February 2009 archives

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Man charged with manslaughter in death

Police say they filed a manslaughter charge today against a 45-year-old East Walnut Street man who assaulted Gerald Anthony King. Investigator Dwayne Dean said Nathan Hales Faison assaulted Gerald Anthony King last Thursday, and police found him dead in his...

Railroad should be done soon at crossings

Wayne County drivers have been dealing with blocked intersections and snarled traffic on some roads this week as work crews make repairs to the CSX rail line that runs through the county. But, barring rain, crews working on and...

United Way honors volunteers; Perry takes home top award

David Perry, who served as campaign chairman for the United Way of Wayne County in 2008, was named the recipient of the Emil Rosenthal Award at the organization's annual meeting Thursday at the Goldsboro Country Club. Perry was recognized...

Devices saving county jail costs

Seven of the 25 new electronic monitoring devices approved earlier this month by commissioners already have been put into use and another seven could soon be added. The use of the devices, which has to be ordered by a...

Pickle company's honorary chairman known for humor, dedication

MOUNT OLIVE --  Two Mount Olive locals sat at a table in the Southern Belle restaurant, talking about the past. "We always got along, didn't we, Johnny?" "Far as I know." "We never had any disagreements. I always respected him."...

Public record

Car fired upon Michael Moore of Beech Street told Goldsboro police on Wednesday evening that his Plymouth Acclaim had been damaged by gunfire, according to a report. Police counted nine bullet holes in the vehicle and listed damages at about...

Shooting in car becomes murder

A Goldsboro woman shot while sitting in the driver's seat of her car outside her home Tuesday night has died. Barbara Bandy was reportedly shot "multiple times," and police are seeking John Oscar Mumford of Whitted Court and Anthony...

David Rouse named ABWA Boss of the Year

Attorney David Rouse was named Boss of the Year at the American Business Women's Association's Boss Night recently. He was nominated by member Jo Ann Summerlin. The speaker for the event was Linda Greenwood, associate professor and adjunct part-time at...

Mount Olive Black History Month parade postponed

The Mount Olive Black History Month Parade scheduled for Saturday has been postponed until Saturday, March 7, because of the threat of heavy rain. The parade line-up will begin at 10 a.m. March 7 and the parade will start at...

Animal abuse case is continued

A man accused of animal abuse and "horrible" conditions for animals kept at his Fremont property had his court date reset for March 26 in Wayne County District Court on Thursday. Lawton McKenzie, 28, faces two misdemeanor counts of...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Woman shot in vehicle dies two days later

A Goldsboro woman shot while sitting in the driver's seat of her car outside her home Tuesday night has died.Barbara Bandy was reportedly shot "multiple times" on Tuesday night, and police are seeking John Oscar Mumford of Whitted Court and...

'Tadpole' Daniels dies from injuries

Well-known Goldsboro businessman Charles "Tadpole" Daniels died Wednesday at Pitt Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained in a traffic accident Tuesday morning in Onslow County. He was 64. Friends and relatives remembered him as a generous, hard-working man who not...

$855,000 in works for Union Station

Goldsboro officials learned today that Congressman G.K. Butterfield and a majority of his colleagues in the House approved funding $855,000 to be used for restoration of historic Union Station. And while the decision still must be passed by the U.S....

Local involuntary annexation ban bill hits N.C. House

A bill that would place a temporary moratorium on involuntary annexation in Wayne County has passed its first reading in the state House and has been referred to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations. A favorable report...

Mount Olive police look into complaint against teacher

The Mount Olive Police Department is investigating a complaint by a student at Mount Olive Middle School and her family involving a teacher. No charges have been filed. "We are currently investigating allegations reported by the student," said Chief...

Southern Wayne High School student sets fire

DUDLEY -- A 15-year-old told arson investigators he set a stack of toilet paper on fire in a bathroom at Southern Wayne High School, then returned to class, leaving the fire to burn without telling anyone, authorities say. Deputy...

Two men sought in shooting

Goldsboro police say it appears that a "disagreement amongst acquaintances" led to the shooting of Barbara Bandy on Tuesday, and are now seeking two suspects. Ms. Bandy, 34, was reportedly in Pitt Memorial Hospital after being transferred there by...

Cherry workers on leave after patient incident

Four Cherry Hospital employees have been placed on investigatory leave following a Jan. 27 incident of patient neglect. State Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Mark Van Sciver had no other information this morning concerning the incident, but...

Chargers advance

CHARLOTTE -- Catherine Ford poured in a game-high 19 points as No. 1-ranked Wayne Country Day upended Statesville Christian 56-34 in quarterfinal-round play of the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A women's basketball playoffs.The top-seeded Chargers (25-2 overall)...

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

15-year-old charged in toilet paper fire at Southern Wayne

A 15-year-old juvenile told arson investigators he set a stack of toilet paper on fire at his high school, then returning to class, letting the fire burn without telling anyone, authorities say. A school resource officer, Deputy Russell Rice, was...

Cashwell could connect to U.S. 70

Goldsboro planning officials are considering a plan that would create a shortcut from Berkeley Boulevard to the U.S. 70 Bypass. The city is working with Wayne County Public Schools officials to extend Cashwell Drive from its terminus at Berkeley Park...

Officials talk more about plan for depot

The Union Station project might or might not include a separate building for GATEWAY and Greyhound bus service. Goldsboro and North Carolina Department of Transportation officials and GATEWAY board members met Tuesday afternoon as a steering committee for a study...

Woman shot in her car on street

A 42-year-old woman was shot "several times" while sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle outside 304 N. Leslie St. on Tuesday evening, Goldsboro police said. Barbara Ann Bandy, who lives at the address of the incident, was...

Plans firmed for GATEWAY use survey

Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions about the GATEWAY transportation system April 1. The meeting is part of a state study examining GATEWAY's performance and organization. It is expected to take five to six months to...

County vigil shines candlelight on abused, neglected children

The light from 551 tiny candles flickered for an hour Tuesday night, reminding those in attendance of children suffering abuse and neglect in Wayne County. Another 25 burned brightly to honor the children who have died in North Carolina. The...

Wooten donates Fremont home to WCC for scholarships

A TV writer/producer who hails from Fremont has donated his childhood home to Wayne Community College, with proceeds from its sale to provide scholarships for future educators. Jamie Wooten, who has written for such TV show as "Golden Girls" and...

Tobacco Associates meeting Friday

WILSON -- Tobacco Associates Inc. will hold its 62nd annual meeting Friday at the the Wilson County Agricultural Center Auditorium at 1806 S. Goldsboro St. in Wilson. The meeting program will begin at 10 am. This year's speakers will discuss...

