June 2012 archives

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Friday, June 29, 2012

916th deploys

Members of the 916th Air Refueling Wing board a KC-135R Stratotanker Thursday afternoon. More than 100 members of the storied Reserve wing are beginning tours in the Middle East and beyond this weekend....

Many not happy with court vote

Barbecue plates weren't the only thing being chewed up by Thursday's lunch crowd at Wilber's Barbecue Restaurant -- so was the Supreme Court's hour-old 5-4 decision preserving a requirement of President Barack Obama's health care plan that requires Americans to...

Yep. It's going to be a hot one

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today and an excessive heat warning for 6 a.m. Saturday until 11 p.m. Sunday for central North Carolina, including Wayne County, where dangerously hot conditions are expected. Temperatures are forecast...

Workshop set for teachers, and parents

MOUNT OLIVE -- The seventh annual Wayne County Public Schools Summer Institute will take place at the end of next month, providing an opportunity for educators as well as parents to attend a free series of workshops in preparation for...

Airmen get invite to fireworks

Some will watch them from their back porch. Others will see them explode above a North Carolina battleship. And many more will view, on television screens, the many fireworks displays that have become an Independence Day hallmark. But for...

Thoughts from a different generation

TYLER DAVIS, 21 On the negative attention the Act has received in the media "I've found that those who are angry about it to be most people who didn't really understand it very well. I was reading about the cost-benefit...

First Pentecostal Church holding Celebrate Freedom event Sunday

First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Goldsboro will have a special Celebrate Freedom event Sunday at its 9 and 10:45 a.m. services. The speaker will be Army Chaplain James Ward Jr., a Greensboro resident who has recently returned from a...

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Students earn $15.5 million in scholarships

More than $15.5 million in renewable financial aid will assist recent high school graduates from Wayne County Public Schools heading off to college in the fall. School officials tallied the latest round of scholarships and supplemental funding awarded to the...

Family members and friends of Faro VFD remember what it was like to experience a B-52 crash in their backyard

EUREKA -- It started on the front porch of a small town restaurant -- a conversation meant to unwrap the strife between the residents of a Wayne County farming community and the state of North Carolina. They didn't seem to...

Woman drowns in pool

MOUNT OLIVE -- No foul play is suspected in the Wednesday afternoon drowning of a 20-year-old Mount Olive woman. Wayne County Sheriff's Major Tom Effler said Meghan Beth Roberts was found lying face down in an aboveground swimming pool around...

916th names new commander

By the end of the summer, the 916th Air Refueling Wing will have a new commander. Air Force officials announced late Wednesday that Col. Gregory S. Gilmour, the current commander of Tinker Air Force Base's 507th Operations Group, will...

Public record

Another bomb threat More than three months after the last call, another bomb threat was made at the construction site of the new Cherry Hospital on West Ash Street Wednesday morning. The threat, at least the ninth reported since November...

Cliffs swimming area set to open

Closed for several months for repair work on the dam, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park's lake will open for swimming Saturday. Hours are Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Park ranger Candace Rose said the lake...

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

916th names next commander

A new commander has been selected to lead the 916th Air Refueling Wing. See Thursday's News-Argus to learn more about Col. Gregory S. Gilmour, the man set to replace Col. Randall Ogden....

One-stop early voting begins

One-stop early voting for the July 17 primary starts Thursday at 8 a.m. and continues through July 14 at the Wayne County Board of Elections office, 209 S. William St. Dates and times for one-stop voting are: * June...

Mission for youths: TRANZ Center looking for new home

A "haven for kids" near downtown Goldsboro is in need of a new home. At month's end, the TRANZ Center, located on Carolina Street at the base of the hill behind Franklin Baking Co., will be displaced. "The people that...

Committee to take look at Golden LEAF requests

A project review team of Wayne County residents is facing the daunting task of whittling down $11.1 million in requests to meet the $2 million in Golden LEAF Foundation money available to the county. The nine-member panel will be required...

Chicken debut: Popeyes announces opening day

Chain businesses and restaurants have been flocking to Goldsboro recently as the city has received word since last summer that Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and now Harris Teeter will be opening locations in Wayne County. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is...

WCC Phi Beta Lambda students at leadership conference

Members of Wayne Community College's Gamma Chi chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business education student association are participating in the organization's 2012 National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this week. The conference is allowing the 20 student...

Students creating video on choices

Students from Wayne County Early/Middle College High School Key Club were enlisted to create a video on making healthy life choices. Their submission, "I Wish I Knew," is being used as part of the Young Moms Connect Community Video...

Mulberry Street to close for downtown work

Another road closure due to the Center Street Streetscape project went into effect this morning as the westbound lane of Mulberry Street will be closed at its intersection with Center Street. The closure will not allow westbound traffic to...

On fire

Firefighters from Dudley and Mount Olive fire departments were dispatched to the scene of a working vehicle fire endangering a structure at 115 Ranch Drive, just off of Kelly Springs Road, about 2 p.m. Tuesday. Firefighters arrived on the...

Summer at Boys & Girls Club

During the day, nearly 165 children, ages 6 through 18, participate in 12 summer programs such as "Aiming for Success" and "Drumming Up Character." All of the events are held at the Boys and Girls Club from 10 a.m....

