The Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task
Force arrested three people Monday on drug-related charges, including
a 19-year-old Vernon Hill man for attempting to threaten a witness.
Christopher Deon Easley, of Pine Ridge Trail in Vernon Hill, was
arrested on one count of assault and battery and one count of
attempting to intimidate or impede a witness by threat of bodily
harm or force.
The charges stem from an incident at Easley's preliminary hearing
in General District Court, where he was facing a charge for the
distribution of crack cocaine.
"After a witness for the prosecution finished testifying,
Easley attempted to spit on the witness," Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam
said yesterday.
Because of the additional charges, Easley faces an additional
10 years in prison, Pulliam observed.
He is currently being held in the Halifax Regional Jail without
bond.
Antonio Lee Chambers, 18, aka "Tank," of Fairmont Apartments
in South Boston was arrested Monday and charged with the possession
of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.
He is currently being held in the Halifax Regional Jail without
bond.
Christopher David New, 37, of Cherry Hill Church Road in South
Boston, was arrested Monday and charged with one count of possession
of cocaine.
New is currently being held in the Halifax Regional Jail under
a $5,000 secured bond.
Supervisors authorized the purchase of the late Sen. Howard
Anderson's Courthouse Square law office at a price not to exceed
$44,771 during their Monday night session.
County officials said the price is the current taxable assessed
value of the property.
Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott opposed the action.
The Board also authorized the Building and Grounds Committee to
rent the property on a short-term basis until appropriate long-term
use of the building can be planned.
The building, which features two law offices and a reception area,
has been advertised for sale since Sen. Anderson's death.
County officials seek to maintaining the historic setting at Courthouse
Square as well as provide cash flow for county taxpayers.
Renting the office to an attorney or location of film records
- but not original courthouse records - at the site for use by
genealogists are among options, Bobby Conner, circuit court clerk,
confirmed yesterday.
With no opposition during public hearings, supervisors unanimously
approved a conditional use permit - with five conditions - sought
by Jesse Spencer Sr. to convert the former Claude Womack store
building to a mini-storage facility.
The building is located on the north side of Mountain Road (Route
360) about 0.15 mile east of Chatham Road.
Following public hearing, supervisors also ratified an amendment
to the Halifax County Code authorizing a $50 bounty for each coyote
killed in the county. The action ratified an Emergency Ordinance
adopted January 6, 2003.
In other business, supervisors set a March 17 public hearing with
the Town of Halifax on the Halifax Downtown Revitalization Community
Development Block Grant.
The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 17,
in the public meeting room of Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution for acceptance of
rural addition Route 895 as proposed since a utility problem had
been resolved. The road is located in Supervisor Lottie Nunn's
district, who entered the motion.
The Board also adopted resolutions to temporarily close Route
716 for bridge repairs and Route 681, also for bridge repairs.
It is anticipated the Route 716 work will take about two weeks
and the Route 681 project approximately six weeks.
Joe Barkley II, VDOT resident engineer, reminded supervisors that
the Lynchburg District meeting addressing primary roads is April
1 at the Lynchburg City Library.
Barkley reported that the bid for Route 764 near Virginia International
Raceway had been approved and the contract let.
The VDOT engineer also said that the John Randolph Bridge project
replacement is proceeding for advertisement.
VDOT crews also drew official praise for their work during the
recent winter storm.
"Our crews did a great job," said Barkley. "And
they are still working."
Barkley said the southern party of the county was hit hard during
the storm.
Supervisors also passed a resolution expressing gratitude to emergency
responders throughout the county during the storm.
Supervisor James Edmunds about King Village Trail's status.
Mrs. Freddie Edmunds, a King's Trail resident, also sought an
update, asking the expected date for completion of the deed by
the Lacy family for the King Village Trail rural addition.
King Village residents are seeking a VDOT-maintained road from
King Village to Love Shop Road.
County Administrator Joe Morgan said it was his understanding
that forms had been distributed and were being completed for the
project. One member of the Epps Lacy family has not signed - reported
out of the country - but is expected to sign on return.
Supervisor William Fitzgerald urged patience regarding the project.
Jerry Lovelace, assistant county administrator, reminded citizens
not to call 911 during storms when they experience power outages.
County officials said that over 100 calls were received by dispatchers
during the recent winter storm, tying up lines needed for emergency
medical calls.
"That is not the purpose of 911," emphasized Lovelace.
"The dispatcher can't do anything about it."
