The North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) 8 man football 1A State Championship brackets have been released.
Halifax will be the #1 seed hosting #4 Bethel Christian in the semifinals of the 1-A playoffs next Friday at 7:00.
Northeast/Hobgood will be the #2 seed and will host # 3 Community Christian.
The championship game is scheduled for 1:00 on Saturday, Nov 11 at Parrott Academy in Kinston. Thanks
Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and Alprazolam were among the controlled substances collected Saturday as the City County Drug Task Force participated in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
Members of the local task force set up at Walgreen’s and were there for four hours.
Task force Captain A.M. Harris said collected at Walgreen’s were:
654 dosage units of scheduled drugs
8,711 non-scheduled dosage units
161 liquid medications
70 veterinary dosage units
15 syringes
{gallery}meddisposal{/gallery}
There were 27 locations in the Eastern District of North Carolina participating, the United States Department of Justice said in a statement.
The event was an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“With the spiraling drug overdose and death rates facing our country, it is critical that we all do our part to reduce opportunity and temptation which can lead to abuse,” U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon Jr. said. “The DEA’s Prescription Drug Take Back Program is an important opportunity for all of us to play our part in this effort.”
Daniel R. Salter, the special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said, “The DEA is committed to making our communities safer by raising public awareness about the dangers of controlled prescription drugs. This is just one of example of how DEA is working hand- in - hand with its law enforcement and community partners in an effort to stem the tide of controlled prescription drugs.”
Last April Americans turned in 450 tons of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.
Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 8.1 million pounds of pills.
The Justice Department said rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose.
Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards.
This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
Harry Jonathan Crawford Jr. was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor held by Troop 144 of Roanoke Rapids.
The ceremony was conducted by Troop 144 Charter Organization Representative Lee Bone, Unit Commissioner Jeff McKee, Scoutmaster Dan Harris and Assistant Scoutmaster Josh Clark. Halifax Resolves Chapter President Ken Wilson was on hand to present Crawford with the Sons of the American Revolution Eagle Scout Recognition Certificate.
Pictured are, front, row, Crawford and behind him, from left, Harris, Wilson, Bone, Clark and McKee.
Henry Earl “Pete” Hall of Gaston, NC, on October 28, 2017 went home to be with his lord and savior Jesus Christ surrounded by his family.
He was born on, April 26, 1951, in Roanoke Rapids, NC, son of the late Grover Lee Hall and Helen Dora Jones Hall of Gaston.
Henry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He was baptized Jan. 4, 1998, at Lakeview Park Baptist Church.
He loved spending times with family, playing the piano and guitar at church, working hard to take care of his family and talking to people about the lord and being saved.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 46 years, Myrtis Ann Taylor Hall of the home; his daughter, Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Moore (Timothy) of LaCrosse VA; his son, Danny Earl Hall (Monica) of Roanoke Rapids; his sister, Margaret Lassiter (Johnny) of Roanoke Rapids; his brother Richard Hall (Pam) of Gaston; grandsons, Michael Moore (fiancé Keisha) , James Moore of LaCrosse, VA, Quintin “D.J.” and Brenden Hall of Roanoke Rapids; great granddaughter, My’Asiya Moore, of LaCrosse VA and many in laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and church family.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his sister, Gwendolyn Jane Rook, his brother Eddie Lee Hall and numerous other relatives.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, nurse Michael and staff of Duke Raleigh Hospital, our family, friends, and church family for their patience, kindness, prayers, and support. It has meant the world to us to have each of you in our lives and during this time.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at Wrenn Clarke & Hagan Funeral Home from 6:30 -8:30 pm and other times at the home of Myrtis Hall.
Funeral will be Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at Victory Baptist Church at 2:00 pm with pastor Jeremy Kobernat and Pastor Rex Evans officiating. B
urial will follow at Canaan Cemetery, in Lacrosse, VA.
If you wish to make a donation in memory of Pete, it may be made to: Myrtis Hall, P.O. Box 382 Gaston, NC 27832, Canaan Cemetery, P.O. Box 237 Brodnax, VA 23920, National Cancer Society, Victory Baptist Church, 2360 Bolling Rd. Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or a church of your choice.
Online Condolences can be made to: www.wrennclarkehagan.com
Two more men took guilty pleas today in the 2015 murder of Jarshamel Cambridge in Enfield.
