Recent Articles

ROCKY MOUNT –– Mary Elizabeth Ellis, 76, of Rocky Mount, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

NASHVILLE - James “Jimmy” Earl Braddy, Sr., age 62, of Nashville, passed away on January 4, 2014.

NASHVILLE - Norma Ruth Lindsey, 75, passed away on January 11, 2014. She was born on November 6, 1938 in Pitt County to Charlie W. and Lillian Ruth Mills.

Ernest Junior Richardson, II, 36, of Nashville, died on Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Whitakers.

Rocky Mount –– Eunice Sherae Green, 34, of Rocky Mount died on Monday, January 7, 2014.

NASHVILLE –– Emma Pearl Cooper, age 81, of Nashville passed away Friday, January 3, 2014.

Robert R. “Bobby” Chadwick, 81, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014. He was born on November 4, 1932 in Stonewall, NC to the late Manley Lewis and Alice Carter Chadwick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and four brothers.

Edward Ray (Eddie Buck) Davis, age 83, passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Born in Rocky Mount, he was the son of the late Van Jefferson Davis and Iva Bell Pridgen Davis. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Rena Bell Davis and several siblings.

John Henry Brown was born in Orangeburg South Carolina, May 24, 1931, the son of Isaac and Florence Brown.

Cicero Daniel “C.D.”  Jones II, 77, passed away, Monday, January 6, 2014.  He was born July 18, 1936 in Nash County to the late John Thomas and Lois Connor Jones.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Connor Jones.

Richard Lucas, Sr. age 86 of Rocky Mount passed away January 5, 2014.

Okay, readers, you know the drill: it is January and that means it is time for the Soapbox’s annual predictions. As you all remember, for the 15th year in a row, the Soapbox got all of its predictions for 2013 right. So place your bets now for 2014.

Every town seems to have a mom and pop type grill that everyone just loves.
I grew up around Bethel and our little eatery was, and still is, Da-Nite.
Oh, how I loved Da-Nite!
They had some of the best hot dogs and hamburgers in all of Eastern Carolina. I used to get so excited to learn how I was going to be eating there.

Dear Editor:
How disappointingly ironic it is that the City of Rocky Mount’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commissions’ celebration is called a “Unity Breakfast” when the commission has invited Dr. Julianne Malveaux to be this year’s featured speaker. Dr. Malveaux is a highly partisan and controversial figure.

Dear Commissioner and Council Member,
I have communicated with you concerning the antiquated and unfair method of obtaining revenue from a tax on property. The worse thing is no response at all. As we begin another year, confidence in government, at all levels, is at an all-time low. Please consider some of the following points and make an effort to respond. There must be someone in Nashville that can crunch the numbers.        

This photo is believed to have been taken in 1934.  Pictured are Clarence and Johnny Parker and Johnny’s daugther Daisy.

The president and several members of Congress are proposing to fund the extension of unemployment benefits again. Before they do that they should look at Denmark’s study on unemployment benefits along with our own experience.

The Tar River Chorus has announced auditions for their 2014 concert. Auditions will be held by appointment only Jan. 20th at NC Wesleyan Chapel. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the Tar River Chorus conductor, Michael Glasgow either by phone or by email. Phone 919 845-0303 / email michael@michaelglasgow.com

Students from Nash Community College’s Thirty-Eighth Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy graduated on Thursday, January 9th. The program includes physical and classroom state commission mandated topics and methods of instruction. The training covers subjects including criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcohol beverage laws, investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures, emergency responses, ethics, community relations and more.

The prelude by the musicians for the morning worship was ”Nothing is Impossible.” Pastor Ronnie welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “Praise Him! Praise Him!” and “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” Algie Jones led the singing. The ushers received the tithes and offerings, we sang the doxology and greeted one another.

The youth of Red Oak United Methodist Church remain active in the life of the church. In addition to baking cookies for some of their home-bound members, they have also recently presented the proceeds from the Thanksgiving Benefit Breakfast to Courtney Moss and her family. Youth meetings are planned for Sunday afternoons at 4 pm at ROUMC. All young people in the community are invited to attend.

Nash Central’s Michaela Nelms drives for a basket during her team’s home loss last Friday night against the Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons.

Nash Central freshman Myia Spivey eyes a free throw for the Lady Bulldogs during last Friday night’s home conference setback against rival Rocky Mount High School.

STANHOPE -- In all its years of hosting the prestigious Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament, Southern Nash had never finished in the Top Two of the team standings -- despite filing out a perennially strong mat roster.
That changed last Saturday as the Firebirds offered a historic performance at their annual wrestling event at the SNHS Gymmnasium.

Southern Nash’s Warren Ashley (top) picks up some points as part of last Saturday’s action at the Firebird Duals Tournament at the SNHS Gymnasium.