RRSpin - News

Details: Lance Martin; News; 25 August 2009; 1366

Halifax Linen Service will have until the end of February to comply with job creation requirements it is supposed to meet after receiving One North Carolina grant funds in 2006.

Under the grant the company had three years to create 81 new jobs. Thus far, with the bad economy, it has only created 46 jobs, said Kathy Scott, Halifax County economic development director. “Once things turn around, the company thinks it can meet the commitment,” she told city council at its meeting tonight.

The state approved the extension, Scott said, and after her presentation, council did the same.

The grant funds were part of an expansion plan at the company’s Roanoke Rapids production plant and a plan for the construction of three new distribution centers around the state, a $1.6 million investment.

Since the grant, the company has invested $900,000 in its expansion, Scott told council.

The expansion was made possible in part by an $81,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. The money represents $1,000 per job, for each of the 81 positions the company's expansion was expected to create.

The Halifax County Board of Commissioners contributed $50,000 in matching funds and the city allocated $30,426 for the project when it was announced in 2006.

Council unanimously approved the extension.

In an unrelated matter tonight, council approved allowing Holland Consulting Planners to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund improvements in the Vine Street community.

The consulting company will apply for $850,000 for the project, said its representative, Danny McKewon.

Councilman Carl Ferebee said following the meeting if the grant is approved it would allow people who live in dilapidated housing in the community to relocate and allow the demolition of those homes along with other improvements.

Ferebee said it not known how many people it would affect but said the grant money, if approved, should cover the project.

Vine Street is right off U.S. 158, a road with heavy traffic running through the city and one of the locations the city would like to improve, Ferebee said.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 25 August 2009; 928

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office is investigating the passing of counterfeit $20 and $10 bills at a local business.

Maj. Bruce Temple said in a press release the sheriff’s office is encouraging everyone to study any bills that may be passed and to call the office at 252-583-1991 if anything is suspicious.

Investigators have identified four series of serial numbers on the bills.

If anyone has information on the bills, they are encouraged to call Halifax County Crimestoppers 252-583-4444.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 25 August 2009; 1107

Three local business donated $500 each to the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance for its efforts to bring the Main Street Program to Roanoke Rapids.

Donations were made by Wilkie Real Estate, First Carolina Agency and the Renaissance salon, alliance President Kim Simpson said this afternoon.

The alliance is currently waiting word on whether Gov. Bev Perdue will OK the city’s application into the program. A decision is expected by the middle of October.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 25 August 2009; 1455

Roanoke Rapids police are looking for a Roanoke Rapids boy who allegedly shot a security guard Saturday night.

Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek said Andrew Bell, 17, is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him should not confront him but call 911, the police department at 252-533-2810 or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Bell is wanted in the non-fatal shooting of Michael Proctor, a security guard at the former Rosemary mill, who was working when the boy allegedly approached him on an orange bicycle and demanded his money or wallet around 11:30 Saturday night.

Proctor told Bell he had neither and identified himself as a security guard. Bell allegedly shot him in the arm with a small caliber revolver. The shooting occurred in the 13th Street area of the former mill site, Bondarek said.

Police got a break in the case yesterday when officers from A Squad and the detective division spotted Bell around noon on an orange bike, a gun noticeable in his waistband.

The officers attempted to stop him and Bell fled, allegedly stealing another bike to make his getaway. While Bell got away, Bondarek said officers were able to identify him and obtain warrants for his arrest on charges of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, flee to elude arrest and larceny of a bicycle.

Police hope the public will provide assistance on the boy’s whereabouts.

Proctor, who was treated and released from the hospital, walked to the intersection of Roanoke Avenue and 13th Street to use a cell phone and call for help.

Details: Lance Martin; News; 25 August 2009; 1391

A 3-year-old girl who was shot in the abdomen with a handgun Sunday night remains in critical condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville and was expected to undergo surgery today.

Lt. Bobby Martin of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said the case remains under investigation and the shooting remains listed as accidental.

It occurred in the Myrick Estates subdivision in the Littleton area. The child was struck once.