Recent Articles

As the parent to quite the energetic and imaginative 3-year-old, I find myself playing a wide assortment of games with neat characters, of whom are usually based in some Disney channel show. Most of the characters have noble aspirations and are usually fighting good in the world. Captain Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates never ceases from fighting the greedy and treasure seeking Captain Hook. However, it's also noteworthy that Jake will help out Hook once in a while, Jake will even show Hook some grace.

I hope everyone had a great week, even with all the rain, sleet, wind and cold weather. On Sunday morning, many elder people were absent at the various churches. They didn't feel safe getting out due to the sleet and cold weather. Hey "if" you believe in the old saying about the ground hog seeing, or not seeing, his shadow, they say we will have an early spring since he did not see his shadow this time. We will just have to wait and see since I'm quite sure he saw it in some areas. Only God knows about the future.

Nashville's Police Department is stepping up to address the heroin epidemic in Nash County by implementing an initiative that will seek help for addicts.
The department unveiled its "HOPE initiative" on Tuesday afternoon at a press conference.
The initiative is modeled after a similar one in Gloucester, Massachusetts called the "Angel" program.
Nashville Police Chief Tom Bashore said Town Manager Henry Raper approached him in October 2015 with the idea.

A decrease in property values will be a major concern for the Town of Nashville over the next two fiscal years.
Revaluation results were a major topic of Town Council's annual retreat, held all day on Friday.
The retreat is the beginning of the planning stages for the budget process and gives the town manager direction from council on where to steer the town's public resources in the coming fiscal year.

Ritchie Price dances with his 11-year-old daughter, Natalie, Saturday at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance, which is held each year at the Nash County Agricultural Center. The event is sponsored by the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department and has been held successfully for nine years. Hundreds of dads and their daughters attend the event each year.

A Bailey man was arrested last Thursday and charged with shooting another man in the leg.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office received a call around 3 p.m. on February 4 that a shooting had occurred on Old Smithfield Road in Bailey.
The victim, a 29-year-old male, was shot while visiting David Preston Thompson, Jr., 42, of 11623 Old Smithfield Road, Bailey. Thompson and the victim were reportedly friends and the victim's mother lives next door to Thompson. The victim lives in Wislon.

Nash County Commissioners are questioning whether Eastpointe followed protocol when hiring its new CEO.
Eastpointe Human Services, a regional behavioral health Managed Care Organization serving 12 North Carolina counties including Nash County, recently announced that Sara Stroud, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, had been appointed CEO of Eastpointe, effective immediately.
Stroud replaces Ken Jones, who announced last month he would be retiring on April 1.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education offered their support last Monday for the Connect NC Bond Act, by approving a resolution of support.
The resolution was approved 10-1 after some discussion by the board. Board member Evelyn Bulluck cast the dissenting vote.
Bulluck said she wanted additional information on the bond and its affect on the Nash-Rocky Mount School System.
"I would hate to vote on something when we aren't sure of the moving parts yet," Bulluck said.

Nash County 4-H celebrated the achievements of its youth and clubs last week during its annual "Night of Achievements."
Luke LaHay and Cullin Whitley were singled out as 2015 4-H'ers of the Year.
Sandy Hall, Nash County 4-H Extension Agent, said the 4-H'er of the Year is done by nominations from club leaders. This year, Hall said they decided to recognize two.

The Nash County Senior Center is collecting food to give to seniors over the Easter holiday.
The center is holding its third annual Easter Food Box Drive until March 11.
Michele McKnight, Senior Center Coordinator, said the goal this year is to collect enough items to fill at least 100 boxes.
The boxes will contain non-perishable food items that the center will give to needy seniors in the area.

Nash County Parks and Recreation hosted its 9th annual Daddy Daughter Dance Saturday night at the Nash County Ag Center in Nashville. Hundreds of daddy/daughter couples attended the annual event, which has become a very popular event. The dance is held each year around Valentine's Day.

John McDonald and his daughter, Leah (far left) with Chris Wheaton and his daughter, Marin.

Samantha McKeel enjoyed a slow dance with her dad, Sammy.

Clara Danforth and her father, Larry, showed off their dance moves on Saturday during the Daddy Daughter Dance at the Ag Center in Nashville.

I get to cover some pretty interesting events every year and one I look forward to is the Daddy Daughter Dance.
It's amazing how much the event has grown throughout the years. I believe this is the ninth year Nash County's Parks and Recreation Department has hosted the event.
Today, the event brings out hundreds of men and young women.

You've no doubt heard the spin put on the outcome of the Iowa caucuses, but when you cut through the noise the vote was a good indicator of what to expect going forward. The table is set for a most unusual presidential nomination process and North Carolina could pay a big role in it.
By the time our Primary Elections are held, 29 other states will have had votes for one or both parties, notably the big states of Texas, Georgia, Virginia and Massachusetts on March 1st. In addition to North Carolina, four of the 10 most populous states, including Florida, Ohio and Illinois, vote on March 15th.

I am very proud of the North Carolina Panthers and the great job they have done during regular season football. This team has placed our state on the map and people from all over were cheering them on as they won game after game with their impressive victories during regular season and play- off competitions. Everybody wants a Super Hero, but how often do we get to meet those on a daily basis? Is a hero defined as a team, entity, or person who never fails? Is a hero defined by the biggest win only and not by all the hard work and dedication it takes to get to that point?

This photo originally published in The Graphic May 28, 1981. Paul Boone (right) an employee with Harper Produce which was just outside of Nashville, weighs strawberries and cabbages for customers. Pictured left to right are Lenora Harris, Theresa Harris and Barbara Woods.

The Tar River Regional Task Force confiscated 250 bags of heroin during a traffic stop last week.
The Tar River Regional Task Force is comprised of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies based in North Carolina's Seventh Prosecutorial District.
Investigations were conducted on February 1 that led to a vehicle stop in the parking lot of Lowes on Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount. The driver, Monseque Harper, 29, of Rocky Mount, and passenger, Alterrick Parker, 36, of Rocky Mount, were found to be in possession of 250 bags of heroin plus $1,810 in U.S. Currency.

INCIDENTS
A hit and run was reported on 2/1/16 at Bojangles, 101 W Nashville Drive
A missing person was reported on 2/2/16 at 1022 Eastern Avenue
A dog bite was reported on 2/2/16 at 202 Cypress Court

A possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance was reported on 2/1/16 on I-95 South
A breaking and entering a motor vehicle was reported on 2/1/16 at 4827 Redwood Lane
A larceny was reported on 2/1/16 at 9615 Camp Charles Road
A possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was reported on 2/1/16 at US 301 and Old Mill Road

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from February 1 through February 5.

CITIZENSHIP - The Lucky Spurs 4-H Club received the Citizenship Award at the 4-H Achievement Program. Pictured (L-R) is: Taylor Tharrington, leader Wanda Bunn and Allie Causey.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD - The Red Oak Acorns 4-H Club was recognized with the Community Service Award. Pictured on the front row (L-R) is Riley Proctor, Cullin Whitley and Payton Whitley. On the back row (L-R) is: Skylar Proctor, club leader Jennifer Aycock, Dylan Proctor and Maycee Aycock.