Jones is from Garysburg but was keeping the dog at a family member's house in the county, Hale said.

In a statement on the matter, PETA said on March 6, two volunteers were delivering free straw to dogs when they discovered the still-chained body of young pit bull inside a plastic barrel.

(The following link contains graphic images of Night Train)

A postmortem report confirmed the neglected dog, whose name was Night Train, had been forgotten on the end of his chain. He had been unable to forage for himself and had slowly starved to death, suffering from total organ failure.

According to the veterinarian's findings, the lack of fat reserves in Night Train's body and the presence of foreign material in his stomach—which contained only pieces of a glove, plastic, and a red fabric material—indicate that he suffered from chronic starvation for an extended period of time.

"Night Train died slowly, unable to leave that spot or draw attention to his own suffering, which was entirely preventable. This tragedy serves as a reminder that other dogs in Halifax County are still chained up and forgotten," says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "PETA urges Halifax County to prevent other dogs from suffering in this way by following the lead of Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, and Enfield and enacting a ban on the continuous tethering of dogs."

The donation will help keep cancer patients in the continuum of care in and around the Roanoke Valley.

The Ladies of the Lake has made several past donations to the foundation to support new service lines such as Digital Mammography and increased access to care for patients in need.

Pictured, in no particular order, is Halifax Regional leadership along with members of The Ladies of the Lake who include Patricia Tayner, Marie A Dailey, Connie Skow, Nancy Vetreno, Sharon Larsen, Sandy Burch, Delores Gleason, Sara Boltz, Kathy Dyer, Carolyn Harlow, Vickie Evans, Dixie Timberlake, Beth Manson, Sue Williams, Sue Spickler, Vickie Tour, Donna Burleson and Mary Beth Reilly.

Halifax Regional staff includes William Mahone, CEO; Betsy Morris, Foundation Coordinator and Sherry Jensen, CFO.

One of the ways Bell and the planners behind Ella Baker Day plan to foster these ideas is through a symposium at the Littleton Community Center from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

(The events celebrating Ella Baker Day begin at 10 a.m. at Lakeland Cultural Arts Center in Littleton for a reading of the annual Ella Baker Day proclamation. A full schedule of the day's events may be found as a PDF attachment at the end of this story. The photo embedded within this story shares information on the We Shall Overcome play associated with Ella Baker Day. Tickets are still available)

The panelists for the symposium are the Reverend John Mendez, head of the divinity school at Shaw University; Robert “Bob” Zellner, the first white Jewish freedom rider who was mentored by Baker; Lenora Taitt-Maguvane, a New York freedom rider; Carolyn Brockington, Baker's great-niece and a practicing neurologist; Bell; Sylvia Alston, a Littleton town commissioners who has been in on the planning since the beginning; Alan “Al” McSurely, an attorney, who was a student of Baker's and colleague of North Carolina NAACP President William Barber; state Senator Angela Bryant; and a representative of the Ella Baker School in New York, which is establishing an Ella Baker School in Rumbowee in East Africa.

Bell's research on Baker has taken her from her birth in Norfolk in 1903, her time in Littleton to her civil rights work. “I was blown away to learn she grew up 10 miles from where I grew up. I've interviewed her cousins. This is to help people know there was a civil rights person who grew up among us and went on to do just as great civil rights work as the ones we have come to know. She started most of the NAACP organizations. I want people to come know about this great civil rights worker who fought for social justice and worked behind the scenes. My mission is to bring her from behind the scenes into the public realm.”

At approximately 5:45 p.m., Aaliyah Powell, 19, of Pendleton, was taken into custody by Deputy R. Howard.

Powell had an outstanding order for arrest for failure to appear and received a $1,200 secured bond and May 19 court date.

Thursday April 7, 2016

At approximately 9:30 a.m., Latoya Kearney, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, was taken into custody by Captain D. Simmons.

Kearney had an outstanding warrant for identity theft and received a $10,000 secured bond and April 27 court date. At approximately 4:45 p.m., William Thorpe III, 45, of Gaston, was taken into custody by Deputy Shephard.

