At the October meeting of the Red Oak Town Board Tuesday, several Red Oak commissioners expressed concerns about the current plans to install a 36-inch diameter natural gas pipeline through the heart of Red Oak.
Commissioner Bill Moore was especially vocal in his concerns. He said that engineers connected with Dominion Transmission, the company who hopes to lay natural gas pipeline in this area, told him that there would only be manual shut off valves every 20 miles.

A Nash County family lost their home and their pets on Saturday, after a late night accidental fire.
According to Brent Fisher, Assistant Director of Fire and Emergency Management, Salem, Red Oak and Castalia Fire Departments responded to a working structure fire at 4774 Watson Seed Farm Road around 10:02 p.m. on Saturday, October 4.

Nashville Town Council members had the opportunity to ask questions about a natural gas pipeline that is proposed to come through Nash County and the Town of Nashville.
Michael Thompson, Manager of State and Local Affairs for Dominion, made a presentation on the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday night.

A Nashville business owner came before Nashville’s Town Council on Tuesday night to express concerns over town ordinances.
Randy White, who owns 64 Market Place on Eastern Avenue, said he had a few concerns and wanted some answers.
White said he had recently applied to regroup his lot so that he could display one of his buildings out front and he was denied.

The final 2014-2015 budget for the Nash-Rocky Mount School System shows a $4,478,419 increase from the original planning budget, due to local supplement increases and a significant boost to federal Title I funding designed to help improve education among disadvantaged families. Originally, the school system planned on receiving $5,107,612 in Title I Basic funding. However, it will receive $8,511,795 instead, an increase of $3,404,183.

2014 PUMPKIN QUEEN –– Sarah Elizabeth Daw waves to the crowd while riding in the 43rd Annual Pumpkin Festival Parade.

The 43rd Annual Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival drew a crowd on both Friday and Saturday and organizers say they are pleased with this year’s event.
Liquid Pleasure performed on Friday night and brought out a crowd, said Tracey Jackson, one of the event’s organizers.
Jackson said this year, a different stage was brought in for entertainment on Friday night and it seemed to be a good change. Jackson said the crowd also loved the band.

ALL PINK! – Kathy Lewis holds her little Teddy Poo who was all decked out in pink at the Bark for Life event.

The first ever Nash County Bark for Life was deemed a big success and organizers are hoping to make the event an annual one.
Bradly Leonard, who helped organize the first event, said he is still in disbelief at how well the event went.
As of Monday afternoon, Leonard said around $5,000 had been raised.

Nash County Planning and Inspections issued the following building permits from September 29 through October 3.

Army Pvt. Ellen J. Roddy has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship...

The N.C. Department of Transportation will be distributing more than $147.3 million in State Street Aid, also known as the Powell Bill fund, to 507 municipalities across the state. The initial allocation, half of the overall total, was sent out on Monday, Sept. 29. The rest will be paid by Jan. 1, 2015.
This year’s total is an increase of about $1.7 million over last year’s allocation.

Pictured above is Van Baker joined by Rosie who was sporting a bandana and polished nails at the Bark for Life event.

Pictured above is Barbara Gill with her little Diamond catching a ride with mom.

INCIDENTS
A damage to property (vandalism) was reported on 9/29/14 at 815 Birchwood Drive
An involuntary commitment service was reported on 10/1/14 on E Washington Street
A breaking and entering a residential was reported on 10/1/14 at 929 Womble Road

A breaking, entering and larceny of outbuildings was reported on 9/29/14 at 1021 Bend of the River Road
A larceny of scrap metal was reported on 9/29/14 at 414 Moss Road
An injury to personal property was reported on 9/30/14 at 13220 Tiffany Lane
A larceny of a motor vehicle was reported on 9/30/14 at 9183 Valley Road

The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of break-ins and thefts at Nash Brick Company in Hollister.
The most recent break-in occured on Sunday, October 5. Another one occurred on September 23.
On October 5, the same two unidentified males also broke into the Twin Creeks Hunting Club next door to Nash Brick.
According to a press release, the main targeted items so far have been various scrap metals and cable wires.

Monday, October 13 from 3 until 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 200 South Church Street, Rocky Mount
Tuesday, October 14 from 2:30 until 7 p.m. at Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, October 15 from 12 until 4 p.m. at Eaton Corporation, 8171 Planer Mill Road, Middlesex
Wednesday, October 15 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department, 7951 Red Oak Boulevard, Red Oak

Nash-Rocky Mount School Superintendent Anthony Jackson announced on Monday at the regular school board meeting that he has just received news that the Nash-Rocky Mount School System will be awarded a $200,000 grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation in order to build STEM facilities at two middle schools: Southern Nash Middle School and Rocky Mount Middle School.

