July 2013 archives

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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Study to eye U.S. 70 Bypass

A study announced during a Friday meeting in Morehead City will assess the economic impact, both good and bad, of completing the U.S. 70 Bypass between Raleigh and the state ports facility at Morehead City. It also will examine...

Lawyer facing censure for role in loans

A grievance has been filed with the North Carolina State Bar against a Goldsboro lawyer involving real estate loans processed between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 26, 2006. James Thomas Brown Jr., of the firm Duke & Brown, was...

Talking schools; clearing the air

Wayne County's school facilities took a back seat for a while Tuesday to an airing of bruised feelings and comments that hinted of lingering mistrust between the county Board of Education and the county Board of Commissioners. School board...

Vote now on top 20 slogans

Voting opened at 8 a.m. today on the city of Goldsboro's website for the "What's In A Name?" slogan contest and will continue until midnight, Aug. 31. While the original intent was for the selection committee to whittle down...

Shoppers gather for grand opening of Harris Teeter store

Peanut butter. Salad. Big Red? They showed up at 8 a.m. for different reasons -- the local residents who turned out for the grand opening of Goldsboro's new Harris Teeter. But each seemed excited about having a new place...

Aycock birthplace to remain unshuttered

FREMONT -- After months of discussion by the N.C. General Assembly and intense lobbying efforts by local officials, the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace has been saved from "shuttered" status. That means, that the hundreds of artifacts collected since 1959...

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Two men to face cocaine charges

Two men have been charged in connection with the sale and delivery of cocaine in the Saulston area, law enforcement officials say. Demarco Rashaunn Baker, 35, of 117 Lionel St., was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver...

Just one more day until store opens

It started as a rumor -- whispers in the community that a new grocery store was coming to Goldsboro. But the buzz reached a fever pitch when, after years of speculation, Harris Teeter announced it would, indeed, be opening...

City eyeing parks plans

The Goldsboro City Council discussed the possibility of a bond referendum to pay for improvements to the city's park system at its meeting Monday night. After a presentation by the Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard outlining the needs...

Paramount kicking off Movie Night series

Wayne County residents can see some of the classic and holiday movies on the big screen with the Paramount Classic and Holiday Movie Night series. This is the second year the Paramount has shown these movies. "Last year it went...

Monday, July 29, 2013

WATCH seeking funding

While many other free health clinics around the state are having to close their doors, Wayne Action Teams for Community Health, or WATCH, remains diligent about providing services for the county's uninsured and underinsured population, says its executive director, Sissy...

Downtown decision

Although there are differences between the first and second phases of Streetscape along Center Street, the Goldsboro Planning Department development services director said the two phases will work well together. The design for the next phase was approved during the...

Firemen's group has not reviewed commission cost recovery proposal

A proposed county ordinance that would allow fire departments and other emergency service agencies to charge fees to recover costs associated with extended-stay or equipment-intensive calls has yet to be reviewed by the Wayne County Firemen's Association. And the president...

Man, 36, attacked with claw hammer

The Goldsboro Police Department is investigating what is being called an attempted murder after a man was struck in the face twice with a hammer. Leodis Hamlin Jr., 36, 207 Pearson St. was found unconscious by police in an open...

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Request to rezone entire Busco Beach property on agenda

The Goldsboro Planning Commission is meeting in the city council chambers Monday night to discuss two issues, the re-zoning of Busco Beach & ATV Park properties and the allowance of a conditional use permit for a boarding house on Edgerton...

School board, county to talk

Wayne County commissioners and the Board of Education are expected not only to discuss plans for a new Grantham School at their joint meeting Tuesday, but also to spell out the responsibilities and duties of each board when it comes...

ATV trail use threatens Busco Beach lease

The deadline has passed to end non-permitted activity on Wayne County-owned land leased to former Busco Beach & ATV Park owner Jack Bennett. And if the violations are not fixed, the county could terminate the lease, putting the parcels back...

More taxes for parks projects?

Goldsboro City Council members will meet Monday to discuss plans for the city's parks -- and how to pay for possible improvements to the facilities and programs. Monday's 5 p.m. meeting will re-visit the Parks and Recreation master plan...

Man charged with kidnapping woman

Investigators with the Goldsboro Police Department arrested and charged a man suspected of kidnapping and assault Thursday. Tony Foster Patrick, 40, was arrested at his home at 1804 S. Slocumb St. without incident and charged with first-degree kidnapping and...

