Photos by Randy Wrenn

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Halifax County commissioners proclaim January 2, 2018 as Brooke Simpson Day in Halifax County NC.

Video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/CpiVECV_160

In the JV Boys Basketball action the Southeast Halifax beat Northampton County  62 - 48.

In the Varsity girls action, the Northampton County team beat Southeast Halifax Trojans  72 - 37. 

Northampton Girls Basketball player #24 Rashauna Grant reached 1000 points scored tonight @ Northampton High 

In the Varsity boys action, the Southeast Halifax team beat Northampton 57 - 56.

The 38 points matches the 38 points scored by Renee Zando in an 84-68 win against Bridgewater on February 12, 1998 in Crenshaw Gymnasium – which is believed to be the program high.

Freshman Becca Arrington (Amelia, Va./Amelia Academy) scored the first five of Randolph-Macon's first six points with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws over the first two and a half minutes of play. Junior Kelsey Wisner (York, Pa./Central York) hit the other free throw, getting R-MC off to the 6-5 start. The two teams traded the lead and experienced three ties over the remainder of the first quarter. Sophomore Charlotte Woods (Richmond, Va./Trinity) hit a jumper with a minute to go and Williams hit a field goal in the final seconds to put R-MC up 17-13 going into the second frame.  Williams led the team with five points while Wisner pulled in six rebounds.

Williams hit a layup and added a free throw and Arrington added another three-pointer early in the second quarter, pushing R-MC's lead to 23-16. Williams extended the 9-4 run with a pair of free throws leading up to the 6:46 mark of the period. Shenandoah took their run through the middle of the period, going on a 10-4 run to the 4:00 mark, cutting the R-MC lead to 29-25. Randolph-Macon would extend it before the half, getting back to the six point advantage 37-31 at the break. Williams had her best quarter of the night with 13 points and five rebounds and made all seven of her free throw opportunities.

Shenandoah took off running in the third quarter. The Hornets scored three baskets in the first minute to tie the game at 37. Williams made a run of her own with a trio of baskets over the next three minutes of play and giving the Yellow Jackets the lead again, 43-37. R-MC held a slim lead for much of the quarter until 2:19 when a pair of free throws got the score within two, 50-48. Hornet Kirstyn Arcata made a three-pointer with under two minutes to play to give Shenandoah its first lead of the second half. R-MC regained the lead as junior Jayla Wade (Newport News, Va./Heritage) hit a jumper in the waning minutes and the Yellow Jackets took the 52-51 advantage into the final period.

After Williams made the opening shot in the 4^th, Shenandoah got a pair of free throws and a layup to take the lead back 55-54. A three-pointer by the Hornets pushed Shenandoah out further to a lead that R-MC would never be able to return from. Williams, Woods and senior Teal Reynolds (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) made shots through the middle of the period, but the Yellow Jackets were never able to get closer than two as the Hornets won 73-66.

In addition to her 38 points, Williams finished with 18 rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks. Woods also had a great game on the boards with 14 rebounds in addition to her six points. Arrington finished with ten points and three rebounds and went 2-2 from beyond the arc and made both of her free throw opportunities. Along with her six rebounds, Wisner finished with a pair of assists, two points and a steal. Reynolds had four points and a steal. Coming off the bench, Wade finished with five points and three rebounds along with a block. Junior Leara Shumate (Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) added a free throw and a pair of rebounds.

Randolph-Macon returns to the court on Saturday against the preseason favorite in the ODAC, the Eastern Mennonite Royals. The game tips-off in Harrisonburg at 4:30.

The theft occurred December 27. The merchandise was valued at $35.

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Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810, Investigator Obert Wiltsie at 252-532-4509, or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Linda, as she was affectionately called, was a lifelong resident of Halifax County. She served in the United States Army, where she served her country until she was honorably discharged. 

She enjoyed spending time with her son, Rayshad; as well as other friends and family, completing Search & Find books, and putting together Jigsaw puzzles.

Linda was a loving and devoted mother, and will be remembered for her fun and loving spirit.  She would lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

She was preceded in death by Father and Mother, Dorsey & Bertha Goins, and brother, Dorsey Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving son, Rayshad D'Juan Goins; husband, Henry Burnette; Three sisters, Doris Goins Hewlin (Jeffrey), Barbara Ann Goins & Connie Vernet Bell (Theodore Jr).  One brother, Calvin Antonio Goins; Two nieces, Sharon S. & Crystal G.  Three nephews, Darius G., Delveckeo G., & Clarence Jr. Three great-nieces, Davonne S., Ty'Ashia L. & A'Niyah M. Three great-nephews; Xavier & Xzvionne R. & Caleb G. and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

 A Homegoing service will be held 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 6, 2017 at Greater Saints Chapel Baptist Church, 5411 Ringwood Road, Enfield, NC 27823 with Rev. Willie Peterson, officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.hockadayfs.com.

