On Friday at approximately 1:30 a.m., Officer J. Shelburne conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by a person with warrants on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.   

The driver, Ruby Peterson, 33, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested on two outstanding orders for arrest and was also charged with driving while license revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A passenger, Marcus Antoine Blount, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, was found in possession of a concealed handgun and was arrested and charged for the violation.

A second passenger, Dustin Mark Mountford, 27, of Weldon, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and was arrested and charged for the violation.

The three have May 14 court dates.

Peterson received a $3,000 bond; Blount a $1,000 bond and Mountford a $500 bond.

Lieutenant P. Parks, Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer R. Cross assisted.

On Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m., Officer C. Hagbourne responded to a larceny call in the 100 block of Jackson Street.

The victims gave a description and the direction in which the two suspects fled.

Hagbourne located and identified the pair in the 300 block of Madison Street.

Hagbourne found stolen items, narcotics and paraphernalia on Westwood Lego, 37, and Melissa Ann Underwood, 39, both of Roanoke Rapids.

Lego was arrested and charged with larceny, possession of stolen goods, possession of marijuana, possession of oxycodone and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

He received a $2,000 bond and April 13 court date.

Underwood was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She received a $2,000 bond and April 18 court date.

Sergeant M. Moseley and Officer A. Green assisted.

Last Wednesday March 28th, #4 seed City of RR beat #2 seed Reser's 55-41 and #1 seed Lowes Distribution beat #6 seed Georgia Pacific 54-42.

Now #4 seed City of Roanoke Rapids will battle #1 seed Lowe's Distribution Wednesday April 4th with a 6PM tipoff.

On Friday around 9:45 a.m., Officer N. Coles responded to an area motel about possible drug activity.

Coles was located the vehicle in question and identified the two occupants.

Coles located a used syringe and five folded paper packs containing cocaine.

Coles charged Matthew Scott Liverman, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, and Jessica Brooke Nowell, 21, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle for use, storage, or sale of controlled substances.

Liverman received a $6,750 secured bond and Nowell received a $3,000 secured bond.

Both have April 18 court dates.

Sergeant R. Ball and Deputy A. Cash with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office assisted.

On Friday around 3:19 p.m., Coles responded to a local convenience store located in the 100 block of East Second Street on a shoplifting call.

Coles was unable to locate the suspect at the time but viewed the security video.

On Saturday around 11:07 a.m., Coles located the suspect on Sycamore Street and was identified by the clerk as the person who reportedly removed items.

He was charged with misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen property.

The suspect refused to give information about himself and was listed as John Doe until he was processed at the Halifax County Detention Center was found to be Rashid Hyman, 36, of Garysburg.

He has an April 18 court date.

On Friday around 11 a.m., Sergeant R. Ball received a call regarding the location of a stolen firearm.

Ball responded to the area of County Road in Weldon in an attempt to locate the suspect vehicle where the stolen firearm was stored.

Ball located the vehicle on County Road and the driver was identified as Clarice Booth, 60, of Roanoke Rapids.

Investigation revealed Booth was in possession of five firearms.

One of the firearms was reported stolen from a previous matter in Halifax County.

All the firearms were seized and Booth was arrested and charged with possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by felon.

She received a $20,000 bond pending an April 18 court date.

On March 19 deputies responded to a larceny call in the Highway 561 area of Halifax.

The victim reported a variety of power tools were stolen.

Through further investigation by Detective R.B. Biggerstaff, warrants were obtained on Morgan Elizabeth Proctor, 24, of Halifax.

Proctor was charged with larceny and obtaining property by false pretense, which stemmed from the stolen property being located at a pawn shop.

Proctor was arrested on Friday and received a $5,000 bond with a first appearance in court set for April 18.

Clary's Motor Speedway is set to host their first race of the 2018 season Saturday April 7th with six divisions racing (Late Model, Limited Sportsman, Pure Stock V8, Super Stock 4 Cylinder, Pure Stock 4 Cylinder, and U-Car).

The Pure Stock V8 division will be having a special event on April 7th paying $500 to win and the points race will start on April 7th as well.

Pit gates will open at 2:30 PM with grandstand gates opening at 4:00 PM. Drivers meeting will be between 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM with racing to follow.

