Council members were encouraged on Friday during a budget retreat to consider a stormwater utility fee to allow the Town of Nashville to better invest in its infrastructure.
Planning Director Brian Hassell proposed a stormwater utility fee, which would generate revenue for a stormwater program for the town.
The fee would be based on the amount of impervious surface on each developed parcel within the town's city limits.

A former teacher at Southern Nash High School is facing charges of having a sexual relationship with a student.
According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, an incident was brought to the attention of faculty at Southern Nash High School on February 16 regarding an intimate relationship between Rebecca Shea Reeves, 33, and a Nash-Rocky Mount Schools student.
According to the Southern Nash High School website, Reeves was a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at the school.

Former Nash County Sheriff Dick Jenkins and his daughter-in-law, Kelly, were crowned first place winners of the 2017 Dancing with the Arts Friday night, an annual fundrasier for Nash Arts Center.

Former Nash County Sheriff Dick Jenkins may be retired but he proved on Friday night that he can Tush Push with the best of them.
Jenkins, along with daughter-in-law Kelly, danced their way to first place on Friday night during the Fourth Annual Dancing with the Arts competition.
The competition is based on who receives the most votes, which are purchased for $1 each. The couple with the most votes is proclaimed the winner.
Jenkins said he was surprised but thankful to be named the winner of the competition.

The Spaulding Alumni Association once again has the highest bid on the former Spaulding Middle School site.
Previously, Newt Chapin held the highest bid of $31,100 in the upset bid process, which ended on February 23.
The Nash-Rocky Mount Public School System announced on Monday that it had received another offer for $40,000 to purchase the Spaulding School. That bid will be good through March 13.

JONES

Four Rocky Mount High School students were recently charged with breaking into vehicles along Northern Hills Road and the Asheboro West subdivision.
According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, a citizen in the Northern Hills Road area woke up around 12:30 a.m. on February 6 to the sound of his vehicle being broken into. The man was able to immediately call 9-1-1 and give a description of the suspect vehicle.
While enroute to the call, a deputy passed the suspect vehicle and turned around.

Gennette Spencer looks at a wood stove in the first grade classroom at the former Rosenwald School in Castalia on Saturday during an open house. The wood stove was used to heat the classrooms.

Former students shared memories of their time at the Castalia Rosenwald School during an open house event held on Saturday.
The event was hosted by the Castalia Community Development Corporation, who has been working to restore the school so it can be used by the community.
The historic Rosenwald School, known in the community as the Castalia Elementary School, was established in 1920 to serve African American children in the community.

Maryanna Bennett is no stranger to Nash County Cooperative Extension.
Bennett spent much of her youth serving in Nash County 4-H.
On February 15, Bennett joined Cooperative Extension in a different role, serving as the new Nash County Agriculture Extension Agent.
Bennett graduated from Mount Olive College in December with a degree in Agriculture Education with a concentration in Outreach and Development and Agriculture Production Systems.

The Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC) has been awarded a grant to receive federal funds through the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) to improve the health of young children so they are ready to start Kindergarten fit, healthy and ready to learn.
"We are excited this grant will allow the Partnership to expand the impact SHAPE NC has had in our community on the healthy growth and development of children before they enter Kindergarten - one of the first building blocks to that is a foundation of early learning and literacy," said Henrietta Zalkind, DEPC Executive Director.

INCIDENTS
A maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of marijuana was reported on 2/21/17 at E US 64 A and W. Washington
An embezzlement was reported on 2/21/17 at PNC Bank, 109 S Barnes Street

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from February 20 through 24.

Stony Creek Rescue members Michael Sutton, Gary Tremayne, and Susan Tremayne received recognition awards for their continuing Public Safety Diving Training from Stony Creek Rescue. Chief Dennis Williams (pictured far right) presented the awards at the 59th annual awards banquet held on February 25. Additional members received awards and recognition for their exceptional service to Stony Creek and the community as well.

Nash Community College employees received the 2017 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award. As a member of NISOD, the College has been honoring faculty, staff and administrators with this award of recognition annually since 1992. Recipients are selected based on their proven commitment to high performance and extraordinary service to Nash Community College, its students, and the community.

