June 2005 archives

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Thursday, June 30, 2005

Business leases space at GTP

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Dr. Gene Conti, left, and Darlene A. Waddell announce the signing of a lease by New Breed Inc. with the Global TransPark Authority Wednesday afternoon at the new 120,000-square-foot building on GTP property. New Breed is a...

Medical examiner testifies on child's last hours

An assistant state medical examiner described details surrounding Precious Whitfield's death Wednes-day as testimony continued in the Eric Lane murder trial in Wayne County Superior Court. Dr. Kenneth Snell discussed the results of the autopsy, which was conducted by the...

Woman killed in Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE -- A Goldsboro woman was shot to death early this morning in Mount Olive. Jennifer Louise McArthur, 22, of Fairview Circle, was dead on arrival at Wayne Memorial Hospital, authorities said. The shooting occurred about 2 a.m., said...

New business signs lease with GTP

A company moving in to the Global TransPark could create jobs in the area, officials say. Representatives of the Global TransPark Authority announced a lease agreement Wednesday with New Breed Inc., an international logistics supply chain management company based in...

Work progressing on shopping center

Berkeley Commons shopping center should be open for business by the end of September, the construction manager said Wednesday. The project has had several delays because of bad weather since construction began in January, but it is now on schedule,...

Fireworks planned for mall, Pikeville

Fireworks will be the highlight of the Fourth of July in Goldsboro. The glittering fireworks will be at Berkeley Mall in the JCPenney parking lot at 9 p.m. Fireworks, along with other activities, will also be held in Pikeville. Princeton...

Johnny Grant donates $25,000 to Foundation

Hollywood Mayor Johnny Grant has donated $25,000 to the Foundation of Wayne Community College. The money will be used to help fund student scholarships. Grant, a Wayne County radio personality who reached the pinnacle of the entertainment world, was honored...

Eastpointe board approves new budget

The Eastpointe board approved a $29.9 million budget Tuesday for 2005-06 year, down almost $3 million from last year's budget. Eastpointe provides services for people with mental health and substance abuse problems and developmental disabilities in Wayne, Duplin, Sampson and...

Public record

Officer assaulted Officer Karen Powers of the Goldsboro Police Department was assaulted while attempting to arrest Acqushanta Atkinson, 26, on charges of drug possession, on the 700 block of Bryant Street. Atkinson swung his right fist, hitting Powers in the...

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Annexation protest

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Michael Hinnant holds a sign at the Goldsboro annexation hearing at the Herman Park Center on Tuesday night. On the subject of annexation Hinnant said, "I am definitely against any forced annexation in this state. It's just...

Tax raised 7.5 cents

Wayne County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to increase the property tax rate by 7.5 cents, from 66 cents to 73.5 cents per $100 worth of property. County officials said most of the increase in tax revenue is needed to keep...

Most speak against city annexation

Annexation opponents accused the Goldsboro City Council Tuesday night of wanting to collect their tax dollars to patch problems in poorer, inner-city neighborhoods. "They are wanting our tax money to revive what has been destroyed in this city," said Susan...

Polygraph test results not allowed

The judge in Eric Lane's murder trial ruled Tuesday that jurors will not hear any more details about a lie-detector test that Lane reportedly failed two days after Precious Whitfield's body was found. During an hour-long session without the jury...

Dole praises commission for decision on Seymour

CHARLOTTE -- Sen. Elizabeth Dole told members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission on Tuesday that Pentagon recommendations to expand Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and other military installations in North Carolina represent sound judgment. But she said a...

Rain beneficial to area crops, especially corn

Wayne County received some much-welcomed rain over the past 24 hours. Most of the county received at least an inch of rain overnight and today. Farmers were especially happy to see the skies darken. Crops have been suffering as only...

Goldsboro Jaycees sponsor first blood drive

Summer is here and vacation is on everyone's mind. Donating blood has been temporarily put on the back burner. But because more people are traveling during the summer, increasing the risk of accidents, that's the time that blood is needed...

Public records

Thieves nabbed Goldsboro police officers arrested theft suspects and recovered stolen equipment Tuesday. Employees of Napa Auto Parts on Ash Street reported a man left without paying for a remote car starter and Rampage car stereo, valued at $134.98. While...

Jam Thursday

The Craig Woodard Band is slated to perfrom at Thursday's Center Street Jam. The free concert will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Waynesborough House parking lot, off Center Street. People may want to bring lawn chairs and/or...

Clarifications

A story in Tuesday's News-Argus on the Supreme Court's ruling on the displaying the Ten Commandments misquoted Dr. David Hines, the chairman of the Department of Religion at Mount Olive College. Hines' quote should have read: ""When folk who call...

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Flooding possible tonight, Wednesday

The National Weather Service in Raleigh has placed Wayne and portions of Wilson County under a flash flood watch through 5 a.m. Wednesday. A ragged line of slow moving thunderstorms will move west into Mount Olive, Goldsboro and eastern...

3, 2, 1, Liftoff!

News-Argus/Turner Walston Seymour Johnson Airforce Base airmen and local students watch rockets take flight during "Starbase," a week-long program of science activities for rising fifth-graders. For more information see Next generation of pilots sees math and science at work....

Murder confession entered into evidence

When Eric Lane went looking for a place to put 5-year-old Precious Whitfield's body, all he could find was a white trash bag from his kitchen, according to his confession. The written confession, which the defense claims was coerced, described...

Teen died from stab wounds

A teenager whose body was found early Monday morning died after being stabbed by some type of bladed weapon, according to a preliminary medical examiner report. The body of Jonneka Nikki Spencer, 14, was found early Monday with multiple stab...

Reaction to court decision on Ten Commandments is mixed

Local reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on displaying the Ten Commandments in public places was mixed. Some Wayne County residents said they believed the court made a mistake in its 5-4 vote that approved some displays, while ruling out...

Next generation of pilots sees math and science at work

Wayne County's next generation of pilots just might have finished their first week of flight school. Sixty rising fifth-graders recently completed the Starbase program, a week of classroom activities, experiments, tours and simulators to see real-world applications of math and...

Grant enhances education at Brogden, Dillard middle schools

Middle school students in Wayne County are being exposed to a variety of enrichment activities this summer in hopes of reinforcing skills taught during the regular school year. A five-week camp program being held at Brogden and Dillard middle schools...

Public record

Child hit by car Willie Ray Moore III, 8, of Heron Drive was listed this morning in stable condition at Wayne Memorial Hospital after being hit by a car Monday afternoon. The driver, Artisha Vernette Reid of Workman Street, was...

Briefly

Holiday schedule The Goldsboro/Wayne Transportation Authority will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, July 4. Bus service will begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 6:45 p.m. Van service will be on its normal schedule. Passengers must call and...

Monday, June 27, 2005

There's a buzz downtown

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Beekeeper David Simmons lures bees into his hive near the Employment Security building on North William Street Thursday. Simmons was called to remove a hive containing 10,000 bees that had been built in a tree next to...

14-year-old slain; stepfather to be charged

The body of a 14-year-girl was found by Wayne County lawmen early today and her stepfather is expected to be charged with her rape and murder. Jonneka Nikki Spencer was found in a wooded area off Church of God Road...

Board to decide on taxes Tuesday

Wayne County citizens will learn Tuesday how much more property taxes they will have to pay in the coming year. The county Board of Commissioners will meet at 11 a.m. to vote on the 2005-06 county budget. The meeting will...

County seeks one dollar increase for E911

Wayne County officials are seeking a $1-per-month increase in the E911 charge on most home telephones later this year. County commissioners could vote as soon as Tuesday to approve the increase -- from 85 cents per line to $1.85 per...

Man wanted on murder charge is shot

A 23-year-old man shot during a confrontation over the weekend is said to be wanted for murder and other charges. Pablo Baltazar, 23, address unknown, remained in intensive care at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a shooting that happened at a...

Public record

Purse snatched A juvenile was apprehended Sunday afternoon after Goldsboro police investigated a report of a purse-snatching in the parking lot of Eckerds, 800 E. Ash St. Barbara Ann Vinson, 49, of Park Avenue, told police the incident happened as...

OPINION: Good memories

Increasingly, over the years, I have become a recluse. Good, long-suffering wife Gloria suggests that I am perhaps a "gregarious recluse." Once I get in a group, I enjoy myself -- even for moments at receptions after funerals. Recently, a...

