Nash County was one of two counties in the state recently selected to participate in a pilot program that will help treat opioid addiction.
Major Dennis Wooten, of the Nash County Sheriff's Office, presented the Medicine Assisted Treatment, or MAT's, program to Nash County Commissioners on Monday during their regular meeting.

The central office at Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools has been consolidated, Superintendent Dr. Shelton Jefferies announced on Monday to the Board of Education.
Jefferies presented the reorganizational structure, which showed a reduction of five central office professionals from 2015 to now.
"Our district is going through significant reorganization and restructuring," Jefferies said.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office recently announced the acceptance of three deputies into national recognized academic institutions.
Lieutenant Christopher Cary, Captain Curtis Moore and Lieutenant Miste Strickland were accepted into different programs whose goal is to enhance managerial training.
Cary was accepted into the upcoming FBI National Academy, which will be held in Quantico, Virginia.

A Nashville man was arrested last week and charged with sex offenses involving a child.
Nashville Police Officers served a warrant on 68-year-old William Junior Rigsbee, of Nashville, last week at the request of the Rocky Mount Police Department.
According to Corporal Michael Lewis, of the Rocky Mount Police Department, the incident was reported to police in May.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office is looking for a man thought to be responsible for a break-in at the L&L Food Store on Red Oak Road.
Deputies responded to a break-in at the L&L, located at 1765 Red Oak Road, Nashville, on Friday, July 28.
Through investigation, detectives discovered Frederick Allan Battle was the person responsible for the break-in and may have fled North Carolina, possibly heading to Florida. Battle may be with his girlfriend, Skylar Birth, and a minor child.

What started as a family reunion has grown into a community event on a Castalia farm.
The Sumler Acres Family Estate will be the home of the Caviar and Cornbread Music Festival on August 18 and 19.
Nekia Brooks-Norton said the family reunion style music festival was developed as a way to celebrate the community.
Norton lives in Raleigh but inherited part of a Castalia farm property. Norton said her great grandfather Addison Sumler purchased the property in 1922.

Family and friends of Herb Stallings made sure he had plenty of Carolina blue to celebrate his birthday last week.
Stallings, of Rocky Mount, is a proud alumni of UNC and wears his powder blue jacket whenever he gets the chance.
Stallings is possibly one of the oldest alumnus at the university. On Friday, August 4, he celebrated his 102nd birthday.
Family and friends came by Autumn Care of Nashville, where Stallings is currently staying, to help celebrate his big day.

The regular monthly meeting of the town board of Castalia was called to order at 6:04 pm Tuesday, and adjourned at 6:18 pm.
There was no unfinished or new business. After the minutes of the last meeting were approved, the board briefly discussed the Freeman property, one of those that had been sent letters of notice to clean up. The letter had been sent after the July meeting, and since it has not been the allotted 30 days yet, no further action was taken.

The Nash County Support Group for the Blind is sponsoring its second annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser.
The group is selling coupons for a dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for $7.
This is the second year the group has hosted the fundraiser.
The support group provides support for those who are visually impaired.

Nashville Elementary School is planning its second annual Hometown Heroes 5K for Saturday, September 16 but this year's event will include more family fun to go along with the run.
Carrie Morningstar, who serves as Chair of the Playground Committee, said this year's event will actually start on Friday, September 15 with an event on the school's ball field. That event will be held from 6 until 9 p.m.

Nash Health Care's Board of Commissioners have appointed Dr. Ian B. Buchanan, MD, MPH, as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Nash Health Care until a permanent CEO can be named.
Nash Health Care CEO Larry Chewning announced his retirement to the Board of Commissioners last month.
Sources reported that Chewning was asked to leave the hospital system but given the option to retire.

The majority of the regular monthly meeting of the town board of Red Oak was spent discussing speed detecting radar signs. The idea was initially brought up at last month's meeting. Quotes were gathered to discuss at Tuesday's meeting. Radarsign, a company based in Georgia, offered the most attractive product. A mobile sign that is lightweight, theft proof, and about half the cost of similar solar powered models, was discussed at length. The company has offered to send a representative to do a demonstration of the technology and answer any questions from board members.

A state trooper arrested a man in Nashville on Tuesday afternoon after he failed to stop for the officer.
Trooper Bradley Boone said he was traveling on Highway 58 S just south of East Old Spring Hope Road around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1 when he clocked a vehicle going 66 miles per hour in a 55 mile an hour zone.
Boone said he turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle sped up, reaching speeds of 88 miles per hour.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 7/31/17 at 914 E Washington Street
A failure to appear and simple assault was reported on 8/1/17 at 610 E Washington Street
A larceny was reported on 8/1/17 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from July 31 through August 4, 2017.

A breaking and entering was reported on 7/30/17 at 8970 Mill Branch Road
An arson and injury to real property was reported on 7/31/17 at 10908 Ward Road
An identity theft was reported on 7/31/17 at 12097 Old Bailey Highway
A possession of marijuana was reported on 8/1/17 at NC 97 and W Tarboro Road

Spring Hope will not be adding a license plate agency to its town at the moment.
According to Mary Penny Kelley, Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce President, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has rejected the chamber's application through a form letter. The chamber submitted an application earlier this year.

