The Nash-Rocky Mount School (NRMS) Board supported the superintendent’s recent bid for Richmond City Schools (RCS) superintendent, but they are very pleased that he has withdrawn and will continue at the helm here.
“I’m glad he didn’t go,” said board member Jon Hardy. “He has unfinished business here. I’m glad he decided to stay and finish things he’s begun. We’re real pleased in the direction we’re headed. He’s still here to steer us.”

At the December board meeting, the Nash Health Care Board of Commissioners examined a preliminary report regarding an extensive assessment of the needs of the area encompassing Nash, Edgecombe, and Halifax counties. This Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) revealed some telling statistics about the area’s overall state of health and the ability of the community to meet the needs in the current health care environment.

A fire destroyed a vacant home on Highway 58 South early Friday morning.
According to Chris Bissette, Nash County Deputy Fire Marshal, a call came through around 2 a.m. on Friday, December 27 about a home on fire. The house, at 10218 S NC 58, Elm City, was totally consumed when firefighters arrived, Bissette said.

Governor Pat McCrory recently appointed Bob Sutter to the North Carolina State Board of Agriculture.
Sutter, a Nashville resident and CEO of the NC Peanut Growers Association in Nashville, will represent peanut farmers.
Sutter has been CEO of the NC Peanut Grower’s Association since 1993. The association is an organization of the state’s peanut growers. Its purpose is to promote the production, marketing, and consumption of peanuts through research, education, legislation and other means.

Nash County 4-H Extension Agent Sandy Hall was honored at a state conference with the Victoria Jean Cope North Carolina 4-H Professional Development Award.
The award encourages 4-H agents to continue developing their capabilities with additional education. Hall received the award in November at the statewide annual conference for the NC Cooperative Extension Service.

A Nashville man has published his first book and is already working on its sequel.
L. Gregg White  wrote “Of Days In Defiance” after becoming unemployed in 2011. White said he had always wanted to write a book but never had the extra time.
“I always wanted to do it and I had started several,”  White said.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 12/20/13 at L&L #14 in the parking lot, 479 W Washington Street
An assault inflicting serious bodily injury was reported on 12/20/13 at 619 Boddie Street
A possession of a concealed weapon was reported on 12/21/13 in the parking lot of Family Dollar, 587 E Washington Street

Coopers Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department held its annual Christmas program and awards ceremony on Decmeber 13. Pictured above Chris Joyner,  Coopers Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief, (left) presents Cliff Askew (right) with the Fireman of the Year Award.

Scott Bottoms, Coopers Volunteer Fire & Rescue Junior Firefighter Advisor, (right) presents the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award to Jarrett Moss (left).

Corey Reynolds (at left), a sophomore at Southern Nash High School, won the chapter level George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay contest sponsored by the Halifax Resolves Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.  The award was presented by chapter Knight Essay Chairman Ken Wilson (at right).  Reynolds received an Olympic style medal, a certificate and a check for $100.

The following Nash Rocky Mount Schools students made the A or  the A/B Honor Rolls for the latest reporting period.

Spring Hope Commissioners have approved a plan they hope will help revive the town.
Commissioners formally gave approval to the Small Town Economic Prosperity (STEP) plan last month. The plan has been in the planning phase for several months and now commissioners are ready to see it put to action.
STEP focuses on how to help individual small towns reinvigorate their economies.

W.C. Joyner

The Oak Level Ruritan Club held its annual Christmas Banquet on Monday, December 9.
Several members were honored with perfect attendance pins during the meeting.
New officers for 2014 were also sworn in.

The Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation was held December 8-10 at the Sheraton Four Seasons and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.  Nash County Farm Bureau President Greg Bunn  was recognized among his peers at the Presidents’ and Agents’ Luncheon. Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten presented each winning County President with a limited edition case knife.

