Business at the Tultex Mill Outlet store had been good.
"It was unbelievable what we could sell on Saturday!"
the manager of 18 years, Faye Newton, said as she greeted by name
three customers checking out a rack of sale items near the front
door.
Then things started to change and sales began to drop. "About
a year ago," assistant manager Anna Medley recalled.
That was about the time the grocery store next door closed in
Hupps Mill Plaza Shopping Center.
But Tultex's troubles are far more complex than the loss of a
neighboring tenant in the shopping center. The Martinsville-based
apparel manufacturer blamed declining demand for its fleece products
on decisions earlier in the year to scale back operations and
refinance about $150 million of debt.
Tultex provides employment for about 6,700 people and has other
operations, including sewing plants in South Boston, Bastion and
Roanoke; yarn-making plants in Roxboro, NC; and fabric plants
in Martinsville and Asheville.
Tultex Mill Outlet stores in Virginia, North Carolina and West
Virginia had numbered 11 before the recent closing of the Roanoke
store.
When the South Boston store closes June 30, just nine will remain
with the closest located in Roxboro, NC.
Newton and Medley were notified a week ago that the outlet store
here would be closing. Newton said she declined an employment
offer by Tultex in another town while Medley has been given no
alternative.
"I need to work," the 53-year old mother of two grown
children said. Tultex provides for the two hospital insurance
"including dental" , a retirement plan, and paid vacation.
"We had it all!" Newton added.
Also a mother of two children, Newton's youngest daughter finished
college last year. "I'm sure thankful for that," she
said while mentioning that her husband had just retired last year.
"I hate to see it close."
Similar sentiments were expressed by the shopping center's promotional
manager Harrison Throckmorton who owns and operates Glen-More
Clothing.
Throckmorton said that he had urged the shopping center's owner
to remodel the center's facade and repave the parking lot in order
to attract not only customers, but more tenants.
"This is a good shopping center," Throckmorton said.
Town and county officials will meet again today as they explore
an urban planning district in the South Boston, Town of Halifax
and county corridor.
Officials will meet at 6 p.m. at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
This is one of a series of meeting sessions initiated last winter
as the county began work on its Comprehensive Plan.
The Town of South Boston also needs to update its plan due to
annexation.
The urban area's current and projected needs are being assessed
by the three governing bodies for planning purposes. The corridor
stretches from the Town of Halifax through Centerville, South
Boston and spills over into the county.
South Boston Police have issued arrest warrants for a man suspected
in the May 12 armed robbery of the Savings Gas Station.
South Boston Lt. Investigator Rick Loftis said Sunday that a warrant
has been issued for the arrest of 21-year-old Ronnie David Blanks
of James D. Hagood Highway, Clover, on charges of armed robbery
and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Blanks is suspected of being the tall red-haired man who approached
the attendant at the Centerville gas station Wednesday evening,
showed him a gun and demanded money. The suspect left the area
with an undetermined amount of cash, reports stated.
According to Loftis, who is investigating the incident with
South Boston Investigator B.K. Lovelace, Blanks may be operating
a purple 1996 Mercury tracer four-door sedan. Warrants have also
been filed on Blanks for unauthorized use of this vehicle, Loftis
said.
"This suspect should be considered armed and dangerous,"
Loftis cautioned.
Anyone who sees Blanks should not attempt to confront the suspect,
but it encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 575-8477 or 476-8477.
Callers are not required to identify themselves or testify in
court. Those individuals who providing information that leads
to an arrest and conviction can receive up to $1,000 reward money.
In other local reports, South Boston officers arrested Sheila
Ann Logan, 28, of Apartment B, North Main Street, South Boston,
Thursday on charges of larceny, forgery and uttering.
Logan is suspected of stealing a check valued at less than $200
from her neighbor, Cheryl Adams, and cashing at the Centerville
Food Lion April 20, Loftis said.
Halifax County Deputies arrested a South Boston man Saturday on
grand larceny charges.
Gregory Scott New, 38, of Bold Springs Road, South Boston was
arrested and charged with grand larceny in connection with an
alleged offense that reportedly occurred February 12.
Excessive speed has been cited as a major factor in a single-vehicle
accident that killed a South Boston woman last week in North Carolina.
According to reports from the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Helen
Coleman Smith, 47, of McKinney Street, South Boston, apparently
died instantly in a crash that occurred at 1:30 p.m. on Monday,
May 10, along U.S. 501 North in the Bethel Hill Community.
