Sheriff's office damaged by released arrestee

WENTWORTH - Eden Police Department arrested Kenneth Gravely for numerous charges, including driving while intoxicated.

Following his arrest, Gravely was taken before a magistrate in Wentworth. The magistrate explained the charges, assigned a court date, and released Gravely on an unsecured appearance bond of $6,000.

Shortly after his release, Gravely smashed a window of a patrol vehicle parked in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office. He then forced open a door to gain entry inside the unoccupied Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division. While inside, Gravely “trashed” offices causing damage to several items before leaving the building to meet a group of deputies that had surrounded the scene.

He was taken into custody and upon a search of his person deputies recovered a detective’s badge and bullets.

Gravely has been charged with FELONY BREAKING & ENTERING, LARCENY and BREAKING & ENTERING A MOTOR VEHICLE. His bond of $15,000 secured has not been met and he is now in the Rockingham County Jail. Sheriff Sam Page requested the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident and expressed his appreciation of their assistance.

Sheriff Page stated, “This criminal act is surprising. It’s bad enough to be arrested for driving while intoxicated, but it is sad to be stuck on stupid”.

Incident Date: December 17, 2008
Incident Time: 5:16 a.m.
Incident Location: 1088 NC 65, Wentworth, NC
Reporting Officer: Deputy Leotis Chestnut
Person Arrested: Kenneth Clarence Gravely, 21, of 1235 Royal Rd. Eden

United Way Helps Salvation Army with Food Program

Wentworth - United Way of Rockingham County awarded an emergency grant of $5,000 to the Salvation Army of Rockingham County Friday, December 12, 2008. The grant will help the Salvation Army meet the great need for food for Rockingham County citizens who are struggling because of the economy.

The Salvation Army of Rockingham County has over 400 families who are waiting for food boxes that it does not have food for at this time. The grant will enable the Salvation Army of Rockingham County provide food boxes for approximately 60 families that is could not feed before the grant was awarded.

The grant was made possible by an emergency fund that has been set up by the United Way County Board of Directors to help people in Rockingham County who are in need because of the economy or natural disaster.

This is the second time within a month that the fund has been used to help Rockingham County citizens who are suffering because of the economy. Recently, the United Way of Rockingham County granted $5,000 to the Rockingham County Chapter of the American Red Cross to restock its food pantry through January 30, 2009.

United Way of Rockingham County has expended 2/3 of its emergency fund, and must make it’s 2008 campaign goal of $900,000 in order to help its 20 agencies continue to provide the level of services that our neighbors in Rockingham County need. As of December 5, 2008 United Way of Rockingham County had raised $453,000 (50.1%) of its $900,000 goal.

“We don’t want our agencies to have to turn people away because the agencies do not have adequate funds to provide for people in need,” said Rick Hurley, Executive Director.

If you would like more information on how you can support the United Way of Rockingham County with a contribution, call (336) 342-7768 or visit www.uwrockingham.org.