However, it was determined no criminal act was committed and the matter appears to be a civil issue.

The case was closed as unfounded, Vaught said.

Chief Chuck Hasty presented the plan to city council this afternoon as part of the panel's upcoming fiscal year budget deliberations.

While City Manager Joseph Scherer said he does not have proposed numbers in place, he did confirm he is preparing the budget by “not figuring any tax increase.”

(The next budget session will be next Thursday, April 14, at 4 p.m. in the first floor conference room of city hall where parks and recreation and human resources will make their requests. A related story can be found at this link)

In his outline for the PACE team, Hasty is requesting $149,500 for salaries covering two patrol officers and one investigator, who would report to the captain of criminal investigations.

The points of concern areas, Hasty said, have been generated by citizen complaints and officer observation. “The PACE officers can supplement the patrol squads by working these points of concern areas,” Hasty told council. “The squad has seven officers on each squad and it has been like this since the 1990s. The police department averages over 2,200 calls per month which limits the time they can dedicate to points of concern areas.”

PACE officers would work on street-level drug dealers in those areas and “work in getting more drunk drivers off the streets. In 2014, 97 were arrested; in 2015, 74 were arrested.”

The PACE investigator, the chief said, would work cases involving drugs, larcenies and break-ins.

A criminal interdiction team, such as PACE, Hasty said, “put themselves in a position to increase their odds of finding menaces before they strike by increasing their contacts and honing their skills. The proactive officer learns the indicators of criminal activity and deception so that they will recognize them when they see them.

“A patrol officer armed with the desire to make an impact coupled with the skill to detect indicators of criminal activity can be a career criminal's worst nightmare. An officer practicing criminal interdiction keeps an open mind to the possibility that every call and every contact can lead to a major criminal arrest.”

That is because, Hasty said, “They are not looking for some one thing on a call or contact — they're looking for everything on a call or contact. The officer practicing criminal interdiction will make many field contacts and vehicle stops for a variety of violations. Every contact becomes a short-term investigation. By using disarming dialog, an officer can determine numerous things about the occupant of a vehicle.”

If funding for the officers and $140,500 in equipment is approved, Hasty said, “This will give the department much needed resources to handle the growing problems related to drugs, drug use and the other crimes related. This, in turn, will make the city a safer place to live and work.”

Councilman Ernest Bobbitt asked Hasty about possibility of grants to fund the program.

“We're looking at grants,” the chief replied. “They may pay the first year. We're always exploring those options.”

Hasty, among other requests including a vehicle impound at public works, is looking to buy seven new Ford Interceptors and is requesting $290,000 to do so.

He told Councilman Wayne Smith he would check with local dealers to see if they could piggyback on the state contract price, which is typically less and comes with the police package.

Coggins said in the next five to 10 years he envisions a complete training center for the fire department.

In the beginning phases, however, he sees a small facility at the public works department using shipping containers, which is the current trend in training.

(The next budget session will be held at 4 p.m. next Thursday, April 14, in the first floor conference room of city hall. A related budget story may be found at this link)

“It's not going to be like Charlotte, Wake County or Raleigh,” he said following the meeting.

The shipping containers can be configured to resemble buildings and are an effective training tool, he said. “Goldsboro already has it. They have 20 to 30 side-by-side.”

They can also be configured to have mazes, he said.

Deputy Chief Mike Clements, in a report Coggins presented to council, noted, “Departments are basically repurposing sea-land shipping containers and using them to construct training buildings that can be used to accomplish all of the tasks required of (Office of the State Fire Marshal), including live fire training.”

In the fire department's current budget, it has made arrangements for three members to attend a training session on design and construction. “Our future plan is to utilize the talents of several of our members to bring this facility to fruition by doing all of the fabrication and construction ourselves.”

The fire department will need, however, to purchase containers, prepare a site with a concrete slab and purchase materials to build the training props. “We have an opportunity to purchase shipping containers for $1,000 each from a company in Enfield as opposed to paying $2,300 each for the containers from a company in Norfolk,” the memo said.

Preliminary plans are to buy five containers to build the facility.

Meanwhile, Coggins proposed proposed a 5-percent across-the-board pay increase for the fire department and also presented to council a proposal for a 7-percent across-the-board pay increase.