Wayne County's unemployment rate rises slightly

Wayne County's unemployment rate increased from April to May along with 75 other counties in the state, although two neighboring counties bucked the statewide trend. Wayne County's unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage point from April to 8.6 percent in...

High school automotive teachers get certification

Automotive teachers from 19 eastern North Carolina high schools recently attended a two-day training at Wayne Community College, earning credit toward their program's national certifications. The educators participated in simulated exercises and hands-on diagnostic procedures, while gaining knowledge about...

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Alleged shooter nabbed

Nearly three months after a local resident was airlifted to Greenville for treatment of injuries sustained during a shooting at the intersection of Poplar Street and Westview Court, one of the men Goldsboro police allege is res-ponsible for his plight...

Restroom planned for Mount Olive park

MOUNT OLIVE -- Construction work on the restroom at Nelson Street Park in Mount Olive is now under way after fundraising efforts by two local organizations raised enough money to begin the project. The $23,900 plan, a combined effort...

Rain helps corn

Monday night's downpour was a million dollar rain coming at a critical time for Wayne County's corn crop -- especially with temperatures forecast to hit triple digits by the weekend and remain there through the first of next week. "The...

If your kid one of Wayne County's cutest?

Think your little one is the poster child for all things adorable? Then enter the Cute Kids of Wayne County calendar contest, currently being sponsored by Partnership for Children of Wayne County. The effort is part of a fundraiser for...

Shortage is critical for blood

Blood supplies are at emergency levels, and the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross is asking donors to step up and give blood. There were less than 50,000 blood donations so far this month for the Carolinas...

Special Olympics athletes participate in state games

Special Olympics Wayne County athletes recently participated in the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games in Raleigh. Athletes participated in aquatics and track and field events. The aquatics team, coached by Karen Sellner, Rich Kendall and Donna Countryman, earned 23...

Monday, June 25, 2012

Shooting suspect nabbed in Durham

A Goldsboro teenager was arrested in Durham after fleeing Wayne County several months ago following a shooting. Billy Renaldo Hamm Jr., 19, has been charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of discharging a weapon into an...

Summer meal programs open

For many children, summertime means school is out and it's time for unstructured fun. But for some, it also presents a unique problem -- families can't count on their children having a meal at school and budgets must be stretched...

Certificate program at WCC retrains students for work

At 49, Robin Capps decided it was time for a career change. But not because he grew bored with the machinist position he held for nearly 30 years. Losing his job as a machinist and facing "not a lot of...

Bigger buffers around Internet cafes urged

A proposed 300-foot buffer between Internet or sweepstakes cafes and surrounding homes, churches and schools is not enough, Wayne County Commissioner Jack Best told his fellow board members last week. Best said the distance should be at least 1,000 feet,...

Farmer dies in field

Members of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of a local farmer after an apparent accident in a Goldsboro field. James Tyndall, 46, of 109 Swine Road, was pronounced dead at Wayne Memorial Hospital Saturday evening. According...

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Parks meetings draw small numbers

Despite lackluster attendance at six public meetings, Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard said he was encouraged by enthusiastic responses from the handfuls of people who showed up at the meetings, which were held in each of the city's...

One-stop voting starts Thursday

Goldsboro voters will elect a new board and mayor during the July 17 primary election, but other than those races, the only other ones on the ballot are for a handful of state, and mostly Republican, primaries. The candidates...

New soil needed for Center Street work

The Goldsboro City Council last week discussed a change order for the Center Street Streetscape project that will cost the city an additional $90,000 to import soil. Council members also learned that Mulberry Street might need to be closed...

A leap of faith

JACKSONVILLE -- He knew that death would be flying alongside his B-52 -- that if his crew executed its mission, he would never again embrace his wife or hold his little girl. But Air Force Lt. Adam Mattocks did...

Wayne County Senior Games winners listed

The following were winners in the Wayne County Senior Games held last month. Basketball Shoot Gold: Susan Strickland, Pauline Gassaway, Mattie Suggs, Vivian Clark, Marjorie Hines, Mike Trujillo, Walt Bryant; Silver: Sylvia Creel; Bronze: Polly Adams. Billiards Gold: Edward Faison,...

Walk raises money for building homes for Habitat for Humanity

Saturday's Hike for Humanity, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne, has evolved into a family-oriented event where the community can have fun while learning more about the organization. The third annual hike, held Saturday at Stoney Creek Park,...

STARBASE

Jacob Callahan prepares his rocket for flight while instructor Allen Sasser watches Friday morning at Greenwood School. The weeklong STARBASE camp at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a program that gives youth an opportunity to focus on science,...

Foreign students in need of homes

A group that organizes visits by foreign students to eastern North Carolina is in need of help in placing three students arriving from Spain this week. Professor Frederic Fladenmuller of East Carolina University helps direct the Terra Lingua/Terre des Langues...

Civil War battle lecture Tuesday

Military expert Keven Gambold will speak on the Seven Days Battle as part of the series observing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War by the North Carolina Military History Roundtable. The lecture will be held Tuesday at 7...

