Dylan Dixon

On Thursday the Roanoke Valley team beat Burke County 6-0.

On Friday the Roanoke Valley team beat Wendell 6-0.

The Roanoke Valley 10 Under team will play Shelby Saturday at 10AM.

League director Pernell Edwards along with other volunteers put on the Free clinic to the area youth introducing the eight week up coming youth flag football season. Halifax County Sherriff's Department along with Northampton County Sherriff's Department and Garysburg police were on hand showing their support for the youth.

Carolina Shine is a co-ed league that offers flag football for ages 5-14 yrs old. Register today at www.csyflagfootball.org

Games will be played at Northampton County High on the baseball outfield on Saturdays.

Carolina Shine Flag Football Clinic:

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The Roanoke Valley All-stars who also won the 2018 Tar Heel League District 7 championship beat Wautauga 12-1 Saturday morning in Shelby to become State Champions.

No other information reported to RRspin Sports.

The Valley All-stars faced a District 7 tournament championship rematch with the Ahoskie team, and the outcome was the same with the Roanoke Valley team winning 6-5.

Cassidy Dickens worked the mound for the Valley all-stars facing 31 batters allowing eight hits with eight strikeouts and walking one batter.  

Gracie Mason worked center field for the RV team catching seven pop flies and ended the game with a double play at second base.

Caitlian Bobbitt had a triple and a single, Kylie Wade and MaKayla Pair two singles each, Meaghan Beam, Susanna Odom and Lexie Coley had a single each.

The Roanoke Valley 15U All-stars head to the State Championship game Sunday.

The Valley All-stars  suffered their first loss 5-7 of the State Tournament to force an if game in the double elimination tournament.

Cassidy Dickens went the distance on the mound for the Valley team pitching a complete game allowing 11 hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

At the plate for the Valley girls, Kylie Wade had two double and one RBI, Gracie Mason had a double and a single,  Susanna Odom had two singles and two RBI's, Meaghan Beam had two singles and one RBI. Rylie Wade and Grace Carroll had a single each.

In the if Championship game the Roanoke Valley All-stars earned the title of 2018 Tar Heel League State Champions.

RVGSL All Stars 15U Claims Lead in Seventh Inning to Defeat Shelby 15U All Stars

RVGSL All Stars 15U snatched the lead late in the game in a 14-11 victory over Shelby 15U All Stars on Sunday. The game was tied at 11 with RVGSL All Stars 15U batting in the top of the seventh when Meaghan Beam doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

RVGSL All Stars 15U was boosted by Grace Mason who went 4-for-4 at the plate. Mason singled in the second, singled in the fourth, singled in the fifth, and singled in the seventh.

Shelby 15U All Stars fired up the offense in the first inning, when Cassidy Dickens induced Sierra Coker to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored.

After RVGSL All Stars 15U scored one run in the top of the second, Shelby 15U All Stars answered with one of their own. RVGSL All Stars 15U scored when Rylie Wade singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. Shelby 15U All Stars then answered when Lia Farr singled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run.

Dickens got the start for RVGSL All Stars 15U. She allowed 20 hits and 11 runs over seven innings, striking out four and walking one.

RVGSL All Stars 15U racked up 16 hits in the game. Mason, Wade, Makayla Pair, and Beam all managed multiple hits for RVGSL All Stars 15U. Mason went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead RVGSL All Stars 15U in hits. RVGSL All Stars 15U didn't commit a single error in the field. Kylie Wade had the most chances in the field with seven. RVGSL All Stars 15U stole seven bases during the game as two players stole more than one. Pair led the way with two.

Shelby 15U All Stars racked up 20 hits. Maria Pendleton, Hannah Dover, Farr, Abby Wilman, Sayge Strange, Taylor Black, and Alexis Shope all managed multiple hits for Shelby 15U All Stars. Pendleton led Shelby 15U All Stars with four hits in four at bats. Dover led Shelby 15U All Stars with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with six stolen bases.

In Game 1 versus Burke County, the offense was very scarce as Jaina Davis reached on an error and later scored when Kalissa Williams singled. Kalissa Williams pitched for the RV All Stars and struck out 11 batters, but opening game jitters and playing in front of possibly the biggest crowd the girls had seen kept the girls from picking up a victory as the fell 3-1.

