Recent Articles

Nash County Spring
2026 graduates
Adam Henson of Rocky Mount has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, Professional Studies
Savannah Rayne Lee of Rocky Mount has earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts & Sciences in Community & Regional Planningm, Magna Cum Laude

Rocky Mount High School Junior, Candrice Davis, was recognized as the 2026 Indoor State Champion in the Girls 5A High Jump. Her season best in the high jump was 5'2", which was the height she cleared to win the championship. Her overall personal best is 5'4". Pictured above (left to right): Angie Miller, Sonya Pickett, Candrice Davis, Dr. Steve Ellis.

Nash County Public Schools recognized Shelly Maloney for receiving the CSTAE Curriculum Writer Award from the National Art Education Association. This award honors exceptional contributions to curriculum development and a commitment to high-quality arts education. Through her work, students benefit from engaging, standards-aligned instruction that fosters creativity and critical thinking. Nash County Public Schools also recognized Northern Nash High School for supporting Maloney's achievement by sending her to Chicago in March to accept the award. Pictured with Maloney is Dr. Steve Ellis.

Nash County Public Schools recognized Melinda Byrd as part of the 2026 Outstanding Elementary Mathematics Teacher Awards Program. In partnership with the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, this recognition honors a K-5 teacher who exemplifies excellence in mathematics teaching. Byrd was recognized for delivering high-quality instruction, inspiring enthusiasm for mathematics, and motivating students to achieve at high levels. "We are proud to recognize Melinda Byrd, who represents the very best of our district's commitment to student success in mathematics," the recognition stated. Pictured with Byrd is Dr. Steve Ellis.

The district recognized students selected to attend the North Carolina Governor's School this summer. Governor's School is a highly competitive and prestigious program that brings together top students from across North Carolina for an immersive learning experience. This year, Nash County Public Schools had 13 applicants, and seven students were accepted. Accepted students included: Early College: Amir Hedgepeth, Mathematics; Nash Central: Matthew McKeller, Theater; Southern Nash: Emma Batchelor, English; Southern Nash: Arian Campos-Lopez, Social Science; Southern Nash: Jordyn Dunning, Instrumental Music; Southern Nash: Elizabeth Salazar, Mathematics; Southern Nash: Brody Wallace, Instrumental Music.

Red Oak Elementary School and G.R. Edwards Elementary School were recommended for designation as Model STEM Schools of Distinction, the highest designation possible. The schools were recognized for their dedication to innovative, high-quality teaching and learning. Following successful site visits, both schools demonstrated strong alignment with the North Carolina STEM framework through engaging, student-centered instruction and collaborative learning environments. Students at both schools actively participate in hands-on, project-based learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork across STEM disciplines. Through meaningful community partnerships and real-world connections, learning extends beyond the classroom and helps prepare students for future success. The district also recognized Mrs. Allison Williams, Principal of Red Oak Elementary; Dr. Allen M. Wilson, Principal of G.R. Edwards Elementary; and district STEM Coordinator Marcy Keener for their leadership in making this recognition possible. To learn more about this recommended honor, visit https://www.ncpschools.net/aboutus/news/news-details/~board/ncps-updates/post/red-oak-elementary-and-gr-edwards-elementary-earn-a-recommendation-for-nc-stem-school-of-distinction. Pictured above (left to right): Allison Williams, Markevis Silver, Marcy Keener, Morgan Dollar, Natalie Shearin, Dr. Allen M. Wilson, Dr. Steve Ellis

Nash County Public Schools continued its focus on supporting early childhood families through the Calm & Kind Parenting curriculum.
For the past eleven years, Nash County Public Schools has implemented the Parenting Partners curriculum to support and empower families across the district. For the second year, the Calm & Kind training series, a component of Parenting Partners, has been offered to Prekindergarten families and has expanded to include Kindergarten families.

Two Nash County Public Schools educators were recognized for participating in the CORE Collaborative Cohort 1, a statewide professional learning initiative focused on building trauma-informed, resilience-centered school environments. Cara Patterson, Assistant Principal at Northern Nash High, and Cyndi Jarvis-Steele, School Counselor at Tar River Academy, were honored for their commitment to professional learning, reflection, and collaboration with educators from across North Carolina.

Prestige Home Solutions, LLC to Joseph W. Mangels and Heather Mangels; 5249 Highpoint Drive, Nashville; $280,000
DCE Farms, LLC to Logan Edwards Ramirez and Jordan Ramirez; 3653 Old White Oak Road, Nashville
William Hoyt Craft Jr. and Tonya Edwards Craft to James Allan Armstrong; 2.696 acres
Anthony Troy Kokoruda, Carl E. Shelton and Anthony Troy Kokoruda to Farouk A. Hamad; 1171 West Raleigh Road, 612 West Thomas Street and 608-610 West Thomas Street, Rocky Mount

10365 N NC 58, Castalia; 07/17/26; breaking or entering into or breaking out of motor vehicle(s); larceny of a firearm
105 Drake St, Nashville; 07/16/26; financial transaction card fraud
10694 N NC 58, Castalia; 07/18/26; financial transaction card fraud
11606 Edwards Rd, Spring Hope; 07/12/26; financial transaction card fraud

NASHVILLE - One of Nash County's Cooperative Extension agents, Colby Griffin, has been promoted to the top rank of an internal three-tier promotion ladder of the NC Cooperative Extension as "full" Agent. He was also granted non-tenure track faculty status with NC State University.
Griffin was recognized for his achievements at the July 13th Nash County Board of Commissioners meeting by Stacie Shatzer, county manager.
In addition, Griffin was the recipient of three statewide awards last month at the North Carolina Association of County Agriculture Agents (NCACAA) in Cherokee.

NASHVILLE - Nash County is still working to untangle and clarify its committee information; an issue first coming to light when a commissioner complained about a lack of minutes and now, as of this month, about not being informed about who is serving, or members' terms.
Unanswered from June are questions about what committees constitute public bodies, which mean they are open to the public and "noticed," or advertised.
More questions emerged during discussion of Planning Board and Board of Adjustment (BOA) member appointments at the July 13 Nash County board of commissioners meeting, with no answers readily available.

Opposition to data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations is growing in Nash County, with one municipality banning them outright and multiple others, including Nash County itself, enacting or working towards temporary moratoriums.