Chaloner Stats:

Wayne Wilkins 13 poimts

Lazarus Bell 12 points

Jamari Edwards 6 point

Jon Lewis Temple 4 points

Lorenzo Santarina 4points

Jackson Vincent 3points

Brayden Mills 2points

Xavier High 2 points

Austin Geary 2 points

Chaloner boys are 4-9 overall (4-0 in conference)

Photos by Megan Orren

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Scoring for the Patriots were:

Hana Brown 14

Ella Frances King 10

Somaliyah Smith 8

Casie Crawley 7

Anna Grace King 6

Lindsey Shaw 2

Abi Sloan 2

CCS will play next Friday at home in Gaston against conference opponent Heritage Christian.

On Thursday at approximately 2:45 p.m., officers responded to Gingerbread House Child Care on Becker Drive about a person trying to enter the building.  

Numerous officers responded to the business and spoke with staff.

Staff stated a man entered the building without authorization and refused to leave as requested.

The staff gathered the children and moved to a safe location as officers searched the building. They did not locate the person inside but Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer M. Worrell located a person matching the description on Becker Drive near Clearfield Drive.

The daycare staff identified the man as the one who entered the building.

Kelly Earl Langley, 33, of Enfield, was arrested and charged with breaking/entering and trespassing.

He received a $2,000 bond and February 23 court date.

Hasty said the man was apparently trying to solicit money.

Captain A. Bryant, Lieutenant P. Parks, Sergeant T. Tyler, and officers R. Cross and J. Shelburne assisted.

On Thursday at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers responded to the 900 and 800 blocks of Henry Street about people attempting to get into vehicles.  

Officers saturated the area and located Joshua Blasie Sparks, 28, and Crystal Victoria Raimondi, 22, of Roanoke Rapids in the area.  

Officer S. Blythe’s investigation into the report led to charges against Sparks and Raimondi for attempted breaking/entering of a motor vehicle.

They received $750 bonds and February 16 court dates.

Lieutenant B. Norton, Sergeant M. Moseley, Master Officer G. Colson and Officer C. Hagbourne assisted.

Trooper W.C. Wheeler of the state Highway Patrol said the collision occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m.

He said Hilda Arp was standing on the center yellow highway line at the time she was struck. A southbound vehicle swerved and missed her but a northbound vehicle struck her.

It was not clear why she was standing in the roadway.

No charges will be filed against the driver who struck her, the trooper said.

The event will be held at 3 p.m. at the park, which is located at Virginia and Wyche streets.

Sunday at 4 p.m., the 26th Martin Luther King Memorial Concert will be held at Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Church on Highway 301 in Enfield.

Monday — Oak Grove

The 2018 MLK Day Committee of Oak Grove Baptist in Littleton and Piney Grove Baptist in Halifax will join America by sponsoring several events.

The events begin with the 14th MLK Parade in Littleton down Main Street at 10 a.m.

The parade will include marchers, singers, dancers, car clubs, school clubs, community organizations and other participants.  

At Oak Grove from 10 a.m. to noon, community agencies will have a display table available informing citizens of their services.

This year the community service project will benefit Roanoke Valley Adult Day Center in Weldon.  

Items needed are a variety of arts and crafts materials which individuals, organizations and businesses are asked to donate.  

Items collected will be presented to the staff of the day center during the program.  

Immediately following the program, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and area volunteers will distribute food items to citizens.

The 16th MLK Program will begin at noon in Oak Grove’s Promised Land Sanctuary.  

The program’s guest speaker will be Eva M. Clayton who was the first African-American woman to represent North Carolina in Congress from 1991-2003.

Monday – Tillery

The Halifax County Black Caucus’s 18th Halifax Countywide Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration will be held at Tillery Community Center.

The program’s forum will be Let’s Talk About the Issues: The State of Our State, County and Sexual Harassment & Assault.

A $12 brunch begins at 11 a.m. and the program begins at 11:45 a.m. Attending youth eat for free.

Speakers are Chief District Court Judge Brenda Branch and attorney Chrystal Redding Stanback.

Monday — Jackson

A 9 a.m. early service will be held at Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center on Highway 305 with Bishop Wayne Welch.

There will be a march starting  at 10 a.m. from the DOT building on Highway 305 to the Cultural  and Wellness Center followed by a rally.

Reverend Tina Watson will deliver the message.

There will be gospel music groups from around the Roanoke Valley.

In the past month, the Medical Center has seen an increase in flu-related visits to the Emergency Department.

Specific numbers were not immediately available as of this report.

In response to this increase in influenza activity, Halifax Regional is asking community members not to visit the medical center unless you are a patient in need of treatment.