Local women win honors at scholarship pageant

Miss Goldsboro Kandis Weeks did not place in the Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant held this past weekend in Raleigh. However, Goldsboro's two younger contestants did. Crystal Michelle Vinson, 17., participating in the teen division of the pageant, was voted...

Program helps build bridges for Hispanic parents, children

The number of Hispanics attending parenting classes has risen dramatically since Michelle Estrada became Latino community educator for Wayne County Partnership for Children. "The traffic flow through the door has increased so much," said Julie Odom, community services director for...

Sunday, June 26, 2005

Grantham Class of '55 goes to Washington

The story of the Grantham School's 2005 reunion really begins 50 years ago. Back then, the seniors had just learned that their school principal R.L. McDonald had decided there would not be a senior trip that year. It was nothing...

Council will take another look at annexation

Annexation would cost most homeowners thousands of dollars over the next several years, according to information provided by the city. But they could also save hundreds on taxes, insurance and other charges. Many of the homes in the proposed annexation...

Services put crimp on benefit for budget

The high cost of extending services would make annexation less profitable for the city than many would suspect. In fact, Goldsboro officials' own estimates show the city would recoup less than $150,000 a year in new revenues. The planning department...

Property owners would pay, then save

A simple decision -- stop or grow -- goes back before the Goldsboro City Council Tuesday night. Should the city stop the annexation process, in the works for more than four years and in the courts for the last year?...

WAGES foster grandparents sharpening classroom skills

Hattie Manley of Goldsboro is back in school this summer. At 79, she is taking classes she believes will make her a better foster grandmother. Mrs. Manley's spirit is typical of the people in the foster grandparent program run by...

Mount Olive plans festivities for Fourth of July

MOUNT OLIVE -- No fireworks will be displayed at the Mount Olive Airport this July 4, but the Mount Olive Exchange Club has planned a big day in Westbrook Park off North Breazeale Avenue. Highlights include a children's parade, music,...

Public library to show free movies

From staff reports The Wayne County Public Library will host its "Teen and 'Tween Movie Night" weekly throughout the summer. The movies are free. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the library will show a horror/comedy film by Director Tim Burton about...

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Celebration Day

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Celebration Day 1150 WGBR radio station will have a community celebration to honor Seymour Johnson Air Force Base on July 9 at Herman Park. The public is invited to attend the celebration from 11 a.m....

MO Court

Mount Olive District Court These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Anthony Scott Watts, 30, Cook Lane, Mount Olive, communicating threats and harassing phone call, 15 days. *Thomas Mosshammer, 19, East Franklin Street, Mount Olive, no operator's...

Kenansville to hold hearing on extra-territorial jurisdiction

KENANSVILLE -- The Kenansville Town Board will hold a public hearing Sept. 6 on the proposed creation of an extra-territorial jurisdiction around the town. The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Duplin County Courthouse. The issue was...

District Court

Wayne County District Court These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Craylon Solice, 30, Kelly Springs Road, Mount Olive, assault on a female, not guilty. *Crystal Anne Parker, 20, Rose Street, second-degree trespass, not guilty. *Marilyn Peterson,...

Friday, June 24, 2005

Practice

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Wayne Memorial Hospital staff and emergency services personnel take part in a disaster drill to evaluate the hospital's readiness for a chemical emergency. For more information see Hospital holds mock chemical emergency....

Groups want bigger theater

Arts groups asked the Goldsboro City Council Thursday night to build back the Paramount with a bigger stage, better sound and hundreds of additional seats. More than 50 people attended a special meeting with the architectural firm, Pearce Brinkley Cease...

Drought has Wayne parched

Withering cornstalks and widening sandbars in the Neuse River tell the tale. Wayne County is in the middle of a drought. Farmers and government officials say that without significant rain in the next few days the situation could become critical....

Jurors see photos before weekend recess

Jurors on Thursday saw graphic photographs of Precious Whitfield after the 5-year-old girl had been raped and murdered. The photographs were introduced as evidence in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Lane, who is accused of killing the girl more...

BRAC regional hearing Tuesday in Charlotte

The federal Base Realign-ment and Closure Commis-sion will hold a regional hearing Tuesday in Charlotte on the campus of Central Piedmont Community Col-lege. Representatives from communities in North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia will have a chance to speak...

Hospital holds mock chemical emergency

About 45 "patients" involved in a mock chemical accident Thursday were treated at Wayne Memorial Hospital as part of a disaster drill, held to evaluate the hospital's readiness for a chemical emergency. Amy Cain, director of public relations for the...

Public records

Man wounded in drive-by attack A 20-year-old Goldsboro man was shot in the head before dawn today in a drive-by shooting in the 4000 block of U.S. 70 East, according to a Goldsboro police report. The victim, Aaron Kinsey, of...

Briefly

Butterfield to Guantanamo U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield will join fellow House Armed Services Committee members on a one-day tour of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Saturday. "With all the controversy swirling around the treatment of prisoners in...

Wayne elementary teachers sharpen math-class skills

Teachers in Wayne County Public Schools are discovering new ways to improve math instruction in elementary grades. More than a dozen educators recently attended a class in algebraic reasoning for students in kindergarten through fifth grades, held at Goldsboro Middle...

Raper named Paul Harris Fellow by Mount Olive Rotary

MOUNT OLIVE -- The Rotary Club of Mount Olive has named Dr. Burkette Raper a Paul Harris Fellow. The Mount Olive Rotary Club donates $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation each year in the name of someone in the Mount Olive...

Kenansville to hold hearing on extra-territorial jurisdiction

KENANSVILLE -- The Kenansville Town Board will hold a public hearing Sept. 6 on the proposed creation of an extra-territorial jurisdiction around the town. The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Duplin County Courthouse. The issue was...

Correction

The name of a Wayne County Special Olympics student athlete was inadvertantly omitted in a story Wednesday about the recent state games. Charlie Nail received a bronze medal in the 50-meter dash and silver medals in the softball throw and...

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Independent groceries

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Blake Howell stocks the shelves at Joyner's Great Valu in Fremont. Owner John Joyner says independent grocery stores offer more personalized service to the community. For more information see Maintaining 'market' share....

Witnesses saw man by creek

Two more witnesses said they saw an unidentified man near Nahunta Creek on the day 5-year-old Precious Whitfield disappeared. The girl's body was found in the creek two days after she disappeared. Eric Lane, 33, is on trial for her...

Maintaining 'market' share

With Winn-Dixie on the way out, there remains only a handful of players in the grocery store business in Wayne County. Food Lion operates six stores in the county. Wal-Mart on Spence Avenue and its related store at Sam's Club...

Duplin County considers 1 cent sales tax for schools

WARSAW -- Duplin County commissioners are considering a one-cent sales tax for schools. Businessman Jim Harris asked Duplin commissioners Monday night to consider the local sales tax option as a way to fund the $42 million building plan adopted in...

Duplin bank robber surrenders

KENANSVILLE -- A man suspected of robbing the Bank of America Tuesday in Kenansville is in the Duplin County Jail under $500,000 bond pending a first appearance at 9 a.m. on July 8. in Duplin District Court. Lenny Lamore Gardner,...

Walnut Creek avoids property tax increase

WALNUT CREEK -- The Village Council made it official Wednesday night -- no property tax increase or utility rate hikes this year for Walnut Creek residents. At its regular monthly meeting, the council unanimously passed the 2005-06 budget without any...

Coalition focuses on Hispanics

A coalition focusing on health and safety issues that affect Hispanics is seeking input from the community, say its organizers. The Wayne County Coalition on Latino Child Health plans to hold a mini-health fair at Wal-Mart on July 3 and...

Public records

Crime of the Week A residential break-in in the 1500 block of Evergreen Avenue has been selected by Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers as this week's "Crime of the Week." More than $8,000 worth of property was stolen between last Thursday...

Bell, Tucker appointed

RALEIGH - State House Speaker Jim Black has appointed N.C. Reps. Larry Bell of Sampson County and Russell Tucker of Duplin County, to serve on the House's budget conference committee. They will be among the group of state legislators trying...

Survey needed for Mount Olive Airport extension

MOUNT OLIVE -- The airport committee voted unanimously Wednesday morning to hire a surveyor to look over the land at the south end of the runway for expansion possibilities. The 4,300-foot runway needs another 700 feet to reach the 5,000...

Mount Olive airport will get equipment enabling pilots to operate lights

MOUNT OLIVE -- The airport committee has authorized the airport manager to buy a new piece of equipment that will enable pilots to turn on the runway lights at night. The airport has a pilot-controlled light system, Airport Manager Mike...

