The Lady Yellow Jackets pulled off their second shutout against Southern Vance this season.

Cassidy Dickens pitched seven innings for the Jackets with seven strike-outs, and only allowing eight singles.

At the plate for the Jackets, Camden Bierbauer was 2-3 with a single and a 2 RBI double, HBP and 3 stolen bases. Abbi Carpenter was 2-3 with a single and an RBI double and a stolen base . Kaitlin Rogerson was 1-2 with a single, base on balls and an RBI and Meagan Colston was 1-2 with a 2 RBI single. Makayla Pair had a base on balls, Lily Curtis had 2 base on balls and a stolen base.

The Lady Jackets remain undefeated at 14-0 and 12-0 in conference play.

Goals for the Jacket were by Morgan Davis,  Ella King and Catherine Macnichol.

Ella King had an assist as well.

Elena Miller had 14 saves in goal for the Jackets.

Post match comments from Jackets coach Craig Jean, "It was a great team victory tonight.  They stepped up and played hard to secure the conference championship. Elena Miller was great in goal. A lot of girls took advantage of their playing time tonight and rose to the occassion and gave their best effort. This group of girls  has worked very hard to get us where we are right now- undefeated conference champions- from where we finished last year. We will close out the regular season next week (senior night vs Bunn Wednesday) and then get ready for the playoffs."

2018 Lady Jackets 

Granville Central        7-1     Win     Overall record  1-0

Louisburg                 9-0     Win     Overall record  2-0

Southern Vance        10-1   Win     Overall record  3-0

South Granville         2-0     Win     Overall record  4-0

Bunn                       4-1     Win     Overall record  5-0

Northern Vance        9-0     Win     Overall record  6-0

Northeastern            9-0     Win     Overall record  7-0

Granville Central      10-0    Win     Overall record  8-0

Louisburg                  10-1   Win     Overall record  9-0

Northern Vance        Forfeit Win     Overall record 10-0

JF Webb                   9-0     Win     Overall record 11-0

Southern Vance      10-1     Win     Overall record 12-0

Hertford County        9-0     Win     Overall record 13-0

South Granville         3-1     Win     Overall record  14-0

The victim was treated and released following the shooting, which Roanoke Rapids police responded to around 11:30 p.m., Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

The matter occurred in the 100 block of Charles Circle in the Southgate community, Hasty said.

The call came in as a disturbance with shots fired.

Officers found the victim was shot in the lower leg.

The victim told officers three to four people entered the residence, fired several shots and left.

Hasty said there are no further suspect descriptions at this time. “It’s all under investigation. We’re trying to determine what really happened.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Investigator J. Benthall at 252-326-2924 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

City County Drug Task Force

Captain A.M. Harris said agents D.J. Epperson and C.A. Parker encountered a Littleton man in the parking lot of a business on Premier Boulevard Thursday shortly after 7 p.m.

Agents could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

During the search of the vehicle agents seized approximately 67 grams of marijuana and several items of marijuana paraphernalia which included several containers containing marijuana and cigars.

Epperson arrested and charged Derreyl Emile Blake Jr., 39, of Bowers Road, Littleton, for felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Blake received a $2,500 bond and May 16 court date.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy Scott Hall reported on April 20 around 8 p.m., Lieutenant J. Bozard responded to a trespassing call in Halifax.

Bozard learned the trespasser left the area.

Several vehicles parked on the lot at D&D Garage were broken into and items stolen.

Sergeant Roy Ball located the suspect walking in the area of Halifax.

Ball identified the man as David Harold Lee Horton, 60, of Jackson, and reportedly found him in possession of stolen property taken from various vehicles at D&D Garage.

Bozard arrested and charged Horton with four counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, two counts of larceny, one count of possession of stolen property, and one count of financial transaction card theft.

Horton received a $5,000 secured bond pending a May 16 court date.

The stolen property was returned to the victim.

Weldon Police Department

Lieutenant Chris Davis reported on April 17 around 7:26 p.m., Sergeant T. Mason was working a safety check point on Country Club near Hampton Farm road when he noticed someone throw an item out of the window of an oncoming vehicle.

Mason located the item and discovered it contained marijuana.

Mason identified each person in the vehicle. One was a juvenile.

Mason charged Weldon Manik Jackson, 50, of Weldon, with felony possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, contributing to delinquency of a minor, promote drug sales by a minor and driving while license revoked.

Mason charged the juvenile with felony possession of marijuana and possession of  heroin. Jackson was taken before a magistrate where he received a $5,000 secured bond and May 2 court date.

The juvenile was taken before a magistrate. The juvenile received no bond.

Mason also charged Garfield Green III, 44, of Weldon, with simple possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia on a state uniform citation.

