A newspaper in Richmond, Virginia is reporting Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, as one of three finalists for a similar position with Richmond Public Schools.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported on Monday that Jackson was one of three in the running for the position.
The three finalists were selected from a field of 76 candidates, the newspaper reported.

Nashville Mayor Donald Street said the recent announcement that U.S. 64 between I-440 and I-95 near Rocky Mount would be added to the interstate highway system was good news for Nashville.
Governor Pat McCrory and Transportation Secretary Tony Tata made the announcement last week.
The section between I-440 and I-540 on the east side of Raleigh will add the I-495 designation, while the stretch of U.S. 64 between I-540 and I-95 will be designated Future I-495.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS! –– Michael Cole Jordan, 4, (at left), takes a minute to pose for a photo with Nashville Police Officer Miles Costa (at right) while shopping at Wal-Mart last Tuesday during the Kids and Cops Christmas.

Nashville Police Officers may tell you that the highlight of their career comes around every Christmas season. That is when officers get the opportunity to take a local child shopping for Christmas as part of the  police department’s annual Kids and Cops Christmas.
This is the fourth year Nashville’s Police Department has participated in the program. This year, officers paired up with 10 needy children, helping them check clothes and toys off their Christmas list.

Nashville Police arrested three men for their involvement in a home invasion last week.
Nashville Police Chief Tom Bashore said Dondre Maurice Battle, 17, of Spring Hope, and Kenda Desean McNair, 19, of Rocky Mount, forced their way into a home on Meadow Park Drive in Nashville around 2 a.m. last Thursday, December 12. The two men demanded money and forced 23-year-old Breanna Darnae Perry to get on the floor.

Nash Health Care has signed an affiliation agreement with the UNC Health Care system, Nash Health Care CEO Larry Chewning announced at a press conference on Monday, December 16. The decision was made after the Executive Committees of both organizations voted to approve the contract last week. The new agreement takes effect on April 1, 2014.

Ward Specialty Pharmacy is once again downsizing and plans to transition into soley a prescription compounding and pharmaceutical grade supplement practice.
This is the second time the company has downsized in the past two years.
In late November 2011, the company announced it was selling its prescription side of the business to CVS Pharmacy and changing its name to Ward Specialty Pharmacy.

Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of an independent pharmacy with a ribbon cutting last Tuesday.
O’Neals Drug Store opened on November 4, making the Nashville store the sixth store owned by Neal O’Neal. Other locations include Belhaven, Chocowinity, Columbia, Williamston and Newport.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 12/8/13 at 806 S. Alston Street
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 12/9/13 at 961 Sunnyfield Road
A motor vehicle theft was reported on 12/10/13 at 111 W Cross

A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence and damage to real property was reported on 12/2/13 at 6125 Harrisontown Road
An arson was reported on 12/2/13 at 1869 N Old Franklin Road
An injury to real property was reported on 12/3/13 at 3957 Eastern Avenue

When Patrick Ignacio read that North Carolina’s prison system was shipping more than half a million bars of soap made by inmates to the Philippines as part of the relief effort  for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), he wept. Ignacio says he hopes the same big-heartedness will be found in the people of Nashville and Rocky Mount during a local relief effort called  “A Dollar of Hope.”

The Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) board unanimously approved the administration’s tenure transition plan at their work session last week in preparation for their January meeting. The administration will use this plan to prepare and present the list of NRMS teachers selected for four-year contracts no later than February 2014 for the board’s approval.

The deadline for receiving a free or significantly reduced water tap looms for residents in the Red Oak and Dortches areas in Nash County. For now, the Towns of Red Oak and Dortches are offering to pay the $150 tap fee for all occupied dwellings in their respective town limits as a way to encourage residents to sign on. Those living in Nash County are being offered a reduced water tap of $150 for now. However, all these incentives are expected to end on January 1, 2014.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Schools board approved numerous board policy updates at their work session last week in preparation for their January meeting. Posted on the system’s website for review, these policy changes are up for public consideration and comment until the end of December.

