All teacher assistants who were laid off at the end of last school year in Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) have been given opportunities to return to the school system.
As of January 2, the 37 assistants who were let go due to the reduction in force (RIF) policy have been contacted and offered employment, NRMS assistant superintendent Thomas Crabtree reported to the board at their work session last week. Of these 37, he said, 26 accepted employment offers, 10 declined, and one is on educational leave.

A Middlesex man was charged with shooting two Spring Hope men, one fatally, on Saturday night.
Johnston County Deputies responded to the shooting around 8 p.m. on Saturday on Barnes Lake Road in Middlesex.
Deputies found Darrick Hagans, 18, and Kwami Jones, 19, both of Spring Hope with gunshot wounds. Hagans died at the scene and Jones was transported to Wake Medical Center in Raleigh.

A Sandy Cross area  man was arrested on Sunday night and charged with a string of armed robberies that have occurred in Wilson, Rocky Mount and Nash County over the past few months.
Logan Scott Farmer, 23, of Farmer’s Lane, Elm City, (near Sandy Cross) was arrested Sunday night after robbing the Pit Stop on West Mount Drive. A citizen who saw Farmer running out of the store with a rifle followed his vehicle on South Old Carriage Road, where Farmer wrecked the vehicle and fled on foot.

Linda Ripke and Ronnie Ezzell will once again serve as emcees at the 36th annual Elsie Clark Memorial Nashville Opry.
The two have been emceeing, and performing, at the event for many years, said BPW member Mary Wells.
“They’ve both been with us for years,” she said.
This year’s event is set for January 25 from 5:30 until 10 p.m. at Nash Arts.

Local authorities are searching for a man who robbed the PNC Bank in Spring Hope on Friday afternoon.
According to Spring Hope Police Chief Tim Denton, a man walked into the bank around 1:40 p.m. on Friday, January 10 and allegedly demanded money.
“He was armed with a handgun,” Denton said. “He displayed a handgun, demanded money.”

Linda Woolard will be the guest speaker at the 11th annual Martin Luther King celebration in Nashville.
The event is hosted each year by the Nashville Willing Workers and is held at the O.D. Moore Building on Alston Street.
Carolyn Williams, President of the Willing Workers, said Braswell Milling and area churches are sponsoring this year’s event.

Nash Health Care Systems is expected to budget for a roughly 5 million dollar loss in overall operation income in the 2014 fiscal year, CFO Al Hooks said Wednesday at the January meeting of the Nash Health Care Board of Directors.
“Preparing this budget has been humbling experience,” Hooks said. He plans to present the entire budget for approval at the next board meeting to be held in February.

Richard Lucas was a man well known for many things in the community. To some, he was their driver’s education teacher. To others, he was the one who officiated their athletic games growing up. Today, many know Lucas for his Nashville business. But for everyone that knew Lucas, they would all say he’s a man that will forever be remembered.
Lucas passed away on Sunday, January 5 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 86 years old.

INCIDENTS
A hit and run was reported on 1/6/14 at 206 Barnes Street
A larceny (shoplifting) was reported on 1/6/14 at Dollar General, 800 E Washington Street
A damage to property and assault with a deadly weapon was reported on 1/7/14 on Regency Drive

A narcotics violation was reported on 1/6/14 at 2012 Stone Rose Drive
A larceny of a post hole digger was reported on 1/6/14 at 11306 Old Lewis School Road
A narcotics violation was reported on 1/6/14 at 8939 Mill Branch Road
A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence was reported on 1/7/14 at 2212 Wiley Road

The Nash County Health Department is encouraging citizens to get flu shots, as flu deaths continue to rise across the state.
On Monday, North Carolina reported the state’s first child death from flu for the 2013-2014 season. The Department of Health and Human Services  (DHHS) reported that the infant in the eastern region died on January 13 because of complications associated with influenza. The infants hometown is not being released.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will conduct a public hearing on proposed changes to the state’s wildlife management, game lands and fishing regulations on Thursday, Jan. 23, in Rocky Mount.
 The public hearing, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held in Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College.  The Wildlife Resources Commission also has scheduled a staff presentation 30 minutes before the hearing to discuss statewide black bear management objectives.

