Supervisors faced a standing- room only crowd of police officers and Emergency Services volunteers Monday night, all seeking a new radio system.
"Don't let it happen again," Deputy Sheriff Todd Moser urged supervisors.
Moser, who fought for his life in an incident last month that left one man dead, could not reach dispatchers that fateful day.
Ultimately, a passerby along Cherry Hill Church Road used a cell telephone to notify Halifax of Moser's plight.
"He called for backup for 13 minutes," Sheriff Oakes said of his deputy. "No one in Halifax heard him."
"I hope you never have to go there," said the deputy of his ordeal. "I knew that morning I was going to die.
"Don't let it happen again," he urged supervisors. "Take a stand. Get the ball rolling."
Earlier, Oakes had played the tape of Moser's calls for backup. Most of the tape was unintelligible.
But in South Boston the call was heard clearly, the sheriff told supervisors.
Moser sought funding of a new communications system to help all police officers and EMS personnel do their job ... and to protect them.
He also personalized the plea, no doubt echoing the sentiments of all EMS men and women gathered in the conference room.
"Who is going to replace me?" asked the father of two young daughters, one four years old and one an infant.
"Please do what you can, okay?" closed Moser to a standing ovation from his fellow officers and EMS personnel.
Earlier in the presentation, supervisors had heard the sheriff call for increasing the 911-surcharge to $2. It is currently 40 cents.
Oakes, as well as other speakers from throughout the county, called for consolidation of 911 services.
"The technology is there," said Oakes, in his appeal for funding.
Oakes estimated a new radio system could range in cost from $400,000 to almost $1 million, depending on the quality of the system.
Most of the county's fire and rescue personnel work for free, Oakes reminded supervisors.
"The radio system was deficient when Todd needed help," Oakes said. "It could happen to anyone in this room."
Dr. Gaylord Ray, Halifax Regional Hospital Emergency Room director, called the current communications system "archaic" and said that it "must be replaced for safety's sake."
Two years ago, Ray said the radio system had been identified as a number one problem, but no action was taken.
Millions of dollars of EMS equipment is of no use if no one gets the call for help, the doctor told supervisors. Police, fire and EMS personnel need to be able to talk with each other, he explained.
Ray also called for a consolidated 911 center with a 911 coordinator.
Volunteers deserve safe and dependable equipment, Ray told supervisors. "It is critically important," he added, not only to the sheriff's department but to all emergency services.
Dennis Snead, a volunteer with the Halifax Rescue squad and a South Boston policeman, called for a $2 E-911 surcharge.
"You make the decision I stand behind with my life," he told supervisors.
"We cannot have a weak link when people's lives are involved," said Waverly Morris, chief of the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department. We cannot afford to lose one of these people in this room. We can spend thousands on equipment, but if the call never comes, the equipment never rolls."
L.C. Fisher of the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department, told supervisors, "This (proposed) communications system is not a luxury, it is a necessity." Fisher also described pagers "that don't always work."
The NHVFD chief said that it was important to have a coordinator to oversee implementation of the new system "or we will be back in five years."
Bert Martin of the Clover Volunteer Fire Dept. also emphasized the need for a full-time E-911 coordinator, a person who could be important in getting the system up and running, as well as managing system upgrades.
He said recommendations were not followed when equipment was purchased in the 1980s and, as a result, some of the equipment purchased was out of date when purchased.
Martin called for increasing the 911-surcharge and investigating leasing the equipment, which could lead to automatic upgrades.
David Pulliam, chief of Midway VFD and an engineer, told supervisors that communications "are changing daily, yearly" with rapid advances.
"We need to fix the problem," he said. But he added that he didn't want to put his name on it ( a new system) if it weren't done correctly so that it would cover needs into the future. "Our citizens' lives and property depend on it," he added.
South Boston Manager Ted Daniel told supervisors that he agreed with Dr. Ray about consolidation of 911 services and that is his recommendation to his town council.
"It only makes sense. They can only work as a team if they can communicate," he told supervisors.
Supervisors Respond
"I think it is time for Halifax County to move forward on this," said Corky Rorrer.
