An 18-year-old Halifax County High School student was killed in a single-car crash early Saturday morning following a police chase.
Daniel Edward Lawson, 18, of Whitt Loop Road in Alton, a passenger in a 1990 Honda, died as a result of injuries sustained after being ejected from the vehicle, according to Sheriff D. J. Oakes.
Trooper M. S. Roark Jr. said the 3:37 a.m. crash occurred at the intersection of Huell Matthews Highway (Route 501) and Horseshoe Trail (Route 759) after the vehicle, driven by Antonia Artist Lawson, 24, a brother of Daniel, was eluding a sheriff's deputy.
Deputy J. D. Clay had engaged his blue lights and siren while in pursuit and lost sight of the vehicle as he continued on Rt. 501 south, Sheriff Oakes said.
The deputy discovered the vehicle overturned against the fuel pumps of S&J Grocery. Both the driver and passenger had sustained severe injuries after being ejected from the vehicle, the sheriff said.
Daniel Lawson was air-lifted to U.N.C. Hospital in Chapel Hill, where he died as a result of his injuries at approximately 7:12 a.m., according to Oakes.
Oakes said the cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest.
Antonia Lawson was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital where he is listed in stable condition, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Trooper Roark said the driver of the vehicle, traveling at an estimated 100 miles per hour, lost control, ran off of the right side of the road and overturned several times before striking the fuel pumps.
The vehicle, which belonged to Cathy Denise Lawson, was totalled.
Roark also estimated $1,000 in damages to the fuel pumps.
Charges are pending while an investigation continues by Roark.
Daniel, the son of Joseph and Margaret Lawson, was a senior at Halifax County High School and played football as an offensive lineman under Coach James Hodges.
He also was trying out for the track team in shot put and discus.
"Daniel was a fine young man with a great disposition and the nicest person you would ever want to meet," Hodges said.
"We will miss him," Hodges added.
Funeral arrangements for Lawson are with Kent, Ballou and Crowder Funeral Services with a viewing scheduled Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service is scheduled Wednesday at 2 p.m. at White Oak Fork Baptist Church in the Virgilina area.

Public hearings addressing two issues, camping at VIR and additional VDOT right of way at the Mountain Road/Main Street intersection in Halifax, will be heard by supervisors tonight at 8 p.m.
The board meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the conference room at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
The Planning Commission last week unanimously agreed to recommend Blue Chip Racing Resort's request - with conditions - for an amended conditional use permit allowing overnight camping for spectators Friday and Saturday nights at the facility.
Camping is being offered "as a convenience to spectators," Connie Nyholm, VIR vice president, told Planning Commission members last week.
The VIR proposal is described as a "primitive camping arrangement," with no provisions for showers or utilities.
A second public hearing will address the donation by the county to VDOT of .013 acre to be used as right of way to increase the turning radius at Mountain Road and Main Street in Halifax. The donated land comes from the War Memorial Park land.
The turning radius will be increased to accommodate large trucks and other vehicles making the turn.
In other business, Rodney Lewis, coordinator, Old Dominion Resource Conservation and Development, will review the status of the Wilson-Kautz Civil War Driving Trail.
Halifax resident Douglas Powell is a member of the History Committee with the Wilson-Kautz Trail project. That committee is in the process of developing wording for the signs to be posted along the route, which includes The Staunton River Battlefield Park near Clover.
Supervisors also are expected to hear a Planning Commission recommendation that the county continue the current green box collection system. The commission also recommended adding an additional truck to allow greater frequency of dumpster site visits and cleanups. Members also recommend that two convenience centers be established in geographically diverse portions of the county on a trial basis.
Supervisors are expected to seek assistance from the Southside Planning District Commission in applying for a Community Development Block Grant to help develop the Paul C. Edmunds Jr. Park. off of Route 360.
The board also will hear a Panning Commission recommendation to create a new zoning district for residential, manufactured homes.
The commission's action was to establish areas for manufactures homes that are "proximate to municipal services."
In August 1999, Westside Land Development Corporation sought an amendment to the A-1 standards to permit smaller lot sizes for areas with municipal services.
At the time, the planning commission recommended waiting until the Comprehensive Plan was completed and then review the issue.
In December 2000, MayMac, Inc. (formerly Westside Land Development) renewed the request since it had been two years and the Comprehensive Plan was not completed.
MayMac owns a 142-acre parcel located off the end of Westside Drive and it is interested in developing the land for single-family housing. The land is zoned agricultural. Water and sewer services are available to the property.
The planning commission is recommending a public hearing for its commission be authorized for March 27, and for supervisors for April 2.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is expected to recommend reassessment postponement to a six-year interval. Without action, the reassessment is due effective Jan. 1, 2002.
Other Finance Committee recommendations are expected to include:
· The county provide each active fire and rescue volunteer with one auto decal at no cost, using the list furnished by the department chiefs.
· The county support a local government Challenge Grant for the Arts for the Little Theatre.
Supervisors are also expected to hear a redistricting update, including a proposal to have the Mt. Carmel Precinct relocated from the Turbeville Volunteer Fire Department to the Ruritan Club building.
Such action awaits The Ruritan Club's approval, followed by public hearings and ultimately approval by the U.S. Department of Justice. With an anticipated 90-day turnaround to complete requirements, it is estimated such action will not be complete in time for an anticipated primary election on June 12.

