Recent Articles

You've probably heard more than you want to about the latest heroin epidemic.
I know I have.
The statistics being shared are harrowing.
But, the reality of the situation is, it's a big problem and it's affecting our community big time.
Something needs to be done.

I went back and forth about this week's column. It would be hard to ignore the tragic nightclub massacre in Orlando this weekend. But then I figured the highly educated and informed readers of The Nashville Graphic, the cream of the crop who check this space weekly, would have had enough of that by the time they pulled from their mailboxes on Thursday.
I'd had enough by Sunday night. After all, it seemed odd that a Muslim cleric would appear at the police news conference to lecture Americans not to jump to conclusions.

Dear Editor: As a former Democrat and yes also a former Republican I have grown to enjoy the letters from stanch supporters of both parties with their outlandish hyperbole.
The stanch supporter appears to go far beyond the facts or truth of their preferred party with their embellishment. The stanch supporter will embellish the little positive or negative facts without looking at the underlining data to understand why the fact that they are embellishing is positive or negative.

This photo was originally published in The Graphic on September 29, 1966. Robinson Buick-Chevrolet held its formal opening showing 1967 models. The dealership was the successor to Raley Chevrolet-Buick. C.T. Robinson was the owner. Today the dealership is quite a bit more modern and is named LBJ Chevrolet, Inc.

Over 50 high-risk offenders were arrested last week during a two-day initiative dubbed Operation Big Show.
Beginning in the early hours on Tuesday June 7, over 160 law enforcement officers in Nash and Edgecombe counties hit the streets in search of absconders from probation supervision, individuals wanted on outstanding warrants and to conduct compliance searches on high-risk and gang involved probationers.
Officers visited 170 residences and conducted 90 searches of high-risk offenders that resulted in 30 new probation violation charges and the arrest of 18 probation absconders.

This week, I would like to highlight the recently covered news story in The Nashville Graphic regarding changes to our fee schedule for the Parks and Recreation Department. Beginning July 1, 2016, registration fees for all youth sports will be adjusted to increase participation in our existing and hopefully, additional youth athletic programming. Youth sports for all residents of the Town of Nashville will now be provided free of charge. This is a reduction from the current rate of $15.00. Youth sports for out-of-town residents will now be $10.00.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from June 6 through 10.

INCIDENTS
A fraud (credit card/ATM), financial card theft, embezzlement, identify theft and obtaining money/property by false pretense was reported on 6/7/16 at 101 West Nashville Drive at the Cashpoints ATM
A hit and run was reported on 6/8/16 at the Nash County Health Department, 214 S. Barnes Street

A simple assault was reported on 6/5/16 at 8378 Bray Road
An assault on a female and simple assault on a female was reported on 6/5/16 at 10144 Old Middlesex Road
A missing person was reported on 6/5/16 on Buck Deans Road
An assault by pointing a gun was reported on 6/5/16 at 3138 S NC 231

The Governor's Highway Safety Program and the N.C. Department of Transportation announced the annual Click It or Ticket campaign, which ran from May 23 to June 5, resulted in 8,483 seat belt and 873 child passenger safety citations being issued to drivers and passengers.
"The safety of everyone who travels our roadways is a top priority of Governor McCrory's agenda," said Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson. "The Click It or Ticket campaign reminds us that while we continue to make significant progress, we still have work to do to encourage passengers to buckle up in every seat, every time."

Nashville Mayor Donald Street (at left) spoke to the Kiwanis Club on June 2nd at Benvenue Country Club. He spoke on Nashville's history and current events. With Mayor Street is Betsy Owens (at right), Kiwanis Program Chair for the month.

Mary Heading Williams will soon celebrate her 105th birthday. Family and friends will celebrate Williams' birthday on June 18 at Berteen Wilder's Cabin in Bunn. Wiliams was born on June 14, 1911. She is the lone survivor of eight children. Williams still enjoys weeding in her flower garden, which she tends to every day. She lives in Franklin County and has been a member of Maple Springs Baptist Church for over 86 years.

