At approximately 8:30 p.m., Sergeant Mike Moseley was serving an outstanding order for arrest at a residence on Carolina Avenue when he located Jackson Keith Cooke, 25, of Roanoke Rapids.

Moseley located marijuana and paraphernalia in Cooke’s possession during the arrest.

Cooke was arrested on the order for arrest and given a $200 bond.

Moseley also cited Cooke for possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He has an April 15 court date for those charges.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett and Officer Alex Green assisted.

Tuesday March 15, 2016

At approximately 1:45 p.m., Officer Chris Biggerstaff responded to a larceny call at JustSave.

Staff reported Amy Lynn Hall, 48, of Roanoke Rapids, concealed goods when inside the store and when approached recovered them.

Biggerstaff cited Hall, who was released until her April 11 court date, for shoplifting/concealment of goods.

At approximately 7 p.m., Master Officer Gerald Morris received a report of an armed person in the Tenth Street area near Madison Street.

Morris located the person, later identified as Jamazia Shykeim Tillery, 16.

Tillery continued to walk away and then ran away from Morris, but was taken into custody after a short chase.

Tillery was charged with resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer and released until his May 6 court date.

Officer Patrick Smith assisted.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., officers Ryan Cross and Joey Spragins responded to an assault call on Queen Street.

During the investigation, Te’a Tamara Robinson, 17, was cursing and yelling.

Officers attempted to calm her down but she refused to do so.

She pushed Cross in the chest when he attempted to arrest her.

Cross arrested and charged Robinson with assault on a government official, disorderly conduct and resist/delay/obstructing an officer.

She received a $500 bond and April 8 court date.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

At approximately 4:45 p.m., Sergeant Terrence Tyler and Officer Matt Hunsucker responded to a hit and run call at New Dixie Mart on Old Farm Road.

During the investigation, officers found the vehicle and the driver, Gary Linwood Scott, 54, of Roanoke Rapids.

Tyler arrested and charged Scott, who received a $5,000 bond and April 29 court date, with driving while impaired and driving while license revoked.

Thursday March 17, 2016

At approximately 2 a.m., Cross conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Old Farm Road.

During the stop, Cross determined Gregory Eugene Johnson, 27, of Enfield, was impaired.

Cross arrested and charged Johnson with driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, no insurance and fictitious registration.

Johnson received a $500 bond and April 8 court date.

Sergeant Mark Peck and Morris assisted.

At approximately 11 p.m., Morris conducted a traffic stop for a violation on Hamilton near Tenth Street.

During the stop, Christopher Sean Hawkins, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, was found in possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

Morris arrested and charged Hawkins with possession of schedule VI, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an open container.

Hawkins received a $500 bond and May 6 court date.

Lieutenant Charles Burnette assisted.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate to determine if more than one juror was targeted for bribery with illegal narcotics and money in the case, Sheriff Wes Tripp said.

Currently, only one juror, 22-year-old Montrell Lamar Ponton of Weldon has been charged. He is currently at large and faces counts of accepting a bribe as a juror and conspiracy.

Non-jurors who face charges in the case include Horton of Enfield; Keeyona Wilkins, 18; Omar Daquan Ponton, 23; and Tremaine Devon Simmons, 20, all of Weldon.

Of those, Horton remains in the custody of the sheriff's office and Wilkins is incarcerated within the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for unrelated charges.

They face the same charges as Montrell Ponton.

Tripp said the ones other than the juror had alleged involvement in the case by gathering what he described as the large amount of drugs and large amount of money that was be used as bribe payments as well as knowledge of Montrell Ponton's family.

Investigation of the jury tampering came around the time a mistrial was declared in Horton's case. Tripp said in a statement Lieutenant Joseph Sealey became aware of possible jury tampering during the trial process.

Tripp declined comment when asked about any connection to the jury tampering and the mistrial, which was ordered because of a conflict of interest between the attorney representing Horton and his law partner who was representing a person who the state planned to call as a witness in the murder case.

The order declaring the mistrial, however, does not mean Horton will have the charges lodged against him in the 2013 murders of Chris Harrison and Monte Hines dropped.

