Carter replaces Norma Merriman who retired in September.

Carter was selected from a qualified pool of applicants and emerged as the top candidate after a rigorous interview and selection process.

Carter spent the last 13 years with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in its Division of Social Services.

She was a Program Consultant II. She served on the Regulatory and Licensing Team and was instrumental in monitoring the practices of private residential child care and child placement agencies throughout eastern North Carolina.

She also visited other county departments of social services to conduct evaluations for DHHS. Carter obtained her bachelor’s degree in political science from Fayetteville State University and obtained her master’s degree in social work from North Carolina State University.

Halifax County Manager Tony Brown said, “I am looking forward to establishing a positive working relationship with Ms. Carter and look forward to her joining our Halifax County team.”

DSS Board Chair Mary Mebane also applauded the selection made by the board. “Our board is excited to welcome Ms. Carter to Halifax County. Her extensive background in social work and familiarity with rural, northeastern North Carolina makes her an excellent fit for DSS and for Halifax County.”

Carter’s first day with Halifax County is December 1.

She is making plans to relocate to Halifax County in the near future.

Sheriff Wes Tripp said delivery of the more than 100 coats represents several weeks of collections through drop-off sites at B&J Cash and Carry and the sheriff’s office. It also represents contributions made by members of First Baptist Church on Becker Drive, which is a partner in the effort, and those collected by deputies.

Angel’s Closet will distribute the coats to children in need of them.

{gallery}1115coats{/gallery}

The sheriff’s office is looking for donations of new or slightly worn coats. The drive continues through the holiday season.

Tripp is hopeful this year’s drive can surpass last year’s contribution of more than 1,000. “The Roanoke Valley has a proven track record of helping each other out. When there’s a need, people come forward.”

Phil Hux, who serves on the board of Angel’s Closet, said, “We appreciate the coats and everything the sheriff’s office has done for us in the past. These coats can’t come at a better time.”

Drop-off points for the coats are B&J’s Cash and Carry on Becker Drive and the sheriff’s office in Halifax. A pickup can be arranged by a deputy by calling Tripp at 252-578-6761.

The Saints never got a lead nor a tie in a fairly dominating performance for the Yellow Jackets in their first game out.

Randolph-Macon took a commanding 10-3 lead in the first quarter and ended up having a 23-9 advantage heading into the second period. R-MC shot 64% compared to Marymount's 25% in the first frame, helping the team take the commanding lead.

The Yellow Jackets used an 8-4 run to put themselves up even more heading into halftime. R-MC held a 42-26 lead going into the break. Williams, who had already collected her double-double for the night, had seven points in the frame and collected seven rebounds.

If the first half was good – the second half started out even better for the Yellow Jackets. Over the course of three minutes, R-MC expanded its lead with a 10-2 run, taking the 20 point advantage. It left the third quarter with a 62-43 advantage.

But the Saints tried their best to come back in the fourth quarter. Marymount shot 50% for the frame and used a 13-5 run at the beginning of the quarter to get back within 12. MU used its sharp shooting to score ten in the final two and a half minutes, but R-MC was able to hold off the attack to win 78-73.

Outside of Williams' huge numbers, the Yellow Jackets also got a banner day from junior Jayla Wade (Newport News, Va. / Heritage). She finished with 17 points, while freshman Becca Arrington (Amelia, Va. / Amelia Academy) had eight points coming off the bench. Junior Kelsey Wisner (York, Pa. / Central York) directed the offense from the point and tallied five points and five assists. Senior Teal Reynolds (Sterling, Va. / Potomac Falls) and sophomore Charlotte Woods (Richmond, Va. / Trinity) each had seven points, with Reynolds also contributing four assists and Woods tallying six rebounds.

For the game, R-MC shot 48% from the field, including 4-10 from beyond the arc. The team totaled 52 rebounds, eight blocks and eight steals. Williams had six of the eight blocks. Marymount was only able to shoot 41% from the field and had the same 4-10 mark that R-MC for three-point field goals.

Randolph-Macon is now set to host the Tip-Off Classic sponsored by Riesbeck Contracting this weekend. The team will play Juniata on Friday at 6:00 PM and face Methodist (N.C.) on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

Pratt broke his own ECU school season touchback record of 31 (set in 2015 his freshman year) by going 4 for 5 this past Saturday against Tulane.  Pratt now has 35 with two games to go with Cincinnati and Memphis.  

These are Pratt's highlights through 10 games:

• He remains in 1st place overall in FBS for KickOff average (64.88 yds).
• He is ranked 13th in FBS for touchback % (71.43%).
• Currently is in 1st place in the AAC (American Athletic Conference).
• Has placed 35 out of 49 KO's for touchbacks (71.43%).
• He had his streak of 14 straight KO's for touchbacks broken during the BYU game.
• 44 out of his 49 KO's have gone at least 65 yds, 29 out of his last 30 have gone in the end zone.
• 11 of his KO's have gone out of the back of the end zone.

Davis would only confirm the machine was an outside ATM. Asked for a specific location, the chief said the United States Secret Service has asked the department to withhold the specific site as well as releasing any further photos or videos on the matter since Weldon has already released them.

