NASH COUNTY - Nash County has around $60 million worth of capital projects underway including shell buildings, water and sewer studies and a jail expansion.
"This list is simply amazing. What makes it amazing is we are doing so much for our citizens and yet maintaining a $0.67 per $100 property tax rate," County Chairman Robbie Davis said recently during his annual State of the County address.

NASHVILLE - The Town of Nashville has strengthened its noise ordinance to allow police to better enforce its requirements.
Potential changes to the ordinance were brought before council in December by Nashville Police Chief J.T. Winstead. Winstead said he was proposing some changes to the noise ordinance to make enforcement easier on officers.

Nash County 4-H'er Ashlynn Gardner, at left, shows Nash County Public School Superintendent Dr. Steve Ellis, at right, how to set up a goat to show during the Celebrity Animal Show on Friday night.

Local celebrities got a chance to try their hand at showing animals Friday night during the second annual Celebrity Livestock Show.
The show was held at the East Carolina Agriculture and Education Center and served as a precursor to the 86th annual Eastern Carolina 4-H Livestock Show and Sale, which is set for April 4 and 5.

RED OAK - The town of Red Oak has $8 million in the bank and no debt, according to an audit of its finances for the last fiscal year.
"It's unbelievable for a town this size," Auditor Mike Stanley told the Red Oak Town Council on Monday night.
Not only is the town financially strong, its financial records are impeccable, Stanley said.

SPRING HOPE - A Spring Hope bar has been shut down by town officials, but invited to reapply for a new permit once public safety and other concerns are met.
J's Place on South Ash Street was shuddered Monday night when the town's Board of Adjustment revoked the bar's special use permit.
During a quasi-judicial public hearing, the board, which is made up of the Board of Commissioners, received information from town officials on police and emergency calls at J's Place, which they said creates a public safety concern.

The Town of Nashville is kicking off its Music in the Park series on Friday, March 17 with a free concert by Matty Begs.
The concert will be held at Stoney Creek Environmental Park from 7 to 10 p.m.
Koy Worrell, Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director, said he was excited about bringing the music series back this year.

State and local authorities are warning St. Patrick's Day revelers not to drink and drive or they'll have an unlucky weekend in Nash County.
Deputies with the Nash County Sheriff's Office will increase their patrols over the weekend to keep impaired drivers off the roads during the statewide St. Patrick's Day Booze It and Lose It campaign, which is running through Sunday and sponsored by the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program.

A Nash County man accused of being the chief supplier of cocaine and meth in Nashville, Spring Hope and Castalia has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Sean Jermaine Mills, 41, was an armed drug trafficker with direct connections to Mexican cartels when authorities began to investigate him in mid 2020.
Mills was arrested in May 2022 and pleaded guilty in federal court in November 2022 to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm to further his drug trafficking activity, according to court records.

A Nash County gang member is going to prison for having a stolen gun, according to authorities.
Labarris Demondez Powell, 28, recently pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A federal judge sentenced him to four years in prison.
Deputies with the Nash County Sheriff's Office stopped Powell in his car on U.S. 64 near Old Carriage Road just outside Nashville.

INCIDENTS
A misdemeanor larceny was reported on 3/10/23 at 111 West Nashville Drive
A misdemeanor hit and run and failure to stop was reported on 3/10/23 at the Sheriff's Office

A warrant service was reported on 3/9/23 at 1005 Stallion Road, Rocky Mount
A larceny after a breaking and entering was reported on 3/6/23 at 10551 Circle Nine Road, Middlesex
An assault on a female was reported on 3/8/23 at 1095 Thompson Chapel Road, Wilson

The 4-H Sew What Club made duffel bags for children that go into foster care and recently presented the duffel bags to Nash County Social Services. Pictured (L-R) is: Charlotte Jones, Lucy McGee, Mary Siciliano, Jalyn Barnes, Leah Grove, Alaina Worrell, Piper Davis, foster mom Brooke Stark, Nash County DSS employee Amanda Jankowski, Cora Greer, Mara Greer, Devin Clark and Corbin Clark.

Nash Community College Nursing Department Chair, Tywana Lawson, has been selected to join a newly established task force to address projected shortages and challenges within the nursing profession.
The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) launched the Task Force on the Future of the Nursing Workforce to develop a vision for enhancing and supporting North Carolina's nursing workforce, with a focus on licensed practical nurses and registered nurses.

A group from Red Oak Baptist Church will be attending WINTERJAM Christian Concerts at PNC on Friday, March 17.
The Baptist Men will have their monthly breakfast together on Sunday, March 19.
Your adventure awaits! Join the fun of the "North American Missions Adventure" on Wednesday, March 22 at 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm in the Family Life Center of Red Oak Baptist Church. Event for all ages!

