Nash-Rocky Mount Public School Superintendent Dr. Shelton Jefferies is hoping Nash County Commissioners will support his request for elementary school security in the upcoming budget cycle.
The Finance Committee of the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education accepted the presentation of the 2019-2020 budget on Tuesday during a committee meeting. Jefferies presented the first draft of the budget to the committee.

A monumental effort has paid off for Spring Hope's Chamber of Commerce, as the organization celebrated the opening of a new license plate agency Tuesday.
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles opened the new license plate agency at 123 South Ash Street in Spring Hope. The Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce will operate the agency.

WHO WON THE BET? - Cedar Grove Elementary School recently held its Field Day, with classes competing against one another. Pictured above (L-R), students Molly Elder, Carson Rivas (back center) and Collin Hawkins pull their hardest to win the tug-of-war race during field day.

It's the third year of the Creekside Music Series and this year, attendants will notice a few changes.
Events this year will be held on Saturday nights from 5 until 10 p.m. instead of Friday nights. In addition, two bands will perform instead of one.
Nashville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Marguerite Bishop said the changes are to draw a larger crowd.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools (NRMPS) will close on Wednesday, May 1 due to anticipated call-outs among staff for the Day of Advocacy.
The NRMPS leadership team announced last week that it had been monitoring the potential for call-outs for the Day of Advocacy among classroom teachers, instructional support, bus drivers and cafeteria staff and decided to make May 1 an optional teacher workday.

Love one another will be the theme for the 2019 National Day of Prayer.
The event is set for Thursday, May 2 at 12 noon at the Nash County Courthouse in Nashville.
National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and then signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Parmalee is returning to its roots and will headline this year's Nashville Blooming Festival.
Parmalee will take to the stage on Saturday, May 11 at 8:30 p.m. Local performers Meredith Davis Johnson and Jamie Pridgen will open for the band.
The band is named after the small town where the band started, Parmele, a town of 278 people about 50 miles from Nashville.

The 25th annual Nash County Relay for Life will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.
Around 50 teams will be participating in this year's event.
Hundreds of survivors are expected to come out and participate in the annual Survivor Walk, which always follows the opening ceremony.

The Kids Walk event is a VITAL part of our Nash County Relay for Life.
We work very hard to teach our children, who are the future our Relay for Life, to have a servant's heart, and to help their friends and family raise money to find a Cure for Cancer.

Eight participants will compete in the sixth annual Dancing with the Arts fundraising event on Friday night.
The event will start at 7 p.m. at Nash Arts in Nashville.
Shelly Gray, Executive Director of Nash Arts, said this year, there is a theme for the competition. However, to find out what the theme is, you have to attend the competition on Friday.

Local author Michael K. Brantley has been awarded an Archie K. Davis Fellowship for 2019-20 to help fund research on his latest book project about an overlooked North Carolina historical figure from the 19th Century.
Brantley's second book is due out this fall from the University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- A Nash County man is slated to appear in court next week on child sex charges from more than two decades ago.
Kenneth Neal Hinkle, 59, was charged with statutory rape, statutory sexual offense and felony indecent liberties with a minor -- all felonies.
Franklin and Wake county deputies combined on the investigation and issued warrants for Hinkle's arrest.

A Spring Hope man was one of three charged recently following an investigation by ALE special agents and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
State and local authorities last Tuesday raided two homes and seized over 26 ounces of methamphetamines valued at more than $218,000 following an operation in Franklin County.

The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Nash County on Friday night.
A tornado watch was in place for Nash County most of the day Friday but many parts of the county were upgraded to a warning after 5 p.m.
An EF-1 tornado was confirmed south of Highway 4 in the Gold Rock area, said Brent Fisher, Assistant Director of Fire/Rescue and Emergency Management for Nash County Emergency Services.

Nash Community College students and employees volunteered at the Nash County Special Olympics 2019 Spring Games held on Friday, March 29 at Rocky Mount High School. More than 200 athletes train year-round to participate in seven events.
Rebecca Griffin, NCC Corporate & Economic Development and Admissions Administrative Assistant, coordinated NCC's participation in the Spring Games. Griffin's son, Connor, is an experienced Special Olympics athlete.