Friday, June 22, 2012

So cool

Children play under the cooling spray of a sprinkler Thursday at Cornerstone Commons. The large sprinkler was provided by the Goldsboro Fire Department, and the event was sponsored by the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp....

Golden LEAF proposals in

Thursday was the deadline for applications from groups seeking a share of the $2 million available to Wayne County through the Golden LEAF Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative. On Tuesday, Foundation President Dan Gerlach will be in Goldsboro to review the...

Commissioners OK county budget

"It's just politics. You have got to love it." With that comment by Commissioner Steve Keen, county commissioners Thursday afternoon closed out what had turned into a raucous debate about the budget for 2012-13 -- most of which came...

Banquet celebrates Relay

Ethel Barnes smiled as she unfolded a large piece of paper -- revealing, to the dozens who gathered in the Wayne Memorial Hospital cafeteria Thursday evening, a six-figure sum. "Thank you Wayne County," she said, looking down at the number....

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Fremont budget approved

FREMONT -- A budget $92,320 leaner than the previous one and that was drafted by an outgoing town board was unanimously approved Tuesday night by an incoming town board. The $3,538,877 budget keeps the present tax rate at 65 cents...

Summer arrives

Jameson Brassard, 5, swims ahead of Trent Shepard, 3, as they race across the public pool at Peacock Park. Temperatures climbed close to the 100-degree mark Wednesday, the first official day of summer. Jameson offered some words of advice...

Power interrupted to 12,000 customers

About 12,000 Progress Energy customers were without power Wednesday afternoon thanks to equipment malfunctions in two transmission substations. One substation in Genoa east of Grantham delivers power to Goldsboro residents suffered an outage at 2:06 p.m., putting 4,000 customers...

Former Mount Olive police chief under SBI probe

BOILING SPRING LAKES -- Boiling Spring Lakes Police Chief Emmett Ballree, a former chief of the Mount Olive Police Department, in an email to members of his department, said that allegations of possible obstruction of justice sparked an SBI investigation...

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Tutoring programs aim to help students keep pace with classes

Selena Worrell believes that with the right encouragement, students can succeed. Her own career as an educator came about by accident, following cutbacks at the company where she had worked for eight years. She learned about the lateral entry...

Online museum survey accessible

The city's online Air Force museum survey went live Monday and is accessible from the city's website. The survey is a part of Verner Johnson's community evaluation portion of the museum planning process. Results from the surveys will be combined...

Few comments on county budget

Other than remarks by the chairman of the Wayne County Republican Party and GOP candidates for county commissioner, there were few comments Tuesday morning during a public hearing on the county's $159 million proposed budget for 2012-13. And the only...

Man jailed under $1.5 million bond after chase, drug arrest

It started with an attempted traffic stop -- members of the Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad signaling to a vehicle on South George Street to pull over. But when the driver refused to stop -- when he led lawmen on...

Character through art at North Drive Elementary

Teachers and students at North Drive Elementary School recently used their artistic talents to commemorate character education lessons taught at the school. Art teacher Amy Kennedy coordinated the effort, which resulted in designing a "Mural of Character" on the...

City ponders building roof repairs

The city of Goldsboro will once again dip into its tourism coffer, this time to pay for roof repairs at the former Arts Council of Wayne County building. The city is in the midst of what Assistant City Manager...

SECU awards community college scholarship

Rosewood High School graduate Travis Alan Cuddington has been presented a $5,000 two-year community college scholarship made possible by the State Employees Credit Union Foundation in partnership with the North Carolina National Guard Association Educational Foundation. The scholarship was...

Thanks to Mom -- and the rest is barbecue history

FREMONT -- "It started with my mom's recipe." With those words, Carl Lewis Jr. begins the long story that has taken him to the heights of barbecue fame as the maker of the popular John Boy and Billy's Grillin'...

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Solar farm being planned for Mount Olive area

MOUNT OLIVE -- A solar farm that would produce electricity to be sold to Progress Energy is in the planning stages for an approximately nine-acre site just off of Harrell's Hill Road just west of town. The site, located just...

Residents speak out against crime, rezoning

There was no shortage of public comment at the Monday meeting of the Goldsboro City Council where more than 20 people took their respective turns at the podium addressing the council members on race relations, violent crime, a rezoning...

Rain, mild temperatures have helped corn crop

Mild temperatures coupled with adequate rainfall have Wayne County corn producers optimistic about their harvest -- unlike last season's disastrous drought-stricken crop. There is no comparison to this time last year when drought and sweltering temperatures claimed about 70...

Arrest made in shooting

The Goldsboro Police Department has made an arrest in connection with an early morning shooting June 10 that sent two local residents to the hospital. Bobby Davis III, 20, of 195 Scott Drive, has been charged with two counts...

County lawmen make drug bust

A local man is being held in the Wayne County Jail under a $1.5 million bond after local law enforcement charged her with several drug offenses. For more on the arrest of 33-year-old Kenyatta Applewhite, follow NewsArgus.com and see Wednesday's print...

Monday, June 18, 2012

GPD nabs suspected graduation party shooter

The Goldsboro Police Department has made in arrest in connection with an early-morning shooting that sent two local residents to Wayne Memorial Hospital June 10. Bobby Davis III has been charged with two counts of assault with a deadly...

