Chairman Robbie Davis thanked about 20 concerned citizens in attendance at the Nash County Board of Commissioners' meeting Monday for showing interest in the proposed 82-acre Jones Farm Subdivision development in the Red Oak area. The proposal had been tabled by the board on May 3 after a public hearing and referred back to the Nash County Planning Board for reconsideration.

Nash Central High School senior Rebecca Barnes sorts through honor cords prior to the graduation ceremony Friday. Graphic photo by Christy O'Leary

Over 1,000 Nash County Public Schools seniors turned their tassels as they graduated from various high schools in the district last week. Ceremonies were held at Early College High School, Tar River Academy, Rocky Mount High School, Nash Central High School, Northern Nash High School and Southern Nash High School.
Of the 55 graduates at Early College High School, 43 will attend a four year college, three will join the armed forces, and nine will enter the workforce. Graduates who plan to attend a college or university earned a combined total of $971,712 in scholarships.

The Town of Nashville is looking at ways to better enforce the rules and regulations at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Town Manager Randy Lansing brought the item up last week at the board's regular meeting.
Lansing asked council members to start thinking of ways the town could effectively communicate the rules to the public.

The Nash County Public Schools' (NCPS) Board approved a $1.1 million contract with Kelly Education at their meeting Monday night. "This agreement allows our district to secure full-time substitutes," said Sheila Wallace, NCPS director of federal programs. "The substitutes will be eligible for benefits, work up to 40 hours a week, and receive the same rate of pay."

A local developer pleaded with Nashville's Town Council to move forward with making a decision on a special use permit request so he could move forward with his project at Birchwood.
Council members last month delayed making a decision on a special use request for the former Birchwood Golf Course property. The request was brought back before the board last Tuesday for a decision but council members again postponed making a decision.

The Nash County Health Department is hosting a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Samaria Baptist Church on Thursday, June 10 from 4:00 pm until 6:30 pm. We will be offering Moderna vaccine to anyone 18 years of age or older. This is a walk-in clinic with no need to schedule an appointment. Vaccinations for kids 12 to 17 years of age will be offered on Friday, June 11 at the Nash County Health Department in Nashville. Call 252-462-2079 for appointments or more information.

LYNCH

The bodies of two Aventon men who were reported missing on May 29th have been found. The men were reportedly missing for several days when the Nash County Sheriff's Office was notified.
Brandon Lynch and Howard Hill had not been seen since Tuesday evening on May 25th in the Aventon area of Nash County. They were last seen operating a yellow Chevrolet Cobalt.

Individuals who log onto the town of Spring Hope's Facebook page will notice a button missing from each post.
Town Manager Jae Kim said the comment button has been removed recently because of unconstructive criticism on past posts.
"It was being disruptive. They [Facebook users] weren't helping the situation," he said.

Misdemeanor larceny and larceny of a firearm was reported on 5/30/21 at 13573 Old Smithfield Rd., Sims
Motor vehicle theft/all other vehicles was reported on 6/1/21 at 3038 W. Hornes Church Road, Bailey
Possession of methamphetamine was reported on 5/31/21 at 3805 Bull Head Rd., Bailey

Nash Community College will host "Welcome Week" on campus June 14-18, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. each day. New and returning students are invited to learn more about the college and prepare for the fall semester which begins August 16.
"Each day will bring excitement and energy as we focus on a different aspect of becoming a student at NCC including Money Monday, Tour Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Talk to an Advisor Thursday and Finish it Friday," NCC Recruitment Coordinator, Melissa Sykes said.

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)
What a great verse because it teems with truth. I've talked before about the truth that heaven is a real place. This week's column points out that truth. But this week is more about the messenger who speaks truth - Jesus!

The youth of Red Oak Baptist Church will be leaving Monday, June 14 to attend Mfuge. Be in prayer for the youth and adults as they travel and while participating in missions during the week.
Have you registered your children for Vacation Bible School at Red Oak Baptist Church?

Today at Peachtree Baptist Church the members spent time praying for the four local young teens killed in a fatal wreck. The teens were John (J.T.) Winstead, grandson of Scottie and Ann Winstead of Momeyer, Abby Foster, Devin Wilson, and Madison Wilson. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the families and friends of these young people. We also prayed for Marta Whitehouse, Pastor Gene's wife, in her struggle with cancer. Our prayers also go out to all those in need in this difficult time.

Girl Scouts - North Carolina Coastal Pines recently announced that Daniella McCready of Spring Hope is the Nash County top seller for the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program. McCready sold 4,025 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in the annual cookie program that ended in March. Kyra Rogers of Spring Hope placed second with 3,526 boxes sold and Cara Cotugno of Nashville, placed third with 2,600 boxes sold. The 2021 Cookie Program was held January 16 through March 21, 2021.

