Rockingham County news from the News & Record

Petition seeks change to Eden mural

mgrossman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:29:45 -0400

EDEN - A petition seeking the modification of a mural in the city's Olde Leaksville District was discussed at City Council Tuesday night.

Day care owner Elretha Perkins has not yet provided copies of the petition, which she said contained about 750 names, to the Eden City Council. But she did bring it with her last night when she spoke before the council. Petitioners want city officials to modify the mural that depicts black men directing bateau traffic along the Dan River during the 1800s.

Obama faithful hope for glimpse in Eden

mgrossman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:29:52 -0400

EDEN - Paula Hampton skipped breakfast and called in late to work Wednesday morning. She even let her 12-year-old son Chris put off mowing the grass.

Instead of doing work and chores, Paula Hampton grabbed her son and their camera, headed to Big Lots to buy batteries and claimed their spot along N.C. 14.

Barack Obama was coming to town.

"This is an emergency," Hampton said. "I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! Whew!"

Rockingham Humane Society shelter subpar

Brenda Hiles — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

EDEN - The Rockingham County Humane Society needs help making upgrades to its shelter after failing an inspection by the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.

Problems include inadequate ventilation, exposing animals to disease and improper food storage.

Sue Holland, president of the Humane Society, said the changes will be costly, given that the shelter operates largely through donations .

"It all comes from fundraisers and volunteers," Holland said. "And we've been writing some grants and getting money from individuals."

Rockingham County to help pay for old courthouse study

mgrossman — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:48:07 -0400

WENTWORTH — The Rockingham County commissioners voted Monday night to fund $1,500 of a study to determine whether the courthouse can be developed into a museum.

The county will soon begin construction on its new courthouse. Historian Lindley Butler is working with a group of county leaders to plan a museum for the old building.

Authorities catch two after break-in

jnewsom — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:10:03 -0400

EDEN — A man faces charges after authorities found him hiding in a convenience store bathroom last week, and an accomplice was caught after the alleged get-away vehicle an out of gas.

The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Mike Edwards swung by the Two Brothers convenience store at 6338 N.C. 770 at 11:08 p.m. Thursday to check out an alarm call. As the deputy got to the store, State Highway Patrol trooper Barry Earles had already arrived and seen that someone had broken out the front door glass and was behind the counter.

Two store clerks cited for underage alcohol sales

jnewsom — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:40:03 -0400

REIDSVILLE — Two convenience store clerks were cited for selling alcohol to an underage person Sunday.

Tammy Washburn and Darneisha Watlington were cited during an underage compliance check, according to a Reidsville police report. The two stores, Two Brothers Food Mart at 137 Harrison St. and Family Fare at 1025 S. Scales St. were among about 20 stores checked.

The police report did not specify which store each clerk was employed.

Reidsville departments sponsor cookout, hip-hop concert

Jay Reddick — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

The Reidsville police and recreation departments are sponsoring an afternoon of fun for 10- to 17-year-olds. On Friday, let the kids get into their groove with some hip-hop at the performance of Washington’s Hip Hop Nation at the recreation department, then head over to the Teen Center for food and fun.

Rockingham schools chief awarded bonus, raise

Jay Reddick — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Superintendent Rodney Shotwell gave the Rockingham County Schools a needed push into the 21st century with the technology he’s placed in classrooms, school board Chairwoman Elaine McCollum said.

Technological advances are among the facets of Shotwell’s leadership the board considered when voting to give him a $5,000 bonus and 3 percent raise at its meeting Monday night.

Unsolved killings haunt community

mfuchs — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:59:32 -0400

The slayings of Michael and Mary Short and their 9-year-old daughter Jennifer remain Henry County's most notorious unsolved crime.

The law enforcement task force charged with solving the triple homicide has taken the leads they have as far as they can go, and now they're the calling for new help from the public.

"Any information that they have, even insignificant information, might be important to us," said Virginia State Police special agent Garland Snead.

Nine teens charged in fight over woman

jnewsom — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:21:02 -0400

EDEN — Nine teens from Rockingham and Guilford counties were charged after a fight last month left one man in intensive care for four days after he got hit in the head.

According to Eden police, an Eden man and a Greensboro man used cell phone calls and a text messages to argue over a woman. The hour-long argument occurred after a Greensboro man learned the woman was visiting a man in Eden.

Each man was with several friends who were drinking alcohol. What happened next, Eden police said, was essentially a pre-arranged fight.

10Plus with Regina Dalton

Jay Reddick — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Regina Dalton was working in a doctor’s office when her interaction with paramedics led her to believe she was missing out on a more exciting career. So she traded in the 8-to-5 life of an office worker for one as an emergency medical technician/paramedic. Whether it’s a stubbed toe or a serious car accident, Dalton is one of the emergency personnel who answers the call in Rockingham County. Staff writer Jonnelle Davis talked with Dalton recently about the ups and downs of her job.

Q. What’s one of the most bizarre calls you’ve ever responded to?

Former school cop faces additional charges

jnewsom — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:52:09 -0400

REIDSVILLE — A former Reidsville High School resource officer faces additional charges of having a sexual relationship with a student.

James O'Brien Smith was indicted Monday on four counts of sexual activity with a student, according to court documents and Julia Hejazi, Rockingham County's chief assistant district attorney.

Smith was charged in March with having sex with a student and fired from his job. An investigation was launched after Reidsville High Principal Jonathan Craig reported to police that he had concerns about Smith's interactions with female students.

Eden man charged with killing infant could face death penalty

mfuchs — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:57:35 -0400

WENTWORTH - An Eden man could face the death penalty if convicted of killing his girlfriend's 11-month-old son.

