June 2004 archives

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Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Walking in Wayne

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Dan Barrett, candidate for governor, is walking all over the state and came to Goldsboro on Tuesday. He and his supporters are walking on U.S. 70 West this morning: From left, front, Dave Meador, Barrett, Neal Jurney...

Fremont hikes taxes 15 cents to meet deficit

FREMONT -- Fremont residents will pay 30 percent more in property taxes in a budget approved Tuesday night by the town board. But the board cut a proposed 25 percent increase in sewer rates to 20 percent and eliminated...

Mt. Olive downtown project boosted

MOUNT OLIVE -- The face of downtown Mount Olive will continue to change for another year. The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has granted funding for two state officials to continue working another year with Mount Olive's Small Town Development...

Mental health agency delays plan to move employees

MOUNT OLIVE -- Eastpointe mental health officials have tabled a controversial plan to spin off a nonprofit agency after realizing it could lead to a cut in state funding. Eastpointe Director Jack St. Clair has called for at least...

Barrett burns shoe leather to make his point

Dan Barrett has been to Wayne County several times on what he hopes will be his journey to the governor's mansion. But this is his first visit on foot. Barrett is walking across North Carolina, greeting supporters, motorists and...

Court overturns judge; couple can sue over house

A Wayne County couple will get another chance to sue a local contractor and the county's building inspector over construction problems with their home. The North Carolina Court of Appeals vacated a decision made in October 2002 by Judge...

Fireworks over Wayne County

The weekend of July 4 will be filled with action from one end of the county to the other, with fireworks planned for Saturday night in Mount Olive and Pikeville and for Monday night in Goldsboro. *Berkeley Mall will sponsor...

Three county schools receive honors

Three Wayne County public schools have received honors from the national conference of Technology Student Association. Students from Eastern Wayne Middle, Eastern Wayne High and Norwayne Middle schools were among 4,000 TSA members across the country attending the annual conference...

Town responds to alley lawsuit

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town's lawyer says he had hoped a disagreement over an alley downtown had been resolved. "But apparently not," said Mount Olive Town Attorney Carroll Turner Tuesday afternoon, shortly after learning that Rick Kraft filed a...

Public records

Gunshots hit cars A home and two cars were damaged early today by gunshots and another car was set on fire near Dudley, according to reports filed with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Wiley Sebastian Mozingo of Brentwood Drive told...

Pikeville introduces new commissioner

PIKEVILLE -- The town board has a new commissioner who hopes to use his managerial experience to run the town more like a business. Johnny Weaver, 56, is a Pikeville native and worked for R.G. Barry Corp. in Goldsboro...

Briefly

Surprise tornado Although there was nary a drop of rain, wind or thunder in Wayne County on Tuesday, a tornado was seen near LaGrange. According to reports from the National Weather Service, the tornado caused minor damage to a mobile...

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Topping tobacco

Bobby Williams photo Thomas Murray, left, and Gary Kornegay top tobacco the old fashioned way -- by hand -- on the Harold Bizzell farm in the Buckleberry community on Hardy Bridge Road near the Lenoir-Wayne line on Monday morning....

City sues former councilmember, four others for junked-car removal

The city has filed lawsuits against five Goldsboro businesses for refusing to get rid of junked cars, including a business owned by a former member of the City Council. Three of the businesses are on North Berkeley Boulevard. They...

County attacking litterers

Beginning next month, a Wayne County deputy will be patrolling for litterbugs, illegal dumpers and trucks with unsecured loads of trash. People caught in the act will receive $100 citations and may be forced to appear in court. Wayne...

Budget bust -- no citizens, no quorum

PRINCETON -- The Princeton town board held a hearing Monday night on its 2004-05 budget, but no one showed up to comment. In fact, not enough town commissioners were present to vote on it. Three of the four town...

Work begins on $4 million WCC building

Construction begins this week on a Continuing Education Center at Wayne Community College that will feature a 54-seat tiered lecture hall and a corporate training center. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Tuesday for the $4.2 million project. The building will...

Weekend-long Booze It and Lose it/Click It or Ticket campaign begins Wednesday

Impaired drivers and seat-belt violators will be targeted in a week-long campaign starting Wednesday by Wayne County authorities. The first semi-annual "Booze It and Lose" program to remove drunk drivers from the roads and the second semi-annual "Click It...

SBI investigates Mount Olive house fire

MOUNT OLIVE -- The State Bureau of Investigation is investigting a fire that heavily damaged an unoccupied house Sunday night at 402 N. Center St. Mount Olive, Dudley and Calypso volunteers responded to the 10 p.m. call to the big...

Public records

Cyclist reported in 'fair' condition Dr. Kurt A. Luedtke, a Goldsboro psychologist, was reported Monday to be in fair condition at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville after his motorcycle was struck by a car, a spokeswoman said. Luedtke, 57,...

Mt. Olive sued over alley designation

Rick Kraft has sued the town of Mount Olive in an effort to establish that he owns an alley beside the Kraft photography studio. His lawyer, Jeffrey Gray of Raleigh, filed the suit in Wayne Superior Court. It claims...

Duplin postpones privatization of EMS

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin commissioners will shop around next year for proposals from private emergency medical companies to consider for fiscal 2005-06. But they decided in a split vote Monday that they're not going to consider it for the coming...

Briefly

Fireworks Saturday The Mount Olive Jaycees will sponsor a fireworks display Saturday instead of Sunday, July 4. Jaycee President Karen Bass said the display will begin at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Olive Municipal Airport, because July 4 is...

Monday, June 28, 2004

Man pinned in accident

Bobby Williams photo Rosewood volunteer firemen and rescue workers from Wayne EMS Station #2 work to free a Wilson man pinned under his 2004 Tahoe shortly after 9 this morning. Witnesses at the scene say the Tahoe was traveling...

Busco Beach accident takes life of man, 19

A young Hispanic farm worker who could not swim drowned Sunday at Busco Beach, officials said today. The victim, Eli Morales Lopez, 19, of Cabin Creek Drive, Seven Springs, stepped into a deep hole and panicked, a Wayne County sheriff's...

Lamaze instructor donates kidney to son

Edie Brisson has coached expectant couples in the art of Lamaze for 25 years. She knows what it means to breathe new life into the world, and she knows the strong pull a parent feels to ensure the child's...

Red Cross appeals for blood donors

With blood supplies critically low, the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross has issued an urgent appeal for donors. "With the summer barely under way, the blood supply throughout the region has dipped to alarming levels," said...

Red Cross offers lightning, flood tips

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross has offered information on lightning and flooding in the wake of thunderstorms that have rocked the county. Chuck Waller, interim director of the chapter, noted that North Carolina ranks third...

Public records

A Goldsboro psychologist riding his motorcycle was injured in a collision with a car Friday at N.C. 581 and Rosewood Road, the Highway Patrol said. Kurt A. Luedtke, 56, of Wackena Point was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital, stabilized and...

OPINION -- If only ...

Mintt Hoang Truong, 36, of Raleigh was considered "a good swimmer." On Father's Day, he and his two sons were enjoying a boating trip on Falls Lake. He apparently was trying to put up a canopy when a gust...

House in Mount Olive burns

MOUNT OLIVE -- An unoccupied house at Church and College streets was heavily damaged Sunday night in a fire called suspicious by authorities. Mount Olive, Dudley and Calypso volunteers responded to the 10 p.m. call. An investigation of the fire...

Duplin economic development officials resigns

KENANSVILLE -- Scotty Summerlin, the assistant director of economic development in Duplin County, has resigned. Economic Development Director Woody Brinson said the assistant director's position was eliminated in the upcoming 2004-2005 budget, and Summerlin was being reassigned as director of...

Sunday, June 27, 2004

Local legislators foresee slow budget talks

Local legislators hope but are not optimistic that the state budget will be completed this week. N.C. Sen. John Kerr of Goldsboro was among a group of legislators that was working Friday and Saturday to resolve differences between the...

WCC expands student center

Wayne Community College Ed Wilson had a roll of quarters and said he was ready to use them. He challenged Student Government Association President Uvette Johnson to the first game of pool in the newly renovated student activities center,...

