Nash County Commissioners expressed concern on Tuesday over why a meeting with Edgecombe County Commissioners still had not been set to discuss a potential split of Nash-Rocky Mount Schools along county lines.
Nash County Commissioners funded a study last year to evaluate the fiscal impact on Nash County for a possible boundary change with the Nash-Rocky Mount School System from the current inclusion of Nash County and a portion of Edgecombe County to a single Nash County Administrative Unit.

Shuaquille Tillery

Two Rocky Mount men were arrested last week and charged with robbing a Red Oak woman at her home.
According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, a senior resident was on her porch trying to unlock her door around 1:25 p.m. last Tuesday when a black male approached her and grabbed her pocketbook from her shoulder. The suspect snatched the pocketbook and caused the woman to fall.
The suspect then fled on foot.

Momeyer's Town Council has agreed with the Planning Board's recommendation to not allow the construction of solar farms inside the city limits.
The Planning Board started discussing the idea of whether to allow solar farms last year but the issue had been put on hold. At the board's February meeting, the Planning Board made a recommendation to now allow the use.
Town Clerk Karen Hendrick's said the Planning Board felt the use was not a good fit for the community and requested council not pursue allowing the use because of the large amount of land that could be taken out of farm production and because of the impact solar farms could have on the bedroom community.

SEARCH TEAM TRAINING -- Members of the Coastal Carolina Search Team measure a footprint in a field where a missing man walked.

An all-volunteer search team recently held a training exercise in Nashville.
The Coastal Carolina Search Team spent Saturday, March 21st training behind the home of one of its members, Nashville resident Donna Ritterpusch.
Ritterpusch joined the team in 2011.
The Coastal Carolina Search Team was formed in late 2008 by Mark Webb. Webb had always had a desire to start a search team in Eastern North Carolina.

A Spring Hope native and her family spent last year in seven different homes in four countries.
Donna Carvell, her husband Simon and their two-year-old daughter are house sitters, traveling the world to care for people's homes and pets at no charge.
Simon said he had house sat for friends and neighbors over 20 years ago. When their daughter was born, the couple wanted a way to be home with her during her preschool years. The couple searched online and discovered the world of house sitting.

Boys and Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties CFO Ron Green (at right) presents Jaylyn Addison (at left) with a certificate naming him Youth of the Year runner up.

The Boys and Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties honored three of its club members recently, singling out one as the club's Youth of the Year.
Da'Jha'Rhea Baines was named the Youth of the Year at the celebration on Thursday, March 19.
This is the second year Baines has been named the Youth of the Year.
Baines, 17, is a senior at Rocky Mount Preparatory School. In her speech, she said the club has served as a sturdy foundation. Baines attends the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit in Rocky Mount. Baines said the club's director, Ashley Banks, has had an impact on her life.

An abandoned house caught fire early Saturday morning just outside of Nashville.
According to Captain Jason Edwards, of the Nashville Fire Department, a fire came in just after 8 a.m. on March 28 of a structure fire at 3533 Vick Road.
Edwards said the department has been called to that location before and knew the home was not structurally sound so made the decision to not send firefighters inside.

A breaking and entering a motor vehicle and breaking, entering and larceny were reported on 3/23/15 at 4064 Stoney Hill Church Road
Found property was reported on 3/23/15 on Bullhead Road
Found narcotics and drug paraphernalia was reported on 3/23/15 at Taylors Exxon Store
A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 3/23/15 at 12760 NC 98

INCIDENTS
An obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was reported on 3/23/15 at 163 Nashville Commons Drive
A hit and run was reported on 3/23/15 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from March 23 through March 27.

Sharp

A four-year investigation into cocaine trafficking led Rocky Mount Police to arrest two men last week.
Members of the Rocky Mount Police Department and agents with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Elliett Sharp, 36, of Rocky Mount, and Antonio Dickens, 45, of Sharpsburg, were arrested on March 25 and charged with trafficking cocaine.
Investigators believe the two are responsible for a major cocaine distribution operation that affected several cities in Eastern North Carolina.

"Abortion is becoming obsolete." It was a message from the evening's speaker, Kirk Walden, as surprising to some as encouraging to others who braved snow, slush and black-iced roads to attend the annual Pregnancy Care Center Banquet held February 24th at Englewood Baptist Church. "The national sentiment about abortion has changed so much that a majority of Americans now support limitations on abortion," Walden said.

UPS recently announced 62 elite drivers from North Carolina were among 1,445 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.
Locals inducted include Edward Earp and William Smith, both of Spring Hope and Douglas Stilley of Rocky Mount.
North Carolina boasts 357 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 10,051 years of accident-free driving.