Make your plans this Saturday night April 7th as Clary's Motor Speedway "Where Legends Are Born" host their first race of 2018. Don't miss out on some of the best dirt track racing in the Carolinas as six action packed divisions go door to door to see who claim their spot in victory lane. Come feel the excitement and make Clary's Motor Speedway your home track in 2018.

 April 7th Admission Prices:

(Grandstands) Adults: $12

(Grandstands) Ages 7-12: $6

(Grandstands) Kids 6 & Under: Free

(Pits) Adults: $25

(Pits) Ages 7-12: $12

(Pits) Kids 6 & Under: Free

He made his comments before adjournment of city council’s meeting.

His comments came after he appealed to the Halifax County Board of Elections Monday. The board voted to uphold a decision reached by the previous board which left Roanoke Rapids without an early voting site.

“I don’t know what else can be done,” he said following this evening’s meeting. “If there’s no option there’s no need to pursue it.”

Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough said afterward she spoke with the state Board of Elections today, calling Raleigh as a citizen, and was told if the decision made by the county board was unanimous, there was nothing which the state do.

Three members of the four-person panel cast votes on the issue Monday. The person who was appointed for the fourth seat declined the appointment.

Scarbrough said she told the state office the issue “was causing a lot of unhappiness” in the city.

During the meeting this evening, the mayor said, “My sole purpose was to represent the people who live in this city.”

Roanoke Rapids, Doughtie said, makes up 25 to 28 percent of the county population.

Doughtie went to the board Monday to offer it the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street, where council meets and other functions are held. “I was told it was unsafe and there were chaotic situations (during voting). I didn’t feel like that was an accurate description of how voting (takes place there).”

He questioned early voting taking place at Halifax Community College where there have been two bomb threats within a week of another.

Said Doughtie: “I feel like I got shut down. I felt like I was trying to make it fair and equitable for the citizens of Roanoke Rapids.”

The decision which led to the city not having an early voting site was tied to oversight on the city’s part which made the Neighborhood Resource Center on Jackson Street unavailable.

The board has been using the center since 2014.

In other matters this evening:

Council approved a contract with Gregory T. Redman CPA to conduct the city’s annual audit for 2018 at a cost of $19,900.

Were told by City Manager Joseph Scherer in his report the city attorney, police chief and state enforcement officials met today with owners of Carolina Inn. The parties signed an agreement the owners must improve and maintain the physical property, improve security and operate the facility as a motel instead of a boarding house. “We feel this will help improve the living conditions there and drastically reduce the number of incidents the police department responds to there.”

A native of Halifax County, she was born to the late Leon Long and Margie Pepper Peffer.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Wayne Braswell, Sr., her sister, Linda Peffer Owens and her brother, Leon Long Peffer, lll.

She is survived by her sons, Richard Long Braswell, Douglas Wayne Braswell, Jr. both of Littleton, her granddaughter, Emily Paige Braswell, sister, Darlene Taylor and her husband, Bobby of Kinston, two brothers, David Peffer of Roanoke Rapids and Terry Peffer and his wife Susan of Henderson, brother-in-law Johnny Braswell of Roanoke Rapids and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday April 5, 2018 at 2 P.M.  in the Chapel of Askew Funeral and Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Randy Martin officiating.

Interment will follow in the Braswell family cemetery in Littleton.

The family will receive friends Wednesday April 4, 2018 from 7-8:30 at Askew Funeral and Cremation Services 731 Roanoke Rapids.

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

Last week's Tuesday March 27th tournament scores were:  New Life 82  VS  Victory 60 and Rosemary 71  VS  New Testament 55 and Calvary 67  VS  South Rosemary 61 advancing Calvary to play Rosemary this past Tuesday April 3rd and the winner playing New Life for the Championship.

Rosemary beat Calvary 68-55 to turn around and play New Life for the Championship. Rosemary beat New Life 63-61.

Pictured above is 2018 Tournament Champions Rosemary Baptist basketball team.

Front Row left to right - Walt Brown, Jase Elias, Cameron Yarboro

Back Row left to right - Thomas Merritt, Taylor Norton, Jordan Sheppard, Preacher Layne Wallace , Jordan Nixon and Zach Vincent.

Not  pictured Scott Elias, Joshua Elias, Jack Neville.