Nashville’s Fire Department held a Christmas celebration on Sunday, December 1 for members and their families. Santa paid a visit to the children and a hay ride was also provided. Pictured above are fire fighters with Chief Randy Goodbrod (far right) and Santa.

Nashville’s Fire Department continues to investigate what caused a second floor fire at a home on Spring Mill Trail Road Saturday morning.
According to Captain Chris Joyner, the fire department was notified around 10 a.m. on Saturday of a fire at 3560 Spring Mill Trail Road.

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office arrested nine drug dealers earlier this month as part of a continuous investigation of illicit drug sales in Nash County.
The arrests stem from covert drug buys made from the nine suspects over the past 12 months, according to a press release.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools is gearing up to host a series of Parent and Community Information Sessions on the school district’s Pre-Kindergarten Application Process for the 2014-15 school year.
The Pre-Kindergarten information sessions are scheduled for January 6 at the Rock Springs Free Will Baptist Church located at the intersection of Old Highway 264 and Camp Charles Rd. in Bailey; and January 7 at the Nash County Agricultural Center, located at 1006 Eastern Ave. in Nashville.

A FUN RIDE –– Despite a little drizzle and cold temperatures, the Middlesex Christmas Parade took place Saturday bringing smiles to both spectators and participants. The passengers of this float are obviously having fun riding in the parade.

GRINCH –– Even the Grinch caught some Christmas Spirit at the Middlesex Christmas Parade.

HERE COMES SANTA! –– Santa Claus arrived in Middlesex Saturday!

ALL SMILES –– Jayla Vick was all bundled up to watch the Christmas parade in Middlesex.

MARCHING BAND –– Hunt High School Marching Band performs in the Middlesex Christmas Parade.

Southern Nash High School JROTC cadets performed a continuous watch from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. during a Pearl Harbor Vigil honoring and remembering the events of December 7, 1941. This is one of four vigils performed during school year. Each vigil is planned, organized and scheduled by the cadets. Other vigils are held to commemorate 9/11, Veteran’s Day, and Memorial Day.

The state-level 2013 Special Olympics North Carolina Bowling Tournament was held on Sunday, December 8.   The event for the eastern part of the state was held in Durham, the central part of the state in Greensboro, and the event for the western part of the state was held in Newton. 

In the Advent part of our service, Pastor Aycock read a few verses from Psalm 126 which speaks of joy and rejoicing. Ashley Matthews lit the pink candle which is the candle of joy. We have much to rejoice in; our salvation, looking for Jesus’ comng and a home in heaven with Jesus forever. We have the precious promises of Jesus. He keeps his word.

On a sunny December morning, Peachtree folks met for worship.  The sanctuary was still adorned with poinsettia given in honor and memory of loved ones.  On this third Sunday of Advent, the Advent meditation was led by Lynn Griffin and Joan Eason.  They lit the candle representing ‘Joy’, so that it would burn along with the candles of ‘Hope’ and ‘Peace’.

The Adult II Sunday School Class of Red Oak Baptist Church honored Tonia Taylor with a birthday party on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Universal Healthcare in Nashville.  Ron Kelly and Russell Merritt provided music and Tonia enjoyed singing along.  She was also treated to cake, ice cream, chips, and drinks.  Tonia received lots of gifts!

At Beulah Church of Christ our members are really enjoying the Christmas card box. We all bring cards to other friends and put them alphabetized in a box that has been set up. Everyone rushes to the box before service begins to see all the cards that have been placed there for each of us. That way we can give cards to everyone without the high cost of postage which sometimes causes many people not to mail cards to everyone.

The 4-H Electric Club presents a captivating light show for the 2013 Christmas season, which plays every night in December from 5:30-9:00 p.m. The delightful synchronized music and light show is set up at the Nash County Ag Center in Nashville, and plays in 30-minute rounds with three-minute breaks full of Christmas music between each round.

This Christmas season is upon us, and that means many things.
First, every single commercial this month has the theme of Christmas, and most are awful. In an era of reality TV, we can’t expect much, I suppose.
Second, we are relentlessly told that Christmas is all about the shopping and gifting.   
Third, we are told the secular “true meaning of Christmas” in all types of media and social networking and at “holiday events.”

