A recent pay bump for public safety employees in Nashville was apparently not enough and five officers have announced their resignations, Police Chief J.T. Winstead reported to council members last week.
The town's 2023-2024 fiscal year budget included a three cents property tax increase, partly to fund increases in salaries for public safety employees. The increases included a 4.25 percent cost of living adjustment for all employees plus an additional 3.5 percent increase in pay for public safety employees.

IT'S OFFICIAL - The official ribbon was cut last week for he new Nash County Pet Connection Center.

Stray pets will now have an even greater chance of finding new homes, thanks to the addition of the Nash County Pet Connection Center.
A ribbon cutting was held for the new 9,600 square foot animal shelter last Thursday morning but the facility won't officially be open for another month.
The $2.3 million state-of-the-art facility is located at 3600 Eastern Avenue between Nashville and Rocky Mount on the Nash Community College Campus.

Nash County Public School department heads had a chance to share highlights of the past school year as well as goals for the upcoming year at the Nash County Board of Education's annual retreat, which was held on Monday afternoon.
The 2.5 hour meeting allowed each department head to share achievements for the past school year as well as goals for the upcoming school year, which is set to start for traditional students on August 28.

A request to reopen a downtown bar has been denied by the Spring Hope Board of Commissioners.
Antonio Toney, manager of J's Place, wasn't at Monday's Board of Adjustments meeting. The adjustment board is made up of the town's commissioners. They unanimously denied Toney's special use permit application, meaning the bar at 204 N. Ash St. will remain closed after being shut down earlier this year.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is replacing an aging bridge in Nash County near Southern Nash Middle School.
The bridge over the Tar River was built in 1949 and is now reaching the end of its useful lifespan, said NCDOT spokesperson Andrew Barksdale.
Due to the bridge's location on N.C. 581, the busy road won't be closed during replacement, Barksdale said.

Opposition appears to be growing to a proposed casino and entertainment district in Nash County.
State Senate leader Phil Berger and State House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans, are pushing the initiative, saying it will be good for local economies. They want to build casinos in four eastern North Carolina counties, including a site by the new Interstate 95 and Sunset Avenue exchange near Nash Community College.

It doesn't look like this year's Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival will host a carnival.
The festival, which has been a mainstay of the town for half a century, didn't happen last year due to a looming hurricane.
The Spring Hope Area Chamber of Commerce wants a carnival this year, but Town Manager Andrew DeIonno has been adamant the town's insurance doesn't cover it.

Asher Etheridge shows his catch during a recent Nash County 4-H Fishing Camp.

The Sharpsburg Exchange Club will host the 2023 Field of Honor® Sept.7 through Sept. 11. The event will be held at 1114 S. 1st Street, Nashville. US flags will wave atop 7 ½ foot poles as a moving tribute to honor all Heroes.
Flags are available for sponsorship for $50 and may be taken home Monday evening and flown proudly in your yard as to continue the tribute.

The Spring Hope Board of Commissioners have signed off on a new microbrewery with big plans.
The microbrewery will have a tap room, beer garden and overnight RV camping. Owners said they want to start small and ramp up activities.
Owned and operated by Pamela and Ryan Pursel, Four Boars Beer Company, at 803 E. Nash St., will have a Bavarian theme with bratwurst and pretzels on the menu. The Pursels said they want to eventually host pet adoption drives, bands, comedy shows and a hiphop day.

Six counts of simple assault, damage to personal property, assault on a law enforcement officer, police officer with serious injury was reported on 8/5/23 at 100 N Boddie Street, Nashville
A damage to real property was reported on 8/3/23 at 100 N Boddie Street, Nashville

INCIDENTS
A possession of stolen firearm, assault on a female, assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats was reported on 8/4/23 at 220 Richardson Court
An assault on a female and possession of a stolen firearm was reported on 8/4/23 at 220 Richardson Court

Piper Davis presented her apron to Doris Franks, who is a resident of The Gardens of Nashville.

Bailey Elementary
8/22/23
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Backpacks are handy tools that carry an array of gear. Students rely on them to hold books, while hikers and campers utilize backpacks to carry items such as food and beverages that keep them safe on trails. Even office workers may turn to backpacks to carry laptops or other tools of the trade.
Backpacks are handy resources, but overstuffed backpacks may cause injury.

Parents can make every effort to encourage children to make the most of the school experience, including academics and extracurricular activities. Though students' level of engagement is ultimately up to them, parental involvement at school can be crucial for students' success.
According to the National Education Council, when parents get involved in their children's education, those children are more likely to do better in school and be more positive about the school experience.

Has someone ever hurt you so deeply that you just can't forgive them? Maybe this devotion is just for you.
One of the most wonderful books in the Bible is the Philemon. Actually, Philemon hardly qualifies as a book. It only has 25 verses. It was a letter from the Paul to Philemon who was a wealthy friend that lived in Colosse.

