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

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

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

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

The victim ran to a bystander and called law enforcement.

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

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

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

The victim sustained minor injuries.

Repeat shoplifter charged

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

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

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

Sergeant M. Moseley assisted.

Breaking and entering suspect charged

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

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

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

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

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

Sieber’s case is still pending in court

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

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

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

No charges have been filed in the disturbance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is also unclear where the pair frequent.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The larceny occurred July 9 around 3:40 pm.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When confronted by the victim the person ran.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The construction cost breakdown is as follows:

Demolition and compacted infill: $40,000

Concrete pool and equipment: $450,000

Soil compaction and concrete testing: $5,000

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

Equipment room and chemical storage renovation: $10,000

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

Ten percent contingency: $54,000

Total: $594,000

The professional fees breakdown is as follows:

Counsilman-Hunsaker: $26,000

James Miller & Associates: $24,000

Ten percent contingency: $5,000

Total professional fees: $55,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New mission

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

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

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

Belmont

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Officer Daniel Hundley

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police Chief Chuck Hasty announced the hiring of Curtis Batchelor, Morgan Worrell, Elijah Ellington and Dwayne Ponton.

Ponton spoke to council, thanking Hasty for hiring him. “It’s a pleasure for me to be hired.”

Ponton told council he earned an undergraduate degree from Elizabeth City State University and in the fall plans to work on his masters. “It’s a steppingstone for my future.”

Hasty also announced the promotion of Jonathan Benthall from master officer to investigator; Obert Wiltsie from officer to investigator and Greg Colson from officer to master officer.

Ryan Cross and Wiltsie were named officers of the quarter.

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Fire Chief Stacy Coggins presented new hires Sean Marshall, Corey Jenkins and Gabriel Fanara.

Matthew Dube was promoted from firefighter to engineer.

The charges filed against Collin Jarrett Webb, 33, reflect different victims, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

Webb faces a count of kidnapping, a count of assault by strangulation, two counts assault on a female, two counts interfere with 911 communications and one count of damage to property.

The kidnapping, assault by strangulation, one of the assault on a female and one of the interfere with 911 communications charges reflect a matter investigated by Lieutenant J. Baggett Monday. That assault reportedly occurred on July 11.

The remaining counts are linked to a November assault in which a separate victim filed warrants against Webb which had not been served. No details were immediately available on that call.

Investigation into the most recent report indicated the victim was at Webb’s residence on Taylor Street when an argument took place. It was not clear what the argument was about, Hasty said.

Webb allegedly struck the victim and choked her. The victim broke free and attempted to use a cellphone, which Webb took.

The victim ran out of the house, but Webb allegedly grabbed her and dragged her inside. The victim finally left the residence and reported it to police later.

Webb was held without opportunity for bond and has an August 2 court date.

On September 26, the Small Business Center will begin the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Certificate program.  

This is a seven-week program and CEU credits will be awarded upon completion of the program.

The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Certificate program is designed to strengthen the business knowledge of community farmers and new agricultural entrepreneurs to help develop, launch and manage a profitable agricultural business or farm.  

This course will be held at HCC on Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m.  

The cost of this program is $70, plus the cost of the workbook. Sponsorships for the program will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.             

Interested individuals can register today in the Workforce & Economic Development Department, located in the 400 Building on HCC’s campus.  

For more information, please contact the HCC SBC director Jerry Edmonds, by email — jedmonds080@halifaxcc.edu — or by calling 252-536-7274.

Nursing success

The School of Nursing had a 100 percent pass rate for the National Council Licensure Exam.

The NCLEX is the national board exam for all registered and practical nurses. The five-hour exam, which covers topics ranging from safety and infection control to reducing patient risks, is the last step before a student obtains their nursing license.

“I am proud of the nursing faculty who have worked hard to improve our nursing program and help our students to be successful,” said President Michael Elam. “We continue to strive to improve everywhere we can, and I am looking forward to the success of the next nursing class.”

The HCC School of Nursing prepares registered and practical nurses, as well as Certified Nurses Assistants for entry into the workforce.

For more information on the requirements, or to inquire about admission to the program, please contact Judy Yates, program director, at 252-536-7231.

Founders Day

A sponsorship form for the annual Founder’s Day is included as a PDF at the end of this story.

Founders Day commemorates the founding of Halifax Community College.

In 1967, Halifax Community College officially opened its doors to  students.

In celebration of that milestone 50 years ago, Halifax Community College will host its Founders Day Celebration on Thursday, September 14.

The arrest of 46-year-old Steannie Chaplin Sawyer coincided with a two-month investigation based on complaints of foot traffic and anonymous calls, Lieutenant A. Thomas said this afternoon.