Jequan Kimble and Daquan Marrow both received supervised probation of 36 months after pleading to a count of solicitation to commit gang activity.
Both men, who were in separate vehicles, never got of the cars and none were armed, Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner and the men’s attorneys confirmed in court.
The death of Cambridge was related to a problem between two Enfield gangs, Werner told Superior Court Judge Alma Hinton this morning.
The nature of the problem was not disclosed in court.
The gangs involved were the 9 Trey Billy Bloods and the 61 Brimz. rrspin.com learned Cambridge was a member of 61 Brimz.
On June 22, 2015, two cars containing four people each had the vehicle Cambridge was in hemmed in, Werner told the court.
Dexter Taylor, who has already been sentenced as the shooter in the case, got out of one vehicle while Tony Hill, who received a probationary sentence, got out of the other.
Taylor was armed with an AK-47 and Hill was armed with a handgun, Werner said.
It was not the men’s intent to kill Cambridge, Werner told the court, but to incite fear in their rivals based on the lack of bullet holes in the car and evidence presented they were not shooting directly at the car.
A high-powered bullet fired from Taylor’s gun, however, ricocheted from the ground and up into the bottom of the car striking Cambridge in the back.
Both Kimble and Marrow stayed in cars they were in. Kimble and Taylor were in a car driven by Matthew Simms, who last week was charged in the August murders of four elderly people in the Glenview community.
Simms never got of the car he drove and was not in possession of a weapon in the 2015 murder. However, he did not show up for his court date in the case.
Werner told Hinton Simms was offered the same plea as Kimble and Marrow. “Simms didn’t get the benefit of the plea offer,” and his case in the Cambridge murder remains pending.
Kimble’s attorney, Damian Tucker of Rocky Mount, told the court his 23-year-old client has no prior record. He was riding in the backseat and had been picked up to be taken to Rocky Mount. “He graduated from Southeast High school and was working. He is still working. He had a hard time finding employment.”
Roanoke Rapids attorney Gilbert Chichester represented Marrow, 21, also a Southeast graduate who was a passenger in the other vehicle.
Chichester said all the evidence and discovery shows Marrow, like Kimble, never got out of the vehicle and was never in possession of a weapon. No gunpowder residue was found on him, the attorney said.
Both men received suspended sentences of 5 to 15 months and were both ordered to 36 months of supervised probation. They must go through Security Risk Group training. Successful completion of the SRG training would mean 12 months of unsupervised probation, Hinton said.
They were also sentenced to 40 hours of community service.
Taphil Yancy and Kenneth Westcott are expected to take pleas Thursday.
Simms appearance in the Cambridge case has yet to be set.
The Roanoke Valley Veteran’s Museum will honor Michael A. Pulley for the month of November.
A ceremony in his honor will take place at center court at Becker Village Mall Saturday at 11 a.m. This event is free to the public and all are encouraged to attend.
Pulley was born in 1951 in Roanoke Rapids and attended William R. Davie High School.
Upon his graduation in 1969, he made the decision to join the United States Marine Corps.
In June of 1969 he was assigned to Parris Island, South Carolina, for basic training.
After completion of basic and other required training, he was deployed to South Vietnam in February of 1970.
He earned a Purple Heart when he was wounded during his tour of duty. He was then sent to Guam Naval Hospital for treatment and was later sent to Okinawa until 1971.
After his wartime service, he excelled in schooling and became an expert in what is known today as cyber security.
During his 23-year career in the Marines, he was stationed at numerous locations, including Charlotte, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Twentynine Palms, and the Pentagon.
He retired in 1992 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant and returned to the Roanoke Valley to settle down where he began his second career working for the U.S. Postal Service. He remained with the USPS until he retired.
He resides in Roanoke Rapids where he is enjoying his retirement by working around the house, decorating for the holidays and flying the nation’s and his service colors.
Lucille Rook Dickens, age 96, of Roanoke Rapids, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
She was born in Hopewell, Virginia,and attended Women’s College, Greensboro, NC (now- UNC -G).
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, where, when she was 7 or 8 years old, she walked to the Church by herself and placed her membership. She remained active in the Church all he life serving in many capacities on numerous committees.
Mrs. Dickens won a state championship in High School for shorthand and typing.
She began her career with the Roanoke Rapids Graded School System as a secretary and earned a position as Finance Officer.