This year, it’s been a little hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit.
I know that’s hard to believe considering I have two little ones at home but I’ve been so overwhelmed with all the things I’ve had to do to prepare for not only Christmas, but also for a first birthday party (Devin’s birthday is December 21st).

Over the past few days I’ve seen the “look” that Betsy Fuller used to describe regarding last-minute Christmas shoppers. Christmas seems to have slipped up on many of us this year as the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was cut a bit short.
For newcomers –– Betsy was the owner of the former Valentine-Fuller Antiques store in downtown Nashville.

Dear Editor,
In the August 7, 2013 newspaper, you may have read of the search for our missing dog. Well, Maggie, a lab-mix breed dog, slipped from her collar when the Animal Control Officers were going to hold her while her owner, Richard ReWalt, was taken to the hospital.

There have been two recent articles in the local newspapers that represent the continuing dilemma with the minimum wage.  One presents the minimum wage as an entry level wage. The other presents the minimum wage as a living wage.

This photo was submitted by Daisy Parker Vick. Blanche Cockrell Parker, Oretha Cockrell Parker and Betty Ruth Cockrell Ezzell  are pictured at the Tar River near Rocky Mount Mills when during a period the river bed was dry. The photo is thought to be taken in 1934.

YES we love gifts and make good use of them for the Nash pets! Promoting Animal Welfare in NC (PAWNC)  handles Nash County Animal Friends (NCAF) donations and pet sponsorships (we work in partnership together). PAWNC is a 501c3, therefore gifts and donations are tax deductible (tax ID#45-4846891). PayPal to pawcarolina@gmail.com and be sure to note FOR NASH PETS!

KRYSTAL-IZED. Nash Central High School’s Krystal Atkinson (with ball) drives on Bunn’s Aaliyah Simmons during last Wednesday’s girls basketball game at the Bunn Dome. The visiting Lady Bulldogs pulled away late to earn the road conquest.

BUNN -- While some of her backyard rivals were gaining statewide notoriety in recent seasons, Nash Central High School veteran girls basketball coach Terri Cash was quietly rebuilding with the expectation of a strong 2013-14 campaign.
Cash and Company have already made plenty of noise early in the season, and added to their impressive resume’ last week with a pair of key victories.

TAYLOR’S TIME. Brad Taylor (right) enjoyed a strong senior campaign as a member of the 2013 Nash Central High School boys soccer squad. Taylor was saluted as the team’s Offensive Player of the Year at a recent awards ceremony.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School recently held its 2013 Fall Sports Awards Ceremony on the NCHS campus.
A list of honorees by sport is as follows:

TWO MORE. Nash Central Middle School guard Robbi Allen scores off a layup during Monday afternoon’s home girls basketball victory against rival Parker Middle.

NASHVILLE -- Good teams find a way to survive tough challenges, and that’s exactly what happened Monday for the Nash Central Middle School girls basketball squad.
Facing its sternest test of the young season, the undefeated Lady Trojans held off a threat from Parker Middle before pulling away down the stretch.

BUNN -- Bunn High School will host its 2013 Christmas Basketball Tournament on Dec. 27-28 at the Bunn Dome.
Tickets will be available at the gate.
Unlike last season, this year’s format will feature a team champion for both the boys and girls.
In addition to the hosts, other entrants are Riverside Martin, Clinton and Fuquay-Varina (girls) and Northern Nash, Fuquay-Varina and Chapel Hill (boys).

DESHAWN GETS DOUBLED UP. A pair of Southern Nash performers (left and middle) defend Bunn standout guard Deshawn High during last Friday’s boys basketball event at the SNHS Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- What happened?
That was the question Coach Robbie Kennedy was asking himself after the Firebirds got off to a strong start during last Friday’s home game with Bunn -- but did little else the rest of the way.
Southern, which had won at Bunn earlier in the campaign, saw the visiting Wildcats return the favor in the rematch at the SNHS Gymnasium.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are last weekend’s championship results from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football Playoffs:

AARON ON THE MARK. Aaron Spivey has shown a penchant for scoring so far for the Nash Central Bulldogs.

