Leading scorers for the CCS Patriots were; Hana Brown with 18 points, Ella Frances King with 18 points, Casie Crawley with 10 points, Jade Roberts with 4 points and Abi Sloan with 1 point. 

Email correspondence between the city and the company’s legal compliance department in Calabasas, California, confirms the company is opening a new store at 1122 Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.
The store will be in the same shopping center as Big Lots, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky said.
A representative for the company could not immediately be reached for comment this morning.
The nearest Harbor Freight Tools is currently in South Hill.
According to its website, the company was started In 1977, as a small family-owned business.
It sells hand tools and generators, air and power tools as well as shop equipment and automotive tools.
The store says it offers more than 7,000 quality tools and accessories at prices up to 80 percent less than its competitors.

Deputy Chief James Avens of the Weldon Police Department said Jahmel Faison surrendered on his own without the presence of an attorney. He has not made a statement on the matter, which occurred the morning of February 5.
Avens said the shooting was the result of an argument between Faison and the victim inside Touch of Class at Second Street and Washington Avenue. That altercation led to a physical assault.
The shooting occurred in a parking lot outside where the victim was shot multiple times in the torso and hand.
Avens said investigators do not know what the argument was about. The victim is doing better, he said.
Alcohol was being served at the private party, Avens said, but the person who rented the building for the event did obtain an ABC permit.
Avens said North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement is investigating the matter, but the scope of that investigation is not immediately clear.
An ALE spokesperson was not immediately available for comment this afternoon.
Faison, who faces an attempted murder charge, was jailed on $164,000 bond and has a March 8 court date.

The only defendant not named in an earlier motion seeking the continuance until after the trial of Antonio Tillmon was Wardie Vincent Jr., the first person to enter a guilty plea in the police corruption case.
Documents pertaining to Vincent filed in the federal court record still show his sentencing is tentatively scheduled for the March 7 term of court.
Tillmon is the only person who has pled not guilty in the case. His trial is expected to begin during the April 24 term of court.
Those named in the judge’s order are:
Lann Tjuan Clanton
Ikeisha Jacobs
Jason Boone
Adrienne Moody
Cory Jackson
Jimmy Pair Jr.
Curtis Boone
Alaina Sue-Kam-Ling
Kavon Phillips
Crystal Pierce
Alphonso Ponton
Thomas Jefferson Allen II
Tohsa Rochelle Dailey

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Sergeant S.N. Casey was patrolling the Highway 48 area of Enfield when he stopped Gerald Lynch, 28, and reportedly detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a concealed .40-caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the car.

Lynch was arrested and charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon and issued a citation for speeding and driving while license suspended.
He was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $500 secured bond with a March 1 court date.
Deputy M. Zughbi assisted.

Task force arrest

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, City County Drug Task Force agents J.R. Matthews and D.J. Hundley were conducting follow-ups on drug complaints in the Zoo Road area.
Captain A.M. Harris said in a statement agents encountered Andrew Byrd, 30, of Roanoke Rapids.
During the search Matthews found a bindle of heroin in Byrd’s boot.
Matthews arrested and charged Byrd with felony possession of heroin.
He received a $1,500 bond and March 1 court date.
Harris said this afternoon one bindle is a single dosage unit of heroin.

250 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis by Ollie's staff the morning of the event.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Store Location:
1350 Julian R Allsbrook Highway
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870

Wednesday February 15th at Weldon High

4:30PM  JV boys   #1 seed KIPP High beat #4 seed Weldon 64-54

6:00PM  Varsity Girls  #1 seed Weldon beat #4 seed Granville Central 51-29

7:30PM  Varsity Boys  #1 seed Southeast Halifax beat #5 seed Louisburg 57-53

Thursday February 16th at Weldon High

4:30PM  JV boys    #2 Southeast Halifax  VS  #3 Northwest Halifax

6:00PM  Varsity Girls  #3 Southeast Halifax  VS  #2 Louisburg

7:30PM  Varsity Boys  #3 Weldon  VS  #2 Oxford Prep

Friday February 19th at Weldon High

4:30PM  JV Boys Championship  $1 seed KIPP High  VS Winner #2 Southeast Halifax  VS  #3 Northwest Halifax

