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SPRING HOPE - Johnny Barnes, President of Barnes Farming Corporation, passed away Saturday, July 12, following complications from an illness.
Barnes, 61, recognized as a forward-thinking innovator within the state's agribusiness community, dedicated his life to advancing the sweetpotato industry. Barnes Farming Corporation became one of the largest sweetpotato producers in the United States.

MOMEYER - In order to better 'toe the line' about capital reserve fund allocations, Momeyer town officials are coming up with "wish lists" for potential future projects, beginning with six possibilities.
Based on discussion by council members at their July 14 meeting, initial interests lie in adding a sidewalk, street lights, an internet 'hot spot,' a veterans' memorial, and a park with pavilion.

NASHVILLE - Most everybody knows that Nash County is famous for its sweetpotatoes; we grow accustomed to seeing people setting them in the fields in June, picking in the fall, then a lot of trucks rolling by laden with crates and crates. Even with the otherwise unusual presence of a Sweet Potato mascot riding in a Blooming Festival float and Bailey hosting the North Carolina Sweetpotato Festival, unless you're a farmer, you probably don't think about what's involved in making this happen or the sheer volume involved.

SPRING HOPE- One of two blighted properties in Spring Hope carrying over $10,000 in code violation fines has been foreclosed on, with the new owner promising to care for it.
An unoccupied house on 409 West Main Street, formerly owned by Old North Capital Investments of Tucson, AZ, has been eyed by town officials since a tree fell onto and through a shed in its back yard, according to Shawn Lucas, Code Enforcement Officer. To date, it has racked up $10,600 in penalties.

NASHVILLE - Close to 50 thronged the Ag Center Monday night for the first Twin County Cattlemen's Association meeting, the event designed to assess interest in forming a local group of cattle producers for the purposes of networking and better representation at the state level.
Spearheaded by Marina Strickland of Old Rudera Farm of Middlesex, a breeder of Piedmontese cattle, with assistance from Heather Glennon, Nash Cooperative Extension Director and Livestock Agent...

ROCKY MOUNT - Relocating her long-time established business wasn't on her radar, but something many independent business owners are familiar with is the art of dealing with change.
An Everlasting Memory Monument Company, founded and owned by Michelle Viverette-Strickland of Sandy Cross, has been in operation since 2006. The operation recently moved from Winstead Avenue to 3670 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount (across from Harris Teeter.)