It was a night to recognize the Roanoke Rapids High School Yellow Jackets athletes off the field. First they were fed a catered meal then coaches announced the award winners. This year winners are listed below:

The 2016-17 RRHS Best All-Around Female athlete must have lettered in at least two sports, possess the following traits of sportsmanship, citizenship, attitude, dependability, leadership and teamwork every time that they compete for RRHS and are role models for every athlete who wears the Yellow Jacket jersey and Kristy Price (presented by coach Mark Snead) has been chosen as this year’s winner.

The 2016-17 RRHS Best All-Around male athlete must have lettered in at least two sports, possess the following traits of sportsmanship, citizenship, attitude, dependability, leadership and teamwork every time that they compete for RRHS and are role models for every athlete who wears the Yellow Jacket jersey and Marcus Allen (presented by Coach Eric McDaniels) has been chosen as this year’s winner.

The Aimee Erwin Award is given to a senior female athlete possessing the following traits: outstanding leadership, outstanding athletic ability both individually & as a team player & loyalty to the school, administration and Kristen Jones (presented by Mrs. Natalie Robertson) has been chosen as this year’s winner.

The Micket Gukick Award is given to a senior male athlete possessing the following traits: outstanding leadership, outstanding athletic ability both individually & as a team player & loyalty to the school, administration and (Co- Winners) Tyler Acree and Hunter Connell (presented by Coach Mark Snead) has been chosen as this year’s winners. 

The Cranford Hoyle Award recognizes a senior male & female athlete for achievements which exemplify the traits so valued by Coach Hoyle, long time teacher, coach & Athletic Director at the RRHS. The recipients of this award must have lettered in one or more sports, been loyal to his/her community and to his/her school, taken advantage of his/her educational opportunities, been competitive when the game of life became challenging and has demonstrated that adversity in the life can overcome by dedication to a better way. This year winners are (Female) Erica Whitmire and (male) Matthew Norton (both presented by Coach Tyler Snyder).

The Sports Club-Spark Plug award goes to a student whom contributes unselfishly & freely of their time, dependable, takes pride in their job and does not expect or seek recognition for job performed, performs task "behind the scenes" that go unnoticed by the fans and players, and is the coach's "right hand person". This year’s winner is Abbey Acree (presented by Mr. Robert Neville). 

Sports Club Recognition Award: Mr. Randy Archer

Listed below are each  RRHS Sports and the winners:

RRHS Soccer

Women's soccer MVP: Kristy Price

Best Offensive player: Ella King

Best Defensive player: Abbey Acree

Coaches Award: Morgan Davis

All Conference Soccer: Ella King

Men's soccer

MVP: Emerson Escobar

Best Offensive Player: Carson Neal 

Best Defensive Player:  Tyler Smith

Coach's Award: Eulices Pineda

All Conference Soccer: Carson Neal, Emerson Escobar, Cameron Wilson, Thomas Merritt

All Conference Honorable Mention:  Tyler Smith, Eulices Escobar

All Region 1st Team:  Carson Neal and Emerson Escobar

All Region 2nd Team:  Cameron Wilson

Softball:

MVP - Breanna Allen

Coaches - Haley Farrow

Most Improved - Hannah Mosley

Best Offensive - Abbi Carpenter

Best Deffensive - Kelsey Bierbauer

All Conference: Abbi Carpenter and Breanna Allen

Wrestling:

MVP - Robert Weber

Most Improved - Nathan Dixon

Coaches Award - Matthew Norton 

Men’s Basketball:

MVP - Tyjarek Simmons

Coaches Award - Semaj Smith

Most Improved - Dre Terry

Team 1st Award - Tyler Acree 

All Conference: Tyjarek Simmons

Honorable Mention:  Dre Terry, Tyler Acree, Semaj Smith and Tyraybiya Kearney

Winter Cheer:

MVP- Kristen Jones

Most Improved - A-jah Hill

Coaches Award - Renee Smith 

Volleyball:

MVP - Kelsey Bierbauer

Most Improved - Amy Fromal

Coaches Award - Meghan Shearin 

Fall Cheer:

MVP - Hayley Hester

Most Improved - Brionna Gibson

Coaches Award- Madelyn Dickinson 

Men's Tennis:

MVP - Peyton Clapton

Most Improved - Daniel Pittman

Coaches Award- Luke Robertson 

Women's Swimming:

MVP - Kristy Price

Most Improved - Abbey Acree

Coaches Award - Lexa Carlisle 

Men's Swimming:

MVP - Aj Hoscila

Most Improved - Garrett Tant

Coaches Award - Doug Glasgow 

Girls Cross Country:

MVP - Caitlin Bobbitt

Leadership - Amanda Chau

Coaches- Kate Pleasant 

Boys Cross Country:

MVP - Eric Baird

Leadership - Luke Robertson

Coaches- Cody Mckeel

Women's Tennis:

MVP - Abby Mederos

Most Improved - Kristen Pampilo

Coaches- Kimberly Pampilo 

Baseball:

MVP - Colby Warrren

Most Improved - Tommy Bradley

Leadership - Cameron Rogerson

Coaches - Hunter Connell

Women's Track:

MVP - Anna Vann

Coaches - Abby Perdue

Most Improved- Carmon Aterido 

Men's Track:

MVP - Quincy Vann

Coaches - Matthew Norton

Most Improved- Billy Ricks 

Women's Golf:

MVP - Madison Archer

Most Improved - Madison Hubbard

Coaches Award - Hope Anne Elias

Men's Golf:

MVP - Jackson Gowen

Coaches - Ryan Wynn

Most Improved- Trey West

Football  :

MVP: Marcus Allen

Offensive Award: Da'Raj Watson

Defensive Award: Tyler Acree

MO Lineman: Dylan Gard

Most Improved: Tyrell Govan

Coaches Award: Hunter Connell  

Senior Award/Student Assistants: Courtney Harris & Erica Whitmire

Northern Carolina Conference Defensive Back Award: Marcus Allen

All Conference: (8) Marcus Allen LB, Tyler Acree DE, Tyrell Govan LB, Da'Raj Watson RB, Corey Jenkins RB, Dylan Gard OL, Matthew Norton OL, & Hunter Connell REC.

All Conference Honorable Mention: Cameron Rogerson QB, Emmanuel Jones LB, Jack Neville DB, Jake Rooker Specialty, and A'Jalon Brown FB.

JV Awards: 

MVP:  Isaiah Robinson

Coaches Award:  Cameron Medlin & Rand Temple

Chief Chuck Hasty said there is additional work to do on the report, such as finishing calculations of distances taken and other measurements. The state Highway Patrol has assisted in reconstruction of the crash scene. The patrol, however, had no information to report on the wreck this morning.
The report confirms Dontaveis Marquel Ingram, 25, and his daughter, Zanyra Ingram, 6, both of Ironwood Drive, died in the crash.
According to the report written by Master Officer Gerald Morris, the crash occurred just before 9:15 p.m. when Ingram was traveling west on Hinson Street “at a speed greater than the posted speed.”
The report indicates he was driving a 2007 Ford at an estimated speed of 60 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone.
He traveled past a utility pole where the vehicle went into a ditch on the right side of the road and then came back on the roadway. The vehicle then went into oversteer and over correction and began to slide into the eastbound vehicle lane before hitting a 2014 Honda SUV.
Estimated speed of impact was 60 miles per hour. Estimated speed of the SUV was 15 miles per hour.
Ingram’s vehicle came to rest on its passenger side while the Honda was knocked backwards and came to rest against a fence at the city’s public works department.
Both vehicles were undriveable following the crash and estimated damage to the fence was $2,000.