The Halifax County Redistricting Advisory Committee heard renewed calls for a second seat for South Boston on the Halifax County Board of Supervisors at a public hearing on Thursday.
South Boston residents Coleman Speece and Kenneth Cranford spoke in favor of adding an additional election district for South Boston residents, many of whom have to travel several miles in order to vote in county, state and national elections.
At present, one of eight electoral districts for Halifax County is located fully within South Boston; C.W. "Corky" Rorrer is their representative on the board.
Representation for the remainder of South Boston residents is divided among five other members of the board.
Both Speece and Cranford view the current arrangement as diluting the voting strength of South Boston's residents on the Board of Supervisors.
Speece, a member of South Boston Town Council, told the advisory committee that the concerns of South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy and council reflected a position that they took last year.
"The concerns of Glen Abernathy are not just the concerns of Glen," said Speece.
"This is a position that was studied through by the council at its retreat last June and passed on to the Board of Supervisors at that time.
"Concerns were two-fold. First, the distance citizens have to travel to vote. Some of our citizens were upset...
"A second concern is representation. With the town representing 25 to 30 percent of the county population, it seems to council we should have more than 12 percent voting representation.
"Southside Virginia has been losing delegates in the state general assembly for years because of population shifts to Tidewater and Northern Virginia. These things need to be corrected.
"I realize this is a sensitive issue and maybe even difficult to do, but, in my experience, difficult things don't get done unless you make an effort."
Cranford's comments echoed those of Speece.
"It would make the most sense for the people of South Boston if they had representation for that contiguous area of South Boston," said Cranford.
"I know the population [of South Boston] now stands at approximately 9,500 people. According to the 1990 census, each district should have approximately 4,500 residents, and that would give South Boston two supervisors.
Cranford said that there was some merit to what Rorrer said at last Monday's joint meeting of the county governing bodies, when Rorrer said that South Boston already has some representation among six supervisors on the board.
"But, it's such a minority representation in five of those six supervisors, that the urban interests of people in this community deserve to have a solid vote," added Cranford.
"We need to look in terms of making it easy for people to vote - I know it's a privilege to vote, but we shouldn't make it more difficult than we have to."
Cranford mentioned that he had been hearing from his fellow residents of the confusion they encounter when trying to determine their polling place for individual elections.
That was the concern of the other speaker during the public hearing, Faye Edmunds of Porter Lane in South Boston.
Edmunds asked why she had to drive six miles to Union Ruritan Club in order to vote when there are precincts in South Boston.
Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan provided a summary of citizen concerns received to date over the redistricting issue.
The major concerns, according to Morgan, in many ways coincided with those expressed by the Board of Supervisors, including the convenience of polling places, improvement of minority voting strength in two districts, and the reduction of the number of districts within South Boston's boundaries.
Carol Corker, a member of the Southside Planning District Commission staff , assisted Morgan with computerized maps, illustrating the current election district boundaries, as well as population distributions throughout the county.
Most of the committee discussion on Thursday addressed the problems connected with distances traveled to vote and the possible combining of several voting precincts under one roof in order to mitigate confusion.
Morgan commented that it had been done effectively in Pulaski County, where he served as administrator before coming to Halifax County last year.
Time is running short for the committee's final recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
Redistricting using 2000 Census data is required for the 2001 General Election, with that data not expected before April 1.
In order to meet all deadlines, the county needs to conduct a public hearing by April 15 before adopting a recommendation on May 1, according to Morgan.
Any redistricting plan is subject to approval by the Department of Justice.
Three supervisors and three school board positions will be open in the November 6 election following redistricting, in Election Districts two, three and six.
In providing the computerized mapping and actual scale maps to the advisory committee, Morgan advised it would be best for them to "do their homework" before their next scheduled meeting on March 15.

The Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year with its largest ever spring extravaganza.
This year's Virgilina Summerfest, the 19th annual edition, will be held Saturday, May 26, in downtown Virgilina.
The three surviving co-founders of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, Jack Slagle, Owen Murray and Fraser Murray, will serve as Grand Marshals for the 11 a.m. parade.
They will ride in the first fire truck donated to the station.
A large number of units are expected to appear in the parade, as has been the case over the past several years.
Trophies will be awarded to the best band and the best float.
Anyone having any questions about the parade - or wishing to register a unit for the parade -should contact Chad Loftis or Waverly Morris at 585-2476.
This year's Virgilina Summerfest will mirror those of the past several years.
There will be arts and crafts displays, rides and games for children, and live music throughout the afternoon and evening.
Tony T and the Midnight Movers will provide the music for the Street Dance.
Anyone wishing to reserve a crafts display booth should contact Beverly Murray at 585-2657.
There will be plenty of great food on hand. Beginning at 12 noon, the fire department will be selling its delicious Brunswick Stew.
A 2 p.m., fire department members will begin selling the barbecue pork and barbecue chicken plates that will be served for the evening meal.

Worries linger that increased logging is stripping the county's green canopy.
But there is a ray of 400-acre hardwood hope.
Oaks, walnuts and the common apple tree are part of a long-term hardwood investment that 23 local landowners are planting now.
Approximately $500,000 already has been obligated for the county through the federal Natural Resource Conservation Service program, according to a local program administrator, Lonnie White.
Sign-up is ongoing until the program's $2 million treasury is consumed statewide.
A program designed to improve water quality and provide wildlife benefits, several county landowners are in the process of planting seedlings now, with about 110 trees to the acre.
Program participants will reap economic as well as environmental benefits, collecting $83 per acre per year over a period of 15 years - the contract period - as well as being reimbursed 115 percent of the cost of planting.
Conservationist James Edmunds is one landowner who jumped at the opportunity, taking an estimated 200 acres out of pasture or crop production to plant hardwoods along his Birch Creek and Dan River wetlands.
An added criteria for participants stipulates that the land must not currently be planted in trees.
"Basically, no one could afford to plant oak without being in a program like this because it is so expensive," said Edmunds, kneeling to put a protective cone around an oak seedling.
The Birch Creek land that Edmunds and five other men were in the process of planting had been used as pasture for his cattle operation.
"Basically, with the uncertainty of commodity prices, it was the best use of this land I could foresee," added Edmunds.
"Not to mention I firmly believe that they are going to require cattle to be fenced off of streams anyway. So you might as well take advantage of programs offered."
Nevertheless, the decision is definitely long-term.
"With hardwoods, you are looking at something that will not likely have commercial value for 50 years or more," observed Larry Layman of the Virginia Forestry Department.
Once landowners sign up for the program and are accepted, it is Layman who checks the site and recommends a mixture of species that are suited to the project.
Requirements for the program stipulate seven species. And, of those, the majority have to produce food for wildlife.
Oak trees, apple and persimmon are among the approved species.
"So everything recommended for the program does have a wildlife value," added Layman. "Probably the overbearing interest or impetus behind the program is water quality."
Trees also act as a conservation agent in the battle against erosion.
"Through hardwood trees you are putting in permanent cover and taking livestock out of streams," said White.
"It is an excellent opportunity," said White of the program. "There is no way that they can make that guaranteed income with any crop year in and year out. Or with cattle production," he added.
"It is a terrific program," agreed Layman. "I'm excited about it."
For additional information, contact Lonnie White or Russell Vaughan with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a part of the USDA.

