The Nash-Rocky Mount Schools administration held two special called meetings in the past week to “allow our community to gain a clear understanding of our revenues and expenditures for the upcoming budget,” which has been approved by the board at $134 million for 2014-15.
The school board’s first priority for the NRMS 2014-15 budget is to increase the teacher supplement, NRMS superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson told those at the special meeting last Wednesday night.

Spring Hope’s Board of Commissioners decided against any tax increases during a budget workshop held last Wednesday evening.
During the budget presentation in April, Town Manager John Holpe presented a $1 million budget to commissioners. Holpe tossed around the idea of a tax increase to help cover maintenance of town buildings as well as town’s debt. At the time, Holpe said a six-cents tax increase would increase the tax rate from 57 to 63 cents, which would generate an additional $40,000 more in revenue a year.

FIGHTING CANCER –– Pictured above is Nick Tyson, who has been battling Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer since last May. Tyson is pictured at Duke Hospital on his last day of chemotherapy.

Nick Tyson has been fighting to get his life back for a year now.
Tyson was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma last May after a lump appeared on the inside of his leg. He was 14 years old.
Tyson’s mom, Jennifer Watson, said Tyson woke up one Sunday morning and discovered the lump. He had played sports the day before so at first, Watson thought he had just injured it.

NEVER FORGET –– James Ervin was the guest speaker for Nashville’s Memorial Day service, which was held Sunday in Forest Hill Cemetery. Ervin spoke on the Battle of Seven Pines, a battle his great grandfather was injured in.

A battle during the Civil War has a lot of significance for James Ervin and is one he likes to reflect on while remembering those killed in action.
Ervin was the guest speaker for Nashville’s Memorial Day   
services, held Sunday evening at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The Nash County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its first community workshop at Coopers Elementary School on June 10.
The meeting is one of several planned to help receive input from residents about the recreation programs and facilities in Nash County. Other workshops are planned for Red Oak, Spring Hope and Middlesex but the dates have not been set yet.

Pamela Nealey wants Nashville’s Boys and Girls Club to be the ultimate club.
As the Unit Director of the club, she said she is working hard on creating the ultimate summer experience for club members but also wants the club itself to be one-of-a kind.
Nealey joined the Boys and Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties last June. She took over the Nashville Club as the Unit Director on May 1.

The Nashville Graphic is introducing officers of the Nashville Police Department each month as part of an “Officer Spotlight” series.  The articles are featured the last Wednesday of each month  to help Nashville residents get to know the officers who protect and serve their communities.

A Rocky Mount man has been charged with 10 counts of exploitation of a minor after authorities discovered child pornography at his home.
According to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant was issued at the home of 51-year-old Danforth Ellett, of the 2300 block of Cash Lane. The Sheriff’s Office along with the SBI conducted the search warrant, which was issued for the search and investigation of child pornography and exploitation of a minor.

INCIDENTS
An obtaining money/property by false pretense was reported on 5/19/14 at Just Save, 731 E Washington Street
A larceny was reported on 5/19/14 at 514 Golfers Lane
A larceny was reported on 5/20/14 at Nashville Church of God in the administrative building, 308 Western Avenue
A larceny was reported on 5/19/14 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

A fraud was reported on 5/19/14 at 5026 Needham Road
A narcotics violation was reported on 5/19/14 on S NC 58
A flee to elude arrest was reported on 5/20/14 on S NC 58
A possession of stolen goods was reported on 5/20/14 at 11824 Portris Road

Moe DeLoach poses with members of the Nashville Boys and Girls Club. The club made a poster welcoming DeLoach. DeLoach spoke to the kids about his career and about not giving up on your dreams.

An international professional basketball player encouraged youth at the Boys and Girls Club last week, as he paid a visit to talk about his career.
Michael “Moe” DeLoach visited Nashville’s Boys and Girls Club last Thursday afternoon. DeLoach is a Rocky Mount native who graduated from Northern Nash High School in 2004 and then went on to play at Norfolk State.