Officers N. Coles and Q. Godley assisted.

Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

Lieutenant Mike Sledge reported the following:

On Saturday deputies were conducting a checking station in the Rich Square area when a man came through irate.

The man reportedly cursed at officers and Deputy W. Whitley arrested and charged Eric Tyrone Robinson, 36, of Rich Square, for disorderly conduct.

On Saturday Deputy R.Horton and Sledge were following up on complaints in the Rich Square area when Horton noticed a motor vehicle violation.

Sledge noticed the passenger adjusting his pants after being stopped.

Sledge asked the passenger to step out of the vehicle and at that time the passenger admitted he had marijuana.

Horton seized the marijuana and charged Cary Grant, 40, of Rich Square with simple possession.

Grant was also served with two orders for arrest out of Edgecombe County.

On Saturday deputies C. Bowser, Whitley and D.Rowe  were assisting in a checking station in the Rich Square area when a man came through with the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

Officers detained the person identified as Elijah Everette 18, of Tarboro, for further investigation. Deputies found marijuana under a seat.

Everette was cited and released.

On Saturday Kurt Long Jr., 23, of Murfreesboro surrendered to Rowe after learning he had armed robbery warrants out of Greensville County.

Long was jailed without opportunity for bond and extradition is pending.

The new officers are:

Fannie Greene, chairwoman

Dr. Natarajan Rajan, vice chairman

Drewery Beale, treasurer

Evelyn Dawson, secretary

The Halifax Regional board of directors reflects the economic, racial and ethnic diversity of the immediate and surrounding communities served by the medical center, the hospital said in a statement.

Greene is a Northampton County commissioner, and brings strong business and government acumen to the board.

Other officers include Rajan, urology physician at Halifax Regional; Beale, a businessman and former mayor of Roanoke Rapids; and Dawson, business woman and former director of Halifax County Department of Social Services and former co-owner and executive director of BriteSmilz Family & Community Connections.

“We are honored to be elected as officers of this board and work as a team with the other dedicated members of this group. The board is committed to promoting the vision, mission and values of Halifax Regional,” said Greene.

The newly elected officers and members provide executive direction to the full board, which in-turn provides governance to ensure Halifax Regional operates both effectively and efficiently, and performs in a financially viable manner.

The board also has a duty to ensure that Halifax Regional delivers quality health care and achieves its mission of providing excellent and compassionate care to all.

Additionally, board members help Halifax Regional build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders, volunteers, civic leaders, donors, and the foundation board of directors.

Newly re-elected board members serving an additional three-year term include Greene, Rajan, Dawson and Reverend Randy Martin.

The 15-member board serves as the governing body over the organization.

In addition to the officers, the board includes the current chief of the medical staff, the immediate past chief of the medical staff, the chief executive officer of the corporation and members elected by the board from the community at large.  

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. in the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall.

Recreation Advisory Committee

Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 12 p.m. at T.J. Davis Recreation Center.

Library Advisory Committee

Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Roanoke Rapids Public Library.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall located at 700 Jackson Street to hear the following item(s) prior to making a final decision.

1. A Zoning Map Amendment (rezoning) request from Travis Whitby (applicant) and Vernon T. Bradley, Jr. Living Trust/Trustee (property owner) to rezone a 0.713-acre undeveloped parcel with approximately 185± feet of frontage along Chockoyotte St at intersection of 4th Ave from B-4, Commercial, to R-6, Residential District. The property is identified as Halifax County parcel 0919963 in the City’s Planning & Zoning Jurisdiction. The property is located adjacent to the east of Chockoyotte Park. The requested R-6 district allows single-family residential uses.

Any resident or property owner in the city’s zoning jurisdiction may submit written statements concerning this matter. Please include your name and address on all written statements and submit to City Clerk Traci Storey at least two business days prior to the City Council meeting (deadline of 12 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018).  After this deadline, citizens are encouraged to attend the public hearing to present comments.

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:  

No vacancies at the present time.

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

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

Located at the intersection of highways 903 and 301, town Commissioner Christina Wells said, “I am very impressed with the store’s facade and how seamlessly a modern convenience store blends with our history.”

Mayor John White said the design of the store was planned methodically. “We talked with them about the design. Some people were concerned about it not fitting in with our history. They did everything we asked them to do.”

White has been lobbying for a store in Halifax for some time now. “It will immediately add to the tax base. There’s not anything even close to this. The sales tax revenues will make a big difference to our tax base. It was something the town needed.”

Since stores in the uptown district of Halifax closed years ago, there was a need, he said. “We’re glad the store finally came and the town is pleased with the design of the building. It’s really going to be a good thing for the town of Halifax.”

