Inside Today
THOMASVILLE
East Davidson girls take on Randleman in non-conference play. See Sports, Page 7.
Times
Now thru Jan. 8
Thursday, January 7, 2010
119h Year - No. 42 50 Cents
www.tvilletimes.com
Two more arrested in beauty shop robbery
TWO DAYS LEFT TO MEET THE CHALLENGE The Times/Parks and Recreation Food Challenge is more than 4,000 items away from its goal! Help us help our neighbors in need!
BY ELIOT DUKE Staff Writer
Thomasville Police Department continues making arrests in connection to last month’s robbery of a local beauty salon. With two suspects already in custody, TPD announced the arrest of two more people believed to be involved in the Dec. 17 robbery of Total Beauty Supply at 210 National Highway. Michael Antwaan Cobb, 23, of 201 White St., and Kimani Chepel Davis, 18, of 113 Larkspur, were taken into custody earlier in the week and charged for their role in the robbery. Cobb is charged with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon and is believed to be the one who produced a small caliber handgun during the crime. He was placed in the Davidson County Detention Center and issued a $50,000 secured bond. Davis is charged with felony aiding and abetting an armed robbery and was placed in the detention center with no bond. “They went in, one individual displayed a weapon and a lot of clothing and a wallet was taken,” Det. Steve Truell said. “We recovered the wallet and half the clothing.” On Dec. 20, TPD arrested Jesean Terrell Gillins, 21, of 201 White St., and Jasmond Tyjuan Gillins, 20, of 2711 Ridgeview Court in High Point, and charged the brothers with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon. Truell said TPD received information regarding some of the stolen property and executed a search warrant at 201
County working to bring in new businesses TIMES PHOTO/ELIOT DUKE
James Mills (center) of the Thomasville Police Department is sworn into his new position as major Wednesday by Mayor Joe Bennett as his wife Sharon holds the Bible.
See ROBBERY, Page 6
Staff Writer Thomasville Police Department ushered in a new era Wednesday afternoon at a swearing in ceremony of three veteran officers. In an effort to create a more efficient and accessible department, new police chief Jeff Insley announced a restructuring plan several weeks ago that will focus on the creation of four bureaus within TPD. Leading three of the bureaus will be newly promoted officers Maj. James Mills, Capt. Darren Smith and Capt. Loren Wesley. Mills was promoted from captain to major with Smith and Wesley moving from lieutenant to captain. “These picks were very difficult,” Insley said. “I look forward to all of us working together to take this agency to the
Smith
Wesley
next level. This team will lead us forward over the next few years. It’s nice having the administrative team in place finally. We can start moving forward and I’m excited about it.” Maj. Mills will serve as Chief of Staff, overseeing the duties of the Administrative Operations Bureau. Mills, a five-year veteran of the United States Air Force, joined TPD in 1981. In his nearly three decades with the department, Mills has served as Community Policing Coordinator and Training Director, and
three of his five children along with her own five children. Ray also has taken in and raised several children over the last 40 years who have been victims of neglect or abuse. “I pray to God every day to help me to bless somebody — a child or a senior,” Ray said. “I just have a heart for children and for people that need help.” Ray, who is nearly 70 years old, says she loves to cook. She often gives meals to elderly or ill members of the community, and she invites any friend or family member to come eat in
See WINNERS, Page 12
See WORKING, Page 10
is now overseeing the daily operations of both the patrol and detective division. In 2000, Mills received the N.C. Governors Crime Prevention Award for Excellence. Mills also is a member of the International Chiefs of Police. Insley said Mills will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department. “This is a good day for all of us,” said Mills. “We’ve all worked hard getting to where we’re at and we owe a lot to those who came before us. There’s a vision for the future and [Insley] is counting on us to help obtain the goals he has set for the department.” Wesley will become captain of the Patrol and Field Operations Bureau. Capt. Wesley came to TPD in 1989 and has worked in the patrol, detectives and vice
See OFFICERS, Page 6
2010 MLK Award winners announced BY KARISSA MINN Staff Writer
Thomasville residents Minnie Ray and the Rev. Haywood N. Goode Sr. are the recipients of the 2010 MLK Community Service Award, given by the Martin Luther King Jr. Social Action Committee (MLK-SAC). Dr. George B. Jackson, chairman, said that the award is given to unsung heroes who promote social action. “They have worked on behalf of the underserved in the community for many years, volunteering their time and their talent,” Jackson said. “They
Ray
Goode
don’t look for the limelight, but they’re always looking out for the good of other people.” Minnie Ray, or “Miss Minnie,” said she was honored to receive the award.
“It’s a blessing,” Ray said. “All my grandchildren and all the kids that I’ve helped, they’re so excited for me.” When one of her sons, Gregory, died 14 years ago, she raised
Community Sponsor
Today’s Weather
Mostly Cloudy 39/24
Full Forecast Page 2
Staff Writer
LEXINGTON — In a joint meeting Tuesday, The Davidson County Board of Commissioners and the Lexington City Council approved incentives for companies that could bring more than 350 jobs and $30 million to the county. Both companies are considering relocation or expansion in Lexington, said Steve Googe, director of the Davidson County Economic Development Commission. “These are very substantial companies that have a track record of very consistent growth,” Googe said. “A lot of people are now seeing that maybe there’s some value to coming here, because it looks like our economy is going to start to turn.” The two governing bodies held public hearings at Davidson County Community College, inviting input from local citizens and officials. Googe presented the proposed incentive packages during the hearings. Project Lynx plans to invest about $20 million in a new plant, machinery and equipment and create 42 new jobs over three years. An additional 18 to 20 more jobs likely will be created from one of the company’s vendors, he said, and another vendor may even follow the company to locate here. Googe says the company intends to start construction on a facility in the next three months and be operational within one year. County commissioners and city council approved an economic development grant of $145,833.33 each year for 12 years, to be split equally between Davidson County and the city of Lexington.
Veteran officers promoted BY ELIOT DUKE
BY KARISSA MINN
What’s Inside
Weather Focus Business Opinion Obituaries Sports Classifieds
Thomasville, North Carolina • Your Town. Your Times.
2 3 4 5 6 7 11