The Rocky Mount Farmer's Market hosted its annual tractor show on Saturday, July 29. Pictured (L-R) Willie Keeter, of Enfield, and Carl Taylor, of Whitakers, check out a tractor at the show. The men are part of the Roanoke River Antique Engine and Tractor Club, which brought out several tractors to participate in the show.

Roland and Joyce Sherrod of Nashville are celebrating 50 wonderful years of marriage. The couple was married in Bailey on August 6, 1967. Their daughter, Wendy Sherrod and boyfriend, Mike Harper, along with grandchildren and close friends gave the couple a celebration on August 5, 2017 at the Coopers Ruritan Club. In 50 years of marriage Roland and Joyce had one daughter, Wendy Sherrod, three grandchildren, T.J. Askew and wife Haley, Matt Askew and girlfriend Katelyn Wood, and Tanner Askew.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Tar River Academy made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

A Nashville resident was among those graduating from Leadership North Carolina's Class of XXIV.
Cynthia Floyd, of Nashville, was among the 55 who participated in the graduation ceremony in the North Carolina Capitol in May. Floyd is a School Counseling Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

A Red Oak native plans to seek a seat on the NC Court of Appeals.
Jefferson Griffin, a Wake County District Court Judge, is hoping to win the Court of Appeals seat currently held by Ann Marie Calabria.
Griffin, a Red Oak native, was appointed in 2015 as a Wake County District Court Judge by former Governor Pat McCrory to fill a vacancy in the 10th Judicial District created when Judge Jennifer M. Green passed away. In 2016, Griffin was elected to a four-year term.

Governor Roy Cooper recently signed an Executive Order reinstating the Statewide Independent Living Council. Gov. Cooper also appointed 25 new members to the Council.
"I'm pleased that these North Carolinians are willing to bring their time, talent, and experience this Council," Gov. Cooper said. "I look forward to working together to ensure that people with disabilities have the services they need."

I DON'T WANT A PIT DOG....said someone recently. She adopted what looked to be a lab mix. But Shelters have a tendency to put pit mix on many and on her paperwork when she got home, that is what it said. She got upset. She was ready to take it back. The thing is, unless you do a DNA test, you do not know what breed they are! The good news is that she decided to give the dog a chance and now she is totally in love with him.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Southern Nash Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Spring Hope Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Swift Creek Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at GR Edwards Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at DS Johnson Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Williford Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the fourth semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
The following students at Baskerville Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

The Medical Assisting curriculum prepares multi-skilled health care professionals to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures. Course work includes instruction in scheduling appointments, coding, and processing insurance accounts, billing, collections and computer operations. Graduates are prepared to assist with examinations and treatments, and perform routine laboratory procedures, electrocardiography, and supervised medication administration. Employment opportunities exist in physician offices, health maintenance organizations, health departments and hospitals.
Pictured below are the Nash Community College Medical Assisting graduates, from left: Sabrina Hampton of Rocky Mount, Anissa Alston of Bailey, Grace Druppel of Rocky Mount, Amy Winstead of Rocky Mount, Toni Williams of Castalia, Velva Mann Hunter of Rocky Mount.

In continuing last week's topic of gifts from God, please consider these further thoughts. But before proceeding, I believe you all should be aware that my abundant reference to scripture serves to reinforce the fact that the Holy Spirit is the basis and the standard from which my opinions are formed. After all, for the Christian, what better or more accurate standard or what higher standard can be used to make one's point? Read II Timothy 4:1-4 which is self-explanatory.

Project H.O.P.E.07 (Helping Our People Excel), hosted the Jesse and Corine Leadership Academy.
Project H.O.PE.07 was founded in 2007 as a non profit organization to mentor at-risk young men. Today, Project H.O.P.E.07 has branched out and assists all young people. The Jesse and Corine Leadership Academy is named after founder Donnell Brown's grandparents who exhibited these many skills.

Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship on a beautiful summer morning. Sanctuary flowers were given by Linwood May in memory of his wife, Jeannie, and his son, James.
The Adult Choir sang "He Hideth My Soul "as directed by the pastor. For the sermon for the children, Beverly Wilson talked about "wrestling". The Bible tells a story about wrestling.

The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board has elected John T. Bass as Treasurer for the Board.
The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board is the state licensing board charged by the General Assembly to license and certify drug and alcohol counselors so that they may practice in North Carolina.

The Nashville Lion's Club recently installed its new officers. Pictures on the front row is Ken Ripley, Director. On the second row (L-R) is: Jeannette Shaw, Lion Tamer; Mary Boehm, Secretary, Jim Boehm, President; and Past District Governor Charles Holloman, who swore the officers in. On the very back row is Steve Bradley, Director.

Members of the Micajah Pettaway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution attendedthe District VIII Meeting held in Wilson. At the meeting the chapter received 3 awards for achievements met this past year: A certificate for Chapter Achievement (Blue Level), a certificate from the DAR Good Citizens Committee and a certificate for obtaining a Level I Achievement.