Thorpe had an outstanding order for arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and received a $400 secured bond and April 21 court date.

Friday April 8, 2016

At approximately 6 p.m., Edward Lewis Crowell, 55, of Pleasant Hill, was taken into custody by Deputy T. Antunez and Lieutenant M. Deloatch Sr.

Crowell had several outstanding warrants for habitual larceny, possession of stolen goods and second-degree trespass and received a $10,000 secured bond and April 18 court date.

Saturday April 9, 2016

At approximately 9:35 a.m., Christopher Mason, 41, of Woodland, was taken into custody by Deputy W. Killian.

Mason had outstanding warrants for domestic assault on a female and injury to personal property. Killian discovered Mason was in possession of drug paraphernalia.

Mason was jailed without the opportunity for bond due to the domestic assault on a female and received an April 19 court date.

Monday April 11, 2016

At approximately 9:20 a.m., Dajuan Davis, 22, of Woodland, was taken into custody by Simmons. Davis had several outstanding warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, attempted first-degree murder and felony conspiracy.

He received a $500,000 secured bond and April 27 court date.

Simmons was assisted by Shephard and Deputy L. Baker.    

The matter came up as Human Resources Director Kathy Kearney presented her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes general government accounts.

Kearney has asked for a total of $323,390 to pay the city's share for E-911, which is nearly $100,000 more than it paid last year, Scherer said.

(The city's next budget work session will be next Thursday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in the first floor conference room at city hall, where council will review the proposed public works budget as well as Kearney's. See related story at this link)

Council inquired about what it would cost for the city to operate its own system.

Scherer said it would require five employees with salary and benefits running $50,000 per person. “We've had some preliminary discussions. We're trying to look at all the cost factors. We're looking at the numbers and what it would cost us to have our system. Our numbers went up around $100,000 while the county's went down $40,000. We didn't think that was fair.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie asked Scherer about the level of service the city could provide.

“I think we can do better,” Scherer said. “Their training budget is huge and I don't think they always see a return on investment over there. We feel we may be better off with our own equipment.”

Scherer said the basement in city hall has the connections which would allow for it to be converted to a 911 center. “We're starting to look at the impact of us going with our own 911 system.”

If the numbers determine it would be cost effective for the city to go that route, it would have to give the county a year's notice.

Also during this afternoon's budget session, Kearney noted her budget has been calculated for a 2 percent cost of living increase for employees, which will cost $275,520.

Kearney also noted the general liability insurance account is essentially at a hold the line level for the upcoming fiscal year. “This insurance covers a variety of items such as vehicles, property, equipment and liability claims. This year was a good year for us,” she said in her budget notes.

She requested $175,298 for the upcoming fiscal year while the account at the end of this fiscal year is expected to be $172,065.

The master plan, he wrote in the outline for his budget presentation, “will allow us to seek grants from the Kate B. Reynolds Foundation and also the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for this project.”

The city can apply for a maximum of $150,000 from Reynolds and $500,000 from the parks and recreation trust.

(The city's next budget work session will be next Thursday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in the first floor conference room at city hall, where council will review the proposed public works budget as well as Human Resources Director Kathy Kearney's)

Simeon said he has already spoken with Site Solutions, which crafted the county's recreation master plan. He said a series of public meetings would be held, much like those which where held when the county was putting its plan together. Those meetings would allow the public to give input on what they would like to see at the parks.

Public meetings on the matter could come in May or June, he said. “K.B. Reynolds has been a part of this since a year ago. They are very positive about this project. We are just getting started with the master plan.”

Simeon said following the meeting the amount the city would apply for, most likely in the fall cycle, would be based on the public meetings.

It has already been documented, Simeon told council, Wheeler Park is in need of playground equipment and picnic tables. Chaloner's pool is failing and the playground is prone to flooding.

Possible improvements to MLK park may be benches, more lighting and a walking trail. “These parks are a very good fit for K.B. Reynolds,” he said.

