A family of two were able to safely escape a fire at their home Sunday night in Spring Hope after a passerby alerted them.
Firefighters from Spring Hope, Momeyer, and Nashville Fire Departments along with Nash County EMS and Nash County Fire Marshall were dispatched around 10:25 p.m. to the 8000 block of Pleasant Grove Church Road.

A Nash County man wants to hold a community day in his hometown as a way of strengthening families and bringing awareness to violence.
Castalia resident Cortney McCalston has experienced traumatic hardships in his life which is why he said having a day where people could gather and unify is extremely essential for him.

Hadley Pridgen (left) and his sister Trinity Coley are the fifth generation of farmers of their family.

A longtime farmer in Nash County has instilled agricultural skills in his offspring and now they are continuing the tradition.
Nashville resident Jason Pridgen is a veteran farmer of 31 years who has been growing and harvesting over 65 varieties of sweet potatoes on his farm.
"It all started in the backyard just growing a few hills of potatoes for competition for the heck of it," Pridgen said.

Two Nash County towns will be sharing a set of helping hands around its town hall offices.
Red Oak Town Clerk Tracy Shearin said she applied for a Lead for NC Fellow, a program through UNC School of Government (UNCSOG) that aims to recruit, train, and place the state's most promising young leaders in paid local government fellowships.

Early voting for the May 17th primary begins April 28th and runs through May 14th in Nash County. Voting is available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Saturday May 7th and May 14th from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Locations for early voting are Nash County Agriculture Center, 1006 Eastern Ave., Nashville; Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N. Grace St., Rocky Mount; and Mt. Pleasant Community Building, 7637 Harris Road, Bailey.

Nashville's Town Council and Downtown Nashville Strong Advisory Board want to hold off on a plan to beautify the downtown area by hanging flower-filled baskets on the decorative light poles.
The issue was first brought up to council members last Tuesday at the board's regular meeting.

The Nash County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) is searching for four suspects who reportedly stole and crashed a car while leading deputies on a high-speed chase through Nash and Franklin Counties last Saturday.
Major Eddie Moore of the Nash County Sheriff's Office said the owner of a black 2019 Dodge Charge notified the Nash County sheriff's Office (NSCO) to report it stolen. The vehicle was stolen from the victim in Hope Mills.

Building Permit
Commercial
David Holloman, 105 E. Cross Street; detached accessory; $3,400
Dennis Fields for NCPS, 6446 Southern Nash High Road; new construction; $3,000

Possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana), resisting arrest/hinder & delay, and assault on law enforcement officer reported at 100 East Evans Dr, Nashville on 04/12/22
Possession controlled substance in prison/jail premises, possession of tobacco in confinement facility, and warrant service reported at 100 N. Boddie St, Nashville on 04/15/22

Failure to carry valid driver's license, drive while license revoked/not impaired revocation, fictitious registration/alternate title, possession of marijuana less than 1/2 oz and simple possession of schedule II controlled substance reported at 131 Nashville Commons Dr, Nashville on 04/12/22
Larceny misdemeanor reported at 1205 Eastern Ave, Nashville on 04/13/22

Art kits are available for pickup at H.D. Cooley Library for adults and children ages 12 and up. Library Aide Bailey Stewart, pictured above, said the art pieces will be displayed in the library and at the Nashville Blooming Festival in May. Masterpieces must be turned in by April 29.

PNC Bank has contributed $30,000 to the Nash UNC Health Care Foundation in support of its Community Paramedic Program - an initiative that helps reduce hospital readmissions and connects local patients to various outpatient resources to support their health and well-being.
"We are grateful to PNC for this generous gift that will allow us to continue to grow this program and accomplish our goal to improve the health of our community," said Foundation Director Kathleen Fleming.

"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have." (2 Peter 1:12)
Did you know that there is a blueprint for heaven in the Bible? That's right! We serve such a wonderful, loving God that he not only provides directions about how to get to heaven, he also left a painstaking description of it so that we will recognize it when we arrive.

This past Sunday the members celebrated Easter Sunday. We celebrated, "Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! He Is Alive!"
The Sanctuary flower arrangement today was lovingly given celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by Kathy and Aubrey Farmer. He Is Alive!
A Musical Journey for Easter - "Via Dolorosa"- Veritas, "The Day He Wore My Crown"- Sandi Patty, "Amazing Grace/My Chains are gone"-Cassandra Star and Callahan, "I've Just Seen Jesus"-Larnelle Harris and Sandi Patty

One of the purposes of biblical examples is that they remind us that our situation is not entirely unique. They remind us: "Others have done this before you." Jay Adams illustrates this point in his book, Preaching with Purpose. "There is a sign at the 'Narrows' in the Garden of the Gods, just outside Colorado Springs, where the road disappears into a narrow crack in a rock cliff -- so narrow that it looks as though you couldn't drive a VW through it. But just as you are about to turn around, you spot the sign that says, 'Yes you can -- millions of others have.

JEC Construction inc. to Lauren Nicole Ford; 1.109 acres; $374,000
New Sion, LLC to Raymond E. Tucker Jr. and Wendy S. Tucker; Section 2, Millbrook, Block F, Lot 24; $8,500
Justin Lee to Justin Lee and Allison Tafoya; 1050 Old County Home Road, Nashville

Braswell Family Farms staff spread some Easter cheer last week while visiting Rocky Mount Rehab Center.
Staff members provided goodies and an Easter egg hunt for residents and children. Above, resident Lucy Ricks shows her Easter eggs found during the event.

Graphic photos by Kendra Jones

Braswell Family Farms staff are pictured, left to right: Brittany Armbruster, Sherry Cooke,Tracy Brill and Kimberlee Smith.

There have been so many things to cover in this space over the last couple of months, I've neglected some fine news nuggets: a bridge getting stolen, kindergarteners getting trashed and how we are letting invading space aliens know how to come get us.

• • •
First up: a bridge too far. A 550-ton bridge in India was stolen by a gang in cahoots with two government employees and a politician.

Friday is a big day for Nashville!
The very first Farmers Market in Nashville will open Friday afternoon, April 22, offering a plethora of fresh produce, fresh meats and more. The market is located at the former location of Nashville Building Supply at 723 S. Barnes Street and will operate from 3-7 p.m. Friday.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on November 20, 1979. Nashville's new police chief William Dean Sirginson (second from right) was honored at a reception given by the town.

The Wilson County Genealogical Society's April 26th speaker is Michael K. Brantley, Assistant Professor, Barton College. He will present Galvanized: The Odyssey of a Reluctant Carolina Confederate, one of his most recent books. The public is invited to attend this program at Wilson County Community College April 26th, 7 p.m., Building E, Room 102.