By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY – Congratulations to parents who brought the first babies of the new year into the world at local hospitals.

At Carolinas HealthCare System NorthEast, Jackson Gabriel Overcash was the first baby born in the new year at 12:41 a.m. Sunday.

He came in at 7 pounds and 10 ounces and is 21 inches long.

Parents Kara Fox and Matthew Overcash, who live in the Concord Mills area, chose the name Jackson because it had special meaning for both families. Kara has a relative whose middle name is Jackson and Jackson is the name of the street where Matthew used to live.

Drs. Brian McCollough, Frank Long and Achint Patel delivered baby Jackson.

Over at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, the first baby of 2017 was Jahmir Aayan Hancock, born at 4:35 a.m. Jahmir weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces and was 20 inches long.

There to welcome Jahmir was mother Kiilantra Mashore, father Jacob Hancock, 1-year-old brother Jachellius “King” Hancock and Aunt Atavia Mashore.

Dr. Michael Mills delivered baby Jahmir.

Smart Start Rowan Director Amy Brown and board Chair Toi Degree presented a welcome basket to Jahmir with items that promote reading and early learning.

Smart Start Rowan works to give every child possible the education, nurturing and support needed to provide a foundation for them to grow into healthy, productive citizens.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.