Friday, May 14, 2004

Bike Bandit Busted
Horace Elvin Hurt Of Keysville Charged With Armed Robbery

Officers with the South Boston Police Department took a suspect into custody just over an hour after he allegedly robbed the Community National Bank yesterday afternoon.

Horace Elvin Hurt, 47, of Keysville allegedly entered the bank at approximately 4:57 p.m., told the clerk he had an explosive device and that he would "blow the place up" if they didn't turn over the money, according to police.

He escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, setting off a search that included the South Boston Police Department, the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was also notified of the crime.

The suspect, described as a black male approximately 5'9" with a beard and dirty brown pants, allegedly escaped from the scene on a getaway bicycle.

"You don't see that particular mode of escape very often," Chief Mick Reed said.

Hurt was taken into custody at 6:03 p.m. on U.S. 58 near the industrial park and charged with armed robbery, according to police.

"We have positively identified him," Reed said.

The money was recovered, he added.

Police are currently investigating the possibility of additional suspects and additional charges, according to the chief.

Building I Construction At Riverstone To Begin Soon
Dignitaries Gathered At Riverstone Technology Park For Ribbon-Cutting, Groundbreaking Ceremony

Calling it a great day for Halifax County, community leaders were joined by state dignitaries at Riverstone Technology Park Wednesday for a ground-breaking and ribbon cutting ceremony for Building I.

"Nobody thought that we would be this far this soon," Halifax County Industrial Development Authority Chairman John Cannon told the hundred or so gathered for the occasion. "Today we have a park that is complete with all the necessary infrastructure, and next spring we will have our first two facilities constructed with over 100 people employed in technology-related fields never offered before in Halifax County.

"This is a great day for Halfiax County," he added yesterday.

The 165-acre park is designed to meet the needs of information technology, biomedical, small technology, telecommunications and technical manufacturing industries and will offer both manufacturing and corporate office facilities.

Speaking at a luncheon following the groundbreaking, Dr. Charles Hamner, a leader in the biotechnology field, said that biomedical companies represented a burgeoning market that Halifax County is uniquely situated to pursue.

"Halifax County is in exactly the right place to take advantage of biotechnical manufacturing," he said. "I think you all have tremendous potential here.

"Your reasonable land rates, highway system, a trained work force and a wonderful quality of life make for a fantastic opportunity for biomedical manufacturing at Riverstone," he added.

Hamner said the field is wide-ranging, comprising agricultural, pharmaceutical, environmental and chemical applications.

"What people don't realize is that the medicine we take, the food we eat and the clothes we wear have a biotechnical aspect," he said.

Located just 60 miles from North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, Cannon said planners hoped to tap into the technology and biomedical market.

"This will allow us to reach into RTP and offer companies a Virginia alternative," he said.

Building one is a 67,000 sq. ft. building with 10,499 sq. ft. of lab space, 14,346 sq. ft.of office space and 11,733 sq. ft. of high-bay space. It will offer comanies multiple broadband Internet options and wireless connectivity.

The construction contract has been awarded to Halifax County's J.E. Burton Construction Company. The guaranteed maximum cost for the construction is $9,650,002.

Construction will begin shortly after the contract is signed, according to IDA Director Scott Morris.

Cannon told the group that the park represented a $17 million investment in the county's future.

"This investment has provided us the opportunities to meet with companies that never would have considered our county," he said. This is an investment for today, tomorrow and at least the next 20 years."

The Tobacco Commission has committee to fund $10 million for the park over the next nine years. Yesterday, the commission announced $6,190,264 in economic development funding for the project.

The funds represent a 2001 grant of $1,937,500 for property improvements and infrastructure, a 2002 grant of $2,252,764 for continued infrastructure and a $2,000,000 for Building I in 2003.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration funded $1 million earmarked for telecommunication service, water, sewer and road.

The Virginia Department of Transportation provided the industrial access road and revenue sharing funds with local matches committed.

The infrastructure portion of the project is estimated at around $6.5 million.

Del. Clarke Hogan, who sits on the Tobacco Commission, told the group that Riverstone symbolizes the beginning of a new economy in Southside.

"Riverstone will give Halifax County the edge in attracting new industries and bring much-needed jobs for our residents," he said. "It seems that we have the tools to compete. How we compete will depend on how we use those tools.

Virginia's Deputy Secretary of Trade and Commerce Matt Erskine commended the effort of county leaders and told the group that the state economic development team are excited about the project.