Meanwhile, in other budget items, Simeon made the following requests:

• $19,500 to replace the HVAC control panel at T.J. Davis

• $18,000 to replace the circa-1957 basketball goal assemblies at T.J. Davis

• $14,000 to add back to the maintenance and repair budget which was cut from the previous year

• $15,000 for replacement of bleachers and picnic tables at parks where the equipment has not been replaced over previous years

• $51,478 to fund the T.J. Davis supervisor position which has been frozen

The students and school officials evacuated the buildings. Law enforcement and school officials swept the buildings and found nothing suspicious. Sheriff Jack Smith said the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston Police Department and Gaston EMS assisted.

The robbery occurred around 10:30 p.m. in what is traditionally called the no-hundred block of Madison Street.

The men entered the residence and demanded money. They then fled.

One intruder wore camouflage with bandanna on his face. Another wore a black jacket with a bandanna covering his face while the the third wore black clothing

They are considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information should contact Lieutenant Charles Vaught at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

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At approximately 2:30 p.m., Lieutenant C.L. Vaught responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

When Vaught arrived, he saw a person later identified as Junior Devon Williams, 33, in the parking lot. Williams attempted to run away but was caught after a brief chase.

Vaught detained Williams and loss prevention reported he took items from the store.

Vaught charged Williams with habitual larceny, two counts of trespassing and defeating an anti-theft device.

He received a $5,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Master Officer Gerald Morris and officers Natara Velazquez and Patrick Smith assisted.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., Sergeant Mike Moseley responded to a careless and reckless driver call at Woodland Road and Northside Drive.

While attempting to locate the vehicle, he received a call a vehicle was in the backyard of a residence on River Road.

Moseley located the vehicle and the driver, Devon McCrae Harding, 25, of Garysburg, and determined he was impaired.

Moseley arrested and charged Harding, who was released to a responsible person until his May 9 court date, with driving while impaired.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett assisted.

Saturday April 9, 2016

At approximately 1 a.m. Officer Dale Strickland responded to a call of suspicious activity in the back alley of the 100 blocks of Madison and Monroe streets.

While in the area, officers located Sejuan Dajour Pitt, 18, of Roanoke Rapids. During a search officers located drugs in his possession.

Pitt, who was released until his May 6 court date, was cited for possession of schedule VI.

Baggett and Master Officer Adam Salmon assisted.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., Officer Jeffrey Mason responded to a trespasser call at Walmart.

Mason located Michael Linn Fleming, 52, who had been warned in the past about being on the property, inside.

Mason arrested and charged Fleming, who received a $750 bond and May 13 court date, with trespassing.

At approximately 5 a.m., Strickland responded to a disturbance call in which a person was making threats to shoot the caller.

The call occurred in the 500 block of Vance Street.

Strickland and Salmon located James E. Bynum Jr., 50, of Raleigh, standing in the roadway.

When officers approached to check to see whether Bynum was armed, he put his hands in his pockets and refused to take them out.

Strickland arrested and charged Bynum with resist/delay/obstruct an officer. He received a $750 bond and May 13 court date.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., Velazquez responded to a larceny call at Belk.

Loss prevention reported Martavius Javon Clement, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, concealed items while inside the store.

Velazquez arrested and charged Clements with removal of anti-theft device and shoplifting.

He received a $2,000 bond and May 4 court date.

Sergeant Mark Peck and Morris assisted.

At approximately 6 p.m., Morris and Velazquez responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Halifax Central advised the suspect left on a vehicle, which Officer Ryan cross located at Henry Street.

The driver, Peiter Traas, 55, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with larceny, possession of stolen goods, possession of schedule VI, possession of drug paraphernalia and no operator’s license.

He received a $1,000 bond and May 6 court date.

Officers Patrick Smith and Joey Spragins assisted with the traffic stop.

At approximately 11:45 p.m., Moseley and Mason responded to a residential breaking and entering call in the 200 block of Chockoyotte Street.

When officers arrived, Curtis Mack McGee, 54, of Roanoke Rapids, came out of the residence, and Mason detained him.