Nash UNC Health Care recently garnered several prestigious awards for their work in the fields of health care advertising and emergency room communications. These awards were announced at the last Nash Health Care board meeting held on May 8, 2013.

The following students at Hobgood Academy made the Principal’s List (A’s) or the Honor Roll (A’s and B’s) the 5th six weeks of school.

The purpose of Memorial Day is to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation. But for one Rocky Mount resident, honoring war heroes just once or twice a year is not enough.
Dallas Barnes, age 81, received an award last month from the Volunteer Service division of the Veteran’s Administration in Durham for donating more than 25,000 hours of volunteer service hours in helping his fellow veterans.

Wesley Howell prepares to hit the bike rodeo course.

Nashville’s Police Department hosted a Bike Rodeo Saturday in the parking lot at Nashville United Methodist Church. The department gave away helmets, courtesy of Erie Insurance. The primary goal of the event is to teach bicycle and helmet safety.  Nashville’s Community Officer Jennifer Bull says another rodeo will be planned for the fall.

Jacob Schrader makes his way around the bike rodeo course.

Blake Howell takes a break for a snack during Saturday’s bike rodeo.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools held its 8th Annual Academy Awards Program on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, in the Business and Industry Center at Nash Community College.  The event recognizes excellence in students enrolled in the school systems’ academy programs.  The academy concept was introduced in 2004 as a school reform effort for Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Members of the Red Oak Community Club, formerly known as the Home Demonstration Club, recently planted a Red Oak tree at the Red Oak Fire Department. Many of the Town of Red Oak’s trees are dying so the club decided to plant one as a project. Pictured are members of the club with the tree they purchased and planted at the department.

Nash Community College recently announced the Spring 2014 Associate Degree, Diploma and Certificate graduates.

Five students recently completed Detention Officer training at Nash Community College. Detention Officer Certification includes 179 hours of training designed to train qualified participants to function as officers in detention facilities. The course is governed by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ and North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commissions.

The Nash Community College English Department was recently awarded for Instructional Innovation after their implementation of team teaching in Expository Writing courses. Incorporating new teaching and learning strategies in the classroom has led to a measurable increase in student success.

Our choir sang “Whisper a Prayer” for the call to worship. Pastor Ronnie welcome everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “How Great Thy Art” and “Nothing but the Blood.” David Montague led the congregational singing.
Darrell Matthews prayed the morning prayer.

“All gave some---Some gave all!”  This was the theme of the Memorial Day service held at Peachtree Church on Sunday.  Special honor was paid to the memory of two of Peachtree’s own men.  They were in two different wars, but both lost their lives in the hostile action of war.
Staff Sergeant Eric R. Vick, son of Faye and Reggie Vick, was on military patrol near Baghdad, Iraq when his group was hit by a road side bomb.

Women in Action will meet on Thursday, May 29 at Red Oak Baptist Church at 6:30 pm.
Everyone’s invited to the GA, RA, and Mission Friends Recognition Service at Red Oak Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 4 at 6:30 pm. Come celebrate their accomplishments in missions.  Enjoy ice cream following the service!
Lots of delicious recipes are needed for the community cookbook for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Southern Nash High School AFJROTC members Noah Reynolds, Lorezo Ayala and Corey Reynolds salute the Vietnam Memorial during a special ceremony held last Monday.

On May 19, 2014, the Micajah Pettaway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) celebrated Memorial Day by laying a wreath at the Vietnam Memorial on Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount.  The memorial was constructed by the VFW in 1983. 
DAR wanted to honor  Vietnam Veterans and those Missing in Action by paying tribute to them and remembering what they achieved for our country and the incredible sacrifices that they made.

Like so many dangerous things, I thought I had nipped it in the bud.
Like so many other times, I was wrong.
Kent asked me recently if I would buy him a bow and arrow. Based on previously harmless seeming gifts that later turned into hazards, this was an easy “no.” After all, I remember Kool Aid bottle slingshots, various spears and at least four PVC pipe nightsticks.