"Your vision and proactive efforts are to be commended," he said.

Senator Frank Ruff said the park will benefit all of Southside Virginia.

"The reality is we're all in this together," he said. "The public doesn't care where the county lines are. They're worried about feeding and taking care of their families."

Cannon described Building 1 as the park's "flagship facility."

"This is the type of facility that people are looking for all over the country," Ruff added. "As they come visit us and see what a wonderful life we have here, they'll want to stay."

Governor Mark R. Warner announced last year that the Virginia Employment Commission will locate a customer contact call center in the 15,000 sq. ft. Building II in early 2005.

The call center is expected to employ around 100 people.

County IDA Authorizes Building I Contract
Contract With Burton Construction Guarantees Maximum Cost Of $9,650,002

The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority announced yesterday that construction on Building I at Riverstone Technology Park is about to get underway.

"I expect construction could begin as early as next week," IDA Executive Director Scott Morris said.

Following a special closed meeting yesterday morning, the board voted to certify a guaranteed maximum contract with J.E. Burton Construction Company valued at $9,650,002.

The motion unanimously passed, with board member Billy Royster absent, on a motion by Carlyle Ramsey and with a second by Jack Dunavant.

An estimated completion date for Building I is January, 2005.

The board also voted to authorize Chairman John Cannon and Vice-Chair Jack Dunavant to sign the construction contract valued at $1,796,105 for Building II at Riverstone.

Burton Construction was awarded the contract with a winning total base bid of $1,813,553.

The difference between the contract value and the base bid is due to the elimination of some value engineered items from the originally-bid project, according to Cannon.

"We took some items out of the project that we saw we didn't need," he said yesterday.

The South Boston company was competing for the job with Blair Construction Company ($1,959,000), J.E. Jamerson &Sons ($2,330,000) and Canavan & Associates ($1,936,000), according to the tabulation of bids.

The motion passed on a motion by Ramsey with a second by Treasurer Gene Faucette.

The chairman, architect or IDA director were requested to certify a cost per square foot for Building I.

Cannon and Faucette were authorized to sign the appropriate documents to finance the remainder of the project costs for Building II, estimated at $752,455.

The chairman and vice-chairman were also authorized to sign the architectural contract for Building I following a 24-hour review by the board.

Comets Shade Glass In Thriller
HCHS Made An Unearned Run In The Fourth Inning Hold Up In A 1-0 Win Here Tuesday

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

What started out as a possible miscue turned into a game-winning play for Brent Long and the Halifax County High School varsity baseball team.

Long, slipping to the ground while making a wide turn at third base, scored on an E.C. Glass error in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Comets made it hold up in a 1-0 win over the Hilltoppers here Tuesday night.

"We only got one run but this is baseball," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.

" We'll take that run. We're grateful to come out with the win."

Long reached base on an infield single with one out and moved to second base when Chris Perkins grounded out.

Jacob Owen reached base on an error, sending Long scampering for third base. Long made a wide turn at the bag and slipped, giving Glass an opportunity to make a play at third base.

The Hilltoppers' third baseman mishandled the ball and Long darted for the plate. Long dove head first across the plate and scored as the throw to the E.C. Glass catcher sailed wide of the mark.

"Brent made a heads-up decision to keep on going," said Davis.

"He went full speed ahead and we were fortunate to come out of it with a run."

E.C. Glass coach Kevin Brown said it was a game both teams wanted to win very badly.

"This was basically a battle for second place and now they (Halifax) have the upper hand," said Brown.

"Now, we've got to battle to stay out of fourth place. It's going to be a tough road.

"Our guys gave a great effort," he continued.

"We made one miscue in the field and it cost us. We needed to capitalize off of that baserunning mistake they had. It turned out that they (Halifax) ended up capitalizing on our mistake."

The win gives the Comets an edge over the Hilltoppers in the battle between the two teams for second place in the Western Valley District standings.

However, the Comets are still facing two key district games, the first being a road game Friday against GW in Danville and the other coming on Tuesday when the Comets travel to Rocky Mount to face Franklin County.

A win in one of those two games should give the Comets second place and a home game in one of the upcoming Western Valley District Tournament semifinal games.

The game featured a pitching duel between Comets sophomore Jeremy Jeffress and E.C. Glass ace Jared Bolden.

Jeffress fanned seven batters, allowed four scattered hits and three walks.
Bolden fanned two Comets batters while allowing five scattered hits and one walk.