Linton first in national contest

Marisa Linton, 19, of the Grantham community, recently won the senior division of the National Make It With Wool competition held in Scottsdale, Ariz. She is one of few to have won this competition twice -- once in 2009...

Hospital's new emergency room opens Wednesday

Long before work began on the new emergency room at Wayne Memorial Hospital, hospital officials visited other facilities to see what amenities would best meet the needs of the county's residents. Denise Bruce, clinical director of the Wayne Memorial emergency...

Final bypass contract to be awarded Tuesday

The state Board of Transportation is scheduled to award the contract for the final and westernmost section of the U.S. 70 Goldsboro Bypass on Tuesday. The estimated cost for the 5.9-mile section from just west of N.C. 581 east to...

County budget public hearing Tuesday

Wayne County residents will have the opportunity during a Tuesday morning public hearing to comment on or ask questions about the county's $159 million budget proposal that maintains the current tax rate of 70.25 cents per $100 worth of...

Flag retirement

Members of Boy Scout Troop 8 salute the flag while it is lowered to be retired during the troop's flag retirement ceremony at New Hope United Methodist Church. Troop 8 performed the proper ceremony in retiring a flag, which...

Exchange student host families are still needed

Host families are still needed for eight high school students, four Spanish students from June 26 to July 24, and four French students from July 9 to Aug. 4. The exchange students have a proficiency level in English of...

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Goldsboro High School graduates make it

Monique Shelton had tears in her eyes when Kariana Taylor started singing the national anthem -- when the 6-year-old girl standing next to her starting humming along. But it was not pride in her country that evoked such an...

Fremont hoping to kickstart economic development

FREMONT -- A community-wide celebration is being planned for August to help launch Fremont's participation in a state program that local leaders hope will kickstart economic development. A local delegation led by outgoing Mayor Leroy Ruffin was in Raleigh...

Wayne Public Schools teachers of year announced

Thirty-one exemplary educators from Wayne County Public Schools have been named "Teacher of the Year" at their respective schools, officials announced last week. The recipients will now prepare to compete for the districtwide honor, which will be announced in the...

Princeton teen dies in traffic accident

One Johnston County teen is dead and another is at WakeMed in fair condition after a single-car accident Thursday night. Sarah Elizabeth Earp, 16, was pronounced dead at the scene after the 2004 Chevrolet SUV she was driving ran...

Seyboro Cyclists take on 'Double Century' loop

"Saddle up!" The command bellows across the Eastern Wayne High School parking lot Saturday morning as dozens of brightly clad cyclists mount their road bikes to begin the next leg of their 200-mile ride. It's the 10th year of...

Grand jury indictments handed down

The Wayne County grand jury has handed down 58 true bills. The indictment list includes: *Matthew Raynard Cooper, 18, 710 National Drive, breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods. *Brian Alan Williams, 33, 1300...

Rezoning across from Olive Garden back before City Council

A once-denied rezoning request for a neighborhood business on North Berkeley Boulevard will get a second shot beginning at the Goldsboro City Council meeting Monday, where the public is invited to speak out once more concerning the request. The...

Friday, June 15, 2012

Teens can train to be babysitters

Wayne Memorial Hospital is offering a course to help babysitters handle the toughest parts of their jobs. The Safe Sitter program is in its third year at the hospital, and is offered as a public service to the community, coordinator...

Partnership for Children seeks more funding

A contingent from Wayne County met with members of the N.C. General Assembly Tuesday to advocate on behalf of Partnership for Children of Wayne County and promote funding for early childhood education. The group, which included business leaders, health professionals,...

Zion Church intersect is open

MOUNT OLIVE -- Two years, some controversy and a redesign later, what started out as a move to close the Zion Church Road intersection with N.C. 55 and N.C. 403 has ended with the opening of the road's new...

Summer discoveries

Abby Hackett and Emily Hall keep a close eye on Nihuanth Kaggere as he fills a cup with sugar during a cooking class at Wayne Country Day School. Students attending summer camp at the school are learning the art...

Public record

Drive-by shooting Members of the Goldsboro Police Department are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. Lashanda Battle, 33, of 104 Rockefeller Court, told investigators that several shots were fired into her home while she and her...

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Charles B. Aycock on list of top high schools in U.S.

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock High School has been named one of the best high schools in the nation. The school received a "bronze medal" designation on U.S. News & World Report's list of "America's Best High Schools." There are...

Another murder logged in city

Less than 24 hours after members of the Goldsboro Police Department arrested a 17-year-old for his alleged role in a May 30 shooting that left a local man dead, city officers are embroiled in yet another murder investigation. Kevin Bell,...

Riders' fares could go up

People who ride GATEWAY's rural buses could be facing a $2 increase in the cost of one-way fares or paying fees based on zones -- meaning those traveling from the more outlying areas of the county would pay more. Both...

Meadow Lane student drowns on vacation to shore

Just days after school dismissed for the summer, a 10-year-old Meadow Lane Elementary School student drowned while vacationing at a beach in New Jersey. Khatin Devine of Linen Lane in Goldsboro had traveled to Philadelphia to spend some time with...

