NASHVILLE - The first of two public hearings on a proposed one-year moratorium on the development of data centers, data processing facilities and cryptocurrency mining, drew a larger-than-average crowd to council chambers July 22nd, with five speakers expressing their feelings on the subject.

NASHVILLE - A 14-year-old boy riding a bicycle who was struck by a vehicle during an accident on NC58/First Street last Wednesday has died of his injuries, and Nashville Police Department investigators are conferring with the District Attorney regarding potential additional charges against the vehicle's driver.
The driver, identified as a 17-year-old female, has already been charged with driving after consuming alcohol while under the age of 21.

Annie Grace Manning brings home World titles from Texas show.

NASHVILLE - Annie Grace Manning and her mom, Jessica Manning, experienced Momeyer horsewomen, both raised money to take their two Appaloosas to Waco, Texas earlier this month to "experience" the 78th National Appaloosa Championship Show and the Youth World Championship Show hosted by the Appaloosa Horse Club.
The duo did a little more than "experience" it.
They dominated.

GRIFFIN

NASHVILLE - One of Nash County's Cooperative Extension agents, Colby Griffin, has been promoted to the top rank of an internal three-tier promotion ladder of the NC Cooperative Extension as "full" Agent. He was also granted non-tenure track faculty status with NC State University.
Griffin was recognized for his achievements at the July 13th Nash County Board of Commissioners meeting by Stacie Shatzer, county manager.
In addition, Griffin was the recipient of three statewide awards last month at the North Carolina Association of County Agriculture Agents (NCACAA) in Cherokee.

NASHVILLE - A time-honored handicraft documented in Egyptian tombs and brought to colonial America with the first European settlers is riding a popularity boom: Cross stitching. And the people to hook you up with it - or rather, put a needle in your hands and point the way- are in Nashville at The Southern Needle.
Carol Hooten of Red Oak is the owner-proprietor of the store, which is located front and center downtown at 231 W. Washington Street.
Why a store to carry cross stitching kits, supplies, fabrics, floss and projects, when all these are available online? Because here, you can see and feel the fabrics and tell their true colors, for one.

NASHVILLE - Starting with the first day of school, public school parents will be able to use an app that tracks their children's schoolbuses live via GPS.
Michael Baier, Director of Transportation for Nash County Public Schools, reported July 27th at a NCPS committee meeting that the new tracking system would be operational August 11th.
"If a bus is enroute, it will change its route automatically if needed, giving a new ETA" Baier said, adding that estimated times of arrival would be visible for both bus stops and the schools.

NASHVILLE - In order to give downtown businesses their own combined social media platform, town officials have approved creation of a MSD Facebook page. Adoption of a downtown logo, however, has been delayed pending another design modification.
Shawn Lucas, Planning Director, said at the July 22nd town council meeting that it had taken two years to finalize a logo design, which as presented shows a partial streetscape of storefronts along W. Washington Street. He said the logo was part of planned coordinated marketing plans to benefit downtown businesses.

NASHVILLE - The saga of Nashville's leaking water tank has come to a close after several dark night sightings fanned some public concern.
Jason Glover, Public Works Director, set the record straight at the July 22nd town council meeting.
"As of (July 16th), we had a two-inch valve blow off our 300,000-gallon water tower (on Eastern Avenue). Chad (Neville) was able to isolate that pretty quickly, but in the process, we did lose about 200,000 gallons," Glover said.

PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENTS Elaina Ingram has been named Principal of Benvenue Elementary School. Ingram most recently served as an Assistant Principal at Nash Central Middle School and will succeed Kristen Tedford.
Jessica Daughtridge has been named Principal of G.R. Edwards Elementary School. Daughtridge most recently served as Principal of Englewood Elementary School and will succeed Dr. Allen Wilson.

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." (II Corinthians 12:7)
You can't help but wonder what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was. But we do know from Scripture that it kept Paul humble. It also ensured that his prayer life remained active.
Theologians have offered a number of possibilities.