EWHS students among finalists in auto tech competition

The North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association has announced that Eastern Wayne High School students Matthew McKinnon and Jekevyn Peele are among four finalist teams to compete in its 2009 Automotive Technology Competition. The students won a spot to compete in...

Public record

Two schools broken into Dillard Middle School custodian Janice Sumlin and cafeteria manager Carolyn Raynor reported Monday morning that eight windows at the school had been damaged, according to Goldsboro police reports. There were also damages to at least...

Miss N.C. to attend Seven Springs festival

SEVEN SPRINGS -- An appearance by the reigning Miss North Carolina, Amanda Lauren Watson, will highlight the Ole Timey Days Festival in Seven Springs. The town's ninth annual Ole Timey Days will be held on May 9, and Miss...

Man arrested in December shooting

One man is in Wayne County jail for the December shooting of Louis Muniz of Faro, but the Sheriff's Office is looking for another, authorities said. The Sheriff's Office arrested Terrance Lee Melton, 18, of Northwest Acres Drive, Greenville,...

James Sprunt to apply for grant for public safety building

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Board of Commissioners has agreed to let Dr. Lawrence Rouse, president of James Sprunt Community College, apply for a $90,000 grant to have plans drawn up for a new public safety education building on campus....

Additional charges filed in meth raid

A Mount Olive area man has been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine for "starting the process" of making meth in the back of his car, authorities say. The Sheriffs Office has also charged one other person in a traffic stop...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Dealers sued for $96,000 back rent

One of Goldsboro's largest car dealerships has been sued for about $100,000 in delinquent land rent payments, court records show. The landlord for dealer Honda of Goldsboro and Hyundai of Goldsboro alleges in a complaint that the dealer is $96,175...

Parents, teachers discuss discipline

Back in the day, behavior problems at school were handled much differently. There was no ISS (in-school suspension) and long-term suspension was really rare. "Your teacher kept you after school. You stayed in class but you were punished by the...

Benefit will raise funds for family

A few days before a local man undergoes brain surgery, Wayne County residents will gather at Murphy's Place in Mount Olive to raise money for his family. Paul Bronson, who was rushed from his Mount Olive apartment to Wayne Memorial...

Businessman seriously injured in Jacksonville

The owner of N.C. Salvage was involved in a serious car accident in Jacksonville on Monday morning. Charles Daniels, owner of the U.S. 117 South auto and scrap recycling businesses, is in intensive care at Pitt Memorial Hospital, said...

Tuscarora Council honored by BSA

The Tuscarora Council, Boy Scouts of America received the 2008 Centennial Quality Council Award from the national office of the Boy Scouts of America. The award is designed to recognize groups for outstanding achievement in providing quality Scouting programs for...

'Beauty and the Beast' performance March 5-8

StageStruck will perform "Beauty and the Beast" at the Paramount Theatre starting March 5 and running until March 8. Show times will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a matinee at 1 p.m. on Saturday and at 3...

County reading program introduces Blackbeard

Blackbeard the pirate made an appearance Monday night at the Arts Council of Wayne County, as part of the 2009 Wayne County Reads project. This year's book is "Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate," by Angus Konstam. On Monday, actor...

Monday, February 23, 2009

Rescue group opens new office on U.S. 117

Gordon Joyner can remember spending up to eight days during a hurricane working from the cramped quarters of the old N.C. Association of Rescue and EMS office on U.S. 117 North. Hopefully, that won't happen again, but if it...

It's dry but not danger zone yet

For the second week in a row, Wayne County has been back on the state drought monitor. After coming off of the drought scale completely in November, the county moved to the lowest -- and least dangerous -- category on...

Commission talks about roads, future of fire districts, housing

Meeting Friday morning for the second day of a two-day retreat at the Goldsboro Country Club, county commissioners heard about the financial impact of the county's roads, the controversy over a proposed low-rent housing project at Rosewood, fire districts...

Black History program features student portrayals

Students from the county's high schools spoke of and/or portrayed historic African-Americans Saturday afternoon during the second annual Black History Month program at Hamilton Funeral Chapel. "It is always important during Black History Month to increase the awareness of...

WORKS program offers assessments

The Wayne Occupational Readiness Keys for Success (WORKS) program is offering the public more free sessions of WorkKeys(r) testing for Career Readiness Certification, an assessment that shows prospective employers that applicants possess skills they require. Assessments include reading for information,...

Public record

Investigations The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is investigating these reports: *Damages totaled $800 t0 the rear door and frame at the home of Ellis Earl Harrell, 76, 207 Hereford Drive, Dudley after someone broke into the home. Taken was a...

Habitat needs help to feed college volunteers

Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne is looking for organizations or individuals willing to feed college students who will be coming to help build a house in Wayne County during the Weeks of March 2, 9 and 16. Habitat officials say...

Duplin schools' finance officer leaving her job

KENANSVILLE -- After helping bring the Duplin County school system through a lawsuit and a performance audit, Carolyn Olivarez has resigned her post as chief finance officer. Mrs. Olivarez said she will leave in March. She is going from having...

Duplin airport height restrictions considered

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Airport Commission and the Duplin County Planning Board will hold a public informational meeting at the Duplin Commons Agricultural Building Auditorium at 165 Agriculture Drive at 7 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the proposed Duplin County...

Sunday, February 22, 2009

City expects water rate increase this year

Water rates in Goldsboro might increase come July, as Goldsboro officials try to compensate for a possible $721,206 shortfall in the city's utility fund. Goldsboro Finance Director Kaye Scott told City Council members during the last day of their...

Nahunta: 'It is a keeper'

NAHUNTA -- It didn't take New York City native Regina Coley long to learn what generations of people living in this rural northwestern part of Wayne County have known for years -- it is a friendly, close-knit place. Mrs....

A first taste of tradition

Austin Scott Rouse, 2, tastes his first fish stew at the annual Washington's Day Fox Hunt in Albertson on Saturday. The event drew almost 1,000 to the Duplin community, some for the running of the dogs, but many for...

Man commits suicide

PIKEVILLE -- Police here are investigating the Friday afternoon death of Harold Lee Person. Police were called to a Church Street address about 3:30 p.m. where they found Person dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The medical examiner...

Bond vote for schools discussed

It took the Wayne County Board of Commissioners more than an hour Friday to answer a question posed by Chairman Bud Gray -- did they support efforts by the Board of Education to close one school and consolidate two...

Pickle Pageant contestants sought

Applications are being accepted for the 2009 North Carolina Pickle Festival Princess Pageant which will be held on March 7. The pageant is open to girls of any age. The Miss North Carolina Pickle Festival Princess and Miss Teen North...