They are also implementing immediate visitation guidelines to decrease the spread of influenza among patients, visitors, and staff.

Effective immediately, Halifax Regional will implement the following visitation restrictions:

Children age five and under are not permitted in the medical center unless the child has an appointment or needs medical treatment.

Teens and older children are asked not to visit due to the high rate of influenza among those age groups.

Pregnant women and adults age 65 and older are discouraged from visiting the medical center.

Visitors with any flu-like symptoms — fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea — will not be permitted.         

Only one adult will be allowed to accompany a patient in the Emergency Care Center.

Visitors should wash their hands before entering a patient room and upon leaving the room. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the hospital in convenient dispensers.

“Peaks during flu season are especially challenging for any medical center, but we want the community to know we’re doing everything we can to reduce wait times and treat people as quickly and effectively as possible,” said Will Mahone, president and CEO. “This includes bringing in additional staff, doctors and nurses to help care for the large amount of patients we currently have under our care.”

Flu shots are still being offered at Halifax Works Healthcare Express, 210 Smith Church Road, in Roanoke Rapids. “Getting vaccinated is the best measure to increase chances of avoiding the flu and decrease the risk of influenza spreading to others,” Halifax Regional said.

Flu prevention stations have been set-up at all entrances and are placed throughout the medical center.

The stations include personal protective equipment, such as hand sanitizer and face masks, to keep patients, visitors, and staff safe.

Basic precautionary measures should be taken as proper hygiene remains the best defense to prevent common viral respiratory diseases.

Personal hygiene and prevention of germ-spreading includes:

Frequent hand-washing with soap and water.

Cover mouth when coughing and sneezing.

Sanitary disposal of discharges from mouth and nose.

He was born on February 24, 1935, at his family home in Great CaCapon, WV, to the late Edwin William Henry Sr. and Mabel Hess Henry. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Connie; his stepmother, Jane; and his sister, June Orr.

Don was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

He worked the majority of his career at NASA in Greenbelt, MD, and retired as COMS Manager in 1998.

At retirement he moved from Upper Marlboro, MD, to the shores of Lake Gaston, NC, where he enjoyed golf, boating, fishing and his family. Don was an Outdoorsman his entire life and enjoyed annual excursions to many areas of the USA for hunting. He was a member of the 601 Hunt Club and is a Veteran of the US Navy.

Don was a member of the Lake Gaston Lions Club and served as Chairperson of the Lake Gaston Seafood Festival for fifteen years.

He has received the Lion Recognition Award given by the President of Lions International. He is a member of the North Carolina Lions Hall of Fame.

Don is a progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, Jack Stickley Fellow and a Charter Member Ambassador for the Visually Impaired Fishing Tournament along with serving on their Board of Directors.

He has been honored three times as Lion of the Year by the Lake Gaston Lions. He served as District Governor for District 31G, 2009/2010. He has been recognized by the Stop Hunger Now Program for being responsible for over 450,000 meals to feed the hungry worldwide.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Martha “Marti” Henry; two daughters, Jeri Ann Foster and husband Mark, Donna Daughters and husband Bill; her grandchildren, Coby and Jared Foster, Hunter Martin, Jordan and Morgan daughters; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, DeWon Henry and William Edwin Henry, Jr., (Bill), two sisters, Josa Kilmer and Clara Jane Derrick and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held at Littleton United Methodist Church, 105 East South Main Street, Littleton, NC 27850, February 3, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the VIP Fishing Tournament, PO Box 140, Columbia, NC 27925.

Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service are handling the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at hockadayfs.com.

Roanoke Rapids City Council (Regular Meeting)

Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

Roanoke Rapids City Council (Retreat)

Thursday, January 18, 2018 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Halifax Community College in the President’s Conference Room, 100 College Drive, Weldon, N.C.

Library Advisory Committee

Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room.

Beautification Committee

 Monday, January 22, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

Roanoke Rapids Planning Board

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids Planning Board will hold a public meeting Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall located at 700 Jackson Street to hear the following items and provide a recommendation to City Council:

1. A Zoning Map Amendment (rezoning) request from Anthony R. Dickens (applicant and property owner) to rezone a 6.5-acre undeveloped parcel with approximately 280± feet of frontage along NC Hwy 125 from R-40, Residential, to B-4, Commercial District. The property is identified as Halifax County parcel 1200770 in the City’s Planning & Zoning Jurisdiction. The property is located adjacent to the north of The Mystique Multi Venue Complex at 1652 NC Hwy 125 and across from Nature’s Trail Drive. The requested B-4 district allows the widest range of commercial uses.  

