September 2018 archives

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Thursday, September 13, 2018

News-Argus launches new website

It's not just a new design.The Goldsboro News-Argus' new website offers much more than a different look.Still found at newsargus.com, the new site is offering better access to more photography, stories and video from the newspaper staff and the community.It...

Shelters open for residents, animals

The Office of Emergency Services and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office urges Wayne County residents to finalize their preparations for Hurricane Florence and locate a safe place to stay sheltered by 5 p.m. today.While the storm appears to be turning...

Customers shop grocers' shelves bare

As Hurricane Florence approaches, store shelves are looking bare of essential items.The parking lots and aisles of stores have been packed as residents pick up items to hunker down during the storm. Stores have had to keep with the demand...

Dive team readies equipment for swift-water rescues

During Hurricane Matthew, 27 people were rescued from rushing water at the intersection of Wayne Memorial Drive and Country Day Road during the flash-flooding that occurred as the storm began.Those 27 people were among the numerous Wayne County residents who...

Wayne under flash-flood watch

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a flash-flood watch for a portion of the Coastal Plain and Sandhills, including Wayne, Sampson and Cumberland counties, from 8 a.m. today through 8 p.m. Saturday.Wayne County also is under a tropical...

Fremont officials urge caution during Hurricane Florence

FREMONT -- During Hurricane Matthew in 2016, northern Wayne County escaped the kind of mass flooding that occurred south of the Neuse River in areas like Seven Springs and Mar-Mac.That does not mean that Hurricane Florence poses no threat to...

State activates hotline for farmers with emergencies

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has activated its hotline to help farmers contact resources that can assist with agricultural emergencies.The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. The hotline operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m."Although this storm may change course,...

Base aircraft deploy ahead of Hurricane Florence

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base commander Col. Donn Yates ordered the repositioning of 66 aircraft to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on Wednesday in advance of Hurricane Florence but decided against ordering an evacuation of base personnel.Sixty F-15E Strike...

Meals on Wheels makes deliveries prior to closing

Meals on Wheels volunteers turned out early Wednesday to collect provisions and start on their routes and make sure clients were safe before the storm.The situation was complicated by the fact that WAGES will be closed today and Friday, said...

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Office of Emergency Services announces shelter locations

The Wayne County Office of Emergency Services has announced the following shelter locations for Wayne County:*Wayne Academy, 801 N. Lionel St., Goldsboro*Tommy's Road Elementary School, 1150 Tommy's Road, Goldsboro*Spring Creek High School, 4340 Indian Springs Road, Seven Springs*Carver Elementary School,...

Flash flood watch issued

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a flash flood watch for a portion of the Coastal Plain and Sandhills, including Wayne, Sampson and Cumberland counties, for Thursday morning through Saturday evening.Wayne County remains under a hurricane watch as...

Flash flood watch issued

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has issued a flash flood watch for a portion of the Coastal Plain and Sandhills, including Wayne, Sampson and Cumberland counties, for Thursday morning through Saturday evening.Wayne County remains under a hurricane watch as...

'We hope for the best'

Businesses all over Goldsboro are preparing for the worst as Hurricane Florence nears North Carolina's coast.For Jernigan Furniture, the devastation from 2016's Hurricane Matthew is still fresh."The only thing that I can say is that it was devastating," Andrew Jernigan...

Flooding likely in several city locations

Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall along the coast Thursday and could batter the Wayne County area with more than a foot of rain that could result in widespread flooding.Rick Fletcher, Goldsboro's public works director, said that the flooding...

Wayne County Public Schools closed for the week

Wayne County Public Schools will be closed today through Friday to give families and staff time to prepare for Hurricane Florence."Meteorologists and emergency officials anticipate a very serious weather event for our area," Michael Dunsmore, WCPS superintendent, said in a...

News-Argus prepares to launch new website

The Goldsboro News-Argus website, online since 1997, will see a major overhaul Thursday.The new website's layout will offer more stories, photos and video. It will adjust to meet the reader's screen size, and readers can now narrow a search to...

Wayne under hurricane watch

A hurricane watch has been issued for Wayne, Sampson, Robeson and Bladen counties meaning that hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or greater are possible somewhere within the area within the next 48 hours as the state braces for Hurricane Florence.Counties...

