According to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department report, the man was identified as Jose Alexis Betancourt.

Ellis

Betancourt was the boyfriend of the mother of Juan Gilberto Ellis, 19, who will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the stabbing, Chief Chuck Hasty confirmed.

The family moved from Richmond to Roanoke Rapids and had only been here for about a week, Hasty said.

Roanoke Rapids police investigators initially charged Ellis with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury Tuesday night following the stabbing.

Betancourt died around 12:30 this morning and investigators have obtained a warrant for involuntary manslaughter. Service of that warrant will be coordinated with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Hasty said.

Ellis was jailed on $50,000 bond and has a first appearance in district court today.

Police received a disturbance call around 6:15 p.m.Tuesday and found the victim with multiple stab wounds in the lower extremities.

The victim was initially transported to Halifax Regional and then flown out.

The nature of the disturbance remains under investigation.

“Lending support to the Center for Energy Education, located adjacent to our 20-megawatt  Halifax Solar Project, helps advance education for teachers and students in Eastern North Carolina,” said Rob Caldwell, president of Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. “This aligns with our goals to continue growing renewable energy in the state and contributing to a strong economy.”

This funding will support C4EE ‘s efforts to provide professional development training programs for middle and high school science teachers.

The program focuses on a solar curriculum which equips teachers to bring all aspects of solar technology into the classroom.  

To date, 22 science teachers from local public, private and charter schools have participated in the program.

“This will be our third year to offer this unique training  to our local science teachers,” said Mozine Lowe, executive director of C4EE. “This training takes our work directly into the classroom where we hope to inspire our students to become energy professionals.”

“We are proud that Duke Energy continues the relationship with the center. It proves that our efforts in the past few years have not gone unnoticed, “ said Georg Veit, CEO of Geenex and chairman of the board  for the center. “We will continue to work in the communities and help provide the benefits of a changing energy landscape to our region. Energy education is key to prepare for jobs in the sector, and an educated workforce is necessary to ensure the United States will continue being a leader in this sector.”

“High-quality professional development for teachers is a critical component to educating students about North Carolina’s growing solar industry,” said Tanya Evans, Duke Energy district manager. “We’re proud to support C4EE and know this investment will extend beyond these teachers to the hundreds of students they reach every day.”

The 2017 Train the Trainer workshop for science teachers is scheduled for August 8-9 for middle school teachers and August 10-11 for high school teachers. Both workshops will be held at the Center for Energy Education , 460 Airport Road, Roanoke Rapids.

The center is set for its grand opening in October.

Assault suspect surrenders

On Tuesday at approximately 11 a.m., Taneshia Antoinette Burgess came to the police department to take care of outstanding warrants for assault on a handicapped person.  

Burgess was served the warrant and received a $1,000 bond and August 30 court date.

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator O. Wiltsie into a report filed July 12.

The report alleges Burgess assaulted a handicapped person she was taking care of during a shopping trip.

Captain Bobby Martin said the assault reportedly was in the form of physical contact with the special needs victim.

Virginia fugitive arrested

On Tuesday at approximately noon, Officer S. Blythe arrested Ki’Ashley Ana’ysha Young, 19, of Roanoke Rapids, for being a fugitive from Virginia.  

Young was wanted by the Waverly Police Department for four counts of forgery, four counts of uttering and two counts of stealing cash.

She received a $12,000 bond and August 4 court date pending extradition to Virginia.

Arrested at work  

On Tuesday at approximately 2 p.m., Officer A. Green attempted to stop a vehicle for a violation in the 300 block of Madison Street.  

The driver, later identified as Diquan Shakelle Garner, 23, of Roanoke Rapids, failed to stop for blue lights and siren.

Garner drove down back alleys before getting on Thirteenth Street where he failed to stop for stop signs and lights.

He went through  residential streets and Green lost sight of him.  

Green was familiar with Garner, who he stopped Monday.