That is because the mistrial in question involves a conflict of interest between the attorney representing Horton and his law partner who was representing a person the state planned to call as a witness in the case.

At the time, Judge Walter H. Godwin ordered Sammy Webb, who was representing Horton, not to represent him when the case comes back to court, instead ordering Horton be assigned another attorney.

Godwin also said Webb's partner, Jamall Summey, was to sever his ties to Jimmy Ray Daniels, who Summey was representing on matters not tied to the Horton case and the man the state wanted to call as a witness in Horton's trial.

Daniels was since shot and killed in January.

Tripp would not tie the Daniels murder to the jury tampering case and declined to say why Montrell Ponton was targeted for bribe payments.

The sheriff said the case remains under investigation and more arrests are anticipated.

Simmons, Omar Ponton, and Montrell Ponton remain at large.

The family ties between the Pontons could not immediately be established.

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

Vincent

Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said Alton Vincent, 38, has been on law enforcement radar for several years.

In the last few weeks, however, information came in complaining of traffic coming in and out of the area where he lives on John Street, which is on the opposite end of the Historic Courthouse in Halifax.

Traffic would come and go for only a short period of time, Harris said.

The culmination of the complaints and investigation led to the issuance of a search warrant, which was executed around noon today.

Tripp, left, and Harris, right, with Corporal Matt Brown.

Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement during the search 90 pounds of marijuana was seized, along with a shotgun and several items of paraphernalia which included gallon-sized plastic bags, trash bags, Cigarillos, a grinder and digital scales.

Harris said agents found marijuana in Vincent's vehicle and in a shed in the back yard. One trash bag contained 40 pounds and another contained 50 pounds packaged for sale by the pound. “He's a major supplier for our area. I think it's going to make a huge dent.”

Harris some dealers who reportedly bought from Vincent were local while some were “very near” to the area.

Warrants have been obtained for Vincent's arrest on charges of possession of a firearm by felon, trafficking in marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possess marijuana up to one-half ounce, possess marijuana paraphernalia, and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance.

Harris said Vincent tends to frequent areas in Roanoke Rapids.

Tripp said in the statement the street value of what he described as mid-grade marijuana is approximately $612,900.

Vincent was convicted in Halifax County in 2000 for maintaining a dwelling, possession of schedule II and possession with intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance. In 2011 he was convicted of possession of schedule VI in Wake County.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444; Halifax Central at 252-583-1991 or log onto the sheriff's office website to report a tip.

Silver

The owner of the residence, identified as Troy Anthony Silver, 40, took agents to the location inside the residence where the marijuana was growing.

Agents seized a four-foot tall marijuana plant which had been growing for approximately three months. Also seized were items of paraphernalia which included an oxygen system, two growing lights, power inverter, thermometer, timers, extension cord, and a bottle of root hormone.

Evidence collected indicated Silver has reportedly been growing marijuana for some time. Pots had stalks which had been cut.

Task force Agent J.R. Matthews arrested and charged Silver for manufacture marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance and possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia.

Silver received a $5,000 bond and April 27 court date.

Agents encourage citizens to report any drug activity by calling Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or log onto www.halifaxsheriff.com.

Woodley was arrested on warrants for six counts of breaking and entering; six counts of larceny after breaking and entering; six counts of possession of stolen goods and six counts of damage to property.

Lewter was arrested on warrants for seven counts of breaking and entering; seven counts of larceny after breaking and entering; seven counts of possession of stolen goods; seven counts of damage to property; and attempted breaking and entering and trespassing.

The two men were arrested around 1:15 p.m. after Lieutenant Jeff Baggett and Office Alex Green located them along with Sharnai Lanqui Person, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, walking across a parking lot on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway. Person was arrested on unrelated charges.

Investigator J.K. Davis said this afternoon Woodley and Lewter reportedly took advantage of breaking into homes whose owners were either at work or away.

They allegedly took anything from cash and electronics to gaming systems and personal property which included food and clothing.

Davis said some of the property has been recovered but the police department is opening a 14-day window in which those who bought any of the stolen goods may bring them back or give information without fear of being charged. “Our goal is to recover as much property as possible.”

Those wishing to take advantage of the 14-day window may do so by calling the police department at 252-533-2810.

