Captain A.M. Harris of the task force said agents have been investigating Robert Earl Alston for several months.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said task force agents went to Alston's residence on Thirteenth Street shortly before 9:30 this morning.

Agent C. Dixon had been investigating the residence due to the citizen complaints and heavy traffic to and from the area.

During the search of the residence, which was aided by task force Lieutenant H.G. Phillips and his dog, Josh, agents seized two dosage units of Molly. Marijuana, two Alprazolam pills and one Oxycodone pill were seized as well.

The agents also seized paraphernalia that included a cigar; digital scale; glass jar; a box of plastic bags and a .22-caliber handgun.

Dixon charged Alston with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance; possess less than one-half ounce of marijuana; simple possession of schedule III; possession of drug paraphernalia; felony possession of schedule I; simple possession of schedule II and possession of a firearm by a felon.

He received a $25,000 bond and June 17 court date.

In a statement Hasty described Molly as a powder or crystal form of MDMA, which is the chemical used in ecstasy.

“Molly is a stimulant drug and can cause serious health risks.” he said. “Molly can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems and drug craving. The molly seized today was crystal form.”

Harris said agents are receiving intelligence on Molly being used in Roanoke Rapids, Enfield, Scotland Neck and Hollister. “It's about the same price as crack. If you take it you can stay up five days.”

Hasty said Roanoke Valley residents are encouraged to call the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252 583-4444 to report any drug activity in their community.

Chief Chuck Hasty said Kearney, 19, came to the police station around 2 p.m. Hasty said publicity that he was wanted prompted him to surrender.

Victims said Kearney fired shots at them in 100 block of Madison Street around 4:30 p.m.

Kearney was jailed on $1 million bond and faces the following charges:

Four counts of assault by pointing a gun.

Going armed to the terror of the people.

Three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

“I look forward to developing the city budget,” he said. “We still don't have accurate revenue projections. The league has not presented us revenue projections. We're waiting to obtain the projections.”

Those revenues include items such as Powell Bill funds and state sales tax figures.

(The work session will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. in the first floor conference room of city hall on Roanoke Avenue)

Scherer, answering a question by Councilman Carl Ferebee, said he anticipates receiving the information this week. “Maybe on a couple of cases we will have to make assumptions.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie asked Scherer about the status of Senate Bill 369, which focuses on redistribution of sales tax revenue.

“The sponsor is trying to tweak it,” the city manager said.

The city lost 5 percent of its revenue in the countywide property revaluation, Scherer said. “Based on the numbers turned in, that's about $50,000 in lost revenue.”

Scherer said following the meeting getting the revenue projections from the state will be key in determining what the city can and can't do with the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The loss from the revaluation should not prove crucial in determining the financial plan, he said. “I think we're very fortunate we didn't take that big a hit.”

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said the child was hit by use of hands and an instrument, the type he declined to divulge. The child sustained bruises.

Investigator Chris Babb charged Jomar Ohhja Squire, 26, with misdemeanor child abuse and assault on a child under 12, which is also a misdemeanor.

Hasty said Squire is a friend of the child's mother. Babb said the mother was not present when Squire assaulted the child in what he said was an attempt to discipline.

Hasty said in a statement the police department began investigating on April 1 after receiving a report from the Halifax County Department of Social Services.

Babb worked with child protective services to develop a suspect in the case.

Squire went to police department around 11 a.m. Tuesday to surrender and face the charges.

The child is in the custody of her father and is OK.

Squire received a $5,000 bond and was assigned a May 20 court date.

Babb said the case remains under investigation.

In another matter, Hasty reported that on Tuesday around midnight, Officer Jamie Hardy responded to Walmart to investigate a larceny.

After speaking with loss prevention, Hardy cited Teresa Knight, 56, of Garysburg, to court on May 11 for shoplifting.

Sheriff Wes Tripp reports there have been several break-ins within the last week, occurring in the daylight and nighttime hours. Many have taken place in the Bolling Road and West Tenth Street areas of Roanoke Rapids.

“With the weather beginning to change and more outside activities taking place, the sheriff’s office would like to warn residents to lock their vehicles and not leave valuables behind or in plain sight.”

The thieves are targeting any items of value including cell phones and chargers; GPS units, electronic devices and any money or change.

“Please be mindful of any suspicious people walking in your neighborhoods and don’t dismiss an occasional dog bark in the middle of the night,” Tripp said in a statement. “We ask that any resident report any unusual activity no matter how minor it may seem.”

Tripp said the sheriff's office is working on developing persons of interest in the cases.

Battalion Chief Kevin Hawkins of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department said firefighters received the call just before 4:45 p.m.

Union Mission staff used an extinguisher to knock out the fire and firefighters finished the job with a water extinguisher.

There was moderate to heavy smoke throughout the building and firefighters used a fan to draw out the smoke.

Hawkins said the gas dryer line came loose, which required a gas leak to be stopped. “There was a potential for a major incident.”

Firefighters remained on the scene for approximately 50 minutes.

Hawkins said firefighters were not immediately able to determine the cause of the fire. “We don't know if it was an electrical malfunction or something caught hold.”

The dryer was being used at the time of the fire and the inside melted.

Hawkins said it wasn't clear whether the dryer, which is 6-feet tall and 3-feet wide, could be repaired. He said Union Mission staff did not say whether the organization could fund the purchase of a new dryer or fund the repairs. “We're not sure how they're going to replace it.”

There was no answer at the Union Mission this evening.

Hawkins estimated damages to the machine to be between $2,000 to $3,000.

The scuffle occurred around 9:30 a.m. when Officer Jamie Hardy responded to a call of vandalism in the Green Garden Court area where the victim said a man identified as John Glenn Mills Jr. had damaged satellite dishes.

As Hardy spoke with Mills, 60, of Roanoke Rapids, the man became agitated, Chief Chuck Hasty said, and claimed he had come to the area to work on cable.

When Hardy tried to arrest Mills, a scuffle ensued with Hardy and Officer Linda Baker.

The officers received minor cuts and scrapes and were treated by supervisors on the scene.

Hasty said Mills is a not a cable or satellite technician, but declined further elaboration.

Mills was charged with two counts of damage to property for the satellite dishes; two counts of assault on an officer and two counts resist, delay and obstruct.

He received a $2,000 bond and May 22 court date.

Master Officer Roy Ball assisted.

In unrelated cases Wednesday, Hasty reported:

Around 4:30 p.m., Ball stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Highway 158 and Georgia Avenue. During the stop Ball found that Carlos Demetrius Crawford, 28, of Roanoke Rapids, had outstanding warrants.

Crawford was taken into custody without trouble and was arrested for a probation violation and a warrant for resist, delay and obstruct an officer.

Crawford, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was given a $2,000 bond and an April 20 court date.

The driver was cited for the violation.

Hardy assisted in this arrest.

Around 4 p.m., Officer Greg Colson responded to investigate a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention informed Colson that Dennis Gregory Quick, 33, of Hamlet, picked up items in the store. He then went to the customer service area and returned the items as if he had purchased them. Colson arrested and charged Quick with obtaining property by false pretense, larceny and possession of stolen goods,

Quick was given a $2,000 bond and an April 22 court date.

“We're going to have to discuss it,” he said. “I also want input from the people.”

That's why during today's discussion Smith told City Manager Joseph Scherer and his fellow council members, “If we're going to see a tax increase, bring it before the budget hearing. Let them know in advance. I just don't want any last-minute surprises.”

(See related story)

Smith's comments came as Scherer and Finance Director MeLinda Hite discussed bleak revenue projections from the state.

Matters to consider as the budget process gets under way, Scherer said, include knowing precisely what the revenue situation is going to look like; appeals in the countywide property revaluation; cost reductions; service reductions; the overall state of the economy; the theater debt as well as health and wellness factors.

Mayor Emery Doughtie continues to stand by a sales tax increase, something that must be approved by legislators before a referendum can be held. “It would be best to start a dialogue to get a sales tax as a way to create a sizable amount of revenue without adding a property tax burden. A sales tax can reposition money from people traveling through the area.”

A past effort to do this was nixed by state lawmakers, Doughtie said, because they felt the county should be involved. “They weren't interested in a municipality taking it on.”