In Game 2 versus Western Harnett, the offense was alive and kicking, with the biggest explosion coming in the top of the 2nd, as the ladies scored 7 runs as they batted around. Kalissa Williams started it off with a singled and Sara Kate Ricks drew a walk. Jacey Carlisle singled to score Kalissa, Tyasia Stansbury doubled to bring home Sara Kate and Jacey, Alea Bullock singled to score Tyasia and the later scored on a past ball; then Alayna Davis singled and Skylar Wade drew a walk and Jaina Davis hit a triple to bring them both in. The ladies brought in 5 more runs after that inning, including a 2 run inside-the-park Homerun by Skylar Wade and Chloe Moore went for 7 Strikeouts pitching as the Roanoke Valley All Stars eliminated the Western Harnett All Stars 13-6.

Game 3 against Hickory was a nail bitter and was very much a strong showing of Defense by both teams. Kalissa Williams was back on the mound and struck out 6 batters as she struggled a bit with command and with a very tight strike zone. Roanoke Valley got on the board first in the top of the first, but struggled to manufacture runs after that. Hickory went up 3-1 when Jaina Davis, Kalissa Williams and Sara Kate Ricks all singled bringing Jaina Davis home to make it a 3-2 game. Hickory tacked on one more run to make it 4-2 until the top of the 6th when Alex Richardson drew a walk, Chloe Moore singled and Skylar Wade tripled scoring Chloe and Alex, but gout thrown out trying for home. Unfortunately a couple of walks led to the winning run for Hickory being scored, eliminating the Roanoke Valley 12U All Stars from the tournament, 5-4.

Coach Davis and Coach Williams would like to express our gratitude to the players and parents of this team. "It was an awesome experience and an honor to be a part of a great Team that achieved more than most believed they would. Finishing 2nd in the District and going 1-2 in the State Tournament was an awesome feat that isn't always possible for teams to achieve," stated Davis.

Bessie was born in Charleston, WV on July 21, 1923, the daughter of Okey and Niatia Bailey Walton.  

She was an educator, primarily teaching high school students, in the Roanoke Rapids Schools system for over 19 years.  A very active member of Good News Baptist Church, she was involved for as long as her health permitted.  

She is survived by her daughter, Melinda Hite; son and daughter-in-law, David Lee and Leah Willey; grandchildren, Ann Marie (Brad) Lassiter, Jessica (Eric) Russ, and Daniela Willey; great-grandson, Christian Lassiter; and her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Dale Graybill.   Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; 3 infant sons; her husband, Edgar Willey; and son-in-law, Darrell Hite.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 7:30 pm Tuesday at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.

The funeral service for Bessie Willey will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at Good News Baptist Church, with Pastors Jimmy King and Steve Melton presiding.

A private burial will be held at a later time.

Memorials may be sent to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington DC 20090-8018.

Online condolences may be left at hockadayfs.com.

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

Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie presented the McLeans a handwritten letter wishing them well as they take over the venue which will be opened Tuesday under their ownership.

“On behalf of all the citizens of Roanoke Rapids and the surrounding area, I extend best wishes to you as you begin operations at the theater,” the letter said. “We all look forward to the positive impact that can be brought to us with the right business plan and leadership.”

Said the mayor in the letter, “I know that you and your team have put forth great efforts to bring the changes necessary to achieve best results.”

The letter ended with an offer of help to the McLeans should they need it.

Watching the ceremony at the venue was former Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale who with others on city council at the time brought the theater to construction as the Randy Parton Theatre, which ultimately fell short of expectations to grow a music and entertainment district in the city as the economy spiraled downward in 2008.

Beale said he had no regrets about leading the effort to bring the theater to Roanoke Rapids. “If they had this in place then, I feel it would already be running. I congratulate the mayor, city council and city attorney. I think we’re on the right road to recovery. There are no regrets by me. I feel good. I feel very good today.”

City Manager Joseph Scherer told the audience at the ceremony today, in which officials and the McLeans signed the documents to hand the building to the couple, was a significant day, one which gives the city the opportunity to move forward with what was originally intended when the idea of the venue was conceived — “to bring economic development and positivity to the city.”

Doughtie told the audience he now has a more positive outlook than he had before. “I don’t think you could find two better people to take over.”

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Jack Glasure of French West Vaughan, the marketing and PR firm the McLeans enlisted for the venture, likened the venue to a low mileage used car. “Now we’re going to drive it.”

The theater’s website is live and comes with the tagline Be Amazed. “Exit 171 — we’re going to light it up,” he said.

Ads for music apps such as Pandora and Spotify will target commuters, he said. “This will be a welcome station in North Carolina. It will be open as much as possible.”

