In an order filed on June 30, Judge Alma Hinton requests the city provide evidence to support its findings which led to denial of the proposed apartment complex.

City Attorney Gilbert Chichester today said the order means the city must present evidence to the court on why it turned down the permit so the judge can review that before making a final ruling.

The city contends council's vote and action was taken after having considered all of the evidence presented at a public hearing on the matter.

MaSuki, represented by local attorney Franklin Jones, contends the decision by the city was arbitrary and that it violated basic due process rights by failing to make factual findings and-or conclusions on competent or substantial evidence.

Jones had no comment today.

Council decided following a lengthy public hearing in February it disagreed with two key elements in the conditional use permit application, going against findings by the city's Planning and Development Department that the development would not injure adjoining property values and would be in harmony with the surrounding area.

MaSuki wanted to build eight buildings containing a total of 192 residential units.

The company planned two- and three-bedroom options with amenities to include a 3,200 square-foot clubhouse; swimming pool; picnic area; playground; dog park; sidewalks and private storage garage. It would have direct access to Highway 125.

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon delivered the news to the department's recreation advisory committee today in a meeting called by its chairman, Ed Liverman.

Liverman requested the department provide detailed information on how the recent operating and capital budget, coupled with theater responsibilities, would impact the department.

The adult programs that will not be held include softball, basketball and kick ball. The softball program includes the open women's, the men's industrial and the co-ed church leagues.

The adult softball leagues were to start in the next coming weeks while the basketball league was to start in January and the kickball league in the fall.

The department will continue to hold all children's leagues, Simeon said following the meeting.

The decision to suspend the adult programs comes as the rec department contends with the requested position of a T.J. Davis supervisor not being funded in this fiscal year's capital budget, a position that has been frozen for four years, Simeon said.

To fill the gap left by the freezing of this position, the department has been using its building maintenance supervisor to run the leagues.

That arrangement, Simeon said, “Was originally set for a band-aid for us to get through difficult times until the T.J. Davis supervisor position was funded.”

Simeon said using the maintenance supervisor in this capacity takes away from the maintenance duties.

While there are two other full-time positions at T.J. Davis, putting the supervisory positions on them takes away from their duties as well, Simeon said.

Before the T.J. Davis supervisor hiring freeze, it was that person's responsibility and job description to administer adult athletics as well as supervise youth athletics and all programs within the T.J. Davis facility, Simeon said.

Liverman said before the start of the meeting, he called it to, “Talk about the concerns with a decrease in budget numbers.”

Liverman said he had a meeting with City Manager Joseph Scherer to encourage him, “To find some money and help the budget out.”

City Councilwoman Carol Cowen, who serves as city liaison to the advisory committee, said the suspension of the adult athletic programs may serve as a jolt to the community. “Sometimes you have to hit the things that are really popular to get the attention of the community. The wants and needs were way past what the budget was. We're going to have to have a tax increase just to maintain. It's something we're trying not to do and something we don't want to do, but something's got to give.”

Programs like the ones being cut and the many improvements and repairs needed are programs that impact quality of life, advisory committee member Todd Lockamon said. “If we want to grow we have to have quality of life.”

When asked if the budget cuts within the department could have a future impact on any of the city's parks, Simeon said he couldn't answer that without research.

“Those are very serious implications,” Liverman said. “Nobody on this board wants to close a park.”

Committee member David Dean said he understands the position the department is in. “Everyone is going through tough times. Before I joined this committee I didn't know how much you took care of.”

Cowen said next year more people have to get involved when it is time for the budget public hearing. “It would be nice if it was more than zero. Things get passed because the squeaky wheel gets the grease. You all need to be vocal in the community and board meetings.”

The motion was considered and approved by the Roanoke Valley Chamber Monday and received support from Chamber Board members, HRMC said in a statement

“The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce appreciates the investment and leadership in the community by Halifax Regional, along with the over 1,200 full-time-equivalent jobs created and the quality of life we enjoy because we have a world-class hospital in our region,” said Allen Purser, the chamber's president and CEO.

The support comes as the North Carolina Senate “continues to jeopardize the economic and community benefit of community hospitals,” HRMC President Will Mahone said in the statement. “In an attempt to eliminate the tax exempt status of non-profit organizations, community hospitals risk their ability to provide charity care, prepare for unexpected emergencies, and continue to be the strong economic engines in their respective communities.”

