Nash Central High School grads Sophia Langley and Emily McFerren prepare for graduation. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

NASHVILLE - In order to recover operational costs, conserve equipment and optimize staff efficiency, the town of Nashville is proposing both operational and fee changes for bulk pick-up, electronics recycling, and yard waste. Also proposed is a major Spring/Fall cleanup option - for free - for when residents or landlords clean out houses and need a lot of debris cleared away.

American Legion Post 110 hosts Nashville's annual Memorial Day ceremony. Pictured, the Color Guard raises flags during the service. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

NASHVILLE - While the wearing of military uniforms is not out of place on Memorial Day, one such uniform - and the story behind it - stood out at Sunday's Memorial Day Service conducted by American Legion Post 110.
Eugene Joyner, post member in Nashville and at VFW Post 2057, Rocky Mount, wears the uniform of an unnamed helicopter pilot who was shot down over Vietnam. Joyner, who does not know the man's name, was asked by the man's parents to wear the uniform in memory of all pilots.

SPRING HOPE - After three workshop sessions by the town board of commissioners, the final draft of the recommended FY 27 budget has been ironed out. It will be available for public purview at the town office until June 1st, when a public hearing is scheduled with potential adoption. Commissioners do have the option of making adjustments based on public input that night.
There appear to be few bottom-line changes from the working draft presented at May 11th work session.

NASHVILLE- The Nash County Board of Elections is putting the word out now that they're going to need more poll workers - at least 20 more than usual- to be adequately staffed.
John Kearney, Elections Director, said he is projecting a need for 202 total workers to cover 24 precincts this November, with a big reason for added staff to eliminate long lines at the polls. He is also looking to have another 10-15 trained backup workers to fill in staffing gaps.

NASHVILLE - A small but dedicated group of law enforcement officers from Nashville Police Department, Nash County Sheriff's Office and Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office ran the streets in the heat Thursday, May 21st, to raise both money and awareness for the NC Special Olympics.
Officers and deputies took turns carrying the "flame of hope" torch, symbol of the Nash County's Torch Run Relay, beginning at the Nashville Junction at 10 a.m., climbing Barnes Street to West Washington, down to 1st Street, through Cross Street and back to the Junction. Plenty of escort blue lights flashed to allow the runners to proceed safely.

NASHVILLE - Sketch plans for two new subdivisions in Red Oak and Castalia received Nash County Planning Board approval last week, sailing through by unanimous vote during a meeting May 18.

NASHVILLE - A first-time event held to show appreciation for School Resource Officers attracted a healthy crowd at the Elks Club Thursday.
Organized by former educator Kirk Woodard, who taught Language Arts at four Nash County schools, the 12 p.m. BBQ luncheon offered an opportunity for those who serve to hear multiple words of appreciation for what they do.
"It takes a special person to be locked in with 1500 kids a day," said Chief McCoy of the Rocky Mount Police Department, who attended with multiple officers.

NASHVILLE - The proposed FY2027 budget for Nashville is carrying at two-cent tax increase to 61 cents per $100 assessed value, which equates to a tax increase of $37.10 per year for a house with a $185,500 taxable value.
Randy Lansing, town manager, told council members at a third budget workshop on May 20th that $185,000 was the average value of houses in Nashville. He also had figures for increases for other houses: a $225,000 home would see a $45 increase and a $350,000 home would see its tax bill rise by $70.00.

Several years ago, Robbie spent two weeks in Hawaii with her mother. Sara had a goal of visiting every State Capital in America. She reached her goal with her final trip which was to Alaska.
Over the couple of weeks prior to leaving, Robbie repeatedly thanked me for letting her go. I told her, "I'm not letting you go. I want you to go. This will be a great memory for you and your mother to share."

Over the past few weeks, we have considered the evidence supporting the concept that at one time in the ancient past, all of humanity was gathered together as one people of one race and culture, speaking one language. Christians hold that there were only eight survivors after the Great Flood: Noah and his family. Over the next few generations, everyone on Earth was still gathered as one group at a single palace, at Babel, on The Plains of Shinar. God had commanded the people to multiply and fill the Earth, but they refused.

GREENVILLE, SC - The following students are among approximately 600 Bob Jones University students named to the Dean's List for the spring 2026 semester.
The Dean's List recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester.
Elaina Willis, a Junior Photography major from Spring Hope, was named to the Dean's List.

ANGOLA, IND. - Ryan Grossfuss of Nashville, a Trine University student, was named to the President's List for the Spring 2026 semester.
Grossfuss is majoring in Associate in Accounting.
To earn President's List honors, Trine University students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000.

Coopers Ruritan members held a trash pickup on Saturday April 18, 2026 along a two-mile stretch of Sandy Cross Road. Volunteers picked up 26 bags of trash as part of their community service program. Pictured is Ken Powell, Danny Tyson, Julie Dixon, John Sprague, Donna Collie, Mike Glover and Cheryl Glover.

Oak Level Ruritan Club held their annual scholarship night May 4, 2026. Recipients were (left to right) Bryleigh Posey, Emily McFerren, and Dakota Leonard. Contributed photo

Thai Phat Pham and Camla Viet Nguyen to Reggae Dymonds, LLC; Section 2, Pine Ridge Subdivision, Lot 2; $47,000
Nicholas T. Allen, Melinda Allen, Elizabeth Ann A. Fisher and Sue Margaret A. Stone to Nicholas T. Allen, Elizabeth Ann A. Fisher and Sue Margaret A. Stone; two tracts
Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. and Kimberly R. Styles to CitiMortgage, Inc. and Mark A. Reinhard; 1016 Calvary Street, Rocky Mount

Southern Nash grad Dylan Inscoe fits his cap. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

I'd offer a warning here that if you're easily offended or have a delicate nature, you might want to pass on this week's column. But, after 29 years, it seems like that ship has sailed and you know what you're getting at the top of page 4 each week.
This week's story is about an inspirational young boy who puts a smile on the face of all those who are around him on Sunday mornings at church by just being himself. We'll call him C., and I have to say he reminds me of my children when they were his age -- plenty of energy with little filter, and hilarity often ensues.

Nash County, and most all towns inside of Nash County, will hold public hearings next week for their 2026-2027 budgets. Most all dates can be found in public hearing notice ads in this newspaper (some ads were published last week, some this week). Some ads are in the legal notices as line ads, some are ads with borders.
Nashville's hearing is slated for June 2nd at 7 p.m. I encourage Nashville citizens to read The Graphic's coverage of the proposed budget in today's edition. Citizens will see many increases this year including a two-cent tax bump, water rate increases and also suggested fees, or fee increases.

These photos were taken in July, 1976 during Nashville's Bicentennial Celebration. (Graphic photo)

The 5th Annual NC Sweetpotato Festival took place in Bailey on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 on Main Street, Bailey. The NC Sweetpotato Festival is presented by the Bailey Chamber of Commerce and supported by the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

Jodi Ruotolo and Zane Ruotolo of Sims try out panning for gems at a GemRushNC booth

Kiera Lesky of Raleigh smiles as "Uncle Sam" takes her hand. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake