Recent Articles

Jesse Lorenzo Barnes, 80, of Rocky Mount, died on September 2, 2015.

Jimmy Woodrow Viverette, 81, passed away Wednesday, September 2, 2015.

My Sister's House has purchased the original Almand's Drug Store in downtown Rocky Mount and plans to move its Nashville offices and resale store.
My Sister's House Executive Director Cynthia Kornegay said it was a tough decision to make but one she felt would save the organization money in the long run.
"It was a decision in the best interest of the clients we serve, therefore the agency," Kornegay said.
The organization had considered moving into Nashville's former library facility at the corner of Church and Alston Streets but Kornegay said consolidating the resale store, which is on Benvenue Road, and the main office in Nashville would save money.

Nashville's Town Council approved the addition of two crosswalks near Nashville Elementary School at their regular meeting on Tuesday night.
The crosswalks came at the request of Nashville Elementary's new principal Quintin Mangano. Mangano requested the crosswalks at two locations to help students cross the street to the existing baseball field, which the school will utilize as an extra playground this year.
The town's Technical Review Committee (TRC) suggested the crosswalks be added across Joyner Street to align the existing sidewalk ramps at the intersection of E. Green and Joyner Street and across.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education is seeking input from the community on its next superintendent.
Dr. Travis Twiford is currently serving as the Interim Superintendent of Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools, taking over for Dr. Anthony Jackson, who left in July. Dr. Jackson resigned from the school system at the request of a split board, who voted 6-5 for his departure. Jackson has since taken on the superintendent post with Vance County Schools.

Friends, family and even strangers are rallying around a Rocky Mount family who recently discovered their 11-year-old son has a rare form of cancer.
Jayden West was diagnosed with Renal Medullary Carcinoma after complaining of pains in his hip and legs. His parents, Takiha Davis West and Moses Jamal West, figured at first it was simply growing pains. But after Jayden continued complaining, they took him to the doctor.
"The way he had described it was like an injury outside or playing," Moses said. "(But doctors) couldn't figure out what was going on."

A construction contract was approved for Nashville's EMS Station at the Nash County Commissioner's regular meeting on Monday.
Commissioners approved awarding the contract to Hill Building Contractors, Inc., who were the lowest bidders in the amount of $409,988.24.
Derek Hawkes, Nash County Engineer and Facilities Director, told commissioners that the low bid was under the $430,000 already budgeted for construction of the EMS station. Nash County budgeted $500,000 for the project but only allocated $499,000 in the grant project ordinance.

Nash County Commissioner and Elm City have reached an agreement on the purchase of land for expansion of the city's wastewater treatment facility.
The request to purchase the 211 acres was initially brought before the board in May but commissioners delayed taking any action to hold a public hearing on the item. A public hearing was held in June and several residents spoke in opposition to the land purchase, causing commissioners to again table the request so that Elm City officials could meet with the residents and work out a compromise. The request was again tabled in July.

The Nash County Senior Center turned into the Big Top last Wednesday, as staff celebrated its volunteers by holding a circus-themed party.
Volunteers are a major asset to the senior center, said Michele McKnight, Senior Center Coordinator.
Over the past year, thousands of hours have been given to the senior center by volunteers, saving the center over $37,000.
"That's money we don't have to pay someone," McKnight said.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce celebrated "America's Free Gym" on Friday during a ribbon cutting for Vyne Fitness.
Vyne Fitness was started by Shawn Dwyer. Dwyer said the concept started several years ago while researching nutritional products and how they affect the body.
"I knew I wanted to be in the nutritional industry," he said.
But, Dwyer added, he wanted the experience to be different and less overwhelming than what the typical person experiences when trying to become healthier.

A Virginia Beach company recently announced it has bought a Nashville shopping center.
Wheeler REIT announced that it acquired Nashville Commons on August 21. The company also purchased two other shopping centers, one in Henderson and another in Franklinton.
Nashville Commons is home to Food Lion, Eastern NC Medical Group and several other businesses.

If I had the means, I would go to church this Sunday in Plains, Georgia.
Some surely laugh at that. Not all of us are as well versed in American history or the complexity of current events as we think we are?
In 1976, the majority of Americans were so relieved to see the Watergate years go away. The man in the White House would be a Baptist Sunday School teacher, and in the 1950s, was one of the few handpicked by Admiral Hyman Rickover to serve in the new American fleet of nuclear submarines. This man had brains and character.