Over this miniseries of recent articles, we have gleaned several notions from the biblical text in an attempt to ascertain what God has to say in answer to the question, "Why does God allow evil and suffering to exist in the world?" From that exposition, we have identified evil and suffering as punishment for sin, as a consequence of other people's sin, as a consequence of fallen angelic free will, and for a greater good that could not otherwise be obtained.
Sure enough, the Bible gives multiple examples of each of these reasons why God may allow evil to exist in the world.

The children and chaperones of Red Oak Baptist Church returned home Friday, July 24 following a week at church camp at Camp Caraway.
Red Oak Baptist Church will have a Backpack Giveaway at the church on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 8:30 a.m. Backpacks will include some school supplies.
Women in Action of Red Oak Baptist Church will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m at the church.
Join the fun at West Edgecombe Baptist Church for an Area Wide Old Fashioned Hymn sing on Saturday, August 15 at 2 p.m.

Nash County Spring
2026 graduates
Adam Henson of Rocky Mount has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, Professional Studies
Savannah Rayne Lee of Rocky Mount has earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts & Sciences in Community & Regional Planningm, Magna Cum Laude

Prestige Home Solutions, LLC to Joseph W. Mangels and Heather Mangels; 5249 Highpoint Drive, Nashville; $280,000
DCE Farms, LLC to Logan Edwards Ramirez and Jordan Ramirez; 3653 Old White Oak Road, Nashville
William Hoyt Craft Jr. and Tonya Edwards Craft to James Allan Armstrong; 2.696 acres
Anthony Troy Kokoruda, Carl E. Shelton and Anthony Troy Kokoruda to Farouk A. Hamad; 1171 West Raleigh Road, 612 West Thomas Street and 608-610 West Thomas Street, Rocky Mount

10365 N NC 58, Castalia; 07/17/26; breaking or entering into or breaking out of motor vehicle(s); larceny of a firearm
105 Drake St, Nashville; 07/16/26; financial transaction card fraud
10694 N NC 58, Castalia; 07/18/26; financial transaction card fraud
11606 Edwards Rd, Spring Hope; 07/12/26; financial transaction card fraud

Northern Nash High Basketball Coaches

Nash County Public Schools recognized several athletic accomplishments from across the district. Northern Nash High School Head Basketball Coach Henry Drake was recognized, along with Northern Nash High School Basketball Coaches Ashley Davis, Mitchell Wells, Moe Deloach, and Davis Spragley. The Northern Nash Boys Basketball Team was also recognized.

Rocky Mount High School Junior, Candrice Davis, was recognized as the 2026 Indoor State Champion in the Girls 5A High Jump. Her season best in the high jump was 5'2", which was the height she cleared to win the championship. Her overall personal best is 5'4". Pictured above (left to right): Angie Miller, Sonya Pickett, Candrice Davis, Dr. Steve Ellis.

Nash County Public Schools recognized Shelly Maloney for receiving the CSTAE Curriculum Writer Award from the National Art Education Association. This award honors exceptional contributions to curriculum development and a commitment to high-quality arts education. Through her work, students benefit from engaging, standards-aligned instruction that fosters creativity and critical thinking. Nash County Public Schools also recognized Northern Nash High School for supporting Maloney's achievement by sending her to Chicago in March to accept the award. Pictured with Maloney is Dr. Steve Ellis.

Nash County Public Schools recognized Melinda Byrd as part of the 2026 Outstanding Elementary Mathematics Teacher Awards Program. In partnership with the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, this recognition honors a K-5 teacher who exemplifies excellence in mathematics teaching. Byrd was recognized for delivering high-quality instruction, inspiring enthusiasm for mathematics, and motivating students to achieve at high levels. "We are proud to recognize Melinda Byrd, who represents the very best of our district's commitment to student success in mathematics," the recognition stated. Pictured with Byrd is Dr. Steve Ellis.

