March 2009 archives

View Archive

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Schools still plan to look for new teachers

Wayne County school officials are hoping Saturday's teacher job fair will attract educators, and are offering several incentives to lure candidates -- even if they are not yet sure what the budget will be to hire them. The annual job...

Pikeville gets federal funds for fire station

Pikeville residents hope that when Vice President Joe Biden comes to town Wednesday he will bring good news for the Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department. "We're all excited," said Ken Jones, assistant chief and fire department vice president. Fire Chief...

Stimulus stump: Vice President Joe Biden to visit Faison, Pikeville

Vice President Joe Biden is expected to visit Pikeville and Faison on Wednesday to tout the White House's stimulus plan. Officials at Goshen Medical Center in Faison say they are expecting more than $600,000 in federal money and Pikeville...

Learning to spot the bling early

Two-year-old Jocelyn Jacobs helps her aunt shop for an engagement ring Monday inside Kay Jewelers at Berkeley Mall in Goldsboro....

Goshen Medical Center will benefit from Obama administration's stimulus money

The Goshen Medical Centers in Faison and Goldsboro are going to get more doctors and support staff, thanks to almost $636,000 in federal stimulus money. U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announced Friday that Goshen, along with three other medical centers, would...

Friends of Scouting doing well with fundraising drive

The Friends of Scouting are giving generously this year, says Tuscarora Council Executive Harold Keller, and the campaign kickoff has raised 82 percent of this year's $230,000 goal. Last year's kickoff banquet raised 70 percent, he said. This year's kickoff,...

Walk for Hunger draws 150 participants

United Church Ministries held its annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, with more than 150 people representing 13 churches. Organizers said they hope to better the $18,000 raised last year. Proceeds go to help the organization and those charities it...

County rejects state's plan for roads

Wayne County officials are warning residents that their property tax rate could see a minimum increase of 6 cents -- from 76.4 to 82.4 cents per $100 of value -- should the state transfer maintenance of secondary roads to...

Plant sale Saturday at Wayne Center

The Master Gardener Volunteers will hold a Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale Saturday at the Wayne Center from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be activities for children as well as booths where adults can pick up gardening...

Public record

Armed robbery Herman White of Devereaux Street reported that two males he did not know knocked on the door, then entered his house Sunday and pulled out handguns. The suspects made family members sit in the bedroom while they took...

Monday, March 30, 2009

SJAFB jets will fly more to prepare for deployment

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base personnel are gearing up for war, and this week that means Wayne County residents can expect to hear much more from the 4th Fighter Wing's F-15E fleet. Base officials said airmen are scheduled to participate...

Plummer, local vet and WWII pilot, dies at 84

"Bill Plummer was one of the first people I met when I came to Goldsboro," Price said. "He took me with him as he made his rounds, treating farm animals around the county. His life gave a special dimension to...

A second chance for a neighborhood

Felina Chase knows about life in Section 8 housing. The property manager with McClain Barr and Associates managed a low income housing unit in Maryland for 10 years, and before that, Ms. Chase herself grew up in public housing. And...

Jaycees accepting nominations for awards

The Goldsboro Jaycees are currently accepting nominations for outstanding citizens in several categories. The nominees selected will be recognized locally at the Jaycees Annual Distinguished Service Awards Banquet in May. Nominees for Outstanding North Carolinian should demonstrate exemplary qualities...

Grant opportunity available

East Carolina University and the state Department of Commerce are collaborating on an innovative Community Development Block Grant program. The Talent Enhancement Demonstration Grants program, designed to provide technical assistance and financial resources to increase competitiveness and build stronger, more...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

State gets 43 bids for Union Station revitalization project

Architectural firms' letters of interest for the Union Station revitalization project have arrived - more than 40 of them. "We're very pleased with the turnout there. It's a long process, but we're excited to be moving on it," said Craig...

Purple bows of hope: Carol Mitchell, Phyllis and Jeff Turner and Shiloh Farm's children are raising funds for Relay for Life

This year, Carol Mitchell wanted to do something extra special for a friend and neighbor who has battled cancer for the past six years. Her friend was in her mid-40s when she got breast cancer. She beat it, only to...

A union of races, a union of memories

Elouise Williams remembers the day a northbound train brought two races together -- when blacks and whites gathered as one just a few feet away from the segregated bathrooms and water fountains inside Goldsboro's Union Station. It was 1939, and...

Re-enactors show soldiers' life around time of 1862 battle

Civil War re-enactors representing troops who defended Goldsboro against attack in 1862 put on a show for local residents Saturday, re-creating a Confederate encampment and demonstrating rifle and cannon fire on the site of the real battle. The living...

Deannexation could cost city up to $600,000

If the deannexation bill introduced by two Wayne County legislators passes into law, reversing the annexation of the Buck Swamp and Falling Brook areas could cost the city of Goldsboro more than half a million dollars. Since the annexation...

Daffodil Festival defies rain

FREMONT -- Between 700 and 800 people came out to the Fremont Daffodil Festival Saturday. And many of them had either an ice cream cone or shaved ice in their hands as they tried to cool down in the 70-degree...

Pikeville man charged with statutory rape

A 27-year-old Pikeville area man has been charged with statutory rape for an alleged sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office says. Leroy Luther Murchison, 29, of Lancaster Road, faces one count of statutory rape...

Walnut Creek closes its compost facility, could reopen it later

WALNUT CREEK -- The residents of Walnut Creek may not have a place in the village to buy compost in the future. The village council decided to close the facility March 9 until village officials can figure out how...

Fremont STARS students' design gets picked for Daffodil Festival stamp

The children at Fremont STARS Elementary School sat in the auditorium in suspense Friday afternoon. They were all waiting to hear the Fremont Post Office Postmaster, Myra Lynn, announce which class had won the stamp cancellation contest. Each class submitted...

Good Samaritan sees wreck, works to save injured man's life

A Hooks River Road man is in stable condition after a Wednesday accident, thanks in part to the efforts of a nurse who crawled into the man's car to perform CPR, authorities and hospital officials said. Home health care...

North Drive teacher publishes 4th book

Growing up on a farm in Saulston, Gregory Brown enjoyed watching Captain Kangaroo on TV. "He would always read children's books on that show," he says. "I think that really got me hooked on books. ... He would take...

Guardian ad Litem hoping to create awareness of abuse

More than 400 pairs of shoes -- from baby booties to teen size -- will line the walls of the lobby of the courthouse during April. Guardian ad Litem hopes the shoes will be a visual reminder that child...

Public transport input sought

Why do some people ride the GATEWAY bus system while others don't? What is the system doing right or what needs to be changed or added? Those are the kind of questions that GATEWAY officials are hoping the public...

Friday, March 27, 2009

Soup kitchen fills need as economy remains concern

Community Soup Kitchen manager Doricia Benton sees new -- and sadder -- faces every day. In fact, in 2008, she had almost 8,000 more empty plates to fill -- and 2009 is also looking like it might send the numbers...

