A rezoning request for property on Stoney Hill Church Road has once again been put on hold.
The request was to rezone around 25 acres at 3645 Stoney Hill Church Road, Bailey from R-40 to RA-20. The property is owned by L&F Farms and the Cecil Williams is the prospective developer of the property.

Jody's of Nashville owner Jill Boone is pictured with her daughter, Chelsey Joyner.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual membership meeting last week honoring their 2019 Business of the year.
Chamber Vice-President Cliff Joyner presented the award Thursday night to long-time small business proprietor Jill Boone who owns Jody's of Nashville.
Joyner explained the criteria for the annual award includes longevity of the business (a minimum of five years), growth and development, support of local merchants, demonstration of good business practices, appearance of the business, active community members including volunteer activities, support of local charitable events and organizations, customer service and courtesy of staff.

Brenda Brown

Filing has been extended for the Town of Castalia.
The Nash County Board of Elections announced on Friday that filing had closed for all municipalities except for the Town of Castalia.
"The Nash County Board of Elections has voted to leave filing open for five days for the Town of Castalia Board of Commissioners," Elections Director John Kearney said. "Currently, there are two candidates that have filed and there are three seats available.

Nash County Senior Services Supervisor Morgan Doughtie was honored with a statewide award last week at an annual training conference.
Doughtie was named the 2019 SHIIP Statewide Coordinator of the Year for North Carolina.
SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance that offers free, objective information on Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance and other health insurance issues.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education held a special called meeting on Thursday, July 18 at 6 pm. After adopting the agenda, the board heard from William Marshmon.
His appointment as a member of the Nash Community College Board of Trustees had expried, and he appeared at the meeting to request reappointment.

Allie O'Leary and Addison Roughton tried to beat the heat recently by selling cool glasses of Kool-Aid in their Nashville subdivision for 50 cents a cup.

Castalia churches are coming together to host the second annual Family Fun Day in the Park.
This year's event is set for Saturday, August 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Castalia Missionary Baptist Church, Castalia Baptist Church, Luther Chapel Holiness Church, Church of God are joining the Town of Castalia to host the annual back-to-school event, which will feature food, entertainment and resources.

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

The Nash Community College Foundation Board of Directors completed a successful community campaign which began in March and ran through June. Led by the NCC Foundation's volunteer board, the annual campaign raises funds to support deserving students seeking help with their educational expenses and assists with instructional needs of the college.

A simple assault was reported on 7/14/19 at 2557 Wintergreen Road
A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 7/14/19 at 3914 Taylors Gin Road
A felony larceny was reported on 7/14/19 at 5336 W Castalia Road

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

The State of North Carolina has presented the Nash-Edgecombe Counties 2019 Governor's Award for Volunteer Service to Down East Radio Reading Service, Inc. and Dr. Glenda Lawrence-Knight.
The Governor's Volunteer Service Award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.

The VOICE of Nashville met on June 17 with Cliff Joyner, Vice President of Nashville's Chamber of Commerce, as the guest speaker.
Joyner talked about the purpose of the Chamber during his time. The Chamber promotes and develops business in the surrounding area and is made up of volunteers.

Cooley Library hosted a Community Helpers storytime on Monday, July 1. Dental assistants from Dr. Lloyd's office spoke about dental hygiene to those in attendance. After the presentation, those in attendance got to look at fire trucks and police cars. Pictured above, Ethan Smith checks out binoculars from a Nashville police car.

The Nash County Senior Center hosted a Fire/EMS Appreciation event last month. Members of the Nashville Fire Department and Nash County EMS were treated to a hot dog lunch to show appreciation for what they do. Pictured above, Ruby Davis (at left) talks with Brian Brantley, Director of Nash County Emergency Services (at right), during the appreciation event.

Nashville's Cooley Library hosted a special Lego Robotics Workshop on Wednesday, July 3, with Megan Oteri, Founder and CEO of Brick Scholars, attending. Those in attendance had a chance to build a robot using Legos. Pictured above, Isabella Walton and Matthew Cooke work together to build a Lego robot.

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

The Nash County Sheriff's Office recently recognized Philip Parker for achieving the North Carolina Sheriff's Education and Training Standards Commission Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate, the Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate, and the Intermediate Service Award.
Philip Parker has served as a Law Enforcement Officer the last 18 years of his life working in several different aspects of law enforcement with more than one type of agency.

Providence Bank has announced the promotion of Tonya Slocum, Financial Services Representative/Retail Loan Officer to Assistant Vice President and Office Manager. Ted E. Whitehurst, President & CEO, stated, "Tonya was one of our original employees when we opened our Nashville office. She has contributed greatly to the growth and success we have had in that market."

Area Career and technical students recently won one of the nation's highest awards at the 2019 SkillsUSA Championships, held in Louisville, Ky., on June 26-27. More than 6,500 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education. The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world and covers 1.4 million square feet, equivalent to 20 football fields or 25 acres.

The following local residents have earned a degree from Western Governors University (WGU). The online, nonprofit university held its 70th (Orlando, Florida); 71st (Cincinnati, Ohio); and 72nd (Anaheim, California) commencement ceremonies this year to celebrate the graduation of more than 22,000 students from across the country.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly congratulates, Sarah Foster who is the recipient of an LGFCU Scholarship Award.
Foster, will use the scholarship to study at Barton College and is one of 120 deserving high school seniors and post-secondary students that will receive the funds to apply toward their education at the university, community or technical college of their choice.