Grrrr ... umble

Dustin Metts, Riley Swearingen and Cody Steele give Roo Roo, a 3-year-old bassett hound, a bath during the Wayne County Humane Society's annual dog wash Saturday outside Pet Supplies Plus. Roo Roo's owner, Andrew Shaw, says that his dog...

Bluegrass for a cause

A benefit concert to raise money to restore the Goldsboro Meeting House at 111 W. Ash St. will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the meeting house. The show will feature the Samantha Casey Trio and the Carolina...

57-year-old charged with stealing parts from two cars on William Street

A 57-year-old Goldsboro man has been charged with a pair of North William Street break-ins, first reported on July 22. Michael William Caudell, in the Wayne County Jail under a $22,500 secured bond, is charged with two felony counts...

Red Cross Bloodmobile

Following is the August blood drive schedule for the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross: Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Wayne and Goldsboro Masonic Lodge. Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at...

WMH nurse and WCC instructor nominated as an amazing nurse

Over her 38-year career, countless patients have discovered Marcia Sampson to be an amazing nurse. Recently, she got the word that she was among the Top 10 in the nation vying for the actual title. Amazing Nurses 2013, a...

Friday, July 26, 2013

City sets compass on sports tourism

[email protected] Goldsboro is aligning itself to take advantage of an emerging source of revenue for the city as well as the county -- sport tourism. Sport tourism is a growing industry in which people will travel to an area to...

Solar farms pop up in county

[email protected] Mount Olive's solar farm was finished in May. Goldsboro's was finished in June. LaGrange's is due to be completed in September. And if Strata Solar has anything to do with it, Wayne County could get a few more of...

Jamming on Center Street

Eathan Coghill, 2, sits on the shoulders of his dad, Kevin Coghill, Thursday afternoon at the Center Street Jam in downtown Goldsboro. A large crowd came out to hear the band Spare Change. The summer concert series has two...

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Help us get local children ready to head back to school

With the start of school just around the corner, The News-Argus is once again aiming to help students in need by collecting notebooks, pencils, paper, folders, backpacks -- any and every thing that students will need when the classroom doors...

Junior volunteers explore medical careers at hospital

[email protected] They used to be called "candy stripers" -- exuberant helpers in red-and-white striped outfits serving as support staff at the hospital. These days, they are junior volunteers and are likely decked out in a vibrant teal or orange shirt...

Girls' day out

Kathy Adkins spends some quality time with her niece, Gwen Johnson, 4, on Wednesday afternoon at the Grand Ladies Tea Party held at the Herman Park Center. Nearly 50 girls and women got a chance to sample several different...

Chamber seeks award nominations

Nominations have opened for the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce annual Cornerstone Award. The Cornerstone Award was created to recognize an individual in the community who has been a fundamental building block of Wayne County. Registration for nominations will...

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Help us 'Stuff the Bus'

It's that time of year again. School is starting and the News-Argus wants to help Wayne County's needy students get off to a good start. But to make this event a success, we need your help. We need everything from...

Fremont STEP money in doubt

[email protected] FREMONT -- The freezing of money for the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center could hurt funding for the North Carolina Small Town Economic Prosperity Program that Fremont has been working with to boost economic development. For the past few...

Police arrest eight in city sting

[email protected] A sting operation conducted by the Goldsboro and Mount Olive police departments netted eight arrests for soliciting prostitution in the 300 block of Royall Avenue on Tuesday. Arrests were made throughout the night and the suspects brought before a...

Library planning: Facilities committee talks with teams about Mount Olive project

[email protected] The five design/build teams interested in building Mount Olive's new Steele Memorial Library agreed Tuesday that the existing design is a good one, although some noted that it is too expensive for the county's needs, with one even calling...

Students head to local camp to work on ancient art of handwriting cursive

[email protected] Laney Forbey put a lot of time into creating her painting. She wanted it to be a monster, complete with a scary outfit and sharp teeth. "He's saying, 'Roar,'" the 8-year-old said. "I made him look like that." By...

Police still looking into Simmons murder case

[email protected] The Goldsboro Police Department is continuing its investigation into the July 6 murder of 23-year-old Tyree Simmons. However, one man is in custody and no further arrests are expected. Investigators called the case, "purely domestic," in the early going...

Crime of the Week

On Feb. 6, an employee of the Friendly Check Cashing Store at 408 E. Ash St. reported that on Feb. 1, a black female came into the business and presented two checks totaling $12,564. Several days later, it was...

Despite low test weight, local millers still taking Wayne County wheat

[email protected] Low test weight wheat produced this season as a result of heavy rains can still be sold to elevators, local experts say. "I don't know of anybody or any millers that's not working with the farmers to help them...