BUNN -- A young Nash Central boys basketball team has experienced some mixed results early in the year as Coach Renny Taylor is incorporating several new players into his rotation.
But a high point of the campaign came last Saturday as the Bulldogs took part in the Riverside Shootout in Williamston.
Taking on the homestanding Riverside squad, Nash Central rolled to an impressive 64-56 victory at Riverside’s historic gymnasium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- North Carolina Wesleyan College outscored Mid-Atlantic Christian by 30 points in the second half to secure a 91-50 victory over the Mustangs last Saturday afternoon in men’s basketball action at Everett Gymnasium.
Freshman Tamell Bradham netted a team-high 19 points to pace the Bishops, who evened their record at 4-4 on the season.

STRONG MOVE. Southern Nash’s Christiana Pulley (with ball) drives past Bunn’s Aaliyah Simmons during last Friday night’s non-conference girls basketball matchup at the SNHS Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- Two days after a tough home loss to Nash Central, the Bunn Ladycats were hoping for a quick bounceback last Friday against homestanding Southern Nash.
Bunn had gone joust-for-joust with Central for three periods, only to wilt down the stretch. It didn’t help BHS’ cause that star sophomore guard Precious Walker was unavailable due to an illness.

NASH COUNTY -- It’s already a brutal winter in parts of the country. If your boat and trailer are going to spend the winter outside exposed to the elements, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has five tips to protect your investment and prevent winter’s bitter effects from taking hold and causing problems down the road:

Nash Central’s Deztanie Hill drives the baseline for the Lady Bulldogs during last Wednesday night’s non-conference girls basketball victory against homestanding Bunn.

(L to R) Southern Nash’s Christiana Pulley and Bunn’s Jonasha Green try to reel in a loose ball during last Friday night’s girls basketball meeting at the SNHS Gymnasium.

Nash Central’s Krystal Atkinson executes an entry pass during last Wednesday evening’s road victory against the Bunn Ladycats in Franklin County.

Niya Styles provides talent and leadership for the Nash Central Lady Bulldogs.

Bunn’s Deshawn High drives for two points during last Friday’s win against Southern Nash.

Brandon Clay Jones, 31, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013. He was born in Rocky Mount on August 12, 1982 to Ernest G. Jones and Betsy King Sanderson.

Charlotte Bulluck Browning, 73, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2013. Charlotte was born on March 10, 1940 in Rocky Mount to the late, James F. and Eva Lee Bulluck.

Cynthia Fraser D’Avanzo, 79, of Zebulon, died December 10, 2013 in Highgate, St. Mary, Jamaica.

Donald Royce “Boots” Watson, 82, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013. He was born in Nash County on August 22, 1931 to the late Theodore Randolph Watson, Sr. and Pauline Todd Watson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Howell Watson; and brother, Theodore Randolph Watson, Jr.

Edward Horace Carwell, 78, passed away, Monday December 9, 2013. He was born August 6, 1935 in Johnston County to the late Roy and Nannie Utley Carwell.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one brother.

LOUISBURG – Juanita Davis Tharrington, 86, of Louisburg, passed away on December 8, 2013.

Lonie Bell Dunston, age 88 of Rocky Mount passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2013.

Louis Joseph “Joe” Heffner III passed away Sunday, December 8, 2013.  He was born June 30, 1961 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and was the son of Louis Joseph Heffner, Jr. and Dianne Valentine Heffner.  He was preceded in death by his father. 

Michael Clifton Parker, age 66, passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013. Born in Nash County on March 13, 1947, he was the son of the late Norman Clifton Parker and Rachel Bissette Parker.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Randolph Silver, 65, of Rocky Mount, died on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Sharon Kay Hull, 72, passed away, Friday December 13, 2013. She was born August 13, 1941 in Cordell, OK to the late Arthur L. and Denola Grogan Robinson. In addition to her parents she is predeceased by a brother, Eddie Robinson and sister, Carolyn Bean.

NASHVILLE –– Sylvia Brake, age 77, of Nashville, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Universal Healthcare of Nashville.