NASHVILLE - Platinum-selling national country music recording artist Easton Corbin will headline the 2024 Nashville Blooming Festival.
Corbin, known for his baritone voice and unique blend of modern and traditional country music, boasts many top singles including well-known number one singles "A Little More Country Than That" and "Roll With It."
Influenced by many of the iconic country music singers including Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, Corbin has graced stages across the country for more than a decade.

NASHVILLE - With a week and a half to go before the April 15 deadline to file an appeal for tax revaluation, the flow of applicants has been "steady," according to Doris Sumner, Tax Administrator for Nash County, since reval notices were mailed out in mid-March.
The reval notices have information regarding various methods that property owners may file for appeals. Informal measures include phone calls, walk-ins, filing by mail or filing online.

Alexander Zipko receives Junior Achievement Award

NASHVILLE - The 32nd annual Distinguished Citizen Awards Ceremony and Reception, presented by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and the Nash Arts Center March 28, drew an appreciative crowd of nearly sixty.
Celebrated were Jordan Lytton, Distinguished Citizen for 2024, and Alex Zipko, who was awarded the Junior Achievement Award.
Master of Ceremonies Cliff Joyner, Chamber President, told those present that they were "in for a treat" from guest speaker Vera Morris, a Nashville native who was crowned Ms. United World 2023.

NASHVILLE - After more than six months of having North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services at the reins of Nash County's Child Protective Unit of the Department of Social Services, state officials are retreating while complimenting Nash County on its speed and expediency of repairs.
"DHHS is impressed. Your team excelled in completing the work," said Susan Osbourne, Deputy Secretary of Opportunity and Well-Being for NCDHHS, to County Manager Stacie Shatzer.

CASTALIA - Castalia Commissioners unanimously approved an annexation and rezoning request Tuesday night that will pave the way for a 160-acre subdivision to be built next to the town's park.
A portion of the 160-acre property was in Nash County's zoning district while the rest sat in Castalia's town limits. Commissioners Lynn Hale and Sadie Atkinson approved annexing the 125.36 acres of property in the county limits, bringing the entire property in the town's jurisdiction. Commissioners then approved rezoning the entire 160 acres to R-10 CZ, which equates to a minimum of 20,000 square foot single family lots.

NASHVILLE - The third and final Reduction In Force (RIF) meeting conducted by Nash County Public School officials with interested teachers took place Thursday evening, March 28, in the gymnasium of Northern Nash High School. Sheila Wallace, Executive Director of Human Resources & Federal Programs, addressed a crowd of about twenty accompanied by Assistant Superintendent Leon Farrow. Also in attendance from the school system were Angie Miller, Executive Director of Athletics, School Nutrition & Wellness; Alvin Roy Henderson, Human Resources Director; and Board member Doneva Chavis.

Nash County officials have begun the planning process to expand the Nash County Senior Center (pictured above).

NASHVILLE - Nash County officials have signed on the dotted line and ponied up $100,000 to begin planning for the expansion of the Senior Center in Nashville, selecting Oakley Collier Architects PA to begin the process.
Nash Arts Center, which adjoins the Senior Center and needs repairs, is also part of the project planning.
Jonathan Boone, Deputy County Manager, addressed Commissioners at their April 1 meeting, asking for and receiving approval for phase one, which he said involves developing a conceptual plan for expansion and developing cost estimates.

Nash Central High School presents the musical "Grease" at the Imperial Centre, 207 Gay St., Rocky Mount.
Shows include:
Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.
Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

NASHVILLE - Three years after opening their first U.S. production facility in Nash County, the Crump Group Inc. of Canada is planning an $85 million expansion at its Nashville plant.
The Crump Group held a ribbon-cutting at 4626 Coleman Drive, Nashville facility August 31, 2023, with co-owner Joe Crump relaying that the decision was made to move to Nash County partly because of its ready supply of sweet potatoes, a major ingredient in many of its all-natural dog treats, sold locally at Harris Teeter in Rocky Mount.

NASHVILLE - Money to demolish three commercial buildings, to hire seasonal staff and for staff training are what's being requested by Nashville Town Planner Shawn Lucas for the upcoming fiscal year 24-25 budget. Lucas made a presentation to town council members at their March 19 budget retreat session.

CASTALIA - David "Pac-Man" Braswell was named, posthumously, the Patriotic Citizen of the Year for this year's Castalia Independence Day Celebration.
Braswell passed away on March 1 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Castalia's Board of Commissioners recognized Braswell on Tuesday night with a memorial proclamation, presenting it to Braswell's wife, Rachel. Braswell's brother, Cliff, and Cliff's fiancé were also present to accept the proclamation.

Congressman Don Davis, center right, poses with Nashville town officials March 25th while presenting a check from Common Project Funds, to be used towards sewer improvements in the Regency and Essex Road neighborhoods.