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Two face charges in death of child

A Mount Olive woman has been charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run in the May 31 death of a 21-month-old child. As a result of the N.C. Highway Patrol investigation, a warrant has been issued for Michelle Merritt, 49, of 2698...

One dead in single-car crash

A Goldsboro woman was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Mark Edwards Road Monday at about 2:20 p.m. Tammy McCaskill, 36, of 1345 N.C. 111 N., was driving south on Mark Edwards Road when her vehicle went off the...

Wayne Community College prepares for tuition hike

Students at Wayne Community College are getting a quality education for the money, even though the price tag for that education keeps going up, President Dr. Kay Albertson told the board Monday night. Grants and financial aid are helping,...

New leader, new direction for Wayne Pregnancy Center

Wayne Pregnancy Care Center has a new executive director, and through the acquisition of an ultrasound unit, is preparing to add medical care to its services for pregnant women. Terry Johnson, chairman of the board, said Beverly Weeks has...

Woman jailed on statutory sex charge

A Goldsboro woman is in the Wayne County Jail today under a $1 million secured bond on charges of sexual assault against a 14-year-old female. After a two-month investigation, Tammi Nichole Cross, 21, of 810 N. Herman St. was...

Monday, July 22, 2013

State's new tag/tax bills set for September payment dates

Wayne County residents who renew their vehicle tags in September will be among the first in the state required to pay their county property taxes on the vehicle at the same time. The first combined notices under the state's...

Council OKs second phase of project

[email protected] The Goldsboro City Council finalized the design plans for the next two blocks of Streetscape on Center Street at a recent city council work session. The next phase will extend two blocks from Mulberry Street down to Chestnut Street....

New elementary charter school on track for opening in August 2014

[email protected] Organizers of a proposed second charter school in the county are moving ahead with plans to open in August 2014 with 466 students in grades K-4, said Dr. Ken Benton, president of Academics Plus, a tutoring service. Benton said...

Scouts camp

Cub Scouts Jayson Mauldin, left, and Landon Lanier of Pack 34 work together to build a birdhouse Friday while attending a day camp held at Waynesborough Park. The camp, held Thursday and Friday, gave the Cubs a chance to...

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Ribbon cutting planned for VA clinic

The ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the new Goldsboro VA outpatient clinic is still a few days away, but patients have been treated at the facility since July 1. "They are knocking on our door every day...

steele memorial proposals to be reviewed

The Wayne County Facilities Committee Tuesday morning is expected to name its choice of a design/build team to construct the new Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive. The final decision rests with Wayne County commissioners. The committee, made up...

Montessori School expands

What's new at Wayne Montessori School? Everything. With construction wrapping up in time for the Aug. 21 school year start date, the new building is at a new location and will feature an expanded size in more ways than one....

Council often short one voter

Goldsboro City Councilman William Goodman's absence from the July 15 City Council meeting makes his sixth absence from the 13 council meetings held so far this year. Goodman blamed his attendance record on a growing variety of "serious medical...

Filing period for municipal races ends

Races have developed for four of the five Mount Olive Town Board seats up for election in November while a lack of candidates in Eureka and Seven Springs means those offices will be filled by write-in votes. The filing...

Duplin election filings

These people have filed to run for municipal office in Duplin County. The filing period ended Friday at noon. The general election will be held Nov. 5. Beulaville Mayor Kenneth Smith Beulaville Town Commissioner (2 seats) Freddy E. Jones Art...

Camp Liberty teaches Constitution to all ages

Adults weren't the only patriots at the Camp Liberty seminar sessions the past few days, with junior patriots attending classes that focused on the American flag during the adult seminars. The seminar series was held at Victory Free Will...

Bluegrass benefit to support restoration

A bluegrass concert will be held Thursday, Aug. 1 to raise money for the restoration of the Goldsboro Meeting House at 111 W. Ash St. The concert will feature the Samantha Casey Trio and the Carolina Bluegrass. It will be...

Airmen educated on scam artists

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper joined 4th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Jeannie Leavitt at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Thursday to educate airmen on how to become "hard targets" for scam artists. "Our service men and women volunteer...

Friday, July 19, 2013

Parents protest teacher shifts

[email protected] If exceptional children's teachers are moved from their respective classrooms in the fall, expect some fallout, EC parents say. Safety, behavior issues and insufficient supervision of their children were among concerns discussed by more than two dozen parents at...

County gives study to FDs

[email protected] Wayne County commissioners this week declined to accept a study whose potentially controversial recommendations include merging the county's smaller volunteer fire departments with larger ones. Commissioner agreed to pay the $22,250 owed on the $45,000 study that looked at...

