According to a preliminary report by Trooper Levern Bynum of the state Highway Patrol, Elton Richardson, 31, was traveling north near the 155.5 mile marker in the Enfield area when he ran off the road.

He overcorrected and ran off the road to the right. His vehicle collided with an embankment and rolled several times before he was ejected.

The vehicle then collided with a fence before coming to an uncontrolled rest off the roadway and facing southbound.

Overcorrection was listed as the contributing factor in the crash which occurred shortly after 12:45 p.m.

Sergeant M.P. Cape encourages anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call the state Highway Patrol at 252-536-2224 or 1-800-662-7956.

The drive ran from July 30 to August 17.

State Employees’ Credit Union branches, state government offices and businesses across North Carolina collected school supplies that teachers and students need most throughout the school year.

The staff from all departments of Odom Correctional Institution participated and the Men's Service Club, which is a club of offenders who assist in giving back to the communities, donated more than $300 worth of school supplies ranging from backpacks, notebooks, spiral books, pens, pencils, kid scissors, glue sticks and other items.

The school supplies were donated to the Jackson SECU.

Members of the service club are, from left: Ernest Dunston (president), David Voliva, Jerremy Zander (treasurer), Richard Ridgill, Larry Revels (secretary), Freddie Rudd (vice president), and Alan Crosson.

That show will be Kasey Tyndall’s September 28 performance at the venue.

While the show is free, donations for Battalion Chief Kevin Hawkins, who in July was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, will be collected the night of the show.

"All the support from the fire department, family, friends and this wonderful community of the Roanoke Valley has been overwhelming,” Hawkins said last week when the video announcing the show, which is embedded with this story, was posted to the theater’s Facebook page. “I appreciate everything. Everyone has done so much. Words just can't express the love I feel. God has truly blessed me during this time of sickness. It is through my faith in God along with all the love and support I have received from everyone that gives me strength to win this fight."

Roanoke Rapids Fire Department Chief Stacy Coggins said, “It is great to know the new owners are showing a genuine interest in the community, especially for a city employee. When they took ownership that’s what they said they were going to do and they are holding true to their word.”

Coggings described Hawkins as “a dear friend as well as a loyal co-worker who is always putting others before himself.”

Said Coggins: “Being a leader on B shift, he sets a great example for his shift to follow. My thoughts and prayers go out daily to Chief Hawkins and his family. The entire organization as well as the community are pulling together to help Chief Hawkins win this battle.”

On the morning of the show, there will be a barbecue sandwich fundraiser to benefit Hawkins.

The fundraiser will be held at Builders First Source on Tenth Street from 11 a.m. until sold out. The menu consists of two barbecue sandwiches, a bag of chips and coleslaw. Food is being prepared by DIRT Ministries in conjunction with the Roanoke Rapids Fireman’s Club. Tickets are available at the fire department or by calling Kenneth Hollowell at 252-532-7136 or any club member. Cost is $8.

Theater fall lineup

In a statement released this morning the venue said it “continues to book a diverse and star-studded lineup for the 2018 Fall Entertainment Series. In just over a month since the city sold the facility to new owners Tom and Evon McLean, the theatre has quickly attracted national talent to one of the state’s premier performance venues.”

Uncle Kracker

Uncle Kracker will be the first national act to take the stage on September 14.

The chart-topping artist, who has performed with Kid Rock and at the American Country Music Awards, rose to fame with hit singles including Follow Me, Smile and others.

He was selected by the theater owners to “set a tone of Friday ‘Fundays’ at the high-profile entertainment destination.”

Uncle Kracker’s live show is “very interactive," he says. "It's meant to be a party, and I want everybody involved. Each time we go on stage, I want people to leave smiling.”  

Tyndall

September 28 is the Kasey Tyndall show.

Tyndall is a rising country music star who hails from eastern North Carolina and already has several hits under her belt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m.

The Embers

The Embers, a beach music staple in Carolinas and Virginia since 1958, will be on stage at the theater twice, first appearing on Wednesday, October 10 and again on Thursday, December 13.  Both shows are expected to sell out the 1,500 seat theatre quickly.

Charlie Daniels Band

The Charlie Daniels Band will headline a grand opening performance on Saturday, November 10.  

Daniels, a southern rock icon and North Carolina native, will bring his vocal patriotism back home with countless hits and familiar favorites.    