She worked in the school system for more than 30 years. During her leisure time Mrs. Dickens enjoyed knitting and crocheting. She served as a volunteer with Health Link.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Howard Dickens, grandson, Lorin Harrington, two brothers, Wade and Clifton Rook; sister, Gladys Rook Ogburn.
Surviving are her son, Charles Dickens, of Roanoke Rapids; daughter, Angie D. Merritt (Marshall), of Roanoke Rapids; grandchildren, Geoff Harrington(Rachel), Thomas and Christopher Dickens; great grandchildren, Ginger and Bradley Harrington.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, November 2, 2017, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Cory Oliver officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Church one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Union Mission.
Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com
From Doyle Field to Chaloner Recreation Center, the city helped children and their parents celebrate Halloween this evening with a trunk-or-treat and party.
{gallery}halloween17{/gallery}
Roanoke Rapids City Council Monday will consider an offer to purchase the theater.
A notice was sent out this morning saying council will meet at 5:15 p.m. at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall for the purpose to consider a contract to sell city property.
City Manager Joseph Scherer confirmed this morning the meeting is specifically about the possible sale of the venue.
He declined comment on who is offering to buy the building and what the offering price is. He declined comment on what the intended use of the building will be.
Scherer did confirm the city plans to close the doors of the venue at the end of December to reduce financial obligations and the expense of running the venue.
The theater costs the city roughly $180,000 a year to operate and maintain. The city sees no profit from the shows held at the venue, he said.
Scherer said the city has been in talks with the interested party for a short time.
Council is expected to open the meeting and then go into closed session to discuss the details of the contract.
Any decision after discussions will be made in open session.
Councilman Wayne Smith, who has led the effort to sell the venue, declined immediate comment until he had more information.
Mayor Emery Doughtie declined immediate comment on details of the contract.
He did say, “It’s encouraging. Anytime we’re looking at changing ownership, it’s something we want to do.”
Scherer during budget deliberations in May recommended funding only six months of operational costs for the venue.
City Finance Director Leigh Etheridge said at the time $114,305 was budgeted for maintenance of the building. Maintenance and utilities are the two biggest expenses for the building. That budget line also includes what she called a small amount for the cost of personnel.
The total income for all shows put on for the past year, Etheridge said at the time, was about $30,000.
Scherer said the costs of keeping the theater open not only include the inside of the venue, but the streetlights throughout the entire area.
Helen Nicholson Hargrave, 87, of Roanoke Rapids, died Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Halifax Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Halifax County, daughter of the late James G. Nicholson and Lucy Beale Nicholson.
Mrs. Hargrave was a member of Rosemary Baptist Church. She served many years as a volunteer at Halifax Regional Medical Center where she worked in the coffee shop.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Clyde W. Hargrave, Sr.; brothers, James Grant Nicholson, Jr., Ray Nicholson, Carlon W. Nicholson, Robert “Bobby” Nicholson, Thomas Nicholson; sister, Priscilla Black.
Mrs. Nicholson is survived by her son, Clyde W. Nicholson, Jr (Pam), of Kitty Hawk, NC; two daughters, Shirley Hargrave Allen (Johnny), of Roanoke Rapids, Susan Hargrave Larkins (Al), of Rocky Mount, NC; grandchildren, Jennifer Allen Pinyan (Steve), of Rocky Mount, NC, John M. Allen,III, of Roanoke Rapids, Seth D. Hargrave (Heather), of Willow Spring, NC, Nicole B. Smith, of Huntersville, NC, Ralph “Buck” Blowe (Shawna), of Glen Allen, VA; great grandchildren, Cassidy Pinyan, Kellie Pinyan, Wesley Allen, Jack Smith, Annie Smith, Tyler Blowe, Lindsey Blowe, Nathan Hargrave, William Hargrave, Madison Hargrave; Special niece, Donna Nicholson Rice (Fred), of Charlotte, NC.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 3, 2017, in the Chapel of Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral Home with Rev. Layne Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday, November 3, 2017, at the Funeral Home from 12:30pm until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pilot Club, P.O. Box 970, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com
The Roanoke Rapids High School Men's soccer team advances in the first round of the 2A NCHSIAA State Soccer Championship Wednesday night at Hoyle field.
RRHS 5
Heide Trask 0
Roanoke Rapids goals by: Carson Neal with 2, Chase Johnson, Emerson Escobar and Cameron Wilson all with 1.
Jackets assists were by: Carson Neal with 2 and Emerson Escobar with 2.