That's the message of Psalm 139: You cannot know yourself until you know your God. What should I know about God to know myself?
This week we continue our consideration of the topic, What Does God Know?"
Verses 2-4 are an exposition of verse 1. How well does God know you?

The children and chaperones from Red Oak Baptist Church had a great time at Camp Caraway last week. They enjoyed many outdoor activities, worship, missions, music, and more!
Red Oak Baptist Church will have a Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 19 at 9:00 am. Backpacks filled with school supplies will be available to students in need.

Coopers Ruritan announced its annual scholarship recipients during the July meeting. Pictured are (left to right) Coopers Ruritan President, Mike Glover, Kendall Proctor, Mason Baker and Wanda Powell. Kendall is the recipient of the Coopers Ruritan Club Scholarship. She is the daughter of Darenda and Josh Proctor. Kendall will be attending NCSU this fall studying Fisheries Biology. Mason is the recipient of the E.C. Pearce Scholarship.

Nashville
8/15/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E Washington St.
Bailey
8/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., White Oak Hill Free Will Baptist Church, 3967 W Hornes Church Rd

I was happy to have been at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the NEW Animal Control Shelter, now called the Nash County Pet Connection Center! Thank you, Nash County, for building this much needed facility. It came to fruitation thanks to forward-thinking leaders. It was so needed and will help the homeless pets' adoption rates.

Debra Bullock Battle to Windell McCray Battle, Jr.; property along Smith Street
WJH, LLC to Blaine White and Inashia White; 1224 Manor Drive, Rocky Mount; $283,000
WJH, LLC to Tiisha M. Bullock; 1221 Manor Drive, Rocky Mount; $301,000

BUILDING PERMIT
(COMMERCIAL)
Richard Belk; 3325 E NC 97; shell/foundation; $2,800,000
Erika Mishoe; 10931 Cooper Road; sign; $15,000

I was out of town a couple of weekends ago and walked down the street with my wife to a coffee shop. We ordered and the cashier spun the tablet device around with my total and an opportunity for me to tip.
This brought to mind all the places that now ask for tips, that maybe didn't in the past. I guess I'm still trying to learn how things work. I figured that since I had a sugar free request that was a little more trouble, I should probably tip.

Since last week, I watched a segment on local TV station WHIG-TV featuring Roger Taylor who pretty much used the majority of his time to share all the positives of the casino project explaining there is so much more than just a casino.
He stated he had seen the "entire" plan which includes Tanger Outlets, a water park, entertainment center, hotels, restaurants in addition to the casino.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on December 17, 1974. Members of the Rocky Mount Flag Football Junior League champion Cowboys were shown with their championship trophies. The Cowboys won the title with a perfect record. The team was coached by Bennie Hicks.

EYES ON THE PRIZE. Northern Nash High School\'s Jestyn Heyward hauls in a reception during a recent Fighting Knights\' football practice session.

RED OAK -- There is no possible way the Northern Nash Fighting Knights could replicate their historic 2022 campaign.
Or could they?
That's the biggest question heading into the season for Northern, which only lost one game last year -- and that was in the Class 3-A State Championship game.

SOUTHERN NASH'S DAEVON RICHARDSON HAULS IN A RECEPTION

STANHOPE -- It's an understatement to say that the Southern Nash Firebirds have been blessed with elite-level running backs through the years.
And that intangible has been on display over the past decade as eventual Division I running backs Zonovan Knight, Quinton Cooley and Tralon Mitchell shined at Firebird Stadium.

WILSON FIKE'S CHRIS MIZELLE WITH HIS COACHES PLAQUE FROM THE EAST-WEST GIRLS SOCCER MATCH

WILSON -- Now the rest of the state comprehends what area soccer insiders already know -- that Chris Mizelle is one of the elite high school coaches in North Carolina.
Mizelle showcased his skills back in July when he served as the head coach for the East Team during the annual East-West All-Star Girls Soccer Game, which was held at Macpherson Stadium in Guilford County.

STANHOPE -- Will the Big East Conference Soccer Kings once again reign supreme over the league this season?
That's the biggest question heading into Big East play in 2023 as the Southern Nash Firebirds will look to continue their recent streak of dominance under long-time coach Carlos Barron.

ROANOKE RAPIDS -- They did it -- the Westridge Wahoos are the crown conquerors once again in the Nash-Halifax Swim League.
Fending off a challenge from homestanding Roanoke Valley, the Wahoos successful defended their title at the annual season-ending N-HSL Championships, which were held August 30 at the Roanoke Rapids Aquatic Center in Halifax County.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are the schedules for Nash Central, Northern Nash and Southern Nash for the upcoming football season, which starts on August 18:

FAYETTEVILLE -- A Luis Lara RBI double cut the lead to one, Jace Avina tied the score with a single, and Blayberg Diaz's RBI single put the Carolina Mudcats up by one in the ninth inning against homestanding Fayetteville.
Carolina took the contest by a 4-3 score and took the series four games to two.