Subpoena service

On Thursday around 10 a.m., Master Officer G. Morris went to serve a subpoena at a residence in the 200 block of James Court.

When Robin Denise Gatling, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, came to the door there was an odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence.

After a search marijuana and paraphernalia were found.

Morris cited Gatling for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was released until her December 15 court date.

Sergeant M. Peck assisted.

Identity theft

On Thursday at approximately 1:45 p.m., Investigator J. Benthall arrested Denisa A. Edwards, 40, of Roanoke Rapids, on a warrant for identity theft.

The charges stem from an investigation by Benthall into a September 20 report.

The victim reported while attempting to get electrical services there was an outstanding balance in their name at another residence.

Edwards received a $2,000 bond and December 6 court date.

The crash caused approximately $215,000 in damages to the Weldon City Schools administration building on Mulberry Street.

Chief James Avens said it was not clear why Raheem Ausby, 21, was driving the wrong way on a one-way street around 12:40 that morning when he drove into the building and fled the scene.

Responding officers collected a blood sample which was examined at the North Carolina State Bureau of investigation lab, the results linking the crash to Ausby.

Avens said Ausby frequents areas of Roanoke Rapids and Weldon. He lives in Weldon.

Ausby is wanted for driving while license revoked, damage to personal property, damage to real property, leaving the scene of an accident and a one-way street violation.

Anyone with information on Ausby's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Chris Davis at 252-536-3136 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

SPECIAL City Council Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids City Council will hold a SPECIAL MEETING

on  Monday, November 6, 2017 at the Lloyd Andrews Meeting Hall.

The purpose of this SPECIAL MEETING is for City Council to consider a contract to sell CITY PROPERTY.

City Council (Cancelled)

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids City Council meeting scheduled for

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 has been CANCELLED due to the lack of agenda items.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:   

The City of Roanoke Rapids is now accepting applications for the following positions:

Property Maintenance Worker (Parks & Recreation)

An employee in this position assists with the maintenance of parks and recreation property.  A high school diploma or GED is required and a valid NC Driver’s license. 

 (Part Time) Aqua Zumba Instructor

An employee in this class plans, coordinates and provides instruction for Aqua Zumba fitness program activities.  Qualifications:  - Zumba and/or Aqua Zumba Certifications (Preferred, but not required) – High School Diploma or GED – Must have excellent people service skills – Ability to provide service with integrity – Must have good verbal and written communication skills.  (Position is Open Until Filled)

(Part Time) Building Supervisor (Parks & Rec)

 An employee in this position supervises scheduled activities and is the City’s point of contact during these activities.  Hours are mainly evenings and weekends according to activities that are scheduled. 

ALL POSITIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL FILLED

The City of Roanoke Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status,

or any other legally protected status.

Applications may be obtained at www.roanokerapidsnc.com or may be picked up at City Hall – 1040 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC 

Kathy A. Kearney – HR Manager – City of Roanoke Rapids 

Phone: (252) 533-2845 – Fax (252) 537-2097

BRIEFS

MUNICIPAL OFFICES CLOSED/TRASH COLLECTION:  

Municipal Offices will be closed on Friday, November 10, 2017 in observance of Veterans Day. Friday’s trash route will be collected on Wednesday, November 8^th.

COMMITTEE VACANCIES:  

Contact Traci Storey, City Clerk, at (252) 533-2840 for committee information.

►Historic Preservation Advisory Committee         

►Planning Board/Board of Adjustment (ETJ)

►Canal Museum Advisory Committee 

ROANOKE RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Emery G. Doughtie  Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee            

Council Members:  Ernest C. Bobbitt, Suetta S. Scarbrough, Carol H. Cowen, Wayne Smith

Joseph Scherer, City Manager   Gilbert Chichester, City Attorney

Traci V. Storey, City Clerk    Kathy Kearney, Deputy City Clerk

She was preceded in death by her Grandfather, Walter Herbert Dunn.

She was a graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School.

Mallori is survived by her parents, Richard and Clara Dunn Reagan of Enfield, NC; her brother, Joseph Reagan of Enfield, NC; her Paternal Grandparents, Bart and Estella Reagan of Ocala, FL; her Maternal Grandmother, Gennevee Dunn of Ocala, FL; and her many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday November 9, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Whitakers Chapel Church with Rev. Daniel West officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids, NC.

