Sentara/Optima is out as the Halifax County school system's
group health insurance carrier and Trigon is in.
Faced with a 26.2-percent premium increase from Sentara/Optima
in the final year of a three-year contract, the school system
rebid its insurance program and came out a winner.
Trigon, the only other company to offer a bid, came in with a
premium rate representing an average five percent increase over
the current premium rates offered by Sentara/Optima.
The difference in rates was more than enough to persuade the School
Board to vote unanimously to make the switch to Trigon effective
October 1.
"It was really a no-brainer because of the savings,"
said Bill Covington, the school system's chief financial officer.
"We're pleased it worked out this way."
The savings school system employees will find as a result of the
change will be significant.
For one thing, this will make it the first time in recent history
that the school system will be paying more than half of the individual
employee's group health insurance premiums.
The School Board included a 15 percent increase (a $50 per month
increase for 10 months) in the 2001-2002 school budget, making
the school system's contribution $220 per month for 10 months.
With the average five percent increase in premium rates that will
result with the move to Trigon, participating employees will reap
a savings of about 10 percent.
To illustrate the differences in the cost to employees, the per
month out-of-pocket expense for 10 months for the proposed new
rates from Sentara/Optima and the rates from Trigon are shown
below.
- Sentara Plan I - $181.86 as compared to Trigon's closest matching
plan of $144.27;
- Sentara Plan II - $158.71 as opposed to $129.17 for Trigon's
closest matching plan;
- Sentara Plan III - $158.26 as opposed to $132.35 for Trigon's
closest matching plan.
Over a 10-month period, based on the proposed 26.2 percent rate
hike by Sentara and the proposed rate from Trigon, employees with
the individual coverage would save between $620 and $790 for the
year.
Those that have the family coverage would save between $1,500
and $2,000 for the year.
The group of local employees as a whole will save about $500,000
for the year.
As has been the case in past years, the health insurance premium
rates will be 10-month rates and will be pre-tax dollars.
Also, with the switch to Trigon, individuals will not have to
designate a primary care physician.
They may elect to see any doctor that is a participating provider
in the network.
Also, like Sentara, Trigon will offer three insurance plans from
which employees may choose.
The three Trigon plans that will be offered while not being exact
matches to the current Sentara/Optima plans, are close matches,
Covington said.
"We think we are offering comparable programs," he said.
"We matched the benefits as closely as possible."
Covington said employees currently enrolled in the school system's
current group health insurance program will automatically roll
over into the Trigon program.
"There will be enrollment forms that people will have to
fill out," Covington said.
"That is just a matter of paperwork that has to be done."
Covington said the enrollment forms should be available for teachers
the week that they return to work in August.
The school system's chief financial officer said he hopes that
the switch to Trigon will entice more school system employees
to participate in the school system's group health insurance program.
"If more people enroll, it will give the group strength and
make it better," Covington said.
Approximately 650 school system employees and retirees from the
school system participate in the school system's group health
insurance program.
There are 1,084 employees eligible to participate.
The switch to Trigon was also recommended by Patsy Akridge, an
insurance consultant who worked with the school system to obtain
the bids compare the offerings and put the insurance program package
together.
One of the big advantages to the Trigon program, she said, is
that any doctor or hospital in any state that is a participating
Blue Cross provider within that state is considered by Trigon
as being an in-network provider.
Akridge pointed out that while the Trigon bid is the best deal,
the offer made by Sentara/Optima was not out of line based upon
the company's premiums and claims.
"Their renewal was a fair offer in my opinion," she
said.
Akridge pointed out that the Sentara/Optima offer was based on
a 129 percent loss ratio for 2001, a 138 percent loss ratio in
2000 and a 124 percent loss ratio in 1999.
Sentara/Optima, she said, has had 46 claims this year in the $15,000
to $75,000 pooling level.
A purse-snatching incident at Wal-Mart Sunday ended with
the arrest of a Danville woman.
South Boston Police charged Natasha Michelle Hairston, 24, with
grand larceny and three counts of petite larceny.
The multiple charges were filed in connection with several purse
snatchings that occurred July 2 at Wal-Mart.