Tim and Jeanette Riggins announces the engagement of their daughter, Melanie Jene' Riggins, of Spring Hope, to James Lafayette Matthews, IV, of Henderson. He is the son of Lisa and Kirby Ayscue and Belinda and James Matthews, III, of Henderson. A May 23, 2015 wedding is planned.

Michael Palmer of Rocky Mount received his Bachelor of Science, IT - Networks Design and Management Emphasis from Western Governors University (WGU).
The university held its 28th semi-annual commencement ceremony in Orlando on February 7 and celebrated the graduation of more than 6,700 graduates.
The university awarded 4,071 undergraduate and 2,657 graduate degrees in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education, and healthcare professions, including nursing.

The fact that there are approximately three million children stolen and sold into the sex trade and forced labor annually is a staggering statistic. Stolen and enslaved, these children's lives become one of depravity, slavery, and violence with no end in sight. Their only future is a bleak cycle of abuse, disease, and hopelessness. Once considered a problem primarily in third world countries, human trafficking has now spread its tentacles into every geographic region and neighborhood within the U.S.

A rabies clinic sponsored by the Nash County Health Department will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at the Nash County Animal Shelter located at 921 First Street Extension in Nashville, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Carolina Rabies Law states that all cats and dogs over the age of four (4) months must be vaccinated for rabies.

Thursday, April 2 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Kaba Ilco Corp
Friday, April 3 from 12:30 until 4:30 p.m. at Golden East Crossing Mall, 1100 North Wesleyan Boulevard, Rocky Mount
Friday, April 3 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Outback Steakhouse, 210 Gateway Boulevard, Rocky Mount
Monday, April 6 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 305 South Halifax Road, Rocky Mount

North End Missionary Baptist Church will hold a women's conference on May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Gateway Convention Center in Rocky Mount.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Cynthia Hale, the founder and pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Dr. Hale is revered locally, nationally, and internationally for her leadership, integrity, and compassion.

"I love my church" services will begin at Beulah Church of Christ on Sunday, April 12. We invite everyone to attend these services and learn why you love your church.
On Wednesday night, there was a bible study that paralleles the Sunday messages. Make plans to attend both Sunday and Wednesday as we learn more about how to be the church rather than attend the church.

Red Oak United Methodist Church concluded their Lenten Bible Study "Who is Jesus?" on Friday, March 27 at 6 pm discussing the sixth chapter of the Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus by Mike Slaughter.
Everyone is invited to celebrate Easter at Red Oak Baptist Church and Red Oak United Methodist Church!

If people are married more than once, which spouse will they have in heaven? Some religious lawyers asked Jesus this kind of question. They wanted to trip up the Master. Jesus turned the tables on them. "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven" (Matthew 22:29-30).

On a cold and windy March morning, Peachtree folks gathered for worship at the church. Sanctuary flowers were given by Debbi and Roy Carawan in memory of her mother, Lottie Stallings, and her cousin, Paula Joyner.
Pastor Whitehouse's sermon for Palm Sunday was titled "You Can't Sit on the Fence Forever". It was based on Luke 19: 28-44. Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, which climaxes with the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. This week is the unifying event of many world religions.

Am I the only person that thinks time is going way too fast? That old saying "don't blink" is so true. It seems like it was just yesterday I was a mother and a wife, busy raising a family, refereeing fights, carpooling, ball practice and lots of ballgames. Now I am a busy grandmother, busy with grandchildren and writing the community news. LOL! Life is so busy; I don't think I want to blink again. Where has time gone? Heck, I even get a senior citizen's discount.... when I have the memory to ask for it!

Dear Holly,
Even though I've been teasing you by pretending I didn't remember your birthday is this week, I know that you know better. Maybe it has been teasing, or maybe it has been something in my subconscious pulling hard on time to slow down. Maybe it is my survival instinct trying to protect me from a post-driver's ed world.

There are certain events I cover each year that I look forward to going to. One of them is the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year event.
It's inspiring to attend and hear the stories each of these youth have to tell. The stories aren't always happy but they always seem to have a happy ending and that happy ending is always the same; the Boys and Girls Club changed their life.
This year's event brought back two of last year's winners; Da'Jha'Rhea Baines and Jaylyn Addison.

Put away the pencil, toss away the remnants of the legal pad, and turn off the lights. Ben Casey, Pamlico Community College's Director of Public Affairs retired last week and I already miss him...and the missing has just begun!
I started as the College President in early August, 2009. I recall that first day on campus, meeting a lot of different folks, but my first meeting with Ben is one of the more memorable events, as he arrived at my door with camera in hand and said, "This is a picture I've been waiting a long time to take."