Just when you thought the whole last-minute-shot-at-fame circus known as Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner had finally signaled the end of civilization, dumb got ratcheted up a notch.
A group of "educators" came up with a list of "gender neutral" pronouns to avoid offending college students. If that sentence wasn't scary enough, this list wasn't generated in California, or tree bark and granola munching enclave. It came straight out of the University of Tennessee.

Dear Editor:
I am a bit angered, confused, and mystified!
When did Nash County's elected representatives become the elected representative for Edgecombe County?
According to recent newspaper articles its indicated that in this current debate over splitting the Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools many of Nash County's elected representatives have chosen to abandon their Nash County constituency in favor of the citizens of Edgecombe County.

This photo originally published in The Graphic May 17, 1977. Northern Nash Senior High marching band was one of two bands to entertain at the Red Oak Farmer's Day Parade held to help celebrate Nash County's 200th birthday. An estimated 4,000 people gathered in Red Oak for the event.

Nash County Clerk of Court Rachel Joyner recently swore in a new deputy for the Nash County Sheriff's Office.
Deputy Jessie Wade, a native of Halifax County, was sworn in on Monday morning as a deputy for the Nash County Sheriff's Office.
Wade has served as a Nash County Detention Officer with the Sheriff's Office for the past two years.
To prepare him for his duties, Deputy Wade will begin an intensive 13 week Field Training Program.

A possession of tobacco by an inmate was reported on 8/24/15 at 222 W Washington Street
A common law robbery was reported on 8/25/15 at 5790 West Mount Drive
A damage to personal property was reported on 8/25/15 at 5858 Leon Road
A breaking, entering and larceny and damage to personal property was reported on 8/26/15 at 2505 S Halifax Road

INCIDENTS
A hit and run was reported on 8/24/15 at Universal Health Care, 1022 Eastern Avenue
A breaking and entering a motor vehicle was reported on 8/25/15 at 700 Prestwick Drive
An embezzlement was reported on 8/25/15 at Fuel Doc, 510 S. Barnes Street

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from August 24 through August 28.

A Rocky Mount man was convicted of trafficking crack cocaine last week in federal court.
A jury convicted Donald Jerome Parker, also known as "DP," 27, of two counts of distributing a quantity of cocaine base (crack) and two counts of distributing 28 grams or more of cocaine base (crack). The verdict was returned following a trial in federal court before Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard.
Parker was named in a superseding indictment on August 4, 2015 though he was originally indicted on March 3, 2013.

The Nash County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a weekend fire that damaged a Red Oak home. The fire occurred at 1430 Brooke Lane on Saturday afternoon, August 29. Red Oak Fire Chief Bob Brown said no one was home when the fire started. Fire fighters from Red Oak, Nashville and Castalia battled the fire for about 30 minutes, before it was brought under control. Brown said the home sustained some fire damage but more smoke and water damage. Brown said the fire was deemed suspicious and was turned over the fire marshal's office for further investigation.

North Carolina Wesleyan College began its 2015-2016 academic year last week with more than 400 new students--the largest entering group since the college enrolled its first class in 1960.
This year also marks the second year in a row that Wesleyan's new student enrollment has set a record. That milestone comes after Wesleyan was named last year as the fastest growing private college in the state by the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities organization.

Paul H. Jones, of Nashville, announces the engagement of his daughter, Katy Edna Jones to Trevor Bibb Baugh. Katy is also the daughter of the late Lora K Jones. Trevor is the son of Bibb and Gretchen Baugh, of Greneville. The wedding is planned for September 19, 2015 at Valle Crusis, NC.

NATIONAL THANK YOU DAY -- Girl Scout Troop 3249 of Red Oak made and delivered goodie bags to local fire, rescue and police departments as part of National Thank You Day on May 19, 2015. Pictured above are (left to right): Hannah Tollefsen, Veronica Magallon, Destiny Siver, Rachel Magallon, and Raven Davis. (Not pictured is Kodie Mizell).

Nash Arts Center has kicked of its fall calendar off offering multiple events including visual arts, concerts, theatre and more.
A new Yoga session started September 2 and will continue through October 7. A six week session is $50. Classes meet Wednesday evenings.
A reception will be held for Mysi Fortenbery, a mixed media artist, on Friday, September 11 from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
A Christmas Carol auditions are set for Tuesday September 15 and Thursday September 17, from 7-9 p.m.