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RED OAK -- Some people consider it an afterthought when Jeff Dodrill stresses the need to develop depth within his cross country program at Northern Nash High School.
After all, most eyes are focused on the top runners who cross the finish line, especially at elite-level meets.
But that's not the case if you are keeping score, as all top-five results matter.

Just a few days remain for residents wanting to cast their vote early in the 2016 General Elections.
Three additional early voting sites opened up last Thursday and so far, over 6,500 votes have been cast at those sites. In Nashville, at the Nash County Agricultural Center, over 15,000 votes have been cast. The Nashville location was open one week earlier than the three other sites.
Early voting runs through Saturday, November 5, with all four early voting sites open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Nash County had its first domestic violence homicide of the year on Monday, as a man allegedly shot his ex-girlfriend and her son outside her home on Primrose Place. The woman, Tonya Boyd, 43, passed away late Monday.
Rocky Mount Police have arrested and charged Brian Vincent White, 48, with attempted first degree murder, first degree murder and violation of a domestic violence protective order.

An audit led to a bookkeeper at Southern Nash High School being charged with nine counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office Investigative Division was notified on September 23 by Brian Miller, Chief of Staff for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, of the termination of employee Marian Rudder. Rudder's termination was allegedly based on findings of deficiencies during an audit for the 2015-2016 school year. The audit was conducted by Anderson, Smith & Wike, PLLC of Rockingham.

The Fourth Annual Southern Bank Monster Dash 5K and Fun Run brought in around $8,000 for the United Way Tar River Region.
Over 70 runners participated in the 5K race with Robert Dudley, 60, of Roanoke Rapids winning first place for male overall and Jennifer Curtin, 48, of Raleigh, winning first place for female overall.
This year's event focused on first responders and medals were presented to the top runners in the first responder category.

Over 90 veterans enjoyed a meal and good company last week during an annual luncheon hosted by volunteers in Southern Nash County.
Brenda Stallings, of Middlesex, along with numerous volunteers, have hosted the Veterans Luncheon since 2008, honoring World War II, Vietnam and Korean War Veterans.
Veterans attending included Nashville's Willard Inscoe, who recently celebrated his 101st birthday.

Nashville Elementary School will host its annual Fall Festival on Friday, November 4.
The event is sponsored by the school's Parent Teacher Association.
This year's event will raise money for phase two of the school's playground.
Anna Joyner, the Chair of the Fall Festival, said this year's event will include the same fun, games and activities as in year's past.

Nashville's Fire Department will officially celebrate 100 years on Saturday with a Community Day.
The event will take place at Glover Park from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on November 5.
The day will feature fun, food, games and music.
Captain Jason Edwards said Adam Stone, Meredith Davis and Ted Jones and the Tarheel Boys are scheduled to perform on Saturday.

Momeyer's Fire Department hosted its Fire Prevention Community Day on Saturday with a variety of activites, including inflatables, games and food. Pictured, one-year-old Braylen Brown, of Nashville, decorates a pumpkin with help from his mom, Kimberly Mercer. Youth were able to decorate pumpkins with stickers at the annual event, which is always held around Halloween.

Alda Ellen Jones of Nashville died October 27, 2016. Alda was born February 29, 1920 in Nashville.
She was a graduate of Nashville High School, Peace College, and Hardbarger Business College. After her education was completed, she worked in Raleigh at the Department of Motor Vehicles, North Carolina Prison Department, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. She then returned to Nashville and worked for a number of years for the Honorable Harold D. Cooley and the Cooley and May law firm.

The Town of Nashville is hoping to join the State of North Carolina's health insurance plan next year.
Nashville's Town Council voted on Tuesday night to pursue being included in the state health plan, which has a limited number of openings.
Participation is limited to local government agencies for which enrollment of employees and dependents will not exceed 1,000 members.
Mayor Donald Street said there are only 5,000 spots left for those wanting to be included on the state's health plan.

At Castalia's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, one of the final details related to the town's sale of the water system to the county was addressed. Previously, the town had billed for water and trash collection on the same statement. But now that the county is taking over the water system, the town had to determine what was the best course of action regarding the collection of the trash fees. The board voted unanimously to allow the county to be responsible for the collection of the trash fees. This way, customers should still get only one bill for both services.

By the time you read this, the election will be less than a week away. The column that follows this one will be after Americans have selected a new President.
While the campaign ads will end, the bickering, unfortunately, will not. As a matter of fact, the next election cycle will begin shortly after the media gives us the obituary for whichever party loses.
As per usual, the Soapbox will not offer endorsements. Even if we did, this would be the year to abstain. With the choices we have, no one is winning on Tuesday.

Usually around this time, I'd be writing a little piece encouraging everyone to make sure they got out and cast their vote!
But, this year, I don't feel as confident about the election to do too much encouraging!
You should still cast your vote, definitely, but good luck with that very first one you have to vote for!
This election has really had me anxious. I have not voted yet and I keep trying to make myself go.

Dear editor: This letter is in response to the individual who spat tobacco juice on me while I was campaigning for Democrat candidates in Bailey on Friday, October 28, 2016.

CAREER CONFERENCE -- This photo originally published in The Graphic on May 2, 1974. Students at Northern Nash High School were given opportunities to talk with representatives of more than 40 different job fields. Dr. Ben Turner, Rocky Mount veterinarian, is pictured discussing his job with Northern Nash students Joann Hardy and Kenneth Hinson.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office has arrested a second man in connection with numerous breaking and enterings in Southern Nash County.
Steven Ray Denton, 41, was arrested on October 13 in Johnston County following a 21-hour manhunt. Denton was arrested in Kenly and brought back to Nash County.
Denton currently has 16 pending charges, dating back to February 2.

INCIDENTS
An all other controlled substance violation, possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on 10/25/16 at 106 W Nashville Drive
A larceny after a breaking and entering and breaking and entering a residential was reported on 10/25/16 at 600 Indian Trail

A breaking, entering and larceny was reported on 10/23/16 at 309 E Castalia Road
A damage to personal property was reported on 10/24/16 at 7285 Bryant Road
A larceny of a firearm was reported on 10/24/16 at 4815 S NC 58
A simple possession of a controlled substance was reported on 10/24/16 at Highway 97 and Old Bailey Highway

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from October 24 through 28.

Steve Williams (at left), Vice President of the Coopers Ruritan Club, presents a $250 donation to Jesse Lewis (right), Executive Director of Peacemakers. Lewis was the guest speaker at the July meeting of the Coopers Ruritan Club. He told the club that Peacemakers is a Christian community development center that serves the community of South Rocky Mount and surrounding areas. At the core of Peacemakers mission is the desire to empower members of the community with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead successful and sustainable lives.

PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.
Donald J. Trump (R)
Hillary Clinton (D)
Gary Johnson (LIB)

In an ongoing effort to draw more residents to downtown, the city of Rocky Mount and the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences will host the second annual First Friday series of events from November to May.
The free events will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, excluding January. The First Friday kickoff will be held Friday, Nov. 4, featuring hay rides, live music in the Maria V. Howard Arts Center and in the Children's Museum and Science Center, along with a live band in the courtyard.