Reports stated that investigation of the wreck site and interviews
with witnesses indicated that Smith was traveling at a very high
rate of speed, well in excess of the 55 mph speed limit posted
along the two-lane highway.
Investigators said that Smith was traveling north on U.S. 501
in a 1992 Pontiac Grand Prix and had just passed on northbound
vehicle and was in the process of passing another when she lost
control of her vehicle.
She reportedly ran off the left side of the road, skidded sideways
across the highway, and then went airborne and overturned several
times as she ran off the right side of the road over a steep embankment.
Smith was thrown from the vehicle and was located approximately
30 feet from the wreckage.
Investigating troopers said the car struck and moved a very large
rock on its way down the embankment and eventually came to rest
after striking two trees.
A South Boston man was indicted for attempted capital murder
in connection with an October shooting that left a Danville man
paralyzed.
After examining evidence Monday, a Halifax Grand Jury returned
a true bill of indictment against Clinton Wallace Miller, 39,
of Route 3, South Boston, on charges of attempted capital murder,
use of a firearm while attempting capital murder, and possession
of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Miller, who remains in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority
in Halifax under no bond, turned himself into authorities October
28, 10 days after he allegedly shot Wallace Wayne McCain, 35,
of Danville, in the neck.
Lead investigator Lt. C.A. Bates, with the Halifax County Sheriff's
Office, said the motive for the shooting appeared to be robbery.
After Miller turned himself in, Bates said McCain was shot once
in the neck with a large caliber handgun late on the night of
October 18 and left to die on Carlbrook Road (Route 663), approximately
three quarters of a mile south of Route 360, near the Pittsylvania
County line.
Authorities said Miller allegedly stole $50 from McCain in the
incident.
McCain was initially taken to the Halifax Regional Hospital for
treatment, then transported by helicopter to Duke Medical Center
in Durham, N.C. The injury left him paralyzed from the neck down.
In addition to the Miller case, a Halifax County Grand Jury also
examined evidence Monday and returned bills of indictments against
37 other defendants.
· Ronald Stuart Bowes, 34, of Harmony Road, Alton, was
indicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine
and possession of marijuana dating back. The charges stem from
an alleged incident connected with a search warrant that was executed
at a residence at 4004 Mt. Carmel Road, Alton, March 28.
· Michael Charles Burt, age and address not available,
was indicted on charges of attempting to purchase a firearm after
being convicted of a felony and making a false statement on a
consent form to purchase a firearm. The charges stem from an alleged
incident that occurred November 15.
· Derrick Shamont Cameron, 19, of North Main Street, South
Boston, was indicted on charges of possession of cocaine (which
stem from an alleged incident on January 21).
Cameron was also indicted on charges that he robbed Timothy Doomes
of three rings and a pack of cigarettes December 18, use of a
firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm
after having been convicted of a felony.
· Timothy Cassady, age and address not available, was indicted
on charges of felonious delivery of marijuana to state prisoners
Charles Goode and Antonio Smith and possession of marijuana while
a prisoner in a state correctional facility.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred January
23.
· Charles Goode, age and address not available, was indicted
on charges of delivering marijuana to Antonio Smith, who was a
inmate at a state correctional facility, and felony possession
of marijuana while a prisoner in a state correctional facility.
These charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred January
23.
· Antonio Smith, age and address not available, was indicted
on charges of possession of marijuana while a prisoner at a state
correctional facility.
This charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred January
23.
· Shaunta Antwon Chism, 18, of River Road, South Boston,
was indicted on charges of possession of more than one half ounce
but less than five pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute.
This charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred January
20.
· Mervyn Eugene Clienhans, 32, of Virgie Cole Road, South
Boston, was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm after
being convicted of a felony.
This charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred November
28.
· Joe Caesar Dabbs, 45, of Bagwell Drive, Scottsburg, was
indicted on charges of operating a motor vehicle after having
been declared an habitual offender (subsequent offense).
This charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred December
21.
· Derek Davis, age and address not available, was indicted
on the charge of possession of cocaine, which stems from an incident
that allegedly occurred December 22.
· Ralph Edward Davis, 35, of Wilmouth Avenue, South Boston,
was indicted on charges of breaking and entering Savings Gas Station
on Halifax Road, felonious theft of money, cigarettes, beer and
other miscellaneous items valued in excess of $200 from Savings
Gas Station, possession of cocaine, breaking and entering Amoco
Food Shop #100 on Halifax Road, and stealing less than $200 from
the business.
