The Nash-Rocky Mount Board of Education agreed on Monday to begin charging students for taking driver's education.
The decision was made in expectation of the North Carolina General Assembly changing funding for the driver's education program in the state.
The General Assembly is considering cutting funding to the program or possibly providing no funding to the program, leaving school systems to fully fund the program.

Nashville town officials are excited to see dirt being moved around on the 50 acres of land across from McDonalds, now known as Nash Crossing Subdivision.
The property is owned by Stallings Oil Company. Very little activity has been seen on the property since Nashville's Town Council approved a rezoning of the entire property in 2013 to B-1 General Business.
The property consists of three parcels of land across from Evans Drive, where the McDonalds is located. The plat shows nine lots on the property.

Bob Simpson, member of Nashville's American Legion Post 110, places an American Flag upon the grave of Jesse Lee Smith. Smith was drafted into the US Army in 1952 and served two years of active duty in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War. He served eight years in the NC National Guard and was a member of Post 110. The Legion will hold a Memorial Day Service Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville honoring deceased veterans.

One of reportedly 21 dogs at a home on Old Carriage Road is shown above. The dog is one of three reportedly taken by animal control on Friday but later returned.

Numerous complaints about the condition of dogs at a home off of Old Carriage Road have led to animal cruelty charges against a Rocky Mount woman.
Angelyna Marie Card, 25, was charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals on Friday, May 15.
The charges stem from numerous complaints made by one person, said Environmental Health Supervisor Robert Hunt.
Card's address is listed as 5177 Sapony Creek Drive however she allegedly has 21 dogs at property at 5252 S. Old Carriage Road.

A motion to increase the property tax rate failed at a budget meeting in Castalia Thursday night. Commissioners met for a preliminary budget workshop reviewing several items including taxes, the Waste Industries contract and employee benefits.
Angie Elliot, the Town Clerk, emphasized that the meeting was a "work session only," and that the committee would have to have another workshop to complete and finalize the budget.

Nashville's Police Department is making plans for its third annual National Night Out.
This year's event is set for August 4 and will include several changes, according to Nashville Community Services Officer Jennifer Bull.
One change is the location. This year's event will be held at Glover Park instead of the Stoney Creek Environmental Park.
Bull said the change in location was due to the event growing so much.
"We need a bigger area," she said.

Nash County Commissioners will meet on Wednesday, May 27 for final budget talks before holding a public hearing on the proposed budget at their June 8 regular meeting.
Nash County Manager Zee Lamb officially presented the $92 million budget at the board's regular meeting on May 4. Lamb said the budget represented a 2.8 percent increase over the current year's budget and a 3.8 percent decrease from the current year's revised budget.

Members of the Red Oak Fire Department are coming together to raise money for one of their own.
A benefit pork chop dinner is planned for next Friday, May 29 to benefit Ty Tharrington, who is battling Leukemia for the second time.
Tharrington grew up in the Red Oak Fire Department, along with his two brothers, watching their father serve. As soon as he was old enough, Tharrington also joined, said Bob Brown, Red Oak's Fire Chief.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from May 11 through May 15, 2015.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division recently arrested 10 individuals for bringing drugs into Nash County.
The arrests stem from a three- month undercover investigation that encompassed two other counties.
According to a press release, the investigation is the continuing efforts of Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone to fight illegal narcotics being sold and transported to Nash County.
"Sheriff Stone and the Nash County Sheriff's Office are dedicated to the fight against the illegal drug sells in Nash County," the release said.

A breaking and entering and larceny after a breaking and entering was reported on 5/11/15 at 3451 Lonesome Pine Road
An all other larceny was reported on 5/11/15 at 10159 Liles Road
A breaking and entering and damage to personal property was reported on 5/11/15 at 5523 US264A
An identity theft was reported on 5/11/15 at 5166 Wollett Mill Road

INCIDENTS
A failure to secure a load properly was reported on 5/12/15 at L&L#14, 479 W Washington Street
A larceny was reported on 5/12/15 at Waffle House, 314 W Washington Street
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 5/12/15 at 558 Indian Trail

Cadet Delassio McKinnon, a member of the Northern Nash HS AFJROTC unit, was presented with the Sons of the American Revolution Outstanding JROTC Cadet Medal. The medal recognizes McKinnon's high degree of merit with respect to leadership qualities, military bearing and general excellence in the performance of his duties. The award was presented by Halifax Resolves Chapter Past President Ken Wilson.