The district recognized students selected to attend the North Carolina Governor's School this summer. Governor's School is a highly competitive and prestigious program that brings together top students from across North Carolina for an immersive learning experience. This year, Nash County Public Schools had 13 applicants, and seven students were accepted. Accepted students included: Early College: Amir Hedgepeth, Mathematics; Nash Central: Matthew McKeller, Theater; Southern Nash: Emma Batchelor, English; Southern Nash: Arian Campos-Lopez, Social Science; Southern Nash: Jordyn Dunning, Instrumental Music; Southern Nash: Elizabeth Salazar, Mathematics; Southern Nash: Brody Wallace, Instrumental Music.

Red Oak Elementary School and G.R. Edwards Elementary School were recommended for designation as Model STEM Schools of Distinction, the highest designation possible. The schools were recognized for their dedication to innovative, high-quality teaching and learning. Following successful site visits, both schools demonstrated strong alignment with the North Carolina STEM framework through engaging, student-centered instruction and collaborative learning environments. Students at both schools actively participate in hands-on, project-based learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork across STEM disciplines. Through meaningful community partnerships and real-world connections, learning extends beyond the classroom and helps prepare students for future success. The district also recognized Mrs. Allison Williams, Principal of Red Oak Elementary; Dr. Allen M. Wilson, Principal of G.R. Edwards Elementary; and district STEM Coordinator Marcy Keener for their leadership in making this recognition possible. To learn more about this recommended honor, visit https://www.ncpschools.net/aboutus/news/news-details/~board/ncps-updates/post/red-oak-elementary-and-gr-edwards-elementary-earn-a-recommendation-for-nc-stem-school-of-distinction. Pictured above (left to right): Allison Williams, Markevis Silver, Marcy Keener, Morgan Dollar, Natalie Shearin, Dr. Allen M. Wilson, Dr. Steve Ellis

Calm & Kind Parenting Program Graduates Recognized

Nash County Public Schools continued its focus on supporting early childhood families through the Calm & Kind Parenting curriculum.
For the past eleven years, Nash County Public Schools has implemented the Parenting Partners curriculum to support and empower families across the district. For the second year, the Calm & Kind training series, a component of Parenting Partners, has been offered to Prekindergarten families and has expanded to include Kindergarten families.

Two Nash County Public Schools educators were recognized for participating in the CORE Collaborative Cohort 1, a statewide professional learning initiative focused on building trauma-informed, resilience-centered school environments. Cara Patterson, Assistant Principal at Northern Nash High, and Cyndi Jarvis-Steele, School Counselor at Tar River Academy, were honored for their commitment to professional learning, reflection, and collaboration with educators from across North Carolina.

I've reached the stage of life where I'm excited about commodes.
Part of me wishes that wasn't so, but part of me wishes a lot of things. I wish my wife's cats would mind their own business, especially when she's out of town and I'm trying to keep the laundry going and there's a question for a few seconds about whether Junie B. Jones (Cat #2) is experiencing a fluff and dry cycle.
We are currently trying to catch up on "deferred maintenance" at our house. This is a term companies and organizations use when they haven't taken care of stuff like they're supposed to. Usually the money for maintenance is wasted on non-essentials.

Many of our readers have fond memories of Nashville's good ole' days. Though I didn't grow up the town limits of Nashville, but rather rural Nashville, we visited frequently.
One of the first things to come to my mind includes my mother and I dropping by Nashville Drug Store after a visit with Dr. High. We would enter from the side door to hand over a hand written paper prescription to be filled by the famous pharmacist, Ernie Wooten. I recall, as a youngster, watching Mr. Wooten behind the counter, with a pipe hanging from his mouth as he filled the medication bottles. And of course how could anyone forget Mr. Buck Henry at the cash register.

American Revolution Patriot William Battle was honored in 2017 with a grave marker dedication by the Halifax Resolves Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
Battle is buried in a family cemetery at a home on Cooper Road in Nash County.
Battle was born around 1758, most likely in Northampton County, the son of William and Mary Battle.

This photo published in The Nashville Graphic on Sept. 14, 1976. The Nashville Methodist Church began its week day school for three and four-year-olds that week. Pictured is a class of four-year-olds under the supervision of Bettie Phillips, director of the program.