INCIDENTS
A credit card/ATM fraud was reported on 4/15/19 at 102 Joyner Street
A possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on 4/15/19 at 101 W Washington Street

A shooting into a church was reported on 4/14/19 at 13452 Burgess Road
A possession of marijuana was reported on 4/14/19 at Bethlehem Road and S Halifax Road
A domestic was reported on 4/14/19 at 13367 NC 98

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from April 15 through 19.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the third semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
The following students at Nashville Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the third semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
The following students at Coopers Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the third semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
The following students at Nash Central High School School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the third semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
The following students at Bailey Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Carson Viverette places dirt in the garden to get ready for plants on Tuesday during a gardening camp.

The Town of Nashville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department hosted a gardening camp two days this week.
The camp was held on Tuesday and Wednesday this week during Spring Break.
Eleven youth participated in the camp said Marguerite Bishop, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director.

Chicken show judges Becca Wysocky (far left) and Casey Proctor (far right) stand with the winners of the show. Wade Coffield was Reserve Grand Champion for Best in Show and won first place in the intermediate division, Adyson Bone was Grand Champion for Best in Show and won third place in junior showmanship and Trey Ormond won third place for Best in Show and fourth place for the intermediate division.

A little over a year ago, Nash UNC Health Care started its "Caring Canines of Nash" pet therapy program with two dogs, Elsie and Lily. Due to its popularity and success the program has expanded to seven registered therapy dogs and five handlers.
"Our pet therapy teams have now visited 387 patients, and they've even delivered Christmas ornaments, Valentine's cards, and flower baskets," according to Amy Winham, Director of Service and Operational Excellence at the hospital.

Ladies from UNC neurosurgery at Nash recently collected food, treats and more for the animals at the Nash County Animal Shelter. Pictured left to right are Dr. Lindsey Tyler, Giovanna McHenry, Stephanie Graham, Victoria Sisk, Bethany O'neal, Delight Strickland, Cathryn Winchester and Amber Pollard.

Eighth graders from Edwards, Nash Central, Parker, Red Oak, Rocky Mount, and Southern Nash middle schools and Tar River Academy toured the Lamm Building on the Rocky Mount campus of Edgecombe Community College recently through Communities in Schools. Students participated in interactive demonstrations and learned about various career pathways offered at the College.

Nashville Chapter Order of the Eastern Star members Sue Smith and Anna Weaver (L-R) present stuffed animals to Sergeant Yvette Whitley of the Nash County Sheriff's Office. The desire of this community project is to help diffuse stress in difficult situations.

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the third semester of the 2018-2019 school year.
The following students at Cedar Grove Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Last Saturday, Columbine High School observed its 20th year since it endured the massacre that claimed the lives of twelve students and one teacher. I thought about Cassie Bernall, one of those students who lost her life because she was a Christian. How many of us would admit to being a Christian when a gun is aimed at us, knowing full well that a "yes" means death?

What is good news? We look at the news reports on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC and most likely we are inundated with bad news. Everywhere we turn we see the great need for good news, but at the same time our culture seems to thrive on and even look for bad news. I've heard it said that bad news travels fast. Are you interested in good news?

Eastertide greetings, Fellow Followers, I pray that the joy of Easter outweighs any other joy you experience in your life. What a thought! What a God! What a miracle! He is not there in the cold tomb, but He is risen. Never let that song get old to you, fellow saint.
Easter. What's in a name anyways? Well, for the name "Easter" it's an indication of which direction we seek to keep our posture as Christians.

Resurrection Sunday was a beautiful day. The Peachtree Baptist Church Congregation, family and friends met to worship our RISEN LORD on Easter Sunday. The Church was full of the faithful knowing what a special day it was for our Christian Faith.

Women in Action of Red Oak Baptist Church met at the church on Tuesday, April 16. They enjoyed a sandwich supper. Maureen Williams, Audrey Pearce, and Marion Faulkner had parts in the program. Members brought items to donate to the homeless shelter in Rocky Mount for their mission action project. Their next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 28 at 6:30 pm at the church.

Resurrection weekend was filled with many celebrations in the community.
On Saturday afternoon, there was a birthday party for Sherrie Moss and Jacob Heintz at the home of Sherrie and Sammy Moss.

Sometimes, people come along that have such a presence, that become such a part of a place that we think they'll always be there.
Unfortunately, life often reminds us that we have unreasonable expectations.
And so it is with Dr. Robert "Bob" Koszelak, better known as Dr. K, to nearly 20 years worth of science students at Rocky Mount Academy.