While we believe the argument by the Halifax County Board of Elections the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall is unsafe is pure malarkey, the time to find an alternative site in the city is slipping away so the solution is just vote.

We know there should be an early voting site in the city and we would demand the oversight which caused the loss of the Neighborhood Resource Center on Jackson Street not be repeated and the county board of elections give us back a site for the November election and those in the future.

In our estimation it can be seen as disenfranchising every voter in the city who wants to do their civic duty but who are now forced to go outside their realm.

Early voting in our estimation is a convenience and while rejection of a one-stop site in Roanoke Rapids by the county board of elections Monday has caused a huge inconvenience for those who like it and take part in it, some sacrifices will have to be made and it is to cast your ballot.

Early voting schedule

Early voting is scheduled to begin April 19 and 20 at the Halifax County Cooperative Agriculture Building on Ferrell Lane in Halifax from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then April 23 through April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It then will run April 30 through May 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be one Saturday for voting on May 5 from 8:30 a.m.to 1 p.m.

Additional sites include First Baptist Church at 577 West Franklin Street in Enfield; Halifax Community College in rooms 401 A and 401 B and Scotland Neck Town Hall at 1310 Main Street.

Early voting at the additional sites runs April 30 through May 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a Saturday, May 5 date, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Too important of an election

It’s too important of an election to not participate in just because we’re now forced to drive to Halifax Community College or go to another site.

There’s an important county commissioner race; a sheriff’s race; a clerk of court race and a district attorney race which make it crucial for voters in Roanoke Rapids to have their say.

You can bemoan the loss of the resource center this go-round or you can find an early voting location or wait until primary day but whatever you do, don’t let the fact Mayor Emery Doughtie was shot down Monday in offering the Andrews building be a stumbling block. Just vote.

If you’re not comfortable with having an elderly friend or relative make the drive down the often chaotic Julian R. Allsbrook Highway to HCC, give them a ride. If there’s a friend or relative who typically walks to the resource center offer them a ride as well.

And make sure you vote yourself.

Unfortunately, the damage has been done and the next course of action, as we see it, is what we’ve already mentioned — make sure this doesn’t happen again, demand a return of an early voting site in the city and just vote.

We enjoy early voting ourselves and found the resource center to be an easy place to vote and by parking on the side of Jackson Street found it a convenient way to sidestep the hucksters with pre-marked sample ballots or candidates trying to force upon us their campaign material when we have educated ourselves on the issues and candidates before stepping into a precinct.

We share in the anger we don’t have a place to practice our early voting since Roanoke Rapids is the largest city in Halifax County.

However, we will not let its loss bring us down or curb our appetite to elect who we believe should lead our county, our law enforcement or our judicial system.

Yes, it was wrong for the county board to reject the mayor’s proposal but what would be even more agregious is to let it deflate our passion for picking our leaders.

We encourage everyone to let their voices be heard; we encourage everyone to demand an early voting site be returned to the city and while we won’t demand it, we would encourage everyone in the city who feels slapped in the face by the omission of Roanoke Rapids to just vote — Editor

The spill was an estimated 2,400 gallons from two separate manholes located at Highway 48 and Bell’s Creek in the Roanoke Rapids area. The untreated wastewater spilled into the waters of the state tributary in the Roanoke River Basin.

The RRSD said in a notice on the matter the spill was due to a pipeline blockage of fats, oils, grease and rags backing up the pipes.

Preparation is being made for all known repairs to reduce the source of backup and return the pipe system to service and minimize further discharge.

Pamphlets describing the proper handling of fats, oils and grease will be handed out to area residents on the matter.

The state Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources was notified of the event Monday and is reviewing the matter.

Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where a Memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, April 6, 2018 in the Chapel with Pastor Larry May officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following services.

rrspin.com submitted the following questions for all the candidates:

Residence

I reside in Roanoke Rapids near Chockoyotte Park. I moved here in 2006 from Norwalk, Ct.

Occupation

I am retired, teaching Adult Continuing Education at Halifax Community College since 2009.

Children

I'm the father of three children, two boys, one girl, no grands (no hurry).

Education

I hold a GED for high school and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in African-American Studies from Fordham University in New York.

Civic, church or other community organizations of which you are involved

I currently sit on three community services boards in Halifax County: The Roanoke Rapids Planning Board, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Board for Halifax County and the Human Relations Board for Halifax County; which I'd like to help make more functional.

