STONE

Two local men have been campaigning for just over a year hoping to earn a seat in the November 2014 election as the Democratic candidate for Nash County Sheriff. Gene Braswell of Spring Hope and Stanley “Big Griff” Griffin of Nashville faced off in Tuesday’s Primary Election with Griffin receiving the winning vote.
Griffin received 3,930 votes, or 58.05 percent of the total votes cast during elections Tuesday while Braswell received 2,840 votes, or 41.95 percent.

Nashville’s Town Council once again denied a rezoning request for property on Washington Street, across from Kerr Drugs. However, council members approved another rezoning request for property on Aviation Avenue.
Residents of Davis Farms once again spoke out against the Washington Street rezoning request at a public hearing held last Wednesday.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce’s 18th Annual Blooming Festival will open its carnival tonight, May 7th at 5:30 p.m. featuring amusements for all ages. Wristbands are available tonight and Thursday evening for unlimited rides for only $20 per person, per night. Regular ticket prices apply Friday and Saturday.
On Thursday night, musical entertainment will kick off at Nash Arts with Mac Arnold and a Plate Full O’ Blues.

Nashville’s Planning Director has taken a job with Carteret County.
Gene Foxworth will begin as the Planning and Inspection Director for Carteret County on May 19. His last day with the Town of Nashville will be May 14.
Foxworth has been with Nashville since October 2005. His departure is bittersweet, he said.

Spring Hope Commissioners approved an incentive program on Monday night that will hopefully encourage businesses to locate in town.
Allen Barbee presented the incentive program to commissioners. Barbee said the Revitalization Committee had targeted five business sectors for the program.

Nash County Commissioners are continuing their pursuit for high-speed internet access for the entire county.
Jason Semple, Technical Assistance Director for East NC Broadband in the North  Carolina Department of Commerce, spoke with commissioners about a potential collaboration that would address the demand for service in the county.
Semple said the collaboration would hopefully bridge the gap in service for Nash County residents.

Nash County Commissioners, in a split vote, agreed to move forward with paying an outside agency to conduct a financial impact study on the Nash-Rocky Mount School System.
The issue was not on the agenda for Monday’s meeting; however, Commissioner Lisa Barnes asked County Manager Zee Lamb on the status of the board’s request of seeking such a firm.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) board voted unanimously at their meeting Monday night to ask the Nash County Commissioners for enough money to cover a seven percent increase to teacher supplements beginning 2014-15 and recurring every year thereafter. Raising the supplement seven percent would bring the annual NRMS bonus to 13 percent, one percent under Wake County’s current teacher supplement.

INCIDENTS
A hit and run was reported on 4/28/14 at 214 S Barnes Street
An embezzlement was reported on 4/29/14 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 4/30/14 at 105 Sara Drive

A larceny from a school was reported on 4/29/14 at 522 N Old Carriage Road
A larceny from a motor vehicle was reported on 4/29/14 at 6960 Driver Road
A narcotics violation was reported on 4/29/14 on N I-95
A simple assault was reported on 4/30/14 at 3875 E NC 97

Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of a community bank in downtown last week by hosting a ribbon cutting.
Providence Bank opened on May 1 at 241 W Washington Street.
This is the fourth location for Providence Bank, which started in Rocky Mount in 2006. There are currently two locations in Rocky Mount and one in Tarboro.

The Town of Red Oak recently purchased two houses on Red Oak Road for the purpose of obtaining the historic dormitory building that is currently falling into ruins in the heart of town. A review of the town budget at the May 5 town meeting revealed that the town paid $35,819 to the Faulkner Family and another $25,922 to the Vick Family to purchase two dilapidated homes across from the dormitory.

Spring Hope Town Manager John Holpe went over the proposed 2014-2015 budget one more time on Monday night during a special budget meeting that was held prior to the board’s regular meeting.
The budget was presented to commissioners last month.
Holpe brought back the proposed $1 million budget on Monday night to get feedback from commissioners.

BATTLE

Four Nash County residents were arrested last week in connection with two drug investigations.
The Nash County Sheriff’s Office arrested three individuals on May 1 after receiving information about a drug transaction in the parking lot of the Citgo on N Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. Authorities seized two grams of crack cocaine and a half of grame of heroin.

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker recently announced that a federal grand jury in Wilmington, North Carolina returned a 14 count indictment charging Cedric Sharrod Williams, Derrick Lamont Hannon, Herman Lee Coley, Iii, Mary Shanta Ellis, Jerry Keith Pittman, Jr., Joseph Lamar Norris and Alonzo Keith Carter with conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of the provisions of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.

