The speed of communications is wondrous to behold. It is also true that speed can multiply the distribution of information that we know to be untrue — Edward R Murrow
The Roanoke Rapids Police Department reported the following:
• On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the downtown Food Lion, a 50-year-old woman was accosted in the parking lot and robbed, Chief Jeff Hinton said.
A man armed with a knife and a second person with him took the victim’s purse and fled on foot.
While searching the area, a witness told police the two fled to 134 Hamilton St. Police arrested Phillip Bernard Brown, 35, of 134 Hamilton St., for robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of stolen property. He was jailed on $25,000 bond and has a Sept. 30 court date.
Also arrested was Ian Barkley Coles, 17, of 134 Hamilton St. He was charged with aid and abet robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of stolen property. He was jailed on $10,000 bond.
• Also on Saturday police received a 3 a.m. call to the 500 block of Hamilton Street. Someone went in while the people were sleeping and left a pair of sneakers and cap in the inside. Nothing was taken. The case remains under investigation.
A second person has been charged in a November, 2007, larceny on Piney Grove Church Road in Littleton, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
A riding lawnmower and a four-wheeler were stolen from the property.
Detective Tyree Davis said in a press release the first arrest in the case was made in July when Solomon “Wilson” Thomas Johnston was charged.
Today, James “Lou” Edward Hall Jr., 22, of Roanoke Rapids, was charged.
Davis charged Hall with one count of felony larceny of a motor vehicle and one count of misdemeanor larceny. He was given a $5,000 bond and his court date is set for Sept. 23. The riding lawnmower was recovered.
A Scotland Neck area woman was charged this morning in a domestic assault.
Detective Rich Somogyi of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release Deputy Buford White responded to an assault in the Scotland Neck area of Halifax County.
When Deputy White arrived he found the residents fighting in the house. The victim was bleeding from the head and the arm.
Wilma Crandall was holding an axe handle. Halifax County EMS transported the victim to Our Community Hospital in Scotland Neck where he was treated for his wounds.
Deputy White took Crandall into custody and she was later charged with assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. Crandall was placed into the Halifax County Jail under no bond with a court date of Sept. 9.
A 40-year-old Enfield woman was hit and killed by an Amtrak train engine, Enfield police tell The Spin this morning.
The collision occurred around 1 a.m. today, Chief Jack Smith said.
Detective Randy White said Sherry Huntonn was sitting on the edge of the southbound tracks when the engine approached. Why she was sitting on the tracks remains unclear but White said it does appear she tried get out of the way before she was struck and killed instantly.
White said alcohol use may be a factor. The engine pulling the Amtrak cars was probably going between 50 to 65 mph when the woman was struck, White said.
Huntonn is originally from New Hampshire but was living in the area. She had no family living in Enfield.
White said the case remains under investigation.
Charles Davis wants businesses involved with the Roanoke Rapids Theatre.
That was his message today to members of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce where he was the guest speaker.
Davis is at the theater for 90 days and part of the funding to bring him to Roanoke Rapids was done through a grant from Roanoke Electric, its CEO, Curtis Wynn, said following the presentation.
Roanoke Electric also has office space in the theater for its nonprofit arm which helps and positions minority construction companies, a possible sign construction on land surrounding the theater is forthcoming.
Wynn introduced Davis to the audience. “As a community, we’re fortunate to have his talent to get things running with the theater.”
Davis was brought in to help theater owner Lafayette Gatling with ideas to promote the theater and has been in the area for two weeks.
He said his goal is not only to help the theater prosper, but help the community prosper. “It’s Roanoke Rapids time to grow,” he said.
Davis comes from Biloxi, Miss., small town USA, he said. He has been in the entertainment industry for 15 years, not only working on casino projects in Mississippi, but planning shows like Cirque du Soleil, Lord of the Dance and Broadway shows. He was involved in planning one of the big inaugural balls, he said.
His purpose for speaking at the chamber today was not to introduce himself but to harvest ideas. “I’m really interested in what you guys think. It’s your theater.”
The theater has a show Saturday at 5 p.m. where Percy Sledge is the headliner, Davis said. A rodeo on green space around the theater is planned for Sept. 12 and 13, he said.
Davis is working with the Gatlings to bring acts like Kenny Rogers and Brooks and Dunn to the theater along with a variety of other acts.