For the animals

On the air Saturday night at the PAC-10 television station, Suzanne Tyner, the Wayne County Humane Society president, waves along with Prissy to the viewers during their telethon fundraiser. The society raised about $3,000 for the county's new Animal...

NAACP anniversary to be observed Thursday and Friday

The Stop the Funeral Initiative and its covenant partners will be hosting two nights of celebration of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History's announced 2009 Black History Theme, "The Quest for Black Citizenship in the...

Methamphetamine lab discovered in man's vehicle

DUDLEY -- About 80 percent of the parts of a rolling methamphetamine lab was found in the back of a car at Best Gas and Grocery on Friday afternoon, authorities said. Investigators with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said...

GOP convention set for March 14

The Wayne County Republican Party will hold its annual convention on Saturday, March 14 at the Wayne Center at 208 W. Chestnut Street. Doors open at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. Precinct organizational meetings will be held...

Eight girls competing for title of Miss Eastern Wayne High

Eight contestants will compete for the title "Miss Eastern Wayne High School 2009" on Friday at 7 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College. Theme of the 16th annual scholarship pageant is "Dream Girls." The event is sponsored by...

DGDC chooses old fire station for ornament

It's only February, but members of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. had Christmas on their minds Wednesday as board members selected a design for the group's 2009 Christmas ornament. And DGDC executive director Julie Thompson called it "fitting" that...

Bryan vice chairman of Campbell board

Raymond Bryan Jr. of Goldsboro, has been elected vice chairman of Campbell University's Board of Trustees. The chairman of the board of directors for the T.A. Loving construction company in Goldsboro, Bryan is currently serving his 8th term as a...

'Blackbeard' at Arts Council on Monday

Blackbeard, the famed pirate of nearly 300 years ago, will sail into Goldsboro Monday for a night of swashbuckling fun. He will be at the Arts Council of Wayne County from 6 until 8 p.m. as part of Wayne County...

Benefit to help Mount Olive man to be held Feb. 28

A benefit to help a Mount Olive man confined to a wheelchair following surgery last summer on a spinal tumor will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 at the ..... Sitting with Gary Britt at his dining room table recently...

Friday, February 20, 2009

Celebrating Black History Month

Lt. Brandon Bailey of the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base talks with students at North Drive Elementary School this morning during the school's Black History Month presentations. A number of black community leaders, including state...

Mount Olive Chamber and Jaycees honor local leaders

MOUNT OLIVE -- Kristal Jones smiled through her tears as she took the stage Thursday night at the third annual Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees membership banquet and award ceremony. "This is not why I was here...

County reviews budget needs

Wayne County Commissioners were bombarded with needs for personnel, equipment and buildings at their retreat session Thursday at the Goldsboro Country Club. Commissioners heard from officials from the Health Department, Department of Social Services, Sheriff's Office, Office of Emergency...

City Council split over civic center site

Goldsboro may have a civic center in its future, but as of now, it won't sit next to Wayne Community College. City Council members discussed the option during the second and final day of their annual retreat Thursday and had...

U.S. Rep. Butterfield visits Wayne

North Carolina 1st District Rep. G.K. Butterfield visited Wayne County Wednesday to speak to local students, tour Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Butterfield supported the $787 billion stimulus bill, which was...

Montessori MATH-A-THON for St. Jude's

The Wayne Montessori School is holding its annual MATH-A-THON to raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Organizers are asking for the community's support by making donations. Donations will be accepted at the school at 900 S. Harding Drive or...

Man's death under investigation

Goldsboro police are investigating the death of a North John Street man, a death in which causes are unknown, records show. Gerald Anthony King, 34, was found dead at his home at 920 N. John St., after Garland King...

Clergy luncheon Feb. 26

The STOP The Funeral Initiative will hold a clergy luncheon on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Rebuilding Broken Places CDC at 2105 N. William Street. The event will feature the Rev. Dr. Madeline McClenny-Sadler, founder of the Exodus Foundation.org. Dr....

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Practicing for spring

Goldsboro High School's Isaac Bruton directs his chorus after school Wednesday in a piece for upcoming concerts this year. Later this spring, choruses from Wayne County Public Schools will combine efforts for a countywide concert open to the public....

Health officials set sights on plan

Figuring out a road map for public health in Wayne County is tricky business, local health officials say. But through regular community health assessments and surveys, that could be changing for the better. The Wayne County Health Department held a...

City Council considers basic needs as planning begins for new budget

Goldsboro needs more police patrol cars and fire equipment. That's what the City Council learned Wednesday during the first day of its annual retreat, held this year at the City Hall addition to save money. But many of the...

Brogden Primary is one of 10 to get $100,000

Students and staff at Brogden Primary crowded into the cafeteria and library Wednesday morning, unaware that within minutes they would learn the school was the recipient of a $100,000 award. The school is one of 10 in the country to...

Jack Best: It's time to rethink facilities

Wayne County's $23 million school facilities plan is nothing more than a Band-Aid approach to addressing school needs, Commissioner Jack Best said Tuesday. The county, he said, needs to tear down 10 old schools and replace them with five...

Public record

Armed robbery Fredrick Sykes of Mimosa Street reported Tuesday that two black men robbed him at gunpoint near the intersection of Walnut and Andrews Street that afternoon, police said. Sykes reported the men drove up in a silver-colored mid-1990s Chevy...

Telethon set for Humane Society effort

The Wayne County Humane Society's second annual "Save the Animals" telethon will be 6-9 p.m. Saturday on PACC-10 TV. Funds from the telethon will go toward the $150,000 pledged from the Society for the county's new Animal Adoption and Education...

Senator's bill would prevent tie-vote concern

RALEIGH -- State Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin, has introduced a local bill in the Legislature that would stop the Duplin County Commission and Board of Education chairmen from voting unless there is a tie. Duplin County's board of commissioners and...

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

'Not in our town': Rosewood questions housing plan

Some were worried about a potential increase in crime. Others feared their homes might lose value. And there was even concern voiced that law enforcement and firefighters would be spread too thin. Their reasons were different, but the several hundred...

Health officials: Be wary of illegal catering

Wayne County health officials are warning residents that when they hire someone to provide food at an event, cutting corners might not be the safest idea. The Wayne County Health Department say caterers without credentials could mean trouble for an...

Seven Springs firefighter receives association's top volunteer award

A Seven Springs firefighter took home the Wayne County Firemen's Association top award Tuesday night, and a Little River women's auxiliary member earned her organization's top honor. Doug Casey of Seven Springs won the G. Edgar Summerlin Award, named...