Male mentors to be honored by WAGES

Nicholas Worrell, coordinator of the Male Involvement Program at WAGES, is looking for a few good men. It's time to recognize those in the community who have made a difference in the lives of others, and what better time to...

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

County to eye gaming cafes

While there has been no crush of people wanting to open Internet or sweepstakes cafes in rural Wayne County, the county Planning Board has decided not to wait to put rules in place to regulate those businesses. "There have been...

Teen to face murder charge

A Goldsboro teenager was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder for what police allege is his role in the May 30 shooting that killed 23-year-old Delindao Alijuwon Miller. Qua'Twon Shaquill Tyrek King, 17, of 209 Shaw Court, is being held...

Southern Wayne seniors make way across stage, into their futures

MOUNT OLIVE -- Those who gathered to watch the 225 members of Southern Wayne High School's Class of 2012 stayed silent until every last name had been called and each newly minted graduate had crossed the stage. Then it was...

North Duplin tosses caps

North Duplin High School graduate Ashley Lynn, left, gets a big hug from fellow classmate Brittany Chase and Beth Carter after receiving their diplomas Monday during commencement exercises at Mount Olive College. Seventy-eight students graduated....

Handwriting camp offered for children this summer

The occupational therapy department at Wayne Memorial Hospital will try their hand at something different -- a clinic to help children improve their handwriting. "Scribblez Handwriting Summer Camp" will be held in two sessions in the coming weeks. Instead...

Wayne County Public Schools offices to change to summer schedule this week

Wayne County Public Schools and administrative offices will switch to a summer schedule this week. The district will operate on a 10-hour-day workweek, closing on Fridays, officials said. While the majority of schools across the county dismissed last week,...

SECU gives out six scholarships

The State Employees' Credit Union Foundation, funded solely by credit union members, has presented a $10,000 four-year college scholarship to six Wayne County students. The recipients are: * Zachary Price, Spring Creek High School near Seven Springs. Price is...

Golden LEAF sets date for local community forum

The public is invited to attend a community forum hosted by the Golden LEAF Foundation on Tuesday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Wayne Community College, in the Spruce Building, Room 106. The purpose of the forum is to continue...

Alzheimer's Walk team meeting to be June 20

Teams are being formed for the third annual Neuse Region Alzheimer's Walk, planned for Saturday, Oct. 20, at Wayne Community College. This will be the third annual walk, sponsored by Alzheimer's North Carolina Inc., which provides programs and services...

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Salvation Army debuts canteen, thanks donors

Donors got a meal, disaster volunteers got hands-on training and a new canteen got a run-through at a Salvation Army event this past weekend. During a donor appreciation day, anyone who contributed even the smallest item to the Salvation Army's...

Firefighting program marks end of 1st year

As a boy, whenever a fire truck would pass through the neighborhood -- siren blaring and lights flashing -- Travis Sauls would get a rush of excitement. He even entertained dreams that he, like an uncle who was a...

Former MOPD chief is facing inquiry

BOILING SPRING LAKES -- Former Mount Olive police chief Emmett Ballree, who is now police chief in this small town just southwest of Wilmington, is under scrutiny by the State Bureau of Investigation concerning an undisclosed allegation concerning possible criminal...

Local teen charged with murder

A 17-year-old Goldsboro resident has been charged with murder for his alleged role in the May 30 shooting death of Delindao Alijuwon Miller. Qua'Twon Shaquill Tyrek King was placed in the Wayne County Jail earlier today. For complete details on...

Men charged after homes searched

Members of the A.C.E. Team, with the assistance of members of the Wayne County Drug Squad and SWAT Team, executed a search warrant for two local residences June 7. And after they entered 106 and 109 Anne St., they charged...

Lawmen seize marijuana plants

City and county lawmen teamed up last week to seize a crop of marijuana plants off Big Daddy's Road. Members of the Wayne County Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit, Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad and the ACE team, seized nine plants ranging...

Monday, June 11, 2012

Four shot in two city incidents over the weekend

Four city residents were shot within a four-hour window this weekend, and members of the Goldsboro Police Department are asking the public to help them bring those responsible to justice. Vanradius Vonyell Fields, 26, and Shawn Naurice Holmes, 27,...

Wheat harvest is under way

The billowing black plumes of smoke across the Wayne County landscape as fields are burned off tell the tale -- the wheat harvest is under way in Wayne County. "I think we have come through all of this rain well...

City adding $125K to legal budget

The city of Goldsboro's legal bills have ballooned once more in the aftermath of a lawsuit concerning a state law dictating the way municipalities in the state can annex areas involuntarily. The Goldsboro City Council approved an additional $125,000...

WCPS honors newest class of MODEL teacher honorees

Five teachers from Wayne County Public Schools have been named MODEL Educators. MODEL, an acronym that targets five areas -- master educator, obligation to a respectful learning environment, demonstrates leadership, effective instructor and lifelong learner -- was introduced in the...

Woman charged in stabbing

Goldsboro police charged a 43-year-old Dudley woman with stabbing a 35-year-old man during a domestic altercation Saturday night. Sgt. Trey Ball said his office received a call around 5:30 p.m. about an incident at 1227 N. William St., which is...