I will have a three-year-old in just a few more days.
I’ve tried to think of words to put in this space to express the magnitude of such a thing, of the boy you gave birth to turning another year older.
It’s sad.
It’s happy.
It’s confusing.

I have a sneaky suspicion we’re going to hear and see a lot of good things coming from the Boys & Girls Club here in Nashville. Pamela Nealey has taken the helm as the unit director here in Nashville and if you haven’t met her yet –– trust me, it won’t be long before you do.
It’s quite obvious Ms. Nealey has a passion and it’s all about kids at the Boys & Girls Club. One conversation with her will prove her focus is truly on those kids and the club becoming a vital part of this community.

GIRL SCOUT TROOP 352 ––  This photo originally published December 7, 1972. Fifteen Brownies were welcomed into Troop 352 and into Girl Scouting during a special ceremony. Older Brownies were rededicated.

I’m going to REPEAT myself.   TOO MANY BABIES are coming into the Shelter.
PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER!
Some facts: The reason that many stray adult male dogs end up in the Shelter is because they go looking for love in all the wrong places. Dogs can travel miles when a female is in heat. The reason that the majority of pets killed at the Shelter is cats, is due to people having outdoor pets that are not fixed.

ALL-AROUND EXCELLENCE. Abigail Ross has displayed tremendous athleticism during her four years at Nash Central High School. Louisburg College head coach Andy Stokes thinks Ross’ excellence will translate well to the next level.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Due to the demands of his job, Louisburg College women’s soccer coach Andy Stokes usually prefers to focus his recruiting efforts on players who are current seniors.
But once Stokes saw Abigail Ross in goal, he knew he had to make an exception in this case.
Stokes first became aware of the Nash Central High School keeper when she was a junior -- and he made it an instant priority to make Ross his goalie of the future.

NASH COUNTY -- Southern Nash’s strong second-half run eventually helped the Ladybirds earn a share of the Big East Conference Softball Championship -- and plenty of spots on the prestigious all-league squad.
Southern rallied to tie Wilson Hunt for the conference crown, and the Ladybirds would reach the third round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs to cap off their campaign.

BIRDIE TIME. (L to R) Teammates Johnny Joyner, Richard Noel and Lester Spivey celebrate after making a birdie during last Friday’s action at the Fifth Annual O.D. Moore Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central Senior High alumni have remained true to their school -- even though it hasn’t been in existence for almost 50 years.
Nash Central, not to be confused with the newer school of the same name, ceased to exist in 1967. Its final location was at the now-Nash Central Middle School campus in Nashville.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School will kick off its 2014 varsity football schedule on Aug. 22 with a road game against perennial powerhouse Tarboro.
The Bulldogs’ first home game will be Aug. 28 against the Kinston Vikings.
Nash Central’s complete gridiron ledger is as follows, with home events listed in CAPS:

PIKEVILLE -- Southern Nash’s amazing second-half season run came to an end last Tuesday in the third round of the Class 3-A State Softball Playoffs.
Taking on a strong, homestanding C.B. Aycock contingent, the Ladybirds were eliminated by an 11-1 margin in the Sweet 16 Round of the tournament.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are the updated Nash County Parks and Recreation Department’s Spring Baseball and Softball Scores

RED OAK -- Northern Nash High School is offering a variety of youth sports camps this summer.
Here is a look at the offerings, by sport:

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Coleman-Pitt Post 58 Senior American Legion Baseball Team will open its schedule Thursday at home versus Wayne County Post 11.
All home games will be played at the RM American Legion Field (former RMHS Field) at 805 South Howell St.
The club’s complete ledger is as follows, with home games listed in CAPS:

ZEBULON -- Jorge Alfaro launched a three-run homer in the eighth inning to jumpstart the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in a 5-4 win over the Carolina Mudcats on Sunday night at Five County Stadium.
The Mudcats (22-25) suffered just their second loss when leading after seven inning.
The Pelicans improved to 31-17 and 19-7 on the road.

