PRIDGEN

Nashville Police have arrested two men responsible for breaking into several vehicles in and around Nashville.
The break-ins occurred in and around the Town of Nashville between July 25 and 27, Nashville Police Chief Tom Bashore said.
Bashore said Patrick Simmons, 23, of Red Road, Nashville and Jonas Pridgen, 16, of Eastern Avenue, Nashville, were responsible for breaking into around five vehicles in the Nashville area.

The Nash and Franklin County Democrats have made their selection in a candidate to face off against Representative Jeff Collins in the November elections.
The party selected Charles Johnson, 92, of Rocky Mount, to run in the democratic spot after Joe Hester withdrew his nomination in March.

MAGIC! –– Michael Fisher, or “Fish the Magish” as many know him, visited Cooley Library last Thursday for a special magic show. The show was put on as part of the library’s Summer Reading Program. Pictured above, Fisher (at left) holds styrofoam cup on top of Tyreik Wilkins’ (at right) head as part of a water trick he performed.

A Spring Hope man was charged with trafficking cocaine after a two week investigation.
According to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Quinton Williams, 24, was arrested on July 24. During his arrested, he was found in possession of 87.1 grams of cocaine.
Over the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office reported that over 130 grams of cocaine and around 14 grams of marijuana were seized.

Filing continues for the six available seats on the Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education.
Incumbents Reginald Silver and Robert Bynum, who represent Districts Eight and Nine, respectively, were the latest to file for seats on the board. So far, no one has filed to challenge either Silver or Bynum.
Brenda Brown, an incumbent serving the District Four Seat, is also running unopposed so far. Brown is from Nashville.
But the other three available seats will face opposition in the upcoming elections.

Free breakfast and lunch will be provided to all students in eight schools in the Nash-Rocky Mount Public School District in the upcoming school year.
The Nash-Rocky Mount School Board agreed to take part in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program at their annual retreat last month. Robin May, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a presentation on the program.

The Nashville Graphic is introducing officers of the Nashville Police Department each month as part of an “Officer Spotlight” series.  The articles are featured the last Wednesday of each month  to help Nashville residents get to know the officers who protect and serve their communities.

GLOVER

Nashville resident Linda Woolard has long wanted to do something to bring veterans and their sacrifices to the forefront. Woolard said while searching for an organization to partner with, her friend, Pam Salsby, suggested some options which included a newly organized effort in Wake County, the US Military Veterans Foundation.
Woolard organized a meeting of local leaders recently to discuss the possibility of a  local fund-raising and public awareness effort.

INCIDENTS
A breaking and entering a residential was reported on 7/21/14 at 537 Indian Trail
A larceny after a breaking and entering and breaking and entering a commercial were reported on 7/23/14 at Nashville Building Supply, 723 S Barnes Street

A larceny of diesel fuel was reported on 7/21/14 at 3277 Prong Creek Road
A larceny from a residence was reported on 7/21/14 at 7492 Mount Drive
A breaking, entering and larceny of a motor vehicle was reported on 7/22/14 at 3428 Carriage Farm Road
A breaking and entering of a motor vehicle was reported on 7/22/14 at 3410 Carriage Farm Road

Teachers in the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (NRMS) system indicate that they are less satisfied overall with their working conditions than they were in 2012, this year’s NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey shows.
Moreover, another recent report by the Center for American Progress ranks NRMS well below average in terms of educational productivity based on the amount of money they have available to spend.

The Nash County Arts Council is seeking applications for the 2014–2015 Regional Artist Project Grants. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 12, 2014.
The Regional Artists Project program is managed through a partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council and 29 local arts councils throughout eastern North Carolina working as a consortium.

Jessica Elaine Bone and Joshua Paul Sewell were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. on June 21, 2014 at Sandy Cross United Methodist Church. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Rocky Mount Moose Lodge.
The bride is the daughter of Carlton and Elaine Bone. She is the granddaughter of Johnny Lynch and the late Laura Lynch and the late Pauline and Luther Bone.

Barton College named 53 students to the President’s List and 331 students to the Dean’s List for spring semester 2014. President’s List students compiled a perfect 4.0 grade point average; Dean’s List students achieved a grade point average of 3.3 or better on a four-point scale.
Nash County residents named to the President’s List include Matthew Dwight Farmer and Cassandra Lee Gaston, both of Elm City, and Brandy Wadette Atkinson, of Rocky Mount.

