Local News

MIDDLESEX- Economic development in the town of Middlesex continues to grow, with a $6.8 million dollar expansion planned for Eaton Aerospace and a separate $500,000 grant to fund an extension of municipal water to the Ammons Industrial Site for a North Carolina Railroad Company Build Ready project.

ROCKY MOUNT - UNC Health Nash has once again been honored as one of the nation's top hospitals. The Leapfrog Group--a national nonprofit organization that evaluates hospital performance--released its annual list of Top Hospitals December 15.
The designation is one of the most competitive and prestigious recognitions for excellence in hospital patient safety and quality of care.
According to Leapfrog, this designation reflects the organization's continued commitment to exceptional care and the highest standards of safety.

NASHVILLE - Fluctuating temperatures are being blamed for warping and then breaking steel tracks near the Nashville Junction Dec. 31st, causing two cars to derail. Both cars were full of cracked corn.
The cars have since been righted, but railway officials were still effecting track repairs as of Jan. 6.
The Nashville Fire Department got a call from Public Works at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to relate that several cars had come off the rails.

Local teens assisted with the hanging of holiday decorations on December 6th at Historic Stonewall Manor in Rocky Mount. Volunteers were led by Renny Taylor, Nash Central High School AP and Honors American History Teacher and tour guide of Stonewall Manor. The group researched what was used to decorate antebellum homes. All of the greenery came from the trees and bushes on the property.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
On January 1st, your test will arrive. I say test because there is a high degree of probability that between now and then, you will tell your spouse, child, or perhaps a friend about your New Year's resolutions.
The question is when January arrives, are you going to abandon them like you abandoned the ones you made last year, and the year before that??

More is almost always better. That is certainly the case when investigating Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. In the last couple of weeks, we have looked at the writings of Cornelius Tacitus and Flavius Josephus. Both of these first-century writers mention Jesus and His crucifixion and the early tradition of His resurrection from the dead. But there is still more. Several other non-Christian writers mention Jesus and the movement He began.
Pliny the Younger (61--c.113 AD) was a Roman senator and friend of Cornelius Tacitus.

Defining Your
"Shine" for 2026
Spiritual leaders have identified "Shine" as a guiding theme for 2026, rooted in Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine, for your light has come". Walking in faith this year isn't about personal striving or perfection; it is about reflecting the light of Christ through your unique identity and calling.

Happy New Year!
Red Oak Baptist Church enjoyed several special Christmas events during December. The choir gave a Christmas Cantata which also featured the youth. they also gathered to share special talents during the Family Night and followed that with refreshments.
The Nell Boone Sunday School Class of Red Oak Baptist Church once again provided Christmas gifts for two foster children this year.

Karen L. Allen and Wesley Gene Allen to Thomas Daniel Allen and Jessica Saunders Allen; 2890 Spring Time Court, Nashville
Providence Bank to DBLII Properties, LLC; 4141 Capital Drive and 4161 Capital Drive, Rocky Mount
William Edwin Gilliam and Ivey Wilson Gilliam to Timothy Richardson, Herbert Richardson and Jacob Richardson; Stone Acres Subdivision, Section 1, Lot 32
Hurt, LLC to Taylor Management Services, LLC; 1286 West Raleigh Boulevard, Rocky Mount; $58,500