The chamber's statement of support says, “The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce recognizes the economic value of Halifax Regional Medical Center and its 2014 economic impact analysis by UNC-Chapel Hill. This analysis identified that Halifax Regional is responsible for $152 million of the regional economy every year and 1,252 jobs in our community.”

Support by the chamber board, according to the statement, “Also recognizes that Halifax Regional receives approximately $712,000 each year in state sales tax refunds with respect to approximately $14,425,000 in charity care, uncompensated care, and bad debt that Halifax Regional experiences, every year, by its mission and provision of high quality health care”.

In summation, the statement said, “The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce supports the continued tax exempt status of Halifax Regional after 105 years of charitable service to its community and asks the NC State Legislature to repeal the cap on sales tax refunds for hospitals and other non-profit organizations enabling them to continue to provide important economic and community benefits.”

Mahone, who is a member of the chamber board, abstained from the vote.

The town plans to have industrial, church and women's softball teams and will begin work on developing a plan for a kickball league.

An organizational meeting for coaches is set for July 23 at 7 p.m. at Gaston Town Hall and the leagues are expected to start August 10.

(For more information call town hall at 252-537-1046)

“I was really just surprised,” said Michael Powell after learning about the Roanoke Rapids decision. “We went out and bought jerseys. It's more of a disappointment. It was so much fun for us.”

Girls were already practicing, he said.

There are no set number of teams for the leagues and at least seven are expected to join in each, Powell said.

The entry fee has been set at $400 per team with no out of town fees.

Gaston Mayor Jason Moore said, “Hopefully we can purchase some playground equipment. Basically we want to to see Dwight Hall Field back to the way it was in the 80s. We want to bring people back to Gaston.”

Asked if the decision was a dig at Roanoke Rapids, Moore said, “We are willing to take any team that was in the former Roanoke Rapids leagues and do anything to keep them. If you look at the fields we have, we think they're just as good as any in the county.”

Powell said it was always fun to play in Roanoke Rapids, especially to support the late Mike Newsome.

Curt Pair, another player in on the planning, believes the leagues will be successful because of those supporting it. “That's whole lot of backbone.”

July 7

At approximately 8 p.m., Sergeant Richie White and Master Officer Gerald Morris responded to a call about the location of a person with outstanding warrants.

Julian Cornelius Smallwood II, 32, of Roanoke Rapids, was located in the parking lot of Sheetz. Smallwood was arrested on an outstanding warrant for trespassing.

Morris and his dog Dozier conducted a search of the vehicle and located narcotics inside.

Smallwood was charged with possession of schedule IV and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $15,000 bond and an August 28 court date.

Morris also arrested and charged Ginger Daugherty Tripp, 35, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of schedule IV and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tripp was given a $500 bond and an August 28 court date.

Officer Ryan Cross assisted.

July 8

Around midnight, White, Morris and Cross responded to a fight call in the 100 block of Duke Street.

After speaking with the parties involved and noticing injuries the officers arrested and charged Nathaniel Dion Moore Jr., 25, and Jeleca Lashay Lewter, 24, both of Roanoke Rapids.

Moore was charged with assault on a female and Lewter was charged with assault.

They were jailed without the opportunity for bond because of the domestic nature of the case.

They have August 28 court dates.

Around 5 p.m. Officer Chris Biggerstaff responded to a hit and run call on Old Farm Road.

Biggerstaff was given a description of the vehicle that left the scene and gave it out to other responding units.

Lieutenant Bruce Norton, Sergeant Terrence Tyler and Officer Jason Williams located the vehicle at the New Dixie BP at the corner of Old Farm Road and Becker Drive.

Investigation determined Gary Linwood Scott Sr., 54, of Roanoke Rapids, was impaired.

Biggerstaff arrested and charged Scott with driving while impaired and no operator’s license.

Scott was given a $1,000 bond and an August 21 court date.

Around 9:45 p.m., Lieutenant Charles Burnette and Officer Joey Spragins responded to a call about a probation absconder.