The placement of the skimmer and keypad cover in Weldon was the first reported in the state, Davis said the Secret Service told him. The Enfield attempt is now the second.

In a statement Davis said since a card skimmer was located in an ATM in Weldon the department has been checking local machines.

Around noon Wednesday, the department spoke with the Secret Service about one of the machines being tampered with.

The federal agency determined through the machine’s video system someone did attempt to place a card skimmer on the ATM that morning but it was not immediately clear if they were successful.

The maintenance crew for the ATM was contacted and responded.

Neither the maintenance worker or department was able to locate a skimmer.

As a precaution, however, the department and Secret Service asked the maintenance worker to change the components of the ATM where a skimmer could have been installed.

The previously installed components were seized by the department to be evaluated by the Secret Service.

In the statement, Davis said, “Even though fraud is more prevalent during the holiday season we ask everyone to keep a check on their bank accounts not only now but throughout the year. If anyone finds any discrepancies in their accounts they are asked to first contact their financial institution and then their local law enforcement agency.”

Davis said the department will continue to check local ATMs in an effort to locate card skimmers and prevent financial card crimes. “We ask that if you see anyone tampering with or at an ATM or at an ATM for an extended period of time to please contact your local law enforcement agency.”

Davis said people using ATMs can run a test before placing their cards in the slot by pulling on the component. “If it’s loose, if it comes out easy, it’s not supposed to be there.”

ATM users can use a hand or wallet to cover the one entering the PIN in the event a camera is installed in the keypad cover, he said.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement the theft was reported on September 25 and deputies began an initial investigation.

Further investigation by Detective R.B. Biggerstaff led to warrants against Ronnie Washington, 35.

Washington was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods and injury to personal property.

Washington was jailed on $10,000 bond and received a November 22 court date.

Trooper T.D. “Bo” Forsht of the state Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest.

Biggerstaff said the wire was processed at a salvage yard outside the county.

The Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce assisted with a ribbon-cutting.

{gallery}1116lake{/gallery}

The business, located at the intersection of Highway 158 and Weaver’s Chapel Road outside Littleton, opened in early June.

It specializes in RV maintenance and repair and also does auto maintenance and repair.

Roanoke Valley Auto Works in Roanoke Rapids, which Perkins also owns, remains open.

Margaret loved people, and her extroverted personality made her a shining beacon of light and God's grace.  

She cared deeply, served hospitably, and her heart of service is a model for those around her.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Johnson, and her parents, Verdell Matthews Blythe and Leon Elias Blythe.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Brian) Holt; grandson, Sam Holt; brother, Jimmy (Judy) Blythe; nephew, Jimmy (Amy) Blythe, Jr., and niece, Penny Blythe Williams.

Visitation and funeral services were held on November 16, 2017 in Nashville, TN.

The family invites you to join them as they have planned a receiving of family & friends on Sunday afternoon at Seaboard Baptist Church, Seaboard, NC, from 1:30-2:45 prior to the funeral.

A Graveside Celebration of Life will be conducted Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at Seaboard Cemetery in Seaboard, NC.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services Jackson Chapel in Jackson, NC, is helping the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Begin Anew of Middle Tennessee, 401 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37206, or the WMU Ministries of Crievewood Baptist Church, 480 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220.

{gallery}1117pd{/gallery}

Captain Bobby Martin said the theft occurred Monday around 4:45 a.m.

The pair allegedly stole $240 worth of PS4 controllers.

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

Weldon fire Chief Rusty Bolt said the call was received around 7:30.

One of the occupants saw fire in the closet and tried to put it out. The fire, however, got too big, Bolt said.

There were three occupants inside the wood-framed house, including a wheelchair-bound woman. “They were lucky to get her out,” Bolt said.

Firefighters arrived within two minutes and it took approximately 30 minutes to get the blaze under control. “Pretty much every room was involved. We saved the frame and the flooring,” Bolt said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined. Bolt said it wasn’t clear whether the cause might have been electrical or something in the furnace. The five-room house had a standup furnace in which the front was visible in the living room and the back was in the closet.

There was total content loss as well, Bolt said.

The victims, who were not injured, have family in the area and the American Red Cross is assisting with temporary lodging, clothing, food and money.

The deadline to file an upset bid is Monday at 5 p.m.

Should no upset bid be submitted by the deadline, city council will determine at its Tuesday meeting whether to accept or decline the offer. Council meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street.

The prospective buyers, Thomas and Evon McClean, made a $150,000 down payment to the city last week.

The McCleans intend to operate the venue to put on shows, develop it as a meeting place, develop it as an attraction and conduct internet gaming.

A qualifying higher bid is one that raises the existing offer to an amount not less than $3,150,000.

If the theater is sold, the proceeds will be deposited in a city account which will be determined at a later date, Scherer said.