USPS FOOD DRIVE -- The U.S. Postal Service at Nashville far exceeded the annual food drive from previous years, collecting approximately 1600 pounds of food. Employees say they thank the Nashville Community for supporting the annual drive. "We must also thank the USPS employees whose dedication made this event a major success," said Samuel Benton, Postmaster at Nashville, "Thanks to everyone in The Original Nashville who made this happen," he concluded. Pictured above, left to right, are: James Mills, Tracie Thompson, Shawneequa James, Felicia Gaylord, Crystal Joyner, Onyxette Hardy, Lakisha Powell. Pictured in front are representatives from My Sister's House,Director Cynthia Kornegy and Lem Kornegay.

Hilary Beamon Johnson and Dexter Dennis David were united in marriage on May 16, 2015 at 5 p.m. at the Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. The ceremony was officiated by the Reverend Jody Wright.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Johnson of Rocky Mount.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Royal David of Rocky Mount. He is the grandson of Gayle Macaluso Ponthier.

Lester Langley celebrated his 98th birthday on May 3rd. Pictured above are siblings Eleanor Yates, Lester Langley and Doris Fisher.

Lester Langley, longtime resident of Rocky Mount, celebrated his 98th birthday on Sunday, May 3rd. Among those who joined the festivities were his wife, Catherine, his sister, Doris Fisher of Nashville, and his sister, Eleanor Yates of Bradenton, Florida. Nieces, nephews and neighbors visited at his home throughout the day - many with homemade desserts. Another highlight was that a stranger, at the diner where Lester ate breakfast, overheard the conversation about his birthday and anonymously picked up the tab!

Kenneth Moore, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Nash Health Care in Rocky Mount, was recently named Medical Director of the Year for TeamHealth's Emergency Medicine Mid- Atlantic Group. The awards ceremony was held April 15 in Dallas, Texas, during TeamHealth's National Medical Director Leadership Conference. Selected by TeamHealth's operating presidents, Dr. Moore is among nine individuals out of more than 750 clinical leaders across the country who were recognized for excellence in physician leadership.

Edgecombe County Commissioners and the Rocky Mount City Council moved forward with holding a meeting to discuss the proposed realignment of the Nash-Rocky Mount School System, despite Nash County Commissioners backing out of the meeting.
Nash Commissioners had been trying to set up a meeting with Edgecombe County for several weeks. The two entities had agreed on meeting Friday, May 15 but after discovering the City of Rocky Mount was planning on attending, Nash County Commissioners cancelled the meeting, saying they first wanted to meet soley with Edgecombe County.

Nashville's American Legion Post 110 elected new officers this week for 2015-2016. Pictured (left to right) are: Larry Womack (outgoing Post Commander); Dr. David West (incoming Post Commander); James Ervin (Chaplain); C.T. Worrell (Service Officer); Barney Bell (Sgt. at Arms); Gene Braswell (Second Vice Commander); W.A. "Sonny" Brantley (Finance Officer); Jim Boehm (First Vice Commander); and R.E. Collier, Jr. (Post Adjutant). The Legion will hold a Memorial Day Service Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Nashville honoring deceased veterans.

Dan the Animal Man visited Cedar Grove Elementary School in March to show a few of his animals to students. The Animal Man provided a program to students who had met their Accelerated Reading and PBIS goals for March. Pictured above, Dan the Animal Man (at left) shows a tarantula shed to Cedar Grove Elementary School Principal Brad Jones (at right) during the program.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public School Honor Rolls for the third nine weeks are listed below:

Ms. Ruth Parker, Class of 1938, was honored at the 82nd Annual Coopers High School Alumni Banquet as the oldest alumna present.

The 82nd Annual Coopers High School Alumni Banquet was held April 25, 2015 in the Coopers School Gymnasium. 150 former Bulldogs and their guests were in attendance, celebrating and reminicing over past high school glories. President Erma Pridgen welcomed the guests and recognized the honored alumni which included the oldest alumna present, Ruth Parker (1938) Dempsey Lindsey (1941) Roy Taylor & Eugene Bone (1945). The classes of 1955 and 1964 celebrated their 60th and 50th reunions, respectively.

