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^ academy ST
HERTFORD, NC 27944-1306
Weekly
Accused sex offender faces 132 charges
August 20, 2003
Vol. 71, No. 34 Hertford, North Carolina 27944
Lucas’s bond
set at over
$5 million
SUSAN R. HARRIS
A Belvidere man is
awaiting trial on child sex
offense charges in
Albemarle District Jah in
lieu of a $5,775 million
bond.
Michael Lucas, 39, of
1507 Belvidere Road,
Belvidere was charged
with 33 counts each of inde
cent liberties with a chM,
attempted sex offense by a
substitute parent, first
degree attempted statutory
sex offense and first degree
attempted statutory rape
on Aug. 8.
Lucas was first arrested
and charged with two
counts of sexual offense by
a substitute parent in June.
That arrest came after
Deputy Mario Reel and
Department of Social
Services personnel went to
Lucas’s home to investigate
the possible sexual abuse of
children in the home.
Perquimans Sheriff Eric
Tilley said at that time that
Reel and a social worker
had statements from two of
Lucas’s stepchildren that
they had been sexually
abused by Lucas. Both chil
dren were under age 12,
and alleged that Lucas had
abused them on more than
one occasion.
Reel tried to speak with
Lucas during the first visit
to the home, but Tilley said
Lucas would not allow him
self to be interviewed.
Reel and the social work
er determined that it would
be in the best interests of
the children and the agen
cies involved to remove
Lucas from the home. His
bond on the initial charges
was set at $30,000.
TiUey said that he has
been told that since the ini
tial charges were filed, the
children and their mother
Continued on page 12
Dogs’ owner
charged in pit
bull attack case
BALLANCE VISIT
Foreman can
only be
charged with
Class I
misdemeanor
SUSAN R. HARRIS
The owner of four pit
buUs who allegedly savage
ly attacked a Perquimans
County woman turned him
self in to authoiities on
Aug. 13.
Vashawn Foreman of 117
Third Avenue, Hertford,
was charged with four
counts of attack by a dan
gerous dog. The charge is a
Class I misdemeanor. Bond
was set at $2,000 unsecured.
The charges stemmed
from the July 25 attack of
Zalene Bunch, 44.
According to Sheriff Eric
Tilley, Bunch’s scalp was
pulled away on the crown of
her head, she had severe
lacerations about her left
elbow and left knee, and
had bite marks and cuts aU
over her legs.
She was first transport
ed to Chowan Hospital, but
was transferred to Pitt
Memorial Hospital due to
the extent of her injuries.
She was placed on the criti
cal list after her initial
treatment.
Sheriff’s deputies trav
eled to Greenville twice
before Bunch was able to be
interviewed. Tilley said on
the first visit, it appeared
that the medication given
to Bunch made it difficult
for her to answer questions.
But at the second visit,
TiUey said Bunch was able
to be interviewed, and that
ner story was clear and
concise.
Bunch told officers that
she parked on one street
and walked across the
Foreman property to a resi
dence on another street to
collect rent. She said that
she had done that before,
because when the tenant
from whom she tried to col
lect rent saw her car, he
would not answer the door.
Bunch said she saw the
dogs on the chain, and had
in fact spoken to the dogs
on previous occasions. She
said the dogs were barking
fiercely She began to walk
around the mobile home
and the other three dogs —
Continued on page 12
m
Congressman Frank Ballance looks over a quilt and wallhanging celebrating the
county's African-American heritage during a visit to Hertford last Tuesday. Ballance
was on hand to discuss tourism, and chose to meet with locals at the monument
to African-American Civil War soldiers on Academy Green, one of the sites high
lighted in plans by local heritage tourism groups to increase heritage tourism
here. The monument is one of very few of its kind in the country. The quilt and
wallhanging were made by community members desiring to focus attention on the
contributions of African-Americans in Perquimans County. Tourism plays a big role
in the local exonomy and it is expected to continue to grow.
Martin’s Landing: coffeehouse, deli, desserts mecca
SUSAN R. HARRIS
Offering more variety in
his adopted hometown led
Darian Martin to open
Hertford’s newest eatery,
Martin’s Landing.
The eatery held its grand
opening last Friday with a
ribbon cutting sponsored
by the Chamber of
Commerce.