Faye and Bruce Carter, of Nashville, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Oak Level Ruritan Club on Saturday, June 4, 2016. A party was given by family members.
Faye is the daughter of the late Ben and Estelle Joyner of Nashville and Bruce is the son of the late James Edward Carter and Mamie Turner Carter of Wilson.
Faye and Bruce have one daughter, Jennifer Knapp, son-in-law, Travis and three grandchildren, Jenna, Jordyn and Noah.

Edgecombe Community College recently announce its President's List and Dean's List recipients for the Spring 2016 semester.
Valerie Lumley, of Nashville, was named to the President's List. Lumley earned a 4.0 grade point average.
Susan Humanes, Anna Joyner and Megan Smith, all of Nashville, were named to the Dean's List at Edgecombe Community College. Those full-time students earned a grade point average of 3.5, placing them on the Dean's List.

Debbie's Fund recently presented a gift to the Nash Community College Foundation to provide support for the Culinary Arts program. The gift is a tribute to Debbie Kornegay's legacy and passion for cooking, and a reflection of a commitment to education. Debbie's Fund is also a tribute to the life, ministry and service to others, insuring that Debbie's spirit and passion are not forgotten.

The Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce recently held a golf tournament. Thirteen teams registered and 12 of those participated in the event. Five teams teed off at 9 a.m. with the Rocky Mount Motors team of Kevin Marlowe, Bryan Marlowe, Bryan Marlowe and Scott Rooks winning the 9 a.m. round with a score of 56. The 1 p.m. tee time saw seven teams take to the course and Brian Brantley, Chester Brantley, Haywood Brantley and Hobart Brantley returned to the clubhouse with a score of 57 to win the afternoon round. Andy Jones won the longest drive competition and Jerry Harris was the lone participate to win one of the par 3 prizes.

A Confederate Memorial Service was held for John Armstead Winstead on Saturday, May 14 at the Winstead Family Cemetery in Elm City.
The service included remarks by Commander Ken Hill, Commander of the General William Dorsey Pender SCV Camp, as well as the unveiling of Winstead's Memorial Marker.
The service also included a cannon/gun salute and playing of Taps.

BUNN -- At most commencements, students walk across a stage and grab a diploma or degree.
Stevie, instead, pulled on a tassel like piece of cloth, opened a refrigerator and pulled out a bag of goods.
That demonstration was Stevie's master class performance because it's a skill she will use to help a physically disabled person perform a function -- getting into the fridge -- that many take for granted but could not live without.

The late William Frank Edwards of Spring Hope was honored recently for his service during the Civil War. A Southern Cross of Honor was placed upon his grave site on Sheep Pasture Road during a special dedication service hosted Saturday, June 11th, by The Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Gen. Matt W. Ransom Camp 861 of Weldon.
The ceremony was opened by Jeff Dickens, Commander of Gen. Matt W. Ransom Camp 861.

The 2016 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games concluded June 5 in Raleigh and Cary, ending a weekend of competition for nearly 1,800 athletes from across the state in aquatics, athletics, bowling, cheerleading, cycling, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball and volleyball, according to Keith L. Fishburne, President/CEO of SONC.
To ensure fair competition, the athletes were placed in competition divisions based on age, gender and ability level.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash High School continues to accentuate the combination of athletics and academics -- and that philosophy has earned NNHS another statewide award.
Two years ago, Northern Nash's girls indoor track team earned the prestigious North Carolina High School Athletic Association Team Scholar-Athlete Award -- an honor given to the school that has the best combined team grade-point average about the NCHSAA's member schools.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash High School capped off another exceptional sports season by recently conducting its annual Spring Sports Awards Ceremony on the SNHS campus.
Jaquay Mitchell was saluted as the Boys Athlete of the Year, while Caitlin Batchelor was tabbed as the Girls Athlete of the Year recipient.
Nash-Rocky Mount Schools Triple Crown Awards went to Zack Foster and Toni Ward.

NASHVILLE -- Despite some late-season weather snafus, Nash Central Middle School softball coach Laura Thompson couldn't have been more thrilled with her club's overall performance during the 2016 fast-pitch softball campaign.
The Lady Trojans went 14-2 and went down to the final week of the schedule tied with Southern Nash for first place in the division of the Tri-County Conference -- and with the squads slated to meet to close out the regular season.