After further investigation Mason charged McGee, who received a $750 bond and May 13 court date, with breaking and entering.

Baggett and Officer Duane Daniels assisted.

Sunday April 10, 2016

At approximately 1:15 a.m., Baggett responded to a disturbance call in the Forest Hills Shopping Center parking lot.

Baggett located Christian Graham Mitchell, 43, of Roanoke Rapids.

Mitchell told Baggett several people chased and threatened him because he spoke to one of their friends.

Baggett located one of the accused and as he tried to identify them to back his story, Mitchell became aggressive toward the person and began yelling and cursing.

Officers warned Mitchell and allowed him to walk away to go home when he began kicking a fence and started cursing.

Baggett arrested and charged Mitchell with intoxicated and disruptive. He received a $1,000 bond and June 10 court date.

Moseley and Strickland assisted.

At approximately 5 a.m., officers Alex Green and Strickland responded to a noise complaint in the 400 block of Oak Street.

They noticed several occupied cars parked and the odor of marijuana coming from one.

Green arrested and charged Sammy Lee Reed Jr., 28, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of schedule VI and carrying a concealed weapon.

He received a $1,000 bond and May 13 court date.

Baggett and Mason assisted.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., Velazquez responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Cody Lawrence Hurdle, 19, of Jackson, took items.

Velazquez cited Hurdle for larceny and possession of stolen goods. He was released until his May 6 court date.

Morris assisted.

Monday April 11, 2016

At approximately 12:12 p.m. the Roanoke Rapids Police Department received information on the location of Rodney Lee Miles II, 25, of Roanoke Rapids.

Miles was wanted by the state of Pennsylvania and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with two outstanding orders for arrest.

Miles was taken into custody by City County Task Force agents Daniel Hundley, Cory Dixon, patrol Lieutenant Bruce Norton and patrol Officer Jason Williams at a residence in the 100 block of Madison Street without trouble.

Miles was held without opportunity for bond and has a June 6 court date.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., Officer Chris Biggerstaff responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Derrick Lashaun Vincent, 20, took items, concealed them and tried to return them for a refund.

Biggerstaff arrested and charged Vincent with attempting to obtain property by false pretense and shoplifting-concealment of merchandise.

He received a $1,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Officer Matt Hunsucker assisted.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Williams responded to a call about suspicious activity in the Roanoke Avenue Food Lion parking lot.

Williams located Elliot Jermaine High, 31, of Gaston, in a vehicle in the parking lot and learned High had an outstanding warrant from Northampton County for common law robbery.

High, who received a $2,000 bond and April 28 court date, was taken into custody without trouble.

At approximately 8 p.m., Moseley responded to a custody dispute at Chockoyotte Park.

While Moseley was talking to a person about the custody issue, Howard Owen Chambers, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, assaulted another person in the officer's presence.

Moseley arrested and charged Chambers, who received a $500 bond and May 13 court date, with assault.

Tuesday April 12, 2016

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Hunsucker responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Marvin Scott Lewis, 24, of Halifax, took items from the store on Monday and Tuesday.

Hunsucker arrested and charged Scott with two counts of larceny, two counts of possession of stolen goods, three counts of trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Scott received an $800 bond and April 22 court date.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Biggerstaff responded to a fraud call at the post office.

The postmaster reported Jonte Andrel Holliday, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, attempted to cash a counterfeit money order.

Biggerstaff arrested and charged Holliday with attempting to obtain property by false pretense, forgery of an instrument, and possession of a counterfeit instrument.

He received a $50,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Captain B.L. Martin, Investigator J.K. Davis and the postal inspector assisted.

Wednesday April 13, 2016

At approximately 2 a.m., Cross and Officer Joey Spragins responded to a disturbance call at Dublin Court and Nelson Drive.

Officers located Darius Jaquan Robertson, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, in the area and discovered he had an outstanding order for arrest.

Robertson was taken into custody and received a $775 bond and April 20 court date.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Sergeant Terrence Tyler and Biggerstaff arrested Terrick Anthony Hyman, 16, of Roanoke Rapids, on an outstanding warrant for going armed to the terror of the public.