The Board also approved the following appointments: Jewel Giles
to the Library Board and Carl Furches and Pedro Zamora to the
Community Policy Management Team.
The Board also set an April hearing to consider the IDA's economic
development recommendations, which include creation of a local
technology zone, establishment of a technology opportunity fund,
and alteration of the assessment ratio for machinery and tools
older than 19 years and/or unused for one year.
Also recommended, designating the following categories of tangible
personal property and machinery and tools as separate classes
for taxation: biotechnology equipment; Internet services equipment;
programmable computer equipment; data processing services equipment;
alternative energy sources generating and co-generating equipment;
tangible personal property used in a research and development
business; and machinery and tools used in semiconductor manufacturing.
In conjunction with The Gazette-Virginian's 100th Anniversary
celebration, tickets are now available for a free concert that
will be held in the Halifax County High School auditorium on March
31.
The newspaper is sponsoring the U.S. Army's 19-member Jazz Ambassadors
in concert this spring.
During the concert veterans, particularly members of the reserves
and National Guard, and their families will be recognized for
their service to the country.
The ensemble bill themselves as "the musical ambassadors
of the Army," and will perform a collection of jazz favorites
and patriotic standards.
The internationally-acclaimed group has performed at the inaugurations
of Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, at the Nice Jazz Festival
in France and the Montreux Jazz and Heritage Festival in Switzerland.
The Jazz Ambassadors are world-reknowned for their ability to
present jazz, a uniquely American art form, to enthusiastic audiences
of every age and background.
Look in today's Gazette-Virginian for more information on how
to obtain your free tickets.
The Gazette-Virginian's publishers and staff look forward to celebrating
the paper's 100th anniversary this year, and the free concert
is just part of the festivities the paper has planned.
Other events will be announced throughout the year.
"God willing and the creeks don't rise"the
Community Spelling Bee will be held tomorrow, March 6, at C. H.
Friend Elementary School at 7 p.m. Ten teams of sixth graders
will via for the title of the best spellers in Halifax County.
Each of the following teams are composed of three members with
alternates standing by to fill in if needed: C. H. Friend, Clays
Mill, Cluster Springs, Halifax Christian School, Meadville, Sinai,
Scottsburg, Turbeville, Virgilina, and Wilson-Memorial.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is a fundraiser
for the Halifax County Volunteer Literacy Program.
Dollar General is the corporate sponsor and the Gazette-Virginian
and the News and Record are co-sponsors.
Fees for each team have been provided by the corporate sponsor,
and the businesses, civic clubs, and individuals who sponsor the
sixth grade teams. These funds are used to help provide books
and materials for students and tutors, publicity for the program,
as well as tutor training sessions.
David Wilborn will return as the Master of Ceremonies. David is
charming and entertaining and we're delighted he will return again
this week for the Bee.
Sometime during the event, keep your eyes open for some surprise
visitors. Come join us for a fun evening and help these young
people celebrate their achievements.
South Boston-Halifax County Dixie Boys Baseball president Tim
Vest called it "a real coup."
Regardless of what it is called, South Boston and Halifax County
baseball and softball leagues landed a major sports and economic
bonanza for the community over the weekend by successfully bidding
to host six state tournaments.
The South Boston-Halifax County Dixie Boys league was selected
to host the Virginia state tournament for all three Dixie Boys
age groups
That series of tournaments will be played simultaneously here
the week of July 18-23.
Those tournament games will be played at the Day Complex in South
Boston.
Also, the South Boston Dixie Majors League, led by president David
Myers, landed the Virginia state Dixie Pre-Majors Tournament for
16-year-olds and the state Dixie Majors Tournament for 17 and
18-year-olds.
Both of those tournaments will be played simultaneously during
the week of July 11-16 with the games being played at the C.H.
Friend Elementary School and Halifax County High School fields.
In addition to the five state baseball tournaments, the Halifax
County-South Boston Dixie Girls Softball League was successful
in its bid to land the Virginia state Dixie Ponytails tournament.
The dates of the Dixie Ponytails state tournament are July 11-17.
League president Dean Elliott said yesterday that the tournament
games will be played at the Halifax County High School girls softball
field.
The six state tournaments that South Boston and Halifax County
will host this summer is one of the largest, if not the largest,
number of state tournaments to be held in Halifax County in any
season.
A nice benefit of South Boston and Halifax County hosting the
state tournaments is that the South Boston and Halifax County
teams in the respective age groups will have an automatic berth
in the tournament.
