The Town of Nashville has hired Spring Hope's Chief of Police to lead its police department, the town announced in a press release last Thursday.
Anthony Puckett was selected from a pool of 12 applicants and will begin his duties on June 18 at an annual salary of $64,584.
Puckett has served as Spring Hope's Chief of Police for five years.

The body of an adult male was discovered when investigating a house fire Tuesday at 7515 Strickland Road in Bailey. (Contributed photo)

A Bailey woman was charged with first degree murder and first degree arson after authorities responding to a suspicious fire on Tuesday discovered a body inside the home.
The body of Marcelino Ponce-Gonzales, 59, was found in a bedroom of the mobile home at 7515 Strickland Road in Bailey while a search of the home was being conducted to determine the cause of a fire that authorities had deemed suspicious.

SHARPE

Two Rocky Mount men have been charged with stealing a farm truck on Monday.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office responded to 10983 NC 33 in Whitakers in reference to a Fisher Farms company work truck being stolen while the employees were working in a field.

The playground area at Glover Park is getting a makeover.
Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Marguerite Bishop told council members last week that the town had been selected as the recipient of the 2019 North Carolina Recreation and Park Association's (NCRPA) Healthy Play and Recreation Initiative.

H.D. Cooley Library is in the midst of its busy season and on Saturday, the library will host a kick-off to the Summer Reading Program.
ScienceTellers will return to the library on Saturday at 12 p.m. with an alien-themed adventure.
Library Director Emily Enderle said ScienceTellers is a very popular program and was also the kick-off attraction last year.

Nash County's Board of Commissioners received an update on the Miracle Park at Coopers last month during a board meeting. In addition, a request was made to include scoreboards and lighting of the scoreboards in phase one.
Phase one of the park is nearing completion, though contractors did get awarded some rain date extensions.

An airplane traveling from Naples, Florida to Easton, Maryland last Friday crashed in Nash County, killing all on board.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol was notified around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7 that a plan had gone missing and had possibly crashed in Nash County.
The last reported radar indicaiton of the plan was in the area of NC Highway 43 and Harrison Road.

The Brooklyn community will host its second annual Nashville Neighborhood Day on June 22 at Glover Park.
Former Brooklyn community resident Mary Richardson spoke before Nashville's Town Council last week, inviting the mayor and town board to attend the event.
Richardson came up with the idea to host the event last year and said it went so well, she decided to do it again.

Two people were rushed to the hospital, one by land, the other by air, following a two-vehicle spinning crash on Monday.
According to Trooper J.T. Southerland, Jerlean Alston, 57, of Castalia, was heading east on N.C. 56 near Leonard Farm Road when the 2006 Jeep Liberty she was driving hydroplaned just before 2 p.m.

Nash Community College celebrated Curriculum commencement on Friday, May 17, recognizing 555 students for completion of 680 degrees, diplomas and certificates at the College's fifty-first annual graduation ceremony.
North Carolina Senator Rick Horner delivered the keynote address at the ceremony held in Brown Auditorium.

INCIDENTS
A missing person was reported on 6/7/19 at 114 Wheeless Drive
A possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on 6/8/19 at 101 W Washington Street

A suspect in an armed robbery last Friday night in Rocky Mount was killed in a car accident while fleeing law enforcement.
The Rocky Mount Police Department was called around 9:51 p.m. on June 7 to investigate a robbery of an individual in the 800 block of Jeffreys Road. Three armed suspects allegedly took the victim's van and fled the area.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from June 3 through 7.

H.D. Cooley Library hosted a Lighthouse Craft on Friday, May 24 at the library for youth. Library Aide Melody Pridgen led the youth in creating a lighthouse.

Nashville's Business and Professional Women hosted the First Annual Taste of Nash County on Tuesday, June 11 at Nash Community College. The event was a fundraiser for the organization's Hazel Valentine Scholarship Fund. Thirteen vendors participated in the event, providing samples to the over 100 people who came out. Pictured above, Glenn and Dale Joyner spent their 25th anniversary at the event, sampling local businesses' foods.

Nashville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Director Marguerite Bishop (far right) helps Joselyn Bryant, 6, (at left) get her bicycle ready to ride around an obstacle course.

The Town of Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department hosted a Bike Rodeo on May 24 in the parking area of Richardson Court Apartments.
Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Director Marguerite Bishop said a grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation's made the event possible.

North Carolina Wesleyan President Dr. Dewey Clark has announced his resignation.
The Executive Committee of the North Carolina Wesleyan College's Board of Trustees received and accepted President Dewey Clark's immediate resignation on Monday, June 10.

Grant funding has helped Nash County Soil and Water Conservation clear debris from the Tar River and Stoney Creek.
Phase one of the project was recently completed, Nash County officials recently announced.
Work on the 25-mile cleanup began in September 2018 with a crew removing natural debris from the Tar River, starting at the reservoir dam and Stoney Creek in Nashville. Phase one of the project reached the dam located at Rocky Mount Mills.

Nash County 4-H Sew What Club members hold burp cloths they made during the April meeting. The burp cloths will be donated to the Pregnancy Center in Rocky Mount. Members displaying their handiwork are Victoria Terron, Sophia Terron, Audrey Roeder, Lilly Freed, Sadie Sheffield and Jalyn Barnes. The second row is Megan Garciga and Liberty Henderson.