The honor covers the Randolph-Macon games against Lycoming and Johns Hopkins and is for the week that ended on December 31, 2017.

Williams helped the Yellow Jackets go 2-0 over the nominating period. On December 18, she played a crucial role against the Lycoming Warriors in a 70-63 win for R-MC. Williams finished with 21 points and 17 rebounds as well as five blocks in that game. On Saturday night, Williams pushed Randolph-Macon ahead for the 71-64 overtime victory against Johns Hopkins. Williams got five critical 4^th quarter blocks that helped ensure the game stayed close. She also scored 22 points and hauled in 22 rebounds in the game as well as totaled nine blocks in the whole game. Her nine blocks is a national individual game high, tying Williams with three other women's basketball student athletes, including fellow ODAC player Madeline Suhr of Roanoke, who blocked nine shots against Southern Virginia on December 8. 

Last night against Shenandoah (in a game not included in the nominating period), Williams tied a program record with 38 points. She also hauled in 18 rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks.

Through games last night, Williams is now the top rebounder, blocker and scorer in the country for women's Division III basketball. She is averaging 25.2 points per game (tied for first with Kendrea Williams of FDU-Florham) and 19.5 rebounds per game. She is also averaging 4.27 blocks per game. With last night's game against the Hornets, Williams is also second in the country for most double-doubles with 10 in 11 games.

She also leads the conference in all of the above categories.

Williams has been named the USBWA National DIII Player of the Week once already this season and has earned the honor three times in her career. She was honored for the first week of the 2017-18 season, which ended on November 20, 2017.  She is the first player to earn the honor twice this season. She also earned the honor in the 2016-17 season for the week ending on January 10, 2017. Williams has earned four ODAC Player of the Week nods this season, including for the most recent week, which ended on January 2. All-in-all, Williams has been named ODAC Player of the Week eight times in her career. DIIINews also named her a Division III Player of the Month for the month of November 2017.

Randolph-Macon (9-2, 2-1 ODAC) returns to the hardwood on Saturday against the ODAC preseason favorites, the Eastern Mennonite University Royals, at 4:30 PM in Harrisonburg.

Scoring for the Patriots were:

Hana Brown 19

Jade Roberts 5

Ella Frances King 5

Anna Grace King 4

Abi Sloan 2

Somaliyah Smith 2

Casie Crawley 2

The Patriots play their first conference game Friday night at home against New Life st Gaston Elementary.

Cornerstone Christian closed.

Gaston College Prep closed.

Gingerbread House closed.

Halifax Academy closed.

Halifax County district and small claims courts closed. District courts in Bertie and Northampton are also closed.

Halifax County Schools closed.

Hobgood Academy closed.

Kipp Halifax closed.

Northampton County Schools closed.

Roanoke Rapids City Administrative Departments delayed until 10:30 a.m.

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District closed.

Weldon City Schools closed.

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National Weather Service

In its briefing earlier this evening the National Weather Service in Raleigh reported, “It appears that our worst-case scenario forecast from briefings earlier today and yesterday has materialized, as we are getting numerous 3-plus inch snow accumulation reports from areas southwest of Raleigh.”

The NWS said it expanded its winter storm warning, and increased snowfall totals across those areas.  

Around the Interstate 95 corridor, the NWS said snow has been slow to fill-in and increase in these areas. “However, we still expect these areas will fill in with snowfall as the evening progresses, and this corridor should still see 1-3 inches of snowfall, resulting in dangerous road conditions later this evening and Thursday morning.”

East of I-95, and north of Goldsboro, the NWS expects snow to fill in there and increase in intensity. Three inches of snow is still possible.  

The NWS expects temperatures to remain below freezing across most of central North Carolina through Sunday morning. Black ice will be possible on roads and walkways Thursday and Friday across the parts of central North Carolina which receive snow accumulation.

Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said the charge against 18-year-old Emya Jahne Boone stems from her being in charge of a party where minors consumed alcohol and engaged in other illegal activity such as smoking marijuana.

From what investigation has shown, Martin said, minors ranging in age from 14 to 18 attended the party located at the post home on East Eighth Street.

Martin declined comment on the reason for the December 16 party.