"I agree there is no use to half fix it," said Supervisor R.E. Abbott. Later on, "it will cost more," he told fellow supervisors, in advocating "do it right."
Supervisor David Martin told fellow supervisors that at a meeting of his constituents, "not a person in the room had a problem paying" for needed services.
"They want stuff and they are willing to pay for it," said Martin.
"I think as a board we need to make sure we do not continue on a downward spiral," said Supervisor James Edmunds II. Edmunds called an increase in taxes justifiable for services.
We need to move forward on consolidation of 911, agreed supervisor T.E. West.
"I think this board will move forthrightly on this issue," Board of Supervisors Chairman Joe Satterfield told police officers and EMS personnel.
The board asked staff to investigate leasing radio equipment, to find out what was needed, and noted the need to fill the E-911 Advisory Committee since some former members are no longer on the board.
Assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace noted that Gov. Gilmore currently has two options with the 911-surcharge. House Bill 148 set a $3 cap on the 911 fee, he explained. The governor proposed a $2 cap, which did not pass. If the governor casts a veto now, there will be no cap, advised Lovelace. If he signs the bill, there will be a $3 cap.
"Either $3 or unlimited," Lovelace told advocates of the proposed communications system.

The current Halifax County E-911 surcharge is 40 cents, but the service costs 53 cents, according to an upgrade proposal distributed to supervisors by Dr. Gaylord Ray, HRH Emergency Room director.
"We are the last county in this area to upgrade our system. It will take a full $2 surcharge to implement the program ...," advised Ray. The estimated cost was $850,000.
The proposal addressed the following issues:
· Radio "dead spots" exist in the county. Proposed system would correct most of these problems with antennae, repeaters and radio equipment modifications.
· The new equipment would be high band and would be similar to a system proposed by ProCom 3/00 which would meet the needs of police, fire and rescue for the foreseeable future. A lease-purchase from 911 surcharge was suggested.
· New system would include a modern base station and would include a combination of mobile, walkie-talkie and paging equipment customized to each department's needs.
· Initially, a proposed four channels of high band would be used as follows: two channels for sheriff/police; one channel for combined fire and rescue; one channel for the ability for fire, police and rescue to use individually or shared as the incidents demanded.
· A full-time 911 coordinator to oversee operations, training and compliance. Salary from surcharge.
· Consolidation of 911 county-wide to be implemented for efficiency of equipment and personnel to minimize costs.
· Fire and rescue services provide county residents with hours of volunteer service at no cost. Many fire departments raise up to half their revenues from projects and donations, supervisors were advised. "The least we can do in return is to provide them with minimal communication equipment," said Ray.
· A consensus exists among the parties, police, fire and rescue in Halifax County, the Town of Halifax, South Boston and the Department of Forestry.

Supervisors unanimously passed a $43,182,113 school budget Monday night just two and a half hours before midnight, the state-mandated budget deadline.
Supervisors added $189,000 to the school budget, a sum requested by Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt during an April public hearing on the school budget.
At that time, Witt told the supervisors that the school system could commit $200,000 to the $389,000 difference between the school board's request and the supervisors' proposed funding of the 2000-2001 school budget.
"We are asking supervisors to consider $189,000 in additional funding," Witt said.
Superintendent Witt explained that with fewer students, the school system would receive about $110,000 less in state revenues that the School Board would have to absorb.
He said that the School Board would be "hard pressed" to make up the total $389,000 difference between proposed county funding and the School Board's request.
Supervisor David Martin proposed the $189,000 addition to the school budget at the Monday night meeting, with a second by Supervisor James Edmunds II.
Public Hearings
Supervisors denied a request by Dunn & Sons of Washington, D.C., to rezone 1.2 acres from A-1 Agricultural to B-2 General Business for a funeral services business at White Oak.
The Planning Commission had recommended denial of the application following its public hearing last week.
A petition containing 71 signatures in opposition to the location was forwarded to supervisors.
Willis Dunn, the applicant, spoke on behalf of the rezoning.
