The Crump Group, a pet-treat company based in Canada but with its US facility based in Nashville, held a celebratory ribbon-cutting Thursday at the plant at 4626 Coleman Drive. Formerly the site of Carolina Innovative Food Ingredients, the 190,000 square foot facility uses local sweet potatoes as a key ingredient in its treats, sold locally at Harris Teeter stores.

A chair placed at the Nash County Sheriff\'s Office in memory of fallen Deputy Jared Allison sits in a corner with other items memorializing the deputy.

Visitors to the lobby of the Nash County Sheriff's Office can stand at a window for assistance or sit while waiting or for filling out forms; one chair, however, is not for sitting in. Its blue and black cord threaded through its beautifully varnished wooden arms mark it as having a special purpose.
It is an Honor Chair for fallen Deputy Jared Allison, a former U.S. Army Infantryman whose watch of three years ended in December of 2020, less than a week after he was critically injured in the pursuit of a speeding motorcyclist at the intersection of NC 301 and Old Mill Road.

An informational forum about "Casino Concerns" held Thursday August 31st at Rise Church in Rocky Mount drew a crowd of over eighty, with five speakers, three of them local, giving their opinions about the impacts of a potential Casino in Nash County.
Nash is one of four locations proposed for entertainment districts, the others being in Rockingham and Anson counties and an undisclosed location in southeast North Carolina to be operated by the Lumbee Indian Tribe.

A unique, first-time nocturnal event coming up in Middlesex combines athletics and community support for first responders: "Out of the Darkness N2 the Light 5K" is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 23, starting and ending at the Middlesex Fire Department at 11636 West Finch Avenue. The event will take place from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
"The focus is on mental health awareness and all things LIGHT," said a description on Eventbrite. "Glow sticks and neon shirts will symbolize coming out the darkness."

State Police are asking for the public's help in the case of a fatal hit-and-run accident that took the life of 55-year-old Alexander Kent of Nashville, who died July 25th after being struck by an unknown vehicle on Eastern Avenue.
Trooper C.T. Johnson said Kent, dressed in dark clothing, had been walking on Eastern Avenue near Nash Community College sometime between midnight and 1:30 a.m. when he was struck. The impact knocked Kent at least ten feet, with his body coming to rest on the white line in the road's median.

A new play, "Woman I'm Addicted To You, What Do I Do?" hits the stage at Edgecombe Community College's McIntyre Auditorium in Tarboro for two performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Written, produced and directed by Lenette D. Britt of Rocky Mount, this will be Britt's second play. The first, "The Parable of the Biscuit and Gravies," was performed at the Imperial Centre in 2012.

The Town of Nashville is searching for a new finance director.
Human Resources Director Matthew Joyner announced last week that Finance Director John O'Keefe had rendered his resignation. O'Keefe has accepted a position as the finance director for the Town of Siler City. His last day in Nashville will be September 29.

The Spring Hope Board of Commissioners made changes Thursday night regarding interment of urns, and types of grave markers permitted in town cemeteries.
The board read a report from Town Manager Andrew DeIonno stating that Clinton Hedgepeth, contracted by the town to dig graves and inurnments for urns containing cremated ashes, had increased his prices. In order to cover town's cost, DeIonno recommended that Spring Hope increase fees by $65.

The Sharpsburg Exchange Club will host the 2023 Field of Honor® Sept.7 through Sept. 11. The event will be held at 1114 S. 1st Street, Nashville. US flags will wave atop 7 ½ foot poles as a moving tribute to honor all heroes.
A ceremony will be held Monday, Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. recognizing sponsors and the heroes the flags represent.

Four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; carrying concealed weapon (gun); maintain vehicle/dwelling/place controlled substance; trafficking were reported at 1100 S NC 581, Spring Hope on 8/28/23
Domestic disturbance reported at 11221 Cedar Lake Court, Middlesex on 9/2/23
Two counts of breaking and entering, felony; larceny after breaking and entering was reported at 1510 W. Hornes Church Rd., Bailey on 8/28/23

Driving while license revoked/impaired revoked; liquor open container in passenger area (broken seal) DWI was reported at mile marker 463 US 64E on 8/27/23
Larceny of a firearm was reported at 720 S. Boddie Street on 8/28/23

Portia Muzzolon (left) assists Beth Jones with a blouse purchase.

