The children and participants will meet at 10 a.m. next Saturday, December 16, at Chick-fil-A on Premier Boulevard for breakfast before heading to Walmart.

“It’s by far the most successful year in the history of Christmas for Kids,” Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said.

Jackson and Chief Chuck Hasty credit the success of this year’s program to the donations local businesses and citizens in the community have made.

(There is still time to donate to the Christmas for Kids program. Next Wednesday is the deadline and donations will be accepted at the police department. A $250 donation helps a child with an ample supply of clothes, food and toys)

With other activities going on to help children across the area this holiday season, Hasty said he is impressed with the outpouring for each endeavor. “The community is supporting all of them.”

Officers and others who assist with the department’s annual program get to see the mark it leaves on the participants and recipients, Jackson said. “They have seen how special it is to make a kid’s day. It reminds us Christmas is about giving and not receiving.”

What Jackson has observed is the reaction of the recipients. “I have seen children that really have good family values wanting to share gifts with their siblings and parents.”

The donations by residents and businesses are emotional as well, Jackson said. “It warms your heart to realize the love within the community.”

The program has been in existence since the early 2000s, Jackson said.

It started with with about 10 children and has grown to nearly 40.

Jackson recalled one child who went straight for the basketballs. “You could see him doing imaginary basketball shots. You could see it made his day.”

The Roanoke Rapids High School Lady Yellow Jackets basketball team is off to a 4-0 start to this young season.   The Jackets hosted, cross town rival, KIPP this past Saturday and came away with a 58-22 victory.   Leading the way in scoring was Anna Vann with 24, Michelle Stewart 9, Elena Miller 15, Abbi Carpenter 4, Camden Bierbauer 4 and Taylor Medlin 2.   

The Jackets traveled to, new comer, Northern Vance Tuesday night and came away with another conference victory 56 -37.   Scoring was more balanced as a result of playing the entire roster.   Anna Vann 18, Michelle Stewart 15, Abbi Carpenter 6, Taylor Medlin 6, Camden Bierbauer 4, Elena Miller 4, Reauna Robinson 1, Kamryn Little 2.   

Head coach Jim Whitmire stated, "the best takeaway from this early success is that we have been able to play everyone in these contests.   Game experience is valuable and is needed as the season continues.   This game experience builds confidence and adds to depth of bench.   With 15 players on the roster, this becomes very important in conference play and tournament play.   This team as come together quickly and the chemistry will keep this year's team very competitive."

The Yellow Jackets step outside the conference to play N. Hampton (in Gaston) on tonight.

This will be a great test from a very good 1A opponent.   

The game is at 6:00pm.   

Please come out and support the Jackets.

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Mr. Robinson was born in Greensville County, VA, the son of the late Vilas G. Robinson and Elizabeth Twisdale Robinson. 

He was retired from Grizzard Auto Parts and was a member of First United Methodist Church. A sister, Frances Collins and three brothers Arldon Robinson, Vilas G. Robinson, Jr. and Glenn Kessler Robinson, also preceded Earl in death.

Surviving are: his wife Annie Pearl Vincent Robinson, a daughter, Sue Robinson Conger and her husband Robert of Weldon, NC; a son David Earl Robinson and his wife Cindy of Roanoke Rapids, NC; three sisters, Doris Murfee, of Williamsburg, VA, Geraldine Starke of Richmond, VA, and Elizabeth Davis of Emporia, VA; six grandchildren, Geoffrey Hardee and his wife Meg, Cody Conger and his wife Kristie, Lewis Conger and his wife Ashley, Mary Sue Fulk and her husband Jordan, Christopher Robinson and Jessica Robinson; and six great grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held in the chapel of Wrenn Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service, 1015 West Fifth Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC, Saturday, December 9, 2017, at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Cory Oliver officiating. 

Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, NC.

The family will receive at the funeral home, prior to the service from 12:30 PM to service time.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.wrennclarkehagan.com

The follow are the results.

