FRONT PAGE

The Nashville Chamber of Commerce will welcome one of the fastest growing country music artists to the Original Nashville as the headliner of the 28th Annual Blooming Festival.
Drew Baldridge, a Nashville based independent country artist, built his career on honest songs, relentless hustle, and a deep connection with fans.
His breakout single, "She's Somebody's Daughter," became a viral sensation and made country music history as the first self-released debut to hit No. 1 on country radio.

NASHVILLE - The Nash County Public Safety Committee, comprised of a mix of county commissioners and staff, has been operating without minutes shared with commissioners and for its scheduled meeting April 16th, also denied access to The Graphic.
"The County Attorney (Mike Gaynor) does not believe that the committee meeting (April 16) is a public meeting. There is no quorum of the Board present and the meeting is not advertised.

NASHVILLE - Five years after the former Nashville Building Supply building changed hands, the transformation of the historic building- now called the Nashville Junction- is now complete, culminating in a full house of fourteen tenants and a formal ribbon-cutting April 17.
Owner-developer Michael Hurt, reflecting on the many twists and turns in the road to get here, said "it's amazing how God works." Content at last with the project culmination, Hurt said that by the time the last business, Sawmill Pizza, opens its doors later this month, the Junction will have created over 50 jobs.

CASTALIA - Facing a housing surge that could nearly double the town's population, Castalia's Board of Commissioners have proposed a two cents tax rate increase to prepare local streets for the coming influx. During a budget workshop last Tuesday, commissioners tentatively agreed to waive their own pay raises to help fund the town's primary infrastructure needs but insisted on a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the town clerk. However, commissioners stopped short of fully funding a $25,000 request from the fire department for new turnout gear, instead opting to give $5,000 in the upcoming budget year and re-evaluate the request annually.

NASHVILLE - An appeal contesting a Nash County designation about a dangerous dog- in this case, a 100-pound Presa Canario, or possibly a Cane Corso, that has attacked four people- was overthrown April 16th in a lengthy quasi-judicial hearing in the Nash County administration building.
"Chops," the dog, is being held at the Nash County Pet Connection Center after he was surrendered by his owner, 29-year-old Nicholas Alan Vester of Battleboro, March 19 as part of a bond agreement relating to criminal charges that were filed against Vester in connection with the latest bite incident.

ROCKY MOUNT - The 9th annual Scripture Ride, a biker event dedicated as a fund-raiser to send youth to summer camp, roared through parts of Nash County for several hours Saturday, April 18th.
Organized at the Shenandoah Baptist Church, 3894 Shenandoah Drive, Rocky Mount, the event drew 70 participants, with uncounted others turning out just for the raffle and lunch.