International Industrial Fan will close its doors next week.
The company notified its creditors and customers this week that
it would cease business operations as of Friday, August 24.
Declining sales and increased operating costs, coupled with a
failed attempt to secure a financial partner or buyer, were named
as factors by James Simon, general manager.
International Industrial Fan, located off of Fan Park Drive, had
about 15 remaining employees in early July.
"Consistent with management's fiduciary duty to all creditors,
the company used its best efforts to restructure the business
and preserve its going concern value," Simon told creditors
and customers.
"Management pursued a number of strategic and financial purchasers
and attempted to reach agreement for a sale of all of the company's
assets and business in a manner that would provide a recovery
for unsecured creditors.
"The company regrets the loss that may be caused to each
of our valued customers, former employees and creditors by the
liquidation of its assets."
International Fan opened its doors here in 1984 and has been a
leader in centrifugal fan manufacturing.
Fans produced at the facility were used for process cooling and
drying, material and oven exhaust, pneumatic conveying, material
handling and forced and induced draft.
Earlier this summer, company officials were in negotiations with
unnamed persons to form a partnership to insure the firm's continuation,
however, negotiations were unsuccessful.
Travis Monroe Abbitt, 20, died Wednesday at Duke University
Medical Center of injuries suffered in a fight with a friend and
co-worker Monday night, but his death is offering life to several
others through organ transplants.
Currently, there are 77,860 people waiting for organ donations,
with 15 people dying each day, according to the United Network
For Organ Sharing.
Yesterday, three recipients were given a second chance for life
through Travis Abbitt. One received his heart and lungs, a second
received a liver and a third received a pancreas.
"The best thing anyone can do is notify their next of kin
of their desire to donate organs," Abbitt's mother, Peggy,
said yesterday.
"Putting it on your license means nothing if your family
says no."
Abbitt had himself been an organ recipient.
When he was 15 years old, his mother donated a kidney to him as
he battled an aggressive inflammatory kidney disease.
He had been on dialysis before receiving the kidney.
"His ability to give organs to others at his death really
fit in with how he felt," said Dr. Maddux, Abbitt's physician
at Danville Urologic Clinic. "It was very brave of Peggy
and George to do this."
"The family is very supportive of organ donation," family
friend Sheila Younger said yesterday.
"God, Travis and the Abbitt family saved several people's
lives today. They don't know their names, may never meet them,
but they created miracles solely for the good of someone else.
How wonderful of them all," she said.
A funeral service for Abbitt will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.
at Dan River Baptist Church.
Abbitt sustained head injuries when he was allegedly thrown to
the pavement by 18-year-old William Clark Griesbauer of South
Boston during a fight in Riverdale.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday in the
parking lot behind Shoney's Restaurant in the Riverdale Plaza
Shopping Center.
South Boston Police Lt. R.D. Loftis said Griesbauer was at the
scene when police officers arrived and gave a statement.
No weapons were involved in the fight, according to Loftis.
The incident is still under investigation, Lt. Loftis said yesterday.
Carter Field, the longtime home of South Boston's Dixie Youth
Baseball League and, recently, a playing site for the South Boston-Halifax
County Dixie Softball League, will continue to be an athletic
facility for the community's youth.
The softball league and Dixie Inc., in a joint venture, have purchased
Carter Field for $15,000.
Under the agreement, Dixie Inc. has purchased the top field at
Carter Field and the softball league has purchased the lower field.
The facility is located on a 5.03 acre tract.
Dean Elliott, the head of the South Boston-Halifax County Dixie
Girls Softball League, said the leagues will maintain their respective
fields and will share maintenance of the area betwen the two fields.
"We've obtained an attorney and we've got to go through the
closing process," Elliott said.
"I'm sure that will take at least a couple of weeks."
Carter Field was an asset of the local JPS Apparel plant and was
subject to the bankruptcy proceedings involving the facility.
A $2,110,000 bid by Michael Fox International for the JPS Apparel
plant was approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Raleigh, N.C.
on Tuesday.
Elliott hailed the purchase of Carter Field as a significant event
in the life of community sports.
"This way the boys and girls can still use it," Elliott
said of Carter Field.
"We felt there was a very imminent danger that some big developer
would come in, buy the property, and it be turned into a big gas
station or restaurant.