Winners against Granville Central

138 Double Forfeit.

145 Christian Doisey

152 Logan Vaughan

170 Jermy Clemmons

182 Nathan Dixon

195 Carter Abram

220 Chaseten Martin

285 Antonio Lawrence

113 Cole Klotz

120 Ethan Dixon

126 Jacob Bouchard

132 Aaron Purser

Winners against Southern Vance

145 Logan Vaughan

152 Eli Lasky

170 Jermy Clemmons

182 Nathan Dixon

195 Carter Abram

220 Chaseten Martin

285 Antonio Lawrence

106 Harry Crawford

113 Cole Klotz

120 Ethan Dixon

126 Jacob Bouchard

132 Aaron Purser

138 Christian Doisey

Roanoke Rapids next match will be at South Granville on December13th Wednesday. Start time 6:00

The final was Jaguars 56, Jackets 51, making the Jackets record 4 - 1overall and 3 - 0 in NCC2A Conference play.   

The Lady Jackets went in at the half with a one point lead and were down by 10 with 3 min to go in the game. the Jackets pulled to within two with 1:45 left. 

Late turnovers and defensive mistakes gave the Jags two easy layups to seal the win.   

The scoring for the Jackets:  Anna Vann 24, Michelle Stewart 11, Abbi Carpenter 2, Taylor Medlin 6, Elena Miller 8.   

Jackets head coach Jim Whitmire stated, "Poor shooting from both, the field and the free throw line was the difference in the scoring.   Turnovers were "the nail in the coffin".   If there is ever a such thing as a "good loss", this was one.   We have not been challenged prior to this one and the ladies were a little slow to respond.   We know exactly what to improve on and will bounce back to our winning ways this Friday as we host J.F. Webb."

On Friday the Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will host Christmas at the Canal and on Tuesday night will host the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band which will perform a free holiday concert at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

Christmas at the Canal

The free event will be held both inside and outside the Roanoke Canal Museum.

It runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be a fire pit outside with s’mores, hot chocolate and coffee available, said Ryan Newsome, cultural resources leader for the city.

The Roanoke Rapids High School Chorus will perform outside by the fire.

This will be the second year consecutive year of the event. “It went really well good last year,” Newsome said. “We had over 200 people.”

One of the highlights of the event is attendees will be able to have photos taken with Santa free of charge. The Grinch can also be seen at the event.

Inside the museum there will Christmas-related crafts and games for children. The children can make cinnamon stick ornaments, play pin the nose on the snowman and play a game of throw the marshmallows in the Christmas wreath.

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon the event was “one of the best Christmas program we had in our department. I think it’s the outside activities combined with the inside activities.”

Concert

Simeon said there are approximately 100 tickets left for the Holiday Memories in Blue show at the theater. The concert starts at 7 p.m.

The free tickets can be obtained at T.J. Davis, the police department, the Roanoke Valley Veterans Museum and the theater.

The Heritage of America Band contacted the city saying it wanted to do a free concert for the community. “This is a great opportunity for the community to come out and participate in a military Christmas show,” Simeon said.

The concert is expected to be the final one held under the city’s ownership of the venue. “I think having a free concert, especially a Christmas show, is a nice way for the city to show its appreciation for support of the theater,” he said.

The concert will highlight 70 years of Air Force holiday memories.

Traditional and new music will be performed by several of the Heritage of America Band’s ensembles, featuring holiday selections from each decade of Air Force history.

Additionally, a multimedia presentation featuring stories of America’s veterans will be highlighted during the concert.

The band was one of the original Army Air Corps bands, created by order of the Secretary of War on October 1, 1941, and assigned to Barksdale Field, Louisiana. In June 1946, after a short stay at Brooks Field, Texas, the band arrived at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, its current home.

“Kicking off the Christmas Home Tour at Creative Designs, then visiting the festively decorated homes will give you a head start on the holiday spirit,” said Treva Neville, event coordinator. Neville said there are all types and sizes of homes featured on this year’s tour.

Maps will be distributed at the opening reception held at Creative Designs on Becker Drive starting at 1:30.

Each person with a ticket will receive a map so participants can visit the homes in whatever order they choose.

Neville said this year’s homes vary in charm from cute and quaint in-town homes, beautiful transitional homes, to an elegant farmhouse on sprawling acreage located right outside of town.

(Tickets are $15 each or two for $20 in advance. The two for $20 advance special is to encourage guests to bring a friend. Tickets may also be purchased at the day of the tour at the opening reception held at Creative Designs for $15)

Participants are also invited to enjoy a 10 percent discount off one item the day of the tour at the opening reception at Creative Designs. Refreshments will be available as well as holiday music. Tammy Jean, owner of Creative Designs, has been a loyal supporter of the DYW program for many years, said Neville.