Officer W. M. Garner said Hairston was arrested after Hairston
was spotted taking a woman's purse from a shopping cart and fleeing
out of the store.
A clerk was notified of the purse snatching and the clerk was
able to identify the tag number of a 1990 Honda driven by Hairston,
Officer Garner said.
Officer D. H. Snead spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of
Farmer's Food Supermarket in Centerville about 15 minutes after
the 5 p.m. theft occurred.
Hairston was arrested and taken to police headquarters, according
to Officer Garner.
While the purse and its contents were recovered, an undisclosed
amount of money was missing, the police officer said.
The stolen cash was found on Hairston after a search and Hairston
admitted to the three purse snatchings which occurred on July
2, Officer Garner said.
All three purses taken on July 2, were recovered, according to
the police officer.
The grand larceny was filed in connection with one of the three
July 2 thefts.
The charges of petit larceny stem from the other two July 2 incidents
and from Sunday's theft.
Two other purse-snatching incidents, one of which occurred June
16 and the other which occurred June 21 are still under investigation
by Officer Garner and Lt. Rick Loftis.
The purse snatchings in each incident occurred in the evening
hours and while shoppers were turned away from their carts.
Hairston was being held at the Halifax Adult Detention Center
on a $10,000 secured bond.
· Two Halifax County residents were among a dozen people
charged by the Caswell County Sheriff's Office early Sunday morning
after a raid on a Pelham, N.C. night club.
Racquin Easley of South Boston was arrested and charged with felony
counts of crimes against nature, indecent exposure and engaging
in lewd, obscene sexual conduct, according to the Danville Register
& Bee. Easley was being held in the Caswell County jail under
a $1,000 bond and was released Sunday, Officer Gunter of the Caswell
County Jail said.
April Nicole Crews of Nathalie, was arrested and charged with
a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.
Their arrests occurred after police raided Club Enchantment where
an investigation uncovered drug and prostitution-related activity,
according to the Danville Register & Bee.
The club owner was charged with multiple charges included maintaining
a house of prostitution, aiding and abetting crimes against nature
and allowing property to be used for purposes of indecent exposure.
In addition, the club owner was charged with possession of alcohol
for sale without proper permits and licenses, and allowing employees
to engage in lewd, obscene conduct, according to the Danville
Register & Bee.
A grand jury in Halifax County Circuit Court has indicted
a local man for felony negligence in the March 3 auto crash that
killed his younger brother.
Twenty-four-year-old Anthonia Artist Lawson was the driver of
the car which wrecked during a police pursuit in the early morning
hours of March 3.
Both he and his younger brother, 18-year-old Daniel Edward Lawson,
were ejected from the vehicle after it crashed in front of the
S&J Grocery, south of Cluster Springs on Route 501.
In addition, the grand jury indicted Anthonia Lawson for attempting
to elude a police officer after receiving a visible and audible
signal to stop and for reckless driving.
According to Halifax County Sheriff D.J. Oakes, Deputy J.D. Clay
had engaged his blue lights and siren while in pursuit of the
vehicle.
The deputy discovered the vehicle overturned against the fuel
pumps of S&J Grocery, and both the driver and passenger had
sustained severe injuries after each were ejected from the vehicle,
Oakes said.
Daniel Lawson was airlifted to U.N.C. Hospital in Chapel Hill
where he died early the next morning from injuries he sustained
in the crash, while Anthonia Lawson was transported to Halifax
Regional Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Virginia State Trooper, M.S. Roark Jr., who investigated the incident,
said he estimated the vehicle was travelling about 100 miles per
hour when the crash occurred.
Monday Court
· Jarrette Lee Legge, 29, of South Boston, was convicted
of misdemeanor assault and battery after a Monday bench trial.
Judge William L. Wellons sentenced Legge to 12 months in jail,
with all but 30 days suspended, and authorized Legge to serve
his sentence on days he was not working.
The court additionally ordered Legge to pay restitution in the
amount of $1,500 to his victim within 60 days.