A 1 cent sales tax increase would create close to $1 million, the mayor said.

Hite explained while the city is expected to lose $50,000 in property tax revenue from the county revaluation, that loss could be more as appeals are ongoing. “Halifax County is still going through appeals. They will continue through June 30.”

These appeals include not only business but residential property taxes. “We could see even more decreases in the levy.”

The city is expected to lose an estimated $350,000 from the repeal of the local business privilege license tax and is expected to see a decrease of around $4,500 in Powell Bill funds.

The biggest revenue loss potential, Hite said, could come from Senate Bill 369, a bill that would redistribute sales tax revenue. “If it's not revised, it would take three years to be implemented.”

If implemented as is, the city would lose more than $800,000 in sales tax revenues over three years. The city typically collects $2 million. “That's a hit,” Hite said.

“Everyone across the state is screaming about it,” Scherer said. “It was originally intended to refund money to rural counties.”

Scherer said he is still waiting to hear from the league for guidance.

In her proposed budget to city council today, department Director Kelly Lasky requested two Ford F-150 four-wheel drive pickups to replace an aging fleet of hand-me-downs from other departments.

The trucks, Lasky said, would help inspectors in their field work. They can't carry ladders in the aging cars they use and there is a limit to the amount of tools they can carry. “There are safety issues when using someone else's ladder.”

(See related story)

The cost of each truck is estimated to be $24,701.

The department has five vehicles that include a truck with 160,000 miles which has broken down at an intersection.

Its Crown Victorias have 160,000 and 130,000 miles on them and one has an issue with the computer system. A 2003 Malibu has 63,000 miles. “We do have significant needs for vehicles. We're spending thousands in maintenance fees. We're talking about vehicles that are 15-years-old,” she said.

Lasky is requesting $100,000 in her proposed capital budget to cover two items for $50,000 each — demolishing the former Roanoke Restaurant at 1026 Roanoke Avenue and developing a Roanoke Avenue streetscape plan.

The former restaurant was declared unsafe in June of 2009, the capital request says, while in 2010 council adopted an order to petition to court for compliance. Last May a judgement was obtained from the court and last November the department solicited bids for demolition.

The bid came in at $48,000. “We're trying to get updated quotes.”

Lasky said the roof has collapsed.

Christina Caudle, Main Street Development director, said the UNC School of Government has been contacted to help the city determine what to do if the building is demolished.

There are two schools of thought, she said.

One is to turn the empty area into a walkway that leads to public parking behind the building, although it would require lighting and other improvements that could mean an additional $50,000.

The other option would be to re-inclose and sell. Caudle said she would like to see the school of government do an analysis.

Meanwhile, the second item in the department's proposed capital budget is for a Roanoke Avenue streetscape plan.

The study area would be the 2-mile avenue corridor, the proposal notes.

The idea behind the plan, Lasky said, would be to create design guidelines that would lead to creating an identity for the avenue. “We would like to see if we can get other cost-sharing involved.”

Lieutenant H.G. Phillips said Agent D.J. Hundley has been working on the case involving Samaj Montaque Sledge for several weeks, specifically targeting that area and the 24-year-old man.

The warrants on Sledge are based on a search warrant executed today around 9 a.m. by the task force and Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team on Luke Street, which is located in the Lincoln Heights community.

A search that included the assistance of Josh, a task force dog, resulted in the seizure of 9 grams of powdered cocaine. Paraphernalia seized included a digital scale, wax paper bindles and razor blades, items Phillips said are consistent with packaging narcotics.

The search warrant service was based on citizen complaints as well as Hundley's investigation, Phillips said.

Sledge, who is based in Lincoln Heights and was described by Phillips as mid-level dealer in Roanoke Rapids, faces charges of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Meanwhile today, the task force and HEAT executed a search warrant at South East Railroad Street in Enfield with assistance from Josh.

Phillips said Josh was deployed to search the residence around 2:45 p.m. for marijuana and paraphernalia. The items were located and seized. The paraphernalia consisted of digital scales, small plastic bags, cigars and rolling paper.

Through citizen complaints and investigation by Phillips, Donald Lesharde Crews, 26, was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Nysheba Ryel Crews, 28, was cited for simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Enfield pair were given June 17 court dates.