Meanwhile, Hasty reported in his twice-a-week police blotter the woman with Lewter and Woodley — Person — was arrested on warrants for larceny from a person and possession of stolen goods.

Hasty said the charges stem from a matter in January when the victim reported to Officer Matt Hunsucker they posted a phone for sale on the Internet and Person responded.

When the two met for the exchange, Person allegedly grabbed the phone and ran away.

She received a $1,000 bond and April 20 court date.

Davis said in a statement officers located Hardy on the property beside the lounge and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Davis declined to comment on whether the firearm used to kill Hardy was recovered and declined to elaborate on what kind of firearm was used.

Davis also declined to elaborate on the motive behind the shooting other than there was a dispute.

At this point no arrests have been made and the police department continues to investigate along with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation.

Another person who was injured in a scuffle but was not shot was treated and released at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

The state Highway Patrol and Halifax County Sheriff's Office assisted.

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

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Officer Alex Green received information on the location of Brandon Woodard, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, who had an outstanding order for arrest.

Green located Woodard on a traffic stop at Premier Boulevard.

During the search incident to arrest, Woodard was found in the possession of drug paraphernalia.

Woodard who received a $2,500 bond and April 4 court date, was arrested for the outstanding paper and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officer Jeffrey Mason assisted.

Saturday March 19, 2016

At approximately midnight, Officer Jamie Hardy was following up on a suspicious activity in the 500 block of Hamilton Street.

Hardy encountered Joshua Kyle Bradley, 22, and Michael Ryan Price, 21, both of Roanoke Rapids.

He noticed Price throw something to the ground.

During the investigation Hardy found Xanax and Clonazepam pills.

Hardy cited both Price and Bradley, who were released until their May 20 court dates, with possession of schedule IV.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., Master Officer Adam Salmon and Officer Natara Velazquez responded to a break-in in progress call in what is traditionally called the no-hundred block of Monroe Street.

The victim told officers that they were watching TV when they heard some noise elsewhere in the residence.

When the victim went to investigate he saw a person, later identified as William Thomas Kidd, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, in the kitchen going through drawers.

Kidd fled when the victim started to call police.

Officer Dale Strickland located Kidd in the no-hundred block of Franklin Street and arrested him for the breaking and entering.

Kidd was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Kidd also had several other outstanding warrants for arrest which were served — two counts of financial card theft; two counts of obtaining property by false pretense and larceny.

These charges stem from an investigation last November when Investigator Chris Babb obtained warrants on Kidd after the victim reported their bank card was stolen and used in several places.

Kidd received a $15,000 bond and May 18 court date.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett and Sergeant Mike Moseley assisted.

Sunday March 20, 2016

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

Loss prevention reported Johnnie Nathaniel Rowland, 18, took items from the store and used a juvenile to assist in the larceny.

Strickland arrested and charged Rowland with larceny, possession of stolen goods and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He received a $1,000 bond and April 15 court date.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., Green responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention reported Larry Zollicoffer, 58, of Gaston, took items twice and placed them in his vehicle.

Green arrested and charged Zollicoffer with two counts of larceny and two counts possession of stolen goods.

He received a $600 bond and April 20 court date.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., Moseley and Strickland located Michael Christopher Lewis, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding warrants for three counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle; three counts of larceny from a motor vehicle; three counts possession of stolen goods; two counts damage to property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

The charges stem from reports last December in which Investigator J.K. Davis developed Lewis as a suspect.

Lewis received a $15,000 bond and April 20 court date.

Gregory

Her arrest today around 4 p.m. at a local hotel around the Interstate 95 area came after the task force received complaints of prostitution and drug use at the business, which Harris declined to name.

In a statement Harris said Gregory reportedly propositioned an agent.

Harris said there have been complaints of multiple prostitutes working the area.

Task Force Agent J.R. Matthews arrested and charged Gregory, who received a $750 bond and April 27 court date.

Vincent surrenders

Meanwhile, Harris reported Alton Vincent, who was sought for trafficking marijuana after agents found 90 pounds of marijuana at his residence Friday, surrendered at the Halifax County Sheriff's Office around 3 p.m. today.