They located Travis Donnell Harvey, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, at the intersection of West Tenth and Madison streets.

Taylor was arrested without trouble on the order for arrest for probation violation.

He was given a $2,500 bond and a July 22 court date.

July 9

Around 8:30 p.m., Cross responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Cross learned the suspect got into a vehicle and left the parking lot.

Cross spotted the vehicle and conducted a stop on Highway 158 at the Interstate 95 intersection.

Leon Maurice Gray, 39, of Roanoke Rapids, was the passenger in the vehicle and allegedly took items from the store without paying.

Cross arrested and charged Gray with larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Gray was given a $1,200 bond and September 9 court date.

Butch Barber, one of four North Carolina Eastern Region USSSA directors and a Roanoke Rapids resident, said a meeting today with the city's Parks and Recreation Department was productive.

“We're going to try to keep the league meeting date that was previously set. If approved then we can definitely plan on holding the league as planned.”

The USSSA is looking at holding industrial, church and women's leagues as well as the possibility of an open men's league, Barber said. “We will bring in official USSSA umpires and the league will be under USSSA rules and regulations. We will provide everything for the league to function.”

There would still have to be discussions on what the city would bring to the table, Barber said. “If there's any way I can keep the fields maintained I will do it.”

Barber said when he read the initial story the city was going to suspend its adult athletic leagues for the remainder of the fiscal year, his first reaction was, “What can I do to help so we can have a league? I wasn't looking at the negativity. What can I do to keep it going, that's what I want to do.”

Barber said it's important to have adult sports in the city. “The tradition of the league has been here years and years. There's always been softball in Roanoke Rapids. There's no sense in it not being now.”

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon had no immediate comment this afternoon.

An initial report filed by Trooper J.A. Thomas shows Zachary Hunter Rodwell, 17, of Littleton, was traveling west on the highway about 3.7 miles west of Vaughan around 9 p.m..

The report shows Rodwell's vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle operated by Brandon Lamar Lee, 23, of Littleton.

Rodwell's vehicle overturned and caught fire.

Rodwell and Lee were both killed.

Highway Patrol dispatch said another person was injured but the report doesn't indicate the severity of the injury or whether the person was in either of the vehicles.

The only contributing factor noted in the preliminary report was Rodwell's vehicle crossing the center line.

July 10

Around 9:30 a.m., Officer Greg Colson arrested James Lee Ashe Jr., 46, of Roanoke Rapids, on an outstanding warrant for two counts of obtaining property by false pretense.

These charges stem from an investigation conducted by Investigator J.K. Davis after the Raleigh Police Department informed him in March several money orders stolen from a business in Raleigh were cashed in Roanoke Rapids.

Ashe was given a $1,000 bond and an August 19 court date.

Around 5:30 p.m., Sergeant Mike Moseley responded to a call about a suspicious person on Old Towne Drive.

Moseley located Nathaniel Moore Jr., 25, of Roanoke Rapids.

Moseley found Moore, who matched the suspicious person description, in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Moore was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was given a $1,000 bond and an August 8 court date.

Officer Adam Salmon assisted.

July 11

Around 2 p.m., Moseley conducted a traffic stop after observing suspicious activity on Jackson Street. During the stop, the driver, Leslie Michelle Gregory, 48, of Roanoke Rapids, got out of the vehicle.

Moseley noticed pills and needles in the driver’s seat.

A search was conducted and Moseley found several baggies of heroin and more needles.

Moseley arrested and charged Gregory with possession of schedule I, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked and served an outstanding criminal summons for a worthless check. Moseley also arrested and charged the passenger, Devone Robinson, 42, of Roanoke Rapids, with possession of schedule II and possession of drug paraphernalia after finding narcotics in his possession.

Gregory was given a $3,000 bond and an August 19 court date.

Robinson was given a $2,000 bond and an August 19 court date.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett, Master Officer Gorton Williams and Officer Jeffrey Mason assisted.

Around 3:30 p.m., Colson responded to a fraud call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told Colson Lawrence Johnny Hill Jr., 33, of Roanoke Rapids, allegedly took items from the store and returned them for money.

Colson arrested and charged Hill with obtaining property by false pretense.

Hill received a $1,000 bond and an August 19 court date.

