RED OAK - Anyone wishing to make a public comment about the proposed remediation plan for the contaminated Red Oak Landfill has until 5 p.m., Oct. 23 to do so before the public comment period closes and DEQ makes a decision on whether or not to approve current plans.
Nash County Commissioners signed a resolution of support Oct. 16 stating the Board "requests that (DEQ) finalize and then implement the corrective action outlined in the Draft Remedial Action Plan... as soon as practical in order to mitigate the risk posed by this landfill to the residents of Nash County."

NASHVILLE - Dueling news releases issued by Nash County Manager Stacie Shatzer and Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone indicate that multiple meetings between the two have not led to a meeting of the minds.
Following contention over a Sept. 6 recommendation by Nash County Manager Stacie Shatzer that there be no additional salary increases in the Nash County Sheriff's Office and allegations by Sheriff Keith Stone that Shatzer's figures were not correct, a series of meetings between the two departments has concluded that Shatzer's report was factual, according to a news release from Shatzer dated Oct. 13.

Emma Batchelor, 14, shows a Crossbred in the Junior Market Barrow class at the NC State Fair.

RALEIGH - Six Nash County teens showed their hogs, goats, and lambs at the State Fair in the last two weeks.
Emma Batchelor, 14, of Sandy Cross showed a Crossbred hog Sunday in the Junior Market Barrow class, while her sister, 11-year-old Adeline Batchelor, competed in a different weight division with a Crossbred in another Junior Barrow class.
Emma Batchelor attends Southern Nash Senior High School, while Adeline Batchelor is a student at Southern Nash Middle.

NASHVILLE - A 37-year-old Nashville woman is in jail on a one-million-dollar bond on charges of felony child abuse and felony strangulation of a two-year-old boy.
Endura Broadnax, of Carly Road, was arrested Oct. 10 for the incident, which allegedly occurred Sept 12.
Investigator Macie Hasty of the Nash County Sheriff's Office said a Sheriff's Office investigation has been concluded, but that an investigation by the Department of Social Services was still open. The charges were made based on evidence gathered, Hasty said.

NASHVILLE - October is National Recovery Month, and one local group is partnering with multiple agencies to offer an educational event, accompanied by a Commemoration Walk to celebrate lives in recovery.
The Coalition for Addiction Recovery and Education (C.A.R.E.), based in Rocky Mount, is inviting the public to attend their event Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nash County Agricultural Center, 1006 Eastern Avenue, Nashville.

BAILEY - Hinzy Williams' pumpkin is so large at this year's State Fair that its blue ribbon looks like a scrap of blue lost on its expanse.
The 1,097-pound gourd, which vaguely resembles Jabba The Hutt from Star Wars, handily outgrew its closest competitors, a 1028.7-pound entry from Lenoir County and an 865.3 pound pumpkin from Wake County.
"It was my personal best," said Williams, whose house is technically in Bailey while his business, Williams' Plant Farm, is across the street in Wilson County.

NASHVILLE - Downtown Nashville will welcome youngsters to trick-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 27 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Local merchants, county and town agencies are again joining forces to provide the 2023 Downtown Nashville Halloween Happenings.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., downtown merchants and other Nashville Chamber of Commerce members will set up along Washington Street offering lots of candy for trick-or-treaters.

CASTALIA - What started as one fireman offering candy he bought out of pocket to an empty road in Castalia has grown into an event involving sixteen local businesses, three churches and multiple county agencies, with over 500 children in attendance last year.
Town officials have put in a purchase order for 576 treat bags.

MCMIKLE

Two armed robbery cases involving Dollar General stores in Spring Hope and Elm City have resulted in arrests of two men, both of whom are in jail on felony charges with no bond.
Rosivelte Lopes, 32, of 201 Pender Street South, Elm City, is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to a news release from the Nash County Sheriff's Office. Another man, 19 year old Kyle Jason McMikle, of Wallace, NC, has the same charges.