6:00PM  Varsity Girls Championship  #1 seed Weldon  VS  Winner #3 Southeast Halifax  VS  #2 Louisburg

7:30PM  Varsity Boys Championship  #1 seed Southeast Halifax  VS  Winner #3 Weldon  VS  #2 Oxford Prep

Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle said Wednesday Rivers & Associates will return to Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street for a presentation on feedback given during a meeting in December when the planning and engineering firm gave three streetscape concepts and two concept plans for the 1026 green space. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the presentation will be at 5:30 p.m.
The plans, Caudle said, include showing a new round of designs and to collect more feedback. “It will be narrowed down for one final design. It’s the last chance the public can put their thoughts on the different design options.”
Caudle, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky, Public Works Director Larry Chalker and representatives from Rivers & Associates met in January and compiled the feedback from the December meeting and went over the positive and negative input from each design.

{gallery}streetscape{/gallery}

One of the most consistent points of feedback was the need for enhanced crosswalks in the city, Caudle said. “We talked about the enhanced crosswalks and how the city can pull that off.”
Feedback on the green space concept of a pocket park was more favorably received than one more conducive for showing movies.
Lasky said the prevalent input on the streetscape concepts from the initial meeting ended up as a hybrid between a river theme and one based on local architecture.
A final design plan is expected to be presented in March and will be taken to city council most likely in April for an approval of the masterplan, Caudle said.
Funding will be examined through grants and city funds.
Lasky said council will be presented a written report which will provide a brief summary. “It will be something used to demonstrate the city went through the process. Funding agencies want to know it’s been thought out.”

The recommendation to not rezone the land, which is beside El Tenampa, came on a 5-3 vote and a motion by Richard Bolton, which was seconded by Henry Ford. Sherry Mills and Chuck Landen also sided with Bolton and Ford. Because he had to leave the meeting early, Terry Buffaloe’s vote was counted in the affirmative.
Mills stated in final discussions on the matter before recommendations to council were made, she believed rezoning the land to B-3 from B-4 might present an obstruction to residents in the area. “B-3 portions are already along the development. The residential is behind the commercial.”
Rezoning the land in anticipation of the senior apartments could bring a residential development to the forefront in an area which is predominantly commercial, she said.
For residents in the area near the proposed rezoning, the recommendation of rejection was welcome news.
Troy Williams said he hopes city council, which will hold a public hearing on the matter at its 5:15 p.m. Tuesday meeting, will follow the planning board’s recommendation. That meeting will be held at Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall. “I hope so,” he said afterward. “My wife and I have worked hard to get where we’re at. We’d like to keep it where it’s at.”
Williams said he passed out flyers in the neighborhood, encouraging people to come to the meeting. “I’ll be back Tuesday,” he said, referring to the city council meeting.
“I was surprised, pleasantly surprised,” said Jessica Dickens, an opponent of the project. “I’m proud the board got behind the citizens.”
Dickens said she believed Mills’ take on the matter was correct. “To me she’s right, it’s not consistent.”
This was the second meeting on the issue after the planning board tabled the rezoning last month to hear from a representative of The Woda Group, the developer of the project.
While he had no immediate comment following the meeting, Denis Blackburne, senior vice president of the Savannah, Georgia-based company, told the board the Becker Drive project is intended to be a three-story, L-shaped unit, which consists of 24 one-bedroom apartments and 26 two-bedroom apartments.
It would include a multipurpose room, fitness room and computer room. It would be for seniors 55 and up.
The company has a $5.3 million budget for the project, the price per unit about $160,000. “It’s age restrictive, not Section 8,” he said. “There are no public vouchers.”
He also said it was not an assisted living facility. “It’s individual living. The people are active. They pay rent and live normal lives.”
He said the maximum height of the facility would be 35-feet, which is the maximum allowed in the B-3 District. “We own the property. We screen and (check) tenants, run criminal background checks.”
The complex is considered affordable housing with an income cap. While the company doesn’t get subsidies, it does get tax credits, Blackburne said, the project being dependent on funding through the North Carolina Housing Financing Agency. “We’re competing with applications in other cities. You score points for being close to banks and restaurants. That’s what brought us to this site.”

