Monday, April 5, 2004

$2.6 Million More Local Funds Sought For Schools
Final Budget Request May Be Lower If Additional State Funding Is Made Available

The School Board will present its budget seeking $14.5 million in local appropriations to supervisors tonight, a budget reflecting a $2,659,031 local funding increase over last year's request.

Supervisors begin their regular session at 7 p.m. in the conference room at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.

The School Board's total $53.37 million school budget reflects an overall increase of $4,941.321 for the 2004-2005 year.

The local appropriation, however, remains a moving target due to the Senate/House budget impasse in Richmond.

The Senate is seeking a $61 billion budget and the House is proposing a $58.3 billion budget.

The Senate plan would provide over $4 million in new money for Halifax County schools, according to school officials. The House version would provide about $1 million.

School officials note the school system is facing an estimated $700,000 in state-mandated increases in Virginia Retirement System payments this year.
In preparing the school budget, the lowest dollar figure in the House budget proposal was used, according to Bill Covington, the school system's finance officer.

However, in preparing the school budget, school officials said that if the school system receives more state money than is outlined in its budget, the request for local dollars would be reduced by that amount.

School officials are expected to present the budget at 8:15 p.m. following the School Board's closed session to discuss reassignment of school personnel.
During tonight's Board of Supervisors' session, the Board will hold a public hearing at 8 p.m. addressing a request by Carroll Mays for a plat vacation of a portion of Lincoln Drive in Westside Village subdivision. The road is 50 feet wide and 100 feet long.

The Halifax County Planning Commission has recommend approval of Mays' request.

Supervisors will also consider a resolution asking the Commonwealth Transportation Board to provide financing from the Industrial Access Fund for a road off of Route 693 into the VIR Industrial Park, with the county to provide a surety or bond to be paid if two parcels are not developed within five years.
Industrial access funds are available up to a maximum of $300,000 each fiscal year, with an additional $150,000 matched on a dollar per dollar basis, according to Department of Transportation officials.

The county would also agree to take the new roadway in as part of its secondary system of highways.

Prior to the supervisors' meeting, the Board's Finance Committee's agenda includes discussions of the county's moral obligation for Viper/Jouster Building financing at VIR; land use value assessment; bank qualified financing through IDA for Halifax Regional Health System refinancing, as well as other items.

Two-Hour Search Nabs Attempted Murder Suspect
Scottsburg Man, 21, Is Charged With 10 Counts

A Scottsburg resident was arrested Friday afternoon following a two-hour search involving four law enforcement agencies, according to South Boston Police Inv. T.M. VanAernem.

The South Boston Police Investigator said Antone L. Hamlett, 21, was charged with attempted murder, malicious wounding, breaking and entering during the nighttime to commit assault, breaking and entering, two counts of violating a protective order, petty larceny, grand larceny, damaging property and destroying property over $1,000.

The charges stem from a 1 a.m. incident at Honey Tree Apartments, according to Lieutenant Brian K. Lovelace.

"Sergeant R.E. Redd was advised by the victim that her ex-boyfriend had assaulted her," said Lovelace.

He said Hamlett had entered the apartment through a window using a ladder.
"She attempted to stop him, but he forced his way into the apartment and began assaulting her," said Lovelace.

Hamlett apparently entered the apartment again Friday afternoon as police were visiting to investigate the earlier incident, according to VanAernem.

"We were going over to take some photos and saw him in front of the building," he said. "He had just broken into the apartment and had exited the apartment moments before he was spotted."

He allegedly destroyed more property in the second entrance, according to VanAernem.

He said an immediate parameter was set up at 1:30 p.m. after Hamlett fled into a wooded area east of the apartment complex.

"He was spotted several times in the wooded area adjacent to the Shepard's Gate community and south towards Eastover Drive," he said. "Officers gave short chase when Hamlett was spotted, but everyone maintained an effective perimeter awaiting a helicopter and tracking K-9's.

"Once they arrived it was just a matter of time," added VanAernem. "Hamlett was finally taken into custody without incident at around 3:50 p.m."

While the search was being conducted, Hamlett's vehicle was located parked behind an abandoned building and was removed and impounded, according to VanAernem.