The NASCAR Featherlite Modifieds and Late Model Stock Cars will be featured as South Boston Speedway opens its season with a big two-day event.
South Boston Speedway will launch its 2001 season this weekend with two days of racing action featuring the fast and powerful open-wheel modifieds of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series.
The drivers of the unique NASCAR Featherlite Modifieds will compete in the $69,118 South Boston 200, a 200-lap event, which get the green flag Sunday at 3 p.m.
That event will be preceded by the HomeMax 150, a double point 150-lap race for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars which will get the green flag at 2 p.m.
Sunday's event will mark the first appearance of the NASCAR Modifieds at South Boston Speedway in 30 years.
A few of the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series drivers have tested at South Boston Speedway and unofficial clockings showed the cars averaging over 100 mph over the four tenths of a mile oval.
Eddie Flemke Jr. of Southington, Conn. was one of the drivers who broke the fabled 100 mph barrier at South Boston Speedway.
"It's a real fast race track," Flemke said.
"It's driver friendly. I think the track will be good for side-by-side racing."
John Blewett III of Howell, N.J. said South Boston Speedway will be a track where the Modifieds will put on a good show.
"It's a very fast race track," he said.
"It looks like it is a race track where we can race two-wide and pass either on the inside or outside. It should be a great show when you get 50 or 60 of the guys down there. I think the fans will be pleased."
Sunday's South Boston 200 NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series race is the season opening event for the drivers of the national touring series.
Many of the series' top names including four-time series champion Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., last year's champion Jerry Marquis of Broad Brook, Conn., Reggie Ruggiero of Rocky Hill, Conn., Tom Baldwin of Bellport, N.Y., Rick Fuller of Auburn, Mass., and Jamie Tomaino of Howell, N.J. are among the 45 drivers that had returned entries for the race as of Friday.
Sunday's Homemax 150 for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars will open the points season for the division at South Boston Speedway.
Race fans will see some new looks in the season opener including H.C. Sellers III of Ringgold in the cars owned by Steve James of Clarksville, Timothy Peters of Providence, N.C. in the cars owned by "Goo" Fallen of South Boston, and Brandon Butler of Chester who will debut a new Chevrolet sponsored by Bailey's Cigarettes.
Gilbert King of Chesterfield, S.C. is returning with new colors and additional sponsorship and several new faces will dot the lineup for what is expected to be a very competitive and interesting season.
Action begins Saturday with Modified practice starting at 10 a.m. and South Boston Speedway divisions beginning practice runs at 11:30 a.m.
Modified qualifying starts at 1 p.m. and will be followed by Late Model Stock Car Division qualifying at 2 p.m.
Beginning at 3:30 p.m. there will be races for the Limited Sportsman Division, the Super Stock Division, the new Pure Stock 4 Division and the "Rolling Thunder Modifieds" of the regional Modified Racing Series which will compete eight times this season at South Boston Speedway.
Prerace activities start at 12 noon Sunday with the Late Model Stock Car Division kicking off the day's action at 2 p.m

Roy Ray Brewer

Roy Ray Brewer, 45, of Bullock, N.C., died March 1 at his home.
Mr. Brewer was born on February 10, 1956, the son of Thomas R. and Minnie Elliotte Brewer. He was a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church and worked for J&M Manufacturing in Butner, N.C., prior to retirement due to disability.
Services were held March 4 at 2 p.m. at Watkins Cooper Lyon Chapel in Clarksville with the Rev. Sam Brewer officiating. Burial followed at Union Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

Survivors of Mr. Brewer include one son, Jonathan Ray Brewer of Oxford; three brothers, Marion T. Brewer of Oxford, Carrington Ben "C.B." Brewer of Alton and Thurman E. Brewer of Virgilina; four sisters, Sherby B. Wall and Mary Elizabeth Elliott, both of Virgilina, Alice Belle Clay of Louisburg, N.C. and Joyce B. Williams of Buffalo Junction.