Duplin sets its sights on new animal shelter

KENANSVILLE -- More than a year ago, the Duplin County Board of Commissioners formed the Animal Advisory Board as interest in building a new animal shelter grew among residents. Monday, the group's chairman, Frank Brown, took the discussion a step...

Public record

Cars left on roadside stolen Two vehicles left on the side of the roadway were reportedly taken by car thieves, Goldsboro police report: *Roland Jackson of Pou Street reported that his 1998 Buick Regal was stolen from U.S. 117 and...

Fremont to buy truck to help with waste collection

FREMONT -- Fremont residents may see a brand new truck come this spring when leaves are picked up in front of their homes. After some discussion and months of mulling the idea over, the Fremont Board of Aldermen approved the...

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Suspect in child rape moved to County Jail

The man accused of committing a decades-old rape that landed the wrong man in prison for 18 years has been moved to the Wayne County Jail. William Jackson Neal, 53, was jailed after having been held in a number...

Consultants find $2.8M-plus in cuts in Duplin schools

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin schools have too many cafeteria workers, assistant principals and administrators, according to a consulting firm hired by the Duplin County commissioners to assess the financial state of the county's schools. The school system could save almost $15...

North end residents see more expensive electricity

Wayne County municipalities that are part of the ElectriCities energy association have suffered for years because of high electric costs, and the news recently got worse. With higher production costs, ElectriCities has been forced to pass on rate increases to...

Mother will face prison in baby's death

KENANSVILLE -- A Duplin County woman pleaded guilty Monday in Duplin County Superior Court to second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of her 21-month-old daughter. Cynthia Chestnutt was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years and...

Council questions bid preparation bill

At their Monday night meeting, Goldsboro City Council members didn't approve paying a Raleigh consulting firm $39,187 for architectural and bid preparation services of the new Community Recreation Center. In fact, they took the item off their agenda until...

Public record

Valentine's Day thieves sought Police are looking for two unknown suspects who shoplifted a Valentine's Day card with sound, two chocolate hearts and 57 DVDs and set them outside the Spence Avenue Wal-Mart on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day. A store...

Epicureans hope to revive Soap Box Derby

The Epicurean Civic Club is interested in bringing the Soap Box Derby to Goldsboro. Club leaders said they have discussed many ways to steer youth in the right direction and have decided that action, not talk, is needed. The club...

Monday, February 16, 2009

Rosewood residents to oppose housing

ROSEWOOD -- Opponents of a low-income housing project in their community say they welcome support from anyone in the county who is concerned about such projects. Opponents of the Rosewood Townes project will gather Tuesday at 7 p.m. at...

WCPS will debut new cable television channel

At long last, Wayne County Public Schools' education access channel, WCEA, will soon be on the air. For several years, the possibility has eluded officials, with red tape from several directions tying up efforts. Through the city of Goldsboro's franchise...

Wayne has 18 new nationally certified teachers

Wayne County Public Schools' has 18 new National Board Certified educators, officials announced this week. Certification is granted by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and is the most accepted symbol of teaching excellence in the nation. North Carolina...

GATEWAY will look at plans for future growth

Staff Writer A state study to look at the performance and organization of the GATEWAY transportation system will get under way later this month. The agency's board of directors Tuesday afternoon appropriated $15,000, its share of the $142,000 study. The...

Reservists will help train future Air Force pilots, WSOs

A pilot steps to the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base flight line. He has an Air Force Reserve patch on his chest, but he is not approaching a KC-135R Strato-tanker. He isn't even a member of the 916th Air Refueling...

Mrs. Tucker president of Sir Walter Cabinet

RALEIGH -- Geraldine A. Tucker has been officially inducted as president of the Sir Walter Cabinet, a group comprised of the spouses of high-ranking state officials. She is the wife of Rep. Russell Tucker, D-Duplin. The Sir Walter Cabinet dates...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

New law has thrift stores worried about the toys on their shelves

Shoppers at several Goldsboro second-hand stores were greeted by empty spaces last week as employees began pulling children's toys and other products off the shelves in response to a new federal law. Put into effect Tuesday, the Consumer Product...

County woman honors her mother, grandmother with new headstones after more than 40 years

Jessie Kornegay was not stirred by the cool breeze breaking against her as she sat in the shade in front of the graves of her mother and grandmother Friday afternoon. The sight of overgrown brush and sunken headstones that surround...

State reps to focus on agriculture, education and military issues

A week after the state Senate announced its committee assignments, the House has done the same, and all of Wayne County representatives are pleased with where they ended up. Leading the list is Rep. Larry Bell, D-Sampson, the senior...

Freshmen legislators introduce first bills, including puppy mill legislation

With committee assignments made and a couple weeks of organization under their belts, Wayne County's freshmen legislators have begun to introduce their first bills for consideration. Tops among those, though, are two that haven't been finished yet, both dealing...

County planners want economic impact of roads studied

Everybody wants new highways designed for speed and safety, but in the rush to have them built, it is vital that their economic impact not be overlooked, Wayne County Planning Board members said last week. For the past several...

WCPS participates in sealant program

Dozens of students from Brogden Primary and Meadow Lane Elementary schools were the beneficiaries of a dental sealant program recently. Volunteers from the North Carolina Health Section, Wayne County Dental Society, Wayne Community College -- including dentists, hygienists and...

City Council to discuss rec center project Monday

Although the Goldsboro City Council decided in January to hold off on the Community Recreation Center project, the architectural and bid preparation services were already mostly complete, and on Monday will be discussed at the council's meeting. Among the...

Friday, February 13, 2009

Will you be my valentine?

Carly Hooks, a student in the kindergarten class of Kim Langston at Brogden Primary School, works on a valentine Thursday. With the special day coming up this weekend, classes in schools across Wayne County celebrated the day with the...

GHS to add more specialized academies

Goldsboro High School will add two specialized academies in the fall designed to help students become more ready for the future, officials said this week. Principal Patricia Burden made the announcement during a presentation before the school board about the...

Foster Center repairs a priority

W.A. Foster Center should not be forgotten. That's what Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission members said at their meeting Tuesday evening. The building has cracks in some of the floors and walls and needs a structural evaluation, which city...

Former city manager Collings remembered as decisive

When retired Air Force Col. Kenneth Collings died Wednesday morning at the age of 87, he left many friends behind. None much closer than Goldsboro Mayor Al King. Collings served as Goldsboro's city manager from 1978 to 1986, and...

Forged computer receipt leads to charges

A Rosewood man is wanted for forging a Sam's Club receipt and trying to walk out with a touchscreen computer, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office says. Then, authorities said, Jeffery Alan Moore left the copies of his multiple attempts...