Baggett assisted.

July 12

Around 2:30 a.m., Master Officer Roy Ball responded to a breaking and entering in progress call at Ledgerwood Field.

Ball saw two people run into a wooded area.

Lieutenant Perry Parks and Sergeant Daniel Jenkins arrived to assist.

Jenkins and his dog Pocock were able to get the people to come out of the woods and Parks took them into custody without trouble.

Two juveniles were charged with attempted breaking and entering and were taken to a juvenile detention center.

“I want the thank the concerned citizen that called this crime into law enforcement and giving great information to the 911 center so these two individuals could be taken into custody,” Hasty said. “I would also like to thank the 911 operators for passing the information along to the responding officers and the officers for their quick response and apprehension of the suspects. This is what it takes to take back our community, citizens getting involved and reporting things that are going on in their neighborhoods to their law enforcement.”

Around 9 a.m.,Colson responded to a larceny call at Walmart.

Loss prevention told communications the person in question was walking across the parking lot.

Colson located William Danny Witherspoon in the Logan’s parking lot.

Witherspoon, 35, of Roanoke Rapids, was arrested and charged with larceny, possession of stolen goods, trespassing and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.

Witherspoon was given a $10,000 bond and an August 8 court date.

Baggett, Officer Adam Salmon and Mason assisted.

Around 2 p.m., the department was conducting a driver’s license checking station at the intersection of Franklin and Thirteenth streets when a vehicle driven by Jeremy Donald Noll, 25, of Roanoke Rapids came through.

Mason was notified that Noll had outstanding orders for his arrest and his license was revoked.

Noll was given a $3,000 bond and an August 10 court date.

John Lyon, AT&T regional director for external affairs, was joined by State Senator Erica Smith-Ingram in presenting the donation during the annual kick-off celebration of the Esquires For Education Incorporated Character and College Prep Program.

“As a former teacher, I saw first-hand the impact that reading skills have on a student’s success in the classroom and confidence in themselves,” said Smith-Ingram. “Emphasizing literacy at a young age will pay significant dividends for the rest of their lives. I am so proud of the work done by all those involved in Esquires For Education Incorporated and thankful for their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young African-American men.”

(For more information regarding any of these programs, you can view the Esquires For Education website or by contacting the Esquires For Education Executive Director Tonza Ruffin Buffaloe at 252-325-4676 or by email at esq@esquiresforeducation.org)

The contribution will be used in the Reading Readiness Program, which is designed to improve literacy and ultimately reduce the high school dropout rate by providing intensive coaching for young boys in the second or third grades.

“Research has found that third graders who lack proficiency in reading are four times more likely to become high school dropouts,” said Tonza Ruffin Buffaloe, executive director of Esquires For Education. “By helping students improve their phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills, the reading readiness program helps to keep young men on a trajectory for success later in life. We appreciate the encouragement and support of Senator Smith-Ingram as we work to guide young African-American boys down a path that leads to college instead of crime.”

Lyon said AT&T has a long history of supporting education, with an emphasis on dropout prevention programs. “We understand that there is no better way to make a lasting difference in a community than by helping support the education of its young people,” he said. “That’s why we are excited about the opportunity to work with Esquires For Education Incorporated and to support the Reading Readiness Program.”

Esquires For Education, in addition to the Reading Readiness Program, has two other programs to support young African-American males.

The first is the Character and College Prep Program designed to assist young men moving from eighth to ninth grade to ensure that they are prepared properly to be accepted and ready to attend college after high school graduation.

The second is the Community Outreach Program designed to provide the community with valuable information regarding education, and through this program provide motivational speakers, SAT/ACT Prep Informational Sessions, College Preparation Seminars and College Fairs.   

One of the persons who was cited declined medical treatment and another was transported by EMS for medical treatment, task force Captain A.M. Harris said today.

Task force agents in separate press statements released this afternoon termed response to locations in Scotland Neck and Weldon being prompted by medical emergencies.

Both calls occurred last Tuesday — one in Weldon and one in Scotland Neck.

Agent D.R. Radford and others, along with the Weldon Police Department, responded to the Econo Lodge on what Radford described in his statement as a medical emergency.

During the course of the preliminary investigation, a homemade crack can and needles were located inside of the hotel room.

