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STANHOPE -- August 5 will be a big day on the campus of Southern Nash High School as SN will host a Firebirds Fall Athletics Extravaganza.
Everyone is welcome at the event, which will be free of charge and will feature intrasquad scrimmages by the football, volleyball and boys soccer squads.
There will also be food trucks, bouncy houses for the kids and introductions of each of the Southern Nash fall athletics teams.
Vendors are welcome to set up at the extravaganza.

STANHOPE -- Southern Nash's much-anticipated volleyball campaign will kick off on August 14 with a home matchup against long-time rival Wilson Fike.
The Ladybirds, coached by Melanie Hicks, went 9-13 in 2022 and was able to make a long-awaited appearance in the Class 3-A State Playoffs.
SNHS graduated only two seniors from that club, so the Ladybirds are looking to be competitive this fall in the always-strong Big East Conference with a now-veteran lineup.

ZEBULON -- Jace Avina drove in three runs while collecting three hits, Luke Adams scored twice and Jadher Areinamo drove in two runs on two hits, but the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers scored 17 runs and totaled 19 hits while defeating the homestanding Carolina Mudcats 17-7 on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.
The loss put an end to Carolina's five-game winning streak, but the Mudcats still took the series five games to one.

NASH REC SWIMMER MACON SHEARIN

EVIE SHEARIN GETS AN ASSIST FROM SADIE EDWARDS

NASH REC SWIM TEAM STANDOUT BARRETT VANDEMARK

WESTRIDGE'S REBECCA KIBBE

NASH REC STAR BLAKE DENTON

Nash County experienced a little bit of Hollywood this summer with the filming of a movie in Spring Hope and may soon see a Vegas-style casino.
Republicans in the General Assembly have been talking up legislation that could mean four casinos in eastern North Carolina, including Nash County.
But local officials aren't keen on a casino opening here. Nash County Board Chairman Robbie Davis said he's not thrilled with the idea of a casino opening in Nash County.

Survivors recount a harrowing escape of last week's tornado while emergency management officials continue a massive cleanup effort.
Steve Crone, who owns Puckett's Mobile Village in Dortches with his wife Vicki, said the July 19 storm destroyed one trailer and damaged most of the others in the park off North Halifax Road.
"It destroyed my workshop," Crone said. "One tenant was home with his wife and dog when the tornado flipped their home upside down."

Steve Crone points out the direction of the devastating tornado that tore down his mobile home park in Dortches last week. Graphic photo by Lindell Kay

This home was destroyed by last week's tornado. The home is located on Cummins Road, Battleboro. Photo by Bob Bartosz

Gov. Roy Cooper returned home to his native Nash County on Sunday to speak with victims and tour properties damaged in last week's tornado.
Standing among the rubble, Cooper said the most important thing is that no lives were lost and the last person who had been hospitalized had been released.
"I feel pretty confident that this community is going to continue to pull together and make this happen," Cooper said.

The Town of Nashville is looking at establishing a social district in two areas of downtown.
The Downtown Nashville Strong Advisory Board is recommending town council consider creating social districts at the Nashville Junction as well as in downtown on Washington Street.

In a rematch from four years ago, a former Nashville mayor has filed to run in this year's municipal elections.
Former Mayor Donald Street is running against current Mayor Brenda Brown who defeated him in 2019.
The candidate filing period for this year's municipal elections ended last Friday, said John Kearney, MBA, director of elections for the Nash County Board of Elections.

A planned microbrewery is gaining ground in Spring Hope.
Mayor Kyle Pritchard said the microbrewery at 803 E. Nash St. will kick off the revitalization of the eastern side of Spring Hope.
Plans for the property include a microbrewery, beer garden, tasting room, food menu and overnight camping facility.

FRANKLIN COUNTY -- Barrel racing is noted for its quick and swift twists and turns.
Building a barndominium during a pandemic is more of a marathon.
That's what Ernie and Brenna Warner learned when they decided to convert an old soybean farm in Bunn and turn it into a home/barn for their barrel racing adventures.

INCIDENTS
A damage to real property, misdemeanor hit and run and failure to stop was reported on 7/16/23 on US 64 E at the 460 mile marker
A driving while license revoked not impaired rev and driving while intoxicated was reported on 7/22/23 at Glover Park Memorial Drive, Nashville

The Nash County Sheriff's Office made four drug-related arrests in one day late last week.
Sheriff Keith Stone stopped a SUV leaving Hal Orr's Inn in Rocky Mount on July 20 while deputies were serving a search warrant.
Christopher Dunn was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for a charge of absconding from probation for drug-related convictions.

A financial transaction card fraud was reported on 7/19/23
An assault on a law enforcement officer was reported on 7/16/23 at 100 N Boddie, Nashville
A driving while intoxicated was reported on 7/21/23 at 10635 Old Smithfield Road, Bailey

I'm sure most of our readers have heard about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it is taking over the world.
Pretty soon they say, like maybe by 5 o'clock today or sometime in 2031, like many of the other doomsday predictions.
I've got thoughts.
As an English professor, I can say I'm not so crazy about it.

Flickering lights here at the office last Wednesday afternoon seemed odd particularly since there was no rain, no wind. About ten seconds after that thought crossed my mind the call came over the scanner - a tornado was on the ground in Dortches. The flickering lights here was a result of the enormous power hitting the area just a few miles up the road.
There had been no warnings. Our phones didn't sound off as they should have been doing prior to the touchdown.

Dear Editor: On behalf of the citizens of Dortches, I join the town's Commissioners and the Town Administrator to thank every individual and group, as well as all first responders, who came to the aid of Dortches on July 19th. Words are inadequate to express appreciation for those who immediately went into action to save lives after the tornado and to address fallen trees, dangerous wires, and massive amounts of debris.

This photo originally published on September 17, 1974 in The Nashville Graphic. Dawn Wilson, a kindergarten student at Nashville Elementary School, begins a sketch under the watchful eye of fellow artist Donna Boone. Both were students of Mrs. Verna Barnhill.

The descendants of Albert Davis celebrated their 50th family reunion, during the weekend of July 7-9, 2023, in Rocky Mount. There were more than 170 celebrants, some of whom traveled from as far away as California to take part in the festivities. The weekend activities included a worship service, a Friday meet and greet social and a Saturday evening gala.