The Nash County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a teenage girl who left her Middlesex home on Sunday. 

Nash County Manager Zee Lamb unveiled an $89.2 million budget to county commissioners on Monday afternoon.
The budget presentation came after several budget workshops among commissioners and department heads.
The $89.2 million budget presented is a 1.61 percent increase from the current year’s adopted budget but a 1.24 decrease from the current year’s revised budget.

Craven Whitley

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office arrested two Middlesex men last week for kidnapping and assaulting one of the men’s ex-girlfriends.
Deputies were dispatched to a kidnapping and domestic assault on Highway 231, near Middlesex, on Thursday, May 15. When deputies arrived, they located the victim with injuries to her head and face.

SPECIAL OLYMPIC TORCH RUN –– Nash County Deputy Stan Ricks and son Logan carried the Flame of Hope participating in the 28th annual NC Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics.

Law enforcement officers from throughout North Carolina are carrying the Special Olympics Flame of Hope across the state during May to light the cauldron at the 2014 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games Opening Ceremonies on May 30 at the Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek in Raleigh.
This past Saturday, Deputy Stan Ricks, of the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, and his son, Logan, carried the torch to the Nash County Courthouse to participate in the 28th annual NC Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics.

The Town of Nashville recently received news that it had not been awarded a grant that would have helped redevelop Boddie Street. However, the town is moving forward with a phased approach in funding the redevelopment.
The Boddie Street project is considered phase two of the town’s overall Downtown Redevelopment Project.
Town Manager Preston Mitchell told council members earlier this month that although they had thought they were on target to receive the $75,000 grant, they were informed that they had not.

A Nashville woman is heading up a support group for families and friends of people incarcerated.
Robin Dunn plans to officially begin the support group, called Straight Talk, on June 16 at a special event at the American Legion Building on S. Alston Street.
Dunn said around a year ago, her son became incarcerated and as a mother, she didn’t know what to do.

A long-time employee of the Nash County Cooperative Extension was recently recognized with a customer service award.
Patricia Cotton received the Award for Excellence and Customer Service on April 30 at a special award’s luncheon.
Cotton began her extension career in 1995 with Nash County.

STOP HUNGER NOW - Kelsie Pittman pours rice while fellow volunteers look on while packaging meals at the Red Oak Community Building as part of Stop Hunger Now, which was led by Red Oak United Methodist Church.

In just a few hours, up to 100 volunteers were able to package meals to feed 20,000 people.
The meals were packaged Saturday morning as part of Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh based ministry, and will be distributed to crisis-burdened areas around the world.
The event was led by Red Oak United Methodist Church.

Herbert “Herb” Greenberg, owner of WHIG-TV in Rocky Mount died of a heart attack at the age of  65, Sunday, May 18, 2014.
Monday morning, the station announced on its website, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our leader, inspiration and the very heart of WHIG: Herb Greenberg. For now - know that WHIG continues to run the way Herb always expected it to: serving the community with information and entertainment in a reasonable and respectable manner. “

Former Nashville Fire Chief David Cheek “Pappy” Cauble Jr., 79, of Mebane,  passed away May 16, 2014.
Cauble joined the fire service in 1962 with the Wilkinson Blvd. Fire Department in Mecklenburg County, eventually reaching the rank of Chief Officer. In 1972 he was hired by Alamance County as their first County Fire Marshal where he served until 1985.

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a teenage girl who left her Middlesex home on Sunday.
Fifteen-year-old Ashley Jordyn Hughes was last seen on Sunday, May 11 at around 7:30 p.m. at her home on Hilliard Road in Middlesex.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Hughes is believed to have left on her own accord.

Dwight Winstead and Anna Carson Dempsey take a break from putting flags on veteran’s graves last week in preparation of the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday. Each year, Nashville’s American Legion Post 110 places flags on all the veterans graves at Forrest Hill Cemetery in Nashville. A Memorial Day service will be held in the cemetery on Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. at the flagpole to honor those who have died in military service.

EASON

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office has charged two individuals with breaking and entering a home off of NC Highway 97.
An activated alarm led deputies to a home on the 9000 block of Sugar Hill Road, just off of NC Highway 97, on Wednesday, May 7 around 12 p.m.
While deputies were on the way to the home, the home owners arrived and found the home had been broken into.

INCIDENTS
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 5/12/14 in the Food Lion parking lot.
A larceny (shoplifting) was reported on 5/12/14 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A breaking and entering of a residential was reported on 5/13/14 at 416 Woodfield Drive

A larceny of a motor vehicle was reported on 5/12/14 at 7840 Old Bailey Highway
A disorderly conduct was reported on 5/12/14 at 1638 S. First Street
A damage to property was reported on 5/12/14 at 11416 Hedgepeth Road
A damage to property was reported on 5/12/14 at 8544 Bend of the River Road

Nash Community College hosted the American Welding Society (AWS) Tri-State Welding Competition on Friday, April 25th. Ten students competed from Nash Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Randolph Community College, Wake Technical Community College and Central Piedmont Community College. The three judges were Kevin Shaffer from Lincoln Electric, Frank Jablonski from Machine and Welding and Russell Warhman from Wake Technical Community College.

Oak Level Ruritan President Bruno Keel (at left) presented honorary membership certificates to Ethel Mae Joyner (at right) for 40 plus years of volunteer service to the Oak Level Ruritans. The presentation was made at the club’s April meeting.

Eight students from Nashville received their bachelor’s degrees from North Carolina Wesleyan College at the college’s Commencement Ceremony on May 3.

D’Aries Elysse Wilkins, 6, of Nashville, has been chosen as a State Finalist in the National American Miss NC Pageant, to be held June 28, 2014 at the Marriott in Winston Salem.
The pageant is for ages four through six. This is Wilkins’ first pageant.
Wilkins is the daughter of Regina Alston. Her activities include being a Daily in the North Carolina Coastal Pines Girl Scouts Troop 783.

On April 22, 2014, the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners approved 66 applicants for licensure as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the state of North Carolina.
Applicants for licensure are required to pass the Uniform CPA Examination and satisfy the education, work experience, and moral character requirements of the Board.

A State Highway Patrol Officer shows the contents found in a vehicle following a mock accident at Southern Nash High School.

Students at Southern Nash High School were given the chance to witness firsthand how distracted driving can change a life.
Nash County Emergency Services, along with other local and State Emergency Services Responders, offered the Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person (VIP for a VIP) program to the school on Wednesday, May 7.

Nash Community College hosted a legislative breakfast in its Science and Technology Building on Wednesday, April 30. Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Halifax Community College Presidents shared updates with members representing the local communities in the North Carolina General Assembly. Community college administrators, trustees and faculty explained particular challenges the respective schools face due to budget cuts and limited resources including funding for technology, restrictive budgeting and staffing needs.

During a recent recognition ceremony, Nash Community College honored 43 students for one of the most prestigious academic awards: the 2014 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Plans are underway for the 7th Annual Jack Laughery Ride for Knowledge being held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Rocky Mount Harley-Davidson. The event serves as a tribute to Jack Laughery, the former CEO and chairman of the Hardee’s restaurant chain along with his wife, Helen and their love of motorcycling and support of higher education. All proceeds from the motorcycle ride benefit the Helen and Jack Laughery Honorary Scholarship Fund at Nash Community College.

Lauren Elizabeth Seale, daughter of Roger and Dionne Seale, has been awarded this year’s Ann MacPherson Weaver Memorial Scholarship at Rocky Mount Academy.  Currently an eighth grader at G. R. Edwards Middle School, Seale will attend RMA in the fall on a full-tuition scholarship, valued at over $45,000 for four years.

At a special business meeting the search for a pastor was finally completed. Faith Temple Church in Momeyer unanimously voted to welcome Pastor Anthony Ray Harrison as its New Pastor, an invitation Harrison accepted.
Harrison is a native of Nash County, a product of the Nash Rocky Mount School System and a proud graduate of Southern Nash High School.

Congratulations to Butch and Phyllis Petty on the birth of their grandson, Lukas Talmer Petty, on May 4!  Parents are Tyler and Sunny Petty.  Proud great-grandmother is Aileen Davis.
Everyone’s invited to participate in the community cookbook to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They want the whole community involved.

Sunday school began Sunday morning at 9:45 at Beulah Church of Christ. Church service followed at 10:45. Beautiful home-grown roses were placed in the church by Barbara Ricks. The Ladies Aid will be Monday, May 19, 12:00, at the fellowship hall. Hostess this month will be Frances Dunn. We still have many on our sick list. William Enroughty was in the hospital but is now out, doing a little better.

Our choir sang “When the Battle’s Over” for the call to worship. Pastor Ronnie  prayed the prayer of invocation. Algie Jones Jr. led the congregational  hymns; “The Church’s One Foundation” and “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” Prayer concerns were shared. Bobby Farmer prayed the morning prayer and for the sick and shut-ins. Our pastor welcomed everyone to the service.

The Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church Women’s Ministry, in conjunction with Red Lobster, recently adopted the Rocky Mount Bassett Center. On Tuesday, May 6, John Ring, Manager of the Rocky Mount Red Lobster, donated $500 to Chris Battle, Executive Director of the Bassett Center. Union Hill’s Women’s Ministry collects and delivers items to the Bassett Center each quarter and will continue to do so, as well as providing for any other needs the center has.

Tunisia Bullock, professional teacher and flutist, was the guest speaker at a recent Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International Society meeting.  Although an accomplished musician, her speech was not on music, but rather on organ donation and transplantation awareness.
Tunisia spent eight years of her life fighting kidney disease caused by systemic lupus.

The Oak Level Ruritan Club made several $500 contributions at its April meeting. The contributions included the Tri County Baseball League, the American Legion Post 58 Baseball Team and the Pregnancy Care Center. Pictured above, President Bruno Keel presents a $500 check to Allen Bolin, a coach with the Tri-County Baseball League.

Wednesday, May 21 from 2:30 p.m. at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, May 28 from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at BB&T, 1114 Benvenue Road, Rocky Mount
Thursday, May 29 from 2 until 6 p.m. at Spring Arbor of Rocky Mount, 1251 South Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount

“…But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

It’s amazing the things you can do on the internet nowadays.
There really is no excuse for being poor anymore. If you have access to the internet, you can make money.
Recently, a lady advertised positive pregnancy tests for sale. She was even offering a deal of two for $25! True story! The Craigslist ad boasted the tests to be useful for tricking your boyfriend into marrying you. After he commits, the ad said, you can fake a miscarriage.

We were saddened and shocked to hear the news that  owner and operator of WHIG-TV, Herb Greenberg, passed away Sunday.
I distinctly remember Herb excitedly starting his independently owned television station in 1997. It was very clear that his mission was to provide local community  broadcasting. He generously offered organizations and community event organizers the opportunity to promote themselves  and events to his viewers and provided many forums bringing the community together on live TV.

LUNCHROOM BEHAVIOR TROPHY –– This photo originally published in The Graphic June 8, 1972. Mrs. Adams’ third grade class at Red Oak Elementary School won the Lunchroom Behavior Trophy which went to the class with the best behavior during the last ten weeks of school.

After being a standout in track and field and cross country at Nash Central High School, Natalie Manning (left) has signed a letter-of-intent to become a part of the budding cross country squad at Louisburg College under Coach Jay Koloseus.

ROCKY MOUNT -- When he was hired to reorganize the Louisburg College cross country program following a several-year layoff, Jay Koloseus had a special idea of the type of runner he wanted to build around.
And Nash Central’s Natalie Manning fit all of Koloseus’ criteria.
Manning, a senior standout at NC who excelled in both cross country and track and field, inked a letter-of-intent Monday to join the revamped Hurricanes’ program.

RED OAK -- What was supposed to be a rebuilding season ended up being a building one for the Northern Nash baseball team -- and first-year skipper Leonard Allen certainly understands the difference.
Inherting a young roster with limited varsity experience, Allen wouldn’t have been surprised if the Knights rebuilt near the lower portion of the Big East Conference standings this spring.

KEY CONTRIBUTOR. Khalil Macklin excelled with both his bat and glove as a four-year standout for the Nash Central High School baseball squad. Macklin has signed to continue his career at Chowan University. (Photo Submitted by Anthony Barham)

ROCKY MOUNT -- Khalil Macklin and Garrison Vick enjoyed being teammates so much for the past three seasons, that they figured they might as well stay together for the next four years.
The Nash Central High School teammates have chosen a similar next-level path as both Vick and Macklin signed letters-of-intent Monday to join the baseball program at Chowan University.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department will be offering an Adult Co-Ed Soccer League this summer.
Regular season play will begin the week of June 16.
Players ages 16-over can sign up as teams or individuals. Each team must have between 8-12 players, with at least two females.

STANHOPE -- It takes a special passion to want to wrestle on the collegiate level -- and Southern Nash’s Jacoby Benjamin has it.
Benjamin, who has starred on the mat for the past two seasons at SNHS, has signed a letter-of-intent to continue his wrestling career at Northern Iowa Area Community College.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Tar River Cats 12-Under Travel Baseball Team took first place last weekend at the Top Gun Third Annual Battle For The Battle Tournament last weekend at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.
The Cats claimed the crown by defeating the New Bern Flames 8-0 in the championship showdown.
Tar River never looked back after scoring two runs in the first inning of action.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash continues to ascend new heights during its improbable latter half of the 2014 prep softball season.
Southern, which at one time appeared headed toward a dismal campaign, rebounded at the midpoint of the schedule and eventually tied for the Big East Conference championship.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department’s Spring Youth Soccer Season:

ELM CITY -- After a night of very heavy rain, everyone was ready for the Road to Jamaica 50 lap featuring the Ultimate Super Late Models at County Line Raceway.
With 5 divisions running, including the Super Stock 4’s, Pure Stock 4’s, PL Woodard Pure Stock V8’s, the ARCO Restoration Thunder & Lightning the Ultimate Super Late Models were the icing on the cake for a full night of racing.

NASH COUNTY -- From both a team and individual perspective, the Big East Conference enjoyed another strong boys tennis campaign this spring.
The Southern Nash Firebirds, who won the regular season league championship, made yet another deep run in the Class 3-A State Playoffs under veteran head coach Brad Joyner.

GREENSBORO -- Rocky Mount High School senior standout Dante Battle has earned a spot on the East Team for the annual North Carolina East-West All-Star Basketball Game.
The event will be staged July 21 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Battle, a post player, has signed a letter-of-intent to continue his career at Wallace State-Hanceville Community College, which is coached by former Louisburg College skipper John Meeks.

ZEBULON -- Todd Hankins drove in two runs with a double and made stellar plays in the field to help the Carolina Mudcats bounce the Salem Red Sox 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium in Class A Carolina League baseball action.
The Mudcats (20-20) snapped a four-game losing streak and salvaged a win in the series. The Red Sox fell to 23-19.

IRVING, TEXAS -- Following its extra inning walk-off series win over UTSA, East Carolina University will take aim for its first post-season league title since 2002 when it opens play as the No. 6 seed at the 2014 Conference USA Baseball Championships.
The five-day event will start today and run through Sunday at Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Nash Arts Center will present Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, Adapted by Jim Singleton May 29, 30, 31; June 5, 6, & 7. Shows are at 7 p.m. Admission is $12. For more information call 252-459-4734 or visit www.nasharts.org

Andrew Willis

Six talented musicians will join their talents to provide a special recital at Cherry Hill Plantation in  Warren County.
The event will be a preview of recital of music to be presented at the UNCG Focus on Piano Literature that scheduled for early June.

BATTLEBORO —Funeral services for Bernice Ann Thorne Mills, 79, who died Tuesday, May 13, 2014, were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at New Hope Baptist Church, with the Rev. Travis J. Lockett officiating. Burial followed in the Pleasant Grove Church cemetery.

NASHVILLE -  Brenda Sikes Gurganus  passed away May 15, 2014. Born in Nash County on August 25, 1969, she was the daughter of Lois Joyner Sikes of Rocky Mount and the late Chester Sikes.

WOODBRIDGE, VA-Funeral services for Danny E. Dale Jr., 36, formerly of Nash County, who died Friday, May 9, 2014, were held Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Pine Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Hedgepeth officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

David Lee Burnworth, 69, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014.  He was born in Indiana July 7, 1944 to the late Harry Rex and Helen Walton Burnworth.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Dennis Ray Battle, Jr. 21, of Rocky Mount, died on May 16, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Jason Javon Britt, 29, of Rocky Mount, died on May 16, 2014.

Jessie Dan Web, 71, passed away May 16, 2014. He was born in Rocky Mount on June 25, 1942 to the late Thad and Nannie Mae Webb.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Kenneth Lavonn “Big Red” Macklin, 64, of Rocky Mount, died on Thursday, May 8, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Kyol Germane Allen-Gailliard, 27, of Rocky Mount, and formerly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died on May 16, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Lizzie (Dickens) King, 93, of Rocky Mount, died on May 18, 2014.

HOLLISTER-Funeral services for Melissa “Sissy” Hawes-Lynch, 39, who died Thursday, May 15, 2014, will be held at 1 p.m. today (Wednesday, May 21), at Faith Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Al Morris Lynch officiating. Burial will follow in the Mills family cemetery.

OKALOOSA, FLORIDA –– Sadine Harris, 59, of Okaloosa, Florida, and formerly of Rocky Mount, died on May 14, 2014.

Vickie Harris Mathis, 59, passed away Friday, May 16, 2014. She was born February 10, 1955 in Halifax County to the late William “Bill” and Pauline “Polly” Proctor Harris. Vickie is also preceded in death by her brother, Donald Ray Harris.

ROCKY MOUNT, –– William Arthur Cooper, 65, of Rocky Mount, died on May 15, 2014.