NASHVILLE - By unanimous vote, Nash County School Board members approved three "realignment" maps May 6 for elementary, middle and high school students whose school assignments were re-set based on their addresses and a desire to "even out" school population numbers after the coming demerger from Edgecombe County schools.

NASHVILLE - Nash Community College and Nash County Public Schools officials presented budget requests to county commissioners in a joint meeting May 1, with NCC asking for an 8% increase from last year and NCPS reporting an anticipated 10% deficit from the demerger in addition to a list of needs.

Priscilla Barfield ties a blue ribbon on a tree as part of ceremony acknowledging the 77 Nash County children in foster care. Contributed photo

NASHVILLE - Seventy-seven blue ribbons in front of the Nash County Administration Building are more than just a pretty sight: each ribbon stands for a Nash County child who is currently in Foster Care, a visual way to raise awareness for children and their families. May is National Foster Care Month.
Stephanie Grischow, a Supervisor in Nash DSS's Permanency Planning Department said the ribbons also serve as a "call to action" regarding the need for safe, loving homes.

SPRING HOPE - After six months of work, a Community Economic Development plan for the town of Spring Hope is complete, with results presented at the May 6 town board meeting and formally adopted.
Among the possibilities presented were putting apartments in downtown buildings, creation of a Spring Hope Historic Association, a Historic Homes Tour, and a "Walk of Fame" sidewalk featuring handprints or footprints from actors who film movies in the Spring Hope area.

NASHVILLE - With completion of the parking lot and stage and renovations nearly complete at the Nashville Junction, Nashville town officials have approved creation of a "Social District" for Nashville Junction allowing consumption of alcoholic beverages in the district.
A Social District, legally defined since implementation in the NC General Assembly since 2021, can be adopted by municipal ordinance to allow alcohol consumption purchased by an ABC-permitted business in the district, served in a specific cup that identifies place and time of purchase.

NASHVILLE - Nash County's Department of Social Services has added a new deputy director, Gwenetta Graves, who will oversee the Child Welfare Department.
Graves is one of two deputy directors under Denita DeVega, who is Director of Nash Social Services. The other is Shea Neal, who focuses solely on economic services. Grave's position is "specifically dedicated to Child Welfare, encompassing CPS, foster care services, and adult services," DeVega said.

Scott Braswell speaks during the Vet Med Tech building dedication ceremony at Nash Community College. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

ROCKY MOUNT - Calling Nash Community College's Vet Med Tech program the best of five in the state, and the only one located in the central and eastern portion, NCC President Lew Hunnicutt presided at a ribbon-cutting May 3 of the new Braswell Veterinary Medical Technology Building.
Nearly seventy people were in attendance for the event, including current and former students, legislators on the local and state level, building architects and constructors, and guests of honor Scott and Marylou Braswell, for whom the building is named.

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, left, is pictured along side of deputies during a prayer service held in Nashville last week to observe National Day of Prayer.

NASHVILLE - A gathering on the Courthouse steps in Nashville May 2, the National Day of Prayer, was held to conduct the Nash County Prayer Service, with about fifteen in attendance
The welcome and invocation, beginning at noon, were delivered by Reverend J. Kenneth Byrd, Jr., Pastor of Nashville Baptist Church, followed by a call to prayer taken from II Samuel 22:29-31.

NASHVILLE - "Project Sandy" is the code name given to an existing Nash County ag company that is looking to invest $9.5 million in a new facility and create four new full-time jobs.
The jobs are expected to have average salaries of $55,000.

A 31-year-old Rocky Mount man has an upcoming court appearance on Christmas Day to answer charges that he stole from his own grandmother.
Bradley Baines of 3405 Woodbrook Drive was arrested April 10 on three felony charges: Financial Card Fraud, Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses and Exploitation of An Older or Disabled Adult.
The older adult in question is Baines' grandmother, Shirley Ellis, with whom he lived. Listed in court records as a witness is Kimberly Puckett.

