Nashville's Town Council delayed making a decision on allowing a development on the former Birchwood Golf Course.
A quasi-judicial hearing was held on the matter Tuesday night during a special called meeting.
The request was by RBD Investments for a special use permit to allow a residential planned unit development off of Birchwood Drive.

Nash County Public Schools are planning to offer a virtual learning option for the 2021-2022 school year.
The Nash Everywhere Digital Academy, or NEDA, was presented to school board members during the Academic Services and Accountability Committee meeting last Thursday night.

Castalia Baptist Church hosted its first "We Love Castalia Day" on Saturday, May 8. The event featured food, games, raffles, a clothing giveaway and even a car wash. Pictured above, Danny "Bam Bam" Lewis gets a chance to spray a fire hose with the help of a Castalia fire fighter.

For his extraordinary and proactive efforts to battle the pandemic, the warden at Nash Correctional Institution, Drew Stanley, has been named the warden of the year in North Carolina.
"Drew Stanley has done amazing work over the past year and has truly earned this award," said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons.

The community is rallying behind a 17-year-old girl recently diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Carmen Pope, a junior at Nash Central High School, received the news on March 9.
Pope said she had been having cold-like symptoms and was taken to the emergency room when those symptoms morphed into what her mom thought could be pneumonia. After x-rays, Pope said doctors discovered a tumor, which led to her diagnoses.

Local towns are opposing legislation that will eliminate single-family zoning.
Nashville's Town Council approved last week a resolution to oppose Senate Bill 349 and House Bill 401 of the 2021 North Carolina Legislative Session. Red Oak Commissioners passed a similar resolution last month.

Town of Nashville departments are partnering together to encourage kids to read more and get outside.
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Koy Worrell and Library Director Tikela Alston are partnering to offer its first Storywalk in conjunction with Kids to Parks Day.

Organizations in Spring Hope are working on beautifying the town and increasing activity through enjoyable events.
Groups such as the Garden Club, Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Development Board all work towards a common goal of creating "a prosperous Spring Hope," according to Ethan Vester, president of the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce.

A recovered vehicle and second degree arson was reported on 5/3/21 at 11826 Watson Seed Farm Road, Whitakers
A warrant service was reported on 5/5/21 at 13432 NC 43, Nashville
A simple possession of a schedule IV controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana), possession of methamphetamine, warrant service and possession of heroin was reported on 5/6/21 at 1370 N Wesleyan Boulevard, Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount Police have made an arrest in the April 11th hit and run that killed 27-year-old Matthew Pender.
Bruno Former, 53, of Whitakers, was arrested and charged with felony hit and run in the incident, which occurred on US 301 in Rocky Mount.
Police responded around 10:20 a.m. on April 11 to a call of an unidentified male lying in the ditch in the 1500 block of N Wesleyan Boulevard. Emergency Medical Services pronounced the subject dead at the scene.

INCIDENTS
A driving while intoxicated and flee/elude were reported on 5/2/21 on US 64E at the 461 mile marker
A possession of heroin was reported on 5/4/21 at Liberty Drive and First Street

BUILDING PERMIT
(COMMERCIAL)
Eric Spivey; 9053 W Mount Drive; renovation/alteration; $7,500
Libby Nixon; 5196 S Old Carriage Road; miscellaneous; $15,000

Local pastors, community agencies and citizens participated in National Prayer Day on the steps of the Nash County Courthouse. Pictured above, Stephanie Frink sings The Lord's Prayer.

Bike riders from Law Enforcement United rode through Nashville last Thursday, stopping at the Nash County Courthouse on their way to Washington, D.C. The organization does the bike ride annually to raise money and awareness for fallen law enforcement officers. Pictured above, Brian Harrison, of the Raleigh Police Department, lays a wreath in honor of fallen officers from Nash County.

