Annin & Co., officials say a two-week work hiatus on a 100,000 square feet expansion project in the Halifax County Industrial Park should not be interpreted as any sign of trouble.
That slowdown, said Carter Beard, Vice President of Manufacturing, is allowing Annin to further plan its South Boston operations which have grown from approximately 35 employees to just over 120 in six months. Annin, the world's oldest and largest flagmaker, purchased Dettra Flag which had been a five-year resident in the industrial park.
The $2.5 million expansion by Annin began in March not long after the Roseland, NJ-based company announced it would close a manufacturing plant in Palm Bay, FL. Annin has five manufacturing plants.
Annin has said that employment at its South Boston operation is expected to reach 260 persons in two years. It presently works three shifts.
The company was incorporated in 1847 and has grown to five locations with worldwide distribution. As the official flag manufacturer to the United Nations, Annin's international flags are the standards for exactness that are followed by the rest of the world.
The company produces over 20,000 different flags and flag accessories.

Judge William L. Wellons sentenced a Scottsburg man convicted of dragging a state trooper who tried to stop his vehicle last October to 10 years in prison.
Brian O'Neal Lacks, 20, of Churchside Trail, Scottsburg, who was convicted March 11 of driving off while State Trooper R.C. Compton was leaning in his vehicle and later escaping, was sentenced Tuesday in Halifax County Circuit Court to 10 years in prison.
Judge William L. Wellons suspended three years of the five-year sentence for attempted malicious wounding of a law enforcement officer and all of the five-year sentence for escaping custody, for a total of two years active time.
Wellons suspended the sentence on condition of Lacks' good behavior for a 10-year period, placed him on supervised probation for a two-year period following his release, and ordered him to complete alcohol treatment and counseling.
Compton, who managed to remove the keys from the ignition of Lacks' vehicle during the October 20, 1998, incident, was not injured.
A convicted cocaine dealer arrested during a raid on a Virgilina crack house last year was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Christopher Allen Ellis, 23, of Florence Avenue, Virgilina, who was convicted December 16 in Halifax County Circuit Court of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm while in possession of cocaine, received a 10-year sentence on the drug charge and three years on the firearms charge.
However, while Wellons upheld the three-year sentence for possessing a firearm while possessing cocaine, he suspended the 10-year sentence on the cocaine charge on the condition of Ellis' good behavior for a 10-year period.
Ellis, who was remanded to jail following his court appearance, was also ordered to complete two years supervised probation upon his release from prison and submit to random drug testing.
Other cases heard by Wellons on August 3 included the following:
· Michael L. Carrington, 19, of Harding Mill Road, Nathalie, who was convicted June 1 of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and possessing a concealed weapon, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Wellons suspended all but three months of the six-year sentence and dismissed a capias against Carrington for violating the conditions of his bond and for failing to cooperate with Task Force Coordinator Richard Pulliam.
Wellons suspended the sentence on the condition of Carrington's good behavior for a five-year period, and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison. Random drug testing will be required.
Wellons also authorized work release.
· William Louis Cash, 39, of Sinai Road, South Boston, who was convicted May 15 of knocking down and choking Monica Montgomery during a fight, August 13, 1998, was sentenced to 12 months in jail with all but 30 days suspended.
Cash was ordered to have no contact with the victim and will be allowed to serve his sentence on weekends beginning August 27.
· Ralph E. Davis, 35, of Wilmouth Avenue, South Boston, who was convicted March 11 on two counts of breaking and entering, two counts of grand larceny, and two counts of possession of cocaine, was sentenced to five years on each charge for a total of 30 years in prison.
Wellons suspended all but four years on the condition of Davis' good behavior for a 30-year period, and sentenced him to two years supervised probation.
· Eddwardo J. Ferguson, 20, of Whit Loop, Alton, who was convicted March 10 of shooting at Jerome Anderson's Mercury Topaz GS, March 3, 1997, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Wellons suspended all but the time it will take Ferguson to complete boot camp on the condition of his good behavior for a five-year period.