Call for service at 1008 Maudis Rd., Bailey on 5/1/24
Larceny felony reported at 10147 Cone Rd., Middlesex on 4/29/24
Larceny from construction site reported at 13325 Taylors Mill Rd., Middlesex on 4/30/24
Obtain property by false pretense reported at 134 Hunts Way, Spring Hope on 4/29/24

INCIDENTS:
Larceny by employee reported at 242 N. Eastpointe Ave., Nashville on 5/4/24
Larceny after breaking and entering; felony breaking and/or entering reported at 300 Essex Rd., Nashville on 4/29/24
Driving while license revoked, impaired revoked; DWI reported at mile marker 459 US 64 E on 5/3/24

NASHVILLE - While the proposed Nash County budget includes money to replace nine or ten vehicles for the Nash County Sheriff's Department, a $420K grant just in from the FY24 NC Office of State Budget and Management is providing enough funding for six to eight more, depending on the type of vehicles considered.
Donna Wood, Nash Finance Officer, filled commissioners in at their May 6 regular board meeting, requesting approval for an amended capital project ordinance, the "Nash County Sheriff Vehicles Project Ordinance," to make funds available to the Sheriff's Department for the purpose of buying additional cars.

A foam paint-roller intended for use by children is being recalled because of high lead levels in the roller's handles.
The Nash County Health Department is putting out an alert to parents about the May 2 recall of "Creativity Street Foam Pattern Rollers", made in China and imported for Dixon Ticonderoga. The rollers were sold online through Amazon, Walmart, StaplesAdvantage, and MacPhersonsArt from September 2023 through January 2024 for about $15.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a cold January day, 63 years ago. And while I was only in the second grade, I knew a lot more about what was going on than they thought I did.
As I looked across the school playground, I saw one of my mama's best friends talking to my teacher. I just stood there, frozen in my steps. Even though they were out of earshot, I knew exactly what they talking about. She was telling her that my mama had just died.

If Paul were alive and could see the church in the United States today, he would send us a letter too." So true! And he did actually. Through God's Word, Paul's letters are written to each and every one of us. In Chapter 4 of Romans Paul reminded the church in Rome about Abraham. He wrote, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Congratulations to James and Amanda Hurst on the birth of their daughter, Darcey Rose Hurst, on April 27! Proud grandparents are Pat and Melinda Griffin!
Red Oak Baptist Church welcomes Audrey Lewis, Ray and Cindy Everette, and Justin and Allison Harrell to the church family! Also, Fletcher Williams, son of and Allison Williams, was baptized on Sunday, May 5!
Women in Action missions group will meet at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, May 14 in the main building of Red Oak Baptist Church.

Chloe Marie Agan, daughter of Jeff and Erin Agan, has been awarded this year's Ann MacPherson Weaver Memorial Scholarship at Rocky Mount Academy (RMA.) Currently an eighth grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Agan will attend RMA in the fall on a full-tuition scholarship, valued at approximately $62,000 over four years.
The Weaver Scholarship was established at Rocky Mount Academy in 1986 in memory of a 1984 RMA graduate who had lost her life to cancer earlier that year.

Nash Community College is excited to welcome Dr. Levy Brown, a visionary and strategic-thinker, as the new Vice President of Student Services.
"Team Nash is very excited to have Dr. Brown back in North Carolina, but more importantly at NCC," said Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt, president of NCC. "His easy-going nature and leadership style will propel Student Services to new heights."
In this role, Dr. Brown will oversee the Student Enrollment Services and the Success Network and set direction for Student Services programs and activities.

Singlewide; 5989 Janice Ct., Bailey; Sharon Yepiz; $3,000
New single family dwelling; 5095 Wildlife Rd., Castalia; Dean Holland; $195,000
New single family dwelling; 5027 Wildlife Rd., Castalia; Dean Holland; $219,000
Detached accessory structure; 7890 Doughtie Rd., Bailey; Nathaniel Dupree; $26,944.60

Last week's split-personality weather was a memo from Mother Nature that we might be in for a brutish summer.
I went from hoodie to frantically digging through my dresser for cut off t-shirts and jorts.
I've written about our how our summers feel like someone microwaved a wet towel and threw it over my head. This often means thermostat battles are emerging in public spaces and private homes everywhere.

