There was to be a symbolic wedding ceremony and reception at Kirkwood Adams and then a trip to the District of Columbia to officially tie the knot.

The ruling that Friday by Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. in Asheville saved them a trip to D.C., and on the following Tuesday they became the first same-sex couple in Halifax County to wed.

Franks, 30, and Martin, 26, actually met when Franks, a lifeguard in Roanoke Rapids, was giving Martin's family swimming lessons.

It wouldn't be until some 10 years later the couple, Martin, of Jackson, and Franks, would begin dating after renewing their acquaintance through their jobs at the Lowe's Distribution Center.

Martin, who is studying law at North Carolina Central University, came back to the area after earning a history degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to figure out what to do next.

The marriage license.

“It's very difficult to meet people,” Martin said of the gay dating scene in the Roanoke Valley. “It's a very small area. The pickings are slim.”

Martin and Franks began talking at work and then decided to go on a date, dinner and a movie in Rocky Mount — 21 Jump Street, Martin recalled.

Martin, a United States Navy veteran whose desire was to enter flight school until a medical issue grounded him, served in the era of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, although it wasn't being enforced. “I was very selective of who I would come out to. I came out to my mother on the phone. My parents were supportive.”

Franks, who moved a lot as a child and finally ended up in Roanoke Rapids, says coming out is overhyped by the media. “It's more accepted than it was 20 or 30 years ago. When I was in high school there was maybe one or two openly gay students. Now it's more accepted.”

As the relationship between Franks and Martin grew, the NCCU Barrister's Ball was the occasion where Franks proposed. “We got engaged in February. He proposed to me at the ball. We went through all the planning, had a date set and actually planned to go to D.C.”

The Sunday ceremony at Kirkwood, which was a catered affair, became the symbolic ceremony. The ceremony outside the Halifax County Sheriff's Office before a magistrate two days later became the one that made it legal in the wake of the judge's ruling.

“Everyone in Halifax was very supportive,” Martin said.

The ceremony in Halifax was attended by both the couple's parents and Martin's sister and boyfriend.

What the federal judge did that Friday before their symbolic ceremony was open the way for same-sex couples to receive the same benefits as other couples on the federal and state level, Martin said.

Growing up Methodist, Martin said his philosophy on Leviticus is, “It's hard to understand the context of Old Testament law. Hebrew law didn't have the concept in the law of modern day, it just doesn't work. When people start cherry-picking scripture, that's fine. We don't live in a theocracy. Religion doesn't make the laws in this country.”

Franks sees their future together as Martin finishing law school, them adopting a son and then “happily ever after. We're leaning toward adopting out of country, when he finishes law school and we're more financially stable.”

Franks had figured it would only be a matter of time before same-sex marriage became legal in North Carolina.

“Every class you take in law school has some element of the constitution,” Martin said. “It's a matter of time. Because of the supreme court ruling I knew it would be a matter of time.”

Martin said he was surprised when he got a text message that Friday. “I was not expecting the ruling that Friday. My concern was a lot of the rulings had emergency stays. The case (before the North Carolina judge) was not appealable.”

For Franks, the ruling was a matter of equality. “I guess we're paving the way for the next generation to acquire these rights. Now we can work on getting them for everybody.”

According to a joint statement from Branch and Lewis, the merger did require them to cut and merge courts and change court times in all counties due to the loss of two judges.

Even with the cuts and merger, there is still an increased case load for each judge in order to provide adequate judicial services.

This will cause more backlogs and the judges will be required to perform on-call duties for those matters that are not able to be scheduled.

Also, despite the cuts to the magistrates in 2010, they will have to assume more emergency duties.

The schedule will also immediately require the use of emergency judges to fill-in for judges who are on vacation or in continuing legal education and or training and for criminal court when more pressing and time consuming domestic cases requires the attention of the assigned judge.

Based on the constitution, the Legislature can only remove a judge’s seat when the judge is up for re-election.

Judge Lewis and Judge Thomas Jones are both from Hertford County and were up for re-election when this law was passed.

The remaining judges reside in Halifax County and in the Northwest section of Northampton County, which is approximately 1 ½ hours away from Hertford and Bertie Counties.

Therefore, this will require emergency judges from the area when inclement weather is in Halifax and Northampton counties and fair weather is in Hertford and Bertie counties and conversely when there is inclement weather in Hertford and Bertie counties and fair weather in Halifax and Northampton counties due to the distance.

