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When testing results from 2012-13 will finally be released later this week at the State Board of Education’s monthly meeting, scores will be very low. Expected percentages of North Carolina’s 1.5 million students whose scores are proficient in last year’s testing will be between 35 and 49 in math, 41 and 52 in English, and 45 and 61 in science, Robin Griffin, Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) director of accountability and data analysis, told the board at their meeting Monday night.

Three Nash County dogs and their handlers will take a trip to Duboque, Iowa next week to participate in the 2013 DockDogs World Championship.
The event is by invitation only.
Rich Dickson and his dog, Puddin, along with 16-year-old Taylor Tyson and her two dogs, Cooper and Bailey, will join others from across the world in the competition.

Bailey Elementary School was placed on lockdown Friday morning after a pursuit that began at a McDonald’s in Zebulon came through the parking lot of the school before ending near the school.
According to Zebulon Police Chief Timothy P. Hayworth, officers responded to a call at McDonald’s on Wakelon Drive around 10 a.m. in reference to a male subject allegedly attempting to assault customers and employees with a stick.

Specific plans for a development on Washington Street are unknown but the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been working with the developer on the best way to handle the predicted increase in traffic.
Earlier this year, Nashville’s Town Council approved a request to rezone around 50 acres of property at the intersection of US 64 and NC 58, across from the stop light at McDonalds, from A-1 Agriculture and B-1 General Business to B-1 General Business in its entirety.

Nashville’s Town Council will stay the same as incumbents Larry Taylor and Patricia Rogers received the most votes during municipal elections Tuesday, allowing them to keep their seats for another term.
Seven Nash County municipalities had seats up for grabs on their boards but still, only 931 voters, or 10.61 percent, cast their vote. Elections Director John Kearney said the turnout was what he expected during an off election.
“Overall, it was fairly low, as expected,” Kearney said.

GOLDSBORO –– David V. Xicotencatl , age 25 of Goldsboro departed this earthly life on Sunday, October 27, 2013.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Huras James Battle, Jr., 58, of Rocky Mount, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2013.

WHITAKERS –– Cynthia Ann Alston Williams, 56, of Whitakers, passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2013.

WILSON –– Elmer J. Cummings, passed away October 28, 2013. Arrangements by Hamilton Funeral Chapel of Wilson.

ROCKY MOUNT –– James Earl Brake, 58, of Rocky Mount, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2013.

John “Johnny” Calvin Jefferson, 53, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2013. He was the son of the late Calvin and Hetty Ramsey Jefferson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, James Jefferson.

Rebecca Herring Madigan, age 56, passed away October 29, 2013.  She was born on November 15, 1956 to Myrtle Herring and the late Council Herring.  She was also preceded in death by her brother, Ronald and sister, Teresa Melton.

Lois Patrick Bell, 87, of Rocky Mount passed away October 28, 2013.   She was born January 13, 1926, in Ionia, Michigan, to the late Fred and Ulah Patrick.  In addition to her parents, Lois was proceeded in death by her husband of 65 years, Henry David Bell; daughter Jeannie Bell Davis, brother Frank Patrick, and sister Gladys Badder.

Sidney Earl Harper, 70, passed away, Monday, October 28, 2013. He was born December 13, 1942 to the late Sidney Harper and Lela Coley Harper Moore. Sidney was also preceded in death by a daughter, Leasa Harper Smith and a sister, Lily Harper.

Alice Outlaw Shearin, 67, passed away  Sunday, October 27, 2013. She was born August 21, 1946, to the late Lewis Howard Wood and Ethel Viola Taylor Wood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Ray Wood; two sisters Joann Rackley and Loretta Groover.

William “Billy” Jennings Medley, 83, passed away Friday, November 1, 2013. Born in Edgecombe County on June 7, 1930, he was the son of the late Luther and Lizzy Mae Medley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers; Bobby, Jack, and Clarence; one sister, Marie; daughter-in-law, Susan, and his self-adopted, mother, Granny Brown.

Ruth Dickens Robbins, age 81, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2013.  Born in Nash County on December 20, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Charles Wesley Dickens and Lessie Breedlove Dickens. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Marice Dickens.

Mack Braswell Crickmore, age 90, died Wednesday, October 30, 2013. He was born on June 8, 1923 in Rocky Mount.

Mr. Adonias Tomas-Diaz , age 28 of Rocky Mount passed away on Monday November 4, 2013.

Virgie Southall Womble, 97, passed away on November 3, 2013. She was born May 16, 1916 to Bessie Anna and Seth Elmer “Dick” Southall. Her husband James L. “Sol” Womble, preceded her in death along with her brother, Dick Southall and sister, Eleanor Mae Hedgepeth.

ROCKY MOUNT -Funeral services for Sherry Jenkins Cobb, 46, who died on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in St. Delight Cemetery.

I think it is the time commitment.
As I get older, I start to realize how little time there is in a day, a week and a lifetime. If I know the time I have left is fixed, I’m just not sure I want to spend any significant chunk of it trying to decide which brand of snack cracker is the best buy or what flavor of Sweet Baby Ray’s Sauce is best for short ribs (CheezIts and Sweet & Spicy, if you’re curious).

Now that Halloween is behind us, it’s becoming more evident that the holidays are only a hop, skip and a jump away.
Some folks have already put up their Christmas tree. Me, well technically, I never actually got around to putting up my Halloween/Fall decorations. They are still sitting in my house waiting for the right moment to be displayed. So it’s probably safe to say my Christmas tree won’t be going up anytime soon.

I have to agree with ace reporter Amanda Clark’s opinion this week. We seem to be rushing things a bit this year, more so than usual!
Indeed there was Halloween candy and Christmas candy merged together on the same shelf and costumes were just a few steps away from Christmas decorations.