These charges all stem from incidents that allegedly occurred
November 1.
· Sandra D. Faucette, 34, of Hyco Road, South Boston, was
indicted on charges of possession of cocaine.
This charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred January
2.
· Susie Belvin Godsey, 35, of Williams Road, Brookneal,
was indicted on charges that she stole a 1987 Toyota pick-up truck
valued at more than $200 from Mark T. Fisher and Dudley Fisher.
The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred January
29.
· Pamela Miller Gravitt, 37, of Wren Street, South Boston,
was indicted on charges that she stole less than $200 from Gail
M. Howell (subsequent offense).
The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred February
18.
· Jon Graham Hammond, 34, of Hamilton Boulevard, South
Boston, was indicted on charges of possession of cocaine, operating
a motor vehicle after being declared an habitual offender, and
failure to stop for a blue light and siren.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred December
25.
· Sherry Meade Hayes, 34, of Spruce Lane, South Boston,
was indicted on charges of attempting to obtain a Schedule III
controlled substance (namely Hydrocodine) without a valid prescription,
and possession of Hydrocodine without a valid prescription.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred November
19.
· Cassius Lewis Howerton, 34, of Edmonds Street, South
Boston, was indicted on charges of possession of crack cocaine
and possession of marijuana.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred November
19.
· Gary Jenkins, age and address not available, was indicted
on two counts of attempting to obtain a Schedule II controlled
substance (namely Demerol) by embezzlement from Halifax Regional
Hospital in South Boston.
The offenses allegedly occurred October 6 and October 7.
· Joseph Dwayne Johnson, 24, of Claiborne Street, Danville,
was indicted on charges of operating a motor vehicle after being
declared an habitual offender, stealing less than $200 worth of
gasoline from the Short-Stop Convenience Store, failing to stop
for a blue light and siren, and reckless driving.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred December
28.
· William Jerome Johnson, 46, of Huell Matthews Highway,
Alton, was indicted on the charge of possession of cocaine.
The charge stems from an incident that allegedly occurred December
11.
· Margue Lamont Medley, 20, of Coleman Drive, Alton, was
indicted on charges of assault and battery on South Boston Police
Officer S.M. Comer.
The charge stems from an incident that occurred February 12.
· Dustin Chad Montgomery, 23, of Cousin Lane, Nathalie,
was indicted on charges of feloniously aiding, counseling or procuring
burning and destruction, and manufacture/possession of an explosive
device (firebomb).
· Florence Ingram Neathery, Halifax Road, Halifax, was
indicted on charges of attempted breaking and entering at night
at the home of Deborah Adcock (February 24) with the intent of
committing a felony and writing a bad check September 4 for the
amount of $25.80 to Mother Hubbard, and writing a bad check September
7 for the amount of $28.78 to Mother Hubbard.
· Gregory Scott New, 38, of Bold Springs Road, South Boston,
was indicted on three counts of stealing a Global Money Orders
valued in excess of $200 belonging to Jiffy Store Inc. located
on Wilborn Avenue in South Boston.
The alleged incidents occurred February 12.
· Quincy Eugene Moore, 26, of Edmonds Street, South Boston,
was indicted on the charge of cocaine possession.
The alleged offense occurred January 1.
· Jerry Broad Osborne, 51, of Mountain Road, Halifax, was
indicted on the charge of possessing a firearm after being convicted
of a felony.
The offense allegedly occurred March 24.
· Nell Moorefield Pennell, age and address not available,
was indicted on two counts of forgery and two counts of uttering.
The alleged offenses occurred December 19, according to court
records.
· Stephanie Smith Reeves, age and address not available,
was indicted on one court of possession of cocaine.
The offense allegedly occurred March 28.
· Pearl Denise Royal, age and address not available, was
indicted on charges of forgery and uttering and stealing less
than $200 from Runt's.
The offenses allegedly occurred June 17.
· Patrick Elliott Scarborough, 18, of Parker Avenue, South
Boston, was indicted on charges of possession of crack cocaine
with the intent to distribute.
The alleged offense occurred October 21.
· Frank Seamster Jr., age and address not available, was
indicted on charges that he stole a .20 gauge pump shotgun and
a VCR valued in excess of $200 from Elihah Granville Seamster
between March 1 and March 31.