Hamlett is being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail without bond.

The South Boston Police Department was assisted in the search by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, the Virginia State Police, the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office and concerned citizens in the area.

Area Sports Hall Of Fame Unveils Plan For New Building
Building Fund Has Been Established

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Officials of the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame have unveiled plans to build a combination Hall of Fame and Sports Museum.

A building fund has been established for that purpose, according to Hall of Fame President Carlyle Wimbish, who made the announcement Saturday night at the conclusion of the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.

"For 16 years we have inducted outstanding athletes into the Hall of Fame," said Wimbish.

"It has been a dream of many people that we have in this community a building to house the Hall of Fame and a Sports Museum."

Wimbish said more details of the Hall of Fame's plans to build a facility are expected be ironed out over the next six months.

The organization's Board of Directors voted in favor of moving toward building a facility at its last meeting.

Wimbish said a building fund is in place but that community support will be needed to help make the facility a reality.

"We look forward to the help of many (people) to have this dream become a reality in a relatively short time," Wimbish said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the building fund should contact Addison Marable, the organization's treasurer.

Hall of Fame officials had previously looked at the possibility of purchasing and renovating an existing facility.

However, the right situation has not presented itself.

"We have looked at a lot of buildings," said Wimbish.

"Several people told us it would be less expensive for us to build a new building and than it would be to buy and renovate an older building."

Since its inception 16 years ago, the Hall of Fame has inducted 52 members.
With no facility to house display cases containing inductees' photos and memorabilia, the cases have been placed in multiple locations throughout the community.

Several of the displays are located in the public meeting room of the Mary M. Bethune Complex in Halifax.

In recent years there have been few, if any, occasions when all of the display cases honoring inductees have been together.

With a new class of inductees each year, space to house the displays is expected to become increasingly critical.

"Halifax County has a lot of sports history that needs to be preserved," Wimbish said.

Yancey, Burton, Dillard Inducted
John (Buddy) Yancey, John Burton And Lester L. Dillard Swelled The Number Of Inductees Into The Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall Of Fame To 52

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

Three well-known athletic standouts, John (Buddy) Yancey, John Burton and Lester L. Dillard were inducted Saturday night into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.

Approximately 150 people attended Saturday night's event, the 16th annual affair, at C.H. Friend Elementary School.

This was the fifth consecutive year that the annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet had been held at the former high school.

In addition to the induction of Yancey, Burton and Dillard into the Hall of Fame, scholarships were awarded to three outstanding Halifax County High School seniors.

South Boston attorney Bill Greer presented the Buck Williams Scholarship to Brent Long, a standout on the Halifax County High School varsity football and varsity baseball teams.

Long plans to attend Mt. Olive College in North Carolina.

Mary Ruth Matze Setzer presented the Matze Family Scholarship to Stephanie Witko, a tennis and basketball standout at Halifax County High School.

Bob Cage, a member of the Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, presented the Hall of Fame Scholarship to Chris Irby, a track and cross country standout at Halifax County High School.

Irby plans to run track next year at either Lynchburg College or George mason University.

John (Buddy) Yancey

Yancey, a graduate of South Boston's C.H. Friend High School, one of the winningest coaches in North Carolina's high school basketball coaching ranks, and a standout athlete, was presented for induction by Addison Marable, with whom he organized a basketball and a softball team.

Marable described Yancey as "very quiet and shy, but awfully mischievous."
Yancey told the audience he was grateful to receive the honor and gave the attendees a little advice about some things that had helped him along the way.

"When you reach and exceed your grasp, reach down a little further, reach down a little deeper," he said.

"I've always tried to apply that in everything I did."

The second thing he reminded the audience of was "you can accomplish anything you want to if you try and believe in yourself."

Lastly, he said give thanks to those that deserve it.

"Thank the people that are significant in your life," he said.

"Most of those that I thank tonight are already gone."

Yancey told the group that the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame is a big asset to the community.

"You've got something great here," he said.

"This is a tremendous asset to the county and to the town. We have a lot more wonderful athletes out there that are yet to come. Keep it going. Make it grow. It's a wonderful thing."