The theater is planning to have yearly subscriptions where businesses may buy tickets. “We can have shows catered to you,” he said. “Entertainment has always been a thing to cater to clients to make (your business) grow. We want to get all your comments and see what we can do collectively as we grow to make your business grow.”
Davis said he was not opposed to staying beyond the 90 days to help the theater. He said the theater must look to a regional perspective to help the venue grow.”We have to use small town USA as a selling point,” he said. “We have to market that slant as a selling point.”
Because the casino business was group tour driven, Davis said he knows that aspect of the theater business. He said there are several attractions in the area which lend itself to tour groups such as Sylvan Heights in Scotland Neck. If the theater is successful other businesses in the community will be successful. “I like the slogan this is Carolina crossroads,” he said.
One of the things he addressed when talking about the subscription programs was having certain performances at the venue be sponsored by businesses, especially on shows like the Broadway productions.
Answering a question by The Spin, Davis said he couldn’t comment much on a proposed expansion of the theater. “I think everyone would like to see expansion and see growth. I don’t know that it’s not going to happen. It’s a matter of time. It’s a matter of resources.”
Currently there are no plans to have a house band at the theater, Davis said, like was done when the theater was managed by Randy Parton. “We’re just going to try to bring in shows from the outside. I think that’s been tried already. I’m not sure we might have some house shows at some point.”
Davis said afterward things were going well. “I’m really trying to learn the community and who’s who.”
He reiterated he was willing to stay beyond the 90 days. “If they want me to stay I will probably be willing to stay.”
Davis believes the theater will grow. “I think so,” he said. “It’s a matter of time. The community needs to get behind the theater. It’s a matter of time and planning.”
Lafayette Gatling has made all his lease payments so far on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, the city said this morning.
The Chicago businessman has thus far paid the city $678,338, Finance Director MeLinda Hite said.
His next payment of $250,000 is due by midnight Monday. The funds are wired to the city’s bank account.
Gatling signed papers in March to buy the theater from the city. Timely payments mean Gatling will get a $1 million discount off the $12 million price of the venue.
The city will still have to pay the remaining amount due on the $21.5 million bond package used to finance the theater’s construction, opening and infrastructure needs.
According to the contract, rent payments are considered delinquent if received after the 10th day of any given month. Tenant shall pay the landlord interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum — or such lesser amount as may be the maximum amount permitted by law — on all overdue payments of rent from the due date thereof until payment. Notwithstanding this foregoing, tenant shall not be considered delinquent until after the expiration of five business days following written notice from the landlord.
A 24-year-old man was treated and released from Halifax Regional Medical Center last night after he was beaten during a strong arm robbery.
Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Jeff Hinton said the assault occurred at Creekside Court off West 10th Street and the victim familiar with his assailant.
The victim was visiting the housing project when the assailant approached him and began to beat him in the face with his fists, demanding the contents in his pocket.
The man relinquished cash and other undisclosed items.
Police continue to investigate and anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 533-2810 or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 583-4444.
An assault at a Hollister store Monday has landed two men in jail, according to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office.
Maj. Bruce Temple said in a news release deputies responded to a call at the Dollar General store. Investigation revealed Kevin Evans and Jerry Rudd allegedly got into an altercation over a female. Rudd was transported to Halifax Regional Medical Center where he was treated for injuries from the assault.
Evans, 36, of Hollister was charged by Detective Sgt. D.L. Pilgreen with assault inflicting serious bodily injury and was placed under a $2,500 bond.
Rudd, 50, of Hollister, was charged with simple assault and damage to personal property. He was jailed under a $1,000 bond.
The state Department of Transportation says it is negotiating fees for contracts on financial and planning studies for the tolling of Interstate 95.
Roberto Canales, coordinator of Strategic Initiatives for the department, told The Spin in an interview today tolling the highway from the Virginia to the South Carolina lines seems the best option for funding major highway improvements. “Could I tell you that two to three years down the road? I could not tell you.”
Canales said DOT is studying the practicability of putting tool booths on the road. He said the study would not be completed until about 18 to 24 months.
The department will hold meetings with the public and government officials before starting, Canales said.
The Spin first reported Tuesday night Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale stating DOT officials told him tolling the highway was a reality, although few details were forthcoming.
The state Turnpike Authority told The Spin this morning no proposals on the matter have been brought to the agency.