Parmalee

Parmalee is slated to perform on Saturday, December 8. The band gets their name from their hometown, Parmele, located an hour south of the venue.

Their 2013 single Carolina turned into a platinum-certified #1 hit while Close Your Eyes and Already Callin’ You Mine landed in the top 10 of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

“We love bringing people together for a good time and we hope they’ll clap, sing along, and raise one up — that’s what this party pack is all about,” says lead vocalist Matt Thomas.  

Social media

Future events are posted on Facebook and Instagram, or the theatre’s website — RRTLive.com.

Battalion Chief Richard Cook said maintenance staff was alerted to a possible leak due to the odor of mercaptan in the building. Mercaptan is an additive which delivers a pungent odor to alert to the possibility of a leak.

Firefighters took readings and called Piedmont Natural Gas. “Since we weren’t getting any (carbon monoxide) readings inside the building we didn’t evacuate,” Cook said.

Cook described the leak as a small one outside the building and the gas was going up into the air.

Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tyquane Johnson, 24, of Roanoke Rapids was arrested while at court.

Johnson was scheduled to appear in district court today for charges of fail to stop for a stop sign and misdemeanor possession of schedule IV, according to the state’s online court calendar.

For the card fraud case, which occurred on July 6, he was charged with conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses.

He received a $2,500 secured bond and September 5 court date.

Another man wanted in the case — Bernard Lynne Harris, 57, of Roanoke Rapids — was arrested last week and charged by Detective Sergeant L.E. Mann with financial transaction card theft, financial transaction card fraud and conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense.  

The case revolves around a card stolen in the area of Three Bridges Road and used at two different local ATMs.  

Harris also has a September 5 court date.

Lieutenant Charles Vaught said in a statement the crime occurred in June when the suspect broke out the store glass, entered and stole cigarettes and loose change.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444; Investigator J.K. Davis at 252-533-2898 or the police department at 252-533-2810.

The state Department of Transportation said in a statement the airport is slated to receive $225,000 to update its layout plan.

Specifics of the plan were not immediately available from DOT, the county or the airport. The matter is scheduled to be discussed at the airport authority’s meeting Tuesday.

The state Board of Transportation approved $24.7 million in funding at its July meeting to provide improvements such as better runway lighting, new fuel tanks and safer taxiways.

North Carolina airports serve as a vital economic engine connecting people and business enterprises with the world, DOT said in the statement. “They are among the primary economic drivers in their local communities.”

Other projects the board approved include:

• $903,240 to install phase II of perimeter fencing at Anson County Airport - Jeff Cloud Field.
• $390,600 to update the airport layout plan at Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport.
• $526,000 to rehabilitate pavement at the aircraft apron in the Fixed Base Operation area at Clinton-Sampson County Airport.
• $426,600 to rehabilitate pavement on the north apron and $323,100 to update the airport layout plan at Currituck County Regional Airport.
• $155,000 to acquire land to clear obstructions from the runway approach, $306,000 to install security fencing around the terminal area and $321,300 to update the airport layout plan at Columbus County Municipal Airport.
• $585,000 to rehabilitate apron pavement to match the current strength of the runway and taxiways and $361,800 to update the airport layout plan at Dare County Regional Airport.
• $180,000 to update the airport layout plan at Duplin County Airport.
• $513,333 to construct a new hangar access road and $438,435 to reconstruct hangar taxilane pavement at Foothills Regional Airport (Morganton).
• $2,484,000 for rehabilitation of the runway pavement at Henderson-Oxford Airport.
• $1,269,176 to prepare the site for a future Fixed based Operation and maintenance facility, and $325,800 to update the airport layout plan at Johnston County Airport
• $315,000 to obstructions to the Runway 23 approach and $531,236 to rehabilitate the general aviation apron pavement at Kinston Regional Jetport-Stallings Field.
• $610,000 to include Taxiway G in an active rehabilitation of Taxiway F at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport.
• $486,000 to replace outdated glideslope instruments at Mid-Carolina Regional Airport (Salisbury).
• $1,344,600 to rehabilitate taxiway pavement and $672,916 to complete environmental mitigation at Mount Airy Surry County Airport.
• $209,000 for design of a full parallel taxiway at Mount Olive Municipal Airport.
• $288,000 to update the airport layout plan at Northeastern Regional Airport (Edenton).
• $513,000 to remove Runway 6 obstructions at Person County Airport.
• $296,100 to complete purchasing of land within the Runway Protection Zones at Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport.
• $1,440,000 to rehabilitate the runway and taxiway lighting at Stanly County Airport.
• $675,000 to replace the existing runway electronic approach localizer and glideslope guidance system at Statesville Regional Airport.
• $1,521,000 to rehabilitate airfield lighting at Triangle North Executive Airport (Louisburg).
• $2,828,700 to rehabilitate the taxiway and runway, and design and rehabilitate the aircraft apron pavement at Warren field (Washington).
• $326,785 to reimburse for land purchased and $2,922,750 for future construction of four new hangars and construction of a new apron and taxiway at Wayne Executive Jetport.