The website is live as is the venue’s Facebook and Instagram page.

Some of the ideas include the symphony, recreational vehicle and Harley-Davidson shows, a drive-in theater in the back, beauty pageants and sports festivals supported by 17 billboards. “We’re 10 years closer to bringing commercial development. We are encouraged by the cooperation of the county.”

The plan, Glasure said is to have the events calendar extend out two years and live after 5 events are planned every day.

The September 15 soft opening will include a piano bar and acoustic entertainment. The announcement of the event schedule is set for August 6 and the ticket sales for events begin August 10.

Lisa Allen was announced as box office manager by EastCoast Entertainment.

Andrew Walsh of EastCoast Entertainment told those gathered at the theater today, “The focus will be on national acts.”

There will also be opportunities for mystery dinner theaters. “We’ve been working eight months to build a schedule,” Walsh said.

Glasure said he was excited to have Elizabeth Branham joining the team. “This is a chance to bring the place back to life. Tom and Evon worked very hard. They’ve been very giving in the communities they have served.”

Glasure also credited Beau Petty, Mrs. McLean’s son, for single-handedly bringing the deal to where it is today.

There will be 25 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs available.

Taylor Hawkins of NCWorks said, “It’s a great day and NCWorks is delighted to be a partner.”

Recruitment efforts will begin Monday and NCWorks will be screening applicants, Hawkins said. “We urge anyone to go to the website. This is a chance to put our community’s struggles in the past to get back on our feet.”

For Roanoke Rapids City Councilman Wayne Smith, who pushed for the sale of the venue, it was a day he looked forward to. “I’m happy. I’m very happy. I thank the mayor, the city attorney and city manager. They did a great job getting this done.”

Dwight, who was often known affectionately by his friends as “Dr. Berry,” was born on April 3, 1943, in Roanoke Rapids.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Dwight was most proud of his 45-year tenure as organist and choirmaster of Rosemary United Methodist Church, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Dwight was also an outstanding and celebrated educator at Roanoke Rapids High School, known for his popular English grammar and humanities classes.

Much loved by his thousands of students over his 30-year teaching career, Dwight was known for his inspirational teaching style.  

Many former students remember fondly his guided tours to Europe as a special part of their education.  

Widely celebrated as the “musical genius of the Roanoke Valley,” Dwight also composed and arranged music for church and often for Lakeland Theatre Co.  Audiences remember his singular and creative piano playing style.

Dwight was preceded in death by his father, Reginald Gold Berry, and his mother, Louise Davis Berry, both of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; two brothers, Michael E. Berry of Pawley’s Island, S. C., and Bruce D. Berry of Matthews, N. C.; and a twin sister, Sarah Diane Berry, of Roanoke Rapids, N. C.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosemary United Methodist Church, in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Steve McElroy and Rev. Charles Morrison officiating.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., special musical presentations offered by friends will precede the service.  

Scattering of ashes and visitation will follow at the church.  

Askew Funeral and Cremation Service is handling the arrangements.

The Board of Directors of RCCHC voted unanimously to name the new Woodland Primary Care for Dr. John H. Stanley, in honor of his more than six decades of dedicated service to the health and welfare of not only Woodland residents but all of Northeastern North Carolina.  

Dr. Stanley will join RCCHC and work alongside the staff to continue his legacy of quality, patient centered healthcare, the health center said.  

Dr. Stanley has long sought a successor so that his patients and the Woodland community could continue to have access to primary care in their hometown.  

“Working with RCCHC to open an office in Woodland is a welcome solution to making sure my patients have healthcare after I am no longer practicing,” said Stanley.

Woodland Mayor Ken Manuel also endorses RCCHC’s engagement,”There are many people in town, with whom I have personally discussed the idea of the establishment of a new health care facility and they have all expressed excitement.”  

Northampton County Health Department Director Andy Smith said, “RCCHC will bring a valuable resource in terms of providing patient care to citizens of Northampton County without them having to travel and we are proud to support their endeavor.”  

Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center is seeking capital grants to remodel the former Southern Bank building which was purchased in December of 2017.  

“This is an exciting expansion for us. We anticipate opening in early 2019 once the remodeling is completed,” said Kim Schwartz, RCCHC CEO.  

This will be the first clinic for RCCHC in Northampton County.  

Woodland Primary Care will provide primary medical, behavioral and coordination of care with access for all patients offering a sliding fee discount program based on the Federal Poverty guidelines of household income and size.  