Administrator charged with DWI in Pender

A longtime administrator with Wayne County Public Schools was charged with driving while impaired last week by the North Carolina Highway Patrol in Pender County. Richard Sauls, 57, of Fremont, currently principal at Rosewood Ele-mentary School, was arrested on...

Sing-sation

Wayne Christian School third-grader Anna Daniels, 9, sings a solo Thursday during a play performance in the school's gymnatorium. It was the school's annual third- and fourth-grade musical. The play was titled "Lifesong," and involved about 75 students. Anna sang...

Landfill gets new dropoff areas

DUDLEY -- Wayne County residents who haul trash to the county landfill no longer have to worry about negotiating their way along a muddy path only to end up in the wrong place and face-to-face with a bulldozer or a...

Arrest made in home robbery

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office arrested a man Thursday who allegedly took part in a home invasion and armed robbery that occurred Saturday at a Drummersville Road home, Sheriff's Capt. Tom Effler said today. Three men forced their way...

Teacher uses own experience, pens children's book on abuse

Selena Smith realized several years ago that victims of sexual abuse needed a voice. She just didn't think it would be hers. The incidents happened when she was very young, and involved an older child. For 25 years, except...

Public record

Residence fired at Delia Nickerson of Green Drive reported Wednesday that a window and shutter at her home sustained about $275 in damages after being shot earlier in the week, according to a report....

Achieving garden greatness

Gardening doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it can be quite easy. You just have to do your research. Daniel Casey, owner of Casey Garden Center on U.S. Hwy. 70 West, and Karen Bussey, horticulture agent with the Cooperative...

Goldsborough living history demonstration set for Saturday

Wayne County residents can walk the ground where 15,000 men fought for the control of the old Neuse River railroad bridge when Civil War re-enactors put on a living history demonstration at the site Saturday. The Battle of Goldsborough...

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Red Cross to hold memorial blood drive for Dora Perry

Dora Perry gave countless hours to the Red Cross for many years before her death Jan. 8. Now to honor her work and memory, Dudley Christian Church is holding a blood drive in her name Sunday from 12:30 until...

Police: Man found dead behind McIntyre killed self

Authorities have determined that the man found dead Wednesday morning behind McIntrye Funeral Home committed suicide. Forrest Myles, 51, of Wayne Avenue apparently suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Goldsboro police Sgt. Chad Calloway said. Calloway added that the...

Daffodil festival set to bloom

Are you ready for spring and the smell of daffodils? The Fremont Daffodil Festival is scheduled for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the festivities will begin with opening ceremonies along with the Fremont Memorial Park recognition,...

County's space needs bow to economy

The pressures of space-starved county departments are, at least for the foreseeable future, losing out to the even stronger pressures of a struggling economy. "Unless we see a real economic change all capital projects will be delayed by at...

Symphony of students

Joan Landry, assistant conductor for the N.C. Symphony, leads the orchestra's Wednesday morning performance before more than 1,500 Wayne County Public Schools fifth-graders at Kornegay Arena on the campus of Mount Olive College. Private and homeschooled fifth-graders also attended. Many...

Seymour Johnson to get $16 million in stimulus funds

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base will benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the tune of nearly $16 million, according to a Department of Defense Expenditure Plan for North Carolina military installations. And if existing contracts are any...

Show and Sale coming up soon

Scheduled for April 15-16 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, the annual Wayne County Junior Livestock Show and Sale is right around the corner. Sponsored by Wayne County Cooperative Extension and the Wayne County Livestock Development Association, the event is...

Going back in time

Josh Price, at the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace in Fremont, shows a group of students Wednesday the types of toys and games that children their ages may have played with during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The visit was...

Public record

Cash stolen from store Family Dollar employee Gary Heacox of Pikeville reported Tuesday that over $2,000 had been stolen from the South George Street discounter, according to a report. Bank deposit records for the store show a bag of...

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wayne Community College sees enrollment increase

The economy has not slowed down enrollment at Wayne Community College, its president, Dr. Kay Albertson, said Tuesday night. In fact, spring enrollment for the spring semester is higher than the two previous years, she told the board of trustees....

Project offers free prom dresses

It's almost that time of year again -- prom season -- when high school girls are looking for just the right dress and accessories for the big night. But what would you do if you couldn't afford a dress? Wayne...

International flair

Protestant Preschool students Tyler Benitez, Katie Nichols and Adrianna Davis represent Australia during a Multi-Cultural Day parade at the school on Tuesday. The two-day celebration at the school gave students the opportunity to learn more about other countries, and also...

Davis to spend life in prison

A Goldsboro man will serve two life terms without parole for the murders of two men in August 2006. A jury returned a guilty verdict in the trial of Roderick Miles "Ricky" Davis Jr., 25, late Tuesday. He will...

Boyfriend slays woman, commits suicide

TURKEY -- A Goldsboro woman was shot and killed Monday evening in Sampson County by her estranged boyfriend, who also shot at her mother as she fled the scene with the couple's two small children, authorities said. The older woman...

Police investigate body found behind McIntyre

Goldsboro police were investigating a body found this morning behind McIntyre Funeral Home on South George Street, a police sergeant confirmed. Initial unconfirmed reports said a gun was found lying next to a body behind the home. Police Sgt....

The face of domestic violence

The face of domestic violence Marcela Rodriguez was a quiet, soft-spoken 24-year-old woman with three children who was liked by all who met her. She, along with her children, Eric Montenegro, 7, Jacquelin Perez, 2, and Jorge Perez, 3, had...

Rabies clinic next two Saturdays

Wayne County will hold the first of two rabies clinics this Saturday at three locations. They are Eastern Wayne High School from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.; the old Pikeville School building at Pikeville from 1-3 p.m. and the...

New K-9 making mark

Jayson Hill of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office poses with his K-9 partner, Shelly, a new member of the department. Shelly is a Belgian Malinois and has already proven herself as good detective, helping sniff out illegal drugs during a...

Man sues business owner after dog attack

A man mauled by a pit bull has sued a Wayne County business owner, saying he did not do enough to prevent the animal from attacking him. Joseph Ingram has filed suit against George Robert "Bobby" Denning, alleging that...

Duplin waits on word on fed funds

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County likely will receive notice soon that it has qualified for a federal loan for water and sewer improvements. Rural Center President Billy Ray Hall told the county Board of Commissions earlier this month that he...

AgCarolina Financial to award college scholarships

Five scholarships are available to FFA members who are high school seniors, along with two scholarships to students attending N.C. A&T State University. Recipients must be residents of eastern N.C. Students who are enrolled in an agricultural related field at...

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Study will measure commuter rail interest

The North Carolina Railroad Co. will conduct a study to gauge interest in a proposed commuter rail line that would connect Goldsboro to Research Triangle Park and beyond. If the project moves forward, commuters in the Triangle and Triad areas...

Seymour Johnson AFB to offer improved veterinary services for airmen

When Daniel Ruffino picks an undersized tennis ball off his lawn, his dog, Guido, puts on his game face -- eyes focused, tongue hanging out, jaw trembling. And when the Air Force technical sergeant releases his Boston terrier-dachshund mix's favorite...