Sunday School began at 9:45 on Sunday morning at Beulah Church of Christ. Everyone was welcomed by elder, Earl Cary. This was followed by everyone singing and Wilma Enroughty at the piano. Mrs. Frances Hedgepeth usually plays and she was really missed. She attended another service to be with her grandchild who was in a program there. We know she had a wonderful time and enjoyed being with family members there. Earl gave several announcements.

Peachtree folks gathered for worship on a sunny, glorious Sunday morning. Sanctuary flowers were given in honor of David Griffin by Patricia Wood and her sons, Bill and Bart Wood. The choir sang "Lead me Lord" under the direction of the pastor.
Pastor Whitehouse chose as his sermon scripture Genesis 39. It is about the life of Joseph, as he was enslaved and living in the house of Potipher- CEO of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. The sermon recounted practical ways to avoid temptation in our own lives.

Lustful literature litters the landscape. Pornographic Internet sites lure victims into lurid acts. The objectives of the underworld are clear. X-rated sales are high. Big money is involved. The objectives of the Underworld are also clear. "When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:15).
Jesus puts it this way. "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

I had someone ask me the other day if we ever had any conflicts here in Aventon. LOL! I should have said never, NO NOT US!! I answered honestly instead. Yep, occasionally we disagree, but don't all families do that, we aren't any different. We are not perfect, we are human and full of flaws and each person with their own opinions, but just like other families, we love each other and we are there for each other. Toleration sometimes is a wonderful word! Yes, people we are only the happiest people around 99.9 % of the time lol!

The Baptist Men had their monthly breakfast and meeting on Sunday, May 17.
The Ty Tharrington Benefit Pork Chop Dinner will be on Friday, May 29 at 11 am - 2 pm and 4 pm - 7 pm at the Red Oak Fire Department. Plate are $7 each. Contact Bryant Fisher, Dwight Fisher, or Pat Griffin for tickets.
Register now for the 2nd annual Stop Hunger Now meal packing event hosted by Red Oak United Methodist Church scheduled for 9 am on Saturday, May 30.

Twenty-four North Carolina students are the first recipients of the N.C. State Fair Youth Livestock Scholarships, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently announced.
The scholarships are designed for high school seniors and students currently enrolled in an institute of higher education who have participated in the junior livestock or market turkey shows at the N.C. State Fair.

Down East Radio Reading Service hosted an Annual Appreciation Dinner recently in recognition of the many volunteers who serve those in Nash, Edgecombe and Wilson Counties who are blind or vision impaired.
Board Chairman Joe Warner explained, "Our mission at DERRS is to read information from our local newspapers over the air to those in our community who cannot read printed material. The programs are broadcast from a radio station in Rocky Mount and received by our listeners over the internet or on a specially constructed radio, placed free of charge through the Social Worker for the Blind in each county."

Nash Community College student clubs recently led a food drive competition to collect snack foods for Peacemakers' Freedom School. The Math and Science Club won the competition collecting the most food.
Peacemakers is a community development organization serving the under-resourced area of South Rocky Mount to empower members of the community with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead successful and sustainable lives.

Nash Community College ranks eighth in the United States for its digital presence among Mid-Sized Colleges with 5,000 to 10,000 students according e.Republic's Center for Digital Education Digital Community Colleges Survey. The survey identified 46 of the most forward-thinking and technology-driven community colleges in the nation.
In its tenth year, the survey analyzes how community colleges use digital technologies to improve services to students, faculty, staff and the community at large.

Though many body parts seem to be breaking down the old adage, "The mind is the first thing to go," seems to hold true.
Last week I penned a piece of deathless prose about the legendary musical contributions of Ben E. King.
Later in the week, the legendary blues singer BB King died.
You guessed it. I go into "The sky is falling mode." Did I get it wrong? Was The Graphic getting letters to the editor wondering about my sanity? Was it BB King or Ben E. King that died?

Well, in just a week and a half, I will have a four-year-old.
Everyone was right. Time goes by way too fast!
It's been an interesting four years. Corbin has taught me a lot about parenting, what I should do and what I shouldn't do.
He's taught me about true unconditional love, sacrifice and the ability to laugh even when things aren't funny.
I can still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday.