LOVE & COMPASSION vs HATE & DISGUST ~ "I hate people." and "People suck." We hear it all the time. Because of owner surrenders or people not taking care of their pets. We even see statements like "The owners should be euthanized." Where is the kindness and love we give to pets? Could it be that the people need saving as much as the pets? Where is the empathy? Below are some blogs that explores our mindset.

Area churches recently spent the start of their summer break participating in a local program called Team252.
Team252 is a mission experience organized by the Youth Pastors Coalition that serves the greater Rocky Mount area. This year, approximately 140 students ranging from sixth through 12th grade, along with over 20 chaperones, converged in Downtown Rocky Mount to develop relationships, serve the community, and invest in the region.

"For their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah." (Deuteronomy 32:32)
Do you remember the story? God brought judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. In fact, Genesis 19:24 records, "Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah."

Here we go fellow followers and saints, let's pick up where we left off last week in talking about living as the saints we've been saved to be. What does that look like in our world? How are we to live? How do we structure our lives?
Well, first off, let's talk numbers. Let's talk 180, which is the number of repentance.

The Baptist Men of Red Oak Baptist Church enjoyed their monthly breakfast meeting on Sunday, July 21.
A Parent/Child Dedication Service was held on Sunday, July 21 during the morning worship service. Those participating included Charlotte Emilie and Melody Rose Lewis, daughters of Jamie and Audrey Lewis; and Tristan Ray Sykes, son of Christian Sykes.

This past Sunday Peachtree Baptist Church congregation, family and friends met to worship our Lord.
The sanctuary flower arrangement Sunday was presented to glorify God and present the wonder of His creations to adorn the world.

Nashville Chamber President Mary Grace Daughtridge (background) announces three scholarship winners during the annual meeting. Hailey Hyatt, Kaitlyn Crusenberry and Victoria Proctor each received $500.

In last week's column, I started the telling of the saga of how my "new" refrigerator had presented some issues and that resolving them seemed to be an overly complicated process.
The first issue was shortly after I bought the appliance. It stopped working and when I called the big box store about getting it fixed or replaced, I was told it was my problem because I didn't buy the extended warranty.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce recognized Jody's of Nashville as its 2019 Business of the Year last Thursday night -- and what an excellent choice!
Owner Jill Boone was basically baptized by fire setting out on a new venture in the retail world when she became the owner of Jody's in 2005.
Today if you ask her what owning a retail business is like she will tell you that you start over every day and nothing is promised.

This photo of the 1969 Little League Champions from Spring Hope originally published in The Nashville Graphic on July 31, 1969.

As we celebrated Independence Day this month, we also remember the sacrifices and service of members of our military who protect us and safeguard our democratic values.
July is Military Consumer Month and I want to highlight some of the ways my office is dedicated to protecting servicemembers from harmful scams.

SOUTHERN NASH'S LAMONT WILLIAMS

GREENSBORO -- One of the state's grandest gridiron stages welcomed a pair of Nash County standouts last Wednesday -- and neither player disappointed.
Southern Nash's Lamont Williams and Northern Nash's Davontae 'Crank' Wiggins played key roles for the East Team during the annual North Carolina East-West All-Star Football Game, which was held at historic Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Greensboro Grimsley High School.

NASH REC SWIM TEAM'S ALLIE O'LEARY

NASHVILLE -- Nash Rec was supposed to experience a final regular season tune-up last Thursday against chief rival Roanoke Valley -- but it simply wasn't meant to be.
The Nash-Halifax Swim League event was slated for the Nash Rec Pool, but the rain and lightning started in the area just minutes before the opening of the commpetition.

JOB WELL DONE. Nash County resident Todd Brewer (center) was part of the officiating crew for the East-West All-Star Football Game in Greensboro.

GREENSBORO -- Todd Brewer might be known more for his work as a teacher and multi-sport coach at Southern Nash High School, but he has also carved out a successful reputation as an area high school official.
Brewer's impressive officiating resume' features participation in several high-profile events, the latest of which was the North Carolina Coaches Association's All-Star Football Game last Wednesday at historic Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Greensboro Grimsley High School.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash High School has announced first day of practice/tryouts dates and times for its fall sports offerings.
Times and dates are as follows:
• Football -- August 1 from 8:30-11 a.m.
• Boys Soccer -- August 1 from 6-8 p.m.

ZEBULON -- Brice Turang scored the game winner in the ninth inning on a walk-off single from Mario Feliciano as the homestanding Carolina Mudcats earned a series tying 5-4 victory against the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Sunday afternoon at picturesque Five County Stadium.
Turang went 3-for-5 with a triple and Eddie Silva went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a triple and two runs in the game for Carolina.

KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Recent graduate Aaron Spivey of the Wake Forest University men's basketball team was honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches recently as the organization announced the 2018-19 Honors Court.
It marks the fourth consecutive year that the Demon Deacons have had a player earn the honor.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The City of Rocky Mount will host the 22nd Annual Down East Viking Football Classic between Elizabeth City State and Fayetteville State.
The CIAA showdown will be held Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. at the Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $15 for visiting the Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department, which is located on the third floor of the Frederick E. Turnage Municipal Building.

Northern Nash High School's Davontae 'Crank' Wiggins played quarterback for the East Team at last week's East-West All-Star Football Game.

Northern Nash's Davontae Wiggins (left) tries to avoid a tackle attempt during last Wednesday's contest.

Tarboro's Keon Caudle (with ball) was the Offensive Most Valuable Player of the East-West All-Star Football Game last Wednesday in Greensboro.

Tarboro High School running back Keon Caudle (left) gains some yardage for the East Team during last Wednesday's East-West All-Star Football Game in Greensboro.