WILLIAMS

Nashville will soon lose two of its leadership positions to retirement.
Nashville Fire Chief Randy Goodbrod and Public Works Director Larry Williams will both retire at the end of the month.
Williams has been with the town full-time since 1993.
Goodbrod was hired in May 2011 to serve as the town's fire chief. Goodbrod came from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Nashville's newest council member was sworn in on Tuesday night at the board's last regular meeting of 2017.
Kate Burns was sworn in by District Court Judge John J. Covolo at the start of the meeting.
Burns was elected to serve in the seat previously held by Michael Coleman.

Cooley Library and Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources are teaming up to offer youth some holiday fun this Saturday, December 9.
The fun will begin at 6 p.m. with Storytime with Santa. Santa will read to children, hear their wish lists and hand out wrapped books.
"He's going to read The Night Before Christmas, said Library Director Emily Enderle. "We want kids to associate books with Santa."

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Christmas Celebration and Children's Parade Saturday. Pictured above, London Hill, 4, sits with Santa after the parade to give him her Christmas wish list.

Spring Hope now has two new commissioners serving on its board.
Newly elected officials Brent Cone and G.R. Tucker were sworn in during the public town hall meeting Monday night.
Cone and Tucker are replacing Commissioners Daryl Emig and Lee Bissett respectively.

HOLIDAY CLOGGING -- Dancers from At the Barre Dance Academy's clogging team provided entertainment at the 4-H Festival of Tables event.

Nash County 4-H hosted its third annual Festival of Tables event on Friday night, with over 130 participating in the event.
Sandy Hall, 4-H Extension Agent and Nash County Cooperative Extension Director, said the event continues to grow.
"I think it was the best one we've had," Hall said. "We were pleased with all the tables."

John Morgan

FRANKLINTON -- John Morgan, a man apparently fueled by a history of drugs, alcohol and his own demons, was charged with killing his 83-year-old father on Nov. 26.
It has left the friends of Richard Morgan Jr. mourning the passing of a longtime businessman and even better friend.
"He was a good businessman and he helped a lot of people," said Joe Cutchins, a man who called Morgan his neighbor for 30 years.

INCIDENTS
A dog bite was reported on 11/29/17 at 105 Circle Drive
A hit and run was reported on 12/1/17 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

A domestic assault was reported on 11/26/17 on Rackley Road
An exploited a disabled elder was reported on 11/26/17 at 2528 Wintergreen Road
A possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on 11/26/17 on I-96 southbound at the 136 mile marker

The Nash County Sheriff's Office Highway Interdiction Team arrested two Georgia residents after finding cocaine in their vehicle.
Members of the team conducted a traffic stop on I-95, north of Goldrock, near the 148 mile-marker for a traffic violation on Thursday, November 30. The occupants of the vehicle indicated they were traveling to Emporia, Virginia.

A Rocky Mount man was arrestsed last week after trying to run over a law enforcement officer.
According to a press release, members of the Tar River Regional Drug Task Force conducted a search warrant at 8766 Mill Branch Road, Rocky Mount last Tuesday, November 28.

Melissa Kay House and Daniel Lee West were united in marriage at Calvary Baptist Church in Rocky Mount at 2 p.m. on November 18, 2017. Rev. Brandon Dees officiated the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Tonya Moore House and the late Michael Keith House.

Two commissioners were sworn in by Judge Anthony Brown during a brief ceremony at Castalia's regular town board meeting on Tuesday. Commissioner Brian Hinkle was re-elected to his current position, and Carlyle Hall, Jr., pastor of Castalia Baptist Church was newly elected as a Commissioner. Hall will join the board at the next meeting.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from November 27 to December 1.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Nashville Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Bailey Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Bailey Elementary School partnered with the Kramden Institute of Durham and Southern Bank to give home computers to 60 students on Wednesday, November 29. Kramden Institute is an organization that seeks to provide technology tools and training in order to bridge the digital divide. Through the Kramden Tech Scholars program, the institute donates computers to students in grades 3-12 who do not have a home computer.

On November 18, 2017, the Southern Nash High School (SNHS) band was featured in a Magic Kingdom parade at Walt Disney Word. SNHS was one of only two bands selected to march in the 6:45 p.m. parade that day. The parade route took band members down Magic Kingdom's Main Street in front of the park's iconic Cinderella Castle. Participating in the parade was the grand finale of the band's trip to Walt Disney World, a trip that took a year to plan and organize.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Cedar Grove Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Jerry Emerson, Jack Murray, Joe Goarck, Vince Sievert, US Navy Sub Vets, stand in front of a WWII MK-14 Torpedo which sank 5.3 million tons of Japanese Shipping in WW II.

Bailey Elementary students are all smiles at the Bailey Christmas Parade. Pictured, left to right, are Penny Gardner with Alondra Rangel, Payton Vick, Axel Beltran, Johnathan Hendry and Elijah Jones.