The 55-year-old victim called 911 Monday night around 9 to report Jaquayla Mitchell, 21, stabbed him twice in the torso, Chief Tyree Davis said in a statement.
Mitchell fled the residence and the victim was treated and released for the injuries he sustained.
Detective Willie Murphy learned the stabbing was related to a domestic dispute between the couple.
Mitchell, who was located at a relative’s home in Enfield, was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
She was jailed without opportunity for bond and was assigned a March 1 court date.
Davis said this evening police are investigating the victim’s role in the matter and additional warrants could be obtained.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas Henry and Ester Mosley Conner. Elma was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Clark and her grandson Christopher Lee Conner.

Elma is survived by her three daughters, Barbara G. Clark of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Cynthia “Cindy” Clark Casey and her husband, Jerry of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Cathy Clark Livesay and her husband, Steve of Roanoke Rapids; her two sons, Kenneth Lee Conner and his wife, Sherry of Roanoke Rapids, Clifton Ray Clark of Roanoke Rapids; her sister, Inetta Epps and her husband, Roger of Emporia VA; her eight grandchildren, Steven Ray Conner, Melissa Conner Harris, Thomas Earl Byrum, Jr., Joseph Wayne Byrum, Roger Dwayne Byrum, Jennifer Clark Dixon, Christina Casey Dieter, Michael Allen Casey; her five Great-grandchildren, Kameron Scott Conner, Chelsea Marie Harris, Christopher Lynn Dixon, II, Alexis Elizabeth Moss, and Serenity Nycole Moss.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Askew Funeral & Cremation Services of Roanoke Rapids, NC with Minister Greg Hand officiating.

Interment will follow in Pleasant Hill Christian Church Cemetery in Gasburg, VA.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services of Roanoke Rapids, NC

Thursday February 16th at Weldon High

4:30PM  JV boys        #3 Northwest Halifax beat #2 Southeast Halifax 71-65

6:00PM  Varsity Girls  #3 Southeast Halifax beat #2 Louisburg 44-40

7:30PM  Varsity Boys  #2 Oxford Prep beat #3 Weldon 65-51 

Friday February 19th at Weldon High

4:30PM  JV Boys Championship  $1 seed KIPP High  VS  #3 Northwest Halifax

6:00PM  Varsity Girls Championship  #1 seed Weldon  VS  #3 Southeast Halifax

7:30PM  Varsity Boys Championship  #1 seed Southeast Halifax  VS  #2 Oxford Prep

Mrs. Cannon was born January 5, 1926, the daughter of the late Posey Lester Worsham and Macie Marie Vaughan Worsham. She was also predeceased by her husband Lundie H. Cannon.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Ann Butler and her husband Jay, two sons,
Steve Cannon and his wife Phyllis and Ronnie Cannon and his wife Faye. Her grandchildren, Kayleigh Cannon, Cody Cannon and Charles Brown and Cathy Phillips. Her great grandchildren, William J. Perkinson Sr., Raney Phillips and Sonya K. Phillips. One great great grandchild, William J. Perkinson Jr.
Graveside services will be private.
Arrangments are being handled by Massey Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.haroldmasseyfuneralhome.com

Mutt was a native of Ante in Brunswick County and was the son of the late Horace Edwards and Ethel Mitchell Wrenn.

Mutt worked as an automobile salesman for over 40 years for Sadler Motors Inc. retired 2007.