Since we have some time before Memorial Day, I feel I have to share a pet peeve with you about this holiday.
Before you get excited, this is not that column that tells you that Memorial Day should be a somber, vigilant and depressing day. It is not that column that tells you that you should feel bad if you haven't served in the military, or that you should not go to the beach, or grill out, or have some fun. It's not that column, and that's not my pet peeve.

FAREWELL CAKE-- This photo originally published in the 9-15-81 edition of The Graphic. The Nashville town staff were bidding farewell to Police Chief Bill Sirginson (right) with a surprise party. Sirginson resigned taking a position as chief of the York, S.C. Police Department. Pictured with Sirginson (left to right) are Town Manager Mike Ruffin and Officer Bill Creech.

Why can't that the Nash County Animal Control Shelter be open on Saturdays? How can we save the pets if we can't make them accessible for adoptions?
However, the Shelter is only open 1-4 pm, Monday through Friday. So if you work during that time and off on the weekend, like so many, that would mean you have to take time off to save a pet! We want to change that!
What is a Shelter? The word shelter means to provide cover or protection. Under that definition, in broad terms, the Nash County Animal Shelter is a shelter.

HARD-LUCK LOSS. Tyler Barrett took to the mound and pitched well -- but took the loss -- as Northern Nash was defeated by Eastern Guilford last Tuesday evening in the opening round of the Class 3-A State Baseball Playoffs.

RED OAK -- A .500 overall record usually indicates an up-and-down season for a high school baseball team -- and that's exactly how things went this spring for the Northern Nash Knights.
Northern experienced its share of heroics, including a Big East Conference Tournament Championship along with a no-hitter from Derrick Carter at the Golden Leaf Invitational in April in Wilson.

CAUGHT IN A RUNDOWN. Nash Central Middle School pitcher Trey Whitley (right) tags out a runner from Edwards between third base and home plate.

NASHVILLE -- Two regular season victories over Edwards should have given Nash Central Middle School coach Mark Wooten a bit of confidence heading into last Friday's championship game of the Tri-County Conference Baseball Tournament.
But citing the old adage that it's difficult to beat a good team three times, Wooten was a bit uneasy despite the fact that his favored Trojans entered the title event with an undefeated record.

LOUISBURG -- Timyra Staton's work ethic and relentless perserverance helped work her way into the heart of Louisburg College women's basketball coach Shay Hayes -- and also into the Lady Hurricanes' starting lineup this past season.
After two seasons at Louisburg, Staton has signed a letter-of-intent to continue her career at North Carolina Wesleyan College.
The next two years will be a homecoming for Staton, who prepped under Coach Terri Cash at Nash Central High School.

RED OAK -- Rebekah Beal had one final dose of heroics to cap off her amazing girls soccer campaign at Northern Nash.
Only a junior, Beal scored twice and added an assist at Northern Nash, seeded 26th, upset No. 7 seed Eastern Wayne last Wednesday in the opening round of the Class 3-A Girls Soccer State Playoffs in Goldsboro.
Olivia Bunn also scored off an assist from Beal as the Lady Knights advanced into a second-round contest against Jacksonville High School.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are recent scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department's Spring Youth Baseball and Softball Leagues:

ZEBULON -- Pin-Chieh Chen's two-run home run in the eighth proved to be the difference as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans finished a three-game sweep of the Carolina Mudcats with a 6-5 victory at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Connor Oliver hit two triples and drove in two for the Mudcats in the loss.
The Pelicans (23-12) swept the series three games to none and increased their lead to three-and-one-half games over the Mudcats (19-15) in the Southern Division, Carolina League standings.

GREENSBORO -- Rosters have been finalized for the 2015 North Carolina Coaches Association's East-West Boys Basketball All-Star Game.
The event will be held July 20 at the Greensboro Coliseum. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Head coaches will be D.H. Conley's Rob Maloney (East) and Erwin's David Rhoney (West).
The complete rosters are as follows:

NASH COUNTY -- The Nash-Halifax Swim League will swing back into action for the summer beginning on June 18.
On that day, defending champion Nash Rec will be on the road to tangle with backyard rival Birchwood Country Club in Nashville.
The other league matchup on June 18 will featured Roanoke Valley at Westridge.
Regular season events will run through July 23, with the annual N-HSL Championship Meet slated for August 1 at the Harrison Family YMCA in Rocky Mount.