Stephanie Barber, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, was transported to Halifax Regional Medical Center for medical attention.

Radford obtained warrants on Barber for possession of heroin, felony possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three days later, Barber was taken into custody by Lieutenant G. Richardson of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office for the outstanding warrant and was also served with a outstanding order for arrest for a probation violation.

Barber received a $20,000 secured bond and an August 26 court date for the outstanding warrant and a $5,000 cash bond for the probation violation.

Shortly before 6 p.m. last Tuesday, Sergeant E. Johnson of the sheriff’s office and task force Agent D. McKeel responded to what McKeel noted in his press statement as a medical emergency call on Highway 258 just south of Scotland Neck.

A search of the residence yielded several unknown prescription pills and drug paraphernalia to include syringes, spoons and paper wrappings commonly used to store heroin.

McKeel issued Sheena Jean Summerlin, 30, of Scotland Neck, a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.

She was given an August 26 court date pending further investigation of the unknown pills.

Further investigation by McKeel resulted in Summerlin being charged with two counts of possession of schedule IV and possession of schedule II.

Summerlin, who declined treatment was placed in the Halifax County Jail under a $3,000 secured bond with the original court date given under the issuance of the original citation.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Sergeant C. Boden of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office went to serve a jury summons at an apartment on Old Farm Road, according to a statement from City County Drug Task Force Agent D. McKeel.

Boden contacted the task force and McKeel applied for, and was granted, a search warrant for the residence.

Execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of a small caliber handgun, a user amount of marijuana, and several items of marijuana paraphernalia, which included a digital scale and torn sandwich baggies.

McKeel cited Donovan Rashad Little, 26, of Roanoke Rapids, with a North Carolina Uniform Citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of one-half ounce or less of marijuana with an August 26 court date.

Pills collected at drop-off.

Medicine drop

On Saturday, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office collected unused, expired or unwanted prescription drugs.

Agents of the task force collected all medication, which included veterinary medicine and syringes at the entrance of Walmart.

The service was free and anonymous with no questions asked, according to task force Captain A.M. Harris.

The drop-off resulted in the collection of approximately 8,276 dosage units of medication which consisted of penicillin, Tramadol, Tylenol, Clonazepam, Alprazolam and Prilosec and others.

Citizens are encouraged to drop off unused or unwanted medication at the Roanoke Rapids Police Department on Roanoke Avenue for proper disposal.

In January, Sheriff Wes Tripp announced a new program offered by the sheriff’s office in which a deputy will respond to homes requesting a pick-up of medications.

Citizens can request this service by calling the Halifax County Central Communications non-emergency number at 252 583-1991 to coordinate the pickup.

All medicine will be properly disposed of by incineration.

The events unfolded in the 1200 block of Sycamore Street in Weldon Saturday around 4:45 p.m., Major Scott Hall said.

Investigation led to warrants being obtained for Kunta Kunte Shearin, 37; Joe Lee Hampton, 50; and Jesse Jamar Arrington, 25.

Deputies responding to investigate learned two men entered the house and asked for marijuana. When denied, one of the men pulled a handgun and demanded the victim lay on the floor as the others stole cash from the victim's pockets as well as a rifle hidden within the home.

That a hidden rifle was stolen makes investigators believe the men were familiar with the victim, Hall said.

The two fled and fired into the house before leaving on a gray or silver Honda Accord driven by a third man.

Two of the men, Shearin and Arrington, are from Roanoke Rapids, while Hampton is from Weldon.

The men, who are considered armed and dangerous, tend to frequent the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon areas, Hall said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

"The achievement represents many, many hours of in-service training and education beyond high school," said Sheriff Wes Tripp. "It shows his dedication to his profession and it speaks volumes for his determination to continue his education."

Clark has been employed in law enforcement since 2000, and has worked as a police officer, deputy sheriff, corporal, field training officer, and has been working in the Criminal Investigations Division for the past two years.

He is also a certified criminal justice instructor through the Criminal Justice Education, Training and Standards Commission.

Clark is currently a senior at Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying for his bachelor of science in criminal justice with a concentration in Homeland Security.

Clark's certificate represents more than 700 hours of in-service law enforcement training as well as college credit hours and years of experience.

