NASHVILLE - One of Nashville's three operating wells has been taken offline due to high levels of PFA contamination, and town officials are participating in an EPA program to get guidance on how to address the presence of PFAS in the town's water supply.
"PFAS are manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world.

NASHVILLE - A candidate challenge concerning residency was denied Dec. 17 by the Nash County Board of Elections, with board members ruling that there were no legal grounds to disqualify commissioner candidate Quentin Sumner from running to represent District 2.
Robert Cordell, also of Rocky Mount and running against Sumner for the District 2 Nash County Commissioner spot in the March primary, filed a complaint that Sumner was not qualified to run in District 2 because he did not actually live in District 2, but in District 7.

President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to Rocky Mount on Friday evening. Graphic photo by Larry Matthews

ROCKY MOUNT - Calling the past 11 months "the most successful first year of any President in the history of our country," President Donald Trump focused on financial positives during his Friday visit to the Rocky Mount Event Center.
Standing before rows of people bearing signs that read "Bigger Paychecks" and "Lower Prices," Trump said the U.S. "now has the lowest core inflation since 2021," giving credit to taking in "hundreds of billions in tariffs."

NASHVILLE- Candidate filing closed at 12 noon Dec. 19 for the 2026 elections. The partisan primary will held on March 3, 2026. The general election will be held November 3, 2026. Below are filing results in alphabetical order by last name for each office.

NASHVILLE - Nash County will be losing its longtime Health Director, Bill Hill, as well as its Human Services Board Chairman, Dr. Mike Johnson. Both men announced their retirement news near the close of the Nash County Human Services Board meeting Thursday.
Hill, who has served "going on 48 years" since August 15, 1978, compared himself to "an old pair of shoes - comfortable, but you need to replace" amidst a chorus of muttered denials.

Nashville Police Department, joined by Nashville firefighters, hosted their annual Shop with a Cop last week. Pictured, Kalaiah Simms, age 10, looks over her cart of Christmas gifts. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

On Tuesday, December 16, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students at Nashville Elementary presented their winter holiday program. The program featured familiar holiday favorites and songs from around the world. Music Teacher Lori Mizelle was recognized, as this will be her last winter music program before retiring at the end of the year.

NASHVILLE- Anyone looking to visit a restaurant or food truck located in Nash County, or wants to check up on how grandma's senior living facility rates on sanitation, now has the option of accessing detailed grades and scores online, with the information updated within hours of inspections.
Liz Lord, Deputy Health Director, shared the news at the Dec. 18 Human Services Board meeting, walking those in attendance how to do it and showing what information is listed.

CHESSER

RALEIGH- Nash County state legislators Rep. Allen Chesser and Senator Lisa Barnes have both been designated "2025 Job Champions" by the NC Chamber in their annual 'How They Voted' Report, issued last month.
Chesser, with a 2025 ranking percentage of 91%, was listed with 20 'Pro-Jobs' points and 2 'Anti-Jobs' points. Barnes was ranked at 100% for her voting action in 2025, with 7 Pro-Jobs 'Points'. She had 0 'Anti-Jobs' points.

Robbie decorated the house two weeks ago for Christmas. She brought down the box with the Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set. It is great for the children because they love playing with all the characters and animals while also learning about the birth of Christ. As she was pulling out all the pieces, she realized one was missing - baby Jesus! Apparently, one of the grandchildren put it somewhere during Christmas last year.
It reminded me of an account of the Christmas Story as told through the eyes of a six year-old little Russian boy named Misha.

Continuing from last time, further criticism that the ancient Roman historian Tacitus was unreliable and showed bias in favor of Christianity is based upon his use of certain words. Critic G. A. Wells is among these scholars and points to specific terms used by Tacitus as further evidence of his unreliability, citing his use of the word "Christ" in describing Jesus and the incorrect use of the title "procurator" when referring to Pilate.
Regarding the former term usage, Wells states that "if Tacitus had gotten his information from official records, he would have called Jesus by his name," However, had Tacitus used the name Jesus, then further information would have been needed to explain which "Jesus" was being referred to.