PROPER INSTRUCTION --This photo was originally published in The Graphic on February 20, 1969. Atlee Gulley, Nashville Fire Chief (wearing white hat) demonstrates the proper uses of a nozzle on a fire hose to members of Nashville and Stoney Creek Fire Departments.

TEN VERSUS TEN. (L to R) Nash Central's Lauren Keel and Northern Nash's Rebekah Beal attempt to chase down the ball during Monday afternoon's Big East Conference girls soccer showdown on the NCHS campus in Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central enjoyed one of its best-ever girls soccer campaigns two years ago -- and slipped back into rebuilding mode last spring.
Central is back on the rise again as the Lady Bulldogs are building from the back forward. And with freshman standout Anna Shaye Thompson occupying the net, that seems to be a smart strategy.
Thompson made several key saves Monday, but visiting Northern Nash was eventually able to deliver a 2-1 victory over the Lady Bulldogs in a key Big East Conference soccer showdown.

A SUPERB 74. Southern Nash High School veteran Josh Harden was the co-medalist with a 74 during Monday afternoon's Big East Conference golf matchup at The River Golf and Country Club in Franklin County.

LOUISBURG -- With its tricky crowned greens, few courses in the area can be as confounding as The River Golf Course at Lake Royale in Franklin County.
Frustration can build at The River with increasing adversity, and the Big East Conference golfers were destined to be tested both mentally and physically during Monday afternoon's 18-hole match.
The River's difficulty quotient was increased because of wind and wet conditions following a rainstorm earlier in the day.

FOUR ON THE FLOOR. Southern Nash's Sabrina Vaughan (left) tracks down a loose ball during last Thursday's victory against SW Edgecombe.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash's early-season penchant for slow starts wasn't going to be wind-aided during last Thursday's home soccer contest against non-league opponent SouthWest Edgecombe.
SWE won the coin flip and opted to play the opening half with a favorable, gusting wind.
The put the Ladybirds at a quick disadvantage for the first 40 minutes, and the Lady Cougars would even jump ahead in stunning fashion.

STANHOPE -- A trio of Northern Nash pitchers combined to allow just one hit as the Knights came up with a clutch Big East Conference victory Monday evening against homestanding Southern Nash.
Tyler Barrett, Whit Casper and Chad Nelms combined to allow just one Firebirds' hit as the Knights were 5-0 winners at the SNHS Baseball Field.
The trio fanned 10 Southern Nash batters, with Nelms coming through with seven whiffs.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN/DEMOREST, GA. -- Junior Jasmine Edgren went 9-for-13 with five RBI and four runs scored to lead her North Carolina Wesleyan College softball team to a trio of USA South road wins last weekend.
The Battling Bishops swept Covenant last Saturday, then earned a conference split at Piedmont on Sunday.
In addition to her offensive performance, Edgren also went 2-0 in the circle.

NASH COUNTY -- It's become a custom for Nash County's schoos to be well-represented on the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Assocation's All-District 3 Boys and Girls Basketball Teams -- and this season is no different.
Three county performers were saluted on the boys roster, including first-team selection Marquise Wright from Southern Nsh.
Wright, a junior frontliner, averaged 16.2 points and 10 rebounds per game while leading the Firebirds to the Class 3-A State Playoffs.

FRANKLINTON -- Northern Nash took home the top prize in the boys team competition and tacked on a sixth-place girls effort at the First Annual T. Sanders Memorial High School Invitational Track and Field Championships.
The event was held March 21 at Franklinton High School to commemorate former FHS coach Trent Sanders, who passed away suddenly last fall.
The star-studded field featured 20 girls and 17 boys squads.

CHAPEL HILL -- Wells Fargo, along with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, has announced the final standings in the Wells Fargo Conference Cup competitions for the 2014-15 winter sports season.
The Wells Fargo Cup Award recognizes the schools that achieve the best overall interscholastic athletic performance within each of the state's four competitive classifications.

WILSON -- Committed to a higher level of baseball learning for its participants, the Wilson Tobs Summer Baseball Camps are an excellent opportunity for young players to enhance their skills and broaden their game knowledge.
Coordinated by Tobs Head Coach Bryant Gaines, and his assistants, the Tobs staff will work one-on-one with all participants to enhance the camper's fundamentals and individual, athletic skills.

