NASHVILLE - As the July 5th filing date approaches for Nash County School Board positions, with four of eleven board of education members having December 2024 expiring terms, some members could end up running against each other because the number of school districts is reducing from eleven to seven in order to align with districts held by county commissioners.

Pictured are Mayor Brenda Brown (left), new officer Courtney Brock, center; and Courtney's dad, Nickie Brock, holding Bible (right). Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

NASHVILLE - The largest swearing-in ceremony ever to be held at the Nashville Police Department, with three new officers taking their vows, happened Friday morning, June 21, bringing NPD up to its full capacity of 21 officers.
The Nashville Police Department has not been fully staffed since August of 2023.

SUMMER CAMP - Youngsters got a chance to explore police and firefighter careers, facilities and equipment during the recent Youth Police & Fire Camp in Nashville. Activities included meeting K9 Officer Renzo, training like a firefighter, exploring forensic science and best of all, an outdoor fun day. Pictured above, camp participants get serious about a tug-of-war game.

A Bailey woman has been selected to receive the "40 under 40 Leadership award" for career achievements and community service.
Heather Louise Finch, Executive Director of Communications, Planning and Engagement for Nash County Public Schools, was honored June 12 at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh.

NASHVILLE - Nashville is losing its Public Works Director. Lee Brown put in his resignation and is leaving on good terms, said HR Director Trey Sanderson, with Brown's last scheduled day July 8.
"He has worked to ensure this transition to be smooth and has a great succession plan in place," Sanderson said of Brown.

CASTALIA - The Town of Castalia is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July festivities.
This year's event will take place on Thursday July 4 and will include more vendors and food trucks and a new event: a cornhole tournament.
Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with a car cruise in, antique tractors and vendors.

Dan Jones found the first cotton bloom of 2024 at Taylor Farms, Hilliardson Rd., Nashville. He spotted the bloom on June 22nd. Dan and his brother, Mitch, are co-owners of the farm. The Nashville Graphic has held a long-time tradition of offering a free one-year subscription for the first bloom of the season brought to the newspaper.

Division Arms co-owners Scott McClure (left) and his father, Robert McClure, are pictured inspecting a handgun at their shop in Nashville. Graphic photo by Nancy West-Brake

NASHVILLE - Nashville's only gun and ammo store, Division Arms, LLC, is closing in on two years of operations, with staff feeling very much a part of the community.
Sandwiched between the Nash County Sheriff's Office and the Nashville Police Department at 110 A S. Barnes Street, Division Arms is run by Scott McClure, CEO; Otto McNabb, Gunsmith; and Elizabeth Lee, McClure's "right hand person."

Katheryn "Kappy" Dornseif

A former Nashville Town Council member has been honored with a proclamation in honor of her memory.
Mary Katheryn Stanfield Dornseif, better known as "Kappy," was acclaimed at the June 18 Nashville Town Council meeting, when Brenda Brown, Mayor, proclaimed June 9, 2024, as a day of remembrance and celebration for Kappy's life and contributions.

NASHVILLE - In an attempt to address the potential impact of opioids in school grounds, Nash County public schools officials are considering the adoption of a new policy on emergency administration of Naloxone.
During a May 30 policy committee meeting, Jason Weber, school attorney, told committee members that the policy, coded as 5023/6128/7268, was "optional" as far as required adoption.

My father in-law passed away last Sunday. He was a fine man. All of us had told him privately to let go of his troubles here and go on to Heaven. There he could see his son, Randy, who died just last month, his grandson, Christopher, that he had missed since his death in 1989. He would also see his mother, father, and brothers and sisters who were already there waiting for him.

Congratulations to several families on the birth of their babies! Bennet Michael was born on June 11 to Adam and Courtney Dickens Proud grandparents are Steve and Barbara Dickens. Leilani Ellen was born on June 11 to Rahsun and Jessi Reams Lawrence. Proud grandparents are Joe and Jo Ellen Reams. Great-grandparents are Billy and Marcia Davis. Weston Emmett was born on June 13 to Matt Lewis and Hillary Bass. Proud grandparents are Len and Sherry Lewis.

CLEMONS

The Board of Directors for the Kitty Powell Scholarship recently awarded four scholarships to students of the Rocky Mount bowling community.
The four scholarship recipients for 2024 are Samya Clemons, Amber Henson, Trace Christman and Dustin Gibbs.
Clemons is the daughter of Samuel Clemons III and Shanaca Clemons of Fredericksburg, VA. She graduated from Courtland High School in Fredericksburg and will attend George Mason University, majoring in Mathematics. She is the granddaughter of Rocky Mount bowlers Rosa and Samuel Clemons Jr.

