Wednesday,
July 9, 2003
Cardwell
Sentenced To Over 10 Years
Alleged Hinson Co-Conspirator Planned
Murder Of Witnesses
One of Leo Hinson’s alleged co-conspirators, John Wayne
Cardwell, 51, of Gretna, received a 131 month sentence Monday
in the Lynchburg United States District Court for conspiracy
to murder a federal witness and soliciting the murder of
a federal witness.
“These charges stem from an investigation that revealed
a plan devised by Leo Hinson in which he and Cardwell wanted
to murder witnesses that would have testified against Hinson,”
said Major R. S. B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston
Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
“The murders were never carried out,” added Pulliam.
Hinson’s sentencing date for these charges has been
set for October 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the U.S. District Court
in Danville.
Hinson and Cardwell were prosecuted by Assistant United
States Attorney(AUSA) Don Wolthuis of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office in Roanoke and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney/Regional
Drug Prosecutor Jeb Terrien.
Hinson’s and Cardwell’s arrests were the result
of an intensive four-year investigation that revealed a
multi-faceted, tiered organization involving murder, attempted
murders, money laundering, drug distribution, and alleged
corruption of involving public officials and law enforcement
officers, according to Pulliam.
“Large amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine
were being distributed in several states,” he added.
Pulliam said that Hinson also faces drug and money laundering
charges in federal court in North Carolina.
AUSA Christine Dean of the U.S. Attorney’s office in
Raleigh will be prosecuting Hinson for those charges on
September 2, in Willmington, N.C.
“The success of this investigation has been the direct
result of cooperation among law enforcement agencies as
well as invaluable information and support which has been
provided by many concerned citizens,” said Pulliam.
The Task Force, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, FBI,
Brunswick County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, IRS, Virginia Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the U.S. Attorney’s
Offices of Raleigh and Roanoke were all involved in the
investigation.
Get
A Taste Of Halifax County’s Sweet Cantaloupes At Friday
Fest
Nearly
3,000 People Are Expected To Attend
The
sun has finally broken free after months of rain, temperatures
have risen into the 90s and spirits are soaring after a
relaxed Fourth of July weekend, which can mean only one
thing -- it is time to enjoy the fruits of summer at the
Virginia Cantaloupe Festival.
Approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend the 23rd
Annual Cantaloupe Festival on Friday between 4 and 10 p.m.
“It will be the same fun event that we always have,”
said Nancy Poole, president of the Halifax County Chamber
of Commerce.
Approximately 300 cantaloupes have been donated by local
growers for the festival, according to Poole.
“So far we’ve got commitments from Hilton Hudson,
Tommy Hudson, Reese Farms and Anthony Powell,” said
Poole. “We are also getting local berries for our fruit
cups from the Cole Berry Farm.”
Organizers will also be purchasing corn and tomatoes for
the event from Reese Farms.
The Cantaloupe Festival draws people to the county from
a 100 mile radius.
Most of the out-of-town visitors come from Lynchburg, Martinsville,
Roanoke and Danville.
“Although we do get visitors from Richmond and N.C.
more people seem to come from the west and north west,”
said Poole.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch named the Cantaloupe Festival
their Travel Planner Pick of The Week in Sundays Paper.
“They gave us a call last week,” said Poole.
“We were thrilled and are certainly seeing the results
of the article today with phone calls and ticket sales.”
While tickets are selling well, there are still some left
at various outlets.
In addition to ice cream and all-you-can-eat cantaloupe,
ticket holders will also be treated to barbecue, Brunswick
stew, tomato biscuits, fruit cups, locally grown corn on
the cob, and the beverage of their choice.
The Festival also features live music starting at 4 p.m.
“We change bands every year to keep it fresh,”
said Poole.
This year, Festival goers will be entertained by the musical
stylings of Phat Albert, Backstreet and The Band of Oz.
“The Band of Oz is truly a widely recognized beach
music band and they always put on an excellent show,”
Poole added. “And Backstreet has a large following
in Danville.”
The Chamber hopes the festival will raise between $25,000-$30,000
to be used in community projects.
“We are directly working with many other community
partners in our community visioning process and developing
tourism,” said Poole.
“I think the Festival is always a special event,”
added Poole. “But this year more so because summer
has been delayed for a while with all the rain.”
Tickets for the Cantaloupe Festival are $25 and must be
purchased in advance.