The 5-percent increase would require $1,223,753.51 while the 7-percent would require $1,246,586.91.

“I welcome you to look at some of the things we do,” he said. “My job is to speak for my guys. Let's go big. It doesn't hurt to ask.”

Coggins said afterward, “I will be grateful for anything they give us.”

“That is a good sentence and outstanding work,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said today. “We will continue to do more.”

Terry was sentenced today in Raleigh after taking a plea last year.

On April 16 and 17 of 2014, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office used an informant to buy crack cocaine from Terry.

According to the statement, he received an enhanced punishment as a career offender based on his two prior state convictions for selling cocaine.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the sheriff's office.

The federal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry.  

The crash occurred on Henry Kee Road in the Garysburg area and firefighters discovered the vehicle in a field with heavy damage, the driver trapped.

The roadway was closed and vehicle was stabilized using step cribbing. Using hydraulic rescue cutters and spreaders, firefighters removed the roof, driver side door,, and driver side B-post.

The driver was assessed and treated on scene by Northampton County paramedics and then transported to Vidant.

Firefighters remained on scene for more than a half-hour.

Seaboard Fire Department, Conway-Severn Rescue Squad, and the Northampton County Sheriff’s Department assisted.

Captain A.M. Harris described those arrested as street-level dealers.

In a 5 a.m. raid, with assistance from the Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team, Agent J.R. Matthews executed a search warrant in the Highway 48 area based on his own investigation and citizen complaints.

Agents located cocaine, marijuana, and different items of paraphernalia as well as a stolen handgun.

Matthews arrested Christopher Lendell Ashe for felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, felony maintaining a dwelling, possession of a firearm by felon and possession of a stolen firearm.

Additionally, Ashe was served with two outstanding warrants for felony identity thief and felony obtaining property by false pretense, charges stemming from investigation by Detective B.C. Griffin of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.

Ashe received a $20,000 bond and May 25 court date.

Meanwhile, around 7 a.m., Agent D.R. Radford, with assistance from HEAT, executed a search warrant on Kelsey Circle off Carolina Rest Home Road in the Roanoke Rapids area.

Radford obtained the search warrant following his own six-month investigation aided by citizen complaints.

During the search of the residence a user amount of crack cocaine, marijuana, a smoking pipe, a marijuana grinder, and a razor blade were seized.

Sheriff's office Corporal J. Bozard and his dog, Fino, assisted in searching the residence.

Lynch

Radford arrested and charged Paul Frank Lynch Jr. 39, and Mikale Rochelle Young, 25, both of Roanoke Rapids, for felony maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Young

Lynch received a $15,000 bond while Young received a $10,000 bond. Both have April 27 court dates.

Sheriff's office arrest

Major Scott Hall reported that on April 2, a Roanoke Rapids man was arrested for drug violations following a traffic stop.

Deputy R.L Chin stopped a vehicle around 11:30 pm for a motor vehicle violation.

During the stop he located 16 bags of marijuana and five Hydrocodone pills.

Chin arrested and charged Jamaull Green, 34, with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

Green received a $1,500 secured bond and a May 25 court date.

{gallery}arts{/gallery}

Throughout the block, musicians performed, artists and photographers displayed their works in the event sponsored by Main Street Roanoke Rapids and the Halifax County Arts Council.

Martin said investigation shows checks and balances were possibly manipulated to have the embezzlement occur because of her employment status.

In a statement police Chief Chuck Hasty said Lynch surrendered to the police department Thursday morning to face the charges.

Hasty said investigation began on March 1 when the business filed a report concerning payroll issues, which reportedly showed Lynch was paying herself extra money over a period of time. Martin said that time period was from 2008 to the time the report was filed.

Lynch was charged with nine counts of embezzlement and received a $20,000 bond and April 20 court date.

At approximately 12:15 a.m., Officer Ryan Cross conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Old Farm Road.

Cross determined the driver, Nadie Jones, 49, of Roanoke Rapids, was impaired and did not have a drivers license.

Officers also located drugs and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Jones was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, no operator’s license, possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule VI, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

Jones received a $1,500 bond and May 5 court date.

Officer Joey Spragins assisted.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., Lieutenant Perry Parks and Master Officer Roy Ball responded to a call of vehicle shot in the 100 block of Madison Street.