A little taste of home

For the soldiers risking their lives in Iraq, the simple things from home can mean so much. Sgt. James T. Crawford has been in Iraq since February and often e-mails his parents, J.T. and Carolyn Crawford of Goldsboro. In...

Goldsboro Habitat gets boost from out of state

Two crews of teen-agers from Wisconsin and Delaware spent last week building houses in Goldsboro for Habitat for Humanity. Teens on a mission from Appleton, Wis., were framing a house at 103 Winslow Place off South John Street, and...

Public Records

Burgers burn up; home damaged Hamburgers on the stove were cooked more than well done Saturday and ignited a fire that damaged a home at 223 Belfast Road. The homeowner, John Williams, and his brother saw the fire and ran...

Retired judge runs for Duplin school board

Stephen M. (Steve) Williamson, a retired chief District Court judge and farmer, has announced his candidacy for the Duplin County Board of Education. He is seeking the seat for District 1, which includes parts of Faison, Kenansville, Warsaw and all...

Briefly

Who makes the most? So, you think the governor is the top-paid official in the state Capitol? Well, actually there are at least three other people who make more than him, excluding university and community college officials, according to the...

Volunteer Wayne

Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. Contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151, extension 336, or at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer...

TriCounty presents scholarships

Tri-County Electric Membership Corp. employees have presented 35 local high school seniors with scholarships totaling $17,000. The Tri-County Employee-Funded Scholarship Program began in the fall of 2000. Employees began selling cookbooks, which were originally published to be distributed for the...

Wayne County Court News

Superior Court This case has been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *Michael Lamonte Barnes, 36, Falcon Drive, Kenly, possession of cocaine, eight to 10 months. District Court These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Dennis Holt...

Student News

Allison Preston of Mount Olive is attending a 10-day National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Phoenix-Tucson, Ariz. She joins 350 other high school students from around the country who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and an interest in a...

Riders raise $800 for McDonald House

Wayne riders raise $800 for Ronald McDonald House in Greenville A group of motorcycle riders has raised $800 for the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville. Kristy Gwaltney of Goldsboro organized the event held on June 19 at the Target store...

Wayne piano students compete

Eighty students from Wayne and surrounding counties participated in the National Guild of Piano Teachers Piano-Playing Auditions held in Goldsboro. The pianists performed for local, district, hobbyist, state, national and international honors. The American College of Musicians evaluate students' performances...

Friday, June 25, 2004

It's a butterfly world

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit There are more than 20,000 varieties of butterflies around the world, and Wayne County is home to several of those varieties. This butterfly was photographed on the grass at Herman Park in Goldsboro....

School cuts coming? Superintendent says funding order will cause reductions

The Wayne County superintendent of schools said today that a requirement to raise teacher supplemental pay will lead to cuts in programs and teachers. Superintendent Steven Taylor said that if the request is implemented, the school board will be...

Col. Holmes to take command of 4th Wing

A new commander of the 4th Fighter Wing will be arriving in August. Col. James Holmes has been assigned to replace the current commander, Brig. Gen. Eric J. Rosborg, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Rosborg has been the 4th...

Arts add green to North Carolina economy

Would you like to know the strength of the nonprofit community arts? In North Carolina the economic effect is $723 million. That's right: Add the dollars professionals working for nonprofit groups are paid, the value of the hours given...

Duplin County board considers contracting out EMS

KENANSVILLE -- Johnston Ambulance Service wants to provide emergency medical service to Duplin County. The Duplin County commissioners heard a pitch from the company during a budget work session Thursday and planned to hear more during a meeting at...

Tom West to retire from county tax office

Save your jokes. After 18 years as Wayne County's tax collector, Tom West has probably heard them. When people see West coming, they say things like, "Oh, my gosh, he's going to get my blood or my money," he...

Children learn farm safety first hand

KINSTON -- Learning the importance of farm safety was made fun and entertaining thanks to county extension agents and volunteers. Around 20 children ages 5-12 from Wayne County joined others for a farm safety day-camp at the Lenoir County...

Clerk's audit finds minor flaw

A semi-annual audit of the Wayne County Clerk of Courts Office has disclosed a minor flaw in the way it maintains bank records. The audit, conducted for the period of Oct. 1, 2003 to March 31, noted that only...

Public records

Three arrested in store robbery Three men from Wilson were arrested early today by Wayne County Sheriff's officers and charged with three counts of felony armed robbery. Deputies had been notified of an armed robbery at a convenience store at...

Briefly

Change of command Col. Kenneth Lynn will take command of the 4th Maintenance Group from Col. Donald Chew in a ceremony on Wednesday. The new group commander comes from Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington D.C., where he was a student...

Thursday, June 24, 2004

Water travel

News-Argus/Dennis Hill The rider of a scooter warily approaches the flooded driveway of a service station on Berkeley Boulevard during a thunderstorm Wednesday night. Wayne County avoided the rain Wednesday afternoon, but storms hit in the evening with torrential...

School finances uncertain, says official

School officials say they were blind-sided by this week's announcement that county commissioners demanded supplemental pay for teachers be increased by 3 percent and paid for by the school system. Nan Barwick, assistant superintendent for finance, said the administration...

Sager's goal to insure fiscal responsibility

Wayne County Commis-sioner Efton Sager promises to continue to promote fiscal responsibility if he's re-elected this year. Keeping the county in good financial shape is the biggest challenge facing the county board, Sager said in a campaign statement this week....

Williams seeks open council seat

Naomi Williams has become the third person to apply for William Goodman's seat on the Goldsboro City Council. Ms. Williams, who lives on East Chestnut Street and is a school teacher, ran for the District 3 seat last year. She...

Hospital holds health careers summer camp

T'Sharra Williams, a 16-year-old rising senior at Southern Wayne High School, donned a blindfold to experience what it is like to be a patient who can't see. She was fed her lunch by Ashley Rich, also a rising senior...

Public records

Stealing from elderly A Goldsboro woman was arrested Wednesday by Goldsboro police and accused of stealing checks from a 99-year-old resident of a nursing home and making them out to herself. Cindy Ramona Dawson, 31, of South Leslie Street was...

Briefly

Board vacancies Goldsboro needs a few good men -- and women -- to fill vacancies on boards and commissions. The City Council wants to fill 14 spots but still needs some names to fill in the blanks. The openings are...

Wayne Community College ground breaking set for Monday

The public is invited to join college administrators, local and state government officials, construction personnel and continuing education students in digging up a little dirt at Wayne Community College. A groundbreaking ceremony set for 10 a.m. on Monday will mark...

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Practice fire

Bobby Williams Wayne County firemen from several volunteer departments took part in a half-day training exercise Saturday in which they burned an old house near the intersection of U.S. 117 South and Old Mount Olive Highway. The Mar Mac...

School officials upset by vote on teacher pay

Wayne County school officials say they may not be able to afford teacher pay increases that were ordered Tuesday by the county commissioners. Some Board of Education members are questioning whether the commissioners have the legal right to mandate the...

New hearing set for revised base zone

Wayne County is ready to unveil revised rules to limit development in high-noise areas around Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The county commissioners decided Tuesday to call a public hearing for July 27. The board anticipates voting at its...

Council to launch nationwide search to replace city manager

Goldsboro council members want to launch a national search for the next city manager, whom they hope to hire by November. Council members hope to find someone with a master's degree, at least five years experience, and with vision....

Pikeville plans for Independence Day

PIKEVILLE -- Fun games, music and fireworks will all be a part of the town's seventh-annual Independence Day Festival on July 2 and 3. This is the first year the Pikeville Lions Club will be the host, said Commissioner...

Clock to be erected at college in memory of late mayor

Hal Plonk loved clocks and Wayne Community College. Now a clock at the college will help memorialize the long-time Goldsboro mayor. The Goldsboro City Council voted Monday night to contribute $25,000 to the Foundation of Wayne Community College for...

Global TransPark board approves operating budget

KINSTON -- The future financial situation of the N.C. Global TransPark and upcoming projects were discussed Tuesday in detail. The GTP Authority board of directors approved an operations budget for the park of $2.26 million, which will begin with...