Tillmon, a former Windsor police officer, was the only one of the so-called Rockfish 15 to enter a not guilty plea in the corruption case.
A spokesman for the United States Eastern District Attorneys Office of North Carolina confirmed the possible maximum sentence today.
His sentencing was originally scheduled in August but on Tuesday Senior Judge Malcolm J. Howard continued it until September 12 in Greenville.
A text order filed in the court record said the continuance was approved “to ensure that the US Probation Office has adequate time to prepare the Presentence Report in this matter.”
The jury verdict sheet contained in the federal court record shows the panel found him guilty of the following:

Count 1 — Conspiracy with intent to possess and distribute 1 kilogram or more heroin from November 2013 to April 2015
Count 2 — Conspiracy to use and carry firearms in relation to drug trafficking offenses from November 2013 to April 2015
Count 33 — Attempted possession with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of a substance containing heroin in October 2014
Count 34 — Use a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime in October 2014
Count 48 — Attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 1 kilogram of a substance containing heroin in March 2015
Count 49 — Use a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime in March 2015
Count 32 — Federal programs bribery in August 2014
Count 36 — Federal programs bribery in October 2014
Count 54 — Federal programs bribery in March 2015

The remaining 14 defendants are tentatively expected to be sentenced next month.

The late coach Mike Newsome, who devoted so much of himself to the youth of the Roanoke Valley for nearly 50 years as a coach passed away January 16th 2015 at the age of 67. Friends came together to form "Team Mike" and find ways to honor the late coach Newsome and keep his memories alive.

So in 2016 it was decided to award a scholarship in his name to three area senior athlete students from high schools where coach Newsome coached.

Newsome coached the Varsity softball team at Halifax Academy for five seasons (99 - 03) with a NCISSA 1A State Championship.  Newsome started and coached the Varsity softball team at KIPP High for four season (11-14) with a 1A Tar Roanoke Conference championship and conference coach of the year in 2013. Newsome coached the Varsity Roanoke Rapids Women's basketball team for one season (04 - 05) before a Heart attack sidelined him.

2017 Halifax Academy senior Drew Rose has been named as the 2nd Annual Halifax Academy "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner.

2017 KIPP High senior Ke'shonna Gay has been named as the 2nd Annual KIPP High "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner. Miss Gay will be attending the University of North Carolina at Ashville.

2017 Roanoke Rapids High senior Lauren Oliver has been named as the 2nd Annual Roanoke Rapids High "Team Mike" Coach Mike Newsome scholarship award winner. Miss Oliver will be attending University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

"Team Mike" organizer Randy Wrenn stated, "This scholarship award is just another way to honor the Late coach and also honor several senior athletes and schools Mike was part of for years. Coach was always willing to give his time to the kids in the Roanoke Valley. I guess that is part where I get my drive, because all the Roanoke Valley kids need to have fun and smile. Thanks to all that helped this year in the fundraisers for "Team Mike", with a special thanks to supporters in every event (Davis Body Shop, Discount Tire of Roanoke Rapids, TD Sports, Lynch's Signs and Graphics, Roanoke Cinemas, Today's Electronics, Clary's Speedway, Roanoke Rapids High School, Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp, Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation and the Northampton County Wellness Complex).

Coach Newsome's widow Jeane stated, "I also want to thank those that helped him with the fund raiser events in Mike's memory. Mike would be so happy to see this. He loved all of "his girls". 

The tracks Brand New Cabin-Themed Tickets Booths and Officials Office will be delivered but not in time for the June 4th opening, therefor the date has been changed to July 9th.

New Staff are training and hiring still continues, anyone interested in the Race Director position please contact Carrie @ 757-298-4435 or please your resume to southamptonmotorspeedway@ahoo.com.

Food, Arts-N-Crafts, souvenir, & Entertainment- Please contact Amanda @ 757-298-4435.

Hiring Maintenance Manager, please call 757-298-4435.

The Good Times will be rolling around The Playground very soon.

Roanoke Rapids High School head softball coach Steve Milligan and several of his Lady Yellow Jackets will  cover items such as hitting, catching, throwing, base running, bunting and teamwork. The camp is Monday June 10th-22nd and is from 9AM-12Noon. Please bring your glove, bat, helmet and dress to get wet.