Investigator G.L. Williams arrested and charged Boone, of Roanoke Rapids, Wednesday morning, Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

She received a $1,000 bond and January 16 court date.

Martin said the apparent altercation which led to the shooting is not expected to affect the post’s ability to rent the building for functions. “They have a set standard policy in effect that whoever rents the building has to abide by their rules. They do their part.”

Meanwhile, Hasty said in the statement, Williams arrested and charged Donovan Demetree Edwards, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, Wednesday with possession of firearm by felon and simple affray.

Martin said the possession of firearm by felon charge against Edwards reflects he attended the party while allegedly in possession of a weapon.

The simple affray charge, Martin said, is unrelated to the AMVETS party and stems from a matter which occurred at Walmart.

The victim in the case remains hospitalized and continues to undergo treatment for the injuries sustained when he was shot numerous times in the torso, Martin said.

Martin said investigators believe at some point during the party there an altercation which led to the shooting. “We don’t know what happened. We know there was an altercation and an innocent bystander was struck.”

Hasty said he was pleased with the direction of the investigation. “We are working hard at it. We’re making progress.”

Police continue to look for the shooter.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Martin at 252-533-2820, Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

When the thaw comes, Public Works Director Larry Chalker estimates some 250,000 gallons will have been applied across the city.

The brine is made in-house at the public works department on Hinson Street. “That helps us out a whole lot,” Chalker said.

The city has been using its five snowplows and its five brine applicator trucks to treat the streets. “We’re getting it put out as hard as we can. We’re plowing streets, getting the loose stuff off and starting over and putting brine back down again.”

Estimates of snowfall in the area range from 2-3 to 4-5 inches.

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The city has been working nonstop for the past day and a half, Chalker said. “I can’t say how good the employees we have are. I’m proud to be a part of that team.”

Sunshine today is expected to make travel relatively easy, Chalker said, but tonight and into the morning there will be a refreeze. “The motoring public needs not to travel. We saw people throughout the night in the ditch.”

Even during the refreeze, Chalker said crews will be out treating roads. “We will continue until the streets are clear. We’re going to fight until the fight is done.”

At its early morning briefing, the National Weather Service in Raleigh reported arctic high pressure takes over today, allowing mostly sunny skies to prevail across the area.

“This will promote some melting during the day, even if temperatures remain below freezing,” the NWS said.

Upon sunset, refreezing will be likely each night. Impacts include hazardous travel conditions, especially in shaded spots, on bridges and overpasses, or on any untreated roadways.

www.poweradestategames.org

On Tuesday at approximately 3 a.m., officers responded to a 911 hang-up call in the 100 block of Highway 125.

Officer R. Cross spoke with the resident of the apartment who told him Jaquan Javonte Sledge, 23, of Whitakers, took their vehicle without permission and later returned.  

While Cross was talking with the victim, Sledge got back in the vehicle and fled.

Officers attempted to stop him but he refused.

Sledge continued south on Interstate 95 where the North Carolina State Highway Patrol successfully deployed stop sticks at the Halifax County/Nash County line.

Sledge was taken into custody at exit 150.

He was charged with flee to elude arrest, reckless driving, resisting/obstructing/delaying an officer, failure to heed to lights/sirens, driving on a revoked license and speeding.  

He received a $2,500 bond and a January 17 court date.

Lieutenant P. Parks and Master Officer A. Salmon assisted.

Cornerstone Christian closed.

Eye Care Center closed.

Gaston College Prep closed.

Halifax Academy closed.

Halifax Community College closed.

Halifax County District Court closed. This includes Hertford County as well.

Halifax County schools closed.

Halifax County government offices closed.

Hobgood Academy closed.

Kipp Halifax closed.

Northampton County Schools closed.

Northampton government offices closed.

Roanoke Rapids schools closed.

Roanoke Rapids city government offices and facilities opening at 10:30 a.m.

Weldon City Schools closed.

National Weather Service

The NWS reiterated at its afternoon briefing what it stated in an earlier conference that upon sunset, refreezing of cleared roads will be a likely impact and will include hazardous travel conditions, especially in shaded spots, on bridges and overpasses, or on any untreated roadways.

Photo gallery

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PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals encourages keeping animals indoors.

“Freezing temperatures spell extra hardship for backyard dogs who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care,” the organization said. “If you see animals left outside without shelter from the elements and are unable to help, note their location and alert authorities immediately.”

In cold weather, you can provide birds and other animals with access to water by filling a heavy nonmetal water bowl and breaking the surface ice twice a day.

When weather improves, be sure to remove any food offerings to encourage animals to move on to warmer areas.