The officers encountered Terry Louis Kearney Jr., 20, of Roanoke Rapids, near Second and Madison streets.

During the interaction the officers found Kearney in possession of a handgun and drugs.

Kearney was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule II.

He received a $30,000 bond.

Tuesday April 5, 2016

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Ball and Officer Jamie Hardy were following up on a drug complaint in the area of Adams Circle when they encountered David Stenette Jones, 45, of Littleton.

Officers found Jones in possession of drugs and arrested and charged him with possession of schedule I.

He received a $1,000 bond and May 11 court date.

At approximately 10:45 p.m., Officer Matt Hunsucker responded to an assault call in the 1500 block of Monroe Street.

Hunsucker noticed the victim had a laceration to the top of the head.

Hunsucker arrested and charged Annette Denise Burnette, 44, of Roanoke Rapids, with assault.

She was jailed without opportunity for bond and has an April 20 court date.

Officer Jason Williams assisted.

Wednesday April 6, 2016

At approximately 10:45 a.m., Hardy responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Jordan Lee Pickerall, 20, of Jackson, was still in the store and concealed items.

Ball and Hardy located Pickerall in the back of the store.

Pickerall, who was cited for shoplifting, was released until his April 22 court date.

At approximately 1 p.m., Hardy responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Ginger Butler Tempest, 50, of Roanoke Rapids, took items.

Hardy cited Tempest, who was released until her April 22 court date, for larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Thursday April 7, 2016

At approximately 9 a.m., Ball responded to a call about a larceny of a firearm from a vehicle at Rusty's Wheel Alignment.

The victim reported the firearm was in the vehicle the day before and discovered it was gone when they looked for it Thursday.

Ball learned of a possible location of the gun and possible suspects in the case.

Ball arrested and charged James Wayne Johnston, 24, and Antwan Devonte Cooper, 22, both of Roanoke Rapids.

Johnston was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and violation of a domestic violence protection order.

He was jailed without opportunity for bond and has a May 18 court date.

Cooper was charged with breaking/entering of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. He received a $1,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Officers Greg Colson, Scott Blythe and Hardy assisted.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., B-Squad received information on the location of Terrick Anthony Hyman, 16, of Roanoke Rapids, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants.

B-squad officers located and arrested Hyman at a residence in what is traditionally called the no hundred block of Madison Street.

Hyman was charged with two counts of larceny from a person, attempted breaking/entering a building and damage to property.

The charges stem from two crimes investigated by investigators J.K. Davis and Gorton Williams.

The first was reported November 11 when the victims said someone stole their purses.

The second was reported December 28 when the victim said someone attempted to break into a residence in the 200 block of Franklin Street.

Hyman received a $10,000 bond and May 18 court date.

B-squad officers responding were Parks, Ball, Hardy, Blythe and Colson.

Sheriff Jack Smith said the charges reflect Lorandy Broady, 36, of Mt. Gallant Drive, had five weapons in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Broady has an extensive criminal background, according to state Department of Public Safety records.

In a statement, Lieutenant A. Thomas said Broady's arrest was the result of search warrant executed based on citizen complaints and officer observation.

Several items of drug paraphernalia were located inside and outside the residence, Thomas said.

Broady received a secured bond of $37,500 and a first court appearance on Monday.

Thomas said the investigation was a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies including the sheriff's office, Greenville Regional Drug Task Force and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

In the statement Smith said the citizens as well as Garysburg, Ahoskie, Jackson and Gaston police departments were vital in the execution of the warrant.

“I encourage all citizens of Northampton County to continue to report suspicious activity as it relates to not only illegal narcotics activity but also all criminal activities,” he said. “Deputies and investigators with the Northampton County Sheriffs Office take all nuisance complaints seriously.”

Blotter

Captain Courtney Williams reported the following:

Thursday March 31, 2016

At approximately 4:01 a.m., Deputy A. Antunez conducted a traffic stop at the North Carolina Welcome Center.

During the stop Antunez encountered the driver, William Witherspoon, 37, of Garysburg, and found out his license was revoked.

Antunez arrested and charged Witherspoon with driving while license revoked.

He received a $500 secured bond and April 19 court date.