The #1 seed Halifax Academy beat #4 Bethel Christian 46-20 Friday night.

Halifax Academy Stats:

Offense:

Jared Byrum had 16 carries for 304 yards and 4 TD's.

Donovyn Gary had 5 carries for 103 yards and 2 TD's.

Cameron Podruchny had 2 carries for 18 yards.

Harrison Hardee had 1 carry for 4 yards and a TD.

Eli Harris had 2 carries for 2 yards.

Defense: 

Eli Harris had 18 tackles with 1 Interception and 1 fumble recovery.

Cameron Podruchny had 14 tackles

Donovyn Gary - 13 with an interception.

Jared Byrum - 13

Cody Wood - 8

Jesse Rose - 6

Harrison Hardee - 6

Chad Keeter - 6

Bryce Cooke - 1

JC Branham - 1

The #2 seed Northeast-Hobgood Academy beat # 3 Community Christian 36-26 Friday night.

No stats reported to RRspin Sports.

Halifax will play for the 1-A championship against Northeast/Hobgood at Parrott Academy in Kinston next Saturday November 11th at 1:00 PM.

Roanoke Rapids (8-3) lost at home to Bunn 28-7

KIPP High (3-8) beat Northwest Halifax (1-9) 56-32.

Northampton County (10-1) beat Weldon (2-7) 46-0.

Southeast Halifax (7-4) beat Rocky Mount Prep 50-0.

Northwest Passing:

Jyrelle Alston - 8 of 9 for 100 yards with 2 Interceptions

Northwest Rushing:

T. Manley - 16 carries for 153 yards 4 TD'S

Jyrelle Alston - 7 carries for 63 yards

Anthony Alston - 1 carry for 2 yards

Northwest Receiving:

T. Manley - 3 rec for 50 yards

DJ Squire - 1 rec for 10 yards 1 FL

Lawrence Corley Jr. - 1 rec for 4 yards

Anthony Allen - 1 rec for 13 yards

Dexter Deloatch - 2 rec for 23 yards

Kick Return

T. Manley - 1 KR for 25 yds

Northwest Tackles:

Brent Richardson - 16 tackles 1 FF

Tyler Hedgepeth - 13 tackles 1 FR

Alexton Andrew - 7 tackles, 1 sack

Krishon Edwards - 5 tackles

Jaquarius Alston - 5 tackles

Cody Edgin - 4 tackles

Dallas Russell - 4 tackles

Dexter Deloatch - 4 tackles

Terrence High Jr - 3 tackles

Jyrelle Alston - 2 tackles

Tyrell Manley - 2 tackles, 1 Fumble Recovered for 95 yard TD

Barney was born June 6, 1927, in Bossier Parrish, La, to the late Levi Jones and Orilla Holland Jones. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Marie Jones Kelch; his brother, Benjamin Jones; and his son-in-law, P.J. Burnsworth.

He was a devoted family man who loved his family. He also loved bass fishing.

Barney is survived by his loving wife, Reva Barnett Jones of the home; his children, Roy Jones of Roanoke Rapids, Ashley Jones and his wife Ann of Durham, Patricia Holloman and her husband Vic of Nashville, Kenneth Jones and his wife Rosemary of Roanoke Rapids, Diane Barnsworth of Uniontown, PA and Gail Porter and her husband Steve of Roanoke Rapids; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; his sisters-in-law Carol Williams and Martha Hartsoe; a special extended family member, Sandra Griffin; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special thanks to the staff of Kindred Hospice and especially Angela Bridgers and Allison Banszak for their love and caring attention.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, November 6, 2017, at Cedarwood Cemetery in Weldon with Rev. Jerry Waters officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M. Sunday, November 5, 2017 at the home of his daughter, Gail Porter, 7750 Hwy 903, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.

Three area High school teams have made the NCHSAA Championship play-offs and the 1st round is scheduled for Friday November 10th.

In the 2A-AA, the #13 seed Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets (8-3) will travel to the #4 seed Randleman Tiggers (9-1).  

In the 1A-A, the #7 seed Southeast Halifax Trojans (7-4) will host the #10 see South Creek (5-6). 

In the 1A-A, the #2 seed Northampton County Jaguars (10-1) will have a 1st round Bye.

The Roanoke Rapids team showed their magic on the Croatan team winning 2-0 at the Historic Hoyle field.

