North Carolina schools are being encouraged to reopen for in-person instruction by Governor Roy Cooper and state education leaders.
A press conference was held on Tuesday afternoon with Cooper, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt and State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis.

Almost 900 participants received their second dose during a drive-in vaccination clinic hosted by Nash County last week.

The Nash County Health Department is wrapping up its delivery of second doses of vaccinations and preparing for another 500 doses to arrive.
A new vaccine shipment was scheduled to arrive this week after a week of not receiving the vaccine.
The vaccines will go to those aged 65 or older. Already, a waiting list has been established to receive the first vaccine, which has to be given in two doses.

Nashville's Town Council voted, in a split vote, to close a portion of Elm Street to allow for the expansion of the Nash County Detention Center. The approval comes with a few conditions, however.
The conditions approved include turning Drake Street into a two-way street to allow easier access for both residents of the neighborhood behind Elm Street as well as those associated with St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church.

Nash County will be adding its name to the list of disgruntled customers of Suddenlink.
Commissioners agreed on Monday to have Nash County Manager Zee Lamb draft a letter to Attorney General Josh Stein asking him to look into concerns that have been repeatedly expressed by customers of the internet and cable provider.

Little Avery Bass decides to try a "taste" of snow! Contributed photo

An officer-involved shooting is being investigated in Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount Police responded to assist the North Carolina State Highway Patrol around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2 in reference to a traffic stop where a suspect had fled from the vehicle. When officers arrived, they encountered a subject matching the description given by the Highway Patrol.

The Town of Nashville has reported a discharge of untreated wastewater near South Creek Drive.
The discharge occurred on January 31.
An estimated 25,200 gallons of wastewater was discharged from a manhole near 802 South Creek Drive. The untreated wastewater was discharged into an unknown tributary of the Peppermint Branch in the Tar River Basin.

As soon as vaccinations are available to be given to teachers, the Nash County Public School System will be ready.
Christy Grant, Executive Director of Special Education and Student Support Services, told board members on Monday that the school system had partnered with the health department to provide access to vaccinations for staff in the school system.

Two Nash County residents were recently arrested and charged with insurance fraud.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Chad Jason Cady, 47, of Rocky Mount, and Donna Scaff Cady, of Spring Hope. Both were charged with insurance fraud and obtaining property by false pretense, both felonies.

A missing person was reported on 1/25/21 at 10314 Old Middlesex Road, Middlesex
A driving while license revoked, not impaired, possession of cocaine, liquor - open container in passenger area and possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana) was reported on 1/24/21 at 10601 E NC 97, Rocky Mount
A disseminating obscene material to a minor under 16 was reported on 1/24/21 at 11838 US 64A, Spring Hope

A Rocky Mount gang member has been convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Kalid Koron Ocean-Avent, 23, a member of the 9-Trey Bloods, led Rocky Mount Police Officers on a high-speed chase through the area of Cokey Road and Long Avenue at 2 a.m. on January 16, 2020.

INCIDENTS
A maintaining was reported on 1/26/21 at 308 Jacob Street
A larceny was reported on 1/26/21 at 100 East Evans Drive
A selling a schedule II controlled substance was reported on 1/27/21 at 4316 Community Drive

BUILDING PERMIT
(COMMERCIAL)
Libby Nixon; 7261 Hoyt Road; miscellaneous; $15,000
Deidra Hickcox; 10975 N NC 58; miscellaneous; $150,000

Recent robberies have encouraged a Spring Hope sweepstakes business to implement security measures.
Police Chief Nathan Gant said the town has had five armed robberies in the past eight years with two of them occurring at Headquarter Sweepstakes within the last year.

Cannon Ward, 5, stands with a snowman he built in the Old Carriage Farm Subdivision during last week's snow. Contributed photo

Blake, Wesley and Logan Howell build a snow fort during last week's snow. Contributed photo

Mason Coley of Momeyer and his dog, Roscoe, enjoy a snow day. Contributed photo

Charlotte Burns (10) of Nashville pulls her younger siblings, Emme (6) and Griffin (22 months) on a sled while playing in the snow near Nashville Elementary School.

"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." (Hosea 6:3)
The one Christian promise that I don't particularly like is the fact that Christian living includes its share of suffering.

Whether it's our own or the voice of someone else, we must always be careful to follow the Lord rather than human reasoning. Sometimes we don't understand how God could possibly accomplish what He's promised, so we decide to help Him out in some way or do it ourselves.
However, if we don't wait for God, we'll live in disharmony with Him and suffer the consequences.