Yancey's won-loss record for 12 years of coaching at basketball at three North Carolina high schools was 204-85, giving him a winning percentage of 70 percent.

Not only is Yancey noted for his coaching expertise, he was a standout athlete in his own right.

Yancey lettered in football, basketball and baseball while at student at C.H. Friend High School.

He and Marable organized a team of players, most of which came from the Rectangle softball team, that played in a summer league competing against teams from Halifax County and surrounding counties.

Yancey played third base on the Rectangle team that won the city championship in 1950 and lost in the finals of the State Regional Championship Tournament in Martinsville.

In addition, Yancey and Marable had a basketball team, the South Boston Black Hawks, that played other area teams. Yancey was the team leader and Marable was the manager.

Yancey joined the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean Conflict and served with the 422nd Air Police Squadron in Nagoya, Japan.

He continued to play sports there as well. As captain and quarterback, he led his team to the 1953 base championship in two-hand touch football, throwing three touchdown passes to lead his team to a 22-7 win.

His team was undefeated that year and outscored its opponents 262-25.

After his tour of duty in the military up in early 1954, Yancey landed a basketball scholarship at Catawba College in North Carolina.

Yancey lettered both years, playing forward and, occasionally, at guard for coach Earl Ruth's team.

In order to stay active in athletics in his later years, Yancey has played and coached the Irmo Chapin Masters, a Senior Olympics basketball team, since its inception in 1991.

Yancey's team has won the South Carolina Senior Games each year in its age group.

The team has represented South Carolina in the United States National Senior Olympics every two years since 1991.

Yancey's team (three-on-three) won a silver medal in the USNSO competition and he was recognized by the South Carolina state legislature in 1995 for his outstanding contributions to the Irmo Chapin Recreation Senior Basketball Team.

John Burton

Former Halifax County High School football coach and Hall of Fame inductee Coleman Starnes presented Burton for induction.

Starnes called Burton "my greatest and oldest personal friend" and said Burton "deserves everything coming his way tonight."

The former Halifax County High School football coach said four "Cs" come to mind when he thinks of Burton: competitor, champion, coach, and community.

Starnes called Burton "one of the best all-around athletes in the school's (Halifax County High School) history."

He also said he had never seen anyone as totally devoid of fear as Burton.

"He (Burton) was not afraid of anything or anybody," Starnes noted.

Starnes also pointed out that "his greatest accomplishment is the least publicized - his public devotion to the City of South Boston and Halifax County. Most of his activity was anonymous and without public and community knowledge."

Burton is a well-known athlete in this area, having played and lettered in four different sports in the same year at Halifax County High School.

In football, Burton, in 1957, led the team in yards rushing, most yards on kickoff returns and most tackles on defense.

While playing baseball during the 1957 season, Burton led the team in hitting with a .378 average, led the team in stolen bases with 17, led the team in runs scored with 25 and, as the team's top pitcher, compiled a 3-2 record.

In track and field, Burton led the team in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash and the broad jump.

Burton also played basketball and was the point guard for the Comets basketball team.

In addition, Burton was a winning pitcher in the Halifax County Baseball League while pitching for the Alton team. In 1956, he compiled a 4-2 pitching record.

As a coach, Burton compiled a 74-9 record as the basketball coach at the former Halifax County Academy.

He also served as the school's golf coach.

In addition, Burton coached in the area youth baseball leagues as a T-Ball coach.

An avid tennis player, Burton has won seven major tennis championships over the years including club championships here, in Roxboro, N.C. and in Florida.

The South Boston resident is also an accomplished golfer and is a former winner of the Halifax Country Club Championship golf tournament.

Burton is a former winner of the Member-Guest Golf Championship at both Halifax Country Club and Green's Folly Golf Course.

While Burton has had a love for and good deal of success in many sports, he has also had a love for racing and in an accomplished racer in his own right.

Last year, Burton competed in three Sports Car Club of American sanctioned races at Virginia International Raceway at Alton.

Competing in the E Production class, Burton finished second in each of the races which featured fields of over 50 cars.