Blooming Festival weekend is finally here! No, I didn't forget I wrote about this exact happening last week. This week's column is a completely separate angle of the 27-year event.
While you're enjoying the sounds and sights of the festival whether chomping down on the delicious festival cuisine, visiting the carnival, watching the famous Blooming Festival Parade, or dancing in the street and enjoying an incredible line-up of music, please remember there are people here in your community who work extremely hard to make this weekend happen.

TEN-YEAR SERVICE AWARD - This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on August 10, 1967. Howard Wilson of the Holly Grove Community (left) receives a certificate for ten years of continued service with the Nash County Soil Conservation Service from David L. Dixon, area soil conservationist from Raleigh.

2024 SOUTHERN NASH HIGH SCHOOL LADYBIRDS BIG EAST CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNEY CHAMPS

STANHOPE -- There's more to the art of softball pitching on the high school level than simply blowing batters away -- especially against a quality opponent. No matter how lofty their skill set, hurlers will eventually have to face the mental and physical challenges that come when taking on a top-notch foe -- intangibles such was working from behind in the count, pitching out of jams and keeping a mental toughness when one's performance might not be at 100 percent.

NORTHERN NASH'S DOMNICK ROBBINS IS HIT BY A PITCH (Photo Submitted by Meryn Johnson)

RED OAK -- Northern Nash went the extra-innings mile during two of its most defining victories this spring -- and both efforts helped result in a baseball championship for the Fighting Knights.
Flash back to the regular season, when Northern Nash overcame a huge deficit to force extras against Bunn -- and ended up winning the contest in walk-off fashion.

NORTHERN NASH'S SARAH COOK ADVANCES THE BALL WITH A HEADER AGAINST THE SOUTHERN NASH LADYBIRDS

STANHOPE -- When Northern Nash defeated long-time power Southern Nash earlier in the season, it proved that the Lady Knights, after a brief dry spell, were on their way back toward their past status as one of the top girls soccer clubs in the solid Big East Conference.
Certainly, that was a signature win in Northern's renaissance, but a repeat decision over the Ladybirds?
That would undoubtedly show that the earlier conquest wasn't a fluke -- and that the best may be yet to come for the young Lady Knights' squad.

NASH CENTRAL SCORING ACE KAYLEE FAILE (AT LEFT)

ROCKY MOUNT -- Between them, Nash Central and Bunn boast only five combined seniors, so the future definitely looks bright for both of the girls prep soccer programs in the always-strong Big East Conference.
But in the present, the Lady Bulldogs have an edge, as evidenced by their pair of decisions over the Ladycats this spring -- the latest of which came last Thursday at the NCHS Soccer Complex.

LOUISBURG -- From May 3-5, the Louisburg College softball program hosted the NJCAA Region X Regional Tournament at Sheilah R. Cotten Field on the LC campus.
Louisburg College , which maintained the #1 ranking throughout the season, swept its way through the competition to play in the Championship game last Saturday.
The Lady Hurricanes played against the #3-ranked Bryant & Stratton College in the title showdown.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Carolina Mudcats (19-7) opened their series against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (16-12) on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory in Fayetteville.
Mudcats starter, Manuel Rodriguez (W, 2-2), went seven strong innings only giving up 1 run and 3 hits.
The 7-inning performance is the deepest any Mudcats starter has gone in a game this season.
Rodriguez was perfect through 4.1 innings before Waner Luciano singled to center field to break up the perfect game.

A new genealogy book, Hollywood Cemetery Obituaries Middlesex, North Carolina, 1863-2024, has recently been published by James A. and Margaret B. Bailey.
Hollywood Cemetery, also known as the Middlesex Cemetery, is located about three-fourths of a mile south of downtown Middlesex on the east side of Highway 231. The cemetery has approximately 950 burials.