In an effort to be prepared, Judge Branch has spoken with and secured agreements from retired judges Thomas Newbern and Paul McCoy to serve as the emergency judges when allowed by their schedule and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Both are retired from the district.

Both Branch and Lewis have met with the commissioners in the merged counties to request their help in informing the citizens of the merger and to ask for their patience and help in working through this process.

In particular, there will be a need to use the commissioners’ rooms in Northampton, Bertie and Hertford counties for some court sessions because the merged courts will require court officials to bring in more people than what the counties’ current courthouses can support on those days.

While the merger did affect the District Courts, it did not affect the Superior courts.

Judges Alma Hinton and Cy Grant will preside over the superior courts as are set and will not experience any changes in their courts' day to day operations or re-scheduling of courts or duties in conjunction with the District Court merger.

However, when not in use, there may be a request to use the superior court rooms.

”Both judges are in awe and appreciation for the judges, district attorney, clerks, law enforcement, the local Attorney Bar Association, commissioners, trial court coordinators, and staff for the manner in which they were willing to attend meetings and work toward a schedule that would alleviate as many concerns as possible,” they said in the statement. “The judges also thank Mrs. Penny Aycock for her time and attention to detail in capturing the suggestions and concerns in the ongoing and final merged schedule.”

“Lastly,” the judges said in the statement, they “ask that the community understand when they are no longer available to participate in community and school programs, due to the increased court duties and travel. While we believe it is an important part of what we do to get to know the issues facing the people we serve, we believe our first duty is to preside in court where our citizens elected us to serve in a fair and consistent manner.” 

Council this evening unanimously approved the $275,000 needed to replace the broken equipment, two weeks after it pulled the matter from its agenda, a packed Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall audience applauding the decision.

“It's fantastic,” Quast said during a break in the meeting. “It's democracy in action.”

Quast said the team was looking at options, including buying wetsuits to save the season. “We had no other option. We thought our season was dead in the water.”

Now the team will begin practice on October 27.

The decision came after council had scrapped the matter from its October 7 agenda because of confusion on where the money was going to come from.

While $220,000 of the funds was slated to come from the Roanoke RapidsTheater Lease line item, it was not actually theater payment money that was going to be used. It is really money coming from the city's cash reserve fund, City Manager Joseph Scherer said. Another $55,000 is coming from the city Privilege License line item.

Jim Miller, who served as engineering consultant for the project, told council two components of the dehumidifier failed. “My concern was we were doing fine during the summer months but if it gets cold enough, the air on the surface sweats and causes mold growth.”

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon confirmed to council the Aquatic Center will remain open under its normal operating hours. He said swim teams will be able to practice and the center will continue to offer some arthritis classes, the full slate of classes returning when the new dehumidifier is installed.

The city is expected to order the equipment by the end of the week, Simeon said afterward. The fabrication timetable is roughly eight weeks and delivery and installation will take another four weeks.

For Austin Taylor, a member of the Roanoke Rapids swim team, council's decision, “Means a lot. It means everything.”

Like Taylor, James Evans is a senior and wanted to end his high school career swimming. “I'm very happy it's still going to be open. I was worried about that.”

In the first one, officers Matt Hunsucker and Chris Babb were at Halifax Regional Medical Center when they observed a 52-year-old man who had been stabbed come to the hospital for treatment shortly before 2:30 a.m.

Chief Andy Jackson said investigation took the officers to 210 Summit Avenue where they learned there had been a domestic dispute that ended with the victim being stabbed with a butcher knife.

Linda Diane Williams was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. She was jailed without the opportunity for bond and has a November 5 court date.

In the second stabbing, which occurred shortly after 5:45 a.m., a 45-year-old man had been stabbed in the abdomen following a dispute that either involved bricks being thrown at the person arrested or an argument over cigarettes.

Officer Charles Cross charged Michael Bynum, 25, of 114 Madison Street with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was jailed on $5,000 bond.

James Michael Robinson, 23, of Salisbury, was wanted for two counts of murder, and for non-negligent manslaughter, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Andy Jackson said today.

Robinson had been holed up on Oak Ridge Drive for an undisclosed amount of time, Jackson said. He apparently had acquaintances living in the area.

The State Bureau of Investigation had information that he might be in the area, Jackson said.

The Rowan Free Press reported that Robinson was the third and final person wanted in the October 8 murders of Antonio Waker and James Walker Jr., in the town of Spencer.

Jennifer Nelson Odom, 34, was jailed on $200,000 bond and will have her first court appearance Thursday, according to Captain Chuck Hasty of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office. She was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon.