Sheriff gives tips for safe holiday travel

Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders reminds residents to plan if they are traveling over the long July 4 weekend. "To have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend trip," the sheriff said, "don't forget these tips in preparing for...

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Winn-Dixie

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Vira White of Goldsboro loads her groceries this morning after shopping at the Winn-Dixie store on Berkeley Boulevard. She said she's been shopping at the store since it opened. For more information see Three Winn-Dixies slated to...

Schools want 801,000 dollars for supplements

The superintendent of the Wayne County School System asked county commissioners Tuesday to release $801,000 from the county's budget so the money can be used to keep a 6.5 percent teacher pay supplement. School officials maintain they had an agreement...

Three Winn-Dixies slated to close in county

The closing of three Winn-Dixie grocery stores in Wayne County will put more than 200 people out of work, said company officials. The supermarket chain announced Tuesday that it plans to shut down more than a third of its stores...

Witnesses in Lane trial describe scene

Witnesses in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Lane said they saw an unidentified man at the Airport Road bridge over Nahunta Creek on the evening that 5-year-old Precious Whitfield was reported missing. The girl's body was found in the...

Juror tells judge she heard talk about case

The first-degree murder trial of Eric Lane -- already halted twice in the last seven months -- took another bizarre twist on Tuesday. A juror told Judge Gary Trawick that someone had ap-proached her at a sandwich shop during the...

Group named to plan Community Building

The Goldsboro City Council chose a group Monday to begin planning for a new Community Building on South Center Street. The 12-member committee will try to develop a proposal that would be palatable to all the possible partners -- the...

Fremont seeks money to pay its sewer bill

FREMONT -- The Fremont town board put off approving a budget for another week so it can find enough money to pay Goldsboro for its sewer bill. Town Administrator Kerry McDuffie has proposed a budget for 2005-06 that maintains the...

Public records

Man wanted for failure to register A 55-year-old man is wanted by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and state authorities on a felony charge of failure to register as a sex offender. West George Washington West was described as white,...

Results for local contestants in state Special Olympics given

Special Olympics Wayne County athletes participated in the state games in Raleigh recently, competing in aquatics as well as track and field events. Aquatics team members and their honors included: *Jenifer Cruz -- bronze 25m backstroke, gold 50 m backstroke,...

Hearing will be held on rezoning request in the protection zone

The public will get a chance to comment Aug. 2 on a request to rezone a 1.64 acre parcel of land in the county's protection zone around Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Wayne County commissioners approved an ordinance in March...

McCullouch receives Lifetime Career Leadership award

The N.C. Council of Community Programs recently presented Floyd McCullouch its Lifetime Career Leadership award for his work on behalf of the mentally ill. "His stature and actions have been demonstrated through a long and successful career in helping others...

Snow Hill holding Independence Day parade on July 2

The Snow Hill Parade Committee will sponsor the town's annual Independence Day parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, with lineup at 10:15 a.m. beside the Horton-Crutchfield office in downtown Snow Hill. Prizes will go to the most patriotic...

Former Spring Creek student drowns

A former Spring Creek High School student drowned last week near his home in Hampton, Va. Joseph "Joey" Hamilton, 18, drowned June 13 while swimming with friends at a private pond. Funeral services were held Friday. He was the son...

Duplin officials approve

WARSAW -- Duplin County commissioners approved a county budget Monday night for 2005-06 that does not increase the current property tax rate of 77 cents per $100 worth of property. The vote was unanimous. Commissioner Chairman Reginald Wells said developing...

Bank in Kenansville robbed

KENANSVILLE -- A man robbed the Bank of America Tuesday. Kenansville police Chief Mike Webster said he hopes to catch the man today. The robber was described as black and slender. He was wearing white tennis shoes. He entered at...

Water rescue team earns honors for work

Two Wayne County fire departments are getting the job done in the water and on land. Members of Arrington and Mar-Mac Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, make up the Arr-Mac Water Response Team. That...

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Opposed to tax increase

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Don Wooten speaks to the county commissioners this morning about the proposed tax increase. For more information see Commissioners hear complaints....

Commissioners hear complaints

Wayne County commissioners got an earful this morning from people opposed to an increase in the county's tax rate. Commissioners held a public hearing today on the proposed county budget for 2005-06. It calls for a 7.5-cent increase in the...

No plans to close O'Berry

State and local officials say there are no plans to close O'Berry Center, despite comments made during recent House subcommittee budget discussions. Carmen Hooker Odom, state Secretary of Health and Human Services, said Monday the proposal was "clearly an initiative...

Testimony begins in murder trial

Family and friends of Precious Whitfield testified Monday in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. Lane is on trial for the 5-year-old girl's murder three years ago. He could face the death penalty if...

Jerry Narron named to manage Cincinnati Reds

The last-place Cincinnati Reds fired manager Dave Miley on Tuesday and promoted bench coach Jerry Narron of Goldsboro to take over on an interim basis for the rest of the season. Pitching coach Don Gullett also was fired. Vern...

Mike Cooper serves up zesty hot sauce in airport hangar

Local Hispanics may refer to it as "gringo" sauce, but Mike Cooper says plenty of people still think his Mile High Hot sauce packs plenty of zest. Cooper, a retired Air Force colonel, came up with his own secret recipe...

WCPS scholarships exceed $8 million

Graduates of Wayne County's six public high schools received more than $8 million in financial aid this year, said officials with the county school system. According to school officials, graduates received more than $5 million in renewable grants, scholarships and...

Seymour group donates nine computers to Boys and Girls Club

The Computer Systems Element Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base has donated nine computers to the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County, and the local law firm of Barnes, Braswell and Haithcock has donated two, all valued at...

Kandis Weeks, Crystal Vinson will represent city in pageants

Kandis Weeks will represent Wayne County as Miss Goldsboro at the 2005 Miss North Carolina Pageant at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh. Representing Goldsboro in the Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant also at Memorial Auditorium is Crystal Michelle Vinson,...

Public records

Man is charged in phone scam A man who got money from people after posing as a tow truck driver has been arrested by Goldsboro police and charged with four felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. Philip Wayne...

Programs at the Cliffs

Do you have a necklace you don't like? Some animals do. On Saturday, staff at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park will give a presentation about the necklace and how people can help prevent these animals from having to...

AARP driving class planned in Duplin

KENANSVILLE -- The AARP Driver Safety Program, a classroom driver refresher course for drivers over 50, will be held on July 20 and 21 at the Duplin County Senior Center. Class begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 11 a.m....

Monday, June 20, 2005

Batman Returns ... Big

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Batman comics line the racks at heroes are Here in Goldsboro. The DC comic book hero has once again made a comeback because of the popularity of the new Batman film. For more information see 'Batman' begins...

Election filing period begins July 1

Why fight City Hall when you can run it? Nineteen seats on Wayne County town boards, including four mayorships, will be up for grabs this fall. Every municipality except Golds-boro and Fremont will be affected. Twenty seats will also be...

Opening arguments start today in Lane trial

Opening statements were expected to be made today in the Eric Lane murder trial. Lane, 33, is on trial for first-degree murder in the death of 5-year-old Precious Whitfield three years ago. If convicted, he could face the death...

Budget hearing set for Tuesday

Wayne County residents will have an opportunity Tuesday to comment on a possible increase in the property tax rate. County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on the proposed budget for 2005-06. County Manager Lee Smith has...

Man killed on moped

A man on a moped was killed Friday night when his vehicle ran off the road and struck a guide wire, Goldsboro police reported today. The victim was identified as Johnnie Wayne Exum, 62, of 100 Kornegay Drive, Dudley. Exum...

Duplin County will also need to fill seats this fall

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County residents who want to have a say in their government can file for one of several open seats this fall. The filing period begins at noon July 1 and continues until noon Aug. 5. The clerk...

Public records

Men robbed Two men were assaulted and robbed over the weekend in separate crimes, according to Goldsboro police reports. Antonio Jones, 19, of Wilson was robbed before dawn Sunday by two men who entered an apartment in the 400 block...

Parents can get help with car seats

Grant money awarded to Wayne Partnership for Children will be used to teach parents the correct way to install a car seat. An estimated four out of five car seats are not installed properly, said David Poythress of the partnership....

