Junior Amber Lee (Rockville, Va./Patrick Henry) had 15 points and six boards, while freshman Michal Ross (Glen Allen, Va./Glen Allen) added 10 points.

The Yellow Jackets (13-11) scored the first six points of the game and jumped to a 14-4 lead with 5:20 left in the first quarter. Williams had eight of those first 14 points, with two buckets and four free throws. R-MC would hold a 22-8 lead at the end of the first period over the Bison (2-22).

Gallaudet had the first three baskets of the second quarter to cut the deficit to eight at 22-14 two minutes into the period. The teams would trade buckets over the next five minutes as R-MC would led 30-20. The Yellow Jackets would go on an 11-2 run to take a 41-22 lead with 1:10 left before taking a 41-23 advantage at the break. Williams had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.

R-MC tallied the first 24 points of the third quarter, with Lee scoring seven and Williams six, to take a 65-23 advantage with 1:45 left. The Yellow Jackets would outscore the Bison 28-4 in the period and lead 69-27 heading to the fourth quarter.

Gallaudet would outscore R-MC 17-13 in the final period as the Yellow Jackets posted the 82-44 victory.

Williams went 7 for 11 from the floor and 4 for 4 from the free throw line. She also had seven blocks, two assists and two steals. Ross registered five steals for R-MC.

Senior Taylor Intermill (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) paced the victors with seven assists, while sophomore Deja Dennis (Owings Mills, Md./Western Tech) dished out six assists.

Randolph-Macon concludes its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Hollins.

Trooper J.T. Keeter of the state Highway Patrol said the crash occurred around 3:15 p.m. between Severn and Pendleton.
The 18-year-old, Lindsey Netro, who died in the crash, was a front seat passenger in a vehicle driven by 16-year-old Justina Pablo of Severn.
Pablo ran off the road, overcorrected and the vehicle flipped several times, Keeter said.
Both occupants were wearing seatbelts. Pablo was treated and released.
Keeter attributed the crash to driver error and the cause remains under investigation.
A determination of whether charges will be filed against the driver is pending the completion of the investigation.

Special Agent R.L. Parker said this afternoon the warrant charges Tori Ponton, 40, with possess, sell alcoholic beverages with no permit.
Ponton, of Weldon, did secure a limited special occasion permit for the party, Parker said. That permit, however, does not allow the sell of tickets or allow a cover charge.
Parker declined to get into specifics of the charge against Ponton.
He did say Mayor Julia Meacham contacted ALE in the aftermath of the shooting.
Ponton rented the building for the party, Parker confirmed.
Deputy Chief James Avens of the Weldon Police Department said today the building at Second Street and Washington Avenue is owned by the town but another person is renting to own the building. Ponton is not the person who is renting to own the building, only the person who rented the building out for the purpose of the party.
Avens said alcohol use could be a contributing factor in an argument which led to the shooting. He declined, however, to discuss the ALE investigation.
Jahmel Faison, a Murfreesboro man wanted in the February 5 shooting, surrendered to the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office earlier this week and faces a charge of attempted murder in the case.
Weldon police continue to investigate the shooting.
Parker said Ponton has not been served the warrant.

A statement by the department and an officer on duty this morning confirmed the shooting took place on Maple Street and officers responded shortly after 6:15 p.m.
Officers responded to the area but did not find anyone.
Several people reported hearing the shots. Approximately 20 minutes later officers received a call from the hospital of treatment of a gunshot victim who had a wound to the hand and was treated and released.
An official with the police department authorized to comment was not immediately available as of this report.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the police department at 252-536-3136.
Callers may report information anonymously.

She was the daughter of the late Henry Grady and Elvira Electra Robinson Baggett. Helen was also preceded in death by her brothers, James F. Baggett Herman R. Baggett; and her sister, Juanita B. Midgette.

She was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was also a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church for many years.

Helen is survived by her five children, her two daughters, Deborah Plummer and her husband Jay of Greensboro, NC, Loretta Mills and her husband, David of Greenville, NC; her three sons, Carlton Smith and his wife, Kim of Greenville, NC, Walter Wallace of Ayden, NC, Jeff Smith and his wife Jackie of Kernersville, NC; her sister Miriam Williams of Roanoke Rapids, NC; her eleven grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Martin Officiating.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 1:00 P.M. until service time at Calvary Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Helen may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 1405 Bolling Rd. Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral & Cremation Services of Roanoke Rapids, NC.