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On Saturday the store will not only offer $10 gift cards to the first 50 customers, but gift bags, totes and other giveaways.

“This is a great day for Halifax County and the town of Halifax,” Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant said. “It will be a great asset to the county. It’s in a good location. We’ve been excited about it and we’re happy about the jobs that come with it.”

For Edith Hawkins, a longtime resident of the town, the store is something she’s excited about. “I think it’s wonderful the store came to Halifax. I wish it had been here when I was a young girl. I think it will be a great asset to Halifax.”

Gary was born May 26, 1959, in Halifax County, a son of Lloyd Winston Thomas and Shelvie Jean Vaughn Thomas, both of whom preceded him in death.

He served in the US Navy; then became an excellent welder.   

Gary worked at Caledonia prison where he was a kitchen supervisor.

Gary loved his daughter and his entire family.  He liked woodworking, fishing, skiing and fabricating.

Survivors include his daughter, Jamie Lynn Hux; his brothers, Ricky, Pat and Gary Thomas; and his former wife, Donna McKibbon.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday at River City Church, 64 Washington St., in Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall after the service.

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

Hawkins surrounded by her peers and family in Halifax Academy's gym announced she will play golf as a Barton College Bulldog.

Pictured above is Taylor Hawkins (father), Kate Hawkins, Doris Hawkins (Mother) Back Row: H.T. Hawkins (grandfather) Will Hawkins (brother) Golf coach and Uncle Jay Strickland, Selma Hawkins (grandmother)  

The events which led to the arrest of Isaiah Kahleal Evans Caesar, 18, began when his grandmother, Sally Copeland Evans, 74, had not been seen by family members for a couple of days and became concerned, Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement.

Her grandson had been wanted for desertion by the United States Marine Corps.

Tripp said the reason why Caesar deserted was not immediately clear. He has been absent without leave since April 2 and had been stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, Tripp said in the statement.

His grandmother had been trying to convince him to return to the military.

The sheriff’s office received information he was at a hotel room in Rocky Mount and with assistance from the city’s police department he was taken into custody. Caesar used his grandmother’s credit card to pay for the room.

Explosive material was found in his room and the hotel was evacuated. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was called to assist. No bomb was found.

Tripp said he couldn’t comment on whether the explosive material was government issued.

As investigation continued, investigators learned of the location of Evans, who was found deceased at an undisclosed location in the Roanoke Rapids area.

Tripp would not elaborate on where she was found.

He declined to say how Evans was murdered.

In addition to the murder charge, he was served a fugitive warrant for desertion and was jailed without opportunity for bond until his May 16 court date.

Chaloner broke open a close 5-2 game with scoring 7 runs the last 3 innings of the game.

Josh Coker was the leading hitter for the Jackets with 3 hits (including two doubles and 2 RBI's.) Wade Jenkins had two doubles and 1 RBI. Caleb Elias also had a double and a single with 2 RBI's. Landen Birdsong had a 2 run triple. Avery Johnson had a 2 run double. Austin Geary, Matt MacNichol, and Braxton Hammock each added singles for the Jackets.

Braxton Coggins was the starting pitcher for the Jackets and pitched for 3 innings striking out 4 batters, while only giving 1 hit, 4 walks, and 2 runs. Caleb Elias came in to complete the game giving up no runs and 2 hits. He struck out 4 batters while walking 4 batters.

This past weekend both freshmen traveled to Baltimore Maryland with Squire Richmond Green team and earn the 9th Grade Gold Division win going undefeated 6-0.

The team will travel to Durham NC this weekend for a one day tournament.

Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 2:00 pm in Cedarwood Cemetery with Pastor Wayne Marshall Officiating.

The Family will receive Friends Tuesday evening, May 1,2018, at Wrenn Clarke & Hagan Funeral Home from 7:00 Until 8:30 pm.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, May 2, 2018,  at Cedarwood Cemetery with Rev. Norwood Starling officiating.

Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where the family will receive friends Tuesday evening, May 1, 2018, from 7:00 until 8:30.

Western Carolina University Posted stats:

Career: Recorded 165 tackles over his four-year career including 106 solo stops and five tackles for loss … Finished with three career interceptions … Was a two-time SoCon Defensive Player of the Week during his career, earning the honor in both his junior and senior seasons.
2017 (Senior): Recorded his single-season career best with 67 tackles including 39 solo stops and two TFLs, playing in all 12 games with 11 starts at cornerback … Twice posted nine-tackle games – at home against Mercer (Nov. 11) and at ACC-foe, North Carolina (Nov. 18) where he finished with a career-best eight solo stops … Credited with eight tackles including six solo stops and a tackle for loss in earning Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week following the home win over Samford (Sept. 23) … Broke-up a pass in the end zone on the game’s final play that secured WCU’s victory over the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, halting a 27-game winless drought against nationally-ranked FCS competition ... Selected preseason second-team All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ... Also garnered second team honors on the preseason All-SoCon team by College Sports Madness ... Nominated for the 2017 Allstate / AFCA Good Works Team.