Fayetteville State University supports academic achivement and recently announced undergraduate students whose performance merits special recognition.
Nash County residents named to the Dean's List include Shamica Dawes, of Nashville, and Haley Wood, of Spring Hope.
FSU is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. A member of The University of North Carolina System, FSU has more than 6,000 students and offers degrees in more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Marguerite Bishop, Nashville Parks and Recreation Director, was at Cooley Library on Saturday, February 25 for a special storytime. Bishop read stories about baseball and t-ball to help get youth ready for the upcoming season. Kids were also able to practice toss a ball and register for baseball and t-ball.

The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, which is overseen by the State Highway Patrol, recently announced the implementation of the N.C. Blue Alert system. The system is used to notify the public when any law enforcement officer in North Carolina has been violently attacked and a suspect is being sought.
State Highway Patrol telecommunicators will issue the alert along with descriptions of the suspect and/or the suspect's mode of travel. The information will be broadcast on radio and television stations, Department of Transportation message boards on major highways and on terminals and monitors at all retail locations of the N.C. Education Lottery.

Envirolink representatives presented the Spring Hope Commissioners with information about the town's water and sewer rates they can use to make future decisions at the annual budget retreat.
Mike Myers, President of Envirolink, and Cecil Rhodes, Project Manager Engineer of Envirolink, presented the water and sewer rate study. The rate study used data from the previous three to four years to show how the town's utility and water and sewer fund have been operating.

Nash Central Middle School had one team participate in Future City competitions. Their team was awarded the Best Teamwork Award for their project and received a $150 prize. (Contributed photo)

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools sent three teams to present at the Future City Competition in Raleigh on January 21, 2017. Red Oak Middle's two teams were under the leadership of Madeline Cutchin and Heather Stapp. Nash Central Middle School had one team, which was under the leadership of Jerry Suitter.
Each team built a futuristic city based on the theme "The Power of Public Spaces." Teams designed a virtual city, wrote a 1500 word essay, built a scale model, developed a project plan and presented their city to regional judges.

David Combs, broker/owner of Century 21, The Combs Company, recently announced that Century 21 Real Estate LLC recognized sales affiliate Bill Lumpp with the Century 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award.
"The Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award is an integral part of our brand's commitment to excellence and recognizes Bill's dedication to making each and every client interaction a positive one," said Rick Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Century 21 Real Estate LLC.

Beta Theta members Ruth Turnage and Stephanie Brown look over some of the items for sale at a recent Bazaar sponsored by their local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, International. The chapter raised a record high $1130.00 to support state and international scholarships for women educators. Members of Delta Kappa Gamma are teachers and school administrators, primarily from the NRMPS System.

The #1 reason why pets are homeless, end up in bad situations and at the Shelter, where they may not survive, is due to many people not spay/neutering their pets. If you are reading this, you probably have done the responsible thing. If you were thinking about it, but have a budget problem, there are clinics in the area (list below) that do it for a reduced rate. If your neighbor has unfixed pets, you can bet sooner than later they will have a litter that they will be giving away and then the litter will grow up and do the same thing. A cycle that needs to stop.

There was a nip in the air as Peachtree Folks gathered at the church for worship on Sunday morning. Sanctuary flowers were given by Susan and Lawrence Edwards in memory of Tom Moorefield and Karen Edwards.
The Peachtree Adult choir sang "Jesus is Coming Soon" under the direction of Pastor Whitehouse. The offertory played by Jane May was a beautiful arrangement of "People Need the Lord."

"From dust you have come, to dust you shall return." Many pastors uttered these words as they smeared the ashes of last year's palm leaves on the foreheads of people all over their communities last night. It's truly a holy moment that is hard to describe. Some cry, some laugh, some stand cold faced, some with a smile on their face as they look in the distant of in the face of the pastor, as we Christians partake in this, what the world would call crazy, tradition of Ash Wednesday.
We are reminded of our creation during Ash Wednesday when we consider that we have come from dust.

