CloudWyze is poised to start on Phase 3 of its plan to provide high speed internet service to the unserved and underserved areas of Nash County.
Shaun Olsen, the President/CEO of CloudWyze, provided an update on the project to Nash County Commissioners on Monday at the board's regular meeting.
The county has been in partnership with CloudWyze since 2018, when commissioners approved phase 1 of the project, which was a trial in the hardest areas of the county to serve. That pilot program was completed in the Fall of 2019 and since then, CloudWyze has expanded its efforts into other parts of the county.

Red Oak Commissioners last week appointed Sandra Russ to fill the remaining term of former Commissioner Barbara High Tyre.
Tyre passed away on October 14 and had served almost 40 years on the Red Oak Board of Commissioners.
The vacancy was brought before the board during their meeting last Monday, November 9.

Nan Strickland was awarded the Nashville Blooming Festival Mother of the Year in 2014.

Nan Strickland would have celebrated her 105th birthday on Saturday, November 21. Instead, friends and family will be celebrating her homecoming in Heaven.
Strickland passed away on Tuesday, November 17, just a few days shy of her 105th birthday.
Strickland was a legend of sorts in Nashville, known for her love of gardening and feeding others, her generous spirit and her infectious smile.

Nash County 4-H has received anonymous donations to help further its mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandy Hall, Nash County Cooperative Extension Director and 4-H Agent, said a project with fifth graders in the Nash County Public School System was made possible through a $8,000 anonymous donation.

A new COVID-19 County Alert System has placed Nash County in the lowest tier, according to metrics put into place by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and North Carolina's key metrics.
Governor Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) announced the new alert system to pinpoint counties with the highest levels of viral spread.

When Crystal and Orlando Jones first opened up J's Hair Boutique in Nashville, there was only one other hair place in town.
That was almost 31 years ago.
Orlando, or O.J. as he is known by, said he plans to shut down the long-time establishment next month.

Last week's heavy rains caused the Town of Nashville to experience a wastewater discharge.
Director of Public Works Lee Brown reported that the discharge of untreated wastewater occurred on November 12, 2020 of around 25,200 gallons from a manhole near 802 South Creek Drive.

A statewide recount has been requested in the North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Race.
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley asked for the statewide recount on Tuesday.
Beasley was challenged by Justice Paul Newby for the top North Carolina Court's position in the November 3 elections. At the end of election and county canvasses, Newby led Beasley by just under 400 votes. Close to 5.4 million votes were cast in the election.

The following deed transfers were made November 6-12:

A damage to state or local government property and a warrant service was reported on 11/14/20 at 100 N Boddie Street, Nashville
A felony larceny was reported on 10277 N NC 58, Castalia
A warrant service was reported on 11/9/20 at 1387 Bowden Road, Spring Hope

Building Permit (Commercial)
Jason Gabbard; 15130 A Old Smithfield Road; detached accessory; $32,000
Chuck Steffenella; 5901 E NC 97; addition; $60,000

Incidents
A breaking and entering an auto and larceny was reported on 10/26/20 at 2017 Trinity Drive
A sell/deliver a schedule VI controlled substance was reported on 10/26/20 at 824 S Brake Street

An impromptu Veterans Day Service was held at the Rocky Mount Veterans Memorial at Jack Laughery Park last Wednesday, November 11.
A Veterans Day service was initially planned to be held, hosted by the Joint Veterans Committee, but due to the chance of messy weather along with gathering limits due to COVID, the event was canceled.
Pictured above, World War II Veteran Charles Johnson stands during the Veterans Day ceremony last Wednesday.

A friend of mine and I were talking the other day about life in general. I have been concerned for quite some time about his soul, but was afraid to ask him for fear that the question would divide us. I kept telling myself that I could do more good by trying to show him a godly lifestyle than I ever could by popping the question and driving him away.

If Jesus were to write a love letter stating all the things He loves about you, would the words "But I have this against you" be included?
In a letter to the church of Ephesus, Jesus says, "I know your deeds and your toil and your perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men. . . you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love" (Rev. 2:2-4 NASB).

One of the truest things that can be said of God is that God is an abundantly generous giver. The testimony of God's generosity is found in a book we call the Bible. It's also on display this time of year when farmers are in the fields reaping the bounty of their months of hard work. The earth, in fact, is full of God's great generosity.

Congratulations to Ricki Bartley and Kierstin Cooper for signing to play softball at Barton College. They are currently seniors at Southern Nash High School. The Southern Nash JROTC observed Veteran's Day with a short service at the school and by presenting a standing wreath in honor of all US Veterans.
Sandy Cross United Methodist Church received the Sunday morning message from Pastor Eric Packard in the series "Thy Kingdom Come."

What a blessed day at Red Oak Baptist Church Sunday! More than 162 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes were collected! During the worship service, Pastor Chris Fowler dedicated the boxes and prayed for the children who will be receiving them. Each shoebox represents 1 child and family who may not only receive a gift for the first time ever but they will also receive the greatest gift of all, Jesus!