Public Record

Elderly scam Louretha Mae King, 33, of Dudley Road, Newton Grove has been charged with 13 counts of obtaining property by false pretense. She is accused of using fraudulent power of attorney to withdraw money from an elderly woman's bank...

Briefly

Village in magazine Waynesborough Historical Village in Goldsboro is featured in the July edition of Southern Living magazine. The one-page article has several pictures and information about the village, which is at 801 U.S. 117 S. Bypass. The pictures show...

Crime Stoppers call leads to bank robber's arrest

A bank robbery was among the five cases that resulted in arrests recently because of anonymous calls to Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers. The robbery occurred May 21 at the New Century Bank on North Spence Avenue. A photograph obtained...

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

A day in the garden

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Sally Burgess, 82, hoes while her husband, Fletcher, 88, uses a hand plow in their garden at 131 Grady Road off of U.S. 70 West near Princeton on Monday afternoon. The couple have dozens of vegetables and...

City and county to buy land to protect base

Goldsboro and Wayne County officials want to begin negotiations to buy land off the northern end of Seymour Johnson's runway. The N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund has given preliminary approval to a $2.3 million project that would acquire...

Residents in targeted annexation area file court petition to block city

A group of residents fighting Goldsboro's plan to annex an area north of the city has made good on its promise to take legal action. The group filed a "petition for review" last week in Wayne County Superior Court. It...

Council hires Finan as new city attorney

The Goldsboro City Council voted Monday night to appoint Timothy Finan as the new city attorney. Finan's pay and most other benefits are the same as his law partner, Harrell Everett. He will not receive contributions to a retirement...

Break-ins solved

Reports from several citizens have helped Wayne County sheriff's deputies make arrests for numerous thefts, including the break-in of 17 vehicles in Rosewood. The vehicles were broken into between Friday and Saturday, and some property was stolen, deputies said....

County orders schools to raise teacher pay but refuses to budget additional money for the increase

In an unusual move, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners today voted to require the school system to raise the supplemental pay for teachers but turned down the schools' request for additional money to pay for the increase. The county...

Mother of slain Chek 'n Go employee suing company officials

A woman whose daughter was murdered in a check-cashing store in Goldsboro is suing the store's corporate office and the victim's supervisor for more than $10,000. Joyce Kornegay, who is administering the estate of her daughter, Latisha Kornegay, filed...

Gateway read to turn keys over to Apple Bus

The Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority is ready to turn over the keys, as of July 1. Paul Larson, an official with Apple Bus Co., told Gateway's board Monday afternoon that his company is prepared to assume management of the public...

Girl, 7, helps drive grandfather to hospital in frightening ride

It's not unusual for Bryonna Brantley ride along to pick her mother up from work at Wayne Memorial Hospital. What's not typical is for the 7-year-old to navigate her grandfather's truck to get there. She had been out shopping...

Briefly

Recruiting Girl Scout leaders Women are invited to a presentation at the main branch of the Wayne County Public Library to hear about what Girl Scout volunteers do. The speaker will be Sue Thomas, the membership specialist for Girl Scouts...

Public records

Motorcycle theft The larceny of a motorcycle on Thursday from the 100 block of Rocky Court has been solved by Wayne County sheriff's officers with the arrest of three 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old. Carl B. Rhue Jr. had reported the...

Duplin residents protest proposed tax increase

FAISON -- Residents told the Duplin County commissioners during a public hearing Monday night to cut the budget or hire a private ambulance service but don't raise their taxes. The county has said it would have to raise taxes...

Princeton town board keeps tax rate but raises sewer, water rates

PRINCETON -- Princeton residents will have the same 52-cent tax rate but will pay about 10 percent more for water and sewer during the new fiscal year. The Princeton town board approved the figures for the next budget on...

Potter's Wheel rebuilding after fire

MOUNT OLIVE -- A fire destroyed a pallet plant earlier this year, but the wheels never stopped turning. The plant lost $450,000 in February when a fire burned down the 4,000-square-foot pallet shop at the Potter's Wheel, a drug...

Fur Bowl attracts crowd

A crowd of 114 people attended the Wayne County Humane Society's first Fur Bowl, on Saturday at AMF Boulevard Lanes. "We had people waiting to get on the lanes," says Suzanne Tyler, membership chairman. The event ran from 11 a.m....

Monday, June 21, 2004

Cooling off at the cliffs

Bobby Williams The umbrellas were out and the swimmers were abundant at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park near Seven Springs over the Father's Day weekend. The weather was stifling on Saturday when this picture was taken before cooling...

Death rate for children drops; infant mortality edges higher

The number of child fatalities in Wayne County has gone down in the last five years, while deaths from birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome have increased. In a comparison of two five-year periods, 1992-1996 and 1998-2002, the...

Corps of Engineers orders clean-up of debris; owner complying

A Goldsboro businessman apologized today for the way his land looks, even though he doesn't figure it's his fault. "I am ashamed of the way that it looks, but I am more ashamed that our tax dollars caused it...

Tobacco buyout plan pleases farmers

Wayne County farmers are pleased with the tobacco buyout the U.S. House approved last week, but are still not sure if a buyout will become a reality. Jerry West farms in northern Wayne and southern Wilson County. The operation...

Stuart seeks vacant Goldsboro council seat

D.A. Stuart, who lost to William Goodman in last year's elections, is seeking to replace him on the Goldsboro City Council. Stuart has submitted his name for the City Council as a possible appointment to the Dis-trict 3 seat. Goodman...

OPINION - Good ol' days?

Elmo Long dropped by on a recent morning to share with me -- and all News-Argus readers -- the story of his son Matthew's being honored as the National 4-H Wildlife Volunteer of the Year. The story subsequently was...

Public records

Snake found Goldsboro police have found a snake that they believe is a pet and want the owner to identify it. Capt. Glenn Barnes said today that the snake was found June 12 on Azalea Drive. Anyone with information on...

Sunday, June 20, 2004

A game of horseshoes can make this Father's Day a happy one

Every Sunday afternoon on a farm nestled in Seven Springs, David Van Smith plays host to an assortment of friends and neighbors who happen by for a game of horseshoes. It's not uncommon to have two or three games...

Faith-based organization specializes in transforming lives

It's no coincidence that the sign outside Cleo Trigones' apartment in Grace Village reads "Cleo's Castle." The 74-year-old woman says she now lives in a place much more spacious than she ever thought possible. "All you young people," she...

At Mount Olive bingo, favorite prizes are fellowship, fun

MOUNT OLIVE -- Some folk over 60 in Mount Olive are serious about their bingo. You'll find at least a dozen of them every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mount Olive Civic Center....

Blue marlin weighing 555 pounds brings victory at Big Rock

MOREHEAD CITY -- Capt. Donald Lane and angler Jay Hughes landed a 555-pound blue marlin aboard their Atlantic Beach-based boat, the Impulse, to win $711,375 in the 46th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. The marlin, boated Wednesday, was...

Mount Olive waits for land deal

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town is waiting to hear from the owner of a third tract of land that may be used for a regional sewer system. The town has bought two of three tracts of farmland that have...

Duplin schools hire consultant

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County school board has hired a consultant to address overcrowding, racial imbalance and academic improvement. The school system will pay $35,000 to Shueller, Ferris, Lindstrom & Associates in Fayetteville, a consulting firm that specializes in designing...

Payment schedule for attorney on agenda

The Goldsboro City Council will decide Monday on a payment schedule for the city's new attorney. City Attorney Harrell Everett announced June 7 that he would be stepping down from his position at the end of this month. Everett has...

Public record

Statutory rape Jasper James Jackson, 27, streets of Goldsboro, was arrested by Goldsboro police and charged with one count of statutory rape. He was arrested after an investigation into a complaint filed May 30. Jackson was placed in Wayne County...

Coheley joins Mount Olive College as director

MOUNT OLIVE -- John Coheley has joined Mount Olive College as director of the college at Wilmington. Mount Olive College at Wilmington offers non-traditional programs in early childhood education, management and organizational development, criminal justice and the Heritage Program. "I...