2016 (Junior): Started 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action, missing the start against Chattanooga ... Finished with a single-season, career-best 61 tackles including 43 solo stops and three for loss ... Twice posted double-digit tackle games with a career-high 12 at Mercer (Oct. 15) and 10 at Samford (Oct. 22) ... Credited with seven pass break-ups ... Named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 7 after returning a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown and intercepting a pass with a 65-yard return in the home win over VMI (Nov. 5), finishing with 103 all-purpose yards ... Also participated in track & field in the spring semester, earning SoCon Track Athlete of the Week on May 4 ... Returned one kickoff 35 yards at South Carolina (Nov. 19) ... Was the SoCon men's champion in the 100-meter dash, setting a WCU school-record in the preliminary rounds with a time of 10.33 which qualified him for the NCAA East Preliminary ... Tallied a pair of interceptions including one returned 60 yards for a touchdown in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2015 (Sophomore): Saw action in all 11 games, each as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Credited with 20 tackles including 13 solo stops ... Twice recorded a career-best five tackles against Mars Hill (Sept. 5) and at Wofford (Oct. 17) ... Intercepted two passes, tallying his first career pick against Mars Hill and second against Wofford, also charting a pass break-up at SEC-foe, Tennessee (Sept. 19) ... On special teams, returned two kickoffs for a total of 35 yards including a long of 22 yards at Chattanooga (Oct. 31).

2014 (Freshman): Played in all 12 games on special teams and as a defensive substitution ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) ... Finished with 17 tackles including 11 solo stops ... Credited with four pass break-ups ... Tallied his first career tackle at home against Brevard (Sept. 6) ... Posted a then career-high four tackles including three solo stops against Catawba (Sept. 13) ... Tallied his first pass break-up at Mercer (Oct. 18) ... Tallied one rush on offense, carrying the ball 16 yards on an end-around vs. The Citadel (Oct. 25) ... Also returned one kickoff 21 yards at Samford (Nov. 8) ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with four tackles including one for loss and a pair of pass break-ups in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A four-sport athlete who played quarterback and in the defensive secondary as a safety on the football gridiron ... Rushed for 1,752 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense and recorded a team-high seven interceptions as a senior... Recorded a 419 yard rushing performance with four touchdowns in a win over Granville Central ... Named N.C. Preps 1-A All-State as a defensive back ... Earned "best camper" title at the Steve Wilkes Defensive Back Camp ... Also ran track as a prep, finishing second in the state at the 1-A level in the 400-meter dash ... High school coach was George Privott.

Personal: Is the son of Winnie Webb and Thomas Crossen ... Has a older sister, Tanisha Crossen, and a older brother, Travis Williams.

Sadler finished fifth in the event but was the top finisher of the four drivers that were qualified for the bonus. Sadler won the $100,000.00 "Dash 4 Cash" bonus last Friday in Richmond's Virginia's event.

The game went to 9 innings to determine the winner, with Roanoke Rapids scoring in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 3-2.

It was a scoreless game until the bottom of the 6th inning that put the Lady Yellow Jackets up 2-0.

The Lady Eagles came back in the top of the 7th and tied it up 2-2.

The Lady Yellow Jackets scored the walk off run with a stolen base in the bottom of the 9th for the win.

At the plate for the Lady Jackets:  Makayla Pair was 2-4 with 2 singles, Abbi Carpenter had a single, Kaitlin Rogerson was 4-4 with 4 singles, Cassidy Dickens had a single, Meagan Colston had a single and a sacrifice hit with an RBI, Riley Landen was 3-4 with 2 singles and a double and had a stolen base to win the game.

Cassidy Dickens pitched 6 innings with 2Ks, and 7 hits with 2 runs. Lily Curtis pitched 3 innings with 4Ks, BB, with 2 hits.

Game Photos by Randy Wrenn

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The Lady Vikings rallied, but couldn't finish the job and dropped the game by a score of 4-3.

"The girls gave a great effort and really played well, especially in the second half when they scored all three goals," stated coach Tim George.  "The defense played well, but RMA had some very good goals to put the game away,' George added.

For the Vikings, Whitney George scored 2 goals, Abby George netted one with an assist and Maddie Suiter contributed a pair of assists in the loss.

The team will recognize the seniors Thursday night during a Senior Night match up against Faith Christian in a home match at 5 pm.