Recent Articles

ROCKY MOUNT -- If anyone doubts the assessment that tennis can be a winner at Nash Central High School, just ask for the opinion of Turner Votipka.
Votipka played for some strong teams for the Bulldogs' boys program and went on to enjoy an outstanding career -- while earning his degree -- at Guilford College in Greensboro.
Votipka has now returned to Nash Central, where he will serve as a teacher in addition to guiding the boys and girls court programs.

Firefighters used over 75,000 gallons of water to extinguish a barn fire last week outside of Castalia.
According to Nash County Fire Marshal Chris Bissette, a passer-by noticed the barn on fire while driving down Lancaster Store Road around midnight.
"The initial report was the barn was totally engulfed in flames and some farm equipment," Bissette said.
Bissette said the barn was a pole barn that used to be used as a shelter for tobacco but was currently being used to store wheat straw.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office has charged a 34-year-old man with second degree murder.
Deputies were dispatched to 9701 W NC 97 on Friday morning, August 26 in reference to a possible cardiac arrest/assault. Upon arrival, deputies determined that Dan Glover, 56, had been assaulted and was deceased.
An investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division led to the arrest of David Lee Durham. Durham was arrested later that morning and charged with second degree murder.

The Nash County Health Department has confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Nash County.
Zika is a disease caused by a virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

SCHOOL DAYS -- Thousands of youth returned to school on Monday with Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. This will be the first full year for N-RMS Superintendent Dr. Shelton Jefferies, who has made the motto for the '16-'17 school year Future Focused. "The first day of school for NRMPS was a testament to the high level of professionalism exhibited by our board members, parents, maintenance staff, custodians, transportation staff, cafeteria staff, school support and central office staff, teachers, principals and all other administrators," Jefferies said. "We experienced an incredibly smooth opening on Monday and it is my belief that this is entirely attributed to the dedicated team that is NRMPS. I look forward to an outstanding year for all of our students as we are #FutureFocused."

Nash County native and Chairman of the NC ABC Commission Jim Gardner returned to his hometown last week to announce an initiative that is kicking off in the City of Rocky Mount.
Talk it Out is a multi-year awareness campaign sponsored by the NC ABC Commission to reduce underage drinking. According to Gardner, the campaign covers three areas: to educate the parents of young children in NC, to train people who have permits about their responsibilities and enforcement.

Two Nash County natives were recently featured in a magazine devoted to celebrating North Carolina.
Bobby Joe Fisher and Parker Philips were the feature story in the July edition of Our State magazine, which focused on their lives working in the tobacco fields.
The article, "Tobacco Dreams," was written by T. Edward Nickens, who serves as the editor-at-large of Field and Stream magazine but also has a monthly feature in Our State magazine titled "Ramblin' Man."

The Nash County Arts Council is now accepting applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program sub-grants through September 19, 2016. Since 1977, the North Carolina Arts Council's Grassroots Arts Program has provided North Carolina citizens access to quality arts experiences. Using a per capita based formula, the program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties of the state through partnerships with local arts councils. The Nash County Arts Council serves as the North Carolina Arts Council's partner in awarding sub-grants to local organizations for arts programs in Nash County.

Three members of Nashville's Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Organization were among the 12 who received Lifetime Membership Awards at the state conference.
Shirley House, Mary Alice Wells and Barbara High Tyre were all awarded the Lifetime Membership Award during the annual conference in June.
The award is presented to members who have been involved in BPW for 40 or more years.

Peacemakers of Rocky Mount has announced Ernie Suggs, reporter with Atlanta Journal-Constitution, will be the keynote speaker at its annual Hope Banquet fundraiser. A 1985 graduate of Rocky Mount High School, Suggs has been a reporter at the AJC for nearly 20 years where he covers a variety of breaking news and investigative articles. Previously, he was a journalist for newspapers in New York City and Durham, publishing stories about politics, civil rights, higher education and more during his tenure.

Participants of a 5K race and one-mile run can expect a colorful event on Saturday, September 17.
The Missions Color Run will be held at Nash Central Middle School and Glover Park.
The color run is being sponsored by the North Carolina Assemblies of God's BGMC Missions program.
Larissa Cockrell, the Director of Children's Ministries for the North Carolina Assemblies of God and a Rocky Mount resident, said she wanted an event to be hosted in this area so organized the run.

The Rotary Club of Rocky Mount recently awarded $12,000.00 to Nash Community College from proceeds of funds raised from Tackle the Tar for local scholarships. Pictured (L-R) is: Pat Daniels, past Associate VP of Institutional Advancement/ Executive Director, NCC Foundation, Kim Sutton, VP of Southern Bank and Nash Community College Foundation Board President, Alex Mevtinez, NCC SGA President, Kristi Price, VP SGA NCC, Nash Community College President Bill Carver, Rotary President Garry Hodges, Tackle the Tar Chair Kristen Brabbl and past Rotary President Richard Sykes.

Frances Powell, at right, Regent of Micajah Pettaway Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution recently donated three genealogy reference books to Braswell Memorial Library. Accepting the books on behalf of the library is Traci Thompson, at left, local history/genealogy librarian.

Pamela Sue Colbert of Nashville qualified to compete in Amateur Aged Geldings at the 2016 Select American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show presented by Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) on August 30, 2016 in Amarillo.
Colbert showed the American Quarter Horse, GQ Celebrity, owned by Dolly Vick Colbert of Nashville. The 1999 Chestnut gelding, sired by Mister GQ and out of Skip My Party, was bred by Candace Jussen of Pilot Point, TX.

Investigators allege Shannon Anderson shot and killed Michael Cahoon inside his Pawnee Drive home, but no charges have yet been filed.
That decision, said District Attorney Mike Waters, will come after some consultations take place.
"I met with the detective and the chief of police last week," Waters said on Monday. "I also spoke with the assigned [State Bureau of Investigations] supervisor who visited the scene.

Some time back, I had a conversation with a fellow who at first glance seemed ready to put his arms tightly around life.
When asked what his dream was, what he wanted the most in the world, he was quick to answer: "I want to be successful!" He grinned broadly, confident that he had given me an answer unlike those that might be expected from his peers, answers that might focus on specific, material things.
But, never being one to let even the simplest of answers go unchallenged, I pressed: "Good. What does being successful mean?"

Nashville is fortunate to have some pretty awesome people in its midst.
People like Anne Richardson.
Ms. Anne is one of those people that has a vision and does it. She doesn't just sit around and think about the good things she can do, she actually goes out and does them!
I admire that 100 percent!

Last week literally brought a lump to my throat. We knew it was coming. We've been reporting on the possibility of it happening since 2002. But it still hit hard when it happened. It was a sad week watching the demolition of a few historic buildings on Washington Street in downtown Nashville.
Nash County is expanding the existing courthouse to allow for a second Superior Courtroom along with additional office space and conference rooms. While we are glad Nash County chose to expand its services in downtown rather than moving services off site, it's still hard to say goodbye to so much history, architecture and memories.

This photo was found in The Graphic's 1966 archives. The building pictured was Baker's Variety Store in the 60s. Prior to being sold and developed into Faith Christian Ministries' Unique Thriftique (second location in downtown Nashville), it was the home of Public Office and Tax Service.