Nashville Local Pulse

Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Breaking news overnight puts our city in the national spotlight. Yesterday, Congressman Andy Ogles called for the National Guard to be sent into Nashville, claiming Mayor Freddie O’Connell is not doing enough to stop international gangs setting up in our neighborhoods. The mayor has not issued a response yet, but city hall officials say security remains a top priority. Meanwhile, local police report a shooting in East Nashville last night during a fight. While the man involved is stable, investigators are asking anyone near Gallatin Avenue who saw anything to please come forward, as transparency and cooperation remain vital in keeping our communities safe.

Turning to how this affects daily life, if you’re heading to Nashville International Airport today or Sunday, plan some extra time if driving. The Terminal Drive ramp connecting BNA to I-40 westbound is closed for maintenance beginning tonight at 8 and reopening by 4 a.m. This will likely cause delays around Briley Parkway and Donelson, so stay alert for detours and congestion.

Our weather today feels like classic September—cool this morning but expect temperatures to climb to the low 80s by midday. Skies stay mostly clear, so outdoor plans are a go, whether you’re enjoying a stroll around Centennial Park or catching live music later tonight.

Speaking of music, the new cover of the Nashville Scene features rising star MJ Lenderman, spotlighting our city’s eclectic music culture. If you’re looking for inspiration, don’t miss the story about W. O. Smith Music School. For over 40 years, they’ve offered music lessons for just fifty cents to local students, helping thousands—including our mayor himself—find their sound. That’s what Nashville is all about, making music accessible and keeping creativity at the heart of our city.

On the business beat, several local coffee shops are hiring, with starting wages around fifteen dollars an hour. Real estate agents report steady demand for homes in Eastwood, with average prices settling near five hundred thousand. Rental rates remain high downtown, so if you’re searching, broadening your search can help stretch your budget.

Local high school sports are kicking off the fall semester with strong performances. Hillsboro High’s football team celebrated a big win last Friday, while Hume-Fogg Academic posted impressive results in girls’ tennis. Teachers and students across Davidson County are getting ready for the annual STEM Expo this weekend at the Adventure Science Center, showcasing creative projects and robotics.

In feel-good news, Penny the golden retriever from Nashville Therapy Pets brought smiles at the “Dog Days of Summer” party at Shelby Park, helping kids and seniors relax and connect. We’re lucky to have selfless volunteers bringing joy to all corners of our community.

Don’t forget, First Saturday Art Crawl returns downtown this weekend and the Tomato Art Fest in East

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Sunday, August 31, 2025.

We’re waking up to clear blue skies and calm summer temperatures, with highs expected around 88 today. It’s shaping up to be a perfect day for outdoor plans, whether that’s catching the IndyCar Grand Prix excitement or spending time in our beautiful parks like Centennial or Shelby. Looking ahead to Labor Day tomorrow, we’ll see similar mild weather, but keep your water handy and plan for plenty of sun.

Let’s jump into the big stories. Last night at GEODIS Park, Nashville SC faced off against Atlanta United in a tense matchup. We saw a hard-fought battle, but it ended with Nashville down one-nil. A rare goal from Atlanta’s Ronald Hernandez made the difference. It’s a tough loss for the Boys in Gold—their fifth in the last 23 matches—but a few bright spots: Tyler Boyd made his first appearance since an ACL injury over a year ago, and team captain Walker Zimmerman notched a major milestone, marking his 300th career MLS appearance. Nashville’s next challenge is a road trip to Cincinnati in two weeks, so the team will have some time to regroup.

Switching gears to racing, the IndyCar crowd is out in full force as the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix roars into town today. McLaren driver Pato O’Ward grabbed Saturday’s pole position on the Nashville Superspeedway, clocking a blistering average of over 202 miles per hour. Nashville native Josef Newgarden will be in row three when the green flag drops this afternoon. Expect significant road closures around the Superspeedway and downtown, and the event brings a big boost to local hotels and restaurants.