Contact the Roanoke Rapids Parks and recreation for more information and register at TJ Davis Recreation Center. Cost is $45 and make checks payable to USSSA

Registration is open for rising freshman up to 2017 graduates for $25 fee with a June 24th deadline. A current report card, School ID or Diploma must be shown.

All games will be played at T.J. Davis Recreation Center.

For more information, contact 533-2847.

The public is invited to attend and Roanoke Rapids City Manager Joseph Scherer, a retired United States Army lieutenant colonel, will be the keynote speaker.
The ceremony includes special music, recognition of fallen veterans with the folding of the flag and laying of wreaths and flowers by local organizations as well as the general public.
Veterans organizations, local civic organizations, churches, businesses, and general public are welcome to place a wreath or lay flowers during the service.
For more information contact Jean Reaves at 252-673-6495.

The medical center’s board approved the 10-year extension.
"With this agreement, we will continue to partner with Adept Health, allowing us to thrive in a challenging healthcare environment, balancing improved patient care and affordability of care," said Thomas Lynch, chairman of the board of directors at HRMC.
Adept Health and Halifax Regional Medical Center entered into their original management agreement in March 2014.
Under the partnership, Adept Health provides day-to-day expertise in a number of areas such as patient quality and safety; strategic planning; clinical engineering; regulatory and accreditation; operational efficiencies and service line development.
The partnership has had a positive impact on Halifax Regional Medical Center.
Due to the trend of better financial operating performance, Fitch Ratings upgraded Halifax Regional’s bond ratings in August 2015 followed by Moody’s Investor Service revising Halifax Regional’s outlook to positive in October 2015.
In September 2015 Halifax Regional Medical Center opened its 2,800-square-foot Cardiac Catheterization Lab adding percutaneous coronary intervention services to better diagnose and treat cardiovascular illnesses.
Patient safety has also improved during the tenure of the partnership with Adept Health.
Most recently, Halifax Regional Medical Center’s Spring 2017 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade was upgraded to a “B”.
"With our Cardiac and Vascular Center, Birthing Center and the variety of other medical and surgical services we provide, we realize that each visit and every procedure is not just about the state-of-the-art medical care we offer – it’s about caring," said Dr. Joey Thomas, Chief of staff at Halifax Regional Medical Center.
Adept Health focuses on partnerships with healthcare organizations to provide shared services and other management collaborations.
Adept Health’s goal is to assist hospitals and the communities they serve through a wide range of partnership possibilities that preserve local market ownership and autonomy while helping address partner needs across a continuum of offerings to deliver best-in-class services.
In 2011, Novant Health Shared Services was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of Novant Health. In 2016, Novant Health Shared Services rebranded as Adept Health. Adept Health remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Novant Health, while continuing to develop services available to its partners across the country.

A native of Halifax County she was the daughter of the late Thomas Wright and Ruth Miller Harris. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Martin.

She was retired from J. P. Stevens.

Evelyn is survived by her three sons, Wayne Martin of Honolulu, HI, Bobby Martin and his wife Susan of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Larry “Pete” Martin of Halifax, NC; her twelve grandchildren, Amy Smith, Jennifer Whitby, Jerry Martin, II, Steve Martin, Bobby Martin, Jr., Kendall Martin, Missy Tolbert, Larry Martin, II, Michele Havlin, Jessica Bissette, Mark Shaw, and Michelle Wells; her twenty Great-Grandchildren and her two sisters, Louise Davis of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Joann Watkins of Indiana.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Massey of Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, with Dr. W. Jim Whitehead officiating.

Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, NC.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. at Massey Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, NC.