Chubby's Pizza rides in the parade.

Cub Scouts Troop #185 of Sims ride in the Bailey Christmas Parade.

Jalyan Davis (left) and Stacy Davis ride on the "Standing On His Words Ministry," Sims, float.

Santa and Mrs. Claus prepare for the Bailey Christmas Parade.

Pictured (L-R) is Hailey Couch, Lucas Couch and Emma Cotton, who won second place and $25 on Saturday for their costumes. Hailey and Emma were Cindy Lou Who and Lucas was Frosty the Snowman.

Brothers Corbin and Devin Clark (front L-R) dressed as reindeer while their younger brother, Brendin, 2, was Santa for Nashville's Children's Christmas Parade on Saturday. The Clark brothers won first place and $50 for their decoration.

Jillian Hale won third place and $25 for her festive scooter decoration.

Raylee Richardson included her Native American heritage into her decoration on Saturday. Richardson is part of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe in Hollister.

Chayce Lynch, at right, tells Santa his Christmas wish list on Saturday at Nashville's Christmas celebration, which included a Children's parade. Santa arrived on a fire truck to greet children and then heard their wishes in the Nash County Administration Building.

Nashville's Police Department is home to a special Christmas tree this holiday season.
The North Carolina Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial Tree was put up on Sunday afternoon outside of Nashville's Police Department.
This year, 555 names hang on the tree. The names are of those law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in North Carolina.

The Town of Nashville Fire Department, in conjunction with Nash Women's Center at Nash UNCH Healthcare, will hold a Child Passenger Safety check point on Saturday, December 9 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The check point is free and will be held in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 1205 Eastern Avenue, Nashville.

Nash County Commissioner Chair Robbie Davis announced on Monday that the board would remain neutral on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, after opponents again pleaded with commissioners to pass a resolution against the pipeline.
A handful of opponents have attended the last few county board meetings asking that the board support a resolution against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which is proposed to come through Nash County.

Fourteen schools in the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools District were recognized by the Board of Education on Monday night.
The schools were recognized by the State Department of Public Instruction for meeting academic growth during the 2016-2017 school year and received certificates. The Nash-Rocky Mount Early College was also issued a certificate for having a 100 percent graduation rate during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Everyone had a great time at "Reaching Russia", the International Mission Study, at Red Oak Baptist Church! The evening began with Russian tea cakes and black tea for refreshments which are a tradition at Christmas. Following an introduction by Audrey and Suzy Pearce, participants divided by their age group including preschoolers, children, youth, and adults to attend their studies which focused on reaching Muslims in Russia.

Thursday, December 7 from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the City of Rocky Mount employees, 1221 Thorpe Road, Rocky Mount
Sunday, December 10 from 7 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Word Tabernacle Church, 821 Word Plaza, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, December 13 from 1 until 5 p.m. at State Employees Credit Union, 1201 Eastern Avenue, Nashville

On last Sunday, as I officially began preaching through the Gospel according to Luke, I began by observing a few moments of silence. This moment of silence was in relation to my sermon title, "The Silence Is Broken." As it was time for the morning sermon, I just stood at the pulpit without saying a word. Because this was1 unannounced, I stood and watched the congregation as one by one they began to look up and wonder why i was not speaking.

Well my fellow Followers of the Way, it's here - the 2017 Advent season is upon us, which means it's the start of a brand new year in the church calendar. Though the world follows the Gregorian calendar which hails from Roman gods and emperors, it's important to know the church calendar as it reminds us each year of the life of Jesus.

On a beautiful autumn Sunday morning, Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship. It being the first Sunday in Advent, the candle of 'Hope' was lit in the Advent wreath.
Jane May, church pianist, was welcomed back after being out for a while recovering from surgery. She is a gifted and dedicated musician, who is greatly appreciated for her talent and dedication to Peachtree Church.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nicholas A. Cooper graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

It's that time again around our house, when the children are required to turn in their Christmas lists.
All lists are required to be typed in 12-point Times Roman, double-spaced with one-inch margins, MLA style. Complete sentences are not required, but punctuation and capitalization is always well regarded.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a field trip with Corbin's class at school, along with other first and second graders.
I discovered one thing during this fun and exciting adventure; teachers need a raise!
Famous athletes, rock stars and those Kardashian people have nothing on teachers!

Dear Editor: I would like to thank Sheriff Stone, the members of his department, and the Tar River Regional Drug Task Force for all their efforts in removing drugs from our county and the communities of the county.

CHRISTMAS TREES --This photo originally published on December 3, 1981. Nashville Jaycees Gene Bass, left, and Ross Strickland show some of the club's Christmas trees to then Acting Nashville Police Chief Donald Skinner. The lot was located on Cross Street.

For the first time this season, all of Nash County's four high school wrestling teams were in action at the same facility last Saturday.