A combo ticket is available for the Friday night Festival
and Saturday’s race at the South Boston Speedway for
$30.
Tickets can be purchased at Debbie's Staffing, GCR Company,
Triangle Florist, the World of Sports or the Halifax County
Chamber of Commerce.
Tickets can also be purchased from the Halifax County Cancer
Association (HCCA) at Massey's Bakery, American Cash Center,
or by calling 572-2714.
The HCCA will retain a $5 donation from each ticket purchased
through them.
For more ticket and festival information call 888-458-1003
or go on-line at www.valopefest.com.
Cardwell
Sentenced To Over 10 Years
Alleged Hinson Co-Conspirator Planned
Murder Of Witnesses
One of Leo Hinson’s alleged co-conspirators, John Wayne
Cardwell, 51, of Gretna, received a 131 month sentence Monday
in the Lynchburg United States District Court for conspiracy
to murder a federal witness and soliciting the murder of
a federal witness.
“These charges stem from an investigation that revealed
a plan devised by Leo Hinson in which he and Cardwell wanted
to murder witnesses that would have testified against Hinson,”
said Major R. S. B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South Boston
Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force.
“The murders were never carried out,” added Pulliam.
Hinson’s sentencing date for these charges has been
set for October 9 at 1:30 p.m. in the U.S. District Court
in Danville.
Hinson and Cardwell were prosecuted by Assistant United
States Attorney(AUSA) Don Wolthuis of the U.S. Attorney’s
Office in Roanoke and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney/Regional
Drug Prosecutor Jeb Terrien.
Hinson’s and Cardwell’s arrests were the result
of an intensive four-year investigation that revealed a
multi-faceted, tiered organization involving murder, attempted
murders, money laundering, drug distribution, and alleged
corruption of involving public officials and law enforcement
officers, according to Pulliam.
“Large amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine
were being distributed in several states,” he added.
Pulliam said that Hinson also faces drug and money laundering
charges in federal court in North Carolina.
AUSA Christine Dean of the U.S. Attorney’s office in
Raleigh will be prosecuting Hinson for those charges on
September 2, in Willmington, N.C.
“The success of this investigation has been the direct
result of cooperation among law enforcement agencies as
well as invaluable information and support which has been
provided by many concerned citizens,” said Pulliam.
The Task Force, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, FBI,
Brunswick County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, IRS, Virginia Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the U.S. Attorney’s
Offices of Raleigh and Roanoke were all involved in the
investigation.
Obituaries
Cristobal
Urbina Alfan
Cristobal Urbina Alfan, 39, of 1051 Bold Springs Road, South
Boston died July 5 in Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Alfan was born in Cuernavaca Morelos, Mexico on October
12, 1963, the son of Felipe Ramirez Alfan and Evangelina
Urbina. He was a construction worker with Hooks Lowery.
Services will be held this evening, July 9 at 6 p.m. at
Brooks Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be between 5:00
and 6:00.
Survivors of Mr. Alfan include his parents of Mexico; his
girlfriend, Tammy Colchado of South Boston; one daughter;
one son; four brothers, Carlos Espinoza, Fabian Alfan and
his wife, Chelye, Gonzgol Martinez and Eduardo Martinez.
Nellie Younger Coates
Nellie Younger Coates, 94, of 6000 L.P. Bailey Memorial
Highway, Halifax, died July 7 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Coates was born in Halifax County on May 23, 1909,
the daughter of John Robert Younger and Patty Midkiff Younger
and was married to John Garland Coates. She was a member
of McKendree United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Jane C. Sadler of Pittsburg,
Pa.; two sons, Wayland Coates of Arlington and Carroll Coates
of Stuart; two sisters, Crystal Henderson of South Boston
and Janie Y. Prince of Fuquay Varina, N.C.; and 10 grandchildren.
Mrs. Coates was preceded in death by one son, Stan Coates;
and one grandson, Thad Coates.
A funeral service for Mrs. Coates will be held tomorrow,
July 10 at 2 p.m. at McKendree United Methodist Church with
the Rev. Tom Hughes officiating. Burial will take place
in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening at Powell Funeral
Home from 7:00 until 9:00.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider McKendree
United Methodist Church.
