The Nash County Health Department is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility.
Since June 18, 34 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Hunter Hill Senior Living Facility in Rocky Mount. Eight individuals are hospitalized, however the health department said not all the hospitalized residents admitted were admitted due to COVID-19 symptoms.
Most of those individuals testing positive are asymptomatic.

Work began on Monday to remove the Confederate Monument at Battle Park in Rocky Mount.
Rocky Mount City Council voted 6-1 on June 8 to remove the monument. Councilman W.B. Bullock was the sole member who voted against the monument's removal.
The monument, which sits at Battle Park on Falls Road, was dedicated in 1917.

The Town of Nashville has hired a Vance County native to serve as its next Planning and Development Director.
Sherry Moss will begin in her new role on Tuesday, July 28.
Moss currently resides in Warrenton with her husband and two children.

Filing for the Nash County Board of Education will begin on July 6 at 8 a.m.
Six seats are up for grabs on the board.
Currently, the seats are occupied by Doneva Chavis (District 1), Franklin Lamm (District 3), Bill Sharpe (District 5), Ricky Jenkins (District 7) and Evelyn Bulluck (District 10). The District 11 seat, which is currently vacant, is also up for grabs. Ann Edge served the district until her death in April.

Non-profit organizations that depend on fundraisers to operate have taken a hit as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Red Oak Area Historic Preservation Society is one such organization.
Progress on the organization's current project, renovation of the Red Oak Teacherage, has slowed considerably as a result of having to cancel its two fundraising events this year.

Prayers were lifted up on Saturday for the community and world, as Rock Creek Baptist Church hosted a special prayer service on the steps of the Nash County Courthouse.
Close to 30 people attended the service, which was led by Rock Creek Pastor Travis Crocker.
"We are gathered here today to lift high the banner of Jesus," Crocker said.

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency has awarded Nash County $290,000 for two housing repair programs.
Applications are being accepted for each program through next Friday, July 10.
Nash County was awarded $190,000 in the 2020 cycle of the Essential Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program, which targets properties with essential moderate repair needs.

Nash County Animal Control will host a rabies clinic on Friday, July 10 at the animal shelter in Nashville.
Pet owners can bring their cats, dogs and ferrets from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, July 10. The cost is $5 and only cash is accepted.
Animals must remain in vehicle until they are called. All pets must be on a leash or in a separate carrier.

Harold D. Cooley Library has received notification that it has received a mini grant for a COVID-19 program.
Library Director Tikela Alston requested and received the $1,000 COVID-19 mini grant on behalf of the library for a program that will help with the prevention and spreading of COVID-19. It will ensure that the library has the proper cleaning supplies for disinfecting and sterilizing the library.

Building Permit (Commercial)
Norris Morgan; 107 A Nashville Drive W; sign; $650

Red Oak held its Freedom Celebration Sunday evening including fireworks. Pictured above are cousins Mia Wells and Windley Griffin.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office conducted "Operation Lockdown" last week, resulting in 10 arrests and the seizure of drugs, guns, cash and two vehicles.
Throughout the week of June 22, several search warrants were executed throughout the City of Rocky Mount.
The search warrants were based off multiple narcotics complaints and controlled buys for heroin, cocaine and marijuana being sold from local motels and residences in the city.

The Interdiction Team of the Nash County Sheriff's Office apprehended a South Carolina man for weapon and drug charges last week on I-95.
A dark colored SUV was stopped on I-95 southbound at the 126.5 mile marker around 7 a.m. last Wednesday, June 24 for a speeding violation. The vehicle was occupied by a male driver and two small children.

Retired Brigadier General Arnold N. Gordon-Bray will head a new team to spotlight the scores of unsolved murders and missing person cases in the Twin Counties and beyond.
Still in the early stages of organization, the nonprofit board will serve as a round table team of individuals from different backgrounds in close communication with law enforcement officials to assist in engaging the public to help solve cold cases in an effort to bring closure to victims' families and respective communities as a whole.

A larceny after a breaking and entering and felony breaking and entering was reported on 6/23/20 at 1050 W Beulah Road, Nashville
A financial transaction card fraud was reported on 6/24/20 at 10601 E NC 97, Rocky Mount
A larceny after a breaking and entering and felony breaking and entering was reported on 6/22/20 at 1093 NC 231, Spring Hope

INCIDENTS
A sell and deliver was reported on 6/21/20 at 617 Golfers Lane
A driving while impaired was reported on 6/21/20 at the 459 mile marker on US 64 W

"But He needed to go through Samaria." (John 4:4)
I wrote this column over ten years ago. Obviously, tragic events across the country once again shows that we are nowhere close to overcoming racism. In fact, it's probably worse today than it's been for years.
Billy Graham has said for years that the greatest problem facing America is racism.

Nine characteristics of a new life: What does it mean to be born again?
It's a spiritual experience. The new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He convicts us of sin and helps us understand that our good works are insufficient in His eyes and will never make us fit for heaven. But He also assures us of God's love and leads us to confess and repent of our sins and trust Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Congratulations to Jonathon and Allison Saunders on the birth of their daughter, Natalie Mae! Natalie Mae was born on June 13 weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz. and 18 1/4 inches long! Happy sister is Evelyn. Proud grandparents are George and Donnye Saunders and very proud great-grandparents are Russell and Barbara Griffin!
Be sure to check with Red Oak United Methodist Church for updates of produce available from Merv's Friendship Garden!

