Recent Articles

Jonathan Evans found the first cotton bloom of 2026 on one of their area fields. Jonathan is pictured with his mother, Ann Evans. 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.

NASHVILLE - By request of Rescue Response International, a Nash County Sheriff's Deputy has been flown to Venezuela to help with humanitarian efforts.
Deputy Jack Thorpe and K9 Fiji, already well-known for their work, were both called by the US State Department.
Fiji, however, was unable to go because her CDC and USDA paperwork for international travel did not get approved in time, and "she had to stay back at the very last moment," Thorpe said.

NASHVILLE - Town officials say there are too many people not bringing in their trash cans on time which is bringing about an ordinance text amendment to change the associated times and penalties.
"Over the past two years, Code Enforcer Officer Tomasine Jones has received an abundance of complaints regarding trash cans not being removed within the specified timeline established by town of Nashville ordinance," said Shawn Lucas, planning director, at the June 23rd Planning Board meeting.

NASHVILLE - They weren't lions, tigers and bears oh my! But a Kookaburra, an Alligator, a Eurasian Owl and a 110-pound Burmese Python packed the house June 25th in the town council chambers at Cooley Library. About 166 adults and children filled the room for a presentation by "Dan the Animal Man" of Wild Animal Encounters Inc, arranged by library staff as part of its summer reading program "Unearth A Story."
First out was "Chuckles," an eight-year-old Australian Laughing Kookaburra, who obligingly let loose an ear-splitting series of warbles.

NASHVILLE - More than 80 people, including firefighters, developers, farmers, elected officials and homeowners, crowded into the Nash County commissioners' chambers June 24th for a first opportunity to weigh in on the revised Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
While there were some positive comments on the still-evolving document, major areas of concern voiced were roadway widths for new subdivisions, water needs, and questions relating to the new conservation subdivision option. Data centers and subdivision sidewalks were also comment topics.

NASHVILLE - Caleb Shockley, Nashville's Chief of Police, was honored at the Elks' Flag Day 2026 event June 18th, receiving not one but two separate flags.
The annual event, which is part of national Elks' tradition dating back to 1908, celebrates the American flag as representing "the American nation as it was at its birth, as it speaks for what it is today, and as it holds the opportunity for the future," according to Chris Bissette, Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge #1038 at Birchwood.
After Bissette gave the welcome and Chaplain Jean Ayers gave the dinner blessing, a meal catered by Parker's Barbeque was held prior to the 2026 Flag Day Tribute; Parker Phillips, Esquire, delivered a spoken rendition of the 1974 song "Ragged Old Flag" prior to the formal presentation to Shockley.

As progress continues to build reliable internet infrastructure, the latest prediction amidst current fiber construction is that almost 80% of Nash County homes and businesses will be connected once the latest projects are finished.
Emily Moore, Nash Grants and Intergovernmental Relations Director, said the actual percentage will be higher once several other projects are complete.
Brightspeed is currently in the construction phase for its current $11.2 million CAB (Completing Access to Broadband) project which began in January.

Castalia's traditional July 4th "America in a Small Town" celebration is getting a major tune-up for America's 250th birthday. From a new parade time to a motorcycle show replacing the usual classic cars, festival organizers are pulling out all the stops for the milestone festival, which is expected to bring record-breaking crowds to the area.
In years past, the festival has drawn between 3,000 and 5,000 attendees to Castalia.

Spring Hope's Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Summer Fun Day on Sunday, July 5th from 1-5 p.m. at Spring Hope Community Park.
A Children's Patriotic Bike Parade is planned to commemorate America's birthday. Registration begins at 1 p.m. There is no cost to enter. The parade begins promptly at 1:15 p.m.
Kids, fifth graders and younger, are encouraged to decorate bikes, tricycles, wagons, and kick scooters.

SPRING HOPE - The Spring Hope Garden Club is continuing to look for ways to beautify the town, with the latest a "Decorate and Tidy Up Yard" contest and talk of getting a mural painted downtown.
In conjunction with the Spring Hope Chamber initiative for downtown businesses to spruce up their storefronts with red, white, and blue decorations prior to July 4th, the Garden Club is holding its own contest to help celebrate America 250.

NASHVILLE - First came Nashville's Splash Pad, and then, for less than a week, the town had a "swimming pool." Correction: not really a pool, although it was definitely the size of a hot tub: a very large pot hole on W. Washington Street just outside the Trash 2 Treasures RMT antiques store.
The pot hole - which is the term NCDOT is using rather than "sink hole," appeared at the edge of the road sometime during the night between Wednesday, June 17th, and Thursday morning, June 18th.