Green obtained warrants on Garner for flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, driving while license revoked, fail to stop for blue lights and siren, and stop sign/stoplight violation.

The  Nash County Sheriff’s Office located Garner at his job around 5 p.m. and arrested him on the warrants.

He received a $3,000 bond and September 6 court date.

Captain A.M. Harris of the City County Drug Task Force said in a statement Agent C.A. Parker stopped a vehicle shortly before 10 p.m. at Walnut and First streets in Weldon. The stop was for a motor vehicle violation.

Parker identified the driver as Thomas Wayne Martin, 26, and requested assistance. Harris responded.

Harris said apparently after the stop Martin put the crack, a personal use amount, in his mouth.

Harris said he and Parker gave Martin several verbal commands to spit out the crack. He initially refused but eventually spit it out.

Parker transported Martin to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office where he was processed. He was served with a Halifax County order for arrest for driving while license revoked and possessing a fictitious registration number plate.

Parker also charged him with felony possession of cocaine and resisting a public officer for initially refusing to spit out the crack.

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

Yancey

Charges filed against Taphil Jerome Yancey, 25, reflect the July 24 shooting as well as the 2015 murder is tied to gang activity.

Enfield police Detective Willie Murphy Jr. said this evening the attempted murder is apparently related to a dispute between sets of Blood gang members.

Chief Tyree Davis said in a statement Yancey was arrested around 11 a.m. with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation’s special response team. Yancey was arrested at a residence on North Dennis Street.

“We sad several anonymous callers and Facebook messages he had been spotted in the area,” Murphy said. “He had been more or less hiding in the area.”

The police department continues to look for Khiry Dickens in the case, Murphy said.

Yancey was jailed on $1,300,000 bond — $1 million for the attempted murder charges and $300,000 for failure to appear. He has August 9 and 21 court dates.

He faces charges of possession of a firearm by felon, felony discharge a firearm as part of criminal gang activity, felony conspiracy, felony discharge a weapon into an occupied vehicle, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, misdemeanor going armed to the terror of the people, and misdemeanor injury to personal property.

Yancey was also served with outstanding warrants for murder and soliciting gang activity, Davis said in the statement.

The murder charges are related to the 2015 murder of Jarshamel Cambridge, Murphy confirmed.

Cambridge was killed in July of 2015 and several people were arrested by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office. Those arrested include Jamonte Green; Tony Hill; Jequan Kimble; Daquon Marrow; Matthew Simms; Dexter Taylor; Kenneth Westcott and Yancey.

Sheriff Wes Tripp at the time said the Cambridge murder was tied to gang activity but there was no evidence to tie Cambridge, 20 at the time of his death, to gang activity.

It is unclear whether the recent attempted murder was tied to the shooting death of Cambridge, Murphy said.

The attempted murder occurred on Bell Street shortly after 7 p.m.

Wednesday Nakia Danielle Lashley, 40, and Marcel Michael Epps, 34, surrendered to investigators for outstanding warrants.

Lashley was served around noon for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances.  

She received a $10,000 bond and September 6 court date.

Epps was served around 4:45 p.m. for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of firearm by a felon.

He received  a $15,000 bond and September 6 court date.

The charges stem from an investigation by Investigator O.L. Wiltsie on July 21.

A search warrant was executed at a residence in the 900 block of Cedar Street.  During the search narcotics and firearms were seized from the residence.

Wiltsie said the drug investigation stemmed from a separate breaking and entering probe where information was gathered there was reputed drug activity at the residence.

Wiltsie said crack, marijuana ,three scales, two guns and electronics were seized from the residence.

The investigation continues, he said.

Outstanding charges

On Wednesday around 2 a.m., Lieutenant P. Parks and Sergeant M. Peck located Lentrick Anonio High, 39, of Garysburg, on outstanding warrants in the 1600 block of East Tenth Street.  

High was arrested on warrants for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and an outstanding order for arrest.