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Four shot in last 24 hours

Four people have been shot since 10:45 Saturday evening and the Goldsboro Police Department is asking the public for information that would bring the shooters to justice. Shots were fired both at the Headquarters Barbershop on Ash Street and hours...

Plant might be coming to Duplin

Carolina Alternative Energy, part of the Renaissance Organization LLC, has announced plans to create a multimillion-dollar swine waste plant in Albertson by the end of this year, but county officials are skeptical. Duplin County Manager Mike Aldridge said two...

Commission delays mobile home park query again

For the second time in as many months, Wayne County commissioners have delayed approval of a 32-lot mobile home park on N.C. 55 east of Mount Olive. The first delay was to check with the state Department of Transportation...

Twelve years of development in Goldsboro

2000 -- The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. board of directors puts together its 10-year vision for downtown. It predicts a passenger-rail system running from Goldsboro Union Station and booming development near the city's downtown convention center. 2001 -- The Goldsboro...

Restaurant openings likely to be filled soon

The doors closed on two downtown businesses in the past month, but there are signs Center Street will still break even by this summer as both are likely to reopen before fall. Central Lunch, an on and off again...

Spinning downtown gold

The holly trees are gone from Center Street. They are due to be replaced by zelkovas and timber oaks by October when the Center Street Streetscape project is expected to conclude. Those trees won't be saplings, but they certainly...

Library speaker to talk on Underground Railroad

Meltonia Loretta Young will present "Stories from the Underground Railroad" June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Wayne County Public Library. The program is a combined art exhibit, historical lecture, and exploration of the symbols and secrets behind the...

After years, Spring Creek High School grads say goodbye

MOUNT OLIVE -- Four-year-old Aiden Howell buried his face in his mother's graduation gown, too shy and too tired to face the crowd. "He has told me, 'I am so proud of you, Mama," said Brenda Carrillo of Seven...

Rosewood says bye to 100th class

The look upon nearly every member of Rosewood High School's class of 2012 could best be described as stoic as they filed onto Branch Pope Field Friday night. Sure, there was the occasional nervous laugh, a bit of idle...

Eastern Wayne graduates making big plans

Angeline Cannon and David Murchison often wondered over the course of four years of high school if their mischief-making son would walk across the stage to get his diploma. But Joseph overcame the many obstacles that were placed in...

Two with DOT honored for helping save co-worker's life

Shawn Strickland didn't get to celebrate his 38th birthday on April 23, but thanks to the quick action of two co-workers, he can look forward to celebrating in the future with his 15-year-old daughter, and 12- and 9-year-old sons....

CBA sends off successful class

PIKEVILLE -- Symetrice Montgomery had one word to describe her feelings Saturday morning -- happy. "I'm ready to get it over with," said the honor graduate from Charles B. Aycock High School as she prepared to line up with...

Friday, June 8, 2012

Hospital planning ER open house

An open house to allow residents to see the recently completed improvements to the emergency room at Wayne Memorial Hospital will give visitors a chance to see firsthand the results of the $18 million project. The past 13 months have...

He has been there every day for 12 years

PIKEVILLE -- Trey Millard has missed out on the occasional church youth trip, opportunities for his family to steal away to Disney World during off-peak seasons and has chosen to sit in on exam reviews even after being declared exempt...

School's out for summer

Grantham School students wave to their teachers from the bus windows on their way home from the last day of school. Wayne County public schools, with the exception of Dillard Middle School and Goldsboro High School, celebrated their last...

Man gets meth penalty

WILMINGTON -- The owner of a Lucama automotive repair business Thursday was sentenced in federal court to more than 25 years in prison on drug charges. David Lewis, 58, was sentenced to 327 months by Senior United States District...

Winning ticket is worth $550,000

Someone who bought a lottery ticket in Wayne County is $548,583 richer. A Carolina Cash 5 lottery ticket sold at the Kangaroo Express on Buck Swamp Road earlier this week hit the jackpot. The ticket was the only one to...

Bentonville site to hold Second Saturday Living History

Bentonville Battlefield will hold its monthly Second Saturday Living History event, "Civil War Camp Life," from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Re-enactors will depict how Civil War soldiers lived in camp and the role enlisted men played in...

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Interim director: Election will go on

It has been a tumultuous three weeks at the Wayne County Board of Elections office, culminating last Friday with the resignations of Elections Director Vickie Reed and Deputy Director Michael Barry. However, Beverly York, 60, who was named interim director...

School menus undergo face-lift

The cost of buying a school lunch is going up, with students and parents seeing healthier food choices on the menu next year. Wayne County Public Schools is aligning its efforts with the national trend, as first lady Michelle Obama...

Pipeline for plant completed

An $85 million project to build a 38-mile stretch of 20-inch natural gas transmission pipeline and additional compression facilities that will service Progress Energy's new $900 million natural gas-fired power plant has been completed. The new power plant being...

Second Air Force museum meeting more positive, officials say

The second community forum Wednesday morning concerning the city's proposed Air Force Museum showed a marked contrast from the one held the previous night, as Travel and Tourism Director Betsy Rosemann characterized the attitude of the 35 gathered at...

