More people are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that additional front-line essential workers in group 3 will be eligible for vaccinations this week.
In addition, people with a medical condition that puts them at a high risk will be eligible for vaccinations on March 24. Those people fall under group 4.

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Monday in celebration of the new facility. Pictured above is staff member Cameron Beal (left) and Director Koy Worrell.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce joined the Town of Nashville in celebrating the opening of the new recreation center on Monday.
The newly renovated building at 108 South Boddie Street is a much needed spot for the town's parks, recreation and cultural resources department.
"Obviously, there was a need for indoor programming space for our department," said Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Koy Worrell.

A six-year-old boy was injured when he was accidentally shot by a teenager showing off a gun.
According to the Nash County Sheriff's Office, a 16-year-old boy and his six-year-old brother were outside of a home in the 5900 block on Maggie Road talking with some friends of the teenager. One of the friends, another 16-year-old, was reportedly showing off a gun when it went off and struck the six-year-old.

A significant hike in prices caused Nashville's Town Council to reconsider plans to upgrade water and sewer lines on Eastern Avenue.
The Department of Transportation is planning to reconstruct the town's water main on the north side of Eastern Avenue between Kamlar Road and Red Oak Road. In addition, an eight-inch sanitary sewer main will be constructed from the town's Regency Lift Station to Kamlar Road on the south side of Eastern Avenue.

Another Nash County Sheriff's Office employee has been recognized for exemplary service and dedication.
Allyson Winstead was presented the Old North State Award on Monday at the Nash County Board of Commissioner's meeting.
The Old North State Award is the second highest honor a state or local municipality employee can receive after serving honorably with 20 or more years of service in the State of North Carolina.

Spring Hope residents may soon be able to take a class in town to discreetly carry a firearm in public.
Police Chief Nathan Gant expressed great interest of putting together a concealed carry class to the Board of Commissioners Monday night. He said multiple residents have inquired about concealed carry classes and firearms in general.

Bids have been received for construction of the new Red Oak Elementary School.
Bids were announced on Tuesday, March 2 during a meeting of the ad-hoc school construction committee.
The bid opening process was led by Ann Collier, of Oakley Collier Architects.

Castalia commissioners voted Tuesday night to stop accepting applications for the vacant commissioners seat. Melissa Hinkle (wife of current commissioner Brian Hinkle) will be asked to attend the next meeting to answer questions from the board. Based on that interview, she may be sworn in as commissioner at the next meeting.

RALEIGH -- The State Democratic Party named its new chair, concluding Black History Month by naming its first African American as leader -- Franklin County resident Bobbie Richardson.
Richardson, a former state legislator and previous vice chair of the state party, was selected to lead the party as chair on Feb. 27.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce recently announced the 2021 Nashville Blooming Festival has been canceled due to COVID-19.
"At this time, it is our belief that major gatherings such as the Blooming Festival, will not be in the best interest of our citizens nor will the vaccination process be far enough along to provide a safe environment by early spring," stated a press release from the chamber's festival committee.

A Red Oak resident will compete this weekend for the title of Miss North Carolina Teen USA.
Maycee Aycock is one of 28 contestants who will participate in this weekend's competition in Charleston, South Carolina.
Aycock is a senior at Northern Nash High School who plans to attend college at Meredith College.

A felony breaking and entering was reported on 2/21/21 at 1101 Brake Street
A felony larceny was reported on 2/21/21 at 307 S Joyner Street
A felony larceny was reported on 2/21/21 at 1006 Birchwood

A warrant service was reported on 2/23/21
A warrant service and misdemeanor larceny was reported on 2/27/21 and 2/25/21 at 100 N Boddie Street, Nashville
An assault inflicing serious bodily injury and domestic disturbance were reported on 2/23/21 at 10460 Hicksboro Lane, Middlesex

The N.C. Department of Transportation needs volunteers to help clean up trash along roads during the Adopt-A-Highway Spring Litter Sweep from April 10-24.
Each April and September, NCDOT asks volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, non-profits, churches, municipalities, law enforcement and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina's roads clean.

Haniyyah Wilson, of Spring Hope, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ, has been named to the Honors List for the Spring 2020 semester.

Hard Times ~ I know where you are coming from, when you tell me hard times hinder you from taking care of your pets the way you used to. We have children (or ourselves) that either cannot find a job, cannot find one doing what they were educated to do or must work somewhere away from family just to have a job. Our retirement doesn't go as far as it used to either! You must cut expenses and how can you do it without harming your pets?

The following deed transfers were reported in Nash County from February 22-26, 2021

BUILDING PERMIT (COMMERCIAL)
Jackie McDowell; 101 E Evans Drive; renovation/alteration; $12,000
Selden Taylor; 8885 N NC 58; new construction; $700,000

FEDERAL - STATE MARKET NEWS SERVICE, DIVISION OF
MARKETING - NCDA&CS
North Carolina's egg prices were lower on medium, steady on the balance when compared to last week.

"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven." (2 Corinthians 12:2)
Have you ever thought what Paul meant when he referred to a third heaven? We've been taught all our lives that there is only one heaven. Then right out of the blue, Paul suggests that there are three of them. What's going on?

