The Nash County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 10 individuals this month as part of an on-going investigation in the sale of illegal controlled substances.
The Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began arresting the individuals on September 4. During the investigation, deputies seized marijuana, prescription pills and heroin.
Five Nashville residents were among those arrested during the investigation.

At their work session Monday night, the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) board reviewed the system’s graduation rate increase details. In total, the percentage of students in NRMS who have graduated on time has increased over the past four years, from 70.8 in 2010, to 74.7 in 2011, 76.7 in 2012, and 79.4 in 2013. The state graduation rate for 2013 is 82.5 percent, well above the national average, Dr. Anthony Jackson, NRMS superintendent, shared.

BADGES AND BOOKS –– Nashville Community Officer Jennifer Bull reads to students in Ms. Paula Bowlin’s third grade class on Monday morning at Nashville Elementary School as part of the Police Department’s new “Badges and Books” program.

Badges and Books. Local youth will now start to see the two together, as Nashville’s Police Department recently started a unique reading program, “Badges and Books,” where police officers read to children. 
Community Services Officer Jennifer Bull said she was looking for new programs for Nashville’s Police Department when she came across the “Badges and Books” in another area. She said she kept coming across it in other places and decided it would be a good fit for Nashville.

Like many other hospitals in the nation, Nash Health Care is suffering economic struggles in a flagging economy with increasing costs and less income from state and federal sources to cover patient costs. However, increased earnings on investments have helped to ease the impact of lessening revenues.
NHC Finance Chairman Al Hooks presented his report of the period ending July 31, 2013 at the September 4 meeting of the Nash Health Care Board.

Nash County Commissioners declined to adopt a resolution of endorsement for the Twin Counties Visioning Plan.
The Twin Counties Visioning Plan has been a work in progress for several years. The first phase of the plan is now complete. In July, seven specific goals that were established in the plan were presented to Nash County Commissioners, along with Edgecombe County Commissioners and the Rocky Mount City Council.

Sharpsburg is hosting a celebration on Saturday to host 130 years since the town was incorporated.
Mayor Robert Williams said he hopes Sharpsburg residents, along with residents in neighboring areas, will come out and help the town celebrate.
“It’s 130 years so that’s a big celebration,” Williams said.

NC Senator Angela R. Bryant

NC Senator Angela R. Bryant (Democrat) and NC Representative Bobbie Richardson (Democrat) spoke Monday night at the VOICE of Nashville meeting held in the Council Chambers at the Harold D. Cooley Library in Nashville. The two North Carolina congresswomen spoke for over an hour, addressing recent decisions made by the state legislature.
The NC state legislature is now largely ruled by Republicans, who won the majority in 2010.

Spring Hope residents again came before commissioners to complain about a messy yard on Azalea Lane.
The property, owned by Jan Bryant, sits outside of the town’s ETJ, which, according to commissioners and Town Manager John Holpe, puts limitations on what the town can do.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 9/1/13 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A larceny (shoplifting) was reported on 9/1/13 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A larceny was reported on 9/2/13 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue

Nine areas in Nash County are without access to high speed internet, Assistant County Manager Rosemary Dorsey told Nash County Commissioners on Monday during the board’s regular meeting.
Dorsey provided an update on high speed internet service in the county, at the request of Commissioner Wayne Outlaw. Amy Ward, Area Operations Manager for CenturyLink, was also in attendance to provide an update.

Nashville’s Police Department sponsored an Ident-A-Kid event on Monday at Cooley Library. Nashville Community Services Officer Jennifer Bull and Officer Tiara Joyner were on hand to take photos of youth along with getting fingerprints to include in an identification kit for parents. Around 25 children participated in the event. Pictured above, Officer Joyner gets fingerprints from Kayla Terrell, of the Oak Level area, on Monday afternoon.

The Nashville Exchange will be the host for the Nashville Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop event, set for Monday, September 16.
Typically, the Coffee with a Cop events take place in the morning but this time, officers will visit the Nashville Exchange from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. to catch the lunch traffic.

Monday, September 23 from 2 until 7 p.m. at Planet Fitness, 1271 Cobb Corners Drive, Rocky Mount
Thursday, September 23 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Environmental Services Building, Thorpe Road, Rocky Mount
Friday, September 27 from 2 until 7 p.m. at Treanor Chiropractic Wellness Center, 3123 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount

Nash Community College has announced its academic honors for the 2013 Summer Semester.
Michelle Sager of Rocky Mount achieved Dean’s List by earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average while taking 12 or more semester hours.