He was also indicted on charges that he stole a tool box containing
sockets, wrenches, a rachet and two extension screw drivers and
a hydraulic floor jack from Earl Douglas Fisher between February
1 and February 15.
· Candace Collins Taylor, 39, of Neal's Corner Road, Clover,
was indicted on the charge of possession of cocaine.
The offense allegedly occurred December 22.
· Sean Aubrey Thomas, age and address not available, was
indicted on 11 counts of stealing less than $200 from Emmitt T.
Venable Jr. and 1st Citizens Bank November 5 and 6, and was also
indicted on the charge of obtaining money by representing without
owner's consent a bank or credit card during that same time period.
· Dino Lekido Waller, age and address not available, was
indicted on the charge of possession of a firearm after being
convicted of a felony.
The alleged offenses reportedly occurred January 17.
· Keith Lynn Walls, 27, of Buffalo Junction, was indicted
on charges of shooting at an occupied dwelling at 6074 North Fork
Church Road in Virgilina March 13.
· Jamie Scott Wilkins, age and address not available, was
indicted on charges of possession of cocaine stemming from an
allegedly incident that reportedly occurred March 28.
· Jeffrey Neil Wright, 37, of Eppson Road, Brookneal, was
indicted on the charge of feloniously wounding Derrick Bouie.
The alleged offense reportedly occurred December 16.
By LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press Writer
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Lawns are turning brown a little earlier than
usual this spring, and that has state climatologist Patrick Michaels
nervous.
''What I'm concerned about is that we are starting off the scattered
precipitation season with a moderate shortfall of rain,'' Michaels
said. ''That's not a good situation.''
Michaels said rainfall has averaged 3 1/2 inches statewide over
the last six weeks. That's about an inch below normal.
Any other time of year, a shortage like that would not be of great
concern. But by mid-May, Michaels said, the state's weather pattern
historically shifts from general rainfall to scattered thunderstorms.
''Because we are switching to the more thunderstorm-dominated
precipitation, it seems likely some scattered areas are going
to be quite dry,'' Michaels said.
Forestry officials already have had their problems with the dry weather.
A fire burned more than 3,000 acres in the Shenandoah National
Park before being extinguished last week.
A thunderstorm helped put out the fire, but lightning strikes started
a few others, said Lou Southard, spokesman for the Virginia Forestry
Department.
He said fire danger is ''about medium'' in most areas, but it will
quickly worsen if the state doesn't get significant rain soon. The
National Weather Service says the weather will remain dry for the
next several days.
The state's Drought Monitoring Task Force has scheduled a conference
call for Thursday - ''usually an indication of significant
concern,'' Southard said.
In Roanoke, the water level at the city reservoir has fallen to more
than 18 feet below capacity. City officials say that without a soaking
rain, it could be down 24 feet in six weeks, and the City Council
could impose water restrictions.
Central Virginia, the Piedmont region and the Northern Neck are the
state's driest areas, Michaels said.
For Virginia farmers, the dry weather has been a blessing and
a curse, said Nathan Crisp of the Virginia Agriculture Statistics Service.
''It's been good for planting,'' he said Tuesday. Farmers made good
progress in the last week planting peanuts, cotton, tobacco and
corn.
''On the other hand, for the winter wheat crop and barley, moisture
is getting a little short now,'' Crisp said.
He said those crops are in crucial development stages and rain is
needed in the next week.
John Elmo Lloyd, Jr. died Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at his Pine
Ridge residence at the age of 47. Mr. Lloyd was the son of the
late Elizabeth Hughes and John Elmo Lloyd, Sr.
He is survived by sisters, Arlene Spainhour, Josephine Jones,
Louise Robertson all of South Boston and Barbara Hall of Vernon
Hill.
A memorial graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday May 18,
1999 at the Ellis Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Don
Bryant officiating.
The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. today at the residence
of Barbara Hall, Wilson Memorial Hwy. 677 in Vernon Hill.
Mr. Ray Thornton Guthrie of 1187 Alchie Lane, Nathalie died
May 13, 1999 at St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 84. He was born
in Halifax County on October 10, 1914 to Archer James Guthrie
and Lena Roark Guthrie. He was married to Lenwood Strickland Guthrie
and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Millstone where
he served as a deacon for many years.