He is survived by his sister Sandra Wrenn Edwards of Ante, his daughters Allison Wrenn of Fredericksburg, Kendra Novey of Richmond, his sons Kennon Randolph Wrenn, Jr. "Randy" and his fiancé Marcia Hudson of Roanoke Rapids, Scott Wrenn of Colonial Heights;  grandchildren Kennon Randolph Wrenn, III "Trae", Casey Wrenn, Eric Lynch, Jonathan Wrenn, Ashley Henderson, Austin Perkins, Anne Randolph Perkins, Brent Novey;  great grandchildren Hunter Wrenn, Wyatt Wrenn, Rooker Wrenn, Kennah Wrenn, Reed Henderson, Aiden Henderson, Adaline Henderson,

Graveside funeral service will be held Sunday February 19, 2017 at 2 PM at Greensville Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Charles Moore officiating. Family will receive friend after the service at 502 Lakeside Drive Emporia Virginia.

In lieu flowers donations can be made to:  The Hermie & Elliott Sadler Foundation, 1501 Wiggins Road, Emporia, VA 23847.

Arrangements are being by Echols Funeral Home in Emporia Virginia. Condolences may be sent to www.Echolsfuneralhome.com

The person shown in surveillance photos entered the store around 10 a.m. and picked up merchandise from the cooler, Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

{gallery}riteaid{/gallery}

At checkout he told the cashier it was a robbery attempt and implied use of a weapon, although one was never displayed.
The person fled the store without getting anything from the cashier and was last seen running toward the rear of the store in the area of South and Drake streets.
The person in the photos is described as tall and bald and having a light complexion. He was wearing sunglasses, a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark sweatpants and tan boots.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact law enforcement; the police department at 252-533-2810; Detective G.L. Williams at 252-533-2821 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

“It’s a combined effort,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a recent interview. “I’ve been looking for something to introduce to help our inmates, to help those who have issues.”
Tripp said participation in the program, which begins Wednesday, is voluntary.
He hopes it will be a benefit and the inmates who opt to participate will be provided Bibles and Celebrate Recovery workbooks, which are specifically geared for inmates. “Our hope is at some point once they’re released, it will prevent them from returning to jail and get them in GED and recovery programs.”

(For more information or to volunteer contact Marshall at 252-532-2280)

Right now the program is set up for female inmates at the jail. “We’re hoping down the road there will be some male volunteers from Valley to help with the male inmates,” the sheriff said.
The program comes at no cost to taxpayers, Tripp said. “This is a way to give back to the community. My goal is to cut down on repeat offenders returning to jail.”
Deborah Marshall, the Valley Celebrate Recovery ministry leader and Kathleen Robinson of Lighthouse Ministries will be the ones reaching out to the inmates, Tripp said in a statement earlier this week.
Marshall said Thursday she is excited to begin this chapter of Celebrate Recovery, which was started at the church last May and meets on Monday evenings.
“There’s such a need in the area,” she said. “I have a passion for it. Being in jail, there is a feeling of being alone.”
Celebrate Recovery, she said, gives the inmates someone to talk to.
During the Monday programs at the church, Marshall said, the women come in and discuss issues not only centered on addiction, but depression, anxiety, anger, codependency. “Anything they struggle with.”
While the 12 Steps are taught, Marshall said Celebrate Recovery is a Christ centered program. “We feel we can give them something, some feeling of hope, try to help them build a relationship with Christ and see a change in their life.”
The Monday sessions at the church have been going well, Marshall said. “We’ve got several who are clean and sober since coming who have completely turned over their lives. It’s really helping. If we can build relationships and let them know they’re not alone, we’re hoping we can make a difference.”
Marshall said while in the beginning the focus will be on female inmates, the church is hoping to find volunteers to minister to the men. “It’s hard to get volunteers. There are more cellblocks for men. We need more volunteers.”
Robinson, who has already been visiting inmates, is the perfect companion for the program, Marshall said. “She’s going to be my two-by-two. She’s does the Lighthouse Ministries on Thursdays. God places people on my path.”
Robinson is also ready for the challenge. “I’ve been talking to them on different topics,” she said of the inmates, “trying to get them to have hope.”
Robinson has been mentoring and ministering to the inmates for the past three weeks. “Celebrate Recovery is another resource. Most of them are there because of alcohol or drug addiction. These are young women.”
Robinson began taking an interest in jail ministry because she observed many of the women are abused. “I took a young lady to court and saw a man being overbearing to a lady. God said go talk to the sheriff.”
What Robinson hopes the inmates will gain is simple. “What I pray is they become involved with churches, learn about God and depend on God. He is the answer.”