Every kid loves a truck - and children at two Nashville day cares got a chance to get up close and personal with Nashville Public Works. Nashville Public Works personnel showed off a backhoe and dump truck during Kidz Place 2 Bee Construction Day June 10th, while the workings of a leaf truck, street cleaner and tractor were also showed off for children attending the KidSpace summer program at Nashville Methodist Church June 18th. Pictured in the above photo is Public Works Director Jason Glover.

You probably haven't noticed, since no one is talking about it all, but America turns 250 years old this week.
I mean, she's technically older, but like we should always do with sassy women of a certain age, let her have whatever number she wants.
IMPORTANT CONTENT WARNING: I'm one of those folks who loves the United States, thinks patriotism is a good thing, that the flag ought to be respected and that there is a such thing as American Exceptionalism. If you think this country is the worst place in the world, you might want to go ahead and put this section down for the dog. You might also consider getting out more.

America is celebrating its 250th birthday and there's quite a bit happening around Nash County. This weekend is filled with lots to do in Castalia on the Fourth and in Spring Hope on July 5th. Later in the month, July 24-25, Momeyer welcomes the Freedom 250 Truck.
Looking back in time, and a little reminiscing through The Nashville Graphic archives, it seems there was an enormous display of faith in our country's future in 1976 when celebrating its 200th birthday. Graphic Publisher Mr. Tom Wilson penned in a July 12, 1976 editorial, "If there was a dominant theme in the nation's celebration of its Bicentennial during the weekend, it was the twin theme of pride in America's achievements and faith in her future."

Samuel Batchelor (b.1748 Norfolk Co. VA- d. August 1827 Nash Co. NC). was a patriot from Nash County who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Samuel would serve in the Revolutionary War with the Halifax County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia. This regiment would participate in several battles and skirmishes throughout the war.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on July 22, 1976. Marshall Baines, left, a Nash County tobacco farmer, Jim Stephenson, center, Nash County farm agent, and Calvin Horne, Nash County tobacco farmer, discuss that year's crop at the Horne and Walston farm located west of Rocky Mount.

This week, we begin to investigate five possible reasons God allows evil to exist, which can be extracted from the biblical text. First, the Bible is quite clear that God allows evil to exist as a form of punishment for sin. Second, some evil comes about due to the consequences of others' sin. Third, some evil comes about due to the consequences of evil done by spiritual beings. Fourth, the biblical text indicates that God allows evil to exist as a pathway to the greater good. And fifth, the biblical text suggests that some evil is beyond our finite human ability to understand.

Sometimes, you just get weary or burdened about a trial you are going through. In this world, if often seems an all too frequent occasion. I guess the old saying, "Misery loves company", is a good fit. Indeed, Jesus offers us the chance to share our burdens. It doesn't necessarily lighten our land, but it can change the way we see it and feel about it.
But there is more here than meets the eye about what Jesus is saying. His appeal is not just about sharing our burdens.

The Baptist Men enjoyed their monthly breakfast meeting on Sunday, June 21.
The youth and chaperones of Red Oak Baptist Church enjoyed an awesome trip to MFuge. This year they traveled to James Madison University in Virginia for the camp. Several of the campers and chaperones shared their experiences there. Some worked with PCY (painting, construction, and yardwork) while others worked with a large church to prepare for their upcoming Vacation Bible School.

Coopers Ruritan Club honored their 2026 Ruritan Scholarship winners at their June meeting. The recipient of the E.C. Pearce Scholarship was awarded to Brianna Frazier, a graduating senior from Southern Nash High School. Brianna will be attending Nash Community College this fall studying Health Care. The Coopers Ruritan Scholarship was awarded to Kaitlin Sengler, who graduated from Early College at Nash Community College.

JMK Rentals, LLC to Rafael Esquivias Jr. and Sarai Jimenez; 629 Western Avenue, Nashville; $175,000
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, United States of America to Stanch Mortgage Loan Trust M and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB; 1616 Greys Mill Road, Rocky Mount
Foundation Home Builders, LLC to Ubilio Sarbelio Recinos; Ambergate Subdivision, Phase II, Lot 34; $229,500

Second degree kidnapping; assault on a female reported at 1009 Garden Gate Dr., Rocky Mount on 5/18/26
Felony possession marijuana reported at 10696 E NC 97, Rocky Mount on 5/18/26
Larceny felony reported at 11826 International Dr., Middlesex on 5/22/26
Possession cocaine; possession of drug paraphernalia reported at 1921 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount n 5/20/26