Airports and aviation-related industries contribute more than $31 billion to North Carolina’s economy each year, according to a 2016 report.

There are 123,400 airport-related jobs in the state. The NCDOT Division of Aviation is responsible for airport and aviation system planning and development, and provides funding to local communities for constructing and improving airports throughout the state.

The 1-year-old child, Chief Deputy Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said this afternoon, was not intentionally burned but in a statement described the injury as the result of “an unsupervised accidental burn.”

Hall declined to discuss further details of the child’s injury.

The arrest of Keonta Moody, 29, on the charge of felony child abuse for failing to provide proper medical attention was the result of the observation of C-Squad deputies after responding to a 911 hangup call on Huckleberry Bottom Road.

Hall said in the statement deputies witnessed an ongoing domestic violence situation between Moody and 38-year-old Marqus Elliott of Rocky Mount.

Deputies initially arrested Elliott and Moody for domestic assault.

During the investigation they learned the child had been burned several days before.

Detective S.A. Bryant charged Moody with the felony negligent child abuse count.

Since the intervention by law enforcement, Hall said in the statement, the child received medical attention and has been released.

“It was very good observation on the deputies’ part to focus on the child,” Hall said.

Moody received a $5,000 bond and awaits a September 19 court appearance.

Sergeant J. Matthews and corporals R. Chinn and D. Moore assisted.

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Other cases

Hall reported on July 5 deputies received a report from an employee of a sweepstakes establishment located on Highway 561 in Hollister regarding an attempted larceny from the business during business hours.

Through investigation by Detective R.B. Biggerstaff, Trevon McKenzie Lynch, 22, of Hollister, was charged with safe cracking, attempted larceny and injury to personal property.

Lynch was arrested on August 25 and received an $8,000 bond while awaiting a September 5 court date.  

On August 6 Deputy C. Sherrod responded to a residence in the Ita Road area of Enfield in reference to a breaking and entering.

Through investigation by patrol officers warrants were obtained on Lynch for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and injury to real property.

Lynch received a $4,000 bond and the same court date as the charge related to the sweepstakes breaking and entering.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents seized almost 2 grams of fentanyl and items of drug paraphernalia including three digital scales, lottery slips, a razor blade, a straw, a roll of clear plastic tape, a glass marijuana pipe, pill grinder, bong and an empty oxycodone pill container.

Both the razor and straw had white residue on it, Captain A.M. Harris said this evening. The lottery slips were used for packing the drugs and the tape was used to secure the fentanyl in the lottery slips.

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Harris noted in the statement Gregory Weiss, 42, had an oxycodone prescription filled a few weeks ago and as of today’s raid the bottle was empty.

Based on the prescription of 180 pills, Harris said, “He should have had more than 100 pills in the container.”

Agent D.W. McKeel arrested and charged Mr. Weiss and his wife, Laura, 38, with felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to sell/deliver schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

They received $10,000 bonds and October 17 court dates.

Harris said in the statement agents have been communicating with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit and will continue to follow-up on this case. “Dealing with an investigation with pain pills we always contact the SBI,” Harris said.

Citizens are encouraged to report any suspected drug activity by calling the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division at 252-535-1257, Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or log on to www.halifaxsheriff.com and click on submit a tip.

Roanoke Rapids Chief Chuck Hasty confirmed Destinee Knecole Ricks, 20, surrendered around 10 p.m. to officers C. Batchelor and N. Velazquez.

She faces a count of perpetrating a hoax by use of false nuclear, biological or chemical weapon.

The charge centers around a case last week when a suspicious envelope containing a white powdery substance was found in the McDougald House on campus, WRAL reported on August 23.

The substance turned out to be bleached flour, the TV station reported.

Immediate efforts today to discover the 20-year-old’s connection to the university or why she would allegedly send an envelope of flour to the school were unsuccessful.

Calls to the NCCU campus police were directed to the university’s public relations and marketing department.

According to the warrant for arrest taken out by Joseph F. Wadlington of the NCCU police, Ricks “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did with the intent to perpetrate a hoax concealed a mailed letter at (the) undergraduate admissions office at North Carolina Central University so as to cause employee to reasonably believe the item to be a biological and chemical weapon of mass destruction. The defendant intended for the mailed letter to be mistaken for a white powder.”

She received a $3,000 bond and September 4 court date in Durham County.

Captain A.M. Harris of the narcotics division of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement the arrest of Charles Junior Lynch, 39, began when Deputy Hunter Wheeler went to the residence to check on a civil paper around 10 a.m.

During the attempted service of the paper Wheeler contacted Harris, who applied for a search warrant.

It was not immediately clear what prompted Wheeler to contact Harris.

During the search approximately 15 grams of marijuana, a marijuana smoking pipe, a Mason jar and a handgun was seized.

Wheeler arrested and charged Lynch with possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for a controlled substance.

Lynch received a September 12 court date.

Deputy Ethan Johnson and narcotics Agent D.R. Radford assisted.

Trooper T.D. “Bo” Forsht said Lajuane M. Baker, 41, was traveling south on Highway 258 near the Edgecombe County line when he ran off the road to the right shortly after 10 a.m.

He came back onto the roadway, overcorrected and went back off the right side where his vehicle collided with a tree.

Forsht said excessive speed, failure to maintain lane control and overcorrection contributed to the crash.

The deaths of David Garner of Valentine’s and Stephanie Williams of Emporia bring the Labor Day weekend traffic fatality toll to three in the Roanoke Valley after a Rocky Mount man died in a single vehicle crash in the Scotland Neck area Sunday, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Trooper J.D. Warren this evening said Trooper R.P. Dennis investigated the River Road collision which occurred shortly before 6:45 p.m.

Warren said Garner, 60, was driving his vehicle south when he crossed left of the centerline and struck a vehicle driven by Williams, 28.

Both Garner and Williams died at the scene, Warren said. Williams’ child sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Asked what caused Garner to cross the centerline Warren, declining to elaborate, said, “We feel he was impaired on illegal substances.”

The proposal came from Commissioner Patrick Qualls who last month sided with Rives Manning and Marcelle Smith and voted against the tethering ban as well as accepting PETA’s grant of $122,280 over two years.

Qualls said he had no problem with the tethering ban but had issues with accepting a PETA grant which would fund a county employee.

Since the meeting Qualls said he has spoken with others about the matter. He has spoken with PETA and Rainbow Rescue about using the funds pledged by PETA going through Rainbow Rescue to help low-income residents purchase the fencing should the tethering ban become a regulation. “I didn’t have a problem with doing away with tethering. That money would be good for fencing.”

Qualls said his research has shown a majority of people tether because they don’t have the money while the other “is a thing that’s bad. We want to help the good people.”

Before his proposal reaches a point where it will be voted on there will be discussions on the route the county wants to take, including discussions with the county health department.

County health department Director Bruce Robistow said he was pleased the issue is back on the table for discussion. “This is just such an issue. I think our ordinance is a very good ordinance.”

Smith said “my no vote was about cost.”

PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch, who attended the meeting today, said afterward the organization remains committed to work with the county in the most effective ways  which have positive outcomes for the dogs. “We want to hold people to a higher standard of care through legislation.”

The decision to unanimously reject the proposed resolution came after DOT Division 4 Engineer Ronnie Keeter and Joe Hummer, state traffic management engineer, made a presentation to the board — the same presentation which led Roanoke Rapids City Council to take no action on the matter at its August 21 meeting.

“A lot of concerns I had have been addressed,” Commissioner Marcelle Smith said the following the DOT presentation. “I’m looking at the safety overall. This is a project we need to get moving on in our area.”

The information covered at the Roanoke Rapids meeting last month included exhaustive studies on the safety of four lane highways with medians as well as studies which show businesses on these highways suffer no adverse economic impact. In Utah, Hummer said business actually gets better.

Keeter told commissioners Halifax County EMS will have a device which they can activate the traffic light when going out on calls. “It gives them the power. We feel like it protects them better.”