Now, for some community moments. Over at Father Ryan High School, the athletics hall of fame welcomed its latest class this week, celebrating six accomplished athletes and two standout contributors. These are the stories that remind us of the spirit running strong in our local schools.

Looking toward the job and real estate scene, Nashville remains steady. The local unemployment rate is holding just under four percent. In housing, average home prices in the city linger around seven hundred fifty thousand, still outpacing much of the region but showing slower growth compared to earlier this year.

For new business, we’re seeing a bit of churn downtown. Several locally owned restaurants have announced soft openings for fall, including a Southern-style eatery on 12th Avenue and a new live-music venue on Broadway drawing buzz on social media. Meanwhile, a few smaller retail shops off Hillsboro are shutting their doors after years in business, citing higher rents and shifting foot traffic.

Events-wise, catch the Jefferson Street Art Crawl tonight, which is expected to draw a nice crowd as artists showcase their newest work. And don’t forget, live shows at the Ryman carry on throughout the week—Nashville’s music heartbeat never slows down.

Turning briefly to public safety, police report a relatively quiet weekend in most neighbo

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Saturday, August 30, 2025.

We wake up this morning to mostly sunny skies across the city, with high temperatures expected to reach the upper eighties. There’s only a slight chance of showers late afternoon, so it’s a great day to be out and enjoy all Nashville has to offer. This warm spell should hold through the Labor Day weekend, so keep the water bottles handy if you’re headed out to Centennial Park, Shelby Bottoms, or even just the backyard.

Overnight, Metro Police responded to a major recovery in North Nashville. Their TITANS Unit made three arrests on Jefferson Street as part of ongoing efforts to curb gun violence. Officers recovered three firearms and a significant stash of narcotics, along with cash. No injuries were reported, and police stress the importance of public tips in keeping neighborhoods safer.

In other headlines, the tension surrounding public space in the heart of downtown continues. Just days ago, the Nashville Department of Transportation removed wooden benches placed by local volunteers along Korean Veterans Boulevard, a move that’s stirred debate about the city’s approach to homelessness. The benches had become an impromptu gathering spot for residents, tourists, and folks in need alike. Local advocate Manaen Hall and Lutheran pastor Robin Owen are leading the call for more public seating, planning another build at Memorial Lutheran Church on September twentieth. Their message spray painted on the recovered benches says, “To Nashville with Love.”

We’re also following up on a sad story along the Cumberland River. Late Thursday afternoon, the body of a 60-year-old local man was discovered near Lock Road. Metro police say there were no obvious signs of trauma and that the cause of death is still being determined by the medical examiner. The man’s family has been notified, and the investigation continues.

Over at City Hall, leadership changes are underway. Marjorie Pomeroy-Wallace, a key adviser to Mayor Freddie O’Connell and chief architect of the city’s “Choose How You Move” transit initiative, has stepped down, citing a need for rest after several demanding years in public service. The mayor praised her service and said the transition will not slow down the administration’s momentum on transit or affordable housing.

On the business beat, East Nashville is buzzing after news broke that thousands of dollars’ worth of liquor was stolen from a popular dining spot on Main Street. Police are reviewing security footage and urging nearby businesses to stay vigilant.

In music, Nashville celebrates young bluegrass talent Wyatt Ellis, who just inked a global publishing deal with Limited Edition Music. We’re also marking a milestone for Van Morrison, who turns eighty today, with tribute concerts popping up from the Ryman to small bars in Five Points.

For real estate watchers, home listings remain tight, with the average price for a starter home in Davidson County sitting just un

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Friday, August 29. Today, we wake up to excitement on Lower Broadway where Big Machine Label Group is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a huge, free outdoor concert. Some of country’s biggest stars, including Carly Pearce, Riley Green, Sheryl Crow, and Brett Young, are taking the stage tonight, and road closures are already in effect around 1st and 2nd Avenue till tomorrow morning. If you’re heading downtown, expect detours, pack some patience, and enjoy the show because it’s bringing thousands of music fans into the heart of the city.