Army Reserve Pvt. Nathaniel L. Roman has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading...

Nash Community College recently announced eleven new graduates of its accredited Medical Assisting program. The program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), prepares health care professionals to perform administrative, clinical and laboratory procedures.

Danielle Marie Grelle and Nathaniel James Hartsell were married Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, in Kill Devil Hills, on the beach decorated with beautiful trellis and white wooden chairs. The officiating minister for the 6 p.m. ceremony was Rev. Phillip Coates.
The bride is the daughter of Angie and Bruce Grelle of Nixa, Mo.

Gospel singer and Nashville resident Chris Denise Williams is actively working on her second music project, “One True God.”
Williams released her first CD, “On My Knees” in 2011 and soon after began work on her second project.
“I’m excited about things that have occurred to get me to this point,” Williams said.

A local Jeep club is hosting a community event to kick off its Toys for Tots drive.
The Banana Slap Jeep Club will host Jeep Day at Mike Keffer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Rocky Mount on Saturday, September 14.
The Jeep Club is made of around 43 members, many of who are from Nashville, said James Williams, one of the founders of the club.

Several ladies from Red Oak Baptist Church participated in the Adopt-a-Dorm Bible Study at Fountain Correctional Center on Monday, Sept. 2.  Nell Boone led the study.  Others attending included Sue Edwards, Jean Mellor, Karen Girona, Audrey Pearce, Suzy Pearce, and Marion Faulkner.

We opened our service by singing “Victory in Jesus.” Pastor Aycock welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Robert and Amy Tyner and friends provided the music for today. The guys all play string instruments. Amy does most of the singing. One guy sings on some songs.

On another beautiful Sunday morning, Peachtree folks gathered to worship.  Pastor Whitehouse greeted all those present.  Sanctuary flowers were given by Cheryl and Doug Hayes in memory of Melvin C. and Annie Hayes.  The choir sang “Prayer for America”, in commemoration of the up-coming observance of Patriots’ Day on 9/11.

At Beulah Church of Christ we have a special week-end coming up. We want you to mark your calendar so you will be sure to be with us on this special event. The annual home-coming will be on Sunday, Oct. 13. Sunday school will begin at 9:45, followed by church services at 10:45. After church there will be dinner outside around 12. In case of rain the dinner will be across the road at the fellowship hall.

Macedonia Baptist Church Pastor Ron Hawley and wife Ann recently announced they will be moving to Marietta, Georgia.  Hawley is also a past president of Coopers Ruritan Club. “Ann and I want to thank the people of Nash County for opening your hearts and making us part of your wonderful community.

They will read the names again today.
If I’ve heard them read before, and you problem have too, but it is no less shocking, no less sad, no less powerful. It might be magnified by the fact we can’t see their faces, which leaves us only to imagine: the young and old, male and female, white and black and brown and “other,” religious and non-religious, conservative and liberal.

Today marks a day many of us will never forget.
September 11, 2001.
For me, it’s the day I grew up.
I really have no personal ties to September 11. None of my family members were killed. I don’t have family in New York at all. I don’t even have law enforcement in my family. But my dad is a volunteer firefighter so I guess from that point of view, I was affected.

Saturday was a tough day.
A high school classmate of mine, Christie Dickinson Camp, passed away. She was only 47. And just hours after learning of her passing away, another phone call came in –– Spring Hope icon Eugene Griffin had also passed away.
Though I had known Mr. Griffin most of my life, I really found out about 18 years ago of just how committed he was to helping people when we called on him to give us some advice about festivals.

To the editor:
What President Obama and Western powers are trying to stop is a regional war, and thus reduce any potential for a wider war.  In World War I there were 16 million killed.  In World War II between 60 and 85 million people were killed, about 4% of the world’s population.  So far, there are several ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

TOURNAMENT PLAYERS –– This photo originally published in The Graphic on August 16, 1973. Pictured is the Nashville Peoples Bank Ladies’ Softball Team which finished 11th in a field of 42 teams in the North Carolina Amateur Softball Association Class C. Tournament.

LAST CHANCE. Nashville Hornets’ quarterback Damian Moore attempts a pass late in the game during last Saturday’s home loss versus Enfield.

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Hornets’ varsity season opener against Enfield last Saturday came down to the success -- and failure -- of an extra-point attempt.
Through almost three entire quarters, the hard-fought game featured a scoreless tie, but both clubs were destined to dent the scoreboard in the second half.