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

The #7 seed Lady Chargers (16-2) will host #28 seed Wallace Rose Hill (9-11) Tuesday night February 21st at Weldon High with tip-off at 6 PM in the 1st round of the 1A NCHSAA Basketball State Playoffs. Admission is $6.00

Other 1A NCHSAA Basketball State Playoffs:

Girls

E5 (9) Northampton County (17-3) vs. ME12 (27) Kestrel Heights (10-15)

ME2 (5) East Columbus (18-4) vs. E15 (26) Tarboro (11-11)

ME5 (10) Neuse Charter (19-6) vs. E12 (22) Southeast Halifax (13-10)

E4 (7) Weldon (16-2) vs. ME13 (28) Wallace-Rose Hill (9-11)

Boys

E1 (2) Rocky Mount Preparatory (20-5) vs. ME16 (30) Princeton (11-15)

E9 (15) Gates County (17-7) vs. ME8 (17) River Mill Academy (18-7) 

E3 (4) Southeast Halifax (19-5) vs. ME14 (28) Roxboro Community (10-13)

ME6 (14) Oxford Preparatory (19-6) vs. E11 (19) Northampton County (15-9)

E4 (6) East Carteret (17-9) vs. ME13 (25) Louisburg (12-11)

ME3 (7) Whiteville (17-6) vs. E14 (27) Weldon (11-11)

The Lady Vikings also finished the 2016-17 RMSA regular season as the conference Champions undefeated 14 - 0.

KK Squire was named RMSA Conference Tournament MVP.

The Yellow Jackets (15-11) advance to face fourth-seeded Eastern Mennonite in the quarterfinals of the ODAC Tournament on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Hollins finishes its season at 5-21.

Williams was 8 for 9 from the floor and hit five free throws. She also grabbed eight rebounds. Lee had six baskets and a pair of free throws. She pulled down eight caroms and paced the victors with five steals and two blocks.

R-MC scored the first 13 points of the game, with Lee tallying nine. The R-MC defense held HU scoreless for the first 6:47 of the contest. HU ended the period on a 9-5 run and the Yellow Jackets led 18-9 after one quarter. Lee led all scorers with 11 points.

The Yellow Jackets started the second period with a 9-0 spurt, with two buckets by both Williams and junior Kareema Conteh (Riverdale, Md./Parkdale), as the lead grew to 27-9 three minutes into the quarter. R-MC would outscore HU 22-13 in the period, taking a 40-22 lead at intermission. Williams had nine points in the second quarter to give her 12 in the half, matching the total of Lee. The Yellow Jackets shot 64% from the floor in the first half (18 of 28) and 82% from inside the arc (18 of 22). Freshman Charlotte Woods (Richmond, Va./Trinity) paced R-MC with six first-half rebounds. Senior Taylor Intermill (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) had six assists in the first half and sophomore Kelsey Wisner (York, Pa./Central York) dished out four.

Hollins started the third quarter on an 8-4 run to narrow the deficit to 44-30 with 6:16 left in the period. R-MC scored nine straight points to take a 53-30 lead with 2:35 remaining in the quarter. HU scored six consecutive points before sophomore Deja Dennis (Owings Mills, Md./Western Tech) hit a pair of free throws with 9.9 seconds left as the Yellow Jackets led 55-36 after three quarters.

R-MC started the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to push the advantage to 27 at 65-38 with 3:45 remaining before claiming the 65-44 victory.

Woods finished with seven rebounds, including three offensive.

Intermill registered seven assists, while Wisner added five.

#8 seed Roanoke Rapids beat #28 seed Carrboro 74-34.

Roanoke Rapids Stats:

Anna Vann scored 25 points

Michelle Stewart scored 15 points

Alizae Neville scored 16 points

Taylor Medlin scored 6 points

Taniyah Green scored 2 points

Reauna Robinson scored 2 points

Kamryn Little scored 2 points

Emily Daniel scored 6 points

Game Photos by Jerri Morgan: {gallery}rrvgbb22117{/gallery}

The #8 seed Roanoke Rapids Lady Yellow Jackets (20-6) will host #11 seed East Bladen Eagles (22-5) in the Second round of the 2A NCHSAA State Basketball Play-offs Thursday night February 23rd in the "HIVE" with a 6 PM tip-off time.

“We’re going to try to see what we can do,” said Troy Williams, who has attended both planning board meetings on the matter and attended the council meeting. “If they put it behind their houses, they wouldn’t have done it.”
Jessica Dickens, another opponent of the proposal, which passed on a 3-2 vote, said, “Our council let us down.”
Approval of the rezoning, however, does not mean The Woda Group can immediately move forward with the project, its senior vice president, Denis Blackburne, said afterward. “We have to be awarded an allotment of North Carolina Financing Agency tax credits.”
The agency will announce the awards in August, he said. If the company is not awarded the tax credits in August it will try again the following year.
Should the tax credits be approved, construction would likely start next January or February. Construction will take around a year. “The community will not be disappointed,” Blackburne said.
Approval of the rezoning from B-4 to B-3 came after lengthy discussion on the matter during a public hearing and went against a recommendation made by the planning board last week to reject it.
The statement of consistency passed on a motion by Councilman Wayne Smith with a second by Ernest Bobbitt. Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough sided with Smith and Bobbitt. Carl Ferebee and Carol Cowen voted against the statement.
Smith made the motion to approve the rezoning with a second from Scarbrough, Bobbitt voting with them.
“I represent right many people in that area,” Cowen said early in the discussion as she explained why she was against the proposal. “They don’t feel like they are getting the right representation.”
Ferebee said he voted against the matter because he didn’t believe it was consistent with the area.
Blackburne told council the company chose the area because it is within walking distance to commercial businesses and is nestled between single family housing. “We feel like it’s a good transition between commercial and residential. We will have staff, maintenance and property managers. We pay property taxes and bring jobs.”
He said the company repositioned the drawings of the facility to address privacy concerns registered by opponents to the project. He said there will be setbacks and screening to further address privacy issues.
Lee Bone, who has a contract to sell the land, located next to El Tenampa, to The Woda Group, told council, “This town needs people, needs business, needs money. I request for the benefit of this town that you grant the business this rezoning.”
Opponents of the proposal were not swayed by the presentation of Blackburne.
“We feel like it’s undermining the rights of adjacent property owners,” said Becky Spragins.
George Parrish told council, “You can’t possibly know the negative affects it will have in the future. There’s not going to be any positive for the area. This property will do nothing to increase property values. It’s not going to win any architectural awards. It will not increase the value of residential property.”

He presented a new motion to the panel asking to fund only repairs to the pool and delaying fixing the pool house.
Despite his new motion failing by a 3-2 vote, Ferebee said during a break in the meeting, “I’m not going to stop. I want to let people know it’s there.”
He said he is confident the numbers he presented at a meeting earlier this month are correct and funding the repairs through installment financing can be done without detriment to the city’s fund balance. “It’s sad they can’t all see that.”
Councilman Wayne Smith, who has been vocal in his opposition to pool repairs, expressed he could be swayed after the panel goes through budget deliberations. “I could be swayed if the numbers show it’s feasible,” he said during the break.
Smith says he is also aware what the early budget forecast for the upcoming fiscal year is. “I know what the city manager said. Either we cut services or fix the pool.”
City Manager Joseph Scherer said in his report to council, “We are working on both this fiscal year’s finances and the budget for the next fiscal year. Given our current economic development climate and limited revenue streams, it is important for the administration to ensure our expenses are kept to an affordable level.”
Scherer said he has directed staff for the remainder of the fiscal year to make purchases either needed to maintain daily operations or those which have grant funding provided for the purchase. “I’m also looking at a hiring freeze for the rest of the fiscal year unless the hiring would help to reduce overtime expenses.”
Scherer said the upcoming fiscal year budget will be drafted based on projected revenue without asking for additional money from undesignated fund balance.
Only Councilwoman Carol Cowen sided with Ferebee in his new motion. Suetta Scarbrough and Ernest Bobbitt joined Smith in voting against the motion.
Scarbrough said during the break it came down to money. “I’m not against the pool,” she said, explaining if funds should be available she would change her vote.
Funding only the pool repairs would run about $225,000 instead of the $300,000 estimate which includes the pool house.
Several community members again spoke out on the matter, including Caleb Harrison, a child from the area. “I really enjoy swimming,” he said. “I didn’t swim last summer. I’m asking you to open the Chaloner pool. I’m looking forward to being cool.”
Columbus Jeffers told council the matter came down to 40 years of neglect. “If you don’t grease the wheel after 40 years it’s going to break … I hope I can back here next month and give you a big thank you for keeping the pool open.”
Vernon Bryant, chair of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, said he supported Ferebee and the Chaloner Recreation Center. “I’m respectfully asking you to vote in favor of this.”
Mayor Emery Doughtie said while he supports Ferebee, he also “knows the finances are not where they need to be.”
Said the mayor: “Mr. Ferebee has always been a team player. This topic, I know you’re talking about more than a pool. I feel like he exemplifies what a leader should be.”