Congratulations to Kate Camp, Carter Griffin, and Matt Lewis who were baptized at Red Oak Baptist Church on Sunday, February 26!
Women in Action of Red Oak Baptist Church met at the church on Tuesday, February 21. They enjoyed a salad supper together and missions program. They also continued working on the Salvation Dolls they are making for the children at the Shelter of Love in Cambodia. Plans were also made to prepare a meal at the Homeless Shelter in March.

In Psalm 110:1, God the Father says to His Son, "Sit at My right hand." In fulfillment of this prophesy, Christ ascended bodily into heaven. He "has taken His seat at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1). Then, the apostle Peter made this proclamation to the citizens of Jerusalem: "God has made Him both Lord and Christ"(Acts 2:36).
There are many kings and many lords but Jesus Christ is Lord over all. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18).

Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be an opportunity for residents to rid their homes of old electronics, unwanted and unused prescription drugs, paper and much more during Nash County Recycles Day. This event, open to the public, will be held in the parking lot of the Nash County Courthouse. The courthouse is located at 234 W. Washington Street in Nashville.
The event will include a community paper shredding, e-waste recycling and prescription drug take back program.

Monday, March 6 from 2:30 until 6:30 p.m. at 209 East Washington Street, Nashville
Monday, March 6 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at Northside Community Church, 1660 Beaver Pond Drive, Rocky Mount
Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Nashville Fire Department, 501 S. Barnes Street
Monday, March 13 from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Frederick E. Turnage Chapter of the American Red Cross, 326 S. Franklin Street, Rocky Mount

Appalachian State University recently released its graduation list for the Fall 2016 semester. A total of 178 graduate students and 1,082 undergraduate students received degrees during ceremonies held in December 2016.
Nashville residents receiving degrees include Samuel Logan Collier, with a Bachelor of Science in Appropriate Technology and Ana Lauren Joyner, with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.

Appalachian State University has released the Dean's and Chancellor's lists for the Fall 2016 semester.
To be included on the Dean's List, undergraduates must either be enrolled in 12 to 14 hours of academic credit and attain a minimum 3.45 grade point average or be enrolled in 15 hours or more of academic credit and attain a minimum 3.25 grade point average.
Nashville residents named to the Dean's List include Ashlee Payne Rogers and Molly Elmira Sherrod.

Rotary Club of Rocky Mount President Garry E. Hodges, at left, stands with Beth Wood, CPA, NC Auditor, at right. She spoke at a recent Rotary meeting at the Doubletree of Rocky Mount.

I have to admit that I felt much like the character Andy Griffith assumed on his comedy albums on my recent trip to our nation's capital.
Things are different in the big city, folks. Especially that one, especially now.
For two years I'd been looking forward to attending a particular writers conference, the biggest one in the country. The fact that it was going to be as close as Washington, DC, made it feasible this year, although the political climate of our world brought on some anxiety in the last couple of months.

Dear Editor:
Hand sanitizer is no better for germ prevention than ordinary soap - FDA.
The news came as a bit of a shock. Hand sanitizer, the stuff that claims to remove 99.9 percent of all germs, isn't all it's cracked up to be? What? Say it ain't so!
And to think, we've been basking in our little germ-free belief system so long now!

Dear Editor:
March 4th, 2017 is North Carolina's Confederate Flag Day. This is a day marked in significance not for the mere material of various colors that fly on a flag staff, but for what that "standard, banner or emblem," represents. There was a time, and it still exists, in some homes where we were and are taught to honor our fathers that have come before us. Honor them for their deeds and actions as the paths they walked were good (paraphrasing Jeremiah 6:16).

My family is embarking on a new adventure of sorts.
We are now officially a 4-H family, as Corbin recently joined Nash County 4-H.
4-H means lots of things for youth and I'm super excited for what it will mean for Corbin. I have a feeling 4-H will be his niche.
Of course, for many, 4-H makes you think of animals but it involves so much more. But for my family, for Corbin, he will be getting his start by showing a goat.

BAMBOO DANCE -- This photo was found in The Graphic's April 25, 1974 archives. Children participate in the Bamboo Dance at school. We're not sure which school the photo was taken, but it highly resembles the Nashville Elementary School gymnasium.