Thomas Merritt had 7 saves in goal.
Post match comments be Jackets head coach Craig Jean, "We had some good chances early that we didn't finish, which only gave us 2-0 lead at half. We came out to start the 2nd with a couple of nice goals from Carson Neal and one from Chase Johnson that put them away for good. Carson had a great night for us- his assist to Emerson Escobar to start the scoring for us was exactly what we practice and both executed it perfectly. He had a goal in the 2nd half from about 30 yards out that came off his foot so hard that I doubt the keeper even saw it as went by him into the net. I am happy for a shutout and am glad to have at least 3 more days with this team. We will need to play a little better next match but I am pleased with their overall performance. Camden Parks did a great job completely taking their main guy, Sebastian Bautista, out of the game. We will start preparation for Croatan tomorrow and try to keep rolling."
#6 seed Roanoke Rapids (20-0-1) will host #11 seed Croatan (14-9) Saturday November 4th at home.
The Chaloner Yellow Jackets defeated Gaston Middle School by a score of 34 to 16 Wednesday
CMS 20-14-0-0 Final 34
GMS 0-0-8-8 Final 16
Rocky Mount Prep beat Weldon Middle 38-16.
A 19-year-old Enfield girl died this morning from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash outside Jackson Wednesday.
According to a preliminary report by Trooper D.L. Edwards of the state Highway Patrol, Mallori Regan was driving west on Highway 158 when she lost control of her vehicle. The vehicle ran off the left side of the road and struck a tree.
The only contributing factor in the crash, which occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m., was she crossed the centerline of the highway.
She was transported to Halifax Regional and then flown to Vidant in Greenville where she succumbed to her injuries.
Regan had been out applying for jobs at the time of crash.
Matthew Simms and Taphil Yancy will not receive the same plea deal four other defendants in the 2015 murder of Jarshamel Cambridge have received.
The reason, Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner said in court today, is because of Simms’ and Yancy’s failure to cooperate with the state in the matter.
Kenneth Westcott, the fourth person to take a plea in the case, was sentenced today by superior court Judge Alma Hinton to 36 months of supervised probation. Like defendants Jequan Kimble and Dequan Marrow Tuesday, Westcott must successfully complete Special Risk Group training and at that point will be able to switch to unsupervised probation. Jamonte Green also pled and in September received the same sentences as Westcott, Kimble and Marrow.
Because he holds a job, Westcott will not have to perform community service.
Westcott pled guilty to a count of solicitation to commit gang activity in the case.
Michael Smith, Westcott’s Rocky Mount attorney, said his 29-year client works at Perdue. “He has two young children and attended Southeast until the tenth grade. His future plans are to get his CDL (Commercial Drivers License). He’s been respectful to me and has had no problems in a year and half.”
The plea dismisses the original murder charge filed against Westcott in the case.
Evidence presented Tuesday and again today shows only Dexter Taylor and Tony Hill were armed on June 22, 2015, when Cambridge was killed after his car was boxed in by two vehicles, one driven by Simms.
Taylor took a plea to manslaughter and is serving a six-year sentence and Hill received probation for shooting into an occupied vehicle to incite fear.
Evidence presented Tuesday showed intent in the Cambridge case was not to kill him, but to incite fear due to a gang dispute.
A bullet fired from Taylor’s AK-47, however, ricocheted from the ground and went through bottom of the vehicle Cambridge was in and struck him in the back.
Werner said Westcott provided “a very detailed proffer” on the case.
Werner said Simms denied he was at the scene of the crime. “Co-defendants said he was the driver of one vehicle.”
Simms is currently in custody and is facing multiple counts of murder in the shooting deaths of four elderly people in the Glenview community in August.
He was out on bond in the Cambridge murder at the time of the Glenview case.
There was no evidence, however, Simms had a weapon or got of the vehicle during the Cambridge murder.
The events which led to the release of Simms from jail in the Cambridge case came about after his attorney filed motions asking for the release of a thumb drive which contained a recorded interview of Green discussing the matter.
The state in open court was ordered to provide the thumb drive, which implicated Simms. “The sheriff’s office was unable to provide the prosecution with the thumb drive. I can’t produce what I don’t have,” Werner said.
The decision was then made by Hinton to release Simms from custody on $20,000 unsecured bond.
Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said today, “We were unable to to produce the recording when we transferred it to a listening device because it had become damaged.”