Thursday, August 10 from 12 until 6 p.m. at Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 South Englewood Drive, Rocky Mount
Friday, August 11 from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 South Englewood Drive, Rocky Mount
Saturday, August 12 from 12 until 4:30 p.m. at Golden East Crossing Mall, 1100 N Wesleyan Boulevard, Rocky Mount

A total of 19 Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools (NRMPS) students celebrated on Thursday, July 27, 2017 as they walked the stage and turned their tassels during the NRMPS Summer Graduation Ceremony. Thursday's event, held in the gymnasium of Northern Nash High School, honored graduates from five different schools. Rocky Mount High School had 11 graduates, while five of the students were from Southern Nash High School. Nash Central High School, Northern Nash High School and Tar River Academy each had one graduate.

Nash Community College recognized Susan Beasley Butler, RN, MSN as the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient at the 50th anniversary graduation ceremony held in May.
Butler is a Nash Community College 1974 Licensed Practical Nurse and 1980 Associate Degree in Nursing alumna. "Nash Technical Institute, even though it was a small college when I attended, had a very remarkable reputation in the community. NTI was known for nursing students having a high pass rate on state boards.

Okay, I'll admit it sounds bad when I say I yelled at a senior citizen the other day. So let me try to explain.
I found myself in an adjacent county running errands and realized I was short on victuals. With my boys in tow, we headed to the grocery store and looked for a parking space.
We found one adjacent to the cart return.

Opioid addiction has become a hot topic lately and that's not a good thing.
But, here in Nash County, Nashville particularly, we have a lot to be proud of because here, law enforcement officials are trying to combat the problem in a different way and it's gaining some national recognition.
The HOPE initiative was introduced by Nashville's Police Department last February.

TAX BILLS -- This photo originally published in The Graphic on August 13, 1974. Nash County Tax Supervisor Willis Ward and Marsha Rains are pictured preparing part of more than 35,000 tax bills to be mailed out to Nash County property owners.

BACK IN THE FIELD. Former Southern Nash and North Carolina State standout Josh Sessoms (left) has returned to Stanhope and will be an assistant coach this season for the Football Firebirds.

STANHOPE -- As the crow flies, Southern Nash High School is located not far away from Wake County.
But SNHS veteran football coach Brian Foster, who has been affiliated with the school for nearly a quarter-century, can't remember exactly when the Firebirds competed in Wake County -- either in jamboree or regular season fashion.
Southern Nash used to play an annual grudge match against East Wake -- with plenty of spirited games -- but that rivalry is currently on hold.

STANHOPE -- Regular season success clashed with playoff glory when the Big East Conference football coaches convened for their annual preseason poll as part of the league's annual Media Day on Tuesday at Southern Nash High School.
When predicting a preseason favorite in the Big East, coaches pondered whether Southern Nash's regular season championship could trump Rocky Mount's journey toward a state playoff runner-up finish.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash High School's volleyball team was supposed to begin its 2017 season on August 16 at non-conference opponent at Bunn.
But the Bunn Dome is unavailable due to floor repair, so the teams will switch sites for their home-and-home series.
The Aug. 16 event will be at Northern Nash, w hile the Aug. 28 contest will be staged at Bunn.
Northern Nash's complete ledger is as follows, with home matches listed in CAPS:

WINSTON-SALEM -- Monte Harrison went 2-for-3 with a run and a double, but the homestanding Carolina Mudcats were held to just one run overall and four hits by Hector Perez and Sebastian Kessay of the visiting Astros in a 9-1 series finale loss to Buies Creek on Sunday afternoon in a Class A Carolina League baseball showdown at Five County Stadium.
Perez (6-4, 2.73) struck out six and scattered three hits over six scoreless innings for the Astros (66-47, 29-14).

TOURNEY BASKETBALL CHAMPS. The Hester and Tucker Bulls recently won the Nash County Recreation and Senior Services 2017 Summer Youth Basketball Tournament. Pictured are (back) Coach Damian Tucker; (middle, l to r) Jeffrey Moore, Jimoni Hines, N'Yles Hines, Randall King, Thomas Copeland and Sebastian Evans; (front, l to r) Nicholas Tucker, Tommie Pitts, Jackson Lynch and Jermia Walker. (Photo Submitted)

ELM CITY -- Here are the results from last Saturday's action at County Line Raceway:

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated results from the Nash County Recreation and Senior Services Summer Basketball League:

A Southern Nash player prepares to hand the ball off to a teammate during a recent Firebirds' football practice session on the SNHS campus in Stanhope.

Nash Arts' Nashville Showcase Series Presents Nantucket on Friday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:40 p.m.
Tickets are $25 in advance for the general public or $20 for Nash Arts member or $30 in advance for the general public and $25 for Nash Arts members. Reserved seats (front 3 rows) are $35, $30 for Nash Arts members.
Nantucket is a rock band that formed in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1969.