The Town of Nashville is planning to fund several departmental wish lists in the upcoming 2022-2023 fiscal year budget.
Town council members met last Wednesday and again this Wednesday for a budget work session. Finance Director John O'Keefe presented council members with a $22.5 million budget, an almost 52 percent increase from the 2021-2022 fiscal year original budget and a 36.34 percent increase from the 2021-2022 amended budget.

The Town of Nashville is making plans to lease a 4.5-acre parcel to construct its second fire station and the first step is to hold a public hearing on the lease agreement.
The public hearing is set for Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m.

Nash County Commissioner Marvin C. Arrington and wife Carolyn enjoy ice cream during the luncheon.

The Nash County Soil & Water Conservation District held its annual luncheon last Thursday to celebrate farmers and agencies who agricultural efforts help with preserving soil and water.
The luncheon took place May 19 at the Nash County Agriculture Center.

Nash County has released a draft of its proposed 2022-2023 budget which has a focus on the county's existing employees.
The total proposed budget for the county is $121,536,411 which has increased compared to the 2021-2022 fiscal budget of $115,356,600. The overall proposed budget includes the general fund, enterprise funds, special revenue funds, and internal service funds.

Amanda Marie Yetter is excited about the opportunities and partnerships that await at Harold D. Cooley Library.
Yetter, of Zebulon, started in her new role as library director last month and is already gearing up for summer programming.
Yetter is originally from a small town in Pennsylvania. After college, she moved to Chicago, where she spent some time teaching.

Oliver Gray is pictured with the Sweet Potato during Bailey's inaugural Sweet Potato Festival last weekend.

BAILEY - A new tradition began to take shape in southern Nash County over the weekend. On Saturday, the town of Bailey hosted its first-ever annual Sweet Potato Festival.
The festivities kicked off as early as 10 a.m. and continued throughout the afternoon with multiple cooking contests, food and business vendors, a car show, and much more.

Warrant service, warrant service, simple possession of schedule II controlled substance and call for service reported at 100 N. Boddie St, Nashville on 05/19/22 and 05/18/22
Breaking and entering felony/non-force/larceny and larceny from construction site reported at 10735 E NC 97, Rocky Mount on 05/19/22

A Spring Hope man was arrested last Tuesday after an ongoing investigation started by the Nash County Sheriff's Office revealed he was drug trafficking.
Sean Jermaine Mills, 40, is charged with a slew of drug-related crimes in both Nash and Franklin counties in a process that was deemed as "Operation Drug Mill."
He was determined to have been a main supplier of cocaine and methamphetamine in the Nashville, Spring Hope and Castalia areas of the county.

Building Permit
Commercial
Will Gautier, 5095 Dortches Blvd; new construction; $1,232,475
Hank Boeger, 470 Swift Creek School Rd; addition; $20,000

Incidents
Assault on law enforcement officer, driving while impaired, possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana), and possession of marijuana less than 1/2 oz reported at E. Old Spring Hope Rd/Oak Level Rd, Nashville on 05/18/22

The town of Red Oak has established an ordinance to stand up against anyone acting inappropriately at W.B. Ennis Park or on government property.
Red Oak Town Clerk Tracy Shearin said the ordinance was adopted in response to concerns related to a recent incident at the park and also the increase of First Amendment Auditors appearing at government facilities.

Residents of the town of Spring Hope will most likely see an increase in water and sewer and garbage and recycling rates.
Spring Hope Town Manager Andrew DeIonno said the NC Rural Water Association conducted a rate study which shows varying models of fees residents should be charged for their water and sewer usage.

The town of Spring Hope now has its public forum policy and procedures officially written down.
The board of commissioners voted to adopt the town's usual set of rules for speakers during their April meeting. The rules apply to those speaking during the public comment portion of meetings.

American Legion Post 110 of Nashville held its annual Ladies Night in March recognizing the Ladies Auxiliary and its volunteers along with other women in the community who support the local post.
American Legion National Executive Committeeman David Shore served as guest speaker thanking the Ladies Auxiliary for their work, "The auxiliary does a lot of things, the background work, and it's appreciated," he said.

Coopers Boy Scouts Troop 37 along with Webelos and Cub Scouts Pack 37 visited the Nash County Courthouse recently to explore the newly placed Charters of Freedom on the courtyard.
Boys Scouts learned about the documnets as part of earning their citizenship badge.

Plans to possibly move the Spring Hope library to another building in town are under consideration.
Spring Hope Town Manager Andrew DeIonno said the town has recently applied for a $950,000 NC Commerce Rural Transformation Grant.
The grant's purpose is to support rural economic development.

Children ages 5 to 11 years old can receive a COVID-19 booster five months after the date of their most recent Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose.
"Summer brings vacations, play dates and family gatherings, and it's important for everyone to stay up to date on their vaccines," said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "Children ages 5 to 11 can now have the extra protection of a booster dose, which significantly increases protection against serious illness, hospitalization, death and long-term complications from COVID-19."