Why are you running; why do you believe you are qualified to run; what difference can you make or in the case of an incumbent candidate, what difference have you made?

I'm running for a seat on the county commissioners board because I see gaps in services and inequities in spirit of the existing board members. I have been a catalyst to increase voter interest and participation in local elections since I started running for office in 2014. I have successfully helped candidates become elected in the Roanoke Valley since 2008.

Would you support renovations for Weldon High School or do you support construction of a new school? Please explain your reasons on why or why not?

I am in favor of repairing or replacing Weldon High School, whichever is the most feasible. It is obvious that it needs to be done. Cost effectiveness as well as duration of a final plan.I don't think a $38k consultant plan was necessary to reach this conclusion.

Over the past year or so, commissioners and funding of education, particularly in the county school system, have come under fire. Do you believe schools are being adequately funded? Why are or why not? What do we have to do to create top-tier school systems in Halifax County?

I think the schools are not being funded equitably. The primary effort for all school systems should be to improve academic performance. Our current county commissioners deny responsibility in this area. To improve our schools, our focus should be centered on finding the best affordable methodologies to improve reading and comprehension for all of our students.

What is the role of county commissioners in recruiting economic development? What needs to be done to strike a balance between industrial, commercial and retail development in Halifax County?

Economic development hinges on the ability of our population to have a sound basic education in order grasp concepts and technologies as they rapidly change.

Do you have any personal financial issues which might make the public perceive you would not be a good steward of the county’s money — foreclosures, liens, bankruptcy filings, things of that nature? If so how do you convince the public they can trust you with taxpayer money?

Any financial issues that I might have would not affect my ability to serve in the capacity of commissioner. Any perceptions to the contrary would be subjective and prejudicial. Poverty corrupts as does wealth. There is always a place of balance.

It appears there is a new push to put school merger back on the table for discussion. What are your thoughts on school merger either pro or con? Please elaborate on your beliefs on the matter.

The school merger issue falls under my views of goals for education. Improve academic performance and all three systems will be equal.

What are some other issues you believe need to be addressed in Halifax County and how would you go about addressing them?

I would advocate for economic empowerment zones in each township. All properties not in use for 3-plus years should be auctioned or rented at their current tax value. A moratorium should be set to freeze tax increases so that owners could afford improvements. This would give incentives for business development and hold costs down which in turn would hold down costs of goods and services to make them more affordable to the community at large.

The forums will provide citizens information related to registering to vote, absentee ballots, casting regular and provisional ballots and will have copies of Halifax County’s Primary Voting Schedule.

“We have scheduled the Voter Information Forums throughout Halifax County to provide citizens the opportunity to ask questions about the voting process,” said Charles McCollum, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the Roanoke Valley. “Moreover, we also are extending an invitation to all candidates for offices to attend the Voter Informational Forums.”

All forums are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted and the schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 9

Oak Grove Baptist Church/10614 Hwy 158/Littleton, NC 27850

Dr. C. E. McCollum, Pastor

Thursday, April 12

Ivory Hill Baptist Church/4505 Medoc Mountain Rd/Enfield, NC 27823

Rev. Felix Petteway, Pastor

Saturday, April 14 at 4 p.m.

Galilee Baptist Church/6417 Hwy 561/Tillery, NC 27839

Rev. Tony Barnes, Pastor

Monday, April 16

First Baptist Church/301 W 3rd St/Weldon, NC 27890

Dr. Quintrell Burrell Jr., Pastor

Tuesday, April 17

Simmons Grove Baptist Church/250 Huckleberry Bottom Rd/Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

Rev. Nehemiah Smith, Pastor

Monday, April 23

White Oak Baptist Church/1612 White Oak Rd/Enfield, NC 27823

Dr. Delano Miller, Pastor

Wednesday, April 25

Evans Gospel Clinic/674 Mills Rd/Hollister, NC 27844

Rev. William Evans, Pastor

Those improvements have the potential to turn the establishment back to a motel rather than a flophouse as its use is generally viewed now.

A companion chart contained in the complaint shows 49 calls the Roanoke Rapids Police Department has responded to since 2014.

Those 49 are only a fraction of the calls the police department has responded to, Chief Chuck Hasty said.

