He was graduate of Warrenton High School and North Carolina State University  with a degree in textiles. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. He was employed by Simmons Company in Roanoke Rapids; later, he opened his own real estate and insurance company, where he was very active for many years. He was a member of the Roanoke Rapids Board of Realtors and the NC Assn of Realtors.

Harry was a Southern Gentleman and a quiet man of faith. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Roanoke Rapids, where he was a former Deacon and taught Sunday School. He received the” Outstanding Older Adult Award” from the New Hope Presbytery in 2001.

Preceding Harry in death were two sisters, Anne Hunter Fishel Polk (James) and Mary Norman Fishel White (James)

Harry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Grace Pettit Jones Fishel; two sons, Hary Ogburn Fishel, III (Jean),of  Lake Greenwood, SC and Frederick McKinney Fishel (kathleen), of Gainsville, Fl; two grandchildren, Julia Anne Fishel, of Honolulu,Hi and Daniel Carter Fishel, of Greenville, SC; nieces, Mary Patterson, Janet, Knox, Anne Douglas and Beverly; nephews, Tasker, Wesley and Edward; a host great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces , great great nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, January 8, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Joseph Sandoval officiating. Interment will be held at 2:30 pm at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Littleton, NC.

Family and friends will be received at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, 16 E. 5^th Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

Online condolences may be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com

Cornerstone Christian delayed until 11 a.m.

Gaston College Prep closed.

Halifax Academy delayed until 11 a.m.

Halifax Community College on two-hour delay.

Halifax County District Court on normal schedule. Bertie and Hertford canceled.

Halifax County schools closed.

Hobgood Academy closed.

Kipp Halifax closed.

Northampton County schools closed.

Roanoke Rapids schools on three-hour delay. RRHS exams begin Tuesday.

Weldon City Schools closed.

On Saturday at approximately 6 p.m., Officer A. Green responded to a call about a careless/reckless driver in the area of Roanoke Avenue and Third Street.

Green located the vehicle in the back alley between Madison and Jackson streets.

The driver, Nicole Ciera Bryant, 32, of Roanoke Rapids, was driving on a revoked license and had narcotics in her possession.

Green arrested and charged Bryant with driving while license revoked and possession of marijuana.

She received a $500 bond and February 2 court date.

On Sunday at approximately 6 p.m., Green and Officer C. Fortier received information on the location of a person with outstanding warrants.  

Officers went to a residence in the 300 block of Henry Street to locate the person.

When officers arrived they saw a person matching the description. When the officers approached him, he gave a false name and attempted to walk away.

Officers confirmed the man was Maclindell Lee Hardy, 25, of Enfield, who was wanted on numerous warrants and was found in possession of a concealed firearm during a search.

Hardy was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer and served warrants for communicating threats, damage to property, common law robbery, breaking/entering, violation of a domestic violence protection order, domestic trespass, two counts damage to property, assault on a female and breaking/entering to terrorize.

Hardy was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a January 18 court date.

The warrants stem from an investigation by Detective W. Murphy with the Enfield Police Department.

She was born in Portsmouth, VA, to the late Robert Jackson and Pearl Mae Chitty Sykes. Josephine was also a member of Roanoke Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids.

Josephine is survived by her daughters, Helen H. Daniel and her husband Pete of Roanoke Rapids, Renee Hargrave of Roanoke Rapids; her son David Earl Harp and his wife Chrystal of Roanoke Rapids; six grandchildren, Mike Harp, Jr. Paul Daniel, Melissa Carter, Steven Hargrave, Josaha Hargrave and Kristen Hargrave; one great-grandchild; four great-great-grandchildren and her special cousin, Loraine LaClair and her husband Brian of Chesapeake, VA.

Memorial Services will be held at Roanoke Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, NC at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 11, 2018 with Rev. Rick Rogers officiating.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids, NC, from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M.

Online Condolences may be made to the family at askewfs.com

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Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said Keyon Quarice West and James Edward Powell were both arrested today and charged with murder in the shooting deaths of James and Janice Harris and James and Peggy Whitley as they played cards at the Harris residence in August.

Tripp declined comment on whether West, 23, and Powell, 25, fired shots the evening the four friends were gathered to socialize and play cards.

He also declined to discuss the relationship between West and Powell and their relationship with Matthew Simms, the first person to be charged in the case. Tripp declined comment on whether Simms fired shots in the Glenview murders.

Powell was arrested Saturday in the shooting death of Travis Johnson in the Deer Run Drive area of Roanoke Rapids near the old airport as well as the shooting of an unnamed victim during the Johnson murder.

West took a plea arrangement in 2014 in a shooting in the area of the Interstate BP.

He pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and received a 14- to 26-months sentence that was suspended for 24 months of probation.

Powell and West were jailed without opportunity for bond. Powell already received no bond in the Saturday murder and shooting. Their first court dates are pending.

Tripp said in a statement the arrests today were based on continuous investigation by deputies and agents from the State Bureau of Investigation.

In the statement Tripp said, “The investigation continues.”

He added, however, “Due to the integrity of this case and respect to the families, no further information will be released at this time.”

The only information to be divulged in the case is that items of value were missing from the Harris residence and the motive is robbery.

The four were shot through a glass door while they sat playing cards at the dining room table. All the victims died at the table after they were shot multiple times.

She was born in Middlesex, NJ, to the late John and Margaret Berticsh Vojtko. 

Margaret was a 1948 graduate of Perth Ambly High School in Perth Ambly, NJ, and she was a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee and the College of Graduate Studies of W. VA.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Jane Dimitrio of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her son, Thomas Dimitrio of Weldon, NC; her sister, Elizabeth McGrath of Ormond Beach, FL; her brother, Joseph Vojtko and his wife Susan of Ormond Beach, FL and several nieces and nephews. 

She was a Loving Mother and will be sadly missed by all who knew her, “We love you Mom.”

A memorial Service for Margaret will be held at a later date.

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

Charles was born November 25, 1946 in Halifax County to the late Lee Mack Ray Smith and Martha Jane Flora Smith and his sister, Carolyn Smith.

He was a loving father and grandfather.

Charles is survived by his son, Cameron Smith and his wife Amy; his grandchildren, Kasey, Erin and Austin Smith; his sister, Martha Moran and her husband Jim; his niece Ashley Warner and her husband Walt and his great niece Hayden Warner.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 12, 2018 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Formo officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Cindy Shearin, 10001 Aurelian Springs Road, Littleton, NC 27850.

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

Choanoke Public Transportation: Delayed two hours.

Gaston College Prep closed.

Halifax County Schools: No school for students. Optional workday.

Halifax County court on regular schedule. Hertford County court is canceled. Bertie delayed until noon.

Hobgood Academy will operate on a two-hour delay.

Kipp Halifax closed.

Northampton County Schools: No school for students. Optional workday. Makeup days January 13 and 20.

Roanoke Rapids schools on regular schedule.

Weldon City Schools: No school for students. School will operate on an optional workday for staff and a  two-hour delay.

Keyon West will be assigned a capital defender in the Glenview murders as well.

All three appeared before District Court Judge Vershenia Ballance Moody this morning in Halifax.

West and Powell were charged Monday in the murders of James and Janice Harris and James and Peggy Whitley as they played cards at the Harris’s Glenview residence in August.

Powell and Irby were charged Saturday in the shooting death of T.J. Johnson and the non-fatal shooting of James Livingston in the Deer Run Drive area around the old airport outside Roanoke Rapids.

In all, Powell faces five counts of murder.

Irby was the first to appear in court this morning and District Attorney Valerie Asbell laid out the charges against him — first-degree murder, attempted murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Moody explained to Irby the first-degree murder charge carried either a sentence of life without parole or death, while the attempted murder charge carried 484 months and the robbery charge 204 months.

Irby requested a court-appointed attorney. He has been represented in the past by Tonza D. Ruffin, who Moody said was on the capital defenders list. The Capital Defenders Office will select an attorney, the judge said.

Irby asked the judge, “Can I get out on bond? Can I get an ankle bracelet?”

Moody replied: “That’s premature.”

Said Asbell: “He’s been advised he will be sentenced to life or death. We ask that no bond is set.”

Said Moody: “At this time I’m not going to set a bond on the Class A (murder charge).”

West appeared next to be read the four counts against him in the Glenview murders. He requested a court-appointed attorney and Moody said one would be requested through the Capital Defenders Office.

West asked the judge, “Is there any way I can have a speedy trial?”

Replied Moody: “Certainly a motion can be filed by your attorney.”

Powell was pushed into the courtroom in a wheelchair. Law enforcement sources would not say what was specifically wrong with him other than he had been released from the hospital for unspecified medical reasons.

Moody told Powell, who through most of the proceedings kept his head down, he would be appointed an attorney through the Capital Defender’s Office.

In a statement on the proceedings, Asbell said of the West and and Powell case, “It is an ongoing investigation and I am under ethical obligation not to discuss this case further at this time. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Harris and Whitley families.”

She directed rrspin.com to the statement when asked if she had seen any evidence which tied West and Powell together and to the first man arrested in the case — Matthew Simms.

The statement in the Irby and Powell case was nearly identical to the first one, except she said, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Johnson and Livingston families.”