Dunn told supervisors that Halifax County was his home and that he wanted to open a business at the old White Oak Service Station property and adjoining lot off of Route 832.
The applicant said that he personally was licensed in Virginia but that the company could not be licensed until it had a location.
Dunn said that the business could dispatch body fluids into a septic tank system, as well as deal with infectious diseases with chemicals.
Adjoining neighbors, however, expressed concerns about water table and soil contamination from body fluids dispatched through a septic system.
Eugene Epps, a nearby landowner, named soil and water contamination, traffic and property depreciation as concerns. He also worried about a "spot zoning change" for one acre.
H.G. "Gene" Riddle, who lives across from the proposed funeral home site, also cited traffic concerns, lower real estate values and body and embalming fluid contamination of soil and water.
Riddle also worried that if rezoned, the land could have many uses.
"Will this business add to our community or will it take away from it?" asked Riddle.
Henry Herbert, an adjoining property owner, also objected. Herbert, too, expressed concern about land values.
Gayle Powell, an owner and operator of Powell General Store across from the proposed site, told supervisors that she found it hard to protest against a legitimate business, but that she also lived next to the store. "It is my home," she said. But the Dunns are not going to live there, she noted.
She told supervisors that the state made her dig up her gas tanks at the store but then "you are going to turn around and dump chemicals into the ground," she said of the proposed funeral home septic system.
"That contamination bothers me," said Powell.
"All of us live there and share," she told supervisors. She said that "all work to keep the community safe, quiet and rural." She described it as a community where neighbors value the land.
Supervisor Corky Rorrer moved that the request be denied, with a second by Lottie Nunn. Supervisors unanimously rejected the rezoning request.
However, supervisor David Martin told Dunn that the community welcomes his business and would be pleased if he would locate in a more satisfactory location with a disposal system.
A Gerald King rezoning request will be addressed at the mid-May meeting of supervisors, with supervisors considering a conditional use permit rather than rezoning for the one-acre parcel on the east side of Route 501, 1,000 feet south of routes 40/632.
King earlier sought to have the land rezoned B-2. The Planning Commission unanimously denied the request following its public hearing.
Wayne Guthrie, Mitchell Jennings and Bill Davis said the business zoning most concerned them.
Opponents speaking during the public hearing Monday night primarily objected to rezoning rather than the body shop's proposed location there.
Supervisors unanimously approved J.M. Huber's conditional use permit to expand its facility following a public hearing Monday night.
Huber proposes a 30,050 square foot addition on the north side of the facility on Route 626. Plan manager Rich Holtman said the expansion would represent an $8 million investment with an estimated spring 2001 start-up date. The new product line will create six to 24 new jobs. The Planning Commission had approved the request.
Following public hearing, supervisors also approved adoption of amendments to the Halifax CountySubdivision Ordinance. The Planning Commission had recommended the change.
Key provisions of the proposed changes are as follows:
· Definition of subdivision specifies that partitioning of a parcel is a subdivision if the parent tract is divided into three or more parts, with a provision for the tracking of successive partitions beginning at January 1, 1996, which can cumulatively total three or more. The current definition was to divide a parcel into two or more parts.
· Any partitioning of property that creates a new road will be considered a subdivision.
· Minimum 50 foot right-of-way for new roads is modified to require designation of right-of-way of a width to be determined by the Department of Transportation.
Following a public hearing, supervisors approved an amendment to the Animals and Fowl section of the Halifax County Code. The amendment allows the use of a muzzzleloading rifle from a stand elevated a minimum of 10 feet above ground level during the first 15 days of the state's prescribed regular season for deer hunting.
This is in addition to the muzzleloading rifle use permitted during the state's prescribed open early muzzleloading season for deer hunting.
Larry Layman spoke in favor of the amendment, saying that it increased opportunity for hunters who would like to use muzzleloaders, with no disadvantage to other hunters.
Riddle said that he was neither speaking for nor against the amendment, but was confused by it. He opposed having a tree stand. "More people are hurt falling out of tree stands than will ever get hurt by a muzzleloader," he said.