Jury now deliberating outcome of murder case

Jurors began deliberating Monday afternoon in a Wayne County Superior Court trial of a Goldsboro man accused of killing two people in 2006. Roderick Miles "Ricky" Davis Jr., 25, is accused of killing James Lee "Slick" Croom, 24, of...

Mount Olive to apply for funds from stimulus package to repair sewers

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town officials are hopeful that having a shovel-ready sewer rehabilitation project on hand and the support of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund will enhance the town's chances of receiving $717,000 in federal stimulus funds. Town...

Golden LEAF funds in sights of some, but no change yet

Faced with a $2 billion budget shortfall next year, some state legislators have been looking toward other funding sources to help make up the deficit, including the master tobacco settlement funds that are directed toward the Golden LEAF Foundation....

Public record

Armed robbery Clint Marable of North Carolina Street told police on Saturday that two unknown black males, both about 21 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 140 to 160 pounds with a slim build, one with a...

County courthouse shoe display will mark incidents of child abuse

The county courthouse atrium next month will be adorned with hundreds of children's shoes to draw attention to child abuse in the county and state and the public's support is being sought to help make that happen. Each of...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Duplin considers new early college offering

KENANSVILLE -- The James Kenan School of Engineering could move to the James Sprunt Community College campus as an early college high school if the Duplin County Board of Education approves. The school board met recently with a packed house...

Girl Scouts faced tough cookie sales

A weak economy is likely the culprit behind a drop in Girl Scout cookie sales, say Scout leaders. But that didn't stop some girls from still selling a truckload of the sweet treats. Cookie sales officially ended last week....

Grants offer more funds for housing repair work

Qualifying county homeowners next month may begin applying for a chance to have their homes repaired through a $400,000 Single Family Rehabilitation grant from the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. Commissioners at their recent meeting adopted the paperwork necessary to...

Volunteers get advanced training to minister to patients, families

Local ministers are learning how to better serve their parishoners as part of a six-month program designed to train local clergy who volunteer as part of the Wayne Memorial Hospital chaplain program. The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Inc. requires...

Elementary students see successful 'men of color'

Percy Arrington, former chief cameraman for NBC News, spent 30 years of his career covering the White House, working with six presidents -- from Gerald Ford to George W. Bush. On Friday, he could be found taking snapshots of third-grade...

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Jobless rate 9.2; but better news ahead

Unemployment in Wayne County jumped more than a percentage point in January to a 20-year high of 9.2 percent as rates rose in all 100 of North Carolina's counties. The rate, which rose 1.3 percent from 7.9 percent in...

Serving up 'Hot Grog'

Geoff Hulse, left, portrays the infamous pirate Blackbeard as Rosalyn Lomax and Kirk Keller play the parts of Read and Stede Bonnet during the Wayne County Reads production of "Hot Grog" Friday in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College. The...

Officials: Air show, festival will boost revenue

Despite growing concerns over the state of the economy, local officials remain confident that a boost to Wayne County coffers is only a month away. Crowds in the tens of thousands are expected in Mount Olive and Goldsboro the week...

Dogs on the mend

Rain drizzled from a gray sky, but a crackling fire chased away the chill in Kitty McBride's Raleigh townhome as she curled on a couch with her three dogs. It would be hard to guess that the little pack snuggled...

Memories recalled of city's first black chief

Before it became state law to be "buckled up," one of Goldsboro's police chiefs resisted an order from City Hall to wear a seat belt. Not because he objected to the improved safety. Because it would have wrinkled his...

Legislators share views on schools, roads, funds

Wayne County's state legislative delegation gathered at the Goldsboro Country Club Friday morning to answer questions and to give a snapshot of what is happening right now in Raleigh. So far, only two months into the session, much of...

Pikeville commissioners discuss Town Hall status

PIKEVILLE -- Pikeville Town Commissioners met Thursday evening at the Community Center to start discussions of the upcoming budget. An even though the session was more of a wish list to start out this year's budget process, with officials knowing...

Murder trial resumes Monday

A jury will return to Wayne County Superior Court Monday to continue to hear evidence in the case of a double murder. Roderick Miles Davis Jr., 25, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of James...

Most Duplin leaders oppose changing boards' makeup

Duplin's school board and county commission aren't pleased with a bill that State Sen. Charlie Albertson has introduced to have voters decide whether to add a seventh member to both boards. The bill, S550, has been referred to the Senate's...

Military contractor fair Wednesday

R&O, Atherton Construction and The North Carolina Military Business Center are working in conjunction to support an "R&O and Atherton Construction Subcontracting Fair" Wednesday at Wayne Community College in the Wayne Learning Center from 1-5 p.m. Other sponsors of the...

Goldsboro Host Lions Club observes 70th anniversary

The Goldsboro Host Lions Club turned 70 years old on Wednesday and on Thursday night about 70 people helped celebrate the club's anniversary. The crowd gathered at the St. Luke United Methodist Church and represented numerous area Lions clubs, including...

Minister traveling cross-country by horse

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The Rev. Ken Downey passed through this small Wayne County town this week, on his way to making a cross-country trip on horseback -- much the way 18th century circuit riders carried their message. Downey, who hails...

Butterfield rep fields questions

A representative from Congressman G.K. Butterfield's Wilson field office met with more than 30 people in Goldsboro Friday to discuss constituent issues. Most of the concerns voiced, said caseworker Rosena Ricks, involved veteran's and Social Security claims and disability...

Battle of Goldsborough history program Saturday

Civil War buffs will get a chance Saturday, March 28, to see what life was like for the average soldier when a living history program is held at the site of the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge off the Old Mount...

Barrow is recognized by national homebuilders

Ron Barrow of RSB Home Builder Inc., recently became a member of the select group of professional builders, remodelers and other industry professionals nationwide who have earned the certified green professional designation. The program is administered by the National Association...

Wayne chapter of the Red Cross will Ride for the Red this Saturday

Local motorcyclists will be revving up their engines Saturday to raise money for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. It is part of the Wayne County chapter's annual Heroes Campaign. The Ride for the Red is sponsored by...

Friday, March 20, 2009

Murder defendant testifies at trial

A man accused of killing two men in August 2006 took the stand in his own defense Thursday, as his attorney argued the shooting was an act of self-defense. Roderick Miles Davis Jr., 25, faces two counts of first-degree murder....

Bill calls for new Wayne agricultural center

Local legislators have introduced bills in both the state House and Senate to begin work on a long-sought regional agricultural center for Wayne County. And while they acknowledge that funding for such a project may be a long shot...

County discusses property rights, zoning

Anyone who buys property in Wayne County should be notified of any existing plans to build or widen roads across the property, county Commissioner Jack Best said at the board's meeting this week. Best compared the situation to informing...

Area no longer 'abnormally dry'

For the first time since early February, Wayne County isn't on the state drought scale. The weather has helped to drop the county from the abnormally dry category on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, with rain as a common factor...

I-795 work could cost less, repairs to start soon

Work to repair Interstate 795's crumbling pavement could be under way soon and could cost "substantially" less than a projected $14 million to $22 million price tag. The state last October undertook an almost $500,000 "winterization" project to replace...

