The family of slain Trooper Bobby “Gene” DeMuth addressed Christopher McCoy Rodgers in Nash County Court Monday morning, after McCoy pled guilty to DeMuth’s death.
DeMuth’s sister, Kathy Marshall, and wife, Michelle DeMuth, both spoke to Rodgers in front of a packed courtroom on Monday morning.

A Rocky Mount man was killed in a head-on collision after driving his car in the wrong direction on Highway 64 on Monday afternoon.
According to Trooper Brandon Jones, of the NC Highway Patrol, 71-year-old Glenn Lancaster, of Rocky Mount, was driving east in the westbound lane on Highway 64.

Nashville’s Business and Professional Women (BPW) hosted its 36th annual Elsie Clark Memorial Opry on Saturday at Nash Arts. Several musicians took to the stage to perform a mix of country and  bluegrass music. The annual event is a fundraiser for scholarships the BPW gives each  year. Pictured above (L-R), Larry Taylor and Kevin Lamm perform with Carolina Grass at the Opry Saturday night.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Board of Education selected a Red Oak man to fill the District 7 vacancy.
The board met on Monday night in a special called meeting to interview the four candidates who had shown interest in the seat, which was left vacant when Bob Jenkins resigned earlier this month.
Board members selected Michael Grover to fill the vacancy. He will serve through the November 2014 election and will have the option to run for re-election if he chooses.

The campus of Nash Health Care Systems is expanding, as the hospital plans to unveil its new emergency department and heart center on Thursday afternoon.
The new emergency department and heart center are part of a  $57 million project, which represents the largest expansion in the hospital’s history.

Nashville’s Police Department is encouraging residents to become involved in its Nextdoor program, which the department will officially launch next month.
Citizens have been able to use the social network since October of last year but Chief Tom Bashore said the launch date is scheduled for February 25.

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.

The Nashville community is mourning the loss of Ralph Batchelor, who passed away on Sunday, January 19 at the age of 62.
Batchelor was a well known farmer in the Sandy Cross area who farmed sweet potatoes and tobacco. 
Charlie Tyson said Batchelor and his wife, Sylvia, were in business with the propagation of sweet potato plants.

Nashville’s Police Department is hoping more residents will take advantage of CopDots, which helps law enforcement officers track and locate stolen property.
Nashville Police Chief Tom Bashore said many times when items are stolen, victims don’t have the serial numbers of the items that were stolen. If the item  happens to be recovered and there is no information to specifically identify the item, it may be hard to reunite stolen property with its owners.

INCIDENTS
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 1/20/14 at 721 Briarwood Court
A larceny was reported on 1/20/14 at Wal-Mart, 1205 Eastern Avenue
A breaking and entering a residential and larceny after breaking and entering was reported on 1/23/14 at 1103 Eastern Avenue

A missing person was reported on 1/17/14 at 1306 Maudis Road
An assault on a female was reported on 1/18/14 at 13267 Watson Seed Farm Road
A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence was reported on 1/18/14 at 460 Cooke Road
A breaking, entering and larceny of a motor vehicle was reported on 1/18/14 at 4454 Dortches Boulevard

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools is offering the community a first-hand glimpse into how students are using technology in the classrooms.
A special series of Community Tech Tours will be held on Wednesday, February 5 in collaboration with National Digital Learning Day.

Two-year-old Caleb Sykes enjoyed the little bit of snow Nash County got last week by trying out his sled. Forecasts are calling for more snow this week, with as much as six inches for the Nash County area.

Five-year-old Joey Hicks, of Nashville, decides to see what last week’s snow tastes like.

I pray that everyone will stay warm in this really cold weather. If you know anyone who needs help during this time please lend a helping hand and pray for them. I will begin this news by telling you about friends who are on our prayer list. Some of those are Jesse Smith at Autumn Care, Jack Outlaw at home, but still having some test done, Kathy Cary Winstead in hospital but I‘m not sure which one, Becky May Horchelor, Vidant in Greenville, Bunnie Varnell, in rehab.

Registration is now open for the 18th Annual GA Mother/Daughter Overnight Camp!  The camp will be held on April 11-12, 2014 at Camp Mundo Vista near Asheboro.  Any girl in 1st - 6th grade is welcome to attend along with their mother or adult female.  Girls do not have to be a member of GA or CA to register.  The registration fee is $55 per person and t-shirts are $15 each.  The registration period is January 25 - February 8.

After a frigid week of ice and snow, Peachtree folks gathered at the church for worship.  Sanctuary flowers were given by Ann and Niki Cannon in memory of Ann’s husband and Niki’s father, Jim Cannon.
Pastor Whitehouse chose as his sermon topic, “What Are You Going to Do about It?”  It was based on I Samuel 26.  It is an account of an incident in the life of David.

