The Town of Nashville will soon be saying goodbye to its longtime leader, as Town Manager Preston Mitchell recently announced he had taken a position with the City of Reidsville.
The Reidsville City Council announced that Mitchell had been appointed their City Manager last Thursday at a recessed meeting.
Mitchell will start in the new position on August 3.

The Town of Nashville will have to operate on a tight budget in the upcoming fiscal year, as council members approved additional cuts at a budget work session last Wednesday night.
Council members asked Town Manager Preston Mitchell at a previous work session to cut the proposed 2015-2016 budget by around $50,000 to allow employees to receive a two percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

The Brevard Public School System announced that it had selected a candidate to lead its school district.
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson was one of three finalists who participated in final interviews on Monday with the Florida school system.
The School Board of Brevard Public Schools voted 4-1 to hire Dr. Desmond Blackburn.

"That is awesome!"
Those were the words of eight-year-old Clara Danforth following a successful Fun Run for Cancer, which she organized.
Clara's efforts brought in over $4,500, which will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
The run was held after Clara began praying for two people she knew who are battling brain cancer. Clara said she felt God was calling her to do more and the idea of a run came to mind.

Michael Brantley will debut his first book, Memory Cards: Portraits From A Rural Journey, at a book reading and signing on Saturday, June 27 at The Nashville Exchange.
Brantley's book brings all the senses to life on what it means to grow up in Eastern North Carolina.
There is plenty to see, hear and smell, from the oppressive heat and pungent smell of row upon row of tobacco, to the mobile library that brought air conditioning and the aroma of paper, glue and binding each week of the summer.

Heroes are the focus for this year's Summer Reading Program and Cooley Library is hosting real heroes at a kickoff event on Saturday.
The Summer Reading Kickoff Event will be held Saturday, June 20th from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, said Library Director Brian Booth.
While most people think of Superman, Spiderman and others, Booth said the kickoff event will include some heroes of a different kind.
Police officers, fire fighters, farmers, and military service members will be on hand with their equipment to show to youth.

A Nashville youth was selected to attend the 2015 Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.
Jimmy Porter will attend the conference from June 20 to June 25.
Middle schoolers from across the United States will take part in the conference, which will provide a historical view of leadership and encourages young scholars to develop their own leadership skills and strategies for success in the 21st century.

BULLS EYE --Nashville Police Chief Tom Bashore fires shots at a target in the new 2,955 square foot indoor gun range at the NCC Continuing Education and Public Services Building that opened Tuesday.

Local law enforcement leaders fired the first shots to commemorate the opening of Nash Community College's new Continuing Education and Public Services Building on Tuesday.
The shots were fired in the building's new 2,955 square foot indoor gun range, which will be used for law enforcement training.
A special dedication and ribbon cutting service was held on Tuesday, June 16, with around 300 community members attending the event.

Nash County's Board of Commissioners have suspendied paying any of its allocated funding to Eastpointe until its leader meets with the board to discuss recent allegations of misuse of funding.
A state audit revealed questionable spending as well as nearly $550,000 in kickbacks by the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Eastpointe Human Services.
Eastpointe is a Managed Care Organization (MCO) that oversees, coordinates, and monitors the mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and substance use and addiction services for 12 counties, including Nash County.

Governor Pat McCrory recently appointed a Red Oak native as a District Court Judge.
The governor selected Jefferson Griffin of Raleigh to fill the vacancy in the 10th Judicial District in Wake County. The vacancy was created by the passing of District Court Judge Jennifer M. Green.
Griffin, who grew up in Red Oak, comes to the bench after serving as an assistant district attorney in the Wake County District Attorney's Office.

A breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny from a motor vehicle was reported on 6/8/15 at 1423 Fountain Branch Road
A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 6/8/15 at 365 N NC 58
An obtaining property by false pretense was reported on 6/8/15 at 4644 Ashley Drive
A felony larceny was reported on 6/8/15 at 10621 S NC 581

INCIDENTS
A simple assault and intoxicated and disruptive was reported on 6/9/15 at 610 Barnes Street
A breaking and entering a motor vehicle and larceny after a breaking and entering was reported on 6/10/15 at 105 Meredith Court
A larceny of a notary seal was reported on 6/12/15 at Fields and Cooper, 213 W Washington Street

Geraline Richardson looks at a scrapbook of a past luncheon held at the home of Frankie Daniel, one of the hostesses who started the "Friends on 97 Lunch Bunch" group for widows in the community.