May is inching closer and closer and for Nashville folks, we all know what that means; it's Blooming Festival time!
Nashville's Chamber of Commerce has put on this awesome event for 23 years now and it takes a lot of volunteers coming together to make it happen.
Nashville's Chamber is an all volunteer group of business owners, residents and others who work to promote, develop and encourage the business and civic interests of Nashville.

One of my vivid childhood memories is on the South Lawn of the White House. It was a surprisingly warm spring day and I was pushing a brightly colored egg with a wooden spoon through meticulously manicured green grass.
It was exciting for our family and hundreds of others to participate in an American Easter tradition dating back to 1878 -- the White House Easter Egg Roll! There was certainly a sense of connection and comradery.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on June 10, 1971 and was then 45 years old. The photo was taken in 1926. The group of children were standing on the steps of Nashville High School, representing the 1926 eighth grade class.

NASH CENTRAL PITCHER JAY BULLUCK

WILSON -- Veteran head coach Willie Langley knew coming in that his Nash Central Bulldogs would be tested mightily at the annual Golden Leaf Invitational Baseball Tournament in Wilson County.
In the first two rounds, Central was slated to meet area powerhouses Rosewood and Cardinal Gibbons -- and Langley understood that each of those outings would be challenging.

Faith Christian's Brayden Leonard throws the ball to first base after registering a force at second during Monday's tournament triumph against the Northern Nash Fighting Knights at Wilson's Fleming Stadium.

WILSON -- Much has changed within the Faith Christian School baseball program, but one constant still remains -- success.
FCS won back-to-back state titles over the past two years under Coach Greg Clifton, who stepped down from his position last June to become the skipper at North Carolina Wesleyan College.

SOUTHERN NASH PITCHER CARRIGAN EWERS

FRANKLINTON -- Even though they had already clinched the Big East Conference regular season championship, the Southern Nash Ladybirds still had some business to take care of during last Thursday's softball showdown at Franklinton.
SN was looking to finish off a perfect record in its league finale -- but it wasn't going to be easy against a potential-filled Franklinton squad that was hosting its Senior Night festivities.

WILSON -- Northern Nash's 2019 baseball season came to a frustrating end on Tuesday, when despite holding a 3-1 lead through the first four frames, the Nash Central Bulldogs tallied five runs in the fifth inning and another in the seventh to knock off the Knights by way of a 7-4 final score in the final round of the Golden Leaf Invitational Tournament at Wilson Hunt's Sid Boyette Field.

NASH COUNTY -- The Nash County Recreation & Senior Services Department will be offering Youth Summer Basketball & Youth Summer Volleyball this summer.
Registration for both sports will run through May 31.
The Youth Girls' Volleyball League is split into two divisions, ages (10-12) & (13-15).

ROCKY MOUNT -- Andrew Page has undertaken a baseball journey at Nash Central High School that few expected when he arrived on campus four years ago.
Never a touted prospect, Page developed into a self-made star and will get the opportunity to continue his diamond career at the next level.
Last week, Page inked a letter-of-intent to join the baseball program at Barton College, a Division II school located in nearby Wilson.

STAUNTON, VA. -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College softball team completed its regular season two Saturdays ago by capturing the USA South East Div. Regular Season Championship by sweeping Mary Baldwin University (VA) on the road.
The Bishops used two 7-run innings to roll in game one 18-3 and then hung on to defeat the Squirrels 8-6 in game two.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are updated Nash County Recreation Spring Soccer results:

ROCKY MOUNT -- Evening Optimist Club's Gehrig Miller and Ayden Tyndall combined on a 3-hit, 12-strikeout night as the two 11-year-old hurlers pitched and hit their way to a 5-2 win over Wesley Men last Thursday evening Little League action at the RM Sports Complex.

Northern Nash High School backstop Paul Powell waits for a throw home as a Faith Christian runner scores during Monday's tournament baseball matchup.

Southern Nash's Taylor Bailey (batting) tries to avoid a high pitch during last Thursday's Big East Conference softball showdown against the host Franklinton Lady Rams.

Nash Central's Tresten Warren attempts a bunt against Cardinal Gibbons during Monday's action at the Golden Leaf Invitational Baseball Tournament at Wilson Hunt HS.

Southern Nash's Samantha Gaure rounds third base en route to scoring for the Ladybirds during last Thursday's conference softball decision against homestanding Franklinton.

Nash Central's Drifton Padgett sends a grounder through the infield during Monday's action at the Golden Leaf Invitational Baseball Tournament at Wilson Hunt High School.