(All City meetings are open to the public):

Beautification Committee

Monday, November 20, 2017, 5:30 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

Roanoke Rapids City Council

Tuesday, November 21, 2017, 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:   

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

Administrative Assistant I (Records Division) – (Police Dept)

Must be able to perform administrative, clerical, and recordkeeping duties -Must be currently certified in DCI (Division of Criminal Information) or meet the criteria to become certified within 6 months of employment

Must have or be able to meet criteria for NCAware and CJ Leads certification  -Must have the ability to multi-task -Must be able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. -Must have a good understanding of NC Public Information Laws – Applications for this position are due to HR no later than 5pm on Thursday – November 30^th. 

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. 

(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 Thursday, November 23^rd and Friday, November 24^th in observance of Thanksgiving. Thursday and Friday’s trash routes will be collected on Wednesday, November 22^nd.

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

Both the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and City County Drug Task Force identify Church and Carter streets as problem areas for drug activity and shots fired calls.

“We’re seeing a fairly significant amount of drug activity on Church and Carter streets,” said Roanoke Rapids Captain Bobby Martin. “It’s gotten pretty bad from citizen complaints of shots fired to drug activity.”

Task force Captain Anzell Harris said, “We’re seeing traffic in and out, just a lot of drug activity.”

Harris said there are complaints “every day of the week. We follow up on the complaints.”

Harris likened Church Street to an open air market or department store. “You can go to the area and get what you want. Undercover agents have purchased cocaine, heroin and marijuana there.”

It was in response to these complaints Thursday Roanoke Rapids officers around 8:15 p.m. encountered several people in front of an abandoned house, Martin said in a statement.

While talking to the people, officers noticed a vehicle near another abandoned house. Officers identified the occupant of the vehicle as Audwin Lamont Parker, 28, of Roanoke Rapids.

Parker was arrested last week on cocaine and marijuana charges following a second raid on a reputed trap house on Zoo Road.

While speaking with Parker, officers located an open container of alcohol, digital scales and other items indicative of drug sales, Martin said.

While checking Parker, blue pills identified as Percocet in a clear plastic bag were located. Master Officer J.L. Hardy cited Parker for possession of schedule II.

Martin said officers continued foot patrols and Lieutenant B. Norton located a box of .40-caliber ammunition under a porch board of the abandoned house where the group gathered.

Scattered around the area was a gray bag discovered by Hardy, which contained a pill bottle with 2.5 grams of cocaine inside. Officer S. Blythe discovered an aluminum salt shaker with 2 grams of cocaine inside.

Martin confirmed the items were scattered to make proof of ownership difficult. No charges have been filed and investigation continues.

Officer C. Hagbourne assisted in the investigation.

The cocaine trafficking charges were lodged following a search at the jail.

The arrests of the Rocky Mount residents — Anthony High, 39, and Darlena High, 49 — were the result of a stop by Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy W.H. Wheeler, Captain A.M. Harris said in a statement.

The stop occurred shortly after 10:45 p.m. in the southbound lane of I-95 near the 159 mile marker.

{gallery}1118interstate{/gallery}

During the search of the vehicle, with assistance from Roanoke Rapids Officer Hannah Grimes, her dog Jimi and Harris, a loaded Taurus handgun and 24.2 grams of marijuana were seized. The marijuana was wrapped in seven bags.

Wheeler arrested and charged Mr. High for possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of firearm by felon.  

Mrs. High was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance.

At the jail, deputies requested an in-depth search of Mrs. High.

With assistance of Lieutenant Teri Kimball, deputies seized 200 grams of cocaine and additional charges were obtained for trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, conspire to trafficking cocaine and possess a controlled substance at a prison/jail premise for Mrs. High.

Mr. High was additionally charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and conspire to trafficking cocaine.

The 2005 Dodge Durango, along with an undisclosed amount of currency, was seized.

Mrs. High received a $55,000 bond and her husband received a $100,000 bond.

Both have December 6 court dates.

Harris said the street value of the cocaine is approximately $12,000.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety indicates Mr. High was convicted in Edgecombe County Superior Court in 1997 for second-degree murder and after serving 19 years was released last April.

The Northwest Halifax JV boys won the nights opening game  61-59.

Northwest Stats:

C. Squire - 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals

Lance Woolfolk Jr - 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals

Josh Norman - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist

.

The decision comes after no upset bids were submitted against a $3 million offer to buy the building by the 5 p.m. deadline Monday.

City Manager Joseph Scherer this morning confirmed there were no upset bids submitted.

City council meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street.

While surprised there were no other bids submitted, Doughtie said, “The people buying it made a real offer. I think they made a genuine offer.”

Doughtie said from conversations he has had, it appears Thomas and Evon McClean “have a plan for development. They have a plan to make this a business venture to help our city move forward.”

Said Doughtie: “To look at the big picture, getting it in private ownership with the possibility of other things to come will offer that venue a chance to reach its full potential.”

The mayor said the potential sale of the venue will give the city dollars to pay on the remaining debt and will eliminate the city spending money on the day to day and month to month costs of keeping the theater open.

Councilman Wayne Smith, who has been a staunch advocate of selling the building, said the potential sale, “Will be a benefit to the taxpayers and do away with the $180,000 in upkeep.”