NASHVILLE - New software to centralize employment actions and a third-party study of town departments are what Nashville's Human Resources Department is asking for in the upcoming fiscal year 24-25 budget, because "Nashville is proliferating," according to Trey Sanderson, Human Resources Director.
Sanderson made a presentation at the March 19 Budget Retreat session of the Nashville Town Council, stating that since he had only been there three months, he was best equipped to speak of current needs rather than past accomplishments.

NASHVILLE - What began as a regular meeting of the Nash County Board of Education Administrative Services and Operations Committee March 25 turned into a cloak and dagger series of unclear phrases and accusations as a struggle ensued between board members about voting for something during public session without ever stating what that "something" was.
According to board member remarks, the matter at hand appears to be related to the potential hire of an outside contractor for consultative services.

NASHVILLE - Nash County Sheriff's Office Lt. Angel Ricks, nominated by Nashville's American Legion Post 110 for State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, has achieved that award for North Carolina and is being considered for a district award.
Ricks is due to receive state recognition at the State Convention in June, and will find out then if she will continue on as a district candidate.

NASHVILLE - New meetings software, potential raises for town council members, the addition of a deputy town clerk and alternating day and night town council meetings were items discussed at Nashville's first budget review meeting, held March 19.
The Administrative Department, headed up by Randy Lansing, Town Manager, and Lou Bennett, Town Clerk, is looking a new meeting and agenda management program.

Drizzling rain didn't dampen the spirits of egg hunters Saturday. Hundreds of children attended Nashville Parks and Recreation's third annual Eggciting Saturday at Stoney Creek Environmental Park. Over 4,000 eggs were cast upon the grounds of the park for four different age groups to fill their buckets and baskets. Additional activities were offered afterwards at Nashville's town council chambers including a visit with the Easter Bunny, games, educational activities and food.

Twenty-eight teachers, chosen by their peers, have been nominated for Nash County Teacher of the Year. Finalists will be announced in mid-April and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony May 7.
"These exceptional educators have been recognized by their principals and colleagues for their passion for teaching, which impacts their students, classrooms, and the entire school community.

ROCKY MOUNT - More than forty people - a combination of farmers, educators, government officials and ag industry leaders - turned out Friday, March 22 at Nash Community College for the Farm to College Breakfast, a fact-finding workshop to cultivate ideas for NCC's Agriculture Certificate program, scheduled to begin this fall.
"It's an excellent jump start to something that could be phenomenal," said Parker Phillips, well-known ag supporter, who was one of the attendees.

NASHVILLE - New software and staffing increases top the relatively modest requests for Nashville Parks and Rec department, although a wish list including a portable putt putt and beam projector come with hefty price tags.
Koy Worrell, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director, made a presentation March 19 to the Town Council at its budget retreat, beginning with an impressive list of new programs and events and an even more eye-popping rundown of department revenue.

Assault on a female reported at 1043 Carriage Trail, Rocky Mount on 3/20/24
Common law robbery reported at 10696 E NC 97, Rocky Mount on 3/20/24
Larceny misdemeanor reported at 11591 Cedar Lake Drive, Middlesex on 3/18/24
Larceny misdemeanor reported at 1637 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount on 3/18/24

ARRESTS
Akira Tatiyanna Simmons was charged with affray on 3/17/24
Tiani Cheylenne Evans was charged with affray on 3/17/24
Ahmad R. Leonard was charged with assault on law enforcement officer on 3/17/24

Wondering when to put out those hummingbird feeders? Ruby-throated hummingbirds start arriving in early April, while the first waves of spring migrating songbirds will start showing up from mid-late March, according to wildlife biologists. However, not all is rosy for those and other birds, as their numbers are on the decline.
"There is a general decline in bird species overall," said Jamie Sasser Jr., District 3 Wildlife Conservation Biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Stephanie Collins, Keep America Beautiful Coordinator for Nash and Edgecombe Counties, poses with volunteers, including students from Northern Nash High School and Nash County Sheriff's Deputies, after the annual Nash Recycles Day, March 2, outside the Courthouse in Nashville. Two-hundred forty-eight participated, resulting in 5,000 pounds of paper shredded, 128.1 pounds of medications collected, along with used electronics.