Area events canceled, postponed

A number of events have been canceled or postponed in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Florence.The Shriners Fish Fry that was scheduled Friday is rescheduled for Oct. 26. Anyone who purchased tickets in advance will be able to use...

Board of Elections votes to challenge voting records subpoena

The Wayne County Board of Elections has questioned the timing and motivation behind a federal subpoena of local and statewide voting records.The board voted on Tuesday to authorize the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to represent its interest...

Sept. 11 memorial stair climb honors fallen first responders

Students at Wayne Community College who are a part of the college's public safety division took part in the annual 9/11 tribute stair climb.The ceremony pays tribute to firefighters, rescue personnel, law enforcement and the military and remembers the first...

Wayne comes together on anniversary of Sept. 11

When the nation awoke on Sept. 11, 2001, everyone probably thought it was going to be just another day, but it wasn't, said Janie Jaberg, Wayne UNC Health Care president and CEO."Imagine those who woke up 17 years ago today...

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

WCPS to close schools Wednesday instead of Thursday

Wayne County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday through Friday to give families and staff time to prepare for Hurricane Florence."Meteorologists and emergency officials anticipate a very serious weather event for our area," Michael Dunsmore, WCPS superintendent, said in a...

Wayne County under a hurricane watch

A hurricane watch has been issued for eastern North Carolina until further notice meaning that hurricane-force winds of 74 mph and higher are possible in the area within the next 48 hours as the state braces for Hurricane Florence.However,...

Now is the time to prepare

Be sure your emergency supply kits have enough bottled water and non-perishable food to sustain each family member for three to seven days. Include a weather radio, flashlight, extra batteries, toiletries, change of clothes, blankets or sleeping bag, rain gear...

Water rescue team gears up for hurricane

The last few members of the 18-person Goldsboro Fire Department water rescue team became North Carolina Swift Water Technicians just two weeks ago.On Monday, they began making preparations for their first big call to action since their formation about a...

Wayne prepares for brunt of the storm

With Hurricane Florence anticipated to hit coastal North Carolina Thursday, Goldsboro and Wayne County emergency personnel are putting the lessons learned from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 to use in mitigating the storm's impact.As of 5 p.m. Monday, the Category 4...

School closings, plans announced

As Hurricane Florence approaches North Carolina's coast, Wayne County Public Schools, Wayne Community College and the University of Mount Olive will continue to monitor the storm's progress throughout the week to provide updates on scheduling and classes.Ken Derksen, communications and...

Annual school performance grades released

While nearly half of Wayne County Public Schools received a D or F from the 2017-18 North Carolina annual school performance grade accountability report, Assistant Superintendent David Lewis said the report might not tell the whole story."The letter grade system...

Monday, September 10, 2018

Goldsboro teacher travels to Amsterdam

Lauren Jennings of Goldsboro, a K-8 art teacher at Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, received a grant for summer study and traveled to Amsterdam.The school-funded independent study of painting techniques will be beneficial in her classroom, she said."I was looking...

Residents approved for hurricane disaster grants

ReBuild North Carolina has awarded more than $9,400 to two applicants in Wayne County whose homes were damaged in Hurricane Matthew.The grants are through North Carolina's Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery, CDBG-DR, funding."We recently received final approval from HUD for...

Cures for the Colors benefit set

Four years ago, M.F. Jr. and Faye McCullen were looking for a way to help pay forward the help their son, Chad, a cancer survivor, received from Cures for the Colors.They have done so over the past three years through...

Preparing a disaster supply kit

The National Weather Service recommends getting supplies before a hurricane becomes a threat. • Water, at least a three-day supply, one gallon per person per day• Food, at least a three-day supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare foods• Flashlight• Battery powered...

Wayne County braces for Hurricane Florence

Stores were busy Sunday as shoppers stocked up on water and other staples as the state braces for the possible onslaught of Hurricane Florence by the end of the week."It has been busy all day," said Scott Tyson, grocery manager...