Supervisor James Edmunds II responded to a question about muzzleloaders, explaining that the more advanced muzzleloaders now shoot up to 200 yards and it was thought it would be safer to have muzzleloader hunters in tree stands when other hunters are in the field.
Scenic River
Supervisors agreed to seek an evaluation of a 24-mile stretch of the Staunton River from the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Tom Stutts of the Scenic Staunton River Advisory Committee explained the evaluation is a first step in considering the 24-mile stretch from Brookneal to the Staunton River State Battlefield Park for scenic designation, as is the 11-mile stretch from Long Island to Brookneal.
Stutts said an integral part of the overall process is seeking landowner involvement along the 24-mile stretch.
He also said that by seeking an evaluation the supervisors were not endorsing a scenic designation for the additional 24 miles.
Stutts said factors that DCR will consider in the evaluation include: water quality, corridor development, historic features, natural features, visual corridor, quality of fishery, presence of critical habitat or unique species, as well as other factors.
Field evaluation includes actually canoeing or boating the stretch of river being evaluated and rating the characteristics of the resource, Stutts explained.
If found to qualify, a scenic river report is prepared, which is made available to the General Assembly. Resolutions of support are then encouraged from local governments of the area. The final step is the introduction of a scenic river designation bill before the General Assembly.
Town of Halifax Cars
Supervisors, in a 5 to two vote with one abstention, approved a memorandum of understanding with the Town of Halifax that essentially exchanges three used sheriff's department vehicles for the use of the town's base and tower for communications for the county's general properties department.
The cars are to be sold to the town for $1, and later sold back to the county for $1.
"It seems to me there are some benefits the county can get out of this," said Supervisor Page Wilkerson, who proposed accepting the agreement.
"If the towns prosper, your county prospers," observed supervisor David Martin, who abstained from voting.
Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott opposed the action, noting the car committee recommended against similar proposals five times. Supervisor Lottie Nunn joined Abbott in opposing the action.
However, supervisors added a 30-day termination to the memorandum of understanding, and also an addition to the 10 years and three vehicles, noting that the transfer would take place only if the sheriff had the cars available and the Board of Supervisors approved.
The entire memorandum of understanding with the town is now subject to Halifax Town Council approval, noted assistant County Administrator Jerry Lovelace yesterday, since the memorandum was amended by supervisors.
Landfill
The county is beginning transfer of landfill operations to the Town of South Boston landfill, with the town receiving county trash as of this week. The total transition will be complete in several weeks. However, the green boxes will remain at the county's landfill gate even after the transition is made, advised Supervisor Tom West.
Supervisors are also investigating House Bill 522 which may provide funding to localities affected by city reversion.
On roads, supervisors approved a resolution authorizing VDOT to temporarily close Route 619 at the bridge over Hunting Creek for about two weeks, beginning May 15, to make substructure repairs.
Supervisors also approved a resolution to close Route 606 at the bridge over a branch of Aarons Creek to accomplish bridge replacement. The Route 606 work will begin about May 2, with an estimated six-weeks completion date.

A South Boston youth was tried as an adult and found guilty by a jury on four separate charges in 10th District Circuit Court last week.
Bradshaw Lamar Woody, 17, of South Boston, was found guilty of possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, possessing or transporting a firearm while under the age of 18 and recklessly handling a firearm.
Woody was also found guilty of illegally possessing an alcoholic beverage under the age of 21 as charged in a juvenile petition.
According to commonwealth evidence, Sergeant J.L. Hopkins of the Virginia State Police heard a possible gunshot while patrolling in downtown South Boston on July 31, 1999.
Walking in the direction of the sound, Hopkins saw a disturbance in the parking lot of Domino's Pizza, and called for backup.
Officer Dan Frazier of the South Boston Police Department responded to Hopkins' call, and upon his arrival at the scene, watched Hopkins as he "patted down" the defendant.
Woody was one of several people in a sport utility vehicle in the Domino's parking lot at the time of the altercation.
Frazier saw a "flash" near Woody's knee as the search progressed, and noticed an object hit the pavement and go under the vehicle.