Wayne Community College offers continuing education courses

Wayne Community College Continuing Education will start three courses this spring that lead to professional certifications. Auto Safety and Emission Control Inspection and Auto Safety and OBD (on-board diagnostics) Emission Control Inspection prepare auto technicians and service personnel to...

Public record

Burglary A brick wall suffered $500 in damages after unknown suspects broke through it, gaining entry to H&H Body Shop on South John Street sometime Wednesday or late Tuesday, according to a police report. A game system, about $70...

Planning to enjoy your outdoors

Spring is here, and if you want to smell flowers as you sit on your porch in the next few months, you better plant them now. Darnay Barefoot, owner of Landscape Design of Goldsboro Inc., says that Wayne County residents...

Farmers receive top honors at annual banquet

Farming and the farming community aren't changing, they already have changed and it is up to the farmers to tell their stories and to have a voice in the community. That was County Manager Lee Smith's message Thursday night...

Bentonville living history program Saturday, Sunday

Civil War period re-enactors will demonstrate how average soldiers and civilians lived Saturday and Sunday at the Bentonville Battlefield Historic Site west of Goldsboro. The weekend marks the 144th anniversary of the battle, which was the largest ever fought in...

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Trial begins in pair of murders

Testimony in the trial of a man accused of two 2006 murders was expected to continue today in Wayne County Superior Court. Roderick Miles Davis Jr., was 23 when he was accused of killing James Lee Croom, 24, of...

Goldsboro ranks as one of lowest for tax burden in state

Goldsboro citizens carry a lower tax burden than people in 28 other similar-sized cities in North Carolina, according to a February report from the John Locke Foundation. Goldsboro ranked 29th among municipalities with 25,000 or more residents, placing it...

Speaking for Zeb: Family wants driver to answer for 2008 death at county intersection

When Mable Langston dropped off her husband on Feb. 28, 2008, he was just picking up his truck from the shop. It was the last time she would see him. Zeb Langston Jr., the son of Zeb and Emma...

O'Berry stands to lose approximately $4.7 million a month if deficiences are not corrected

After announcing Tuesday that federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid surveyors have completed their work at O'Berry Neuro-Medical Center, state officials said Wednesday that the center could stand to lose approximately $4.7 million a month if it does not...

New Duplin County economic development director hired

Duplin County has hired a new economic development director, Heather Sauls. Ms. Sauls currently works as vice president of client development for the Piedmont Triad Partner-ship, which helps with economic development for 12 counties in the Triad area. Ms. Sauls...

Fremont working to keep sewer system repairs money

FREMONT -- After hearing a few weeks ago that the Clean Water Management Trust Fund took back money that was granted to Fremont for improvements to the sewer system, the Board of Aldermen learned Tuesday night that other funding for...

Health Dept. puts an end to smoking at building

The Health Department is now a tobacco-free campus. The Board of Health Wednesday adopted the more restrictive smoking policy and agreed to purchase signage announcing there is no smoking within 50 feet of the premises. As the Health Department gears...

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

DGDC seeks Union Station stories

You won't find any passengers stepping into Union Station for years. The railsides there have been quiet for more than four decades. But downtown officials hope the stories born at the station during the 60 years it was operational are...

Commissioners reject private liquor sales in county

A resolution in opposition to privately operated liquor stores and another in support of continued state funding of the Criminal Justice Partnership Program were unanimously approved Tuesday by commissioners. The board stopped short of promising to use county funds...

Memories aweigh: Five former Navy buddies reunite

Fifty years ago, five young men made a pact -- joining hundreds of others across the state in a highly publicized mass enlistment. They thought boot camp would be more like summer camp, that a few years in the Navy...

Reaction mixed on Perdue's state spending plan, taxes

Local legislators got their first look at Gov. Beverly Perdue's 2009-10 budget proposal Tuesday and most came away slightly squeamish over the proposed tax increases. Despite offering cuts in nearly every sector of state government, the governor is still...

Honda dealership clears out vehicles

Honda of Goldsboro and Hyundai of Goldsboro on West Grantham Street have closed their doors and emptied their parking lots. The local Honda dealership, which has been sued in Wayne County Superior Court for failure to pay thousands of...

O'Berry gets list of factors to correct

Officials from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid completed their investigation at O'Berry Neuro-Medical Center Tuesday and have given the facility 30 days to correct its deficiencies. The federal officials arrived at the agency Friday following the death...

Local musicians, singers form gospel group

Several area worship leaders have pooled their talents to form a gospel group and will soon celebrate their first anniversary. The Remnant, with 15 members representing several different churches, has an age range from a 9-year-old to members in...

Public record

Thieves cut through wall, safe Brian Norton of the Ruby Tuesday restaurant on North Park Drive reported Monday morning that someone had cut through a wall and safe, taking an undetermined amount of money from the restaurant, according to a...

Painting the mall

More than 1,600 pieces of art representing students from kindergarten to 12th grade from the county's 32  schools are on display through Saturday evening at Berkeley Mall. The art has been on display since last Saturday and includes pencil drawings,...

Kerr receives Long Leaf Pine award

Former state Sen. John H. Kerr III of Goldsboro received the Order of Long Leaf Pine, the state's highest civilian honor, and a plaque of appreciation from the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center during a recognition ceremony Feb. 25...

Duplin board may back Faison in ETJ fight

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County board of commissioners is considering helping the town of Faison fight a bill proposed in the General Assembly that would take the town's extraterritorial jurisdiction away and give it to Sampson County. Commissioners decided Monday...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The luck of the Irish

The first-grade students of Kristi Thornton, left, and Jessica Shoneck, right, of Brogden Primary School were shocked and surprised this morning when they arrived to find their classroom in disarray. Left behind was a note from a leprechaun explaining that...

Board says studies key to highway planning

Wayne County Planning Board members are voicing frustration with the Goldsboro Metropolitan Planning Organization's rejection of their recommendation that highway plans include economic impact studies. The Planning Board at its February meeting endorsed the MPO's 13-point highway priority list,...

Maplewood residents protesting proposed zoning change at corner

Residents of the Maplewood subdivision spoke out at the City Council meeting Monday night, expressing concerns over proposed rezoning of a land parcel on Berkeley Boulevard at Maplewood Drive. The property would be rezoned from office and institutional to neighborhood...

Comments split on school changes

A public hearing Monday night to discuss the school district's plans to reorganize four schools drew fewer than two dozen people and only six sharing concerns. Evenly divided -- three supportive, three others opposed -- the session was adjourned in...

Angel Food program offers low-cost food to city families

Locals suffering from the struggling economy are getting a helping hand from the city of Goldsboro and Angel Food Ministries, a low-cost food distribution program that every month helps more than 500,000 people put food on their tables. The Angel...

Public record

Victim shot in leg Carlos Bernard, 39, of Columbia, Md., reported a suspect shot him in the leg while sitting in his car on the street in the 700 block of Pineview Avenue, police said. Krisser Ayber, 19, of...