The robbery occurred around 9 p.m. at the Duck Thru when Odom allegedly went into the store saying she had a gun and demanded money.

The clerk complied and she left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Hasty said the employee gave a good description of the vehicle as well as its direction of travel.

Rich Square Officer Altessie Taylor located the vehicle at another store in Woodland. Hasty said it was unclear whether Odom intended to rob that store.

Taylor, state Highway Patrol Trooper Danny Edwards and off-duty Deputy Chris Collier took Odom into custody. Lieutenant Bo Deloatch of the sheriff's office filed the charge against Odom.

“The store employees that gave our communications center a very good description of the suspect, the vehicle and a direction of travel assisted law enforcement in making a quick arrest of the suspect,” Sheriff Jack Smith said. “The communication center quickly getting that information out to our law enforcement officers helped them locate the suspect and arrest her. Our law enforcement agencies working together was also key in arresting the suspect quickly.”

North Carolina State Highway Patrol Troopers Jamie Warren and Dustin Efrid, the Murfreesboro Police Department and Hertford County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.

Lieutenant Jerry Powell of the Enfield Police Department said Devonte Daquan Howard was charged with possession with the intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of a stolen firearm, discharge a weapon in the city limits and going armed to the terror of the people.

The police department also issued a warrant for the arrest of Darius Lamont Silver in the case for going armed to the terror of the people and discharging a firearm in the city limits.

The call came in just before 8:30 p.m. A short time later Enfield police Sergeant Ralph Vieux encountered Howard, who reportedly dropped a handgun to the ground. Officers detained Howard and during a search allegedly located nine packets of marijuana that had been packaged for sale.

The gun, a loaded Springfield Armory XD45 .40-caliber, was recovered and discovered stolen stolen in lNovember.

Howard was given a $3,500 bond.

Powell said police believe the shooting was related to one last week where a car was shot into.

The auditorium will be open for early voting on Thursday and Friday and then the rest of next week from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Next Wednesday, October 29, there will be two other sites for early voting opening.

One site will be First Baptist Church in Enfield, located at 577 Franklin Street.

The second location will be at the Neighborhood Resources Center in Roanoke Rapids, which is located at 116 West Third Street at the Jackson Street intersection. These two sites will be open through Friday of next week from noon to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, November 1, all three sites — the ag building, the church and resources center — will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Captain Anzell Harris of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said in a statement the raids were made following citizen complaints and investigation by agents D.R. Radford and D.C. Dickens.

Warrants were served around 11:30 this morning at a house in the 100 block and one in the 300 block, with assistance from the sheriff's office's Hazardous Entry and Arrest Team and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

In the 100 block agents reportedly seized marijuana and several items of paraphernalia that included clear plastic bags and small cigars.

Radford cited Mack Arthur Shearin, 52, for possessing a half-ounce or less of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a December 3 court date.

Meanwhile, in the 300 block, agents seized marijuana and paraphernalia that included a grinder and rolling paper.

Three men — Antonio Johnson, 31; Marcus Blount, 22, and Robert Sherrod, 54 — were cited for possession of a half-ounce of marijuana or less. Johnson was also cited for possessing drug paraphernalia. They all have December 3 court dates.

Anyone with information on drug activity in their community is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

The robbery occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m.

One of the people, a black male weighing approximately 240 pounds and standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall, was described as carrying a black, semi-automatic handgun.

The person with him was described as a black male standing about the same height but lighter in weight.

The man pointed the gun and took the money. It was unclear what kind of threat was made. They fled from the store, police Chief Andy Jackson said.

A canine track by Officer Gerald Morris and his dog Dozer showed they apparently fled to the rear of the store between the White's car dealership and the store's car wash.

The man with the gun was described as wearing black pants, a black hooded jacket or sweatshirt and white sneakers.

The other man was wearing blue jeans, a black hooded jacket and black sneakers.

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

“It was probably the best 14 years of my life,” he said this afternoon. “I gained a lot of experience.”

Roye, who has been in law enforcement for 26 years, starting out in Enfield in 1985, said he was resigning to better his career in law enforcement by finding other opportunities.

Roye was named Rich Square police chief after he returned from a 14-month stint in Kosovo as a United Nations civilian police officer during the Kosovo war.

“That was an eye-opener,” he said, “As to how the world operates and how we as Americans take things for granted. The poverty was so terrible there and having to live in a war zone, most Americans have never experienced that. It made me stronger. It made me want to protect people's rights better. It made me a better person.”

