Department heads in Nashville will be spending a few days at the beach as part of a retreat put on at the request of Town Manager Hank Raper.
Raper confirmed on Monday that he, along with eight department heads, would be leaving on Thursday for a trip to Wrightsville Beach.
The out-of-town retreat has reportedly been planned for a while but some council members weren't made aware until late last week.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man suspected of robbing a Red Oak gas station on Saturday night.
A black male reportedly walked into Griffins Food Mart, at 8353 Red Oak Boulevard, just before 10 p.m. on Saturday, January 13. The suspect was reportedly brandishing a handgun and demanded money from the clerks working in the store.

Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland Atkinson served as guest speaker of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet in Nashville Sunday.

"Where do we go from here?"
"Forward!"
Those were the words of Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland "Clee" Atkinson, who served as the guest speaker for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet, which is hosted each year by the Willing Workers of Nashville.

Nash County Commissioners want to make it clear they are not in favor of a proposal that would split the 7th Judicial District.
Commissioners last Monday unanimously approved a resolution opposing the Senate proposal.
The proposal would separate Nash County from the 7th Judicial District and place it with Franklin, Granville and Person Counties. According to the resolution, splitting the district would "create a new, approximately 100-mile long, "snake-like," disjointed district with very little in common. "

Scarlett Langley has always been around animals. So when an animal control officer position opened up in Nash County, Langley jumped at the chance.
That was over 30 years ago.
Langley celebrated her retirement from Nash County Animal Control last month. Her last working day was on December 29.

A local firefighter was named the North Carolina American Legion Firefighter of the Year.
Nashville's American Legion Post 110 nominated Chris Joyner for Firefighter of the Year. Joyner was notified he was selected as the North Carolina Firefighter of the Year and would move on to the national competition.

Market Leader Realty hosted a Business After Hours event and ribbon cutting last Thursday with Nashville's Chamber of Commerce.
The event was to celebrate the real estate agency's recent move to a new location at 2090 Eastern Avenue in Nashville.
This is the third location for owners Ana Joyner and Renee Silk, who have continued to move due to growth.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club (FCA) at Nash Central High School, in partnership with the Youth Pastor's Coalition, is holding the 6th annual After Exam Jam Concert on January 27th, 2017 at Red Oak Baptist Family Life Center starting at 6pm.​ ​
This event is a fundraiser for the FCA and the college and camp scholarship programs the club sponsors.​

Bailey Elementary Principal Mary Jones was surprised last Wednesday to learn that the school's first playground fund raiser had brought in over $16,000.
Dean Edwards, who organized the event, presented the check to Jones during a staff meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Edwards said it had been a hard secret to keep but he was able to keep the final figure under wraps until last week's meeting.

A Whitakers couple were killed on Sunday afternoon when their car was struck by a train. The accident happened in Whitakers around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 14. The driver of the car reportedly attempted to drive around the stop arms after they were lowered. An Amtrak train collided with the vehicle and Eugene and Dorothy Lyons were killed.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education has a new leader for the 2018 year.
Ann Edge was selected to serve as Chair during the Board of Education's meeting last Thursday. Edge served as Vice-Chair in 2017.
Edge was nominated to serve as chair along with Wendy Wilson, who served as Chair in 2017.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will conduct a public hearing in Rocky Mount on January 25 at 7 p.m. to take comments on proposed changes to 35 agency regulations related to wildlife management, fisheries and game lands for the 2018-19 seasons. The public hearing will be held at Nash Community College's Brown Auditorium located 522 N. Old Carriage Rd. in Rocky Mount.

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

Rocky Mount Assistant City Manager Tasha Logan Ford announced that she will be leaving the area she has called home since 2013 for a new position in a new city. Logan Ford will assume the role of assistant city manager in Winston-Salem.
"Every community has a unique set of strategic initiatives and priorities," said Logan Ford. "It is the approach you take to them that makes the difference."

Mason Coley, fourth-grade student at Faith Christian School, has been invited to join the Duke University Talent Identification Program's prestigious 4th-6th Grade Talent Search.
Each year, a select group of academically talented students in the United States are identified as academically gifted based on their exceptional grade-level standardized test scores at or above the 95th percentile qualify.

A Bailey Elementary teacher was recently awarded the Conservation Education Teacher of the Year Award.
Lisa Langley, a fifth grade science and math teacher, received the recognition at the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation District's 74th annual meeting on January 8.