Airman to face murder charges for son's death

When asked about his son, he allegedly said the toddler was gone and that statement, along with the condition of the airman's home, led the other airman to take action. OSI and Security Forces personnel were contacted and Theurer was...

New Holiday Inn coming to city

[email protected] A new Holiday Inn Express is being built on Sunburst Drive next to Chili's restaurant. The four-story hotel should be operational by next June, said construction superintendent R.B. Mixson of Palmetto Design Associates of West Columbia, S.C. The hotel...

Airman will face court-martial

9th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. H.D. Polumbo has referred, to general court-martial, six charges against the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base senior airman accused in connection with his 15-month old's son death. For all the details, see today's News-Argus....

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Fire cost recoup plan is tabled

A proposed county ordinance that would allow emergency services agencies to charge fees to recover costs associated with extended-stay or equipment-intensive calls has been tabled until concerns over the makeup of a review committee and confusion over who could...

Grantham School design options on meeting agenda

Possible designs for a new Grantham School as well as for several other school facilities included in the county's $258 million capital improvement plan will be presented when Wayne County commissioners and the Board of Education meet in joint...

Funding cutback forces teacher shuffle

When Wayne County Public Schools received its state and federal budget allotments for 2013-14 in May, the Exceptional Children's program was cut by more than $1 million, translating to the removal of 22 EC teachers to balance the budgets....

Public record

Fraud A woman shopping for student loans was taken in by an Internet scam, according to a Goldsboro police report. Shaniece Carissa, 26, of 225 Randall Lane, told investigators that she applied for a loan online. After filling out the...

Filing deadline is Friday

Friday at noon is the deadline for candidates to file for the municipal and sanitary district seats up for election in November. Elections will be held in Mount Olive, Pikeville, Eureka, Seven Springs and Walnut Creek. Seats also are...

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Council tables felines again

After missing its July 1 meeting due to the Independence Day holiday and a light agenda, Goldsboro City Council made up for lost time with a packed agenda Monday night, which included the annexation and approval of a cluster subdivision...

Second GPAC call-in held

Goldsboro Partners Against Crime held its second call-in Tuesday in the City Council chambers at the old city hall. The second call-in was much like the first held in March, but with a new group of offenders brought in to...

3, 2, 1, Blastoff

Kinetic Minds of Goldsboro is holding a green energy summer camp at Wayne Community College. One of their projects this week was to launch water rockets, explained founder Eskabonna Henderson. The rockets were part of a renewable energy lesson that...

Fremont board meets, addresses Town Hall improvement

FREMONT -- Tuesday night at the Board of Alderman meeting, members approved a request to allocate approximately $810 for window tinting on the Town Hall to reduce the glare between the front desk and residents interacting with city employees due...

Man shot in hip by wife

A Wayne County man was shot in the hip by his wife Monday, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Classie Best Dawson, 50, of 117 Saulsberry Drive, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and...

Man's wounds from window not self-stabbing

More details have emerged in the case of the man who allegedly stabbed himself in the chest early Monday morning. Police now say Perrin's injuries resulted from him climbing through a broken out window. Emmanuel Dillon Perrin, 24, was arrested...

Bid to oust Smith falls short

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning voted down by a 6-1 margin Commissioner Joe Daughtery's motion to fire County Manager Lee Smith after questioning Smith's credibility and honesty. While agreeing with some of Daughtery's comments, commissioners said they were not in...

Funds being raised for Blue Star highway marker

Wayne County residents are being asked to help raise $1,500 to cover the cost for a Blue Star Memorial Highway marker to pay tribute to the nation's veterans. The marker, already approved by the state Department of Transportation, would be...

Back in the skies: 336th flying again

It has been more than two months since they stepped across the flight line -- since they extended crisp salutes and handshakes to the men charged with ensuring their F-15Es were fit to fly. So when 336th Fighter Squadron Commander...

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Too much rain has left tobacco crop uncertain

[email protected] Wayne Sutton, co-owner of Sutton Brothers Incorporated in La Grange, conservatively estimates up to 30 percent of his tobacco crop has been lost due to heavy rain. That means a low-weight crop, thinner leaves and a slimmer paycheck when...

Foster center plans proposed

Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard presented the estimated cost for the new W.A. Foster set to be built at Mina Weil Park at a City Council work session Monday afternoon. The overall cost of the project was shown...