Public record

Church windows broken Four windows at Stoney Creek Church suffered about $1,000 in damages after someone threw bricks through windows on the back side of the church's fellowship hall, according to the report. A small black SUV was seen...

Man shot on Slaughter Street

A Goldsboro man suffered a minor injury after being shot while walking down Slaughter Street late Wednesday afternoon, Goldsboro police said. City police found Dominique Coleman, 21, of Slocumb Street, at the intersection of Slaughter and Elm streets moments around...

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Man allegedly had meth, guns

By NICK HILTUNEN News-Argus Staff Writer A Goldsboro area man was carrying methamphetamine, guns and marijuana when police stopped him for allegedly either showing or pointing a gun in the direction of a passing motorist, authorities say. A witness called...

Boy in coma after being hit by car

Cynthia and Mark Gambrel are praying for a miracle. And they believe they're going to get it. But more than two weeks ago, doctors did not give them much hope when they spoke with the family about Taylor, 12, who...

NAACP president demands $35,000 from city for 'insult'

Sylvia Barnes, president of the Goldsboro-Wayne Branch of the NAACP, is requesting $35,000 from the city, as well as a a public apology from Councilman Chuck Allen for comments made during an Oct. 20, 2008, City Council meeting. Ms. Barnes...

Two days added to school year for snow makeup

The school year for Wayne County Public Schools will now be extended by a day because of snow makeup days announced by school officials. Tuesday, June 9, was originally scheduled as the last day of the school year. That...

Dogs hit the road, headed for new lives

The white metal door clattered as volunteers shoved it out of the way and sunlight streamed into the dusty Wayne County fairgrounds barn, revealing tables full of paperwork, piles of empty boxes and nearly 300 dogs. More, if you counted...

Public record

Wallet stolen A teacher at Eastern Wayne High School reported Tuesday that her wallet had been stolen from her classroom the previous day, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. Leann Yearwood's wallet contained identification and about $10, according to the...

Disabled victims hit by arson for second time

An arsonist targeted the home a family of disabled and elderly people for a second time on Wednesday night, authorities said. One of the victims is blind, another is disabled and mostly confined to a bed and they live...

Display will be named in pilot's honor

A ceremony will be held on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Friday afternoon to honor one of the 4th Fighter Wing's most storied war heroes. And once it is over, the F-105 aircraft static display recently erected in the base's...

Wreck totals Sheriff's Office car Wednesday

A Sheriff's Office patrol car and a Jeep SUV were totaled in a head-on wreck on U.S. 117 on Wednesday afternoon. No one was severely injured in the crash, although a prisoner in the back Sheriff's car at the...

Center Street blaze appears to be accidental

Emmuel Lewis Jr. had been remodeling 908 N. Center Street, which was deemed a total loss after a fire Wednesday afternoon. It was the second house fire to cause major damages on Wednesday, Fire Chief Gary Whaley said. Emmuel...

VIDEO: Fire destroys North Center Street home

A fire completely destroyed 906 N. Center Street on Wednesday afternoon. To watch the video, click the link. Then, click the video to play it.Missed a video broadcast? All of the News-Argus videos are archived and available from the web...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Money, space prompt plans for schools

The proposed reorganization of four Wayne County public schools in the fall was prompted by two things, officials say -- the faltering economy and better use of existing space. The school board was briefed on the possible changes at its...

Settled: Dogs will find forever homes

The 283 dogs seized from a puppy mill are now in Wayne County's custody, and will be sent around the country to adoptive homes. But how long the animals will wait before being adopted will depend on the amount of...

Residents will oppose low-income housing

Rosewood area residents are launching a petition drive against low-income housing in the county and in particular a 36-unit development proposed for their community. "We are trying to voice our opinion and we hope the county commissioners and others...

Nickens honored for work at Family Y

For more than two decades, visitors to the Goldsboro Family Y were greeted by the smiling face of J.R. Nickens. Nickens, 86, was the face of the Y, said many of the 80 or so friends who gathered at the...

Duplin schools consider dumping lawsuit

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin Board of Education will ask for the county's permission today to start site preparation for a new school at Duplin Commons on the southern outskirts of Kenansville. Schools Superintendent Wiley Doby told the board members during...

Goldsboro Parks & Rec upcoming events

Here's what's coming up in the Parks and Recreation Department this month: *The Daddy Daughter Dance will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Herman Park Center. Fathers can spend a special night out with their daughters...

These students will compete in Southeast Regional Science Fair

Wayne County Public Schools recently held its annual districtwide science fair, with 12 award recipients now qualified to travel to the regional competition in Wilmington on Saturday. Approximately 50 projects were displayed from three divisions -- K-2, grades 3-5,...

WCPS recognized for public outreach work

Wayne County Public Schools has been recognized for its public relations efforts, receiving awards for its 2008 annual report and the district Web site. During the annual N.C. School Public Relations Association's Blue Ribbon awards ceremony for effective communications,...

Public record

Student had marijuana A 15-year-old student at Charles B. Aycock was found with three small bags of marijuana in his possession on Friday, the Wayne County Sheriff's office reported. The Sheriff's Office reported on Tuesday that the 15-year-old was...

Man charged for tossing stolen puppy out window

A 19-year-old accused of stealing nine pit bull puppies threw one of the puppies out of his apartment window as investigators closed in, Goldsboro police said. Jermel Shy'Kymn Jamison, 19, of Courtyard Circle was charged with animal cruelty, possession...

Goldsboro named Tree City for 11th year

For the 11th year, Goldsboro has been named a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation. The recognition is given to honor the city's commitment to community forestry. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the...

Goldsboro to start flushing pipes Sunday

The city of Goldsboro Public Works Department will begin its annual uni-directional water line flushing program on Sunday. Crews will be flushing lines from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. daily except Fridays and Saturdays. The flushing program is expected to...

Museum exhibit shows county's path to equality

Wayne County Museum patrons have only a few more weeks to see the exhibit called "Black History: From Slavery to the Presidency." The exhibit, compiled by the museum staff, Linda Wilkins-Daniels and the Rev. James E. Williams, opened on...

VIDEO: Woman settles in 'puppy mill' case

Watch video as settlement is reached in the "puppy mill" civil injunction against Thornton Kennels owner Virginia Thornton. Thornton agreed to turn over her 283 dogs, some kept in cages for years, to county authorities. The U.S. Humane Society's state...

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Veterinarians needed to assist in 'puppy mill' handling this week

There is one last hurdle for the nearly 300 dogs seized from Thornton Kennels, and the HSUS is asking for veterinarians to help them clear it. "We're in dire need of state-licensed veterinarians to be at the shelter to complete...