Nash County Commissioners were presented information on the county’s current debt schedule and given options to refinance the debt to save money.
Ted Cole, Senior Vice-President for Public Finance at Davenport and Company, made the presentation to commissioners on Monday at the board’s regular meeting.

A public input meeting will be held next week on the proposed Atlantic Coastal Pipeline.
The meeting was set up at the request of Nash County Commissioners to give citizens a chance to provide input into the pipeline, which is proposed to come through Nash County.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 15 at 6 p.m. at Nash Community College.

Rachel M. Joyner
Profession or background: Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge
Family: Son, Al Joyner, Retired State Trooper; Daughter, Anne Melvin, Register of Deeds; Grandson, Matthew, Senior at Nash Central High

Tripp Finch
Age: 34
Profession or background: Nash County Magistrate
Family: Wife and three young children
Hobbies: Reading, woodworking, gardening and playing guitar

Lamont Wiggins
Age: 48
Profession or background: Attorney and Counselor at Law for 20+ years; Lifelong resident of Rocky Mount; Rocky Mount City Council Member for 17 years; Board Member - NC League of Municipalities;

Wayne Shelton Boyette
Age: 52
Profession or background: Attorney
Family: Wife, Alison; daughter, Katherine; son, Matthew.

The seventh annual Eastern Carolina BBQ Throw Down, presented by PNC and hosted by the City of Rocky Mount, returns to the front of the Helen P. Gay Rocky Mount Historic Train Station. The event will take place on Friday, October 10, 2014 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, October, 11, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A BBQ Competition, BBQ and other food vendors, live performances by The Catalinas, The Holiday Band and Ken Knox & Company, kids’ activities and much more will be included in the weekend of festivities.

Pictured, Claudia Vaughan gives a health session to veterans who attended the Veterans Expo on September 15th at the O.D. Moore Building.

The League of Women Voters of the Twin Counties conducted a voter registration drive at Southwest Edgecombe High School on October 1st.  Pictured (L-R) are League members Linda Hardy, Pat Adams, Melanie Goff-Bradley, and Georgia Grant, League of Women Voters of the Twin Counties President. On Tuesday, October 7, the LWV of the Twin Counties will meet at 5:45 p.m. in the Warner Room of the Braswell Memorial public library in Rocky Mount.

Nash Community College has named four Student Ambassadors to represent the college throughout the 2014-2015 academic year. The Nash Community College Foundation sponsors the Student Ambassador program for selected individuals who demonstrate leadership, scholarship, and strong written and oral communication skills. This year’s student ambassadors are Shiloh Burch and Kabryn Mattison, Omar Allen and Keith Battle.

The Hospira Foundation recently announced the 10 winners of the third annual Scholarship for Healthcare Education – a global achievement-based scholarship established for children of Hospira employees pursuing health-related fields of study. Recipients were selected on the basis of academic performance, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities.

Attention: This Sunday, October 12th is homecoming at Beulah Church of Christ. Sunday school begins at 9:45 followed by church service at 11:45. The minister will be Brother Chris Matchem who is a really great speaker and Christian man. Immediately after the service there will be “dinner on the grounds” behind the church. If weather does not permit us to eat outside then it will be held in the fellowship hall across the road in front of the church.

What shall we say to the contemporary liking for psychics? What about the popularity among young people of neo-pagan Wiccan spiritualism? There is hunger for knowledge about the future and the world beyond our natural perceptions. The Bible addresses this craving. There is a liberating way to connect with the other world. There is also one that is improper and ultimately fatal.

Blight

Englewood Baptist Church will host the East Coast Women’s Bible Conference on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18.
Friday events will begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 p.m.
The conference will start back up at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 18.

Dr. Jon Lee Wiggs (center) was the guest speaker at the October Bethel Heroes Chapter 636 meeting. He spoke on religion in America, 1607-1957. His ancestors were in the second wave of settlers who came to the Jamestown Colony. On his mother’s side was an orphan from the streets of London whose daughter married a Lee.  His father’s side included a grocer turned surveyor and a tobacco trader who became an Indian fighter.

The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) has reorganized.  We were formerly in District 12 but now are in a Region 7A which spreads from Halifax County to Dare County.  Edgecombe-Nash RSP member Laurette Lewis will be the new Treasurer. 
Committee Chairman Charlotte Privott reported on Health and Retirement Issues.