Connie Williams Tucker, 93, of 1186 Pine Ridge Trail, Vernon Hill, died March 1 at her home.
Mrs. Tucker was born in Halifax County on July 7, 1907, the daughter of Armstead Williams and Alice Chandler Williams and was married to Clarence H. Tucker. She was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church and was a member of the Vernon Hill Chapter Order of Eastern Star.
Survivors include four daughters, Clara Alice Bailey and Eloise Cosby, both of Richmond, Nannie Tucker of Vernon Hill and Evonne Peacock of Tallahassee, Fla.; four sons, Gordon Tucker and Theodore Tucker, both of Vernon Hill, Clarence Tucker Jr. of South Boston and Nelson Tucker of Richmond; 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Edmonds of Washington, D.C.; and one brother, Arthur Williams of New York.
Funeral services for Mrs. Tucker will be held today, March 5 at 1 p.m. at New Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Roger Ford officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Clyde Edwin Delaware, 34, of 6147 Morton Ferry Road, Clover, died March 2 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Delaware was born in Halifax County on May 4, 1966, the son of Clyde Edward Delaware and Lillian Ann Hunt Delaware and was married to Sandra Williams Delaware. He was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church and was an employee of Clover Yarns, Inc.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, DeAlexis Delaware of the home, one son, DeKota Delaware of the home; two stepchildren, Kellye Coleman of South Boston and Earnest Coleman of Baltimore, Md.; his parents of Clover; three sisters, Sarah Green, Angelica Delaware and Cynthia Delaware, all of Clover; two brothers, Cornelius Delaware and Keith Delaware, both of Clover.
Funeral services for Mr. Delaware will be held March 6 at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church with the Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Emma Juanita Coleman Campbell, 67, of 1123 Coleman Drive, Alton, died March 2 at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Mrs. Campbell was born in Halifax County on January 22, 1934, the daughter of Davis Coleman and Cora Lee Barksdale Coleman. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church and was employed by Dan River, Inc.
Survivors include one daughter, Colethia Watkins Evans of Raleigh, N.C.; one grandchild, Cora Leah Michelle Evans; one sister, Mildred Clarke of Minneapolis, Minn.; two brothers, Washington Theodore "Ted" Coleman of Alton and William Albert Coleman of New Palz, N.Y.; one son-in-law, Stanley Evans of Raleigh; two brothers-in-law, Robert B. Carr Sr. of Halifax and Charles Clarke of Minneapolis; two sisters-in-law, Mae Coleman of Scottsburg and Brenda Coleman of Carrboro, N.C.
A memorial service for Mrs. Campbell will be held March 7 at 11:30 a.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. H.R. Surgeon officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.

Elmer Clay Seamster, 74, of 1133 Lake Conner Road, Nathalie, died March 4 at The Woodview.
Mr. Seamster was born in Halifax County on February 15, 1927, the son of Louie A. Seamster and Laura C. Seamster and was married to Thelma F. Seamster. He was a member of Providence Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Dwight Seamster and wife, Rosemary of Alton; two daughters, Patty S. Lamberth and husband, Danny and Debra S. Davis and husband, Kevin, all of South Boston; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Lenzy Seamster of Clover and Albert Seamster of Nathalie; one sister, Lillian Forlines of Ga.; one devoted niece, Hilda Hatchett. He was preceded in death by two brothers, David and Dempsey Seamster; and one sister, Louise Fears.
A funeral service for Mr. Seamster will be held March 6 at 2 p.m. at Providence Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeff Jones conducting the service. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, March 5, from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund.