Halifax Academy Lady Vikings soccer Junior Abby George and freshman Whitney George were named to the All-State team.

These two girls had great seasons as they led not only the team in goals, but the conference as well as they combined for 66 goals between them.

Congratulations to the George sisters!

Halifax Academy Lady Vikings softball's Ashton Garner, Drew Rose, Sydney Smith and Candice Smith were named to the All-State team.

Congratulations to these Lady Viking ladies.

Sydney Smith had four strikeouts on the mound for Halifax.

While at the plate for Halifax, Candice Smith had a two run homerun, Ashton Garner had in the park homerun off of overthrows and a double, Drew Rose, Emerson Poole and Karen Alston each had a double and Ashlynn Liles had two singles.Drew Rose, Candice Smith, Sydney Smith and Ashton Garner named to All-State team.

2017 Halifax Academy softball team: Tara Simmons, Head Coach Steve Hamill, Drew Rose, Ashton Garner, Emerson Poole, Ashlynn Liles, Margaret Hudson, assistant coach Mark Harris, assistant coach Brent Hamill. Logan Oakley, Molly Slaughter, Ella Howell, Karen Alston, Morgan Hudomint, Brooke Robertson, Candice Smith and front row Sydney Smith.

Seniors Drew Rose and Karen Alston pose with State Championship trophy.

In Friday makeup games for RVGSL U8 girl's softball, Enfield Cotton Gin defeated All In One Auto with 2 runs in the bottom of the last inning in a game that went back and forth.

For Enfield Cotton Gin A'Lexus Roundtree had a triple to drive in the wining run and also 2 singles. Emilee Campbell and Chasity Shaw had 3 hits. Hayden Barlow had 2 hits. Makayla Chambers had bases loaded double driving in 3 runs.

For All In One Auto Sky Moore had a ground rule double that went under the fence and 2 singles. Kamryn,Cadence and Reeda had 3 hits. Payton Odom had a homer and a single. Alyssa and Reese Clary also had a hit.

In other action Anytime Party Rental defeated Piedmont 8-5. No stats reported

Photos by Randy Wrenn

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Opening the show was Mikele Buck, then the Moonshine Band and Colton James closed the show.

Proceeds from the show went to benefit Harvest4Heroes & Land4Heroes that includes building a 15,000 square foot retreat for wounded veterans and first responders in 3 locations around the U.S.

Photos by Randy Wrenn

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Roanoke Rapids police also lodged a conspiracy charge against the first man charged in the case, Chief Chuck Hasty said.
On Sunday around 9:30 a.m., Lieutenant P. Parks, Sergeant T. Tyler and officers R. Cross and H. Grimes arrested the following on Duke Street:
Darius Dewayne Lewter 29; Rakeon Lamonta Silver, 20; and Marcel Travon Watson, 28. The three men are all from Roanoke Rapids.
They face charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods and conspiracy.
Rashon Woodley, who was charged Friday after a brief foot chase, was also charged with conspiracy.
Hasty said the breaking and entering a motor vehicle count reflects the men allegedly opened the door of the pizza delivery vehicle while armed.
The men charged received $30,000 bonds and June 7 court dates.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said this afternoon Javonte Boone, 25, and Shenna Riley, 29, are still believed to be in the area. They are believed to be armed and dangerous, he said.
It is still unclear how 51-year-old how Nestor Salazar Moctexuma, 51, died and Tripp declined immediate comment today.
Moctexuma was found unresponsive at a mobile home on Airlie Road in the Littleton area around 11 a.m. Saturday after deputies responded to a call of a death.
Further investigation led to evidence being found and deputies obtained arrest warrants for murder on Boone and Riley.

Off-Duty Officer helps in vehicle B&E case

Friday around 1:45 p.m., Officer G. Colson, who was off-duty, reportedly saw Steve Allen McClenny removing items from a vehicle and loading them into his vehicle.
Colson called Halifax Central to report the crime while following McClenny until officers could arrive to stop him.
McClenny was taken into custody on Cambridge Court by Lieutenant P. Parks.
McClenny was charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle, possession of stolen goods, stop sign violation, and reckless driving.
He received a $10,500 bond and a June 7 court date.
Officer H. Grimes assisted.

Habitual larceny charge

On Sunday at approximately 1:15 p.m., Lieutenant P. Parks conducted traffic stop for a violation in the 1200 block of Julian R. Allsbrook Highway.
During the stop Parks discovered the driver, James Lee Ashe Jr., 47, of Roanoke Rapids, had an outstanding warrant for habitual larceny and his license was revoked.
Ashe was arrested for the outstanding warrant and the driving charge.
He received a $3,500 bond and June 7 court date.
The habitual larceny charge stems from an investigation by Lieutenant C.L. Vaught into a larceny from Family Dollar on Highway 158 on May 12 when Ashe allegedly took items from the store without paying for them.

Traffic stop

On Sunday at approximately 10:45 p.m., Officer J. Hardy conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Fifth Street near Franklin.
Hardy discovered during the stop Raheem Jamal Belfield, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, had a revoked license and a passenger, Carlos Demetrius Crawford, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, had an outstanding order for arrest.
During a search of the vehicle a gun was found under Crawford’s seat and he was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
Belfield received a $400 bond and July 21 court date.
Crawford received a $3,400 bond and July 5 court date.
Officer S. Blythe assisted.

“I think it succeeded because the public was looking for a family friendly event,” Roanoke Rapids Main Street Development Director Christina Caudle said today. “We have an amazing talent pool who are able to put that on display. We’re hoping to do this more frequently.”
Arts on the Avenue kicks off at 5 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m.
Sixteen businesses primarily in the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Roanoke Avenue will host artists or have musicians performing outside.
The event coincides with the Halifax County Arts Council Student Art Show which will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the council’s gallery at 1027 Roanoke Avenue. Students from KIPP, Northwest and Roanoke Rapids high schools will display their works. Light refreshments will be served.
Caudle said most of the Arts on the Avenue artwork will be displayed inside the host businesses. There will be some artists doing demonstrations outside. An event map will be available at the Main Street tent at 1026 Roanoke Avenue.
Artwork displayed during the event will range from watercolors to abstracts and oils. There will also be jewelry and photography on display. The artists represent the local community as well as the lake, Caudle said.
Musicians will be playing a range of music, from pop to country and Christian.
Caudle said response to last year’s event was overwhelmingly favorable. “We received 100 percent positive feedback from the artists to the general public and the businesses. All three components were very happy.”
The event will also give Main Street a chance to highlight some of the properties available on the avenue, she said.
“Last spring’s very successful Arts on the Avenue and Student Art Show attracted hundreds of community members to enjoy the art and music provided in the businesses and along the sidewalks as well as the extraordinary work of our talented high school students in the gallery,” the arts council said in a statement.

Clary's Motor Speedway "Where Legends Are Born" is set to return to racing on Saturday June 3rd with five exciting divisions of racing. June 3rd race program will include racing in Late Model, Pure Stock V8, Pure Stock 4 Cylinder, U-Car, and Open Wheel Modified. The Speedway will be hosting a special event for our Pure Stock V8 division on June 3rd paying $800.00 to win sponsored by Pinos Pizza of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Pit gates will open at 3 PM with grandstand gates opening at 5 PM. Drivers meeting is set for 5:30 PM with on track activity to follow. Come out and join us Saturday June 3rd at the place "Where Legends Are Born" Clary's Motor Speedway. Make Clary's Motor Speedway your home track in 2017!
Events Times:
Pits Gates Open: 3:00 PM.
Driver Registration Opens: 3:00 PM.
Grandstand Gates Open: 5:00 PM.
Driver Registration Ends: 5:30 PM.
Drivers Meeting: 5:30 PM.
Slow Roll In: 5:45 PM.
Practice: 6:00 PM.
Qualifying: 6:45 PM.
Features: 8:00 PM.
Admission Prices:
(Grandstands) Adults: $15
(Grandstands) Ages 11-15: $5
(Grandstands) Kids 10 & Under: Free
(Pits) Adults / All Drivers: $30
(Pits) Kids 10-15: $10
(Pits) Kids 10 & Under: $5
For further information on Clary's Motor Speedway visit www.clarysspeedway.com .