Woody was wearing baggy shorts and a T-shirt on the night of the incident.
The object was recovered and identified as a .22-caliber handgun with several rounds of live ammunition.
A subsequent preliminary breath test confirmed the use of alcohol by the defendant.
Judge William L. Wellons overruled a defense motion to strike evidence provided by the breath test.
A defense motion to strike the firearm possession charge was also overruled.
Woody had his previous bond revoked and was remanded to custody pending presentencing during the next term of court.
· Michael L. Miles, 22, of Danville, pleaded guilty to an amended indictment including two counts, one of felony assault and battery, and a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure.
Miles was sentenced to 12 months each on both counts to run concurrently for an effective sentence of 12 months.
The court suspended all but seven months on condition of Miles' good behavior for 12 months after his release. Work release for Miles was also authorized, and he was ordered to have no further contact with his victim.

A landfill-status update headed the agenda at the South Boston Town Council committees' work session on Monday night.
Butch Joyce of Joyce Engineering reported to council members that the landfill site "looks significantly better than it did three to four months ago."
The Virginia General Assembly has required the closure of "unlined landfills" such as the one for South Boston. According to Joyce, state regulators are working on a priority list to determine a time table for the closures.
According to Town Manager Ted Daniel, the town is on an "accelerated schedule" to close the current landfill. "We're headed in the right direction," Daniel added.
The town landfill began receiving refuse from the county on Monday in an agreement designed to further help with filling and eventually capping it.
A perimeter road around the site has also been constructed to aid in the process of filling.
While commending South Boston for its cooperation with the county on the landfill issue, Joyce emphasized that ongoing compliance with the Department of Environmental Quality and operational efficiency of the closure will continue to be top priorities.
Other Issues
In other issues before council, Town Manager Ted Daniel gave a status report on a possible agreement between South Boston and Dixie, Inc., and ReUse Technologies for the long-term application of fly ash on property owned by the town and Dixie, Inc.
The fly ash application would be used to develop the terrain adjacent to the ball fields in Houghton Industrial Park for improved parks and recreational use.
Although negotiations are proceeding at this time, Daniel had no recommendations for council.
Town staff reported on the status of street lighting on Lincoln Drive near River Road.
Concerns about inadequate lighting were expressed by residents at the April council meeting.
The South Boston Police Department studied the area and felt there was sufficient lighting. However, Town Manager Ted Daniel noted the alternative of taking over a private street light at the end of Lincoln Drive.
The town would install a new meter and increase the power of the light itself.
Daniel said the town will take action and report back to the next work session.
The council heard and approved a recommendation by the Planning Commission to hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town Zoning Ordinance.
That amendment would allow the replacement of single-wide manufactured homes with double-wide manufactured homes by special exception and approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
The public hearing is scheduled for May 8 during the council meeting at Yancey Street, starting at 7 p.m.
A public hearing on the proposed Town budget for 2000-2001 is also scheduled for the May council meeting.

I'll look for something around here...I guess."
Uncertainties seemed to abound this week among the estimated 90 employees at Winn-Dixie food store in Centerville. Two weeks from today, this supermarket will be among the 114 stores throughout the Florida-based chain to close its doors forever in a sweeping downsizing that will leave 11,000 workers jobless.
Most Winn-Dixie employees are reluctant to talk with reporters and those who do, ask that their names be omitted. Even with management's promise to place them in other retail store operations, those who will be working for Winn-Dixie in the future face long commutes or, perhaps, relocation.
In the Raleigh division alone, 22 stores (11 in Virginia, eight in North Carolina and three in South Carolina) are closing as part of the company's strategy to improve efficiency and profitability.
In just Lynchburg, three Winn-Dixie stores are closing. The nearest stores continuing to operate are in Clarksville, Danville, Hurt and Roxboro, N.C.
Asked if she would be willing to drive to any of those stores, one 25-year veteran replied, "If I had to."
Others waiting to hear their options for future work express disappointment, even bitterness.
"It sucks!"