Nash County 4-H held its annual 4-H Extravaganza craft fair last month offering shoppers a wide variety of hand crafted items as well as lots of holiday fellowship. Pictured above, Gina Bass, center, laughs as she and Paula Moore, right, enjoy shopping from 4-H'er Molly Griffin, left.

ROCKY MOUNT- The 2025 Legislative Breakfast at Nash Community College, held on Nov. 21st, provided students and college officials a chance to shine and share their accomplishments with state and federal legislators.
Lew Hunnicutt, NCC President, was pleased to announce that college enrollment was "at near record enrollment," having nearly caught up to what it had been at pre-Covid levels. The Fall 2019 head count of 3,218 students was close to the Fall 2025 number of 3,149.

ROCKY MOUNT - In the spirit of compassion, generosity, and belief in second chances, North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) shares the profound impact of a new Angel Donor Initiative supporting adult learners through the University's Adult Professional Studies (APS) Scholarship Fund.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.

Southern Nash High School (SNHS) students in the Animal Science II class show heifers during the 4th annual Dairy Day. Ten heifers from Kooba Dairy of Roseboro were loaned to SNHS for three months for students to feed, walk, and do show training with. Jessica Manning, SNHS Equine studies teacher, stepped in as show supervisor in the absence of Kristina Brake

Momeyer Fire & Rescue held its Christmas meal and gathering recently, recognizing multiple members for their achievements. Ronald Bass was honored for having the most years of active service: 55. Bass, a founding member of the Momeyer Rescue Squad, continues to respond to calls. Contributed photo

Dalton Collie (left) receives the Coopers Fire and Rescue Fireman of the Year award, presented by Assistant Chief David Thorne (right). Contributed photo

Blake Cary (left) receives the Junior Fireman of the Year awared presented by Assistant Junior Coordinator Dalton Collie (right).

RALEIGH- A federal judge sentenced a Nash County man to 20 years in federal prison for selling more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On Feb. 14, 2024, Kenneth Orlin Simmons, Jr., age 36, pleaded guilty to these crimes.
"Drug dealers flood our communities with deadly methamphetamine and arm themselves with guns to violently carry out their trade. Criminals like this Big Shark Bad Boy pose a serious threat to public safety," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

Gordon Finch, Gordon H. Finch and Teresa B. Finch to Donna J. Sutton and William W. Sutton; .13 acres
Celena Curtis to Top Level Builders, Inc.; 2.50 acres; $62.500
D.R. Horton, Inc. to Kelsey Dawn Lantz Crawford and Kenneth Crawford; Beaver Dam Crossing, Lot 9
MB Homes Construction, Inc. to Reginald L. Bostic and Phyllis Bostic; River Dew Subdivision, Phase 2, Lot 32; $444,000

Obtain property by false pretense reported at 10037 Fox Lane, Nashville on 11/20/25
Identity fraud; exploitation of disabled or elderly adults; identity fraud; conspiracy/obtain property by false pretense reported at 105 Drake Street, Nashville on 11/17/25, 11/18/25 and 11/22/25
Larceny after breaking and entering; felony breaking and/or entering reported at 1371 Brooke Lane, Nashville on 11/22/25

Rahmel Wilder poses with a new bike and Nashville Firefighter Woodlief.

It was a hectic week. We took one car to the scrap yard (sad) and another went to the mechanic. One of my sons bought a vehicle online and delivery got delayed.
My new book's proofs came in, I still had reports due for work and started a new medication. We're way behind decorating the house. Life is lifing.
I wasn't intentionally "not in the Christmas Spirit," It's just sort of run by me.
Then my sister called Saturday to tell me she had half a rum cake waiting for me.

My phone rang on a Thursday afternoon last spring. Former owner of The Spring Hope Enterprise, Ken Ripley, had just read my column regarding my suspicions of the county wanting to absorb the Nash County Arts Council under their wing of government.
Ken had been a champion for the Nash County Arts Council when the dedicated group of folks fought to save the 1914 building thus forming the arts council.
Though lying in local rehabilitation facility after a hospital stay, Ken was still staying abreast of local news.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on Jan. 27, 1976. Graphic staff won state press awards at the annual convention. Pictured, Saravette Trotter and Ken Ripley are presented press awards by Jim Holshouser (center) at the annual awards banquet held in Chapel Hill.