Friday, January 3 from 2 until 6 p.m. at Parkwood Baptist Church, 1731 Hunter Hill Road, Rocky Mount
Tuesday, January 7 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at Red Oak Baptist Church, 5515 Red Oak Road, Red Oak
Thursday, January 9 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at the Momeyer Ruritan Club, 4812 Momeyer Way, Nashville

The Omegas of Rocky Mount collected toys and gave to Bunn Chapel Church in Nashville, whose members distributed the toys to needy families in the rural areas. Pictured above (L-R) is: Corey Mercer, Rhonda Brown, Frenchy Davis, Aramith Trimiar, Jackie Foster, Regina Cobb, Sonja Person and  Arthur Person.

Shyheim Graham received a scholarship from the foundation. Pictured (L-R) is: Reverend Mack E. Battle (Pastor and grandfather), Mr. Shyheim Graham (scholarship recipient) and Ms. Keisha Battle (mother).

Christopher Miller,  Rocky Mount Senior High and Shyheim Graham, South West Edgecombe High, class of 2013 graduates, were each awarded $500 scholarships during a recent Youth Explosion Service.  
Christopher excelled with over a 4.0 average throughout his tenure at Rocky Mount Senior High, while in the College Prep Honors Program.

Amy Tyner lit the candle in the Advent Wreath last Sunday. The candle of praise for the Savior’s birth. Pastor Ronnie read part of Psalm 145 and made comments. Robert Tyner lit the last candle in the wreath. The candle of Hope, as we await the second coming of Christ. Our pastor closed this part of the service with prayer. He welcomed everyone.

The 1st Annual Monster Dash 5K Race, sponsored by Nash County Government and the Town of Nashville, yielded great results for United Way Tar River Region.  A check in the amount of $7,283.89 was recently presented to Ginny Mohrbutter, Executive Director for United Way.
The 5K race was held on October 26, 2013 in downtown Nashville.

Ms. Debbie Viverette, a Social Studies teacher at Rocky Mount Academy, recently invited Ken Wilson of the Halifax Resolves Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) to present a program about the meaning of the dates on the North Carolina flag to the eighth grade civics classes. The presentation covered the writing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Halifax Resolves.

Clifton Barnes of Cary has won a national award for his website CapitalSportsNC.com.
The website won an Award of Excellence from the DC area-based Communications Concepts through its 2013 Awards for Publication Excellence competition.

Debbie Williams of Nashville has been named the 2013 J. Edgar and Peggie T. Moore Staff Award recipient. Williams has served as Nash Community College’s Receptionist and Switchboard Operator since July 2008.
Each day when the college’s doors open to the public, business and industry, Debbie Williams demonstrates her commitment to the college mission by welcoming every individual who enters and directs them to the area of the College that will prepare them for a rewarding future.

Margaret Sink (left) presents Margie Parker Brantley (right) with a Supplemental Certificate for her ancestor, John S. Joyner, for his service in the War for Southern Independence.  John S. Joyner enlisted in the war on July 3, 1862.  He was captured at Gettysburg, PA, on July 15, 1862.  He was confined at Fort Delaware, Delaware on July 3, 1863.

Dottie Barrett (left), President of Bethel Heroes 636, local chapter of United Daughters of the confederacy (UDC), District Eight Director and Division Chairperson of the Finance Committee; Margie Parker  Brantley (center), local chapter Vice President and Division Chairperson of the Southern Literature and Arts Committee; and Margaret Sink (right), local Registrar and local and Division Recorder of Military Service Records.

Nash Community College recently announced that the following students achieved academic honors during the 2013 Fall Semester. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a perfect 4.0 grade point average (all A’s) while taking 12 or more semester hours. Students who qualify for the Honor Roll must earn a grade point average of 3.3 or above and be enrolled in 12 or more semester hours.

Twas the night after Christmas, when all through our place,
It looked like a tornado had hit our space.
The stockings were hanging from the ceiling fan without a care,
It was obvious that three children hepped up on sugar lived there.