Let's Pray!
Precious Lord, we draw near to the throne of grace by the finished work of our great High Priest
- the Lord Jesus Christ. We praise you that we are your regenerate and adopted sons and daughters through faith in the finished work of Christ. As we come to your throne for grace and mercy, we rejoice that in Christ all your promises are yes and amen.

One of problems with a series of columns on the same subject is everyone doesn't read my column from week to week. Therefore, I have to restate some of what I said in the interest of clarity and continuity.
So far, I have discussed six key habits that I consider paramount in the life of a Christian: Trustworthiness, Humility, A Forgiving Spirit, Church Attendance, Cheerful Giving, and Knowing And Applying The Word Of God.

William F. Sills, Sallie Regina Banks, Robert Clifton Sills, Kimberly C. Sills, Donald A. Davis, Dwight Sills, Dwight Eric Sills, Darin L.F. Sills, Darin Luther Fleming Sills and Randall Sills to Terrance W. Clarke; property in Castalia; $12,000
Flash Market, LLC to Bengal Portfolio Owner, LLC; 5862 South NC 58 Highway, Nashville; $2,699,525

BUILDING PERMIT
(COMMERCIAL)
Sherri Hartsell; 100 W Nashvillle Drive; renovation/alteration; $2,600
Sherri Hartsell; 100 W Nashvillle Drive; renovation/alteration; $2,900

Around my house, Birthday Month is lovingly known as "Flirt with Bankruptcy Month."
That's because in the span of one week, three of the five members of my household celebrate birthdays. Another has his big day just a few weeks later. Scrunched in among those days is Easter.

On Friday night, I ventured to Edgecombe County to cover the 4-H Celebrity Animal Show, where local 4-H'ers got a chance to teach local leaders how to show an animal.
The kids did a great job teaching something in 10 minutes that they learn and perfect over several months.
It was a great show and another great 4-H opportunity for local youth.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic July 24, 1958. Tim and Carol Evans demonstrate the proper way to eat a watermelon. They are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Evans.

NORTHERN NASH SHOT PUTTER AVA BATTLE

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash is off and running in defense of its Big East Conference boys track and field championship -- but plenty of stout competitors stand in the way of a Firebirds' repeat.
It certainly won't be easy for SN, as evidenced by last Wednesday's tri-meet featuring the host Firebirds, along with league rivals Northern Nash and Rocky Mount.

SOUTHERN NASH HIGH SCHOOL GOLFER GAVIN CRAFT

ROANOKE RAPIDS -- As if the powerhouse Roanoke Rapids squad needed another edge, the Yellow Jackets enjoyed home-course advantage during last Wednesday's latest Big East Conference 18-hole boys golf matchup at Chockoyotte Country Club.
The Jackets are plenty familiar with that track, as evidenced by their collective strong score while once again taking the top spot in the league.

ROCKY MOUNT SWIMMER KAYLEE EGGERS

CARY -- Kaylee Eggers, a junior at Rocky Mount High School, recently participated in the Class 3-A East Regional Swim Championships at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Wake County.
Despite having struggled with injuries throughout the current year, Eggers competed in two individual events at regionals, winning first-place medals in both the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Backstroke for the second consecutive year.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, havey announced that single-game tickets for the 2023 season are on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon.
Single-game ticket availability opens up all of Carolina's 2023 home games for purchase including each of the previously announced 10 souvenir giveaway events, the 11 Friday Night Fireworks nights, Opening Night on April 11, and the Mudcats for America Fireworks Extravaganza on Independence Day.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are last Saturday's results for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's State Basketball Championship Games:

Southern Nash High School's Kendall Watson clears the bar during Girls High Jump competition at last Wednesday's Big East Conference track and field tri-meet at historic Firebird Stadium on the SNHS campus in Stanhope.

Berkeley English, 7, sits surrounded by a display of wild game brought by guests.

Red Oak Baptist Church (ROBC) held its first ever 2023 Outdoorsman Banquet in the Family Life Center. There were over 200 guests from all age groups who enjoyed a night of fellowship, great food, and awesome door prizes that particularly excited the young at heart. There were wild game dishes from moose, bear, duck and deer that were taste tested and a home cooked meal for those who wanted traditional.

Mark your calendar for March 24 and plan to join NC Wesleyan University in the Bishop Fan Zone at 5 p.m. for an evening full of music, food trucks, inflatables and baseball! Stay as NCWU flips the switch on the brand-new lights at Bauer Field, and meet the donors who made it all happen, as NCWU recognizes them during a dedication at the 6 p.m. game against Southern Virginia University. The event is open to the public and game admission is free.