Hyman was allegedly in the 100 block of Madison Street armed with a gun, waving it around and pointing it.

He received a $10,000 bond.

Thursday April 14, 2016

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Biggerstaff arrested Andrew Christian Corbett, 23, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding warrants for obtaining property by false pretense, larceny, possession of stolen goods and violation of a domestic violence ex-parte order.

The obtaining property by false pretense, larceny and possession charges stem from an investigation by Smith. On Tuesday the victim reported Corbett took a cellphone and sold it to another business.

Corbett received a $5,000 bond and June 3 court date.

Martin and Norton assisted.

“This starts in the third grade,” according to Atkinson. “We need more help with our summer reading. Too many of our children don’t read over the summer and fall behind.”

Atkinson encouraged local business leaders to collect books as part of North Carolina’s Give 5 Read 5. As a part of this annual campaign, parents, business leaders and community members donate five or more new or gently used books to local elementary schools so that students have books to take home at the end of the school year.

Recent Harvard research shows reading five books helps students to better retain literacy skills over the summer.

Atkinson said districts also need to focus on Pre-K for every student. “It's imperative citizens put pressure on the the General Assembly to offer this.”

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District has been working with state universities, Halifax Community College, North Carolina Virtual Public School, and the NC School of Math and Science to offer high school students the ability to obtain college credits prior to graduation from high school.

Atkinson applauded those efforts and says she encourages schools to look beyond the traditional calendar, the 7 to 3 school day, and other ways to help students succeed.   

The stop occurred on Highway 125 just outside Scotland Neck.

McKeel identified Tiffany Nicole Poythress as the driver and during a probable cause search, with assistance from Halifax County Sheriff's Office dog handler J. Bozard, Scotland Neck Police Chief John Tippett and one of his officers, T. Parker, the drugs and syringe were discovered and seized.

McKeel arrested and charged Jeffery Brad Timberlake II, 31, of Jackson, with felony possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Poythress, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged with simple possession of schedule IV and prescription label not present. She was also issued a written warning for driving at a speed that could constitute a hazard.

Timberlake received a $5,000 bond and Poythress a $1,000 bond. Both have June 22 court dates.

A total of 20 bikes are available to use for touring the trail and are available for free by the user depositing their drivers license.

“As we stand here in 2016, we go back to 1843,” Weldon Mayor Julia Meacham said. “It is still a significant historic landmark and a way to remember the history in the area.”

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which managed the project, pulled it together and is now promoting it, said a $75,000 grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust helped shape the project and the Canal Commission accepted the infusion of funds.

Funds from the foundation were not only used for improvements to the trail near the co-gen plant in Weldon and River Road in Roanoke Rapids, but for the bikes.

One of the people playing a role in making the project come together was Chris Wicker, Medlin said. “We hired Chris to make this happen.”

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It was a project, Medlin said, which included the town of Weldon and city of Roanoke Rapids as well as the Community Health Initiative. Both Vulcan Materials and Roanoke Valley Co-Gen assisted in the project, Vulcan donating 250 tons of rip-rap and the co-gen plant providing access areas for trail improvements.

Walmart provided helmets and pumps while Justin Fender found and re-geared 20 bikes for the program.

Jim Frazier, of the canal commission, also recognized Wicker's contribution to the project. “Chris deserves much of the credit for this entire effort coming together. He has worked endlessly on this commission in bringing us to where we are today. This effort is really a tribute to him. We celebrate a milestone that would not have been possible without you, our partners.”

Frazier also recognized Rightmyer Machine Rentals for its work on the project and paid special thanks to Kate B. Reynolds.

Will Mahone, of Halifax Regional, said, “The partnership is how we got this done. Individuals have to be encouraged to change their behavior. This gives people an invitation to exercise.”

John Carver, manager of Riverside Mill, said, “We can't tell you how thrilled we are to be involved in this project. It's going to benefit us.”