That guarantees that parents and supporters of the players on
the six representative local teams will be guaranteed to see each
of the those six teams play a minimum of two games in the double
elimination tournaments.
Officials involved with the three local leagues that will be responsible
for hosting the tournaments are ecstatic.
"This is a real positive for our leagues," Vest said
referring to the Dixie Boys program.
"Now that we've successfully bid on these tournaments, we've
got to make sure that we do a great job as a host.
"We will need a parent volunteers and support from the community,"
add Vest.
"We hope people will come out and help us and support our
kids."
Myers said he and officials of the Dixie Majors and Dixie Pre-Majors
programs are very glad to get the state tournaments for those
two leagues back to South Boston.
The South Boston league last hosted the state tournaments for
those two age groups in 2001. South Boston also hosted those two
state tournaments in 1999.
"We're very happy about it," Myers said.
"It will be a boost to the league in that it will help generate
some revenue for our program.
"More importantly," added Myers, "having these
state tournaments will bring in extra money to South Boston and
Halifax County.
"Having all of these state tournaments here is something
that will benefit everyone. It's a win-win situation for everybody."
Elliott said his league officials voted at a meeting late last
week to make a bid for the Dixie Ponytails state softball tournament.
And, at last weekend's state meeting, the local league met with
success.
"We feel this is a real positive for our league," Elliott
said yesterday.
Elliott has what could turn out to be an ideal situation with
the Ponytails state tournament.
The South Boston-Halifax County Dixie Softball League has two
leagues, American and National.
One of the leagues will get an automatic berth in the state tournament
while the other will have to make its way through district tournament
play to reach the state tournament.
As a result, there could possibly be an all-Halifax County battle
for the state title.
"It might be a little farfetched," Elliott said.
"A lot of things would have to happen in order for us to
have both of our teams in the state championship game. But we
have had good success with our teams in the past.
"One thing about tournaments," continued Elliott, "is
that anything can happen.
"But wouldn't it be awesome to have both of our teams playing
for the state championship? That would really be great."
Eugene Cifers, 74, of Virgilina, widower of Margaret Newton Cifers,
died March 1 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Mr. Cifers was the son of the late Robert and Vada Simpkins Cifers.
He was retired from U.S. Plywood and was a member of Union United
Church of Christ.
Survivors include a companion, Sparky; one daughter and son-in-law,
Cathy and James Crews, of Lewisburg, WVA; one son, Douglas Eugene
Cifers of Gainsville, FL; one brother and sister-in-law, Charles
and Wilma Cifers, of Gatewood, NC; four grandchildren; and four
great-grandchildren.
Services for Mr. Cifers were held March 4 at 1 p.m. at Union United
Church of Christ with the revs. Chuck Lowery and Bobby Whitfield
officiating. Burial followed at Virgilina Cemetery.
Nellie Glass Conner, 61, of 5023 James D. Hagood Hwy., Scottsburg,
died March 2 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Conner was born in Halifax County on March 17, 1941, the
daughter of John Presley Glass and Lena Conner Glass and was married
to Willis D. Conner. She was a member of Hunting Creek Baptist
Church.
Survivors include her husband; three daughters and sons-in-law,
Teresa C. Brooks and husband, Mitchell D., Dawn C. Rolfe and husband,
Raymond J., all of Scottsburg, and Wendy C. Casen and husband,
Stephen W., of Mt. Laurel; one sister, Mary Ann Glass and husband,
Lonnie Upole, of Warsaw; three grandchildren, Joshua M. Brooks
and Nathan M. Rolfe, both of Scottsburg, and Abby J. Casen of
Mt. Laurel. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one
brother, Joseph Glass.
Services for Mrs. Conner will be held today, March 5 at 3 p.m.
at Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tony Brooks and the
Rev. H.V. Conner officiating. Burial will take place in the church
cemetery.
Isabella Norma Harris, 67, of 2000 Ridge Street, South Boston,
died March 1 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Ms. Harris was born in Halifax County on September 17, 1935, the
daughter of the late James Harris and Elizabeth Crews. She was
a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and a former employee of
Tultex, Inc.
Survivors include two daughters, Dora Lassiter and Gyvonia Harris,
both of South Boston; four sons, Amos Harris, Tyrone Harris and
Donald Harris, all of South Boston, and Lawrence Harris of Halifax;
seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary
J. Morris of South Boston; and one daughter-in-law, Angela Harris
of South Boston. She was preceded in death by one son, Ronald
Harris; and one sister, Effie J. Bailey.