Since I'm often in need of driving directions, I rely on an application on my cell phone that gives you audio and visual directions. This device is just what the doctor ordered. You open the program and within a few seconds, satellites pick you up and show your exact location on your phone screen. All you have to do is type in the address for which you want directions.

They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

Remember to register to attend Vacation Bible School at Red Oak Baptist Church. This year Vacation Bible School will be held June 26 - 30 with dinner at 5:30 pm each night followed by the study rotations from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Preschool VBS is for those who are 3 years old (as of 1/1/22) through 5 years old (before Kindergarten). Elementary VBS is for children who have completed grades K - 5. Register by June 6 to be guaranteed a themed t-shirt.

Southern Bank Foundation donated $5,000 to A Touch of the Father's Love Inc. to assist the food pantry with the purchase of a new facility.

Nashville
5/28/2022: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lighthouse Baptist Church, 1703 Reges Store Road
6/3/2022: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Town Council Chambers, Town Council Chambers, 114 W. Church Street

This coming Sunday the members of Peachtree and Americans around the world will celebrated Memorial Day. Let us remember it is a day to honor those that have given their lives for us. Have a great Memorial Day, but REMBEMER.
Memorial Day: A Day to Honor Life

D.R. Horton, Inc. to Deborah L. Wenzel and Dawn Wenzel; Olde Mill Stream Phase I, Lot 31
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Ruth M. Sumner Revocable Trust, Ruth M. Sumner and Patsy M. Sumner to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Ruth M. Sumner Revocable Trust and Stacy Sumner Jesso; 401 Shady Circle Drive, Rocky Mount

Pictured (left to right): Rocky Mount Mayor Protem T. J. Walker, Rocky Mount Police Chief Robert Hassell, Senior Police Officer Daryl Jones and Rocky Mount Lions Club President Dr. Bob Cameron.

Rocky Mount senior police officer Daryl Jones and Fire Captiain David Winstead were recognized by the Rocky Mount Lions Club as the city's police officer and firefighter of the year during a presentation at Monday's City Council meeting.
Jones and Winstead were chosen by their coworkers for the respective honors.

Hardee's Furniture, a family owned business since 1981, announced the promotion of Brandon Hardee to general manager.
"Thanks to our many great customers, we have been able to serve eastern NC with quality furniture and excellent service for 41 years. Brandon has been working for us since middle school and has proven that he has the ability to make sure that our company can continue to grow and provide the quality of product and service that our customers expect," said Vanise Hardee, owner of Hardee's furniture.

Christina Nordman of Spring Hope has been named to Southern New Hampshire University's Winter 2022 President's List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above are named to the President's List.

James Sherrod (left), Faye and Eddie Dozier

The Coopers High School 88th Alumni Association Banquet was held Saturday, April 23 at the Coopers Elementary School gymnasium. President Linda Lamm Harper welcomed the 140 alumni and guests to the event.
Everyone present received a wood cross necklace which were made from the wood of the old school. Other crosses were created from the wood of the bleachers from the gym.

The Virginia Dare Book Club of Bailey presented a gift of cash on May 16, to the Bailey Elementary School Reading Program.
Ellen Jones Gray, president, on behalf of the book club presented a check to Natalie Shearin, Media Specialist, Bailey Elementary School Reading Program in memory of book club members: Beth Bissette Frazier, Penny Dew Jackson, Della Davis Sanders and Jean Brantley Stone.

Last week's annual luncheon hosted by the Nash County Soil & Water Conservation District offered good food, fellowship and fun.

Gabbie Buchanan, NC Cooperative Extension intern and Kelsey Lichtenwalner, Edgecombe County Extension Agent, enjoy peanuts at the annual Nash County Soil & Water Conservation District lunch.

I'm guessing very few people have ever heard of Albert Woolson.
He was the last Civil War veteran (Union) to pass away -- at age 109 in 1956.
The last Confederate widow, Maudie Hopkins, passed away in 2009 at age 93. Let it sink in for a minute that her husband served in a war that ended in 1865.

I think it's safe to say we're all sickened by the tragic school house shooting that happened in Texas Tuesday morning - regardless of our party affiliation or our opinions on firearms.
I'm sure there are already conversations filled with highly tempered opinions at bay over how such a tragic thing could have been prevented.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on July 19, 1979. The 1949 Class of Nashville High school held its 30th reunion in 1979.

One of the state's more recognized Juneteenth celebrations returns to Rocky Mount June 17-19 as the city of Rocky Mount will celebrate the 2022 Juneteenth Community Empowerment Festival.
The Juneteenth Community Empowerment Festival is presented by PNC and sponsored by Lidl, Suddenlink, the Juneteenth Planning Committee and the Community Empowerment Association.