He was a drag racing champion at VIR in 1959, a winner of the U.S. Route 40 Race Championship at a speedway near Cody, and is a former go-kart racing champion, having won a Virginia Karting Association championship in the Modified division.

Burton is one of the founders of the Virginia Karting Association and served as the organization's president.

The Virginia Karting Association honored Burton by presenting him the Stan Bray Memorial Award for Dedication To Karting.

Burton has played a major role in the racing careers of his two racing sons, Ward Burton and Jeff Burton.

He was the owner, manager and crew chief of the go-kart racing teams for Ward, Jeff and their brother, Brian Burton.

In addition, Burton was the owner of the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car and NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division race teams for Ward and Jeff Burton.

He also served as a spotter and crew member of the Busch Series and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams for which his two racing sons drove.

Burton is a charter member of the Southfax Sertoma Club and was the founder and chairman of the Southfax Sertoma Club Golf Tournament.

In addition, Burton was one of the founders of the Halifax County Gun Club.

Burton has been a big supporter of sports programs in Halifax County through the years.

He is a longtime supporter of the athletic program at Halifax County High School with donations of both time and money.

Burton told the audience that while he has enjoyed success in his own athletic ventures, "the most satisfaction I have ever had in sports was watching my children excel."

Pointing to the successful racing careers of his sons, careers he jump started, Burton said "the racing success we have enjoyed did not come easy" and noted that Ward and Jeff put everything they had, a total effort, into their racing careers.
Burton thanked his family members and friends for their help and support.

"I thank the community for all of the support we have received," Burton said.

One of the highlights of the night was the viewing of a videotape Ward and Jeff had submitted congratulating their father on his induction.

Lester L. Dillard

Sports has always been a big part of Les Dillard's life.

Betty Jane Willis, who presented Dillard for induction, attested to that.
Willis called Dillard a sports enthusiast "as a participant, spectator and supporter."

Dillard agreed.

"Sports have been great to me," he said. "I love them."

While he played three sports, football, basketball and baseball while attending South Boston's C.H. Friend High School Dillard's athletic success rested primarily in basketball.

The South Boston attorney is also an avid and accomplished golfer.

One of the accomplishments he is most proud of is his record of six holes-in-one at Halifax Country Club.

While attending C.H. Friend High School, Dillard played varsity football, varsity basketball and varsity baseball under coaches Watt Fugate and Tucker Watkins.

He played basketball all three years in high school and, in his senior year, C.H. Friend's team went to the finals of the Class B tournament in Charlottesville.

The C.H. Friend team defeated Martinsville in the morning round and lost to Fredericksburg in the finals in the afternoon.

Dillard went on to advance his basketball career, enrolling at Hampden-Sydney College in 1936 and playing all four years he attended Hampden-Sydney.

In addition to playing football, basketball and baseball, Dillard also enjoyed playing softball.

During summers following his graduation from Hampden-Sydney, Dillard played softball.

Dillard played for several teams including Blue Ribbon Creamery, XSO Extras and Western Auto.

Today, golf, a sport Dillard took up following military service in World War II, is a big part of his life.

He credits two good friends, Dick Bailey and Buddy Clement , both of whom were excellent players, for giving him considerable help with his game and partnering with him in many area tournaments.

Dillard plays golf regularly at Halifax Country Club where he won the Club Championship in 1971 and the Walter McCormick Memorial Golf Tournament in 1969 and 1984.

Obituaries

Annie Elizabeth Robertson Bagby

Annie Elizabeth Robertson Bagby of South Boston died Thursday at Boston Commons.

She was 101.

Mrs. Bagby was a member of Mt. Cana United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for 50 years.

She was a retired Leggett Department Store salesperson.

A funeral service was held Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jason Bryant officiating.

Burial was in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

A Virginia native, Mrs. Bagby was born April 22, 1902, a daughter of the late Christopher Moody Robertson and Emma Anderson Robertson, and was married to the late Bruce Talmadge Bagby.