Museum committee eyes floor plans, renderings

Jimmie Edmundson lifts the curtain and peers out through what was once a drive-thru bank teller window. It's the first time the chairman of the Air Force Museum Citizen's Committee has been in the city's building at 2406 E....

Public record

Computer stolen from school A local elementary school was robbed earlier this week, according to employees. North Drive Elementary officials told deputies from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office that a laptop computer and other items with a total value of...

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

A reluctant, but yet, grateful, 2012 honoree

It surprised no one that the Tuscarora Council of the Boy Scouts of America's 2012 Distinguished Citizen's acceptance speech was a quiet, and humble, "thank you." And the nearly 300 people in attendance Tuesday to honor him laughed knowingly when...

County weighs budget proposal

Wayne County commissioners are hopeful that delaying budget workshops until later this month will provide a better indication of how the state budget could impact the county. The proposed $159 million budget maintains the tax rate at 70.25 cents per...

Waterfall of potential

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Looking out from the 10th floor of Greenville's City Hall toward Greenville's West End, Mayor Knox White can remember when the citizens of his city couldn't see the waterfall. He had, though, of course. In the...

Dogs like ice cream, too

Yuri Cain, left, feeds Bob, a pug, some vanilla ice cream Tuesday at Cornerstone Commons. She and Bob were attending the Ice Cream Social and Pet Parade. Bob competed in the costume contest for dogs.  He was dressed as...

Eight county students perform in All-State Middle School chorus

Eight area students were chosen to participate in the 2012 North Carolina Middle School All State Chorus, held recently in Greensboro. Officials said 600 middle schools from across the state were represented in this year's event, which featured a...

Interim director picked for local Elections Board

A former employee of the state Board of Elections will serve as the interim director of the Wayne County Board of Elections. The Wayne County Board of Elections voted 3-0 this morning following an hour-and-a-half closed session to hire...

Tassels almost turned

Six high school graduation ceremonies will take place over the next week, Wayne County Public Schools officials announced. A total of 1,184 seniors are receiving diplomas this year, with 136 already handed out during previous ceremonies at Wayne Early/Middle...

Commissioners clear way for Steele Memorial work to begin

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning approved a $3.5 million budget amendment that will clear the way for construction of the new Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive to possibly begin this fall. The project was one of several budget...

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Rangers pay their respects to heroes

For more than 25 young boys who are members of the Royal Rangers, an organization similar to the Boy Scouts, a recent chance to visit Arlington National Cemetery and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns was...

Area man nabbed in porn case

RALEIGH -- A former coach and teacher at Hobbton Middle School at Newton Grove has pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge William A. Webb to distribution of child pornography. Paul Stephen Pearsall, 31, of Roseboro, faces up to...

Worker battles robber, is shot

An armed robbery turned violent late Monday evening after an employee at the Dudley Food Mart fought back. Mohammed Ali Abbas was shot after he attempted to prevent an unidentified black man from taking cash from his store. According to...

City passes budget

Download the city budget here The Goldsboro City Council finalized the city's spending plan for fiscal year 2012-13 during its meeting Monday. The budget does not call for a tax increase or an increase in utility rates, although monthly residential...

Schools frown on proposal for virtual school

Wayne County Board of Education Monday night adopted an interim budget for the summer months, supported a proposal to expand grades served at Wayne School of Engineering and joined other school districts in adopting a resolution to stall a...

School officials say measure will cause teachers to leave

Losing teacher tenure for public school teachers will hurt the state's educational progress, local educators say. The state Senate approved Senate Bill 795, which eliminates tenure, Monday. It now goes to the House, although legislators concede it might not receive...

STOP the Funeral to hold Unity Revival

The STOP the Funeral Initiative will hold its Unity Revival to encourage resistance to violence on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Word of Faith Center at 289 Buck Swamp Road. The event comes as preparation for the group's...

Monday, June 4, 2012

County talks budget

A tax rate unchanged from this year, more money for public schools and less for economic development, a continued freeze on most new hires and an emphasis on completing ongoing projects before launching a revised capital improvement plan highlight...

44-year-old shot while walking near fence

A local man was hospitalized Sunday evening after shots were fired on Seymour Drive. Willie Carroll Stevens Jr., 44, told members of the Goldsboro Police Department that he was walking along the fence that separates Seymour and Day Circle when...

Art in the park

Grace Meyer, left, and Luke Meyer look through beads at Herman Park during Sunday in the Park. The bead key chain activity was a part of The Arts Council of Wayne County's booth at the event. The Arts Council...

Police look for missing man, 20

A 20-year-old characterized by his mother as having "a moderate case of mental retardation" was reported missing at just after midnight. Evergreen Avenue resident Annette George told members of the Goldsboro Police Department that she last saw her son, Timmy,...

Grant will finance minority health care initiative

The Wayne County Health Department has received a state grant to help provide more services for the county's minority population. And health officials said they will turn to local churches for help in using the money. The three-year grant,...