In the midst of a pandemic, during the summer of 2020, the Brothers of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. renewed their commitment with the Adopt-A-Highway Project.
The group signed the contract to clean along Old Highway 64 for four more years. In the contract, the Fraternal Organization agreed to do a minimum of four cleanups per year from sign to sign, along Old Highway 64, covering 2 1/2 miles.

CMH Homes, Inc. to Kourtney Mills; Taylor Estates Phase 2, lot 16-17
Susan H. Morris to Joseph R. Gilbert and Wendy F. Gilbert; 2525 Irene Court
Stonewall Development LLC to Spark Heights, LLC; property in Stony Creek Township

Building Permits
Commercial
Ricky Barnhill, 3651 N Hathaway Blvd; renovation/alteration; $120,000
Brian Howell, 5819 Rodgers Ln; new construction; $950,000

State transportation officials are seeking public feedback on a plan to convert a multi-legged intersection with N.C. 43 (Benvenue Road) into a roundabout.
The location is where a pair of U.S. 64 Eastbound ramps intersect with Benvenue Road and Battle Park Lane north of downtown Rocky Mount.
The department has created a webpage that includes a project map, videos and other project information.

After a year of deep study, research and a savings plan that would make Dave Ramsey proud, my new combination grill and smoker arrived.
It was difficult to sleep Friday night as I went over all the things I'd need to do to season and condition my grill, which I planned to spend most of the day doing on Saturday. It's as important as preparing a cast iron skillet -- something I once failed at terribly and still have the scars on my Southern pride to show for it.

Things really never slowed down here at the newspaper office during the 2020 shutdown. Like other businesses, we closed our doors. Some staff worked from home while others rotated hours at the office to keep as socially distanced as we could.
We were afraid at the beginning of this journey we would find nothing other than the Coronavirus to report. However our communities were very creative in many ways to continue offering some of the same events, only virtually.

This photo was found in The Nashville Graphic's July 1970 archives. The photo seems to have been taken at the same event that was featured in last week's Backward Glances.

SOUTHERN NASH LEGENDARY COACH BRIAN FOSTER

STANHOPE -- Just like Frank Sinatra, Brian Foster did it his way -- from a humble beginning in 1997 to his team farewell speech Monday afternoon.
Foster's amazing ride as Southern Nash's football coach came to an end earlier this week when the legendary skipper announced his retirement.
Foster spoke to his players and assistant coaches during an emotional meeting before a press release was issued to the media.

NORTHERN NASH THROWER ASHLEY ZIPKO

FRANKLINTON -- Southern Nash lived up to its coach's first name with a sterling performance at Monday's Big East Conference Track and Field Championships.
The Firebirds, under the direction of Sterling Leonard, capped off their season-long domination of the Big East by taking the top spot in the boys team standings at the annual event, which was held at the Franklinton High School Football Field.

NN COACH JOEY KEEFE

RED OAK -- Rebuilding a high school baseball program isn't just about talent -- there are several other intangibles involved.
One of the most important aspects in the rebuild process is developing a culture of winning -- and that's something that is currently transpiring for the Northern Nash Fighting Knights.

NASH CENTRAL'S BRANDON GRIFFIN

ROCKY MOUNT -- Four players from Nash Central have earned recognition on the 2021 All-Eastern Plains Conference Football Team.
NC's All-EPC picks were running back Tralon Mitchell and linemen Brandon Griffin and Nikobie Hill.
Raequan Fernandez, who excelled on both sides of the ball, was tabbed for the Honorable Mention list.

ZEBULON - Joe Gray Jr. hit his league-best 10th home run while extending his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games, Gabe Holt ran his hit streak to 13 straight and Felix Valerio doubled and homered, but the homestanding Carolina Mudcats fell 15-7 in the final game of a five-game series versus the Down East Wood Ducks at Five County Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

RUSTON, LA. - The No. 16-ranked North Carolina State University baseball team (32-18) is one of the final 16 teams standing in the NCAA Tournament as it defeated host Louisiana Tech (42-20), 14-7, on Sunday night at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Stadium.
With the victory, the Wolfpack won the NCAA Ruston Regional and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional round.

GREENVILLE -- East Carolina University completed its sweep of the 2021 Greenville Baseball Regional, downing Maryland 9-6 in the championship game Sunday night inside a sold-out Clark-LeClair Stadium.
The Pirates defeated Norfolk State, Charlotte and the Terrapins on consecutive days to win their sixth regional title in program history and the third inside their home facility (2009, 2019 and 2021).

Bryson Jenkins has been exceptional at the plate, in the field and on the mound this season for the surging Northern Nash High School baseball team under the direction of Head Coach Joey Keefe.

Southern Nash High School's Thomas Copeland competes in the Boys Pole Vault event during Monday afternoon's 2021 Big East Conference Track and Field Championships at Franklinton.