The charges against Sagret Jerrell Kimble, 34, stem from a report on May 17 the woman was assaulted and her cellphone was taken.
Enfield Police Department Detective Willie Murphy Jr. said Kimble arranged the meeting with the woman through a website which has a section dedicated to an escort service. Intent and money was reportedly discussed prior to her arrival.
During the encounter an argument ensued over undisclosed reasons and the man and woman reportedly fought. The woman sustained scratches.
Murphy charged Kimble with solicitation of prostitution, assault on a female and misdemeanor larceny.
He received a $2,500 bond and June 14 court date.
Additional warrants will be taken out on the woman for assault and prostitution, Murphy said.

He was born in Halifax County, son of the late Troy D. Livesay and Mary Rook Livesay. Mr. Livesay was a carpenter in which he and his brother formerly owned a carpentry business. He was a member of Gaston Church of Christ. He formerly enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Surviving are his wife, Ann Livesay, of the home; his son, Kevin Livesay and his companion, Diane, of Gaston; brother, Wayne Livesay and his wife, Frances, of Garysburg; sister, Marsha Eide and her husband, Bruce, of Hartsville, SC; granddaughters, Kalsey Livesay and her companion, Brian Vick, Kourtney Livesay, Lauren Livesay, Logan Livesay; great grandchildren, Tristian Wade and Brynleigh Vick.
A graveside Service will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Cedarwood Cemetery.
Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service is taking care of arrangements where the family will receive friends Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 1:00pm until 1:45 pm.
Online condolences may be made to www. wrennclarkehagan.com

The United States Department of Justice announced in a press statement this evening a federal jury found Antonio Tillmon, a former Windsor police officer guilty of drug, firearm and bribery charges stemming from his participation in trafficking narcotics and narcotics proceeds for a large-scale drug trafficking organization.
His trial began last week. His sentencing is scheduled for August 8. Electronic court records filed on the federal level do not yet contain information reflecting the guilty verdict and the statement did not indicate his possible sentencing range.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John Stuart Bruce of the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.
Tillmon, 33, was found guilty of multiple counts of conspiring to distribute controlled substances, attempting to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, conspiring to use and carry firearms in relation to drug trafficking offenses, using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking offenses and federal programs bribery.
The charges stemmed from a large scale undercover investigation into allegations of systemic law enforcement corruption in Northampton County.
The evidence at trial established Tillmon accepted $6,500 from undercover FBI agents posing as drug traffickers in return for transporting a total of 30 kilograms of heroin from North Carolina to Maryland over three separate occasions between August 2014 and April 2015.
On each occasion, Tillmon carried his law enforcement badge and a firearm to secure the illicit narcotics.
Tillmon was prepared to use his badge and fake documentation to evade drug interdiction in the event the transport vehicle was stopped.
The evidence also showed Tillmon agreed to participate in a fourth drug transport, to which he brought five firearms, including an assault rifle accompanied by three magazines of ammunition.
Fourteen other defendants, 13 of whom were law enforcement or correctional officers, were charged in the drug trafficking and firearm conspiracies – the law enforcement and correctional officers were also charged with federal programs bribery.
Those defendants all pleaded guilty to various offenses and are scheduled to be sentenced later this year.
Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp, whose officers received the initial tips in the case said this evening, “The Rockfish 15 placed a stain on the Roanoke Valley. With the recent court proceedings, the Roanoke Valley continues to move forward and law enforcement is working together to make our community a safer place to live. Operation Rockfish is in the past but it is something we all must remember.”
Tripp said, “I’m beyond being proud of the law enforcement officers that we have working in the sheriff’s office, even those who have retired and those who continue to work. This was one of the battles we have won against the war on drugs.”

Annie Marie “Doodle” Robbins Smith, 82, of Gaston, NC died Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Mrs. Smith was born in Wilson County, NC the daughter of the late William Hansel Robbins and Daisy Bass Robbins. She was also preceded in death by her husband Romie B. Smith a granddaughter, Tammy Lynn Cooke, a half-brother Russell Robbins and a half-sister, Prudie Mae Webb and a grand-dog Phoebe Branch.
Mrs. Smith, retired from Prillaman Chemical of Suffolk, VA. She served as pastor of The Church of Jesus Christ, 116 Emry Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC from Sept. 2002 until present. She served her community in numerous ways, being an active participant in Relay for Life from 1997 until present serving as chaplain, accountant and team leader, and being an active member of the Pilot Club from 1976 until present serving in numerous offices and was Pilot of the Year 1982-1983 and 2012-2013.
Surviving are: three daughters, Elaine DeBerry, and her husband Ronald, Connie Pernell and her husband David and Melody Branch and her husband Michael, all of Gaston, NC; a sister, Madie Higgins of Gaston, NC; three grandsons, William “Bill” Allen Cooke, Jr. and his wife Robin, Michael Ray Cooke and Jason Everette Pernell and his wife Amy, all of Gaston, NC., great grandsons William “Will” Allen Cooke, III, Christopher “Ryan” Cooke, Andrew “Drew” Everette Pernell all of Gaston, and Michael “MJ” Ray Cooke, Jr. of Emporia, VA., two step grandsons, two step granddaughters, seven step great grandchildren, special adopted granddaughters Gracie and Jamie Clements, beloved grand-dogs Autumn, Bella, Remington, and Snow Branch.
The family will receive at Wrenn Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 2:30 PM, in the funeral home chapel, with Mr. Ricky Jordan and Mrs. Judi Hux officiating. Interment will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke 
Rapids, NC.
The family requests memorial donations be made to: The Pilot Club of Roanoke Valley, P. O. Box 971, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.wrennclarkehagan.com

In Monday night RVGSL u8 action Anytime Party Rental suffered their first defeat of the season with a 8-7 loss to Enfield Cotton Gin.

For Enfield Cotton Gin Ellissa West scored the winning run on a bases loaded single by Chasity Shaw who also had a solo homer and a single. Hayden Barlow had 2 doubles, Emilee Campbell and Sofie Wade had 2 hits. A'Lexus Roundtree also had 2. Chloe Long,Makayla Chambers, Maggie Fowler and Mackenzie Hamilton had a hit. Juleigh Hall who had 2 hits also.

For Anytime Party Rental Emily Williams, Meagan Davis and Keyara Hedgepeth had 3 hits. Hannah Peacock had 2 hits and Hayden Odom had a hit.

Enfield Cotton Gin improves to 5-4 for the season. Anytime Party Rental falls to7-1-1.

In other U8 action All In One Auto and Piedmont Sevices played to a 6-6 tie when time ran out.

For All In One Auto Kamryn Johnson, Payton Kelly, Sky Moore, Cadence Ball and Tamara Garner had 2 hits. Elissa Allen and Reese Clary had a hit.

For Piedmont Services Morgan Pearson had a homer, Gracie Robertson had 2 double. Piper Vann had a hit. Karson Ricks, Gracie Robertson, Gracie Alston and Miley Lynch had good gloves.

Piedmont Services moves to 4-3-2 and All In One Auto goes to 0-8-1.

The Fishman Prize was created six years ago as a way to celebrate outstanding public school teachers.
Since then, the prize has celebrated educators who have one thing in common: the ability to create challenging and engaging classrooms that help to propel their students to success later in life.
As one of only four national winners, Noble will earn $25,000 and a seat in a special summer residency with The New Teacher Project, the national nonprofit that offers this award. Three other winners from across the country will be announced throughout the day.
In the residency, the winners will reflect deeply on their classroom practice, broaden their perspective on their role as teachers, and connect with a network of educators who will remain their colleagues throughout their careers.
“Mr. Noble is an outstanding public school teacher who goes above and beyond to create a challenging and engaging classroom for all of his students,” said KIPP Eastern North Carolina Co-Founder and Executive Director Tammi Sutton. “Not only does he focus on developing exceptional analytical readers and writers, but he also empowers his students to use their unique voices and perspectives to advocate for social change.”
Noble has been a teacher at KIPP Gaston College Prep Pride High School since 2010. In his tenure with KIPP Eastern North Carolina, he has been recognized as a KIPP Teacher Leader, a KIPP Foundation Featured Teacher, a Harriet Ball Excellence in Teaching Award Winner, and has served on the North Carolina Teachers’ Advisory Council to the governor.
He is frequently cited by his students as one of their favorite teachers in the school and his former students say his teaching and the rigor of his lessons is on par with what they have encountered in their college-level English classes. In addition to teaching, he serves as a grade level chair, coaches basketball, and helped to found the high school’s Young Activists Club.
He credits his students with driving the rigor and excellence in his classroom. “Aware of the statistics, my students use them not as excuses, but as motivation.They demand that the bar be set higher than state tests; they demand that the bar be set at college readiness because they expect to succeed at the colleges of their choice.”
“Brett coaches two English teachers, leads weekly professional development for our cohort of six first-year teachers, and leads quarterly professional development for all K-12 English teachers in KIPP ENC,” said Principal Kevika Amar. “He is as patient with his colleagues as he is with his students. His impact is felt throughout the building.”
For Noble, it’s critical that students apply lessons from his class to the world around him. “Every single day is an opportunity to talk about social justice issues, whether they are local or national.”
In recent years, students have started a young activist club, attended local NAACP meetings, and joined protests together. While Noble comes from a dramatically different background than his students, he wants them to know he doesn’t have all the answers, he just wants them to learn — and to question. “It’s not a community that I grew up in—but they did,” he says. “I have to always approach it with a lot of humility, but over the course of the year, I see fires ignite. I see them grow into the proactive professionals who will strengthen their communities and lead a life of choice.”

In all, the high school announced 71 seniors have received scholarships totaling more than $4.4 million. The announcements came during today’s senior awards day.
Two of the students who will have their college educations completely paid for received awards through the Ethel Crawley Scholarship fund. Meghan Shearin, who plans to attend Campbell University and Semaj Smith, who plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington were recipients of Crawley scholarships.
Aurora Myers, who plans to attend North Carolina State University, was the recipient of the Goodnight Scholarship and Ashlyn Beach, who plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was the recipient of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs scholarship. They both received scholarships which will pay for their four years of education.
Roanoke Rapids principal Tammie Williams named Beach as this year’s valedictorian and Steven Moor as salutatorian.

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“We are so unbelievably proud of our seniors,” Williams said. “Their efforts, hard work, and determination have paid off. For the past four years we have tracked the scholarship offers and we have watched them increase by a million dollars every year.”
Each year the faculty and staff also chooses three students for their leadership and service. This year's recipients included:
Service Award: Kimberly Pampilo
Citizenship Award: Brionna Gibson
Best All Around Award: Hope Elias
Graduation exercises are planned for June 9 at 8 p.m. at the school’s auditorium.

In the order for her continued detention in federal custody, the government proffered Bianca Kiashie Harrison, who has ties to the Rich Square area, “has significant leadership role in UBN. She was arrested on this charge at the Charlotte airport. According to her she was flying to New York. During a later transport to the hospital, government proffers that she attempted to slip out of handcuffs.”
Harrison, who goes by the street name Little Gunz, is scheduled for arraignment on September 5 at the federal courthouse in Charlotte, according to a minute entry filed in the court record. That proceeding is scheduled for 9 a.m.
United States Magistrate Judge David S.Cayer Tuesday denied her pretrial release on several other factors as well as her reputed leadership role in the UBN.
His overall reason for denying her release was “by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.”
The factors include her past criminal record, history of violence or use of weapons, history of alcohol or substance abuse, failure to appear in court as ordered, unknown or unverified background information and prior violations of probation, parole or supervised released.
Information on David Watson, another Rich Square man who was indicted, shows he was arrested last week in Woodland.

Lamonte Lloyd and Tyquan Powell

Meanwhile, Lloyd and Powell charged federally with a murder in Scotland Neck and Gastonia, were the subjects of two writs of habeas corpus in the case.
Cayer ordered Lloyd be detained in the Halifax County Jail and be brought to Charlotte on June 19 to appear before the court on the charges against him in the indictment. He is to be returned to Halifax County after the proceedings.
Powell, who is being held in Mecklenburg County, is also ordered to appear in court in Charlotte on June 19.

Background

In all, 83 members of the group were indicted following a five-state raid.
The charges were related to federal racketeering conspiracy charges and charges related to murder, attempted murder, violent assault, narcotics distribution, firearms possession and Hobbs Act robbery.
A number of defendants are also charged with bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to financial crimes.
The operation was a coordinated effort involving more than 600 federal, state and local law enforcement officers who executed the arrest warrants in Charlotte, Cleveland County, and eastern North Carolina.