Those calls included in the complaint include the following:
Eleven for assaults

One for prostitution

Five for intoxicated persons

Four for loud noise or music

Two stabbings

Eight disturbances

Six for fighting

Six for controlled substances

Two for communicating threats

One for assault with a deadly weapon

One for a shooting

One for indecent exposure

One of the fights also included an assault on a government official and one of the stabbing calls involved an intoxicated person. One of the controlled substances complaints included an overdose while another controlled substance call involved the use of threats.

One of the disturbance calls was based on a shots fired complaint.

Since 2012 there have been a total of 981 calls to the Carolina Inn, which include a 2012 homicide, Hasty said Wednesday.

In January Hasty sent a letter to Josh Batten, assistant special agent in charge at North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement requesting assistance on a public nuisance action. “Criminal activities at this address include murder, gunfire, stabbings, fights, assaults, illegal drug use/sales, prostitution, disorderly conduct and loud noise.

“There is also a public health concern with pests, sanitary conditions, trash, plumbing issues and other life safety issues that we are currently working with the planning, public works, fire department and Halifax County Health Department.”

Said Hasty in the letter: “Traditional police methods have not solved the problems and calls for service relating to violent crimes have recently escalated. Roanoke Rapids Police Department and local residents are increasingly concerned about the disruptive and illegal activities occurring at this location.”

Batten declined comment Wednesday because the complaint has not been filed.

Contents of complaint

In the complaint, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester on behalf of the city and the state of North Carolina who are the plaintiffs in the case, wrote “the property is a tenement that is occupied by random parties and habituates.”

The complaint says Nilesh Patel and Darshan Enterprises for a considerable period of time before the filing of the complaint has been established, continued, maintained, owned and leased the Carolina Inn “as a place for the purpose of illegal possession of controlled substances as defined in the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.”

Patel and Darshan Enterprise have owned the establishment since 2009.

The property, the plaintiffs argue, has been run as a place where these repeated acts “constitute a breach of the peace, included, but not limited to affrays, assaults inflicting serious injuries, shots fired, robberies, loud, abusive and profane language, assaults on females, assaults on law enforcement officers and drunk and disruptive behavior.”

The plaintiffs believe, the complaint says, the establishment “has a general reputation among citizens in the community and among the law enforcement community as a public nuisance … and as a place where numerous unlawful activities have taken place and where police services are repeatedly needed.”

The premises, the plaintiff states,“has been operated in such a manner as to make said place indecent, disgraceful and intolerable for residents living nearby and the general public traveling the public streets adjacent to said premises either as pedestrians or in motor vehicles. And unless said nuisance is abated, these citizens will be subjected to the intolerable and dangerous conditions and illegal activity upon said property.”

Hasty letter and affidavit

In a letter sent to Patel on February 21, Hasty wrote a similar letter was sent in January of 2012. “In 2017, the calls for service at the property almost doubled from the previous year. You have been previously notified that your property was identified as a nuisance and would be the subject of a nuisance abatement action if these problems persisted.”

In the letter Hasty requested a March 22 meeting with the police department and ALE to discuss the future lawful use of the property.

A similar letter was sent to D.M. Daraji, the manager of the property.

In his affidavit, Hasty noted on March 6 he served Patel and Darshan Enterprise with a notice “the property was being used in a manner that could be illegal (under North Carolina statutes).”

Hasty stated the illegal activities which have occurred at the establishment and noted Patel has maintained a general reputation for being an absentee landlord and residing in another state.”

He said Patel has been unable to police his own property “and allows nuisance activity to occur.”

Hasty said he has observed on the property drug dealers, drug users, women with reputations as prostitutes, fights and weapons.

“I have encountered residents of the property with weapons on their person,” he wrote. “They have a reputation to be violent with law enforcement. Many of the calls for service for the property come from citizens within the community who are afraid of the patrons of the property.”

The chief wrote, “I have personally observed crack cocaine and marijuana on the property when my officers have conducted controlled substances arrests. This property is among the worst in the city limits of Roanoke Rapids and we do not have a week that goes by where officers do not respond to calls for service at the property or we receive complaints from citizens in the community.”

Hasty concluded the affidavit saying, “Based upon my personal experience at the property, reports from other officers who have personally responded to calls at the property, my training and reports from neighbors … I feel it is not safe for any law enforcement officer to respond to a call for service at the property without exposure to inordinate and undue danger.”