Major Scott Hall said Arrington, 25, of Roanoke Rapids, surrendered around noon.

He was charged with accessory after the fact and released on $15,000 secured bond. He has an August 5 court date.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office continues to look for Joe Hampton of Weldon and Kunta Kunte Shearin of Roanoke Rapids.

Shearin faces charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon; larceny of a firearm; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon; discharging a weapon into occupied property and injury to real property.

Hampton faces charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon; larceny of a firearm and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

The two men are considered armed and dangerous.

Hall said they are still believed to be in Roanoke Rapids and Weldon areas.

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

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street.

The three items on the agenda include an amendment to an existing conditional use permit, a rezoning request and a conditional use permit to allow the development of a cemetery adjacent to Crestview, which is located at 489 Smith Church Road.

In a letter contained in the agenda packet, the cemetery, which was first established in 1960, explains the need for the items requested for Thursday evening.

“In July of 1977 Mike and Sandy Showalter acquired the Tavlowe Corporation after the previous owner passed away. We moved here and have maintained the cemetery since,” the letter says. “We have become part of Roanoke Rapids as a family and good stewards of the community.”

The letter notes over the last several years the owners noticed they needed to be able to continue to serve the needs of families in the community. “We created a heritage over the years and realize the children of our owners are now grown up and still live here, and find the space we have available will not continue to serve the needs of our families to be able to have a place of peace knowing that their loved ones will be taken care of in their final resting place with continued upkeep of the property.”

The letter says many family cemeteries are not kept up because of dying out or moving away. “Our cemetery guarantees their loved ones will always be taken care of and they will never have to worry about their grass being cut or not being able to locate their loved ones twenty years from now.”

The property the cemetery seeks for its expansion adjoins the present property line, according to the letter. “We will continue to keep the new property in the same harmony that exists now. It will be used to expand the cemetery with the same standards that we have now.”

The letter says the cemetery owners see no additional increase in traffic and do not believe the expansion will endanger the public health and safety or injure the value of abutting property. “This expansion will not impact any residential property because we already have residents behind us and across the street from us. There is also a business on the west side of our property and a funeral home across the street in front of the cemetery.”

The North Carolina Cemetery Commission has rules and guidelines that Crestview must follow. “We have to uphold these standards to our cemetery because if we ever close the cemetery our perpetual care trust fund will be turned over to the state to maintain the upkeep of the cemetery.”

In a memo to the planning board, Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky writes in the first matter for consideration Tavlowe, doing business as Crestview Memorial Cemetery, seeks to amend the Villages at Cross Creek planned unit development to subdivide approximately 11 acres from the map and relinquish all ties to the development.

In the second matter tied to the expansion, Tavlowe seeks to change the zoning classification to R-40 residential and the third item is to request a conditional permit to develop the cemetery expansion.

Planning department review of the three requests is favorable, according to the documents in the file.

Major Scott Hall said Deputy Steven Casey was responding to the disturbance call on Sand Pit Road around 7:30 when he encountered a vehicle driven by a man later identified as Hugo Varquez, 25. on Highway 125 in the Scotland Neck area.

When Casey attempted to stop the vehicle, Varquez sped up, but was later stopped on Sand Pit Road and taken into custody.

He was charged with felony speed to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, drive left of center, speeding and resisting arrest.

He was released on a $2,500 bond with a July 29 court date pending.

Hall said there was no explanation why Varquez fled.

Deputy Steven Casey of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office stopped the vehicle around 9 p.m. on Highway 258.

Casey detected the odor of marijuana in the vehicle. A subsequent search yielded five Oxycodone pills, one Hydrocodone pill and three Lortab pills.

Christy Leggett, 24, was charged with possession of schedule II, prescription label not present, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.

She was released on $5,000 bond with a July 29 court date pending.

The attachments on the woman's chest as seen in her photo could not be immediately explained.

Leon Donald Strickland III, of Richmond, and Trevon Maurice Davis, of Roanoke Rapids, were thwarted when the homeowner woke up to the break-in and confronted them around 5 a.m., according to Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty.

They left behind a trail of blood and property when exiting through a window after the homeowner confronted them.