Friday, June 18, 2004

Wayne County tobacco

Bobby Williams Vinson Price sprays his tobacco this morning on his acreage near the intersection of Zion Church Road and Atlas Price Road in southern Wayne County....

Edwards weighs in on Goldsboro schools

U.S. Sen. John Edwards has written a letter to the national Office of Civil Rights in response to Concerned Clergy's efforts to improve the racial balance in the central Goldsboro schools. "I certainly appreciate your frustration that, 50 years...

County sued over landfill bid

A contractor from Autryville is suing the Wayne County commissioners and an engineering consultant and his company for more than $240,000 over the county board's decision to award a construction bid to another company. ES&J Enterprises Inc. contends in its...

Woman dies, child hurt in wreck

PRINCETON -- A Princeton woman died in a wreck Thursday morning, and her daughter was seriously injured. Highway Patrol officials say they don't know what caused the fatal crash on Massey Holt Road. Jennifer Crawford, 22, of Princeton and her...

Wayco Ham is Wayne's small business of year

Wayco Ham Co. has been selected the small business of the year by the Wayne Community College Small Business and Industry Center. The college also gave Goldsboro Drug Co. special recognition and The Royal Tea Rooms the award for...

Braswell, Minchew continue feud at county courthouse

Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell has asked the state's attorney general and auditor to investigate five allegations against Wayne County Clerk of Court Marshall Minchew. The clerk called at least one allegation "an out-and-out lie." Braswell, of Goldsboro, gave...

Best submits name for vacant council seat

One candidate has surfaced for the vacancy on the Goldsboro City Council. Nathaniel Best Jr. submitted his resume and application Thursday to the city manager's office for the District 3 seat. The seat was held by William Goodman, who...

Plans for expanding City Hall stay on schedule, officials say

City officials learned Thursday that plans to expand and renovate Goldsboro's city hall are on target. Partin & Hobbs Architects is designing the $5 million expansion, which is scheduled to go out for construction bids in December. The two-phase...

Briefly

CPR, first aid courses The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer CPR and first aid classes throughout the summer. The three-night classes will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the chapter house, 600 N....

Scout camp to begin

FOUR OAKS -- Summer Camp begins this weekend at the Camp Tuscarora Scout Reservation. The Tuscarora Council's 1,100-acre camp in Johnston County will be filled Sunday with the first of three waves of Boy Scouts. The boys come for...

Public records

Man sued for fire A Goldsboro resident is being sued for negligence in connection with a fire that destroyed a next-door neighbor's home after the two men had had an argument. The property owner, Wayne Investment Inc. of Goldsboro, has...

Wayne senior agency has new activities head

Monday was Gloria Benton's first day on the job at the Wayne County Services on Aging. She is the new activities director. Ms. Benton came from Alterra Sterling, where she was the "life enrichment coordinator," a name she says reflects...

Group prepares to open day care

FAISON -- The old Cates pickle company's administrative complex on West Center Street is almost ready to become a children's day-care center. The complex has four buildings joined in about 10,000 square feet surrounding an atrium. About 1,000 square...

Thursday, June 17, 2004

Crops looking good

Row crops in Wayne County are in good shape for the most part, although farmers are having some trouble with cucumbers. Bob Pleasants, county extension agent, said farmers are harvesting wheat and are getting good yields. Many are harvesting between...

Public records

Kitchen fire Unattended cooking was blamed Wednesday night for a kitchen fire that caused about $2,100 in damages to a home at 507 S. Pineview Ave., according to a Goldsboro fire official. No one was injured. Assistant Fire Chief Ray...

Briefly

Candidate forum The Goldsboro-Wayne Branch of the NAACP will sponsor a candidate's forum for the office of Register of Deeds on June 29. The forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Wayne County Public Library. The public is...

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Visiting Pelican

News-Argus/Bonnie Edwards Program Manager Ray Jackson with the California Institute of Technology gets ready to launch the Pelican, a retrofitted Cessna 337 that is used in military exercises to simulate the actions of a remote-controlled Predator aircraft like those...

Budget hearing brings out few speakers

Wayne County's budget hearing drew only a handful of speakers, none of whom asked for major changes. Although more than 30 people attended Tuesday's hearing, only five spoke. The county commissioners will begin their 2004-2005 budget discussions next Tuesday....

Squad spots large field of marijuana

Wayne County authorities on Tuesday snuffed out one of the largest marijuana growing operations in the county. A total of 270 small marijuana plants were seized by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad in woods off...

Fremont residents may face bigger bills

FREMONT -- Fremont residents will have to dig deeper in their wallets -- maybe much deeper -- if the town's proposed budget is approved. The town's new administrator, Kerry McDuffie, presented a balanced budget on Tuesday night that called...

Pelican turns Predator

KENANSVILLE -- A "Pelican" landed Thursday afternoon at the Duplin County Municipal Airport to take part in a two-week military exercise. The Pelican, which is really a Cessna 337 plane, is equipped to act like a Predator. The Predator...

Study takes pulse of county's health

The Health Department is putting the finishing touches on a four-month checkup on Wayne County's health. The state mandates that a community health assessment be done every four years. "The whole idea behind community assessments is for folks involved...

City water quality meets requirements

Keep drinking. That's the underlying message in Goldsboro's annual water report, issued recently in the monthly water bills. Goldsboro's drinking water met, or exceeded, all water quality tests in the past year as required by law. The city's primary...

Steps taken to insure money spent by Seymour Johnson AFB stays in Wayne

Steps are being taken to help ensure that more money spent by Seymour Johnson Air Force Base personnel stays in Wayne County. Around 300 base personnel met face-to-face Tuesday with 43 company representatives hoping to learn more about how...

Briefly

Wrong Duplin tax Duplin County Manager Fred Eldridge said his statement earlier this week about the new budget was misread, and the increase needed to implement paid emergency medical services would be 7.5 cents, not 75 cents. Emergency medical service...

Wing commander speaks at fundraiser

The strong connection between Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Wayne Community College was at the forefront Tuesday during a dinner and auction to raise money for college scholarships. Brig. Gen. Rick Rosborg, 4th Fighter Wing commander at Seymour...

Public records

Man captured Horne FREMONT -- A Fremont man wanted by authorities for two years on outstanding drug violations was arrested Tuesday by Fremont police after a brief vehicle and foot chase. Timothy Robert Horne, 24, of East Washington Street was...

Princeton gets grant for town park

PRINCETON -- Princeton has been awarded a $152,000 grant to build its town park. Now all the town has to do is match the grant within three years. The grant will come from the state Parks and Recreation Trust...

Eureka sewer bill seems to be correct

FREMONT -- Eureka's $16,000 sewer bill from Fremont appears to be correct, and Eureka has several problems that it did not know. That was the conclusion of a study of the sewer systems of both small towns. Dr. Mike...

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

Young entrepreneurs

News-Argus/Dennis Hill Lauren Rupentus, 4, and Nash Snitker, 11, decided to earn money for Father's Day gifts by selling lemonade on Cashwell Drive. Business was good Monday afternoon, they said. An intense advertising campaign and a reasonable price seemed...

Grace period declared over for mobile home park compliance

Wayne County plans to prohibit mobile home parks that don't meet minimum standards from adding or replacing homes. Beginning July 1, parks will need to be in compliance with the county codes before the Planning Department will issue new...

No applicants yet for Goodman seat

Applicants for the vacancy on the Goldsboro City Council aren't exactly beating down the doors: No one has yet applied for the position. But there is still plenty of time for qualified candidates to surface, because the city is...

Farmers to get their day at Aycock

FREMONT -- Life was different when there were no grocery stores to buy soap or department stores to buy clothes. Visitors can learn more about farm life in the 1800s at the Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace on Saturday when...

Duplin County manager defends proposed budget

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County manager released a statement Monday defending his budget proposal, which calls for a tax increase and an annual fee to pay for emergency medical services. County Manager Fred Eldridge says people are confused about...

Calypso adopts budget

CALYPSO -- The town board adopted the new budget Monday night after an uneventful public hearing. Nobody from the public came. There was no increase in taxes or fees. The town's property tax rate remains at 47 cents on each...