Mr. Quinn was born July 13, 1934 in Jeff Davis County, Georgia to the late Kennis Quinn and Maude Summerlin Quinn. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Louise Quinn, Faye Carter and Janice Ursrey.

Mr. Quinn was the manager at Quality Forest Products until his retirement. He loved gardening. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Carr Quinn; his son, Frank Winston Quinn, Jr.; his daughter, Peggy Ann Quinn; his grandchildren, Frank Winston Quinn, III and Ashley Marie Quinn; two great-grandchildren; his brother, Wayne Quinn and his wife Glenda of Bainbridge, GA; his sisters, Ardith Quinn, Evelyn Quinn and Judy Clements all of Hazlehurst, GA and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Good News Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy King officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the church. Burial will be 1:00 P.M. Monday, February 27, 2017 in Pineview Cemetery in Pinetops, NC. Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service is handling arrangements for Mr. Quinn.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Good News Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 714 Hwy 125, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com

Roanoke Rapids beat Midway 54-43.

Roanoke Rapids Stats:

Tyjarek Simmons scored 9 points

Semaj Smith scored 5 points

Dre Terry scored 12 points

Tyraybiya Kearney scored 9 points

Zach Vincent scored 5 points

Tyler Acree scored 9 points

Paul Whitby scored 5 points

Post Game comments from Roanoke Rapids head coach Tyler Snyder, "We started out great. Great energy and hustle. We turned the ball over in the first half that kept them in the game. We took better care of the ball in the second half. We shared the ball really well and it showed in our box score. Very proud of the guys for the way they battled the entire game."

Roanoke Rapids advances to the second round and travel to #4 seed South Granville Thursday February 23rd..

{gallery}rrbbb22117{/gallery}

Now the team shifts their focus to shaking down the car during practice sessions on Friday and Saturday. 

Rachel was born December 3, 1943 in Halifax County to the late Robert G. Walls and Elizabeth “Libby” Carter Walls. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Thomas B. “Red” Strickland; her brother, Robert “Buddy” Walls; her sister, Barbara Blake and her ever devoted son-in-law, Curtis Richardson, Jr.

Her life seemed too short to many but those who were touched by her understood that the quality of one’s existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her outspoken personality and stern hand and gentle smile will remain in our hearts forever. She enjoyed family, cooking and most of all gardening and yard work. Rachel spent 36 years working at JP Stevens, Bibb and Westpoint Mills. Her final days were spent surrounded by the warmth of close family and friends. Although tiny and frail she gave us all such courage and hope. She reminded us of the preciousness of life.

She is survived by her close friend, George Ivey; her brother, Ronald “Ronnie” Walls; her two daughters, Sheryl Barkley Mead Ormond and her husband James “Jay” of New Bern; Anita Strickland of the home; her son, Buddy “Buck” Barkley of Bicknell, IN; her grandchildren, Richard Barkley and Madrey Clay of Winston-Salem, Douglas Mead, Michael Mead, Darrell Mead II and his wife Leanna Bryant Mead, Amanda Richardson and Curtis Bryant Richardson; nine great-grandchildren.

Graveside Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, February 24, 2017 at Cedarwood Cemetery in Weldon with Rev. Roy Porter officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service.