Settlement reached in 'puppy mill' case

By NICK HILTUNEN and CATHARIN SHEPPARD A scheduled civil hearing against the owner of an alleged "puppy mill" -- where dogs are bred in "horrible" conditions -- was canceled after a settlement was reached out of court, authorities said....

Wayne County Reads kicks off 'Blackbeard'

About a mile off the shore of Beaufort, just beyond the surfers and sun worshippers, lies the remains of the most famous pirate ship of all time. And the man who is in charge of saving its historic artifacts...

County has to add new 'puppy line' for callers

Wayne County Animal Control has added an additional phone line at the county animal shelter on Clingman Street to handle the heavy volume of calls from people inquiring about dogs seized in a Friday morning raid west of Mount...

With tears in their eyes ...

As her cat-printed T-shirt suggests, Betty Harmon usually works with felines at the Safe Haven for Cats shelter in Raleigh. But when she received an urgent e-mail Thursday night from United Animal Nations, she rushed to Goldsboro to help care...

Education Council sets sights on student skill levels

Slightly more than two years ago a group of local business and industry leaders, concerned about the adverse effects bickering between commissioners and the school board could have, joined forces to smooth the waters and facilitated an ongoing dialogue...

Cause of motorcycle wreck still unknown

The Highway Patrol isn't sure what caused motorcyclist Dennis Alan Brock, 48, to cross the center line on West Main Street extension in Mount Olive on Saturday. N.C. Crime Control and Public Safety Telecommuni-cator J.T. Smith said the accident...

Public record

Juveniles caught in break-in Goldsboro police say two juveniles were arrested and charged after being caught in Lance Inc. on Sunday morning. Officers found a stolen car with 30-day tags, and a 13-year-old and 14-year-old were found running from the...

Sheriff says telemarketing calls have nothing to do with his office

Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders wants the public to know his office is not affiliated with a telemarketing campaign seeking money for the United States Sheriffs Association. Winders said callers have told residents that the money will be used...

Berkeley Commons sold for $19M to New York investor

Berkeley Commons -- the plaza that houses TJMaxx, Ross Dress for Less, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond and other retail shops and restaurants on Berkeley Boulevard -- was recently sold to a New York investor for millions. 1st Carolina...

Board will eye changes at some schools

School officials are proposing reorganization at several schools in the county, with hopes to consolidate four others in time for the 2009-10 school year. Wayne County Board of Education was briefed on the plan at its Monday night meeting. Sprunt...

Two Goldsboro men arrested on drug charges in Lenoir County

An investigation in an area of Lenoir County called "Little Baltimore" turned up 50 "esctasy" pills and marijuana, Lenoir County Sheriff's Office officials said. Two people were arrested on Monday in Lenoir County after selling MDMA, short for methylenedioxymethamphetamine,...

Business women scholarships available

The Wayne Duplin Business and Professional Organization will offer three $500 scholarships to worthy women fro the academic year 2009-2010. Interested applicants may request an application from Barbara Kornegay, scholarship chair, by emailing [email protected] or by calling( 91) 658-9331 and...

Monday, February 9, 2009

County leaders: No new mandates without funding

Wayne County commissioners' laundry list for state legislators can be boiled down to just five words -- "do not mandate without appropriating." That is, in layman's terms, "don't send us orders without the money to carry them out." County...

Helping neighbors - Charities deal with economy

The sluggish economy has not only hit most Americans' pocketbooks, it also has hurt the charities that many turn to in times of need. Several of Wayne County's charitable organizations -- the Community Soup Kitchen, the Red Cross, the Salvation...

City will wait on state for ruling on annexing

Goldsboro Mayor Al King and Mayor Pro-tem Chuck Allen say they will hold off on any involuntary annexation until the state legislature decides its next move on the subject. Currently, the legislature is looking at allowing citizens to vote on...

3rd Kitchen Table Conversation set

Parents and community members are again being invited to weigh in on the local schools, as Wayne County Public Schools plans its third Kitchen Table Conversation later this month. The format was introduced earlier in the school year, following the...

February bloodmobile schedule

Tuesday: Spring Creek High School 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Red Cross house, 600 N. George St. 1:30 to 6 p.m. Friday: Wayne Memorial Hospital 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18: Wayne Community College 9 a.m. to...

Public record

Vandals strike Goldsboro police investigated the vandalism Saturday of an empty house on Wilmington Avenue, the former home of the owner, Myra Brewington, who now lives in Evless, Texas. A witness said the vandalism occurred in May. The report said...

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Suspect in Mount Olive shooting arrested

A man who allegedly made threats that he would "kill any officer who approached him" was taken into custody without incident on Thursday afternoon. The Wayne County Sherif's office's warrant division, overseen by Lt. Carter Hicks, had been looking...

Recovering: Freed dogs start the journey to homes of their own

A miniature poodle, her matted white fur dyed a filthy yellowish-brown from urine and feces, was the first dog carried off the trailer and into the frigid Wayne County fairgrounds barn early Friday morning. Shivering in the cradled arms of...

Here she is ... ECU sophomore chosen Miss Goldsboro

Miss Goldsboro 2009, Molly Deans of Durham, held her composure until she posed for photos with her family. Then the tears welled up and started flowing. "This is only my second pageant," said the 19-year-old East Carolina University sophomore...

Mount Olive man killed in motorcycle accident

MOUNT OLIVE -- A Mount Olive man died Saturday in a motorcycle accident on West Main Street extension just outside of town. Dennis A. Brock, 48, of Emmett Davis Lane, died after his motorcycle skidded and fell on the...

Two teens charged in armed robbery

MOUNT OLIVE -- Two teenagers were jailed Friday on charges of armed robbery after they allegedly held up The Shoe Show store in Mount Olive. It took police all of 10 minutes to make the arrests. Mostly because across...

'Wayne Reads' kickoff Monday night at WCC

Wayne County Reads will kick off its 2009 "season of reading" Monday at 7 p.m. in the Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College. Activities will include brief remarks from Angus Konstam, the author of this year's book, via video from...

Children's plays Feb. 20 at GHS

The Eastern Wayne High School Play Production class will present two children plays on Friday, Feb. 20, at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon at the Goldsboro High School Auditorium. The two plays are "Cinderella Wore Combat Boots," an adaptation...

Red Cross class schedule

The following is the February health and safety class schedule for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross: *CPR/automated external defibrillator for adults -- Feb. 17 from 6 until 10 p.m. *CPR for children and infants -- Feb....

Cavalryman's call

Cpl. Chris Cook of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry re-enactment group plays his pocket coronet for visitors at a Civil War living history demonstration held at the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace Saturday afternoon. The day's programming was designed to prepare...

