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The break-in occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on Colonial Drive, Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said in a statement.

Asked this morning whether the robbery of drugs and money appeared to be the intent of break-in, Harris said,  “That’s what it seems like to me.”

Harris said the task force had recently began receiving complaints of drug activity at the residence.

Jermaine Antony Hagan, 24, of Hamilton Street, was arrested in the break-in and Terry Louis Kearney Jr. and Jerrysha Kimble were arrested on the drug charges.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the residence. The victims were familiar with Hagan and gave a description.

Sergeant Rodney Goswick of the state Highway Patrol located located Hagan in the area of Cloverleaf Drive. During a search of the area money was recovered.

Deputies at the residence contacted task agents after finding cocaine and paraphernalia inside the residence.

Deputy J.C. Comeaux arrested and charged Hagan for breaking and entering, felony larceny and injury to real property.

Agent D.R. Radford arrested and charged Kearney and Kimble, both 21, for felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Hagan received a $10,000 bond and August 21 court date.  

Kearney and Kimble received $1,000 bonds with July 19 court dates.

Deputies P. Moyer, S. Stansberry and P. Rackley assisted along with Roanoke Rapids Police Department officers R. Cross and J. Spragins and Agent D.J. Epperson.

The district also redesigned its website making it more interactive.  

“RRGSD is proud to launch our new app that will make communication more accessible to our families and community. This is another step towards preparing our students to become globally responsive citizens,” said Superintendent Dain Butler. "We realize our schools are busy places and parents need a trusted place to find accurate information.”

Butler said the school system also recognizes parents have busy lives “and it’s not enough to just stuff a flyer in their child's backpack and expect feedback. This app allows us to have more two-way communication and keep all stakeholders better informed."

When parents have questions for a specific teacher for example, they can contact them directly using the app.  

“In addition to daily school news, events, lunch menus, and athletic scores, users will also receive notifications from each of our schools and district office,” said Mark Kuchenbrod, the system’s chief technology officer.  

The app can be customized to receive notifications from each individual school or to multiple schools if parents have students in several schools.

The district started working nearly a year ago with Apptegy, an Arkansas based technology company specializing in school system digital connectivity.

The mobile app was launched in April for testing.  

With the mantra Kids Are Our Customers in mind, the RRGSD system was built with instant notification in mind.  

For example if there is a school emergency or weather related closing or late opening, the district can disseminate information within seconds.   

“As a district we wanted to be able to send our parents a notification, text, phone call, post a notice on our social media, and on our website with one click,” Butler said. “This new system allows us to do that.”  

The app can be downloaded in both the Apple App Store and Google Play.  

Leaders, physicians and clinicians from Halifax Regional recently gathered to celebrate the Center of Distinction award, which was given to The Wound Care Center by Healogics, the nation’s leading and largest wound care management company.

The Wound Care Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92 percent, and a wound healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days. Out of 630 Centers eligible for the Center of Distinction award, 334 achieved this honor in 2017.

In 2016 the center treated 419 new patients, not including existing patients, alone and achieved a healing rate of 92 percent.

“It’s a great honor for our staff to have received this award,” said Mick Olesnevich, program director. “They’ve worked extremely hard to achieve these high metrics, while helping our patients experience improved healing rates. This is all a result of providing excellent and compassionate care.”

The Wound Care Center is a member of the Healogics network of nearly 800 Centers, with access to benchmarking data and proven experience treating approximately 2.5 million chronic wounds.

The Wound Care Center at Halifax Regional offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time.

Some of the leading treatments offered at The Wound Care Center include hyperbaric oxygen chambers, negative pressure wound therapy, debridement, application of cellular-based tissue or skin substitutes to the wound and off-loading or total contact casts.

For appointments, assessments, questions, or a tour, call The Wound Care Center at 252-535-2350.

The charges filed against Cleve Edwards Fleming, 52, of Littleton, stem from the illegal possession of a electronic benefits card which was mistakenly mailed to his address, Chief Chuck Hasty said.

Hasty said between $700 to $800 worth of purchases were made on the card leading to 11 counts of identity theft and a count of illegal possession and use of a food stamp card.

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator G.L. Williams which began February of last year when a report was filed.

Master Officer J. Benthall and Officer C. Batchelor apprehended Fleming around 11:45 this morning in the city limits.

He received a $15,000 bond and September 9 court date.

Investigator J.K. Davis assisted.

Traffic stop

Hasty also reported on Tuesday around 9 p.m. Officer Joe DeSare conducted a traffic stop in a Premier Boulevard parking lot for a violation.

During the officer’s encounter with the driver, vehicle passenger Archilles Devalo Bhuya, 32, of Roanoke Rapids, attempted to flee from the vehicle.  

Bhuya threw items down and after a brief foot chase was taken into custody.  

DeSare found the items were narcotics and paraphernalia and also discovered Bhuya was wanted by the Weldon Police Department for a true bill of indictment for burglary, larceny after breaking and entering and conspiracy as well as another outstanding order for arrest.

Bhuya was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting, delaying and obstructing an officer.

He was served the outstanding true bill and order for arrest.

He received a $31,500 bond and August 18 court date.

Lieutenant J. Baggett and Officer J. Fortier assisted.

Scotland Neck police Captain Tommy Parker reported Monday Officer C. P. Little stopped a vehicle on East Eighth Street for not having rear lights.

The driver, Dennis Marquis Hines, of Scotland Neck, had a fugitive warrant out of Danville, Virginia, for felony possession of stolen property.

Little arrested Hines and charged him with being a fugitive from justice, operating an unregistered vehicle, no insurance, driving while license revoked, and fail to burn tail lights. Hines received a $10,000 bond and is awaiting extradition.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy Scott Hall reported that on July 7 Detective S.A. Bryant arrested an Enfield man for shooting into a residence in the area of Silvertown Road on June 7.

Bryant arrested and charged Dennis Glenn Baker, 56, with discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, injury to real property and injury to personal property.

Hall said it was not clear what motivated the shooting, in which no one was injured.

Baker has a July 19 court date.

Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

Lieutenant A. Thomas reported on July 6, the sheriff’s office and Down East Drug Task Force responded to a residence outside the city limits of Rich Square for possible drug activity. Sergeant Wallace Ransom was at a residence on Dick Harmony Road for a welfare check of an elderly person who lived there.

Ransom noticed marijuana plants and alerted task force members, who determined Richard William Pierce, 48, was operating a grow house.

Agents seized 11 plants ranging in height from 1 foot to approximately 4 ½ feet along with associated marijuana paraphernalia.

Pierce gave consent to search and he was arrested and presented before a Northampton County magistrate who found probable cause for possession with intent to manufacture marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.

Sheriff Jack Smith said in the statement, “The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to removing any and all illegal drugs in our county. I would like to thank Sergeant Ransom and the Northampton County Narcotics Division for their work on this case.”

Trooper W.C. Wheeler said he charged Heather Veliky, 22, with failure to reduce speed and reckless driving.

The crash occurred when traffic was at a standstill in the southbound lane at the 176 mile marker in the Garysburg area.

Wheeler said Veliky said she had the cruise control set on 75 but didn’t realize traffic had stopped. She struck the rear of one vehicle and that vehicle hit another in front of it.

Veliky’s vehicle caromed into a tractor-trailer.

Gaston Fire & Rescue reported in a statement it was dispatched at 10:45 this morning for a multiple-vehicle crash with entrapment.

Three passenger vehicles and one tractor-trailer were involved, closing both southbound lanes.

Veliky was trapped in the vehicle and firefighters removed both passenger doors with the Jaws of Life and removed the passenger side B post.

Vidant Eastcare landed on the scene and transported the patient to Greenville.

Two additional patients were transported to Halifax Regional Medical Center by Northampton County EMS. All patients were listed in stable condition.

Wheeler said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Fire crews remained on scene for slightly more than an hour and the highway remained closed during that time.

Gaston and Garysburg police, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina DOT assisted.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has been working in the county for more than 11 years, said Rachel Bellis.

With eight fieldworkers in the county, the organization has provided doghouses, straw bedding, food water and basic preventive care.

The work has also included replacing heavy chains with lightweight tie-outs and placing billboards which warn against flystrike and other heat-related maladies.