We have seen comments several times throughout this case downplaying its severity, excusing it away these 15 people, mainly cops or correctional officers, were only shipping fake drugs to many points along the Eastern Seaboard.
It doesn’t matter whether the drugs were real or fake. What matters is they were willing to spit on their badges and spit in the faces of the public they once swore to protect, letting them know they were on the take.
We’ve scoured through more than 700 documents filed electronically in the Eastern District of North Carolina Court System and we have come away with a bad taste.
Operation Rockfish was all about intent to do something dirty, to take their guns and badges, make a little side hustle, accept bribes and Rolex watches to protect what they thought were drugs.
What’s chilling about this case is they were ready to use those guns if a shipment went bad. That’s what is wrong about this case, the extraordinary measures they took to do something illegal, racking bullets in the chamber, going to narcotics conventions to deceive, having meetings to learn how to avoid detection.
Throughout our review of the hundreds of court documents we learned some disheartening allegations, which now in the face of the pleas and the guilty verdict have become fact.
One of the cops way before this probe started admitted he was already abusing the power of his uniform by robbing drug dealers. He became the original target in the case and didn’t mind recruiting others for a nefarious cause.
Another admitted past ties to a real drug trafficking organization so what does that say? It says the intent was already there.
Sad in this case is the way these officers believed they were onto something big, one thinking through their ties to Russian mobsters they could expand this operation to a global drug trafficking kingdom and another arrogantly wanting to have this so-called heroin and cocaine broken off to her to start her own little organization.
Does this sound like something that should be downplayed? Nope. After the intent was established they would willingly tarnish their reputations and badges, they would have gone along with whatever, they were essentially shipping real quantities of real drugs; they were willing to feed the area’s and country’s heroin addiction.
It’s all about intent.
Antonio Tillmon, the man a federal jury decided was guilty, could receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. While we don’t believe he should receive the maximum, we do believe he should be severely punished because he let down those he swore he would protect, he let down fellow officers whose necks he should have protected. Instead, joining in this operation showed he was willing to cause his fellow officers harm should they interfere. This is what Operation Rockfish was all about.
What we’re gathering from our review of court documents is the government is looking at sentencing the first person to take a plea in the case, Wardie Vincent Jr., to a prison term of 108 to 135 months. His attorney is seeking 10 to 16 months, a ridiculously low term.
Nine to 11 ½ years isn’t a bad number for a group of people who took an oath to protect citizens on the streets and in the sanctity of their homes, an oath they failed to uphold because of greed, some extra cash and Rolex watches.
While 9 to nearly 12 years isn’t a bad number, no amount of time they serve will make up for their flagrant dereliction of duty in this case. It’s up to the judge’s discretion and we would opt for a higher sentencing range because of the harm these officers intended to do while roaming the highways, believing they were carrying millions of dollars in drugs and drug proceeds should they get caught.
If it wasn’t so sad, wasn’t so serious that they believed what they were doing was real, it would almost be comical, them driving to Maryland, Virginia and to a warehouse in Rocky Mount carrying what amounted to nothing, but truly believing they were going to get rich beyond their wildest dreams.
Say what you will, fake drugs or not, there was always the intent and that intent was to spit on their badges and the people they once took an oath to protect and serve. Operation Rockfish was all about that intent — Editor

The 2016-17 Awards for Halifax Academy Athletics are as follows:

Carolina Independent Conference Male Scholastic All-Conference Award – Jackson Harris

Carolina Independent Conference Female Scholastic All-Conference Award – Anna Garrett