Ferguson was also ordered to complete two years supervised probation.
· Donald Kelly Ferrell, 22, of College Street, South Boston, who was convicted March 17 on charges including unauthorized use of an automobile, driving on a suspended operator's license, and possession of marijuana, was sentenced to five years on the first charge and 30 days on the two misdemeanor charges.
Wellons suspended all but one year of the five-year sentence and both of the two 30-day sentences on the condition of Ferrell's good behavior for a five-year period.
Ferrell will also be required to complete two years supervised probation, submit to random drug testing, and pay $212 restitution to Jay Kellum.
· Momar Guy, 27, of Hamilton Boulevard, South Boston, who was convicted May 18 of shoplifting (subsequent offense), was sentenced to five years with all but six months suspended on the condition of his good behavior for a five-year period.
Wellons also ordered Guy to complete one year supervised probation upon his release.
· Brian C. Jones, 18, of Winns Creek Road, Halifax, was sentenced to five years on cocaine possession charges.
Wellons suspended all but 30 days on the condition of Jones' good behavior for a five-year period, and ordered Jones to complete two years supervised probation upon release and submit to random drug testing.
· Sean D. Massenburg, 28, of King Village Trailer Park, Halifax, was sentenced to 10 years for grand larceny auto charges stemming from an incident that occurred last November.
Wellons suspended all but one year and 11 months on the condition of Massenburg's good behavior for a 10-year period, placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison, and ordered him to submit to random drug testing.
Massenburg also received two 12-month suspended sentences for writing bad checks.
· Larry Donnell Owen, a.k.a. Larry Bowman, 39, of Halifax, was sentenced to 10 years for distributing cocaine.
Wellons suspended all but three years on the condition of Owen's good behavior for a 10-year period.
Owen will also be required to complete two years supervised probation and pay $200 restitution to the Task Force.
· Mitchell Wayne Puryear, 20, of Cherry Hill Road, South Boston, was sentenced to five years in prison for having carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 13.
Puryear said the sexual relationship with the teen was consensual.
Wellons suspended all of the sentence on the condition that Puryear perform 100 hours of community service within one year, have no contact with the victim, and be on good behavior for five years.
· Anthony Antonio Rogers, 38, of Bill Tuck Highway, South Boston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzling from Taco Bell, where he was the night manager, June 19, 1998.
Wellons suspended all of the sentence on the condition of Rogers' good behavior for a 10-year period and ordered him to pay $1,591.95 restitution to Taco Bell.
Rogers, who was placed on two years probation, also will be required to submit to random drug testing.
· Jesse Lee Sims Jr., 21, of Woodbridge Avenue, South Boston, was sentenced to 10 years for distributing cocaine.
Wellons suspended all but time served and the time it will take Sims to complete boot camp.
Sims was also ordered to complete two years probation and submit to random drug testing.
· Phillip Orlando Wheatley, 32, of Bishop Street, South Boston, was sentenced to 15 years with all but four years suspended for distribution and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Wellons suspended the sentence on condition of Wheatley's good behavior for a 15-year period ordered him to pay $150 restitution to the Task Force and submit to random drug testing.

Halifax County Board of Supervisors and Halifax Town Council members met Tuesday night in closed session to discuss the town's proposed boundary adjustment.
It was the second meeting between the town and county on the subject this summer.
The town is seeking to meet South Boston's boundaries in the Centerville area, take in Salishan and the Golf Course Road area, the Burlington plant and west up Mountain Road.
Town Council voted earlier this summer to proceed with the boundary adjustment process with a Dec. 31, 1999, deadline as its goal.
Halifax Town Council as well as South Boston Town Council and county officials are slated to tour the Urban Planning Area, which includes both towns and county property, during their regularly scheduled joint meeting on Monday, August 16.
Of the town's annexation talks with the county, Halifax councilman Jack Dunavant said yesterday, "I am fairly optimistic we will work something out."