“Many dogs are forced to live outside,” Bellis said. “Many don’t have sufficient shelter.”

Enfield, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon and Scotland Neck have banned 24-7 tethering but, Bellis said, “There are a lot more dogs outside of the city limits. We have a great relationship with law enforcement.”

She said, however, PETA needs help from business owners to show support for ending tethering in the county.

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In a statement leading up to the event, PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said, “Every day, PETA visits lonely dogs who have been left to suffer at the end of a chain in Halifax County without shade, shelter, fresh water, companionship, and other necessities. This networking event will be a chance for compassionate Halifax County movers and shakers to learn how they can help raise the bar for animal welfare in the county."

Weldon Mayor Julia Meacham spoke on behalf of the organization. “Unfortunately, many dog owners don’t particularly care is their dog is tied to a chain, unable to get any exercise; get fed on a regular basis; has no fresh water to drink.”

Meacham said some owners don’t care whether their dogs have no shelter from the sun, cold, snow or rain. “Some dogs are completely void of any type of attention or interaction with their owners.”

Said Meacham: “It is heartbreaking and a sad situation that innocent dogs are being mistreated by their owners in today’s society. It is inexcusable and unaccepted to those of us who love and cherish our dogs.”

The mayor said the tethering ban has worked well in the town. “Now Weldon has a part-time animal control officer that patrols … and makes sure that everyone stays in compliance with the rules and regulations set by PETA. We no longer have dog owners having 12 doghouses located behind their homes at the back of their lots with chained pit bulls. These dogs were not pets, just a business proposition making their owners money.”

With the new regulations, Meacham said, “All dogs in Weldon sleep in a doghouse, not under the stars anymore. They have fresh water and food, and can walk freely inside their chainlink fence space. I urge all of us to take the necessary steps to support PETA in helping us see that all dogs have the freedom to be treated humanely.”

The event also gave guests a chance to see PETA’s community action van, which is stocked with supplies needed when fieldworkers encounter distressed dogs.

Photos showed the many dogs fieldworkers have rescued and the event gave business owners a chance to meet therapy dog Elle and her owner, Leah Brewer. Elle has recently become an honorary chamber member.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp described Jessica Marie Jones, 33, as an acquaintance of Jovonte Boone and Shenna Riley, who were charged in the shooting death of Nestor Salazar Moctezuma.

Tripp said Moctezuma, who had been year-round farm worker in the Littleton area, was shot more than once. He was found the morning of May 20 at a mobile home off Airlie Road.

Tripp said in a statement Jones allegedly provided transportation, shelter, clothing, and food to Boone and Riley, which aided them in evading capture for the murder of Moctezuma.

He declined to say whether Jones harbored them at her residence or elsewhere. He declined to comment on how long she allegedly harbored them.

Tripp said she was arrested in Roanoke Rapids as the result of an ongoing investigation into the murder.

Jones, who Tripp described as an acquaintance of Boone and Riley, was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder and two counts of harboring a fugitive.

Jones received a $15,000 bond, and has a July 19 court date.

“Anyone found providing assistance to wanted people to avoid apprehension in Halifax County will be subject to criminal prosecution,” Tripp said in the statement.

“It’s a vindication of what I try to teach, how I try to teach the history of the South in conjunction with ancient world history,” said Rodney Pierce, a third-year teacher at the school.

Pierce, a sixth-grade social studies teacher, was chosen to attend the Understanding the American South Teachers Summit.

This fellowship will be held on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill on August 13-15.

There were more 70 applications received from across the state from K-12 educators who teach about the American South in their curriculum.

Twenty fellows were chosen to attend.

The fellowship is offered by The Center for the Study of the American South, Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, and the UNC School of Education.

Participants will get the opportunity to hear presentations from top Carolina scholars who specialize in Southern history. They will receive a stipend as well as continuing education credits.

Pierce uses the parallels he finds on the local level to help better explain world history. “We have the Halifax Resolves, which was a precursor to the Declaration of Independence. I juxtapose that to the Magna Carta and the 12 Tables of Ancient Rome or Hammurabi’s Code. The Magna Carta was basically barons telling the king you can’t keep doing these things with no accountability. It levels the ground between us and what the Resolves were, that we were tired of England being on our neck.”

