The Nash-Rocky Mount Early College application process will be changing next school year.
School Board members agreed last Monday night to start using a rubric system to select applicants instead of using a random lottery process.
Robin May, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, said the school system had worked harder over the past three years to get the word out and try to encourage students to apply to the Early College. Information is shared with middle schoolers in January and all the high school options are shared with eighth graders.

A Nashville man has been reported missing in the Raleigh area. According to a Raleigh police report, Patrick Lamont Hines, 36, from 3236 NC Hwy 58 N. Nashville, was reported as missing on October 3rd. Patrick is a black male, approximately 5'8", 150-160 pounds, and was last seen walking near Louisburg and Perry Creek Road. He was wearing blue jeans, grey shirt, black and white shoes and carrying a black coat.

North Carolina Attorney General and Nashville native Roy Cooper made it official on Monday afternoon.
He's running for Governor.
After months of speculation about his plans to enter the Govenor race, Cooper officially kicked off his campaign for Governor at Nash Community College.
Cooper, with his wife, Kristin, and three daughters, Hilary, Claire and Natalie, by his side, said it was time to bring the old North Carolina back.

Braswell Milling Company and its neighbors are working on a compromise after citizens spoke out against a rezoning request during a public hearing on September 30.
Nashville's Town Council postponed making a decision on rezoning around 1.96 acres of land from R-10/B-1 to I-1 after the Planning Board recommended tabling the item to give Braswell representatives time to meet with citizens to discuss their concerns.

Five couples are slated to take to the stage on Saturday to showcase their dance skills as part of a scholarship fund-raiser.
The Nashville Chapter of the Nash Central High School Alumni Association will host a "Dancing with the Stars" event on Saturday, October 17 at 6 p.m. at the O.D. Moore Building on Alston Street in Nashville.
Carolyn Morgan said she was excited about the event and hopes the community will support it.

Award winners of Red Oak's Fruit of the Spirit 5K Race pose for a picture.

Though participation was lower than last year, The Fruit of the Spirit 5K Race still netted its goal of $10,000.
The race was held on a cloudy Saturday morning but Reverend David Joyner, Pastor of Red Oak United Methodist Church, said the event turned out great.
"Everything went well," he said. "The weather held off, which we didn't know was going to happen."
Joyner said 149 people registered for this past Saturday's race but only 116 of those showed up to run. Last year up to 200 came out for the annual run.

My Sister's House remembered victims of domestic violence on Friday night by hosting its second annual Empty Chair event.
Cynthia Kornegay, Director of My Sister's House, said this year's event was changed up a bit from last year's. This year, instead of a sit-down dinner, Kornegay said the fund-raising committee of My Sister's House decided to hold a silent auction with music and hors d'oeuvres.
"We decided to have more of a cocktail evening," Kornegay said.

Nash County held off on approving a firearms and weapons ordinance last week to give more time to discuss the issue.
The ordinance would prohibit the public and employees from possessing firearms and other deadly weapons on county owned property, including recreational facilities.
Derek Hawkes, County Engineer, said because of several violent incidents that have happened at county buildings, the ordinance was being brought before the board.

Reverend Richard Joyner was recently announced as one of the top 10 CNN Hometown Heroes of 2015.
Announced by Anderson Cooper on the network last week, the honor comes with a $10,000 prize for the Conetoe Family Life Center. Joyner is also eligible to be voted on to become the 2015 CNN Hero of the Year.
Viewers can watch Reverend Joyner's CNN segment and vote for him to become the 2015 CNN Hero of the Year by visiting the CNN website at www.cnnheroes.com.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office is in possession of several assorted lost, abandoned and found items. In order to make a claim the claimant must provide specific details of the property or monies such as make, model, serial number, denominations, amount, where the items were or any other readily identifiable features.
Claims must be made within 30 days of this publishing. After such time the property shall be disposed of according to NC Law. Bicycles -- The Nash County Sheriff's Office is in possession of several found or abandoned bicycles.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 10/5/15 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A larceny was reported on 10/6/15 at the Scooter Station, 708 S First Street
A larceny was reported on 10/7/15 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

A larceny was reported on 10/5/15 at 4891 S NC 58
A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 10/5/15 at 11401 Christian Road
A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 10/6/15 at 4976 Dortches Boulevard
Found property was reported on 10/6/15 at 16307 Murray Loop Road

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from October 5 through 9.

