October 2005 archives

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Monday, October 31, 2005

Fall Festival

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Rhyme University celebrated a Fall Festival today with all the students in costume going from class to class where they were given a goodie. Pictured above left to right are Michael James, Hailey Newell, Zachery Copeland, Colin...

Fundraising planned for Paramount

It has been nearly seven months since the Paramount Theater burned down, and many city residents still don't know much about plans to rebuild Goldsboro's historic building. Timothy Lanton, 36, remembers the sights and smells of the February fire and...

Vets say testing will stop bird flu

Local poultry producers are keeping an eye on the avian influenza virus that is spreading across the world, but they are confident screening processes used in this country will keep the disease from infecting flocks here. But that doesn't mean...

Prepare to be scared, or maybe not ...

The popularity of the most recent Star Wars movie has many young trick-or-treaters planning to hit the streets tonight dressed as characters from the film. Target store manager Holly McGlaughon said children have sought out Halloween costumes based on "Star...

More tenants on way for shopping center

The tenants keep coming for Goldsboro's Berkeley Commons shopping center. Developer Connell Radcliff of 1st Carolina Properties said Old Navy is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Rack Room Shoes and rue 21, a clothing store geared toward teens,...

Long hours, new system makes finding rescue volunteers tough

Some of the rescue volunteers in Wayne and Duplin counties disagree about what's causing their rosters to reach an all-time low. "Come volunteer and spend two nights a week training and give up all your nights and weekends," one volunteer...

Mount Olive bag plant buys out competitor

MOUNT OLIVE -- The manaager of the Hilex Poly plant in Mount Olive said her company has purchased its closest competitor. Kim Bowers said Hilex Poly bought out Vanguard Plastics. The acquisition makes Hilex Poly the largest plastic bag manufacturing...

Pets compete in costume contest

There was the dapper cowboy lizard, the Chesapeake Bay retriever dressed from head to tail in a pink elephant costume, and so many more animals, all of whom competed in Saturday's pet costume contest co-sponsored by Pet Supplies "Plus" and...

Wayne schools observe Make a Difference Day

For this year's "Make a Difference Day," students, teachers and administrators in Wayne County Public Schools did their part to help those who can't help themselves. The USA Weekend Magazine's annual event was held Saturday, Oct. 22. The weekly magazine...

Public records

5 hurt in wrecks Five people were injured and damages were estimated at $42,500 in six recent traffic collisions in Wayne County, officers reported. *A driver was injured and both cars were demolished in a collision at 11:50 a.m. Sunday...

Photo contest venue changed to Billie's

The location for the Arts Council of Wayne County's Thursday photo contest has been changed. Originally scheduled to be held at the old firehouse on Ash Street, it will now take place in front of Billie's Backstreet restaurant. All other...

Goldsboro parade entries sought

The Goldsboro Jaycees' Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. in downtown Goldsboro. The theme of this year's parade will be "The Gift of Giving" and entries for the parade are now being accepted. The deadline for...

Carver to hold Fall Festival Saturday

MOUNT OLIVE -- Carver Elementary School will hold its annual Fall Festival on Saturday. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, which is off N.C. 55 East in Mount Olive at 400 Old...

Sunday, October 30, 2005

The Blue Light Special team wins cook-off

Eastern North Carolina barbecue was on the menu Saturday at the second annual Feast in the East at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fairgrounds. Fifteen cook-off teams participated in the Swinefest, sponsored by the Arts Council of Wayne County. The teams...

Convalescent president convicted

The president of Convalescent Transport Inc., which has offices in Goldsboro and other cities, has been convicted by a federal district court jury of 343 counts of health care fraud and three other offenses. Brian Conner will be sentenced next...

Ministering with his music

Every fall, Mitch Ham says he gets the fever to record some of his music. The fever broke a year ago while he was attending a worship conference in the Great Smoky Mountains. "I was in my room praying that...

Officers want to talk to man seen at school

The man who roamed the hallways at Rosewood Elementary School and evaded law enforcement officers for two hours Thursday has been identified as a man from Durham, Sheriff Carey Winders said. But Conrad Alexander Burke, 26, will not be charged,...

City taking aim at litter bugs

Candy wrappers, cigarette butts, pizza boxes, a rusted out washer and dryer and one rotted out tire. Litter bugs are swarming the city and leaving their mark in various ways. Mayor Al King said as he drove down Ash Street...

'Life Savers Program' teaches students importance of saving

Fifth grade teachers at Tommy's Road Elementary School are banking on a program designed to teach students about the importance of saving for the future. The "Life Savers Program," launched last year through a grant, was so successful that several...