Deputy Chief Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said the outage is spread across the city from Roanoke Avenue and beyond, in all about 65 percent of Dominion Power's customers within a two-mile radius of Vepco Street, which is located off Roanoke Avenue near KapStone..

The company's interactive outage map shows more than 4,600 customers without power and an estimated restoration time of between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Tony Burnette, president of the Northampton County Chapter of the NAACP, said a meeting was held at the Northampton County Sheriff's Office in Jackson with some of the family members of the missing as well as representatives from the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

Today's meeting served as a followup to a prayer vigil held in March for the missing, Burnette said.

Commitments to come out of the meeting included billboards in Northampton and Halifax counties showing the photos of the six missing people: Shawn Alston; Robert Moore: Shonda Stansbury: Amy Bridgeman; Jalesa Reynolds and Daniel Moses.

Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty said he has already sent out a letter requesting the governor's office post a reward for information on Stansbury.

“A commitment was made to formulate a task force to work on all six cases,” Burnette said. “We made a commitment to write a letter requesting the FBI to come in and assist. I felt we came out of the prayer vigil with momentum moving forward.”

Burnette said the group plans to meet every six weeks. “We're going to continue to support the families. We're committed to stand by these families every step of the way. We're hoping and praying their stories will touch someone's heart and help families find closure.”

Hasty said the police department continues to follow up on all leads.

“The meeting was successful,” Chief Deputy Bruce Temple of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said. “We had an agenda for the meeting to come up with new ideas on working together. I thought it went very well.”

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith was pleased with the meeting. “We're putting all our resources together and working with the NAACP. We're trying to put things in place and looking at getting help from the FBI.”

Smith believes the FBI would be instrumental because it would have more financial resources as well agents specifically trained in searching for missing people. “We certainly want to let the families know we haven't set it aside. We're interested in the cases of all the missing people. Our primary mission is to do what we can for the victims and families.”

Agent D.R. Radford said the case against 41-year-old Scottie Plum of Roanoke Rapids remains under investigation.

Plum was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon following the execution of a search warrant at Adams Circle around 9:30 a.m.

Radford said in a statement a Beretta .40-caliber handgun was seized.

An investigation into Plum was based on citizen complaints and Radford's own investigation into drug activity over the past several months.

Plum received a $2,500 secured bond and May 27 court date.

Thomas, who serves as a restoration specialist for the State Historic Historic Preservation Office, spoke Sunday at the annual Halifax Day, an event which recognizes the anniversary of the Halifax Resolves.

Sunday marked the 239th anniversary of the signing of the document, which became the first call for independence from British Rule.

Wrenn Phillips, chair of the Historical Halifax Restoration Association, presented the award to Thomas for his work on projects like the William R. Davie house and work on the historic jail as well as other statewide projects such as discovering the oldest house in North Carolina located in Edenton.

Thomas works in 18 counties in the northeastern region providing technical restoration assistance to public and private projects.

In his talk, Thomas concentrated on gambrel style roof structures that were common at the time of the resolves. “Halifax really had a large number of gambrel roof houses. This house type was prolific. It was a popular house style. The Owens house is a fine example. The Tap Room is a fascinating building. Thankfully this building was rescued.”

There were numerous reasons the buildings were popular, Thomas said. “They were said to be cheaper to build and had more space. I think the reason they were built is that it was all the rage. It was extremely popular.”

He spoke briefly on the ongoing work being done on restoration of the Bradford Denton House, which has been moved to Halifax. “It was very much endangered. I thank the association for rescuing this important house. It's a come a long way.”

The importance of the house, Phillips noted, is linked to Colonel John Bradford, one of the delegates in the Fourth Provincial Congress, which framed the resolves.

Thomas, who is also consulting on restoration projects on King Street, said he is pleased with the efforts under way in Halifax. “It's a great place. I feel like it's coming back.”

Saturday night the firefighters and their families honored those years with a dinner and presentation of a special helmet.

“Forty-five years is a long time,” said Chief Keith Browder. “He's a very active member. He answers a lot of calls. He's always one of the first for any fundraisers we have here.”