The Town of Middlesex took the first step in applying for grant money that they hope will assist in fixing several lift stations in town.
The first public hearing was held on the CDBG grant at the board’s regular meeting on July 14, with Dennis Patton, from the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments.

Bobbie Jones was the guest speaker at a meeting of the VOICE of Nashville last Monday evening.
Jones was the assistant principal of Baskerville Elementary School. He also serves the Town of Princeville as the Mayor.
Jones talked to those in attendance about his early experiences in the military and how he was led into education.
“I believe that was my calling all along,” he said.

The N.C. Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program recently announced that 1,929 DWI arrests were made during “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” which ran from June 27 through July 6.
“The 4th of July Holiday is a great time to celebrate the freedoms we have as Americans,” said Don Nail director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “We thank our law enforcement partners for protecting our freedoms and keeping us safe by arresting those who make the decision to drink and drive.”

Nashville’s Police Department collected just over 800 medications last Saturday as part of Operation Medicine Drop.
Community Services Officer Jennifer Bull collected 666 non-controlled prescription medications and 139 controlled medications at an event held on July 19 at Walgreens.
The goal of Operation Medicine Drop is to cut down on prescription drug abuse and environmental damage by encouraging people to properly dispose of old drugs that are no longer needed.

Walter Lynn of Edgecombe County wins first place in the Big Tomato Contest held Saturday at the Farmers Market in Rocky Mount. Lynn’s tomato weighed 1.77 pounds.

Michael O’Brien of Fishing Creek Flower Farm in Whitakers prepares arrangements of sunflowers for customers at the Farmers Market Saturday.

On a stormy Sunday morning Peachtree folks gathered for worship at the church.  Pastor Whitehouse greeted those present.  He chose as his sermon topic, “Revive us Again”.  It was based on Ephesians 5:18. His thesis was that the Holy Spirit is alive and at work in the world today.  The Holy Spirit fills the life of a person at the moment that they receive their Salvation.

Sunday School began at 9:45 with Chris Matchem welcoming everyone and making the announcements. There was a call to worship video followed by singing “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship.” Communion meditation and prayers at the table were given by Elder, Kenneth Massengale. After the communion service and the giving of tithes and offerings, the morning message was brought to us by Chris Matchem. Our minister Daniel West was on vacation.

Madgie Macklin and Dorothy, Audrey, and Suzy Pearce were treated with a visit from Penny Heid of Florida last week.  Penny was the fiancé of the late John A. Shearin, Madgie’s nephew, who passed away in January.  They had a great time reminiscing about family and Penny visited some places where Johnny’s grandparents, Wesley and Jennie Shearin, lived and worked.

Western Carolina University has announced its graduation and Dean’s List recipients for the Spring 2014 Semester.
The university conferred degrees on approximately 1,369 students who completed their studies during the spring semester. A total of 368 undergraduate students received academic honors, with 79 graduating Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors), 149 graduating Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) and 140 graduating Cum Laude (with honors).

EMT Intermediate graduates are pictured (L-R): Brandie Simmons of Castalia, Theresa Lynch of Hollister, Crystal Swinson of Tarboro, Kizzy Taylor of Rocky Mount and Instructor Brandon Taylor. Not Pictured: Randall Lamm of Castalia and Christopher Mullinax of Raleigh.

Nash and Edgecombe County residents can receive a scholarship from a private trust designed specifically to benefit students currently attending, or accepted into, North Carolina Wesleyan College.
The Helen Lancaster Minton Educational Fund provides scholarships to qualified post-secondary students designed to benefit students currently enrolled or accepted to North Carolina Wesleyan College.

It’s all fun and games until the fat guy gets stung.
I was attempting to make a fence repair this weekend to the goat pasture. I needed a piece of the heavy-duty wire I keep on a wooden spool near the gate. My fencing skills require lots of repairs, so while I realize even insulated wire should not be left in the elements, that is just the way it is. Like I’ve done so many times, I rolled the spool over to cut a piece.

It’s always nice to be recognized, especially in those jobs where recognition is hard to come by.
Several Nashville departments believe in recognizing its employees.
Nashville’s Fire Department has always had a ceremony to name a firefighter of the year but just a year or so ago, it decided to do a separate ceremony to honor all of its firefighters for any achievements they had received over the past year.