· Duane Lee Dennis, 27, of Buffalo Junction, was convicted
Monday of a second misdemeanor offense of driving on a suspended
license.
Judge Wellons ordered Dennis to pay a $500 fine, with $250 suspended,
and sentenced Dennis to 90 days in jail, with all but 30 days
suspended. Weekend jail service was authorized for Dennis.
The suspended portions of Dennis' sentence were made conditional
on his good behavior for 12 months.
The court additionally suspended Dennis' operator's license for
90 days.
In a separate show cause hearing, Dennis' previously suspended
six-month jail sentence was revoked for a probation violation.
The court deferred imposition of Dennis' sentence until a date
set for the August term of court.
· Andre Lenell Allen, 27, of Durham, pleaded no contest
to speeding 64 in a 45 mile per hour zone, a misdemeanor.
Judge Wellons ordered Allen to pay $3 per mile over the speed
limit.
· Bobby Rydell Powell, 40, of Scottsburg, was convicted
Monday of driving with a suspended operator's license.
Judge Wellons ordered Powell to pay the same fine and court costs
that were imposed before in General District Court.
· Eddie Wells, 42, of Buffalo Junction, was found guilty
Monday of using a radar detector.
Judge Wellons ordered Wells to pay the same fine and costs that
were imposed before in General District Court.
By MICHAEL A. PAIGE
The Halifax County National Belles all stars took the District
7 Dixie Tournament title Monday night with a 6-5 win over Charlotte
County.
Halifax National also won the Sportsmanship award.
Charlotte County entered the championship game by defeating the
Halifax County American all stars 15-9 Sunday night.
A seventh-inning rally by Charlotte County tied the game with
Halifax National team.
But, a bases-loaded single by Emily Pool gave the National all
stars the game-winning run that will send the champions on to
the state tournment game.
Mallory Lawter led off with a base hit in the seventh inning and
after two walks loaded the bases, Pool singled to send Lawter
across home plate and into the team's celebration.
Halifax National had started the championship game by scoring
three runs in the first inning with a single by M. Lawter and
a double by Emily Stolzenthaler as key hits.
Tracy Nelson was the starting pitcher for the Nationals and was
courting a no-hitter up until the sixth inning.
Halifax County scored another run in the third inning after Stolzenthaler's
second double of the night and a single by Kim Ford, which allowed
Stolzenthaler to score.
In the fourth inning, the National team scored again and held
a 5-0 lead after five innings.
Charlotte County attempted to rally in the sixth inning with two
singles that snapped Nelson's perfect game and allowed Charlotte
County to score.
In the seventh inning, Nelson gave up two more singles and, after
one runner was nabbed at the plate for the first out, another
runner scored before Pool was sent to mound to quell Charlotte
County's rising momentum.
A fielder's choice brought in another run and Charlotte County
was down by two runs with the tying run on first base.
Charlotte County singled to bring home a runner and singled again
to tie the game.
Pool was counseled at the mound by the team and she followed with
a strikeout of the next batter for the second out.
After giving up a base on balls, Pool struck out the next batter
to end the inning.
The National team's seventh-inning turn at the plate ended the
threat of extra innings giving Nelson the win and Pool the save.
Nelson finished with three strikeouts and one walk while giving
up three hits and two runs.
Pool gave up two hits and three runs while striking out two and
walking one batter.
The National team had six hits with Stolzenthaler and M. Lawter
each batting two-for-four.
Pool was one-for-two at the plate while Ford batted one-for-four.
In Sunday's game, Charlotte County scored a run in the first inning
after a single and a double off starting pitcher Lindsey Hastings
for the Halifax American team.
The American all stars came back with three runs of their own
after a single by Sam Forest and a triple by Hastings.
Hastings scored the second run and Jasmine Parker, who had a base
on balls, scored the third run.
Charlotte County tied the game in the second inning after a double
and a fielder's choice allowed two runs.
In the third inning, Charlotte County connected for three-straight
singles.
However, the American team's defensive play at the plate and a
throw from Jamie Anderson to Cally Zanarini at third base cut
down two runners.
Yet, a Charlotte County triple brought in two runs and a 5-3 lead.