Processed and given a $20,000 bond and May 25 court date, he faces charges of possession of a firearm by felon, trafficking in marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possess marijuana up to a half-ounce, possess marijuana paraphernalia, and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance.  

The county is expected to send out requests for proposals Tuesday and hopes to have them returned by the end of the month or first of April, County Attorney Glynn Rollins told the board.

Robbie Clements, Roanoke Rapids Graded School District operations director, said the school system is expected to open construction bids on April 7 and once the low bidder is determined will go to the school board to proceed with the understanding financing is in place.

County manager Tony Brown said during a break in the meeting he is hopeful the county, which will finance $18 million for the new school, can get an interest rate of no more than 4 percent.

He said after comparing bank financing and possible loans from USDA, the bank rates were comparable with what USDA offers. While bank debt service is higher, the interest rate is less because the county is looking at a 15-year term.

Going through USDA, Brown said, the interest on a 30-year-old loan would be doubled.

As far as possible property tax implications, Brown said, “We're going to have to look at our revenue stream to see what we can cover.”

In another matter this evening the board presented checks to the teams participating in last week's Halifax County Public Library Quiz Bowl.

The county allocated $1,000 to go to the libraries of the participating teams.

Present at this evening's meeting, and in order of the accompanying photos were representatives from Roanoke Rapids High School, which won the event, Halifax Academy, which finished second, Roanoke Valley Early College and Northwest High School, which also accepted on behalf of Southeast.Representatives from KIPP were not present.

{gallery}quizbowlwinners{/gallery}

First place received $400; second place $250; third place $125; fourth place $100; fifth place $75 and sixth place $50.

They are pictured with board Vice Chair Rives Manning.

The four women, all in the same vehicle, were first-year students at the college, according to reports.

The two-vehicle crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of North Wesleyan Boulevard.

The name of the driver in the second vehicle has not been released and the crash remains under investigation.

There are no immediate plans for expansion and chamber CEO and President Allen Purser told commissioners he still has to discuss the matter with the chamber board.

Tourism plans to front the $5,000, 90-day option price for the land, which is on the Premier Boulevard side of the visitors center. The total purchase price, according to a copy of the option agreement contained in the agenda packet, is $275,000.

The chamber owns the visitors center and the debt service is shared between the chamber, tourism and the county, county Attorney Glynn Rollins told the board.

Commissioner Patrick Qualls asked whether building expansion was needed.

Lori Medlin, president and CEO of the bureau, said conference rooms are constantly booked and 12 people work in the building. “I think it's very forward thinking. It's a good opportunity that may pass us by.”

County Manager Tony Brown said the county is going to pursue grants to defray the cost of the land purchase as well as refinancing opportunities.

“The 90 days is for putting refinancing (and grants) together,” Medlin said.

Rollins cautioned while grants and refinancing opportunities are being worked out, “It needs to be done quickly.”

Board Chairman Vernon Bryant sought to dispel rumors the county is simply buying the land for the dog park. “Rumors are flying it's for the dog park. The whole reason we're doing this is for expansion of the building.”

The dog park is going have to be moved because the land it is currently on has been sold.

Medlin told the board of those who have used the dog park, 43 percent purchased fuel, 38 percent ate in restaurants, 2.9 percent visited local attractions and 13 percent stayed overnight.

“I've known Rip for years,” Ellis said. “I like doing this. I like to see people's faces when they pick up a beautiful arrangement.”

Bryant said while Always in Bloom is a division of the funeral service, their work extends beyond arrangements for the services. “We do get well arrangements, weddings and just because I love you arrangements.”

Ellis likes working with silk arrangements as well as fresh arrangements, she said. “I like doing a little bit of all of it.”

Bryant said he has known Ellis for years. “She will bring in more quality work.”

Jay Carlilse, owner of Hockaday, said of bringing Ellis in, “It's a good opportunity to grow our business. I've known Terrie for years.”

Hines and Richardson

Richardson's alleged supplier, Jasper Hines, 63, was also at the scene and was arrested as well.

Captain A.M. Harris of the City Drug Task Force described Richardson as reputed user who “can make contact to get you what you want.”

Hines was previously arrested in early February on cocaine-related counts.