He relates the Nat Turner insurrection to Spartacus in Rome. “We live in arguably in the most historic area in the state.”

Pierce said he noted in his application he didn’t see enough of Halifax County on the fellowship’s website, particularly African-American history. “I’m just elated and excited to have this tremendous opportunity.”

One of the people Pierce looks forward to hearing is William Ferris, a UNC professor who serves as associate director of the Center for the Study of the American South. “I’m hoping to learn more to use personally and professionally and definitely have some things I can share with students and give them a bit more pride in where they come or where they live.”

Said Pierce, a product of the Halifax County school system, “Now that I’m older and know about the history, I’m prouder of where I live and where I’m from. That came because I learned. Knowledge is power.”

Charlene Nicholson, who has been Pierce’s instructional coach for the past couple of years, was the one who emailed him about the opportunity. “I want to thank Charlene Nicholson. When I was in sixth grade at Davie she was my social studies and English teacher.”

Pierce is founder of the Roanoke Valley Black Male Education Alliance and serves on the Public Relations committee for Halifax County Schools.

On Thursday around 8:30 a.m. the department’s Criminal Investigative Division, Patrol Division and City County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant in the 900 Block of Henry Street.  Investigator O.L. Wiltsie secured the search warrant through his investigation into a number of break-ins throughout the city.  

During the execution of the warrant Tanasia Monye Powell, 18, and Trevonte Gajuan Clanton, 21, both of Roanoke Rapids were taken into custody for outstanding warrants and orders for arrest.

Powell was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, obtaining property by false pretense and served with an order for arrest.

She received a $5,500 bond and August 8 court date.

Clanton was charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods and served with an order for arrest.

He received a $16,000 bond and August 8 court date.

The charges stem from reports filed in June and July where outbuildings were broken into and items were taken.

During the search warrant execution, some of the stolen property was recovered.  

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Agent C. Babb and Officer Daniel Hundley assisted.

Weapon charges filed

On Thursday around 9:30 p.m., Officer M. Hunsucker responded to a residence in the 100 block of Jefferson Street about a larceny of a firearm.  

During the investigation he obtained warrants on Nair Khadaphi Belton, 17, of Roanoke Rapids.

Belton was arrested around 1 this morning by Lieutenant J. Baggett and Hunsucker in the back alley of Jefferson near First streets.

The firearm was recovered.

Belton received a $500 bond and August 4 court date.

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The event is the brainchild of Ross McKinney.

He and Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp teamed up both years to use the program as part of the sheriff’s Benefiting the Kids outreach.

On Sunday around midnight Master Officer Gerald Morris responded to a domestic disturbance in the 1200 block of Carolina Street.

The female victim reported Casey Alexander Williams Jr. 28, of Littleton, called to find out where she was.

Williams was at the victim’s residence when she arrived. Williams took the victim’s cellphone and purse. When the victim tried to get the items back he forced her into his vehicle and sped away.

The victim got out by forcing the vehicle into park near Fourteenth and Jefferson streets.

The victim ran to a bystander and called law enforcement.

Williams fled the area and was arrested later in Littleton Sunday afternoon around 1 by Lieutenant C. Boden of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Boden arrested him on warrants filed by Morris for kidnapping, larceny from a person, breaking and entering a motor vehicle, assault on a female and possession of stolen goods.

He was jailed without opportunity for bond and has August 2 court date.

The victim sustained minor injuries.

Repeat shoplifter charged

On Sunday around 11:45 p.m., Officer A. Green arrested Marvin Lewis Scott Jr., 25, of Halifax, on outstanding warrants for two counts of habitual larceny and possession of stolen goods.  

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator F. Griffin.

Scott allegedly entered Walmart on two occasions and took items from the store without paying. He received a $2,500 bond and August 2 court date.

Sergeant M. Moseley assisted.

Breaking and entering suspect charged

On Friday around 1 p.m., Master Officer A. Salmon and officers R. Cross and J. Shelburne arrested Chad Levon Hilton, 43, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding warrants for breaking and entering, larceny, possession of stolen goods and an outstanding order for arrest in the 300 block of West Fourth Street.