Roanoke Rapids City Council (Regular Meeting)

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 5:15 p.m. at Lloyd Andrews Meeting Hall.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

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

Firefighter Applicant Pool. Applications are being accepted to establish an eligibility list (Applicant Pool) from which periodic selections will be made as positions become available.
Qualifications:
►High School Diploma (GED)
►Preferred NC Firefighter II
►Must be able to obtain a North Carolina or Virginia Class B Driver’s License within
90 days of employment
►Must have WorkKeys Silver Certificate (or higher) [Contact Ellen Grant at
Halifax Community College for more information (252) 536-6393]
►Must be of good character, be in good physical condition and pass a drug test
(Deadline for Firefighter Applicant Pool is Friday – March 17th at 5:00 pm)

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

Police Officer (Roanoke Rapids Police Department): An employee in this class performs a full range of general law enforcement duties to protect life and property in the City. Basic Law Enforcement Training is preferred but not required. Previous applicants should contact Kathy A. Kearney, HR Manager, to update their information at (252) 533-2845. (Open until filled)

The City of Roanoke Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color,
religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status,
or any other legally protected status.

Applications may be obtained at www.roanokerapidsnc.com or may be picked up at  City Hall – 1040 Roanoke Avenue, Roanoke Rapids, NC
Kathy A. Kearney – HR Manager – City of Roanoke Rapids
Phone: (252) 533-2845 – Fax (252) 537-2097

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall located at 700 Jackson Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC to hear the following items:

• A Zoning Map Amendment (rezoning) request from The Woda Group, Inc. (applicant) and Bones Quality Automotive, Inc. (property owner) to rezone certain parcels located at Becker Drive and Hunting Ridge Road from B-4, Commercial District to B-3, Commercial District. The properties are identified as Halifax County Tax Parcels 0900056, 0900057, 0900058, 0900059, and 0900060 for a combined area of 2.52± acres. The combined parcels front approximately 348 feet along Hunting Ridge Road and approximately 250 feet along Becker Drive. The parcels are undeveloped, vacant land and the requested B-3, Commercial District allows multi-family, office and service oriented business.

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, February 2, 2017). 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.

BRIEFS

CAN FOOD DRIVE: Each Friday in the month of February, leave donated items on front porch.

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

►Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

►Planning Board/Board of Adjustment (ETJ)

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

Enfield police Chief Tyree Davis said in a statement Erwin Taylor was arrested by Lieutenant Daniel Jones on an outstanding order for arrest Thursday.
Taylor had called 911 Monday night to report he was stabbed, reportedly by his girlfriend, Jaquayla MItchell, who was arrested Thursday for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
Enfield Detective Willie Murphy Jr. said Taylor allegedly assaulted Mitchell first that evening. He said, however, declining to elaborate, there was no probable cause found for an argument of self-defense on Mitchell’s part.
Taylor had a first court appearance today where another appearance was set for March 1, according to state court records.
Mitchell is also scheduled for a March 1 court appearance.

“The case remains open,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this evening. “Any leads that come in we follow up on them. We’re very thankful to the state, especially Governor Cooper. We hope it will lead someone to provide information to bring closure to this case for the family.”
Leads still come in, Tripp said. “What actually happened is still under investigation. It’s still being handled as a missing person case. It’s still being worked as a missing person case.”
Cooper’s proclamation, which establishes a $5,000 reward in the case, says Bridgeman was last seen on June 24, 2013, at a residence in what is commonly referred to as the South Weldon area of the county.
She left her purse behind. Her husband received a text from her on June 28, 2013, and she has not been seen or heard from since.
Her husband reported her missing the following day.
The reward is for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance, the document says.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8021; Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the SBI at 800-334-3000.