HATTIESBURG, MISS. -- Cameron Giannini tossed his first career complete game in a 3-1 victory over East Carolina University in a Friday night elimination game in the 2014 Conference USA Baseball Championship.
USM knocked the sixth-seeded Pirates (33-26) from the tournament in avenging an opening round, 9-8 loss in 11 innings in the last baseball game between the long-time rivals as Conference USA brethren.

Larry Edwards tries to read this putt during last Friday’s O.D. Moore Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament at Belmont Lake Golf Club.

Cornelius Leonard drains a putt during last Friday’s action at the Fifth Annual O.D. Moore Scholarship Foundation Tournament at Belmont Lake Golf Club.

James Harfield eyes his tee shot during last Friday’s action at the O.D. Moore Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament.

Nash Arts will host Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on May 29, 30, 31 and June 5, 6, and 7 at 7 p.m. The play is adapted and directed by Jim Singleton and tells the story of Sir John Falstaff, who is having financial troubles and arrives in Windsor. He decides to court two wealthy married women, the “merry wives,” who find out his plan and decided to play a few tricks of their own. Pictured above, Falstaff, played by Jim Lee (center) finds himself in an odd situation. With Falstaff are two servants, played by Dan Fogarty (at left) and Tim Price (at right).

Local self-published author of paranormal mysteries, fantasy, short stories, poems; creator and host of Characters Environments Marian Parisher-Nichols will be at the Nash County Arts Council for a meet and greet on June 20, 2014.
The  event is from 6-8p.m. and is open to the public. Admission is free.

ROCKY MOUNT  - Almeta Lavern Atkins, 61, of Rocky Mount, died on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

Arthur Harold Winyard, Jr. passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014. Funeral services will be private.

Betty Joel Langley Fisher, 75, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2014. She was born in Rocky Mount on August 25, 1938 to the late Jackson Lee Langley, Sr. and Sarah Tharrington Langley.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Lawrence “Coy” Fisher and siblings, Mary Lewis Langley Burton and Jackson Lee Langley, Jr.

ROCKY MOUNT - Bobby E. Stevenson, 64, of Rocky Mount, died on May 23, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT- Brenda Lyons, 52, of Rocky Mount, died on Monday, May 19, 2014.

Rocky Mount - Eddie McNeil, Jr., 84, died May 19, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT – Kenneth Earl Proctor, age 86, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2014.  He was born on October 19, 1927 to James Arthur Proctor and Viola Rimmer Proctor. He is preceeded indeath by his wife of 41 years, Jean Edwards Proctor.

Ludie Barnette, 97 of Middlesex, passed away   May 22, 2014.

LOUISBURG - Mattie Richardson Mitchell, 98, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2014.

Mildred Mills Vick, 86, passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014.  She was born in Harnett County, NC October 4, 1927 to the late Richard Terry and Ruby Bell Ayers Mills. In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Paul A. Vick; son, Dannie Vick; grandson, Len Vick; great grandson, William Carter; five brothers and a sister.
 

Nellie Wheeless Tyson, 86, passed away on May 19, 2014.  Born in Nash County on January 30, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Joyner Wheeless and Cassie Bunn Wheeless.

Rosamond Scott, age 68 of Castalia passed away May 20, 2014.

Spring Hope –– Sue B. Woodard, age 78, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014.  She was born  in 1935 in Johnston County to the late James P. and Lillie Cockrell Boykin.

Ted Rowland “Ron” Pinner, Jr., 64, of Nashville died Friday, May 23, 2014.  Born November 17, 1949 in Washington County he was the son of the late Ted R. Pinner, Sr. and Shirley Sexton Pinner who survives.

ROCKY MOUNT -  William Arthur Cooper, 65, of Rocky Mount, died on May 15, 2014.