Each home will also host two or more of this year’s participants of the program, as well as Sarah Rightmyer, the current Distinguished Young Woman of Roanoke Valley. Sarah will go on to represent the Roanoke Valley in the North Carolina state DYW program in January.

The girls will be assigned to different homes to meet and greet home tour guests.

“This is a great way for the community to get to know the young women, as well as a great way for the girls to practice their public speaking skills,” Neville said.

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The Distinguished Young Women of Roanoke Valley home tours have raised more than $4,500 for college scholarships for participating young women in the Roanoke Valley during the past four years. “This year’s scholarship program will be held in August with 18 young women from the Class of 2019 participating for thousands of dollars in college scholarships. These young ladies attend several different schools in the Valley,” said Neville. “This is a very smart, talented and well-versed group of amazing young women. We anticipate awarding more scholarship money on stage this year than any year before.”

Neville is the co-chairperson of the Roanoke Valley DYW program along with Casey Harris. Serving on the Distinguished Young Women committee are several women in the community: Kendall Rightmyer, Cory Dill, Marcie Greene, Lindsey Goble, Lori Medlin, Sheri Rightmyer, Mandy Clark, Lauren Wright, Denise Beaver, Kelsey Short, Shannon Dickinson, Beth Phelps, Michelle Pageau, Emily Lyles, Natalie Robertson, Tabitha Grimes, Heather Merritt, Jeri Hernandez, and Kristy Wright.

Tickets for the Home Tour may be purchased at various locations around town: Creative Designs, Joy J’s Boutique, Mirror Mirror Hair Salon and M.J. Price Construction.

For more information, call Neville at 252-532-1516 or by email at roanokevalleync@distinguishedyw.org

On Saturday at approximately 3 a.m., Corporal M.A. Bishop stopped a vehicle in the Roanoke Rapids area for a registration violation and identified the driver as James Williams Jr., 27, of Roanoke Rapids.

Further investigation led to the request of assistance from Lieutenant John Bozard and his dog Fino to assist with a sniff of the vehicle.

After a positive alert for narcotics a search led to the discovery of marijuana.

Williams was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, and driving while license revoked.

Williams was reportedly in possession of cocaine during his arrest.

He has a December 20 court date.  

On Friday shortly after 11:15 p.m., Corporal Brandon Council stopped a vehicle for a stop sign violation in the Roanoke Rapids area.

Council identified the driver as Alfonso Williams, 29, of Halifax, and the passenger as Audwin Parker, 28, of Roanoke Rapids.

Council suspected illegal drug activity and requested a canine respond to assist.

Bozard and Fino arrived on scene and completed the sniff of the vehicle.

After a positive canine alert on the vehicle, a search revealed 38 grams of marijuana, two digital scales, numerous vacuum sealed bags along with multiple vacuuming devices, a prepackaged counterfeit narcotic, and multiple open containers of alcohol.

Council cited Williams with failure to stop at a stop sign and possession of an open container of alcohol pending a January 8 court date.

Council arrested and charged Parker with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession with intent to sell and distribute a counterfeit controlled substance.

Parker was cited on Church Street last month and arrested last month during investigation of a reputed trap house on Zoo Road.

He has a December 20 court date pending.

On Friday at approximately 8 p.m., Bishop received a call a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Deer Run Drive in the Roanoke Rapids area.

The pedestrian left the scene and was inside his residence.

While checking on the victim Bishop discovered a bag of crack cocaine laying on a table inside.

The victim, later identified as Anthony Watson, 31, of Roanoke Rapids, was treated on scene by Halifax County EMS for minor injuries, and then arrested for possession of cocaine.

He has a December 20 court date.

She was born on November 27, 1938 in Roanoke Rapids to the late Crawford Sykes Erwin and Cota Pulley Erwin. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Faye Erwin Hux.                                                                                                                         

She was retired from Champion International.