Rheasville is a like a family, Browder said. “It becomes a way life. It makes the department mean that much more to you. Just about everyone in this department is family.”

Smith is part of that family, Browder said. “He's been through about every training this department has seen. A lot of the minutes talk about fundraisers.”

Before the tax district, departments survived on donations, Browder said, and Smith was instrumental in those. “We wanted to do this to show how much we appreciate you.”

Following the presentation, Browder said, Smith, “Is consistently here. He's someone I can depend on. I knew him as a child and looked up to him.”

Jeffrey Shaw, an officer within the fire department, said, “You don't see many people with 40-plus years in the fire department. That's a lot of years.”

Smith grew up in the fire department, which turns 50 next year, before there was 911 and tax districts. “I've enjoyed the department all the years I've been in it.”

Communications has been the greatest improvement, he said. “We went to a hotline telephone that would ring every firefighter's number. We've come a long way.”

He remembers one of the early tankers was pulled out of a pasture. “Buddy Powell fixed it up for us.”

Smith didn't know the dinner Saturday was for him until the last-minute. “I wasn't expecting anything like this.”

The even will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The grounds are located at 370 Ruritan Drive.

Festival Director Karen Hall said in a statement music will be provided by The Embers, Albert Castiglia, Steve Owens and the Summertime Band, The Switch and Exit 173.

There will be some vendors there as well as Discovery Channel’s Tim Smith and his Climax Moonshine.

This year there will be more than 40,000 pounds of pork in more than 30 different styles.

“This event is one of the largest single day events on the East Coast,” Hall said. “In the past the Pork Festival has had as many as 15,000 in attendances for the event. Included in your ticket price will be sampling of over 30 different pork dishes, a liquor and beer bar. There will also be side items and soft drinks.”

Some of the dishes will include minced barbecue, pit-cooked barbecue, barbecued spareribs, barbecued Boston butt, barbecued loin chops, grilled loin chops, sausage biscuits, pork burgers, sausage burgers, bologna steak burgers, Italian sausage, pork meatballs, BLTs, hot dogs, chitterlings, pigs feet, souse, chitterling fritters, pork skins and Pork Festival Stew. Sides will include black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes, pork and beans, hushpuppies and French- fried sweet potatoes. Desserts will include banana pudding and strawberry shortcake. Soft drinks, water, tea, Anheuser-Busch family beers, and a liquor bar will be included.

”The Virginia Pork Festival was established in 1974 and has been growing every year. With 15,000 available tickets it is one of the largest events on the East Coast,” Hall said. “The event raises funds for over 30 different non-profit clubs an organizations in the Southside Virginia Community. Its an event you don't want to miss.”

The event does support several nonprofit organizations in the Southside Virginia areas such as: 4-H Emporia, Emporia Jaycees, Beta Sigma Phi, Cato Hill Hunt Club, Central Brunswick Ruritan, Coalition to Delay Parenthood, Colonial Heights Auxiliary Police, Courthouse Hunt Club, Darvills Ruritan Club,Emporia Greensville Humane Society, Elks Lodge, Hospice, Greensville Ruritan Club, American Legion, Family Violence Prevention, Emporia Jr Women's. Club, Nurses Sorority Chi Eta Phi, Doodling Hunt Club, South Hill Jr. Women's Club, Petersburg Police, Black Pot Group, Oak Grove Methodist Church, Newsoms Ruritan Club, Meherrin Ruritan Club, Joyner Gray Yale Ruritan Club, Jarrett Ruritan Club, Surry 4-H, City of Emporia, Greensville Volunteer Rescue Squad, and the Franklin Sportsmen Association.

For ticket information or to purchase visit the website.

Tickets are $30 if purchased before May 1.

Tickets are $35 if purchased after May 1. VIP Parking is $25. Vendors can also apply on the website.

That was because he had stuffed an oversized coat and his pants with meats, which law enforcement found in his vehicle, according to Captain M.D. DeLoatch Sr. of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office.

In all, law enforcement found an assortment of T-bone steaks, rib eyes, sausages, ribs and other meats stolen not only from Rich Square, but the Food Lion in Scotland Neck.