Carver said the bike program has been well received. People have rented the bikes for short excursions, “And we've had entire families ride the entire trail and return out of breath.”
Roanoke Rapids City Councilwoman Suetta Scarbrough said, “Roanoke Rapids is happy to be a partner. The canal trail is such a tremendous asset to Weldon and Roanoke Rapids. We are so appreciative of all that's been done to bring the bike trail up to par.”

Scarbrough noted on April 26 the city will hold a chain-cutting event at the museum. The event will also introduce new museum director Koy Worrell. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Task force Captain A.M. Harris described 33-year-old Antoinette Harris as a reputed street-level dealer of mostly cocaine and the people arrested at her house in Weldon as friends who live there with her.

In a statement on the matter, Captain Harris said the raid, with assistance from the Halifax County Sheriff's Office Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and the Weldon Police Department's patrol division, occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m.

The raid was based on several months of investigation, Captain Harris said.

During the search of the residence agents seized 10 dosage units of cocaine packaged for sale, marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia, which included a marijuana grinder, box of plastic bags, and a digital scale.

Mugshots

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Task force Agent C.A. Parker arrested and charged Ms. Harris with felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintain a dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was also served with an outstanding Halifax County order for arrest for failure to appear in district court for obtaining property by false pretense.

Ms. Harris was processed at the sheriff’s office where she received a $15,000 secured bond.

Others at the house face charges for the following:

Arturo Romero Jr., 33, for an outstanding civil paper and a Halifax County order for arrest for failure to appear in district court on April 20, 2015, for driving while license revoked.

He received a $1,600 secured bond with a May 2 court date.

Taurean Shaw, 21, for an outstanding warrant for arrest for second-degree trespass. He received a $400 bond with a May 18 court date.

North Carolina Uniform Citations to Elvis Williams, 30, and Anthony Ellis, 42, for simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williams, Ellis and Ms. Harris received May 25 court dates.

Undercover operation arrests

The task force this morning also made arrests after Thursday undercover operations in the Medoc and Ringwood areas as well as the Enfield town limits.

The people arrested and charged are:

Raheem Deron Cooper, 22, of Enfield, who was arrested during a traffic stop on South Dennis Street Extension near Low Ground Road in Enfield.

During the traffic stop agents seized marijuana and central communications confirmed Cooper was driving while license revoked.

Task force Agent D. McKeel charged Cooper with possessing marijuana up to one-half ounce, driving while license revoked and served him with the outstanding warrant for possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, and deliver cocaine.

He received a $420,000 bond, the bond amount based on his past criminal history and pending charges, Captain Harris said.

Travis Sherroy Lynch, 32, of the Medoc area, who was arrested by task force Agent J.R. Mathews at his residence for conspire to sell or deliver cocaine.

He received a $2,500 bond.

William Allen, 66, of the Medoc area, who was arrested by task force Agent C. Dixon at a convenience store in Medoc.

Allen was served with a warrant for possession with the intent to sell or deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, deliver cocaine, and conspire to sell or deliver cocaine.

He received a $10,000 bond.

The three men have May 25 court dates.

Wanted by the task force

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the central communications non-emergency line at 252-583-1991 if they know the whereabouts of the following:

Derrick Hilliard, 23, of the Ringwood area, for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, and deliver cocaine

Michael Whitaker II, 34, of Enfield, for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, deliver cocaine, and larceny.

In fact, the sheriff said the second festival is already planned for next year on April 22. He said the goal for next year's event is to sell 1,000 tickets. The event will be held at the American Legion building on American Legion Road outside Roanoke Rapids with more outdoor events, he said.

“Because of your generosity, we are able to donate $8,282 to seven groups that benefit children throughout Halifax County.”

The recipients this year are:

Doris Mack of System of Care of Roanoke Rapids; Mildred Moore of the Scotland Neck Education and Recreation Foundation; Carolyn Battle of the Lincoln Heights Community Center; Archie Lynch of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School; Marshania Barnes of Roanoke Rapids High School Project Graduation; the town of Hobgood playground project and Pittman Elementary School PTA.