Nash County native Buck Denton is sworn in as an attorney by District 7A Superior Court Judge Quentin Sumner at the Nash County Courthouse. Denton passed the February Bar Exam and is currently working as a Legal Data Analyst at Brown Greer in Richmond, Virginia. Denton graduated from Barton College in 1999  and then served in the Peace Corps in Madagascar from 2000-2002.

Faw

Faw
Air Force Airman 1st Class Lillian P. Faw graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

The City of Rocky Mount recently earned recognition in the seventh annual North Carolina City and County Communicators’ (NC3C) Excellence in Communications Awards presented recently at the Hilton Garden Inn at Kitty Hawk Pier House. The awards presentation was a part of NC3C’s annual Spring Conference. Almost 40 entries were received, with one category having the first place winner determined by one point.

Friday, May 9 from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Rocky Mount Preparatory School, 3334 Bishop Road, Rocky Mount
Friday, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 North Grace Street, Rocky Mount
Monday, May 12 from 2 until 6:30 p.m. at Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department, 300 Taylor Road, Sharpsburg
Tuesday, May 13 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Stony Hill FWB Church, 9649 Stony Hill Church Road, Middlesex

Nash-Rocky Mount Schools announced last week that Patricia Hollingsworth is its new Chief Public Information Officer, effective May 1.
Hollingsworth comes aboard at an annual salary of $85,000.
Hollingsworth comes to NRMPS from Cumberland County where she served as Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations for Cumberland County Schools.

The 5th Annual O.D. Moore Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament will be held May 23, 2014 at the Belmont Lake Golf Club in Rocky Mount.  This event is designed to provide critical financial assistance to deserving college bound students and is the major fundraiser for the scholarship program. Registration begins at 8 a.m., shotgun starts at 9 am, followed by lunch and an awards ceremony.

Carolyn and Russell Greene, of Nashville, and Harry Ballard, Jr, of Tarboro, announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Doris Ballard to Tyler Len Harrell, son of Amy and Len Harrell, of Macclesfield.

The Nashville High School Class of 1960 held a reunion on April 4 with Mike and Pam Evans hosting the event in their home.

Coopers Elementary School Chorus performs at the 81st Coopers Alumni Banquet.

The 81st Annual Coopers High School alumni Banquet was held Saturday, April 26 at Coopers School gymnasium. 175 alumni attended the event. President Erma Pridgen welcomed everyone including the oldest alumni present, Ruth Lindsey Parker (Class of 1938) and Hazel Eason Lindsey (Class of 1939). Both ladies are 93 years-old. The Coopers Elementary School Chorus entertained the group. Alumni were also treated to a nostalgic slide show.

Communities in Schools hosted its annual Financial Literacy Workshops last week at Nash Community College. Seventh graders from Nash-Rocky Mount Schools participated in the workshops, which included workshops  as well as a reality store. Numerous volunteers assisted with the event. Pictured above, Tyra Cutchin, of Red Oak Middle School, works with volunteer Ed Wilburn (at right) while participating in the reality store.

Nash Community College Humanities and Social Sciences Professor Marbeth Holmes of Franklin County is the recipient of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Mary Jane Burns Book Award for Excellence in Clinical Social Work. Holmes will graduate from the UNC School of Social Work in May with a Masters degree.

Girl Scout Troop 3249 of Red Oak recently delivered non-parishable food items  they had collected to Red Oak United Methodist Church. The church will use the items for their food pantry and Backpack Buddies Program. Pictured, left to right, are: Sarah O’Berry, Hannah Tollefsen, Jahquaya Silver, Alexandra Humphreys, Destiny Silver, And Raven Davis.

Our choir sang “Majesty” for the call to worship. Pastor Ronnie welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “O Worship the King” and “The Solid Rock.” Algie Jones, Jr. led the singing. Prayer concerns were shared and Bobby Farmer prayed the morning prayer. I appreciate the CD Robert Tyner sent me. After receiving of tithes and offerings, everyone sang the doxology and greeted one another.

On a beautiful Sabbath, Peachtree folks gathered for worship.  Sanctuary flowers were given by Jeannie Bennett and Tommy Dalton in memory of their parents, Yvette and Gene Dalton; their sister, Betty; and Tommy’s wife, Kelly.  The choir sang, “Change My Heart, O God”.

Easter was amazing and it is not over yet. Easter is an entire season in the church calendar that began on Easter Sunday, April 20 this year. As part of our Easter Season celebration at Red Oak United Methodist Church April 27 was designated Youth Sunday. On this day the young people of ROUMC were in charge.

Swift Creek Elementary School held a S.T.E.A.M. Day on April 11, 2014.  Students in grades 3-5 attended classes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math all during the day led by outstanding community leaders in those fields.  This day was created to excite students about these subject areas and to give them a chance to see how these subjects are used in real world job situations.