The 37-year-old Rocky Mount man was caught after the Dollar General employee called to report a shoplifting.

While en route to the call, Deputy J. Britt observed a vehicle matching the description pull into a residence near Lover's Lane Road outside Rich Square.

Deputies observed several packages of meat in the rear passenger seat, around $500 worth, DeLoatch estimated.

They also found packages of meat inside Battle's pants legs.

Battle was charged with eight counts of larceny — seven of those counts from Scotland Neck — and one count of driving while license revoked.

He was given a $10,000 secured bond and May 19 court date.

“The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to working with all law enforcement agencies in the county as well as outside of the county,” Sheriff Jack Smith said. “We are committed to working together therefore, bringing to justice those who commit offenses such as this. We like to commend and encourage all businesses to report and gather detailed information to pass on to law enforcement agencies to assist them. I would like thank Deputy J. Britt and Sergeant D. Twine for their efforts.”

DeLoatch said the meat was returned to the stores from where it was stolen.

April 10

Around 4:30 p.m., Officer Gerald Morris arrested Kiara Danielle Jones, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, on a warrant for obtaining property by false pretense.

This charge stems from a report that was taken by Officer Scott Blythe on April 2 about a matter at Walmart.

Blythe obtained the warrant after speaking with loss prevention .Jones rang up items at a discounted price for another employee, Caron Makease Williams, 21, of Roanoke Rapids.

Williams was arrested on April 2 for the same charge.

Jones was given a $1,000 bond and April 22 court date.

April 11

Officers Ryan Cross and Gerald Morris arrested Issaca Shneace Bryant and Tereka Hyman, both 19 and both of Roanoke Rapids for larceny, possession of stolen goods and financial card theft.

These arrests stem from an investigation that Investigator F.D. Griffin had been working since March 6.

The victim reported that while shopping, her purse was taken from her shopping cart.

Griffin worked with the business staff to identify the suspects in the larceny.

Bryant and Hyman were given $5,000 bonds and June 17 court dates.

Warrants have also been obtained for Paris Savon Gatling, 24, of Weldon, on the sane charges.

Gatling is encouraged to contact the Roanoke Rapids Police Department to handle these matters.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-444.

Around 11:45 p.m., Sergeant Mike Moseley was checking Chockoyotte Park before locking the gate when he noticed a vehicle and a male standing next to it.

When Moseley approached, the vehicle pulled off and left the park.

Moseley noticed the male had a beer in his hand and attempted to make contact for the alcohol violation but the man walked away.

Moseley asked the man to stop several times but he continued to walk away.

The man went inside a residence and shut the door.

Moseley and Officer Adam Salmon knocked on the door and the man came out.

Moseley told him he was under arrest and the man attempted to go back into the house and shut the door on the officers.

During the attempt to arrest the man, he threw the beer bottle at officers and it struck Salmon in the head.

Officers used a Taser and pepper spray during the attempt to arrest the man, identified as Laurice Deairel Hawkins, 32.

Hawkins was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, resist,delay and obstruct an officer and alcohol on city property.

Hawkins was given a $7,500 bond and May 20 court date.

Salmon was treated and released.

April 12

Around 1p.m., Officer Patrick Smith responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told the officer Albert Lee Simmons Jr., 25, of Roanoke Rapids, had allegedly taken items from the store without paying for them.

Smith arrested Simmons and charged him with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Simmons was given a $2,000 bond and a May 8 court date.

Around 2:30 p.m., Lieutenant Jeff Baggett arrested Tashyra Monea Alston, 19, of Roanoke Rapids after she turned herself in for nine counts of obtaining property by false pretense and five counts of conspiracy.

Baggett began the investigation after taking a report from Walmart loss prevention that an employee was not ringing up items for customers when they came through the line.

During the investigation Baggett learned these events occurred during the month of March and there were several people involved.

Alston was given a $10,000 bond and a court date of June 12.

Baggett also obtained warrants on Meteyanna Wilkins for four counts of obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy.

Wilkins turned herself into the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office on April 12 and was given a $5,000 bond and June 12 court date.