As C-Squad investigated and attempted to locate the two, Halifax Regional Medical Center placed a call around 6 a.m. reporting two people claiming they were assaulted in the downtown area were seeking treatment.

Investigation showed they were the two reportedly wanted in the burglary.

Master Officer Gorton Williams charged the two, who Hasty said were associates, with first-degree burglary and damage to property.

They both received $60,000 bonds and August 19 court dates.

Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said Davis was also issued a curfew violation.

Hasty said investigation continues to determine whether the two are involved in more criminal activity in the area.

“The teamwork displayed by all the officers involved in getting this crime solved and getting the suspects apprehended quickly, tells me that I have some of the best officers in the country working for the Roanoke Rapids Police Department and the city,” Hasty said in a statement.

Lieutenant Jeff Baggett, Sergeant Mike Moseley, Officer Adam Salmon, Officer Greg Colson, and Investigators Bobby Martin and Jeff Davis assisted.

“After July 1 … the Halifax County Sheriff's Office began enforcement compliance of (general statute) 14-306. 4,” Tripp said.

Of the 25 outlets checked from Hollister to Roanoke Rapids, all were found to be in compliance, the statement said. “If outlets choose to reopen, investigations will be continued. When violations are found, criminal charges will be brought.”

There were establishments in Scotland Neck, Enfield, Hollister, Littleton and Roanoke Rapids.

The enforcement came on the heels of a November ruling by the state Court of Appeals that upheld the convictions of two people in Edgecombe for violating a state ban on video sweepstakes.

After a complete review of the information submitted by Ecoplexus Solar Solutions, “It is the planning staff's opinion that the request satisfactorily meets the requirements of Section 151-94 of the land use ordinance,” a memo contained in the agenda packet says.

However, planning staff recommends if the permit is approved, stipulations be placed that include it be developed in accordance with a specific site plan; additional detailed drawings and building plans be submitted and required screening between land uses be installed before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

(The planning board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Lloyd Andrews City Meeting Hall on Jackson Street)

The company plans to use about 70 acres of the land to install solar panels, according to a memo from Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky, which is contained in the agenda packet for the meeting.

In submitting its plans to the city, the company provided a work sheet to answer questions it anticipates will be asked by the planning board as well as to address certain items the board must assess in its deliberations to pass the matter on to city council.

The company says the solar modules will be placed on a racking system at a height of no more than 10 feet at their highest point. The facility will conform to setback requirements and will be enclosed by a chain link security fence with barbed wire.

Ecoplexus will install a 10-feet-wide buffer yard or utilize existing natural vegetation where possible.

There should be little glare, the company says, explaining, “Solar panels are designed to produce less glare and reflectance than standard window glass. More specifically, solar panels use high-transmission, low-iron glass, which absorbs more light, thus producing smaller amounts of glare and reflectance than normal glass.”

While inverters will produce an electrical hum, which can be heard within a radius of approximately 100 feet, the company says because they will be located within the interior of the facility, they will not be heard by any of the surrounding properties.

The company says it has commissioned numerous studies performed by licensed North Carolina real estate appraisers. “These studies typically involve performance of a matched pair analysis in which sales of similar houses are evaluated to observe any difference in selling prices.

“The primary difference between the houses selected for the analysis is that one set of houses abuts a solar facility. In each of these analyses, no impact to property values was observed on either new or existing home sales.”

As far as being in harmony with the area, the company says, “It is worth noting that the proposed facility will not just be in harmony with the local area, but will actually enhance it.”

The document explains while traditional agriculture produces dust and runoff, “The proposed solar farm will do neither. Nor is there any traffic that will be created after the construction period has finished … The proposed facility also represents a consistent, predictable land use over the next 30 years that will be in harmony with the surrounding area by not contributing to urbanization of the landscape.”

There are approximately 26 acres of wetlands formed from two drainage systems on the eastern and wester edges of the parcel. “The applicant respects the need to observe and enhance wetland integrity and, as such, will maintain a minimum buffer of 20 feet from all wetlands. The only wetlands impact that may occur would be small (12-feet to 14-feet) crossings to get from one portion of the site to another, which would be permitted through the United States Army Corps of Engineers. However, the need for any such crossings will be minimized to the (most) extent possible.”