She is survived by her Children, Karen Clary Butler and her husband Danny of Franklin, Virginia and Sharon Clary Deaton and her husband Sheldon of Roanoke Rapids; one sister, Iris Erwin Faucett of Roanoke Rapids; three grandchildren, Ahsley Deaton Brickhouse of Roanoke Rapids, Eric Weston Deaton and his wife, Ashley of Roanoke Rapids, Stephanie Danielle Butler and Fiance’ Steven Nguyen of Franklin, Virginia ; five great grandchildren Bryson Cole Hollowell, Brayden Miles Deaton, Cheyenne Elizabeth Brickhouse, Harper Lynette Deaton and Harley Jade Brickhouse and several nieces and nephews. Loving caregivers that are forever a part of our family, Beverly Norman, Kalesia Harvey, Louise Broady, Angela Norman and Thelma Harris

Graveside services will be held Saturday December 9, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery with Rev. Randy Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Home Health and Hospice of Halifax County 220 Smith Church Road Building C Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral and Cremation services in Roanoke Rapids.

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

The shooting of the male child occurred in the 700 block of Elm Street shortly after 8:15 this evening, Weldon police Chief James Avens said.

The child was shot after he was transitioning from one room of the house to another.

It was not clear how many shots were fired. Avens was headed to the crime scene after departing Halifax Regional as of this report. He has called the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to process the crime scene.

Avens said he doesn’t believe the shooting was random. Motive is unclear at this point.

The chief said the police department has several people of interest in the case.

Weldon police Chief James Avens confirmed the death of Jaxson Clay via text message this morning. He could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Avens said in the message the boy would have turned 2 on December 23. He said investigation continues.

The child, Avens said Thursday night, was airlifted from Halifax Regional to an undisclosed medical facility in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in the wake of a drive-by shooting.

The shooting of the male child occurred in the 700 block of Elm Street shortly after 8:15 p.m. The child was shot after he was transitioning from one room of the house to another.

It was not clear how many shots were fired.

Avens said he doesn’t believe the shooting was random. Motive is unclear at this point.

The chief said the police department has several people of interest in the case.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-536-3136 or Crimestopper at 252-583-4444.

According to Deputy Chief Andy Jackson, officers responded to a call of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle shortly after 8:15 p.m. Thursday.

The 62-year-old pedestrian was struck by a car on Highway 48 near Medlin Street.

The victim, who Jackson declined to immediately name, was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

He said it appears alcohol use by the victim may be a contributing factor.

Charges are not expected to be filed against the driver.

According to Captain Bobby Martin, officers responded to a fight call at Chockoyotte Park shortly before 12:45 Thursday afternoon.

Officers located suspects as they tried to flee the area and contacted those reportedly involved in the fight, in which no serious injuries were sustained.

Two of the people had active orders for their arrests and officers also discovered marijuana and a stolen handgun during the interactions.

The stolen handgun was located in the vehicle Tyrik Ivey and Jawuan Arrington were in.

Officer H. Grimes and her dog Jimi conducted the search which helped locate the weapon.

Grimes charged Arrington, 24, of Weldon, with possession of a stolen firearm and the order for arrest. He was placed under a $2,285 bond with a January 3 court date.

Officer M. Hunsucker charged Ivey, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of a stolen firearm and an outstanding order for arrest. He received a $2,000 bond and January 3 court date. Investigator G.L. Williams cited Sceva Kendall, 18, of Pleasant Hill, for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He received a January 29 court date.

Lieutenant Charles Vaught , Lieutenant J. Baggett and Master Officer G. Colson assisted

“I believe it was a very professional and profitable meeting. I look forward to a new, positive chapter in the entertainment district development,” Scherer said this afternoon.

The city manager said the meeting wasn’t part of the due diligence process Tom and Evon McLean are going through before the final purchase of the theater. “It was more of them moving forward with putting together different parts of their business plan.”

Charles Upchurch, of Raleigh-based French West Vaughan, the theater’s designated public relations marketing firm, said in a statement the ownership group met with representatives of East Coast Entertainment to explore strategies for talent booking.

ECE, Upchurch said in the statement, is the largest independent full service entertainment booking agency in the country. Executives from the company came to the theater Thursday from their Richmond and Raleigh offices. “East Coast Entertainment will be making recommendations to the theater for an initial line-up of shows and an overall strategy for year-round entertainment offerings,” he said.

In addition to ECE, the group heard recommendations from a group travel marketing expert specializing in bus tour bookings.

In attendance were the ownership group including the McLeans and Beau Petty, along with Mayor Emery Doughtie, Scherer, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester, and marketing executives from French West Vaughan.

The Hermie Sadler Slip-In and IHOP Express site was ranked #1 in the entire Eastern Seaboard region, as well as overall  product volume, having pumped over 1.5 million gallons of gas since opening in February of 2017.  