Spring Hope's board approved a request last week for a Beach Bingo Parlor to operate in the town.
The request for a special use permit was made by Allen Barbee and Lynwood Moore operate the business at 207 C. South Pine Street in the former location of Ann & Son Florist. A public hearing was held with only one comment from the public regarding parking options. Spring Hope Town Manager John Holpe said the business will operate daily beginning at 4 p.m. and most other businesses are closing by 5 p.m. which will allow for off street parking. Holpe also said parking is available along Pine Street.

The Town of Red Oak's meeting last week was slightly more crowded than usual due to a visit by Boy Scout Troop 16. As Tim Dean, who will soon be the troop's Scout Master, explained, "One of their requirements for their citizenship in the community is to attend a town hall meeting, and what better town hall to come to than Red Oak." Mayor Pro-Tem Levell Langley took time to explain the meeting procedure, how agenda items are brought for a vote, and how commissioners get elected by the public.

Red Oak Elementary Principal Eric Mitchell thanks the organizers and participants of Red Oak's Fruit of the Spirit 5K Race.

Will Hardy (left) and his nephew, Cody Ayscue, cross the finish line at Red Oak's Fruit of the Spirit 5K Race.

Northern Nash High School's Athletic Department will be holding a public sale on Friday, October 16 from 12 noon until 5:30 p.m to give the public a chance to purchase a piece of history.
Pieces of the old wooden bleachers will be available for purchase, either in two-foot sections for $5 or a whole bleacher slab for $20.
Old uniforms from various teams will also be available for purchase.

Rosie A. Shearin and Floyd Hayes, Jr. were united in marriage on Saturday, September 12, 2015. The ceremony was held at Spring Hope Pentecostal Holiness Church at 2 p.m. The Rev. Reuben Batchelor officiated the ceremony. A reception was held after the ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Dacus Pierce MCain, III of Nashville announce the engagement of their daughter, Hunter Ann McCain, of Greenville, to Michael Davis Morris, also of Greenville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lewis Morris of Woodland, NC. The wedding is planned for April 16, 2016 at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head.

A daylong celebration at the oldest museum in the nation dedicated to the history of rural health care will be held Saturday, October 17.
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. the Country Doctor Museum will host its fifth annual "History Alive!" - a family-friendly event that offers visitors a glimpse into the past. Free activities will include museum tours and horse-drawn carriage rides from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Civil War re-enactors from the 1st North Carolina Field Hospital, dressed in period costumes, will re-enact the treatment of soldiers on a Civil War battlefield and discuss medical treatments and instruments of that era.

KEUL

The Board of Directors of Providence Bank has announced the retirements of Mr. John A. Barker, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July, 2016, and Ms. Gail H. Cheshire, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April, 2016. Mr. Barker and Ms. Cheshire, along with Mr. Ted Whitehurst, Chief Lending Officer, have functioned as the executive management team for Providence Bank since the Bank opened in March of 2006. Under their leadership, Providence has grown into an institution consistently recognized each year as one of the best performing banks in North Carolina.

Nashville resident James Battle is the latest player to claim a big prize playing Carolina Cash 5. He matched all five numbers in the Sept. 18 drawing to win the $353,882 jackpot.
Battle purchased his lucky ticket, worth $245,065 after required state and federal withholdings, at the Bradberry Grocery on Taylor Store Road in Nashville.
Lottery officials said ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars for the state last year.

Nash County Commissioner Lisa Stone Barnes completed the Advanced Leadership Corps (ALC) training offered by the School of Government at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in conjunction with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners and the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
ALC is a weeklong residential program designed to help municipal and county elected officials understand the broader challenges of governing, build personal leadership abilities, and learn how to lead and act collaboratively. Participants also receive individualized leadership coaching after completion of the course.