336th back in the sky

[email protected] Three months after the Air Force stood down a third of its fighter jet fleet -- including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's 336th Fighter Squadron -- the Rocketeers, and their comrades across Air Combat Command, were told they could,...

Wayne students get $22 million in scholarships

[email protected] The latest graduating class from Wayne County Public Schools has been awarded more than $22 million in scholarships and financial aid, officials announced. Nearly 1,200 students graduated from the district's eight high schools, earning approximately $5.7 million on one-time...

Monday, July 15, 2013

Murder trial is delayed

[email protected] The murder trial of a Wayne County couple charged in the 2011 death of a 66-year-old woman will have to wait. Gary Metzger, 55, and his wife, Ann, 35, are accused in the murder of Jean Metzger Hubbard,...

Goldsboro 10th in accidents

The city of Goldsboro ranked 10th on a state Department of Transportation list of 83 North Carolina cities with populations of 10,000 or more in vehicle crashes in 2012 -- up 17 slots from 2009. Brad Robinson, of the...

Commissioners to discuss fire department fees and other items

Wayne County commissioners will discuss Tuesday the possible adoption of a county ordinance that would allow fire departments to recoup costs associated with major spill cleanups and/or extended time spent at a scene. Several county fire service veterans spoke...

Purple Heart veterans sought for annual banquet

A banquet to honor veterans who have earned the Purple Heart will be held Aug. 6 at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church. It is being sponsored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and all veterans who have earned...

336th back in the skies

After months of being grounded due to federal budget woes, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's 336th Fighter Squadron was told today to take back to the skies. For complete coverage of this development, see Tuesday's News-Argus....

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Seminar on the Constitution to be offered this week

The annual Camp Liberty will be held once again this week, focusing on the U.S. Constitution. Held at Victory Free Will Baptist Church, 1806 Wayne Memorial Drive, Camp Liberty is described by organizers as "a Constitution seminar on the...

Reverend calls for peace in wake of murder

[email protected] This was it, he said. This was the fatal blow. The Rev. Dr. Dwight B. Cannon spoke Wednesday more as a concerned parent than as a pastor or psychologist about the violent death of one of his flock whom,...

Fire department survey on Wayne County commissioners Tuesday agenda

[email protected] A study suggesting that the county's smaller volunteer fire departments merge with larger ones, that the duties of the county fire marshal's office be expanded, and that a new county fire commission be created will be discussed by Wayne...

Filing period for municipal office ends Friday

[email protected] With just a week to go before the filing period closes for this November's municipal elections, Mount Olive is the only town where all of the incumbents have filed. And the filing Friday by District 1 Commissioner Kenny Talton...

Farm bill gets House approval

[email protected] In a largely party-line vote, a new Farm Bill passed the house with a vote of 216-208 on Thursday. The bill includes crop subsidy programs but excludes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp program. About a dozen...

Duplin Hall of Fame nominations being sought

Nomination applications for the 2013 Duplin County Hall of Fame Award recipients are available and can be obtained by contacting any Hall of Fame board member. Each year the Duplin County Hall of Fame honors the lifelong contributions of...

Doctor to speak on heart disease at WMH

Dr. Matthew Hook, a board-certified cardiologist, will be the featured speaker at Wayne Memorial Hospital's LiveWell Community Education Series this month. The program will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the hospital auditorium on the ground floor. Dr....

Animal ordinance changes on City Council agenda

[email protected] At the Goldsboro City Council meeting Monday the Council is expected to take action on a proposed amendment to the Goldsboro city ordinances referring to animals. The proposed changes would prohibit the feeding of feral animals unless they were...

Airman jailed in court martial

[email protected] After finding Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's Floyd M. Jeter guilty on four of the five charges presented at his court martial last week, the military panel also returned Thursday with his sentence. Jeter, formerly a technical sergeant, was...

Friday, July 12, 2013

Woman dies in Mount Olive house fire

[email protected] MOUNT OLIVE -- A Mount Olive woman died Thursday when her house was consumed by fire, making it only a few feet from the door before succumbing. Mount Olive Fire Chief Steve Martin said Geraldine Horton, 46, was helped...

Teen, 18, charged in May murder

jjoyce@newsargus A second man has been charged in the May 30 shooting death of 23-year-old Delindao Alijuwon Miller. The original suspect remains charged as well, police said. Qua'Twon Shaquill Tyrek King, 17, of 209 Shaw Court was arrested and charged...

Murder charge is dismissed

[email protected] A Goldsboro man charged with murder was found guilty of a lesser charge after a key witness against him was killed before he could testify. Shantanna Thompson, 25, of Goldsboro, was convicted in Wayne County Superior Court Wednesday of...