Solutions

In his report to council Tuesday, City Manager Joseph Scherer said the city attorney, police chief and state enforcement officials met with owners of Carolina Inn.

The parties signed an agreement the owners must improve and maintain the physical property, improve security and operate the facility as a motel instead of a boarding house. “We feel this will help improve the living conditions there and drastically reduce the number of incidents the police department responds to there,” Scherer said in his report.

Chichester said Wednesday he will appear in superior court later this month to have the consent judgment and final order of abatement signed by a judge.

“Defendants Darshan Enterprise and Nishel Patel assert that prior to the issuance of this consent judgment and order of abatement, they have already taken some steps to address the plaintiff’s concerns but still consent to the entry of this order,” Chichester wrote in the document.

Within 90 days of entry of the order, Darshan Enterprise must consent to a full inspection of the property by the city fire marshal or chief building inspector for the city, along with the county health department, to determine compliance with the state building code and other applicable local ordinances and state regulations.

As long as a motel or other lodging facility is operated on the property the current or future owners must do the following:

Require all guests to present a photograph form of government issued ID at time of check-in

Require all guests to present a valid credit card bearing the same name on the government ID which provides a security deposit on the room

Require all registered guests to complete a registration card with information such as full name, home address, vehicle license plate information, vehicle description, time of arrival and room number

Keep a hotel guest registry available for inspection at the request of any law enforcement officer

Require registered stay for no less than 24 hours with a maximum stay of 60 consecutive nights unless a legitimate contracting, construction or similar business from out of town is working in Halifax County or the city approves such other stay

Issue parking permits to be displayed for all vehicles of registered guests. Vehicles which do not have a required permit will be towed at owner’s expense

Install a minimum of 16 surveillance cameras

Install and maintain exterior lights on each side and back of the property to ensure parking lots are well lit and easily visible during nighttime hours. New lighting must be consistent with city code enforcement laws

Employ at least one on-site licensed security guard on the property Friday and Saturday nights. The security personnel must be approved by the police chief and the hours of operation shall be no less than from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Maintain a room rate of at least $35 per night for a guest with a security deposit securing the room

Require all guests to sign a written statement advising they read all the rules set forth

In addition to being required to trespass all known persons engaging in criminal activities, the owners must have proper signage advising the motel information and name and redesign the landscaping, maintain it and keep up with all shrubs, bushes and grass.

On Wednesday around 10:30 p.m., Lieutenant John Bozard was in the area of Highway 125 and Terry Lane in Halifax when he stopped a vehicle for a violation.

The driver was identified as Ryan Garner, 28, of Spring, Texas.

Further investigation led to the discovery of 38 Adderall tablets in his possession.

Garner was arrested and charged with felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance and he received a $1,000.00 bond with an April 18 court date pending.

On Wednesday around 9:30 p.m., Corporal M. Bishop received information regarding the location of a person with multiple outstanding criminal  warrants.

Bishop and Sergeant Roy Ball responded to the area of Highway 125 and Interstate 95 where they  located Jason Richardson, 30, of Roanoke Rapids.

Richardson was arrested and found in possession of a small amount of powdered cocaine. Further investigation revealed James Brown Jr., 28, of Roanoke Rapids, who was with Richardson, was in possession of powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone. Brown was arrested and charged with two counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance, two counts of trafficking opium, felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, felony maintaining a vehicle for storage of a controlled substance, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, simple possession of marijuana, simple possession of schedule II controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He received an April 18 court date and a $10,000 bond.

Richardson was charged with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance and served with the multiple outstanding criminal warrants.

He received a $13,500 bond pending an April 18 court date.  

A Halifax man was arrested Tuesday for a March 19 larceny in the area of Highway 561 in Halifax.

The victim advised a variety of power tools were stolen from his residence amd from inside a vehicle.

Through further investigation by detective R.B. Biggerstaff, warrants were obtained on Adam Oneal Pearson, 24.

Pearson was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense. The false pretense charges stem from locating the stolen property at a pawn shop in Roanoke Rapids.

He received a $5,000 bond and has an April 18 court date.

On Monday around midnight, deputies responded to a breaking and entering call on Neuse River Road in the Roanoke Rapids area.