Monday, March 16, 2009

Public workshop on transportation set for April 1

The public will have an opportunity Wednesday evening, April 1, to voice comments and concerns about existing and future public transportation services in the county. The workshop, to be held 4 to 7 p.m. in the large meeting room...

Pikeville considers allowing citizens to use golf carts on town's streets

Pikeville residents might soon be able to jump in their golf carts and head to the grocery store or the post office. Town officials have requested legislation that would allow the use of golf carts within the town limits to...

Pedestrian hit while crossing Berkeley Boulevard

A man walking across Berkeley Boulevard was struck by a car near but not at its intersection with Cashwell Drive about 9 this morning. Charles Samuel Mason, age unknown, was crossing Berkeley, leaving the Chevron gas station and heading...

City area ranks in top 50 for identity crimes

The Goldsboro area ranked No. 46 in the nation for reports of identity theft, according to a Federal Trade Commission report released in February. According to the FTC, Goldsboro logged 194 complaints of identity theft between Jan. 1 and Dec....

Rosewood Middle School captures crown in book battle

A team from Rosewood Middle School won the recent "Battle of the Books" competition for Wayne County Public Schools, beating out three-time reigning champion Norwayne Middle. Norwayne came in second place. The 23rd annual event was held March 2...

County asked to fund program

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday are expected to be asked to find $121,255 in local dollars to continue a state-funded program that this past year saved the county some $1.2 million, but is now facing the state's budget ax. The...

City Council to discuss zoning tonight

Planning concerns will take center stage at the City Council meeting tonight, with six public hearings scheduled to take place. A contested zoning change proposed by Dillon Wooten Jr., which would rezone the northeast corner of Berkeley Boulevard and...

Barber named to national board

The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church Disciples of Christ and the president of the North Carolina conference of the NAACP, was sworn in and seated on the national NAACP board of directors Feb. 21...

Blackbeard subject of lecture tonight at Mount Olive College

The Wayne County Reads project is wrapping up with a presentation tonight at Mount Olive College by an expert on pirate history and a theatrical performance Thursday and March 20-21. The featured book in this year's reading campaign is...

Duplin school leaders question study's findings

KENANSVILLE -- A consulting firm that recommended a number of ways the Duplin County school system could save money received mixed reviews Thursday night during a joint meeting of school board and county commissioners. The commissioners hired Evergreen Solutions last...

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Wayne County Republicans elect new officers, seek new direction

In a vote that one candidate said would determine the course of the Wayne County Republican Party for the next several years, delegates met Saturday morning at the Wayne Center to select a new slate of officers. In the...

Winning hearts and minds through full stomachs

Helping more than 100,000 people in an hour may seem like a daunting feat. But about 350 Seymour Johnson Air Force Base personnel and their families did just that Saturday morning at the MERCI Center in Rosewood. They braved...

Brides still finding ways to celebrate despite economy

Ronnesha Reid is not hiring a coordinator for her wedding. Instead she's leaning on her family to help decorate the church, make wedding favors and prepare food for the reception. For her and other brides-to-be, the wedding bells are...

Fremont to make changes to town charter

According to Fremont's town charter, officials must keep a list of the town's "white voters" separate from its "colored voters." But officials are hoping to change the legal document establishing the town and its ordinances to an updated, more...

Next debate: Property rights v. new county roads

Preserving the county's thoroughfare rights-of-way may be important, but, said members of the county Planning Board last week, they must also be balanced against the rights of property owners. The issue came up at the group's meeting last week,...

Perdue promises aid to guardsmen, bases

Gov. Beverley Perdue promised "specific investments" Saturday to support active duty military and National Guard members and their families. Families at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base are among those who can expect continued state funding for recreation and family services...

Center Street Jam gets money donated

Thousands of dollars have been raised in the past few weeks but Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. executive director Julie Thompson is still only cautiously optimistic about the fate of this summer's Center Street Jam lineup. In fact, if the DGDC...

Sheriff's Office, GPD get $272K in grants

The Goldsboro Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff's Office could be receiving more than $270,000 through the Bryne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) formula grant program. The city is projected to receive $181,427 and the Sheriff's Office $90,432. Goldsboro Chief...

Review of patient death at O'Berry continues

State officials confirmed Friday that investigators from the federal Centers of Medicare and Medicaid are at O'Berry Center following the death of a female resident on March 11. "We have been informed that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid have...

Stimulus could help fund water projects

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town officials are trying to balance the news last week that the town has lost more than $700,000 destined for much-needed sewer improvements, with the possibility that the need might still be met by federal stimulus...

Sibling stabs dad to stop alleged assault

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office charged a Goldsboro area man for allegedly choking his 9-year-old autistic son until he turned purple, forcing his 11-year-old daughter to stab him in the arm to stop him, authorities say. John Alexander Saywer, 36,...

Friday, March 13, 2009

More officers getting trained to ride Segway

Steven Powers isn't the only Goldsboro police officer riding a Segway anymore. The department still has only one of the two-wheeled vehicles, but police officials say they might seek another in the future because they believe the unit has good...

Patient death at O'Berry labeled 'unexpected'

Four employees at O'Berry Neuro-Medical Treatment Center are on paid investigatory leave following the death of a female facility resident Wednesday evening. But, while a state report classifies the death as "unexpected," and officials are calling it "unusual," they...

Duplin schools asking state for lottery money

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County school officials say they will soon make some badly needed school repairs, provided their $2.5 million share of the state's lottery funds has not been reclaimed by Gov. Beverly Perdue in her attempt to make...

Legislators propose bill to undo city annexation

Two Wayne County legislators introduced bills Thursday to deannex the Buck Swamp and Falling Brook areas that were recently brought into Goldsboro's city limits. In the N.C. House, Rep. Efton Sager, R-Wayne, said he put the bill forward at...

Last chance to sign up for Neuse Senior Games is approaching

The early deadline to sign up for the Neuse River Senior Games and Silver Arts competition is today. Already 75 participants have registered. For anyone registering after today, the fee is $15. All participants must be registered by March...

County schools planning teacher job fair April 4

Wayne County Public Schools will hold its annual teacher job fair on Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the gymnasium at Goldsboro High School. Prospective teachers can visit and learn about the programs and job...

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Two rabid racoons found in Mar Mac

Two rabid raccoons, both of whom had contact with local family pets, have been found this month in the Mar Mac area, Wayne County Department of Animal Control Services announced Wednesday. "Most pet owners don't know what the law...

Community getting tips on cutting back electricity bills

PIKEVILLE -- Leigh Ann and Doug Wyckoff are tired of seeing $270 bills come in the mail every month for their mobile home in Pikeville, mostly for electricity provided by ElectriCities. But town employees are hoping a new and free...

Mural work

Local artist Dreamweaver works on creating an outine for a mural on the side of Torero's Mexican Restaurant in downtown Goldsboro on Wednesday afternoon. The Arts Council of Wayne County received a Target-in-Communities grant to complete the mural project. The...

Fremont could lose funding to make sewer improvements

Town officials -- and residents -- could save some money on their monthly sewer bills, but only if the Clean Water Management Trust Fund doesn't pull funding for much-needed sewer improvements that would decrease the amount of rainwater in the...