"This way, we should be able to have it for the kids to enjoy
for years to come," added Elliott.
Elliott praised former JPS plant manager John Robert Griffin for
his assistance in the venture.
"John Robert Griffin had a big hand in it," Elliott
said.
"This would not have happened without his help. He went to
bat for us in a big way."
Elliott pointed out that with the purchase of the field,his league
has a field that it can count on as a playing site.
Dixie Inc. has worked with the softball league thepast couple
of seasons or so in allowing the softball league to play some
of its games on the lower field.
"We were just borrowing time," Elliott said.
"It's nice to have one place we know we can go."
The South Boston-Halifax County Dixie Girls Softball League utilized
several fields this past season.
Among the fields used by the league were two fields at Cluster
Springs operated by the Halifax County South Dixie Youth league,
and the lower field at Carter Field.
Games were also played at the South Boston YMCA field, the new
field completed this year at the Mary M. Bethune Complex in Halifax
and the Halifax County High School girls softball field.
Dixie Inc. used the upper field at Carter Field this past season
as a site for Dixie Youth Baseball games.
The organization also used fields at the Day Complex on Houghton
Boulevard to play its games during the past season.
A 10-year-old Siani community boy was taken to Halifax Regional
Hospital yesterday afternoon after reportedly being attacked by
a six-month Rottweiler dog. Identified as Ta'ron A. Ballou, the
boy had what appeared to be mostly flesh wounds to his face and
neck.
South Boston Police Officer Tim Vanaerem told reporters that the
animal had been taken to the pound and will be held there for
observation. Police identified the dog's owner as Jonathan Majors,
a Westside Park Drive resident.
Vanaerem said that the owner told him that the animal had managed
to escape from a holding pen sometime yesterday prior to having
bitten the boy.
The dog was said to have been vaccinated for rabies.
No charges have been filed and the matter remains under investigation.
With almost two weeks of practice under their belts, Halifax
County High School's gridders will face their first test tonight.
The Comets varsity team will scrimmage Prince Edward County and
Nottoway County at 6 p.m. tonight in Farmville in what will be
their first action against an outside opponent.
"I think the kids are ready," Comets head coach James
Hodges said after Wednesday night's practice.
"We need to hit on somebody else besides our own players.
There's no question the kids are ready to go out and go against
some opposition other than themselves."
Tonight's scrimmage is a very important test for the Comets.
The Comets open their season a week from tonight with a road game
against nearby Dan River.
With only four days to prepare for that game after tonight's scrimmage,
Hodges and his coaching staff need to get a good view of where
the team stands.
Hodges also needs for his team to emerge from tonight's test with
no major injuries.
That, Hodges said, is much more important than whatever numbers
may appear on the scoreboard tonight.
"They could beat us three touchdowns to zero and that wouldn't
necessarily mean that we wouldn't get what we expect from the
scrimmage," Hodges pointed out.
"The biggest thing is we want to come out of the scrimmage
with no major injuries. Secondly, we need to see good execution
(of the offensive and defensive schemes).
"We won't always get long gains but if the kids go out and
execute the plays and know who to block, I'll be pleased with
that," added Hodges.
"If the kids make mistakes, it's okay. Hopefully, they will
learn from them. If they're going to make mistakes, it's better
to have them tonight than next week."
It has been a busy week in the Comets camp.
Wednesday night, the Comets' practice session went on to close
to 9 p.m. as drills continued in the shadows of the lights shining
from the nearby baseball field.
Hodges said afterward things are on schedule.
"I think we're where we should be as far as getting our offensive
and defensive systems in," Hodges said.
"We ran into a little snag when we found out that Prince
Edward will run a 4-3 defense in the scrimmage. We hadn't worked
against that so we had to make a few changes."
Hodges noted that because the season is starting early this year,
it has been imperative that a lot of work got done early.
"In terms of the overall game plan, we're a little ahead
of where we were at this time last year," the Comets coach
said.
"We have to be. Next week is the real game and we've got
to be ready to play."
Pointing to the team's long practice Wednesday night, Hodges explained
that it is a part of the growth of his system.
"Each year we've been going a little longer in practice than
we did the previous year," Hodges pointed out.
"I feel like we've gotten to the point where the kids realize
that if they want to be successful they've got to put in the time."
Russell Garland Ingram, 81, died August 12 at Kaiser General Hospital
in Anaheim, Ca.