We have more festivities planned this weekend with the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix revving up at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday. IndyCar champ Alex Palou gets honored, while Louis Foster and Robert Shwartzman battle for rookie of the year. Local fan favorite Josef Newgarden is still chasing a win this season, so all eyes will be on the final laps.

Turning to City Hall, an ethics complaint has been filed against Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough, who’s accused of requesting a large upfront payment from a local business in exchange for supporting a rezoning proposal on Ashland City Highway. This is a developing story, and the Metro Board of Ethical Conduct will decide soon whether to pursue the case further. Rezoning debates always strike a chord since they impact both job opportunities, property values, and traffic patterns in our growing neighborhoods.

In real estate, August wraps up with steady demand—the median home price now sits just above $480,000 for Davidson County. Open houses are popping up along 12th South and Green Hills. Local agents say inventory is tight but there’s optimism heading into fall. On the job front, unemployment in Nashville remains low, hovering near 3.5 percent. New openings at the Gulch’s mixed-use developments and a fresh round of hiring at Vanderbilt Medical Center should bring a few hundred new positions through September.

Now, let’s talk weather. Showers roll in this afternoon, with scattered thunderstorms likely through the evening. Highs stick near 87 degrees before cooling off to the upper 60s tonight. If you plan to head outdoors for the concert, pack some rain gear and prepare for muggy conditions.

We’ve got several local schools shining this week—Hunters Lane High School students celebrated a big robotics win, and the football team from Hillsboro High picked up their third straight victory last night, defeating rivals on their home field.

Crime news brings a sober note. A Murfreesboro woman was arrested by FBI agents in Nashville yesterday, charged with making threats to Senator Marsha Blackburn. Officials stress this is an isolated case, but everyone is reminded to stay alert and report suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, one community story lifts our spirits. At the corner of 8th Avenue and Edgehill, volunteers transformed an empty lot into a new community garden, giving local families access to fresh prod

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Thursday, August 28th, 2025.

We woke up today still seeing firefighters on scene near Santa’s Pub over on Bransford Avenue, where a massive shrub pile caught fire yesterday at the All-Star Recycling facility on Craighead Street. The smoke was visible all across the city, but crews say no structures are threatened and thankfully, no injuries are reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation and officials ask folks to steer clear until the site is secured. Over in East Nashville, there’s another home damage investigation underway after fire crews responded to a significant blaze overnight. Always grateful for our first responders keeping folks safe.

On the infrastructure front, movement on the river is on pause for another day, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has Old Hickory Lock shut down for scheduled repairs until tomorrow morning. They’re replacing thousands of gallons of hydraulic oil to keep those gates operating safely. If you depend on the river for your work, know that regular hours return tomorrow at six in the morning.

Downtown, it’s been two months since the fire that shuttered our main public library on Church Street, and there’s still no official reopening date. The closure hits hard for residents who rely on the library’s resources for job searching and essential services. Library staff have shifted over to branch locations like North Branch and Hadley Park to help out, and through September 8, coordinators from the Office of Homeless Services are offering office hours at four locations, working to connect folks with support and guidance.

In local business news, Lamar’s Tacos celebrates their grand opening today on Nolensville Pike, promising fresh options for lunch folks. Meanwhile, a longtime family hardware shop on Charlotte Avenue is bidding farewell after fifty years, citing changes in the neighborhood and rising costs.

For job seekers, Metro Nashville reports about four hundred new positions posted this week, with hospitality, healthcare, and tech roles leading the way. Realtors confirm the median home price ticked up to $502,000 across Davidson County, with East Nashville’s inventory especially tight after recent weather events and fire damage.

On the cultural front, mark your calendars for tomorrow’s talent show at City Winery, raising funds for a nonprofit fighting food insecurity. Our music scene keeps striking the right note—students at the W. O. Smith Music School are showing off new skills thanks to their long-standing program offering lessons for just fifty cents, a tradition that even shaped Mayor Johnson’s childhood.

With schools back in session, big congratulations to the Martin Luther King Magnet volleyball team for their comeback win against Hunters Lane last night, taking the match three sets to one.