She is survived by one son, C. Talmadge Bagby and wife Evelyn of Williamsburg, a daughter-in-law, Josie Bagby of Scottsdale, Arizona, three grandsons, Carlton Bagby of Columbia, S.C., Randy Bagby of Rapid City, S.D. and Rodney Bagby of Gloucester, Va., and two granddaughters, Debra B. Hastings of Scarborough, Maine, and Harriette B. Vanleliveld of Williamsburg, six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Bagby was preceded in death by two sons, Robert T. Bagby and James Birch Bagby.

Randolph ‘Bud’ Chappell

Randolph "Bud" Chappell, 71, of Vernon Hill, died Thursday, April 1, at Danville Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Chappell was born in Halifax County on October 9, 1932, the son of the late Willie Gilbert Chappell and Rosa Younger Chappell and was married to Bradie Dixon Chappell.

Mr. Chappell is survived by his wife, four daughters, Dorothy Barbour of South Boston, Linda Dixon and Ollie Virginia Chappell, both of Vernon Hill, and Brady Adams of Blairs, two sons, Harrie Chappell and Christopher Chappell, both of Vernon Hill, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.

Other survivors include four sisters, Pearlean Powell of Florida, Catherine Woods of South Boston, Kay Frances Brown of Halifax and Odessa Lovelace of Albany, N.Y., two brothers, Sherman Chappell of Bridgeport, Conn., and Anthony Chappell of South Carolina, two step-sisters, Elma Lee of Hyattsville, Md., and Clotilia Edmonds of South Boston, three sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mr. Chappell was preceded in death by one son, Lonnie Chappell, and two brothers, Leon Chappell and Willie Obie Chappell.

Funeral services will be held today, April 5, at 11 a.m. at New Zion Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Christ Temple Blue Rock Holiness Church Cemetery in Vernon Hill.

Earnest Junior Crews

Earnest Junior Crews, 75, of Nathalie died Friday, April 2, at The Woodview Nursing Home.

He was born in Halifax County on March 12, 1929, the son of the late Earnest Crews and Ollie White Crews and was married to Geneva Owens Crews. He was a member of County Line Baptist Church.

Mr. Crews is survived by his wife, four daughters, Norma Crews Davis of Java, Joyce Crews Stephens of Danville, Clara Crews Wilson of Virginia Beach and Stephanie Crews Jones of Woodbridge, one son, Will Earnest Crews of North Carolina, two sisters, Lucy Petty and Elizabeth Crews, both of Nathalie, eight grandchildren, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Willis Earl Crews, one sister, Ella Easley, and three brothers, James Crews, Amos Crews and William Crews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 6, at 11 a.m. at County Line Baptist Church with the Rev. Otis Dillard officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the residence, 2052 Leda Road, Nathalie.

Mildred Owen Moser

Funeral services for Mildred Owen "Granny" Moser of Alton were held Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Vance Midgett officiating.
Burial was in Clover Cemetery.

Mrs. Moser, 75, died Friday at her home.

She was a retired Craddock-Terry employee.

Mrs. Moser was born May 13, 1928 in Halifax County, a daughter of the late Willie Fuller Owen and Gertrude Nichols Owen.

She is survived by one son, Tommy King and wife Linda of Nathalie, two daughters, Pauline Holt and husband Wayne of Clover and Linda Conner and husband Pete of Crystal Hill.

Other survivors include two sisters, Laverne Hazelwood of South Boston and Gracie Douglas of Long Island, Virginia, and three brothers, Simmon Owen of South Boston, Kenneth Owen of Vernon Hill and Bill Owen of Buffalo Junction, 10 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary King Holt, and one grandson, S.W. Barnett.

The family requests that those wishing to give memorials consider Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, Va. 24592.

Kenneth Frederic Perkins

Kenneth Frederic Perkins, 64, of Stovall Trail, died Friday, April 2, at Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was born in Halifax County on February 22, 1940, the son of the late Henry W. Perkins and Gladys Younger Perkins.

Mr. Perkins is survived by two sons, Anthony and Tyrone Perkins, both of Washington, D.C., two sisters, Coreen Stovall of Halifax and Sarah White of Maryland, two brothers, Ernest and Thomas Perkins, both of Washington, D.C., other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Dunn and Sons with the Rev. L.S. Leigh officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of George W. Stovall, 1190 Stovall Trail, Halifax.