Well, Spring Hope did it again!  The Pumpkin Festival was a great success.  The pumpkins were gigantic and plentiful.  The parade was colorful and well organized.  The marching bands were impressive.  The beauty queens were beautiful.  The vendors were numerous and the food delicious.  The music was great and even the weather cooperated!  Thanks to Spring Hope and The Chamber of Commerce for a job well done!

The race is on!  The 1st Annual Fruit of the Spirit 5K Fun Run and Walk will be Saturday, October 11 with start time at 8:00 am. All proceeds from the race will go to help those in need in our community and support future Stop Hunger Now projects. As this is a community event, no funds from the 5K will be used to support any activities within ROUMC. Even if you do not plan to run come out anyway and cheer on those participating.

Bryant Taylor Aldridge

Twin County Community Pride, Inc. has announced the Twin County Hall of Fame class of 2014 to be inducted on Thursday, November 20 at Nash Community College.  This year’s class of nine includes educators, historians, merchants, a farmer, a judge, a hospital administrator, two bankers, and elective office holders.    Several of this year’s inductees are veterans and civil rights activists; all are community advocates.

The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, Premier Sponsor Suddenlink Communications, and Host Sponsor Nash Community College join together to host the 2014 B2B Showcase. 
Members of the region’s business community will take center stage on Tuesday, October 14th at Nash Community College Business & Industry Center.  Businesses from across the region are expected as exhibitors this year to participate in eastern North Carolina’s longest running business trade show.

The President, candidates from both political parties and even local officials are all guilty of it. Fewer and fewer so-called leaders are willing to speak their minds, say what needs to be said and be leaders.
Look at today’s headlines for all the evidence you need. Terror groups in the Middle East are murdering and cutting off the heads of Westerners and natives alike, singling out victims from certain countries or religions.

I now have a three-year-old soccer player.
Just typing that out made me chuckle a bit.
Yep, three-year-olds playing soccer. It happens, right here in Nash County.
This summer, Nash County Parks and Recreation held a British Soccer Camp and I decided to enroll Corbin. I thought it would give us an idea of whether or not to commit to a full season of playing.

WHAT A RIDE! –– This photo was found in The Graphic’s 1961 archives. Pictured is a float in the 1961 Nash County Harvest Festival which was held annually in downtown Nashville.

TIGHT TACKLE. Southern Nash High School’s Jovane Gonzalez (left) tackles Northern Nash’s Kevin McLaughlin during Monday evening’s key Big East Conference boys soccer showdown in Red Oak.

RED OAK - Faced with a make-or-break stretch in their schedule, the Northern Nash Knights have responded to make a surge up the boys soccer standings in the competitive Big East Conference.
NNHS coach Joe McCarthy understand that a recent swing with games against Rocky Mount (last Thursday) and Southern Nash (Monday) would go a long way toward determining the Knights’ ultimate fate in the Big East.

TAKEDOWN. Nash County’s Kingston Little (left) makes a tackle during Rookie Game action last Saturday against the Nashville Hornets in an Eastern North Carolina Football League matchup at Firebird Stadium at Southern Nash High School.

STANHOPE -- It was indeed a happy homecoming for the Nash County Firebirds during last Saturday’s Eastern North Carolina Football League showdown against backyard rival Nashville
The Firebirds secured victories on both the junior varsity and varsity levels --much to the delight of the homecoming crowd at Southern Nash High School’s Firebird Stadium.

WILSON -- A beautiful afternoon welcomed Big East Conference golfers to Happy Valley Golf Course to resume the girls link schedule on Monday.
But the fast greens and thick rough didn’t provide a lot of sunshine to the field.
Wilson Fike continued its season-long dominance of the Big East by shooting a team score of 284 to take first place overall.

STANHOPE -- With Big East Conference action slated to start this Friday, only one Nash County squad was in action last Friday to close out its non-league schedule.
That club was Southern Nash, which held a rematch of last year’s memorable matchup with Tarboro -- and came away with a victory for the second season in a row.

RED OAK -- With Big East Conference supremacy all but assured, the Northern Nash cross country squad has been busy testing itself against high-level competition at Saturday meets across the region.
The Knights and Lady Knights were sharp during recent back-to-back trips to Hagan Stone Park in Greensboro.
Two weeks ago, Northern Nash won the Boys Invitational Division and took second place in the Girls Invitational Division at the 31st Annual Greensboro Cross Country Invitational.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School hosted its annual Senior Day last Thursday, but visiting Southern Nash also had reason to celebrate in Big East Conference girls tennis action.
The Ladybirds were able to defeat Central by a 6-3 margin at the NCHS Courts.
The triumph avenged an earlier defeat to the Bulldogs for SN, which closed its conference mark at 2-8.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The USA South Athletic Conference has released its weekly awards for October 6, with a program-record six Battling Bishops earning honors in their respective sports.
Football led the way with a trio of honorees, including Jacques Alston as Offensive Player of the Week, Dwayne Bishop as Offensive Rookie of the Week and Anthony Janezic as Defensive Rookie of the Week.