For the past nine years, a group of ladies have hosted local widows for a luncheon.
Meetings for the "Friends on 97 Lunch Bunch" are held every other month at the home of Frankie Daniel.
Daniel said the event was started in 2006 for widows in the community and was modeled after a friend, who does something similar in Middlesex.
"This gave us a way to be involved," Daniel said.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from June 8 through June 12

Air Force Airman Armani T. Perry 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. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

The highest achieving high school seniors from Nash-Rocky Mount Early College High School came together on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 to celebrate 13 years of hard work along their journey of excellence. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson congratulated the students on their many achievements, and encouraged them to continue their journey of excellence.
"Keep your hunger for excellence, as this drives you to achieve great things," stated Jackson.

Raymond Benitez, a graduating senior from Northern Nash High School (NNHS), will turn his tassel Saturday, June 13, 2015 and begin his new journey as a Midshipman in the United States Navy. Benitez was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, an accomplishment that only 6 percent of the over 19,000 applicants were able to earn.
Admission to the Naval Academy is extremely competitive, as there are eleven steps in the selection process.

Veta Pierce-Cappetta, the counselor and Success Center coordinator for Vance-Granville Community College's Franklin County Campus, recently graduated from the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program (NCCCLP). She is one of 38 community college faculty and staff members from across the state who completed the program this year.
The leadership program, which includes both face-to-face and computer-based learning experiences, provides preparation and training to develop future community college leaders.

The Nurses Alumnae Assocation Nursing Scholarship at Nash Community College will soon be in its 25th year and to celebrate, the Park View Hospital Nursing Alumae Association is holding a "100 for the 100" campaign.
That's $100,000 through the 100th commemorative anniversary year for the Park View Hospital and School of Nursing.
Currently, the fund is around $3,000 short of the $100,000 figure. The scholarship was established in 1989 and the first one awarded in 1990.

The Class of 1965 Spring Hope High School held its 50th Class Reunion at Something Different in Wilson recently.

Appalachian State University (ASU) has released its graduation list for the Spring 2015 semester.
A total of 220 graduate students and 1,894 undergraduate students received degrees during ceremonies held in May.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson presented over 1,000 diplomas to students on Saturday during graduation ceremonies held at the four high schools.
In addition, Jackson presented 52 more diplomas on Friday night at graduation services for students at Tar River Academy.
Principal John Milliner-Williams gave the opening remarks to begin the graduation. Valedictorian, Stefon Manning encouraged students to look toward the bright futures they all have before them.

Sunday was the 10 year anniversary of the church fire. Peachtree folks gathered for worship with memories of that disastrous event. Each person has a little different memory of how they felt on that early morning. Beverly Wilson spoke, as Deacon Chairman. On that day she was traveling home from a vacation when she learned, by phone, of the fire.

Sunday School began at Beulah Church of Christ at 9:45 followed by church service at 10:45. The invocation was given by our minister, Chris Matchem. Everyone was welcomed, followed by a praise hymn, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" and also "They'll Know We are Christians." This was followed by announcements and prayer. The communion meditation was given by an Elder followed by serving communion by the deacon.

It's that time of year when families get together! Dorothy, Audrey, and Suzy Pearce and Annie Lee Shearin enjoyed the Patterson Family Reunion on Saturday, June 13 at South Pentecostal Holiness Church in Henderson. Relatives traveled from Virginia, South Carolina, and various spots in North Carolina. It was great to spend time with family again and enjoy the delicious covered dish lunch. Dorothy's mother and Audrey and Suzy's grandmother was Madgie Macklin, daughter of Jennie Patterson Shearin and Annie Lee's husband was James Shearin, Madgie's brother.