Baggett also obtained warrants on Keswanna Imonni Mitchell, 20, of Seaboard, Jennifer Renee Arrington, 22, of Enfield, Keandra Person, 22 of Roanoke Rapids and Caron Makease Williams, 21, of Roanoke Rapids for obtaining property by false pretense and conspiracy.

These individuals have not been arrested and are encouraged to contact the Roanoke Rapids Police Department to handle these matters.

Around 4 p.m., Smith responded to Halifax Regional Medical Center about an assault that had possibily occurred in the city.

Smith spoke with the victim and learned Tishawn Jermaine Edwards, 26, of Conway had allegedly assaulted her while riding down the road.

Smith noticed that the victim had injuries to the face.

Smith arrested Edwards and charged him with assault on a female. He was also served an outstanding order for his arrest for driving while license revoked.

Edwards has a May 8, 2015 court date.

April 13

Around 2:30 p.m., Officer Jonathan Benthall responded to investigate a larceny at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Benthall that Fasheema Tranaza Finney, 17, of Weldon had allegedly concealed items while inside the store.

Benthall cited Finney for shoplifting and released her to the custody of a parent. She has a June 26 court date.

Around 4:30 p.m., Benthall responded to investigate a larceny at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Benthall that Amy Lynn Hall, 47, of Roanoke Rapids had allegedly taken items from the store.

Benthall arrested Hall for shoplifting. She was given a $500 bond and a May 29 court date.

Around 5:30 p.m. Master Officer Mark Peck responded to a report of a trespasser at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Peck that David Wayne Cox was in the store at this time.

Cox had previously been told to stay off the property because of an earlier matter where he had allegedly attempted to take items from the store.

Cox was located inside the store and was arrested for trespassing and concealment of goods.

He was given a $3,000 bond and a May 29 court date.

Lieutenant Charles Vaught, Sergeant Terrence Tyler and Spragins assisted.

Around 11:50 p.m., Moseley was on routine patrol in the Lowes Home Improvement parking lot when he noticed a vehicle with the trunk open near the lawn and garden area.

Mosley stopped the vehicle on Becker Drive going into Weldon and arrested Rose Marie Abernathy, 56, of Roanoke Rapids and Jonathan Paul Lucas, 23, for stealing bags of potting soil.

Abernathy was charged with habitual larceny, possession of stolen goods and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was given a $4,000 bond and a May 20 court date.

Lucas was charged with larceny, possession of stolen goods and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was given a $1,500 bond and a May 15.

During a search of the vehicle Moseley found drug paraphernalia and the stolen property was returned to Lowes. Weldon Police Department Sergeant Lee Mason and his dog assisted.

Time of the hearing is 10 a.m. and the location is the board of commissioners room at the Historic Courthouse in Halifax.

Board of Elections Director Kristin Scott said today the following precincts will the topic of the public hearing:

Littleton 1 and 2

Roanoke Rapids 6 and 8

Weldon 1 and 2

“The precincts have been talked about a long time,” Scott said. “There are way too many precincts. We are looking at different ways to save the county money. We do have some issues with parking.”

Consolidation would represent a savings of between $2,000 to $3,000 per election, which mainly represent the salaries of precinct workers.

Under the proposals, the Littleton 1 precinct at town hall and the Littleton 2 precinct at the fire station would consolidate and elections would be held at the fire station, Scott said. The basis is parking as well as having elections at a town hall where there would be elected officials present.

Roanoke Rapids 6 which is at located at Kirkwood Adams would consolidate with Roanoke Rapids 8, which is at the old fire station 2. Elections would be held at Kirkwood Adams. Parking issues drive this decision, Scott said.

Weldon 1 is the town hall and Weldon 2 is the fire department building on Highway 158. The board of elections is looking at holding elections at Halifax Community College. Parking issues at both locations drive this decision as well as as the issue of elected officials mingling at the town hall.

If the proposals are approved they would be reflected in the November municipal elections.

“We did have some concerns,” Scott said. “Voters approached the board at its last meeting. Some requested using a church. Another factor was with voter ID. They requested we postpone to reduce confusion.”

Consolidation of the three precincts, according to Scott, would put four precinct workers in each of the polling places on backup status.

Anyone who wants to address the board at the May public hearing should contact the elections office at 252-583-4391 no later than April 30.