Duplin boards meet Monday

KENANSVILLE -- School facilities will be the topic of a Monday evening meeting between Duplin County commissioners and school board. The meeting will be begin at 7 p.m. at the county Department of Social Services. The school board will hold...

Davis, Rouzer receive committee assignments

Committee assignments were made this week in the state Senate, and both senators representing Wayne County said they were pleased with where they ended up. Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, was appointed vice chairman of the Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee. "Agriculture...

Public record

Break-ins Sheriff's investigators suspect at least two people in a burglary where someone punched huge openings in four shared drywall walls at a shopping center. The suspect or suspects managed to enter five adjacent businesses, Wayne County Sheriff's Office...

Bluegrass artist at Johnston Community College

SMITHFIELD -- Multi-award winning bluegrass Gospel recording artist, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will be featured at the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium on the campus of Johnston Community College in Smithfield on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Lawson & Quicksilver...

Arson suspects sought

DUDLEY -- Someone attempted to burn down a home lived in by a bedstricken woman and a legally blind man, and authorities say they are without a motive. The first-degree arson attempt was at 319 Brentwood Drive on Friday morning,...

Alberston fox hunt Feb. 21

ALBERTSON -- The 24th annual Washington's Day Fox Hunt and Field Trials for fox and deer dogs will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Albertson Ruritan Community Building on N.C. 111 in the northern Duplin County community. The days...

Friday, February 6, 2009

VIDEO: About 300 small-breed dogs rescued from 'puppy mill'

Watch the U.S. Humane Society, Wayne County Animal Control and other volunteers rescue about 300 chihuahuas, pomeranians, and other small-breed dogs from a "puppy mill" near Newton Grove, off of U.S. 13 South.Click the video at the right side of...

VIDEO: 'Puppy mill' press conference

See a question and answer period session with Justin Scally, Wayne County's animal control director.  Scally describes conditions at the "puppy mill" site....

Dropout rate up 1 percent in Wayne

The student dropout rate in Wayne County is higher than the state average -- up 1.1 percent for 2007-08 for grades 9-12. Overall, North Carolina experienced its first decline in its dropout rate in three years in 2007-08. Officials...

Rescued: 300 small breed dogs seized from alleged puppy mill; VIDEO

See all photos on the Photo Gallery Clad in overalls and wearing masks to hide the stench of ammonia, animal rescue workers early this morning began removing the first of some 300 adult dogs and puppies from what is being...

Kicking off their battle to put an end to cancer

Two Wayne County women who overcame the ravages of cancer told their stories at the annual Relay for Life kickoff Thursday night at First Pentecostal Holiness Church. The annual event will be May 29-30 at Wayne Community College, but...

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Specialty schools in search of students

The public schools' two newest non-traditional high schools are currently recruiting for the fall semester. Wayne Early/Middle College High School and Wayne School of Engineering are accepting applications for incoming freshmen. The registration period ends on Feb. 27 for WEMCH...

Mount Olive names Rec director

MOUNT OLIVE-- Before moving to Mount Olive to attend college Chris Bitzenhofer had never heard of a pig picking. But since coming to eastern North Carolina, he said, he has fallen in love with the town and this part...

$700,000 in jail work necessary, Smith says

Overcrowding at the Wayne County Jail isn't a new story, nor is the $53 million solution that the county had hoped could wait at least another five years. Now, however, it appears that the jail issue is rushing toward...

Interfaith bread-breaking at annual breakfast meeting

About 50 people braved the cold this morning for bacon, eggs and blessings at Herman Park Center. The Goldsboro Community Affairs Commission and Wayne County-sponsored second annual Interfaith Breakfast focused on the same basic principle it did last year --...

Parents blast Duplin school mergers

KENANSVILLE -- A group of angry North Duplin High parents threatened to sue the Duplin County Board of Education if it decides to consolidate schools in the northern part of the county. The parents spoke during the public comment...

Public record

Armed robbery Ricky Oden of West Oak Street reported a black male he does not know pointed a gun at him and demanded his property near a convenience store in the 600 block of West Ash Street, Goldsboro police said....

Miss Goldsboro pageant set for 7 p.m. Saturday

The annual Miss Goldsboro Scholarship Pageant will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Paramount Theatre on Center Street. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $12, or at the door for $15. To obtain tickets, call Jay Sauls...

City wins four more Main Street awards

For the second year in a row, Goldsboro received four awards from the North Carolina Main Street Conference. "This year, we beat Salisbury," Mayor Al King said. Salisbury is known for winning the most awards at the Main Street...

Arrington VFD receives $5,000 grant from state

The Arrington Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $5,507.58 grant through the Volunteer Fire Department Fund from the State of North Carolina. During the presentation, the Department of Insurance inspected the equipment purchased with the grant money, which...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Snow, Part II: Slip-sliding, no school as flurries hit county

Wayne County residents awoke to a snow and sleet storm early today, with stiff winds and slick roads that made driving treacherous and forced schools to cancel classes. Jeff Orrock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh,...

Showing their talent

ArtSmarts students Anthony Cumby, left, Ashley Smith, center, and Dashon Davis, right, perform the song "When the Saints Go Marching In" on recorders during a musical revue and art exhibit at Herman Park Center Tuesday night. ArtSmarts is an after-school...

Neuse escapee caught in New Bern

A team sent to find an escapee from Neuse Correctional Institution discovered the New Bern man hiding behind a tree in a wooded area near his home town, a prison official said today. Johnny Dickerson, 29, who was serving...

Duplin lifts hiring freeze for some public safety jobs

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to lift the county's hiring freeze for positions that affect public safety, specifically the Sheriff's Office, the county's E911 system and the public health department. Sheriff Blake Wallace asked...

City reports some revenue, collections up so far

Goldsboro residents are paying their property taxes. And many are keeping up with their garbage bills. But some aren't buying as much at retail stores in the city as expected, at least up until November. And they aren't building or...

County might see $2.5M shortfall

Underestimating sales tax and Medicaid relief revenues should help Wayne County compensate for a projected worst-case $2.5 million county budget shortfall, while helping the county better prepare for next year's budget, County Manager Lee Smith said Tuesday. Adding to...

One day left to make Emergency Food and Shelter program grant applications

Qualifying organizations only have until Thursday to submit their applications for their share of the $72,880 Wayne County has received from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which is administered by FEMA. Last year's award was $57,624, which assisted...

County residents say no tax hikes until fat is cut

Several Wayne County taxpayers say government on all levels needs to cut more fat before thinking about imposing any more taxes to deal with money problems, especially now with the economic woes the country is experiencing. The country's economy...

