Recent Articles

Bailey queens ride in the Pumpkin Festival parade. Graphic photo by Larry Matthews

Craft and merchandise vendors were plentiful for fall shopping during the 2025 Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival.

My wife is convinced that many of the biblical signs are in place for Jesus to return. In fact, she believes that Jesus will come before the end of her days.
I can remember joking with her about it over years, particularly when I was a newly saved Christian. I didn't want Jesus to return. I had too much "livin" left to do, too many things on my bucket list. "I sure hope not", I told her years ago. "I'm living too large for Jesus to come back right now."
However, I don't feel that way anymore. But for the fact that I still have some family and friends who I do not believe know Jesus, I am ready for his return.

Last week, we explored a common type of resurrection theory by looking at the offering of the atheist David Mirsch. Picking up the story from last week, the plan, Mirsch explains, was to utilize common herbal drugs of the time (namely Shephard's Purse, Mandrake, Myrrh, and possibly Opium) to aid in Jesus' survivability during the crucifixion. This concoction was then slipped into the "sour wine" container at the crucifixion site. Mirsch argues that Jesus first refused the sour wine offered him on the Cross because enough time had not passed (Matt 27:34).

"Bee the One!" missions celebration sponsored by Women in Action was held on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at Red Oak Baptist Church. Everyone enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship, and missions speaker. Women in Action members provided the dinner. Donna Best gave the blessing for the meal. Suzy Pearce, Women in Action facilitator, gave a welcome and announcements. Vicki Lassiter, Denise Langley, Jo Ann Pierce, and Taylor Brantley gave a skit for the theme interpretation. The "Bee the One" theme emphasized how we could learn things from the bees as they are hard workers, humble, patient, persistent, and positive.

Ballysteen Realty, LLC to Hornet Homes, LLC; 2785 River Meadow Court, Spring Hope; $65,000
Kwagi Martinus Heath to Amir Edwar Said; Garvey Property, Lots 17-18; $160,000
Dorothy Stowe Cummings to The D.S. Cummings Irrevocable Trust and D.S. Cummings; Beth Eden Subdivision, Phase 3, Lot 27
Robert Clifford Smith to Alexis Smith Williams and Jason Robert Smith; Section 4, Shepherds Way, Phase 2, Lot 24

Assault serious bodily injury reported at 100 N. Boddie St., Nashville on 9/9/25
Damage to real property; discharge firearm into occupied dwelling/moving vehicle reported at 10482 Pace Rd., Bailey on 9/12/25
Financial transaction card fraud reported at 105 Drake St., Nashville on 9/12/25
Possession of drug paraphernalia reported at 1437 Green Rd., Spring Hope on 9/11/25

Nashville
Oct. 20: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sandy Cross Methodist Church, 3725 Sandy Cross Road
Oct. 27: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Nash County Senior Center, 103 N. Alston Street

Rocky Mount/Nash Girl Scouts are busy starting out the new scout year with learning to conquer their fears and believing in themselves.
Recently, Juniors - Ambassadors (4th-12th graders) climbed a 50ft Alpine Tower at a local Girl Scout Camp.
This event was to challenge girls in more ways than one while encouraging them along the way as they climbed 10ft, 30 ft or all the way to the top of the 50ft tower.

Rocky Mount native Clifton Barnes, who was a reporter and editor at the Nashville Graphic in the 1980s, has won a national writing award.
Writing on behalf of the Athens Drive (Raleigh) High School band, Barnes won an Award of Excellence from the DC area-based Communications Concepts through its 2025 Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) competition.

ROCKY MOUNT - The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) has announced that eligible drivers without a REAL ID can now renew their driver's license online for a second consecutive time. This change, effective immediately, stems from Senate Bill 245, signed into law last week by Gov. Josh Stein.
"We encourage our customers to renew their driver license online if they're eligible. It's fast, easy, and helps reduce wait times at our offices," said DMV Commissioner Paul Tine. "By choosing online services, you're freeing up space for those who need in-person assistance."

NASHVILLE - The impending demolition of another historic Nashville home is spurring a cry for preservation measures before it's too late- including the creation of a new town committee.
Three Nashville residents and The Graphic Publisher appealed to the town council at their Oct. 7 meeting, expressing their dismay and disappointment over reported plans by the Nashville Methodist Church to raze the Will Dozier House, built in 1903 and located at 111 S. Hilliard Street.

Four Seasons Contractors, LLC to How Xuan Duong and Kim Ngoc Tran; Bradford Place Subdivision, Lot 7; $305,000
Boone Logging Company, Inc. to TRJD Development, LLC, Pier One Investments, LLC and Wrenn Properties and Real Estate, Inc.; 50 acres in Ferrells Township
The Union Hope Gospel Chapel, Inc., Timothy Carter, Alyce B. Carter and Michele R. Fowler to The Union Hope Gospel Chapel, Inc., Timothy W. Carter, Alyce B. Carter and Michele R. Fowler; 1.057 acres

ROCKY MOUNT - Beginning October 1, people who get electric or gas service from the City of Rocky Mount will be subject to a rate hike, just imposed as part of the city's "Financial Recovery Plan Amid Budget Crisis."
Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson in a Sept. 23 speech recorded on the city's You Tube channel, said that the city would have to "make modest adjustments to our utility rates to strengthen our city's financial foundation."

NASHVILLE - "You are not helpless. What you do matters:" the takeaway summative statement by Larry Danforth, Nashville Police Officer, on the occasion of NPD's Sept. 23rd public education event, 'Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events.' Held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Nashville Methodist Church, the free class drew about sixty attendants, including residents of Nashville, Momeyer and surrounding towns.

NASHVILLE - In the wake of JOANN's Fabric Store of Rocky Mount closing in February of this year, a gaping hole was left in the area's crafting community- but a new store in the Nashville Junction has stepped up to help fill the gap.
Kozy At Home Studio & Boutique, owned by Nash County natives Jessie Smith and her mom/partner Donna Smith, celebrated the business with a ribbon-cutting Sept. 26 after the doors officially opened July 18th.

RED OAK - A Red Oak Elementary school parent faces two misdemeanor charges after her arrest for alleged assault on a school employee.
Lakisha Caudle, of 46 Green Pastures East, Battleboro was charged in connection with an incident around 8:40 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, according to a Sept. 25 press release from the Nash County Sheriffs Office.