Last Monday, I got the sad news that a lady I had the pleasure to meet had passed away. She was only 61 years old.
I first met Debbie Kelly in October 2011. The Graphic was doing an article every week on a breast cancer survivor. It was in doing those articles, I came across Ms. Kelly.
She was more than happy to sit down and talk to me about her experience battling cancer.

Reflecting back on 2013  for the Town of Nashville, we saw good times and sad times.
We said goodbye to some iconic people in the Town of Nashville in 2013. Many of us mourned the loss of special people such as long-time town council member Tommy Rogers, former business leader and veteran Atlee Gulley, and a beloved educator and “mom” to many, Mrs. Beverly Cooper –– all of whom made a substantial impact on our lives today here in Nashville.

TARRYTOWN MALL TREE –- This photo originally published in The Graphic on November 23, 1967.  Tarrytown Mall’s tree was noted as the Magic Christmas Tree. The annual tree ceremony attracted hundreds of people from around Nash County including high school concert bands and choirs. The 1967 tree stood 33 feet high and was reported as the only one of its kind in North Carolina.

Nash County Animal Friends has started calling the Nash County Animal Control Shelter dogs “All American Shelter Dog.” What is in a name, a breed? There are many misconceptions. Does it really matter? Seems like the intake cards say pit mix a lot, even when obviously it isn’t! We want no labels! Love is Breed Free. ~ Carol

PITTMAN WITH THE BALL. Nash Central’s Daniel Pittman finds an open teammate during the Bulldogs’ decision over Rolesville last Friday as part of the First Annual Cleveland Christmas Classic Basketball Tournament in Johnston County.

CLEVELAND - Following a one-week layoff and just two days removed from the Christmas Dinner Table, the Nash Central High School Bulldogs needed to shake off a bit of rust and lethargy during last Friday’s first-round action of the Cleveland Classic Basketball Tournament.
On paper, Central looked to be a prohibitive favorite against Rolesville, a first-year school featuring only freshmen and sophomores.

BUNN -- For one half, the Northern Nash Knights stood toe-to-toe with the host Bunn Wildcats during last Friday’s opening-round action of the Bunn Christmas Basketball Tournament in Franklin County.
But the Knights couldn’t jump into the victory column down the stretch as Bunn pulled away for a 64-34 conquest.
BHS moved into last Saturday’s championship meeting with Chapel Hill, while Northern Nash, now 4-7 overall, played Fuquay-Varina in the consolation showdown.

I’LL TAKE THAT. Nash Central’s Ni’Ya Styles (right) steals the ball while teammate Michalea Nelms (left) also defends during last Friday afternoon’s victory over Rolesville in the First Annual Cleveland Christmas Classic Basketball Tourname

CLEVELAND -- Nash Central’s girls basketball team didn’t display a post-holiday hangover when the Lady Bulldogs returned to the court last Friday following a one-week schedule break.
Instead, Central continued its Christmas celebration a few days later by rolling past Rolesville in the opening round of the First Annual Cleveland Classic at Cleveland High School in Johnston County.

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina State baseball team landed at No. 10 in Collegiate Baseball’s preseason top 40.
The poll was released recently to represent the first preseason poll ahead of the 2014 season.
“We’re excited about the attention and enthusiasm that beinga preseason top 10 team attracts,” said NC State head coach Elliott Avent. “But we’re focused on maintaining that ranking through the season, because the goal of this team is still returning to Omaha and contending for a national title.”

Nashville Academy of Martial Arts held a belt test on December 10 with several students advancing. Noah Henry and Aaron Dornseif received yellow belts and Trey Evans, Skylar Banks and Kevin Banks received orange belts.

Nash Central High School’s Mitchell Vick (left) leaps in an attempt to keep the ball from going out-of-bounds during last Friday afternoon’s meeting with Rolesville at the First Annual Cleveland Classic Christmas Basketball Tourney in Johnston County.

