young has Morgan Young and Rogers with Buckman, Bowen and Leader being interchanged at the midfield wing spots.

Poirier and Nichols are playing at the forward positions.

"There are one or two positions that we are still looking at," Young said.

"But, for right now, our lineup is pretty well set."

One of the big factors that Young is looking at this year is that the core group of the team, the team leaders, have been together now for three years.

"We've had a few girls that came up from the jayvee team last year as eleventh-graders, like Buckman, Lumsden and Guthrie, that have joined that core group and have jelled well with those girls."

The other big thing that Young finds very pleasing is that the chemistry among this group of players is very good.

"These girls all get along well with each other," he pointed out.

"They seem to genuinely care about each other. That, I think, is very important."

Young isn't a coach that goes out on a limb very often. But he almost can't help himself when he talks about this talented and experienced team.

"I think overall this is the best team I've had," Young said.

"I felt we did pretty well last year. Right now, I feel like we're further along than we were at this point last year.

"We're passing the ball better, moving the ball better and playing better defense, although the numbers from the scrimmage game we played against Heritage may not have shown it," he continued.

"We moved the ball a lot better and outshot both Brookville and Heritage.

"If the girls continue to play hard, continue to improve, play up to their capability and all 11 players on the field all get on the same page, I feel like we can play and compete against most people," added Young.

Young says he feels his team has good offensive punch.

"Morgan and Julia can shoot well from outside," Young pointed out.

"Becky (Buckman) is a good scorer. Attie (Poirier) and Emily (Nichols) are both very aggressive as far as attacking is concerned.

"I felt better about the offensive end of the game this year than I have in the past," added Young.

Young says he expects his team to be strong on the defensive end as well.

"I feel like we'll be pretty solid," said Young.

"We've got three girls back from last year that played their position all or a good majority of the time."

Young pointed out that the team made three big mistakes defensively in the scrimmage game against Heritage that resulted in goals.

"We've worked on those things to correct the mistakes," he pointed out.

Young says he has more depth to work with this year than he has had in the past.

And, he says this team has speed and quickness.

"Overall, we have more speed and quickness than we did last year," he said.

"We're fairly quick. We have pretty good speed at several positions. Most of the girls came into practice in fair shape. A few of them came into practice in good shape."

In short, Young is eyeing what he hopes will be a good season for his team.

"I'm optimistic," said Young.

"The girls are very enthusiastic and they have high expectations. I think this can be one of the better seasons we've had here in a while."

Obituaries

Mamie Bass Hunt

Mamie Bass Hunt, 90, of Nathalie died March 16 at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond.

Mrs. Hunt was the daughter of Raleigh Chilton Bass and Etha Elliott Bass and was married to Nathan Harold Hunt. She was a member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Mamie Lee Williams and her husband, Vernon, of Richmond, and Frances Hunt Williams of Richmond; one sister, Josephine Bowman of Sebring, Fla.; three grandchildren, Keith Williams, Kenneth Williams and Brenda Inge, all of Richmond; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hunt will be held today, March 19 at 2 p.m. at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Kenneth Williams and Tony Sisk officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Hunting Creek Baptist Church, 4041 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie, 24577.

Fannie Denise King

Fannie Denise King, 21, of Bronx, N.Y. died March 14 in South Boston.

Miss King was born October 20, 1982, in New York, the daughter of Johnnie King and Carmen Quintero Martinez. She was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, survivors include four sisters, Jackie Martinez, Christine Melendez and Pam Green, all of Bronx, and Nicole Green of Bridgeport, Conn.; two brothers, Lavon Green of Bridgeport and Kelly Green of Brooklyn, N.Y.

A funeral service for Miss King will be held tomorrow, March 20 at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Lacks Family Cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Eleanor Coleman, 1061 Lackstown Road, Clover.

Bernice Hankins Marrow

Bernice Hankins Marrow, 85, of 10030 Chatham Road, Vernon Hill died March 14 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Marrow was born in Halifax County on January 14, 1919, the daughter of Rev. Sydney Hankins and Addie Logan Hankins and was married to Theodore Marrow. She was a member of Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Elizabeth Freda Thornton of Melrose Park, Pa.; three sons, Theodore Marrow of Halifax, Kenneth Marrow of Staten Island, N.Y. and Dexter Marrow of Washington, D.C.; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. Mrs. Marrow was preceded in death by one son, Edward Marrow.

Funeral services will be held March 21 at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Seventh Day Adventist Church with Dr. Andre Saunders officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home Saturday evening, March 20 from 6:30 to 8:00.

Annie Boyd Redd

Annie Boyd Redd, 72, of Saxe died March 15 at her home.

Mrs. Redd was born in Charlotte County on May 16, 1931, the daughter of William Boyd and Susie Goode Boyd and was married to Wirt Henry Redd.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Wylliesburg.

Survivors include her husband; four daughters, Mary Walker of Skipwith, Martha Walker of South Boston, Linda Goldman of Cullen and Hazel Mosley of Saxe; five sons, Roger Redd, William Redd and Edward Redd, all of Washington, D.C., Andrew Redd of Saxe and George Redd of Red Oak; 41 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Estelle Boyd of Wylliesburg and Hazel Mosley of Randolph; two brothers, Clyde Boyd and William Boyd, both of Red Oak. Mrs. Redd was preceded in death by two sons, Henry Louis and R. David Gene Redd.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow, March 20 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Opie Terrell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home.