Related information is available for public inspection in the Planning and Development office at the J. Reuben Daniel City Hall, 1040 Roanoke Avenue. Any persons, firms, organizations or corporations interested in this matter are urged to attend the meeting.

The City of Roanoke Rapids will provide reasonable accommodations and services for any qualified disabled person interested in attending the meeting.  To request the above you may call the Planning and Development Office at (252) 533-2844 no later than three (3) days prior to the date of the meeting.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:   

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

Part-Time Library Assistant (RR Public Library)

An employee in this position will perform various duties at the Roanoke Rapids Public Library.  Good interpersonal skills and excellent customer service skills are a MUST.  Applicants must be available to work flexible schedule including days, nights and Saturdays.  Approximately 10-17 hours total per week. 

(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. 

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 Monday, January 15, 2018 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday’s trash collection route will be collected on Wednesday, January 17^th.

COMMITTEE VACANCIES:  

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

►Historic Preservation Advisory Committee         

►Planning Board/Board of Adjustment (ETJ)

►Canal Museum Advisory Committee 

ROANOKE RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Emery G. Doughtie       Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee            

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

Joseph Scherer, City Manager    Gilbert Chichester, City Attorney

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

The following are the place winners.

106 lbs. Riley Mills placed top 6.

113 lbs. Harry Crawford placed top 6

120 lbs. Daniels Lyons placed top 8.

126 lbs. Jacob Bouchard placed 3rd.

132 lbs. Aaron Purser placed top 6.

138 lbs. Logan Vaughan placed top 10.

145 lbs. Eli Lasky placed top 10.

160 lbs. Aaron Hunter placed top 6.

170 lbs. Jermey Clemmons placed 4th.

182 lbs. Ethan Dixon placed 4th.

195 lbs. Carter Abram placed top 10.

220 lbs. Peyton Anderson placed to 10.

285 lbs. Antonio Lawrence placed 3rd.

Jackets head coach DA White stated, "We did better than I expected at this tournament. We have had some rough practices the last couple weeks due to snow and exams. I could not have asked much more than what the kids did today. I was proud of them."

Woods led the game off with a trio of layups as R-MC (11-3, 4-2 ODAC) took the early 6-0 lead. After Hollins (3-11,  0-5 ODAC) scored a three-pointer with 8:29 to go in the period, the Yellow Jackets stymied the Hollins attack for more than five minutes as Hollins didn't hit another field goal until 3:23 to go in the first quarter. In the meantime, R-MC added 13 points to take a 19-3 lead. R-MC continued the run from there with field goals by junior Jayla Wade (Newport News, Va. / Heritage), Williams and sophomore Ashlynn Green (Spotsylvania, Va. / Spotsylvania), while freshman Becca Anderson (Amelia, Va. / Amelia Academy) added a three. Williams closed out the quarter with a pair of free throws as R-MC took a 30-10 lead into the second period. Williams finished the quarter with 11 points and five rebounds, while Woods added six points and six rebounds.

Hollins scored twice over the first minute of the second quarter, but a pair of steals by senior Teal Reynolds (Sterling, Va. / Potomac Falls) and junior Kelsey Wisner (York, Pa. / Central York) and their corresponding fast break layups added to the R-MC advantage. Randolph-Macon kept its lead comfortable through the second period, taking a 42-18 lead into the break. Wisner led the way in the quarter with four points and a pair of rebounds while Williams yanked in four rebounds.

After Hollins opened the second half with a jumper, Randolph-Macon went on an 8-0 run with Reynolds hitting a pair of shots and Woods and Wisner each adding a field goal as well. Hollins went on a 13-4 run through the middle of the period, taking the score to 54-33 with 2:13 to go. Junior Leara Shumate (Fishersville, Va. / Wilson Memorial) added a jumper with under 90 seconds to play and Wisner got the hoop and the harm with under 15 seconds to play to push the Yellow Jackets up to the 59-33 advantage.

R-MC and Hollins traded buckets for the early minutes of the final period. But the R-MC defense shined again, not allowing a score from the 8:49 mark until 4:44 to go -- while on the other side of the ball, R-MC continued its solid offensive work. With under 4:00 to play, sophomore Brie Zimmerman (Powhatan, Va. / Blessed Sacrament) got a pair of jumpers in a row, while Shumate added a pair of jumpers to close out the game and the 82-51 win.

Besides Williams and Woods, Wisner and Reynolds finished in double digits with Reynolds totaling 14 points and Wisner tallying 11. Rounding out the starters, Wade finished with two points. Arrington led the Yellow Jackets off the bench with seven, while Shumate scored six and Green and Zimmerman each finished with four. Freshman Elise Knobloch (Glenville, Pa. / Delone Catholic) added two.