"Everybody out here saw two great pitchers battle each other," said Davis.

"Both pitchers did a heck of a job."

The two teams had their share of possible scoring opportunities but the work of the pitchers and some smooth defensive play countered them.

E.C. Glass came up with a hit from Drew Elkins in the top of the first but Elkins was picked off by Jeffress.

Halifax County got a one-out double from Nathan Thomas in the bottom of the first inning but left Thomas stranded at second base.

Chris Lowery, the designated hitter for Jeffress, walked with two out in the bottom of the second inning but was stranded.

A walk and a hit enabled the Hilltoppers to get runners to second base and third base in the top of the third inning. They, too, were stranded.

The Comets picked up their unearned run in the top of the fourth inning and then fended off a challenge by the Hilltoppers in the bottom of the inning.

Glass led off with a double backed up with a base hit but left then stranded on the basepaths as the Comets retired the next three batters in order.

Ryan Roller led off the bottom of the fifth inning for the Comets with a base hit but got no further than second base as Bolden and the Hilltoppers retired the next three Comets batters in order.

Glass, with a pair of walks from Jeffress, got two runners on the sacks in the top of the sixth inning but failed to score.

It was the third time in four innings that the Hilltoppers left the field with two runners stranded on the bases.

Halifax County got a two-out single from Perkins in the bottom of the sixth inning but was unable to scratch up a run.

Obituaries

Claire Barbour Canada

Claire Barbour Canada, 85, of 1019 Avondale Drive, South Boston died May 12 at her home.

Mrs. Canada was born in Halifax County on May 4, 1919, the daughter of the late William B. Barbour and Mamie Hill Barbour and was married to the late Durelle Gregory Canada Jr. She was a member of First Baptist Church of South Boston.

Survivors include one daughter, Candy C. Lance-Taylor of South Boston; one son, Durelle Gregory Canada III of Superstition Mountain, Ariz.; three granddaughters, Joan C. Gallob of Las Vegas, Nev., Mary C. Pellagi of Phoenix, Ariz. and Brianne R. Lance of Collingswood, N.J.; and one great-grandson, Jack Gallob of Las Vegas.

A graveside memorial service will be held tomorrow, May 15 at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Melvin Bradshaw conducting the service.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592.

Annie Sydnor Carrington

Annie Sydnor Carrington, 91, of 1048 Dr. Lacy's Trail, Nathalie died May 10 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Brookneal.

Mrs. Carrington was born in Halifax County on June 14, 1912, the daughter of the late Giles Sydnor and Lizzie Traynham Sydnor and was married to the late Lawrence Ingram Carrington. She was a member of Sunflower Baptist Church.

Survivors include six daughters, Gertrude Barbour of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., Gloria Seymour of Albany, N.Y., Delzora Hawkins of Dale City, Marion Bailey, Dorothy Carrington and Elizabeth White, all of Alexandria; two sons, Augusta Carrington of Nathalie and Major Carrington of Alexandria; 18 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mrs. Carrington will be held Sunday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m. at Sunflower Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Tucker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home.

Kanieja Z. Harris

Infant Kanieja Z. Harris, 14 months old, of 1333 Shepherd Street, South Boston died May 12 at her home.

She was born February 14, 2003, the daughter of Tony Harris and Tonya Chandler.

Survivors also include one sister, Kiara Torian; and her maternal grandfather, Henry Chappell of Atlantic City, N.J.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, May 15 at 2 p.m. at Dunn & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Halifax. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, and other times at the home.

Arthur Alton Sydnor

Arthur Alton Sydnor, 61, of 1213 White Oak Fork Road, Virgilina died May 11.

Mr. Sydnor was born in Halifax County on July 5, 1942, the son of the late Georgia Sydnor and Mamie Robert Sydnor and was married to Thelma Suitt Sydnor. He was a member of White Oak Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Arthur Ernie Sydnor of Virgilina; five sisters, Evaughn Wilkins, Elnora Jordan, Truett Richardson and Dorothy Fountain, all of Virgilina, and Sallie Williams of Bridgeport, Conn.; one brother, James Jackson Sydnor of Virgilina. Mr. Sydnor was preceded in death by three brothers, Garland, Glenn and Charlie Sydnor.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 16 at 4 p.m. at White Oak Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Faulkner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Truett Richardson, 4122 Buckshoal Road, Virgilina.