FRONT PAGE

Almost 1,000 locations in Nash County are earmarked to get new internet fiber connections, and another 161 are due to get broadband internet through satellite, aided by funding under the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program- that according to a December 22 announcement from Governor Josh Stein's office.
North Carolina applied for funding awards from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), receiving federal award notification in December, although the awards are contingent until contracted in 2026.

The third annual Braswell Family Farms New Year's Eve Egg Drop, held at the Nashville Junction from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31st, was "highly successful with no reported issues" according to the Nashville Police Department, who estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 people attended.
"From a law enforcement perspective, the event provided an excellent opportunity to engage with children and families, resulting in very positive and meaningful interactions," Chief Caleb Shockley said.

NASHVILLE - A second phase of "damage control" over backflow prevention was okayed Jan. 6 at the town council meeting, with approval given to reimburse device removal costs.
Fifty-eight Nashville utility customers installed backflow prevention devices last year, only to be informed later that the town's mandate was made in error. A 2024 state law said local governments were not allowed to require them except in case of high contamination potential.

SPRING HOPE - Plans about ETJ expansion between Spring Hope and Momeyer are on hold after the board of commissioners voted to table the matter - for a second time - until next month's meeting. Planned, but not yet scheduled, is an informational "town hall" meeting to discuss and explain ETJ expansion.
Part of proposed expansion touches the current ETJ for the town of Momeyer. Spring Hope has also had several annexations into its corporate limits.

NASHVILLE- With an outbreak of flu at one long-term care facility in Nash County, and an alert issued by the CDC that North Carolina's flu activity level has changed from "high" to "very high," the Nash County Health Department is urging residents to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
Fifteen residents of one long-term care facility in the county - which was not identified - were reported as having contracted the flu, while there were 5 cases reported in the hospital.

ROCKY MOUNT - Due to continued high patient volumes across the UNC Health Nash Main Campus, temporary visitor restrictions have been put in place in both regular care areas and in the emergency department. The temporary visitor guidelines are in place to support patient safety, comfort and care delivery. Effective Jan. 5, 2026, visitation across most UNC Health Nash main campus patient care areas is limited to two visitors per patient at a time. For their safety, children under 12 will not be allowed to visit.

NASHVILLE - Conditional rezoning requests for two prospective Bailey subdivisions, both planned by developer Cecil Williams and situated near each other, met with different decisions by Nash commissioners, who postponed action on one and denied the other.
The West Hornes Church Road subdivision, totaling 43.8 acres with plans for 49 residential lots, and the Williams Run Section 2, phase 2 subdivision, totaling 71.5 acres and planned for 75 residential lots, came up for approval at the Jan. 5 commissioners' meeting.