Captain A.M. Harris said the arrest of Maurice Ivory Jr. occurred following a two-week investigation by Agent D.J. Epperson.

A search warrant based on the investigation was executed shortly after 8 a.m. by the task force and patrol division of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at a residence on Nation Road.

Nation Road is located off Highway 48 near the Green Store.

Corporal D. Newsome and his dog Duri assisted, helping agents seized the marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia including two boxes of plastic bags, a Mason jar and digital scale.

Epperson arrested and charged Ivory with felony possession of marijuana, possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.  

He received a $5,000 bond and July 19 court date.

Thursday arrest

At approximately 4:12 p.m., Epperson and Harris followed up on a drug complaint at a residence on Pearson Hill Road.  

During the consent search of Andrew Hardin’s bedroom, five different items of heroin paraphernalia were seized. Harris said the paraphernalia included syringes, spoons with filters and a shoelace.

Epperson cited Hardin, who is on active probation, with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.  

He received an August 2 court date.  

Sheriff’s office arrest

Harris said Thursday around 11:20 p.m., Lieutenant Steven Casey and Corporal Roy Ball stopped a vehicle on West Tenth Street and Wendover Lane in Roanoke Rapids for a violation.

They seized 314 grams of marijuana.

Harris said Ball charged Christopher Gay with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Gay received a $5,000 bond and August 9 court date.

Captain Tommy Parker said in a statement the police department is trying to determine exactly how long Shaneisha Smith, 21, of Hobgood, reportedly left the children in a running vehicle.

Based on surveillance footage, the children were in the vehicle for at least 40 minutes, Parker said in a statement. He said the time could be longer.

Parker said the air conditioning was running but no one was around the vehicle, which was parked in the lot of a gas company.

The infant and 1-year-old were found around 3:40 p.m. in the backseat and Smith was found inside a gaming establishment.

Based on footage, Parker said in the statement, the infants were left in the car and in direct sunlight while the temperature outside was above 90 degrees.

Sergeant J. Vlasak arrested Smith on two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

The children appeared healthy and alert and were left in the care of a family member.

The department of social services was contacted and is conducting an investigation.

Parker said in the statement employees and customers of the sweepstakes were unaware of what happened and the owner has permanently banned Smith from the property.

Smith was transported to the Halifax County Detention Center. She has a court date scheduled for August 8. She received a $6,000 secured bond.

Captain Patrick Jacobs of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office declined comment on the relationship between the man and the boy. He also declined to discuss motive.

In a statement Jacobs said the sheriff’s office was called around 6:45 p.m. to the shooting death of Joseph Steven Odom. The victim was shot and killed at his residence.

Jacobs said in the statement investigation continues by the sheriff’s office and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

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The man, Chad Hilton, is wanted for the breaking and entering of a storage facility on Highway 48 North, Lieutenant Charles Vaught said. The crime occurred May 23 and was reported the following day.

The woman, Dorlan Fleming, is wanted for five counts of obtaining property by false pretense, which occurred May 25.

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

An interest meeting will be held in September.

Candidates who are junior high school students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are encouraged to participate.

The students may be from Halifax, Hertford, Northampton and Warren counties.

More information on the upcoming meeting may be obtained by emailing Treva Neville or Casey Harris. 

This year’s program

This year’s program was held last month at The Centre on the campus of Halifax Community College.

Sarah Rightmyer was chosen as Distinguished Young Woman of Roanoke Valley for 2018.

She is a rising senior at Halifax Academy and is the daughter of Ray and Sheri Rightmyer.

Mira Medlin handed her title over to Sarah, who won $9,000 in scholarships, placing in fitness, self-expression, talent, scholastics.

She won overall interview, as well as the spirit award.

For her talent, Sarah performed a clogging routine to Soul Man.

She was sponsored by Drugco.

The DYW of 2018 overall scholarship was sponsored by Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Her little buddy was Teagan Hamill.

The theme of this year’s program was Fly with Your Own Wings chosen by Medlin, who is a 2017 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and will attend Meredith College in the fall.

More than $22,000 in scholarships were awarded on stage to the girls.

