Numerous areas of the older section of the Nash County Courthouse shows signs of deteriation such as rotting and cracked woodwork.

NASHVILLE - Nash County's courthouse complex, particularly the 1986 addition between the two courthouses, is in need of exterior repairs to its roof, masonry and windows, and commissioners have approved a contract for design and construction administration services to get the ball rolling.
By a split vote of 6-1, commissioners approved spending $203,090 for a design contract with Oakley Collier Architects (OCA) during their Oct. 7 board meeting; a request for qualifications had been issued in April 2022 for on-call architectural or engineering firms interested in helping the county on a variety of building maintenance, repair or renovation projects.

NASHVILLE - Business awnings in the town of Nashville could be subject to code enforcement, if a new awning ordinance is put into effect as part of the town's commercial property maintenance code.
Shawn Lucas, planning director, shared the new ordinance amendment with members of the Downtown Nashville Strong Advisory Board (DNSAB) at their Oct. 21 meeting, adding that it would be reviewed by the town planning board Oct. 29th for recommendations and approval prior to review by the town council Nov. 5.

RED OAK - It may be Halloween season, but make no bones about it: one Red Oak couple don't let their skeletons gather any dust; the hard-working bony boys (and girls) have been posing in different shenanigans every week outside the family home for about a year. The "Red Oak Skeletons" live at 3654 Tharrington Road, Rocky Mount, and some of them are always outside. With Halloween coming, though, the whole tribe will be out for public view.
The brainchildren of Jason "Kroger" and Amber Stella, the Red Oak skeletons have been growing in popularity, with car after car slowing down to take a look and then beeping a "thank you."

NASHVILLE - Nash County's public comment policy is being re-worked after commissioners hashed out comparisons between current and former rules at their Oct. 7 meeting; Mike Gaynor, county attorney, was directed to revise his revision and come up with another version before the board's next meeting in November.
Gaynor said the first version he could find dated to 2005, while a second revision occurred in 2012. Gaynor said the version he was presenting had one change, #5, which states that all public comments shall be made in person, with no letters sent to or presented to commissioners or staff be read during the time period set aside for public comment.

Nancy West-Brake

RALEIGH - The Nashville Graphic returned home with three awards from the 151st annual North Carolina Press Association (NCPA) convention held in Raleigh on Sept. 19.
NCPA's contest continues to be one of the largest in the country with over 4,000 entries from over 125 newspapers and news organizations.
This year, Colorado Press Association members judged the contest.

NASHVILLE- Property Worx, a business partnership combining construction and real estate, rolled out the red carpet for friends, family and visitors Oct. 17 for an official Nashville Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at their 102 W. Nashville Drive, Suite B office, next to Dunkin Donuts.
Visitors mingled and enjoyed a variety of deluxe snacks, including charcuterie in cups, in the attractive office with deep blue pony walls prior to the 5:30 p.m. after-hours ribbon cutting.

Downtown Nashville will open for trick-or-treators Friday, Oct. 25 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The family friendly event offers trick-or-treating with local businesses, town and county agencies. A costume contest for ages 12 and younger will be held at 6:30 p.m. and a drive-in movie "Coco" will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Nash County Courthouse parking lot.

Scott Braswell (left) stands with his son, Trey (the fourth generation) during a press conference in 2017 at which time he passed the torch of leadership of the family business to his son. Graphic file photo

NASHVILLE- A well-loved and respected local son and businessman, R. "Scott" Braswell Jr., has passed; visitation will be Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Nashville Methodist Church.
"Scott and his whole family were great givers," said Brenda Brown, Nashville Mayor, who characterized Braswell as one of a line of visionaries, "always able to see down the road."

NASHVILLE - The Annual Children's Christmas Celebration and Bicycle Parade, along with multiple smile-making activities is set for Dec. 7, the first Saturday in December, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Nashville.
Koy Worrell, Parks and Rec Director, asked for and received permission at the Oct. 15 town council meeting for a special event permit, with the following lineup:
-2 p.m. crafts, games, a bounce house, food vendors and live music from a local choir in front of the Nash County administration building.

RED OAK - Red Oak's much-celebrated fourth annual Veterans' Day Service is coming up at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the W.B. Ennis Park.
Todd Winstead, a Red Oak resident and retired Marine, went over initial plans at the Oct. 14 town council meeting, although a few final details have yet to be worked out. The Red Oak Rotary club will be assisting.

The entire Facilities and Operations Maintenance team is honored as NCPS Heroes at the September Board of Education meeting, along with a tribute to former NCPS Maintenance Supervisor, the late Shannon Davis, who passed August 23. "As I walked around the schools this whole week, I see Shannon Davis' fingerprint everywhere. He's gone, but that legacy for NCPS lives forever. Carey (Davis), to you and your family, thank you for allowing him to be with us for all these years.