Eureka holds budget hearing

EUREKA -- Town residents joined board members Monday as they discussed how to best balance the upcoming budget. The entire budget is $122,742 and includes a pay raise of $5 a month for commissioners and the mayor. Other expenditures...

Nyaho performs free concert

Pianist William Chapman Nyaho will perform in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. on June 29 in the Hoffler Building Auditorium at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville. Nyaho, known for his neoclassic style, will perform again during the lunch...

Public records

Three hurt in wrecks Three people were injured and damages were estimated at $10,950 in three recent traffic collisions in Wayne County, the Highway Patrol reported. *A driver was injured and damages were estimated at $6,000 in a car-truck collision...

Monday, June 14, 2004

Wayne's tax rate still lower than average

Wayne County property owners have been grumbling after the last two years of property tax increases. But a survey of property tax rates finds that the county's tax rate is still the lowest in the area and below the...

Convenience centers may become less so

Wayne County's "convenience centers" may become a little less convenient. The county commissioners will decide Tuesday whether to close the trash-dumping centers on Sundays. The change, if approved, would go into effect on Aug. 1. The 13 sites are currently...

Men charged in home invasion

Law-enforcement officers have charged two men with barging into a home Saturday night, tying up four people and taking two sport utility vehicles and other property. A short time later, one of the SUVs with two men inside was...

School retirees recognized

The Wayne County public schools recognized 69 retiring employees at an appreciation reception held at the Goldsboro Country Club. Pete Gurley, the school board chairman, and Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent, thanked the retirees for their many years of service...

Eight win teacher scholarships

The Wayne County school board and the county commissioners recently announced eight recipients of the 2004 Wayne County Teacher Scholarship. The program, sponsored by the county, was established in 2000 to attract people to the teaching profession. The 2004 recipients...

Public records

Woman robbed A woman walking on Daisy Street at about 1 p.m. Saturday was robbed of her pocketbook, cash and personal papers, Goldsboro police said. Annie Sarah Smith, 44, of North Daisy Street told police that a man stopped his...

Reminiscences

Remembering Rab Not everyone reading this will have had the opportunity of knowing Charles Barnes. Those who did knew him affectionately as "Rab" -- an abbreviation of "Rabbit," a nickname given him by older folks in the community. As a...

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Budget hearing Tuesday

How would you spend $101 million? Think hard, Wayne County residents, because you've got the money. Getting some ideas? Bring them Tuesday to the Wayne County Courthouse Annex. A hearing on the county's 2004-05 budget will begin at 10...

Miniature Golf in China

A new miniature golf course has been open since October in China and its popularity is growing. Jerry Howell, president of Howell Support Services in Goldsboro, left today on his 14th trip to Yangzhou, China, which is the site...

Mosquito spraying in Goldsboro

Just before daybreak, a truck rolls slowly through a quiet neighborhood, disappearing in the mist of fog following in its wake. Only the loud familiar roaring of the motor identifies the truck as one of Goldsboro's mosquito spraying vehicles....

Bedford running for commissioner

Roger Bedford is making his first run for office, seeking the District 6 seat on the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. Bedford, a Republican, will face Democrat Jack Best in the Nov. 2 election. Best was recently appointed to the...

Women's Outreach seeks help

Women's Outreach Inc. has about a month to find a new location for its offices and thrift shop, but no money to finance the move. To help fund a move to a new location, the group will hold a...

Goldsboro fire report

A fire that destroyed the Wayne County Memorial Community Building at 239 E. Walnut St. was one of 187 fire or service calls that the Goldsboro Fire Department answered in May. Firefighters responded to only one other major structural...

ECC adopts budget

KINSTON -- A government agency that helps nine counties, including Wayne and Duplin, adopted its new budget last week. About 60 people who are members of the Eastern Carolina Council passed the budget Thursday night at King's Restaurant in...

Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *William Todd Boykin, 30, Mount Carmel Church Road, Pikeville, trafficking in methamphetamine, 70 to 84 months active and $50,000 fine. *Erick A. Williams, 32, Stevens Mill Road, possession of marijuana...

Student News

Matthew Bradley Friedel was recently named Star Student by the SC Dillon County Chamber of Commerce for the highest district SAT score. He is the 2004 Salutatorian and honor graduate of Latta High School in Latta, S.C. Other awards received...

Smart Start program

High quality child care can pay off in dividends, not just for families of young children but for those giving the care. Wayne County Partnership for Children, sponsor of Smart Start, has a new program designed to help providers...

Mount Olive Court

These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Demetrius Lee Oates, 18, Dogwood Lane, Mount Olive, obstruction of officer, dismissed. *Burney Harden, 48, East Kornegay Street, Mount Olive, driving while impaired, seven days active, 12 months suspended,...

District Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Rosett Wester, 60, North Faison Avenue, Faison, assault on a child, not guilty. *Laquita Coley, 17, Edgerton Street, assault (two counts), not guilty. *Cordaryl Godette, 16, North James Street...

Dail gets award

Pamela Hedgepeth Dail received Pitt Community College's 2004 Woman of Substance Award. The annual award goes to college employee who has demonstrated an attitude of service, commitment and caring and who is recognized as an outstanding role model on the...

Briefly Sunday

Hulse named Geoff Hulse, a Goldsboro lawyer with the firm of Barnes, Braswell & Haithcock, has been named to the North Carolina General Statutes Commission effective May 7. The General Statutes Commission reviews proposed general statues involving all areas of...

Friday, June 11, 2004

Loading up

News-Argus/Dennis Hill Personnel from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base board a passenger jet bound for the Middle East early today on base....

Lightning and thunder give deployed airmen a sendoff

Several hundred airmen deployed from Seymour Johnson this morning to support the war on terrorism. The Air Force base wouldn't release numbers, but around 1:15 a.m. hundreds of airmen climbed aboard a large transport plane that would carry them...

Magistrate resigns

A first-term Wayne County magistrate will resign at the end of June, six months before his term expires. Gilbert Owens, 49, submitted his resignation to Clerk of Court Marshall Minchew, who nominates the magistrates. Owens said he wanted to...

Commissioners must decide on base zoning

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will once again face the decisions of if and how to limit development in high noise areas around Seymour Johnson. The Wayne County Planning Board voted Thursday night to recommend new zoning for...

Hood supports community schools concept

Grantham resident Mark Hood is running for Wayne County commissioner as an advocate for smaller schools. Hood, the Democratic candidate in District 4, said in his campaign statement that he is a believer and promoter of the community school concept....

Adamsville exhibit shows a slice of early Goldsboro life

A new exhibit at the Wayne County Museum will shake up some memories of the somewhat forgotten Adamsville community. Jenny Butler Wilder, a member of the B.F. Adams family, has helped coordinate the exhibit, titled "Remembering Adamsville" and has...

Home Builders to sponsor Habitat House

The Home Builders Association of Wayne County will sponsor a Habitat house this year. The association co-sponsored a house at 102 Winslow Place with the Goldsboro-Wayne Association of Realtors last year. The owner, Alba Moradel, will move into the...

State Senate passes military bill

North Carolina's military bases would be better protected from development under a proposal that gained the state Senate's final approval Thursday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Kerr, D-Wayne, would allow three trust funds to borrow money to buy and...

Public records

Cab driver robbed A Goldsboro taxi driver was robbed Thursday night of about $255 in Pleasant Acres Mobile Home Park, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report. Benny Lee Ford of Dudley told deputies that he picked up two...

Briefly

Museum events The Wayne County Museum has several educational events coming up. Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. will be "Making Butter," an event for ages 5-12. They will learn how to make butter by using fresh cream and a...

Thursday, June 10, 2004

One more for the Gipper

News-Argus/Dennis Hill A portrait of former President Ronald Reagan adorns the side of one of the 21 jets from Seymour Johnson AFB that participated in the flyover ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. This plane was the one...

Seymour gets honor of participating in Reagan rites

Patriotic music blasted through the rainy skies as a line of F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets made their way down the flight line at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. One jet had nose art showing former President Ronald Reagan...