Funeral services for Ms. Harris will be held today, March 5, at
1 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. James Crowder
officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
Francis Watkins 'Biggy' Hunt, 66, of 1171 Duck Trail, Halifax,
died March 2 at Duke University Medical Center.
Mr. Hunt was born in Halifax County on May 11, 1936, the son of
Watkins Glenn Hunt and Elizabeth McDuffie Hunt, and was married
to Elaine Thompson Hunt.
He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax, a board
member for Virginia Ducks Unlimited, and was owner of B. Hunt
Enterprises.
Survivors of Mr. Hunt include his wife; one daughter, Lillian
Hunt Cox and husband, W. Preston Cox, of Midlothian; one son,
Francis Watkins Hunt Jr. and wife, Alice Clarke Hunt, of Richmond;
two stepdaughters, Robin Bagwell Young of Kitty Hawk, NC, and
Sandra M. Cash and husband, Steve, of Halifax; one stepson, Mark
A. Martin of Halifax; 10 grandchildren, Kate, Watkins III and
Cabot Hunt, all of Richmond, Lilly and Frances Ann Cox of Midlothian,
Christian, Jordan and Makayla Martin, and Sydney Cash, all of
Halifax, and Ann Liv Young of Kitty Hawk; one sister, Virginia
'Poo' Hunt Roberts and husband, Lucien W. Roberts Jr., of South
Boston.
Services for Mr. Hunt will be held today, March 5 at 11 a.m. at
St. John's Episcopal Church with the Revs. Andy Bawtree and Ralph
Harrell officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Virginia
Ducks Unlimited, c/o Jim Hamlett, 1518 Amherst Street, Charlottesville,
22903-5100, or the local chapter of Ducks Unlimited, the Halifax
County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, 24592, or
you favorite charity.
Susie Baker Moore Moore, 87, of 7082 Mountain Road, Halifax, died
March 2 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Moore was born in Halifax County on February 20, 1916, the
daughter of Amos Moore and Mary Miller Moore and was married to
Hugh Canada Moore. She was a member of Oak Level Presbyterian
Church.
She is survived by four nephews, L.W. Henderson of Oak Level,
Hatcher Crenshaw and Lorenzo Dow Ragland, both of South Boston,
and Ellis L. Moore Jr. of Halifax; and one niece, Jackie Moore
Jones of Keeling. She was preceded in death by three sisters,
Kathleen Ferrell, Bertha Ragland and Sallie Crenshaw; and two
brothers, J.W. Moore and Ellis L. Moore.
Services for Mrs. Moore will be held today, March 5 at 11 a.m.
at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Kilpatrick officiating.
Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens. There will
be lunch at Oak Level Presbyterian Church following the service.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Oak Level
Volunteer Fire and First Responders, 2019 Oak Level Road, Halifax,
24558.
Sara Grace Pulley, 1 month old, of 154 Kentuck Road, Danville,
died March 2 at MCV-Richmond. She was born in Richmond on February
2, the daughter of Jason and Shannon Shotwell Pulley.
Services will be held at Grace Baptist Church today, March 5,
at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating. Burial will
follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Infant Pulley include her parents; two sisters, Blair
Shotwell and Nikki Pulley, both of Danville; her maternal grandmother
and step-grandfather, Teresa and Dennis Gravitt of South Boston;
maternal grandfather, John Shotwell of South Boston; her paternal
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Pulley of Danville; her maternal
great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Moore of South Boston,
and Doris Perguson of Alton.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider The Compassionate
Friends, c/o Wanda Davis, 362 Tanglewylde Drive, South Boston,
24592, or Grace Baptist Church, 1058 Buckshoal Road, Virgilina,
24598.
Sallie Crowder Woody, 99, of 1025 Woody Loop, Alton, died March
2 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Woody was born in Halifax County on July 6, 1903, the daughter
of Thomas Crowder and Mary Toot Crowder, and was married to Clyde
William Woody Sr. She was a member of Bethel Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Dorothy Woody Newton of Roxboro,
Mary B. Woody of Alton, and Freddie R. Woody of San Francisco,
CA; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son,
Clyde W. Woody Jr.
Services for Mrs. Woody were held March 4 at 5 p.m. at Bethel
Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Jason Evans officiating. Burial
followed in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Cluster
Springs VFD.