The issue centered around opposition to the widening project by New Dixie Oil President Scott Aman who has suggested the highway be widened like it is from Wendy’s to Touchstone Bank with an open center lane.

He told the board today, “I think DOT has done a good job hearing concerns. A lot more accommodations are being made.”

He told the board he still contends a five-lane highway would take less taxable land away from property owners. “I’m not opposed to the project,” he said. “I prefer a better way.”

DOT, the officials said in Roanoke Rapids and in Halifax, no longer builds five-lane roads with an open center lane.

City Manager Joseph Scherer said in his report to council this evening construction of a new driveway to facilitate heavy equipment for the demolition of the pool at the center will start soon. He and parks and recreation Director John Simeon have a meeting Wednesday with Chaloner Middle School to discuss the plans as the construction equipment driveway will be by the school.

Scherer’s report comes after the city was notified on August 24 it was awarded $200,000 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for the project. With $150,000 awarded earlier from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and a $50,000 local match, the city has $400,000 for the project.

Public works will lay the new driveway to the rec center and can work during school hours with a construction fence, Scherer said.

Simeon has sent in paperwork to Kate B. Reynolds to release the funds the charitable trust awarded to the city. It is expected the city should receive the funds by the end of the month or early October.

“I am extremely pleased,” Councilman Carl Ferebee, who represents that area, said following the meeting. “It looks they will have the funds to do the splash pad and further enhancements.”

Other matters

Scherer also reported the following:

A business use permit was received for the former Joy J’s location on Roanoke Avenue. A high-end consignment shop is being proposed for use there.

Greg Edwards submitted a business use permit for the former Shell Furniture building.

The city received its first monthly payment of $20,000 from Tom and Evon McLean.

“Belmont and Manning Elementary both increased their performance score by five points,” said Superintendent Dain Butler. “For the first time, Manning earned a performance score of 71 which awarded them a B rating. Belmont went from a D to a C rating.  Three of the four district schools also met or exceeded growth.”

Manning Elementary exceeded growth while Belmont Elementary and Chaloner met growth.

Roanoke Rapids High School, which scored a C, did not meet growth expectations.

The school grades are based primarily on overall proficiency rates on the state’s standardized end-of-grade tests, and to a lesser extent, the growth students make during the year, regardless of performance level.

Eighty percent of the grade is for the percentage of tests earning a score considered grade-level proficient; 20 percent is for growth, measured by a statistical model that compares each student’s predicted test score, based on past performance, against his or her actual result.

State Superintendent Mark Johnson said that while last year was something of a reset year for measuring performance at the school level, student performance shows the state must continue to stress innovation and personalized learning to ensure continued progress.

“That’s exactly what we’ve done in our district,” Butler said. “This directly aligns with our district’s vision and mission. We will continue to focus on building strong relationships with all students while customizing their learning experiences. I am very proud of our students, staff, and community for their hard work and dedication to our students. Our academic success has been achieved through our teamwork.”

Manning Elementary was not the only school to score a B.

Roanoke Valley Early College, a collaborative effort between Halifax Community College and Weldon City Schools also received a B and met expected growth.

“I’m delighted we see how what we are doing together is paying off,” HCC President Michael Elam said this afternoon. “In continuing to work together I think we see immediately working together works.”

Elam said the early college concept “really does help students focus on their pathways. It makes it easier when you know where you’re going. That helps motivate students and prepare them for where they are headed.”

The college president said the high mark is result of concerted efforts between HCC and the school system. “There’s a lot of hard-working instructors. It’s all of us working together to create that environment.”

Halifax County Schools

Northwest Halifax Collegiate and Technical scored a D and did not meet its expected growth.

Southeast Halifax Collegiate Prep Academy scored a D and met its expected growth.

Aurelian Springs Institute of Global Learning scored a C and met expected growth.

Enfield Middle STEAM Academy scored an F and did not meet expected growth.

Everetts Elementary STEM Academy scored a D and exceeded expected growth.

Hollister Elementary Leadership Academy scored a C and met expected growth.

Inborden Elementary STEAM Academy scored a D and met expected growth.

Pittman Elementary Leadership Academy scored a D and did not meet expected growth.

Scotland Neck Elementary Leadership Academy scored a D and met expected growth.

William R. Davie Middle STEM Academy scored a D and met expected growth.