Varsity Softball   

Viking Award – Sydney Smith

Offensive Award – Drew Rose

Defensive Award – Ashton Garner

Coach’s Award – Candice Smith

All-state: Candice Smith, Sydney Smith, Ashton Garner, Drew Rose

CIC Conference Player of the Year: Sydney Smith

Soccer

Viking Award – Abby George     

Best Offensive – Whitney George

Best Defensive – Anna Garrett

Coach’s Award – Hailey Eason

All-state:  Whitney George and Abby George

Golf

Viking Award – Garrett Smith

Coaches Award – Laura Brady

Most Improved Award – Thomas Garrett

All-state: Garrett Smith

JV Baseball

Viking Award – Zach Elder        

Best Offensive – Ayden Woodall

Best Defensive – Caleb Slaughter

Coach’s Award – Jake Merritt

Varsity Baseball

Viking Award – Reid Lynch

Best Offensive – Bryce Cooke

Best Defensive – Larry West

Coach’s Award – Evan Dail

 Varsity Girls Basketball

Viking Award – Drew Rose

Best Offensive – Emerson Poole

Best Defensive – Maddie Suiter

Coach’s Award – Jordan Strickland

JV Girls Basketball

Viking Award – Kayla Gaertner

Most Improved Award – Maria Liles

Coach’s Award – Macie Price

JV Boys Basketball

Viking Award – Eli Harris

Best Offensive – Thomas Garrett

Best Defensive – Harrison Hardee

Coach’s Award – Jesse Rose

Varsity Boys Basketball

Viking Award – Jackson Harris

Best Offensive – Eric Williams

Best Defensive – Donovyn Gary

Coach’s Award – Larry West

JV Volleyball

Viking Award – Kayla Gaertner

Best Offensive – Kallie Barnes

Best Defensive – Karley Eason

Coach’s Award – Logan Oakley

Varsity Volleyball

Viking Award – Drew Rose

Best Offensive –Jordan Strickland

Best Defensive – Lauren Fulkerson

Coach’s Award – Lynley Liles

JV Football

Viking Award – Eli Harris

Best Offensive – Bryce Cooke

Best Defensive – Landen Dunn

Coach’s Award – Cody Dickens

Varsity Football

Viking Award – Reid Lynch

Best Offensive Back – Jarrett Smith

Best Offensive Lineman – Conner Lynch

Best Defensive Back – Harrison Hardee

Best Defensive Lineman – Colton Powell

Coach’s Award – Jesse Rose

All-state:  Colton Powell, Harrison Hardee, Reid Lynch

Varsity Cheerleaders

Best All Around – Alaina Mitchell

Coach’s Award – Rayen Myrick

Most Spirited – Ashleigh Fleming

Most Dedicated – Sarah Rightmyer

JV Cheerleaders

Best All Around – Lydia Boerner

Most Dedicated – Macie Price

Most Spirited – Grace Storey

Coach’s Award – Abbey Eason

Cross Country

Ladies:

Viking Award – Kate Starnes

Coach’s Award – Abby George

Most Improved – Holly Forsht

All-state: Whitney George and Kate Starnes

Men:

Viking Award – Jackson Harris

Coach’s Award – Jacob Harris

Most Improved – Larry West

All-state: Jackson Harris, Thomas Garrett, Larry West

Swim    

Ladies:

Viking Award – Holly Forsht

Most Improved – Morgan Hudomint                                                

Men:

Viking Award – Ted Fleming

Most Improved – Garrett Killeen 

Coach’s Award – Lauren Fulkerson

The crimes mainly reflect the break-ins of vehicles and some structures.
Lieutenant Charles Vaught the vehicles broken into were mainly unlocked.

