A new interim Director for Nash County's Department of Social Services has been appointed, and the former Director removed from her position by county leaders.
"Mrs. Sarah Bradshaw will be in the role of Interim Director until further notice," said a memorandum to Nash County DSS Staff from Bill Hill, Health & Human Services Director.

The issue of police presence at Nashville Elementary continues to be an item of contention for the Nash County School Board, with a committee meeting Monday ending in verbal sparring between two board members.
Dr. Leondus Farrow, NCPS Assistant Superintendent, placed the School Resource Officer presentation on the agenda for the Student Support Services and Operations Committee Sept. 25, with both the Nashville Police Department and Nash County Sheriff's Office making their cases as to why each should provide a full-time officer at the school.

A new, state-of-the-art, $750,000 fire truck at the Town of Momeyer's Volunteer Fire Department is ready to roll, but is not allowed out of the Fire Station's bay doors until mandatory training is complete for the firemen who will use it.
"We hope to have it on the road by the end of September," Fire Chief Kevin Lee told The Graphic.

The Town of Nashville's Fire Station 2 will be on the agenda at next week's meeting of the Local Government Commission (LGC).
The town is hoping to lease the 4.5 acres of land along East Washington Street, or Oak Level Road, to construct Fire Station 2 but must receive approval from the LGC to lease the property and obtain financing for construction of the fire station.

Insufficient paramedics, non-competitive salaries and trainer burnout at Nash County Emergency Medical Services are forcing county officials to seek solutions.
"My staff is telling me we're on the edge with paramedics. We need experienced staff hired," said Emergency Services Director Tony Cameron during a presentation Sept. 18 to the Nash County Board of Commissioners.

Ten Nash County towns have candidates running in the November elections, with early voting beginning for some towns as soon as October 19.
The municipal election in Rocky Mount is set for Oct. 10, with early voting ending Oct. 7.
People who wish to vote for Nash County municipalities and are not currently registered have a registration deadline of Friday, Oct. 13. The voter registration deadline to vote in the City of Rocky Mount Elections has already passed.

In a rematch from four years ago, a former Nashville mayor has filed to run in this year's municipal elections. Former Mayor Donald Street is running against current Mayor Brenda Brown who defeated him in 2019. Louise Hinton is the only Town Council Member running for re-election. Newcomers to the ballott are Bill Lumpp, Xavien Harrison and Mary Grace Daughtridge.

A new schedule of values for properties in Nash County is now available for review in the Nash County Tax Office. A public hearing on the methodology for setting property values is set Oct. 2 during the 9 a.m. Board of Commissioners' meeting.
A "schedule of values" establishes the base rates and ranges for all types of property, and would be in effect until the next general reappraisal. NC G.S. 105-286 requires all counties to conduct property reappraisals at least every eight years. The last time for Nash County was seven years ago.

The Down East Radio Reading Service, a not-for-profit organization that uses volunteers to read local newspapers over the radio for the visually challenged, held a celebratory 20th Anniversary Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in Rocky Mount Sept. 12.
The dinner was held at the West Haven Presbyterian Church at 1001 West Haven Blvd, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Nash County Farmers Market in Rocky Mount is receiving more than $95,000 in grant money from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
A budget amendment item presented by Donna Wood, Nash County Finance Officer at the Sept. 6 Board of Commissioner's meeting required Board consideration, although no County funds were required.

Found property reported at 10157 W NC 97, Middlesex on 9/20/23
Domestic disturbance at 10528 Circle Nine Rd., Middlesex on 9/17/23
Motor vehicle theft/all other vehicles; domestic disturbance at 10950 W. Old Spring Hope Rd. on 9/18/23 and 9/17/23

Carrying concealed weapon reported at Golfers Lane/Birchwood Drive on 9/23/23
Misdemeanor larceny reported at 501 Barnes St. on 9/18/23
Misdemeanor larceny reported at 100 East Evans Drive on 9/22/23

Nashville
10/10/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Momeyer Baptist Church, 4967 Momeyer Way
10/17/2023: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E Washington St

LaShawnda Washington (left), Nash County School Board Chair, poses with Barbara Jones (center) and Superintendent Steve Ellis. Jones received the Life Time Service Award.

A school cafeteria worker who does double duty as a bus driver has been recognized by Nash County Public Schools to receive its inaugural "Life Time Of Service" Award.
Mrs. Barbara "Mama Jones" Jones received the award at the Sept. 7 meeting of the Nash Board of Education.

OOPS, My cat accidentally got out and now she is pregnant! Make no mistake - this was not an accident. It is their INSTINCT. They (male and female) will do anything they can to find a way out when it is time to mate.
We hear different versions of this ALL THE TIME.

Have you ever noticed what we often do to explain sin in our lives? Many of us tend to blame it on someone else. From the beginning of time, we have looked for an excuse for our sin.
When Adam committed his first sin, he blamed it on Eve. "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate", he told God. (Genesis 3:12) Not much has changed over the last 6,000 years.

As we continue from last week, Galatians 5:22-23 describes the Spirit-led life in practical terms: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law."
How can I cultivate Christlikeness? Galatians 5:22-23 answers: God the Holy Spirit cultivates Christlikeness in those who are rooted in him.

Congratulations to Dana Jernigan and Richard and Jennifer Jared who were baptized on Sunday, September 24 at Red Oak Baptist Church!
Everyone had a great time at "Connecting the Dots", missions celebrations hosted by Women in Action at Red Oak Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 19! The evening began with a pizza and salad supper followed by theme interpretation and announcements.

GAILLIARD

During its August meeting, the Nash Community College Board of Trustees re-appointed two members and added two new members. William Marshburn and Samuel Dickens III were re-appointed by the Nash County Public Schools Board of Education and Nash County Board of Commissioners, respectively. Governor Roy Cooper has appointed Angela Watkins Gailliard, and Ethan Cockrell will serve as the Student Government Association President.

Practical Nursing graduates at Edgecombe Community College participated in a recent pinning ceremony.

Kimberly Nealey to Marty Ray Nealey; 874 Tressell Loop Road, Nashville
Carolina Cats, LLC to 980 Tarrytown Center, LLC; 980 Tarrytown Center, Rocky Mount; $2,002,000
Joe Cornelius Hearne Jr., Casey B. Hearne, James C. Hearne, James Christopher Hearne, Stephanie Webb Hearne, Ruby B. Hearne and James C. Hearne to Robert Sheppard Jr. and Yvonne Sheppard; Section 1, Northgreen Village, Part 6, Lot 466

Building Permit Commercial
100 N. Lumber St., ARCO Restoration; new construction; $24,175
9377 N US 301, Nick Craft; renovation/alteration; $5,500
1835 US 64A, Jason Schultze; new construction; $33,200

People talk about "empty nest syndrome" all the time. There are magazine articles, books, and all kinds of videos out there to help parents overcome it.
Kristi and I aren't empty nesters yet. However, we can see it in the distance. We have one in grad school, one in college and one who is a high school junior.
With everyone's schedule, we are more like a poorly run Air BnB without the service fees.

Protecting the people of North Carolina must be job one for the people who serve our state. It certainly is for the men and women in law enforcement who keep our communities safe each day. But law enforcement agencies across the state are facing significant staff shortages, and they're struggling to hire and retain officers. Fewer well-trained officers in these critical positions means we are all less safe.

The photo above originally published in The Nashville Graphic on June 28, 1983. NCAA champion coach Jim Valvano of N.C. State appeared at Mama Jean's Restaurant in Rocky Mount to give an informal clinic and talk to fans.