Most of Castalia's town board meeting last Tuesday was dedicated to hearing requests from the public. Rev. Carlyle Hall and several deacons from Castalia Baptist Church had questions and concerns about the park.
The group wanted to know if there are plans for a privacy fence to be constructed along the side of the park that faces the parsonage property. Mayor Ellene Leonard explained, "There will be a buffer, it will not be a fence." Later she continued, "Our town ordinance calls for a live buffer. We did make some arrangements to have that ordinance changed, but it has never been completed."

Kristin Mangano was named Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools' (NRMPS) Outstanding Math Teacher of the Year. She was surprised with the honor during a celebration at Englewood Elementary School on Friday, October 9, 2015. Each year, school principals in North Carolina are encouraged to nominate a teacher they believe is the most effective mathematics teacher in their school.

Coopers Ruritan Club provided breakfast for all teachers and staff at Coopers Elementary School on the first day back to school Pictured in the front row, left to right, are: Jackie Revoir, Steve Williams, James Pridgen, Charles Ethridge, Ken and Wanda Powell. Second row: Ruth Pridgen, Linda Ethridge, Peggy Winstead, Danny Tyson, Gerald Walston and Jane Tyson.

Coopers Ruritan Club presents dictionaries to all third graders at Coopers Elementary School. Pictured at the presentation, left to right, front row, are: Carlos Gonzalez-Perez, Raul Vazquez-Zunig, Alana Hux, Cole Sanders, Jaheim Harrison, Noah Goddard, Kaley Baker and Brianna Clemmons. Ruritans on the back row are: Ruth Pridgen, Bob Walker, James Pridgen, Steve Williams, and Linda and Charles Ethridge.

Saturday, October 10 from 11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Gardner's Barbeque, 1331 N Wesleyan Boulevard, Rocky Mount
Monday, October 12 from 3 until 7 p.m. at First Baptist, 200 South Church Street, Rocky Mount
Tuesday, October 13 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, Octobrer 14 from 12 until 4 p.m. at Eaton Corporation, 8171 Planer Mill Road, Middlesex

The days are certainly getting shorter. The trees are ever so slightly getting lighter. The nights cooler. Dawns crisper. And it is certainly getting more difficult to get out of bed...well it is for me at least. Those morning where it's a bit chilly in the house can make the safe, warm confines of your bed an enticing bunk to lull for hours. Where you wake from your slumber with just one alarm, it now takes three, for now your hand automatically smacks it at the first peep.

On a gorgeous autumn morning, Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship. Pastor Whitehouse greeted those who were present.
The choir sang "We Will Remember" under the direction of the pastor. Solo parts were sung by Jerry Hobgood, Robert Sykes and Lawrence Edwards.
The pastor's sermon was titled "We Were Made for Times like These." The scripture passage from Ephesians 5: 8-14 was read by Beth Baines. Pastor Whitehouse said that moral anarchy is rampart in America and the church must show the light of God's love.

Congratulations to Matt and Allison Williams on the birth of their son, Fletcher Lee Williams born on Friday, October 2! Fletcher weighed 8 lbs. and 15 oz. and was 22 inches long. Fletcher has a brother, Griffin.
Congratulations to Wesley and Allison Boone on the birth of their son, Sawyer Thomas Boone, born on Sunday, October 4! Sawyer weighed 8 lbs. and 9 oz. and was 22 3/4 inches long. Proud grandparents are Neal and Mary Boone. Great-grandparents are Al and Nell Boone and Bobbie Wollett.

I am still not receiving news from my Aventon family like I want and need.....So Aventon, since I can't tell everyone what you did this past week, I will tell them what I did. Watch how easy it is!! Garrett and I went to Wilson on Monday afternoon to be fitted for Hand Braces at Beacon Orthotics. Tuesday, after watching Garrett, I went over to Sue Shearin's house for food and fellowship. Wednesday, after watching Garrett, Logan and I went to the Fishing Creek Baptist Church Adult and Youth Bible Study and Meal Night.

For a memory that seems so vivid, it amazes me how much I can't recall.
In less than a week, I will celebrate my 24th wedding anniversary with my wife, Kristi. There are moments when it seems we had that day last week, while at other times, it seems a lifetime ago.
What I do remember: a beautiful, perfect, sunny, cool, autumn day. A full church in Momeyer. A dog wandering in and making himself comfortable just inside the door. Nephews and nieces and brothers and sisters and parents all dressed up, all covered in smiles. My bride's smile when she made it down the aisle.

