A couple that lives on Rockingham Lake Road told officers that they were in different parts of the home when up to three bullets struck the dwelling. One of those inside reported seeing a green truck leaving the scene.

From the Sheriff’s Office:

Doralene Langley was lying in bed when she heard two gunshots and the
sound of bullets hitting her house. She looked outside to see a green Ford
truck pulling away from in front of her house.

William Langley was in the living room watching television when he heard
the shots and the sound of bullets hitting the house.

Cpl. Walker observed three bullet holes in the left portion of the house
with one of the bullets entering a bedroom. The path of the bullet passed
through a drawer in a piece of furniture before it came to rest on the
bedroom floor.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call detectives at 634-
3238 or crime stoppers at 349-9683.

Reported: August 10 at 2:21 p.m.
Victim 1: Milton Florence, 38, of 160 Ailene Loop in Madison, NC
Victim 2: Lonie Florence, 68, of 160 Ailene Loop in Madison, NC
Reporting officer: Deputy Adam Mosqueda

Milton Florence lives with his mother and daughter at 160 Ailene Loop. Mrs. Florence
left home for a medical appointment, and upon her return home she discovered
someone had killed their dog and had broken into her house.

The suspect had ransacked the house but nothing had been determined missing.

The dog was located directly behind the residence still tied to the dog run. There were
two aluminum baseball bats near the dog and likely used to kill the dog.

Detective Sgt. Kevin Suthard developed a suspect, conducted an interview, and has
charged the person responsible for the crimes.

Charley Joe Simmons, 30, of 644 Smothers Road in Madison was upset with Milton,
and went to the location with intent to kill his dog. He broke into the house to obtain a
weapon the kill the dog.

Simmons is charged with Felony Cruelty to Animal, Felony Breaking and Entering,
and Misdemeanor Injury to Personal Property. His bond is $25,000 and his first court
date is set for August 12, 2010.

New landscaping at APH improves busy intersection.

Reidsville is a town that lacks for open greenspace. After Moses Cone Health System was able to purchase the corner lot nearest Annie Penn Hospital they tore down one dilapidated house and an abandoned brick structure and replaced it this week with a nice berm and some shrubs.

Looks nice.

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners was recently invited to a meeting of the Will of the People Committee for a meeting to be held on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at the Community College.  The Commissioners had previously expressed openness to a meeting; however, the particular date was not agreed to in advance.  When the invitation came, Thomas Harrington, Chairman of Will of the People, was contacted to express the Commissioners intention to attend the meeting as a group but to ask for another date because the 28th represented a conflict.  This was approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.  Mr. Harrington indicated that notices had already been sent to committee members and that it would not be appropriate to waste the expense of sending the notices by canceling that meeting.  Mr. Harrington did continue to extend the invitation to one or two of the Commissioners if that were the only number who could attend.   However, the Board’s view is that such meetings should be open to the public and that all Commissioners should have the opportunity to attend and emphasize that this particular date was a conflict and had not been agreed to in advance.

The Commissioners are very sensitive to the desires of the citizens to have greater opportunities to speak with and hear from their elected representatives.  These are stressful times, and citizens are rightfully concerned about what public services are being provided and how public resources are being utilized.  At regular County Commissioner meetings there is often a long list of items which must be attended to on behalf of the citizens and those who come to speak often feel “squeezed in” among a number of items.

In order to address the concern for more opportunity for citizens to interact, the Commissioners have renewed efforts to have special town hall style meetings set aside for the purpose of hearing from and sharing with citizens.  One such meeting has already been held concerning the proposed Equestrian Center effort.  Additional meetings are being planned to rotate throughout the County.

Everyday the County’s citizens struggle with growing hardships and the Commissioners as elected representatives of the people face difficult challenges in meeting the needs of the community in public safety, human services, education and in fostering economic opportunity and jobs in Rockingham County.  All of the Commissioners know we need to pull together as a community in these hard times and encourage our citizens to come to our meetings and work with us as we listen to often divergent views and strive to do the best job we can for all the citizens of our county.

Respectfully yours,

Harold A. Bass, Chairman

Rockingham County Board of Commissioners

In 2006, Berger ran a successful campaign for election by making commitments to the citizens of Rockingham County that, as District Attorney, his office would try more cases, reduce the number of plea bargains, and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office. Since taking office in 2007, the District Attorney’s office has tried 107 cases before juries here in Rockingham County.

“Public safety is the first order of business for government,” Berger said. “The policies we put in place three years ago have made this office more effective and responsive to victims and law enforcement.”

Rockingham County’s business community has also seen the value of the District Attorney’s Worthless Check Program. Over the last three years, the program has recovered more than $450,000.00 in restitution and fees.

“We have kept the promises made during the last campaign,” Berger said. ”I am very proud of the work we are doing, and I want to continue improving the services we provide for the people of Rockingham County.”

As a result, drugs and weapons have been removed from the streets.  A total of 32 firearms, multiple pounds of marijuana, and more than a thousand grams of cocaine have been seized.

Charged:

Saida Adalia Elizondo, 27, of 1874 Oregon Hill Road in Ruffin (bond $2500)

* Simple possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance (marijuana)
* Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Samantha Lynn Yates, 24, of 541 Flack Street in Reidsville (bond $3500)

* Simple possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance (XANAX )
* Possession of marijuana up to ½ ounce

Mark Timothy Hand, 29, of 785 Vaughn Road in Reidsville (bond $10,000)

* Possession of Firearm by Felon
* Felony Possession of Cocaine
* Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
* Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Kathy Locklear Lucas, 45, of 785 Vaughn Road in Reidsville (bond $5,000)

* Possession of Firearm by Felon

Marvin Allen Shough, 47, of 212 Cadillac Drive in Stoneville (bond $5,000)

* Possession of firearm by felon

Eugene Lester Lucas, 49, of 785 Vaughn Road in Reidsville (bond $5,000)

* Aid & Abet Firearm by Felon (2 COUNTS)

Brent D-Vore Shuff, 21, of 302 A South Third Ave. in Mayodan (bond $15,000)

* Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute Cocaine
* Resist, Delay, Obstruct

Tessa Renee Clark, 29, of 930 Fern Street Apt. A in Madison (bond $30,000)

o Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Marijuana
o Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance
o Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Other arrests are pending.