Peachtree Baptist Church is now collecting donations for its N.C. State Missions fundraiser.
Peachtree Baptist Church's annual collard sale began Monday and continues through November 20. Collards are cleaned, cooked and seasoned and are $8 per quart. They can be picked up from 3-6 p.m. on Nov. 11, 13, 16, 18 and 20 at the church, 3523 N.C. 581 N., Spring Hope.

Girl Scout Troop 251 recently donated supplies and food to the Nash County Animal Shelter. The project was done to help the girls achieve their Bronze Award, the first of three major awards that can be received in Girl Scouts.

Boy Scouts from Troop 76 helped Nashville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department plant 14 maple trees recently near the Nash County Courthouse and at Nashville's Town Hall. The tree plantings helps the town keep its designation as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Nash UNC Health Care has added temperature checks to their health screening process to help reduce the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 at Nash UNC. All employees, providers, patients, visitors, and vendors will now complete a temperature check using touchless temperature scanning upon entering any Nash UNC facility in addition to the organization's established screening process.

FUNDRAISER ~ "Paws & Love Makes a House a Home!" Tired of 2020? Maybe it will help when you get ahead of your holiday shopping or get yourself a gift! Choice of shirts (V-Neck, Tank, Long Sleeve & Classic), Masks, I-Phone Covers, Tote and Pet Hoodie. The price is only $20.20 for everything except the mask and that is less. Lots of colors! Help us help the homeless pets of Nash! GO to https://teespring.com/shop/ncaf-2020-homeless-pets-fund

You've heard of "golf widows" -- wives whose husbands play golf all weekend or as much as possible or are never home.
Of course, there are other types of these abandoned spouse situations, some involving hobby stores or other things people used to do before the pandemic.
I have become a genealogy widower. Or something like that.

Every year, for at least the past five years, we've featured Nan Strickland in The Nashville Graphic around this time.
In 2015, Ms. Nan was featured for turning 100 years old and every year after, I'd interview her and do another article on her birthday.
I was looking forward to this year's article, as Ms. Nan would have been 105 years old!

Just recently, Graphic Staff Reporter Amanda Clark and I were talking about the Thanksgiving edition for 2020. We were discussing all the events we would normally cover for the holiday edition but wouldn't this year due to COVID-19.
Our conversation led to the traditional birthday celebration of Nan Strickland who was set to turn 105 years old on November 21st. We've covered her birthday celebrations since she turned 100.

Dear Editor: Once again, I am addressing the Church. I am presenting scriptural facts to measure our faith stand in God's Word against our feelings. Why? The main reason is Acts 5: 29 "We are to do what is right before the Lord, rather than what man thinks is right," and secondly, in our recent 2020 presidential election 46% of professing Christians voted for the democratic platform. Let's examine how that platform stacks up to The Word of God.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on December 18, 1975. Student of Ed Scarborough's class at Nashville Elementary School celebrated Christmas by making Rudolph the Reindeer costumes.

WILSON -- There is really no way of predicting how the standings are going to play out during the 2020-21 school year in any North Carolina High School Athletic Association sport.
Such is the case for the Southern Nash Ladybirds' varsity volleyball squad under the direction of veteran head coach Melanie Hicks.

STANHOPE -- Clutch hitting and versatility are two intangibles that will take a softball player a long way in her career.
But not too far, in the case of Southern Nash's Ricki Bartley and Kierstin Cooper.
The SNHS fast-pitch stars won't be traveling too far from home in their next career journey as they have both signed letters-of-intent to join the softball program at Barton College in nearby Wilson.

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State piled up the points during last Saturday's home football victory against Florida State -- and area stars Zonovan 'Bam' Knight and Ricky Person Jr. played a huge role in that success.
The Wolfpack running back duo of Person and Knight combined for 162 total yards while helping NC State secure a 38-22 decision over the Seminoles in Atlantic Coast Conference gridiron action at Carter-Finley Stadium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School has announced its 2020-21 volleyball schedule today on the road against Roanoke Rapids.
Nash Central's first home match will be November 24 versus SouthWest Edgecombe in Eastern Plains Conference spike action.
NCHS' complete ledger is as follows, with home events listed in CAPS:

Southern Nash High School's Ricki Bartley (front, second from right) signs a letter-of-intent to continue her softball career at Barton College. Also pictured are (back, l to r) SN softball coach Scott Collie, SN Assistant Principal Gavin Meiring, SN Assistant Principal Megan Bain, SN Assistant Principal Aretha Battle and SN Athletic Director Robbie Kennedy; (front, l to r) SN Principal Hugh Scott, Addison Bartley (sister) and Tiffany Bruce Bartley (mother).

Southern Nash High School's Kierstin Cooper (front, second from left) signs a letter-of-intent to continue her softball career at Barton College. Also pictured are (back, l to r) SN Assistant Principal Gavin Meiring, SN Assistant Principal Megan Bain, SN Assistant Principal Aretha Battle and SN Athletic Director Robbie Kennedy; (front, l to r) SN softball coach Scott Collie, Patrick Cooper (father) and SN Principal Hugh Scott.