A man was given a tour of heaven in a dream. As the tour ended, he noted a particular building was skipped over. The angel warned that he did not want to see that building. This only heightened the man's curiosity. The angel showed him. It was a building filled with beautifully wrapped presents. When the man asked what these were, the angel answered these were gifts God had prepared for his children that were never claimed in prayer. - HB Charles

Peachtree Baptist Church members came out for service this past Sunday to praise our Lord Jesus. They prayed that the Covid-19 vaccinations continue and the numbers of infections continue to drop. They prayed for all those effected by the extreme weather.
The sanctuary flower arrangement Sunday was loving presented to glorify God by Brenda and James Sheppard in honor of their 22 years of marriage.

What follows is Part 2 of an article entitled, "Fig Leaves & Makeup" which are the sermon notes I used for our Ash Wednesday Worship service at Nashville UMC on February 17. It will be helpful to first read Part 1, which can be found in the February 25th edition of The Graphic.
The invitation of God through the words of the prophet Joel, "return to me with all your heart" (Joel 2:12) rings so well with the invitation of Jesus in Mark 1:15

Kingdom International's Young at Heart had their first meeting of the year this past Saturday night. There was a good attendance and they all enjoyed a buffet meal along with special singing by Marie Batchelor; a devotion was also given. KIC opened Sunday morning service with announcements, prayer and offering. The Worship Team led in one selection followed by the message from Pastor Dr. Daniel Moss "The Warrior's Noise".

The Nash County Public School System has released its Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2020 -2021 school year. The following students at Rocky Mount High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

The Nash County Public School System has released its Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2020 -2021 school year. The following students at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2020 -2021 school year. The following students at Middlesex Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2020 -2021 school year. The following students at MB Hubbard Elementary School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2020 -2021 school year. The following students at Tar River Academy made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Saturday wasn't exactly what they had in mind in 2018 when Barton College announced it would restart its football program after 70 years.
It was in many ways what college football fans love -- a warm, sunny afternoon in a sparkling stadium with cheerleaders, dancers, mascots and energy on the field so intent to be released, it spills into the stands.

The Nashville Graphic has always been happy to partner with our local schools by participating in career days, classroom projects, and mentoring projects.
We have entered dozens of classrooms in elementary, middle and high-schools as well as set up shop for school-wide career fairs.
We've done the same for local scout troops to assist with obtaining their journalism/media badge.

To Nash County Commissioners
My wife, Margaret, and I would like to commend the Southern Nash Senior Center, Nash County Health Department, local law enforcement and North Carolina National Guard for a job well done in planning and organizing the COVID-19 vaccine inoculation process in Nash County.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on March 27, 1975. Michelle Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Rose of Nashville, was pictured holding an Easter egg and basket in anticipation of an Easter egg hunt.

Too often the news is dominated by what divides us as Americans. Yet, there are values I think we all believe in. These values need to be discussed more. Among those values are transparency and accountability in government. When government acts, timely and accurate information about those actions should be made available without discrimination to any citizen.

LOOKING FOR A LANE. Nash Central High School's Tralon Mitchell (with ball) tries to find running room during last Thursday night's home football game against the Rocky Mount Gryphons.

ROCKY MOUNT -- One eye on the present and one eye on the future.
That's the strategy most high school football coaches -- including Nash Central's Chris Lee -- are taking toward the abbreviated Spring 2021 season.
Certainly, all schools want to be successful right now, but many coaches are using this season as a way to effectively springboard into the Fall 2021 campaign.

NASH CENTRAL'S AUBURN HUDLOW (AT LEFT)

ROCKY MOUNT -- Even in an abbreviated season, high school sports teams can experience their share of ups and downs.
Just ask the Nash Central Bulldogs' boys soccer squad, which has gone two up and two down to date during its six-match schedule.
All of NCHS' slated matches are of the Eastern Plains Conference variety, and the Bulldogs kicked things off on February 17 with a road setback at North Johnston.

RALEIGH -- It's not often that two coaches who attended the same high school face off against one another while performing their managerial duties at the collegiate level.
But that was the case last Tuesday when Billy Godwin's UNC-Greensboro Spartans traveled to Raleigh to take on Elliott Avent's North Carolina State Wolfpack on the baseball diamond at Doak Field at Dail Park.

RED OAK -- Southern Nash delivered a pair of second-half goals en route to defeating homestanding Northern Nash by a 2-0 margin on Monday in Big East Conference boys soccer action.
Jose Nunez scored the first goal for the Firebirds off an assist from Lelyn Herndon.

PINETOPS -- Many high schools around the state did something they had not done in over 400 days at some point last week, including the four public high schools in Nash County.
Kicking off a high school football game was something that was a major uncertainty just a few short months ago.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Rocky Mount High School's record in the Big East Conference boys soccer standings is nothing short of deceiving during the abbreviated Winter 2021 campaign.
The Gryphons have been competitive with just about every squad in the Big East, but have had difficulty finding the back of the net.

Nash Central's Timothy Holiday tries to secure the football for the Bulldogs during last Thursday night's home football meeting with the Rocky Mount Gryphons.

Rocky Mount High School players celebrate a score during last Thursday night's non-conference road football victory against Nash Central at The Dawg Pound.