Hastings was relieved in the fourth inning by S. Forest.
However, Charlotte County went the attack again and added four
more runs to make it a 9-3 ballgame.
Sarah Burton's lead-off single in the fourth inning was the extent
of the Halifax American team's offense in three innings with Charlotte
County changing pitchers in the fourth inning.
After Burton's single, Charlotte County's new pitcher struck out
the next three batters.
In the fifth inning, the Halifax American team placed Parker on
the mound and Charlotte County took advantage of two bases-on-balls,
a fielder's choice and a single to extend its lead by four more
runs.
Burton relieved Parker on the mound and closed out the inning.
While Burton shut down Charlotte County in the sixth inning, the
Halifax American all star bats went to work.
Parker singled and Burton followed with a single to score Anderson,
who reached base on an error.
Though Parker was thrown out at home plate, Burton scored as well
as Zanarini, who scored after she also reached base on an error.
After the Halifax American team closed the gap with three runs,
Charlotte County entered the seventh inning with its top lineup.
Three consecutive walks allowed Charlotte County to score two
more runs and after two more walks, Burton was relieved by Hastings
on the mound.
Hastings faced one batter to close out the inning.
Halifax American again attempted to rally and with singles by
Vickie Forest and Parker, the team added three more runs before
Charlotte County ended the rally and the game.
In team hits, Halifax American had seven compared to nine hits
by Charlotte County.
Parker and Burton led the Halifax American all stars in hits with
both batting two-for-four.
S. Forest, Hastings and V. Forest each had one hit
Mrs. Peggy N. King of 8215 Philpott Road, South Boston, died July
10, 2001, at Duke University Medical Center. Mrs. King, age 57
at the time of her death, was a member and served as chairperson
of the Southside Community Services Board, was president of the
Association for Retarded Citizens of Halifax County, worked with
Special Olympics, served on the Community Collaboration Committee
for the Halifax County Social Services Department and was employed
with Telamon Corporation.
Mrs. King was born in Halifax County on July 23, 1943, and was
the daughter of Mr. Arthur G. Nelson and Mrs. Lucille Cassada.
She is survived by her husband, Joel B. Cassada, Jr., and two
daughters, Christal Woicikowfski of Halifax and Dee Dee King of
South Boston. Also surviving are one sister, Phyllis Street of
Pelham, N.C.; one brother, Danny Cassada of Ringgold; two grandchildren,
Bradley and Christian Woicikowfski of Halifax; and her mother,
Lucille Cassada of Ringgold. She was preceded in death by her
father and a brother, Ross Nelson.
Funeral services for Mrs. King will be held Thursday at 2 p.m.
at Powell Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will take place in Black
Walnut Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends
tonight from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home and at other
times at 253 Canterbury Drive, Halifax.
Hallie Hill of New Rochelle, N.Y. died July 3 in New Rochelle
at the age of 95. She was born in Halifax County on August 24,
1905.
Survivors include her three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren;
and one sister, Annie Mae Carrington of Nathalie.
Graveside services for Mrs. Hill were held July 10 at 11 a.m.
at Sunflower Baptist Church Cemetery in Nathalie. The Rev. Robert
Tucker officiated.
Lavonia Cynthia Dixon of Lynchburg died July 8 at her home. Born
in Hart County, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Alfred and
Bessie Moss, formerly of South Boston.
Mrs. Dixon was a member of First Presbyterian Church of South
Boston, a retired Virginia insurance agent, and previously owned
and managed Dixon's Insurance Agency of South Boston.
Survivors include three children and their spouses, Tony and Mary
Ogle Cudd of Lynchburg, Betty Jean and David Rickman of Halifax
and Lavonia and Richard Snow of Madison Heights; one sister, Hattie
Ballard of Greenville, S.C., nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be conducted at Briarwood
Memorial Gardens in Amherst today, July 11 with the Rev. Catharine
Montgomery officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice of the Hills,
3300 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg 24503.
Shirley Hodnett Midkiff, 65, of 1011 Cedar Fork Road, Halifax,
died July 9 at her home.