The Town of Halifax will postpone its regular town council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m. until Friday, August 20 at 5 p.m.
The meeting will be in the Town Hall at 70 Main Street in Halifax.

A part-time county animal officer was charged with cruelty to animals earlier this week.
The charge against Charles Allen Newby, 29, of Chatham Road, turned out to be the preamble to a bad week at the Halifax County Animal Shelter.
The charge against Newby came as the result of a complaint leading to an investigation by South Boston Animal Control Officer Terry Faris at the town's landfill, South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall said yesterday.
Saying the case should be tried in court, Chief Hall declined to comment further. But, he did acknowledge cats were involved.
A source said yesterday that a bag of kittens was found near a dead dog after the county employee left the landfill. The source said an investigation of the bag revealed two dead kittens and another, which died later. A single kitten survived.
The source said the bag had been run over by a compactor before it was retrieved.
"I don't know anything about any cats," said Halifax County Senior Animal Control Warden E.J. Edmonds yesterday. "But he (Newby) did take two dead dogs to the South Boston landfill."
Edmonds said yesterday he was out of the county when the incidents occurred.
"I am trying to find out what is going on myself," said Edmonds.
In a second incident this week, at the Halifax County pound, a lack of food and water for animals triggered an angry response from local veterinarian Dr. Debbie Coates.
Describing "very pathetic" looking animals, Dr. Coates said yesterday that she had gone to see if a German shepherd at the pound would be a suitable companion.
"I've been there before and every time it was pretty disturbing," said the veterinarian. "But this was very different."
She described dogs in a front pen with "no food and no water" at about 11:30 a.m.
"When I went in to see the shepherd, the stench was horrible," she continued. "It took my breath. Feces were all around."
Dr. Coates was particularly upset since she said a pound worker was at the site.
"I believe our tax money is supposed to pay for this," said the veterinarian of the pound. "It was just overwhelming to me. I was in tears."
It was then she said she left the building to collect her thoughts.
Having seen a little dog who reminded her of one she already had at home, she decided to adopt two dogs, the German shepherd and the little dog she described as a terrier mix.
"It is a well known fact the building is too small for the number of animals we take in," defended Edmonds yesterday. "And the kennels are cleaned every day, and the dogs are watered and fed every day," he added.
Although it is anticipated the county will enlarge the current pound, Dr. Coates does not see the size of the building as the major problem. "It's not the shelter but the care," she said yesterday.
Edmonds said he was investigating both the Newby and the pound incidents yesterday.
"Before I can take action, I have to know what went on," he said.
The county animal warden said the pound gets a lot of animals that have been neglected and, in his opinion, malnourished.
"And if we don't know where they come from and think they might belong to someone, we can't just put them down," said Edmonds.
Policy at the pound is that a stray will be kept at least a week. The animals that owners bring in can be put down immediately if released to the county, according to the warden.
"They would be better off put to sleep than living a week of neglect," said Dr. Coates yesterday of some of the animals she observed at the pound.