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator G.L. Williams into a report filed in May where the victim reported their Jackson Street Extension home was broken into and items were taken from it.  

The property was located at a local pawn shop and recovered.

Williams arrested and charged Belinda Carter Sieber, 54, of Roanoke Rapids on June 20 for obtaining property by false pretense, breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Hilton received a $7,000 bond and August 2 court date.

Sieber’s case is still pending in court

The task force continues to search for the people involved, Captain A.M. Harris said.

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Agent D.R. Radford obtained warrants for the arrests of Keith Williams, 29, and LaSonya Artis, 33.

Currently they face charges related to indoor grow operation, Harris, said.

No charges have been filed in the disturbance.

A vehicle was found damaged at the residence at Pugh’s Mobile Home Park off Roper Springs Road in the Littleton area. Harris said blood was found next to the mobile home as well as the front door of the residence.

Someone in the community witnessed a disturbance and called law enforcement. Harris said it is believed the disturbance was between Williams and Artis.

No one was at the residence when deputies arrived Saturday morning around 9:30 a.m.

Deputies entered the home to make sure no one was inside hurt.  

In the master bedroom closet deputies discovered what appeared to be a small indoor marijuana grow operation.

Deputies contacted the task force. Radford applied for and was granted a search warrant.

During the search of the residence, agents located marijuana, a pot, a bucket and bong.

It was unclear how long the marijuana had been growing. Harris said the leaves were mature.

It is also unclear where the pair frequent.

Harris said Radford went for a follow-up today and no one was home.

The pair face charges of manufacture marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Lieutenant C. Boden, Corporal P. Moyer, deputies J. Comeaux and P. Rackley and Agent D.J. Epperson were involved in this investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The crime occurred May 22 at approximately 8:30 pm.

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

The larceny occurred July 9 around 3:40 pm.

Anyone with information is encouraged to the police department at 252-533-2810; Lieutenant Charles Vaught at 252-533-2819 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

John R. Martin, an Atlanta attorney, is the appointed learned counsel in Powell’s case.

He noted in a motion filed last week he was seeking to be excused from a Criminal Justice Act budget training session scheduled in Raleigh later this month.

United States Magistrate Judge David S. Cayer allowed Martin to be excused from the session, according to an order filed in Charlotte Monday.

“The vast majority of the attorneys invited to the CJA training are representing clients who do not face the possibility of a death sentence, while Mr. Powell does,” Martin wrote in the order.  “Budgeting for death penalty cases is very different from the budgeting for regular felony cases.”

Martin noted he has already contacted Fourth Circuit Budgeting Attorney Larry Dash regarding a seed budget which precedes a stage I budget for attorney and expert expenses through the death penalty authorization process by the United States Department of Justice.

“Undersigned counsel has been the attorney in a number of federal death penalty cases (over 25) and as a result is very familiar with the specific budgeting procedures for potential death penalty cases,” Martin wrote, noting his co-counsel, Mitch Syers, will be attending the July 27 meeting in Raleigh.

“Excusing counsel, whose offices are in Atlanta, Georgia, from attending the scheduled CJA budgeting training will also serve to save expenses in the case,” Martin wrote. “Airfare from Atlanta to one of the suggested sites is around $600.”

Federal court documents released last month indicated Powell was eligible for the death penalty in the case which is tied to UBN racketeering counts and the murders of Jimmy Ray Daniels in Scotland Neck and Cheeontah Howard in Gastonia.

Lamonte Lloyd, of Scotland Neck, faces the same counts as Powell and has already entered a not guilty plea.

The original indictment in the case alleges the murders were based on racketeering activity by Lloyd, who goes by the street name Murder Mo and Moo, and Powell, of Charlotte, also known as Savage, who allegedly killed Daniels and Howard with premeditation and deliberation.

Daniels was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle at Grace and Eleventh streets in Scotland Neck. The state had planned to call Daniels as a witness in the case of Jimmel Horton, which ended in a mistrial. Horton had been charged in the 2013 murders of Monte Hines and Chris Harrison.

In all, 83 members of the UBN were indicted following a five-state raid.

