Recent Articles

CASTALIA - The Town of Castalia started a new tradition on Sunday, hosting its first ever Christmas tree lighting.
Former Mayor Ellene Leonard joined current Mayor James Alston for the tree lighting, marking what the town hopes will become an annual event.
Alston said it was fitting that Leonard flipped the switch to light the Christmas tree, which is located at entrance of the town's park.
"The former mayor, she has worked so hard for this park," Alston said. "This is a big deal."

RED OAK - A potential new subdivision in Red Oak is drawing resident concerns while still under review by town planners.
Marvin Randolph Lewis of 2251 N. Old Carriage Road, whose property adjoins the 38.75 acre plot, owned by Royce Aswell and Michel E. Bone, referred to the potential project as the "Little Bone Development." The proposed subdivision site is located across from the Ridgefield subdivision.

SPRING HOPE - A well testing high in manganese has been shut down in Spring Hope, pending NCDEQ approval of improvement plans currently being formulated by an engineering firm.
Andrew DeIonno, town manager, told commissioners at their Dec. 2 meeting that the town had been notified in November that sample results completed August 21, 2024 on Well #1, on Montgomery Street, came back with above standard levels of manganese, and that the Wooten company was working on a plan to submit for DEQ approval.

Nashville's Children Celebration and Bicycle Parade has been a tradition in Nashville for more than three decades. On Saturday, more then 55 youngsters arrived in downtown Nashville Saturday afternoon excited and ready to march and ride in their very own parade. Pictured above, Addy Luper visits with Santa after the parade making sure he has her wish list for Christmas.

NASHVILLE - While the number of Nash school districts have now decreased from eleven to seven in order to align with districts held by county commissioners, there will still be ten seats occupied on the Board of Education.
Three former board members- Evelyn Bulluck, Sharonda Thomas Bulluck and Bill Sharpe- have stepped down after not being re-elected, but were recognized with appreciation for their service at the December 5 Board of Education meeting, including a musical video montage of photographs of the three over the years and the gift plaques thanking them for their dedication and valued contributions.

Castalia held its first Christmas tree lighting event on Sunday. Pictured, little Ellis Taylor appears amazed when meeting Santa for the first time.

NASHVILLE - Ten of Nashville's men and women in blue were presented front and center at the December 3 Nashville town council meeting, although the presenter didn't expect to be presented himself.
Lt. Caleb Shockley, Nashville Police Department, invited a deserving host of his fellow officers to be recognized for recent achievements, but got called up himself by Chris Joyner, Public Safety Officer before Shockley could begin.

NASHVILLE- The annual Santa Cruise Thru in Nashville has been postponed from its original date of Dec. 11 due to anticipated inclement weather. The new date will be Monday, Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nashville Parks and Rec officials plan to post Santa's route map, including updates on the Parks and Rec Facebook page along with the FB pages for the Nashville Police and Fire Departments.

NASHVILLE - In order to fill a "critical need" in the county Finance office regarding payroll management backup, Nash leaders have decided to create and post a new position - but not without a failed motion to fill the position with a specific individual without advertising it.
Stacie Shatzer, county manager, presented a "critical position request" at the Dec. 2 county commissioners' meeting, relaying that the current payroll employee doing payroll is eligible to retire July 1, 2025 and that there currently was no backup if that person was out.

INCIDENTS
Larceny misdemeanor was reported 100 East Evans Dr., Nashville on 11/22/24
Call for service was reported at E. Washington St./S. First St. on 11/17/24
Larceny after breaking and entering; damage to real property' felony breaking and/or entering reported at 733 E. Washington St., Nashville on 11/20/24

Larceny, felony reported at 11124 Christian Rd., Wilson on 11/22/24
Motor vehicle theft reported at 12911 Eagle Ridge Dr., Zebulon on 11/18/24
Unauthorized use of motor vehicle reported at 1616 Corinth Rd., Nashville on 11/22/24
Obtain property by false pretense reported at 2518 Frazier Rd., Middlesex on 11/23/24

FIRST PLACE WINNERS: Zabo Langley, Hunter Landley, Holton Langley, Brantly Szabo, Anna Szabo, and Carter Szabo. Also picutred is chamber member Laura Bartholomew.

They say no matter your intentions, you can't help someone unless they're ready to be helped.
I'm not one to air my family's dirty laundry in the newspaper, but this week might be the exception. As I wrote in this space a couple of weeks ago, my daughter Holly is getting married.
As any good Father of the Bride would do, I'm trying to be as helpful as possible.