Recent Articles

At the request of a majority of parents at Cedar Grove Elementary School, the Nash-Rocky Mount School Board voted to do away with the school’s voluntary school uniform program.
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Michael “Chip” Hodges brought the request before the board on Friday, June 27 during the board’s annual retreat. Cedar Grove Principal Brad Jones was also at the meeting to answer any questions.

Nashville’s American Legion Post 293 led members of the Thorne family around City Lake last Saturday morning to honor, and remember, veterans of the family.
The Thorne and Combined Family Reunion has been meeting annually for 57 years, bringing in family from all over the United States.

Castalia’s July Fourth Celebration is set to move forward hoping the threat of rain will be over just in time to celebrate Independence Day.
Organizers say they have carefully looked at weather forecasts with the threat of inclement weather due to a tropical storm approaching North Carolina. Several projections show the storm moving out early Friday morning in time for festivities to take place.

Longtime Nash County Clerk of Court Rachel Joyner was recognized recently by the Rocky Mount Elks Lodge for her service to the public.
Joyner was honored on June 19 during a special Ladies Night, which is hosted by the Elks Lodge each year. The Ladies Night is in conjunction with the Elks Lodge Flag Day Ceremony.

A malfunctioning fryer unit has been determined as the cause of a fire last week at Wendy’s in Nashville.
The Nashville Fire Department responded to the fire, at 1200 Eastern Avenue, on Thursday afternoon. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke showing from the roof; however, no flames were visible.
The fire was found to be contained to a frying unit in the kitchen of the restaurant.

Carolyn V. Philips and Stewart Philips hold the first cotton bloom they found on the Philips Farm in the Battleboro community. Stewart’s brother, Burt Philips, farms the land.  They brought the bloom to the Graphic office on June 30th. The Nashville Graphic has held a long-time tradition of offering a free one-year subscription for the first bloom of the season brought to the newspaper.

Parades are always a fun thing to cover, unless of course, you are a reporter trying to take pictures through a camera lens.
In that case, parades are a bit scary. Some people find it amusing to toss (baseball throw) candy at me (not to me but at me) and I have, at times, been popped in the head while snapping away during a parade.
Luckily, I have a good sense of humor. It’s just one of the many hazards of my job, I suppose.

4-H Summer Camps kicked off last week with beginner sewing. The campers learned how to thread sewing machines, reading patterns and general sewing instructions. The girls made an apron, t-shirt tote bag, plastic bag holder and embellish a t-shirt. Pictured on the front row (L-R) is: Anna Riegel, Cadi Gall and Olivia Daughtridge. Pictured on the back row (L-R) is; Lydia Richardson, Kiley Phelps, Jayde Hines and Kayla Wood.

Nashville’s EMS Station is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Nash County Commissioners and Nashville’s Town Council have agreed on an interlocal cooperation government agreement related to the proposed project, which was initially approved for funding in Nash County’s 2013-2014 budget. Because the project has not started, the $400,000 budgeted has been rolled over to be included in the upcoming 2014-2015 Fiscal Year.

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee has appointed Nashville Cooley Library Director Brian Booth as a member of the group.
The LSTA Advisory Committee provides leadership for the federal library program in North Carolina.
The committee has the responsibility for advising the State Librarian on LSTA needs, plans, priorities, and
policies; annual plans and funding priorities; and evaluation of the LSTA program.

A storm once again forced Relayers to head for cover at a makeup Relay for Life event held Saturday at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex.
The mini Relay event was held because storms forced the event to be cancelled in April. Co-Chair Nikki Hanson said the event Saturday was meant to once again honor survivors.

Local veterans will once again receive the red carpet treatment at this year’s Castalia’s July Fourth celebration.
The event is set for Friday, July 4th and will kick off at 9 a.m. with a car show in front of the Castalia Fire Department. Craft and food vendors will open at 11 a.m.
At 12 p.m., an Honorary Veteran Service is scheduled at Smalltown USA, to honor local veterans.

The Nashville Graphic is introducing officers of the Nashville Police Department each month as part of an “Officer Spotlight” series.  The articles are featured the last Wednesday of each month  to help Nashville residents get to know the officers who protect and serve their communities.
Officer name: Tiara Joyner

Two friends have joined forces and published a book of poetry.
Beverly Harless and Carol Hagan recently published “Inspirational Poetry for Southern Chicks.”
Harless, of Nashville, and Hagan, of Elm City, decided last August to do a book together after Harless published her first book, “One Night of Regret: A Story of Restoration and Grace.”

Gabrielle Stewart sews a strap on a handle during an advanced sewing camp, hosted by Nash County 4-H. The advanced sewing camp is being held this week while a beginner sewing camp was held last week. Nash County 4-H is sponsoring several camps for youth this summer.

ROCKY MOUNT - Samuel Gilford Cogdell, 76, of Rocky Mount, died on June 22, 2014.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Rocky Mount location of H.D. Pope Funeral Home.

ROCKY MOUNT - Master Raheem Deron Cooper, Jr., infant, of Rocky Mount, was born on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 and died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014.  At the request of the family, a private viewing was held.  Arrangements by H.D. Pope Funeral Home in Rocky Mount.

BAILEY - Richard D. Morgan, age 58, of Bailey, passed away on Thursday, June 19,2014.

SPRING HOPE - James Edward Denton, 81, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Devonta Jaquan Eburg, 18, of Rocky Mount, died on June 13, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT - Lillian B. Lyons, 98, of Rocky Mount, died on Monday, June 16, 2014.

WHITAKERS - Fred Wilson, 47, died on Wednesday, June 18, 2014.

Lucille Harris Rowe, age 93, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2014. Born in Nash County on July 9, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Luther Derby Harris and Nolia Leigh Johnson Harris. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, William Luther Rowe; sister, Edna Earle Bennett; brother, Perry Wayne Harris; and nephew, Scott Wells.

Timothy Lynn Eason, 54, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2014. He was born in Nash County to the late Willis and Mary Eason. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Eason.

Lola Parker Clack passed away Tuesday June 17, 2014. She was born October 11, 1920 in Nash County and was the fifth of eleven children born of the late Eddie and Alice Eason Parker. She was preceded in death by brothers Lonzie, Fonzie and O.B.; sisters Rosetta, Viola, Geneva, Gertie Mae and husband Alvin.