🌱 Downtown Nashville Road Closures + Local Charged For Homicide

Hello, friends. It's Saturday in Nashville and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 68 Low: 40.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and cool. High: 60 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories today in Nashville:

1. Today, Apr. 22, drivers should expect traffic due to road closures in downtown Nashville caused by the St. Jude Rock N' Roll Running Series. Many roads will be partially blocked or closed altogether. See the full list of road closures here. (102.9 The Buzz)
2. On Thursday, Apr. 20, 29-year-old Johnathan Rucker Jr. was charged with vehicular homicide by recklessness, aggravated assault, and child endangerment. More than four months ago, Rucker was driving on Dickerson Pike when he crossed the center line and crashed head-on into another car, causing the death of 28-year-old Francheliz Seda Rivera. Rucker is being held on a $105,000 bond in Metro Jail in Nashville. (WKRN)
3. Many Hyundai and Kia owners are concerned as thieves continue to target those particular vehicles across Nashville. Sound Extreme and nashvillecaralarm.com owner Ben Cunningham said American-made cars do not have immobilizers and "without an immobilizer, they know they can start the car through the ignition. With an immobilizer, it’s going to cut off the fuel pump and the car will not start." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests drivers add a free software deterrent to their vehicles. Click here to learn more. (WKRN)

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Today and tomorrow in Nashville:

Saturday, April 22

• The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville At Nashville Municipal Auditorium and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum (6:00 AM)
• Float Nashville's 10 Year Anniversary Party At Float Nashville (12:00 PM)
• The Justice Jubilee 2023 At Hillwood Country Club (6:00 PM)

Sunday, April 23

• Jimmy Dore At Zanies Nashville Comedy Club (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Looking to celebrate Earth Day in Nashville today, Apr. 22? Check out Centennial Park's celebration, the Earth Day Gathering at Beyond the Haus, live music at Global Education Center, and many more. (The Tennessean)
• Metro Nashville Police are searching for a suspect that led authorities on a chase that ended in a wreck on early Friday morning, Apr. 21. The suspect ran off after the vehicle crash and officers found a BB gun that was altered to look like a real gun in the suspect's vehicle. (WKRN)
• Nashville Humane Association has many amazing adoptable animals currently available on its Adoption Floor, including adult cats, teenage kittens, adult dogs, and many puppies. See pictures at the link and visit in person at the Nashville Humane Association. (Nashville Humane Association via Facebook)

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• The St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Nashville (April 22)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.