"I thought this was a company that was going to be around," another employee quipped.
The store's manager, Bill Childrey, has been employed with the company for 30 years.
Winn-Dixie announced its restructuring intentions two weeks ago but declined, at that time, to say just which stores it would be closing. Rumors persisted that the South Boston store was on the closing list but not until Monday was the announcement made official to the public.
By yesterday, shelves were beginning to empty as price reductions kicked in and merchandise deliveries trickled to almost none.
Wholesalers and jobbers are among the losers too. "We were doing about a $1,000 a week," a beverage salesman told a reporter.
Another wholesale distributor of baked goods said that he had noticed a decline in Winn-Dixie sales last year. "It (sales) started falling off."
And just why were Winn-Dixie's sales declining?
"Just not as competitive," he replied.
When competition is mentioned, it's usually followed by the name "Wal-Mart."
Wal-Mart is located less than a mile from Winn-Dixie and when it was enlarged just over a year ago, it added a full service food department.
Many Winn-Dixie employees cite Wal-Mart as the single most reason for the store closing.
Add to the list of losers, taxpayers. Winn-Dixie, according to estimates, accounted for $5,000 to $6,000 annually in business license fees, meals taxes, sales taxes and services fees.
Winn-Dixie had been the anchor tenant in Centerville Shopping Center for over 35 years. The store relocated to its present position in 1983 and three years later, underwent renovation and almost doubled its size.
Its offerings included fresh seafood and a hot foods deli and a bakery.
Shopping center managers, Neari Management in Winston Salem, N.C., said this week that they were "working diligently" to find a successor for Winn-Dixie. Compounding the occupancy problem is the closing of another shopping center tenant, Pic 'n Pay Shoes, which has declared bankruptcy.

Halifax County to grabbed a share of the Western District lead here Monday with a 2-0 win over Albemarle.
The Comets, now 10-1 overall and 2-1 in district play, got breaks on two key second inning plays to score both of its runs.
From there, the Comets dodged Albemarle threats in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to secure the win.
"This was big," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
"But, this game is history now. We got the win. We've got bigger things we've got to get focused on now."
The contest was very similar to the first meeting between the two teams in that a pair of key plays determined the outcome of the game that featured another stellar pitching battle between the Comets Michael Priest and Albemarle's ace lefthander, Thomas Martin.
Priest, the winner, gave up only two hits and one walk while fanning four batters.
"You could see he really wanted that game," Davis said.
"He put the ball where he wanted to put the ball. He hit his spots very well."
Martin, who spun a no hitter on the Comets in their earlier meeting, also had a good outing. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out seven Comets batters.
"It was a real good game," said Patriots coach Jim Garnett whose team went to 3-1 in district play and 5-6 overall with the loss.
"Both teams played well both times out. We put the ball in play and their defense made a lot of plays."
Todd Meadows triggered the Comets second inning rally with a one out double off of the centerfield wall that marked the first hit in the contest.
The Comets got their first break when R.D. Cole hit a bouncing ground ball to Patriots third baseman William Wilson. Meadows made mistake, broke toward third base and got caught up in a rundown between Wilson and Patriots shortstop William Johnson. Johnson hit Meadows in the back with the ball on a toss to Wilson and Meadows scrambled safely to third base as Wilson retrieved the ball.
While that was going on, Cole sped to second base, giving the Comets runners on both second base and third base with one out.
"In the game of baseball, you've got to have some breaks," Davis said.
"That's what we got. Meadows made a mental mistake on the base path. He wasn't supposed to break to third on that play. Once he saw he was in trouble, he got right in line with the third baseman and got hit in the back by the ball and we got away with it."
Chad Compton, the next batter, hit a high bouncing ball that landed on the first base line between Martin and catcher Jason Shiflet. The Patriots' players eyed the ball, hoping it would roll into foul territory but the ball stayed fair, giving the Comets a second big break.
Meadows scampered home on the play to put the Comets up 1-0 and Compton was safe at first on the infield hit.
"Again, that's part of baseball, "Davis said.
"We got a break when we needed it."