One spot left for Wednesday tournament

GREENVILLE -- The Marley Fund's third annual Driving for a Cure golf tournament approaches, and only one team spot remains for the June 23 event at Ironwood. With a $25 donation, players can participate in a mulligan and raffle as...

Roush named sports editor at News-Argus

The News-Argus has named Steve Roush as its new sports editor. Roush replaces Neil Fuller, whose family was transferred out of town. Roush, who has worked at daily newspapers in Ohio and Georgia since 1997, has won numerous journalism...

'Batman' begins rush at store

"Batman" made a triumphant return over the weekend, which is good news for Gotham City and a Goldsboro shop owner. The new film, "Batman Begins," was tops at the box office, grossing more than $46 million and earning nearly unanimous...

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Where tax dollars come from and where they go

In any household budget, there some items that are up for debate, others that are not. You might have leeway in how much money you spend on clothing or entertainment but the electric bill has to be paid in full,...

Where our education dollars go

This is not your parents' reading, writing and arithmetic. Today's schools deal with miles of paperwork and requirements that come with three-ring binders full of directives and deadlines, but not enough money to provide the materials, staff and facilities to...

A Father's Day story

Jeff Howell and his daughter, Jennifer, live in a quiet residential area of Hood Swamp. But quiet is a relative term when you are hearing-impaired most of your life. But for Jeff and Jennifer, the life they are used to...

Zoning changes on county agenda

Wayne County Commis-sioners will discuss Tuesday a request to change the zoning within the protected area around Seymour Johnson Air Force base. The commissioners passed an ordinance in March restricting population density and establishing a noise overlay zone around the...

Jury set for Lane murder trial

The trial of Eric Glenn Lane for the first-degree murder of a 5-year-old girl will start Monday in Wayne County Superior Court -- maybe. The third and final alternate juror was accepted Friday by the state and defense to complete...

Henson Barnes to be honored by N.C. Bar

Henson Barnes, who retired from his Goldsboro law practice in 1997, will be inducted into the N.C. Bar Association Hall of Fame. Barnes will be inducted Thursday night during the association's annual meeting at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville....

Council to review plans for 300-foot tower

The Goldsboro City Council will review plans Monday night for a 300-foot-high communications tower that could soon loom over U.S. 70. Wayne County has asked the city for a conditional-use permit that would allow the tower to be built at...

Wayne Uplift celebrates anniversary

From staff reports Wayne Uplift Resources Association celebrated its 10th anniversary Thursday with an open house and ceremony at the organization's resource center on Edgerton Street. About 50 people attended, including former and current association board members, agency partners and...

Volunteer Center opportunities

Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. Contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151 ext. 336 or at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer...

Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *Matthew R. Mansfield, 18, Tilghman Drive, attempted armed robbery, 46 to 65 months. *James Dean Elswick, 35, North George Street, second-degree burglary, breaking and entering and fleeing to elude arrest,...

Sunday Briefly

Paramount meeting is set for Thursday A community meeting Thursday will try to capture what citizens want in the new Paramount Theater. Architects from Pearce Brinkley Cease + Lee want to talk with representatives of local artistic, musical and community...

Seventy local piano students evaluated

Seventy piano pupils from the Goldsboro District participated in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians, sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Teacher Division of the American College of Musicians, of which their teachers are members. Adjudicator, Mrs. Ouida...

Public records

Crimes The Goldsboro Police Department is investigating the following crime: *George King of East Mulberry Street told police Friday night that someone broke the window glass to a shed at his home and took a chain saw, shop vacuum...

Mount Olive Court

These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Florence Davis, 42, Herring Street, Mount Olive, obstruction of officer, 10 days. *Johnny Edwards, 55, Pollock Street, Mount Olive, driving while license revoked, 45 days suspended, 12 months unsupervised probation,...

Military news

Army Reserve Pvt. Joshua T. McKown has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and...

Host families sought for student exchange program

The North Carolina 4-H program is seeking families to host foreign exchange students for a month this summer and for 10 months beginning this fall. Families are needed to host Japanese exchange students, ages 12 to 15, for four weeks...

Horse clinic planned for weekend

A "Horse 'N' Around for a Cure" horse clinic will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, at the Wayne County Fairgrounds. It will start at 10 a.m. both days. The event will raise money for Relay for...

Families sought to host exchange students

Your family can share the American way of life with a teenager from another country by hosting an exchange student. The STS Foundation is looking for families in the Duplin County area willing to open their hearts and homes to...

Ex-dentist sentenced for child porn

A former dentist at Caswell Center in Kinston was sentenced to 22 years in prison by a federal court in Georgia for engaging in sexual activity with a child and for possession and distributing child pornography. Guilford Watson, 56, of...

Wayne County District Court

Wayne County District Court These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Joyce Faye Wagner, 28, Price Road, Seven Springs, communicating threats, not guilty. *Mitchell Leodus Bright, 53, South Slocumb Street, larceny (three counts), 120 days. *Jonathan Paul...

Friday, June 17, 2005

Good weather for jamming

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber High powered rock and soul by the Coastline Band and a bright summer sun greeted hundreds of people who turned out for the Center Street Jam in downtown Goldsboro Thursday afternoon. Two of the three previous Jams...

Explosive housing market tests schools

The housing market is exploding in the northern part of Wayne County, and the county Planning Board hopes the county school system can be ready to accommodate the expected growth in student population. Plans to build subdivisions containing more than...

One more juror needed in Lane trial

One final alternate was needed before testimony could begin in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. Prosecutors and defense lawyers accepted the two alternate jurors on Thurs-day, both women. The selection process resumed...

Brown wants off death row

Paul Anthony Brown, who was sentenced to death for murdering his former girlfriend and a toddler in her care in 1996 in Goldsboro, wants to get off death row. Judge Howard Manning, who conducted Brown's trial in 1998 and his...

Duplin towns ask commissioners to pass along contract savings

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County commissioners are considering changing the way the county charges for the disposal of solid waste. Several towns in the southern part of the county asked commissioners in May to pass on to them savings from in...

Former Goldsboro High coach faces sex charges

A former Goldsboro and North Lenoir High School coach has been charged by Lenoir County authorities with sexual assault on a female student. Charles Stevens, 50, had a first appearance in Lenoir County court on Wednesday. He turned himself into...

Worker recovering from cave-in

A construction worker who survived the cave-in of a trench in Pikeville was listed in good condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital. James Mintz is still recovering from the accident that killed a co-worker, Reginald Hough,on June 7. The accident is...

Public records

Suspect sought Goldsboro police and Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers are seeking information on the identity of a man who cashed checks that were stolen from Salisbury AME Zion Church in Pikeville. The man passed the checks May 10 and May...

Local airmen honored

Special to The News-Argus SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE -- A Goldsboro resident received information that he was the best of the best of all the airmen in 39 flying units in the Air Force Reserve. Senior Master Sgt. Sean...

Henderson scholarships presented

MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mount Olive Rotary Club honored three of the five Henderson Scholarship recipients Thursday night at the Southern Belle Restaurant. The club recognizes the five Southern Wayne High School graduates who receive the scholarships each year. This...

Duplin NAACP Juneteenth set for Saturday

ROSE HILL -- The Duplin County NAACP Youth Council will have its second annual Juneteenth Celebration at 5 p.m. Saturday at the New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church at Rose Hill. The keynote speaker will be Cynthia Brown of Durham....

Briefly

'Grease' auditions Stagestruck: The Young People's Own Theatre will hold auditions for "Grease: the School Version" on Monday, June 27, at 6 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College. Rising sixth-through 12th-graders may participate. Participants should bring a non-returnable...

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Cool down

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Breanna Norris, 7, stays cool by running through a sprinkler system set up outside the Herman Park Center Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday's temperatures reached a high of 98 degrees sending many Wayne County residents looking for a way...

Respected Southern Wayne teacher mourned

A Southern Wayne High School teacher who died while vacationing in the Caribbean was remembered today as a superb teacher and thoughtful friend who always put others first. Donna Peacock, 52, died Tuesday at a hospital in San Juan, Puerto...

Witnesses to fatal wreck are sought

The result of an investigation of a fatal crash at the intersection of N.C. 111 and Tommy's Road may hinge on new information from witnesses, an investigator with the Highway Patrol said today. Summer Brooke Worrell, 16, died in Tuesday...

McDonald says Hawaii trip not a waste

MOUNT OLIVE -- The Wayne County commissioners are taking unfair criticism for their decision to attend a national convention in Hawaii, says a former commissioner. Ray McDonald, town manager of Mount Olive, served as a commissioner in the 1980s. He...