NASH COUNTY -- Here are updated Nash County Parks & Recreation Youth Spring Soccer League Scores:

ROCKY MOUNT -- The Wesley Men Yankees made the most of their sparse opportunities last Thursday night and, in doing so, came away with a hard-fought 5-1 win against the Phillies of Hester, Moore & Tucker in Rocky Mount Youth Baseball League action.
The Yankees failed to hit a single ball out of the infield cleanly and collected only two hits for their evening's work, but the lights out pitching of Maliq Nicholson, Trent Lewis and Mason Pilgreen offset any offensive woes they might have suffered.

Nash Central Middle School third baseman Drifton Padgett (right) elevates to retrieve a throw for the Trojans during last Friday afternoon's meeting with Edwards in the championship showdown of the Tri-County Conference Baseball Tournament.

Rocky Mount Academy boys soccer standout Christian Toney (front, center) signs a letter-of-intent to continue his career at William Peace University, which is located in Downtown Raleigh. Also pictured are (back, l to r) RMA Head of Upper School Timmy Tucker, RMA Soccer Coach Larry Smith and RMA Headmaster Beth Covolo; (front, l to r) William Toney (father) and Spring Toney (mother).

Northern Nash's Nick Vester (with ball) executes a force play at second base during the Knights' loss to Eastern Guilford last Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class 3-A State Baseball Playoffs in Red Oak.

Tar River Orchestra and Chorus Feature a Throw Back to Popular Outdoor Concert May 30th - Chairman's Picnic and Concert
The final concert of the year is a throwback to when the Tar River Orchestra and Chorus would do outside concerts. This year the group is going back to that idea and closing out the year with their Chairman's Picnic and Concert on May 30th.
This is a special outdoor concert being presented at the Crocker Farm, 3358 Turkey Foot Road in Rocky Mount. Dr. Dan Crocker is the Chairman and one of the founding members of the Tar River Orchestra and Chorus who also performs with the Philharmonic, the Symphonic Band and the Swing Band.

Brian Keith Moss, age 46, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Keith was born on March 30, 1969 in Rocky Mount.

Carolyn Coley Hedgepeth, 56, of Hollister, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015.

Carrie Lee Beasley, 74, of Rocky Mount, died on May 15, 2015 in Rocky Mount.

Crystal Register Mathis, 80, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015. She was born August 26, 1934 to the late William B. and Myrtle P. Beacham. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her brother; William T. "Bill" Beacham.

John Earl Davis, 50, of Louisburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015.

Johnny "Snapper" Lee Coley, 36, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015. He was born in Edgecombe County February 3, 1979. He was preceded in death by his father, Obie Ray Coley.

Kenneth "Ray" Wheeler, 65, passed away Friday, May 15, 2015. Ray was born July 1, 1949 in Nash County. He was preceded in death by his father Cleveland Dallas Wheeler.

Luther Earl Avent, 75 of Rocky Mount, died on May 12, 2015.

Mary Louise Langston Hackney, 92, of Red Oak, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015. She was the daughter of the late Oswin Sutton Langston and Dora Brown Langston. She was also preceded in death by sisters: Ola Mae Smith, Cora Lee Jenkins Perry, Marjorie Daniel, Ester Cahoon and brothers: David, Wade, Rudolph and Alton.

Pamela Jo Whitley, 52, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Arrangements are pending.

NASHVILLE - Deacon William Hollingsworth, 83, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2015.

William Dallas Collins, age 80, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2015. He was Born October 8, 1934 in Nash County, son of the Late Dallie Herbert and Nora Smith Collins. He was preceded in death by five sisters, Mae Burroughs, Eva Shearin, Roxie Burnette, Agnes Collins, Anne Graves, brothers, Samuel Collins and Herbert Collins.

William Nicholas "Nicky" Glover, 68, of Bailey passed Saturday, May 16, 2015. Nicky was born on May 18, 1946 in Wilson County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Bettie Glover.