Psalm 100:4 exhorts us to draw near to God. "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." The gates open into the place of worship. The courts are the rooms of the tabernacle, a tent erected for worship. God promised to dwell, to tabernacle, among His people in the sanctuary they would build. "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).

Summer time and camp time, oh how fun. Busy, busy, busy!! Please keep Cran, Taylor and Brooke Keffer and Logan Ricks in your prayers as they attend camp all this week. The Keffer children are attending Youth Serve in South Carolina and Logan Ricks is attending Camp Caswell on the coast of North Carolina. Hopefully, next week I can tell you all about their camp stay. Also, let's keep in our prayers all our community family as they travel over the summer. Summer is a time for vacations, family visits; reunions, weddings etc. and we all will be out of place at some time.

Back in nineteen and ninety-six, magnetic forces of Arapahoe, Dawson's Creek - the real Dawson's Creek, not that made-up one on TV - and the Neuse River were compelling. I departed greater metro Nashville for my homeland of mosquitoes and hurricanes.
Now I have grown so old, should I not wake up tomorrow - no one ever wakes up dead, they just don't wake up - I am past the age where someone would say, "He died young."

On Friday night, I witnessed something pretty spectacular.
An eight-year-old girl raised over $4,000 for cancer.
How amazing is that?!
Clara Danforth's story is one that will surely open your eyes to a higher power. If you have little, or even no, faith, you should meet this child and her family.

I can check another box off on my list of bizarre things that seem to only happen to me.
Like being a less-than-fleet-footed shoplifter who hung out in front of the store after making a heist.
I was recently in a Triangle area bookstore. A really cool one. I had my whole crew with me, book nerds all of us. We can't help it. I even keep a cart loaded on a popular website where prices change daily, almost like a stock market, just waiting for me to pull the order and have them on the way to me.

HONOR GRADUATE -- This photo originally published in The Graphic on September 24, 1981. Nashville Police Officer Bernice Walston got more than the usual attention when she made the highest score in the Nash County area on a state test for police academy graduates. Officer Walston is shown receiving her certificate from Dr. Reid Parrott, then president of Nash Technical Institute, where she completed the criminal justice curriculum during the summer.

STARVATION. There is NO excuse for it. There are people to help, if you cannot feed your pets. Perhaps you can surrender them to Animal Control, if nothing else. Starving dogs (or cats) is animal Cruelty. Dogs experiencing starvation lose substantial fat and muscle mass as the body breaks down these tissues for energy. They will often have anemia, diarrhea, skin rashes, edema, and heart failure.

The headline story of the June 13th edition of the Telegram created anxiety and sadness in my heart. First of all, there appeared to be more concern for a dog that is vicious and has a killer instinct than there is for the two year old toddler who is in a lot of physical pain and agony over having endured this animal's chokehold on his throat, ears, and face.

GRADUATION DAY. Several senior members of the Southern Nash High School football squad pose with Coach Brian Foster (center) before walking the aisle as part of SN's graduation ceremony last Saturday.

STANHOPE -- A special senior class, including 25 football standouts, said goodbye last Saturday morning at Southern Nash High School.
Those 25 performers were a special group on the gridiron for the Firebirds under veteran head coach Brian Foster.
The seniors helped lead Southern Nash to the Big East Conference Championship, marking the first time the Firebirds have claimed a league title since the 1991 season.

ROCKY MOUNT -- After stepping down as Nash Central High School's football coach last November, Kevin Crudup maintained a positive attitude that another opportunity would be coming soon.
Crudup's philosophy proved to be correct as several schools contacted him about the possibility of becoming an assistant gridiron skipper.
But the most intriguing option came at East Wake High School, which isn't too far away from Crudup's home near Five County Stadium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The following youth sports camps will be held this summer at Nash Central High School:
• A Boys and Girls Basketball Camp is scheduled for June 16-18 from 6-8:30 p.m. each day. Children in grades 2-9 are welcome, and the cost is $35 per person.
• The Trey Sumler Skills Camp will be June 24 and is open to grades 6-9. Cost is free, but the event is only open to the first 60 campers. The camp will run from 6-8:30 p.m. each day.
• A Volleyball Camp is targeted for July 13-15 from 6-8 p.m. each day. Grades 6-12