RCCHC, an Federally Qualified Health Center since May of 2005, provides comprehensive primary care and pediatric services with locations in Ahoskie and Murfreesboro, Colerain and Creswell.  

As a designated Migrant and Community Health Center, RCCHC’s mission is to provide comprehensive care that reduces health disparities for the Roanoke-Chowan area.  Additionally RCCHC staffs The Hertford County Student Wellness Center which operates during the school year and allows students to seek behavioral health services without having to leave campus, reducing absenteeism and in turn keeping students in the classroom giving them a greater chance to successfully complete curriculum requirements.

Lieutenant Chris Davis declined to immediately name the store this evening but said in a statement a man wearing a sky blue hooded jacket or sweatshirt came in the business, brandished a black handgun and demanded money from the cashier.

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The man also wore a red mask, tan pants and white shoes.

The cashier gave the man an undisclosed amount of money and the suspect left the store.

It was not clear if the suspect, who fled on foot, used a vehicle at any point following the robbery. His direction of travel was not immediately known.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Weldon police at 252-536-3136 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Littleton D. Pipkin, Sr. and Dora Alexandria Twiddy Pipkin.

Survivors include a sister, Amber Hasty and husband Lloyd; a nephew, Lloyd Hasty, III and wife, Jane; a niece, Roxanne H. Dickens and husband, Paul; and a number of great nephews and nieces.  

The family wishes to express special thanks to Jessica Dickens and Billy Hasty for helping with Dave's care. Services for Mr. Pipkin will be private.  

Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society in Dave's honor.

Arrangements for Mr. Pipkin are under the care of Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service of Roanoke Rapids, NC.

The Halifax County Board of Elections approved the one-stop plan at a called meeting this afternoon. The auditorium is located on Ferrell Lane in Halifax beside the courthouse complex.

Voting will take place at the ag center on the following days and times:

October 17 through 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 22 through 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 29 through November 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November 3, a Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This schedule, which the board unanimously approved with one member voting by phone, is a modification from an original plan to have an extra day which would have meant keeping the one-stop site open from from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. per new state legislation.

The vote today leaves Roanoke Rapids without a one-stop site, Deputy Board of Elections Director Spinosa Clements confirmed after the meeting. She said the cost to run a one-stop site per day starts around $600.

Roanoke Rapids did not have a one-stop site for the May primary.

Races in November will be as follows:

Weldon City Schools Board of Education

Edith Jenkins — challenger

Tanya Byrd-Robinson — incumbent

James “Tank” Williams — incumbent

Tiffany Hale — incumbent

United States House of Representatives District 1

G.K. Butterfield — incumbent

Roger Allison — Republican challenger

North Carolina State Senate District 4

Milton “Toby” Fitch — incumbent

Richard Scott — Republican challenger

Jesse Shearin — Libertarian challenger

North Carolina House of Representatives District 27

Michael Wray — incumbent

Raymond Dyer — Republican challenger

Halifax County sheriff

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp is running unopposed after defeating challenger Tyree Davis in May.

Jimmie Silver, who had planned to run for sheriff as an independent candidate, announced in June via social media he was going to discontinue his run.

Clements said Silver’s name is not expected to appear on the November ballot although he has until August 8 to pay a filing fee.

Libbie was born June 1, 1955, in Marion, NC, to the late Paul Eugene Flack and Lois Randolph Wilson. She attended Roanoke Rapids High School before graduating from East Carolina University with a BA in education.  

She later got her Master’s Degree and continued her dedicated teaching profession.

Libbie was predeceased by her loving husband Monte Eugene Pittman and her father Paul Eugene Flack.  

Libbie is survived by her mother Lois Randolph Wilson; her sister Elaine Flack Garner and Brothers Michael “Mike” Paul Flack of Roanoke Rapids, NC,

and Patrick Randolph “Randall” Flack of Adventura, Florida

A memorial service to celebrate Libbie’s life will be held 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Hockaday Funeral Chapel.  

Reception will follow at the home of Bob and Martha Merritt, 324 Kemp Avenue, Roanoke Rapids.

The family would like to give special thanks to Transitions Life Care of Raleigh and special friends Linda and Clarence Allen.

Online condolences may be sent to hockadayfs.com.

The 29-year-old man who lived at the Grant Drive residence has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder.

The two men charged with murder were Donovan Malichi Gonsalves, 29, of Georgia, and Czar Claude Luther Celestine, 39, of Brooklyn.