Gene Aycock runs for Goldsboro City Council seat

Gene Aycock is running for the District 6 seat on the Goldsboro City Council. He will face Fran Kasey in the July 17 election. The seat became open when Councilman Jackie Warrick announced he would not seek re-election. Aycock,...

Elections director resigns her post

The director and assistant director of the Wayne County Board of Elections have resigned after a letter complaining about the director prompted two closed door personnel sessions with the board. Director Vickie Reed and Assistant Director Michael Barry submitted their...

Having fun learning

Preston Hatch, 2, right, reaches up to give a high five to tennis instructor Mark Phillips at the Born Learning festival Saturday at Herman Park while his mother, Leslie, and brother, Harrison, 14 months, look on. Hundreds of children...

Scouts seeking U.S. flags for retirement ceremony on June 16

Boy Scout Troop 8 will hold an honorable U.S. flag retirement ceremony at New Hope United Methodist Church from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on June 16. People may bring worn or torn U.S. flags for the ceremony. Currently, the...

Public record

ATV stolen John Townsend Jr., 38, 3911 Country Club Road, Criofield, Md., reported to Goldsboro police the theft of a $4,000 ATV. Townsend said the ATV was stolen off of a trailer parked at 905 N. Spence Ave. Car stolen...

Lawmen investigating shooting

A Mount Olive resident was shot four times after a fight broke out inside the Durham Lake Clubhouse early Monday morning. For details, see Tuesday's News-Argus....

Lawmen investigating shooting

A Mount Olive resident was shot four times after a fight broke out inside the Durham Lake Clubhouse early Monday morning. For details, see Tuesday's News-Argus....

Sunday, June 3, 2012

County schols battle to fill exceptional children teacher jobs

There continues to be a demand for exceptional children teachers, an area formerly known as "special ed," and officials say they are trying to stay ahead of the need. "We may be down four or five," said Dr. Marvin McCoy,...

Bid scandal sentencings delayed

Sentencing for three defendants in a bid-rigging scheme involving Wayne County Public Schools has been rescheduled from this week to July in federal district court in New Bern. A fourth defendant is to be sentenced in August. David Lee Tedder,...

Senior volunteers recognized

The WAGES Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions joined with the Corporation for National and Community Service and organizations across the country to honor the impact of Senior Corp volunteers and encourage more Americans 55 and over to serve their communities....

It started with a church

This is the first installment in a three-part series looking at the potential and challenges associated with downtown development in Goldsboro. Today's installment cover the journey of Salisbury, N.C. Part Two, to be published June 6, will focus on...

Mobile home park's access back on commissioners' agenda

Plans for a 32-lot mobile home park on N.C. 55 east of Mount Olive must include a left turn lane before the state Department of Transportation will approve a driveway permit for the project -- a condition that Wayne County...

Local band wins Facebook contest to open for Third Day

A local Christian acoustic band has been chosen as opening act for a special contemporary Christian music concert later this month at Busch Gardens. Matt Bartlett Band won the honor through a Facebook-generated contest launched in early May. Headlining the...

School board will eye budget proposal

An interim budget for the school system until the state finalizes its version and an expansion proposal for Wayne School of Engineering will be among items discussed Monday night by the Board of Education, along with several contracts for construction...

Bentonville program on 'Day in the Life' of Civil War soldier

FOUR OAKS -- Visitors are encouraged to discover the camp life and the role of the Civil War enlisted man in battle at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site on Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. In the...

Citizens can have their say on Air Force museum plan

The next phase in the city's public survey on its proposed Air Force museum is slated to begin this week. The Air Force Museum Citizen Committee will meet Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the City Hall Annex before hosting...

Friday, June 1, 2012

Elections board delays decision; member absent

The Wayne County Board of Elections recessed its meeting this morning for the second time this week without any public comment about its closed-door deliberations that might involve county Elections Director Vickie Reed. Republican board member Hal Keck was not...

Col. Jeannie Leavitt officially takes command of the 4th Fighter Wing

A new page was added to the Air Force history books this morning -- and it only took three words. Col. Jeannie Leavitt became the first female to take command of the storied 4th Fighter Wing during a ceremony held...

Born Learning featival Saturday

Born Learning Young Children's Festival, planned for Saturday in Herman Park, promises to be the best yet, organizers say. "This year we are having an absolutely huge festival -- vendors, community agencies, outside entertainment and activities from across the state...

WorkKeys tests to be offered five times this month

The WorkKeys tests for Career Readiness Certification will be offered five times in June. The Wayne Occupational Readiness Keys for Success program will provide testing sessions 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on June 12 and 26; 12:30-4:30 p.m. on June 7;...

Public record

B&Es and larcenies *Employee Earl Artis reported rain gutters, valued at $1,000, stolen from Dillard Academy at 504 W. Elm St. The gutters were pulled off the side of the building between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. *Cathy Best reported...

City parks and rec has weekend of events

Goldsboro Parks and Recreation is making certain there is no shortage of things to do during the first weekend of June, as the department has lined up a litany of free events beginning today and finishing up Sunday. Today...

Arts Council taking applications for grants

The Arts Council of Wayne County is taking applications for North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program subgrants through Aug. 1. Eligible organizations must promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming in Wayne County. Priority is given to qualified arts...