Students in the Nash County Public School System will start back school online on August 17.
The Nash County Board of Education voted on Wednesday night to start the school year virtually for a few weeks before slowly merging into a more hybrid plan that would combine remote learning with in-person learning.
The vote was not unanimous, however.

The Nash County Board of Education voted on a plan for the start of school Wednesday night at a special called meeting.
The meeting came after The Graphic's press deadline but Superintendent Dr. Steve Ellis spoke to The Graphic prior to the meeting about the recommendation he planned to make to the Board of Education.
A story with more information on the final decision and vote can be viewed on The Graphic's website at www.nashvillegraphic.com.

The Town of Nashville is planning to update its plan for future growth.
Nashville's Town Council approved a contract earlier this month to update the town's Comprehensive Plan, which also includes a future land use plan.
Council unanimously voted to hire WithersRavenel Inc. to prepare the Comprehensive Plan at a cost of $72,250.

Austin Brantley wants to give everyone the opportunity to read.
Brantley, 11, is working with the Town of Red Oak to place a Little Free Library at Ennis Park. The town's board has given approval for Brantley to do the library and Brantley recently finished up building the library. Now, Brantley is waiting on park renovations so he can install the library.

A joint public hearing slated for this past Wednesday night has been rescheduled for next month.
The hearing was to receive comments on a proposal that would rezone around 9.45 acres of land from R-10 (Medium Density Residential) to MF (Multifamily Residential District) at 608 Western Avenue.

Nash County continues to see a surge in confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
As of Tuesday evening, July 28th, there were 927 positive cases being reported, an increase of 165 cases since last Tuesday, July 21st.
The county also reported its 11th death associated with COVID-19 this week.
The Nash County Health Department reported that the male patient, in his early 70's, died on July 25, 2020. He reportedly had underlying health conditions.

The Debu-Ette organization of Rocky Mount presents the Nash County Sheriff's Office with a check for $2,500 to buy GPS equipment for the K-9 Unit. Members raised money for the past year selling raffle tickets. As a tradition, seniors pick a different charity or cause each year they work for. This year members chose the K-9 unit after watching a presentation and learning about the work done by the K-9 dogs.

Nashville police officers will soon be equipped with body cameras.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office gave 24 Digital Ally body cameras to the Nashville Police Department after they were declared surplus. Nash County Commissioners approved donating the cameras to Nashville.

Rocky Mount Police are investigating two weekend shootings that sent three to the hospital.
The first shooting was reported around 7:51 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. Police responded to 608 Powell Drive in response to a shooting with injury call. Upon arrival, officers located the victim, Devon Everett, a 29-year-old male, with multiple gunshot wounds.

North Carolina residents who have received seed shipments that they did not order from China or other foreign sources are advised not to plant these seeds because they could be a pathway for introduction of invasive species, insects and plant diseases.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has been contacted by numerous people who have received the seeds, which are likely the product of an international internet scam known as "brushing."

In an effort to increase the public's awareness on the importance of moving over for public service vehicles, the State Highway Patrol is launching Move a Little/Save a Lot, a campaign focused on the education and enforcement of the state's Move Over law.
Since June, six separate collisions have occurred where a Highway Patrol vehicle was struck by another motorist, sending troopers to the hospital with a range of injuries. While these crashes could have been avoided, failing to move over was the contributing factor in five of the six incidents.

A second degree trespass and warrant service was reported on 7/21/20 10317 W Old Spring Hope Road, Spring Hope
A felony larceny was reported on 7/25/20 at 10439 Beaver Dam Road, Middlesex
A misdemeanor larceny was reported on 7/23/20 at 10500 Pace Road, Bailey

A Red Oak native returned home earlier this month to make a presentation to Red Oak's Town Council on a wireless tower at Ennis Park.
Matt Bertolini, of CTI Towers, spoke to council members at their July 13 about the possibility of a lease agreement for a wireless tower at the Red Oak's Ennis Park.
Bertolini said he was Red Oak native and a 2015 graduate of Northern Nash High School.

Nash UNC Health Care has announced Nash County native DeNaide Dickens as its new executive director of Human Resources, beginning August 10th.
A national search was conducted following the departure of Katie Davison, who was offered an opportunity to serve as Chief Human Resources Officer for Mon Health in Morgantown, West Virginia, in February.

A Nashville man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday.
Jeffrey Lee Hough, 56, was reportedly traveling north on Vaughan Chapel Road around 12:37 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. Hough was operating a motorcycle when he ran off the road to the right and over corrected, causing the motorcycle to overturn and ejecting Hough.

Building Permit (Commercial)
Robbie Davis; 5530 B Dortches Blvd; shell/foundation; $231,428.57
Robbie Davis; 5530 C Dortches Blvd; shell/foundaiton; $23,142.57

My Sister's House announced receiving $2,500 from Bayer Animal Health to help alleviate the amplified strain being put on domestic violence shelters and programs due to COVID-19.
Staying home is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19, yet home is not always a safe place for people who experience domestic violence.

