Recent Articles

ROCKY MOUNT –– William Lucas, 80, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2013 in Rocky Mount.

NASHVILLE - Elton Lee Denton, 86, passed away, Wednesday, September 11, 2013. He was born June 20, 1927 in Nash County to the late Hebert and Bessie Joyner Denton.

William Joseph Bass, 77, of Spring Hope, passed away on  September 11, 2013.

Thomas Linwood Silver, 58, of Rocky Mount, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2013 in Rocky Mount.

Lawrence Leroy Gibbs, age 71, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2013. A native of Rocky Mount born on December 27, 1941, he was the son of the late Davis Leroy Gibbs and Linda Lawrence Gibbs.

Jean Bailey Morgan, age 88, passed away Friday, September 13, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ben Morgan; her brothers, Millard, Reese and Robert Bailey; sister, Pat Bailey Johnson; and her son-in-law, Silas “Doubie” Snow.

Olivia Joan Walker, 63, passed away on September 12, 2013. She was born in Edgecombe County to the late Richard and Mary Frances Lovegrove.

Thelma Gray Holloman Carstens, known to many as “Sissy” and “Nanny”, passed away  on September 10, 2013. Born in Wake County, on June 1, 1936, she was the daughter to the late Mable Peele and Jesse Gray Holloman of Rocky Mount. Thelma is also preceeded in death by siblings, Robert Lee Holloman(Dorothy), Floyd Edward Holloman (Marie), and Jeslyn Dawe(Craig); nephews, Michael Ross Holloman and William Aubrey Holloman, Jr.

Jerry Wayne Denton, 50, of Middlesex, passed away on September 15, 2013. A memorial service was held September 17 at Joyner’s Funeral Home.  The Pastor Buddy Wagnan officiated.

Sam Harris Jr., age 68 of Spring Hope, passed away on September 8, 2013 at his residence.

Carolyn Davis, 57 of Rocky Mount, passed away on September 10, 2013 at Hospice of Wake County. She was the daughter of the late William McKinley and Bettie Williams Davis. In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Almetra Jackson and brother, Van Arthur Davis.

ROCKY MOUNT - Mrs. Sarah Lee Joyner Simmons, 97, of Rocky Mount, died on Saturday, September 14, 2013 in Rocky Mount.

In another week, Retired U.S. Marine Sergeant Chuck Lewis will have walked over 3,400 miles. But the number of miles isn’t as important to Lewis as the issue he’s walking for.
Lewis set out on March 31 in Everett, Washington for a walk across the country to bring awareness to the suicide rate of soldiers returning home from duty.
Lewis himself spent four years in the Marine Corps, followed by eight years in the Navy.

The Town of Spring Hope approved changes to its ordinance last week that will pave the way for Solar Farms to locate within the town.
Town Manager John Holpe said two had already expressed interest in putting solar farms in town. However, there was no ordinance that allowed solar farms so in August, the board sent the issue to the Planning Board to review.

It really struck me at a recent youth soccer game how being able to stay in touch with friends and family can be a really bad thing.
My middle son Kent was playing in his last preseason jamboree before his Academy team starts traveling. The opposing team earned a corner kick, and as the opposing player set the ball up, two adults walked so close to the field, I thought for just a second that maybe they were coaches.

There are some events that are so inspiring to cover. I had several of those last week.
I had the opportunity to cover the dedication of the Twin County Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Rocky Mount. The memorial was the Eagle Scout project of Samuel Smith, who is only 13 years old.
I’ve known Samuel since he was a young boy. I’ve covered him dozens of time during his years in scouting and really wasn’t surprised to find out he was already working on his Eagle project.

RED OAK YOUTH CHOIR –– This photo was originally published in The Graphic on July 5, 1973. Pictured is the Red Oak Youth Choir which was presenting the Christian rock musical “Joy” at Red Oak Baptist Church.

A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence was reported on 9/2/13 at 5858 Highway NC 48
A narcotics violation was reported on 9/2/13 at 3109 Spring Mill Trail Road
A narcotics violation was reported on 9/2/13 at S Old Carriage Road and Cordiality Church Road
An obtaining property by false pretense was reported on 9/2/13 at 130 N Old Carriage Road

INCIDENTS
A hit and run was reported on 9/8/13 in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A larceny and breaking and entering a motor vehicle was reported on 9/9/13 at 520 E Park Avenue
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 9/10/13 at 111 Wheeless Drive in the parking area

SEPT. 4th - 30th: - The Art Works of Williams & Strickland. Classic Black & White to the Full Spectrum of Colors. Meet the Artist Reception: Thursday September 12: 5:30-7:30 *Free Event
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 - Daniel Justin Smith. Free Kick Drums Kids Show: 4PM/ Concert: 8PM ($10 Advance/$12 Door)
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27 - Dancing with the Arts at 7 p.m.

The Nash County Sheriff’s Office is looking for three men who robbed the Four Points Convenience Store last Wednesday night.
According to Captain Pat Joyner, three black males walked in the store, at the corner of Red Road and West Castalia Road, and demanded money. The men also took money from a customer who was in the store.

Ninety-seven checkpoints and patrols were set up throughout Nash County as part of the “Booze It and Lose It” Labor Day campaign, which was held across the state. Over 2,800 people across the state were arrested for driving drunk from August 16 through September 2. 

More people are visiting Nashville’s Cooley Library, according to statistics released for the last fiscal year.
Library Director Brian Booth said during the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year, which ended June 30, the library had over 58,000 patrons visit. That figure is 4,000 more than in year’s past and is a reversal of a three-year trend of a decline in numbers, Booth said.
“It really was a major increase,” he said.

Nash County Commissioners approved another solar farm for Strata Solar on Monday morning.
Last month, commissioners gave approval for a solar farm to be built on Highway 58, between Castalia and Nashville.
On Monday, at the board’s regular meeting, Strata Solar requested a conditional use permit for a solar farm to be located on 45 acres near Bailey.

Nash Arts will welcome local celebrities to its dance floor September 27 for the first ever Dancing with the Arts in Nash County.  The event starts at 7 p.m. and is a fundraiser to support the arts in Nash County.
Admission is $10 per person.
Participating couples will dance multiple routines hoping to earn your vote.