Roye, who is still reviewing his options, said, “I've thoroughly enjoyed serving the town and its people.”

The event, which is a major fundraiser for the chamber, will begin at 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 11 p.m. Attire for the event will be business casual. The Chairman’s Night Out features music and dancing, gaming, food and drinks and every ticket holder leaves with a prize.

There will be extra chances to win through additional raffle games and the event is being catered by Exquisite Occasions.

The grand prize is $3,000, and every prize will be something that represents local members and merchants.

Prizes will be valued at a minimum of $20 with selections still being added, but current prizes include:
• Two night stay at the Posh Boutique Hotel located at Biltmore Village in Asheville, sponsored by Hampton Manor

• Keith Henderson concert tickets sponsored by Royal Palace Theatre

• Diamond Rio concert tickets sponsored by Royal Palace Theatre

• Gift Certificates from: Riverside Mill; Elias Butcher Shop and Exquisite Occasions.

• 152-piece Craftsman Tool Set sponsored by Sears

• Custom Painted Portrait by artist Autumn Wenger sponsored by ACW Ply Designs

• Dinner, night stay and breakfast sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn

• AC Delco Jack Stand sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts

• 90-minute massage session sponsored by Massage by Mona at Vanity Salon

• Dunham Sports sponsored items include:
outdoor folding chairs; Coleman cooler and flashlight; Under Armor apparel; two-way radios; Realtree Otter Box and golf balls

• Various gifts from current prize sponsors including: Big Time Pawn, Belk, Beverlyz, Lloyd’s Decorating, and Good Earth Peanuts.

• Dinner and a movie passes sponsored by Roanoke Cinema including Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar ; Logan’s Roadhouse; Cracker Barrel; Marina’s Italian Restaurant and Carolina BBQ and Chicken . Tickets are on sale now and with a limit of only 200 available. There are only 140 left.

Tickets are $75 each, $125 for a couple and $500 for a reserved table of eight.

You may purchase tickets at the Roanoke Valley Chamber office located at 260 Premier Boulevard in Roanoke Rapids or by calling 252-537-3513. For more information contact Sonya Smith at the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce or email ssmith@rvchamber.com.  

Mayor Emery Doughtie, who turned himself in, was philosophical as he walked into a makeshift jail across the street from Roanoke Rapids High School.

“I feel anything we can do for the youth and take part in an investment in them is investing in our future,” the mayor said after being booked for a donation to the Roanoke Rapids High School 2015 Project Graduation Jail & Bail.

Coggins, who was the first public official to be escorted in handcuffs to the jail by Halifax County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Bruce Temple, said, “It's a good cause … With parental guidance you hope it can guide them in the right direction.”

Coggins and Doughtie get their jail meal of bread and water.

Project Graduation is an all-night celebration that follows the high school's commencement ceremony and is held at T.J. Davis Recreation Center where the students are locked in for the night.

With the lock-in comes entertainment, catered food and gifts, said Cheri Johnson, who with David Pratt, is this year's co-chair for the event.

It has been a Roanoke Rapids High School tradition since the late 1980s, she said. Some 30 parents are involved with the goal to raise at least $30,000 to provide the entertainment, a DJ, gifts and food.

Doughtie puts on his orange jumpsuit with Johnson ready to help.

“It lets them all be together,” said Sally Faison, one of the parents involved in today's Jail & Bail. “It keeps them safe that night. It's going to be the last time they're together.”

Temple sees assisting in the fundraiser as a community outreach for the sheriff's office. “Law enforcement always supports this endeavor. Overall, it's a safe environment for the youth that night.”

Several fundraisers will be held throughout the year for the event, Johnson said.

A pie sale is scheduled for November 26 where pumpkin, sweet potato, chocolate chess, lemon and pecan are being sold for $8 each. More information on that sale can be obtained through the Project Graduation Facebook page or by calling Johnson at 252-676-1485. Additional information on Project Graduation can be obtained by calling Johnson or Faison at 252-537-1574.

“I enjoy the feel of community hospitals,” said Mastroianni in a statement.

Mastroianni comes to HRMC from Stellaris Health System in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he served since 2007 as vice president for Human Resources for the 275-bed community hospital.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Union College and a master’s degree in teaching from Fordham University.

He is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Mastroianni comes to Halifax Regional with 29 years of experience in human resources and 19 years direct experience working in community hospitals.

In his new role, he will be responsible for employee relations, benefits administration, training, compensation analysis and employee recruitment and retention, as well as other human resource functions.

