By KEITH STRAGE

G-V staff writer

For the first time in decades, there is a possibility that there may not be an extension agent in Halifax County.
With the retirement of long-time extension agent Larry McPeters to take effect July 1, the county is looking at their options in finding a replacement.
"There are basically three options," County Administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday.
The county administrator said the board of supervisors would discuss the vacancy at their July meeting.
One option, Morgan said, is for an existing agent to transfer to Halifax from another county.
"As of yesterday, we began advertising the open positions internally," said Dr. Dave Barrett, director of the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Morgan said he hoped the county's agricultural base would make it attractive to potential transfers.
"I would like to hope Halifax County is in a position to be considered by those looking to transfer," Morgan said.
The administrator noted that Halifax County is one of the major agricultural counties in the state, "so a person in that line of work could want to be where the action is."
A second option is for the county to fund the position at the local level.
"We expect about 10 of the 67 vacant positions to be filled at the local level," Barrett said.
The VCE Director said that once funding is restored by the state, locally funded agents would return to the current level of funding.
"As soon as we get back into a situation where we have the money, we will restore funding to current levels.
"Right now, we pay two-thirds of agents' salaries, and the locality funds the rest," Barrett said.
However, with the recent state budget crunch, the director said the agency has lost $2.5 million in funding.
"We didn't want to go into a layoff situation," Barrett said. "So we came up with a package that allowed senior agents to retire early."
Barrett said the agency is currently in discussions with local governments about filling the positions.
"We've already had some local governments come forward regarding filling the positions on the local level," he said.
Morgan said the county cannot offer potential transfers or applicants increases in salary due to funding constraints once Virginia Tech's funding is restored.
The final option is to leave the position vacant until Virginia Tech receives the money to fund it.
Morgan said it is a very real option, but one he feels would hurt the county.
"I think the first two options are preferable," the county administrator said.
Area farmer Jay Reese agrees.
"I think (filling the position) is critical," Reese said. "There is a lot of expertise there that Halifax County farmers have depended on for years."
Reese said he didn't even want to think about leaving the position vacant.
"That would be detrimental to the farmers of Halifax County," he said.
Halifax County farmer Bobby Conner said he didn't think the county could afford to wait for the budget crunch to be resolved.
"My indication is more cuts are going to be coming in the next two years," Conner said.
Many farmers use the office quite often, Conner added.
"Commercial agriculture needs answers right away when they have a problem," Conner noted. "That office is crucial."
"We need to do our part to get that position filled," he added.
Halifax County Board of Supervisors Chairman David Martin said he realizes how important the position is for the county.
"I don't think we can leave the position vacant, because it is too important for the county," Martin said.