In the Glenview murders the only information to be divulged in the case is that items of value were missing from the Harris residence and the motive is robbery.

The four were shot through a glass door while they sat playing cards at the dining room table. All the victims died at the table after they were shot multiple times.

All documents pertaining to that case have been sealed as have search warrants in the Johnson murder.

Their next court dates are set for January 17.

Weldon fire Chief Rusty Bolt said firefighters responded to a call around 2 a.m. which was reported as a house fire and that a person was burned as a result.

The woman was identified as Margaret Sing, 87, Bolt confirmed.

Firefighters found the house was full of smoke but saw no fire.

They learned the victim’s son had put the fire out and used a blanket to smother the flames on his mother.

Bolt said the woman’s clothing and blanket caught fire as she stood too close to a propane heater in the kitchen.

The fire department recommends staying 3-feet away and placing heaters at least 3-feet away from any items or furniture.

In reporting the matter to the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal Bolt said the office informed him last year there were 11 fire-related deaths in the state, the majority of them from space heaters.

On Monday at approximately 10 a.m., Chief Chuck Hasty said Deputy Chief Andy Jackson arrested and charged Ben Patrick Casey, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, with breaking/entering, larceny after breaking/entering and possession of stolen goods.  

He received a $3,000 bond and February 7 court date.

The charges stem from an investigation by Jackson on January 5 around 3:15 p.m.

Roanoke Rapids High School Resource Officer R. Stainback, while reviewing motion detection cameras in the senior building, observed video footage of a person entering the building and taking school supplies.  

Jackson identified Casey through the footage.

Investigator G. Williams and Officer A. green assisted.

Lieutenant Charles Vaught reported the police department is seeking the public’s help in a case involving the larceny of a television and household goods from Walmart Saturday around 12:10 p.m.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 252-533-2810, Williams at 252-533-2821, or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Ruth Young, Jack and Frances Young, and brother John Darby Wood.

He is survived by his wife, June Smith Young, of Roanoke Rapids, NC; two sons: William Clark Young (Lisa) of Raleigh, NC, Bradley Elliott Young (Mandi) and grandson Jackson Patrick Young of Lexington, SC; and his siblings: Claire Young Talley (Jim) of Charlotte, NC and Sue Wood Ferguson (Ken) of Smithfield, NC; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Clark was born May 16, 1949 in Wilson, NC and grew up in Smithfield, NC. He graduated from ECU and the School of Banking at LSU. Clark retired from First Citizens Bank in 2012 as a Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking after 40 years of service. He was a member of First United Methodist Church.

He was active in Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow, Chairman of Halifax Horizons, served on the Foundation Board of the Halifax Community College, and held offices on several community boards including the Roanoke Rapids Valley Chamber of Commerce. Clark enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending ECU sporting events, and playing golf with friends.

A service will be held at First United Methodist Church at 339 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 13, 2018. Prior to the service, the family will receive relatives and friends from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nash Cancer Center, Bethlehem Pantry FUMC, or the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research would be appreciated.

Arrangements are by Wrenn, Clarke, and Hagan Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, NC.

Online condolence can be made to: www.wrennclarkehagan.com

Captain Bobby Martin said it was not clear why Doris Lavenia Bynum, 45, allegedly took the victim’s phone. He said the Halifax woman was apparently there to pick up her children.

Investigators G.L. Williams and O.L. Wiltsie arrested and charged Bynum with common law robbery in the case, Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

She was also served an unrelated outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon for an investigation which took place in September by Wiltsie.

Bynum received a $20,000 bond and February 7 court date.

Bynum is the third person to be charged in the December 15 case and investigators continue to try to identify the shooter.

Last week the woman identified as the organizer of the party was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

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, minors ranging in age from 14 to 18 attended the party located at the post home on East Eighth Street.

Donovan Demetree Edwards, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with possession of firearm by felon and simple affray.

Edwards attended the party while allegedly in possession of a weapon.

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.

Investigators believe at some point during the party there was an altercation which led to the shooting.

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

A native of Bertie County, Vicky was born to the late Calvin Dupree and Sylvia Ann Clark Barnes.

Vicky is survived by her husband, Kenneth Casper, of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her daughter, Julie Pope of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her step-daughter Sharon Gilbert and her husband, Todd of Laurel, MD;  her sister, Cheryl Biggerstaff and her husband, Chris of Jackson, NC; her brother, Buddy Barnes and his wife, Linda of Roanoke Rapids, NC and her four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. in the Chapel of Askew Funeral & Cremation Services with Rev. Daniel West officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Chief Chuck Hasty said no one was injured. The cashier’s vehicle was stolen.

The state Highway Patrol is assisting in searching for the vehicle.