Julia Hejazi, Rockingham County's chief assistant district attorney, said she gave notice during a court hearing Monday that she will seek the death penalty against 18-year-old Luther Martin if he is convicted of first-degree murder.

A preliminary autopsy report revealed that Antonio Devon Bridges died June 19 of blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen.

Living Proof Live simulcast is offered

Andrew Leeco — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

TODAY

Living Proof Live 2008 Simulcast, 9:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 582 Southwood Drive, Eden. Featuring Bible teacher Beth Moore and worship leader Travis Cottrell. Tickets $25 at the church or $26 online at www.1stpreseden.com. Continental breakfast and snacks included. Reservations: 623-3962.

SUNDAY

Ousted food pantry back in business

Andrew Leeco — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

EDEN - Andrew "Gyp" Collins never doubted he would find another home for his food ministry, The Lord's Pantry. He just never thought he'd score so big.

The ministry's new home inside the old TigerTek facility on Bridge Street has four times the space of its old home at Hampton Heights Baptist Church, Collins said.

"I'm tickled to death," the 81-year-old organizer said Friday. "This is hard to believe."

Chase reaches speeds of 100 mph; driver arrested

mgrossman — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:55:54 -0400

A Madison man faces charges after authorities say he led a deputy on a vehicle chase that reached speeds over 100 mph.

Deputy Brian Friddle responded to 1360 Smothers Road on Thursday for a reported domestic disturbance. He was given a description of a vehicle and soon saw it near the intersection of N.C. 704 and the Smothers Road, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office.

When the driver saw the deputy, he sped away. The driver then stopped his pickup truck, but when the deputy approached he sped off.

Neighbor is charged in Reidsville stabbing death

Christy Seals — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400

REIDSVILLE — When police searched for the man they say killed David James Martin, they didn’t have to look far. Mark Edwin Wilson lives just two doors down on the same street.

Wilson, 36, of 117-B S. Franklin St., was arrested Tuesday night and charged with first-degree murder in Martin’s death. Martin, 58, was stabbed twice and his throat was slit, according to court documents.

Wilson was being held without bond Wednesday in the Rockingham County jail.

Save cost of tax on school supplies this weekend

Christy Seals — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400

The annual sales tax holiday begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. and runs through Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Buy supplies for school and pay no sales tax. Items eligible include clothing, footwear, school supplies, sports equipment, computers and more.

To get a complete list of exempt items visit www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html.

Another annual event taking place this weekend is the Dan River Boat Race. In its 19th year, the Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department created the event for paddlers to compete in a race down the river for prizes and awards.

Scam artist operating in Reidsville

Jay Reddick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Police say one woman’s alertness helped her to avoid falling victim to a “too good to be true” paving scam. Now, police are investigating whether the incident is connected to similar cases in the area.

A woman reported that a man who identified himself as a Reidsville city employee visited her home Monday morning and offered her a “good deal” on paving her driveway. The woman considered the estimate high and told him she wasn’t interested, police Capt. Guilio Dattero said.

She also felt something just wasn’t right, Dattero said.

Volunteer firefighter charged with stealing gas from station

mgrossman — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:38:57 -0400

A volunteer firefighter in Rockingham County has been charged with stealing gasoline from the Shiloh Fire Department.

Christopher Samuel Medlin, 19, of 135 Landfall Trace in Stoneville has been charged with felony larceny by an employee, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office. He was held on a $5,000 bond.

The investigation began after Shiloh Fire Chief Ronnie Manuel and firefighter Curtis Bolick determined that gasoline was being stolen from a gas pump at the fire station. About 70 gallons was taken over about six weeks.

Police say scammer posing as Reidsville city worker

jnewsom — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:47:44 -0400

REIDSVILLE — Police are warning residents to watch out for a scammer posing as a city employee.

Reidsville police said a local resident was approached at her Belmont Drive home at 11:30 a.m. Monday by a man who said he worked for the city. The man said his crew was paving roads in the area and said he could give her a good deal on repairing her driveway with leftover materials.

The homeowner thought the price was too expensive and declined the offer, police said. The man then left in a red unmarked Chevrolet pickup truck.

Morehead Hospital appoints interim CEO

mgrossman — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:22:23 -0400

EDEN - Morehead Memorial Hospital has appointed a veteran hospital executive as its interim chief executive officer.

Murray L. Brown will take over administrative tasks while Morehead's Board of Trustees and its management company, Quorum Health Resources, conduct a nationwide search for a new CEO.

Robert Enders, who had been president for more than 20 years, stepped down last week.

Brown was CEO of Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kan., for 32 years.

Eden fire chief resigns

mfuchs — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:56:15 -0400

EDEN - Fire Chief Doug Cline has resigned to take a position with the High Point Fire Department, the city of Eden announced Tuesday afternoon.

Cline has accepted a job as training commander with the High Point Fire Department. His resignation is effective Aug. 27.

Cline has been Eden fire chief since July 2005. Prior to taking that job, he worked for the Chapel Hill Fire Department for 13 years.

Bernie Moore, a full-time driver and firefighter with the Eden department, will be named interim fire chief upon Cline's departure.

Suspect arrested in Reidsville homicide

Ryan Seals — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:28:15 -0400

REIDSVILLE — A man has been arrested in connection with death of a Reidsville man found stabbed to death inside his home last week.

Mark Edwin Wilson, 36 of 117 South Franklin St. in Reidsville, is charged in the July 23 death of David James Martin.

Martin, 58, was found stabbed to death inside his home at 123 S. Franklin St. after his boss had concerns over him not showing up for work at Reidsville Metal Works, where he had worked for a decade.

Video: How much corn can this dog shuck?

mgrossman — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Find out with a trip to see Mary the corn shucking dog at Wheeler Farms in Reidsville.

Watch the video now