There are several things recognized and/or celebrated during the month of October.
One of those is National Pit Bull Awareness Month.
If you are a regular reader of this space, you probably know that I have two pit bulls. Abby and Sheba. They are affectionaly called my girls.
Abby and Sheba recently celebrated their 10th birthday! I think in human years that would make them 70 so they are old girls!

Everyone needs to be influenced by Shelby Stephenson. The result will be an awakening to one's sensitivity to the humanities. Expect to experience a paradigm shift if you hear Shelby read poetry or play and sing the rockabilly of Hank Williams I.
I refer to him as simply Shelby because I feel like he is a personal friend. Yet, he and I have been together for only one short time this past spring and since then been in contact only by email. Shelby is North Carolina's Poet Laureate.

This photo was originally published in The Graphic April 7, 1977. These Nash County children were awarded ribbons for their fashion design and creation work at the 4-H Fashion Review held in Nashville. The winners were, left to right: Kim Alston, Kenny Johnson, Jackie Lancaster, Edith Tucker, Donna Braswell, Lee Ester, Cindy Tharrington, Jeanette Wallace and Cynthia Jones.

Dear Editor,
In the Thursday, October 8, 2015, Rocky Mount Telegram there was a story about the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools (NRMS) being among the low performing schools in the state. I just wonder how much a contributor to the low performance rating are the schools that educate the citizens of the City of Rocky Mount. Pope Elementary was mentioned in the article as a contributor. What about the other schools that service the citizens of Rocky Mount?

BUYER BEWARE!!
Did you see the TV news report, about a person being arrested for selling sick puppies in Nash County? We are not surprised. It happens all the time. The "flipper" or broker will adopt (free pups), buy (cheap) or even steal a dog (like the little dog you let go outside to pee on its own). The flipper, when getting free puppies, may claim to be a rescue, trainer or foster, but they don't give you proof nor can you verify their claims.

SHOW OF FORCE. Northern Nash's Chelsea Lucas prepares to whip a forehand during her No. 1 Singles match against Nash Central's Kaley Sharpe.

ROCKY MOUNT -- On-court action wasn't the only point of emphasis when Nash Central hosted Northern Nash on Monday afternoon in the Big East Conference regular season finale for both squads.
As part of the festivities, Nash Central honored is senior class under Coach Michael Mosley.
Also, the teams pooled together to join in a Pink Day event to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

THE GREATEST OF EASE. Northern Nash's Josh Daniels (24) flies through the air in pursuit of the ball during last Friday afternoon's home soccer victory against the Nash Central Bulldogs in Red Oak.

RED OAK -- The Friday Night Lights -- or at least the dimming Friday Night Sunshine -- sparkled on Northern Nash and Nash Central in a rarity last week.
Due to football considerations, there aren't many area soccer matches on Friday. But NN and Central had no choice to reschedule a game for that date due to the recent heavy rainfall.
Starting at 5 p.m., the Knights and Bulldogs jousted early before Northern Nash was eventually able to establish control en route to securing a Big East Conference victory by a 5-0 total at the NNHS Soccer Complex.

IT'S A FOOTRACE. Nashville Hornets' junior varsity player Logan Saunders (with ball) tries to sprint past a pair of Rocky Mount defenders during last Saturday morning's Eastern North Carolina Football League matchup at Glover Park.

NASHVILLE -- Nashville made a spirited effort to secure a victory last Saturday against Rocky Mount in Eastern North Carolina Football League action.
But the Hornets would come up just short as the Gryphons delivered a late touchdown in the first half to edge Nashville by a 13-6 total at The Hornets Nest at Glover Park.
Nashville went toe-to-toe against a strong opponent, but was unable to come up with a much-needed triumph in the always-competitive ENCFL.

STAR OF THE SHOW. Rocky Mount quarterback JaQuan Horne had a prolific outing for the Gryphons during last Saturday's ENCFL football matchup against the Nashville Hornets.