21 up, 21 down, Lane jury selection continues

Twenty-one jurors were interviewed Wednesday for the first alternate position in the first-degree murder trial of 33-year-old Eric Glenn Lane. None was accepted. Three are needed to hear the case. The result left Judge Gary Trawick of Burgaw frustrated. He...

Oldest liquor store to close

Wayne County's oldest liquor store will close at the end of the month, leaving downtown Goldsboro high and dry. ABC Store No. 1 opened in 1964 at 206 E. Mulberry St., now next to the county's Jeffreys Building, and was...

Health Department institutes new employee evaluation system

The Wayne County Health Department is taking steps to measure the progress of its employees and services. Health Director James Roosen told the board Wednesday that a 13-member team of managers and front-line staff has been formed to evaluate personnel...

Public record

Driver injured One driver was injured and damage was estimated at $12,000 Wednesday in two traffic collisions in Goldsboro, police reported. *A driver from Clinton was injured and damage was estimated at $7,500 in a three-vehicle collision at 6:05 p.m....

Singing Convention set for June 24-26

BENSON -- The Eighty-fifth State Annual Singing Convention will be Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, at the city park on East Main Street. The following groups will present 30-minute concerts on Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.: The Church of God...

Briefly

Generosity pays off Dillon Wooten's generosity paid off again Tuesday night for Wayne Community College. Wooten, president of Wooten Oil Company, was at the college's annual benefit dinner and auction -- an event that Wooten founded, by the way --...

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Crash at Tommy's Road and Patetown Road

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Firefighters start clearing the scene after a crash between a tractor-trailer and car that ended in both vehicles catching fire and a 16-year-old Eastern Wayne High School student losing her life. Officials are still investigating the accident....

16-year-old killed in fiery crash

A 16-year-old girl was killed Tuesday afternoon in a fiery crash at the intersection of Tommy's Road and Patetown Road. Summer Brooke Worrell of Hare Road died instantly when her car struck a tractor-trailer about 3 p.m., officials said. Worrell...

Lane trial down to three alternates

Selection of three alternate jurors for the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane resumed today in Wayne County Superior Court. Judge Gary Trawick of Burgaw said he hoped he could start the trial on Thursday. The defense asked for...

Southern Wayne teacher dies while on cruise ship

Funeral arrangements are pending for a Southern Wayne High School teacher who died Tuesday after suffering from a head injury while on vacation in Puerto Rico. Donna Peacock, 52, of Dudley, an educator who taught exceptional children, died at the...

Hulse says farewell to election chief job

From broken voting machines to lost ballots, Geoff Hulse has been through it all during his six-year term on the Wayne County Board of Elections. But on Tuesday he bid all that a final farewell at his last meeting as...

Former coach tell stories from a life spent on court

Former Campbell University Basketball Coach Billy Lee returned home Tuesday night. Judging from the laughter, they were glad to see him. Lee, a Mount Olive native and sports star, entertained at Wayne Community College's 13th annual benefit golf tournament with...

Brown will challenge '98 murder conviction

Paul Anthony Brown, who was sentenced to death for the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend and a toddler in her Goldsboro apartment, is seeking a new trial. Brown, now 39, was convicted April 8, 1998, and then sentenced on Aug....

Public records

Probation officer gets suspended sentence A former state brobation officer has pleaded guilty to changing a record and sentenced to unsupervised probation. Sherrie Overton Powell, 41, of U.S. 13 South had been charged with seven felony counts of altering court...

Public school retirees praised for years of service

The Wayne County Public Schools honored nearly 80 retiring employees last week. The group included principals, assistant principals, teachers, and support staff. Dr. Steven Taylor, schools superintendent, praised the retirees for their dedication and commitment to children, stressing the important...

Kenansville annexation vote delayed until July 11

KENANSVILLE -- The Kenansville Town Board has postponed a vote on the proposed annexation of Duplin Commons until July 11. Duplin County officials are hoping the town will annex the events center but some town officials oppose the proposal. Kenansville...

President, board member honored by hospital

The board of directors of Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Health Corporation honored two of its leaders Tuesday. Hospital president and CEO Bill Paugh was recognized for his five years of service. He celebrates his fifth anniversary in the job...

City recognized for safety record

Goldsboro city officials recently got some news that made them want to pat their employees on the back. Not too hard, though, and only after making sure the floor wasn't slippery. Earlier this month, the N.C. Department of Labor honored...

Briefly

Hal Stewart honored Goldsboro native Hal Stewart, who coached high school football championship teams at Richmond County and Garner, received the President Gerald R. Ford All-American High School Coach Award last weekend in Greensboro. Stewart, who is retired from coaching,...

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Chugging back to the 1950s

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Goldsboro Mayor Al King, second from left, seems to be enjoying the first ride of the day on the Kiwanis miniature train Saturday. The Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro celebrated the 50th anniversary of the train in Herman...

Bell says aloha to Hawaii trip

Commissioner John Bell will not attend the annual convention of the National Association of County Commissioners in Honolulu in July. Bell canceled his trip Monday. He was not available for comment by presstime today. Three other commissioners, plus the board's...

Duplin votes 'no' on more funding

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County commissioners voted down a proposal last week to give the public schools more money. At a work session, Commissioner L.S. Guy, a former superintendent of the county school system, urged his fellow commissioners to allocate a...

Logistics expert says N.C. ports have potential to bring in billions

Earl F. Brinkley brought his vision for eastern North Carolina back to Goldsboro Monday. Eastern North Carolina is missing out on billions of dollars by failing to develop the ports at Wilmington and Morehead City and upgrading the railroad system,...

Defense will take look at jurors today

The defense will continue to examine jurors today for the final four seats in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane. Lane, a 33-year-old electrician, is accused in connection with the kidnap, rape and murder of 5-year-old Precious Ebony...

Local reaction to Jackson verdict mixes

Goldsboro residents said today that they weren't surprised by the verdict in the Michael Jackson case, even though some did not agree with it. "If he was found not guilty, then I believe he's not guilty," said Frank Koonce as...

Public records

Campaign nets 556 violations Wayne County law-enforcement officers found 556 violations during the last week of the three-week, statewide "Click It or Ticket" campaign to enforce use of seat belts and child-safety seats. Goldsboro police held 71 checkpoints, Mount Olive...

WCC receives report card

Wayne Community College has received its annual report card from the state. The Performance Measures report released recently shows how WCC compared last year to other colleges in the system and how the system as a whole was performing. *The...

Monday, June 13, 2005

Full jail

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber The Wayne County Jail has set up beds on the floors of prisoners' cells to deal with the overcrowding the facility is experiencing. For more information see No vacancy at the jail....

Boat business gauges workforce

A major boat manufacturing company is considering locating in Wayne County. An advertisement in the News-Argus classified section said the company would be looking skilled workers to fill as many as 250 jobs. Joanna Thompson, president of the Wayne County...

No vacancy at the jail

Jessica Clark has been sitting in the Wayne County jail for more than two weeks now, and isn't scheduled to go to trial until July. Her offense? Failure to pay child-support. Ms. Clark, 40, has two children, ages 18 and...

Building a new jail might not be the answer

When Wayne County commissioners learned in January it would cost more than $14 million to expand the county jail, they decided to look at less expensive ways to handle the growing jail population. According to Sheriff Carey Winders, it costs...

Friday is deadline to sign up for tobacco buyout

With Friday the deadline for tobacco farmers and quota holders to apply for the federal buyout, about 90 percent of those eligible in Wayne County have signed up. Fewer than 100 of the 1,229 farmers and quota holders in the...

Duplin EDC goes non-profit

KENANSVILLE -- Switching Duplin County's economic development efforts from county control to two non-profit groups will boost business in the county, said county officials who approved the move last week. Duplin County commissioners gave their blessing Thursday to the formation...

Three more jurors seated for Lane trial, total stands at eight

Three more jurors have been seated -- bringing the total to eight -- to hear the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. The four other jurors who were accepted by the prosecution were excused...

Public records

Father charged with shooting son A father who shot and wounded his son after an argument was arrested Sunday by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and charged with a felony firearms offense. Corey Bernard Manuel, 46, of Ruskin Road, Dudley,...

Sunday, June 12, 2005

Eight seated, four still to go in Lane trial

Three more jurors have been seated -- bringing the total to eight -- to hear the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. The four other jurors who were accepted by the prosecution were excused...

