Recent Articles

My phone rang on a Thursday afternoon last spring. Former owner of The Spring Hope Enterprise, Ken Ripley, had just read my column regarding my suspicions of the county wanting to absorb the Nash County Arts Council under their wing of government.
Ken had been a champion for the Nash County Arts Council when the dedicated group of folks fought to save the 1914 building thus forming the arts council.
Though lying in local rehabilitation facility after a hospital stay, Ken was still staying abreast of local news.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on Jan. 27, 1976. Graphic staff won state press awards at the annual convention. Pictured, Saravette Trotter and Ken Ripley are presented press awards by Jim Holshouser (center) at the annual awards banquet held in Chapel Hill.

Continuing from last time, further criticism that the ancient Roman historian Tacitus was unreliable and showed bias in favor of Christianity is based upon his use of certain words. Critic G. A. Wells is among these scholars and points to specific terms used by Tacitus as further evidence of his unreliability, citing his use of the word "Christ" in describing Jesus and the incorrect use of the title "procurator" when referring to Pilate.
Regarding the former term usage, Wells states that "if Tacitus had gotten his information from official records, he would have called Jesus by his name," However, had Tacitus used the name Jesus, then further information would have been needed to explain which "Jesus" was being referred to.

Nash County 4-H held its annual 4-H Extravaganza craft fair last month offering shoppers a wide variety of hand crafted items as well as lots of holiday fellowship. Pictured above, Gina Bass, center, laughs as she and Paula Moore, right, enjoy shopping from 4-H'er Molly Griffin, left.

ROCKY MOUNT- The 2025 Legislative Breakfast at Nash Community College, held on Nov. 21st, provided students and college officials a chance to shine and share their accomplishments with state and federal legislators.
Lew Hunnicutt, NCC President, was pleased to announce that college enrollment was "at near record enrollment," having nearly caught up to what it had been at pre-Covid levels. The Fall 2019 head count of 3,218 students was close to the Fall 2025 number of 3,149.

ROCKY MOUNT - In the spirit of compassion, generosity, and belief in second chances, North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) shares the profound impact of a new Angel Donor Initiative supporting adult learners through the University's Adult Professional Studies (APS) Scholarship Fund.
Over the past two weeks, the initiative, sparked by the generosity of NCWU supporters, has helped 13 adult students overcome financial barriers that threatened to derail their education. These timely gifts allowed students to pay current or future balances, register for upcoming courses, and remain on track toward graduation.

Southern Nash High School (SNHS) students in the Animal Science II class show heifers during the 4th annual Dairy Day. Ten heifers from Kooba Dairy of Roseboro were loaned to SNHS for three months for students to feed, walk, and do show training with. Jessica Manning, SNHS Equine studies teacher, stepped in as show supervisor in the absence of Kristina Brake

Momeyer Fire & Rescue held its Christmas meal and gathering recently, recognizing multiple members for their achievements. Ronald Bass was honored for having the most years of active service: 55. Bass, a founding member of the Momeyer Rescue Squad, continues to respond to calls. Contributed photo

Dalton Collie (left) receives the Coopers Fire and Rescue Fireman of the Year award, presented by Assistant Chief David Thorne (right). Contributed photo

Blake Cary (left) receives the Junior Fireman of the Year awared presented by Assistant Junior Coordinator Dalton Collie (right).

RALEIGH- A federal judge sentenced a Nash County man to 20 years in federal prison for selling more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On Feb. 14, 2024, Kenneth Orlin Simmons, Jr., age 36, pleaded guilty to these crimes.
"Drug dealers flood our communities with deadly methamphetamine and arm themselves with guns to violently carry out their trade. Criminals like this Big Shark Bad Boy pose a serious threat to public safety," said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.

Gordon Finch, Gordon H. Finch and Teresa B. Finch to Donna J. Sutton and William W. Sutton; .13 acres
Celena Curtis to Top Level Builders, Inc.; 2.50 acres; $62.500
D.R. Horton, Inc. to Kelsey Dawn Lantz Crawford and Kenneth Crawford; Beaver Dam Crossing, Lot 9
MB Homes Construction, Inc. to Reginald L. Bostic and Phyllis Bostic; River Dew Subdivision, Phase 2, Lot 32; $444,000

Obtain property by false pretense reported at 10037 Fox Lane, Nashville on 11/20/25
Identity fraud; exploitation of disabled or elderly adults; identity fraud; conspiracy/obtain property by false pretense reported at 105 Drake Street, Nashville on 11/17/25, 11/18/25 and 11/22/25
Larceny after breaking and entering; felony breaking and/or entering reported at 1371 Brooke Lane, Nashville on 11/22/25

Robbie decorated the house two weeks ago for Christmas. She brought down the box with the Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set. It is great for the children because they love playing with all the characters and animals while also learning about the birth of Christ. As she was pulling out all the pieces, she realized one was missing - baby Jesus! Apparently, one of the grandchildren put it somewhere during Christmas last year.
It reminded me of an account of the Christmas Story as told through the eyes of a six year-old little Russian boy named Misha.

A HONOR ROLL
NINTH GRADE
Avery Bass, Addison Spivey, Caleb Sykes, Brooklyn Rice, Robert Melle, Noah Gibson, Samuel Hardy, Evan Tibbs, Christopher Ford, Kaleb Mills, William Brantley, Matthew Cottrell, Grace Leake, Lauren Renfrow, Landon Liles, Julian Cano, Zoe Comerford and Camden Fraser

While the holidays provide opportunities for get togethers with family or friends, one particular part of the population- seniors- may be battling loneliness and/or depression.
According to the U.S. Census, as many as 27% of adults 65 and older live alone, but "a person doesn't have to live alone to feel lonely. Loneliness can affect anyone who doesn't feel meaningful connections with other people," according to the website for the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

NASHVILLE - Lily Urieta, Nashville's new HR Director, has qualifications as long as your arm, with 10 years HR experience and 13 years in local government. But you might say that she began learning to manage interpersonal relations at home, as the middle child and only girl, with five brothers, in the family.
Urieta, whose first day on the job here was officially Dec. 9, told The Graphic that she is impressed with the level of family activities that Nashville has, and is looking forward to having her two-year-old son and husband become a part of those.

NASHVILLE - Some residents of the Regency subdivision and Essex Road neighborhoods, possibly waiting for Santa to bring them town sewer hookups, will have until next fall until they get that item on their Christmas lists answered.
Mike Tolson, a town engineer with Mac Gay and Associates, updated council members at their Dec. 9 meeting on design specs for the two separate sewer extension projects, estimating an October completion date once everything is done.