After analyzing more than 31,200 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, U.S. News and World Report recently awarded Southern Nash High School a bronze medal, recognizing the school as one of America’s best high schools.
Dr. Anthony Jackson, Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools said he was not completely surprised by the recognition.

Unless you were a sabbatical to Tibet last week, you probably heard about the big news involving the owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling. Comments that Sterling allegedly made were brought public, he was vilified in the media, and now as this is being written almost two weeks later, he will apparently be forced to sell his team and has been banned from the league his team participates in. There are those calling for even more punishment.

Mother’s Day has always been a different kind of day for me.
My mom was not in the picture growing up so my dad had the task of raising me.
Of course, he did have some help.
My grandmother played two roles in my life. Most of the time, she was mom, but there were times when she was grandma. And then, of course, there were times she served as both mom and grandma.

I have been and continue to be truly disappointed in the “up keep” of especially the first row of Oak Dale Cemetery.  I have taken a commissioner to the cemetery and rode around and pointed out the many complaints I have.  I would like to list just a few: 1.  Stop sign at entrance/exit is half down. 2. Row 1 sign down for several months.  3. Large limb lying in ditch by the entrance.

SMALL FRYS –– This photo originally published in The Graphic August 3, 1972. The Optimist Small Frys finished second place. Players pictured are (left to right, kneeling) Scott Wells, Pat Latta, Tim Hendricks, Keith Gupton, and Joe Williams. Standing: Tim Matthews, Ditto Westee, Steve Proctor, Greg Bass and Jeff Griffin. Bryon Hinson, coach, is standing behind the team.

Puppy and kitten season has started.  The miracle of birth.  Nope because it just means that there will be more death at the Shelter.  We are trying to combat that with the FIX MOM Program, where anyone surrendering a litter will get a free spay for the mother of the litter.  Of course, to do so requires us to pay the vets.  If you can help, it  would be appreciated.

THE SHIRT SAYS IT ALL. Nash Central High School’s Ni’Ya Styles will continue her basketball career at Mount Olive College, which is located in Wayne County.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Given her school’s long-standing rivalry with Northern Nash, you probably didn’t see Ni’Ya Styles wearing green around town over the past four years.
But you will now.
Styles, a standout at Nash Central from the moment she arrived on campus, has signed a letter-of-intent to join the  women’s basketball program at the University of Mount Olive, which boasts a green-and-black color scheme.

OLD SCHOOL. Southern Nash’s Richard Hall uses the old-fashioned method in the boys high jump as part of last Thursday’s Big East Conference Track and Field Championships at Rocky Mount High School.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Just in case anyone had a short memory, Rocky Mount High School’s league crowns are listed by year under the scoreboard at the new RMHS Football Field -- which happened to be the site of last Thursday’s Big East Conference Track and Field Championships.
Rocky Mount added two more titles to that impressive list as both the RM boys and girls outlasted all comers at the annual conference event.

MAKING A HUGE SACRIFICE. Northern Nash’s Alex Cooke prepares to lay down a bunt for the Knights during last Friday’s home victory against long-time diamond rival Rocky Mount High School.

RED OAK -- Maybe it was an unrealstic expectation when Leonard Allen became the Northern Nash High School baseball coach-- and thought his young club had a chance to win the Big East Conference championship.
Some observers probably scoffed at Northern’s chances, but nobody is doubting the Knights these days.
Not after Northern Nash wrapped up at least a share of the Big East regular season title -- and the No. 1 seed for this week’s league tournament -- with a hard-fought home victory against backyard rival Rocky Mount.

NASHVILLE -- The Griffin Experiment Elite Football Camp will be held June 2-6 at Glover Park in Nashville.
Times will be from 5:30-8 p.m. each day, and children ages 8-12 are welcome to attend.
Cost per camper is $55.
The Griffin Experiment promotes leadership, development, social/civic awareness, crime prevention, concussion awareness, education success and physical skills development.

NASHVILLE -- The Big East Conference golf season came to a close last Monday afternoon with a rainy meet at Birchwood Country Club.
The weather was typical of the entire spring as local links standouts were hampered by consistent rain and colder temperatures.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated Nash County Parks and Recreation Department 2014 Spring Soccer League scores:

HERE’S YOUR WINNER. Chris Radford took home the checkered flag in the Thunder and Lightning Division during recent action at the County Line Raceway in Elm City.

ELM CITY -- After horrendous storms the night before, the sun dawned bright and hot over County Line Raceway two weekends ago.
With the schedule full with 5 divisions including Super Stock 4’s, Pure Stock 4’s, the PL Woodard Pure Stock V8’s, ARCO Restoration Thunder & Lightning and the return of the Open Wheel Modifieds, everyone was ready to get the first of 95 laps started.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Southern Nash has secured plenty of league softball championships over the years -- just not quite in this fashion.
After a slow start, especially in non-league action, the Ladybirds have rebounded to eventually claim a share of the Big East Conference crown.