At approximately 2:42 p.m., Captain D. Simmons took David Harmon Jr., 23, of Murfreesboro, into custody at the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

Harmon had an outstanding order for arrest for probation violation and received a $1,000 secured bond and April 14 court date.

Friday April 1, 2016

At approximately 1:15 p.m., Simmons took Linda Gray, 62, of Garysburg, into custody at the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.

Gray had an outstanding order for arrest for harassing phone calls and received an $800 secured bond and April 21 court date.

Saturday April 2, 2016

At approximately 12:21 p.m., Sergeant W. James located Daniel Lamont Huff, 20, of Henrico, on River Road.

Huff had an outstanding warrant for injury to personal property and received a $500 secured bond and April 19 court date.

At approximately 12:15 a.m., Deputy C. Hamm located Dontayvious Cotton, 22, of Weldon.

Cotton had an outstanding order for arrest for failure to appear and received a $3,000 secured bond and April 28 court date.     

Deloatch has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from East Carolina University and also a Masters of Science in nursing with a concentration in family nurse practitioner from Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

Deloatch joins the practice with specialties in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Workers Compensation, and is a certified Medical Examiner for the Department of Transportation.

Halifax Works offers workers compensation injury treatment and develops a wide range of workplace wellness programs for businesses of all sizes.

In addition to specializing in workers compensation in the Roanoke Valley, Halifax Works offers drug and alcohol testing for DOT, pre/post employment physicals, vision testing, flu shots, TB screening and more.

Halifax Works is expanding to meet the growing needs of businesses in the Roanoke Valley.

Halifax Works recently renovated the clinic with the addition of three new rooms to accommodate the increased patient load.

The clinic boasts new equipment for pulmonary function Testing, EKG, and biometric screening equipment.

Halifax Works is located at 210 Smith Church Road on the medical campus of Halifax Regional. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Noriega

Marijuana was also found on premise at the store where Verlynn Olga Addie Nordea Noriega, 26, is the clerk, Harris said.

The search warrant was served around noon.

Harris said agents are still investigating to determine whether drugs were being sold or used at the business.

In a statement, Agent D.R. Radford said the raid at the West South Main Street store was carried out with assistance of Littleton police Chief Winnie Bowens.

It came after a week-long investigation based on citizen complaints and continued investigation by Radford.

Harris said the complaints centered on the pipes in the store and drug activity.

During the search of the business, a user amount of marijuana, three packs of cigar wraps, 33 glass tubes, 31 marijuana smoking pipes, nine marijuana grinders, three sets of digital scales, and three water bongs were seized.

Radford arrested and charged Noriega for sell or delivery of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and sale of glass tubes by employee.

Noriega was served with an outstanding warrant for arrest for sell or delivery of drug paraphernalia. This warrant was the result of an undercover purchase made Thursday from Noriega.

She received a $1,000 bond and April 27 court date.

The festival will be held at the American Legion on American Legion Road on April 16 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. both inside and out.

(More information on the event, including the menu and sponsors list may be found by following this link or by calling Tripp at 252-578-6761)

Tripp said those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and 10 by 10 tents. The early forecast calls for sunny skies and a high temperature of 73 degrees.

This event is a spinoff of an earlier one which featured Steve Owens and Summertime and raised funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Halifax County.

The beneficiaries of next Friday's event will be Doris Mack and her organization System of Care; Roanoke Rapids High School's Project Graduation; Mildred Moore and her Scotland Neck Recreation Center; Carolyn Battle and the Lincoln Heights Community Center and the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School in Hollister.

Joey Landen will be the DJ and MC, and will spin beach music and other genres. The festival will also feature the local band Hobgood Players who will play country and pop and Miss Minnie of Sharpsburg who performs beach, R&B and soul.

For Tripp, the event, is “a way to show I care for the community and a way to give back to the community.”

While the larger objective of the festival is to raise funds for the five organizations, Tripp is also asking attendees to bring non-perishable food items to the event so the sheriff's office can begin stocking a food pantry. “Halifax County is one of the largest counties in the state — from Littleton to Hobgood. It's a poor county. We've beat the Tier 1 status to death. We see it on a daily basis. It hurts me to see any child go hungry.”

