Recent Articles

Wildflower Way, LLC to Michael P. Murphy and Lorri M. Murphy; 2.661 acres in Red Oak Township
D.R. Horton, Inc. to Joshua Sao Joao and Katherine Rose Riegel; Saddlebrook Subdivision, Phase 1-B, Lot 51
Little Bear Creek Properties B, LLC to Foundation Home Builders, LLC; Stallings Grove, Lots 17-20
Edward Keith Floyd and Jennifer W. Floyd to Taira Homes, LLC; 835 Western Avenue, Rocky Mount; $56,000

BAILEY - The Country Doctor Museum, which belongs lock, stock and barrel to East Carolina University, is going to be cut loose from ECU as the college withdraws funding, but supporters are already galvanizing to see what can be done to locate new avenues of funding.
"As ECU works toward a university-wide budget reduction target of $25 million over the next three fiscal years, it is no longer possible for the (Laupus) Library to fund a museum operation," stated a Sept. 10 news release from East Carolina University News Services.

NASHVILLE - Less than four months after being turned down for conditional rezoning, a planned 122-lot subdivision off Wildlife Road, Castalia, is back for consideration, gathering a split vote of approval Monday, Sept. 15, from the Nash County Planning Board.
The Wildlife Road Subdivision, consisting of 151.6 acres of A-1 land, has changed hands since it last came up for county approval in June and is now owned by Little Bear Creek Properties, the former developer.

NASHVILLE - A Sept. 13 ribbon-cutting at Nashville Fire Station #2, 1520 Oak Level Road, was so well-attended Saturday morning that there were more people than chairs filling the entire fire truck bay; all the trucks were parked outside in accommodation.
The event drew a slew of dignitaries from both the federal, state, and local levels, among them Don Davis, U. S Congressman; Neal Robbins, USDA Deputy Under Secretary; and Robert Hosford, USDA North Carolina State Director.

NASHVILLE - Initial sketch plans for a new 30-lot subdivision southeast of Spring Hope have been approved by the Nash County Planning Board, with the next step for developer Ballysteen Realty, LLC, to submit plat plans within in a year.
The Hope Meadows Subdivision is planned on about 45 undeveloped acres on the north side of W. Old Spring Hope Road, on land owned by Martha P. Walker.

ROCKY MOUNT - With the recent spotlight on Nash Central High School because of its high SPG (school performance grade), part of which involves a growth rate making it among the top two percent in the state for 2024-2025 results, questions are being asked about how- and what- the school did to make this happen.
Jonathan Tribula, principal, along with teachers, attributed the results to several factors: holding high expectations for the students, teachers, and parents and making his role as administrator one of support rather than micromanaging; in short, he trusts his teachers to do their jobs.

NASHVILLE - The sixth annual Heroes Field of Honor event held on 9-11 on the grounds of the Fellowship Church was an occasion for a community to remember and mourn those lost, but also to celebrate those on the front lines who give help where needed.
The 250 flags laid out in precision order, waving and snapping in the breeze, stood witness during the event, which took place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Speakers and the crowd stood together in unity.

NASHVILLE- A rezoning request for The old Royster-Clark building on West Cross Street has been withdrawn, with owner plans to resubmit in October for conditional rezoning in order to allow specific industrial manufacturing uses.
Applicants Emad and Maria Abukheit, the owners of EA Bargain Store in Rocky Mount who own the property under the name Erma Nash LLC, originally requested that the property at 111 West Cross Street be re-zoned from Business-1 to Industrial-1, a designation used for general manufacturing and assembly.

MOMEYER - In an attempt to quash recurrent deer hunting issues before the season begins Sept.27, Momeyer will be sending out information to all its residents, including those in the ETJ, about how to post lands to legally restrict access to hunters.
"Deer Hunting in Town" was agenda item 10.E. under new business at the Sept. 8 town council meeting. Will Funderburg, Mayor, said he had been studying old meetings to try to "get ahead" of the issue, because the town receives complaints every year.

ROCKY MOUNT - Nash County's animal shelter, The Pet Connection Center, underwent a state inspection Sept. 8 and not only passed, but passed with flying colors, with close to 200 individual checkpoints all reported in compliance.
"The Nash County Pet Connection Center has undergone a complete reformation," remarked Inspector Amy Lynn on the Sept. 8 Facility Inspection form.
"The facility was impeccably clean today.

SPRING HOPE- People interested in lending a hand to tidy up downtown Spring Hope are invited to the latest semi-annual 'Spring Hope Sweep,' scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. this Saturday.
Volunteers can meet at a tent to be set up at the corner of Pine and Railroad to get directions. The town of Spring Hope will provide bottled water and bags for debris.

I no longer live in the middle of nowhere.
I recently found out in an email from a friend that 61 homes are going up right next door.
I thought we'd get a letter or some kind of notice if something major was changing. Heck, a neighbor across the road wanted to do something with a fence close to the property line a year or two ago and signs went up and letters went out to the next-door neighbors.

Sitting at the keyboard this morning to write a short column is more difficult than usual as I attempt to place words in this space that could sum up the chaos and disbelief many are feeling after the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Thousands across the nation followed Kirk for either his Christian teachings or his political views. Many for both. Kirk's willingness to engage in debate with college students brought forth a new generation of people getting more involved in politics either to join his mission or for the opportunity to speak against it.

Dear editor, Have we become a nation so divided that the only way to settle our debates is to eliminate the opposing side? I believe that is not the case. As Nash County Teenage Republicans Chairman and National Communications Director for the High School Republicans, I have worked with people from diverse backgrounds and opposing views. In most cases, when I speak with those who hold different viewpoints face to face or over the phone, our discussions never escalate to threats or ill will.

Dear editor, I wanted to add my two cents about the necropsy report that was posted on the Fighting Crime social media site regarding the deceased kitten found during the Department of Agriculture's inspection of Nash Animal Shelter (aka Nash Pet Connection) on 7/22/25.
The kitten referenced in this report was brought in on 7/18 late in the day. During inspection on the morning of 7/22, the inspector discovered the deceased kitten.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on August 18, 1968. This team of Future Farmers of America from Coopers High School was awarded the first place trophy for judging in the Meat and Animal Show and Sale held at the Eastern Carolina Livestock Arena.

Last week, we began to look at the historical writings of the prophet Isaiah in the fifty-third chapter. Even so, my feeble description there failed to convey the proper weight due to Isaiah's words written some 700 years before the Servant was born: seven hundred years! Read for yourself:
See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

DWI; Child abuse-misdemeanor; S. Clarendon Dr., Nashville on 8/18/25
Carrying concealed weapon permit violation; concealed gun after/while consuming alcohol/concealed no permit at N NC 58 on 8/23/25
Carrying concealed weapon (gun); DWI; possession stolen firearm at NC 58 on 8/22/25
Damage to real property on Ward St., Nashville on 8/19/25

Assault law enforcement officer/police/other serious injury; assault-simple at 100 N. Boddie St., Nashville on 8/26/25
Possession of stolen vehicles; larceny by employee on 1100 S. NC 581
Assault-simple; assault on a female at 13690 Avent Rd., Whitakers on 8/24/25
Misdemeanor breaking and entering at 13705 NC 98, Spring Hope on 8/25/25

When I've moved to a new community, finding a good church to attend is number one on my to-do list. While finding someone to cut my hair is not second, it certainly makes the top ten. That's because the difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about two weeks, which can seem like an eternity if you're on the losing end.
When we moved back to Concord, I reunited with a hair stylist I had twenty-two years ago.

Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV) reads
"And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."
Jesus is concluding what many refer to as "the Sermon on the Mount." He has laid out expectations for those who would follow Him. He has just shared with his listeners the principle of wise construction vs. foolish construction. Now the crowd is astonished at His teaching. But why would the people be so amazed?