SPRING HOPE- The Dan Finch Potters' Market returns to downtown Spring Hope Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Town commissioners accepted the event permit application at their Oct. 7 meeting, commenting that the event is very well-attended and that last year's event, in its second year outside its native Bailey grounds, was enjoyed by many.

SPRING HOPE - Spring Hope area business owners should be seeing invitation flyers soon to a social media workshop session November 12, courtesy of Downtown Development board members, who also plan to use the event to kickstart a survey designed to gather input on what local businesses need and to begin building a facebook group as a business collective.
Meeting Oct. 21, the DDB set the workshop date as 6 p.m Nov. 12 at the town hall, chosen for its ability to record and broadcast local meetings.

Dez Barnes, #70, reads to Mrs. Miranda Currin's class. Contributed photo

Nashville Methodist Church hosted Blessing of the Pets recently. Carter Szabo (left) is pictured with his chicken to receive blessings. Pictured to offer prayer is Tripp Sauls, the youth director.

Grant Program Overview
NC AgVentures is an NC State Extension grant program that provides grants to North Carolina family farms, and community organizations such farmer associations and farm co-ops to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase farm profits. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their operation.

As helpful as our smartphones are, we still have to deal with glitches when Wi-Fi fails, cell phone signals drop out, or the phone stops working for no apparent reason. But while man-made gadgets can and do fail, prayer never fails. Let's consider these for truths about prayer.
1. Prayer is talking with God.
It's easy to complicate prayer. There is a place for detailed, theologically-precise definitions of prayer.

Welcome to Greg, Jackie, Amelia, Clara, and Jesse Bunch who joined the Red Oak Baptist Church family!
The Baptist Men enjoyed their monthly breakfast together on Sunday, October 20.
Enjoy some family time on the farm! Fisher Pumpkin Farm will have Family Farm Festival. Event will be held at 10:30 am - 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 26. Come out for food, hayrides, sheep shearing, cow milking, ice cream, animals, and kids' games.

Tony Whitaker, Chantise D. Bullock and Chantise D. Whitaker to Tony Whitaker, Chantise D. Bullock and Chantise D. Whitaker; 105 Abbington Court, Rocky Mount
Heather Lynne Pratt to David Wayne Pratt; 9625 Seven Paths Road, Spring Hope
Patricia Pearl Williams and Kenya Marcela D'Jon to Patricia Pearl Williams and Kenya Marcela D'Jon; 211 North First Street, Nashville
Christopher S. Moody and Kara L. Moody to Sahil Kumar; lot 8

Detached accessory structure; 4615 Lakeview Lane, Elm City; Ryan Hudlow; $27,000
Singlewide; 1657 Glenn Way Nashville; Brian Bartholomew; $10,000
Renovation, alteration; 1510 Ford Rd., Nashville; Michael Whitson; $27,000
Renovation/alteration; 13425 Eagle Ridge Dr., Zebulon; Mayra Gonzalez; $9,000

Damage to state or local government property; 100 N. Boddie St, Nashville 10/6/24
Missing persons; 11134 Red Oak Rd., Whitakers on 10/12/24
Warrant service; 11192 Old Lewis School Rd., Middlesex on 10/8/24
Child abuse-misdemeanor; possession schedule I controlled substance - felony; manufacture marijuana; 12969 Etheridge Rd., Whitakers on 10/6/24

It was a fall afternoon probably twenty years ago when my daughter and I pulled a small sapling out of the pine straw we'd spread around the house.
"Why don't we plant this baby tree and see if it will grow?" I said.
As a preschooler, Holly was excited about most things. I dug a hole and then held the little sweet gum in place while she carefully packed the dirt around the base.
Over the next week, we watered the little tree regularly. I told Holly that if we kept jumping over it every day, we'd always be able to jump over it.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Scott Braswell family upon the loss of an incredible example of humanity and a community champion.
Though I probably didn't meet Scott Braswell face-to-face but a few times in my lifetime, I can attest to the many great things he did, and what kind of person he was.
Scott, having longtime health issues, was hardly ever in the spotlight or mingling around at area events.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on June 3, 1954. Pictured above, with their advisor, Miss Jackie Cockrell, left are seven Nashvlle High School FHA girls who traveled for a week's stay at White Lake.

Nash County 4-H presents 4-H Surf & Turf fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 6-10 p.m. at Wollett Mill Pond, 9965-A Red Oak Rd., Red Oak. The meal will include steak and shrimp, 3 different sides, roll, tea, dessert and live music by Tom Baker. There will be a cake auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $50 each and proceeds will benefit the Eastern Carolina 4-H Livestock Show & Sale. Call for tickets: 252-641-7821, 252-459-9810 or 252-583-5161.