Florence Sydnor Lovelace
Florence Sydnor Lovelace, 89, of 1016 Ballou Trail, Halifax,
died July 7 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Lovelace was born in Campbell County on March 30, 1914,
the daughter of the late Willie Sydnor and the late Fannie
Miller Sydnor and was married to Tom A. Lovelace. She was
a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Fannie L. Venable of
Arlington, Sarah Williams of Irvington, N.J. and Mary Clipper
of Frederick Md.; one son, Frank Lovelace of Halifax; six
grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four sisters,
Clarissa Williams of Arlington, Hazel Saxon and Hester Jones,
both of Washington, D.C. and Learlean Hemphill of Temple
Hill, Md.; one brother, Floyd W. Sydnor of Brooklyn, N.Y.;
one Goddaughter, Shirley Brown of Irvington. She was also
preceded in death by one daughter, Bettie Lovelace; one
son, James Lovelace; and one stepson, Horace Lovelace.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lovelace will be held today, July
9, at 11 a.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with the Rev.
Dr. William Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the
church cemetery.
Consistent
Hitting Is Key
Consistent Hitting
Is The Key To Halifax National Run In The State Tournament
By
DOUG FORD | G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax National Ponytails all-stars are banking on
improved hitting to match already strong pitching and team
defense in this weekend's Dixie Ponytails State Tournament
here.
Halifax National, which will serve as the host team in this
year's tournament, will play Patrick County Friday at 8
p.m., in the opening round of the tournament.
Hitting is the key to the team's chances in the state tournament,
according to Manager Frank Shealy, who took another strong
National Ponytails team to the state last year.
That team, although strong in pitching and defense, did
not hit well in the state tournament, according to Shealy.
"We lost to Blackstone 1-0, and to Amherst 3-1,"
recalled Shealy.
"If we had hit the ball, we'd have been there at the
end, because our pitching and defense were excellent.
"I'm hoping it will be there this year."
Returning players from that team include Heather Hudson,
Melissa Morris, Katie Barnette and Kaitlyn Moorefield.
Joining them on the National all-star team are Betty Rose,
Lauren Daniel, Paige Rickman, Sharilyn Walton, Kristin Mosier,
Lyndsey Lawter, Megan Day and Erica Wilson.
"We scrimmaged Clarksville, the American Ponytails
and the Halifax National Belles, and we hit the ball well
in all those games," said Shealy.
Being the host team in this year's state tournament has
its advantages and disadvantages, Shealy noted.
An obvious advantage is not having to play in the district
tournament, where a couple of bad games can lead to elimination.
But, by the same token, Halifax National has had to rely
on the three scrimmages to give Shealy and coaches Allen
Lawter and Eddie Daniel a chance to evaluate this year's
team.
"Although they (Halifax National) beat us, we did get
the bat on the ball," noted Shealy.
"Halifax National hit the ball all over the place,
and it gave us an opportunity to practice our defense and
practice hitting the cutoff person.
"After three innings, we settled down a little bit,
and that's what I wanted to see. It looked promising."
Shealy is also relying on his familiarity with the players
to help in this year's tournament.
"I've coached all-stars every year for five year, three
in the Angels and two in the Ponytails.
"That makes a difference. I know each girl's strengths
and weaknesses.
"At this age, it's hard sometimes to know how they'll
perform, but, if you put them out there in the right spots
and give them enough backing, I think they'll do well.
Pitching is still a strongpoint for Halifax National, which
can send Hudson, Rickman, Daniel, Lawter and Moorefield
to the mound to stifle the bats of the opposition.
"To be honest, I don't know how I'll pitch them,"
said Shealy.
"If one of them is on her game, and is on a roll, I
might go with her."
Shealy hopes his players will use last year's experience
in the state tournament to give them a little edge this
season, especially considering a possible matchup with Halifax
American.
"I know Rodney (Watts) will hit on the fact that his
team has been playing and we haven't, and that's a good
point," Shealy remarked.
"I know Rodney will be prepared.
"Our girls get up for American and they get up for
us. It's no heated rivalry as far as that goes.
"A lot of the girls are friends, and some play travel
all together, but it's still fun to beat your friends."
Shealy thinks his team has a decent chance to win the state,
if all the intangibles come together.
"I think it will be a pretty good tournament. I know
we'll at least be in the middle, if not near the top.
"The girls are itching to play," said Shealy.
"The coaches and parents who have had to deal with
me for five years are very supportive and back me, a couple
of them help me with the field, and it's really helped.
Shealy said hitting is still the key.
"Confidence is the key in hitting, we hit well in the
scrimmages, and I hope it continues in state play.
"I think we'll be ready on Friday."