Weldon City Schools

Weldon Elementary Global Academy scored a D and met expected growth.

Weldon Middle scored a D and exceeded expected growth.

Weldon STEM High School Career Academies scored an F and met expected growth.

KIPP

KIPP Gaston College Preparatory scored a C and met expected growth.

KIPP Halifax College Prep scored a D and did not meet expected growth.

Northampton County Schools

Central Elementary scored a D and met expected growth.

Conway Middle School scored a D and met expected growth.

Gaston Elementary scored an F and met growth expectations.

Gaston Middle scored an F and did not meet expected growth.

Northampton County High School scored a D and did not meet expected growth.

Northampton Early College scored a C and met expected growth.

Board Director Kristin Scott said the subpoena was received Tuesday and requests the board turn over five years of election records.

She expects the subpoena will mean thousands of local records will be turned over to the government. There has been an election within the requested time frame where the county has had 69 percent turnout.

WRAL reported today the request may be tied to a grand jury investigation which last month charged 19 foreign nationals with voting in the 2016 elections. The TV station reported the subpoenas come from investigators in that case — U.S. Attorney Sebastian Kielmanovich and Homeland Security/ICE Special Agent Jahaira Torrens.

The News & Observer reported on its website today the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina subpoenaed the state records Friday.

The newspaper also reported the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement said subpoenas also went to the 44 counties in the eastern district, which cover Halifax, Northampton and Warren counties.

The N&O reported a meeting notice from the board says the subpoena came at the request of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The other counties are Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Harnett, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.

Scott said she has notified the board and the county attorney. “We’re trying to make sure we understand what they have requested.”

As she understands the subpoena, the board of elections is expected to turn over authorization to vote papers — the ones which a voter signs before getting their ballot — the executed ballots, any and all poll books whether in hard copy or electronic form and other voting records.

The subpoena sets a September 25 deadline for return of the information.

How the subpoena affects preparation for the November 6 election is unknown, Scott said. “There are three of us in the office. I’m going to do the best I can.”

Scott said she understands the government will grant an extension if the deadline can’t be met.

The statement is as follows:

I, Ophelia Gould-Faison, am proud to publicly announce my first official bid for public office as the write-in candidate for the Halifax County Board of Commissioners-At-Large.

When I am elected, it is my vision and my goal to be “A Voice to Strengthen Halifax County” by holding quarterly listening sessions throughout the county during my tenure.

Over the years I have interacted with many citizens across Halifax County. I have always been approachable and interested in collaborating with citizens about various issues that impact their community.

I look forward to also working jointly with the Board of Commissioners to find solutions that will serve the greatest and highest good for all citizens of Halifax County.

My favorite quote from Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. is “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is …What Are You Doing for Others?”

In order to make a connection with and be an advocate for the citizens of Halifax County, I’ve registered citizens to vote and informed them of state and local voting details.

Most recently, I united with the citizens of Littleton and I addressed Littleton’s Town Board, requesting their need to reconsider raising the water and sewage rates.

This unified effort resulted in Littleton’s Town Board voting on a lower rate adjustment than was initially proposed for the citizens.

I am a member and active with Oak Grove Baptist Church in Littleton, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Iota Omega Chapter, a charter member of Roanoke Valley (NC)-Southern Christian Leadership Conference (RV-SCLC), a Board Member of The Ella Baker Educational Project of North Carolina, active with The Halifax County Branch of NAACP, and a member of Halifax-Northampton Chapter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

I serve as the Chair of The M.L.K. National Holiday Events in Littleton sponsored by Oak Grove and Piney Grove Baptist Churches.

I am the youngest daughter of two Halifax County educators, the late William J. Gould and Sabina A. Gould.

I am a widower, the mother of two adult daughters, a grandmother of four, have two sisters and a lifelong resident of Littleton.

I received my high school diploma from McIver High School, a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham and continued graduate studies in School Counseling at NCCU as well.

My teaching career with Halifax County Schools (HCS) spanned thirty-two years starting at Hollister Elementary School.

In 2009, I retired from the HCS ending my career at McIver Elementary School.

I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, and traveling.

As your County Commissioner-At-Large, I am committed to being approachable and “A Voice to Strengthen Halifax County!”

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Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects is encouraged to contact the department at 252-533-2810, Investigator Obert Wiltsie at 252-532-4509, or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.