Recent Articles

Major Jonathan F. Dickens graduated from the John A. Feagin Sports Medicine Fellowship program at the US Military Academy at West Point, NY on June 27th.  Jon is a 2001 graduate of Davidson College and 2007 graduate, with honors, from Indiana University Medical School.  He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD in 2013 where he returns this summer as a staff surgeon.

Our hearts break to say this. We receive a lot of messages thinking we are miracle workers. We are not. We struggle every day to do what we do and sometimes cannot even do what needs to be done. We have to say SORRY, we cannot help a LOT. In part, it is due to time, resources, funds and ability. It is also because we cannot be all to all and if we try, we will not be able to do any one thing well. We never are caught up trying to do what we do.

The League of Women Voters Twin Counties had the opportunity to hear Cedric Johnson, Policy Analyst, Budget and Tax Center of the NC Justice Center speak on the impact of the new North Carolina tax laws on public education at a meeting on June 3. Mr. Johnson’s focus of research is on education finance issues related to early childhood, K-12, and higher education.

On Sunday morning Peachtree folks met for a July 4th worship celebration.  Pastor Whitehouse greeted those present and led them in a pledge of allegiance to the American flag.  The choir sang “A Prayer for America.”
 The pastor chose as his sermon topic, “Do You have a Savior?”  It was based on scripture found in Matthew 25: 14-30.  It is a parable told by Jesus about talents.  Christians are to use their abilities for God’s purposes, or they will spend eternity away from Him.

In my June 15th article, I made a mistake. The girl at the Graphic probably could not read my typing. This is the correct way the sentence should have read. “When we accept Jesus as Savior, we become Sons of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that farmers, ranchers and landowners committed to protecting and conserving environmentally sensitive land may now sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The Secretary also announced that retiring farmers enrolled in CRP could receive incentives to transfer a portion of their land to beginning, disadvantaged or veteran farmers through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP). 

Twenty-five middle and high school students from Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton and Wilson counties took a field trip to East Carolina University on June 18 as part of their week-long math and science camp.
 The seventh through 12th grade students enrolled in Camp PUSH (Preparing Underserved Students in Health and Science) learned about health care career opportunities by touring and discussing projects and services provided by ECU.

Visiting students, ages 15-18, from around the world including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand are seeking host families in and around Nashville for the upcoming 2014-2015 academic school year. Host families are needed for the fall semester and full school year.
Host families (traditional families, singles, empty nesters, etc.) serve as mentors and a home base for their student.

Rotarian President Krista Ikirt, left, stands with Mark Forman of SCORE/SBA, who spoke to the Rocky Mount Rotary Club on Monday, June 23, 2014 at the DoubleTree hotel during their 1pm meeting.

NASHVILLE -- When the poor weather arrived two weeks ago, Nash Rec and Roanoke Valley appeared destined for a down-to-wire finish in the Nash-Halifax Swim League opener for both clubs.
That meet was never finished, but the two teams were back at it quickly for a rematch last Thursday at the Nash Rec Pool.

NASHVILLE -- In what would be the first full meet of the season for both clubs, Westridge would defeat host Birchwood by a 469-186 margin last Thursday in Nash-Halifax Swim League action.
The squads had met one week earlier, but the event wasn’t completed due to poor weather.
Birchwood will return to the pool today on the road at Roanoke Valley, while Westridge will be at home to tangle with long-time foe Nash Rec.

ELM CITY -- An absolutely beautiful day greeted driver, crews, fans and staff as everyone was ready for some good ol’ Saturday night dirt racing action last weekend at County Line Raceway.
Up first was the very popular Super Stock 4 division, with John Proctor and John Carroll on the front row.
Caution 1 would come out for John Carroll over in turn 4 when he spun on lap 1.

ROCKY MOUNT-- The Coleman-Pitt Post 58 American Legion baseball team has qualified for the playoffs with a 9-5-1 overall and 4-5 conference mark.
Post 58 is one of five qualifiers from the Area I West Division. Rocky Mount is currently in fourth place.
Last Thursday, Post 58 knocked off Ahoskie Post 102 by a 13-3 score in eight innings.

Nash Rec’s Briana Winham takes part in the IM event during her club’s home victory last Thursday evening against conference rival Roanoke Valley. Nash Rec will be on the road today at 5 p.m. against Westridge in Nash-Halifax Swim League action.

A Nash Rec swimmer hurries toward the finish line during last Thursday evening’s Nash-Halifax Swim League contest against the Roanoke Valley Swim Team.

NASH REC STARS. These competitors were among the standouts for Nash Rec during last Thursday’s home meet against the Roanoke Valley Swim Team. Nash Rec will resume its Nash-Halfax Swim League schedule today on the road against Westridge.

GOOD TIMES AT THE POOL. Among the competitors at last Thursday evening’s swim meet between Birchwood and Westridge in Nashville were (above) an unidentified Westridge swimmer.

GOOD TIMES AT THE POOL. Among the competitors at last Thursday evening’s swim meet between Birchwood and Westridge in Nashville were (above) Birchwood’s Braxton Cochrane.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Christian Buffaloe, a 14-year-old local youth, recently gained 1st place (Teen Division) in the “2014 All American Open International Karate Championships” in  New York City.
This prestigious annual event is sponsored and organized by the International Kyokushin Karate Organization in Tokyo, Japan and features fighters from Japan, Russia, the Ukraine, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Canada, USA, and South America.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed in the All-Big East Conference Baseball Team for the 2014 season:

WINSTON-SALEM -- The Carolina Mudcats earned their second series win against the Winston-Salem Dash at BB&T Ballpark thanks to a 5-4 triumph on Sunday evening.
The Mudcats (6-5, 35-43) pulled into a second-place tie with the Dash (6-5, 36-44) in the second half Southern Division race.

The Nash Rocky Mount School System will start the new school year with one less school, as the school board voted to close O.R. Pope Elementary School, effective for the 2014-2015 school year.
The action came during the board’s annual retreat, which was held on Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27.
Closing down Pope Elementary School has been a part of the school system’s Capital Improvement Plan for over a year.

A man accused of shooting his estranged wife in 2011 was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to up to 24.5 years in prison last week.
On June 12, James Radford, 66, was convicted of second degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Surveys conducted by the United State Postal Service may change hours for two rural post offices.
Meetings were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Castalia and Red Oak Post Office to present the initial findings of surveys that were mailed out to residents of each town around four weeks ago.
The surveys and accompanying letter explained a new program the post office has unveiled, the POST plan, which realigns hours at post offices.

World War II veteran, Staff Sergeant Linwood S. “Pee Wee” Harper of Castalia will serve as Grand Marshal of the  town’s July 4th Parade Friday. Harper will be followed by a motorcade of area veteran groups in the 2 p.m parade after a special ceremony held in their honor at Small Town USA from noon until 1 p.m.
Harper, a lifetime member of VFW 2057 in Rocky Mount, served in the US Army from 1941 to 1945.  He attempted twice to  join the US Navy prior to being drafted into the Army.