A drive-by shooting last June has led to second-degree murder convictions for a South Boston man and his juvenile brother Monday, after separate trials in Halifax County Circuit Court.
James Earl Hodge, 19, was convicted of the second-degree murder of Douglas Witcher after a bench trial before Judge Leslie M. Osborn.
A jury deliberated for more than four hours before finding David Logan Hodge Jr., 17, the younger brother of James Hodge, guilty of the second-degree murder of Witcher.
Both were additionally convicted of discharging a firearm from a vehicle, conspiracy to discharge a firearm from a vehicle, shooting at an occupied building and conspiracy to shoot at an occupied building.
James Hodge was also convicted of the malicious wounding of Luther Powell Jr., and use of a firearm in the malicious wounding of Powell, charges to which David Hodge Jr. was found not guilty.
David Hodge Jr. was found not guilty of using a firearm while committing or attempting to murder Witcher, while charges alleging both conspired to commit murder were dismissed.
Powell, as well as the victim, was inside the residence on Beulah Road at the time of the shooting.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker presented the commonwealth's case during both trials, giving the motive behind the shooting, which occurred last June 25 at a Beulah Road residence.
"James Hodge, for about two months, harbored great animosity toward people hanging out at the house," said Greenbacker during David Hodge Jr.'s trial.
"James Hodge was making a living dealing cocaine, and believed people at the house stole a pit bull from him."
Greenbacker indicated that another reason for the shooting was "turf infringement," that James Hodge felt people "hanging out" at the residence were potential rivals in the area drug trade.
Ronald Lynn Lacks II, the key prosecution witness in the jury trial for David Hodge Jr., testified he had known both David and James Hodge for about eight months prior to the shooting.
Lacks, who was in the car along with the Hodge brothers and a female juvenile driver during the drive-by shootings, was arrested January 16 and charged with murder and use of a firearm
Lacks told the jury that James Hodge had called him earlier that day and asked him to come over to Hodges house."
When he arrived, Lacks said he noticed a car with three firearms in the back seat, a .308 rifle, a .38 revolver and a pump action shotgun, and he told the jury that when he got into the car, he noticed all three firearms were loaded.
Lacks further testified that James Hodge announced he was doing a drive-by about a mile from the Beulah Road residence, telling the others it had "something to do with them being on his turf."
The car slowed down in front of the Logan home, before he and the brothers opened fire, Lacks testified, David Hodge with the .38, James Hodge with the rifle, and he with the shotgun.
Lacks testified that he shot up in the air over the top of the car, the defendant shot about six times and James Hodge emptied the clip of his rifle.
Virginia State Police Special Agent M. S. Bryant testified his crime scene investigation revealed 12 different gunshot holes in the house, with five spent cartridges being recovered at the scene, all .308 cartridges.
A State of Virginia pathologist testified that Witcher died as the result of a gunshot wound to the head.
David Hodge's attorney, Mark Mokris of South Hill, said his client's initial statement to police indicated he meant only to "scare" the people at the Logan residence.
David Hodge said in his initial statement that he didn't mean to hurt anybody, just scare them, according to Mokris.
Mokris also asked the jury to look at the credibility of Lacks, pointing out what he saw as discrepancies in statements given by Lacks to authorities during the progress of the investigation.
Mokris reminded Lacks that he initially denied his involvement in the shooting, naming another individual.
Under further cross-examination, Lacks told Mokris he didn't expect anybody to shoot into the house.
Mokris also pointed out the lack of evidence conclusively identifying any of the spent rounds inside the Logan home as being fired from a .38 revolver.
"There's no evidence of first- or second-degree murder," concluded Mokris.
"They meant to scare someone. There was no evidence presented that the act was malicious in any way. All they meant to do was scare someone," Mokris emphasized.
Mokris indicated that only James Hodge may have had a different agenda that night, and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy, citing the lack of conversation between the people in the car while on their way to the Logan house that night.
Greenbacker countered by saying that conspiracy could be incurred from the facts presented during the case.
"The guns were loaded in advance and placed in the car, and the announcement was made to go to the house on Beulah Road.
"There had to be a prior arrangement."
Greenbacker also pointed to the recovery of five .308 shell casings from the rifle used by James Hodge in the drive-by.
"We know James Hodge shot because of the jackets recovered," Greenbacker said.
"There wouldn't have been anything from a .38 revolver, because it doesn't eject shell casings, the prosecutor reminded jurors.
Although there wasn't conclusive evidence inside the Logan home of a spent .38 shell, the possibility still existed, he said.
"Under the law, David Hodge didn't have to fire the fatal shot to be an accomplice." Greenbacker added.
"Even if his brother was the only one who shot into the house, under the law he's equally responsible, an accomplice.
"If you think you should feel sorry for the defendant, what about Douglas Witcher's family," Greenbacker concluded.
"When someone goes to the point of shooting with that kind of firepower at this time of night with those people there, you must intend to kill them.
"This kind of offense is outrageous in the extreme."
Judge Osborn revoked bond for both James and David Hodge before remanding them to custody to await sentencing in the July term of court.

One of the newest stops on the Virginia Civil War Trails will be unveiled in the Town of Halifax on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The marker will be located at the corner of Main and Houston streets, directly across the street from the planned War Memorial Park.
The public is encouraged to attend.
The marker, entitled "Halifax Court House: Answering the Call," will provide an interpretation of the important role played by the old men and young boys of the Halifax community in the June 25, 1864, fight to save the Staunton River Bridge and to keep the Union cavalry from its goal of destroying the rail supply route to Richmond.
"It has the potential of bringing bus loads of tourists to Halifax," said Douglas Powell, who has represented the county on the Civil War Trails program for about five years.
"Heritage tourism is a big thing. It's popular. It's working," added Powell.
Tourism's impact on the commonwealth is undeniable, with $12.9 billion spent in 2001, according to Gov. Mark Warner.
"Each and every tourism opportunity adds to the assets, the whole collection of venues and tourist events we have in Halifax County," observed Nancy Pool, president of the chamber of commerce.
"It is another opportunity for us," she added.
Powell cites the Civil War Trails designation, as well as significant Native American archaeological finds at Staunton River Battlefield, Halifax Courthouse's superb genealogy resources, the proposed War Memorial Park, Berry Hill Conference Center, the Crossing of the Dan's impact on the nation's bid for independence during the Revolutionary War, and the South Boston Museum, as drawing cards for the area.
The official opening of the tour, known as the Wilson-Kautz Raid Trail, will occur Friday morning with ceremonies in Petersburg.
This trail adds 30 more stops to the popular Virginia Civil War Trails program.
Other nearby communities receiving stops on the trail include Drakes Branch, Saxe, Wylliesburg and Chase City.
The establishment of the Wilson-Kautz Raid Trail is being funded by a TEA-21 grant obtained for Southside Virginia by the Old Dominion Resource Conservation & Development Council.
The matching funds are being provided by in-kind work by localities and volunteers.
Powell, who has been providing volunteer assistance on the statewide Virginia Civil War Trail programs, was instrumental in seeing that the Staunton River Battlefield was included in the program several years ago.
On Saturday, Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne, David Martin, chairman of the board of supervisors, Carol Throckmorton, president of the Halifax Village Business Association, and Jim Curry, coordinator for Old Dominion Resource, Conservation & Development Council, will unveil the interpretive marker.
Halifax attorney W.W. "Ted" Bennett provided the easement for location of the sign.
Supervisor James Edmunds is Halifax County's representative on the RC&D Council.

South Boston Town Council will meet at the Berry Hill Conference Center this weekend for their annual retreat to discuss the town's strategic goals through the year 2004.
Friday's meeting is scheduled to focus on the economic development of the town, including IDA issues, the business incubator project, and a proposed industrial outlet mall.
The council will also discuss the town's budget, including both the ongoing capital projects and some proposed capital improvement projects.
The council will address some election issues, possibly including an amendment to the town charter that would stipulate town employees not be allowed to run for public office.
As the Friday evening session begins, council is expected to address appointments to various boards and commissions, and personnel issues.
Saturday's meeting is expected to begin with a meeting with the Town of Halifax, including South Boston's funding of joint projects.
A general discussion of town issues, including the enhancement of the North Main Street residential district, capital school projects and issues revolving around Dixie, Inc. will also be discussed during the Saturday session.
The retreat will conclude with the approval of strategic goals through 2004, and a wrap-up by Mayor Glen Abernathy.

But four defensive errors and an inability to capitalize on potential scoring opportunities saddled Post 8 with a 5-1 loss to Halifax County Collegiate in a non-district contest for both squads.
The win elevated Collegiate's record to 4-2 overall. Post 8, which won two games by forfeit over the weekend, is 2-2 overall.
The big inequity in the game was the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Post 8 had a runner on base in each of the first four innings and in each of the final three innings but couldn't punch a runner across.
Collegiate, on the other hand, had runners on base in each of the first five innings and scored a run in each of the first four frames to gain a lead it never relinquished.
Other than that, things were pretty much equal between the two teams.
Defensively, Post 8 committed four errors and Collegiate made three miscues.
Both teams got good performances from its pitchers.
Post 8 starter Justin Brown gave up only three hits and four walks while fanning five batters through five innings of work.
Reliever Brandon Osbek worked the final four frames and allowed only one hit and fanned two batters.
Collegiate starter Justin Smith worked the first five innings and allowed only one hit and two walks while fanning eight batters.
Travis Owen came to the hill in the sixth inning and held Post 8 to two hits the rest of the way while fanning five batters.
Offensively, Collegiate had four hits in the game with Justin Saunders and Nick Thompson getting two hits each.
Post 8 also had four hits, one each from David Brown, Justin Brown, Jarrod Epperson, and Osbek.
Collegiate got on the scoreboard early with a leadoff double by Justin Saunders in the in the first inning and a run-scoring single by Nick Thompson.
One of the four Post 8 errors led to a Collegiate score in the second inning.
Kenneth Day led off the second inning for Collegiate by reaching base on an error.
Day's pinch runner scored later in the inning to make it a 2-0 Collegiate lead.
A pair of walks, one to Chris Parker and one to Clauton, led to another run for Collegiate in the top of the third inning and a 3-0 lead.
Collegiate expanded its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth inning when R.D. Cole and Dan Powell walked with two out and Saunders followed with a single to score Cole.
Post 8 made it a 4-1 game in the sixth inning when leadoff batter Justin Worsham walked and scored on a base hit from Brandon Osbek.
The score stayed the same until the final inning when Collegiate's Dan Powell reached base on an error to kick off the inning and scored to make the final 5-1 count.