County still pushing for 'certified' applicants

Commitment and funding by the county are being hailed as the reasons Wayne County leads the state in the number of Career Readiness Certificates issued -- with 2,428 awarded thus far. It is even more of an accomplishment since...

Tests measuring workers' skill sets

The Career Readiness Certificates testing program is more than just another test for students, it is a way to measure real-world work skills needed to acquire and to be successful in a job, said Diane Ivey, Wayne County Occupational Readiness...

Goldsboro police and Sheriff's Office cars collide

Two law enforcement vehicles were damaged in a crash Tuesday night between a Wayne County Sheriff's Office car and a Goldsboro police car, according to a state Highway Patrol report. Investigating Trooper J.B. Wiggs said that no one was...

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Zoning idea gets first look by board

An area west of Goldsboro along U.S. 70 to the Johnston County line and the area surrounding what will be the U.S. 70 Bypass interchange at Wayne Memorial Drive Tuesday night were floated as potential locations for the county's...

Legislators: Show us how not to cut without tax hike

Legislators representing Wayne County had mixed reactions to Gov. Beverly Perdue's State of the State address Monday night, but most agreed that it set the tone for what they expect to be a much smaller budget than the last...

Renovated library now open again in Fremont

FREMONT -- Seven months after closing for renovations, the library in Fremont is open again -- thanks to its community supporters. During a grand reopening ceremony held Monday, Friends of the Fremont Library Committee and about 30 other residents toured...

Wayne Country Day honored for literary magazine

Seung Pyo Son, Ryan to his friends at Wayne Country Day School, has an avid interest in graphic design but admits he had no formal training. So he was surprised when his editorial efforts of the school's literary magazine...

Six students to compete Saturday for title of Miss Southern Wayne

On Saturday, March 14, six young ladies will compete for in the Miss Southern Wayne Pageant. The pageant will begin at 7 p.m. at the Dillard Middle School Auditorium. The theme of this year's pageant is "Southern Wayne Flight...

Help for Medicare beneficiaries sought

Wayne County Services on Aging is trying to reach people on Medicare and who need assistance paying for their prescription drugs. There is a federal low income subsidy program, called Extra Help, that Medicare beneficiares may be eligible for...

Red Cross sets March bloodmobile schedule

Following is the March bloodmobile schedule for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross: Today: Wayne County Day School from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday: Meadow Lane Elementary School, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday: Northview Baptist Church,...

Duplin officials aim to build new vocational magnet school

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County officials decided this week to pursue the creation of a new magnet school to focus on vocational and technical training. Voting Tuesday night, the Duplin County Board of Education unanimously agreed to build the school...

Battle of the Books set for Thursday

Middle school students will be tested on their reading skills Thursday as Wayne County Public Schools hosts the 23rd annual Battle of the Books competition. The quiz bowl-type competition starts at 9 a.m. in the Dillard Middle School auditorium,...

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Making 'Our Town' their town

The fictional town of Grover's Corners is coming to life on stage at the Paramount Theatre in a way celebrated playwright Thornton Wilder would never have forseen. The Goldsboro Ballet will present "Our Town," a ballet interpretation of the award-winning...

Officials say 'no' to putting marriage issue on agenda

One vote by county commissioners happened so quickly last Tuesday amid the confusion and turmoil of a standing-room-only crowd opposed to a proposed housing project that most people probably missed it. With little discussion, county commissioners by a 3-4...

School district confident $5 million in lottery funds safe

School officials had not planned to empty their lottery fund account so soon. But that was before the governor announced the last quarter's proceeds would be reverted to the state to help with the budget shortfall. Then, said Nan...

Motorcycle party nets $10,000 for Edgewood students

Six years ago, area farmer Randy Gray decided to throw a party for a few of his motorcycle buddies. Response was so great, he toyed with the idea of taking it a step further. "I decided that since I was...

Fire department asks town to annex new station

PIKEVILLE -- The Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Fire Department has asked officials to annex their future fire station and make it an official part of town. Mayor Herbert Sieger and the commissioners agreed to let Town Administrator Kathie Fields explore annexing the...

Wayne GOP convention set for Saturday

The Wayne County Republican Party will hold its annual precinct meetings and convention Saturday at the Wayne Center at the corner of Chestnut and George streets. Party members will hear from a number of guest speakers as well as...

Red Cross offers March class list

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer the following classes this month: Adult CPR/Automated External Defibrillator -- March 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. Child and Infant CPR -- March 17 from 6 to 10 p.m....

Public record

Vehicle 'burned beyond recognition' A city of Goldsboro employee said he found a burned out car in an open land area near the 2500 block of Royall Avenue, after the fire department had responded to a grass fire there on...

Pikeville employees to help make residents' homes energy efficient

Pikeville, a town where residents struggle with electric costs because of a deal penned in the early 1980s, will address the issue by having town employees help to install energy-saving devices, an official said. Town Administrator Kathie Fields said Wednesday...

Murder suspect returned from Florida

A murder suspect was returned to Goldsboro from Florida yesterday afternoon, police said. Anthony Dwayne Jackson, of North Leslie Street, is wanted in connection with the shooting of Barbara Bandy. Jackson was in Wayne County Jail as of about...

Monday, March 9, 2009

Teacher trainee academy gives a head start

Amanda Edwards has always known exactly what she wants to be when she grows up -- a teacher, just like her aunt. The Southern Wayne High School junior even had a plan. It included going to East Carolina University for...

Longtime volunteer dies at 86

J.R. Nickens, known in the Goldsboro community for more than 20 years as the friendly face behind the desk at the Family Y, died Saturday. He was 86. Nickens was honored at a recent reception at the Y and...

Getting ready for spring

Eight-year-old Jeff Bland tries to pull a shopping cart from Stoney Creek Saturday. Jeff, his father Will, sister Lucy and others including Ben Seegars, Peter Roethling and Bob Waller were out Saturday in an effort by the Stoney Creek Park...

Commission discusses county's role in schools

Education might have been just one of many of topics bandied about by commissioners during their Thursday planning session, but it clearly emerged as the board's top priority. Not as clear is the route to be taken to address...

Puppy mill legislation introduced in Raleigh

Responding to the recent raid on Thornton Kennels and the seizure of nearly 300 dogs, state Sen. Don Davis introduced a bill Thursday regulating such so-called puppy mills. Davis, D-Greene, said he decided to introduce the legislation after seeing...

Senior center offers tax help

Wayne County Services on Aging, with help from AARP, is offering free tax assistance for seniors. An AARP tax assistant with be at the Wayne County Senior Center, 100 S. John St., on Tuesdays beginning Tuesday and continuing until...

Sunday, March 8, 2009

United by Fire: Seymour fighter jets integral part of Pope combat saga

There were few words exchanged when Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner and Capt. Jeremy Duffey were reunited at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Friday morning. That's all they needed. Their bond was born nearly a year before in Shok Valley, Afghanistan....