He received  a $5,500 bond and August 11 court date.

The charges stem from a search warrant obtained by Officer D. Hundley on April 12  for a vehicle driven by High.

Traffic stop leads to drug charges

On Wednesday around  3:30 p.m., Master Officer G. Morris conducted a traffic stop for a violation on West Fifth  near Monroe streets.

William Heath Lilly, 44, of Roanoke Rapids, was found to have a suspended license and narcotics in his possession.  

Morris cited Lilley for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked and a seat belt violation.

He was released until his August 28 court date.

The festival will show eight feature films and 12 short films.

A VIP reception and fundraising event will be held on October 6 for the restoration of The Lodge, the location of the center and formerly the 1926 Masonic lodge.

The reception will include festival-featured actors and directors. One feature film will be shown.  Scheduled to attend: award-winning, stage and screen actor, writer and director Obba Babatundé; actor, writer and producer P.J. Leonard; actor Sonny Marinelli and actor, writer and producer James Madio.

(The two-day all-access pass including Friday’s VIP gala is $75 and a Saturday-only film pass is $45. Tickets can be ordered starting August 21 by following this link)

The October 7 viewing will include seven feature films and 12 shorts.

The name of the festival honors the events in the town’s history of 1759, where one of the earliest political actions against British tyranny occurred, helping to spark American Independence.

As part of the center’s mission, featured actors will teach a master class on film and theater production at the Enfield STEM Academy, a graded middle school in Enfield hosted by Principal Teicher L. Patterson.

EPAC will soon announce a partnership between the school and the performing arts center.

Feature films shown include: American Bad Boy (2015), The Fallen Faithful, Our Last Sunset Redux (2015) and the short, The Tell-Tale Heart: Sisters (2016).

EPAC’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of quality entertainment and educational programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of Enfield and Halifax County, foster understanding and appreciation for the ennobling power of the performing arts and create opportunities for cultural enrichment for people at all economic levels.

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy Scott reported around  12:15 a.m., Corporal Roy Ball and Deputy Logan Capps arrested a Littleton man on cocaine charges while attempting to serve arrest warrants.

Ball and Capps were at a residence on Bacon Road looking for an individual wanted on arrest warrants when they encountered Terrance Faulcon, 38, of Littleton, who was in possession of cocaine.

Faulcon was arrested and charged with possession of schedule II controlled substance and later released on a $2,000 bond. He has a September 6 court date pending.

Roanoke Rapids Police Department

Chief Chuck Hasty reported on Thursday around 9 a.m., Master Officer G. Morris conducted a traffic stop in the 900 block of Roanoke Avenue for a violation.  

Morris determined Tyrone Donnell Simmons, 27, of Roanoke Rapids, had a suspended license and was in possession of narcotics.  

Morris cited Simmons for driving while license revoked, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and expired tags.

He was released until his September 11 court date.

City County Drug Task Force

Captain A.M. Harris reported a Roanoke Rapids man was arrested for possession of crack cocaine after a traffic stop.  

On Thursday just before 4:45 p.m., Harris conducted the traffic stop on Bolling Road at Gowen Drive.

While talking with the driver, Donald Lee Johnson, 52, Harris received consent to search the vehicle.  Crack cocaine was seized from the center console.

Johnson was arrested and charged with felony possession of cocaine.  He received a $1,000 bond and August 16 court date.

Agent C.A. Parker and Morris of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department assisted.

Instagram

On August 22, the SBC will host a seminar on how to use Instagram to promote your small business.

Attendees will learn how to use Instagram for publicizing events, marketing and more.  

It will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Improve your credit score

This seminar is designed to give small business owners and participants an understanding of credit reports, credit scores, and the importance of establishing and maintaining good credit.  It will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Business plan

This seminar will cover the basics to pull together a business plan, from the questions to ask to developing sales forecasts and break-even analysis.