The Rocky Mount Debu-ette Club has announced its 2021 seniors. The organization which emphasizes volunteer work in our community, is comprised of girls in the ninth through the 12th grades.
The press release announcing 2021 seniors states, "The Debu-ette Club has long lasting deep friendships to these young, hard working women, while allowing them to grow together as leaders in civic and social endeavors.

Wood Green Development Company to Phyllis Joyner; 1204 Nottingham Road, Rocky Mount
Melissa B. Roberson and Melissa B. Hart to Melissa B. Roberson, Jerry A. Hart and Melissa B. Hart; 711 Briarwood Court, Nashville
Quay Cang Luu, Hoa Kim Dang, Yen Luu Lee, Yen Luu and Tri-Tin Pham Le to Nga T. Nuu, Binh Chan Thruong, Quay Cang Luu, Hoa Kim Dang and Yen Luu Lee; 3193 Scarborough Lane, Rocky Mount

MAY 14
Middlesex - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friendship Free Will Baptist Church, 744 Friendship Church Road

When we lived in Georgia, our church hosted a crusade. I was asked by one of its promoters to encourage the unchurched - as well as the churched - in my community to attend.
Truth be told, the real value that comes from crusades manifests itself long after the evangelist has left and the crusade expenses have been paid.

God's Line Is Never Blocked Jeremiah's warnings of judgment were finally coming to pass. Nebuchadnezzar surrounded Jerusalem. His armies would soon attack Judah, destroy the holy city, and take the people into Babylonian Captivity. Jeremiah was in prison. He had counseled Judah's king to surrender Nebuchadnezzar. Defeat was inevitable.

This article is a continuation of last week's article, "Dealing with Demons" published in the May 6th edition of The Graphic.
Why do we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Because the Kingdom of God is still at hand and the work required to be Kingdom people is impossible without the Holy Spirit. Kingdom people are those who follow the teachings of Jesus, who believe him at his word that we will do even greater things than him (John 14:12).

Kingdom International Church held a Mother's Day event on 4/8 with great attendance. Mothers attended with their children. There were games, crafts, prizes, food, fun and memories. On Mother's Day, mothers in the church were celebrated with skin products and flowers. Daisy Vick was recognized for being in charge of special celebrations.

The Red Oak Area Historic Preservation Society will have their Food Truck Rodeo on May 15 and May 16. This fundraising event will be held at Ennis Park. This will benefit the Teacherage Project.
High School and college graduates will be recognized on Sunday, May 23 during the 11:00 am worship service in the Family Life Center of Red Oak Baptist Church.

It was a wonderful day at Peachtree. We celebrated Mother's Day Sunday. Dr. Wendy Edwards was guest speaker. Her sermon was "Mamma and The Village," from verses 2 Timonthy 1: 3-5. A sermon on it takes a village to raise children. How mothers teach their children the gospel.
The sanctuary flower arrangement Sunday was presented to glorify God by Melba Hobgood in loving honor of her husband Jerry's on his birthday.

I remember getting my first pack of baseball cards at Bass Brothers store in Momeyer, a pack of 1975 Topps.
I was hoping to get a Jim "Catfish" Hunter, who was about the only player I'd heard of at the time. He was from Hertford and most baseball conversations I overheard involved him.

The need for parking in downtown Nashville has been ongoing since the 70s. Since then, the court system has grown and so has Nashville.
Downtown currently has a good blend of retail, restaurants and services. Owners and operators all agree their business suffers when public parking options are limited.

Dear Editor: Then "they" came for our unborn babies in the womb - but I didn't speak up
Then "they" came for the biblical concept of marriage - but I didn't speak up.

This photo was originally published in The Graphic on June 4, 1970. Students were boarding a bus for the last time of the school year at Nashville High School.

(L to R) Northern Nash's Sammy Huddleston and Southern Nash's Trondayl Newsome joust for position during last Wednesday's Big East Conference wrestling match at the historic NNHS Gymnasium in Red Oak.