The Benvenue Alumni Association Scholarship at Nash Community College, was recently awarded to Jenna Greene of Rocky Mount. Greene is pursuing a degree in the college’s Early Childhood Education program. Nash Community College is accepting applications for the Benvenue Alumni Association scholarship until March 15, 2014. The scholarship fund reflects the alumni’s commitment to education and their belief in preparing the citizens of the Nash/Rocky Mount area to meet the community’s need for a skilled workforce.

Rebecca Winstead, a Freshman Nursing major of Nashville, was among approximately 1,450 Bob Jones University students who were named to the Fall 2013 Dean’s List.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.0 grade point average.

Nashville residents are among those named to Edgecbome Community College’s President’s and Dean’s List for the Fall 2013 semester.
Cassie Jeans and Mary Warwick of Nashville were named to the President’s List for the Fall 2013 semester. These full-time students earned a 4.0 grade point average.

The Town of Nashville is reapplying for a grant that will help redevelop Boddie Street.
Council members unanimously approved reapplying for the USDA Rural Enterprise Business Grant at the regular board meeting last Tuesday.
The town applied for the grant last year but wasn’t selected. Town Manager Preston Mitchell said, in separate interview, they were encouraged to reapply for the $75,000 grant.

The Nash County Communications Department is preparing for a shortfall in its budget, as five 911 telecommunicators have resigned over the past six months, forcing more overtime among full-time workers.
Nash County Emergency Services Director Brian Brantley brought the issue before Nash County Commissioners last Monday morning at the board’s regular meeting. Brantley requested close to $54,000 in additional funding to cover the projected shortfall.

Nash County Commissioners approved funding for ammunition for the Sheriff’s Department last Monday during the board’s regular meeting.
Nash County Sheriff Dick Jenkins told commissioners that the sidearm currently used by the Sheriff’s Office, a Smith and Wesson 357, has the potential to malfunction. Nash County has been using the weapons since 2008, Jenkins said but found out from the company that some of the weapons had malfunctioned during training.

Construction should soon begin on the Castalia Park, as $400,000 in grant monies has been awarded to the  town for the project. The grants include a $200,000 state PARTF grant as well as a $200,000 federal Land and Water Conservation grant. The town is currently raising $26,000 to complete the needed funds for Phase I of the project.

Air Force Airman Shawn T. Willoughby graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Three photographs created by Angela Blankenship of AB Photography in Nashville have recently been accepted into the General Collection of Professional Photographers of America’s 2013 International Photographic Competition. Blankenship’s work will be on display at the Phoenix Convention Center, January 12-14, 2014, in Phoenix, AZ.

Providing a safe learning environment continues to be a top priority at Nash Community College (NCC). In an effort to continue to enhance the college’s police presence, Nathan Mizell, NCC Public and Human Services Department Chair, has been named Captain of Nash Community College’s Police Department.

Nash Community College recently announced Mary Ann Proctor, a Nursing student from Rocky Mount, is the recipient of the Park View Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 1989 by the Park View Hospital Nurses’ Alumnae Association. In the photo, NCC Board Chairman Sam Dickens (right) and NCC Foundation Board President Andy Blanton (left) congratulate Proctor (center).

Students from Nash Community College’s Thirty-Eighth Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy graduated on Thursday, January 9th. The program includes physical and classroom state commission mandated topics and methods of instruction. The training covers subjects including criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcohol beverage laws, investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures, emergency responses, ethics, community relations and more.

Sunday dawned as a beautiful sunshiny day.  The sunshine was so welcomed after the rough storm that passed through the area on Saturday.  There were strong straight-lined winds and torrential rain. Many people lost electrical power for a prolonged period, but there was no loss of life.  Property damage was minimal.  We were so blessed.

North Carolina’s egg prices trended lower on all sizes when compared to last week. Supplies are moderate to meet a good demand. The North Carolina weighted average price quoted Thursday, Jan 09, 2014 for small lot sales of delivered, cartoned, grade “A” eggs was 136.79 for Extra Large, 130.59 for Large, 119.64 for Medium, and 96.00 for Small eggs.

We had a good attendance at Beulah Church of Christ on Sunday morning and several visitors. We would like to thank you for worshiping with us and pray we will see you again real soon. You are always welcome at Beulah. Sunday school began at 9:45. It was opened by Earl Cary with Frances Hedgepeth at the piano. Earl welcomed everyone and made an update on some of our sick members along with several other announcements.