It will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Crowd funding

Legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in July 2016 allows startups in North Carolina to raise up to $2 million from average investors using their own website or a registered funding portal.

A further simplified option, called the Local Public Offering, permits raising up to $250,000 without use of a website.

These options include various safeguards for investors, while expanding fundraising avenues for startups.

A representative of the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State will cover recent developments in investment crowdfunding.

It will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The seminars will be held in Room 412 of the 400 Building at HCC and are free.

Participants are asked to pre-register at www.ncsbc.net.   

For more information contact HCC SBC Director Jerry Edmonds at jedmonds080@halifaxcc.edu or at 252-536-7274.

Convocation

HCC hosted its 50th convocation Tuesday to kick off the fall semester.

Faculty and staff came together to begin preparations for the start of school, and to receive a state of the college update.

“This is one of the most exciting times of the year,” HCC President Michael Elam said. “Convocation is the one time during the academic year when all staff are required to be present to receive direction and updates from college leadership that promotes college efficiency and alignment.

“It is also a time for college employees to re-commit to working to fulfill the college’s mission and values, and to providing the highest quality of service necessary to help our students and community to achieve their goals.”

Classes begin on August 15. Registration is open, and the admissions staff is available to assist anyone in the community.

For more information, contact the HCC admissions department at 252-536-7225.

Chief James Avens said several of these have been to sheds and items taken out of yards.

The break-ins and larcenies started around July 19.

There was one on July 21; another July 24; two on July 25; one July 27 and one July 28.

Avens said The areas affected were Fewell Avenue; Cedar Street; East Fourth Street; Washington Avenue and West First Street.

The main items taken have been hand and power tools, generators, power washers, lawn mowers, weed eaters, bicycles and industrial size fans.

“Officers have been diligently been working on these cases and have several people of interest at this time,” Avens said. “Even though we have people of interest the Weldon Police Department would like to request the assistance from the citizens of Weldon in helping solve these cases.”

Avens said it is not clear whether the persons of interest are working together.

Anyone with information or anyone who has been approached about buying a possibly stolen item is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Chris Davis at 252-536-1544 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Tax scams

Avens said IRS scams are coming up again.

People are calling posing as the IRS stating you may owe back taxes and if it is not paid a warrant will be issued. “Please be aware of these types of scams and do not give that person over the phone any of your personal information.”

Contact your local police or sheriff’s office to inform them if you receive a call like this.

Agents of the City County Drug Task Force also arrested two people following an unrelated investigation today.

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Wright Road

Captain A.M. Harris said Joseph Robert Liles, 46, was charged following an investigation which determined he was reportedly selling Hydrocodone pills in different areas of Halifax County.

Initial charges reflect Liles sold 20 pills to the source in the 5000 block of Wright Road Thursday.

Today, shortly before 12:45 p.m., agents and the Halifax County Gang Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence. There is no evidence to suggest Liles has gang ties.

Halifax County Animal Control assisted by holding dogs back as the search warrant was executed at the front door, Harris said.

Inside agents seized approximately 81 dosage units of Hydrocodone and 273 dosage units of Oxycodone.  Agents also seized evidence of a marijuana grow operation.

Harris had already obtained warrants on Liles for selling to the source. Additional warrants were obtained following the execution of the search warrant today.

Harris said five different types of Oxycodone were found inside the residence. That discovery accounts for five counts of trafficking opium being lodged against him today. He was also charged with maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

On Thursday Harris obtained warrants for his arrest on trafficking in opium; sell schedule II controlled substance; deliver schedule II controlled substance and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

Liles surrendered to task force agents at the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office today. He was served with the warrants and received a $100,000 bond and August 16 court date.

Harris said the case remains under investigation and the SBI’s Diversion and and Environmental Crimes Unit has been contacted.

Canterbury Court

Meanwhile Harris said around 3 p.m. today, the drug task force and gang task force along with the patrol division of the sheriff’s office, executed a search warrant at Canterbury Court off West Tenth Street in the Roanoke Rapids area.