It is a "No Brainer". FIX your pet, especially the females! Had someone ask me if it would stop them going into heat, which is messy and stinky. YES, it will! PLUS, for both males and females:
~ Lowers risk of cancer!

Several years ago, a former pastor of mine lamented from the pulpit that prayer was losing its appeal among Christians. It's a sad commentary, but I agree with him. In fact, my own Christian experience has convinced me that a lot of us don't take full advantage of the power and privilege of prayer.
Stop and think about it. How often do you see a family in a restaurant stop and say grace before they dive into their meals?

Jesus has called you and me to run a race. It's a faith race. It's long-distance and multi-terrain. It's going to involve pain and suffering, but knowing we are running the race God has planned for us brings great joy.
Perhaps you've been trying to run but you're wondering why it's so hard. Why do you get winded so quickly?

Hi Fellow Followers. A brief break from the "Considering our Ways in 2020" series. I wanted to let everyone know about a sermon series coming up at Nashville UMC, which actually speaks directly towards the spiritual act of considering our ways. What follows is a brief rundown of what we will be talking about for the next few weeks. (You will be able to find these sermons at www.nashvilleumc.net).

So much has happened in our world this week. We are still restricted from social contact and I personally feel all of this is absolutely necessary to contain this virus. We have seen sickness on the rise, more people are dying, and violence is past belief. The community fellowship of the church has also been severely interrupted. With all of this around us, we at Peachtree, members, family, and friends met Sunday to praise our Lord for all He does for us, especially during these difficult times. He continues to bless and protest us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. (Fran).

Christian Fellowship Church enjoyed the newest installment in the "Unprecedented" series given by Pastor Daniel Parker this past Sunday.
Sandy Cross United Methodist Church held drive-in service this past Sunday. The message from Pastor Eric Packard can be viewed on the church's Facebook page.
Brenda Diaz led worship on Sunday afternoon at Hacia El Reino followed by the message from Pastor Julio Diaz.

HHHunt's Spring Arbor Senior Living, provider of senior assisted living and memory care, celebrated the 25th anniversary of team member Idexter Joyner on Friday, July 17.
Joyner has been with Spring Arbor Senior Living since the community opened in 1995 and has served in roles of Resident Care Director, Cottage Care Coordinator, Resident Assistant, Housekeeper, and most recently Medication Technician.

The board of advisors of the Futrell-Mauldin Community Foundation for Greater Rocky Mount is accepting grant applications from nonprofits serving needs in the local community.
Funds are available for nonprofit organizations serving the local community in the greater Rocky Mount area and will be awarded from the community grantmaking fund. Grants typically range from $500 to $7,500.

It seems like the summer is coming an end earlier this year. Maybe that's because it started a couple of months early.
Many families are already scrambling to get in last minute vacations as colleges across the country are starting a week or two early. Most in the state will forgo all the normal holidays and breaks so they can be finished by Thanksgiving.

Owner Dan Snyder of the fabled Washington Redskins is said to be considering a name change for his ball club.
That possibility has enraged some and why that is so is beyond me. After all, it's just a name. Sure, the team has been known as the Redskins forever basically but the team was just Washington's entry in the National Football League.

North Carolina, like the nation, is facing three crises: COVID-19, racial strife and the economy. Everyone wants to return to the way things were before the virus, but that's not going to happen.
Few were prepared for the coronavirus and the shutdown of businesses. Most have reopened, but many cannot or have chosen not to do so.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on May 29, 1958. Spaulding High School in Spring Hope graduated 32 seniors.

LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALLER AND SPRING HOPE NATIVE ALEX EDWARDS

LOUISBURG -- Alex Edwards was an impact player from the moment she first stepped on to the softball field for Louisburg High School as a freshman.
Her presence, along with that of fellow ninth-grader Ragan Holloman, could not have been more welcomed -- or have come at a better time.
Back then, in 2018, Louisburg had a lineup worthy of state title contest -- but there were a few holes that needed to be filled.

ELM CITY -- Grandstands are still closed at Elm City's County Line Raceway, but that did not deter fans from coming out in droves two Saturdays ago as the 3/8-mile clay oval played host to six races, including a 30-lap FUEL Series I-95 Late Model Challenge feature.
It didn't take long for the excitement to start, either.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Hester & Tucker nearly pulled off the upset in Monday night Rocky Mount Little League Baseball action, but in the end it was the Wesley Men who prevailed 11-9 in a nail-biter of a diamond contest at the RM Sports Complex.
Winston Lee, Jaelyn McLean and Dylan Moseley combined for an 8-9 performance at the plate to offset Kane Whitehurst's 4-4 outing by the Lawyers.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Because of the fluidity of the COVID-19 health situation, the NC Wesleyan College Women's Soccer program have decided to postpone their upcoming ID camp that was scheduled for August 9 to a date to be announced later.
For more info on women's ID camps, contact head coach Beverly Biancur at bbiancur@ncwc.edu or assistant coach Kohl Orner at korner@ncwc.edu.

Then-freshmen (l to r) Ragan Holloman and Alex Edwards played key roles in Louisburg High School's trip to the Class 1-A State Softball Finals back in 2018.