Sunday, September 9, 2018

9/11 memorial services set for Tuesday

Wayne UNC Health Care, Wayne Community College and Rosewood High School are planning ceremonies Tuesday to commemorate to the anniversary of the devastating Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.Wayne UNC Health Care will host a ceremony...

Crowds crow over the 5th annual N.C. Poultry Festival

Will Myers bounded excitedly over toward a black and gold Trans Am lined up for the N.C. Poultry Festival's third annual Center Street Car show.Too short to look into the car, the 6-year-old's grandfather, Danny Stanley, scooped him into his...

State seeks to quash federal subpoenas for voting records

The State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement Friday authorized state Attorney General Josh Stein "to take any and all necessary steps to quash a grand jury subpoena -- and any associated subpoenas" -- for state voting records.It also authorized...

Jernigan turns corner after bone marrow transplant

The Southern Wayne High School student who has been undergoing treatment since being diagnosed with cancer, coupled with a recent bone marrow surgery, received some good news this past week.The road so far has been riddled with setbacks and challenges,...

Friday, September 7, 2018

Voting document subpoena

Wayne County Elections Director Dane Beavers' concern over a federal court subpoena of voting documents is not so much that it is unreasonable, but rather that it infringes on a person's constitutional right to privacy as a voter."It also concerns...

Wayne Community College among 'Top 10' nationally

Wayne Community College has again made the Top 10 nationally for having high certification numbers, officials said.The college finished in the Top 10 every year since 2014, when the National Coalition of Certification Centers, or NC3, began tracking numbers of...

City names Guthrie interim manager

Randy Guthrie, Goldsboro's assistant city manager, will take over as interim city manager Sept. 14, the day current manager Scott Stevens is set to retire.The Goldsboro City Council announced Guthrie's promotion earlier last week. He will earn a salary of...

'Fowl Play' continues as a Beak Week classic

The annual "Fowl Play" softball attorneys vs. doctors softball game Thursday night followed a similar pattern to last year's game -- an early doctors lead and a late rally from the attorneys.The attorneys -- also known as the "Sharks" --...

Thursday, September 6, 2018

'Reading Between the Wines' offers literacy fun

The annual Reading Between the Wines event will have food by local gourmets, music by local artists and two North Carolina artists talking about their craft.It will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the home of...

Man falls asleep while driving, causes wreck, police say

A man fell asleep while driving and struck another car on Outlaw Road, causing the other car to roll over. Ralph Anthony Bailey, 32, of 171 Outlaw Road in Dudley, was on his way to work around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday  when...

Man riding moped killed in hit and run

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a hit and run that resulted in a motorist being killed.According to reports, just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Bennie Grady responded to a hit and run along Memorial Church...

Historic Commission gives OK to 'Ice Storm' facade

The Goldsboro Historic District Commission approved a previously denied request Wednesday evening by Councilman Antonio Williams to resurface part of the front facade of the downtown business he co-owns.One commission member saying the request should not have been denied in...

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Historic District chairman to resign

Goldsboro Historic District Commission chairman Zach Lilly will step down from his post today, he announced before the city council Tuesday evening.Lilly, the subject of an investigation following concerns of his conduct on the board, made the announcement after city...

Reward in Andy Evans homicide at $30,000

The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the former Fremont mayor's June 16 killing is now at $30,000.State government is now offering a $5,000 reward, which adds to the $25,000 reward already on the table following...

Goldsboro Family YMCA suspends afterschool program

The afterschool program at the Goldsboro Family YMCA is on hold, at least for the current school year, officials said.Kriquette Davis, YMCA vice president of operations, said Tuesday that staff is "re-imagining" what the program needs to look like moving...

Parents fight school transfer ruling

Zoey Rye's stomach is in knots.Ever since the end of the 2016-17 school year, Rye has been anxiously waiting in limbo as her mother, Carlie Heilmann, navigated the transfer appeal process under the recent transfer moratorium.The moratorium, which Wayne County...

Duke Energy renews Camp Kilowatt funding

Wayne Community College's Camp Kilowatt was able to expand again this summer with the support of a $28,064 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.This was the 10th year of the day camp and the ninth that it was supported by...