A full panel judge’s interview is held the day of the program at Hilton Garden Inn.

Judging for the interview and scholastic achievement are completed prior to the night of the program counting for 50 percent of the overall scores.

Onstage presentations make up the other 45 percent in categories of talent, fitness and self-expression.

Judges are brought in from other areas around the state.

Scholarship money is raised during the year via various fundraisers, a Christmas home tour, ad sales, business donations and corporate sponsorships.

Also, each participant solicits a local business as her sponsor and chooses a little buddy and little sisters to mentor.

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First Runner Up

Meagan Colston is a rising senior at Roanoke Rapids High School and is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Colston.

She won $5,250 in scholarships, placing in self-expression, talent, interview and won overall interview as well as the entrepreneur award and the leadership award.

For her talent, Meagan performed an archery and tumbling routine to Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.

She was sponsored by Discount Tire.

The first runner up scholarship was sponsored in part by Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Her little buddy was Madison McElheney.  

Second Runner Up

Brisia Aparicio is a rising senior at Roanoke Rapids High School and is the daughter of Olivia Edwards and Douglas Aparicio.

She won $2,750 in scholarships placing in self-expression, interview, and fitness.

For her talent, Brisia performed a lyrical monologue dance to A la Natita Nana.

She was sponsored by El Tenampa.

The second runner up scholarship was sponsored in part by Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Her little buddy was Reagan McElheney.

Third Runner Up

Jordan Moseley is a rising Senior at Roanoke Rapids High School and is the daughter of Chris and Michelle Moseley.

She won $2,250 in scholarships placing in interview, scholastics and self-expression.

For her talent, Jordan performed a clogging routine to Hand Jive.

Jordan was sponsored by Redwine’s International of Emporia.

The third runner up scholarship was sponsored by M.J. Price Construction.

Her little buddy was Delaney Briggs.

Other participants and scholarship winners

Bridgette Parrott

She is the daughter of Chris Parrott and Jamie Tedder and is a rising senior at Roanoke Rapids High School.

For her talent, she chose a piano performance to Knight Rupert.

Bridgette was sponsored by Elks Billboard Rentals and her little buddy was Karson Crowe.

Allison Clements

She is the daughter of Mike and Sheri Clements and is a rising senior at Roanoke Rapids High School.

For her talent, she performed a clogging routine to Billie Jean/Yeah Mashup.

Allison was sponsored by Cut-N-Up Salon and her little buddy was Emilee Campbell.

Laura Brady

She is the daughter of Mary Hafmann-Brady and Timothy Brady and is a rising senior at Halifax Academy.

For her talent, she chose a piano performance to Sleeping Lotus.

Laura was sponsored by Lake Gaston Coffee Company and her little buddy was Emma Inscoe.

Kate Starnes

She is the daughter of Harry and Wendy Starnes and is a rising senior at Halifax Academy.

For her talent, she performed a soccer/speed ladder routine to Eye of the Tiger.

Kate was sponsored by Robert Harris Catering and her little buddy was Karis Angles.

Alaina Mitchell

She is the daughter of Danita Waugh and Dean Mitchell and is a rising senior at Halifax Academy.

For her talent, she performed a clogging routine to Can’t Stop the Feeling.

Alaina was sponsored by Mitchell’s Tree Service and Custom Welding and her little buddy was Luci Wommack.

Individual category award recipients

Fitness

The four fitness award winners, each receiving a $250 scholarship sponsored by Spartan Gym and New Day Fitness, were Rightmyer, Parrott, Clements and Aparicio.

Self-Expression

The scholarship winners in the self-expression category, each receiving a $250 scholarship sponsored by Halifax Linen, were Rightmyer, Moseley, Colston and Aparicio.

Talent

The talent winners, each receiving a $250 scholarship sponsored by Myrick School of Dance, Progressions Dance Studio and Little Caesars Pizza, were Rightmyer, Clements, Colston and Parrott.

Interview

The scholarship winners, each receiving a $250 scholarship sponsored by Kapstone, were Moseley, Parrott, Colston and Aparicio.