Mary Frances Powell Crafford

Mary Frances Powell Crafford died June 15 at the Village at St. Edward's, independent living facility, in Fairlawn, Ohio.
Mrs. Crafford was the daughter of the late William and Nannie Pat Powell and was married to the late William A. Crafford Sr. She was a quintessential antique dealer.
Survivors include two sons, Dr. William A. Crafford and wife, Christine of Wilmington, NC and Thomas C. Crafford and wife, Elizabeth of Anchorage, AK; four grandsons, Billy, Chad, Matthew and Drew of wilmington; and dear friends, Peggy Joe and Reid Whitman of Peninsula. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Nettie Halliday and Helen Williams; and five brothers, Roy, Fleet, Harry, Frank and Early Powell, all originally from South Boston.
Services for Mrs. Crafford will be held June 21 at 11 a.m. at Dunn-Quigley Ciriello & Carr Fairlawn Chapel in Fairlawn with the Rev. Mark Frey officiating. Private burial will take place at Moore's Chapel Cemetery in Bath, Ohio.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Those who wish to give memorials are asked to consider Hale Farm and Village, c/o Stacey rusher, PO Box 296, Bath, Ohio 44210.

William Thomas Martin

William Thomas Martin, 80, of 309 Merritt Street, South Boston, died June 17 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Martin was born in Halifax County on February 12, 1922, the son of the late Felix D. Martin and the late Mary Powell Martin and was married to Chrystine Coates Martin. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Millstone, was an Army Air Force Veteran of WWII, was a POW in Normandy, was a survivor of the Grostychow Death March, received four bronze stars, a POW Metal and an Air Metal. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 8.
Survivors include his wife; two sisters, Essie M. Wade of South Boston and Hallie M. Puckett of Nathalie; one granddaughter, Amanda Stone and her husband, Gary of Oak Ridge, TN. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lois M. Stone.
Services for Mr. Martin will be held today, June 19 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Watts conducting the service. Burial will take place in First Baptist Church of Millstone Cemetery with Military Rites.

Josephine Jones Moneymaker

Josephine Jones Moneymaker, 79, of 2011 Snow Hill Road, Alton, died June 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Moneymaker was born in Halifax County on January 14, 1923, the daughter of George Washington Jones and Roddie Douglas Jones and was married to Clarence Moneymaker. She was a member of Second Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, William Tucker Moneymaker of South Boston and Tom Moneymaker of Alton; one daughter, Susie Moneymaker Turner of Halifax; special niece, Pat Martin of Cluster Springs; one brother, A.B. Jones Sr. of South Boston; four grandchildren, Michael Scott Turner of Halifax, and Emily, Erica and Eliana Moneymaker, all of Alton. Mrs. Moneymaker was preceded in death by two brothers, George Hampton Jones and Andrew Frank Jones; and one sister, Virginia Jones.
Services for Mrs. Moneymaker were held today, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Frakes officiating. Burial took place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

James Nathaniel Owen

James Nathaniel Owen of Salem, died June 12.
Mr. Owen was born May 17, 1929, the son of the late Hatcher and Rena Hughes Owen and was married to Janie Sue 'Polly' Wade Owen. He was a Halifax County native, and was a member of Salem Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Terri Deitz and husband Dutch; one son, Larry and wife, Cathy; two granddaughters, all of Salem; one brother, Jesse Owen of Emporia; two sisters, Bessie O. Simmons of Greensboro, NC and Julia O. Jones of Halifax.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Owen of Alton and the Rev. John O. Owen of Greensboro; and a sister, Gertrude Owen of Halifax.

Louvinia Dabbs Terrell

Louvinia Dabbs Terrell of Richmond, formerly of Scottsburg, died June 16 in Richmond.
Mrs. Terrell is survived by three daughters, Dollie M. Terrell, Dorothy T. Faulkner and Carolyn Gilmore; two sons, Robert L. Terrell Jr. and James E. Terrell; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Fannie Dean and Juanita Womack; and one brother, Joe N. Dabbs.
Funeral services for Mrs. Terrell will be held June 21 at 11 a.m. at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond with the Dr. Earl M. Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Wood Cemetery, Richmond.

James B. Younger

James B. Younger, 84, of Vernon Hill, died June 16 at the Richmond Community Hospital.
Mr. Younger was born in Halifax County on July 21, 1917, the son of the late Frank Younger and the late Estelle Rone Younger and was married to Ellen Leigh Younger. He was a member of New Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; his children, Thomas E. Younger of Jessup, MD, Thelma Watford of Brooklyn, NY, Ellen Watson of Oxon Hill, MD, J. Yolanda Davis of Richmond, and Kenneth J. Younger of Beltsville, MD; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven sisters and one brother.
Funeral services for Mr. Younger will be held June 20 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul CME Church with the Rev. Sam Leigh officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services and other times at the home of Dwayne Younger, 1150 Blue Rock Trail, Vernon Hill.