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 Officer Jake Gwaltney (left) is presented his Advanced Law Enforcement certificate by Lt. Caleb Shockley. Shockley was also surprised with recognition of his achievement attending the FBI National Academy.

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

Marcelo Quiroz sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Castalia's first tree lighting event. Graphic photo by Amanda Clark

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."

SPRING HOPE - Several dilapidated structures in town, both commercial and residential, are due for required code or zoning violation hearings as a first step in enforcing cleanup.
Shawn Lucas, code enforcer, told town commissioners that Dec. 17 hearings were scheduled with the owners of 120 S. Ash Street (an old hardware store); 409 W. Main Street (an accessory storage building that had a tree fall on it); 804 E. Nash Street (reportedly the site of tires, tractor trailers and "junky materials"); and 206 Hopkins Avenue (site of an un-permitted shipping container).

The Christmas season has become a holiday season and has lost a lot of it Christian influence. Just think about it. Have you ever seen the word "Xmas"? Our world has allowed the Christmas season to become Christ-less. Just like the Pharisees, all style and no substance.
Jesus once told the Pharisees, and the Scribes that were charged with the task of recording all of the rules which the Pharisees developed to practice their religion: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!

The first three petitions of The Lord's Prayer focus on God's glory: Your name. Your kingdom. Your will. The remaining petitions focus on our needs: Our daily bread. Our debts. Lead us not. Deliver us. This transition does not suggest competing or conflicting priorities in prayer. It is not that we address God's priorities and then address our priorities. In all of these petitions, God occupies the place of priority.
• When we pray about God's name, kingdom, and will, we express devotion to God.

Congressman Don Davis delivered pies to first responders and 911 telecommunicators working over Thanksgiving and extended Thanksgiving greetings across all 19 counties in North Carolina's First Congressional District during his second annual "Pies of Thanks" Thanksgiving Tour.
"Pies of Thanks is about showing appreciation for the unsung heroes of our communities -- our first responders and 911 telecommunicators. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency services personnel stand unwaveringly on the front lines of our security and healthcare systems, especially during the holidays, ensuring safety for all," said Congressman Davis.

Nashville
12/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E Washington St
12/16/2024: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sandy Cross Methodist Church, 3725 Sandy Cross Road

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.

What a beautiful site on Saturday afternoon of more than 50 children lined up in downtown Nashville prepared to ride and walk in their very own Christmas parade.
The parade was led by the Boys & Girls Club members with high spirited singing that was sure to get the kiddos excited.
Following were Big Wheels, bikes, trikes and scooters. Also were strollers and wagons. A closer eye saw flashing lights, tinsel, bells and bows, pink bikes, green bikes and even a Grinch dinosaur.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on August 6, 1964. Local Fire Chief Atlee Gulley (second from left) and Frank Jordan (second from right) supervise the installation of a new fire siren on top of the Municipal Building. Gilbert Griffin (right) and another town employee assist with the job. - (Graphic photo)

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