Larceny of dog reported at 13328 S NC 581, Bailey on 10/13/23
Child abuse-felony reported at 1586 N NC 581, Spring Hope on 10/11/23
Breaking and entering, non-force/larceny reported at 1687 Macedonia Rd., Spring Hope on 10/8/23

A kiddie train, two bounce houses, photos with Santa and a vocalist are among plans for the annual Town of Red Oak Christmas Festival Monday, Dec. 18.
Red Oak Town Council members signed on the dotted line to finalize most of the event details at their 6 p.m. Oct. 9 meeting, including the planned expenditure of $749 for a train for children to ride around the walking trail of WB Ennis Memorial Park and $1279 for two bounce houses, one of which has a dual slide. Both inflated structures come with required company operators.

A first-time Homesteading program offered by the Nash and Edgecombe County Extension Centers drew 50 attendees, who left looking happy while clutching plants and talking about plans on how to utilize their properties to increase self-sufficiency.
The six-hour program, conducted at the Nash County Agricultural Center Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., began with a presentation by Cyndy Scalf of Red Oak, who is a full-time homesteader and NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

"But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered." (Romans 6:17)
I understand exactly what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, "You used to be slaves to sin". But I didn't understand it until I was born again. Salvation gave me a whole different perspective about the life I used to live.
The truth is I can't believe some of the things I did, not to mention some of the things I said.

People everywhere search for peace. They sing songs about it and travel on pilgrimages to find it. They even wage war to protect it. Many wealthy, famous, and powerful people would trade everything for just one moment of peace. What they often find, however, is the world's false peace which is different from the peace offered by Jesus:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

Congratulations to Matthew Staton and Jessica Cary who were united in marriage on Saturday, October 14 at Red Oak Baptist Church! Jessica is the daughter of Joey and Amy Cary.
The Women in Action missions group met at Red Oak Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 10. They donated filled backpacks to the Appalachian Christmas Outreach. Each backpack was filled with canned goods, toiletries, candy, toys, gloves, hats, Bible, Christmas story, and more.

Christian Fellowship Church, 7814 S. 58 Hwy., honored three ministers of the Sandy Cross Community on Sunday, Oct. 8. The ministers have served for years in this area and other areas for approximately 148 years together.
Rev. Reuben Batchelor served 30 years at Taylor's Chapel (now Kingdom International Church.) He also served at other churches out of the area. After retiring he now serves at Vaughan's Chapel in the community.

Daphnne B. Wooten to Marlon Dickens and Sheila Dickens; Hunters Acres, Lot 1
Pop Homes - RDU, LLC to Calysta Hardy and Dillon Forsythe; 4097 Cordiality Church Road, Nashville; $290,000
Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Robert H. Cameron IRA, Equity Trust Company, Robert H. Cameron IRA and Robert H. Cameron to Michael G. Olmsted and Cheryl P. Olmsted; Section 6, Morganshire, Lot 35

Building Permit Residential
Marta Reyes, 10440 Claude Lewis Rd; new single family; $200,000
Faiz Chaudry, 5647 Hubbard Dr; renovation/alteration; $4,000
John Benjamin Thompson, 9245 Jernigan Rd; new single family; $250,000

In the October 12, 2023 Nashville Graphic article, "Nashville Chamber hosts candidate forum," a statement by Louise Hinton was missing some clarification. Hinton explained (not proposed) a study is underway to determine what has to be done to fix the town's outdated infrastructure. She said the study is costing the town approximately $300,000 and the outcome is expected to be costly.

I overheard a colleague at work last week warn another co-worker that I was grumpy. The reason I overheard this was that they were both standing in my office.
I'm not going to lie, I was somewhat offended.
I protested and the other co-worker said, "Yeah, you have seemed a little off." That did not help matters.
Later in the afternoon, I complained to yet another professor, who I was sure would come to my defense as they usually do.

Fall-like weather is finally here and so are the plethora of events happening here in town and neighboring areas!
I've always heard once Labor Day arrives the rest of the year flies by. I believe that to be more accurate each and every year. We've just begun to start enjoying crisp fall mornings but yet the Christmas holiday is rolling towards us at rapid speed. I guess the key is to take time to enjoy all of the happenings rather than rushing to the next season before it arrives.