More than 200 individuals turned out to demonstrate their solidarity in the fight against crime in the South Boston community by attending the 5th Annual National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday evening.
Commonwealth Attorney John Greenbacker Jr., South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy and South Boston Police Chief Jim Hall spoke to a large contingency of local law enforcement officials and local citizens in Constitution Square, South Boston, early in the evening about the different ways they can help prevent and fight crime in their neighborhoods.
"National Night Out gives local citizens an opportunity to gather and speak out against crime in our community," Hall said. "Serious crime is on the downswing in our nation because of programs such as McGruff the Crime Dog, Neighborhood Watch, and Crime Stoppers. This is the time to seize the moment and continue to curb crime in our community."
Greenbacker focused on the need for tougher sentencing. He said that there needs to be a movement to encourage the Judiciary Advisory Commission to recommend no less than the minimum sentence, rather than having sentences handed down and then reduced with suspended time.
During the evening, Neighborhood Watch presented Ronnie Edmonds, Freddie Edmunds, James King and South Boston Fire Department Captain Mike Tuck with special plaques commending them for "decisive action" in dealing with a fire that broke out last winter.
The younger members of the crowd passed the evening bouncing away on the Moon Walk provided by Reality Resource Trent Inflatables and visited with McGruff the Crime Dog, Crash Test Dummies Vince and Larry, and their partner Snap Dragon.
Other activities included a special demonstration by Virginia Trooper L.G. Perkins and his attack dog; a martial arts demonstration; drug and crime prevention displays; town, state and county law-enforcement vehicles; fire and rescue apparatus displays; finger printing for child identification purposes; a Neighborhood Watch cake cutting ceremony and Terry Tunes Karaoke.
The South Boston Fire Department also presented plaques to Coca Cola and Lance Products in appreciation for their support for National Night Out Against Crime, and extended their thanks to the Town of South Boston, Reality Resource Trent Inflatables, Friendly Corner Market, South Boston Fire Department, Halifax Rescue Squad, Virginia State Police, Halifax County Sheriff's Department, South Boston Martial Arts and Detra for their involvement and support.

A Virgilina woman suffered injuries after she apparently fell asleep behind the wheel and wrecked her vehicle Wednesday morning, according to reports from the Virginia State Police.
An accident report filed by Trooper R.C. Compton stated that Amy Elizabeth Auld, 20, of Virgilina, apparently fell asleep around 6 a.m., August 4, while driving along Route 729, ran off the left side of the road one mile east of Route 1303 and struck an embankment.
Compton charged Auld, who was injured, with reckless driving
The impact caused an estimated $1,000 damage to the 1991 Plymouth Auld was driving.
No injuries were recorded the previous day when two vehicles collided on Route 654, one-half mile west of Route 501.
Reports indicated that around 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, Joyce M. Hankins, 60, of South Boston, drove up behind a 1994 Chevrolet pick-up truck that was turning off of Route 654. Although she tried to avoid the vehicle by swerving into the left lane, Hankins struck the left side of the pick-up.
The driver of the pick-up truck, William Edward Marable, 67, of South Boston, was not injured, but the truck sustained an estimated $2,700 in damages.
Investigating Trooper R.C. Compton charged Hankins with reckless driving.
The Hankins vehicle, a 1990 Oldsmobile, sustained an estimated $1,500 in damages.

Elizabeth Garnett Throckmorton, 10, of 1242 Cluster Springs Road, South Boston, died Tuesday, August 3, 1999, at University of Va. Hospital in Charlottesville.
She was born January 14, 1989 in Halifax County, the daughter of Clyde Garnett Throckmorton and Betty Thaxton Throckmorton.
The funeral for Miss Throckmorton will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel Friday, August 6, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Don Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Scottsburg.
Survivors include three sisters, Cheryl Thompson and husband, Benny of South Boston, Robin Throckmorton of South Boston, and Terri Adams DeBord and husband, Blake, of Greensboro, N.C.; one niece, Brandy Thompson Allred and husband, Mike of South Boston; one great niece, Kenley Allred of South Boston; her Nana, Joyce Daniel of Halifax; aunts and uncles, Phyllis and Lewis Norman of Little Plymouth, Nancy Compton, Harrison Throckmorton, Bonnie Throckmorton, and Louise and Ricky Blanks, all of South Boston; great- aunts and uncle, Laura and Charlie Nichols and Jean Daniel, all of South Boston; and a number of cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Christina Nicole Throckmorton.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Heart Association, PO Box 41, South Boston, or Southside Baptist Church.

