Halifax County commissioners today approved two grant project ordinances — one tied to a body scanner for the detention center and another to be used for America 250 commemorations.
Deputy County Manager Christina Wells told the board that the county was awarded congressionally-directed spending funds of $225,000 from Don Davis, funds which were announced March of last year that will be used to buy a body scanner for the jail. “We were actually presented the ceremonial check almost a year ago. We’re very excited and our sheriff’s office and detention center have been eagerly awaiting and anticipating this body scanner. That will allow them not to do hands-on body searches.”
Wells said the scanner is convenient and it’s not a tightly enclosed mechanism which the board has seen on previous jail tours. “It scans the body for any contraband materials that could be harmful, especially to the inmates.”
It is a reimbursable grant, which means the county will buy the scanner using money from its general fund and then be reimbursed.
The second grant is for $10,000, which was awarded by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for the county’s America 250 events including the bicentennial Lafayette visit to Halifax commemoration; Halifax Resolves Day activities; and the patriotic concert and laser light show.
Wells said $1,000 is being allocated for the Lafayette program which is scheduled for February 27 and 28.
“This is kind of exciting,” she said. “We actually have a re-enactor coming to reenact the trip of Lafayette through North Carolina. He will come across the river from Northampton County and will be greeted at the river in Halifax.”
Following his arrival he will have dinner and the next day he will go to homes where he stayed in Halifax. “It’s pretty cool that we even have these places that were there at the time.”
Another $1,000 will be allocated for the Resolves Day activities which this year are scheduled for April 11 through 13.
Then $8,000 will be allocated for the patriotic concert and light show, which debuted last year on the evening of April 12, which falls on a Saturday this year. The event will be on the steps of the Historic Courthouse on King Street. “It was very well received last year,” Wells said.
This is also a reimbursement grant, she said. “They actually gave us 60 percent of the funds which is great. We’ve already received $6,000. The other $4,000 is reimbursed when you complete your final paperwork so that they know you’ve done everything you were going to do.”
Board Chair Vernon Bryant said, “The 250th is a big event. (The year) 2026 is really going to be big. Governor Stein may be here, along with members of Congress and the Senate. We really need to pump this up because it started here in Halifax County.