Market opens for hay

[email protected] Once underutilized or simply discarded hay could soon be generating additional revenue for local farmers while providing a feed source for livestock in Middle Eastern countries. Hay bales began arriving earlier this month at the new ACX Pacific Northwest...

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Center Street Jam canceled

Center Street Jam for tonight has been canceled due to impending inclimate weather. The next free, downtown performance will be held on July 25, featuring Spare Change....

More file for ballot spots

[email protected] Most of the candidates who filed through Wednesday for elected office in Wayne County are seeking seats on the county's sanitary district boards. However, filings on Wednesday created one race for the Mount Olive Town Board and set the...

Cupcake Creator

Man charged in stoplight stabbing

[email protected] A Goldsboro man has been charged in the June 30 stabbing of a Dudley man at a stoplight. Kelton Reid Sutton Jr., 43, was arrested by the Goldsboro Police Department at 608 Simmons St. Tuesday and charged with assault...

PDGA to hold disc golf tourney at real golf course

[email protected] This Saturday, the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course will be host to a whole new type of golf tournament as members of the Professional Disc Golf Association will take over after the amateur duffers are done. The PDGA tournament, which...

Jury finds airman guilty

[email protected] The military panel in the court- martial of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Tech Sgt. Floyd M. Jeter returned this morning with a verdict of guilty on four of the five charges. The case was officially turned over to...

Boys take home prizes for essays

[email protected] For the first time since its inception, the Wayne County Abstinence Essay Contest winners were all male. At the Board of Health meeting on Wednesday, Ta-Kisha Darden announced the winners of the contest to the board and those in...

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Numbers in from holiday traffic watch

The Wayne County numbers are in for the Governor's Highway Safety Program Independence Day "Operation Firecracker" Campaign, which ran June 28 through July 7. Traffic stop checkpoints and random patrols throughout the county, 94 to be exact, resulted in 25...

Getting ready to open

Harris Teeter stockers are busy getting products on the shelves as final preparations begin for opening day at the area's newest grocery store. Construction on the 53,000-square-foot facility began in the fall of 2012, with the first business day...

Airman facing charges of rape

The court-martial proceedings against Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Tech Sgt. Floyd M. Jeter continued Tuesday with opening statements, as well as the testimony of the two women accusing the F-15E Strike Eagle maintainer of rape. The women, whose...

Red Cross honors volunteers

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross recently gave its annual awards to volunteers that exceeded expectations. "They receive the award for going the extra mile," Tammy Forrester, Chapter CEO for Wayne, Greene and Lenoir counties. "They're...

Debut event nets funds for animal charities

The Wayne County Humane Society will use a $4,000 donation from the Heritage Dance Foundation for its spay and neuter program. The Foundation also has donated 1,000 pounds of dog food for the Humane Society's pet food pantry. "That...

Crime of the Week

On July 2, the resident of 1004--B Slaughter Street reported that while inside her residence that morning, at approximately 5:25 a.m. she was awakened by one known suspect and three unknown suspects breaking into her home. According to the...

Donors make trip possible

Wayne County Public Schools students do well in local and regional competitions and often go on to regional and state contests. When it comes time to advance to the national level, though, that can get costly. The district currently pays...

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Airman's rape case begins in base court

The court-martial proceedings against Tech Sgt. Floyd M. Jeter, an F-15E Strike Eagle maintainer on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, got under way Monday morning with pretrial motions. Opening statements were scheduled to begin this morning. Jeter is charged...

Learning how to play

E.J. Wall, left, shows Isaac Young how to form chords on a guitar. Isaac and other young people were learning how to make and play a variety of musical instruments while attending a 4-H summer camp at the Wayne...

Police eyeing weekend shootings

Aside from the murder on West Walnut Street Saturday night, at least three other shootings surrounded the Fourth of July holiday in Goldsboro. Goldsboro police said Monday the shootings might or might not be connected, but none of them were...

Heavy rains bogging down local farmers

Excess rain has caused "target spots" and other diseases to infiltrate tobacco fields in many areas around Wayne County and has made harvesting crops difficult for farmers, agriculture experts say. "It's really bad," said Kevin Johnson, County Extension director....

Hearing held in child's death

The Air Force's lead prosecutor in the case against a Seymour Johnson Air Force Base airman charged in the death of his 15-month-old son has asked that the charges be expanded to include premeditated murder. Senior Airman Matthew Theurer,...