Knobloch was huge all-around in the game, dishing out a pair of assists and pulling in four rebounds. Arrington, Wisner, Wade and Reynolds each had two assists as well while Williams totaled three on the night. Reynolds and Wisner were each credited with three steals while Williams and Knobloch added two.

The win marked Head Coach Carroll LaHaye's 598th win of her 36 year career at Randolph-Macon.

The Yellow Jackets now head to Lynchburg for two games in a row. They will take on Randolph first on Tuesday at 7:00 PM and return to face Lynchburg on Saturday at 2:00 PM. The team returns home on Tuesday, January 23 against Shenandoah at 7:00.

Friday January 12th:

Halifax Academy Varsity Girls beat St. Thomas 50-34.

Halifax Academy Varsity boys beat St. Thomas 51-47

Roanoke Rapids Varsity Girls beat Granville Central 60-48

Roanoke Rapids Varsity Boys beat Granville Central 71-67

Northwest Halifax JV Boys beat Southeast Halifax 63-61 in Overtime

Southeast Halifax Varsity Girls beat Northwest Halifax due to forfeit

Southeast Halifax Varsity Boys beat Northwest Halifax 61-54

Weldon Varsity Girls beat KIPP 72-18

Saturday January 13th:

Weldon Varsity Girls beat Roanoke Rapids 49-45

Roanoke Rapids Varsity Boys beat Weldon 91-71

Northwest Halifax JV Boys beat Northampton County 77-47

Northampton County Varsity Girls beat Northwest Halifax due to forfeit

Northwest Halifax Varsity Boys beat Northampton County 61-47

Allen Augustus Dickens, 86, of Gaston died Sunday January 14, 2018, at his home with his family by his side.

Allen, a native of Halifax County, was the son of the late Jacob Augustus and Nannie Sue Vaughan Dickens. He was also preceded in death by his two sons, Steven W. and Kenneth A. Dickens, and eleven brothers and sisters.

A lover of the land, Allen was a retired Northampton County farmer for 50 years. 

He was member of Gaston Co-op and he won the award for the 2-ton peanut club. He was a member of Spring United Methodist Church where he was in the choir and sang solo’s for many years and was a former Sunday school teacher.

He was a very humble and well respected man, he loved the beach, fishing, but most of all his family.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Thelma Saunders Dickens, his daughters, Deborah D. “Debbie” Ricks and her husband, Earl, of Roanoke Rapids, and Donna D. Clements and her husband, Mason, of Skippers, Va., twelve grandchildren, Greg Ricks and his wife Mary Hunter, Brian Ricks, Sarah Ricks Harris and her husband, Stevie, Lewis Dickens and his wife, Missy, Stephanie Dickens Dunlow and her husband, Timothy, Phillip Dickens and his wife, Heather, Brad Dickens, Travis Dickens and his wife, Czarina, Lauren Ashley Kayani and her husband, Karim, Justin Leemhuis and his wife, Lane, Chelsea Puhak and John Allen Dickens and thirteen great grandchildren; sister Hazel Hasty of Roanoke Rapids, brother, Rev. Grady Dickens and his wife Millie of Nashville, NC; daughter-in-laws, Laura F. Dickens of Gaston and Beth W. Dickens of Pittsboro, NC.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 1:00 pm, in the Chapel of Askew Funeral and Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, with Rev. Bob Clyde officiating.

Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, January 16, 2018, from 6-7:30 at the Funeral Home.

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

On Friday at approximately noon, Austin Tyler Rabb, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered at the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office to be served three outstanding warrants for statutory sex offense.

According to the report, the offenses reportedly involve a victim under the age of 15.

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator J. Benthall which was reported on January 9 and allege Rabb assaulted the victim over a two-day period. The report says the alleged assaults occurred this month.

It was not clear whether Rabb was familiar with the victim as Hasty’s policy is not to disclose full information on sexual assault victims.

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

On Saturday at approximately 2 a.m., officers, while on a traffic stop on East Seventh Street, heard a gunshot coming from the area of East Tenth Street.

During the investigation Officer J. DeSare determined Nancy Darlene Hargrave, 54, of Roanoke Rapids, fired a round into the air and was intoxicated.

Hargrave was arrested and charged with concealing a gun while or after consuming alcohol.

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

Lieutenant J. Baggett, Master Officer G. Colson and Officer H. Grimes assisted.

On Saturday at approximately 2:45 a.m., Colson conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Tenth near Carolina streets.

Colson determined the driver, Sharmaquette Bernard Whitaker, 34, of Littleton, was impaired and his license was revoked.