Gonsalves, Celestine and the murder victim, Daquinn Fernando Blount, 23, were all at the Grant Drive residence of Marc Anthony Solomon-Cartagena, who faces the accessory count and was also at his residence the morning of the shooting and murder, Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this evening.

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Tripp said facts were discovered which led investigators to charge Solomon-Cartagena with the accessory count. He declined to elaborate.

Tripp said investigators “have reason to believe this is drug related.” He declined to elaborate.

He said, however, there is no evidence the events which led to the shooting death of Blount, who was living in Georgia, and the shooting injury of Gonsalves, were part of a burglary or robbery attempt at Solomon-Cartagena’s residence.

Gonsalves, who was released from an undisclosed medical facility after he was shot and Celestine, who was initially charged on drug counts and obstruction of justice, are currently at large and possibly in the areas of New York or Georgia.

Tripp said in a statement his investigators are working with law enforcement in those two states to locate the men.

Celestine had received a $10,000 bond on the drug charges lodged at the time of his arrest last week and was awaiting an August 15 appearance in district court before the murder charges were lodged against him and Gonsalves.

Investigators last week also filed a count of obstruction of justice against Celestine in the case.

The murder occurred last Monday morning at Solomon-Cartagena’s residence in the 300 block of Grant Drive, which is located south of Roanoke Rapids off Highway 48.

Solomon-Cartagena had not yet received bond as of this report. An August 15 court date has been set, Tripp said in the statement.

Tripp said last week the men currently at large and the murder victim were acquainted.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

A bail bondsman posted the money for the release of Claude Luther Celestine on the drug charges filed against him when he was arrested at the murder scene.

Celestine and Donovan Gonsalves now face murder charges in the shooting death of their associate — Daquinn Blount.

That Solomon-Cartagena posted bond for Celestine’s release shows a previous relationship between the two men and backs a statement made by Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp Wednesday the crime appears to be drug-related.

Tripp today confirmed all the men were acquainted with each other.

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Asked whether Blount, Celestine and Gonsalves were at Solomon-Cartagena’s residence in the 300 block of Grant Drive to conduct a drug transaction, the sheriff declined to answer.

The sheriff did confirm evidence shows there was a dispute between the two men who were shot — Blount and Gonsalves.

The sheriff has said there is no evidence to suggest Blount, Celestine and Gonsalves were at Solomon-Cartagena’s residence to rob him.

Tripp said the murder of Blount and the wounding of Gonsalves occurred inside Solomon-Cartagena’s residence.

Celestine was released from custody soon after his bonds were posted the afternoon of July 16, the same day as the murder. He and Gonsalves are currently at large and are believed to be in either New York or Georgia, Tripp said in a statement released Wednesday.

Meanwhile, warrants on file at the clerk of court’s office in Halifax on the arrest of Celestine on the obstruction charge show he reportedly provided multiple fictitious stories designed to delay law enforcement “in apprehending guilty parties in a homicide.”

Warrants lodged on the drug charges show on the day he was arrested, Celestine used a 2009 Audi with Georgia plates for allegedly selling and keeping controlled substances.

An additional warrant for possession of marijuana paraphernalia and related charges shows a black digital scale, a Mason jar, plastic bags and a plastic container was seized.

Solomon-Cartagena has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder and awaits an August 15 court date.

Tripp said Wednesday the accessory count against Solomon-Cartagena comes after facts were discovered which led investigators to the charge.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Celestine and Gonsalves is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8021 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's mission to recognize the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide patients and families every day.

Halifax Regional teamed up with the Daisy Foundation in 2017 to present this international award to a deserving nurse at on a quarterly basis.

Mountain was nominated as this quarter’s award recipient by the family of a patient after he went above and beyond to extend exceptional care during the family’s time of need.

“Tavis has been like a guardian angel to my dad,” the nomination letter written by the family said. “He was eager to answer any and all questions that we had and he even made us laugh and lifted our spirits, which is hard when you are in a situation like the one my family was in. We loved his spirit and personality, he's a genuine man and we want him to know he's doing a magnificent job and is an extraordinary nurse.”

Nurses may be nominated by patients or families and award recipients are chosen by a committee at the medical center on a quarterly basis. Each honoree receives a certificate, a special celebration, a keepsake pin and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch.

“We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Will Mahone, president and CEO. “Nurses are heroes every day and it’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued.”

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of an uncommon autoimmune disease.

The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

For more information on Mountain’s nomination visit https://www.daisyfoundation.org/daisy-award/honorees/tavis-mountain.