Carson Neal and Jake Van Dam scored a goal for the Jackets and Neal had an assist as well.

Thomas Merritt continued his great goalie duty with12 saves in goal.

Jackets head coach Craig Jean had thes post match comments on the win and his team, "We didn't play our best ball in the first half and neither team had many chances. We made some adjustments at halftime, which dropped Emerson Escobar to the middle and put Jake Van Dam up top. We came out in the 2nd half and moved the ball a lot better. After Van Dam got the goal to put us up 2 goals, we went into grind the clock out mode for the next 36 minutes. I thought Paul Macnichol played great. He has had two back to back good, solid games. Camden Parks and Emerson Escobar were our workhorses in the middle. Anytime you have a shutout playoff win, you know your backs and goal keeper played well. I am very proud of their back to back playoff shutout wins. It is not easy and it speaks volumes for their effort. Jake Van Dam had another big goal to put them away. He has really come through in the clutch- 1st in the conference championship, and again tonight. When you beat a team like that with a shut out, it takes every player putting in hard work. That's been our thing for the past 2 years. We put in hard work in training, play hard on the field and don't quit, and care about the man next to us. My guys will play through anything to keep this ride rolling. We went from 5-15 to 21-0-1 in 2 years. They feed off of being underestimated. We've been underestimated all season and I hope people keep overlooking us. The trip to Dixon will be a battle. I've been there and done that with my girls team in the 3rd round of playoffs a few times. It's always been a very tough and physical matchup. We are happy to have another 3 days together and will look to keep buying ourselves more time Wednesday."

The #6 seed Roanoke Rapids 2A Northern Carolina conference champs will travel to #3 seed Dixon 22-2-1. 

Match photos by Randy Wrenn

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The official match contract was signed between Roanoke Rapids Police Chief "The Peacekeeper" Chuck Hasty and WPTM 102.3's "The Really Bad Situation" Joey Landen and they will face off against each other in the spring. The Really Bad Situation took a cheap shot to the Peacekeeper knocking him to the mat and had to be escorted out of the building.

There was a special message from former WWE, WCW, NWA wrestler--Chuck Coates.

It was a great night of RAGE Wrestling Warriors and the Roanoke Rapids Police Club's "Christmas for the Kids" program.

Photos by Randy Wrenn

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She was born in Roanoke Rapids to the late Eddie Paul and Fannie Doyle Cox.  

She was also preceded in death by her husband, brother and her beloved granddaughter, Ann-Elizabeth Doyle Brown.

After attending Cosmetology College in Raleigh she moved back to Roanoke Rapids where she owned and operated Chris’s Hair Styling on East 10th street until her retirement at the age of 73.

She was a lifelong member of First Christian Church in Roanoke Rapids.

Christine moved to Rocky Mount in October 2012 to live near her daughter and family. She was cared for and loved by the people of Breckenridge Assisted Living Center until her death there earlier this week.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Cora Brown and her husband, John W. Brown, III of Rocky Mount; her grandson, John-Paul W. Brown and his wife, Fahlon of Nashville, NC, and her granddaughter Rebekah F. Brown of Charlotte and her nephew Eddie Cox of Titusville, Florida.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday November 7, 2017, at 3 P.M. in the Brown family cemetery at the home with Dr. Rob Westlund officiating.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2-3 P.M. at the Home.

Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral and Cremation Services 731 Roanoke Ave Roanoke Rapids.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, November 8, 2017 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Rev. Steven Tondee officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 2:30 prior to the service.  Burial will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.

Match kick-off is at 6PM.

MacNichol ran a great race and finished 92nd in the field with a time of 22:04 out of 162 runners

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said investigators are still trying to determine motive in the shootings. Two people have already been charged.

On Friday at approximately 5:30 p.m., Taurus Devon Price, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered to Investigator G.L. Williams at the police department.

Price was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a weapon in city limits.

He received a $1,000 bond and December 6 court date, Hasty said in a statement.

On Wednesday Collie Davis Jr., and Darius Jaquan Robertson, both 26 and both from Roanoke Rapids were charged in the case.

The charges stem from a report received October 26 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.

Habitual larceny

On Saturday at approximately 1 p.m., Officer J. Spragins responded to Walmart about a larceny. Loss prevention reported Reggie Woodson, 46, of Roanoke Rapids, took items from the store.

Woodson was arrested and charged with habitual larceny and possession of stolen goods.