Kwast will lead expeditionary wing in Afghanistan that includes SJAFB sqadrons

When members of the 4th Fighter Wing's 335th and 336th fighter squadrons deploy to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, later this year, a familiar face will be waiting to command them. Former 4th Commander Col. Steve Kwast confirmed Friday that he has...

lawsuit involving braswell and former magistrate settled

A lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against the N.C. Admin-istrative Office of the Courts and former Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell has been settled. The lawsuit, which was filed by the federal Justice Department in November...

Commissioners talk zoning

Wayne County commissioners might have been spared getting caught in the crossfire of last week's fiery standoff between a developer and the people opposed to his low-rent housing proposal if the county had some type of zoning in place....

Grantham: Their home in the country

GRANTHAM -- Ask anybody in this community what makes it so special and more than likely the answer will be the same -- the people. "What makes Grantham a great place to live are the people who live out...

Lt. Gov. helps kick off businesss expo in Duplin

KENANSVILLE -- The resilience of small business and a fighting spirit are going to get North Carolinians through the current tough times, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton told Duplin County leaders Friday afternoon . Dalton helped kick off the Duplin County...

Barber among speakers at anti-Fibrowatt rally

CLINTON -- The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber of Goldsboro, state president of the NAACP, will be among the speakers Saturday, March 21, at a rally in opposition to construction of litter-fired power plant in Sampson County. The rally...

Gail Charles to lead Cultural and Heritage Consortium

Today's slumping economy makes it more important than ever for area businesses and organizations to work together to serve the community and to promote tourism, Wayne County Cultural and Heritage Consortium chairman Gail Charles says. "And the consortium is more...

Friday, March 6, 2009

County not sure funding available

Wayne County does not yet have the anticipated $5 million in lottery funds in hand that are needed to kick start a $23 million school facilities plan. County Manager Lee Smith and school officials appear optimistic that the county...

Roosevelt impersonator to perform at Scout kickoff benefit

An entertainer who portrays President Theodore Roosevelt will appear at the kickoff event for the Friends of Scouting Campaign this month. Joe Wiegand will arrive in character as the Roughrider president at 6 p.m. for social hour in the...

Deputy cleared in Kenly shooting

The Johnston County District Attorney says a deputy was justified in the shooting death of Reginald Lee Witcher during a confrontation with lawmen. Sgt. Joel Keith Garner shot and killed Reginald Lee Witcher at his home near Kenly after police...

Southern Wayne graduate takes trip to South Africa

If you think the economy's bad here, you ought to visit South Africa, says Jerome Frederick Jr. of Dudley. The 2004 graduate of Southern Wayne High School spent six weeks there as part of his course of study at Morehouse...

Honoring their elders

Joshua McCoy, a senior at Goldsboro High School, helps Mattie Oates with her trivia worksheet at Goldsboro's Senior Americans Appreciation Day Thursday morning in the school's media center. The annual tradition drew around 100 former students and educators, family members...

Child predator workshop offered

The Mental Health Association of Wayne County is sponsoring a workshop to teach parents, teachers, law enforcement, doctors and others who work with children on the dangers of child predators on the Internet. On Wednesday, March 18, Starr Barbaro...

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Officials take close look at WCC work skills program

Wayne Community College is doing a good job of expanding and diversifying its technical offerings, said representatives of a grant program designed to help community colleges prepare workers for the type of jobs they will hold in the future. A...

Experts take look at Goldsboro's plan for renovated train station

There are ghost marks on the walls of Union Station. But far from indicating any sort of paranormal activity, these indicators show where old structures like posts and stairs used to be, before they were removed or rotted away, explained...

County eyes shift in alcohol site sales

Revenues and control are at stake should the state allow privately-owned and operated "agency stores" to sell the liquor now being sold through the state's ABC stores, Mike Myrick, chairman of the Wayne County ABC Board, told commissioners Tuesday...

Public record

Auto thefts *Alvin Allen of North Running Deer Circle, Dudley reported Tuesday night that his 2007 Kia Optima, gold in color, had been stolen from a parking lot in the 600 block of West Ash Street. The vehicle is worth...

Railroad crossing closings continue today in Mount Olive

Most railroad crossings in Mount Olive will be closed today as part the CSX Railroad maintenance project. To be closed are Genoa Road at Dudley and Northeast Church Road just north of town and Talton Avenue, Park Avenue, College...

SECU awards $750,000 grant to Kitty Askins

Home Health and Hospice, or 3HC, has received a $750,000 grant from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation for the expansion of Kitty Askins Hospice Center. The gift brings the total donations to $2 million of the $4 million...

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Southern Wayne High School teacher arrested

A Southern Wayne High School teacher accused of a sex offense turned herself in to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office on Monday. An investigation was launched into allegations against exceptional children's teacher Shannon Grace Herring, 32, on Nov. 18, when...

Schools say lottery funds are not lost

Facing the state's recent announcement that lottery funds will be pulled to offset budget shortfalls, school officials say they are "confident" they will be able to proceed with construction projects that are under way. The matter was briefly discussed during...

Commission calls meeting for questions

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday afternoon had plenty of questions about the rapidly approaching schools facilities project -- questions they directed at each other instead of the school board that just minutes before had left a joint meeting. Commissioners expressed...

Residents speak out against housing plan

A group of Rosewood residents lambasted Wayne County commissioners for nearly an hour Tuesday in opposition to a low-income housing project planned for their neighborhood. The gathering at times grew unruly, with audience members shouting out their opinions. Commissioners...

Seven pounds of meth found in Fremont

FREMONT -- A Fremont area man is being held under $1 million bond in the Wayne County Jail after he was found with almost seven pounds of methamphetamine at his home Monday, the Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday. Feliciano Salinas...

Duplin boards upset over vote change bill

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education both are opposing a local bill moving through the state Legislature that would keep their chairmen from voting unless there is a tie. The Duplin County Board...

WCC Foundation helps to make college possible

The Foundation of Wayne Community College held its awards presentation and reception recently, with more than 100 scholarship recipients taking the stage due to the generosity of the many donors who keep the organization's scholarship program thriving. Chairman of...

Sheriff explains mailing

Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders wants county residents to know that a mailing from the North Carolina Sheriff's Association does not benefit him directly, although he is a member of the organization. Many Wayne residents have already received the...

Public record

Suspicious fire A fire at 207 Arrowhead Lane in Dudley is under investigation as a suspicious fire, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. Arson investigators arrived at the scene just after midnight on Tuesday, at the home owned by Edgar...

Attempted murder suspect violates parole

The suspect in a September shooting on Maple Street has been sentenced to 120 days in jail for misdemeanor probation violations, court records show. Derrick Raymont Best, 27, is accused of the attempted murder of Alicia Griffin, and also...

Local group working to improve child safety

With the bulk of childhood injuries and deaths happening at home, Safe Kids Wayne County is urging parents and caregivers to take basic safety precautions. Nearly 2,100 children in the U.S. ages 14 and under die from accidental injuries...

Man pleads guilty in 2008 Warsaw stabbing

KENANSVILLE -- Andrew Williams pleaded guilty Monday to voluntary manslaughter in Duplin County Superior Court in the June 20, 2008 stabbing death of Michael Shane Ray. Williams, 34, also pleaded guilty to malicious conduct by a prisoner for spitting...