The Friends of the Cooley Library recently donated $6,000 to the library. Funds are anticipated to be used towards collection, supplies, special programs, training costs, and other areas as needed. The current Friends group is retiring from active service and is seeking new members to spearhead the volunteer efforts. The Library depends on these extra funds in order to provide excellent programming throughout the year as well as updating furniture and technology.

West Mount Ruritan Club President Buck Pittman (far left) is shown with his wife, Trish Pittman (center), presenting a check for $1,600 to Gary Phillips (at right), Director of the O'Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Goldsboro, at their annual "Family of Friends Day" on Sunday, December 3rd. West Mount Ruritans have sponsored a community Thanksgiving Service for over 40 years, taking up a love offering at each event which is donated to the center.

Andrew Harper, a Junior Information Technology major of Nashville, was among approximately 890 Bob Jones University students named to the Fall 2017 Dean's List.
The Dean's List recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester.

Dr. Deborah L. Lamm, president of Edgecombe Community College for 14 years, has announced plans to retire in May.
A 39-year veteran of the North Carolina Community College System, she began her current post as president of Edgecombe Community College in 2004.
"My tenure as president of Edgecombe is the hallmark of my 39 years of service in the North Carolina Community College System," she says. "From the moment of my appointment and first day on the job in November 2004, I have considered the position a 'calling.'"

The Southern Nash High School (SNHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) Livestock Judging team won first place in the senior division of the 2017 North Carolina FFA Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event held on November 28, 2017 in Wake County.
SNHS competed against 83 other teams for the top spot. The team members for SNHS included Raven Colbert, Justin Daniel, Stacie Winner and Taylor Hall. The SNHS team FFA advisor is Kristina Brake.

A team from Southern Nash High School (SNHS) competed in the 2017 National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Horse Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) in Indianapolis, Indiana in November 2017. The event was held in conjunction with the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event.

Nash Community College is recently announced the following students achieved academic honors during the 2017 Fall Semester.
To qualify for the Dean's List, students earn a 4.0 grade point average (all A's) while taking 12 or more semester hours. Students who qualify for the Honor Roll earn a grade point average of 3.3 or above and are enrolled in 12 or more semester hours.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Northern Nash High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at the Rocky Mount High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Rocky Mount Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at Southern Nash High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2017-2018 school year.
The following students at GR Edwards Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

On a cold but beautiful, sunny morning Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship. (All services had been canceled on the previous Sunday, due to icy, frigid conditions.) It was good to be able to greet everyone again.
Sanctuary flowers were given by Janice and Bobby Sykes in honor of their great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jameson, Samuel and Elizabeth.

More and more I hear from others who are experiencing increasing frustration in their life. I sense it happening in my own life and I believe this feeling of irritation has increased exponentially in our nation. Let's consider the definition offered by Google: "the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something."

Another wonderful day at Red Oak Baptist Church! Hannah Cole, daughter of Daniel and Megan Cole, and Lilly Worsley, daughter of Matt and Jennifer Worsley, were baptized Sunday, January 14! They were 2 very happy children!
Red Oak Baptist Church is still collecting card fronts.

We need more Martin Luther King Jr's in the world. What I mean when I say that, is this - we need more witness bearers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
January greeters fellow follower of the Way! I pray this article finds you well and enjoying the fact that you are loved, you are redeemed, and that you and I may live lives of holiness in heart and life every single day. Praise be to God for his work of nudging us into sanctification.

Last week, people in Hawaii and elsewhere got a huge scare when an emergency alert went out that a ballistic missile was inbound to the island/state.
For nearly an hour, people there thought the world, or at least their world, was coming to an end.
Then, suddenly, another alert went out saying the whole thing was just a mistake. Apparently, a government employee hit the wrong button. Just one of those things, ha-ha-ha, they said.

Christmas time is always busy. Before you know it- you've attended a zillion events, shopped 'til you dropped and then you find yourself trying to catch your breath for the New Year. There is a sense of euphoria that you'll find an abundance of time to get caught up and organized since all the hustle and bustle of the holidays are now well behind you.

BLANKET OF SNOW -- This photo was found in The Graphic's February 2, 1978 archives. It looks as though this youngster was ready to throw a snowball at the photographer who was Joe Burnette.