Tripp hopes to have the food pantry open soon and donations may be brought to the sheriff's office in Halifax. “We're getting calls for donations. We consider it a local mission.”

Meanwhile, 23 sponsors have signed on with the festival, Tripp said. “It's going to be a good way to have fun and we're very grateful for their participation.”

Detective D.C. Dickens, one of the investigators in the case, said the shooting was over a social media post. He declined to elaborate.

Moses

Dickens also confirmed the Grant Drive shooting was not related to the January home invasion in which Justice Moses, 19, of Jackson, was shot with his own weapon by the victim.

Moses was charged in the Grant Drive shooting with discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, felony aiding and abetting and possession of a stolen firearm. Kevin Jenkins, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, faces the same charges but has not been apprehended. Jenkins also faces a count of larceny of a firearm.

Hall said in the statement the charges stem from investigations by Dickens and Detective W.C. Murphy.

A handgun was reported stolen which was in the possession of Moses following the Highway 48 burglary.

Moses received a $2,000 secured bond and May 25 court date.

Jenkins

Dickens said Jenkins is known to frequent areas in Roanoke Rapids as well as Huckleberry Bottom Road.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call the sheriff's office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Gaston Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said it is expected the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation will assist in the investigation as is routine with fire fatalities.

Porter said the victim was out of her bed when she was found. He said it appeared the fire started in the front part of the mobile home located on Barry Scott Trail.

It was not immediately clear whether the point of origin was in the bedroom where the victim was found or near the bedroom.

An investigation will attempt to determine the cause of the fire.

In a statement on the matter, Porter said firefighters were dispatched to the scene just before 5 this morning and found the house, which was a total loss, engulfed.

Firefighters from Gaston and Garysburg had the blaze contained within 10 minutes. An adult male escaped with minor injuries and was treated on scene by Northampton County paramedics. He was later released.

A Gaston firefighter sustained a minor ankle injury and was transported to Halifax Regional and later released.

Three bystanders complaining of chest pains were treated and released on scene by paramedics, Porter said.

Seventeen Gaston firefighters and 11 from Garysburg remained on the scene for more than three hours performing salvage and overhaul.

The American Red Cross was contacted and will be providing assistance.

Powell said Saturday night, "I hope we proved to everyone we fully intend on delivering what we say we will."

Saturday night's Sister C and Clint Black concert at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre was BarnBurner Promotions first of many events planned for the venue.

According to BarnBurner, the event was not a sell-out but was very close from selling out completely and their May 13 Travis Tritt sales boomed at the ticket office Saturday with half already sold since starting a week ago.

It appeared everyone was having a good time and the theater was groomed for the first event.

"People complimented us throughout the night. I think the employees did an outstanding job. I hope the process for everyone was as smooth as it could be for our first show,” said. Powell.

"There were a few minor behind-the-scene kinks which went unnoticed and our staff pulled off every bit of it, but nothing major, and we will get them worked out before the next event,” said Askew. "The success didn't hit me until I stood by the upstairs balcony, looked down, and the theatre lobby was packed. I was overwhelmed by the support we had received. At that moment, all of the stress and late hours it took to put this show together had paid off for everyone.”

Powell and Askew were well pleased with the city's work. "The City of Roanoke Rapids was awesome and we couldn't have asked for a better team. John Simeon, Larry Chalker, and everyone at the Parks and Recreation along with Marcia and Marion doing everything they could to help us out on the front end,” the team said.

BarnBurner attempted to keep the Black tickets reasonable as well as concessions.

They decided early on they would offer the two front row tickets at a little higher price, coming with parking perks as well, all other floor seats were $40.

"To see the Carolina Crossroads sign lit up on 95 with upcoming shows, makes everyone aware of what's happening,” Powell said. “We said once that if people are traveling and know there are shows they will stop, we had people saying people are going from point A-B, they won't do that. This week, we had a couple from Canada traveling to Florida. They camp there five months a year, they saw the sign and decided to stay in town a couple days to catch the show.”

Realistically, people traveling four hours won't stop to spend the night but if people are traveling 16 hours, and they are aware that an affordable show is offered right beside a major interstate, she said, “I can assure you they will adjust their traveling schedules, because it's part of their goal, (to enjoy life, have experiences, see places).”