Whitaker was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, careless/reckless driving, seatbelt violation and disorderly conduct.

He received a $5,000 bond and March 12 court date.

Baggett and officers H. Grimes and E. Ellington assisted.

On Sunday at approximately 6 p.m., Officer C. Batchelor arrested and charged Amanda Casandra Wilson, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, with larceny by employee.

She received a $2,000 bond and February 7 court date.

The charges stem from Bachelors’ investigation into a matter reported on December 19 by a  business where she worked.  

Wilson allegedly took cash from the register she was assigned.

On Sunday at approximately 8:45 p.m., Baggett conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Twelfth near Hamilton streets.

Damzea Latrell Harvey, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, was found in possession of narcotics.

Baggett cited Harvey for possession of marijuana and failure to burn headlights.

He was released until his February 26 court date.

Colson and Ellington assisted.

Peggy was born February 23, 1937, in Halifax County to the late Joseph B. Liles and Louise Aycock Liles. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Stanley M. Johnson, Sr.

Peggy worked as a Nurse at the Roanoke Rapids Hospital and Halifax Regional Medical Center and several area nursing homes. She retired from Liberty Commons. She loved playing the guitar and loved music.

Peggy is survived by her son, Stanley Mason Johnson, Jr.; her daughter, Peggy Jo (Johnson) Stowe; her grandchildren, Shelley Stowe Platz, Anne Lynne Johnson Whitby, Joseph Liles Johnson, Christopher Taylor Johnson and Alicia Hurst; her great-grandchildren, Hailey Marie Whitby, Breanna Jade Whitby, Jessica Rayne Whitby and Luke Austin Platz; her sister, Evelyn Louise Liles Nowell.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Rev. Stan Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601

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

The NWS said at its latest briefing snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible across the north central and northeast piedmont.

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The Roanoke Rapids Public Works Department said in a social media post it has fired up its brine plant and will be applying salt brine to streets throughout the day.

The department reminds residents, “If we have to plow snow, don't park on the street. The plows move snow from the middle of the street to the curb. We will clear our streets as quickly as we can.”

The threat of inclement weather has canceled a Roanoke Rapids City Council retreat scheduled for Thursday.

The retreat will be rescheduled for a later date not yet determined.

The expected inclement weather has already forced closure of Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County and Weldon City Schools for Wednesday as of this report. Gingerbread House preschool will also be closed Wednesday.

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City Manager Joseph Scherer said at this evening’s council meeting, city administrative offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday. They will reopen on a two-hour delay Thursday.

In his report to council this evening, the city manager said, “We are again facing a winter storm that will test our departments to respond effectively to provide for our citizen’s safety, which I know they will do with pride.”
Public Works Director Larry Chalker told council the department started brine production this morning and will continue applying the mixture to city streets throughout the evening. “All 93 miles will be covered with salt brine. It helps us to better remove any accumulating snow from the streets.”

The city is currently on its second supply of salt, which equates to an amount which fills two tractor-trailer size dump truck loads.

The city, Chalker said, continues to perfect its brine-making process and this year was able to produce 16 percent more brine while using 19 percent less salt. “Knowing that it’s $10,000 per order, that’s real dollars in savings.”

Chalker said current predictions are for 3 to 4 inches of snow to fall, but added, “We could see as high as 4 to 7. They’ve been talking an increased threat. In our area it’s difficult to get an accurate forecast. We’re planning for the worst, but hoping for the best.”

Chalker’s comments to council essentially fall in line with the NWS forecast, which says 2 to 4 inches of snow is possible through Wednesday afternoon and evening with locally higher amounts beginning in the early morning hours Wednesday.

City Manager Joseph Scherer confirmed this evening no action was taken following the briefing.

Earlier today Scherer said, referring to Tom and Evon McClean, who are in a due diligence period before buying the venue, “I believe they are pleased with everything they’ve looked at so far.”

Referring to City Attorney Gilbert Chichester, the city manager said, “Mr. Chichester has been in contact with their lawyers to finalize terms of their contract.”
Before going into closed session, Chichester said, “It’s been going well. Everything is on track. The due diligence has presented no obstacles. A closing date should be set in the near future.”

That period has allowed the McCleans to review documents, inspection reports, the building and its systems before signing.

In November, city council unanimously adopted a resolution which approved the final bid offer of the McCleans to buy the theater for $3 million. They have already made a $150,000 down payment. There were no upset bids.

Part of the resolution approved said, “Roanoke Rapids City Council deems it advisable and in the best interest of the city to sell its interest in the subject property to the successful bidder and convey its interest in said property by special warranty deed.”