Overall interview

The winner, receiving a $500 scholarship sponsored by Reser's, was Rightmyer.

Scholastic

The winners, each receiving a $250 scholarship sponsored by Drugco, were Mitchell, Clements, Rightmyer and Moseley.

Overall scholastic winner

The recipient of a $500 scholarship sponsored by MJ Price Construction was Colston.

Your Best Self Award winners

Both receiving a $500 scholarship sponsored by Askew Funeral Home and Jay Walker Law Firm, were Starnes and Brady.

Spirit Award Winner

The recipient of a $500 scholarship sponsored by Rightmyer Machine Rentals, was Rightmyer.

The Young Entrepreneur Award

Recognizing a young woman for her hard work and dedication throughout the DYW program through fundraising and service to the program as well as the community was Colston.

She received a $250 scholarship sponsored by New Day Fitness.

The Leadership Award

Recognizing a young woman for her large array of characteristics such as values, character, motives, habits, traits, competencies, style, behaviors, and skills throughout the program and throughout her school and community was Colston.

She received a $250 scholarship sponsored by New Day Fitness.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the numbers on the posters, the police department at 252-533-2810 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

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Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement the manager intervened in an argument between the employee, Derek Jarrell Massenburg, 27, and a customer.

Hasty said it was not clear what the argument was about.

Officer J. Fortier responded to the assault call at the Julian R. Allsbrook Highway Food Lion around 6:15 p.m.

The store manager told Fortier Massenburg, of Roanoke Rapids, reportedly assaulted him during the intervention.

Massenburg reportedly became irate when Fortier tried to talk to him, began cursing and pushed the officer.

Fortier arrested and charged Massenburg for assault on a government official, resisting, delaying and obstructing an official and possession of marijuana when it was found in his possession after the arrest.

Massenburg received a $2,500 bond and a July 21 court date.

Officers J. DeSare and M. Hunsucker assisted.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.

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The crime occurred in the early morning hours of June 28 and June 30.

They are wanted for felony larceny and were operating a gray or silver Dodge Charger.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the police department at 252-533-2810.

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said the damage to the car caused by William Kaye, 33, is estimated between $300 to $400.

Hasty said alcohol use played a factor in the matter as he described Kaye, of Emporia, as being “very intoxicated.”

The events unfolded around 8:45 p.m. when Hasty said in a statement officers responded to a robbery of a person call at Bobby’s Supermarket at the intersection of Roanoke Avenue and Highway 158.

Kaye told officers someone approached him, demanded money and left the scene.

Security video review by Officer J. Spragins determined no robbery took place. When Spragins informed Kaye of the results of the review he became irate and cursed and yelled at the officers.

Spragins arrested Kaye for drunk and disruptive behavior. Kaye continued to yell and curse. When he was put in the patrol vehicle he began banging his head on the window until it broke.

Kaye was charged with drunk and disruptive; resist,delay, and obstruct an officer; possession of marijuana; damage to property and no operator’s license.

He received a $2,500 bond and July 28 court date.

Meanwhile, a man matching the description of the suspect Kaye said robbed him was arrested for possession of marijuana.

Hasty said in the statement Officer J. Shelburne encountered Charquon Lyndre Boone, 20, of Roanoke Rapids, and found him in possession of narcotics.  

Boone received a $500 bond and August 25 court date.

Lieutenant P. Parks, Sergeant T. Tyler, Master Officer A. Salmon and Officer R. Cross assisted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The district also redesigned its website making it more interactive.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

The mobile app was launched in April for testing.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Investigator J.K. Davis assisted.

Traffic stop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lieutenant J. Baggett and Officer J. Fortier assisted.

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

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

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

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

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

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

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

Baker has a July 19 court date.

Northampton County Sheriff’s Office

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Veliky’s vehicle caromed into a tractor-trailer.

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

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

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

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

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

Wheeler said the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twenty fellows were chosen to attend.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Agent C. Babb and Officer Daniel Hundley assisted.

Weapon charges filed

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

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

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

The firearm was recovered.

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

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The event is the brainchild of Ross McKinney.

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