The prelude by the musicians for the morning worship was ”Nothing is Impossible.” Pastor Ronnie welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “Praise Him! Praise Him!” and “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” Algie Jones led the singing. The ushers received the tithes and offerings, we sang the doxology and greeted one another.

The youth of Red Oak United Methodist Church remain active in the life of the church. In addition to baking cookies for some of their home-bound members, they have also recently presented the proceeds from the Thanksgiving Benefit Breakfast to Courtney Moss and her family. Youth meetings are planned for Sunday afternoons at 4 pm at ROUMC. All young people in the community are invited to attend.

Okay, readers, you know the drill: it is January and that means it is time for the Soapbox’s annual predictions. As you all remember, for the 15th year in a row, the Soapbox got all of its predictions for 2013 right. So place your bets now for 2014.

Every town seems to have a mom and pop type grill that everyone just loves.
I grew up around Bethel and our little eatery was, and still is, Da-Nite.
Oh, how I loved Da-Nite!
They had some of the best hot dogs and hamburgers in all of Eastern Carolina. I used to get so excited to learn how I was going to be eating there.

Dear Editor:
How disappointingly ironic it is that the City of Rocky Mount’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commissions’ celebration is called a “Unity Breakfast” when the commission has invited Dr. Julianne Malveaux to be this year’s featured speaker. Dr. Malveaux is a highly partisan and controversial figure.

Dear Commissioner and Council Member,
I have communicated with you concerning the antiquated and unfair method of obtaining revenue from a tax on property. The worse thing is no response at all. As we begin another year, confidence in government, at all levels, is at an all-time low. Please consider some of the following points and make an effort to respond. There must be someone in Nashville that can crunch the numbers.        

This photo is believed to have been taken in 1934.  Pictured are Clarence and Johnny Parker and Johnny’s daugther Daisy.

The president and several members of Congress are proposing to fund the extension of unemployment benefits again. Before they do that they should look at Denmark’s study on unemployment benefits along with our own experience.

WHAT STYLES. Nash Central’s Ni’Ya Styles (center) drives for a bucket during her team’s home matchup last Friday night against rival Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Despite their early-season success, one bugaboo continues to hinder the Nash Central High School girls basketball program.
Central, coached by Terri Cash, has lost just four games so far, but two of the setbacks have come against long-time nemesis Rocky Mount.

THAT’S A WRAP. Southern Nash High School’s Cody Thorne finishes off this pinfall as part of a team match against Corinth Holders at last Saturday’s Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament on the SN campus.

STANHOPE -- In all its years of hosting the prestigious Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament, Southern Nash had never finished in the Top Two of the team standings -- despite filing out a perennially strong mat roster.
That changed last Saturday as the Firebirds offered a historic performance at their annual wrestling event at the SNHS Gymmnasium.

PIN PLACEMENT. Northern Nash’s Wendell Withers (top) finishes off a pinfall during a team match against Havelock at last Saturday’s Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament at the Southern Nash Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- Every match provides a building opportunity for the Northern Nash High School wrestling squad.
The young Knights have taken a few lumps here and there this season -- all with the hope that the club will peak and grow through experience heading into the upcoming Big East Conference individual and team tournaments.
NN head coach Corey Mercer has loaded his schedule with challenging competition, including a trip last Saturday to take part in the annual Firebird Duals at Southern Nash High School.

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Parks and Recreation Department will conduct Spring Sports Registration in February.
League offerings are as follows:
• T-Ball -- (Boys and Girls Ages 3-6)
• Rookie Baseball -- (Boys Ages 7-8)

STANHOPE -- Robbie Kennedy couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Big East Conference boys basketball schedule.
Kennedy’s Southern Nash Firebirds had the lofty task of hosting previously undefeated Wilson Fike during last Friday’s league opener for both clubs at the SNHS Gymnasium.