No other information was immediately available as of this report.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty confirmed the suspect was arrested. The person’s name was not immediately available.

The armed robbery occurred at the BP convenience store at Tenth Street and Park Avenue.

No one was injured, Hasty said earlier this evening.

Trooper J.D. Warren of the state Highway Patrol said the vehicle was found abandoned at the South Rosemary Family Dollar around 10 this evening.

Trooper T. Blount noticed a man walking west on Highway 158 in front of Family Dollar. “We made contact with Roanoke Rapids police investigators who determined the man was the suspect in the robbery and took him into custody. It was a great cooperative effort by both of the agencies,” Warren said.

Troopers also did not immediately know the person’s name.

Roanoke Rapids police arrested and charged Phillip Bernard Brown, 43, with robbery with a dangerous weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods and communicating threats in the robbery of the New Dixie Mart BP at the intersection of East Tenth Street and Park Avenue around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement officers learned Brown entered the store and asked for cigarettes.

When the employee retrieved the cigarettes, Brown reportedly wielded a knife and demanded money. The clerk complied and Brown then demanded the keys to the employee’s vehicle and left the store heading west on Tenth Street.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers J.D. Warren and T. Blount located the vehicle at Family Dollar in South Rosemary. Troopers and officers spotted the man later identified as Brown in the area. He was taken into custody without trouble and jailed on $50,000 bond and assigned a January 17 court date.

“The sharing, relaying of information and the teamwork was key to getting Mr. Brown into custody very quickly,” Hasty said in the statement. “Roanoke Valley’s law enforcement works well and compliments each other very well. It was a great team effort.”

State Department of Public Safety records show Brown’s parole was terminated this past July after his conviction in 2011 for the principal crime of robbery with a dangerous weapon.

He was released from prison in October of 2016, DPS records show.

Other charges of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of stolen goods were consolidated for judgment in the 2009 crimes, records show.

Brown had been charged with accosting a 50-year-old woman in the downtown Food Lion parking lot and robbing her.

Assisting in the Wednesday night investigation were Lieutenant B. Norton, Sergeant M. Moseley, Investigator J. Benthal, Master Officer G. Colson, Officer S. Blythe, Officer C. Hagbourne and Officer H. Grimes with her dog, Jimi.

On Wednesday at approximately 7 p.m., Sergeant M. Moseley and Officer S. Blythe responded to a report of loud music in the 800 block of Allen Avenue.

The officers smelled marijuana coming from inside the residence. Marijuana and paraphernalia were located.  

Moseley cited Jeffrey Taylor Beaver, 20, with possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released until his March 2 court date.

On Wednesday at approximately 10:15 p.m., Officer A. Green responded to a disturbance call on Premier Boulevard.  

Green discovered Lashawn Lamont Harris, 43, of Roanoke Rapids, had several outstanding warrants.

Green arrested and charged Harris for resisting/obstructing/delaying an officer by giving a false name and served the outstanding warrants for assault on a female, injury to property and interfering with emergency communications.

Harris was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a February 16 court date.

On Wednesday at approximately 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Vine Street about shots fired into a residence.

The victims told officers while inside they heard numerous gunshots outside and some of the shots entered their residence.

The two adults and two children inside were not injured.

The residence sustained damage and a vehicle parked outside the residence was damaged by gun fire.

Officers collected shell casings from the roadway.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call Investigator J. Benthall at 252-326-2924 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Crimestoppers offers cash rewards for information in cases and only wants information and not names.

LOUISBURG – William “Bill” Arthur Wrenn, 87, of Louisburg, died Thursday morning at Hillside Nursing Center.

Bill was a son of the late Ollie Jack and Margie Smith Wrenn. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mae W. Joyner and Helen W. Jackson, brother, O.J. Wrenn, Jr.

Funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty D. Wrenn; daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie Tapscott of Greenville, Susan W. and Robby McDonald of Roanoke Rapids, Jennifer W. and Tracy Robbins of Youngsville; sisters and brother-in-law, Marie W. Wiggs of Raleigh, Lucille W. and Lawrence Alford of Rocky Mt.; brother, Russell “Pete” Wrenn of Louisburg; grandchildren, Hope T. (Ryan) Inselmann, Brianne T. (Jason) Evans, Kelly M. (Scott) McCoig, W. Bryce (Jennifer) McDonald, Caitlin R. McDonald, Baylee S. Robbins and Logan M. Robbins; 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Piney Grove U.M.C. c/o Donna Ball 352 Moulton Rd. Louisburg, NC 27549.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.

There's still time to send flowers to the Visitation at the Strickland Funeral Home at 2:00 PM on January 14, 2018.
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