To the Editor:
I wish to make your readers aware of two exciting initiatives of the Tar River Center for History and Culture (TRCHC) at Louisburg College. Recently, the center established the Upper Tar River Region Calendar of Cultural Events, which is available on its Web site: http://www.louisburg.edu/tarrivercenter/ This calendar includes information about cultural events taking place in Franklin, Edgecombe, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Vance, and Warren counties.

The Obama economy started in 2008. Now numbers show it has recovered and it is booming! The DOW Jones market closed $17,068.26.  That is the first time in history the market has closed over $17,000.  WOW”! 
According to the U. S. Labor Department’s “Private Sector Job Growth Chart,” 288,000 jobs were added in June. This Chart shows 52 months of straight job growth.  It is the longest job growth strength on record!  Now the unemployment rate has dropped to 6.1 percent, the lowest since September 2008.

NASH CENTRAL TROJANS –- This photo was originally published in The Graphic on November 15, 1970. The Nash Central Junior High Trojans finished their football season with six wins and one loss, an unintended forfeit.

Summer is a time for vacation, and many of the NCAF volunteers are enjoying well-deserved time away. It also tends to be the busiest time of year at most animal shelters, including the Nash County shelter. NCAF can really use more team members.
You don’t need to go to the shelter to help.

BIRCHWOOD’S BEST. Carson McIntyre takes to the water for Birchwood County Club during last Thursday evening’s road Nash-Halifax Swim League meet against backyard rival Nash Rec.

NASHVILLE -- Weather has proven to be the most challenging opponent this summer for the Nash-Halifax Swim League’s four squads.
Nash Rec and Birchwood met last Thursday to close out regular season action, but the meet was interrupted by storms and wasn’t finished.

BEST OF THE BEST. (L to R) Southern Nash’s Corey Schulz and Deon Lavender took part in the annual East-West All-Star Football Game last Wednesday night. The event was held at Jamieson Stadium on the campus of Greensboro Grimsley High School.

GREENSBORO -- One more time.
That was the theme -- at least from a Southern Nash perspective -- during last Wednesday’s East-West All-Star Football Game at Grimsley High School’s Jamieson Stadium.
Veteran skipper Brian Foster not only had the honor of serving as the East’s head coach for the contest, but he was also able to work with Firebird standouts Deon Lavender and Corey Schulz for the final time.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash High School will begin fall practices on the following dates:
• Football -- Aug. 1 at 8:30 a.m.
• Soccer -- Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
• Volleyball -- Aug. 4 at 3 p.m.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The USA South’s 2014 Football Media Day was held Monday at Maryville College in East Tennessee.
Each of the conference’s nine football coaches addressed the media and gave their thoughts on the upcoming season.
The USA South preseason poll was also unveiled at the beginning of the event, with the North Carolina Wesleyan College Battling Bishops earning a seventh-place billing.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are the rosters for this summer’s Nash County Parks and Recreation Department’s All-Star Baseball and Softball Teams:

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash High School’s 2014 varsity volleyball season will begin Aug. 19-20 at home with a non-league matchup against the SouthWest Edgecombe Lady Cougars from Pinetops.
The event will be part of the two-day Nash County Volleyball Tournament, which will also feature Nash Central and Tarboro. All matches will be held at the SNHS Gymnasium.

A BIG DAY AT THE POOL. Among the competitors at last Thursday evening’s weather-shortened swim meet between Birchwood Country Club and host Nash Rec were (above) a Nash Rec swimmer.

A BIG DAY AT THE POOL. Among the competitors at last Thursday evening’s weather-shortened swim meet between Birchwood Country Club and host Nash Rec were (above) a Nash Rec swimmer.

Fastenal won the Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department’s Co-Rec Slow-Pitch Softball Championship with a 4-3, 12-inning victory over Southside Baptist. Pictured are (back, l to r) Blake Gosselin, Brandon Gallion, Mark Wooten, Sam Whitehead, Jon Lucas and Zach Boyette; (front, l to r) April Clark, Demi Barwick, Lauren Lucas, Danielle Kimmel and Lindsey Lewis.