Harris conducted the four-week investigation after receiving several complaints about possible drug traffic in the area.  

Physical surveillance by agents led to the search warrant.

With assistance of Corporal D. Newsome and his dog, Duri, of the sheriff’s office, approximately 4.9 grams of cocaine and marijuana was seized.  

Agents also seized four handguns from the residence and several items of drug paraphernalia.

Harris said the guns did not come back as stolen but agents still plan a check with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The boyfriend and girlfriend arrested have no gang ties, he said.

Harris charged Andre Duckett, 46, for possession of a firearm by felon, possess with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

His girlfriend, Teresa Stansbury, 35, was charged for possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession of marijuana up to one-half ounce, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance.

Duckett received  a $100,000 bond and Stansbury received a $2,500 bond.

Harris said Duckett’s bond was most likely set higher because of his past criminal record.

Both have August 16 court dates.

The panel also approved a request from the Halifax County School System for a new air conditioning system at Southeast Halifax High School through use of lottery funds.

The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District made a request for funding for the continued plans to develop the armory at the high school as an early college. A portion of the request would be from lottery funds and another portion would be from capital outlay.

The city school system also requested release of lottery funds to buy land adjacent to the new Manning school site to expand parking.

The board approved the RRGSD requests.

HCC

College President Michael Elam and Michael Felt, chair of the HCC board of trustees, made the Connect NC Bond request to commissioners.

In a July 3 letter to the board, Felt outlined the intended use of the funds.

“The plan for expending the money was spread between much needed infrastructural work and to construct a multiple purpose building to house our Advanced Manufacturing Technology curriculum programs, including the Automotive Technology, Industrial Systems Technology and Welding Technology programs.”

Felt said in the letter the college proposes to construct what he termed as “state of the art” sustainable labs and offices for each program. “Additionally, we propose to include several continuing education classrooms in which several types of short-term training can be held depending on the needs of the local business and industry community.”

He noted the proposed 25,000-square-foot building would include a computer lab shared by all stated curriculum programs and for short-term business and industry planning.

About $3.7 million of the bond funds is targeted for new building construction. HCC has applied for an Economic Development Association grant for the remaining $2 million needed for construction.

The college is not requesting money from the county, Felt said in the letter, but does need board concurrence to obtain state approval for the new construction. “If the $2 million EDA grant is not awarded, we will suspend our plan and divert the money originally targeted for new construction to other infrastructural areas.”

Once the building is complete, the county would agree to pay for additional environmental expenses incurred, funds which are already being budgeted and allotted for the college. Those expenses include electric, gas, water, telecommunications, maintenance and housekeeping.

Meanwhile, the college said it is investigating Energy Performance Contracting as a way to help reduce campus-wide operating expenses. “We have already met with Chairman (Vernon) Bryant and County Manager Tony Brown to present our interest and benefits to HCC and Halifax County,” Felt said in the letter. “The contract can dramatically reduce overall environmental costs by creating a comprehensive energy solution which includes campus-wide HVAC/electric plans and installing energy efficient systems. These systems would be paid for out of guaranteed savings from utility expenses currently being paid.”

Halifax County Schools

Superintendent Eric Cunningham and Director of School Operations Tony Alston requested lottery funding in the amount of $30,000.

Alston said in a July 19 letter to Brown, the funds would be used to replace a failing 12.5-ton air conditioning unit at Southeast.

RRGSD

Superintendent Dain Butler made two requests regarding the Armory-early college project.

The first was the release of lottery funds for architect and design services in the amount of $30,000.

The second request for that project was to use $250,000 in capital outlay funds previously transferred and earmarked for new construction of the early college and instead use the money  for renovation of the Armory.

Answering a question posed by Commissioner Rives Manning, Butler said the school’s JROTC program would be moved to the junior building if plans for the early college go through, but cadets would still use the Armory gym and storage areas.