Generally, she said, most people doing the long traveling are Northerners leaving the cold weather heading south and people who travel in campers or recreational vehicles. “They are already aware of the campground and the Hilton, so they know lodging is readily available. We also had a couple come from Delaware. He also bought tickets to Clint Black as well as Travis Tritt. He said it's only a six hour drive."

BarnBurner Promotions intends to bring all genres to the Theatre. They have the country acts and have booked a rock show for next month and are in negotiations for a Southern Soul show along with other acts.

Powell and Askew are two women who love music, promoting, concerts, and having a great time.

At the end of the day they come home to their kids, family, husbands, and a whole lot of dogs.

They are committed to this wholeheartedly.

"If we get the support it will continue to motivate us, this theatre and this area can recover from the things that have happened, but it takes a lot of time, money, and dedication to it,” Powell said. “The ones who want this place to succeed, still have hope, and those that see the potential in this community and our beautiful theatre, those are the people who give us our motivation when we are exhausted on all levels. We appreciate the support more than anyone will ever know."

For more information visit their website www.BarnBurnerNc.com

Meet and greet photos can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1057896797581728.1073741830.621715037866575&type=3

Fan summited photos can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153966424180519.1073742482.131841195518&type=3

It could not be immediately determined whether a space heater in Hicks' bedroom contributed to the fire.

The woman's son tried to get his mother out of the bedroom but was overcome by smoke. Once outside he made another rescue attempt by breaking out the bedroom window, Smith said.

Gaston Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said Saturday Hicks was out of her bed when she was found. He said it appeared the fire started in the front part of the mobile home located on Berry Scott Trail, which is off Warner Bridge Road near the Virginia line.

Porter said it was not immediately clear whether the point of origin was in the bedroom where the victim was found or near the bedroom.

In a statement on the matter, Porter said firefighters were dispatched to the scene just before 5 Saturday morning and found the house, which was a total loss, engulfed. 

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education Chairman Jay Carlilse announced the proposition to commissioners during a public hearing commissioners held this evening to garner comments on the proposal to change the sales tax distribution method from ad valorem to per capita.

Commissioner Patrick Qualls said following the hearing a plan ironed out by the three school systems — Halifax County, Roanoke Rapids and Weldon — could free up slightly more than $108,000 to be distributed toward education.

(Commissioners, who tabled the issue this evening, will take up the matter again at their Monday, April 18, meeting, which will be held in the commissioners room at the Historic Courthouse in Halifax at 5:30 p.m. For a related story, follow this link)

A deal worked out between the three school systems would also eliminate the need for tax rate adjustments in the county's fire tax districts and the Our Community Hospital tax district in Scotland Neck.

“Our boards are open to looking at ways that sales tax revenues can be reallocated through a fair distribution to school districts through the county government,” Carlilse told commissioners. “We had a productive meeting earlier today and recommend these conversations continue in collaboration with the commissioners so a proposal can be achieved that allows all parties to realize a reasonable compromise, and so all of our students might be positively influenced.”

Hugh Credle, chair of the Weldon City Schools Board of Education, said, “It's the children we're looking at. We're looking at how our children can benefit.”

Debbie Hardy, chair of the Halifax County Board of Education, told commissioners the school board backs a plan that would lead to its system sharing in the tax distribution.

Roanoke Rapids Interim School Superintendent John Parker stands with representatives from Halifax and Weldon.

While commissioners officially tabled the matter, Qualls said it was a bold action by the three school systems to come together.

“Having this hearing was a wonderful idea,” Commissioner Carolyn Johnson said. “As far as education, we're always concerned about the children. Our children are just not competing against each other, our children are in a global society now.”

Johnson said she was pleased to see something happen between the three school systems and for them to come together.

Commissioner Marcelle Smith, who stated last week he supported the change, said, “The collaboration between the school systems is a very big step. I don't want it to stop here.”

Commissioner Rives Manning asked the three school systems to come back with a concrete proposal and would like to see it presented to the area's legislative representatives.

The Reverend C.E. McCollum of the Roanoke Valley Southern Christian Leadership Conference, who has been pushing for the change in the sales tax distribution method, said afterward, he believes the talks between the three school systems is “a good thing. I'm sure it could be worked out.”