Several guns were recovered from the attempt in the 900 block and one of them was stolen from Georgia. It had an altered serial number, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting the police department in the continued investigation, Hasty said.

The new charges filed against all the defendants come after further investigation by Investigator Obert Wiltsie.

On Monday at  9:45 a.m., Officer M. Hunsucker arrested Aaron Addnus Powell, 18, on outstanding warrants for possession of a gun with an altered serial number and possession of a stolen firearm. Powell received a $2,000 bond and August 2 court date.

Darius and Skii’e Alston surrendered to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office today to face the new charges. They also received $2,000 bonds and August 2 court dates.

Two of the defendants in the case, Key-Luntay Ashod Brickell and Vinlente Shamar Barnes, also face the new weapons charges but have not surrendered.

Barnes faces an additional charge of possession of a handgun by a minor.

The charges stem from a case investigated by Wiltsie where the victim reported around 10:30 p.m. they went to the back porch and saw a person with a mask and gloves on walking up.

When confronted by the victim the person ran.

A witness gave chase and found there were more people with the first suspect.

The witness pursuit of the man ended when the suspects pointed a gun.

Hasty said Barnes and Brickell are encouraged to surrender. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Cost estimates prepared by Missouri-based Counsilman-Hunsaker Aquatics for Life place the estimates between $594,000 to $649,000, Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon told council this evening.

An initial rough estimate by local engineer Jim Miller had placed the cost around $200,000.

Sources have indicated Miller’s comments in May were off-the-cuff and made prior to him doing full research.

The company, which has corporate offices in St. Louis, has a rich portfolio of pool projects including facilities in Raleigh, Greensboro, New Bern, Chapel Hill, Durham and Charlotte, Simeon said.

It was through Miller’s further research he recommended the city consider the Counsilman-Hunsaker estimate.

Simeon told the panel this evening, “Please understand that these are cost estimates and not firm numbers that you would see in requests for proposals.”

The company broke down the cost estimates into two categories — construction costs and professional fees.

The construction cost breakdown is as follows:

Demolition and compacted infill: $40,000

Concrete pool and equipment: $450,000

Soil compaction and concrete testing: $5,000

Electrical panels, wiring and ground grid: $25,000

Equipment room and chemical storage renovation: $10,000

Site plumb, electrical work and landscaping: $10,000

Ten percent contingency: $54,000

Total: $594,000

The professional fees breakdown is as follows:

Counsilman-Hunsaker: $26,000

James Miller & Associates: $24,000

Ten percent contingency: $5,000

Total professional fees: $55,000

Total estimated project cost: $594,000 to $649,000

Simeon told council he and City Manager Joseph Scherer met with Congressman G.K. Butterfield’s office to see if there are federal resources or grants available. “We should hear back from them in about two weeks,” he said.

Simeon and Scherer will also meet with officials with the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to discuss other possible resources. That meeting is set for August 7.

Simeon said while the current Chaloner pool is L-shaped and slopes from 3-feet to 5-feet with an approximately 9.5-feet diving area, the city asked for different recommendations. “To try and minimize costs as much as possible, we asked for a 35 by 75 rectangular pool that has a zero-depth entry which extends down to 5-feet water depth.”

That proposal takes out the L-shape and the diving area.

Simeon said he plans to come back to council at its August 15 meeting for an update on the federal and state resources as well as any other possible resources and grants.

“This is a big difference than what we thought it would cost,” Councilman Carl Ferebee said.

“It went from renovation to complete demo and rebuilding,” Simeon said.

Miller told council soil borings ended up showing there was damage to the internal structure of the concrete.

City council in March appropriated $300,000 for the pool project. That money is still being set aside for the project, Scherer said.

The board adopted a resolution to renovate the Armory which sits adjacent to the historic high school campus.  

“Renovating this would save the district money and allow us to potentially open in the fall of 2018,” said Superintendent Dain Butler.  

School system spokesman Les Atkins said renovating the Armory would save the school system roughly $1 million rather than proceeding with original plans of building a facility behind the high school.

If approved by the Cooperative Innovative High Schools commission, the early college would provide increased opportunities for students to earn an associate degree or up to two years college transfer credit while simultaneously completing the requirements for high school graduation.  