The Roanoke Rapids school board opted last month to go with renovating the Armory for the early college project.

A third request by Butler was to use lottery funds to buy a parcel of land owned by William Green Jr. to expand parking for the new Manning school.

The price of the land is $100,000 plus closing costs for a total requested amount of $110,000.

The victim in the murder, Wendell Sanders Jr., had no gang ties, Enfield Detective Willie Murphy Jr. said.

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He said, however, the men wanted in the case, Jerrel Ryshawn Jones, 25, and Montreal Rayshum Williams, 26, were allegedly targeting a rival gang member at the time of the shooting on Bell Street when Sanders was shot and killed in the crossfire.

Two other victims were struck in the 9 p.m. shooting, one of them the rival gang member and the other a person who had no gang ties, Murphy confirmed. The detective declined to name the gang member who was struck.

Murphy said Jones and Williams frequent the Scotland Neck area and have family ties in Enfield.

Chief Tyree Davis said in a statement the two men frequent other areas of Halifax County.

Continued investigation of the case led to warrants being filed against Jones and Williams for first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, felony discharge a firearm as part of street gang activity and felony conspiracy.

Murphy said the pair should be considered armed and dangerous.

The detective also said the SBI was instrumental in the case. “I thank the SBI. They have been an extraordinary help.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Halifax Central Communications at 252-583-1991 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said the campaign will run through the end of the month. “We’re looking for people to be safe, we’re looking for stop sign violations, speeding. We get a lot of complaints about speeding in residential neighborhoods. For a small department, we do investigate a lot of wrecks. We average more than 100 wrecks a month.”

Jackson said himself, the police chief and city manager constantly field speeding complaints.

Problem areas include Old Farm Road, West Tenth Street, East and West Chaloner Drive, Marshall Street and Jackson Street. “We’ll be working all these areas throughout the month with radar in hand.”

On Saturday, Officer J.E. Shelburne conducted a traffic stop and as a result charged Kendra Lashone Browning, 35, of Littleton, with DWI, failure to stop for a red light and failure to carry a driver’s license. Browning was placed in the Halifax County Jail on $500 secured bond with a court date of August 25.

On Sunday afternoon, Shelburne conducted a traffic stop which resulted in Thomas Craig Cooke, 62, of Roanoke Rapids, being charged with DWI, resisting an officer and a stop sign violation.

Cooke was placed in the Halifax County Jail on $750 bond.

B&E arrest

Detective Gorton Williams was investigating a break-in in the 300 block of Franklin Street where a television, gun case and a variety of CDs were stolen on August 2.

Williams obtained warrants on Tremeil Steininger, 19, and Sequan Robinson, 24, both of Roanoke Rapids, for breaking and entering a structure, larceny and felony possession of stolen goods.  

Sergeant M. Moseley arrested Robinson on a traffic stop in the 400 block of Franklin Street Friday.

Chief Chuck Hasty and Captain Bobby Martin were on bike patrol Friday morning when they spotted  Steininger in the 900 block of Hamilton Street and placed him under arrest.

Robinson received a $12,000 secured bond while Steininger received a $12,000 unsecured bond.

They both have September 6 court dates.

Roanoke Rapids Police Department Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said officers reported the male victim had wounds to the chest and shoulder area.

The victim, whose name Jackson declined to release, was transported to Halifax Regional and then transferred to an undisclosed medical facility.

Officers responded to the scene shortly before 11:15 p.m.

Jackson said it appears several suspects may have been involved and anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

There is no known motive at this time. Jackson declined comment on what type of weapon was used.

Enfield police Chief Tyree Davis said Montreal Rayshum Williams surrendered to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.

Jerrel Rayshawn Jones surrendered to Enfield Detective Willie Murphy Jr. at the Halifax County Magistrate’s Office accompanied by family.

Both men are being held without opportunity for bond. They face charges of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, felony discharge a firearm as a part of street gang activity, and felony conspiracy.