Qualls said afterward it is not immediately clear how much the county school system, which does not have taxing authority like Roanoke Rapids and Weldon, would get if the proposal could be worked out. It is also not immediately clear what the proposal would mean for average daily membership dollars.

“It's the right thing to do,” Carlilse said afterward. “Some money is better than no money.”

In the end, Halifax County commissioners tabled voting on a proposed change in the way sales tax revenues are distributed in the county and are awaiting further details from the county's three school systems which could mean no change at all.

Many of those assembled in the old superior courtroom at the Historic Courthouse in Halifax wore green ribbons showing their support for changing the sales tax distribution method from ad valorem to per capita as a way to provide funding equity to the county school system.

(Commissioners will again tackle the matter at their Monday, April 18, meeting which will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the Historic Courthouse in Halifax)

“I'm showing support,” said Collin Frederick, before the hearing began. “I'm here to listen and watch. Every child is entitled. It should be a circle for everyone. All children have got to learn.”

Weldon Mayor Julia Meacham told commissioners the change would be mean a devastating blow to the town, representing a $189,000 loss. “It would impact the fire department and them buying equipment. This would be devastating to Weldon's future.”

Bill Hodge, of the Coalition for Education and Economic Security, supported the change and told the board it would be a revenue-neutral proposition for the county.

Enfield Mayor Barbara Simmons said, “Enfield is a very poor town. We're trying to get businesses to come in.”

She said a per capita sales tax distribution means the town could possibly do more in recruiting business and “help support our children more.”

Photos from the hearing

 {gallery}taxhearing{/gallery}

Ronnie Locke, chief of the Enfield Volunteer Fire Department, spoke on behalf of the fire departments in the county. “The departments are against changing the sales tax and use tax from the way it is. Fire department budgets are planned out over years and we have to make payments to banks. When we look at fire trucks costing around $300,000, not counting the equipment on it, we have to look at a budget years and years ahead. We depend on the money from the sales tax and money from the fire tax district.”

Locke explained, with talk of increasing fire district tax rates if the distribution method is changed, it will be the people living in the 6-mile district who are impacted, not the people in town or those outside the 6-mile district. “This would raise the taxes of the people who live in the 6-mile district and this is not fair to them.”

Scotland Neck Mayor Eddie Braxton said town commissioners support the change. “We feel like we can take care of the fire department. We think we can take care of Our Community Hospital.”

The Revered C.E. McCollum, of the Roanoke Valley Southern Christian Leadership Conference, asked the board to “do the right thing for the children of Halifax County.”

Rebecca Copeland, also of CEES, said the change is a way of “pulling each other up.”

Danny Flannery, mayor of Hobgood, said if the change is approved, the town would try to live with the losses to the fire department. “I don't know if it's good or bad. I trust y'all to make the decision.”

James Mills of Scotland Neck, who carried his granddaughter to the podium, reiterated what he told commissioners last week concerning what he described as the relatively small tax adjustments fire departments and the hospital would have to make under the changes. If commissioners don't pass the changes, he said, referring to the child, “You're saying she's not worth 2 cents. I'm saying do the right thing.”

Heidi Hogan, a Littleton town commissioner, told the board, “We're opposed to the change in distribution of taxes. It's really not a viable plan.”

She said there has to be answers of where the money for education is going. “They have to come up with a plan. Dollars distributed without a plan are funds wasted.”

Halifax County NAACP President Davis Harvey said he was appreciative of the school boards coming together. He said the NAACP supports the change. “Let's just be fair. Every child needs the same funding.”

Destiny Kidd, a student at Roanoke Valley Early College, told the board, “Each school needs financial support as much as the others.”

Terry Buffaloe, of Roanoke Rapids, said, the change to per capita “means more equality and more inclusion.”

Reverend Andrew West of the White Oak community, said, “Without your vote of support, I do see more deferred dreams and the stifling of growth.”

Ophelia Gould-Faison of the Littleton town board, closed out the hearing, saying, “No sales tax has ever been allocated to Halifax County schools. You have an opportunity to make a historic decision that is right, fair and equal.”

The children made cornhusk dolls, learned to sign their names with quills and toured the buildings at the state Historic Site.

 {gallery}resolvesday{/gallery}