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

The Southeast Halifax High School’s Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball team finished second in the Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference.

The Lady Trojans Basketball team finished third in the conference, and Conference Tournament Runner-Up.

The Trojans Varsity Boys Basketball team finished first in the conference and also won the conference tournament.

Both Varsity Girls and Boys teams made the 1A NCHSAA State basketball playoffs.

In addition to the victories, individual recognitions were awarded. Senior Rashon Norfleet was named Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference “Player of the Year”; while Coach Antoine Alston was named Tar Roanoke Athletic Conference “Coach of the Year”. 

In the first round of the 1A NCHSAA State basketball play-offs, the Lady Trojans lost to Neuse Charter School 65 to 48 while the Varsity Boys in the first round of the playoffs defeated Roxboro Community School 82 to 40.

The Varsity Boys will advance to the second round and play Northampton County High School on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.

Voiding receipts and registering no sales on the register were just some of the ways Angelique Powell, 40, allegedly stole money from Five Points Mart, Detective Matt Brown of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said today.

Review of security camera footage into a shoplifting case set off the investigation when store staff noticed suspicious activity by Powell, Brown said.
The matter was reported in October, Chief Deputy Scott Hall said in a statement.
Brown said it is not clear how long money had been taken from the store.The charges filed represent a four-day period.
Powell has a March 1 court date.

Scotland Neck

On February 3 while on patrol, Captain Tommy Parker observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed near Main and Eighth streets.
After stopping the vehicle, Parker smelled the strong odor of marijuana.
Upon further investigation Parker discovered 1 gram of cocaine, 6 grams of marijuana, illegally packaged pills, scales for weighing drugs and other drug paraphernalia.
Chief John Tippett, Lieutenant Clinton Smith and Officer C. Little assisted in the arrests Kerrett Hibbert of Washington, D.C., and Kyara Rodgers of Murfreesboro.
They have March 1 court dates and face the following counts: Possession with intent to sell and deliver schedule II; possession of counterfeit controlled substance; possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Rodgers was issued a citation for speeding.

{gallery}drugroundup{/gallery}

Task force

On February 15 at approximately 5 p.m., Agent D.J. Hundley was following up on drug complaints in the South Rosemary area when he noticed a motor vehicle violation and stopped it at the farmer’s market on Highway 158.
The driver was identified as Patrick Hunter Heustess, 24, of Roanoke Rapids.
Heustess was arrested for outstanding warrants for obtaining property by false pretense, felony larceny, possession of stolen goods and felony conspiracy.
The warrants were obtained by Detective B.C. Griffin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office on December 28 after an investigation.
He has a March 1 court date.
Hundley cited Heustess for driving while license revoked. He received a February 27 court date for that count.

On February 16 at 3 p.m., approximately 21 grams of marijuana, a stolen handgun and several items of marijuana paraphernalia were seized from a motel room in Weldon.
Agent D.W. Mckeel, Halifax County Gang Task Force Agent D.C. Dickens and Weldon Police Patrolman N. Coles were in the area of the motel looking for a wanted person when they encountered Corey Lee Demick, 24, of Roanoke Rapids.
Agents could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside Demick’s room.
Mckeel seized approximately 21 grams of marijuana, a handgun, which had been reported stolen from Northampton County, and several items of marijuana paraphernalia.
Mckeel arrested and charged Demick for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.
Demick has a March 1 court date.
Weldon Police Patrolman Q. Godley and Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy D. Moore also assisted.

Three search warrants were served in the Scotland Neck area today.
The search warrants were executed by the City County Drug Task Force, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and the Scotland Neck Police Department. Due to recent drug activity in the area and agent investigation, the search warrants were applied for and granted.
The drug investigations were conducted by McKeel and D.R. Radford.
The Scotland Neck Police Department also assisted agents by providing intelligence to agents.

The search warrants were executed in the following areas:

600 block of East Twelfth Street – Jontue Corvelle Little, 31, was cited with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. Little received a March 15 court date.

900 block of East Twelfth Street – Larrael Jones, 32, was cited with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. He received a March 15 court date.

1400 block of Edwards Fork Road – no evidence was seized during the search.