A Touch Of The Father's Love, a Momeyer-based ministry operating out of the old Bass Brothers General Merchandise store at 5193 Momeyer Way, is operating a three-way business and has plans to expand to five.
A resale store, market for local and state-produced goods, and reduced-price grocery store are already inside the sprawling, brick-fronted building, which dates to 1965 and sits on 8.5 acres, which includes a separate warehouse and an adjacent trailer.

DO's & DON'T's ...
You RENT. DON'T ADOPT - until you talk to your landlord or review your rental agreement. Renting with pets is more difficult, but not impossible. Sometimes you have to pay an additional deposit and additional monthly rent. There are all kinds of reasons for turning in your pets to the Animal Control facility, but because you are a renter shouldn't be one of them. Please think about when you move too!

"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'". (Romans 1:17)
Several years ago, I attended a funeral at my church. Interestingly, the pastor's message for the family came from the 19th Chapter of Job.
Job is normally not a book of the Bible on which pastors rely for words of comfort to a grieving family.

For most of us, if we are honest, evangelism is intimidating. It can be incredibly hard to work up the courage to talk to others about Jesus. In some moments when we have opportunities to share the Gospel, that little voice in your head rattles off about 10 reasons why you shouldn't. "What if you mess it up? You should just remain quiet until you have studied more..." Or "You really don't have time. After all, if you speak up now and get into a conversation, you may be late for church!"

Cinch Realty Group, Inc. to Brandon Quintero Diaz; 328 Cleveland Street, Rocky Mount; $78,000
Fortner Properties, LLC to Ronnie D. Watts and Kellie Watts; Whitley Crossing Subdivision, Phase 2, Lot 18; $220,000
Amir Albir Eskarous and Lesha Wung to Andrew Lee Pearson and Nicole Elizabeth Pearson; 11.898 acres in Ferrells Township; $203,000

Storytime is held each Thursday morning from 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for ages 2-5. There will be no storytime on 9/7/23.

Line dance classes will be held Wednesdays 2-3 p.m. at Town of Nashville Parks & Recreation Department, 108 S. Boddie Street, Nashville. Learn to line dance to popular songs in this beginner-friendly class. Four week class session, $10. Nashville town residents, $15. Nonresidents. For more information call the Town of Nashville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department at 252-459-9796.

Building Permit Commercial
Joe Anthony, 137 Brunswick Dr.; sign; $1,000
Charles Wilkes, 2400 Oak Level Rd.; new construction; $474,301

I have another great idea.
I'll admit that (arm)pit pads and the invisible fence for babies didn't take off like I expected. But hear me out: I'm going into the kitten fighting business.
This is going to be a great story of American success where opportunity and necessity meet, this time at a rural Nash County crossroads.
For the last 31 years and 11 months, I've been married to the patron saint of stray animals, Kristi.

Dear Editor,
My name is Lewis Johnson, Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS)and am the co-founder for Open Door Recovery located in Bailey. We are sponsored by the Bailey Church of God in Bailey. Since we started in October of 2020, we have helped over 96 people and counting to the road of recovery in and around Nash County.

Dear Editor,
My name is Diane Porter and I am a Certified Peer Support Specialist. I am also Co-Chair of the Coalition for Addiction, Recovery, and Education (C.A.R.E). As a community member and licensed professional, I work hard to help anyone struggling with mental health or substance use disorders. As a Coalition, we host events all over Nash County to provide education about these issues.

Dear Editor:
My name is Savannah Junkins and I am writing in reference to the ongoing substance use disorder crisis that is significantly impacting Nash County, as well as the rest of the country. As a physician assistant in a local community health center, I treat patients with opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders on a daily basis. I see the struggle that these patients face in recovering from their disorders.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on June 23, 1983. These three youngsters were the first swimmers to swim far enough to get to Rocky Mount from Nashville in an independent project in Nashville.