Harris said in a statement information supplied by Halifax County Sheriff's Office investigators led to the operation.

Hines was found in possession of 12 hits of crack and a user amount of marijuana.

Agent D. Radford arrested and charged Richardson with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, sell cocaine, deliver cocaine and conspire to sell and deliver cocaine.

Agent D. McKeel arrested and charged Hines with felony possession of cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance, conspire to sell and deliver cocaine, and possession of marijuana up to a half-ounce.

Both received $20,000 bonds and April 27 court dates.

Tritt, the Marietta, Georgia native incorporated his lifelong influences of Southern Rock, blues and gospel into his country music in the late 80's and 90's. Tritt is continuously performing shows and withholding a heavy appearance schedule, Tritt is proving to be unstoppable. 

Tritt will perform The Carolina's with a stop in Florence South Carolina May 12th the night before his May 13th show in Roanoke Rapids.

Tickets are not on sale at this time, but Barnburner Promotions is anticipating a Friday sale in if everything works out. Tickets will be $40 for Floor and $65 for VIP Front Row and the private boxes will range from $600 to $900. Keep checking Barnburning's website @ www.barnburning.com

The sentence follows a prior hearing on January 26 in which co-defendant Alpha Diallo, 24, was sentenced to 95 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The men are also required to make restitution to the victims.

According to the original complaint contained in electronic records, the men were arrested on January 31, 2014, at Robbie's Shell Station off Interstate 95.

On that date, the complaint says, the men made and attempted to make various purchases of cartons of

cigarettes using counterfeit gift cards.

The clerk recognized them from earlier fraudulent card transactions and pressed the panic button.

Officers responded and arrested them.

In their vehicle, officers located 59 counterfeit gift cards, 33 cartons of cigarettes, and $267 in currency. Subsequent to his arrest, Diallo was heard on recorded jail calls speaking to his then girlfriend Tiffany Cobb about accessing a particular account and providing further information about the email account to "Levi."

"Levi" is the street name for Saiku Gando Barrie, identified in connection to another event.

Local law enforcement intercepted the email account and recovered an email containing dozens

of stolen credit card account numbers, consistent with the described access device fraud scheme, the complaint says.

According to the news release, the indictment charged the men were engaged in a scheme to acquire, among other things, large quantities of cigarettes in North Carolina and elsewhere using counterfeit gift cards. The gift cards utilized in the scheme were counterfeit because the data encoded in the magnetic strip of the cards had been altered to contain credit and debit card numbers that were not encoded upon them at the time they were manufactured.

Conspirators acquired stolen credit and debit card data from sources on the Internet.

Diallo and others received the stolen credit and debit card data in the form of email accounts to which they had access.

Conspirators used the stolen credit and debit card data to fraudulently re-encode cards for later use to purchase cigarettes and other items.

The indictment further charged that after acquiring several counterfeit cards, the men used the cards, and caused the cards to be used, to purchase numerous cartons of cigarettes.

The conspirators would generally travel from one store to another in a vehicle during a single trip to acquire a large volume of cigarettes. After acquiring the cigarettes, conspirators would transport them to other states to be resold at a profit.

The press release notes the scheme ended when the men attempted to continue the fraud at Robbie's.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the United States Secret Service, with the assistance of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, the Wake County Sheriff's Office and the Raleigh Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney William M. Gilmore represented the United States. 

Omar Ponton was jailed on $25,000 bond while Simmons and Montrell Ponton received $5,000 bonds.

All three have April 20 court dates.

Sealey said the men surrendered at the sheriff's office but did not have lawyers with them.

Montrell Ponton was a juror in the 2015 murder trial of Jimmel Horton and so far was the only juror targeted in the case for alleged bribes of narcotics and money.

Sealey said whether other jurors were targeted with similar enticements for a not guilty verdict in Horton's trial remains under investigation.

Sealey declined to say how much drugs and money was offered to Montrell Ponton. He said the case remains under investigation and more arrests are anticipated.

Simmons and Omar Ponton were not jurors in the case. They, along with Horton and Keeyona Wilkins face charges for gathering what was described as the large amount of drugs and large amount of money that was be used as bribe payments as well as having knowledge of Montrell Ponton's family.