The weather today brings us high humidity, but temps will top out around 92 degrees. Expect patchy clouds and a possible pop-up thunderstorm after l

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Sunday, August 24. We’re starting off the day with a big win for the Boys in Gold last night. Nashville SC set a new home record, blowing past Orlando City 5 to 1 at Geodis Park. Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar both scored two goals each in the first half, with Surridge reclaiming his spot at the top for the MLS Golden Boot. Hany Mukhtar also notched two assists, joining only a handful of players in league history to hit double digits for both goals and assists this season. That launch back into the win column feels especially sweet after our recent run of tough away games, and with just four points between us and the top of the Eastern Conference, it’s shaping up to be another electrifying finish to the season.

Turning to city hall, the biggest development is talk of a major rezoning plan up for debate next week. If approved, this could clear the way for thousands of new homes across the city, with the main impact expected near the Charlotte Avenue corridor and out toward Antioch. It’s just one piece of the ongoing effort to make housing more accessible in our booming city.

A dark note this morning on crime: police report a pair of break-ins last night in the East Nashville area, specifically off Woodland Street. Officers responded quickly, and while no injuries are reported, there have been two arrests connected to these incidents. The Metro Police Department reminds neighbors to stay alert and keep doors locked, especially as we move into the last days of summer.

Weather is at the top of everyone’s mind today, with that simmering late August heat sticking around. It’s mostly cloudy this morning and expected to hit a sticky high of 89 this afternoon. Some scattered showers could roll in after lunch. Anyone planning outdoor plans around Bicentennial Park or a Sunday stroll on the Greenway might want a backup or umbrella handy. Looking ahead, the next few days bring more clouds, with another storm chance late Tuesday.

On the music front, we saw an inspiring story at the W.O. Smith Music School downtown, which continues its mission to offer music lessons for just fifty cents to families with limited incomes. Over the past four decades, this school has given Nashville kids—including our current mayor—the chance to chase their musical dreams, regardless of family finances.

And speaking of music, country singer Gavin Adcock delighted fans at the Franklin Walmart yesterday with a surprise album signing. He’s currently on tour with Morgan Wallen and made a special stop just for his Nashville fans. These are the kinds of hometown moments that make our community feel close-knit even as we grow.

On real estate, new affordable housing units are opening this week in the Bordeaux area, bringing relief for working families. The recent report put Nashville’s median home price just below 440 thousand, and the job market continues to trend upward with a bump in postings for healthcare and education positions ar

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.

We’ve got a vibrant Saturday ahead here in Nashville, with news that hits close to home. To kick off, there’s breaking news from last night’s Titans preseason game at Nissan Stadium. The Titans came out ahead against the Vikings, but the crowd made headlines as well. Police are investigating after a neon green object was thrown onto the field late in the fourth quarter, an incident that drew plenty of attention but was contained quickly by security. Police have already identified those involved and are working with stadium officials to keep future games safe.

Turning to City Hall, neighborhood voices are shaping development in District 33 along Annalie and Leefield. At this week’s community meeting, local parents spoke out with concerns about increased construction traffic and how it could affect kids playing outside. City planners are reviewing options and say they’ll prioritize input from families as the development moves forward. Meanwhile, Metro is expanding affordable housing, aiming to add hundreds of new units this year, a welcome relief as home prices continue their steady climb, with the median now hovering just past five hundred thousand dollars.

In real estate, we’re seeing more new homes coming to neighborhoods like East Nashville and Germantown, but longtime residents are raising questions about parking and traffic. As these projects move through planning, there are calls for community walk-throughs to make sure new roads and amenities work for everyone.

On the business front, downtown welcomes several new ventures this week. There’s a lot of buzz around the opening of The Emo Cowgirl, a rooftop bar at The Westin, which just hosted country star Megan Moroney’s platinum single celebration. We’ve also got a handful of local coffee shops and bakeries expanding to Hillsboro Village and Sylvan Park, appealing not just to daytime crowds but evening music lovers, too. Sadly, one local favorite, the historic Bryant’s Deli on 8th Avenue, is closing its doors after over sixty years, citing rising rent and slowing foot traffic.