“We are excited to welcome Tom to North Carolina and Halifax Regional,” HRMC President William Mahone said. “He has extensive experience in employee engagement and leadership development.”

Relocating with Mastroianni is his fiancée. The couple is planning to wed in the spring of next year. Mastroianni also has two grown children.

In his free time, he enjoys reading mystery novels, travel, and researching his family history.

Annually, the program provides a total of 580 scholarships—10 scholarships at $750 each to all 58 community colleges.

Target groups for the program are unemployment insurance claimants, unemployed and underemployed adults, military veterans, and members of the North Carolina National Guard.

Halifax Community College students were presented SECU Foundation Continuing Education scholarships during the HCC Foundation Inc.’s annual Donor Recognition Luncheon and Scholarship Awards Ceremony Thursday.

Recipients for the fall 2014 semester include: Ashley Bedgood, Kimberly Britt, Sherricka Cuffee and Jessica Smith.

This scholarship program is administered through HCC Workforce & Economic Development Division in collaboration with the HCC Financial Aid Office.

Police Chief Andy Jackson said the collision, in which Thomas Jefferson Brown was struck, occurred at the Eighth Street intersection shortly before 7:15 p.m.

Initial investigation says a vehicle was traveling north on the avenue and it appears Brown may have walked in front of it.

No charges have been filed as the matter is still under investigation, Jackson said.

Brown was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center and then flown to Vidant in Greenville.

Detective Bobby Martin said around September 15 two Roanoke Rapids men and one from Weldon allegedly took advantage of a situation where they could take the wallet from a local business owner and use the card to make purchases of more than $200.

The men have been identified as Lemont Hopson, 35; Keith Arrington, 35, and Damion Clanton, 33, of Weldon.

They face two counts of obtaining property by false pretense and one count of misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.

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

Lieutenant John Tippett of the Scotland Neck Police Department said in a statement Ricole Knight faces charges of maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of marijuana.

Knight had been the target of an ongoing investigation for alleged drug activity on Walston Court, Tippett said, an operation that was led by Officer David McKeel.

Execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of close to 4 ounces of crack; several items of paraphernalia and a small a small amount of marijuana.

Knight, who has pending charges stemming from an operation by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office in January of 2013, was jailed on $50,000 secured bond and given a February 18 court date.

After efforts to plant milkweed on the Roanoke Canal Trail throughout the spring and summer, attention turned today to the entrance of the Geenex and ET Solar farm at the old airport to seed the ground with a variety of nectar plants for the monarch's return trip to Mexico to renew their lifecycle.

The planting was a cooperative effort of 93 volunteers — Dominion Power employees who used their volunteer days, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and the Roanoke Rapids High School Marching Band, said Tina Gregory, one of the partners in the endeavor.

“We chose Geenex because they are providing a green energy source,” Gregory said, “And they're putting in a nature trail.”

Laying down straw.

A $2,500 donation from Dominion helped to purchase the plants, that include some 60 native perennials from across the state as well as some 1,500 milkweed plants, Gregory said.

The effort has included bluebird boxes on the trail and at the Geenex butterfly garden.

The entire butterfly corridor project has been a community effort, those volunteering said today, as it includes not only Dominion and students, but the county tourism office, Friends of the Roanoke Canal Trail, Halifax Community College and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Preparing the ground.

Carlos Verdaguer, a Dominion supervisor, said, “My wife and I love gardening. I love having the opportunity to work with young kids.”

Randall Spence, cultural resources leader at the Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail, said the butterfly corridor effort is already paying off there. “We've already found monarch caterpillars. We've already seen success.”

Spence has been impressed with the community effort that has gone on at the trail and now Geenex. “I have been amazed by the volunteers who have participated and the people who have come together.”

Allen Purser, one of the leaders of Boy Scout Troop 238, said, “I think it's fantastic that the scouts have this opportunity to contribute to their community. It's really what scouting is all about.”

Danielle Webb, a drum major with the high school band and a senior at the school said, “It's really nice to help out. We're dong it for a good cause. It's nice to see people caring for the environment.”

Lieutenant Joseph Sealey of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Shatel Coates responded to an undisclosed store on Bolling Road regarding a customer who allegedly concealed about $50 worth of goods.

The deputy located a man identified as 38-year-old Leon Maurice Gray inside the business, discovering he had reportedly concealed many items in his pants, including candy bars, sausage, bacon, a coat, cologne, body spray and dish soap.

All the items were recovered and Gray was charged with concealment of goods and given an $8,000 bond. He awaits a December 5 court date.