The brick and bags seized resulted in a total of 63 bags, Thomas said.

While not as rampant a problem as it is in Scotland Neck, where a pipeline from Patterson, New Jersey, has been documented in other cases, there is heroin in the county, Thomas said. He said he was not sure whether Sawyer had any connections within the Scotland Neck heroin trade.

“It’s so much cheaper compared to other stuff,” Sheriff Jack Smith said.

Thomas said the sheriff’s office executed the search warrant prepared by Sergeant M. Sledge of the narcotics unit around 5:30 this morning. It was served in the town limits of Woodland.

Sawyer was arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony maintaining of a dwelling for the purpose of selling or storing a controlled substance.

In a statement, Smith said, “Thanks to Sergeant Sledge’s due diligence and hard work on combating the illegal drug trade, 63 dosage units of heroin with a reported weight of approximately 1.2 grams will not be reaching the streets of Northampton County.”

The sheriff said, “I would like to commend Sergeant Sledge on this arrest as it makes a statement that the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate those who choose to pollute our community with poison. The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to working cases that involves the illegal narcotics trade.”

The Jackson and Woodland police departments assisted in the case, Smith said.

Sawyer was presented before a magistrate where probable cause was found for his arrest.

He received a secured $10,000 secured and a July 27 first appearance.

While Terry Buffaloe had filed earlier to run against Mayor Emery Doughtie, he confirmed earlier this week he had withdrawn due to a conflict.

Wayne Smith and Suetta Scarbrough will run unopposed in the November 7 municipal election.

The polls will open at 6:30 a.m. that day and close at 7:30 p.m.

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District

Incumbent Jane Deese did not file for re-election this year.

Incumbents Michael Salanik and Valencia Davis refiled and newcomer Henry Ford, currently a Roanoke Rapids Planning Board member, filed.

Weldon commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent town Commissioner Stanley Edwards opted to run against incumbent Mayor Julia Meacham in that race.

In the town commissioner race there will be a contested battle for three seats. Susie Adams and Kimberly Robinson are the incumbents.

Challengers are Larry Brunson, Christon Martin, former Commissioner Walter Clark Jr. and Reailyn Stanback.

Enfield town commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor Barbara Simmons will be challenged by Walter Anderson.

In the district A race, incumbent Therman Hunter will be challenged by Larry McDaniel and Bobby Whitaker.

In the district B race incumbent Earl Harvey will be challenged by Kenneth Ward.

Halifax commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor John White is running unopposed.

While there are five seats open for the town commissioner race only four people have filed.

The Halifax County Board of Elections will most likely not extend the filing period but rely on write-ins to determine the fifth seat, board of elections Director Kristin Scott said.

The four who have filed are incumbents Edward Lee Clements, Barbara Daniels and John Suiter with Christina Wells being the newcomer.

Two other incumbents, Randy Birdsong and Chuck Peoples, did not refile.

Hobgood town commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor Dannie Flanary will run unopposed.

Incumbents Robert Sykes Jr. and Samuel Johnson are running unopposed for their seats.

Littleton town commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor John Girdley did not refile. Running for that seat will be Owen Scott.

The two incumbent commissioners did not refile. Instead the race will be a three-way battle between newcomers Bonita Knight, Stephen Barcelo and Linwood Bowden Jr. for two seats.

Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District Board

Incumbent Jack Barber is not running.

Incumbents Gene St. Clair and Steve Holliday are running. Also running for the three seats are Gregory Browning, current chairman of the planning board, and Dom Fenner, a member of the planning board.

Scotland town commissioner and mayor’s race

Incumbent Mayor Eddie Braxton is running unopposed.

Incumbents James Savage and Charles Suit are running with newcomer Susie Dickens seeking one of those seats.

The man, Edmond Tyler Baird, 19, was arrested today after an investigation by Detective B.C. Griffin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Wes Tripp said in a statement.

Multiple sources today confirmed Baird was involved in youth ministries at East Tenth Church of Christ.

Tripp declined comment on Baird’s employment status. He did confirm the victim in the case was not a member of the church.

Dave Chapman, pastor of the church, said Baird has been suspended without pay pending formal dismissal from the summer internship. His belongings have been boxed. “Our hearts go out to the victim and to the family.”

As the sheriff confirmed, Chapman also confirmed the charges against Baird were not related to the church. “My understanding is the beginning of the offenses predate us knowing him.”

Said Chapman: “Our church is absolutely heartbroken about the situation. It’s so horrific to hear about people engaging in these crimes. It’s something Jesus talked about, looking out for the little children.”