There is always a raging war between belief and unbelief. Sure, we profess our belief and trust in the God of the universe, but our actions and way of thinking often tell a different story.
The constant need for approval or validation says we believe others will grant us the comfort our souls need rather than God, our beloved Savior. The never-ending stress revolving around our bank account says we believe money to be our main source of security rather than God, our sovereign Provider.

Vaughan's Chapel Church held a birthday-anniversary celebration service for Pastor Rev. Reuben Batchelor this past Sunday. He has been pastoring at the church a little over two years and will celebrate his 80th birthday on July 6. The congregation was filled with regular congregants along with many cousins and friends of the Pastor. Rev. Marie Batchelor brought the morning message "Respect God & Authority."

A message from Pastor Gene Whitehouse of Peachtree Baptist Church.
"I find very few things as precious to me as a word from the book of Isaiah: "... for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My purpose shall stand, and I will fulfill my intention," (Isaiah 46:9-10).

The Black Light Project has begun partnering with the city of Rocky Mount to unveil banners of subjects featured in the exhibit that has been displayed at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences. The first public banner was displayed Tuesday, June 23 on the Rocky Mount Mills campus.
"These portraits of Kyle Johnson and Yannick McLeod as well as the others that can be found throughout the community are a testament to the strength and beauty that is Rocky Mount," said Rocky Mount Mills Development Manager Evan Covington Chavez.

North Carolina Wesleyan College recently announced six internal appointments effective as of June 1, 2020 and upcoming campus enhancements as the College prepares to welcome students back in the fall.
"These organizational changes will improve the student experience, enhance the operations of some areas of the College and align with the objectives in our strategic plan," commented President Evan. D. Duff.

On Saturday, the United States of America will celebrate its 244th birthday.
It should be a big time for all citizens of this country, and for those who wish to become citizens.
Folks will fly flags, shoot off fireworks, discharge firearms, cook out, go on vacation, perhaps have a drink or two or share a Coca-Cola. People are free to celebrate however they like.

No matter your race, faith, political party or gender, there is one thing we can all agree on: education is the key to greater opportunity and a better life. Especially during this difficult time in our history, we all need to come together to support what we know works to change lives.
In 2019, Edgecombe County Schools ranked at the very bottom of the Public School Forum's Roadmap of Need -- 100 out of the 100 North Carolina counties -- in terms of their four indicators: education, health care, economic development and public safety.

HOMECOMING QUEEN - This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on October 23, 1958. Mary Womble, a senior at Nashville High School and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George I. Womble, was crowned homecoming queen at Nashville's homecoming football game with Zebulon. She was crowned by the local team's co-captains, Joe Vick (left) and Herbert Hedgepeth.

NORTHERN NASH ALUM AND MOUNT OLIVE SIGNEE KAMDEN JOHNSON

RED OAK -- Kameron "Jay" and Kamden "Pete" Johnson have been staples of Northern Nash High School's athletic department over the last four years.
The twin brothers-- who off the field are known for their outgoing personalities, big smiles and constant jokes -- recently announced they'd be taking their athletic talents to the next level, but, there's just one small catch.

NORTHERN NASH RETURNING RUNNING BACK DONOVAN SIMPSON

RED OAK -- With so much uncertainty surrounding the sports world today, coaches, players and fans alike are unsure what high school football will look like this fall, or worse, if we'll see the trademark Friday Night Lights turned on in Nash County at any point during the first semester of the academic year.
But those concerns won't stop Northern Nash from envisioning how the potential 2020 campaign might be.

SOUTHERN NASH VOLLEYBALL COACH MELANIE HICKS (AT RIGHT)

STANHOPE -- Continuity and consistency aren't intangibles in great abundance in high school sports during the COVID-19 Era.
That's why Southern Nash High School Athletic Director Robbie Kennedy finds relief in the fact that almost every one of the Firebirds' head coaches will return for the 2020-21 school year -- if it happens.

WILSON -- The Wilson Tobs Baseball Club, in cooperation with the North Carolina government and health officials, are making changes to Historic Fleming Stadium operations.
The Tobs' season will feature a shortened Coastal Plain League schedule beginning today and running through August 13.

ROCKY MOUNT -- North Carolina Wesleyan College and Athletic Director Aaron Denton have named volunteer assistant Walter "Mac" Sykes as the new Wesleyan Men's Golf Coach for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Sykes is replacing Gregg Ripke, who is stepping down after coaching the team to its greatest success in school history over the past 10 years.

RED OAK -- Before the gym lights shine down on Northern Nash High School's historic Girls and Boys Basketball programs, Head JV Girls Basketball coach Latesha Wilkins leads her JV Girls Basketball team onto the court on game nights.
Because of early start times and lack of publicity, crowds are typically small and the gym can sometimes be uncomfortably quiet.

(L to R) Assistant coach Brian Batchelor and head coach Brian Foster will be back to lead the Southern Nash football team this fall -- if the campaign takes place.