Local chapter attends cosmetology convention

The North Carolina Beautician and Cosmetology Association celebrated its 74th year at its convention in Fayetteville. Chapter No. 30 of Goldsboro was awarded its second trophy in two years for having the most members in attendance. Chapter President Cleo Rowe...

Monday, July 8, 2013

County schools to make staffing changes

Two principal shifts and several other administrative changes at Wayne County Public Schools have been announced. Goldsboro High and North Drive Elementary schools will have new principals in the fall, with the departure of one and promotion of the other...

Murder suspect remains in jail

Tyree Louis Simmons, 23, died on the kitchen floor of the home he ran to for help after being shot in the chest Saturday night. The alleged shooter, Stevie Denardo Simmons, 41, was in custody by Sunday morning. Goldsboro police...

Library will sponsor children's programs

This summer Wayne County children can visit a secret garden, learn about bullying and find out about ancient Greece. They can also hear some tall tales and even be part of an old time band. And it's all possible at...

Learning the fun way

Summer school just got a whole lot more fun. Launched this past week, to commemorate Independence Day, 110 students at Dillard Academy charter school learned about the U.S. Bill of Rights, created their own version, made popsicle stick flags, made...

Commission flips on shifting funds

Cost shifting between line items in the county budget, a practice scrapped by Wayne County commissioners in April, has been resurrected. And in bringing it back, commissioners made it clear they want to be able to shift costs between...

Sunday, July 7, 2013

WCC urges students to complete GED before new year

When Mack Brown was growing up, jobs seemed to be more prevalent and there wasn't always a premium placed on having a high school diploma. He quit high school in 11th grade and got a job where his father worked,...

Four safe after blaze damages their home

A grandmother and her three grandchildren lost their home Friday when a fire broke out at a residence on Wayne Avenue just after 11:30 a.m. Laura Shamble, of 220 Wayne Ave., was able to guide her grandchildren to safety....

Fourth of July ... Take II

Lemuel Bartlett grills up some hot dogs and hamburgers in the kitchen at Salem United Methodist Church Saturday. The members of the church held their Fourth of July celebration with children's games, food, music and fellowship. Like the church,...

Requests for qualifications are in for Mount Olive Library

A review of the seven design/build teams interested in building the new Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive is expected to get under way this week -- a week ahead of schedule. This past Tuesday at 2 p.m. was...

County pushes for K-8 school

Wayne County commissioners continue to push their vision for a new $30 million K-8 Grantham School even as the Board of Education is asking for a joint meeting "as soon as possible" to discuss school projects. Commission Chairman Steve...

Election filings are open

Four members of the Mount Olive Town Board filed for re-election Friday afternoon during the first day of filing for this November's municipal and sanitary districts in Wayne County. Two candidates, including one incumbent, filed for the Southern Wayne...

Foundation nets record proceeds from tournament

The Wayne Community College Foundation Scholarship Invitational continues to break records, both its own and those of similar events around the state. This year's goal for the annual event was $112,000, said Jack Kannan, Foundation executive director. "We raised $133,000,"...

Longtime W.A. Foster rec leader is honored by former students

Longtime recreation leader James "TC" Coley was recently honored by a group of men who grew up under Coley's tutelage at the W.A. Foster Recreation Center. They came together to dedicate the center's gymnasium to Coley, 81, who oversaw...

County puts end to night meetings

Wayne County commissioners' three-month experiment with evening meetings -- a campaign promise for some of them -- has ended. Arguing that evening meetings would be more convenient for the working public, commissioners in April voted 6-1 to hold their first...

Lecture will cover Battle of Gettysburg

The third lecture in a three-part series on the Battle of Gettysburg will be delivered Tuesday in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College. The Foundation of Wayne Community College and The North Carolina Military History Round Table have partnered with...

Carver alumni gather to share fellowship, memories

MOUNT OLIVE -- Ask anyone who attended this weekend's reunion of Carver High School graduates what brings them back year after year and the answer is the same -- celebrating family, community and the values instilled in them by...

Friday, July 5, 2013

City to narrow down slogans

More than 915 slogans have been submitted for Goldsboro's "What's In A Name?" contest. Now it is up to the judges to whittle them down to 20 before July 31. Then city residents will make their selections for the...

Birthday party

Hundreds of people watched sparkling fireworks at Berkeley Mall from nearby businesses and parking lots Thursday night as the weather turned perfect for a night out. Mount Olive will hold its annual fireworks show Saturday night at the Mount...

Farm vote hits snags

A proposed farm bill approved by the U.S.Senate has stagnated in the House and remains in limbo. The bill, which governs the nation's agricultural and nutrition programs for five years, was defeated two weeks ago in the House by...