SWHS will get health center

The Wayne Initiative for School Health, or WISH, has been awarded a $125,000 grant that will be used to establish a school-based health center at Southern Wayne High School in the fall. The three-year grant is from the Kate...

O'Berry mentioned in closure discussion

Sen. John Kerr says he won't stand silently if the state tries to close O'Berry Center. "I'll fight this. I don't think it's the right thing to do," Kerr, D-Wayne, said Saturday. "A lot of federal dollars come in...

A breakfast fit for heroes

More than 200 members of the Army National Guard were treated to breakfast at the armory Saturday morning by the American Legion and 230th Family Readiness Group. Guard members from the 230th Support Battalion drilled for the first time since...

Old-fashioned fun reigns at festival

As it did more than 140 years ago, the sound of cannon fire echoed across the Neuse River Saturday. This time, however, it was a celebration. The town of Seven Springs held its fifth annual Ole Timey Days festival. More...

Water lines being flushed

Lines being flushed The city of Goldsboro is continuing to flush water lines overnight, which can cause discolored water. If problems with discolored water persist, call 734-8674. Areas now being served include Winslow Place, Littleton Place, Terrace Court, Head, Ball,...

Ministers discuss death penalty moratorium

Local ministers and laymen met Friday at Greenleaf Christian Church to discuss the proposed death penalty moratorium. Among the nearly two dozen participants at Friday's roundtable was the Rev. Dr. Gregory Moss, senior pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in...

Public record

Missing teen Antione Logan Chestnut, 17, of Evelyn Circle, Dudley, has been reported missing. Chestnut is described as a black male with short braids. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, red shorts and white tennis shoes. Chestnut may...

Lighthouse to hold poetry reading

The Lighthouse of Wayne County is holding a poetry reading fund-raiser July 23. "Voices of Survival II" will be held at Poetic Shangri-La, 116 E. Walnut St. from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. There will be a short intermission at 7:15...

July concert to include blues, jazz and gospel

WEJA Enterprises Artistic Productions will present its 4th annual music festival, "An Evening of Jazz, Blues & Gospel" on Saturday, July 9. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. in the Dillard Middle School auditorium, 1101 Devereaux St. The festival...

Coordinator helped bring care to needy

Once a week for two years, medical student Erik Kinzie left his classrooms behind for the casas of eastern North Carolina. Usually he would board a small private plane at Chapel Hill's Horace Williams Airport and fly to Goldsboro-Wayne Airport....

Friday, June 10, 2005

117 construction site

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Traffic is directed into one lane on the U.S. 117 bypass near Jeffreys Cabinet Company where the new U.S. 117 highway will join the old road. Construction of the entire stretch of U.S. 117 from Wilson to...

Paramount price tag: 10 million dollars

The architects for a new Paramount Theater said Thursday that its construction could easily cost $10 million, roughly twice what the City Council had hoped to spend. That estimate had the Paramount Theater Committee reconsidering its options, including eliminating balcony...

Tasha Logan named assistant city manager

All city employees will eventually get a raise in next year's budget, and a handful will have their positions reclassified. One of those is Tasha Logan, who has served as assistant to the city manager for the past year. Ms....

Juror in Lane trial questioned over comments

Jury selection in the Eric Lane murder trial almost hit a snag again Thursday when the defense questioned whether a member of the jury pool had talked about the case with other possible jurors. Lane's first trial ended in a...

Mobile home park owner complains about county plan

A Wayne County mobile home park owner told county commissioners Tuesday that the county's plan to ban the movement of older mobile homes is unfair. Lonnie Casey Jr. said mobile homes are being unfairly targeted for regulation. "During the last...

Briefly

Lending library closed The Wayne County Partnership for Children lending library will be closed for inventory from June 27 until July 15. Any lending library members who have items checked out are requested to return them to the office, 800...

Public records

Gunshots damage vehicle, 2 homes Gunfire before dawn today damaged a vehicle and two homes, according to reports filed with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. A gunshot damaged a compact auto between Thursday night and dawn today at the home...

Battered women's shelter will change to co-directors

The Lighthouse of Wayne County has restructured its leadership, switching from one director to two co-directors. The organization provides shelter for women suffering from domestic violence or sexual assault. Cheri Seronick and Mary Bolin are the new co-directors. Mrs. Seronick...

Camp will help children dealing with loss

When school is out during the lazy days of summer, it's supposed to be a carefree time of fun and frolic. But even warm temperatures cannot distract a child who has lost a loved one. Home Health and Hospice Care,...

Fremont board makes budget change

FREMONT -- The Fremont town board made one change in its proposed 2005-06 budget this week during a special workshop at Town Hall. But the aldermen also discussed how to help downtown businesses and the removal of junked vehicles. Town...

Fire damages Duplin restaurant

WARSAW -- A fire Thursday night did heavy damage to the Taste of Country Restaurant on West N.C. 24. Duplin Fire Marshal Jimmy Pate said trouble with deep fat fryer caused the fire, which extended into the ceiling. Firefighters knocked...

Arlene's winds increase to 55 mph

Tropical storm Arlene strengthened Friday as it moved northward through the Gulf of Mexico, bearing down on the U.S. Gulf Coast still recovering from last year's hurricanes. Tropical storm watches were posted from Florida to Louisiana for Arlene, the Atlantic...

Correction

A photograph in Wednesday's News-Argus incorrectly identified Miranda Millard, 5, of Mount Olive, as Miranda Crawford....

Thursday, June 9, 2005

Cotton on fire

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Spontaneous combustion was blamed for a fire at the Tri-County Cotton Gin near Summerlin's Crossroads in north central Duplin County on Wednesday. Volunteers from the Oak Wolfe Volunteer Fire Department, with help from firefighters from the Pleasant...

Telemarketing center to add 120 jobs

A new business will create about 120 jobs in downtown Goldsboro. The North Carolina Frater-nal Order of Police will locate a new fund-raising call center in the former First Citizens Bank on North Center Street. The FOP, the oldest and...

Counties demand accounting from group

KINSTON -- Officials from 13 counties demanded Tuesday to know what an organization charged with bringing jobs to eastern North Carolina has been doing with its money over the last decade. The North Carolina Eastern Region partnership was created a...

PACC-10 money cut from city's 2005-2006 budget

The Goldsboro City Council has cut all of PACC-10's funding from the city's 2005-06 budget, a $33,000 savings. But that doesn't necessarily mean city residents will no longer be able to watch council meetings, Center Street Jams and other city...

Proposed Mount Olive budget maintains property tax rate

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town of Mount Olive will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2005-2006 budget on Monday, June 20, at 10 a.m. at the town hall. Town Manager Ray McDonald proposed no increase in the current tax...

Five jurors seated Wednesday in Lane trial

Jury selection began again today for the state and defense in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. The 33-year-old Lane is accused in connection with the kidnap, rape and murder of 5-year-old Precious...

Public records

Teen won't face death sentence A Dudley teen-ager, accused of taking part in the murder of a man last year, will not be tried for his life. Donavan Ray Lofton, 18, of Running Deer Circle was charged with first-degree murder...

City, county officials praised for efforts to protect base

Two Seymour Johnson advocates thanked the Goldsboro City Council Monday night for the city's efforts to protect the Air Force base during the recent consideration by the Base Realignment and Closure commission. They also thanked the Wayne County Commissioners the...

Seven Springs budget passes budget with no increases

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Town residents will not pay more in taxes this year, the Seven Springs board decided Wednesday. The town board adopted the 2005-06 budget without discussion after a public hearing that closed almost as soon as it opened.No...

Emergency communications mix-up causes delay

PRINCETON -- A communications mix-up caused a 55-minute wait recently for authorities to respond to a traffic accident that occurred just inside the Wayne County line, Princeton Police Chief Eddie Lewis said. A passerby saw at least two horses on...

First storm of new season heads north

The first tropical depression of the new season became Tropical Storm Arlene this morning. The National Hurricane Center in Miami upgraded the system after new readings showed wind speeds had reached 40 knots. Systems with winds in excess of 39...

Development commission hires existing business specialist

A local businessman has been hired by the Economic Development Commission to work with existing businesses in Wayne County. Mike Haney, of Goldsboro, will be the new existing business and industry coordinator. He is the previous owner and operator of...

Briefly

50th anniversary of Kiwanis miniature train Saturday The Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro will mark the 50th anniversary of its miniature train in Herman Park with a celebration beginning at noon on Saturday. Goldsboro Mayor Al King will officially kick off...