He received a $2,500 bond and December 6 court date.

Fraud charges

On Friday at approximately 2:45 p.m., Captain B.L. Martin arrested Jacqueline Batchelor Burke, 48, of Rocky Mount, on outstanding warrants for larceny by employee and obtaining property by false pretense.  

She received a $5,000 bond and December 6 court date.

The charges stem from a report filed on October 25 where the victim alleged Burke, a salesperson, was paid to fix a customer’s credit. Hasty declined to name the victim.

Martin this afternoon said salespeople can only give customers tips on how to improve their credit scores. “If they’re adding things, that’s illegal.”

Beyond saying cash was paid, Martin declined to give the specific amount.

The charges also reflect Burke rented out a vehicle for payment although the victim does not  have a rental program.

Martin declined comment on how much money she allegedly received but said there was evidence a vehicle was rented out several times.

Attempted robbery

On Friday at approximately  8 p.m., officers responded to an attempted armed robbery call in the area of Fourth and Summit avenues.

Officers found a victim was shot in the arm and transported to Halifax Regional.

The victim was then transferred to an undisclosed trauma center for further treatment.

There are no suspect descriptions at this time and investigators J. Benthall and O. Wiltsie continue their probe of the matter.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the investigators at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Disturbance

On Saturday at approximately 11:45 p.m., Sergeant T. Tyler arrested and charged Denisha Nicole Gills, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, with disorderly conduct and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.  

She received a $500 bond and December 1 court date.

The charges stem from a matter at a private event at Kirkwood Adams where Tyler was working.  There was a disturbance inside the venue and the sponsor asked for Gills to leave.

Gills allegedly refused to leave and began yelling and cursing and was escorted out.

Lieutenant J. Baggett assisted.

Drug charges

On Sunday at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers were conducting a driver’s license checkpoint  when a vehicle came through with the odor of marijuana.

Narcotics and paraphernalia were found.

Officer C. Hagbourne made the following citations and charges:

Savannah Woodruff, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released until her January 19 court date.

Quincy Jay Vann Jr., 18, of Roanoke Rapids was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. He was released until his January 19 court date.

Ryan Keith Grizzard, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine.

He  received a $2,000 bond and December 6 court date.

Master Officer J. Hardy and officers S. Blythe and A. Green assisted.

Tyrone Williams presented the resolution to the board during their meeting and has also sent a letter to the state Department of Transportation district engineer’s office requesting a 5-mile stretch of the highway through Enfield to the Edgecombe County line be named in the late senator’s honor.

“Citizens in his district and across the state miss his quiet but steady leadership,” Williams, a close friend, said in the DOT letter. “It is very fitting that we honor his service to our great state and his memory in a manner such as this.”

Williams said his commitment extends to assisting in raising funds for the endeavor.

After retiring from the state Highway Patrol, Jones served as Enfield police chief before being elected mayor in 2002. “His political career continued on an upwards path when he was appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2005 upon the death of Rep. John Hall.”

After winning election to his own term, Jones was appointed the Fourth District senatorial district seat upon the death of Senator Robert Holloman. “Senator Jones took his senate seat in 2007,” Williams said in the DOT letter.

He was subsequently elected in 2008, 2010 and 2012 to the state senate.

“Senator Jones was a very active and visible public servant throughout his district,” Williams wrote. “His accomplishments and contributions are numerous. He was an advocate and champion of public education at all levels, a community service warrior and a friend to the youth and elderly.”

Concluded Williams in the letter, “We are all better because this great man crossed our path and he was certainly the epitome of his personal motto: It’s not about the titles we possess; it’s about the job we do.”

Jones died in December of 2012.

In the resolution honoring the late senator, the document calls Jones “an advocate for county government on many critical issues” and notes he made “numerous important contributions for the citizens of North Carolina and in particular Halifax County.”

Says the resolution: “Mr. Jones demonstrated strong leadership, wisdom, creativity and community spirit while serving on the North Carolina General Assembly thus enhancing community services, economic development, education, health, transportation and improving Halifax County’s unique quality of life.”

Commissioner Marcelle Smith offered the motion to approve the resolution.

He was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, son of the late Josephus and Edith Cannon. Jake was the owner/operator of Jake’s Garage in Gaston. 

He formerly served in the US Army.