AGES 7-8 REGULAR SEASON BASEBALL CHAMPS -- FALCONS

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated Nash County Parks & Recreation Department Spring Youth Baseball Scores

AGES 10-12 SOFTBALL TOURNEY CHAMPS -- LADY PANTHERS

AGES 10-12 SOFTBALL TOURNEY
CHAMPS -- LADY PANTHERS

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has announced its 2015 All-America teams for Division III, as well as the organization's final national and regional rankings.
North Carolina Wesleyan College had two players garner All-American status in the form of senior Robert Kjellberg and freshman Sebastian Sikh, with Kjellberg becoming the first four-time All-American in any sport in Battling Bishop history.

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN FOR NNHS. Northern Nash High School ninth-grader Haley Marshall (right) was tabbed for the NCSCA Class 3-A All-Region Girls Soccer Team for the 2015 campaign.

NASH COUNTY -- Two Northern Nash High School teammates made the grade as members of the 2015 North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association's All-Region 3 Class 3-A Girls Team -- and both will be returning next season for the Lady Knights.
NNHS was represented on the prestigious squad by junior forward Rebekah Beal and freshman defender Harley Marshall.
That duo helped the Lady Knights reach the second round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs this spring under veteran head coach Joe McCarthy.

BELT ADVANCEMENTS HELD AT NAMA. Several students in the four-to-six year-old Tiny Nama Tots (TNT) program at Nashville Academy of Martial Arts recently received belt advancements. (Above) Devin Clark received his white with orange stripe belt at a recent belt test. Devin is in the Teeny Tiny Nama Tots (TTNT) Program at Nashville Academy of Martial Arts, which is geared for ages 2 and 3. Pictured is Devin with Sensei Allen Clark.

ZEBULON -- The Winston-Salem Dash broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth inning with three runs off reliever Andy Otero and escaped Five County Stadium with a series clinching 5-2 win against the host Carolina Mudcats on Sunday night in Zebulon.
Otero (L, 0-2, 2.12 ERA) took over in the ninth with the game tied 2-2 and was immediately greeted with a leadoff single by Winston-Salem (27-35) designated hitter Ethan Wilson.

ELM CITY -- Listed are last weekend's race results from action at County Line Raceway:

Aaron Canaan Joyner, 92, passed away Friday, June 12, 2015. He was born in Nash County, April 27, 1923 to the late Lonnie F. and Ollie Joyner.

Ann Evella Alston, 77, of Red Oak, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2015. A funeral was held Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Richardson Funeral Home. Burial followed in the St. Johns Church Cemetery. Rev. Vicki Battle officiated.

Cebelle Hollings Shearin, 87, of Durham, passed away Friday, June 12, 2015.

Dorsey Lee Cox, 72, of Rocky Mount, died on June 9, 2015.

Earlie Gray Winstead, 81, of Elm City, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015.

Jackie Page Ward, age 64, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015. She was born on September 28, 1950 in Oxford to Norwood Allan Page and Doris Woodall Page. She was predeceased in death by her father.

Jody A. Bunn, 40, of Wilson passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at Joyner's Funeral Home.

John Green, 58, of Castalia, passed away on Thursday June 11, 2015.

Marilyn Antionette Taylor, 60, of Rocky Mount, died on June 5, 2015.

Rudoph Edgerton, 47, of Henderson, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Castalia. Burial will follow in the Hickory Grove Church Cemetery. The Rev. Bobby Thomas will officiate.

Thomas Knight, 78, of Rocky Mount, died on June 8, 2015.

Willie Edward Howell, 70, of Rocky Mount, died on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

Willie Grant Lewis, 86, of Louisburg, passed away Sunday, June 8, 2015. A funeral was held Saturday, June 13 at the Mt. Hebron United Holy Church in Louisburg. Burial followed at the Allen Chapel Church Cemetery. Dr. Raymond Bullock officiated.