This Northern Nash High School graduating class of 1973 photo is from The Nashville Graphic archive. The class is hosting its 50th class reunion this weekend.

SOUTHERN NASH'S GAMALIEL JUAREZ DELIVERS A HEADER

BUNN -- "It's just gonna take one goal -- I promise!''
Those were the words of Southern Nash High School boys soccer coach Carlos Barron to his team late in the first half when the Firebirds were deadlocked in a scoreless tie against the host Bunn Wildcats in a key Big East Conference showdown.

NORTHERN NASH STAR EMILY CLAY

SPRING HOPE -- Southern Nash's undefeated season-long girls golf streak continued last Wednesday, but not without a scare from the Nash Central Lady Bulldogs.
SN, which has lost one of its key players for the year due to an injury, claimed the nine-hole event with a 153 team score at Peachtree Hills Country Club.
The surging Lady Bulldogs, led by a strong performance from Maci Worrells, were only three shots back at 156.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash's domination of the Big East Conference boys cross country scene is now over one decade long -- and shows no sign of letting up soon.
On paper, this looked like a bit of a rebuilding season for the Fighting Knights, as legendary coach Jeff Dodrill was set to boast a young roster loaded with freshmen.
But those ninth-graders have exploded onto the scene quickly -- and have set the Knights up to once again claim the league championship.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Taking care of business and not thinking about the high-profile stage that awaited one week later -- those were the two major themes for the Southern Nash Firebirds during last Friday's Big East Conference gridiron showdown at Rocky Mount.
Certainly, SN fans circled this Friday on their calendars months ago, as that's when the Firebirds are set to host unbeaten Northern Nash in a battle for first place in the Big East -- and probably the league championship.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nora Stroud no longer attends Nash Central High School, but it's safe to say that her accomplishments will long be remembered on campus.
Stroud, who graduated from NCHS in June, returned to The Dawg Pound recently to take part in one of the school's top traditions -- the awarding of a ring to its state track and field champions.

FRANKLINTON -- Northern Nash and Franklinton met on the gridiron last Friday night in a crucial Big East Conference contest, with the Northern Nash Knights emerging with a commanding 49-0 win over the homestanding Red Rams.
The win marked the 25th straight victory in a regular season contest for the Knights, dating back to Sept. 10, 2021, when Northern fell to D.H. Conley.

ROCKY MOUNT -- It's a Nash Central World in the Class 2-A portion of the Big East Conference football standings, and the rest of the league simply lives in it -- while competing for second place.
Such has been the theme since Central re-entered the Big East three years ago.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Advancing to the next round wasn't the only high-stakes intangible on the line when Nash Central hosted Bunn on Monday in the quarterfinals of the Big East Conference.
Both clubs are jousting for seeding position in the Class 2-A State Playoffs, and the visiting Ladycats padded their postseason resume' with an impressive three-set sweep over NCHS at The Dawg Pound.

Southern Nash High School's Makayla Weeks sends a chip to the green during last Wednesday's Big East Conference girls golf match.

First place in the Big East Conference isn't the only thing at stake this Friday night when Northern Nash travels to Southern Nash for a huge league showdown. The contest winner will also receive the Grit and Grind Nash County Championship trophy, which is awarded annually to the top high school squad in Nash County.

Clyde Patterson

NASHVILLE - A unexpected partnership between organ and piano forms the basis of an upcoming concert at Nashville Baptist Church (NBC) located at 512 E. Washington Street. The free concert at 4 p.m. Oct. 22, featuring organist Clyde Patterson and pianist Karen Sawyer, will feature composers J.S. Bach, Camille Saint-Saëns, Mozart and Antonio Solar. Popular pieces such as Michael LeGrand's "Brian's Song" will also be included, along with Jim Croce's "Time In A Bottle," "The Dunbar Theme" from Dances With Wolves by John Barry, and "The Ashokan Farewell" by Jay Ungar.