More than 50 students have expressed interest in attending the first year with plans to maintain at least 100 in subsequent years.  

New mission

In an effort to more accurately reflect the direction of the district, the board revised the system’s mission statement to read: Every student will become a responsible and respectful global citizen through personalized learning opportunities.

It also revised its mission statement, which now reads: Roanoke Rapids Graded School District will offer rigorous customized learning opportunities in a safe and supportive learning environment. Our learning community will foster meaningful relationships with all partners to ensure the academic, emotional, and social growth of all students.  

“The leadership team has been working on this for several months,” said Assistant Superintendent Lowell Rogers. “As we move forward with our digital learning initiatives and curriculum enhancements, this gives us a framework from which to grow and operate in the coming years.”

Belmont

Trustees also approved the appointment of Jance Moody as the new assistant principal at Belmont Elementary.   

Moody attended Halifax County Schools, earned his bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University, and his master’s degree from Elizabeth City State University.  

“He comes to us with more than eight years experience in education and is excited to be part of the Belmont Bees,” Atkins said.

The honors came during city council’s meeting Tuesday night.

“You don’t know how much help these guys are,” said Craig Pippen, a Halifax County EMT, who recommended the officers and firefighters receive commendations. “They help us drive, find victims, hold hands. These guys go above and beyond.”

Pippen was referring to a shooting which occurred the morning of June 23 at West Thirteenth and Franklin streets.

In an email to Roanoke Rapids police Captain Andy Bryant, Pippen commended Sergeant Terrance Tyler, Officer Ryan Cross and Master Adam Salmon and firefighters Richard Cook, Bryan Hollowell, Carter Rowland, Ramah Long and Sean Marshall.

“They did their job by helping render first aid to the shooting victim.”

The officers, he said, “were very valuable in getting equipment, shining lights and helping us find where all the victim was shot and treating the wounds.”

Before arrival of EMS, Cross applied a pressure dressing and was holding pressure on a wound to the abdomen where the victim was bleeding. “I applaud their efforts in rendering aid to help us stabilize and save the life of this citizen,” Pippen wrote. “Your officers and the city firemen that responded were vital in providing the care needed to hopefully keep this case from turning into a murder investigation. Please let the officers know that we really appreciate their efforts on this call as well as all of the daily calls we run with them. Their actions reflect highly on their commitment to the citizens of the city of Roanoke Rapids that they protect and serve.”

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said the victim is out of the hospital and recovering.

Roanoke Rapids fire Chief Stacy Coggins said, “We don’t do this to get a pat on the back but in a day when we have people who are ungrateful it’s always good to be appreciated.”

Hasty said, “When we tell them we are going to recognize them the guys always say we’re just doing our job.”

In his email to Coggins, Pippen wrote, Cook, a battalion chief, Hollowell, a lieutenant, Long, an engineer, and Marshall, a firefighter, “were a great help in providing aid, equipment as well as helping us to provide stabilization and transport to the victim.”

Pippen wrote: “I strongly feel that your efforts in conjunction with the efforts of the RRPD and Halifax EMS made the difference.”

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Officer Daniel Hundley

Meanwhile, Master Officer J.E. Benthall recognized Officer Daniel Hundley for helping two small children by buying them diapers out of his own wallet.

The humanitarian act occurred on June 8 when Hundley was dispatched to 1022 Vance Street to help someone pick up their belongings.

Hundley encountered the mother of the children “and learned she desperately needed to get diapers out of the house for her two small children.”

Hundley later conveyed to Benthall and the mother the children wore soiled diapers. “He attempted to make contact with the resident who was the father of the two children but could not get anyone to answer the door. Officer Hundley then searched the area and eventually found the father.”

“The father was unwilling to cooperate and refused to provide any diapers for the children,” Benthall wrote. “Officer Hundley realized that the two innocent children would likely continue to suffer and not receive the level of care that any small child is entitled to if he did not take action. He then took it upon himself to purchase some diapers for (the mother) with his own money.”

Wrote Benthall: “Officer Hundley’s actions display a level of empathy, kindness and selflessness that should be inculcated in all members of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.”