Mrs. Midkiff was born in Halifax County on March 21, 1936, the
daughter of Charlie Y. Hodnett and Mamie Hall H. Ingram and was
married to Earl Scott Midkiff. She was a member of First Baptist
Church of Millstone.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters and a son-in-law,
Carolyn and husband, Fred Harris of Littleton, N.C. and Judy Midkiff
of Midlothian; two grandsons, Andy Harris of Greenville, N.C.
and Kevin Harris of Littleton. She was preceded in death by her
brother, Winston Hodnett and her son, Edward E. Midkiff.
Funeral services for Mrs. Midkiff will be held today, July 11
at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Millstone with the Revs.
Bob Watts and Dr. Melvin Bradshaw conducting the service. Burial
will take place in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax
County Cancer Association, PO Box 873, South Boston 24592, or
the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston
24592.
Joyce Ann Daniel, 42, of Chase City died July 8 at Community Memorial
Healthcenter in South Hill.
Mrs. Daniel was born in Mecklenburg County on September 8, 1958,
the daughter of Robert Lee Oliver and Ella Coleman Oliver. She
was an employee of Burlington Performance Wear in Clarksville,
and was a member of Concord Baptist Church, Chase City.
Survivors include her husband, Jessie Lee Daniel Sr. of Plainfield,
NJ; two daughters, Kishia Wood and Katrina Daniel, both of South
Boston; two sons, Jessie Daniel Jr. and Brian Daniel, both of
Chase City; one stepson, Anthony Russell of Chase City; four grandchildren,
Akeem Daniel, Paris Wood, Xavier Fuller, all of South Boston,
and Taniyiah Daniel of N.J.; three sisters, Edith Clark and Thelma
Marable, both of Chase City, and Ernestine Oliver of Philadelphia,
Pa.; two brothers, Willie Oliver of Chase City and Ernest Oliver
of Va. Beach; her father-in-law, Henry Daniel of South Hill. She
was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Oliver Jr. and Marvin
Oliver; and one sister, Shirley Barnette.
Funeral services for Mrs. Daniel will be held at 2 p.m. July 13
at Concord Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie L. Carter Sr. officiating.
burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 until
8 at Giles-Harris Funeral Home in Chase City.
Deacon Levi Edward Carden Sr., 71, of 1191 Allen Trail, Scottsburg
died July 8 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Deacon Carden was born in Plainfield, NJ on June 1, 1930, the
son of the late Martha Carden Robinson. He was married to Naomi
Coleman Carden and was a member of Spanish Grove Baptist Church
where he served as a deacon. He was a retired employee of ABB,
Inc.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Deborah C. Washington
of Charlottesville and Lola C. Boyd of Va. Beach; four sons, Rev.
Levi Carden Jr., Larry D. Carden and Marvin Allen Carden, all
of Scottsburg, and Calvin C. Carden of Clover; 15 grandchildren;
nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Aron Robinson of Newark,
N.J., John Robinson and Louis Robinson, both of Plainfield, N.J.;
and one sister, Adeline Robinson of Plainfield.
Funeral services for Deacon Carden will be held July 12 at 11
a.m. at Spanish Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Frank Coleman
officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, July 11 from 6:00
to 7:00 at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home, and other times
at the home.
Pearl Denise Royal, 38, of South Boston died July 8 at Berry Hill
Nursing Home.
Ms. Royal was born in Halifax County on October 15, 1962, the
daughter of the late Jake Matthew Royal and Pearl Edmondson Royal.
She was a member of St. Paul CME Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Sharde Monik Royal of South Boston;
one son, Jeremy Markey Royal of South Boston; five sisters, Sallie
F. Kirby and Carol Royal, both of Halifax, Glenda Barksdale of
Gladys, Sylvia Palmer of Clover and Wanda Royal of South Boston;
and one brother, Jake Royal of Columbia, SC.
Funeral services for Ms. Royal will be held July 12 at 3 p.m.
at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John Faulkner officiating.
Burial will follow in St. Paul CME Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Sallie F. Kirby,
1094 Union Church Road, Halifax.