Davis and Murphy were not immediately available for comment this morning.

The victim in the murder, Wendell Sanders Jr., had no gang ties, Murphy said Monday.

He said, however, the men were allegedly targeting a rival gang member at the time of the shooting on Bell Street when Sanders was shot and killed in the crossfire.

Two other victims were struck in the 9 p.m. shooting, one of them the rival gang member and the other a person who had no gang ties, Murphy confirmed.

The detective declined to name the gang member who was struck.

Varnedore bought the $10 ticket at the New Dixie Mart on Highway 48 at Smith Church Road in Roanoke Rapids.

He claimed his prize today at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

Varnedore had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000.

He chose the lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $417,009.

The scratch-off game launched on August 1 with five top prizes of $1 million. Four top prizes remain.  

Lottery Brand Communications Specialist Townley Cheek said Varnedore declined to be photographed and declined the release of any other information beyond the lottery’s news release.

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The people are believed to have stolen an item out of the back of the victim’s truck, which was in the Walmart parking lot, Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said. They left on the truck pictured in the gallery.

The larceny occurred Sunday at approximately 7:45 p.m.

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

The camp was originally intended to be held last month but a death in the family of one of the counselors forced its postponement until this week, Tripp said. Seventy originally signed up before the delay but the camp this week has seen 45 children from across the county participate.

Thursday will be the last day.

For Tripp, the camp has been an important part of his administration and his Benefiting the Children of Halifax County campaign. “It helped me. It shows me how important it is to be available and accessible. We’re striving to put a positive face on law enforcement and hope to build a rapport with the youth.”

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Children from across Halifax County received free transportation to the camp at the 4-H Rural Life Center with the assistance of the county school system in pickup and dropoff points in Enfield, Hollister, Roanoke Rapids and Weldon.

Next year’s camp will also be held at the Rural Life Center outside Halifax. “It’s just the ideal venue to have the kids camp.”

Outside the center, children had physical activities and participated in a bike rodeo. Inside they learned about ways to avoid becoming enticed into gang lifestyles and played a game of four corners before taking part in outside activities.

The county school system provided lunch and afternoon snacks.

“It’s a good look for the county,” said Porchea Ward, whose son participated in the camp and was one of several parents to attend.

Ward is a Halifax County Detention Center employee and said her son is fascinated with police. “We had got the flyers and thought this was pretty cool. I feel next year will be a bigger turnout.”

For the first camp of its kind for the sheriff’s office, Tripp said, “We’re going to take what we learned this year and make it better.”

Adding first responders will give the children a broader experience, the sheriff said. “First responders, EMTs and firefighters deal with law enforcement every day. It will give other agencies a chance to help us with the cause.”

The announcement was posted on August 3 and the company describes the transaction as a definitive agreement to sell ROVA for $5 million in cash to a company called ROVA Venture LLC.

“In December 2016, we amended our ROVA contract, relieving us from the obligation to operate the plant. This allowed us to more aggressively pursue the sale that we are announcing today. Additionally, we continue to anticipate the return of approximately $10 million of cash collateral this year related to ROVA power contracts,” said Kevin Paprzycki, Westmoreland’s CEO. “Our team did a great job executing this transaction and maximizing the realized value for the asset. This sale and the collateral return are meaningful steps towards our 2017 goals of achieving final resolutions on our two non-core assets and strengthening our balance sheet.”

The closing of the transaction, subject to customary terms and conditions, is expected to occur on or before September 30.

The sale includes all the assets of ROVA.

Westmoreland will retain approximately $2.7 million of reclamation liabilities related to offsite ash storage.

Cathy Scott, executive director of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission, could not offer details on whether ROVA Venture LLC will use the Weldon facility in the same manner as Westmoreland. “We hope this is good news for the facility and we hope the purchasers will see the value of reuse of this facility for years to come,” she said.

Talks of closing the facility first began to surface in 2013.