The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education and officials with Nash Community College celebrated CITI High School on Monday afternoon with a ribbon cutting.
The new school is considered a Cooperative Innovative High School program and is a partnership between the school system and Nash Community College.
The new school, which stands Center for Industry, Technology and Innovation, would enable students to graduate with an AAS degree, diploma or multiple certificates to prepare them for work.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual membership meeting Tuesday night honoring the 2018 Business of the Year and the Beyond the Call of Duty Award recipient.
Jamey Baines, Town of Nashville Public Works Director, was presented the Beyond the Call of Duty Award while Farm Bureau of Nashville was noted as Business of the Year.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce recognized Farm Bureau of Nashville as its 2018 Business of the Year Tuesday night during its annual membership meeting. Pictured above, Nashville Chamber Vice-President Cliff Joyner (left) presents the award to Farm Bureau's Agency Manager Dan Cone.

A detention officer with the Nash County Sheriff's Office has been charged with providing cell phones to inmates.
Quintin Cardell Higgs, 26, of Rocky Mount, was arrested on Tuesday, July 17 and charged with eight felony counts of giving or selling a phone or electronic device to an inmate at the Nash County Detention Center.

Rick Thomason was named the Marine of the Year by the Cpl. Suzi Sannes Detachment 1262 in November 2016. He was also named the Department of North Carolina's Marine of the Year in 2016. Last month, he received another top honor, as Thomason received the Marine Corps League Mideast Division Marine of the Year Award for 2018.

Nashville Police suspect youth are the culprits for two vandalisms that occurred at Nashville Elementary School last week.
Sergeant Steve Glover said the school was broken into on two different occasions last week, on Monday, July 9 and Wednesday July 11. Both times, Glover said windows were busted out so someone could climb through and open the door. A rock was then placed in the door to keep it open.

"Heroin, it'll take your morals, it'll take your respect, it'll take everything from you and it won't give none of it back."
The real-life, unaltered stories of local families affected by addiction are shared in a documentary produced by a local man and first shared last week at a fund-raising event for the HOPE initiative.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education plans to move forward with setting up town hall meetings for the community to hear presentations and ask questions on the proposal of building a new elementary school in the northern part of the county.
The Board of Education, along with the Nash County Board of Commissioners, are looking at consolidating Cedar Grove Elementary School, Swift Creek Elementary School and Red Oak Elementary School into one, newly built school.

Filing for the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education is moving at a slow pace, with only three filing so far for the five available seats.
Of those who have filed, two have filed for the District 9 seat. Incumbent LaShawnda Washington has filed to run and will face challenger Robert Cordell.
In addition, Edmond Keen Grazely has filed for the District 6 Board of Education seat. The District 6 seat is currently held by Wayne Doll.

Nash Community College and North Carolina State University (NCSU) signed an agreement recently for a dual admission program promoting transfer from the community college into the university. The NC State Community Collaboration (NC State C3) program creates predictable pathways from NC community colleges to NCSU providing high achieving, low-to-moderate income students with affordable access to higher education.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from July 9 through 13.

INCIDENTS
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 7/9/18 at Nashville Elementary School, 209 E Virginia Avenue
A larceny was reported on 7/10/18 at 221 W Vale Street

Alex Vire tries to balance cookies on his head during a "Minute to Win It" game at Cooley Library last week.

Nashville's H.D. Cooley Library is in the midst of its annual Summer Reading Program.
The library has offered lots of programs for both youth and adults to enjoy this summer.
On Thursday, July 5, the library hosted a rock painting party, where youth could paint their own rocks to take home.

Members of the Red Oak High School Class of 1958 attended the 100th Alumni Banquet on April 20. Pictured (L-R) is: Evelyn Pittman Frazier, Buddy Hull, John F. Griffin, III, Violet Harper Lanier, Wilma Griffin Enroughty, Carolyn Hunt Matthews and Coak May.

Members and guests of the Red Oak High School Class of 1958 met at the Red Oak Community Building on April 21 for their 60th reunion.