ROCKY MOUNT -- For Nash Central football coach Kevin Crudup, the early portion of a grueling schedule is all about bonding his young club in the face of adversity.
As the Bulldogs continue to be defeated by high-level opponents, Crudup’s message to his players remains clear.
“We preach togetherness,’’ Crudup said.

MITCHELL UP THE MIDDLE. Southern Nash’s Jaquay Mitchell (with ball) had a huge game for the Firebirds during last Friday night’s home victory against the Bunn Wildcats at picturesque Firebird Stadium. Southern is 3-0 on the season.

STANHOPE -- Down to their backup running backs and beyond, the Southern Nash Firebirds continue to find a way to secure clutch victories against quality opponents.
Southern’s latest adventure came last Friday as the Firebirds remained undefeated with a tight 28-23 home victory against Bunn at Firebird Stadium.

RED OAK -- The new Nash County Knights 12-Year-Old Youth Team will kick off its inaugural campaign on Sept. 21 with a home game against Selma.
The Knights will take part in the Johnston County Football League this fall. Northern will play five league games -- all at home at Death Valley on the campus of Northern Nash High School.

STANHOPE -- The Nash County Firebirds kicked off their Eastern North Carolina Football League season last Saturday against the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars. 
The day started off with a bang as the Rookie squads took the field. 
The cheerleaders were pumping up the crowd and cheering on their Rookie Firebirds.

YOU’LL COME BACK TO ME. Nash Central’s Tristan Miller (left) watches the ball sail away during Monday’s home boys soccer match with SouthWest Edgecombe.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Ryan Cherlinczuk-Ruiz’s building plan continues with the Nash Central High School boys soccer program.
Ruiz has some solid pieces to work with, but the problem is that the Bulldogs are in one of the area’s toughest leagues -- the Class 3-A Big East Conference.

OWINGS MILL, MD. -- North Carolina Wesleyan College’s football team kicked off its 2013 slate last Friday night, dropping a road contest at Stevenson University by a 19-9 score.
The Bishops held a 9-3 advantage late in the third quarter, only to see the Mustangs reel off the final 16 points of the contest to secure the win.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats have announced that Francisco Lindor, Cody Anderson and Joey Wendle were selected as honorary year-end All-Stars for the Carolina League.
The Mudcats’ three honorees are tied with the Potomac Nationals for the most on the 19-player list.
Managers, general managers and media voted for this year’s superlatives.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash’s football resurgence under first-year head coach Randy Raper took a huge step in the right direction last Friday night.
Taking on perennial power and multi-time state champion Tarboro, the Knights went to halftime with a seven-point lead.

HERE’S THE PITCH. Nashville’s Joshua Bullock pitches the ball to a teammate during last Saturday’s junior varsity home football victory against the Enfield Warriors.

NASHVILLE -- Nashville’s junior varsity campaign got off to a strong start during last Saturday’s Eastern North Carolina Football League meeting with the Enfield Warriors.
Nashville, coached by Pernell Griffin, never trailed en route to securing a 30-12 victory over Enfield at The Hornets Nest at Glover Park.

ROCKY MOUNT -- N.C. Wesleyan’s men’s soccer team completed this weekend’s athletics action on Sunday afternoon, battling to a 2-2 double overtime draw with Baldwin Wallace College in Virginia Beach.
Previously on Saturday, both the men’s and women’s teams dropped tough 1-0 matches, while volleyball completed day two of the Johns Hopkins Classic.

SENDING IT FORWARD. Rocky Mount High School’s Kevin Ramirez advances the ball for the Gryphons during last Thursday’s non-conference road victory against Louisburg HS.

LOUISBURG -- After a slow start to begin the season, the Rocky Mount High School boys soccer squad has started to roll over the past two weeks.
RM dropped its first five matches of the campaign, but the Gryphons have now won four straight, including a 4-0 road decision last Thursday against Louisburg at Joyner Park in Franklin County.

HILL CLIMB. Northern Nash’s Alexus Hill (right) goes up for a kill last Wednesday against host Bunn High School.

RED OAK -- Northern Nash boasted one of its best volleyball teams in recent memory last season -- but Big East Conference rivals Wilson Fike and Wilson Hunt were just a shade better.
Still, NN’s third-place tie finish in the Big East gave the Lady Knights a berth in the Class 3-A State Playoffs under veteran coach Patricia Haggerty.

ELM CITY -- Bright sun and blue skies greeted fans, drivers, crew and staff at County Line Raceway for an exciting night of racing last Saturday.
Up first was the very popular Middlesex Family Dental Super Stock 4 cylinders with William Carroll on the pole and points leader John Proctor on the outside.