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Hospital will pay $1.25M penalty

Wayne Memorial Hospital is among 55 hospitals in 21 states that have agreed to pay $34 million to the U.S. government to settle allegations that they used more expensive inpatient procedures rather than outpatient spinal surgeries to get bigger payments...

Administrator announces her retirement from WCPS

Olivia Pierce, executive director for information and technology services for Wayne County Public Schools, has announced her retirement after a 39-year career. Her last day will be Aug. 31. The Mount Olive native and graduate of Southern Wayne High...

Ready to celebrate

Dennis Chambers and his son, Drew, 3, browse the selection of fireworks at the Keystone Fireworks display on Berkeley Boulevard on Saturday. Drew's favorite things are the fountains. The family lives in the county and has enough room to...

Minister charged with child porn

MOUNT OLIVE -- A Mount Olive minister has been charged with 10 federal counts of second-degree exploitation of minors. Timothy Jack Strickland, 41, was taken into custody at his home at 107 E. James St. Tuesday on federally secured...

County approves incentive for plant

Wayne County commissioners agreed Tuesday to an $886,000 incentive package to help the Dudley Georgia-Pacific Chip and Saw plant with a possible $90 million expansion project that would create 20 new jobs with an average salary of $55,938. Commissioners unanimously...

Local law officers in line for grant

The Goldsboro Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff's Office may soon have $45,434 to split between departments should they be awarded the U.S. Department of Justice's 2013 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. A notice from the office of...

Crime of the Week

On May 20, a resident of Atlanta, Ga., reported that although they physically had possession of their credit card, unknown people were able to gain access to the card's information and physically swipe a credit card in the Target...

Rains fall, roads flood

With Wayne County still under a flash flood watch through this evening, area officials are preparing for the Neuse River to reach flood stage Thursday. Thirty-one counties, including Wayne, remain under a flash flood watch. In Goldsboro, sections of...

Scavenger hunt goal: Families to search for time together

Get ready to go on a wild goose chase around the county next month. The "Countywide Scavenger Hunt" is a good way for families to spend time together, says organizer Cheri Whiteman, as well as an opportunity to generate foot...

Rainfall begins to worry farmers

Excess rain over the course of the last several days has local farmers behind schedule as they try to harvest crops and plant new ones. Tyler Whaley, Wayne County field crop extension agent, said that if the rain continues...

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Log truck overturns

An 18-wheeler loaded down with logs overturned on N.C. 581 at 5:45 a.m. today between Arrington Bridge Road and Casey Mill Road, spilling its cargo and shutting down the highway for more than two hours. The driver of the log...

Suspects sought in stabbing

An early morning home invasion on Slaughter Street resulted in a man being stabbed with a butcher knife. Just before 5:15 a.m. today, four men broke into the home of Shavonda Leann Jones, 27, at 1004 Slaughter St. Ms....

Airman to face charges in rapes

The court-martial for a Seymour Johnson Air Force Base technical sergeant charged with seven offenses, including two counts of rape, is set to begin Monday morning on the Goldsboro installation. Floyd M. Jeter, an F-15E Strike Eagle maintainer, has been...

School board wants meeting with county

After a nearly two-hour closed session Monday evening, the Wayne County Board of Education dispensed with its business handily before launching into the added agenda item -- seeking a joint meeting with the county commission "as soon as possible." Chris...

Hearing set for accused airman

The 21-year-old senior airman charged with murder for his alleged role in the death of his 15-month-old son will make an appearance in a Seymour Johnson Air Force Base court Monday. Matthew Theurer -- who faces six charges, including...

Monday, July 1, 2013

Pikeville Town Board approves budget

PIKEVILLE -- The Pikeville Town Board approved the town's budget for 2013-14 last week, with no increase in the current tax rate. The town's current tax rate is 60 cents per $100 worth of property. The budget also contains...

Busco Beach zoning decision deferred

The Goldsboro Planning Commission deferred a decision to make a recommendation to the City Council on the proposed rezoning of Busco Beach controlled properties at its June 24 meeting citing the need for more information before a decision could...

Arts Council is seeking applicants for grants

The Arts Council of Wayne County is accepting subgrant applications for the North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Program through Aug. 2 Grants are for nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming in Wayne...

Sheriff urges people to stay safe over holiday

In a message to Wayne County, Sheriff Carey Winders cautioned citizens to have fun safely this summer, specifically over the Fourth of July weekend. Travel peaks around the Independence Day holiday, Winders said. "Traditionally, during the July 4th holiday, our...