Nash Community College celebrated National Pollinator Week June 18 through 24. As a certified affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, NCC has a Bee Campus USA committee, a Campus Pollinator Habitat Plan featuring locally native, pollinator-friendly plants and a least toxic integrated pest management (IPM) plan. The campus hosts annual events to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and annually sponsors and tracks student service projects to enhance pollinator habitats on-and off-campus. NCC biennially offers a pollinator protection course and incorporates pollinator protection topics into curriculum.

Bethel Heroes Chapter 636, UDC selected officers for 2018-2020. They are pictured on the frow row (L-R): Edith Coggin Whitby, president; and Traci Thompson, historian. On the back row (L-R): Marianne Matthews, recording secretary; Margaret Wells Cobb, treasurer; Donna Green Boykin, registrar; Margaret McIntyre Sink, recorder of military service awards. Not pictured, Connie Cobb, vice-president and Claire Todd second vice-president.

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

AgCarolina Farm Credit's annual photo calendar contest is in progress at AgCarolina.com. Members, employees, and friends of AgCarolina can submit photo entries via the website until July 31, 2018.
"We have received many lovely images so far and look forward to many more great photo submissions from throughout eastern North Carolina for our photo contest," said Skipper Jones, AgCarolina Farm Credit Sr. VP of Marketing and Communication.

Do you ever have those times when you can't believe what you just said, or worse yet, what you just did? Sure you have.
We all know there's no such thing as a perfect Christian, but I hate those looks I get from other believers when they realize I'm not as perfect as they are. I wonder sometimes if they know how silly they appear when they look down their noses at me.

The members of the Women in Action Group at Red Oak Baptist Church prepared and served supper at the homeless shelter in Rocky Mount on Saturday, July 14. Meal included hot dogs and fixings, chips, cake, and lemonade. Everyone had a great time. Those participating included Jeanette and Hazel Hill, Audrey and Suzy Pearce, Linda Sheets, Marion Faulkner, Maureen Williams, Barbara Mitchell, Rochelle Bass, and Lisa Carp ( and husband, Justin).

Sandy Cross United Methodist Church recently announced the arrival of Reverend Eric Packard and his family to the church.
Packard, his wife Karen and their two boys, Noah, 14, and Eli, 9, come from Johnston County, where they have lived since 2001.
Packard recently completed his Master of Divinity Degree at Duke Divinity School in Durham with a full scholarship as a Thriving Rural Communities Fellow.

One hundred seventy years after the founding, Chowan University graduated its largest class in the school's history.
The event took place in the Helms Center on the Chowan University campus where family and friends joined to celebrate the 234 graduates as they walked across the Commencement stage on May 5, 2018 to receive their degrees.

Keren Harper of Nashville joined other new students as Bob Jones University hosted summer orientation in June.
Incoming students and their parents attended informational sessions about the BJU experience, had the opportunity to ask questions regarding academics, financial aid and student life and became familiar with the campus.

Audrey Nash, daughter of Lori and Terry Nash of Nashville, graduated from Saint Mary's School in Raleigh on Sunday, May 20. She was among 72 high school seniors receiving diplomas from Head of School Brendan O'Shea during Saint Mary's 176th year commencement exercises held in the school's oak grove, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Katlyn Grasso, founder and CEO of GenHERation, delivered the commencement address.

Rodderiqus Johnson of Nashville has received his Bachelor of Science in IT - Security Emphasis degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university held its 64th (Orlando, Florida); 65th (Seattle, Washington); and 66th (Las Vegas, Nevada) commencement ceremonies earlier this year to celebrate the recent graduation of more than 15,000 students from across the country.

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

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

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

Nashville's Public Works Director Jamey Baines (right) was recognized Tuesday night by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce with the 2018 Beyond the Call of Duty Award. Presenting the award to Baines is Nashville Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Cliff Joyner.

Nashville Mayor Donald Street (left) congratulates Jamey Baines on his Beyond the Call of Duty Award.

A beginning and intermediate sewing camp was held last week at the Nash County Agricultural Center. Pictured are those who participated in the intermediate sewing camp. On the front row (L-R) is: Madison Hill, Page Strickland and Bryleigh Colbert. On the back row (L-R) is: Phoebe Young, Liberty Henderson, Jayla Barnes and Megan Garciaga.