Northern Nash's Airrick Moore (left) tries to gain an advantage during his match against Southern Nash's Luke Coble at last Saturday's Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament at the SNHS Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash's annual Firebird Duals provides area teams an important opportunity -- especially the hosts -- to get ready for upcoming conference individual and dual tournament events.
Southern Nash head coach Eddie Coble hopes his club did exactly that during a tough day of competition last Saturday at the historic SNHS Gymnasium.

SWIM SENSATION. Nash Central High School's Ethan King competes in an event during last Wednesday afternoon's Big East Conference Swim Meet at the Harrison Family YMCA in Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT - With a slated meet snowed out two weeks ago and this week dark due to semester exams, area swimmers had just one meet to prepare for the upcoming rigors of the area's conference championships.
That event was held last Wednesday at the Harrison Family YMCA as the Big East Conference held its weekly showdown as part of Senior Night festivities.

A GAME TO REMEMBER. Indiya Spooner (right) enjoyed an exceptional performance for Red Oak during last Thursday's home victory against rival Rocky Mount.

RED OAK -- Red Oak Middle School worked overtime to avenge an earlier-season loss to Rocky Mount during last Thursday's rematch at the ROMS Gymnasium.
Two of them, in fact.
After converting a last-second shot in the first extra session to keep things going, Red Oak won the thirller in the second overtime by a 26-25 margin in a Tri-County Conference thriller.

REUNITED ON THE HARDWOOD. Long-time Southern Nash High School boys basketball coach Robbie Kennedy (left) greets former SNHS girls basketball skipper Gerald Melton at the recent Bunn Christmas Tournament in Franklin County. Melton is now the head boys hoops coach at East Wake High School.

RED OAK -- After a long hiatus for both the Franklinton Red Rams and the Northern Nash Knights, which can be accredited to the holiday break and a few snow days, both teams hit the hardwood last Friday for the first time in 2018, in what was also the Big East Conference basketball opener for both squads.
And more importantly, this was Franklinton's first-ever conference basketball game as a Big East team.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Thanks to a couple of snow days, Michael Gainey's Rocky Mount Gryphons and Renny Taylor's Nash Central Bulldogs had had to reschedule their final game against one another for the 2017-2018 season multiple times.
But despite the delay, the rubber match between the two certainly didn't disappoint.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Coach Terri Cash's Nash Central Lady Bulldogs picked up two more key basketball victories last week -- including a home decision over backyard rival Rocky Mount at the NCHS Gymnasium.
Last Tuesday, the Lady Bulldogs took charge will a strong second period and went on to defeat Rocky Mount by a 40-28 margin in a non-conference showdown.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Junior A.J. Frye averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds over a pair of home games last weekend, helping his North Carolina Wesleyan College Bishops make it three wins in a row with a USA South Conference sweep of Ferrum and Covenant in men's basketball action at Everett Gym on the NCWC campus.
Play began with a Friday night tilt versus Ferrum College that saw the Bishops come away with an 81-58 victory.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated Nash County Recreation & Senior Services Youth League Futsal and Basketball Scores:

RED OAK MIDDLE'S JOSH BULLOCK

RED OAK -- Finishing off a season sweep of Rocky Mount -- and remaining undefeated -- proved to be no problem last Thursday for the Red Oak Middle School boys basketball squad.
The homestanding Tigers scored the first 11 points of the game -- and held Rocky Mount scoreless in the opening period -- en route to delivering a clutch 51-24 decision over the Ravens in Tri-County Conference action at the ROMS Gymnasium.

RALEIGH -- For the second consecutive season, the North Carolina State University baseball team will start the season ranked among the top 15 of the Perfect Game Preseason Poll, as the Wolfpack is listed at No. 13 in the rankings released last Wednesday.
Last season, NC State was ranked No. 14 in the preseason listing.

Northern Nash's Ari Barnes (top) collects points for the Knights during this match against Leesville Road as part of last Saturday's Firebird Duals at Southern Nash HS.

SOUTHERN NASH'S ZACH COBLE (R)

(L to R) NORTHERN NASH'S AIRRICK MOORE & SOUTHERN'S LUKE COBLE

Nash Central High School's Rachel Winston takes part in an event at last Wednesday's Big East Conference Swim Meet at the Harrison Family YMCA in Rocky Mount.