Today promises plenty to do outdoors. The Music City Brewers Fest takes over Walk of Fame Park with over one hundred craft brewers, live bands, and games. With the sun out and temps reaching the high eighties, expect a summer atmosphere perfect for yard games and live tunes. Cool off later as the forecast calls for a few clouds but no major storms on the horizon.

Music is everywhere this weekend. Megan Moroney’s platinum bash is fresh on our minds, and local acts from the Sweet Lizzy Project to up-and-coming country artists are lighting up venues from the Westin Rooftop to Mercy Lounge. Over at the W. O. Smith Music School, a long-running program offers music lessons for just fifty cents, keeping creativity accessible for every child in the city.

For sports fans, our local high school teams are back in action. Pearl-Cohn’s football squad

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Friday, August twenty second. We wake up to cooler, partly cloudy skies across Davidson County, with a chance of scattered afternoon showers. Expect highs in the upper eighties, and keep an umbrella handy if you are headed out tonight, as some storms could roll through early evening. Looking ahead, we will likely see more sunshine and heat returning for the weekend, so plan outdoor events for Saturday or Sunday if you can.

Turning to breaking news, the University School of Nashville was at the center of a citywide scare yesterday after a bomb threat came in by email. Metro Police and Vanderbilt officers, with K9 units, swept the campus near Edgehill Avenue and 19th Avenue South. Thankfully, the threat was determined to be a spoof and the building was cleared without injury. Classes resumed later in the morning, but the incident was understandably nerve-wracking for families. Authorities are urging us all to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity quickly.

On the crime front, Metro Police arrested a nineteen-year-old in connection with yesterday’s threat, which also targeted several other independent schools nationwide. There were no explosives found, and the FBI is assisting. Outside of that, violent incidents were down citywide last night, signaling some relief for our neighborhoods.

Let’s talk city hall. Nashville's Metro Council has approved a rezoning plan for nearly three hundred acres in The Nations, along the city's west side. This move allows higher-density housing development—up to forty units per acre—which could bring more affordable apartment options in the coming years. Some residents are concerned about changing character, but the council argues it will help with our persistent housing crunch.

Real estate continues to sizzle. Median home prices are holding steady just over five hundred thousand dollars, and new listings are moving quickly, especially in East Nashville and Green Hills. On the jobs front, Nashville International Airport logged its busiest summer ever, with a record number of hospitality and service positions posted just this week. Overall, we are seeing around fifteen thousand active job vacancies across Middle Tennessee.

The commute may be tricky this weekend. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will close one eastbound lane of I-40 over Garners Creek Road, just west of town, starting eight p.m. tonight through early Monday for bridge repairs. Leave extra time, especially if you are concert-bound.

For music fans, Nashville is lifting spirits once again. The country music scene is buzzing, and the annual Shakespeare Festival is underway in Centennial Park, running nightly shows through September. Also, the W. O. Smith Music School is continuing to offer music lessons to kids for just fifty cents, making world-class training accessible to families on tight budgets. Mayor O'Connell, a former student, credits this program with helping launch his own love o

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Thursday, August 21. We’re waking up to a welcome break from the intense heat this morning. After Tuesday’s record-setting triple-digit temperatures, today brings a milder outlook, with highs in the low 90s and some scattered afternoon showers possible. Humidity drops, so outdoor plans will be more bearable, just keep an umbrella handy in case that summer pop-up storm rolls through.

Let’s start with the latest from city hall. The Metro Council just approved a major rezoning plan for the Nations neighborhood, which means big changes ahead for both residents and developers. City leaders say it will pave the way for new businesses and more housing, part of Nashville’s rapid growth and efforts to address rising rent and home prices.

In breaking news, safety on our streets remains top of mind. A 22-year-old woman was injured in a hit-and-run in Germantown while biking at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Van Buren Street, marking the second serious collision at that intersection in just three months. Local officials are now calling for immediate safety improvements to the block, including the possibility of closing part of the street until safer crossings can be built.