Surviving are his son, Douglas Cannon(Belinda), of Alberta, VA; daughters, Carolyn Mangan (Tim), of Roxboro, NC, Tammy Arwood (Will),  Angela Hicks, all of Roanoke Rapids; stepdaughter, Cathy P. Alston Papouloglou, of Fayetteville, NC; stepson, Theodore N. Papouloglou, of Gaston,NC; brothers, Charles Cannon(Judy) ,of Littleton,NC, Richard Cannon(Julia), of Danville, VA; sister, Ethel Harris, of Roanoke Rapids; eight grandchildren; three step grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Cedarwood Cemetery with Dr. Dennis W. Gregory, Sr. officiating. 

Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where the family will receive friends, Tuesday, November 7, 2017, from 7:00 until 8:30.

Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com

News of the offer by Thomas and Evon McClean, who divide their time between Chocowinity and Florida, was made public after city council convened in closed session for the discussions on the matter.

Council in open session unanimously passed a resolution which will require the city publish a notice of the offer and a 10-day upset bid process.

The McCleans, and what was described by the city in a press release as a development group which made the offer, were not present this evening.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said following the meeting, “My understanding is they intend to operate it to put shows on there, develop it as a meeting place, develop it as an attraction and also to conduct internet gaming.”

Councilman Wayne Smith, who made the motion to begin the upset bid process and has been a proponent of selling the venue said, “I feel real good about it. I think the council made a great decision tonight and I think good things will happen in Carolina Crossroads. I think the people who put in the bid will work to develop the property.”

Scherer said the city has been talking with the McCleans for about two to three months.

Asked if he believed the offer was fair, Scherer said, “A piece of property is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it and what someone is willing to sell it for.’

Background on the McCleans or the development group was not immediately available in the press statement or the resolution.

Scherer said once the city receives the 5 percent down payment from the development group then a notice will be published saying the city has received an offer for $3 million which will start the 10-day upset bid process.

Once the process is set in place, “Anybody can submit a higher bid of at least 5 percent higher than $3 million to us with a 5 percent check for their bid. If they do that, council has the option to start the 10-day upset bid process over. If no other bid is received then at the end of those 10 days council has the option to finally accept the offer or reject it.”

Scherer referred to the press release when asked what drew the panel to the development group. “I believe the statements Mayor (Emery) Doughtie made in the press release kind of reflect council’s feeling that this is a positive economic development opportunity out there and will hopefully lead to further development out there in the entertainment district.”

In the press statement, the city said, “City council is hopeful that they will be able to put the theatre in private hands which could lead to a successful business model for the facility and further development in the Carolina Crossroads and Music Entertainment District as the project was originally intended to accomplish.”

In the press release Doughtie said. “We view the potential sale of the theatre as a positive economic development venture — hat with a professional and dynamic management group providing continuity to theatre activities with a significant financial commitment of their own, we feel this sale will lead to other businesses seeing the district and the city as a profitable place to do business.”

The mayor also said in the statement the potential sale of the venue “will help the city by removing the expense of operating and maintaining a unique and complex facility along with freeing up the resources of both the parks and recreation and public works departments.

“These departments have been heavily committed in their efforts of managing and maintaining the facility, especially while marketing it for sale. Their resources can be redirected to meeting the city’s mission of providing planned, acceptable services to its citizens in a cost-effective manner.”

A native of Brunswick County, VA, he was born the son of the late Lorenza Clay and Louise Wright Moseley.

“Randy” was preceded in death by his wife Betty Hux Moseley and his brother Raymond Moseley.

“Randy” was retired from West Point Stevens.

He is survived by his two sons, Jimmy Moseley of Roanoke Rapids, Mark Moseley and Kelly Matthews of Roanoke Rapids; his four grandchildren, Stephanie Moseley of Roanoke Rapids, and Jeffrey Moseley and Courtney Stegall of Roanoke Rapids, Trey Matthews of Roanoke Rapids, and Madison Matthews of Roanoke Rapids; his four great-grandchildren Braidyn Stegall, Brianna Bland, Bentley Bland and Greyson Moseley and his special nieces; his two brothers, Morris Moseley of Roanoke Rapids and Glenn Moseley and his wife Catherine of Roanoke Rapids and his sister Evelyn Spence and her husband Jesse of Roanoke Rapids.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Askew Funeral & Cremation Services with Rev. Randy Martin officiating.

Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.askewfs.com