A Murfreesboro man died last Wednesday in a fatal Northampton County crash, the state Highway Patrol reported. The wreck occurred around 6:50 p.m. James Casper Jr., 43, died in the two vehicle wreck at the intersection of Highway 258 and 158 a third of a mile south of Murfreesboro. No further details were available as the final report by Trooper Troy Wood has not been completed.

An investigation of a domestic dispute at the Orchard Inn led the Weldon Police Department to make a drug bust Monday. Because the person charged in the drug bust and her boyfriend knew the subjects involved in the domestic, Chief Mark Macon said investigating officers were given consent to search. The officers found 5.69 grams of a powdered crystal substance along with paraphernalia. The substance found will be sent for analysis. Macon declined to say if the substance was crystal meth until it is confirmed by the tests. Police arrested Elaine May Henderson, 26, of Salisbury, Maryland, and charged her with possession of a controlled substance. She was jailed on $1,000 bond.

The Halifax County Sheriff's Office Sunday charged a Gaston man with larceny of a firearm and larceny. Lieutenant Bobby Martin said in a press release Rock Anthony Freeman, 20, was charged after investigation into a December 22 complaint from a victim located in the 3000 block of Highway 903. The victim had several items taken from her home including a shotgun. Through further investigation it was learned Freeman was at the home when the items were taken. Freeman was placed under a $5,000 bond and has a March 17 court date.

Former Roanoke Rapids City Manager Phyllis Lee is now a consultant for the town of Weldon.

The board made the decision to hire Lee following a closed session at its meeting Monday night, Mayor Julia Meacham confirmed.

Lee’s first meeting with the town will be a March 22 budget work session at 1 p.m.

That Lee’s first meeting is a budget work session makes sense because she will be advising the town on financial matters, Meacham said. “She will be helping work on the budget and financial issues. She comes highly recommended.”

Meacham said as a new mayor and having what she described as a fairly new board, “I want us to make good decisions. We want to know we are financially sound so we can use the taxpayers’ money the best we can, that we can operate as efficiently as we can.”

Meacham said Lee will able to help the town board stay within its budget. This is important because the town is in the middle of cleanup efforts it hopes will lead to economic development. “To look at these buildings is a hindrance to promoting economic development. The issue was neglected by previous boards. This board has different priorities than previous boards.”

While the town is currently advertising for a town administrator, Meacham said Lee has no interest in that position. “I know she’s got qualifications for finances and helping us make good decisions.”

Lee, who will be paid $25 an hour, said she was excited about the opportunity. “I was a little surprised. I look forward to getting back and doing some finance.”

Lee said the town currently does not have a finance director. “A lot of the board members are new and not familiar with doing a budget. That’s my strength. I will do whatever special projects they want done.”

Senator Ed Jones presented former Weldon Mayor Johnny Draper the state’s highest civilian honor — The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

The presentation was done during Weldon’s town board meeting tonight.

“I’m happy to be in your presence,” Jones told the board. “I met Johnny when I was on the (highway) patrol here. Through his leadership I made something out of myself.”

Draper was humbled by the award. “To say it’s a surprise is not strong enough. It goes beyond anything I thought I would ever receive.”

Mayor Julia Meacham, who beat Draper in the November election, said Draper deserved to be honored for giving 40 years of life to the town and encouraged the audience to stand in his honor. To Jones, she said, “Thank you so much for coming and giving him this honor.”

Gene Gatling, during a public comment section of the meeting, praised the former mayor. “My wife and I, whenever we had an issue we were concerned about, he never made an excuse not to see me. We appreciate the time you took out for my wife and I.”

Gatling encouraged Meacham to do the same.

Following the meeting Draper again said he was honored by the award. “I’m more than surprised. It is an honor. I’m just thrilled to be the fortunate person to get the Long Leaf Pine.”