NASHVILLE -- Nashville's Hornets, still seeking their first victory of the season, were bitten by the big-play bug last Saturday during Eastern North Carolina Football League action at The Hornets Nest at Glover Park.
Rocky Mount's high-powered offense came up with a slew of highlight-reel plays en route to defeating the Hornets by a 42-0 margin in the varsity gridiron contest.

WILSON -- Even though it's the first game of the league football schedule, the matchup between Southern Nash and Wilson Fike is always an important one when deciding the pecking order of the competitive Big East Conference.
That was certainly the case last year when SN upended Fike en route to eventually sharing the league crown with the Golden Demons.
The rematch was held last Friday in Wilson, and the Firebirds rolled ahead early and never looked back on their way to delivering a clutch 26-13 triumph.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are updated scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department's Fall Soccer Season:

ROCKY MOUNT -- Junior Bobby Tucker set a new North Carolina Wesleyan College record with three interceptions last Saturday afternoon, helping his Bishops stun league-leading Maryville with a 24-7 football victory at Bishop Stadium.
The Scots (4-1, 1-1 USA South) entered the game undefeated, but it was Wesleyan that got on the board first on a 2-yard TD pass from Dustin Midgett to Malik Adams.

SEWANEE, TENN. -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College Battling Bishop women's tennis team wrapped up the fall season this past weekend at the ITA Fall Regional.
Junior Natalia Lopez and sophomore Florencia Sorrentino paced Wesleyan with solid performances in their respective draws.
Seeded fifth among the 64-person field, Lopez faired well in the Main Draw by tallying a pair of wins to reach the Sweet 16.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The USA South Athletic Conference has announced that it will continue a successful partnership with the City of Rocky Mount to host the 2016 USA South Spring Sports Festival.
The festival will be held April 14-17, 2016.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are updated Nash County Parks & Recreation Fall Baseball & Softball Scores

ROCKY MOUNT -- Northern Nash's season-long dominance of the Big East Conference cross country scene continued last Wednesday during the latest league event at Nash Central High School.
Northern's boys cruised to first place in the team standings with a miniscule 15 points. Rocky Mount was second at 62 points.
NN claimed eight of the top nine points, including Stephen Whitehead's winning effort at 16:59.00.

MARYVILLE, TENN./LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA. -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College Bishop women's soccer team dropped a pair of USA South Conference matches at Maryville and Covenant over the weekend.
MVC posted a 4-1 victory last Friday, while Covenant secured a 1-0 shutout on Saturday.

STANHOPE -- The Nash County Firebirds hosted Tarboro last weekend as part of the annual Pink Out Games a in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Scores from the games were as follows:

Nash Central's Kaley Sharpe claimed another victory Monday at the No. 1 Singles position.

Northern Nash's Tyler Jones elevates for possession for the Knights during last Friday's home boys soccer decision against the Nash Central Bulldogs on the NNHS campus.

Nash Central's Haley Baker unleashes a save during her victory Monday at No. 5 Singles in girls tennis action versus Northern Nash.

Nashville's Logan Saunders picks up yardage around end during last Saturday's home football game against rival Rocky Mount.

Nashville's Brandon Ricks (with ball) tries to find some running room during the Hornets' home loss last Saturday in junior varsity action versus Rocky Mount. Nashville will play this week at Tarboro.

Nash Central's Tripp Turner (left) appears to have the ball on a string as Northern Nash's Tyler Jones looks on during last Friday's Big East Conference boys soccer event in Red Oak.

Nash Arts has a variety of events to offer the community in the coming weeks.
Open Mic Night is scheduled for Friday, October 16 from 7 until 9 p.m. The cost is $7 for the general public and $5 for Nash Arts Member and students 17 and under.
An Improv Club Meeting is set for Sunday, October 25 for ages 17 and up from 6 until 7:30 p.m. and for ages 18 and up from 7:30 until 9 p.m. The cost is $5 per meeting or $50 for one year enrollment.

Carson Henderson, 40, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2015. He was born November 4, 1974. Arrangements by Cornerstone Funeral Home and Cremations, Nashville.