{gallery}walkerpatrick{/gallery}

Timothy Kaleb Patrick was arrested Thursday and Timothy Michael Walker was arrested today following investigation by Investigator Jeff Davis.
“We are pleased with the thoroughness of Investigator Davis’s investigation into these crimes and bringing to an end this particular crime spree,” Vaught said. “The Roanoke Rapids Police Department encourages people to please remove all valuables from their vehicles.”
Besides firearms, Vaught said Patrick and Walker were reportedly targeting any items of value found in the vehicles, including loose change and electronics.
The break-ins were concentrated in the northern part of Roanoke Rapids.
Patrick was arrested and charged with 23 counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle, five counts of larceny of a firearm and one count of felony larceny.
He also faces 11 counts of misdemeanor larceny, six counts of breaking and entering of a structure, two counts larceny after breaking and entering, three counts felony possession of stolen goods, 16 counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods and three counts of damage to personal property.
He was jailed on $50,000 secured bond and has a June 7 court date.
Meanwhile Davis charged Walker with 22 counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, five counts of larceny of a firearm, one count of felony larceny, eight counts of misdemeanor larceny, two counts of breaking and entering of a structure, two counts of larceny after breaking and entering, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods, 10 counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods, and three counts of injury to personal property. Walker received the same bond and court date as Patrick.
Vaught said Walker and Patrick are friends.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy Scott Hall reported on Thursday around 11 p.m., Deputy D.J. Epperson stopped a vehicle for a violation on Highway 301 near Weldon.
Epperson detected the odor of marijuana from within the vehicle.
After a search of the vehicle and the passengers, Epperson and Trooper S.R. Corn of the state Highway Patrol, discovered Alvin Norwood Jr., 25, of Roanoke Rapids, in possession of a concealed firearm, marijuana, heroin and crack cocaine.
Norwood was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by felon, carry a concealed weapon, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule I, felony possession of schedule I, possession to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of cocaine.
He was jailed on $30,000 bond and Has a July 19 court date.
Corporal P. Moyer and his dog Bosco also assisted in the arrest.
The driver received a verbal warning and 8 grams of marijuana, 9 grams of heroin and one crack rock was recovered.

Roanoke Rapids Police Department

Lieutenant C.L. Vaught reported the following arrests on Thursday:

Jonathan James Brown was arrested and charged with indecent exposure.
The arrest stemmed from an investigation conducted by Investigator G. Williams where Brown allegedly exposed himself to a female who was shopping at a local business.
Brown received a $1,000 secured bond and a court date of June 17.
Investigator J. K. Davis and Halifax County Probation and Parole assisted.

Angela Renee Pearson was arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor larceny. The charges stem from an investigation conducted by Vaught where Pearson allegedly stole items from Family Dollar on two separate occasions.
She received a $1,000 secured bond and a court date of June 7.

Weldon Police Department

Lieutenant Chris Davis reported on Wednesday around 11:12 pm, Officer Q. Godley and Officer W. Wheeler received a suspicious vehicle call in the area of Garris and Winston streets.
Wheeler conducted a traffic stop and during investigation noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Godley arrested Christopher Allen Chambliss, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, for possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon.
Chambliss received a $1,500 unsecured bond and July 10 court date.

The venue hosted the first performance of First of Freedom in 1976.
Since the state returned the lease of the building to the county in 2015, the county has spearheaded the effort to rebuild it.
The plans are, said Halifax County Commissioner Rives Manning, chair of the amphitheater committee, to rebuild the facility “to its former glory. The goal is to return North Carolina’s second longest running outdoor drama to its original home and to provide a facility for other performances throughout the year.”

Manning and Barbee.

Each bench at the amphitheater will be sponsored. An engraved plaque, with the name of sponsor or honoree, will be at the end of each row.
There are a limited number of seat-naming opportunities.
Naming opportunities are $400 per bench.
There is also the opportunity to buy bricks engraved with contributor names for $100. The bricks will be used for the pathways leading into the amphitheater.
Contribution forms may be picked up at the Halifax County Visitors Center in Roanoke Rapids or at the Historic Halifax County Court House in Halifax.
“The funding will come from a variety of sources, including grants from private foundations and from community contributors,” said Judy Barbee, fundraising chair. “We want you to be a part of this effort and take a seat at the new Joseph Montfort Amphitheater.”

(All City meetings are open to the public):

City Council (Special Meeting)
Wednesday, May 31, 2017 (City Council members will depart from the J. Reuben Daniel City Hall at 9:00 a.m. to tour various City facilities. Following the facilities tour, City Council will hold a Budget Meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room in the J. Reuben Daniel City Hall, 1040 Roanoke Avenue.)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

The City of Roanoke Rapids is not accepting applications for any positions:

NO VACANCIES AT THIS TIME

The City of Roanoke Rapids is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Roanoke Rapids City Council will hold an evidentiary public hearing on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 5:15 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall located at 700 Jackson Street to hear the following item(s):

1. A Conditional Use Permit request from Michelle Newsome Taylor (Applicant) and Becker Village Mall, LLC (Property Owner) to conduct Electronic Gaming Operations (Internet Sweepstakes) in Suite 145 of Becker Village Mall at 1620 E. 10th Street (Halifax County Tax Parcel 0900046). The requested use for electronic gaming operations is proposed to operate daily from 8:00am – 2:00 am. The tenant space was previously occupied as “Goldmine.”