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are recent scores from the Nash County Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Youth Soccer League, which is currently in full swing:

ROCKY MOUNT -- Junior quarterback Dustin Midgett threw three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the last to freshman wideout Dwayne Bishop with 15 seconds remaining, to fuel a thrilling 34-30 come-from-behind football win for North Carolina Wesleyan College over Averett University last Saturday in Rocky Mount.
Wesleyan scored 27 points in the final period to secure the team’s second straight USA South Conference win and the program’s first back-to-back league victories since the 2010 season.

ELM CITY -- Listed are last Saturday’s Top-10 finishers from action at County Line Raceway:

Southern Nash’s Ishmael Rodriguez makes a strong move upfield for the Firebirds during Monday evening’s road setback against rival Northern Nash High School.

Nash County Firebird Cayden Darak shows off his Superman gloves during last Saturday night’s home gridiron showdown against the Nashville Hornets.

Tough-as-nails running back Anthony Doura (with ball) gains ground for the Nashville Hornets during Rookie League action last Saturday against host Nash County.

Dreamweaver Art Show and  Artist Reception Exhibit through Ocbober 31. Reception: Friday October 10, 5:30-7:30pm. For more information about the artist visit www.earthgalleryofart.com
Will West in Concert – Saturday October 18: 8 pm. $11 General Admission (Sales tax included in cost of ticket) *Tickets on sale now. www.willwestmusic.com

The October 19th concert at Cherry Hill will feature violinist Hye-Jin Kim, who will be accompanied by pianist Thomas Sauer. The concert will include works by Mozart, Ravel, Rorem, and Saint-Saens. Both performers are highly sought after for recitals and concerts throughout the United States and around the world.
Born in Seoul, Korea,  Kim began violin study at the age of 8.

Bessie Mae Baines, 82, passed away Friday, October 3, 2014.  She was born in Nash County on May 4, 1932 to the late Robert and Lois Murray Moss.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William Clarence Temple and  son, James Temple.

Carrie Lee Dixon, 90, of Rocky Mount, died on, October 4, 2014.

Clara Lennie McGuire Everette, 83, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. She is survived by her husband, William Lawrence Everette and a son, William Lawrence Everette, Jr. and his wife Cynthia. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Helen Jean Richardson, 60, of Rocky Mount, died on September 23, 2014.

Herman “Dallas” Cannon, Sr., 82, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2014. Dallas was born July 25, 1932 to the late William Blaney and Winnie May Cannon.

James Bullock , 80, of Rocky Mount, died on October 2, 2014.

James Douglas House, 69, of Rocky Mount, passed away, Saturday, October 4, 2014. He was born June 9, 1945 in Greene County to the late Larry and Pauline Goff House. In addition to his parents Doug is preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne and Alton House, and one grandson.

Joyce Marie Eatmon Carroll, 73, of Bailey passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014. She was born July 29, 1941.

Marie M. Rose, 89, passed away, Saturday, October 4, 2014. She was born August 25, 1925 in Nash County to the late Zebulon and Bernice Coggin Moss. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Rose, Jr., son, Jimmie Rose, two grandchildren and a sister, Nina Rackley.

Marvin Dew Winstead, 85, passed away Sunday, October 5, 2014.

Owen Grant, 60, of Rocky Mount, died on October 4, 2014.

Pascual Gonzalez, 56, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014.  He was born in Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas, Mexico May 17, 1958.

Robert Lee Moore, Sr., 79, passed away, Thursday October 2, 2014. He was born April 21, 1935.

Tommy George Joyner, Sr., age 68, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. He was born in Nash County on September 4, 1946, son of the late George Herman Joyner and Carolyn Fisher Joyner. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Herman “Steve” Steven Joyner.

Willie “Woody” Haywood Cockrell, 61, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2014. He was born November 10, 1952 in Johnston County to Elbert Cockrell, Sr. and Marie Pate Cockrell. He was preceded in death by his father, Elbert Cockrell, Sr. and two brothers, Randy and Elbert Cockrell Jr.