NASH COUNTY -- The Young Champions of America is a national organization offering low-cost, high-quality martial art instruction to children ages 4 to 18 through local towns, schools and organizations.
The program emphasizes growing the student as a strong well-rounded individual of mind first and then body.
Master Ann Keklak 6th Degree, WTF Certified Master instructor and Young Champions Karate Director stated that, "Mr. John Braxton recently received the "Outstanding Instructor Award" presented to him by Young Champions of America CEO, Mr. Rock Hood, and myself.

ROCKY MOUNT -- North Carolina Wesleyan College's Charlie Long reached a notable milestone last Wednesday afternoon at Bauer Field as the veteran head baseball coach picked up the 400th win of his 18-year career.
The achievement came in the opener of the Bishops' doubleheader with St. Andrews University and saw NCWC post a 3-2 walk-off victory.
After the Knights opened up a 2-0 lead in the third, Wesleyan bounced back with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to steal the come-from-behind win.

Southern Nash's Laura Garcia (right) tries to avoid getting tangled up with a SouthWest Edgecombe player during last Thursday's non-conference soccer event in Stanhope.

Nash Central High School's Joseph Cook rips a huge drive on the 17th hole at The River Golf and Country Club as part of Monday afternoon's Big East Conference links event.

Northern Nash's Zack Ward sends a putt toward the hole as part of Monday afternoon's Big East Conference golf event at The River Golf and Country Club at Lake Royale in Franklin County.

Northern Nash's Liz Flora (left) delivers a ball through the midfield for the Lady Knights during Monday afternon's road soccer decision against the Nash Central Lady Bulldogs.

Nash Arts Center will welcome the Willie Painter Band to its stage Thursday, April 9th as part of its Nashville Showcase Series. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 for general admission, $15 for Nash Arts members.
The band is noted for playing a mix of danceable blues with a nod towards swinging jazz and an eclectic selection of rock and pop tunes. The Willie Painter Band consists of four veterans of the Triangle music scene.

Annie Doris Young, 66, of Rocky Mount, passed away March 27, 2015.

Christine Lamm Lucas, 88, of Nashville, passed away Friday, March 27, 2015. She was born in Nash County to the late Douglas and Sallie Matthews Lamm. Christine is also preceded by a brother, Elmo Lamm.

Donnie E. Mitchener, age 52 of Wendell, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2015.

Erma Smith Carpenter Hall, 59, passed away Monday March 30, 2015. She was born July 25, 1955 in Edgecombe County to the late Selby and Mable Deese Smith.

Frances Charlotte Henderson Pirkey Wilson of Rocky Mount, passed away March 24, 2015. Born in Rocky Mount on July 26, 1928, to the late Clyde and Elizabeth Henderson, she was the younger of two children. She was predeceased by her brother Clyde Henderson, her son John Frederick Pirkey, II, her husband Dean Wilson, and her ex-spouse Norwood Pirkey, Sr.

James H. "Bull" Brinkley, 89, of Spring Hope passed away Thursday March 26, 2015.

Janice Annette Brake, 71, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2015. She was born in Nash County on April 4, 1943 to the late William Caswell Weaver, Sr. and Etta Lee Joyner Weaver.

Joyce Raynor Savage, 76, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015. She was born in Edgecombe County on October 16, 1938 to the late Charlie James Raynor and Lillian Addie Ramsey Raynor. Besides her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, James Elmer Savage, Sr.; brother, Joseph Raynor; and her good friend, Lila "Tootsie" Lewis.

Larrine Hines Blair, of Prince George, VA and formerly of Battleboro, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2015.

Mildred Fields Johnson passed away on Wednesday March 25, 2015. Mildred was born in Carthage, NC on November 4, 1921 to the late William Neil Fields and Mae Cameron Fields. Besides her son and parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Fentress R. Johnson; brothers, Charles Fields and James Fields; and a sister, Katherine Fields Averitt.

Molly Elizabeth Valentine Daughtridge passed away March 29, 2015. Molly was born on October 18, 1935 in Whitakers to Benjamin and Lizzie Valentine. Molly was predeceased by her parents and her brothers.

Phyllis Leggett Jacobs, 83, passed away on March 29, 2015.

Rufus Thomas, Jr., 89, of New York, New York, and formerly of Rocky Mount, died on March 21, 2015.

Thelma Louise Taylor, 79, of Rocky Mount, passed away on March 23, 2015.

William Lee Proctor, 80, passed away Thursday March 26, 2015. He was born in Edgecombe County on October 30, 1934 to the late Leslie Lee Proctor and Lessie Mae Proctor Proctor. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Laura Carol Rackley Proctor and a son, Danny Keith Proctor.