Avery Vanhouten feeds a horse hay during a horse camp last month.

August Vester rides a horse during 4-H Horse Camp last month.

Nashville Chamber of Commerce President Mary Grace Daughtridge (left) presents Anna Thompson a $500 scholarship to be used towards her college expenses.

Nashville Chamber of Commerce President Mary Grace Daughtridge (left) presents Raven Colbert a $500 scholarship to be used towards her college expenses.

Nashville Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Cliff Joyner (center) presents Payton Bass (right) a $500 scholarship to be used towards his college expenses. Pictured left is Payton's mother, Susan Bass.

I missed a good dam one.
I try not to give reruns too often in columns, either in content or topic.
But last week, I gave some examples of how there are plenty of good people left in this world and in this area in particular.

Last week, I attended the premier of a documentary, "The Cost of Living High," at NC Wesleyan College.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I knew the documentary was on the opioid crisis but some documentary's try to sugarcoat things a bit because the reality of addiction can make you cringe.

Nashville's son, Jamey Baines, was honored by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night with the 2018 Beyond the Call of Duty Award. Jamey is truly, truly deserving of this award. And when I refer to him as Nashville's son -- that's exactly what Jamey Baines represents.
Chamber vice-president Cliff Joyner mentioned when presenting the award that Jamey grew up at his family's hardware business in downtown Nashville.

This Nashville home was built in 1948 as the home of Dr. Gorham by contractor Charles Ross Cone, Sr. of Castalia The home was built with hand saws.

COMFORTABLE VICTORY. Nash Rec's Langdon Norris roars to a win in the Boys 18-Under IM event during last Thursday's home meet against Nash-Halifax Swim League rival Birchwood CC in Nashville.

NASHVILLE - Five weeks into the Nash-Halifax Swim League regular season, no team seems to be capable of matching Nash Rec's talent and overall depth.
Nash Rec, the defending N-HSL champion, remained undefeated at 5-0 last Thursday with a 538-134 home decision against backyard rival Birchwood at the NRST Pool.

IN A CROWD. Nash Central High School's Robbi Allen (right) jousts for position during Monday night's annual East-West All-Star Girls Basketball Game, which was held at the Greensboro Coliseum.

GREENSBORO -- When she arrived at Nash Central High School as a freshman, it was understood that Robbi Allen had the potential to one day earn a college scholarship -- and possibly have the opportunity to shine on one of the state's biggest girls basketball stages.
That's exactly how things played out, but the journey was certainly more circuitous than anyone -- including Allen -- could have anticipated.

CATCH THIS. Da'Shawn Liggins was an exceptional wide receiver last season for Northern Nash High School.

RED OAK -- Da'Shawn Liggins has done a lot for Northern Nash High School over his past few years.
All of the graduate's efforts were celebrated last Thursday when he signed to play football with St. Andrew's University outside of the Northern Nash Gymnasium.
St. Andrews, a private liberal arts college, competes at the NAIA level in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

ZEBULON -- Devin Hairston went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and two RBI, Weston Wilson had three hits and Nick Roscetti drove in two runs, but the host Carolina Mudcats fell 6-5 to the Hillcats on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium in a Class A Carolina League baseball matchup.
The Hillcats (14-10, 43-48) totaled 15 hits and took a two games to one lead in the four game set with Sunday's matinée victory over Carolina (13-10, 47-46).

RED OAK -- Northern Nash High School's challenging 2018 varsity football schedule will begin Aug. 17 on the road against Hillsborough Orange.
The Knights' home opener will be on Aug. 24 versus Southeast Raleigh.

Garret Lewis has been outstanding this season for the Nash Rec Swim Team, which improved to 5-0 overall with a home victory last Thursday against the Birchwood Barracudas. Nash Rec will wrap up its regular season schedule today on the road versus Westridge Swim Team in Rocky Mount.

BIRCHWOOD'S FRANKLIN DAVIS

NASH REC'S PEYTON BISSETTE

BIRCHWOOD'S BLAINE HALE