Garnett called the break "hometown knowledge" of the field and how the ball reacts.
"We thought the ball was going to roll foul," Garnett said.
"It just didn't take the right bounce for us."
Cole scored the Comets' second run when Josh Milam hit a sharp grounder to Martin at the mound. Martin fielded the ball and fired to Johnson at second base to get the forceout on Compton. Johnson attempted to make a double play on Milam at first base that would have ended the inning but barely missed.
Then, with Chris Parker batting, Milam, attempting to steal second base, got caught up in a rundown and was tagged out to end the inning.
The Comets had other opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on them.
One of those occurred in the bottom of the third inning when Nick Thompson came up with a base hit with one out. But, Thompson was retired for the second out in the inning he was thrown out attempting to steal second base. The inning ended when Geoff Moore struck out.
Halifax threatened again in the bottom of the fourth inning with Brian Medley coming up with a single with one out. Meadows flied out to right field for the second out. Cole struck out but made it to first base when the ball got past the Patriots' catcher, giving the Comets runners on first base and second base with two out. But, the inning ended when Chad Compton struck out.
Halifax put runners on the bases again in the bottom of the fifth inning when Chris Parker walked with one out. Parker was forced out at second base for the second out of the inning when Thompson bunted the ball to Martin and Martin fired the ball to his shortstop at second base to get the out. Moore flied out to centerfield to end the inning.
The Comets threatened to score again in the bottom of the sixth inning but couldn't plate a run. Meadows walked with two out and Cole followed with a double. But, the rally ended when Martin fanned Compton to get out of the inning.
Albemarle had opportunities to score as well but Priest and the Comets' defense stymied the Patriots at each turn.
The Comets dodged a big bullet in the top of the fourth inning when the Patriots' Josh Shiflet got his team's first hit of the contest with a leadoff double to the centerfield wall. But, the Comets retired the next three batters in order, leaving Shiflet stranded at third base.
Albemarle got its second hit of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Pete Chandler came up with a one out double on a fly ball to centerfield which the wind blew over the head of Milam, the Comets centerfielder. A sacrifice bunt moved Chandler to third but Priest ended the inning by fanning designated hitter Jerome Johnson.
Albemarle made some noise in the top of the seventh inning when John Halliday walked with two out. But, the Comets retired the side and ended the game when Chandler hit a grounder to Priest at the mound and Priest tossed the ball to Meadows at first base to get the final out.

Patricia Ann Topps, age 37, of 113 Elam Street, Halifax, died May 1, 2000, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Topps was born in Halifax County on March 16, 1963, the daughter of David Aubrey Venable Sr. and Lillie Mae Topps Venable. She was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church and was employed by Halifax Regional Hospital.
Survivors include one daughter, Tempriss Mona Green of Halifax; one son, Tevin Rashaun Smith of Halifax; two sisters, Sharon Venable and Tracey Venable of Halifax; three brothers, David Venable Jr. of South Boston, Carl Venable and Quincey Venable, both of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mrs. Topps will be held May 6 at 2 p.m. at New Vernon Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Ford officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel from 7:00 until 8:00 and other times at the home of the deceased.

Sadie Morris Chambers, age 95, of Timberlake, N.C., died May 1, 2000, at Treyburn Rehabilitation Center.
Mrs. Chambers was born in Halifax County the daughter of Reuben and Delanie Clayton Morris and was married to Sterling F. Chambers. She was a member of Surl Primitive Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; six sons, Alvis Chambers and Fredrick Chambers, both of Timberlake, Elmer Chambers and Obie Chambers, both of Reidsville, N.C., Thurman Chambers of Phoenix, Ariz. and Otha Chambers of Eden, N.C.; one daughter, Joyce C. Gentry of Timberlake; three half-sisters, Sarah Conner of South Boston, Irene Elliott of Scottsburg and Gertrude Erquitt of Atlanta, Ga.; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. May 4 at Surl Primitive Baptist Church by the Elder David Minter. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends this evening, May 3 from 7:00 until 8:30, at Brooks & White Funeral Home in Roxboro, N.C.