A new Fitness Festival is planned this October in the Town of Red Oak, in addition to the Family Freedom Celebration in June.
A Fitness Festival by BoxHause Fitness is scheduled Oct. 26, while the 5th annual Family Freedom Celebration will take place June 30.
Delwin Clark of BoxHause Fitness spoke at the Feb. 12 Red Oak Town Council meeting, at which he was directed to speak to county officials for a permit to use Ennis Park for the event.

"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) Psychology Today recently published an article debunking a book written in 1992 by Dr. Gary Chapman entitled "The Five Love Languages". The article discussed the findings of Emily Impett. Ms. Impett said the book's ideas are flawed. She felt applying those principles in your life doesn't help with relationships. In Dr. Chapman's book, he discusses 5 of the different ways we show our love.

Romans 8:31-39 is about the eternal security of the believer. No person can take away our salvation: "What then shall we say to these things. If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) God the Father will not take away our salvation: "He who spared not his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) Satan cannot take away our salvation: "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies" (Romans 8:33). The Lord Jesus Christ will not take away our salvation: "Who is to condemn?

Congratulations to Sean and Carrie Baker on the birth of their son, Thomas Steele Baker born on February 25. Sean and Carrie also have two other children, Brock and Austin. Proud grandparents are Doug and Sue Ella Johnson. Proud great-grandmother is Sue Edwards.
Red Oak Baptist Church welcomes Sherwood and Carolyn Jernigan as new members of the church family.

This spring, the American Red Cross asks donors to help defend the blood supply by giving blood or platelets now to combat a monstrous fact: only 3 out of 100 people donate blood. That's why Red Cross is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures to celebrate the epic new film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and inviting donors to rise together and give blood. When donors share their strength by coming to give March 25-April 7, they'll get an exclusive Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. (Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/GXK.*)

Governor Roy Cooper recently announced three judicial appointments to North Carolina District Courts inluding Judicial District 8 which includes Nash County.
"These new judges have served North Carolina with distinction over the years and bring extensive legal experience to the bench," said Governor Cooper. "I am grateful for their willingness to continue to serve our state in these new roles."

Jerry Wayne Keith and Mary Pridgen Keith to Michael Joseph Gorham Henry; 1.50 acres, lot 1, Race Track Road
WJH, LLC to Ali Murtaza Rajput and Hina A. Mango; 29 Great Falls Court, Rocky Mount; $274,000
James Porter Lamm and Savannah Carlie Bridgers to Melissa H. West; 3032 Red Oak Battleboro Road, Battleboro; $228,500

Renovation/alteration; 8700 Commercial Rd, Elm City; Richard Cartier; $1,500
New single family dwelling; 9280 Turkey Way, Middlesex; Brian Blonk $250,000
Renovation/alteration; 1090 Cobble Ridge Rd., Nashville; John Leonard $ 47,792.96

NC Senator Lisa Barnes, wife of Barnes Farming president Johnny Barnes, reached out to The Graphic regarding the March 21, 2024 edition which included an article reporting Barnes Farming of Spring Hope being the subject of a North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) probe after the death of seasonal worker Jose Arturo Gonzalez Mendoza last September. Barnes Farming has been issued three citations for safety violations and $187,509 in penalties but has issued a "notice of contest," according to DOL personnel.

You remember that three day stretch when we were running the air conditioning in the morning and then switching back to heat right after supper?
That's a sure sign spring is upon North Carolina.
That means baseball is back, too. The major league season opens this week.
I've loved baseball for as long as I can remember.

Last week, I mentioned local governments fighting a similar battle as privately owned businesses as both are finding it difficult to hire or keep committed employees. To add to last week's observation, there is also a huge difference in how we handle those bumpy waters.
As mentioned last week, Nash County, and local municipalities, are getting slammed with requests for pay raises from their public service departments. Of course we want our law enforcement, fire fighters and EMS staff to be paid what they're worth which is honestly "priceless" when it comes to the folks who risk their lives everyday to protect and serve us!

NEW HATS - This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on March 25, 1980. Nashville police received a new style of hat which was modeled by Officer Dennis Currin, left. The hat Currin is wearing was to replace the style shown of Officer Randy Wester, right. (Graphic photo)