The state of the art C Store is open 24 hours, and features complete Convenience store products and services such as Lottery and ATM, and has recently added beer and wine sales.

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Debbie was born November 25, 1952 in Halifax County to the late James David Hudson and Pauline Elizabeth Reed Hudson.

She was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and was secretary of the Methodist Women. Debbie was a very loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother. She loved cooking, was a hard worker, best friend to many and always put others before herself.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Kenny Clark of the home; her children, Russell Yarborough of Shallotte, Jamie Yarborough of Littleton and Heather Yarborough of Roanoke Rapids; her sisters and brothers, Dick Hudson and his wife Gail of Dover, DE, Vicki Leggett and her husband Andy of Williamston, Joey Hudson and his special friend Susan Williams and Lizzie Hudson both of Roanoke Rapids; her grandchildren, Anthony McClellan, Ashley Allison, Katelyn Yarborough, Erin Yarborough, Michaela Clements, Hudson Yarborough, Henry Payne, Alyssa Yarborough, Madison Foster, Sean Foster and Collin Foster; her great-grandchildren, Courtlyn Allison, Emmalyn Yarborough, Cadence McClellan, Ryleigh Taylor, Kai Taylor and Rhiannon Taylor; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Jackson, Tammy McGill, Jason Leggett, Chris Leggett and Becky Griffin and numerous other family members to include the Clark and Yarborough families.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 11, 2017 at New Hope United Methodist Church with Rev. Sue Owens officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service and other times at the home of her brother, Joey Hudson, 1010 Coburn Street, Roanoke Rapids.

Memorials may be made to the residents of Magnolia Gardens of Warrenton, 930 US Hwy 158, Warrenton, NC 27589.

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

Task force Captain A.M. Harris said agents believe Nijen Alfredo Stephens, 35, rented the house in the 800 block of Zoo Road North to sell drugs from.

Harris said whether he sublet the house to other drug dealers is a matter which remains under investigation. He said Stephens was “very familiar” with the people who have been arrested at the house in previous operations.

In a statement released today, Agent D.R. Radford said Stephens released the keys on November 8, the day of the second search warrant execution at the house. He had also removed furniture from the residence.

The rental agreement between the property owner and Stephens began on October 12 and stipulated if criminal activity or the tenant became a nuisance to the community the tenant would be asked to leave the premises immediately.

On November 14 agents D.W. Mckeel and D.J. Epperson both obtained warrants for the arrest of Stephens for maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

During the follow-up investigation agents discovered Stephens rented the property which allowed several known drug dealers in the community to manufacture and sell heroin, cocaine, marijuana and pills from the residence.

Stephens was arrested and served with the warrants by Deputy J. Comeaux on November 31.

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Deer Run Drive

A Roanoke Rapids man and woman were arrested today following execution of a search warrant in the area of Deer Run Drive.

Radford said the search warrant was based on drug complaints.

Agents and members of the patrol division of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence around 10 a.m.

As the agents approached the residence the occupants fled out from the back of the house, Radford said in a statement.

Crystal Saner, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, was detained by Sergeant Roy Ball of the sheriff’s office.

A man Radford described as her friend, Travis Johnson, fled to a wooded area and was apprehended a short time later on Radar Circle.

Agents seized one dosage unit of Alprazolam and three dosage units of Oxycodone from Johnson, 41.

During the search of the residence agents seized user amounts of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and drug paraphernalia which included several syringes and sandwich bags.

McKeel arrested and charged Johnson with felony maintain a vehicle/dwelling/place for a controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of heroin, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substances, simple possession of schedule II controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resist/delay/obstruct a public officer. He received a January 3 court date.

Saner was also arrested and served with an outstanding order for arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and has a January 26 court date.

Radford and his dog Tony, Deputy S. Stansberry, Lieutenant John Bozard with his dog Fino, and Roanoke Rapids Police Master Officer Jamie Hardy with his dog Storm assisted.

The arrest stems from an investigation by Detective S.A. Bryant.

On October 30 a report was filed alleging Bass failed to do any work on a roof after the victim paid them.

The victim paid Bass, who is the owner of Roofs R Us, in excess of $2,000.

No work ever began or was completed.

Bass received a $5,000 bond and has a January 17court date.