RICKS

NASHVILLE - One social worker has been fired and more may follow them out the door in the aftermath of the death of a young girl under the supposed protection of Nash County Department of Social Services.
Patricia Ricks, 72, faces murder charges of first-degree murder and child abuse in the Feb. 7 bludgeoning death of her granddaughter, 8-year-old Christal Lane.

NASHVILLE - Nashville's Town Council heard budget requests totaling $3.9 million during a budget retreat on Tuesday.
Department heads had the opportunity to present their wish lists for the upcoming budget year,, asking for both capital items and additional personnel, during council's budget retreat, which begins the town's budget process for the upcoming budget year.

Nashville Elementary School's Pre-K classroom recently studied kites. Students learned how to fly a kite as well as the type of weather needed to fly a kite. Each day, Principal Quintin Mangano and the students provided a daily forecast, to determine if it was kite-flying weather. The study ended with students getting to fly their own kites. Parents were able to come out and fly kites with their kids. Pictured above, Braya Battle is all smiles after getting her kite airborne.

NASHVILLE - A neighbor pulled a woman from her burning home last week, according to firefighters.
"We hope to officially recognize this individual soon," said Nashville Fire Chief Chris Joyner.
Flames heavily damaged a home on Simbelyn Drive in Nashville at 3:40 a.m. March 16, according to the Nashville Fire Department.

Nora Hutson delivers painted rocks with encouraging words to the UNC Nash Danny Talbot Cancer Center.

"Life is tough but so are you."
Nora Hutson strives to live by these words and encourages others to do the same, especially those fighting cancer.
Hutson, of Nashville, hand paints the message, along with many others, on small rocks and leaves them at cancer treatment centers across in the area.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual reception and awards ceremony next week to announce recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Citizen and Junior Achievement Awards.
The event will take place at Nash Arts Center in downtown Nashville on March 30. Doors will open for refreshments at 6:30. The program will begin at 7 p.m.

The Nash County Board of Commissioners let local legislators know what they want them to get done in Raleigh.
Commissioners provided a list with a dozen legislative items that affect Nash County during their annual legislative dinner, held this year at the Nashville Exchange restaurant in downtown Nashville.

Nov. 4, 1941, the U.S. Navy declared 95 missing crewmen on the torpedoed sunk U.S.S Reuben James destroyer dead. Spring Hope's Nebraska Dunston was among them.
The Nebraska Dunston American Legion Post 396 in Spring Hope is named in his honor, and he's gained recent popularity for being mentioned in "Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad," a New York Times Notable Book written by Dartmouth College's history professor Matthew F. Delmont.

The Red Oak Town Council wants to see proof of work before signing off on a community grant to help expand a religious retreat.
"No receipts, no money," said Mayor Levell Langley at the council's meeting earlier this month.
The council voted to hang onto the $25,000 requested by Kenny Davis Ministries until the organization provides receipts or there's a work contract in place.

FIRE TRAINING - Nashville firefighters attended the N.C. Breathing Equipment School in Gastonia last week. They joined firefighters from across the state for the training. Pictured (L-R) are: Garner Firefighter Samuel Smith, C Shift Engineer Harrison Lancaster and C Shift Firefighter Thomas Moseley.

ENGLES

Authorities have charged two men with multiple store armed robberies from Raleigh to Nash County.
Michael Frantz Malek Engles, 19, of Cedar Tree Drive in Bailey, and Deaunti Jermaine Lucas, 20, of White Street in Selma, face charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

LIMON

Nash County deputies made arrests last week in three separate drug investigations.
Julio Limon, 28; Christopher House, 32; Nakesha Williams, 42; face drug-related charges.
Narcotics deputies have been investigating drug activity complaints over the last several months, said Maj. Eddie Moore of the Nash County Sheriff's Office.

An assault with acid or alkali was reported on 3/15/23 at 12202 Crooked Swamp Road, Whitakers
A financial transaction card fraud was reported on 3/17/23 at 1291 Tyler Lane, Nashville
An assault with a deadly weapon was reported on 3/12/23 at 2165 N Old Franklin Road, Spring Hope

An overdose was reported on 3/16/23 at 528 Amerson Court, Nashville
A felony larceny was reported on 3/13/23 at 720 S. Boddie Street, Nashville

Nash Community College students and Nash County Animal Services hosted a free canine adoption event Saturday.
A recent vote by the Nash County Board of Commissioners will allow for similar free events to be held.
Normally, adoption fees total $50, but now at adoption events, fees can be waived if the animal shelter is full, according to the new rule created last week by commissioners at the tailend of their annual legislative dinner.

A WONDERFUL EVENT was held on Saturday March 28 at the Nash Community Collage presented by the Veterinary Medical Technology staff and students. It was well organized and well attended. Such a fun day! Two of the Animal Control Officers utilized the county's mobile unit and brought 13 dogs. They were well loved by all and at the end of the day 8 of the dogs were adopted!!

Keith Rogers Jr. recently started work as Rocky Mount's new city manager.
He spent his first day on the job meeting with key staff members before attending a City Council Committee of the Whole work session.
"I am excited to be in Rocky Mount," Rogers said. "I eagerly look forward to working with our leadership team and the city's workforce as we strive for excellence in delivering services to our residents.