Yesterday at Maplewood High School, authorities arrested a 17-year-old student after staff found a loaded handgun in their backpack. Metro police acted quickly thanks to new campus screening technology, and the student has been charged under juvenile weapon possession laws. School leaders are doubling down on campus safety policies in response.

For those watching the job market, the Brentwood-based giant CoreCivic has a new CEO. Patrick Swindle steps up as the company rides record federal detention profits, but legal investigations and workplace culture issues remain in the news. Meanwhile, across Nashville, commercial rents continue to climb, forcing closures like the Ashland City coffee shop and boosting demand in neighborhoods like Bellevue, where families are rebuilding after a recent apartment fire.

In real estate, the median home price in Davidson County sits around 550 thousand dollars, and we continue to see fierce competition—especially in hot spots like East Nashville and Green Hills.

Now for some good news in sports. After a 45-year hiatus, Vanderbilt’s volleyball program is back and looking strong heading into the new season. And the Parkwood Ballpark has officially reopened thanks to the Morgan Wallen Foundation’s restoration efforts, bringing renewed energy to our local youth teams.

Culturally, Nashville continues to celebrate its music legacy with the Grand Ole Opry marking anniversaries and the Walk of Fame honoring icons like Brenda Lee. Meanwhile, a local music school is offering discounted lessons—just 50 cents—for families with limited incomes, opening doors for young talent citywide.

In crime news, a suspect in the notorious 1996 tanning salon double murder case was recently convicted of a separate crime in Washingt

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Good morning, this is Nashville Local Pulse for Saturday, August 16, 2025.

We start off with breaking news that Metro police have made an arrest after a man wanted in connection with last month’s shooting near Bell Road was taken into custody overnight. The police say this follows a week of stepped-up patrols in South Nashville and is expected to help residents around Bell Road and Antioch feel a bit safer today. Meanwhile, in another developing story, city hall is moving forward with the $245 million sale of a longstanding East Bank scrapyard. This will make way for a major new neighborhood along the Cumberland River, promising parks, family housing, and new shops where heavy industry once stood. City planners say the first phase of construction could break ground by spring.

If you feel the heat as you head out, you’re not imagining things. We’re starting the day clear at seventy-seven degrees and heading for a high near ninety-eight by late afternoon, with a heat index that could push one hundred and ten. Please be careful, stay hydrated, and take it slow if you’re heading to any outdoor events. The pattern looks sticky through Sunday, with temperatures likely hitting triple digits before a possible break next week.

School is back in session, and Antioch parents are sounding alarms over the dangerous bus stop situation on Murfreesboro Pike. School officials and Metro Transit Authority are in talks to move stops to safer areas after renewed concerns following a close call on Wednesday. In some uplifting school news, University School of Nashville unveiled its new playground on the northeast Back Lawn. Kids returned yesterday to explore a ten-thousand square foot play area, complete with a walking path, celebrating a community fundraising effort that saw parent involvement from start to finish.

Turning to Nashville’s jobs outlook, hospitality and retail are in flux. Target and Ulta announced their partnership is ending, which could impact several dozen jobs at the Rivergate and Harding Mall locations. On a brighter note, Cliff’s Oyster Bar just opened inside Deacon’s New South on Church Street, bringing twenty new food and beverage jobs to downtown, and the A. Marshall Hospitality Group hints at more openings this fall.

For music lovers, Bridgestone Arena is hosting the Nashville Stampede’s professional bull riding event tonight. The Long Players headline the Franklin Theatre with a tribute to Carole King’s Tapestry, while tonight’s lineup in Printer’s Alley features performances tied to National Rum Day. Over at the Grand Ole Opry, tributes to country legend Jeannie Seely bring out local stars for a memorial celebration. For families, remember that the Nashville Children’s Theatre is expanding Saturday shows of Inside Out and Backwards through next weekend.

A quick word on community safety – police have issued a public alert after a woman was found passed out with a child in her car on Nolensville Pike. The Department of Children’s Service

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