The decision to determine if the project meets the standards is quasi-judicial and subject to procedural due process requirements. Once an applicant makes the showing that the standards have been met, the burden shifts to those who oppose permit issuance to present countervailing substantial, competent, and material evidence that the standards would not be met. When there is substantial evidence on both sides, the City Council makes its determination as to which is correct when making its final decision.

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

MUNICIPAL OFFICES CLOSED/TRASH COLLECTION: Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2017 in observance of Memorial Day. Trash collection routes for Monday will be collected on Wednesday, May 31st.

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

►Historic Preservation Advisory Committee

►Planning Board/Board of Adjustment (ETJ)

►Canal Museum Advisory Committee

►Beautification Committee

ROANOKE RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Emery G. Doughtie Mayor Pro Tem Carl Ferebee
Council Members: Ernest C. Bobbitt, Suetta S. Scarbrough, Carol H. Cowen, Wayne Smith
Joseph Scherer, City Manager Gilbert Chichester, City Attorney
Traci V. Storey, City Clerk Kathy Kearney, Deputy City Clerk

{gallery}farmworker{/gallery}

There was no indication that Shenna Kay Riley or Jovonte Jacqus Boone had left the area, “Investigators with the sheriff’s office and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department have been patrolling the downtown area heavily in an attempt to apprehend them.”
They had been spotted at the Roanoke Avenue McDonald’s earlier this week.
Each surrendered with family within a couple of hours of one another, he said.
Tripp still declined to discuss the relationship between Riley and Boone. They were both acquainted with the victim, Nestor Salazar Moctexuma, 51, who was a year round farm worker in Halifax County.
He was found deceased last Saturday in a mobile home in the Airlie Road area of Littleton.
Tripp has not yet released how the man was killed.
Each were served with murder warrants and jailed without opportunity for bond.

{gallery}memorial17{/gallery}

Father Pius Wekesa will conduct a service to remember Michael’s life Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 4:00 pm in the chapel at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com

Mr. Rogers was born on January 25, 1939 in Halifax County, the son of the late Abbie Willie Rogers and Iona Shaw Rogers. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Martha Rogers Williams and his brother-in-law, Edward Tippett.

When he was a child Herbert worked along with Wade Powell to deliver milk for Sam Powell Dairy. He drove a school bus while he was in high school. He graduated from William R. Davie High School on May 28, 1957. He moved to Washington, D.C. two months later and started work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where he became a certified finger print expert. Herbert was drafted in the U.S. Army on August 20, 1962 for two years where he became a Sergeant. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia and in Germany. He was discharged from the service on August 10, 1964. He stayed at home and worked at the Paper Mill, Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company for one year before returning to Washington, D.C. to continue his work with the FBI. He retired from the FBI in April 1994. He also worked for Giant Food Store for 28 years. During those years, he also lived in Oxon Hill and Fort Washington, Maryland.

Herbert had his house built on Sam Powell Dairy Road and returned to Roanoke Rapids to live in April 1995. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He worked closely with Mr. Kenneth Brantley in the Gideon’s International spreading the word of God. He was also active in the Davie Lions Club for a few years.

He is survived by his sister, Patricia Rogers Tippett; brother-in-law James “Dick” Williams; nephew, Keith Williams; great niece, Abbie Williams Newsome and husband Monk Newsome; great-great niece, Aurora Isabel Newsome and several cousins.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service with Dr. Wayne Ellis and Rev. Susan Joyce. Burial will follow in the Powell Family cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 and other times at the home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bethlehem Baptist Church, 3902 Hwy 158, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 or Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.

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