Arts Council offers new Arts Academy classes

The Arts Council of Wayne County is starting something new in Goldsboro -- the Arts Academy.It will be a program of 19 classes for both adults and children. There will be such topics are drawing, acrylics, watercolor, sewing, pottery and...

Painting angels

Guy Simmons dips the end of his paintbrush into a gallon of rusty brown colored paint before contouring the cheekbones of a portrait of a woman, who he called Miss Ella May, on the side of the D&C Mini Mart...

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

From paratrooper to educator

Patty Pfeiffer is passionate about Wayne Community College.She had no idea when she attended as a student three decades ago that she would find herself in a newly created position as chief of staff and vice president of institutional effectiveness...

'I wanted to show the real me'

Barbara Rice is back and better than ever with her new café: B. Sweeney's Restaurant and Fine Teas.After years of serving the Goldsboro area with Royal Tea House, Rice moved to Florida with her husband where she worked as an...

Kappa Alpha Psi provides for scholarships

The Goldsboro alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity recently donated $500 to assist students at Wayne Community College. The group established the Chester A. Beverly Scholarship, to be used to cover short-term training costs, books, uniforms and/or credential fees...

Democko Chiropratic opens in Mount Olive

The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Wednesday at Democko Chiropractic, 1120 N. Breazeale Ave.Democko Chiropratic was established in 1994 in Goldsboro.During the past 24 years, many clients from Mount Olive and Dudley visited the Goldsboro...

Monday, September 3, 2018

Norwayne reunion draws hundreds

It was a time for reminiscing while connecting with former classmates during the Norwayne Alumni and Friends 46th reunion, with a host of events that took place over a three-day period starting Friday.The theme for the event was "Embracing Our...

Bakers to vie for title of 'Cake Boss'

Do you have the baking skills to battle for bragging rights as Mount Olive Cake Boss?Wayne County Chamber of Commerce President Kate Daniels knows that she does.Her peanut butter cake brought in about $160 and earned her that title last...

Wayne Memorial Hospital Foundation donates $50,000 to University of Mount Olive

The Wayne Memorial Hospital Foundation and the University of Mount Olive continue to strengthen their strategic partnership that helps qualifying registered nurses earn their bachelor of science in nursing degree.The Foundation, which supports Wayne UNC Health Care, has donated $50,000...

Commissioners to consider strengthening animal control

Revisions to the county's animal control ordinance, including the addition of criminal charges, will be on Wayne County commissioners' consent agenda when they meet on Tuesday.The meeting will get underway with an 8 a.m. agenda briefing followed by the formal...

Sunday, September 2, 2018

N.C. Poultry Festival returns

It's time again to celebrate our feathered friends, as the N.C. Poultry Festival returns to downtown Goldsboro Saturday.A week of avian attractions precedes the main festival. This year, it kicks off with a beer run at 6 p.m. on Tuesday...

Ivey retiring as Partnership director, successor sought

The Partnership for Children of Wayne County has begun its search for a new executive director, on the heels of Charles Ivey announcing his retirement at year's end.Ivey, a 35-year educator -- 23 of them at Spring Creek Elementary School...

Suspects in hit and run still unidentified

The initial investigation by the North Carolina Highway Patrol has determined that the hit and run that occurred last week on Pikeville-Princeton Road was criminal in nature.The victim, Jason Allen Morgan, 38, of Rocky Mount, was hit by a gold...

Wayne County tourism experienced a 4 percent uptick

Tourism spending in Wayne County grew more than 4 percent in 2017 over the previous year, according to a statement released by Visit North Carolina.Domestic visitors to and within Wayne County spent $169.32 million in 2017, a 4.5-percent increase over...

WCPS employee faces felony charge

A Wayne County Public Schools employee is facing felony charges after police say he took cleaning supplies and other janitorial items from the storage warehouse on Brian Street in Goldsboro.Michael Wayne Hobbs, 50, of 121 South Winds Drive, Dudley, is...

'My son's life mattered:' Mother speaks out about opioid addiction

Sherry Crocker remembers her son Wayland Hoggard as an all-American boy.He loved to hunt, fish and ride his motorcycles and four-wheelers, anything having to do outdoors. He always made people laugh and enjoyed joking around."He was my happy-go-lucky boy," Crocker...