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Fatal accident

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Rescue workers wait for investigators to arrive at the scene of a fatal construction accident on Tina Avenue in Pikeville Tuesday afternoon. For more information see Man killed in cave-in on Pikeville project....

Man killed in cave-in on Pikeville project

PIKEVILLE — A construction worker was killed Tuesday afternoon in Pikeville when a trench in which he was working collapsed on him. Reginald Hough, 53, of Mount Pleasant, died when the sides of the trench along Tina Avenue gave...

Family Y joins effort to build downtown

Officials with the Goldsboro Family Y have informally agreed to join an effort to build a new Community Building downtown. The Family Y's board of directors probably would not contribute to the building's construction costs, but the Y would be...

Defense questions jurors in Lane Trial

The defense was to get its chance today to question prospective jurors in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane in Wayne County Superior Court. The prosecution passed 12 jurors to the defense late Tuesday afternoon. They included five...

County cuts tax proposal by 2.5 cents

Wayne County Commis-sioners agreed Tuesday to a 7.5-cent increase in the property tax rate, but still hope to cut more from the budget before a June 21 public hearing. County Manager Lee Smith and his budget staff shaved $1 million...

6 Wayne County schools to get new principals

Six Wayne County schools will have new principals this fall, as a result of the district's annual administrative reorganization. The changes, which were announced at the board's meeting Monday, will be effective July 1. Of the new principals, two transferred...

Grand jury returns indictments for robberies, assault

A 30-year-old Mount Olive man has been indicted by the Wayne County Grand Jury on 18 charges in connection with numerous robberies of elderly women and residential break-ins. James Lenair Albrittain of Oliver Street was charged by the Wayne County...

Public records

Attempted murder charge filed A 23-year-old man from Dudley was arrested Tuesday by Goldsboro police and charged with attempted murder and a felony drug violation. Dennis Cleveland Young of Athens Drive was arrested by a Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad officer...

'Ole Timey Days' festival Saturday in Seven Springs

SEVEN SPRINGS -- As many as nine Civil War re-enactment groups are planning to take part in the Ole Timey Days festival this weekend in Seven Springs. The festival will begin held from 10 a.m. until Saturday and continue until...

Duplin may add ambulances

KENANSVILLE -- Kenansville and Rose Hill may get ambulances by the end of the year if Duplin County's paramedic level service brings in enough money. Duplin County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to keep track of receipts that come in from emergency...

City firefighters answered 169 calls during May

The Goldsboro Fire Department answered 169 fire or service calls in May, including four major structure fires. Chief Bobby Greenfield said in his monthly report that the four fires caused about $34,450 in damages. The largest damage amount, $28,000, resulted...

Chance named opportunity center director

John Chance has been named the new director of the Wayne Opportunity Center, which provides adult developmental vocational training to about 60 people. Chance served as interim director following the death of Carol Bender from cancer in December. She was...

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

The artist and her work

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit A opening reception for Goldsboro artist Windy Lies was held Monday evening at the Wayne County Arts Council building on East Ash Street. About 20 examples of her work will be on display through July 17. Miss...

Council approves tax increase

Come this fall, Goldsboro property owners could pay one of the highest combined tax rates in North Carolina. Monday, the City Council unanimously approved the city's 2005-06 budget, which raises the city's tax rate 5 cents. If Wayne County commissioners...

District seeking truce on budget

The superintendent of schools called on the Wayne County commissioners Monday night, challenging them to stop pointing fingers at the school system and to move forward to do "what is best for the children of Wayne County" as the county...

More jurors called in case

Jury selection continued today in Wayne County Superior Court in the first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane. Lane, a 33-year-old electrician, is accused in connection with the kidnap, rape and murder of 5-year-old Precious Ebony Whitfield more than three...

Princeton could pay more this fall

PRINCETON -- Princeton residents might be paying more in taxes in 2005-06. The town board on Monday night received a budget that called for a 2-cent increase, from 52 cents to 54 cents, in property taxes. Water and sewer and...

Schools award scholarships to teacher candidates

Five area students have received scholarships through a program implemented and funded by county commissioners six years ago as a way to replenish the teaching pool in Wayne County. The Wayne County Teacher Scholarships were awarded during Monday night's...

Public records

Fire destroys mobile home MOUNT OLIVE -- Five people escaped injury early today from a fire that consumed their mobile home at 105 Granger Place, a Mount Olive fire official said. Assistant Fire Chief Greg Wiggins said that when firefighters...

Briefly

Bloodmobile The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at O'Berry Center. Donors will receive a coupon for a free car wash. Wristband for blood Wayne County...

Pikeville man's grass is ticklish issue

PIKEVILLE -- A resident asked the Pikeville Board of Commissioners to send him a citation on his lawn at the board's meeting Monday night. In the public forum portion of the meeting, Dennis Lewis presented the board with ways in...

Duplin struggles to hold line on budget

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin commissioners will continue today trying to pull together a budget without raising taxes. Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed $42.6 million budget Monday night and planned to start back with work sessions again at 2...

Board approves interim operating budget

The Board of Education approved an interim operating budget Monday night, allowing the school system to maintain its fiscal operation without interruption during the months of July, August, and September. The $37.1 million budget figure represents one quarter of the...

WCC's latest Renaissance biggest yet

The 21st edition of Renaissance, Wayne Community College's writers and artists magazine, was its biggest yet, and according to its editors, the best yet. The 2005 issue of the magazine contains 64 pages with more than 125 pieces of prose,...

Monday, June 6, 2005

The boys of summer

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Wayne County's Matthew Holloman dives back to first base as Snow Hill's Chip Wall waits to receive the pick-off attempt from pitcher Blake Taylor on Sunday night at Scarborough Field. For more information see Wayne County rallies...

Base jets help bring flyer home

A Texas family said goodbye to a missing hero Tuesday after more than 50 years of waiting to bring him home. Capt. Troy G. "Gordie" Cope was flying an F-86 Sabrejet when he was shot down over China by a...

Former Extension Director Lois Britt dies

Lois Britt, a retired Duplin County Cooperative Extension director, was found dead Saturday afternoon at her home in the Beautancus community. She was 69. Mrs. Britt worked for 34 years for the Cooperative Extension Service in Duplin, the last 14...

More jurors summoned in Lane trial

Questioning of a new jury pool started today in Wayne County Superior Court in the murder trial of Eric Lane. Lane, 33, is charged with the rape and murder of 5-year-old Precious Whitfield three years ago. Lane's first trial ended...

County declared 'storm ready'

Wayne County will be recognized Tuesday as one of 32 counties in the state identified as a "storm ready community." Two representatives from the Raleigh office of the National Weather Service will present the county with a letter and special...

Commission will hear fireworks proposal

Pikeville and Berkeley Mall are asking Wayne County commissioners for permission to host a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. The board is expected to approve the resolution that would allow the town to hold a public celebration on July...

Public records

Speed blamed in fatal crash Excessive speed was blamed for the one-car wreck in which two people died last week, according to a Highway Patrol trooper's report. The driver, Christopher Dale Harrell, 31, and his passenger, his mother, Brenda Lee...

Sunday, June 5, 2005

Commissioners plan trip to Hawaii

Four members of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and the board's clerk are planning to attend the annual convention of the National Association of County Commissioners next month in Honolulu, Hawaii. The trip will cost Wayne taxpayers about $10,000....

Drug court to help families reunite

Wayne County will soon launch a new court program that is intended to get parents off drugs and alcohol and reunite them with their children. Funded by a federal grant, Wayne Family Treatment Court will begin in July. It will...

Aycock graduate still battling back after two crashes

Amanda Thigpen is starting to get a little stir crazy having to sit around all day while her classmates are enjoying their last summer before college. Family and friends are more patient, painfully aware that only a month ago she...

Their league of dreams

Gary Phiffer put his arms around Ezekiel Gonzales and showed him how a real ball player holds a bat. The field was muddy, and the National Anthem was an afterthought. The players didn't always know where to run or why...

Bureau still intends to close prison camp

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is proceeding with plans to close the federal prison camp at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, although the Seymour Support Council is still hoping for a reprieve. The proposal to close the local camp and...

Council aims to complete budget Monday

The Goldsboro City Council plans to finish the city's 2005-06 budget Monday night. The council has made several changes since the budget was proposed last month, but it still is based on a 65-cents property tax rate, up 5 cents...