Aircraft, people from 4th Fighter Wing

Aircraft and people from the 4th Fighter Wing were scheduled to begin leaving Seymour Johnson Air Force Base tonight for a deployment in support of the war on terrorism, the Air Force announced. They will go somewhere in southwest Asia....

Law may turn junk car keepers into criminals

Wayne County residents may soon face criminal charges and fines of $50 to $100 if they refuse to get rid of junked cars. The county is considering boosting the penalities in its junk-car ordinance to encourage people to compliance...

History buffs will fight the Battle of Whitehall

SEVEN SPRINGS -- If you hear a rumble coming from the direction of Seven Springs Friday night, don't worry. It's only the ghosts of Whitehall, say Civil War re-enactors. They will be camping in the Seven Springs area, getting ready...

PACC-10 giving city more air time

City Manager Richard Slozak says the city of Goldsboro will start getting more out of the local cable television channel with no cost increase. For the last six years, the city has paid Parker Advertising, owner of PACC-10 cable...

Historical Association seeks to raise funds, increase membership

The Wayne County Historical Association is preparing for a large fund-raising effort, which it hopes will help bring in new members and help pay for electrical work in the Wayne County Museum. The Goldsboro City Council is giving the...

Grand jury indicts man in kidnapping and robbery

A 27-year-old man from Smithfield has been indicted by the Wayne County Grand Jury on two felony counts each of armed robbery and second-degree kidnapping. Jose Rivera, who also is known as Jose Marlon Zelaya, was accused of robbing...

Youth conference set for Saturday

MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mount Olive Youth Awareness Conference on the law and the legal system will be held from noon until 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Olive Historic Assembly Hall, 207 Wooten St. The conference, titled "Making Our...

Smart Start representatives carry message to legislators

A group representing Wayne Partnership for Children met recently with state legislators to talk about the importance of continuing funding for Smart Start programs. Julie Odom, community services coordinator for the partnership, said the contingent participated in an all-day event...

Public records

Parole approved A former Dudley resident, sentenced to 35 years for second-degree murder, has been paroled from state prison. Wade Boseman, 40, has been granted a parole by the state Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission. Boseman was charged with first-degree...

Briefly

Dumping problem Wayne County officials are seeking a way to stop the dumping problem at the Neuse River bridge on Bill Lane Boulevard, documented in pictures in Wednesday's News-Argus. Joe Allen of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that...

Wednesday, June 9, 2004

County landfill? -- No, it's Price boat landing

Bobby Williams Trash, including household appliances, is shown this morning piled up on the opposite side of the Sam Casey Bridge from the Price boat landing on Bill Lane Blvd. A new Price boat landing sign was riddled with...

Everett resigns

By month's end Harrell Everett will no longer be Goldsboro's city attorney, a position he has held for 30 years. Everett submitted his resignation Tuesday after briefing council members in a closed session Monday night. Councilman Chuck Allen said...

Another study says hog farming not hurting rivers

RALEIGH -- A hog farming group said Tuesday that its study of state data culled over 32 years shows water quality in eastern North Carolina largely remained stable or improved even as hog farming expanded. The study provides "untainted"...

F-15E Flyover

WASHINGTON -- F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base were to perform a 21-plane flyover between 6 and 7 p.m. today in honor of former President Ronald Reagan as part of his funeral rites. The...

Downtown group wins national award

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation has been nationally recognized for its revitalization efforts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center recognized the DGDC as a 2004 national Main Street program. "A healthy Main Street district is...

Wharton lists five campaign issues

Ed Wharton says he feels compelled to run for Wayne County commissioner this year, if only to halt the push for higher taxes and more regulations. In his campaign statement, Wharton, the county's Republican Party chairman, said that he had...

Noise issue stumps planning board

Should developers be required to use noise-dampening materials in new homes in high-noise areas near Seymour Johnson? That question flummoxed the Wayne County Planning Board on Tuesday night. The board was working on a revision of zoning and building...

Mount Olive adopts budget with no fanfare

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town board adopted next year's $4.3 million budget without any comment from the public Monday night. Nobody spoke during a hearing, and the vote was unanimous to adopt the budget. It included no increases in taxes...

Public records

Jacksonville man faces more charges A Jacksonville man accused of breaking into several fast-food restaurants in Wayne County now faces more similar charges. Ernest Arthur Deans II, 26, was charged Tuesday by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office with breaking and...

Mental Health Association holds golf event

The Mental Health Association in Wayne County will hold its annual "Family and Friends Golf Outing" Sunday and Monday at Walnut Creek Country Club. This is typically the association's largest fund-raising event of the year, so attending is a way...

Historical Association plans large fund-raising effort

The Wayne County Historical Association is preparing for a large fund-raising effort, which it hopes will help bring in new members and help pay for electrical work in the Wayne County Museum. The Goldsboro City Council is giving the...

Dudley woman dies in wreck

MOUNT OLIVE -- A 74-year-old woman from Dudley was killed Monday night when her car collided with a disabled car in northern Duplin County. The victim was identified today by the Highway Patrol as Marjorie R. Hassell of 106 Gwen...

Correction

Correction: The new Duplin County tax rate would be 78 cents per $100 of valuation, if the proposed budget is approved. The budget includes a 3.5 cent increase over the current rate of 74.5 cents....

Briefly

Cado on television Sr. Airman Shadrika Cado will be one of five contestants on "Gimme the Mike" tonight at 7:30 on Fox 50 television. She will perform the song, "I Want to Dance With Somebody." A panel of three judges...

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Reflecting on cattle

These cattle were enjoying a beautiful early June afternoon Monday. The cattle were photographed at the Red Fox Farm, 1827 Old Mount Olive Highway, near Dudley....

City Manager Richard Slozak to retire

City Manager Richard Slozak, 56, announced his retirement today, after 33 years of service with Goldsboro. Slozak's retirement will be effective Dec. 29. He started as the assistant to the city manager, and began to coordinate the Community Development...

Council sets out procedure to name Goodman replacement

A replacement for former Goldsboro Councilman William Goodman should be named by mid-July, according to a plan adopted Monday night by the City Council. Goodman, the District 3 representative for 17 years, resigned last week after pleading guilty to...

No tax increase for city residents

The Goldsboro City Council passed a $39 million budget Monday, which included a 15 percent increase in sewer rates but kept property taxes the same. The $39 million budget is a 7 percent increase over last year's budget, which...

Ten Wayne schools getting new principals

The Wayne County Board of Education approved its annual reorganization plan for administrators on Monday. The plan, which will go into effect July 1, puts new principals in 10 schools. One principal will take over duties at the central...

Pikeville gets new mayor, new commissioner

PIKEVILLE -- The town board elected a new mayor, mayor pro-tem and commissioner Monday and will now move ahead at full capacity. Herb Sieger resigned as commissioner and mayor pro-tem and then was nominated for mayor. He was elected...

Duplin raises property tax rate to 74.5

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County's taxpayers would pay 3.5 cents more in property taxes per $100 of valuation, according to next year's proposed budget. The tax rate in Duplin is 74.5 cents. The increase would bring that up to 78...

Public records

Victim identified A man killed in a one-car wreck before dawn Sunday was identified Monday by the Highway Patrol as 25-year-old Daniel Schade of 1881 N.C. 111 North. Schade was driving north at about 1:10 p.m. when he lost control...

Wayne County teacher scholarship recipients named

Scholarships were awarded to eight potential teachers during Monday night's meeting of the Wayne County Board of Education. The Wayne County Teacher Scholarship program, sponsored by the Board of Commissioners, was established in 2000 to attract people into the...

Princeton town board postpones action on limiting housing residents

PRINCETON -- The Princeton town board will wait a little longer before enacting an amendment to its minimum housing ordinance that would limit the number of people living in a home. The four-man board agreed to table the amendment...

Property owners given reprieve on condemnations

Three houses were condemned by the City Council Monday, but two property owners were given one more chance to repair their dilapidated dwellings. Chief Building Inspector Ed Cianfarra told the council during a briefing that there had been a...

Briefly

July meeting canceled The school board decided Monday night to cancel its July meeting because of scheduling conflicts. It also approved changes to several schools' start and dismissal times for the fall. The July meeting, which would have been held...

