Recent Articles

Nashville Town Clerk Cynthia Richardson celebrates 30 years of service with the Town of Nashville during a retirement party held in her honor Tuesday. Richardson began her work in Nashville with the Nashville Police Department in 1985. She later transitioned over to working in the town office and has served as the town’s clerk and human resource officer for the last fifteen years. Richardson’s last official day with the Town of Nashville is March 6.

At the most recent meeting of the Nash-Rocky Mount School Board held on Monday, March 2, Rocky Mount Councilman Andre Knight again appeared before the board demanding a response to a letter from the local branch of the NAACP.
The letter was sent to the school board at the end of last year regarding a social media posting of students who appeared to be dressed in clothing commonly associated with the KKK.

After missing much of the last two weeks of school, students are eager – or perhaps anxious –– to learn the price that must be paid for all that freedom. At Monday’s meeting of the Nash-Rocky Mount School Board, board meetings were presented with two options and chose the course that offered more “instructional opportunities” for students over the course that would forgive most of the missed days.

The Nashville Town Council gave final approval to an ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town as the result of a voluntary annexation at the request of the property owners. The property in question will add 60 acres to the total footprint and tax base of the town.
The annexed area is located south of and adjacent to the present town limits, according to the survey submitted to the town.

More than 40 teachers and administrators from Nash-Rocky Mount Schools came to the school board meeting on Monday to be honored for their hard work and dedication despite the district’s poor performance on recent school report cards. The teachers, administrators, and school board members all sported red buttons with the Nash Rocky Mount Schools logo which read, “More Than a Test Score.”

February 13, 2015, was declared as Mollie Ray Deans Day in Red Oak.  Mrs. Deans celebrated becoming a centenarian with her family and friends at her home in Red Oak.
Joining her were her daughter, Barbara; her son Ronald and his wife, Gaye; and her grandsons, Bill and David, her great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and numerous friends including several camping friends, church and community friends, and many friends which she has made during her century of living.

Al LaShaon Parks passed away Saturday February 21, 2015.

Addie Glynn Batts Reed, age 75 of Rocky Mount, passed away on March 2, 2015. She is preceded in death by her parents George and Ocie Batts and husband James Reed.

Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce has added a new event to its calendar this year which will serve as a fundrasier for the organization to increase its outreach and services to the community.
A Shrimp Boil is planned for March 26th from 7-10 p.m. at Birchwood Country Club. Live music will be provided by the East Coast Rhythm & Blues Band. Dinner will be served from 7-9 p.m.

A felony possession of cocaine, maintaining vehicle/dwelling for CS/P was reported at Louisburg Road on 2/23/15
A breaking/entering and larceny was reported at 12881 Talon Drive on 2/23/25
A failure to register as sex offender was reported at 811 Peachtree Street on 2/23/15
A missing person was reported at 522 N. Old Carriage Rd on 2/24/15

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from Feb. 24 through Feb. 27.
Building Permit
(Commercial)
•Terry Mills; 11258 Edwards Mill Rd; addition; $15,000

Monday, March 9 from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Nashville United Methodist Church, 209 East Washington Street, Nashville.
Tuesday, March 10 from 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount
Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Nashville Fire Department, Barnes Street, Nashville

Like most Americans with television, I did what had to be done recently to keep costs under control — I switched providers.
Long gone are the days of “free” over-the-air television, when all you needed was rabbit ears, or a bowtie, or someone not afraid of heights to mount an aluminum antenna on your residence. Yes, I know that you can get a box and indoor booster, but reverting back to 1930s reception just doesn’t seem the way to go.

We are all guilty of taking something so precious in our community for granted. I think that’s the case with many of us when it comes to things right here in Nashville or Nash County.  For instance, there is one of the most fascinating museums in North Carolina located less than 20 minutes from Nashville. The Country Doctor Museum is located in Bailey and is truly an amazing place to visit – especially during its annual “History Alive!” day.

Dear Editor:
You may recall that a few weeks ago President Obama spoke of three former Presidents making prisoner swaps at the end of wars that took place on their watch – much like the swap Obama made – exchanging an U.S. Army deserter for 5 terrorists – one of which has already made contact with his Taliban cohorts.

COOKIE CHAMPIONS –– This photo originally published in The Graphic March 10, 1977. The top three cookie sales ladies for Nashville Girl Scout Troop 502 were awarded trophies for their efforts by Mrs. Frances Smith (right), cookie chairman for the troop. Champions pictured, left to right, were Kim Hall, who sold 137 boxes; Lynn Cockrell, with 151 boxes; and Christie Smith, 118.

Nashville United Methodist Church will host its spring and summer  Saving Graces Kids Consignment Sale this weekend at the church on Washington Street. Sales are held twice each year, spring-summer and fall-winter, and organizers say the event plays a huge role in the community as an outreach ministry.
The Saving Graces Team is a group of church members led by co-chairpersons Brandy Frazier and Lewis Smith.

Brian Brantley, Nash County Emergency Services Director, has announced the recent accomplishments of four 9-1-1 employees. Karen Smith of the West Mount Community, Sarah Brisbee of Spring Hope, Brittany Long of Spring Hope, and Miguel Rivas of Castalia, have  received initial certifications in Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD), and Emergency Police Dispatch (EPD).

Charles Penny, Rocky Mount city manager, has selected Mike Varnell to serve as fire chief for the city of Rocky Mount Fire Department.
Varnell has been a member of the department since 1989. Prior to his selection as the new fire chief, Varnell served as assistant fire chief.

Donna Wood feels at home in her new role serving as Nash County’s Finance Director.
Wood began in the new position on September 22, taking the place of longtime director Lynne Hobbs, who retired.
Wood is a Nashville native and Northern Nash High School graduate and said being hired as Nash County’s Finance Director was an honor.

The Welding Department at Nash Community College was named recipient of the 2014 Ambassador Award.  This award is presented annually to an individual or group for representing the College in the surrounding community with superlative regard.
Welding Instructor, Jay Manning, stated, “On behalf of the Nash Community College Welding Department, I would like to say how honored we all are to be recipients of the 2014 Ambassador Award.

Nash County Commissioners honored long-time employees at their regular meeting  in January.
Every year in January, commissioners recognize employees with 20 years or more of service.
County Manager Zee Lamb and Commissioner Chair Fred Belfield presented the employees with certificates for their service.

Air Force Airman Jamaal T. Myrick-Dawson graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

The Junior Guild of Rocky Mount, a civic organization comprised of women who live or work in the Rocky Mount area focused on serving the needs of the community through volunteerism, is hosting its 12th annual Bargain Sale on Sat., March 7th at the Rocky Mount Farmers Market from 7 a.m. - 12 noon.
Gently-used children’s clothing, furniture, appliances, games, toys and more available to public for ‘bargain’; Proceeds funneled into community

We’re heading into the time of year when the Nash County shelter begins to receive a large influx of puppies and kittens. The shelter has already begun to experience the increase. Fortunately, baby animals tend to be adopted or rescued more quickly than adult animals due to their innocence and appearance.  But the volume of shelter intakes is staggering and as always, we beg citizens to spay or neuter their pets to keep the number of unwanted pets down.