ROAD BLOCK. Red Oak Middle School’s A.J. Styles (with ball) tries to escape the defense of a Parker player during last Thursday’s Tri-County Conference boys basketball game in Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Given the back-and-forth nature of the game, last Thursday’s boys basketball meeting between Red Oak Middle School and Parker was destined to go down to the final minute.
That’s exactly what happened as the homestanding Pirates used a strong closing stretch to edge Red Oak by a 41-39 tally in Tri-County Conference action.

DEMOREST, GA. -- Sophomore Brandon Brown netted 20 points off the bench to lead his North Carolina Wesleyan College men’s basketball team to an 86-83 win at Piedmont College on Sunday.
A close game from start to finish, the contest featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
The Bishops held their biggest lead of the contest midway through the first half when a Devontae Williams jump shot put Wesleyan on top 26-16 at the 9:32 mark.

AIR BALL. Nash Central’s Tyreeq Harrison tries to avoid a collision during last Friday night’s home basketball matchup with league opponent Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The second time around didn’t provide a different scenario for the Nash Central Bulldogs along backyard basketball rival Rocky Mount.
NCHS had tangled with the Gryphons just before the holidays at the annual Nash County Christmas Tournament -- and had been defeated by 12 points.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Harrison Family YMCA’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Gymnastics Teams had much success at the Judge’s Critique Clinic in Raleigh and The Gala in Asheville.   
“As a coach, all you can truly ask of your team is to strive to be better week in and week out,” says Kristy Harper, Harrison Family YMCA’s Gymnastics Coordinator.

Northern Nash’s Paulo Sanchez (top) picks up two points during his club’s team match versus Havelock as part of last Saturday’s Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament at Southern Nash High School.

Southern Nash’s Warren Ashley (top) picks up some points as part of last Saturday’s action at the Firebird Duals Tournament at the SNHS Gymnasium.

Nash Central’s Houshun Gaines (right) soars for a rebound last Friday against Rocky Mount.

Nash Central’s Michaela Nelms drives for a basket during her team’s home loss last Friday night against the Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons.

Nash Central freshman Myia Spivey eyes a free throw for the Lady Bulldogs during last Friday night’s home conference setback against rival Rocky Mount High School.

Lane Massey, 13, a student at Southern Nash Middle School, recently won the North Carolina Motorsports Park Nite-X Series Championship for the 2013 campaign. The event consisted of 13 races at NCMP in Henderson. Massey was the winner in the 85 CC 12-15 and 9-13 Dirt Bike Divisions.

Red Oak Middle School’s Deon Canady finds an open teammate during last Thursday afternoon’s boys basketball event at Parker.

The Tar River Chorus has announced auditions for their 2014 concert. Auditions will be held by appointment only Jan. 20th at NC Wesleyan Chapel. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the Tar River Chorus conductor, Michael Glasgow either by phone or by email. Phone 919 845-0303 / email michael@michaelglasgow.com

ROCKY MOUNT –– Mary Elizabeth Ellis, 76, of Rocky Mount, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

Cicero Daniel “C.D.”  Jones II, 77, passed away, Monday, January 6, 2014.  He was born July 18, 1936 in Nash County to the late John Thomas and Lois Connor Jones.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Connor Jones.

Edward Ray (Eddie Buck) Davis, age 83, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Born in Rocky Mount, he was the son of the late Van Jefferson Davis and Iva Bell Pridgen Davis. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Rena Bell Davis and several siblings.

NASHVILLE –– Emma Pearl Cooper, age 81, of Nashville passed away Friday, January 3, 2014.

Ernest Junior Richardson, II, 36, of Nashville, died on Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Whitakers.

Rocky Mount –– Eunice Sherae Green, 34, of Rocky Mount died on Monday, January 7, 2014.

NASHVILLE - James “Jimmy” Earl Braddy, Sr., age 62, of Nashville, passed away on January 4, 2014.

John Henry Brown was born in Orangeburg South Carolina, May 24, 1931, the son of Isaac and Florence Brown.

NASHVILLE - Norma Ruth Lindsey, 75, passed away on January 11, 2014. She was born on November 6, 1938 in Pitt County to Charlie W. and Lillian Ruth Mills.

Richard Lucas, Sr. age 86 of Rocky Mount passed away January 5, 2014.

Robert R. “Bobby” Chadwick, 81, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014. He was born on November 4, 1932 in Stonewall, NC to the late Manley Lewis and Alice Carter Chadwick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.