Man to speak on moving cemeteries

A man who moves cemeteries that are in the path of highways or othe development will speak at a meeting of the Sons of Confederate Veterans on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Seven Springs Restaurant. Ward Sutton of Rocky...

Students discuss black citizenship in America

Two young scholars were honored Thursday night at the STOP The Funeral Initiative's first annual Black History Month oratorical contest at the Eastern Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Goldsboro. Patrick Edwards, 16, of North Lenoir High School won first place...

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Bell makes case to commissioners

The 60-plus Rosewood residents who created a standing-room-only environment at the Wayne County Board of Commissioners meeting this morning followed the board's rules for the first 10 minutes of developer John Bell's presentation -- remaining quiet while their opponent spoke...

Arrest made in shooting, murder of city woman

One of two men accused in connection with the shooting of Barbara Bandy as she sat in her car outside her North Leslie Street home has been caught. Goldsboro police said Anthony Dwayne Jackson, who also lives on North...

Maritime historian shares stories of female pirates

Historian and storyteller Connie Mason of Morehead City told a Wayne County Reads audience Monday night that female pirates were just as colorful, and dangerous, as their male counterparts. And despite a widely held belief that women at sea brought...

Former teacher in court on charge

A former Mount Olive Middle School teacher facing a sexually related charge with a former student made his first appearance in court Monday. In a short appearance before a District Court judge, former keyboarding instructor Jerry Dortch was represented by...

Concern raised on closures; city seeks stimulus

Concerned citizen and parent Charles Wright asked the Goldsboro City Council Monday night to consider carefully the proposed school reorganization that would mean merging Belfast and Southern Academy alternative schools into the same facility. "I find that unacceptable for several...

CSX working on railroad crossings

Several Wayne County railroad crossing will be closed starting today as work crews for CSX Railroad continue their swing through the county working on intersections The crossings are Outlaw Road, Sleepy Creek Road, Arrington Bridge Road, Old Mount Olive...

Board to seek comment on school plan

A public hearing will be held to discuss Wayne County Public Schools' proposal to reorganize four of its schools, a move expected to save the district $945,000. The Board of Education set March 16 as the meeting time to hear...

Monday, March 2, 2009

First arrest made in Bandy shooting

Goldsboro police have made one arrest in the death of Barbara Bandy, catching up with one of the suspects in Miami, Fla., Sgt. Chad Calloway said. Anthony Dwayne Jackson, last known to live on North Leslie Street, faces one...

Recruiter who signed up airman was also there for his retirment

The familiar hand that stuck an Air Force retirement pin onto Charles Nail's uniform Friday took him back more than 30 years. He shook that hand back in 1978, when recruiter Del Harris visited his Hickory, N.C., high school. "I...

Southco CEO is named national marketing association chairman

Sherwin Herring was 19 in 1971 when he started working for a $1.65 an hour in the warehouse at what was then Southern Wholesale. Now, 37 years later as CEO of the renamed Southco Distributing Co., Herring has just...

Upgrades planned for city's water facilities

Goldsboro's utility facilities are OK for now, but a draft of the utilities master plan study -- under way since 2008 -- states that the city's facilities will need some upgrades in the near future. And in some cases, major...

Paving scam hits elderly residents

A group of men selling shoddy asphalt is targeting elderly victims by offering to pave driveways at a low price, then pressuring victims to pay more, authorities say. People have called the Wayne County Sheriff's Office numerous times with...

Goldsboro Ballet to perform March 14 and 15

The Goldsboro Ballet will perform "Our Town" and "Carnival of Animals" at the Paramount Theatre on March 14 at 7 p.m. and on March 15 at 3 p.m. There is also a performance on March 13 at 9:00 a.m. and...

Habitat needs help with lunches

Habitat for Humanity 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, March 9 and March 16. The students from...

Chamber to sponsor legislative briefing breakfast March 20

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a legislative briefing on Friday, March 20, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Goldsboro Country Club. State Sens. Don Davis and David Rouzer and state Reps. Larry Bell, Van Braxton...

November sales tax receipts lower

The county's sales tax receipts continued to decline in November, but not quite as sharply as they did in October. The two months combined fell by $1,099,590 compared to the same two months in 2007. Sales tax funds for...

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Students, counselors honored for work

Molly Jackson comes to school every day with a smile, ready and eager to start the day with her classmates. The image is in stark contrast to what Molly's parents were told when she became the 217th person in the...

Bringing home hope

The 12-year-old Eastern Wayne Middle School student hospitalized after being hit by a car in late January is coming home sooner than expected. But Taylor Gambrel is still in a coma and has nowhere to go for further treatment, his...

Former teacher turns himself in

MOUNT OLIVE -- A former Mount Olive Middle School teacher will make his first district court appearance Monday afternoon at 1:30 in Courtroom No. 3 on a charge stemming from alleged misconduct with a student. Jerry Dortch, 43, of...

MO board to consider zoning flexibility

MOUNT OLIVE -- Zoning in the downtown commercial district grants the town inspector some leeway in situations where odd-shaped lots make it difficult for a business to met setback requirements. Monday night town commissioners will be asked to expand...

Duplin commissioners to discuss unauthorized soil borings at site

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Board of Commissioners will likely discuss soil borings at Duplin Commons the county manager says were done without county permission Monday at their regular meeting. "We have underground utilities and don't know exactly where...

County, school officials meet

The Wayne County commissioners and the Wayne County Board of Education will meet Tuesday in a joint session to discuss the future of a $23 million school facilities plan that has been the center of recent debate between both...

In a jam: Funding for series lacking

The global economic crisis came home to Goldsboro Friday as the deadline for Center Street Jam sponsorships came and went without enough money pledged to run the full summer lineup. Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. executive director Julie Thompson said it...

Who's the toughest cowgirl in Wayne?

PIKEVILLE -- Who's the toughest cowgirl in Wayne County? Judges are going to decide on March 28 at the first women's rodeo fundraiser at the Stepping Stone therapeutic horse riding stables on Capps Bridge Road. Programs Director Jana Foote is...

Charges filed in death of John St. man

Police say a 45-year-old man beat a North John Street man, leading to the victim's death on Nov. 17 and involuntary manslaughter charge filed on Friday. The death of Gerald Anthony King was originally classified as a death investigation by...

Wayne Red Cross kicks off annual heroes fundraiser

The race is on as the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross starts its seventh annual month-long Heroes campaign for local services. This year "heroes," anyone who pledges to raise at least $1,000 for the Red Cross, are...

Saulston: It is home, and there's no place like it

SAULSTON -- The face of Wayne County is changing. Perhaps that is nowhere more evident than in the county's traditionally small rural communities. Even with those changes, it is still home for the families that have lived for generations...

The house Bell wants to build

John Bell knows about the petition opposing the housing development he plans to build just off U.S. 70 behind the Second Fling Consignment Shop -- one signed by the hundreds of Rosewood residents who met to discuss the issue Feb....