Chester Williams of the Pittman Elementary PTA said proceeds from the event will allow two more students to attend a trip to Washington and the White House. A total of 40 students are going, he said.

Williams said the children are learning civic responsibility and plan to present suggestions to the president on how to improve rural education.

Battle said she plans to use the funds to “pay down” on a new building for the Lincoln Heights center. She said the organization is currently operating out of a house it is quickly outgrowing. The organization also plans a playground and garden. “We don't have room to have camps.”

Moore said plans at the Scotland Neck center call for renovation of equipment and new playground equipment.

Mack said the funds she received will go to help her summer program, which gives children who have been suspended from school a place to go.

Project Graduation, said Barnes, was started in the 1990s to give high school graduates a safe haven after commencement.

The project graduation funds, said Angie Acree, will help the program with entertainment expenses. The RRHS graduation is June 10.

Lynch said the tribal school plans to use the funds to upgrade its computer system.

Hobgood Mayor Danny Flannery said the funds will help take care of a parking lot to complete a playground project behind the fire station, one of the requirements of the grant funds the town received for equipment.

Flannery said the grant funded swings, a jungle gym, and slide with child fitness features as well as fitness equipment for adults and a walking track. “This way we can take care of the parking lot.”

Tripp said he also plans a concert in October with Steve Owens to benefit the Boys and Girls of Halifax County as well as the John 3:16 Center in Littleton.

Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant thanked Tripp for Saturday's event. “We thank the sheriff for the vision he had to put this together.”

Said Mack: “I am happy to say the sheriff comes to the rescue.”

HCC’s President Ervin V. Griffin Sr., and board Chair Michael Felt were present to receive the award on behalf of HCC and the Roanoke Valley Region. “President Griffin and the Board of Trustees have made considerable changes to both the educational and cultural environment of HCC and throughout the region,” Felt said. “The national recognition of those positive changes by the American Association of Community Colleges validates the importance of advancing diversity in the teaching and learning environment at HCC.” Griffin was elated to receive the award for the campus community and region. “I believe that AACC Advancing Diversity award is for the entire campus community and all of our regional partners. The entire campus community has participated in all of our activities and that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to increasing diversity within the college and the greater Roanoke Valley region we serve”.

Said Griffin: “HCC has significantly energized its educational and cultural offerings throughout the service region by investing $250,000 in unique one-of-a-kind diversity and multicultural programs over the past five years. HCC was the first community college in North Carolina to forge a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service to host an African American Stamp Dedication event, profiling prominent African Americans who have made important contributions to society.”

The American Association of Community Colleges created its Awards of Excellence program to celebrate work being done at community colleges.

Felt and President Griffin both agree, “This is a very prestigious honor for Halifax Community College and the Roanoke Valley Region. We are thrilled that HCC’s educational and cultural programming activities may serve as a model for other community colleges around the country. We were ecstatic to receive this award on behalf of our trustees, students, faculty, staff, administration, and the citizens of the Roanoke Valley region.”

Griffin will officially present the AACC Advancing Diversity Award to the Board of Trustees at its annual board retreat on April 26.

The training was sponsored by the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association and partially funded through a grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission.

Twenty-seven sheriff’s from across the state received their diplomas at a ceremony held at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

The Sheriff’s Leadership Institute consisted of four one-week training programs — 160 hours — conducted over a period of two years.

The first two weeks were designed to provide specific, technical skills necessary to assume the office of sheriff.

The second two weeks were designed to further their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the leadership and management of the sheriff’s office.

On March 25, Sergeant Wallace Ransom was awarded the Advanced Service Award.

He was approved for the award for having 21 years of criminal justice service.

The purpose of the Advanced Service Award is to recognize dedicated sheriff’s, deputy sheriff’s and detention officer’s loyal and competent service to a particular North Carolina Sheriff’s Office and also to the state.

To qualify for the Advanced Service Award, officers must complete a minimum of 20 years of service. Captain Courtney Williams was awarded his Criminal Investigator Specialist Certificate from Coastal Plains Law Enforcement Training Center at Wilson Community College.

