February 2025 marks the 21st Anniversary of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Scholarship Competition, with a conference queen and king to be crowned and presented with $2,500 scholarships March 1st at the Baltimore Convention Center.
What many people may not know is that the Mister & Miss CIAA competition started in the mind of a Nash County woman, Dottie Cannon, who came up with the idea while a fashion show model herself in 2003, convincing CIAA commissioners to bring the new event about in 2004.

NASHVILLE- After a tense joint session Feb.24, Nashville's Downtown Strong Advisory Board (DSAB) and the Nashville Town Council have generally buried the hatchet and settled on a plan for improved communications and regular sit-down meetings in the future. Both boards also agreed to change future DSAB application requirements by stating that a preference would be given to downtown business or property owners, with the possibility of having one position in an "at large" capacity.

Hayden Taylor attempts to catch a few snowflakes. Contributed photo

Last week's Wednesday snowfall may have delighted quite a few, especially those who got to enjoy a 'snow day' or two, but it also caused over 60 accidents on Nash County roadways in the space of two days. In addition, it led to work before, during and after the storm for state, county and local workers who mobilized to mitigate its effects.
"More than twenty-five NCDOT maintenance employees, using six trucks and assigned to Nash County, sprayed about 100,000 gallons of brine on Monday (2/17) and Tuesday (2/18)," said Andrew Barksdale, NCDOT Communications Officer.

NASHVILLE - A new, 72-unit apartment complex is in the works off Southside Drive, Nashville, and has passed its first hurdle; the town planning board approved a rezoning request from A-1, Agricultural, to CZD-R, Conditional Zoning District Residential at their Feb. 25 meeting.
Applicant Mark McCloskey of Eastpoint Homes, the developer, asked that 11 acres of a 34-acre plot owned by Louisa McBeth of Nashville be rezoned.
McCloskey made a powerpoint and video presentation with extensive details of the project, designed to produce two to three story buildings with 1,2 and 3-bedroom apartments targeted for a mixed population of seniors, singles and young families.

RED OAK - Nash County may have another "largest vegetable" claim to fame if a certain artichoke, grown by Jamie and Cathy Anderson, fits the bill- but so far, the couple hasn't found a way to prove it.
The 1.6 pound Jerusalem artichoke, which dwarfs its usual golf-sized ball brothers, was dug up at the farm for S&S Boiled Peanuts on Corinth Road back in November.

Nominations for both the Distinguished Citizen of the Year and Junior Achievement Awards will be accepted through March 3.
Nominations can be emailed to nashvillencchamber@gmail.com, mailed to Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Citizen Committee, PO Box 1003, Nashville, NC 27856 or dropped off at The Nashville Graphic, 203 W. Washington Street, Nashville
The Distinguished Citizen Award is presented to a citizen or business person from the Nashville area who strives to make the community a better place.

NASHVILLE - A proposal to hire a Master's Level ECU Intern to work on unexplored items in Nashville's Downtown Plan has been tabled by the town council after the Downtown Strong Advisory Board asked for time to talk the idea over.
Meeting in joint session Feb. 24, town council and DSAB members heard a proposal from Trey Sanderson, Human Resource Director, about hiring an intern to work up to 300 hours, at a pay range of $12 to $15 per hour.

Dexter L. Clark and Linda C. Clark to Dia Denise Clark; one acre
William Edward Norwood III and Hoa C. Thai; 1740 Country Club Road, Rocky Mount
Jane H. Shuttleworth, Jane Hendricks Shuttleworth, Judith Hendricks Canada, David Michael Canada, Quentin J. Hendricks Jr., Quentin Joyner Hendricks Jr, Sydney Bass Hendricks, Carol Hendricks Kayler, Evelyn Carol Kayler, Raymond Perry Hendricks and Imel Tyner Griffin to Dean A. Holland Builders; 264 Regency Drive, Nashville; $21,000

A failure to maintain lane control, misdemeanor child abuse and driving while intoxicated was reported on 2/2/25 Barnes Street and Western Avenue
A driving left of center and driving while intoxicated was reported on 2/8/25 at 510 Barnes Street
A driving while intoxicated was reported on 2/8/25 at E Washington and Aviation Avenue

A possession of marijuana 1/2 to 1 1/2 ounce was reported on 2/7/25 was reported on 100 East Evans Drive, Nashville
A death investigation; call for service was reported on 2/5/25 at 10527 Baldy Hill Road, Middlesex
A felony breaking and entering was reported on 2/2/25 at 11163 Cedar Lake Drive, Middlesex

"The Lord redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned." (Psalm 34:22)
On January 29, 2025, a Bombardier CRJ700 Airliner and a Black Hawk Helicopter collided over the Potomac River in Washington, DC. A total of 67 souls were killed in the crash. It was such a horrible accident and seemed so preventable. Even with the recovery of the black boxes, they may never fully determine what actually happened that caused the helicopter to crash into the plane.

Compromise in the Church: A Double-Edged Sword
Compromise is a complex issue in the church. It can be both a strength and a weakness, depending on how and where it is applied. The Bible calls for unity, peace, and love among believers, but it also commands faithfulness to God's truth. The challenge is distinguishing between healthy compromise that fosters unity and dangerous compromise that weakens the church's foundation.

Ayden Bartholomew alternates between making snow angels and throwing snowballs. Contributed photo

Meet the newest member of Ashton Lalyn & the Verdict band though he may not be available for concerts once the temperatures warm up. Contributed photo

Wilder-Sky Fabrizio makes a snow angel. Contributed photo

Ella Pike enjoys her first snow. Contributed photo

I have friends who do CrossFit, and others who practice martial arts.
However, I went to Costco on a Saturday afternoon right after people had been cooped up for three days because of the snow. I think we know who is tough.
It appears we survived another Storm of the Century of the Week. The preacher said Sunday he hoped everyone got some joy from the snow, because if you didn't, you still got the snow.

Tucked inside today's Graphic is my all-time favorite special edition we produce each year.
Our "Protecting Our Children" edition is packed full of good information for parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, counselors or anyone who interacts with or has responsibilities caring for youth.
When we began publishing this special edition back in the early 90s, the biggest danger for kids was smoking, alcohol, stranger danger, and peer pressure.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on May 7, 1964.