Warrant service; call for service reported on 3/28/24; possession schedule I controlled substance, felony reported at 100 N. Boddie St., Nashville on 3/27/24
Assault on chIld under 12 reported at 209 Virginia Ave., Nashville on 3/28/24
DWI reported at 1577 Taylors Store Rd., Nashville on 3/28/24
Damage to personal property reported at 2152 Algie Rd., Nashville on 3/30/24

INCIDENTS
Trespass-first degree; breaking or entering into or breaking out of motor vehicle(s) reported at 108 Barnes St., Nashville on 3/24/24
Death investigation reported at 407 Old Wilson Rd., Nashville on 3/24/24
Larceny after breaking and entering; damage to real property; felony breaking and/or entering reported at 813 Western Ave., Nashville on 3/27/24

NASHVILLE - Manhole work, additional staffing and big-ticket truck replacements make up the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget request list from Nashville's Public Works. Lee Brown, director, made his presentation March 19, at the budget retreat portion of the Nashville Town Council meeting.
Brown began with a list of completed and in-progress major initiatives for FY24, paid for through water and sewer fees.

NASHVILLE - Reliable internet and IT service, security cameras, an external defibrillator, and new chairs are what the Harold D. Cooley Library needs, according to Brian Booth, Library Director, who made a presentation March 19 at the Nashville Town Council's budget retreat.
Desktop internet and IT services went missing at the library around Christmas, leaving the front lobby usually quiet. Booth said patrons used laptops when the desktops went down and library staff were able to provide mobile printing.

Easter is my favorite holiday. I've always thought of Easter as a season of celebration. Not only does it also usher in spring, it also renews the hope and joy that winter seems to steal from so many of us.
Our former church in Georgia used to host an Easter production each year. There was a cast and crew of over 350. Literally thousands would come early one of the seven nights that the play ran just to get a seat. Hundreds of those who came to worship left having accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Fighting sin is spiritual warfare, and warfare requires a battle plan. If left to our own devices, we would have little success against our unseen enemy.
Thankfully, God's word supplies wisdom to assist us in eluding the evil one's snares. We'll begin by briefly considering how not to engage in the battle, followed by practical tactics to flee sin and follow God.
Pretending sin isn't there won't help you fight it, as with Ben. Ben was a jokester, but at times his jesting became inappropriate.

As spring starts, the N.C. Department of Transportation is gearing up for its annual Spring Litter Sweep from April 13-27.
The Spring Litter Sweep, one of NCDOT's roadside litter removal initiatives, harnesses the power of community engagement to tackle the issue of roadside litter. During the two-week period, residents are encouraged to participate in local efforts to help clean up North Carolina's roads.

Substitute Trustee Services, Inc., Shanessa N. Guidry and Paul Michael Guidry II to Navy Federal Credit Union and Jackie Biggs; 1348 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount
CMH Homes, Inc. to Julia Lynne Calhoun and Jesse Daedalus Calhoun; Section 8, Creekside Manor, Lot 39; $235,000
CT Williams Corporation to Williams Run Homeowners Association, Inc.; final plat of Williams Run
James Leonard Dozier Jr., Clarence Harper Dozier and Alma Jeanette Oakley Dozier to City of Rocky Mount; 21.66 acres

New single family dwelling; 9611 Bear Run Lane, Middlesex; Payton Creech; $300,000
Detached accessory structure; 606 E. Nash St., Spring Hope; Alex Marlowe: $12,900
Open shelter detached; 1402 Fairfield Rd., Nashville; Pedro Pacheco; $1,500
Modular; 3136 Octavia Dr., Rocky Mount; Donna Austin; $447,200

Dear Holly,
There used to be a commercial on TV a few years ago that had the tagline "Life comes at you fast." That's the truth.
This is birthday 24. I remember all those times people said, "It flies by, you better not blink." A country singer even wrote a song called "Don't Blink" that was a pretty big hit.

This week's edition (front page) brings the announcement of a 160-acre subdivision proposed, and approved, in Castalia. I never thought I'd see a time where that size of a development would be planted in the tiny town of Castalia. The town is known for its long-time July 4th Celebration and hospitality plus quite a heritage dating back 150 years. It's also known for its small boundaries and rural flavor.
There seemed to be some opposition to the proposal, which isn't surprising.

This photo was originally published in The Nashville Graphic on March 13, 1980. Nashville Police Patrolman Don Skinner (right) was promoted to the rank of sergeant and assistant chief. Pictured left was Police Chief William Dean Sirginson.

The Neave Trio will perform at Cherry Hill on Sunday, April 7th. The concert will begin at 3:00, and admissions will be taken at the door.
The trio, consisting of violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov, and pianist Eri Nakamura, is making its second appearance at the Warren County historical site. Since forming in 2010, Neave has earned enormous praise for its engaging, cutting-edge performances. Neave is actually a Gaelic name meaning "bright" and "radiant", and both words have been applied to the group's performances.