Cheryl was born in Franklin, VA, May 3, 1958, to the late Earl Henry and Myrtle Delores Snead McLane.  In addition to her parents, Cheryl was preceded in death by father-in-law, Robert Bland. 

Surviving is her devoted husband of 38 years, Robert W. Bland, Jr. of the home; daughter, Kristina Hubbard and husband, Jereme; son Robert Earl Bland and wife, Kristie, all of Roanoke Rapids; sister, Kathrine Mahoney and husband, Paul, of Indiana; brother, Tommy McLane and wife, Gloria, of Florida; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Hubbard, Ethan Hubbard, Brianna Bland and Bentley Bland; two step grandchildren, Paige Dickerson and Ahlayna Wallace.  Also surviving is her mother-in-law, Carol Bland of Weldon.

Rev. Larry Matthews will conduct a service of remembrance at Askew Funeral Service, Jackson Street Chapel, Sunday, January 7, 2018, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. 

Online condolences may be sent to www.askewfs.com

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Vera Lee Pearson Grizzard. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Earl M. Grizzard, Frank E. Grizzard, and Jessie K. “Pete” Grizzard.

He is survived by his son, Ronnie L. Grizzard and wife Penny; daughter, Sharon K. Morton and husband Mark; grandchildren, Jessica Vick Dunn and husband Cody, Ashley Lauren Grizzard and husband Justin Gibson, Brian “Kirk” Grizzard and friend Stephanie Perez; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Dunn, Arylee G. Dunn, Adyson K. Dunn, Michael C. Dunn, Jr., and Vera Madison Burke; brother, Benjamin T. “Bubba” Grizzard and sisters, Ethel L. Vick, Polly Grizzard, Willie Mae Harris, Barbara Grizzard, Alease Braswell, and Diane Smith.

A church service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 3:30 P.M., with a graveside service immediately following in Emporia Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Calvary Baptist Church at 3:00 P.M prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Youth Department or the Calvary Baptist Church Shoe Box Ministry.

Condolences may be sent to www.Echolsfuneralhome.com

The boy came into the world at 7 pounds and 15 ounces.

His delivery was overseen by obstetrician Lawrence Singer, pediatrician Kristen Dorsey, who is not in the photo, and RN’s Alexandra Orrell, Meghan Flythe, April Clay, and Kathy Davis.

Betty was born August 31, 1944 in Halifax County to the late Johnny Gossett and Nellie Sykes Gossett.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Wade Cooper.

Betty was a longtime member of South Rosemary United Methodist Church, President of the United Methodist Women’s Ministry and the Kitchen Ministry.

She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother.

She was very involved at Halifax Academy during Becky and Cooper’s time at the school.

Betty was truly a kind and gentle soul, had a great sense of humor, very witty. She always put everybody else first and loved dancing and shaking a tailfeather.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Becky Cooper Davis and her fiancé Marty Limer; her grandson, Cooper McClean Davis; her brother-in-law, Gerald Lynch all of Roanoke Rapids; her nephew, Brian Lynch of Florida; several devoted cousins, Dale Warrick of Bristol, TN, and Lisa Fowler of Knightdale and many devoted friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at South Rosemary United Methodist Church with Rev. Sue Owens, Rev. Kermit Lee Braswell and Rev. Richard Hill officiating.

Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday, January 8, 2018 at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to South Rosemary United Methodist Church, 108 Hwy 158 West, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Online condolences may be made at www.hockadayfs.com.

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James Edward Powell, 25, and Dillon Tyler Irby, 21, have been charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon in the shooting death of Travis Johnson and the shooting of a male victim Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp did not name.

He declined to discuss motive in the case or whether drugs were at the center of the crime, given the past record of Johnson, who had several pending court dates in Halifax County on drug charges and has been the target of previous raids involving the City County Drug Task Force.

Powell has a previous criminal record and was most recently released from prison in 2015 for the principal charge of assault inflicting serious injury, according to state Department of Public Safety records.

Irby has received suspended sentences for assault by pointing a gun in Northampton County and felony breaking and entering in Halifax County, DPS records show.

Tripp declined comment on the possible relationship between the Roanoke Rapids men arrested and Johnson and the other victim in the case.

In a statement Tripp said deputies responded to Deer Run Drive shortly after 10:45 this morning on a call involving multiple shooting victims.

Tripp declined to say whether the shootings occurred inside or outside. Johnson was found deceased and the other victim was found in critical condition.

Through Investigation, deputies arrested Powell and Irby. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and City County Drug Task Force,” the sheriff said.

The unnamed victim was taken for treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.