Adamsville was thriving community

Nathan Ham says what is now U.S. 13 North used to be considerably more primitive. Where it crossed U.S. 70 -- now the corner of Berkeley Boulevard and Ash Street -- it was called the Snow Hill Highway. Anyone...

Monday, June 7, 2004

Home again

Bobby Williams photo Staff Sgt. Kevin Williamson holds his daughter, Caitlyn, during welcome home ceremonies Sunday morning....

Fremont National Guard returns

FREMONT -- The first group of soldiers from the National Guard's 691st Maintenance Company returned home Sunday to a crowd of friends and family members. The 27 members had been deployed to Pennsylvania for a year in support of Operation...

Two die in single-vehicle wrecks

Two drivers have been killed in one-vehicle wrecks in Wayne County, according to Highway Patrol reports. One victim was identified as 23-year-old Sheriese Shantel Walls of 207 Little Dove Road, Pikeville. The second victim, believed to be an airman at...

Goldsboro's junior ball leagues in business

When Mayor Al King and Richard "Rooster" Narron began talking about a baseball and softball league for inner-city children last year, they both figured it would take several years to organize. Instead, it took less than a year for...

Habitat house dedicated

Habitat for Humanity has held its seventh dedication ceremony since being organized in November of 2001. The ceremony was Sunday at the new home of Alba Moradel at 102 Winslow Place. This house was co-sponsored by the Home Builders Association...

Travel and Tourism numbers climbing

Interest in Wayne County as a tourist destination continues to climb, according to the latest figures from the city's Travel & Tourism Department. More than 1,400 people contacted Travel & Tourism in May, an increase of 460 percent from...

Public records

Drug charges Two people were arrested on felony drug charges Sunday by Wayne County authorities. A 42-year-old man from Zebulon was arrested by the Highway Patrol and the Goldsboro-Wayne Drug Squad and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Charles Earl Lamm was...

OPINION -- Reminiscences

An apology BEAUFORT -- We apologized recently to Captain Horatio Sinbad. He's captain -- and builder -- of the beautiful brigantine Meka II. At this writing he and his crew -- including four teenage girls -- are sailing somewhere in...

Albertson rain date

ALBERTSON -- July 24 is the rain date set for the June 26 Jamboree and Stewfest. The event will be held on the grounds of the Peary Davis home at the intersection of N.C. Highways 903 and 111 in Albertson....

Sunday, June 6, 2004

Former President Reagan dies

AP Photo/Ron Edmonds U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan walk to the waiting presidential helicopter on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, in this July 12, 1986, file photo, en route to spend...

Base commander wins national honor

Brig. Gen. Eric Rosborg, the commander of the Fourth Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, has received the 2004 Top Wing Commander award from Air Combat Command. Rosborg said he and his wife, Elizabeth, are excited. "But...

D-Day veteran can still hear the gunfire

D-Day memories come flowing back into the mind of retired Army Capt. Alfred J. Linton on this day. The sounds of gunfire are all too distinct. Losing four of his fellow soldiers stands out as he looks at his...

Price promises to help gain jobs

If re-elected, Wayne County Commissioner Atlas Price promises to help the county add new jobs to replace those lost in the last few years. "Since we have lost furniture and textile industries, as well as 50 percent of our tobacco...

Anderson wants to add balance

Wayne County Commissioner Andy Anderson doesn't plan many changes following his near-certain re-election this fall. "After 11-plus years as a commissioner, most people know how I think and vote and the values I stand for," Anderson said in his campaign...

Legal fees cost city more than expected

The city of Goldsboro has spent $160,221 in legal fees this year, $7,000 more than budgeted for the entire fiscal year, and there are still two months left in the fiscal year. Legal fees for the 2003-2004 budget were...

City Council plans vote on budget

The Goldsboro City Council is scheduled to vote on its annual budget Monday, after several budget work sessions and a few modifications. Those modifications include postponing a downtown survey, increasing city cemetery fees and giving an additional $2,500 to...

Severe storms roll through area

The National Weather Service received several reports about a tornado that touched down around noon Friday near the Nahunta area. Doug Schneider said the official report came in from law enforcement, but he said several people reported spotting it....

Jury orders schools to pay $250,000 for bleacher accident

A jury has ordered the Wayne County public school system to pay $250,000 to a man who fell off the bleachers at a high school basketball game. Richard G. Carter of Wilson had sued the Wayne County Board of...

Public record

Custodian sex charge A prison guard at Neuse Correctional Institution has been charged with sex by custodian. Shirleane Long, 43, of Brentwood Drive, Dudley, was charged on June 4 by Sgt. Anthony Carmon of the Goldsboro Police Department and SBI...

Purple Heart to be awarded in memory of World War I veteran

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The 5-year-old girl sat at the feet of her father, Levi Dawson, and listened to stories about when he was injured in World War I. "My daddy could really tell stories," said Jewel Dawson Kilpatrick, now...

Friday, June 4, 2004

Cherry Hospital memorial dedication

News-Argus/Phyllis Moore Program participants at dedication ceremonies for the Cherry Hospital cemetery monument. At right is Shirley Bostic, wife of late Cherry Chaplain Steven Bostic, who initiated the project. For more information see Cherry Hospital dedicates cemetery monument....

Tornadoes spotted

Tornadoes were spotted this morning in Johnston and Wayne counties just before noon. Residents reported seeing a tornado on the ground near Oakland Church Road and later, just north of Nahunta, about 10 miles north of Goldsboro. A line...

Golden Leaf Board announced grants

North Carolina's growing biotechnology industry was given another boost Thursday after the Golden LEAF Foundation approved $4.3 million worth of grants to help train workers through the state's community colleges. The Golden LEAF's board of directors held its meeting...

Tobacco movie leaves audience nostalgic

FREMONT -- Most of the 40 people who gathered Thursday night at the Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace to watch a documentary about tobacco farmers were farmers. Many had worked in tobacco. But when asked, after the film, how...

Public records

Armed robbery Two men robbed a convenience store clerk Thursday night, a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report said. The clerk told deputies that the robbers entered the Handy Mart No. at 5458 U.S. 117 Alternate South, Dudley, at about 10:42...

Graduates are named scholarship winners

Seven graduates of Wayne County public schools have been named recipients of the 2004 Emmet and Mary Robinson Trust Fund scholarships. Two Charles B. Aycock High School graduates, Eman Alawar and Jennifer Williamson, will receive $3,000 scholarships. Eman plans to...

Duplin begins paying emergency medical technicians

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County has started paying emergency medical technicians to provide 24-hour coverage seven days a week. The paid service is only in Warsaw and Kenansville at this point, but EMS Supervisor Jimmy Pate says countywide paid service...

Faison accepts new library

FAISON -- The Faison town board decided Wednesday night to draft a letter to thank William Thornton for donating a building for a town library and museum. Thornton, the owner of the building at 211 W. Main St., also donated...

Briefly

McNeill promotion Dan K. McNeill of Warsaw, a former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, returned to Fort Bragg on Thursday for a ceremony to recognize his promotion to four-star general. McNeill, 57, spent 23 years at Fort Bragg. In...

Cherry Hospital dedicates cemetery monument

Nestled in a wooded area near the State Employees Credit Union on West Ash Street is a place that many people have wanted to pay tribute to for a long time. On Thursday, eight years of hard work came...

Bounds endowment established

MOUNT OLIVE -- An endowment honoring Dr. Richard R. Bounds, professor of biology, has been established at Mount Olive College by several of his former students. The earnings from the Richard R. Bounds Endowed Fund for Biology will be used...

Thursday, June 3, 2004

Morning fog

Bobby Williams It was a misty sunrise in Wayne County this morning as temperatures hovered around 70. This picture was taken about 6:15 in the Mar Mac community south of Goldsboro. Another warm day is forecast today, but temperatures...

Applebus takes over reins at Gateway

Changes are coming to the Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation System. Beginning next month, buses and vans will be run by an independent contractor. The Gateway board approved a contract Wednesday with Applebus Co. Applebus will employ staff and drivers to run...

