Recent Articles

Emotions rode high as Spring Hope citizens said goodbye to two elected officials who will no longer be serving on the town's Board of Commissioners.
Former Mayor Buddy Gwaltney and former Commissioner Ricky Tucker have served the town for the final time at Monday night's meeting.
Gwaltney, who did not run for the mayoral seat in the recent municipal election, has officially retired. He has been on the board since 2001, serving the town as mayor for 20 years.

Ryker Gupton gives Santa her Christmas wish list. Graphic photo by Jo Anne Cooper

Naomi Ricks helps Nashville Mayor Brenda Brown light Nashville's new Christmas Tree Saturday night. Graphic photo by Jo Anne Cooper

Nashville's Fire Department delivered Santa to downtown on their ladder truck. Graphic photo by Jo Anne Cooper

Despite the fact that it is going to hit the low 70s this week, it is time to be getting in the Christmas spirit.
I'm doing my part. After the Hanging of the Green at church and then the Lighting of the Luminaries and Lessons and Carols at Barton College, I'm starting to feel it.
I even cooked my post-frost pot of collards and will likely be working on a bowl when you read this column. It was a big pot.

Nashville's long-time traditional Christmas Celebration was a big hit Saturday. As mentioned in this column a few weeks back, the event has long been hosted by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce however the chamber and the town's parks and rec department partnered to offer additional activities this year.
I also mentioned with the partnership new people were placed at the helm organizing the event from both organizations.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on December 2, 1987. J.B. Manning at that time had helped with Nashville's Christmas decorations for 38 years. He was known for all of the artistic decorations which to this day are still placed on the battleship island in downtown Nashville.

Incidents
Shoplifting concealment goods reported on 12/04/21
Speeding and driving while impaired reported on 12/04/21

Nash County firefighters rushed to extinguish a blaze that broke out at a home in Nashville Tuesday afternoon.
Crews from Nashville, Red Oak, and Castalia Fire Departments were called around 3:30 p.m. to the burning home on Leonard Road. They were able to control the flames in less than 30 minutes.

Larceny after breaking and entering reported at 10476 Camp Charles Rd, Bailey on 12/03/21
Resisting arrest/hinder and delay and warrant service reported at 11465 Hedgepeth Rd, Castalia on 11/28/21
Damage to real property reported at 119 E NC 97, Wilson on 12/03/21

Candidate filing for the 2022 primary elections began Monday but were delayed a day for those wishing to file for US House, NC Senate and NC House seats.
A court order temporarily suspended filing for state seats Monday but another order was issued Monday evening for filing to resume.
The order came about in regards to litigation that recently redrawn state district lines are representation of gerrymandering.

Parade participants are dressed in holiday colors for Bailey's Christmas Parade. Graphic photo by Cassidi Hinson

Parade participants prepare for Bailey's annual Christmas Parade Saturday. Graphic photo by Cassidi Hinson

Apparently Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone apprehended The Grinch while visiting the Bailey Christmas Parade Saturday. Graphic photo by Cassidi Hinson

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at Nash-Rocky Mount Early College made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at Red Oak Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at Rocky Mount High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at Southern Nash High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at Southern Nash Middle School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Nash County Public Schools has released its Honor Roll lists for the first grading period of the 2021 -2022 school year. The following students at CITI High School made the A or A/B Honor Roll.

Building Permit Commercial
Mitchell Ayers, 1100 S NC 581; new construction; $1,500,000

Mary Jordan and Mary M. Jordan to Philander Jordan; one acre
Betty Smith Brown to Tyrone L. Smith and Keturah L. Breeden; 529 Avent Street, Rocky Mount
Bullock & James Investments, LLC to Shonquez Nelson; 121 Grange Street, Rocky Mount; $56,000

My father told me once that the best thing you could ever leave your family was a good name. I have repeatedly impressed this upon my children while they were growing up.
When my son was in middle school, I had an opportunity to teach him a valua-ble lesson about the importance of a good name. In fact, it even had a spiritual truth with it. Don't tell him, but we both learned something that night.

What would be different in our churches,, in our families, and in our communities if the church would become fervent and persistent prayer warriors?
Persistent prayer is perhaps the weapon our enemy Satan fears the most. This is why he will try and discourage us ftom praying if we don't see a breakthrough right away.
In the Bible we see numerous characters that prayed for years before they saw something happen.

The following is my devotion from "early. A morning gathering for finding deep peace." It appeared on Facebook Live on December 6, 2021.
Jesus told the disciples in John 6:29 that we disciples are to do the work of believing in the One the Father has sent. What does this mean, to "do the work of belief?"
To do the work of belief in God is to live out a life of active trust, to engage in practical theology, to live in holy love, to abide in perfect peace.