Peachtree Baptist Church did not hold service this past Sunday due to the icy weather.,
Bible verse for the month of January 2021: Psalm: 90:12.
CHURCH BUSINESS

Christian Fellowship Church returned to the sanctuary for worship this past Sunday. Pastor Daniel Parker continued the message series "Perspective". Also, in the service, Eddie Thomas was ordained. Congratulations to "The Servants Of The Month," Jordan Thomas and Jackson Parker, who were also recognized.
Kingdom International Church opened service with prayer and offering followed by the baby dedication of Christopher Rhett Kastning.

Dr. Dan Crocker, a recently retired local physician and Chairman of NC Wesleyan's Board of Trustees, has donated a $100,000 gift to support the College's RN to BSN program. This gift will provide funds for an additional nurse faculty member, nursing scholarships and other program developments to enhance this new degree option.

Wayne Outlaw (Right), West Mount Ruritan Club 2020 President, is pictured presenting a plaque to Robbie Davis, Turn-Key Contractors, welcoming him as a business Associate Member in the club. Robbie's Father, R.E. Davis (deceased), was a former long time member of the club.

Rocky Mount Feb. 5
11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Harrison Family YMCA, 1000 Independence Drive
Feb.11
12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 South Englewood Drive

William Bass of Nashville, has earned a Master of Science in Analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Bass was among approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students who earned their degrees during the Fall 2020 semester and were recognized during the Institute's 259th Commencement exercises December 11-12, 2020, at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

The following deed transfers were reported in Nash County from January 25-29.

My dad -- James to some, Teeny to many, Big T to a handful -- passed away the week before last, on a Friday.
I'm more blessed than most. I had my daddy until I crossed 50. He went peacefully at home, only about two months from making it to 88.
No matter how old you are when you lose a loved one, it isn't easy.
My dad knew a lot of people in a lot of ways and for that reason, I did more laughing than crying last week as stories were shared.

Dear Mr. Lamb, I am a lifetime resident of Nash County writing to you and the county commissioners about a matter of great concern.
My 98 year-old mom and my 96 year-old aunt live with me. They are totally disabled in self-help skills. They are unable to leave home except by ambulance, which is traumatic for them and costly in time and resources for the county.

The school board's recent 11th hour decision to reverse the plan of opening public schools in Nash County (6 to 5 vote) has disappointed a lot of parents. And I can understand why.
Kids are failing.
I honestly do understand wanting kids back in the classroom environment which is so critically important both academically and socially.

COACH HONORED - This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on May 27, 1975. Coach O.D. Moore, retired coach and educator, is pictured with awards presented to him during a tribute dinner-dance in his honor at Nash Central Junior High School.

ON THE MOVE. Northern Nash's Indiya Spooner (with ball) speeds upcourt during last Tuesday's road Big East Conference triumph at Franklinton.

FRANKLINTON - Even though they did not come away with a victory, the Franklinton Lady Rams certainly made a statement during Tuesday's Big East Conference girls basketball showdown against Northern Nash.
FHS trailed by double digits on two occasions versus the perennial power Lady Knights, but refused to quit.

STRATEGY SESSION. Northern Nash head coach Henry Drake gives advice to point guard Caleb Reams during last Tuesday's victory at Franklinton.

FRANKLINTON -- Despite dominating the Big East Conference boys basketball scene in recent years, the Northern Nash Fighting Knights have had more than their share of difficulties against the Franklinton Red Rams.
NN averted an upset against Franklinton two years ago, winning by one point. And the Red Rams defeated the Knights during the 2019-20 campaign.

SOUTHERN NASH SWIMMER SAMANTHA CLAGG (Photo Submitted by Meryn Johnson)

ROCKY MOUNT -- They had waited for so long that two more days didn't seem that bad.
That was the sentiment during last Saturday's Nash County Swim Championships at the Harrison Family YMCA.
Originally scheduled for last Thursday, the event was pushed back 48 hours due to the threat of poor weather.

NASH CENTRAL'S BROOKE THOMPSON

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School senior hitter Brooke Thompson has earned one of the state's most prestigious prep volleyball honors.
Thompson was recently selected to the Region 3 portion of the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association's All-Region Teams.
The squads are selected by member coaches of the NCVBCA. In order to be picked, the player's coach must be an association member.

ZEBULON -- The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that Joe Ayrault will return as the manager of the Carolina Mudcats for the 2021 season. Ayrault's 2021 staff will consist of Pitching Coach Fred Dabney, Hitting Coach Bobby Spain, Coach Liu Rodriguez, Athletic Trainer Matt Deal and Strength and Conditioning Specialist Jonah Mergen.

Northern Nash's Kylise Clark tries to find an open teammate during the Lady Knights' road decision last Tuesday against Big East Conference opponent Franklinton.

NORTHERN NASH'S PHOEBE ATKINS

NASH CENTRAL'S DANIEL BOWERS

SOUTHERN NASH'S EMMA DICKINSON