Warren County, NC

WARRENTON — Jury selection in the capital murder trial of Lester Kearney will begin in Warrenton on Oct. 25, with the trial itself to start on Jan. 24, prosecutors and defense lawyers said after their latest pre-trial motions hearing. Kearney’s defense lawyers announced in the course of Monday’s hearing that...

The trial for Lester Kearney, who stands accused in the 2018 death of Lake Gaston resident Nancy Alford, will be held in Warren County after his attorneys chose to not seek a change of venue. During a hearing in downtown Warrenton this morning, defense attorney Robert Singagliese told Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. that decision was made last week.

Annie Elizabeth Frazier Burton was born July 2, 1921 on the Lafayette (Fate) Weaver family farm in Warren County. This year, family and friends will host a celebration for her 100th birthday. Members of the community who would like to help Mrs. Burton celebrate her special day may send birthday greetings to Annie Burton, c/o Churchland House 101, 4916 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703.

Victoria Dorge of Warren Early College High School is the 2021 recipient of the Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship. Established in 1955 by a trust endowed by the late Aubrey Lee Brooks, these scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors from a 14-county area of North Carolina. This scholarship provides for an award of about one-half the cost of undergraduate education.

SUMMER CAMP, Summer Day Camp, Henderson-Vance Recreation Department, for ages 5-13 at the Aycock Recreation Center Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. $50.00 per child/per week. Call 252-438-2670 or email chall@ci.henderson.nc.us. JUNE 15. ELDER ABUSE, The Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging is holding elder-abuse awareness sessions in Granville...

Keith Sutton, who will serve as Warren County Schools’ interim, or temporary, superintendent from July 1-Dec. 31, claims a number of ties to the local community. Board of Education Chairwoman Ebony Talley-Brame introduced Sutton during the board’s May 25 work session/business meeting. At the time, Sutton noted that he is a native of Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County and played football at Southwest Edgecombe High School.

Surrounded by family members, Jennifer Pierce, holding bow, and Chris Pierce, holding scissors prepare to cut the ribbon during Grand Opening festivities for Warren Animal Feed on College Street in Warrenton on Saturday. Pictured at right are Warrenton Mayor Walter Gardner and Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center President/CEO Leanne Patrick.

On Friday, June 4, the first annual Graduation Festival was held at the Armory. In the midst of the smiles, waves, and congratulatory hugs from families, friends and community members were the eager, confident and ready-to-face-the-world Warren County High School 2021 graduates, Semaj Alexander, Jada Chase, Jade Chase, Omar Crews, Chanta Cooper, Nyla Crudup, Torrey Davis, Evelin Sorto, La’Niyah Hargrove, Cameron Hogan, Json Richardson, Joey Richrdson, Se’Quan Seward and Christopher Williams.

Rachel Dean McAbee, age 66, passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021. Born in Warren County, NC on July 26, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Lucius McAbee and Edna Smiley McAbee Spitler. Rachel was a devoted and dedicated educator, having taught high school for several counties in addition to several community colleges, until her retirement following 47 years from Edgecombe Community College. Even after her retirement, she continued teaching at Wake Technical Community College. A seasoned world traveler, Rachel had even taught English in China for some time. She was a member of Catch The Fire Raleigh-Durham as well as several different prayer groups. A loving mother, sister, and a dear friend to many, Rachel will be forever missed. Rachel is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Conway Keiser (Travis Moss) of Rocky Mount; her step-father Curtis Spitler; her brother, Gene McAbee (Kathleen); her sister, Cynthia Moore (John); and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service to celebrate Rachel's life will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Sharpsburg Community Church, 3720 S. Hathaway Blvd., Sharpsburg, NC 27878, with Rev. Todd Greene officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. The family would like to say a special thanks to Rachel's dear friends, Aimee Kymalainen and Carolyn Hopkins for the love and support they had shown during these difficult times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is requesting the need for social distancing and wearing of masks due to health concerns faced around our nation at this time. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in Rachel's memory to Sharpsburg Community Church, 3720 S Hathaway Blvd, Sharpsburg, NC 27878. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

SUMMER CAMP, Summer Day Camp, Henderson-Vance Recreation Department, for ages 5-13 at the Aycock Recreation Center Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. $50.00 per child/per week. Call 252-438-2670 or email chall@ci.henderson.nc.us. JUNE 12. VANCE FARMERS MARKET, The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturday, June 12,...

Girl Scouts-North Carolina Coastal Pines, announces that Mariah Harrison of Norlina is the Warren County top seller for the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Harrison sold 3,193 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in the annual cookie program that ended in March. Jorja Pierce of Warrenton placed second with 3,058 boxes sold, and Chanta Cooper of Norlina placed third with 905 boxes sold. The 2021 Cookie Program was held Jan. 16-March 21.

A celebration of Warrenton’s German heritage and community is this weekend on Main Street. Fruhlingsfest is back for its second year on Saturday, June 12, aiming to revive a spring festival that was once an annual tradition. The Warrenton Downtown Association has lined up an assortment of vendors and activities...

How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it be art? And would you confront a longtime friend over the purchase?. “ART,” a play by Yasmina Reza, with translation by Christopher Hampton, will take a look at how three friends handle a disagreement over the purchase of a painting when Lakeland Cultural Arts Center and Frontier Warren partner on three show dates later this month. Tickets are on sale now for “ART,” playing Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26, 7-9 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 27, 2-4 p.m., show starts at 2:30 p.m. Doors open a half-hour in advance.

Ella Dowtin takes the oath of office during Monday night’s meeting of the Warren County Board of Commissioners as deputy clerk to the board. Administering the oath is County Attorney Hassan Kingsberry. Dowtin, who formerly worked in the Warren County Department of Social Services, began her new position on May 3. In addition to being deputy clerk to the board, she is also executive assistant to the county manager.

No charges were filed in a Memorial Day incident west of Eaton Ferry Bridge on the main lake that resulted in a male patient being airlifted to a regional hospital. The two involved in the watercraft crash were both juveniles, according to a N.C. Wildlife spokesperson. Units were dispatched to...

Animal shelter could face court charges for refusing to close. A Warren County animal shelter could be at risk of court charges for what county officials describe as a refusal to cease operations. Warren County government officials told The Record this week that they are seeking criminal charges against No...

The Nineteen Twenty-One Project and its partner organizations previously presented information about the play “Seeking Justice,” scheduled for performance Saturday, June 12, but the easing of COVID restrictions will now allow more people to view the production in person. Performances are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the...

County citizens are invited to attend a Q&A with Chairman Tare “T” Davis and other Warren County commissioners on Wednesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center, 501 US Hwy. 158 business east, Warrenton. The session will begin with a brief overview of where the...

A landscape painting by German artist Paul Weber is now displayed in the lobby of Warrenton Town Hall after the artwork and its frame were restored by Mumford Restoration of Raleigh. The landscape is one of four paintings donated by Warrenton resident Katherine Pendleton Arrington to the former John Graham...