ROCKY MOUNT -- For the first time this season, all of Nash County's four high school wrestling teams were in action at the same facility last Saturday.
That's when Rocky Mount hosted its annual Grant Wilder Invitational Tournament, which features an individual format -- as opposed to a dual-team schedule.
Certainly, a full day of action was in order for fans, competitors and coaches -- albeit with a one-hour delay due to a scheduling snafu.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College Bishops hosted their 30th Annual Roger Taylor Invitational Men's Basketball Tournament last Friday and Saturday in Everett Gym, splitting a pair of games behind the play of All-Classic picks A.J. Frye and Robert Wilson.
Last Friday's action kicked off with undefeated Virginia Wesleyan University downing Greensboro College by 101-83 score.

POINT PRESENCE. Southern Nash point guard Aaliyah Newkirk (with ball) attempts to drive during last Friday's game versus Nash Central.

STANHOPE -- Thanks to an appropriately named player, Southern Nash almost scored a miraculous comeback last Friday against long-time rival Nash Central in non-league girls basketball action.
With Stacie Winner pouring in threeballs in the second half in prolific fashion, the Ladybirds just about erased what appeared to be an insurmountable Nash Central advantage in the second half of action.

NASHVILLE -- Nash Central Middle School's basketball schedule will open today at home against Parker Middle School in Tri-County Conference hoops action.
The girls game will begin at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the boys event. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Minnie White (girls) and Mitchell Wells (boys) return as the head coaches for Nash Central.

ZEBULON -- Once again, the Carolina Mudcats are offering holiday ticket and gift packages for the baseball fan on your list.
The Santa's Cap Pack costs $50 and features the following amenities:

Nash Central's Chris High drives for a basket for the Bulldogs during last Friday night's non-conference boys hoops meeting on the road versus Southern Nash.

STANHOPE -- As a senior transfer from nearby Bunn High School, Southern Nash's Jalen Lucas might not be currently known to some Firebirds' basketball fans.
But that is quickly changing -- especially after Lucas' clutch-time performance last Friday against backyard rival Nash Central.
Lucas and the Firebirds trailed heading into the closing period, but he made some huge plays down the stretch to help Southern Nash rally for a 48-43 decision over the Bulldogs in what is now a non-conference meeting at the SNHS Gymnasium.

CHAPEL HILL - The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has announced the game times for the 104th annual Football State Championships.
All eight games will be played this Saturday at four locations across North Carolina and be televised by a network of stations across the state put together by Sinclair Broadcasting Group.

GREENVILLE -- Season tickets for the 2018 East Carolina University baseball and softball campaigns are currently on sale and can be ordered through ECUPirates.com or by calling (252) 737-4500.
Renewal applications for both teams are in the process of being mailed to 2017 season ticket holders, but fans can utilize ECU's Online Ticket Center (http://bit.ly/2gJlK0Y), reserve by phone or visit the ticket box office in the meantime to make purchases by the January 12 deadline.

RED OAK -- Red Oak Middle School will kick off its 2017-18 boys and girls basketball campaigns today at home against rival Edwards Middle School.
The girls event will tip off at 4 p.m. and will be followed by the boys contest at the ROMS Gymnasium.
Russell Rouse (girls) and Kristian Cox (boys) will once again return as the head coaches for Red Oak.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Senior KeChae Parker poured in 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead her North Carolina Wesleyan College Battling Bishop women's basketball team to a 75-58 win over Mary Baldwin University on Sunday in Everett Gym on the NCWC campus.
The USA South victory is Wesleyan's first of the season after the team dropped its league opener on Saturday to Ferrum by a 53-44 score.

Nashville Academy of Martial Arts held a belt test on November 18, with two students testing. Pictured (L-R) are: Trey Evans, Caleb May, who earned his green belt with black stripe; Chris May, who earned his green belt and Brandon Bunn. Pictured kneeling is Sensei Allen Clark, owner and instructor for Nashville Academy of Martial Arts.

Darius Edmundson (left) will provide a key frontline presence this season for the Southern Nash High School boys basketball squad under the tutelage of veteran head coach Robbie Kennedy.

Northern Nash's Ari Barnes (right) surveys the situation during a match as part of last Saturday's Grant Wilder Invitational Wrestling Tournament at Rocky Mount High School.

(L to R) Northern Nash's Jayvien Romney and Nash Central's Montevius Joyner get tied up during last Saturday's wrestling action at the annual Grant Wilder Invitational Tournament, which was staged on the campus of Rocky Mount High School.

The national award-winning Tar River Children's Chorus will present "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, December 8, at Fellowship Church, 1114 S. 1st St., in Nashville.
Celebrating its 26th year of music-making with 70 children, ages 9 to 18, the Chorus promises the sweetest Christmas sounds in the region, with flutes, percussion, the Tar River Strings and the Tar River String Quartet.