Algie Jones Jr. led our opening hymn, “He Keeps Me Singing.” Pastor Ronnie welcomed everyone and made announcements. Prayer was offered for the sick, shut-ins, hurting, soldiers, missionaries and the lost. Please remember Standley and Paula Bass. He is a little better, but still in need of prayer.
Our ushers received the tithes and offerings. Pastor Ronnie prayed the offertory prayer.

Plots, plans and conspiracies have become so commonplace at our house, my wife and I don’t even flinch anymore when the boys make plans. While there may be some occasional anxiety when the mike is passed during the children’s sermon, we’ve come to accept anything not resulting in an ER visit is an acceptable risk.
So, it didn’t draw any ideas out of the ordinary when our six-year-old made his Christmas list: rope, duct tape, batteries, flashlight, string, pvc pipe, case of water and scotch tape.

I have a love/hate relationship with social media.
I’m in the age bracket where I’m supposed to be all caught up in this high tech world but I’m not.
I have Facebook. I do own a Twitter account but I never use it. And I joined this thing called Linkedin but I’m still trying to figure out the point of that. Now, I’m  hearing about this Instagram thing. I have no clue what that is.

North Carolina’s winter weather has been quite the tease this year. We enjoyed spring like temperatures on Monday, but as I’m writing this column on Monday night, we’re hunkering down for snow. Forecasters are predicting neighboring counties to our east to get quite a bit of accumulation ––possibly eight or more inches – and they are even anticipating our area to get hit with a few inches of snow.

The national debt limit debate is on again with all its flamboyant rhetoric.
The Secretary of the Treasury has already thrown out the gauntlet of default. As long as we have revenues in excess of the debt interest payments, default is not a reality. The US Constitution requires that our debt be paid before any other obligations are met. Our current revenues are in excess of our debt interest payment, so default on our national debt is not a reality.

JUNIOR BETA CLUB –– This photo originally published in The Graphic on February 23, 1967. Pictured are 26 members of the Red Oak School Junior Beta Club with their sponsor, Mrs. Reda U. Ennis (right) and Principal J.A. Martin (left). The club started the year with six charter members but two induction programs brought the total enrollment to 28.

YOU’RE IN MY WAY. Southern Nash’s Bryan Vines (right) attempts to drive against Rocky Mount’s Dante Battle during last Friday night’s Big East Conference boys basketball showdown, which was won by the visiting Gryphons.

STANHOPE -- The way Southern Nash boys basketball coach Robbie Kennedy sees it, last Friday’s home meeting with Rocky Mount provided the young Firebirds with another learning experience -- and an opportunity to continue to make progress in the competitive Big East Conference.
RM is one of the area’s most tradition-rich powerhouses, and the Gryphons rolled past Southern last month in the finals of the Nash County Christmas Tournament.

ALLEN ON TARGET. Robbi Allen (shooting) had another strong performance for Nash Central during Monday’s home victory against rival Red Oak.

NASHVILLE - Nash Central Middle School has experienced precious few challenges en route to posting an undefeated campaign to date on the girls basketball hardwood.
But one of those tests came just before Christmas, when Nash Central outlasted the Lady Tigers en route to securing a tight victory at the ROMS Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- Even in a loss, the Southern Nash Ladybirds made a bit of a statement last Friday night in Big East Conference girls basketball action.
Southern Nash was defeated at home by long-time league power Rocky Mount, but the Ladybirds led by 10 points at halftime before RMHS rallied down the stretch.

A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE. Red Oak’s Christian Daniels (with ball) draws a crowd in the paint during Monday afternoon’s Tri-County Conference boys basketball meeting at rival Nash Central Middle School.

NASHVILLE -- With both teams hovering around the .500 mark, there weren’t any playoff ramifications as part of Monday’s boys middle school basketball matchup between Red Oak and host Nash Central.
But when these two backyard rivals tangle on the hardwood, there are always huge doses of pride and bragging rights at stake -- and Monday’s thriller would prove to be no different.

ST. LOUIS, MO. -- Washington University in St. Louis senior forward Chris Klimek, Inverness, Ill. (William Fremd) of the No. 8-ranked men’s basketball team and senior Jasmine Williams, Nashville (Nash Central High School) of the women’s indoor track and field team were recently named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Athletes of the Week for their respective sports, as announced by the Association.

VICTORY LAP. Nash Central’s Isaac Brake (top) wraps up this triumph as part of last Saturday morning’s match against Southern Nash at the Big East Conference Team Wrestling Tournament. The event was held at the Northern Nash High School Gymnasi

RED OAK -- Early in the season, it quickly became apparent that Rocky Mount and Southern Nash were the teams to beat in the Big East Conference during the 2013-14 wrestling campaign.
Nothing has changed since then as the Gryphons and Firebirds have consistently separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are updated results from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Basketball Season:    1/18/14

ROCKY MOUNT -- The men’s basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan College dropped a pair of USA South Conference road contests last weekend, falling 95-92 at Huntington College on Saturday and 100-76 at LaGrange College on Sunday.
Sophomore Devontae Williams averaged 17 points and eight rebounds over the two games.