He said, however, “We had detectives ready to testify as to what the taped recording said, not to mention other other co-defendants that had given evidence in the court file as to Matthew Simms’ involvement.”
Werner said the state hasn’t determined what charge Yancy will be prosecuted under. Simms could be prosecuted as an accessory. They are expected to appear in court in December
The state hasn’t yet discussed evidence in the Glenview case with law enforcement, Werner said.
Two people charged in the May murder of a Littleton area farmhand will be prosecuted on first-degree murder charges, the state announced today in Halifax County Superior Court.
Assistant District Attorney Keith Werner told Judge Alma Hinton the state would not proceed with a capital case against Shenna Kay Riley and Jovonte Boone because aggravating factors did not outweigh the mitigating factors in the case.
Both defendants were acquainted with the victim, Nestor Salazar Moctexuma, 51, who was a year round farm worker in Halifax County, the sheriff’s office said at the time.
He was found deceased the morning of May 20 in a mobile home in the Airlie Road area of Littleton.
The farm worker was shot and robbed.
Two people have been arrested for shootings which occurred on Carter and Oak streets last week.
Chief Chuck Hasty said investigators continue to determine motive.
In a statement he said on Wednesday around 3 p.m., Collie Davis Jr., 26, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested in the Oak Street and Gordon Drive shooting.
He was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon within city limits.
He surrendered to the police department and was jailed on $25,000 bond. He received a December 6 court date.
Investigator G.L. Williams filed the charges.
On Wednesday around 6 p.m., Darius Jaquan Robertson, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered to the police department and faces charges of going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon within city limits related to the Carter Street matter.
After Williams filed the charges against Robertson, he received a $2,000 bond and December 22 court date.
More charges are expected and the shootings appear to be related, Hasty said last week.
The charges stem from a report received Thursday around 10:30 p.m. of shots fired on Carter Street.
When officers arrived they did not locate any suspects, but located numerous shell casings in the area.
While processing the scene officers heard more shots fired in the area of South Rosemary.
When officers arrived they found an occupied vehicle on Oak Street and Gordon Drive had been shot, but nobody was injured.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
Alleged vehicle B&E suspect surrenders
On Wednesday at approximately 2:15 p.m., Darius Tyshawn Tabron, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged on outstanding warrants for breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny and possession of stolen goods. He surrendered at the police department.
He received a $2,000 bond and December 6 court date.
Investigator J. Benthall charged Tabron based on an investigation into a report filed on October 21 of a vehicle breaking and entering in the 100 block of Steeplechase Run.
Tabron was arrested on October 30 by Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy G. Keel for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of stolen goods related to Benthall’s investigation.
He received a $1,000 bond on those charges.
Paraphernalia charge
On Wednesday at approximately 8:15 p.m., Officer J. DeSare conducted a traffic stop on East Tenth Street near Georgia Avenue for a violation.
During the stop a search was conducted and drug paraphernalia was found.
Nyla Piercy Deloatch, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and released until her December 22 court date.
Officer M. Hunsucker assisted.
Alcohol use is suspected and powdered cocaine was found in a vehicle involved in a crash on Highway 46 in Gaston early this morning.
Trooper S.R. Corn of the state Highway Patrol said Javonte Alvone’ High, 24, of Garysburg, was driving a 1999 Honda Accord east on Highway 46 when he apparently crossed the centerline and overcorrected. The vehicle ran off the road to the right and collided with a tree.
The crash occurred shortly after 1:30 this morning.
High and his passenger, Trayvon Webb, 17, also of Garysburg, were both airlifted to Vidant in Greenville for treatment of injuries. Corn said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The trooper said alcohol use is suspected pending blood test results and is also as of this report considered to be contributing factor to the crash.
Charges are pending against High and will most likely be related to alcohol use and possession of cocaine after about 3 ½ grams was found in the vehicle.
{gallery}gaston112{/gallery}
Gaston Fire & Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said in a statement units were dispatched to the scene and found the vehicle off the roadway and wrapped around a tree.
High was pinned in the vehicle and Webb was found lying next to it.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to open the door and get the driver out.
Vidant EastCare sent two helicopters to the scene.
Firefighters remained on scene for nearly two hours.
As of this report the victims were listed in critical condition, Porter said in the statement.