George Robert Poole II, 44, of Brookneal, died Tuesday, August 4, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Poole was born in South Boston on November 5, 1954, the son of George Robert Poole of Brookneal and the late Rebecca East Poole. He was a member of Brookneal Baptist Church and Vice-President of Poole Chevrolet-Pontiac, Inc.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Shane Poole and his wife, Belinda, of South Boston, and G.R. Poole III of Brookneal; one sister, Catherine Poole-Jackson and her husband, Tom, of Gladys; one half-brother, George Dudley Poole and his wife, Mary, of Varina.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 7, at Brookneal Baptist Church by Rev. Charles Ward. Burial will follow in Wickliffe Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Friday at Henderson Funeral Home, Brookneal, and will be at the home other times.

Eleanor Coates McCraw, 78, of 2130 Liberty Road, Nathalie died Wednesday, August 4, 1999, at her home.
Mrs. McCraw was born in Halifax County on October 14, 1920, the daughter of Hampton Garnett Coates and Madge Green Coates. She was married to John Lyle McCraw.
Survivors include one niece, Rebecca C. Satterfield of South Boston; one nephew, Dean Coates of South Boston; two great nephews, and one great niece.
Funeral services for Mrs. McCraw will be held Friday, August 6, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dwight Moore conducting the service. Burial will take place in Catawba Baptist Church Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Liberty Volunteer Fire Department.

Willie B. Womack Sr., 68, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., formerly of Halifax County, died July 27, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Womack was born in Halifax County on December 23, 1930, the son of Charlie Buck Womack and Ola Barksdale Womack and was married to Susan Womack. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Willie Womack Jr. of Sarasota, Fla. and Charlie Womack of Cocoa Beach; two daughters, Virginia Ann Womack and Nita Womack Kerns, both of Vernon Hill; one brother, William 'Bud' Womack of Vernon Hill; one sister, Patricia 'Betty' Atkins of Marion; three grandchildren, Crockett Womack of Sarasota, M.V. Kerns and J.B. Kerns, both of Vernon Hill.
A memorial service for Mr. Womack will be held Sunday, August 8, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home with Rev. Tony Brooks conducting the service.

James Burnell Weston, 67, of Woodside, N.Y. died Saturday, July 31, 1999, at his home.
Mr. Weston was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on September 30, 1931.
Survivors include his wife, Iola Weston; two daughters, Jane Veston and Janet Benbow; and two sons, James Weston and Gary Weston.
Funeral services for Mr. Weston will be held Saturday, August 7, at 2 p.m. at Crawford, Garrett & Burton Funeral Service Chapel in Halifax, with Rev. Joe Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in County Line Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 133 Watlinton Court, Danville.

Thomas Holt Easley, 80, of Mt. Rainier, Md., died Monday, August 2, 1999, at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Easley was born in Halifax County on September 18, 1918.
Survivors include his wife, Magnolia Easley; one son, William Easley of Mt. Rainier; four daughters, Jean Campbell of District Heights, Md., Virginia Willis of Suitland, Md., Rev. Mable Stephens of District Heights, and Viola Lawson of Waldorf, Md.; 10 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Easley and Rev. Silas Easley, both of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mr. Easley will be held Saturday, August 7 at 4 p.m. at Banister Hill CME Church in Nathalie with Rev. Francis Coates officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home of Ruby Chism.

Betsy Garner Reese, 73, of Springfield, died Tuesday, August 3, 1999, at Fairfax Hospital.
Mrs. Reese was born in Halifax County on June 13, 1926 the daughter of Joseph Frank Garner and Lucy Long Garner, and was married to Kenneth E. Reese Sr. She was a member of McKendree United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Marcia Reese Haley of Zebulon, N.C. and Joan Reese Turrist of Fairfax; two sons, Kenneth E. Reese Jr. of Manassas and Gregory S. Reese of Springfield; one sister, Nell Guthrie of Nathalie; 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Reese will be held Saturday, August 7, at 2 p.m. at McKendree United Methodist Church with Rev. Luther Ramsey conducting the service. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Friday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m.