FINGER ROLL. Northern Nash's Isaiah Gay scores on a layup during last Saturday night's state playoff victory at home versus Fayetteville Terry Sanford.

RED OAK -- Following a whirlwind, suspenseful week that featured a trio of to-the-wire victories, predictability finally made an appearance for the Northern Nash Fighting Knights in the Class 3-A Boys Basketball State Playoffs.
And it certainly was a welcome feeling of calmness in the huddle as part of a frenetic final minute of last Saturday's third-round meeting with traditional powerhouse Fayetteville Terry Sanford in front of an overflow crowd at the NNHS Gymnasium.

NC Wesleyan's Noah Shrock

ROCKY MOUNT -- The North Carolina Wesleyan College baseball program is off to a 9-1 start to the season after a 3-game sweep of Averett University last weekend at Bauer Field.
Sophomore Nate Gardner batted .643 with seven RBI in the series and turned in solid pitching performance on Sunday, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning of action.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats are holding open tryouts for National Anthem singers and pre-game entertainers from March 11 from 10 a.m.-noon at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on the third-base side of the stadium.
Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Regardless of how the state playoffs went, the season was destined to be a successful one for the Nash Central High School boys and girls basketball teams.
That assessment was especially true when the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs scored back-to-back victories in their respective championship games at the Big East Conference Basketball Tournament in Stanhope.

WHAT IT MATTERS MOST. Northern Nash's Darius Spragley drives for two points against rival Wilson Fike.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash's third victory of the season against Wilson Fike was destined to be the most difficult.
It's been said that, regardless of the sport, it's tough to beat a good team three times in the same season -- a fact the Knights learned firsthand during last Thursday's meeting with the Golden Demons in the second round of the Class 3-A Boys Basketball State Playoffs.

RED OAK -- A few days after suffering a humbling conference tournament loss to Rocky Mount, the 3A East's number one-ranked Northern Nash Knights shifted their focus to the first round of the 2017 state playoffs, where they would host the Northeast Guilford Rams last Tuesday night.
Not only was this Northern Nash's first game since their third loss of the season, it was star player Darius Spragley's first game back from a brief one-game absence after suffering an injury to his foot.

RED OAK -- New coach, same successful result for the Northern Nash High School girls soccer squad.
Certainly, it will be a bit of adjustment for long-time NNHS fans as they look along the sidelines -- and don't see Joe McCarthy.
McCarthy retired from teaching and coaching after a storied 25-year stint that included over 500 career victories.
Taking McCarthy's place will be Stephanie Summerlin, a Wilson native who prepped for the successful program at Wilson Fike.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The USA South Conference has released its postseason awards in the sport of women's basketball with a total of 10 players in each division earning recognition.
North Carolina Wesleyan College had a pair of Bishops garner Second Team accolades as junior KeChae Parker and senior Timyra Staton were each honored for the first time in their careers.

Former Nash Central High School star Lindsey Sharpe hauls in a fly ball during a recent game as a member of the North Carolina Wesleyan softball squad.

Davontae Wiggins has been exceptional off the bench for Northern Nash during the state hoops playoffs.

Trevor and Tiffany Delano

Jason and Ashley Edwards

Casey and Brittany Pierce

Nash Arts welcomes CMT Artist Bryan Mayer to its stage Friday, March 10th at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
With his towering height and powerful voice, Bryan Mayer, is making a BIG impact on the Country music scene. A North Carolina native, singer/songwriter began his journey in music when he was 13. The son of a US Marine Corps Colonel and a Navy nurse, while stationed in Quantico, VA, Bryan was tapped by his middle school music teacher to play the upright bass in the school band for his already impressive height of 6'1" in the 7th grade.

Jimmy Craig Womble is an authentic contemporary impressionist painter whose main focus is the Eastern Carolina environs and how he memorializes its significant overlooked aspects.
A reception party will be held on March 17 from 7-8:30 at Wesleyan's Dunn Center Mims Art Gallery. The exhibition will continue until April 2. All Mims Gallery events are free to the public.