The coffee house and
deli offers a wide variety of
coffee drinks, including
exotic blends, lattes and
cappucinos. Diners may
enjoy sitting at the bistro
tables to enjoy their
favorite hot or cold bever
age, or may relax in a love
ly sitting area furnished
with a leather sofa and side
chairs. There’s even a
checkerboard for those
who’d like a friendly game
with their drinks.
And if you’re hungry,
Martin’s Landing serves
delicious deli sandiwiches
and salads to please every
palate, in addition to gar
den salads. And from
muffins to pasta salad to
salad dressings, everything
is made fresh on site.
“I thought that there was
enough of a need in this
is
ft.
it
Darian Martin celebrates the grand opening of
Hertford's newest eatery, Martin's Landing at Ward
Shopping Center, during a Chamber of Commerce-
sponsored ribbon cutting last Friday.
area because of the influx
of people from outside the
area (to open this t5rpe of
eatery),” Martin said.
“I thought it would offer
a change from Southern
food, to have some variety
and choice.
“I wanted to bring a little
bit of Starbucks to
Perquimans County. I fig
ured there wasn’t one here,
so I would go ahead and
open one up.”
For those who care to
indulge a sweet tooth,
Martin’s Landing offers
fine pastries by pastry chef
Sandy Fortier and Carol
Hammer of the Lovin’
Oven.
Carrott cake, peanut but
ter pie, key lime and rasp
berry tarts, cheesecake,
chocolate cheesecake, gin
gerbread cakes and more
are available in the shop.
And for special occa
sions, patrons may serve
the delightful desserts at
home by placing an order
through Martin’s Landing
in advance.
The restaurant is not
only an in-eat establish
ment. For quality deli
meats and cheeses by the
pound, Martin’s Landing is
the place to shop.
Martin’s Landing’s
hours are Monday—Friday,
7 a.m.—5 p.m. and Saturday,
8 a.m.—5 p.m. Whiel the
deli closes at 5 each busi
ness day, the coffeehhouse
has extended hours on
Friday and Saturday
evenings.
What Darian Martin
wants to be known for in
the business community is
great coffee and excellent
deli food. Stop by the eatery
at Ward Shopping Center
and enjoy a sandwich,
salad, breakfast, dessert or
just a good cup of coffee.
Festival
talent sought
SUSAN R. HARRIS
The favorable
response of participants
and the audience last
year wO bring the sec
ond annual singing con
test and the dueling
diversity session to the
Indian Summer Festival.
Coordinated by
Connie Townsend and
sponsored by The
Heritage House, the con
test is open to the first 20
contestants to enter by
the Aug. 23 deadline.
The dueling diversity
portion of the show
offers a variety of music
from the ‘50s to today.
Singers of all ages .and
musical backgrounds
may try out for the con
test and show.
Sign up and rehearsal
day is scheduled for
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2—8
p.m. at the Snug Harbor
Clubhouse.
Don Evans of
Backroads Karaoke will
provide music.
For more information,
caU Townsend at 426-1660
or Mary White at 426-
5973.
Town
moves to
remove
subpar
buildings
SUSAN R. HARRIS
Hertford Town Council
got an update on properties
on its condemnation list
last Monday night.
Town Manager John
Christensen said some
buildings have been demol
ished, some are under reno
vation and others are set
for hearings.
On the list are:
307 Market Street: The
owner has contracted with
a demolition firm.
205 King Street: The
house was demolished by
the owner.
317 Dobbs Street: The
property went aH the way
through the process and
was torn down by the town.
The town wiU bill the own
ers for the demolition costs
through the town’s attor
ney. The costs win become a
lien against the property
and ultimately, the town
can petition the court to
take ownership of the prop
erty and sen it to recoup its
expenses if the cost is not
paid by the owner.
320 Dobbs Street: same
process as 317 Dobbs.
110 E. RaUroad Avenue:
This property is in the
research phase.
106 W. Grubb Street: A
hearing was held. The own
ers said they will improve
the property. The building
inspector gave them 90 days
to do so.
408 Cox Street: A hearing
was held. The owners said
they win improve the prop
erty The building inspector
Continued on page 12
Weekend
Weather
THURSDAY
High: 89
Low: 72
Mostly Sunny
Friday
High:91
Low: 73
Isolated T'Storms
Saturday
High: 85
Low:70
Scattered TStorms