The Coopers Ruritan Club welcomed our guest speaker, Wanda Bunn. Wanda has been with 4-H in Nash County for 30 plus years. She talked about some of the things she does it's the Lucky Spurs horse club. She also had information about the upcoming summer camp program that she will be working with.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
No one was more prepared to speak on the subject of vanity than Solomon. He lived a life chasing all the traps that his money could set for him. After he finally learned that it would get him nowhere, he wrote a book about it and called it Ecclesiastes.

What a beautiful day for a celebration! People from New Mexico, Arizona, Missouri, Delaware, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and more traveled to Camp Mundo Vista to celebrate the camp's 50th Anniversary on Saturday, June 1! Amy Cary, Karen Girona, Marion Faulkner, Audrey Pearce, and Suzy Pearce from Red Oak enjoyed the celebration. Camp Mundo Vista is located in Sophia, NC near Asheboro.

At Kingdom International Church, Youth Pastor Steve Massey opened the service with announcements and prayer. Pastor Daniel Moss brought the morning message from Galatians 3 "Jesus Breaks the Curse."
KIC had a baptism this past Sunday at the home of Daniel and Amanda Moss with approximately 10 people being baptized.

One of the hardest parts of being in ministry, especially as a former therapist, is not being able to offer an instant solution to someone experiencing adversity. Oftentimes there is no quick-fix suggestion or magic wand I can wave over someone's troubles to make them disappear. From marital strife, to addiction, to depression, to parenting challenges, to financial strains, to grief and loss. Whatever the stressor, life can be hard. So can rising above the hardship.

This past Sunday The Peachtree Baptist Church Congregation family and friends took time to remember when our beloved Peachtree Church burnt to the ground. On June 12, 2005 we were awoken to this terrible fire. Helplessly we watched as the walls crumbled but we were not along during this tragic time. So many fire departments, Pastors and members of other churches, neighbors, and people from all over came to hold our hands and pray with us as we watched.

The 86th Coopers High School Alumni Banquet was held Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Coopers School Gymnasium. The alumni and their invited guests were welcomed by President Reese Turner.
The oldest alumni were recognized including the oldest living, Mrs. Ruth Lindsey Parker, class of 1938, and Roy Taylor, class of 1945.

Sometimes I read the work of another writer and just say, "Yes."
I had one of those moments this week after reading a column on chivalry by Carol Roth on the Fox News website.
Important Note: Before I lose 50 percent of you, I read several news sources daily, including NPR and CNN, but maybe I enjoy the Babylon Bee the most. They all have their flaws, but all have something to offer.

Three weeks.
It's only been three weeks since my kids got out of school and I've asked myself at least twice in those three weeks how much longer before school starts back!
I'm not wishing for time to go away or anything but what is it about summer time and kids?
Maybe it's just my boys but the sarcasm and smart mouths and super high energy levels are in full force this summer!

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on August 8, 1968. The four children on the right went to the Sunbeam Day Camp in Roanoke Rapids. Elaine Robertson and her two children, Lisa and Brad, transported the children to Roanoke Rapids.

SPLENDID SEASON AT SNHS. Brisa Savilla-Castro (left) was exceptional this spring for the Southern Nash High School girls soccer team.

NASH COUNTY -- Significant strides were made this season as Northern Nash and Southern Nash attempted to rebuild their girls soccer programs in the challenging Big East Conference.
With two coaches Robbie Kennedy (Southern Nash) and Cameron Avery (Northern Nash), taking over, both clubs were improved this spring -- and with plenty of promise shown for the future.

STANHOPE -- Jason Montague was determined to make the most of his senior season as a member of the Southern Nash High School baseball program.
Montague has been a hard-hitting standout for SNHS since his freshman campaign -- to the point that he earned the opportunity to continue his diamond career at North Carolina Wesleyan College under legendary head coach Greg Clifton.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Eastern North Carolina Roundball Skills Camp will take place from June 18-21 at the Faith Christian School Gymnasium.
Times will be from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each day. The camp is open to boys and girls in grades 2-9.
Cost of the camp is $70, and each participant will receive a T-shirt, basketball and certification of completion.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina League has announced rosters for the 2019 Carolina League All-Star Classic and the Carolina Mudcats placed seven players to the Southern Division team with C Mario Feliciano, C Payton Henry, RHP Dylan File, RHP Noah Zavolas, RHP Rodrigo Benoit, RHP Matt Hardy and recently promoted OF Joantgel Segovia all receiving nominations to the upcoming All-Star event hosted by the Frederick Keys on June 18 at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Maryland.

SN'S KIERSTIN COOPER

STANHOPE -- Two seasons, two league championships and a 19-1 overall record in conference competition.
Such has been Southern Nash's dominance in Big East Conference softball circles over the past two campaigns.
The Ladybirds, coached by Scott Collie, went undefeated in Big East action this spring while successfully defending their league crown.

LOUISVILLE, KY. -- Bobby Miller tossed eight innings of one-hit ball while flirting with a no-hitter and helped No. 7 Louisville to a Super Baseball Regional clinching win, 12-0, over East Carolina University last Saturday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium in the Bluegrass State.
With the win, the Cardinals (49-16) advance to their fifth Men's College World Series since 2007 while the Pirates (47-18) saw their season come to an end.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The USA South Athletic Conference has announced a partnership with the city of Rocky Mount to host the 2020 and 2021 USA South Spring Sports Festivals.
The festival features the tournaments of seven conference spring sports. This will be the second time the Festival has been hosted by Rocky Mount as the 2013-2015 events were convened in the Eastern North Carolina city.