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department All-Stars recently took first place in the Little League 9-10 District 4 Baseball Tournament, which was held in Greenville. The club went on to compete in the Little League State Tournament in Morganton and posted a 2-2 overall record in the double-elimination format.

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department All-Stars recently took the runner-up spot at the Little League 11-12 District 4 Baseball Tournament. The event was held in Elizabeth City. Due to the strong finish, the Rocky Mount team qualified for the Little League State Tournament in Greenville, where RM went 1-2 overall.

The Nash County Babe Ruth 14-Under All-Star Baseball Team recently won the North Carolina Eastern Regional State Championship, which was held July 18-22 in Kinston. The club departed Tuesday to take part in the Southeast Regionals in Newton (near Hickory).

NASH COUNTY -- Here are the fall schedules for the boys soccer squads at Northern Nash, Nash Central and Southern Nash High Schools (all home matches listed in CAPS):

WOODBRIDGE, VA. -- The Carolina Mudcats made a valiant comeback, but were foiled by Oscar Tejeda’s moon shot in the last of the 11th during a Class A Carolina League baseball showdown against the Potomac Nationals.
Tejada’s second home run of the night vaulted the Nationals to a 6-5 win on Sunday evening at Pfitzner Stadium.
The Mudcats (19-18, 48-57) lost their sixth straight as the Nationals (20-15, 58-46) swept the three-game series.

ALWAYS A KNIGHT. Northern Nash’s Alexus Hill closed out the prep portion of her hoops career by taking part in the East-West All-Star Girls Basketball Game last Monday night at the Greensboro Coliseum. Hill will play this coming season at Gardner-Webb.

Birchwood’s Jillian Hale receives encouragement from her mother, Joanna, during last Thursday evening’s Nash-Halifax Swim League matchup against Nash Rec.

Nash Arts welcomes Meredith Davis in concert Saturday August 2 at 7 pm. Admission is $11 per person.
Meredith Davis found her calling when she began piano lessons in Kindergarten which was  was her first step to falling in love with music. She grew up singing in church with her family and taught herself how to play the guitar at the age of 12.

ROCKY MOUNT - Brenda Sue Bobbitt-Yarborough, 47, of Rocky Mount, died on July 22, 2014.

HOLLISTER - Charlie Louis Boone, 79, died on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

SPRING HOPE –– Clara Worrell Johnson, 83, passed away July 22, 2014.  She was born in Nash County on August 4, 1930 to the late Wade L. Worrell and Lillian Vick Worrell.  Clara is preceded in death, along with her parents, by her brother, Ruffus W. Worrell.

James Larnel “Buddy” Bonner, Jr. passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014.  He was born in the District of Colombia and was the son of the late James and Isabelle Bonner. He graduated from Oxon Hill High School.

Janie Ruth Booth, age 89, passed away  Saturday, July 26, 2014.  She was preceded in death by her  parents and also her brother Jack Booth and wife Edna.

Johnette Bailey Strickland, age 53, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Born January 27, 1961. She was the daughter of the late Rosa Pierce Bailey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth “Pee Wee” Strickland; brother, Tom Bailey; and brother-in-law, Donnie Watson.

Lemuel Elliot Cotton, age 72, of Spring Hope, passed away  Friday, July 25, 2014.

NASHVILLE - Louisiana Richardson, 92, died on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Magdalene Sumler, 52, of Rocky Mount, died on July 21, 2014.

Maggie Lee Rackley Driver, age 91, passed away  Saturday, July 26, 2014. Born in Rocky Mount on July 17, 1923, she was the daughter of John and Maggie Rackley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie E. Driver, Sr.; brothers, Medy Rackley and Atlas Rackley.

Mary Lee Harris Caudle, age 75, passed away  Wednesday, July, 23, 2014.

Rev. Edgar Millard Raynor, 84, passed away July 23, 2014.  He was born in Sampson County on November 21, 1929 to the late Bernice and Rachel McNeil Raynor.   Along with his parents, Edgar is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Raynor.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Robert “Patches” Arrington, 70, died on Thursday, July 24, 2014.

Thurman Pulley, age 84 of Spring Hope, passed away Friday, July 25, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Timothy Lee Davis, 44, of Rocky Mount, died on July 24, 2014.

ROCKY MOUNT––Wilbert Horne, 91, of Rocky Mount died Friday, July 18, 2014.