Williams completed 364 hours entailing death investigation, drug investigation, investigation of sex offenses as well as many other investigative topics.

Williams also graduated from the Coastal Plains Law Enforcement Management Institute in senior level management training.

Williams completed 216 hours which entailed time management, budget planning, developing community relations as well as many other senior level management topics.

Michael Lee Belfield's arrest stems from an investigation by Halifax County Sheriff's Office Detective R. Hale into the crime, which was committed in the Highway 258 area.

Hale charged Belfield, 25, with breaking and entering, larceny of a firearm, safecracking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He was jailed on $75,000 bond and received an April 27 court date, according to a statement by Major Scott Hall.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., Investigator Chris Babb served outstanding warrants on Brittany Nicole Labonte, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of stolen goods.

The charges stem from an investigation into a matter reported on November 25, 2015, where the victim reported their residence was broken into and items were taken.

During his investigation Babb developed Henry Eugene Clay Jr., 30, of Roanoke Rapids, and Labonte as suspects.

Babb obtained warrants on Clay for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, larceny and injury to property.

Labonte was arrested by the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia on March 22 and was held until she waived extradition to North Carolina.

Labonte received a $3,000 bond and a May 18 court date.

Clay is currently being held in Virginia on other charges and will be extradited when those charges are adjudicated in court.

At approximately 2:40 p.m., Sergeant Mike Moseley received information on Lance Christopher Allen, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, who had an outstanding order for arrest for probation violation.

Moseley located Allen in the parking lot of Big Time Pawn and arrested him on the outstanding warrant.

He was also charged with carrying a concealed weapon after a handgun was found in his possession when arrested.

He received a $2,000 bond and April 20 court date.

Saturday April 16, 2016

At approximately 11 a.m., Officer Alex Green conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Vine Street.

During the stop, the driver, Dashawn M. Alston, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, was found in possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

Green arrested and charged Alston with speeding, possession of schedule VI with intent to sell/deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He received a $1,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Officer Jeffrey Mason assisted with the stop.

At approximately 12:47 p.m., Mason conducted a traffic stop on West Tenth Street after he received information about a wanted person inside the vehicle.

During the stop Mason learned Roosevelt Edwards, 41, of Hopewell, Virginia, had outstanding warrants for larceny and shoplifting from earlier in the week at the Marathon Station on Highway 158 and Zoo Road.

Edwards received a $1,000 bond and May 31 court date.

At approximately 11:30 p.m., Officer Greg Colson responded to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of highways 158 and 125.

Colson determined Robert Louis Ussery, 68, of Garysburg, was impaired.

Ussery was arrested and charged with driving while impaired and failure to reduce speed.

He was released to a responsible person and has a court date of May 9.

Lieutenant Perry Parks and officers Scott Blythe and Matt Hunsucker assisted.

Sunday April 17, 2016

At approximately 11:15 a.m., Officer Dale Strickland and Green arrested Brandon Martonie Carter, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, on an outstanding warrant for possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver heroin.

These charges stem from an investigation by Master Roy Ball into drug activity in the 1400 block of Marshal Street.

Carter received a $2,000 bond and May 18 court date.

According to a statement from patrol spokesman Jeff Gordon, at approximately 6:15 a.m. a 2013 Honda CRV, operated by Desmond Cornelius Roberts, 26, of Henrico, was traveling east on Martin Luther King Boulevard when his vehicle traveled left of center into the path of a 2003 Honda Accord traveling west. That vehicle was being operated by Brittany Nicole Silver, 29, of Norlina.

Both vehicles collided head-on.

At the time of the collision, Roberts had two other backseat passengers in the vehicle; Joshua Roberts, 5, and Anthony Roberts Jr., 7, both from Gaston.

The collision resulted in the death of Desmond Roberts, Joshua Roberts and Brittany Silver.

Anthony Roberts was transported to a local hospital and then transferred to Duke. Both children were properly restrained at the time of the collision.

At this time, it is unclear as to why Roberts drifted left of center. Neither speed nor alcohol were factors in this collision.