Donnie Perry (at right) was recently recognized by Wayne Outlaw, at left, Past Ruritan National President, on achieving 50 years of perfect attendance as a member of the Benvenue Ruritan Club in the Rocky Mount-Durham District. In addition to receiving a certificate, Donnie was presented with a 50- year name badge.

"I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again. John 6:35 CSB
God told Moses to have the table for the bread of the Presence built for the tabernacle and stacked with twelve loaves as a way to remind Israel of His gracious provision for all their needs (Ex. 25:23-30; Lev. 24:5-9).

Women in Action missions group met on Tuesday, March 11 at Red Oak Baptist Church. They had their program and prayer and also made special Easter snacks with scripture. Goodies were donated to the Red Oak Fire Department.
The Baptist Men had their monthly breakfast together on Sunday, March 19.

We have been hearing so much about former President Jimmy Carter over the last several weeks. From all reports, it appears President Carter is in the final stages of his life.
Reading about him and seeing TV stories about him lately, it reminded me of comments he made during an interview in November 1976. President Carter shocked the nation when he admitted he had looked at other women with lust.

Governor Roy Cooper recently announced North Carolina boards and commissions appointments and nominations, including a Nash County resident.
Cooper nominated Scott A. Tyson, of Nashville, for reappointment to the North Carolina State Board of Agriculture.
Tyson was nominated as a fruit or vegetable farmer. Tyson is the President of Oakland Grove Farming Corporation. Tyson has served on the board since 2017.

POP Homes, LLC to POP Homes - RDU, LLC; Bulluck Farm, Lots 1,2,5 and 7
The Tyson Bone Living Trust and Genia O. Tyson to Sag Properties, LLC; 2262 EP Taylor Store Road, Nashville
Dasia Leshel Smith, Dasia Leshel King and Bricen Smith to Meenarjun Reddy and Antha Reddy; Willow Creek, Phase 2, Block D, Lot 22; $225,000

BUILDING PERMIT
(COMMERCIAL)
Nick Kraft; 9377 N US 301; renovation/alteration; $5,000,000

Pictured on the front row (L-R) is Nash County Sheriff's Major Miste Strickland with BLET graduates Daniel Flynn and Colby Peele. On the back row (L-R) is Nash County Sheriff's Captain Robert Bowen and Major Eddie Moore.

Edgecombe Community College has graduated its largest class of Basic Law Enforcement Training cadets in the program's history.
On March 8, 21 cadets graduated from ECC's 12th Basic Academy of Basic Law Enforcement Training. All but several of the graduates have been hired and will be taking their oaths of office soon.

I was standing in line at the Harris Teeter deli counter on a Friday afternoon with one of my teenage sons. Anticipation was high, we'd been subless for months.
Our favorite employee --we'll call her Bacon Betty to protect her identity -- was on the counter.
I'll admit to a little grumbling with Lowell. Why were so many people in line for sandwiches at 3 p.m.? Why did the person ordering in front of us seem as if she'd never encountered a deli, a menu, or toppings that might be added to a sandwich?

It has been a while since I've been out and about covering events. Recently however, I've dived in and covered a few events, in addition to my usual board meetings.
Last week I covered a 4-H event and this week, an American Legion event. I haven't been completely out of the loop but I haven't been all over the county like I used to be.

QUEENS AND COURT - This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic November 1, 1983. Pictured are the Homecoming Queens and their court at Nash Central Junior High School.

SOUTHERN NASH HIGH SCHOOL'S JERMIA WALKER

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash High School girls soccer coach Robbie Kennedy hopes an increased challenge level in the non-league portion of his club's schedule will pay off once the Ladybirds begin their Big East Conference regular season title defense.
That defense started Tuesday when the Ladybirds tangled with Nash Central -- another club with high hopes heading into the league slate.

NASH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S MARQUEL WARREN

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central is off to a strong start to the 2023 boys tennis season as the Bulldogs look to once again be a factor in the Class 2-A portion of the Big East Conference standings -- and maybe even beyond.
Central has played in five close team matches to date and won two of them, including key league victories over Southern Nash (5-4) and Franklinton (7-1).

SOUTHERN NASH PITCHER LANDEN BAKER

STANHOPE -- New coach, same result -- that's the story to date for the Southern Nash High School baseball squad.
Under first-year head coach Kwamaine Battle, the Firebirds are enjoying some early-season success, including a pair of Big East Conference victories last week against Nash Central.

Southern Nash High School's Emory Gibson (right) gains possession of the ball during the Ladybirds' matchup against Currituck at The Brittany Girls Soccer Showcase at Gillette Park in Wilson.

Joy Jan Jones

Soprano Joy Jan Jones and pianist Jonathan Levin, both of whom have performed previously at Cherry Hill, will combine their talents in performance at the plantation home venue on Sunday, March 26th at 3:00 PM.
Joy Jan Jones is a versatile performance artist in high demand. She is an independent, multi-genre singer, instrumentalist, writer, curator, model and actress. Based in New York , she has been featured at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She has been highlighted in TimeOutNY Magazine twice.