Missing persons reported at 10549 Baldy Hill Rd., Middlesex on 6/8/24
Misdemeanor larceny reported at 10696 E NC 97, Rocky Mount on 6/8/24
Obtain property by false pretense reported at 1210 Womble Rd., Nashville on 6/7/24

ARRESTS
Fred Abraham Jacobo-Hernandez was charged with carrying a concealed weapon (gun) on 6/4/24
Tyler Glenn Coble was charged on 6/11/2024 with possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver MDA/MDMA; sell/deliver heroin; possession methamphetamine; trafficking in MDA/MDMA; conspire to traffic in MDA/MDMA; possession marijuana paraphernalia; trafficking heroin/opium/opiates; maintain

SPRING HOPE - A farmer is reportedly recovering after sustaining extensive injury to one arm last week during an accident involving a hay bailer. Nash 9-1-1 received a call at 4:30 p.m. on June 17 "in reference to a farmer with his arm caught in a baler on Seven Paths Road, Spring Hope," confirmed Bryant Fisher, Nash 9-1-1 Director, who did not know the extent of the injury but said that the patient was transported to Wake Med Hospital by Nash EMS.

RALEIGH - The N.C. Forest Service will begin accepting orders Monday, July 1, for its annual tree seedling sale. With an average annual production of 16 million seedlings, the NCFS Nursery Program produces enough native and genetically improved tree seedlings to plant roughly 30,000 acres of land, equivalent to nearly 23,000 football fields, each year.

Luis Samuel Limon and Maria Del Carmen Salazar Reyes to Maria Del Carmen Salazar Reyes and Maria Del Carmen Salazar Reyes; 4008 Lockinvar Lane, Rocky Mount
Purchasing Fund 2023-2, LLC to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish of Rocky Mount; property along Mansfield Drive, Rocky Mount; $300,000
Tammy B. Wall to Brandon D. Burnette and Tiffany W. Burnette; 100 South Clarendon Drive, Nashville

New single family dwelling; 6881 Squirrel Den Rd., Bailey; Jason Tant; $160,000
New single family dwelling; 1063 Marian Lane, Spring Hope; Correy Hammond; $589,000
Deck; 8089 Jones St., Battleboro; Michael Davis; $745.70
Modular; 3036 Town Hall Rd., Rocky Mount; Clayton Homes of Nashville; $308,256

The trip started off fine.
My son Lowell and I had managed to talk our way into a stop at a popular golf store in Raleigh on the way to the western part of the state to visit with family.
After that, we started thinking about lunch at one of our favorite stops, a smokehouse in Graham.
But then we hit a patch of highway around Efland that was sort of like rumble strips and an old washboard dirt road, except not as quite as smooth. There was a thump.

The Nashville Graphic, like most all newspapers, has offered its weekly publication at local stores and newsstands here in town and across much of the county.
Over the last several weeks newsstand theft has been high, even right here in front of our office right under our nose!
Many years ago, when we began carrying coupons, we had an issue with newsstand theft due to the extreme couponers stealing papers from the boxes.
In the past, we have taken steps to catch suspects when we notice a theft trend.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic in 1974. Matthew Webb began work as the second full-time member of the Mt. Pleasant Rescue Squad. Pictured with the ambulances were Edward Glover (left) and Webb.

ALEX EDWARDS MAKES CONTACT FOR THE METHODIST MONARCHS

NASH COUNTY -- The potential was always there for Alex Edwards to develop into an outstanding college softball player -- it was simply a matter of realizing it.
And that's exactly what has happened the past two years for Edwards, who just completed her junior campaign as a member of the Methodist University softball squad in Fayetteville.
After going through an adjustment period as a freshman, Edwards has been a superstar for the Monarchs for the past two springs -- and the numbers bear out that assessment.

CANA SHROCK TAKES A BIG CUT FOR MOUNT OLIVE

NASH COUNTY -- To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Cana Shrock slugged her way through a spectacular senior season this spring as a member of the University of Mount Olive softball squad.
Talk about going out in style -- Shrock certainly did that and more as she closed out her career with the Trojans with one final solid campaign.
Shrock, a former multi-sport star and Athlete of the Year at Nash Central High School, batted an impressive .321 to go with 15 homers and 50 RBI.

NASHVILLE -- Nash Rec opened its 2024 Nash-Halifax Swim League schedule last Thursday by hosting a powerhouse Westridge club at the NRST Pool.
The visitors from Rocky Mount were able to secure a 307-183 victory over the much-improved Sharks.
Nash Rec will return to action this Friday at home against Roanoke Valley in a matchup that was moved back 24 hours from the usual Thursday date due to a conflict.

NASH CENTRAL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR (L TO R) LYDIA HILL AND ISAIAH DRAUGHN

ROCKY MOUNT -- It's hard to judge senior classes by their all-time excellence, but it's certain to see that Nash Central High School's current group will go down in history as one of its best.
Not only was this class loaded with talent in and out of the classroom, but the collective group also had to go through plenty of adversity -- at least at the beginning of their prep careers.

LADY FIREBIRDS
9-15 GIRLS CHAMPIONS

UNDERGROUND KINGS
7-9 BOYS CHAMPIONS