HAMLET — Thursday’s cold, dreary weather didn’t prevent an array of visitors from touring the new spaces being utilized by students currently enrolled in the variety of nursing programs offered by Richmond Community College.

HAMLET — The business of Tuesday’s City Council meeting lead off with discussion concerning the policy to regulate alcohol use in the Depot Rotunda for those renting the venue.  

It had been decided at the October meeting that instead of requests being presented to the council for approval, the request would be handled by the city manager. The request needs to be submitted at least 45 days prior to the event and applies to malt beverages and unfortified wine only.

An ordinance to demolish a residence at 405 Cheraw Road was approved. City Clerk Gail Strickland said the home had burned several years ago and the homeowner has not made any effort to clean up the property. The fact that the structure is open and unsecured also presents a concern.

The topic of Christmas bonuses was an addition to the agenda, with the motion made to give full-time employees a $250 bonus and part-time employees a $100 bonus.  

The council also approved the purchase of an excavator.

Billy Stubbs, public works director, requested an excavator to use in areas such as East Rockingham where spaces are tight for current equipment owned by the city. He said these areas are hard to work in and the larger equipment is a problem in the rainy season.

The city has been paying outside contractors who have the smaller equipment to do this work and he said the city’s purchase of the excavator would pay for itself quickly. 

Other items on the agenda were:

• a mayoral proclamation making November National Palliative Care Month
• the approval of tax releases
• policy regarding the police department Tsunami camera footage access

The city manager’s report:

• Basketball registration at city hall is Nov. 5-Dec. 7 at $35 per child, late registration is Dec. 10-14 at $45 per child
• Nov. 26 is the Hamlet Christmas tree lighting beginning at 5:30 in the city park 
• Dec. 6, the Christmas parade starting at 3:30
• Dec. 8, Christmas on Main Street
• Dec. 14, Olde Fashioned Christmas on Hamlet Avenue

Contact city hall at 910-582-2651 for more details on any of the above events. The next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 at city hall.

HAMLET — Richmond Community College has partnered once again with Excelsior College to map out transfer pathways to advanced degrees. RichmondCC graduates of the Associate in Engineering program can now transfer up to 90 credits to Excelsior College to earn a bachelor’s degree in one of two fields, Nuclear Engineering or Electrical Engineering.

Since 1990, the nation officially has proclaimed November as National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month is celebrated every November throughout the United States by government agencies, courts, child advocacy organizations and families across the nation. Its purpose is to provide national awareness, celebrate children and families, and call the nation to action to find families for children waiting in foster care.