Wayne's state legistlative influence waning

Wayne County has lost influence in the N.C. General Assembly, according to a survey of legislators, lobbyists and reporters. N.C. Sen. John Kerr III, a Goldsboro Democrat, was the sole Wayne County representative to rank among the best at...

Goodman's resignation official

Councilman William Goodman resigned from the Goldsboro City Council on Tuesday by sending in a one-sentence statement by fax machine. The resignation was received around 11 a.m. Wednesday. It said, "Regretfully, I request that you accept this memo as...

West announces run for Registrar of Deeds office

Chris West says that he would bring his years of business experience and ability to work with the public to the office of Wayne County register of deeds if he is elected. He says he has the organizational and communication...

Proposed county agriculture districts ready for public reveiw

Wayne County is ready to unveil its proposed "voluntary agriculture districts" program for the public's review. The county commissioners have called a hearing Tuesday, July 6, beginning at 9:15 a.m., to discuss the districts and to take comments. The...

Click it checkpoint nabs 60 drivers, one chased

More than 60 drivers received citations for mostly minor traffic offenses Wednesday during a two-hour checkpoint in Goldsboro. One driver tried to evade the checkpoint at New Hope Road and Shelley Drive and eventually was captured in a vacant...

Benefit to be held for sick Mount Olive child

Jackson Herritt cannot run, skip, hop or jump. He has limited balance and is missing fibers needed for his muscles to grow. At 3 years old, he weighs only 22 pounds. His mom, Stacy Herritt of Goldsboro, said he...

Briefly

Museum events The Wayne County Museum has several educational events coming up this month. June 9 from noon to 3 p.m. will be "Old Toys of the Past," an event for ages 3-4. There will be a display of old-fashioned...

Southern Wayne teacher recognized

An advanced-English teacher at Southern Wayne High School has been named a 2004 Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Freda Allen is one of 250 educators across the country chosen to receive the award that recognizes outstanding...

Consultant woos Duplin school board

KENANSVILLE -- A consultant tried to woo Duplin County school board members for the job of helping figure out what to do about overcrowding and racial imbalance. Robbie Ferris of Shueller, Ferris, Lindstrom & Associates in Fayetteville told the...

Small Business Vendor Fair to explain dealing with military

Those who are unsure of how to do business with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base will soon have the opportunity to learn how. Wayne Community College is holding a Small Business Vendor Fair open to all businesses with products...

Public records

Two hurt in fire Two men were burned Tuesday night in a grease fire at a mobile home at 106 Dosia Drive in the Hood Swamp Mobile Home Park. A guest, Robert Mitts, whose age and home address were not...

Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Cooling off

News-Argus/Dennis Hill The summer season arrived last weekend for children and adults who enjoy the Mina Weil Pool, which opened for the season on Saturday. Mina Weil Park is located off of South John Street. The pool is open...

Goodman pleads guilty, will resign city seat

Goldsboro City Councilman Bill Goodman has pleaded guilty to obtaining property by false pretenses and will resign his council seat, his lawyer said. He was sentenced in Wake County Superior Court to between five and six months in jail, suspended...

County extends development moratorium around base

Developers will need to wait before they can break ground for new homes around Seymour Johnson's flight lines. The Wayne County commissioners voted Tuesday to extend the moratorium on new subdivisions and mobile home parks another 90 days. The...

Annexation lawyer says suit wil be filed soon

Goldsboro can expect to be served with an anti-annexation lawsuit within the next couple of weeks, says the lawyer hired by the group fighting the city's latest annexation decision. In April the council voted to annex property on the...

Goldsboro makes plans to improve blighted areas

City Council members want a list of Goldsboro's blighted areas, so the city can create a plan to clean up the neighborhoods. The topic came up during a budget workshop Tuesday, while City Manager Richard Slozak gave an overview...

Woman defends actions at graduation

A Dudley woman arrested Friday night after being denied entry into graduation ceremonies at Spring Creek High School says she was disappointed but not disorderly about not being allowed inside to see her nephew graduate. School officials say the...

Commissioner questions budget items

The Wayne County commissioners began work Tuesday on the county's proposed $101 million budget for next fiscal year. Most of the commissioners did not express opinions about the budget, which had been prepared by County Manager Lee Smith and...

Eureka introduces proposed budget

EUREKA -- The Eureka town board released its proposed budget Tuesday, which includes no tax increases. But it does include a 5 percent pay raise for town board members, as well as money to hire a town manager. The...

Wayne Community College holds orientation

The Wayne Community College Basic Skills Department will hold orientation for its next session of English as a Second Language courses on Friday. The orientation will begin promptly at 1 p.m. in Room 127 of the Pine Building on college's...

Briefly

Delmus' Hardware closed Delmus' Hardware will have to be closed until the extent of damage to the building can be determined, said Ed Cianfarra, Goldsboro's chief building inspector. On Monday, a car crashed into the store while the driver was...

Public records

Apartment fire Unattended cooking was blamed Tuesday for a fire that damaged an upstairs apartment at 605 Courtyard Circle, Goldsboro fire officials said. No one was injured. The resident, Shashonda Williamson, escaped the fire but said she did not hear...

Mobile mammography comes to Wayne

Wayne County women will soon have greater access to breast cancer screenings through a new mobile mammography program set to begin this summer. Goshen Medical Center Inc. was one of eight agencies across the country selected by Avon and the...

Eureka residents concerned about sewer situation

EUREKA -- Town residents expressed their concerns Tuesday about the sewer situation with Fremont, and some suggested disbanding the town if the problem cannot be solved. Fremont officials have said their meters are registering three times more waste than...

Tuesday, June 1, 2004

Theater taking shape

News-Argus/Dennis Hill The walls of a new theater complex are going up off the U.S. 70 bypass. Group III Management of Kinston is the general contractor for the project. United Entertainment Corp. is the owner of the future 12-screen...

No county tax increase in proposed budget

Wayne County homeowners will avoid a property tax increase for the first time in three years under the proposed 2004-2005 county budget. County Manager Lee Smith formally presented his $101 million budget proposal to the county commissioners this morning....

Tears of pride, sadness, mark service

Scenes of U.S. military personnel defending their country flashed upon the screen while patriotic music played in the background. Tears of pride and sadness rolled down the faces of some of those watching the video. Others cheered when pictures...

Cooking fire damages home in Goldsboro

Unattended cooking was blamed today for a fire that heavily damaged a duplex apartment at 715 Devereaux St., a Goldsboro fire official said. No one was injured, but two occupants needed oxygen, Assistant Fire Chief Ray Boyette said. Heavy fire...

Local Scout receives rare national award

MOUNT OLIVE -- Eagle Scout Stevie Lewis has received a national scouting award, one of only two given in the last 30 years in the Tuscarora Council. The William T. Hornaday badge is the oldest conservation award in America,...

North Duplin Elementary school recognized for crisis preparation

CALYPSO -- The attorney general has recognized North Duplin Elementary School for taking proactive measures to address a crisis on campus. Previously, the attorney general had recognized two schools in Wayne County -- Goldsboro Middle School and Spring Creek High...

Summer school begins at Eastern Wayne High, sessions at other schools to follow

Summer school began today at one high school, and others will follow suit next week. Eastern Wayne High School has scheduled its summer session from June 1-11 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Southern Wayne, Goldsboro, and Charles B....

Tobacco film recalls early days

FREMONT -- Tobacco farming has left filmmaker Cynthia Hill a lot of fond memories --and some conflict. The Pink Hill native, who now lives in Durham in a converted tobacco warehouse, knows that tobacco is a product that sickens...

Tuesday briefly

Military display A special military display has been set up at the main post office on William Street. The display, which will be at the post office for the next month, is in remembrance of war heroes. The memorabilia was...

Public records

Victims of fire 'lost everything' "We lost everything we had," said Robert McKinzie. McKinzie and Jeffrey Taylor, two senior airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, had scrambled from their rental home at 106 Belfast Ave. and then watched as...

Student's artwork featured on billboards

A Norwayne Middle School sixth-grader's artwork was recently featured on four local billboards designed to increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention. Shelby Briggs won the second-annual poster contest sponsored by Wayne County's For Children Council, a local...