Gertrude Joyner Langley, age 88, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013. Born in Nash County on February 23, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Joyner and Lillian Carpenter Joyner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe M. Langley; two brothers, Limb Frank Joyner and James Edward Joyner; and daughter-in-law, Chan “Tau” Langley.

Nash Central’s Alexia Jones drives in for a layup during last Friday’s victory over Rolesville at the First Annual Cleveland Christmas Basketball Tourney.

Nash Central’s Jack Williams played a strong game during last Friday’s victory over Rolesville at the First Annual Cleveland Christmas Basketball Tourney.

Nash Central’s Krystal Atkinson won’t be denied in her quest to gain this rebound during the Lady Bulldogs’ decision over Rolesville in the first round of the Cleveland Classic Basketball Tournament. The game was played last Friday afternoon.

Northern Nash’s Darryl Prunty (with ball) scores in the paint during the Knights’ matchup against Bunn last Friday as part of the Bunn Christmas Basketball Tournament.

Nash Central’s Michaela Nelms scores on a breakaway layup last Friday against Rolesville High School.

Anna Turner Flood, age 91, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Born in Edgecombe County on July 19, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Fletcher Turner and Elizabeth Evans Turner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Johnnie B. Flood, daughter-in-law, Keturah Gail Flood, great-granddaughter, Amiee Lynn Pitt, great-grandson in law, Cpl. Ricardo Villahermosa, two sisters and two brothers.

Bobby Ray Dorsey, 61, passed away Friday, December 20, 2013.  He was born May 30, 1952 in Newport News, VA  
He is survived by his wife, Cassie Mitchell Dorsey; his parents, Marvin and Margie Dorsey; a daughter, Jennifer Dorsey Stancil and husband, Chad; four grandchildren and one sister, Debbie Larkin and husband, Simon. A funeral service was held Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Cornerstone Funeral Home.  The interment was held  Monday, December 23, 2013 at Bailey Cemetery.

ROCKY MOUNT - Debra Ann Kelly, 61, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2013. She was born October 15, 1952 in New Jersey. Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Gurtrude Fay, and step-mother, Stephanie Sidorski.

Delphia Joyce Stewart Smith, 83,  passed away Monday, December 23, 2013.  She was born in Nash County January 25, 1930 to the late James Thomas and Rosa Morris Stewart.  In addition to her parents, Delphia was preceded in death by her husband, Wiley Cecil Smith; brother, Gene Stewart; sister, Peggy Daniel and a granddaughter, Sherrie Parker.

Dorothy Wheeler Stubbs, born April 16, 1925, passed away in Rocky Mount on December 25, 2013.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Morris Stubbs, daughter, Earlyne Priscilla Stubbs, and six siblings.

Elbert Clemon Fisher, age 86, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Born in Nash County, he was the son of the late Jerry Fisher and Mattie Harper Fisher. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Fisher.

ROCKY MOUNT –– James Frank Hinnant, Jr., 56, of Rocky Mount, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the  VA Medical Center in Durham.

ROCKY MOUNT -– Mandy Silver, 86, of Rocky Mount, passed away Saturday, December 21, 2013 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

NASHVILLE  - Margaret Hudson Paramore, 88, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013.  She was born April 11, 1925 in Harnett County to the late Ernest and Ida Weaver Hudson.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Maude Franklin Salisbury, 94, of Rocky Mount, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Nikki Clark passed away December 24, 2013. She is survived by  her husband, Bo Clark, her three children: Bailey Tyndall (spouse James Tyndall), Taylor Clark, Grey Clark, and one granddaughter; sisters, Michelle Manning and Renee Whitley.

Roger Edward Nines, 80, passed away Monday, December 23, 2013.  He was born in Nash County September 13, 1933 to the late James Elijah Nines and Frances Walker Nines.   In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his first wife, Agnes Cone Nines, seven sisters, and three brothers.

NASHVILLE - Walter L. Granison, 75, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2013.