Horse clinic at fairgrounds to benefit Relay for Life

A "Horse 'N' Around for A Cure" horse clinic will be held June 25 and 26 at Wayne County Fairgrounds. It will start at 10 a.m. both days. The event is intended to raise money for Relay for Life. Experienced...

Public record

Underwear stolen Two juveniles were caught Friday stealing six pairs of underwear and a woman's girdle, worth $85, from Belk Department Store. According to the police department, the two suspects were observed concealing the items inside their clothing. Once they...

Friday, June 3, 2005

Trailer Fire

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Dudley, Arrington and Indian Springs volunteer fire departments responded to a mobile home fire early today on Jones-Joyner Lane in Dudley. The home of Ervin Jones was destroyed by the fire. Jones got out of the home...

Commissioners eye budget, consider cuts

The Wayne County Commissioners are trying to avoid a hefty tax hike for property owners, so they are asking the county manager for additional budget information. The board asked County Manager Lee Smith Wednesday to give them a risk assessment...

County wants money details from schools

County commissioners are waiting for an accounting of the school's fund balance to help them make budget decisions. County Manager Lee Smith told commissioners earlier this week he had requested a full analysis of the school system's fund balance, and...

Man, 20, gets time for armed robbery

A 20-year-old man from Dudley has been sentenced to about 10 to 15 years in prison for his part in last year's armed robbery of three young men and the attempted armed robbery of two convenience stores. Ivan Devon Harvey...

Municipalities meet to discuss new radio system

Wayne County asked local municipalities Thursday to support the county's efforts to install a new radio system allowing all emergency responders within Wayne County to communicate. The plan, which would be phased in over the next three years, was presented...

Public Records

Blaze destroys double-wide DUDLEY -- A predawn fire, caused by unattended cooking, destroyed an older double-wide mobile home at 186 Jones and Joyner Lane, a fire official said today. Dudley Fire Chief Kendall Lee said the resident was cooking, then...

Bryant sentenced for rape, assaults

A man who had robbed and assaulted small shopkeepers and raped a woman two years ago in eastern North Carolina has been sentenced to 55 to 68 years in prison for his crimes in Wayne County. Marcus Devon Bryant, 26,...

Faison officials looking for ways to pay for sewer improvement

FAISON -- The Faison Town Board isn't likely to increase the town's tax rate but residents might see water and sewer costs go up to pay for help pay for utility improvements and repairs, said Mayor Bill Igoe. Members of...

Summer school to start next week in Wayne

Summer school classes start next week for students in the Wayne County Public Schools. Students in grades 3, 5 and 8 who scored at a level 1 or 2 on the end-of-grade tests in reading or math are eligible to...

Stand for Children Day observed in Warsaw

WARSAW -- A small group of advocates for abused and neglected children gathered at Veterans Park in Warsaw on Wednesday to observe Stand for Children Day. Clarette Sutton of the Emotions organization, which sponsored the event, said many children in...

Duplin ministers complete chaplain training program

KENANSVILLE -- Six Duplin ministers recently graduated from a eight-month chaplain training program they participated in at Duplin General Hospital. One of the ministers who took the course was Rev. Gail McNeil, who didn't want to see it end. "It...

Briefly

Yard sale The Wayne County Humane Society will have a yard sale Saturday from 7 until 11 a.m. at Carolina Mini Storage, 1301 Parkway Drive. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society. Car show planned There will be an open car...

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Accident on Edwards Store Road

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Volunteers from the Grantham and Jordan's Chapel fire departments work at the scene of a fatal accident this morning on Edwards Store Road near U.S. 13. For more information see Two die in crash....

Two die in crash

GRANTHAM -- A son and his mother were killed Wednesday night in a one-car accident that was not discovered until today, the Highway Patrol said. The victims were identified as the driver, Christopher Dale Harrell, 31, and the passenger, Brenda...

Charges filed against man in police shooting

A 19-year-old man who allegedly pulled a gun on a Goldsboro police officer and then was shot was charged Wednesday with three felony firearms violations and other offenses. Tremayne Navaris Carmichael, 19, of Beech Street was taken to Wayne Memorial...

Lane wants his lawyers back on case

Eric Glenn Lane, accused of murdering a 5-year-old girl, now wants his standby lawyers to represent him in his death-penalty case. It was the latest in a series of twists in the first-degree murder trial in Wayne County Superior Court....

Sen. Burr learns about Wayne reading program

Sen. Richard Burr found out first-hand Wednesday about Wayne County's Reach Out and Read program when he visited Carolina Adult and Pediatric Center. "What's your name?" asked 4-year-old Corie Stanley, as Burr seated himself at the reading table in the...

Council sets new hearing on annexation

Annexation opponents will get another chance this month to convince the Goldsboro City Council that they don't want to be part of the city. The council has announced it will have a new public hearing on whether the city should...

Public records

Speed listed as cause of fatal crash A 21-year-old airman who was killed early Sunday in a one-car wreck on U.S. 13 was traveling north at a high rate of speed, state Highway Patrol Trooper J.L. Graham wrote in his...

Briefly

Salvation Army change announced Captain John Leidy of the Goldsboro Salvation Army will assume the responsibilities of the Cleveland and Rutherford counties Salvation Army programs beginning in late July. He will be leaving Goldsboro at the end of June, and...

Wayside facility for recovering women addicts needs help

Wayne County's only residential facility for recovering women addicts doesn't have enough money to operate. Wayside Fellowship Home has relocated its residents to other facilities until it can get some help, said Ada Melvin, director. She estimates it will take...

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Swinging for the sky

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Tarmarcus Jones, left, swings while Nya Thomason, right, gives Malik Randolph a little extra push at Herman Park Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday was a great day for swinging with temperatures in the low 80s and only a few...

Lane trial gets jury restart ... again

The first-degree murder trial of Eric Glenn Lane took another twist Tuesday afternoon in Wayne County Superior Court. The trial was stopped abruptly after 12 jurors had been seated, and a new jury selection was ordered because of a legal...

Commissioners look at budget proposal

Wayne County commissioners will spend another two hours today looking for ways to keep from raising the property tax rate. The board spent two hours Tuesday reviewing its priorities, set in January, and seeing how the proposed budget was going...

Goldsboro acquires lights from street mall in Raleigh

Goldsboro might never have Raleigh's nightlife, but thanks to a bargain-hunting contractor, the city now has some of the capitol's nightlights. The city purchased about 50 light fixtures that once adorned Fayetteville Street Mall. Raleigh is converting the pedestrian mall...

Ken Dilda plans for more time on the porch

MOUNT OLIVE -- Ken Dilda has resigned as president of the historical society and plans to spend more time at the museum, where the porch has been named in his honor. Dilda announced he was resigning the night before the...

Public records

Drug charges A Fremont man wanted by Johnston County authorities was arrested Tuesday by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad and charged with two felony drug offenses and misdemeanor violations. Antwan Ralph Brown, 23, of Bayberry Circle had been convicted in...

Jury to decide who controls Mount Olive alley

MOUNT OLIVE -- A jury will decide who controls an alley in downtown Mount Olive, the town or the owners of adjacent property. Judge Paul Jones decided Tuesday in Wayne Superior Court that the case involving the town and Rick...

Briefly

The Main Event will headline Jam The Main Event Band will try to live up to its name in downtown Goldsboro Thursday evening. The band will be making its first appearance at Center Street Jam, but it performs dozens of...

Policy set for naming WCC buildings

The Wayne Community College Board of Trustees recently adopted a policy setting criteria for naming new buildings on campus. Building names will recognize significant service or a major financial contribution to the college, the trustees said. They will receive a...

Wayne businessman to attend national conference

Darius L. Pemberton, the owner and operator of Pemberton Financial Group, has been invited to attend a meeting of the National Republican Congressional Committtee's Business Advisory Council in Washington, D.C. The council is seeking input from business owners across the...

Home nursing aide honored

For nursing assistant Lorraine Cannady, taking care of someone suffering from a terminal illness isn't a job, it's a labor of love. Mrs. Cannady, who works for Home,Health and Hospice, was named Nursing Assistant of the Year by the state...

72 receive diplomas from Princeton High

PRINCETON -- Seventy-two seniors graduated last week from Princeton High School. The ceremony was held in the new gymnasium. Valedictorian Karter Yutzy and salutatorian Bren Hall spoke to the class and the audience of parents, relatives and friends. Senior Josh...