FUTURE GAINS. Southern Nash High School senior star Danyelle Noland is excited about her future at St. Augustine’s University. She signed a letter-of-intent to attend St. Aug’s last week.

STANHOPE -- Danyelle Noland had plenty of options when it came to her future athletic and academic plans.
Not only did Noland have several schools courting her to play softball, but the Southern Nash senior standout also had a handful of colleges offering her opportunities to compete in volleyball on the next level.
A three-sport star at Southern Nash who also excelled in basketball, Noland finally revealed her future plans during a signing ceremony last Monday afternoon at the SNHS Media Center.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are recent scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department Youth Baseball League:

ZEBULON -- The Wilmington Blue Rocks scored twice in the seventh inning and held on for a 2-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats on Sunday afternoon in a Class A Carolina League baseball game at Five County Stadium.
The Blue Rocks (13-14) claimed just their second series in Zebulon by winning three-of-four.
The Mudcats (13-13) have suffered three straight losses for the first time this season.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The USA South Athletic Conference has released its postseason awards for baseball with a total of 47 athletes earning recognition.
North Carolina Wesleyan College had a trio of Bishops garner accolades, led by sophomore Ciro Norzagaray and freshman Luis Palencia as Second Team selections.

GREENVILLE -- Tyler Hibbert’s two-RBI single in the eighth inning lifted FIU to a 2-1 victory and a series sweep over East Carolina University on Sunday afternoon in Conference USA baseball action at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium.
With the win, the Panthers improve to 34-12 on the season and 14-10 in league play, while the Pirates fall to 28-21 and 13-11.

BIG EAST TRACK HIGHLIGHTS. Northern Nash’s Jessica Cary takes a handoff from Brianna Winham.

BIG EAST TRACK HIGHLIGHTS. Southern Nash’s Zimonia Night (left) and Richard Hall (center) speed up the track in the Boys 100.

Northern Nash High School first baseman Tyler Barrett (right) receives a pickoff throw attempt during the Knights’ home baseball game against Rocky Mount.

Nash Central’s Alex Corbin soars through the air during the boys long jump competition last Thursday.

ROCKY MOUNT -  Annette Denise Taylor-Okafor, 50, of Rocky Mount, died on Saturday, April 26, 2014.

ENFIELD - Funeral services for Bettie Lee Mills, 79, who died Sunday, April 27, were held on Sunday, May 4  at Faith Baptist Church with Rev. Linwood Richardson officiating. Burial followed in the Silver Hill Cemetery.

WHITAKERS –– Betty Louise Williams-Davis, 69, of Whitakers, died on Thursday, May 1, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Carolyn Mae Belcher-Milbourne, 51, of Rocky Mount, died on Saturday, May 3, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Charles Derwood Wester, 74, died April 29, 2014. He was born August 22, 1939 in Franklin County to the late John Harvey and Mary Frances Ayscue Wester. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eula Rebecca Williams, brother, June Wester and sisters; Rachel Newcomb and Mary Rapoza.

Charles Marshall Williams, 81, of Bailey passed away Thursday, May 1, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT,  –– Deanna Bellamy, 27, of Rocky Mount, died on Monday, April 28, 2014 in Rocky Mount. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Rocky Mount location of H.D. Pope Funeral Home.

LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Eva Evans Brown, 79, who died Saturday, April 26, 2014, were held Saturday, May 3, at Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Thomas Richardson officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Jennifer Cherry, 52, of Tarboro, died on Thursday, April 24, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Kelsey Janee Lawson, 2 months, of Rocky Mount, died on Sunday, April 27, 2014.

NASHVILLE - Funeral services for Larry Earl “Little Larry” Armstrong, 40, who died on Thursday, April 24, 2014 was held Friday, May 2  at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Paul Davis officiating. Burial followed in the Oakland Cemetery.

LOUISBURG - Funeral services for Linda “Toot” Crudup, 55, who died Saturday, April 26, 2014, were held  Saturday, May 3, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, with the Rev. William Ratcliff officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Mary Barnes, 91, of Rocky Mount, died on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

Robert Teele Rawls, Jr., 87, died Friday May 2, 2014. He was born August 9, 1926 in Nash County son of the late Robert Teele, Sr. and Hazel Fountain Rawls.

Virginia Seleta Fisher Rose, age 81, passed away May 1, 2014. Born on her family’s farm in Whitakers to the late John (Jack) Thomas Fisher, Jr. and Virginia Seleta Turner Fisher. She was also preceded in death by her brother Kenneth Fisher and sister-in-law Almeta.

Williard Curis Cooper, 81, of Wilson, died April 29, 2014.