RED OAK --After a 14-month COVID hiatus, high school wrestling has returned in Nash County -- but there weren't many individual matches on the docket during last Wednesday's Big East Conference showdown between Southern Nash and homestanding Northern Nash.
Both teams usually fill full rosters, and each squad does have its share of wrestlers ready to perform in the abbreviated campaign.

NORTHERN NASH'S ADRIANA RAS

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash's boys and Franklinton's girls were the big winners at last Wednesday's Big East Conference track and field meet at Firebird Stadium on the SNHS campus.
Due to COVID restrictions, Big East meets are limited to just three schools -- though all six league entrants will be able to compete in the conference championships in June.

SOUTHERN NASH BROTHER TANDEM (L TO R) JACKSON AND JORDAN VICK

NASH COUNTY -- Given their tradition-rich history, it was no surprise when the Rocky Mount Gryphons claimed the Big East Conference football championship.
But what might have been a bit eyebrow-raising for foes was that the Gryphons were able to accomplish that lofty feat with a young lineup dominated by underclassmen.

NASH CENTRAL SWIM STANDOUT LANCE NORRIS

ROCKY MOUNT -- What seems like the opportunity of a lifetime might just be the beginning for Lance Norris.
Norris, a junior at Nash Central High School, has made the qualifying time to participate in Wave Two of the United States Olympic Swim Trials.
That prestigious event is scheduled for June 10-20 in Omaha, Nebraska.

NASH CENTRAL'S LANDEN HOLLOMAN

ROCKY MOUNT -- Nash Central High School has experienced its share of boys tennis success over the past decade or so -- thanks in part to the excellence of brothers Cameron and Chandler Johnson (with their father serving as head coach).
But Cameron graduated two years ago and is now a member of the men's tennis program at Barton College.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Pizza Inn broke open a close game in the fourth inning as they took a 2-2 score and extended it out to 12-2 over the final 2.2 frames to keep their unblemished record intact with a victory over the Wesley Men last Thursday in Rocky Mount Little League baseball action at the RM Sports Complex.
Colson Gay, Peyton Harris and Avery Flowers did the heavy lifting as they combined to go 7-10 at the plate and tally 7 runs in the process.

ZEBULON - Joey Wiemer and Ernesto Martinez both hit towering home runs, Gabe Holt and Darrien Miller both had late two-run doubles, and Evan Reifert earned his first win after totaling five strikeouts over two and 1/3 as the Carolina Mudcats defeated the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 8-4 on Sunday at Five County Stadium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The 13th-ranked North Carolina Wesleyan College baseball team used its offense to sweep East #2 seed William Peace in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Mother's Day this past Sunday afternoon from Bauer Field.
Wesleyan rallied from behind in each game to win 9-6 in game one and 10-8 in game two.

RED OAK -- Big East Conference baseball is officially in full swing for the Northern Nash Knights, who opened their 2021 conference campaign last Tuesday against the Hunt Warriors, followed by a rematch on Thursday evening.
Despite holding early leads in both games, the Knights were unable to pick up a win in either contest, losing the series opener 5-2 and dropping last Thursday's game 5-3.

SOUTHERN NASH GIRLS SOCCER FRESHMAN CHARLOTTE BENSON

NASH COUNTY -- Four players from Southern Nash and three from Northern Nash have been awarded with spots on the All-Big East Conference Girls Soccer Team for the 2021 season.
Southern Nash, which took third place overall in the league, is represented on the list by Kathryn Robinson, Charlotte Benson, Amber Patterson and Valerie Velez.

DEMOREST, GA. -- The East Division tournament Champion North Carolina Wesleyan softball team fell just short 8-6 to West Champ Piedmont College in its quest to win the USA South Conference title on Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Bishops finished their stellar season 20-17 on the year, while Piedmont improved to 22-11.

Northern Nash's Garrett Williamson works his way toward a pinfall during last Wednesday evening's home wrestling match against the Southern Nash Firebirds.

Northern Nash's Jonathon Page (left) takes the lead in a relay race during last Wednesday's Big East Conference track and field meet at Southern Nash.