Horton remains in the custody of the sheriff's office and Wilkins is incarcerated within the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for unrelated charges.

They all face counts of accepting a bribe as a juror and conspiracy.

The sheriff's office said last week investigation of the jury tampering came around the time a mistrial was declared in Horton's case.

The mistrial was ordered because of a conflict of interest between the attorney representing Horton and his law partner who was representing a person who the state planned to call as a witness in the murder case.

Parker

Enfield Police Chief Tyree Davis could not immediately be reached for further comment this morning but said in a statement 27-year-old Thurman Parker II was in custody and jailed without opportunity for bond in the case.

Overnight, Enfield, with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Rocky Mount Police Department's gang unit located Parker at a residence at Whetstone Court in Rocky Mount and arrested him without trouble.

He has an April 20 court date.

Hardy, 28, was shot and killed Sunday on South McDaniel Street in Enfield.

His murder, police said Monday, was the result of a fight which escalated on property beside K'S Lounge around 2:30 a.m.

Asked since the Rocky Mount Police Department's gang unit was involved in the arrest of Parker if the murder of James Hardy Jr. was gang-related, Davis declined comment.

He also declined to immediately release further details of the shooting, which occurred around 2:30 on South McDaniel Street. “We've still got some more digging to do.”

Hardy's murder, police said Monday, was the result of a fight which escalated on property beside K'S Lounge.

“The city has a loud noise ordinance and state law says that the exhaust system should be in proper working order,” Jackson said.

The crackdown applies to trucks, cars, motorcycles, any vehicle which produces excessive noise, he said. “We have noticed people have cut the caps off catalytic converters and have cut mufflers to run a straight pipe. With that said, we'll be issuing state citations for improper equipment or city ordinances for loud noise.”

Said Jackson: “We really don't want either. We'd rather see people fix things. All vehicles have to be inspected to pass and need to be within the guidelines of the law.”

The police department will also take notice of which inspection station passed an improper vehicle. “This information could be forwarded to the state motor vehicle inspector for further action.”

The law states no person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler, or other exhaust system of the type installed at the time of manufacture, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, annoying smoke and smoke screens.

It is also unlawful to use a muffler cut-out on any motor vehicle upon a highway and no motor vehicle registered in the state after model year 1967 shall be operated unless it is equipped with emissions control devices that were installed on the vehicle at the time the vehicle was manufactured and these devices are properly connected.

The requirements do not apply if the emissions control devices have been removed for the purpose of converting the motor vehicle to operate on natural or liquefied petroleum gas or other modifications have been made in order to reduce air pollution and these modifications are approved by the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 29 million people have diabetes in the United States. One in four people do not know they have diabetes. Another 89 million adults, one out of three adults, have pre-diabetes.

Closer to home, Halifax and Northampton Counties have some of the highest rates of diabetes in the state.

Groups at higher risk for developing the disease are African-Americans, Latinos, and American Indians.

Serving more than people living with diabetes, the Roanoke Valley Diabetes Resource Center is an information hub for physicians and family members caring for a person with diabetes.

Staffed by an experienced nurse with specialized diabetes training, the center will work closely with partner agencies in the community to coordinate services and information for area diabetics and persons at risk for diabetes.

The staff wants the community to see the resource center as a one-stop shop people can contact to get guidance and be connected to a wide range of resources available to them.

All services provided at the resources center are free.

In addition to being a major hub of information, the Roanoke Valley Diabetes Center will offer free screenings such as blood pressure, A1C, and blood sugar checks by appointment.

The resource center has an available hotline — 252-535-8478 — to answer general questions or direct callers to additional sources.

Staffing the Roanoke Valley Diabetes Resource Center is Kim McDermott, a registered nurse.

Born and raised in Roanoke Rapids, she earned an associate’s degree from Halifax Community College and went on to work for Halifax Regional Medical Center.

McDermott has 17 years of healthcare experience and has experience and specialized training working with diabetics.

The Roanoke Valley Diabetes Center is located at 210 Smith Church Road, Building 1 on the medical campus of Halifax Regional.

The resource center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

To schedule a screening appointment or learn more about available diabetes education and resources, contact McDermott at rvdiabetes@gmail.com or call 252-535-8478.