Mr. Guthrie is survived by his wife of Nathalie; daughters, Jane
G. Hudson and husband Ellwood of Montpelia, Dale G. Jackson and
Husband Robert T. of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; brother, Neil
T. Guthrie and wife Nell of Nathalie; sisters Elaine G. Fisher
and Clarice G. Lewis both of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Mr. Guthrie were held Sunday, May 16, 1999
at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Millstone. Rev. Bob Watts
conducted the service. Burial took place in church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to please consider the
Ray T. Guthrie Memorial Fund for Youth Music Ministry at First
Baptist Church of Millstone, 1117 Parsonage Road, Nathalie, VA
24577.
Mr. James Davis (J.D.) Owen of 122 Godfry Street, Danville
died May 13, 1999 at Danville Regional Hospital at the age of
62. He was born in Halifax County, on September 9, 1936 and was
the son of Otis Holt Owen and Rosa McCormick Owen.
He is survived by sons, James Owen of New Bern, NC and Aubrey
Owen of Danville; brother John Owen of South Boston; sisters,
Betty O. Francisco of South Boston and Ella O. Fulcher of Halifax;
grandchildren, Melissa Owen and Jimmy Owen, both of New Bern,
NC and Lauren Owen of Smithfield, NC; a special friend Christine
Harris. He preceded in death by son Eddie Michael Owen.
Graveside services for Mr. Owen were held Sunday at 3 p.m. in
McCormick-Owen Family Cemetery in Clays Mill. Rev. Tony Brooks
and Rev. Freddie Vicks conducted the service.
The family received friends at the home of Ella and Bobby Fulcher, 509 Oak Lane, Halifax.
Otis Clark of 5074 Mt. Laurel Road, Clover, died Friday, May
14, 1999 at his residence in Clover at the age of 75.
He was born in Halifax County, on January 10, 1924 and was the
son of the late Oliver Clark and Mary Jones Clark. He was married
to Edna Coleman Clark and was a deacon of the Bethel Grove Baptist
Church. He was also a World War II Army Veteran.
Mr. Clark is survived by his wife: Mrs. Edna Coleman Clark; one
daughter and son-in-law: Mrs. Gloria Clark Wilson and Robert Wilson
of Clover; one granddaughter: Renee Wilson of Clover; five sisters:
Ms. Louise Clark of Baltimore, MD; Ms. Ruth Clark of Jamaica,
NY; Mrs. Dorothy McDaniel, of Long Island, NY; Mrs. Loretta Garrett
of Halifax;; and Mrs. Pattie Brown of Clover; three brothers:
Oscar Clark, Sidney Clark and David Clark, all of Clover.
Funeral services for Mr. Clark will be held Monday, May 17 at
1:00 p.m. with services at the Bethel Grove Baptist Church with
the Rev. Robert H. VanHook officiating. Burial will follow in
the church cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be
made to the Bethel Grove Baptist Church Sunday School, 1071 Saluda's
Lane, Clover, VA 24534.
David Ward (Tom) Keesee Jr., 82, of Lynchburg died Sunday,
May 16, 1999 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the widower
of Louise Arperia Keesee.
Born in Lynchburg, December 18, 1916, he was a son of the late
David W. and May Mason Keesee. He was a member of the Masonic
order. He was the owner of Keesee Business Machines in Lynchburg
and South Boston for over 30 years.
He is survived by a sister, Lillie K. Hepner of Lynchburg, two
nieces, Joyce D. Ewers of Lynchburg and Jean D. Price, of Gretna,
and a nephew, Donald G. Hepner, of Lynchburg.
A graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
at Fort Hill Memorial Park by the Rev. Joseph T. Carson III.
The family will receive friends Tuesday May 18, from 1-2:00 p.m.
at the home of Joyce D. Ewers, 316 Charlotte Street prior to the
service.
Diuguid Rivermont Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Selene Coates Peterson of Radford, died Thursday, May 13, 1999
at the New River Valley Medical Center in Radford at the age of
92. She was a retired homemaker and a member of McKendree United
Methodist Church in Halifax.
She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Ferdy and Sharon
Perrow of Radford and Robley M. and Betty Perrow of Stuarts Draft;
five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Robley M. Perrow, Jr.
and William H. Peterson, two sisters, six brothers and two grandchildren.
Graveside memorial services will be held today at 11 a.m. at the McKendree United Methodist Church Cemetery in Halifax.