The Tar River Youth Soccer Association Select U-18 Fusion claimed first place at the Furniture City Classic, which was held Aug. 24-25 in High Point. The squad defeated BRSL Botetourt by a 1-0 score in the finals. The Fusion allowed just one goal while going 4-0 overall. Alesa Stallings came through with three of the team’s seven goals, including the lone tally in the championship. Taylor Massey was effective in net.

The Tar River Youth Soccer Association Select U-16 Cyclones won the Gold Division at the Summer Explosion Cup Soccer Tournament, which was held Aug. 10-11 in Wilson. The Cyclones went 3-0-1 at the event, including a 3-2 decision over the WYSA Explosion in the championship match. Most Outstanding Player Sarah Bland paced the Cyclones with seven goals, while Hailey Dail chipped in with four markers.

Despite being pressured, Enfield’s quarterback gets off this key pass near the conclusion of last Saturday’s Eastern North Carolina Football League game with Nashville.

Nashville’s Shemar Henderson is tackled by a pair of Enfield defenders.

Bunn’s Naquan Davis (left) tries to break free during his team’s road football loss last Friday night against the Southern Nash Firebirds.

Nash Arts is now accepting applications for Grassroots Arts Grant for fiscal year 2013-2014.  The Grassroots Arts Program is state-funded through the North Carolina General Assembly and allotted through the North Carolina Arts Council to counties based on population.  Nash Arts receives and administers the funds in Nash County for the North Carolina Arts Council as their designated county partner.

For more information on programs call 252-459-4734. Nash Arts is located at 100 E. Washington Street, downtown Nashville.

William B. Williams, age 94, of Spring Hope, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2013 at Nash General Hospital.

NASHVILLE –– Grady Bobbitt, Jr., 79, passed away  September 1, 2013.

Marvin Earl Cobb, 69, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at Nash General Hospital.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Therman Westray, 69, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2013.

Fay Lutrelle Richardson, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2013.  Born in Nashville on June 10, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Logan McGouy Richardson and Sanchez Moncrief Richardson.  She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mildred Hendricks, Sarah Whichard and June Hendricks; and brothers, Dick Richardson, Jim Nick Richardson and Buck Richardson.

John Cabey, 92, of Whitakers, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2013.

Christie Dickinson Camp, 47 of Marietta, Georgia passed away Saturday, September 7, 2013. Christie is preceded in death by her son, Owen Tate Wheeler of Georgia, and mother Frances Lamm Dickinson of Spring Hope.

HIGH POINT - Elder Herman L. Vaughn, 66, of High Point, passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2013.

Betty Mottern Ferguson, age 90, passed away Friday, September 6, 2013. She was born in Kent, Oregon on May 13, 1923 to Arthur Leland Mottern and Mattie Rae Mottern.

Jesse Earl Stallings, 46, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013. He was born January 1, 1967 in Nash County.  Jesse was preceded in death by a brother, Ricky Stallings.

Elvie Ruth Edgren Donovan, 81, of Rocky Mount, passed September 3, 2013. Born in Jamestown, New York, on January 29, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Johan August and Gerda Sjobeck Edgren. 

Janie Margaret Lewis Edwards, 82, of Woodbridge, VA, formerly of Spring Hope, passed away September 6, 2013.

Lella Baines Lewis, 77, passed away September 6, 2013. She was born to the late Mary and George Baines in Brunswick County.

Evangeline Proctor Miller of Rocky Mount passed away September 7, 2012. She was born April 20, 1934.

ENFIELD - Funeral services for Tavares E. Evans, 27, who died Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, were held  Friday, September 6, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Melvin Johnson officiating. Burial followed in the Evans family cemetery.

NASHVILLE - Funeral services for Baby Girl Faith Elizabeth Lopez, 26 days old, who died Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, were held Wednesday, September 4, at Richardson Funeral Home in Nashville, with the Rev. Oscar Alvarez officiating. Burial was in the Four Square Church cemetery.

NASHVILLE - Funeral services for Lewis Richardson, 67, who died Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 7, at Richardson Funeral Home in Nashville, with Bishop Percy Silver officiating. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery.

NASHVILLE - Clarence “Clay” Alvin Shealy, Jr. 73, passed away Sunday, September 8, 2013.  He was born February 6, 1940 in Columbia, SC to the late Clarence Alvin and Edelmira Alvarez Shealy.   In addition to his parents, Clay was preceded in death by his former wife, Diana Arcadi Shealy.