Mr. Ingram was born in Halifax County on September 27, 1919, the
son of Charlie Hudson Ingram and Fannie Spencer Ingram and was
married to Courtland Webber Ingram. He was a veteran of WWII.
Survivors include one daughter, Debbie Ingram Ferguson and four
granddaughters of Laguna Hills, Ca.; one brother, Arthur Ingram
of Chase City; two sisters, Edith Powell of South Boston and Elizabeth
I. Martin of Nathalie. He was preceded in death by four brothers
and two sisters.
Funeral services for Mr. Ingram were held August 15 at O'Connor
Mortuary with Military Rites. Burial followed in El Toro Cemetery
in Laguna Hills.
John Joseph Glass, 67, of 1314 Berry Hill Road, South Boston,
died August 15 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Glass was born in Halifax County on April 13, 1934, the son
of John Presley Glass and Lena Conner Glass and was married to
Frances Short Glass. He was a member of Second Baptist Church.
A funeral service was held August 16 at 2 p.m. at Hunting Creek
Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Smith conducting the service.
Burial was in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Glass include his wife; three sons, John Marshall
Glass and wife, Carolyn, Paul Anthony Glass and wife, Catherine,
all of South Boston, and Malcolm Forrest Glass and wife, Connie
of Scottsburg; two sisters, Mary Ann Glass of Warsaw and Nell
Glass Conner of Scottsburg; four granddaughters, Jennifer Glass
of Halifax, Lauren Glass, Hannah Glass and Erin Glass, all of
South Boston; four great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Shay, Aliyah
and Shekeria.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Patrick
Henry Boys Home, PO Box 1398, Brookneal, 24528.
Travis Monroe Abbitt, 20, of 1507 Friend Avenue, South Boston,
died August 15 at Duke University Hospital.
He was born on May 8, 1981, the son of George D. and Peggy Monroe
Abbitt. He was graduated from Wellspring Academy in 2000. Travis
was a member of Dan River Baptist Church where he had been active
in the youth group.
In addition to his parents, survivors include two brothers, Tyler
Ian Abbitt of the home and George Malcolm 'Maci' Abbitt of Halifax;
his maternal grandparents, Walter D. and Emma S. Monroe of Brookneal;
and his paternal grandmother, Hazel Abbitt of Richmond. He was
preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, George R. Abbitt.
Funeral services will be held August 18 at 11 a.m. at Dan River
Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Melvin Bradshaw conducting the
service assisted by the Revs. Lewis Wall, Paul King and Bob Gluhareff.
Burial will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, August 17, from
7 until 9 at Powell Funeral Home and other times at the home.
For memorials, consider the Travis Abbitt Memorial Scholarship
Fund, Wellspring Academy, PO Box 100, Sutherlin, 24594.
Clyde L. Fears of Mechanicsville died August 15.
Mr. Fears was a retired Henrico police officer. He was also a
South Boston police officer and still has many ties to the area.
Survivors include his wife, Estella; four daughters, Angela G.,
Taunia C., Nyoka J. and Wanda G. Fears; two brothers, Charlie
and Carlton Fears; four sisters, Bessie Cook, Ollie Mayhew, Elizabeth
Bomar and Joyce Peade; and one grandson, Chris Slayton.
Funeral services will be held today, August 17 at Mechanicsville
Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Signal
Hill Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Angela
G. Fears Educational Fund at Richmond Academy, 3809 Patterson
Ave., Richmond, 23221.
Alma Lawson Scott Link, 98, of 1221 Blane Road, Alton, died August
15 in Halifax.
Mrs. Link was born in Halifax County on December 18, 1902, the
daughter of Milton Lawson and Abagail Brooks Lawson and was first
married to Robert Scott and later to Ivory Link. She was a member
of New Ephesus Baptist Church and was an educator and principal
in the Halifax County School System for 38 years.
Survivors include one daughter, Serita Scott Morton of Halifax;
three grandchildren, Regina Elizabeth Morton of Clinton, NJ, Shelia
Morton Rincon of Richmond and Haywood Londell Scott of Baltimore,
Md.; and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services for Mrs. Link will be held August 20 at 11 a.m.
at New Ephesus Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Michael Harris
Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Serita Morton,
3018 Howard Anderson Road, Halifax Sunday evening from 5:00 to
7:00.