The homeowner returned and discovered a person inside their residence.

The suspect fled after being confronted by the homeowner.

Lieutenant Steven Casey located the suspect walking in the area near the residence while enroute to the scene.

Casey and Corporal Derrick Moore took Kashelia Smith, 46, of Roanoke Rapids, into custody. Corporal Paul Ward charged her with felony breaking and entering and felony larceny after breaking and entering. She was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $3,000 bond with an April 18 court date pending.

On Saturday around 4 p.m., Bishop received a call for service regarding a disturbance at Spruce Court in Weldon.

Bishop noticed a crowd of people standing in the area.

When they spotted Bishop they began throwing narcotics and fled the area.

Bishop seized approximately 80 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of powdered cocaine, a Xanax pill, a bottle of promethazine, multiple digital scales, and two firearms.

Marquese Alston, 24, of Weldon, was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He received a $3,000 bond pending an April 18 court date.

Erik Rooks, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, was also arrested and charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for storage of a controlled substance, simple possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed gun, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance, simple possession of schedule V controlled substance, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He received a $20,000 bond pending an April 18 court date.

4-8 Year Olds

Seed 1 K & K Warriors
Seed 2 Weldon Baby Chargers
Seed 3 Resers Fine Food
Seed 4 Garysburg Vol. Fire Dept.
Seed 5 Don Poncho

Woody was born in Wayne County on May 31, 1935, the son of the late William and Estelle Woodard.

He served his country in the US Army.  

In 1962 he moved to Roanoke Rapids, where he became known as the "Lanceman."  

He retired from Lance, Inc. and later worked at Ralph's Barbecue, but the highlight of his career was when he became "Mr. Woody, the Bus Driver" for Roanoke Rapids Graded School District.

Woody was a faithful member of Victory Baptist Church where he served as deacon, usher, greeter and soul winner.

He loved all people and he loved life.

Woody is survived by his wife, Naomi; his daughter Vickie Blackley of Dyersburg, TN; his son Gene Woodard and wife Cheryl of Roanoke Rapids; his daughter Phyllis Ramsay and husband Stan of Morehead City; his daughter Grace Lucas and husband Danny of Roanoke Rapids; five grandchildren, April York and husband Donnie of Ripley, TN; Brandon Woodard of Roanoke Rapids; Brittany Clements and husband Brandon of Emporia, VA; Zachary Lucas and wife Karen of Matthews, NC; and Savannah Lucas of Roanoke Rapids; six great-grandchildren, Bailey York and Bryce York of Ripley, TN; Cade Clements, Presley Clements, Saylor Clements and Anniston Clements of Emporia, VA; and Baby Boy Lucas - due in May, of Matthews, NC; two sisters, Essie Smith of Goldsboro, NC and Linda Shaver of Apex, NC; and one brother, Harold Woodard of Princeton, NC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Layton Woodard, Leamon Woodard and Melvin Woodard; and by his sisters, Ann Giddings and Jesse Parnell.

The family will receive friends and family at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service from 6 - 8 pm on Saturday, April, 7, 2018.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Victory Baptist Church, 2360 Bolling Road, Roanoke Rapids, NC, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 8, 2018, with Pastor Jeremy Kobernat presiding.  Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Park.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Hockadayfs.com

Arrangements are under the care of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement the 23-hour campaign which spanned over four days resulted in the opening of 11 cases and 51 drug and weapon charges.

One handgun was seized along with heroin, crack, marijuana and oxycodone pills.

The undercover purchases were made throughout the county — at convenience store parking lots in Roanoke Rapids, Weldon and the Medoc community — in Enfield and a parking lot across from the elementary school in the Aurelian Springs community.

Seven offenders were arrested and several arrests are pending. The oldest offender identified was 55 years old and the youngest was 18 years old.

“I am very proud of the City County Drug Task Force to put a major dent in our drug problem in Halifax County,” Tripp said this afternoon.

Captain Anzell Harris of the task force said $1,300 worth of drugs were seized during the campaign.

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Those arrested Wednesday were:

Melvin Lynch, 55, of Roanoke Rapids, for sell cocaine, deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, conspiracy, felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia

Jesse Jamar Arrington, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, for felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, felon in possession of firearm, two counts of conspiracy and two counts of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance

Lynch and Arrington were arrested on Maria Avenue.