Commission thanked for limiting four-day week

Speaking on behalf of local Realtors, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Steve Hicks thanked county commissioners Tuesday for not switching the tax and Register of Deeds offices to the county's four-day workweek. "On behalf of the business community and...

Red Cross auction set for March

The sixth annual sports memorabilia auction will be held March 5 at Lane Tree Golf Club. It is a fundraiser for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Tickets are $30 per person and $300 for a...

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Alliance will take year to get ready for recovery

Faced with the current economic downturn, the Wayne County Development Alliance recently adopted new goals for 2009 -- goals President Joanna Helms said should put the county in a more favorable position once the economy improves. "Right now, being...

Town board honors three for service

MOUNT OLIVE -- Retired county commissioners Atlas Price Jr. of Seven Springs and Efton Sager of Goldsboro, along with former state representative Louis Pate Jr. of Mount Olive, were honored by the town board Monday night. It took the...

City says 'no' to more annexations ... for now

The Goldsboro City Council will hold off on annexations, for now. Members decided Monday night they would put Phase 12, the current annexation area under review, on hold until further notice. "I'm not going against annexation, but I think there...

Public record

Thefts *Jeania Calvert of Olivia Lane reported that someone entered her home and stole a 32-inch LCD television, a stereo and a handgun from her home on Sunday, Goldsboro police said. *Terrel Tyee Taylor of Stevens Mill Road reported...

Pikeville could get Vail Street railroad warning devices

PIKEVILLE -- The federal government has money for Pikeville to put up automatic warning devices at its Vail Street railroad crossing, a letter from a state engineer says. But the money's only good if Pikeville agrees on the project...

Medicare recipients eligible for Rx help

Through the help of a federal program, Wayne County Services on Aging is offering help to Medicare beneficiaries who still need assistance paying for their prescription drugs. Beneficiaries may be eligible for the federal Extra Help low-income subsidy program if...

Civil War re-enactors to show cavalry tactics at Aycock Birthplace

FREMONT -- As the sound of hooves impatiently pawing the ground evokes a bygone time, re-enactors from the 1st N.C. Cavalry will demonstrate traditional cavalry battle techniques Saturday at the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace. Running from 1-4 p.m., this program...

Monday, February 2, 2009

Forecaster: Some snow this week but winter will end with just cold

Long-term forecasters with the National Weather Service say Wayne County might see snow in the next few days, but that the region will likely have a dry spring. The world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, had a similar forecast. He...

Girl Scouts will open cookie booths Feb. 14

Girl Scouts were out in force across Goldsboro this weekend as they continued their annual cookie sales drive by targeting Super Bowl revelers. Cookie booth sales, which will resume Feb. 14 and continue through March 15, will be available for...

Lottery, housing project on agenda

County commissioners Tuesday will be asked to add their blessings to the county schools' efforts to draw down slightly more than $5 million in state lottery funds to be used for local projects The board meeting will get under...

Mount Olive has picked new rec director

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town's first recreation director in years could be hired within the next several days, Town Manager Charles Brown said Thursday. Brown had hoped to have the director on the job by Jan. 1, but the...

Senior Center hosting information breakfast and property tax program

Wayne County Services on Aging is hosting two programs this week at the Senior Center,100 S. John St. The first, on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., will be a program about the property tax homestead exemption. David Ward, county tax...

Juveniles charged with dog fighting

Three Wayne County juveniles have been charged with felony dog fighting in two unrelated cases stemming from investigations that began last summer. Charged in connection with the dog fighting are a 14-year-old and two 16-year-old boys. The 16-year-olds were 15...

Prisoner escapes from Neuse Correctional

The search continues today for a New Bern man who managed to escape from the Neuse Correctional Institution west of Goldsboro around 9:40 p.m. Saturday. Cynthia Thornton, assistant superintendent for programs for the prison, said officials are still investigating...

Fremont could cut wastewater bills

FREMONT -- Reopening an old spray field could drastically reduce the cost of sending untreated wastewater to Goldsboro, Fremont Town Administrator Kerry McDuffie says. With a few exceptions, reactivating the field could completely eliminate wastewater sent to Goldsboro, McDuffie said....

Sunday, February 1, 2009

$600,000 hit: County leaders hope October sales tax loss won't become a pattern

Wayne County's sales tax revenues took a $600,000 clobbering in October -- a hit that will have repercussions across the entire county budget from schools' capital needs to the general fund. It will be the first of the week...

Commission agrees with decisions on 4-day week

Most of Wayne County's commissioners are voicing their support for the four-day workweek that was implemented last summer, but they also agree with County Manager Lee Smith's decision to delay expanding that schedule to include the tax and Register...

County home sales rose in January

Wayne County's home sales might have been down in November and December, but some area Realtors say January is bringing good news. "January is a gangbuster," said Judith McMillen of the Prudential The McMillen Real Estate Group, who has...

Wayne jobless rate rises again in December

Wayne County's unemployment rate jumped again in December, increasing from 7.2 percent in November to 7.9 percent -- its highest point since "the early '80s" said local Employment Security Commission manager Bill Pate. "It's been since the very early...

Relay kickoff, Sun Feb 1

Wayne County residents are gearing up for the 2009 Relay for Life with a kickoff celebration dinner Thursday. The event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Pentecostal Holiness Church. The speakers will be this year's honorary...

Students show off science experiments

Students in Wayne County Public Schools showed off their attempts at scientific research Saturday during the annual districtwide science fair at Meadow Lane Elementary. Twelve winners were chosen to go to the Regional Science Fair in Wilmington at the University...

Pink Hill man dies in wreck with semi

A Pink Hill man was killed on N.C. 111 South after his pickup crossed a double-yellow line and slammed head-on into an 18-wheeler Friday, authorities said. David Scott Herring, 49, of Burncoat Road, was dead at the scene, about 3.6...

MERCI Center to help low-income families with housing repairs

The MERCI Center in Rosewood is looking for homeowners who need emergency repairs so they can stay in their houses, and for contractors who can help. The organization, originally called the Marion Edwards Recovery Center Initiatives after the United...

City Council expected to move forward with annexation

The Goldsboro City Council will discuss passing a resolution of intent to consider moving forward with Phase 12 annexation plans at its meeting Monday night. The area included in Phase 12 is north of Buck Swamp Road and includes...

Police see rise in scooter thefts

Patrick Dunleavy's purchase of a "really brand-new-looking" Zonshen moped was intended to save money on gas. Now, he's riding his bicycle, because like many area residents, his alternative transportation is likely in the possession of a thief. "I had...

MO agenda

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town commissioners are expected Monday night to declare the 20-year-old handguns that the town's police officers have been using as surplus. The meeting gets under way at 7 p.m. at town hall on East James Street....