Baird’s arrest today stemmed from Griffin’s investigation after a complaint was received of alleged sexual misconduct with a minor.

The investigation revealed Baird reportedly had an ongoing and continuous sexual relationship with a minor for the past several months, and that the crimes occurred in several locations in the Roanoke Rapids area.  

Griffin charged Baird with four counts of statutory rape of a child and six counts of statutory sexual offence with a child.  

He received a $250,000 bond and August 16 court date.  

The charges against Mitchell Anthony Morgan, 19, stem from events which occurred after what was originally dispatched as a shooting call were reported in the 1700 block of Gordon Drive around 9:45 p.m., Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.

Investigation revealed there was no shooting but a physical assault occurred. While Morgan had been identified as the person involved, Hasty said this morning he wasn’t involved in the physical assault.

Officer D. Hundley responded and saw a vehicle leaving the area. Hundley attempted to stop the vehicle but Morgan reportedly failed to heed the officer.

Officers pursued the vehicle to the 500 block of Highway 158.

He was detained as officers investigated the original call and determined there was a disturbance involving simple assault and Morgan was not involved.

Hundley charged Morgan with flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, fail to heed to blue lights and siren, speeding, and failing to stop for stop sign.

Trooper D.P. Efird of the state Highway Patrol charged Morgan with driving after consuming and driving while impaired.

He received a $1,500 bond and July 26 court date.

Lieutenant C. Burnette, Sergeant M. Peck, Investigator J. Benthall and Officer C. Batchelor assisted.

Trooper Scott Richardson said Deputy Ray Horton and Sergeant Antoine Johnson applied pressure to Northampton County EMS paramedic Michael Barnes to help slow bleeding down and “possibly saved his life.”

Richardson was the trooper who responded to the crash after receiving the call at Highway 35 and Dusty Hill Road in the Potecasi area shortly after 2:45 a.m.

Barnes was responding to what had initially been dispatched as a shooting call. Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said it ended up being a disturbance call.

Barnes went through a stop sign and collided with a tree. Both his legs were injured, Richardson said. The two deputies provided medical attention.

Smith said he was pleased with the efforts of his deputies. “Our deputies do whatever it takes to save or attempt to save human life. I’m proud of these deputies who serve mankind and try to save lives in anyway possible.”

Barnes, 34, was flown from the crash site to Vidant in Greenville. Richardson said the crash remains under investigation to determine whether charges will be filed.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help defray the paramedic’s medical expenses.

Updates on the page indicate Barnes, an assistant paramedic supervisor, sustained a femur fracture to his left leg and multiple fractures to his right leg.

An update this morning indicated he has full movement and sensation in all extremities.

She is a Roanoke Rapids native and graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School.

Fowler previously worked with Halifax County in the GIS department for around 20 years and has more than 14 years of experience in the insurance industry.

​”She is very friendly and outgoing and we expect her positive attitude to be an asset to our office,” Jack Boseman, owner, said in a release announcing her employment.​ “​Patti  is looking forward to serving her customers with a smile, and providing them with the coverage ​that meets their needs.”

For more information call the agency at 252-537-8338.

On Sunday around 10 p.m., Corporal A. Holland stopped a vehicle on Interstate 95 southbound near the 155 mile marker for speeding.

During the stop, Holland learned the driver, Jakwan Alston, 25, of Rocky Mount, was in possession of a concealed handgun.

Continued investigation led to the discovery of a steel-plated body armor vest.

Holland arrested and charged Alston with felony carrying a concealed weapon and speeding before placing him in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $2,500 secured bond and an August 9 court date.

Alston had no explanation for possessing the body armor.

On Sunday around 4 a.m., Lieutenant S. Casey stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation on Highway 48 near Wednesday Drive in the Medoc community just outside Enfield.

Casey observed the driver, Octavis Davis, 21, of Enfield, concealing a handgun inside the vehicle.

Casey also found the passenger, Darrelle Dancy, 24, of Roanoke Rapids, in possession of a concealed handgun and  29 grams of marijuana.

Both men were taken into custody without trouble.

It was later determined both men were convicted felons and one of the guns was reported as stolen.

Davis was charged  with felony possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of a firearm by felon, carrying a concealed gun, unsealed wine or liquor in passenger area of a vehicle, and rear lamp violation.

Davis was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $21,000 secured bond and an August 9 court date.

Dancy was charged with felony possession of a stolen firearm, felony possession of a firearm by felon, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, carrying a concealed gun, possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia, and unsealed wine or liquor in passenger area of a vehicle.

Dancy was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $15,000 secured bond and has the same court date as Davis.

The almost sold out show entertained the crowd for three hours.

Photos by Randy Wrenn

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