WARREN COUNTY --  When legendary German film producer Jochen Kuenstler moved to the area with his family, he enrolled his son in Kenny Buffaloe’s Kyokushin Karate class at Chowan University.
“I really didn’t even know who Mr. Kuenstler was,’’ Buffaloe said.
Kuenstler, however, became immediately enamored with Buffaloe’s work -- along with his relationship with his son, Christian.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2014 preseason coaches’ poll for baseball, with North Carolina Wesleyan College earning a second-place billing.
The Battling Bishops, under the direction of veteran head coach Charlie Long, received two first-place votes and finished just four points behind preseason favorite Covenant College.

Southern Nash High School’s basketball meeting with Rocky Mount last Friday was ‘Shoot For The Cure Night’ at the SNHS Gymnasium in Stanhope. Players for the SN boys and girls hoops squads ‘sold’ their jerseys and put names on the back of the jerseys of people who have either survived or passed away due to cancer. T-shirts were also available for purchase. In the above photo, Southern Nash’s Buddy Settles is pictured with (l to r) Bunnie and Jessica Hagler.

RED OAK -- Inclement weather has forced some changes to Northern Nash High School’s basketball schedule.
Last week’s slated home meeting with backyard rival Nash Central was called off due to snow.
The event will be played Feb. 12 at the Northern Nash HS Gymnasium in Red Oak.

Red Oak’s Ashley Brackett (with ball) enjoyed another quality performance for her team during Monday’s road basketball setback at Nash Central.

Northern Nash’s Alvin Johnson (right) takes charge of this match as part of the Knights’ matchup with rival Wilson Fike at the Big East Conference Team Wrestling Tournament. The event was held last Saturday at the NNHS Gymnasium in Red Oak.

Red Oak’s Christian Daniels scored a three-point play off the opening tip during Monday’s road basketball game at Nash Central Middle.

(L to R) Nash Central’s Steven Joyner and Southern Nash’s Jacoby Benjamin get tied up during last Saturday’s Big East Conference Team Wrestling Tournament.

Nash Central’s B. Gantt (with ball) finds the paint to be a bit crowded during her team’s home girls basketball victory on Monday against rival Red Oak Middle School.

Northern Nash’s Jaylen Spooner (bottom) tries to get out of this hold last Saturday against Fike.

State BPW Officers visited from all over the state to attend Nashville’s Opry and support the local BPW club. Pictured on the front row (L-R) is: NC BPW President Mimi Zelman, Past State President Virginia Adamson, State BPW Vice President Marsha Riibner-Cady and State BPW Secretary Carol Ambrose. On the back row (L-R) is: Nashville BPW President Barbara High-Tyre, State BPW President-Elect Pat Sledge and Past State President Michelle Evans.

Jamie Pridgen (far right) made his debut at the Opry many years ago as a young boy playing in his grandfather’s band. Pridgen, now 19, came back to perform at the Opry and asked his grandfather, Don Taylor (at left), to help him with a song. Taylor is part of the group His Gospel, which also performed at the Opry on Saturday night.

The first concert of the 2014 season at Warren County’s historic Cherry Hill will feature pianist Jonathan Levin.
Born in North Carolina, Levin made his debut with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra when he was 15. Since then, he has become a sought after recitalist and soloist, performing throughout the country in concert halls, museums, universities, schools, libraries and private salons.

HOLLISTER - Funeral services for Bettie Mae Harrison, 84, who died Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Linda Taybron officiating. Burial followed in the Harrison family cemetery.

BLACK CREEK –– Bryan Keith “Jim” Waters, 44, passed away Monday, January 20, 2014. He was born September 5, 1969 in Nash County to the late Charles and Fannie Jane Whitley Waters. Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Carlton Waters.

NASHVILLE - Ellis Bunn, 87, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2014. He was born September 2, 1926 in Nash County to the late Roney and Lola Finch Bunn. Ellis was also preceded in death by a daughter, Lola Mae Vaughn; three sisters, Mae Taylor, Lucille Wilder, and Ruby Hopkins; and one brother, Jake Bunn.

F. Richard Edwards, Jr., age 89, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2014. Born in Edgecombe County on October 2, 1924, he was the son of the late Fernie Richard Edwards, Sr. and Ruth Jackson Edwards. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Mildred Harrell Edwards in 2008.

Kathy Watson Perry, 63, of Bailey passed away on January 23, 2014. She was born November 6, 1951.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Roy Phate Greene, Jr., 48, of Rocky Mount, died on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

NASHVILLE - Funeral services for Rubylean B. Whitaker, 77, who died on Sunday, Jan. 19, were held Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at Fellowship Church with Rev. Robert Griffin officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery.

Rocky Mount -   Shuntesia Deyonna Battle, 28, of Rocky Mount, died on Sunday, January 19, 2014 in Rocky Mount.