When agents were approaching the residence, Arrington tossed 8.6 grams of crack cocaine and a handgun while outside and agents also seized currency.

Lynch was in possession of crack cocaine in a pill container and a user amount of marijuana inside a $1 bill.

Lynch received a $15,000 bond and Arrington a $25,000 bond.

Ronnie Washington, 35, of Weldon, for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, sell marijuana, deliver marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver heroin, sell heroin, deliver heroin and two counts of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

Washington received a $30,000 bond

Quantrez Evans, 24, of Enfield, for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, sell marijuana and deliver marijuana. Evans received a $5,000 bond

Those arrested Thursday were:

Collie Davis Jr., 26, of Roanoke Rapids, for possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, sell cocaine and deliver cocaine.

Davis was arrested by Roanoke Rapids police Officer J. Shelburne and was served with the warrant for arrest. He received a $15,000 cash bond.

Jarell King, 24, of the Medoc community of Enfield, for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, sell marijuana and deliver marijuana. King received a $3,000 bond.

Phillip Johnson, 39, of Hollister, for possession with intent to manufacture sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, sell schedule II controlled substance, deliver schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, sell marijuana, deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance and manufacture/sell/deliver/possess a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school.

Johnson informed agents to meet in the Aurelian Springs community where he sold marijuana and 20 oxycodone pills. Johnson received a $30,000 bond

All arrested received April 16 court dates.

These investigations were conducted by agents C.A. Parker, D.R. Radford, D.J. Epperson and D.W. McKeel.

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug activity by calling the City County Drug Task Force at 252 535-1257 or logging onto www.halifaxsheriff.comand click on submit a tip.

The exercise brought together some 40 forest service and state parks rangers from around the region to burn approximately 250 acres, said Halifax County Assistant Ranger Adam Greene of the forest service.

The controlled, or prescribed burns, aid in burning up undergrowth and forest debris such as pine straw and leaves. This helps to reduce the intensity of future wildfires. “Certain plants, trees and wildlife species need fire in the landscape to thrive such as the longleaf pine, the red cockaded woodpecker and other valuable assets to our ecosystem,” Greene said.

As rangers set fires on the ground using drip torches, a state Forest Service helicopter came to the scene to drop potassium permanganate devices, also called aerial ignition spheres, to help speed the process. The helicopter also dropped water.

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County forest Ranger Jim Short said burning existing fuels helps in making future fires less intense.

“It’s a good team exercise,” Greene said.

Short said the burns are particularly good for new rangers. “We’ve got a lot of equipment and a lot of personnel. They can see how fire acts and watch the techniques. They can see how incident command works. It lets new people see how we work in a joint community.”

During the operation, Short said, the helicopter was called away to a fire in Chatham County.

“It was a good joint effort between state resources reducing the fuel load at Medoc Mountain State Park,” Greene said.

Arcola Fire Department assisted with water supply and Halifax County EMS Supervisor Bo Turner stood by for rehab and any treatment of injuries that could have occurred.

Greene said there will be smoke throughout the Medoc area through the rest of the evening and into the morning before rain is expected to set in.

On Thursday agents of the City County Drug Task Force arrested Kaywon Branch, 28, of Weldon, at River Falls Park.  

The Weldon Police Department received information Branch was in possession and selling illegal drugs in the Weldon area, sometimes while working his job with the town street department.  

Agent C.A. Parker was assigned the case and conducted follow-ups on Branch.

During the investigation, Branch met with a cooperating source assisting agents in an undercover capacity.

During the encounter Branch sold marijuana to the source at a convenience store on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway near Interstate 95.

Parker charged Branch with possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, sell marijuana and deliver marijuana.  

He received a $10,000 bond and April 16 court date.

On March 21, agents executed a search warrant on a vehicle in the Enfield area.  

During the search of the vehicle marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia was seized.

After the investigation was completed, Agent D.R. Radford charged Eric William Haaser, 28, of Clarksville, Maryland, with possessing marijuana more than one-half ounce to one and one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

Haaser was served at the Halifax County Magistrate’s Office on Thursday by Radford and received a $2,000 bond with an April 16 court date.

Agents D.J. Epperson, C. Babb and Parker assisted.