SALEM, Va. – The Randolph-Macon Women's Basketball ranks 4th coming into the 2017-2018 campaign, in voting by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference head coaches and as announced by the league office Thursday. R-MC is 23 points behind leader Eastern Mennonite University, which checks in 112 points.
The youth of the 2016-17 team, which went 16-12 and 8-8 in conference play, has turned into an experience advantage for this year. Sophomore Kelly Williams (Garysburg, N.C. / Halifax Academy) returns in 2017. She was the team's top scorer last year, scoring 18.5 per game. Williams also led the team with 13.1 rebounds per game. Williams was the pick for DIII News Preseason Player of the Year in the ODAC. The team will also welcome two freshmen this season.
Coming in second in the poll was Lynchburg College with 110 points followed by Emory & Henry College in the #3 spot with 91 points. Last year's ODAC Tournament champion, Guilford, round out the top five.
Head coach Carroll LaHaye will return to coach her 36th season at Randolph-Macon. She has an overall record with the Yellow Jackets of 587-351.
Randolph-Macon's season gets underway against Marymount at 6:00 on Wednesday, November 15. Marymount was ranked #14 in the D3hoops.com Preseason Poll.
East Carolina University football Pirates Junior student Caleb Pratt, a Roanoke Rapids native and former Yellow Jacket football standout has moved a top of his game.
After eight games, Pratt has moved up to 1st place overall in FBS for KickOff average (64.87 yards).
Pratt is currently is in 1st place in the AAC (American Athletic Conference).
Pratt also has placed 25 out of 38 KO's for touchbacks (66%).
Pratt had his streak of 14 straight KO's for touchbacks broken during the BYU game.
Pratt has had 34 out of his 38 KO's have gone at least 65 yards with eight of his KO's have gone out of the back of the end zone.
Two major drug busts Thursday ended with trafficking arrests.
The arrests include a Littleton area man who already has pending court dates in two previous cocaine trafficking arrests and the arrest of a man who was allegedly operating a trap house on Zoo Road.
Summit Road arrest
{gallery}phipps113{/gallery}
City County Drug Task Force agents and deputies with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Summit Road around 12:30 p.m. with a search warrant for Franklin Emanuel Phipps, who already faces cocaine trafficking counts from raids in October of last year and again in January.
Task force Captain A.M. Harris said Phipps, 46, is reputedly one of the major suppliers of cocaine in the Littleton area. Harris declined to discuss the structure of Phipps’ alleged trafficking business.
The task force, Harris said, is in the process of seeking federal adoption of the case after agents seized 29.3 grams of cocaine, $10,710 in cash and items of paraphernalia.
During execution of the search warrant, based on more than a year of investigation by Agent D.W. Mckeel, Phipps resisted agents by refusing to be handcuffed and throwing two plastic bags of cocaine on the roof of a shed.
Mckeel arrested and charged Phipps with trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public officer.
He received a $100,000 bond and November 15 court date. He has a December 20 court date on the previous charges.
Trap house
{gallery}trap113{/gallery}
Around 3:30 p.m., agents deputies and investigators with the sheriff’s office went to the 800 block of Zoo Road North with a search warrant which was based on the operation of a reputed trap house at the residence.
Harris explained the maintenance of a trap house is common among drug dealers, who will either rent or a buy a house to sell drugs from instead of selling from their own residence. Some dealers will allow addicts to use in the trap houses.
In a statement Harris said agents received several intelligence reports from deputies working the area because of recent drug complaints from citizens.
Deputies of B Squad under the supervision of Lieutenant Randy Keeton have made traffic stops of vehicles leaving this home and made drug seizures and arrests.
The search warrant was based on these reports and investigation by Mckeel.
During the search of the home, agents located 38 bags of heroin; 10 bags of powdered cocaine and 12 bags of marijuana.
Several items of drug paraphernalia which included a small mechanical press were seized.
Harris said these presses are often used in the manufacturing process after large amounts of cocaine are mixed with cutting agents. “We don’t know if they using it for heroin or cocaine but we believe it was being used in the manufacturing process,” Harris said.
The press was the only item found in a bedroom closet and furnishings in the rest of the house were sparse — a couch, television and kitchen table. There was no clothing or personal items in the residence.
Mckeel arrested and charged Jerod Boone, 29, of Church Street, with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, trafficking heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin and possession of heroin.
Boone received a $100,000 bond and November 15 court date.
Harris said several drug dealers are known to run the house and Mckeel is trying to determine who they are.