Kayaking grandmother tests the waters by pursuing degree

WILMINGTON -- It is 6:30 a.m. as Kristen Whitmore enters the surf with her flat bottom kayak. She calls it "dawn patrol," when the clouds are still pink and the wind soft. She says it's her favorite time of day,...

Wayne Red Cross assisted 51 families who were victims of fire

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross assisted 51 families last year who were victims of fires. When local fire departments respond to a home fire, the Red Cross also answers the call, according to Teresa Williams, disaster...

Wayne County Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *Fanaro Devell Kornegay, 31, Randall Lane, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 20 to 24 months. *Gary Lamarcus Langston, 16, East North Street, Fremont, breaking and entering of...

United Way still pushing to meet goal

Unlike any other United Way branch in the state, or even the nation, United Way of Wayne County has two goals it would like to accomplish in the upcoming year. Aside from its monetary goal, Executive Director Steve Parr said...

Public record

Armed Robbery Jennifer Mynhier of Cashwell Drive told Goldsboro police that an unknown black male showed a handgun and demanded cash from her early Saturday morning in the parking lot of Bicycle World in the 2200 block of E. Ash...

Festival offers alternative for trick or treat

When Timothy Whitfield first came to the W.A. Foster Recreation Center, the surrounding neighborhood had seen its share of violence and other scary activities on Halloween. However, for the past four years, Whitfield has made it his mission to provide...

Northeast Duplin Communities Library will be open for viewing

ALBERTSON -- The Northeast Duplin Communi-ties Library is almost ready to open, and people will be able to go inside during the upcoming fund-raising event there. The new library is in the former Peary Davis home at the intersection of...

J.B. Price elected to Civitan post

J.B. Price has been elected to serve as Civitan Lt. Governor of Area 6 for the 2005-2006 term. Area 6 consist of seven Civitan clubs, Clayton, Four Oaks, Goldsboro, Greenville, Kenly, Kinston and Smithfield. He will be required to visit...

Franklin Baking to hold barbecue for Katrina victims

Franklin Baking Company will hold a barbecue chicken cookout Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the company, 607 N. Carolina St. The cookout is open to the public with all proceeds going to the Flowers Foods...

Bertha King fair share finalist

Bertha King has been selected as the sixth finalist in the United Way Fair Share Challenge. She is employed with WAGES Headstart. The Fair Share Challenge is sponsored by Goldsboro Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Anyone who gives their fair share (one...

Wayne County District Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *April Tubbs-Chase, 30, U.S. 117 North, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, not guilty. *Theresa Oates Hill, 34, South Church Street, Mount Olive, second-degree trespass and harassing phone call,...

Friday, October 28, 2005

Tenants told not to worry as city condemns apartments

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Tenants Charles Brown, Christopher Boykin and William Kornegay read a letter of reassurance posted on Angela Armstrong's door after the condemnation was ordered by Goldsboro City Council. For more information see City order surprises tenants....

City order surprises tenants

The sound of staples driving through vinyl siding stirred the tenants of Wayne-East Apartments Thursday morning. Christopher Boykin wasn’t feeling well, but heard the noise coming from outside, got up and opened his apartment door. “Condemned?” he asked after...

Man sought after scare at Rosewood Elementary

Officials are working today to squelch rumors that child was abducted at Rosewood Elementary School, and are investigating reports of a suspicious person at the school on Thursday. Ken Derksen, public information officer for Wayne County Public Schools, said this...

Neighborhood speaks out

Cars lined Maplewood Drive Thursday as nearly 50 residents turned out for the second in a series of city-sponsored neighborhood meetings. Neighbors, city officials and councilmen gathered on Maplewood Racquet Club's tennis courts to meet, greet and discuss pressing issues...

Growth, flights cut into local marijuana production

Wayne County's growing population and the subsequent shrinking of open spaces have put a crimp on marijuana production. "Our population makes it difficult for growing marijuana," Sheriff Carey Winders said Thursday. At the same time, Winders said, hunters are finding...

Aviation pioneer will be honored

An astronaut, three aerial combat aces, private pilots and proud citizens will convene in the town of Coats Saturday, Nov. 5, to honor a pioneer aviator. The occasion will be the unveiling of an historical marker dedicated to the late...

Public records

16th drug arrest A 16th person was arrested Thursday by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and charged with felony drug offenses as a result of a year-long undercover drug campaign. Tony Paul Young, 29, of Mill Creek Court was charged...

Playing from her heart and with a lot of faith

MOUNT OLIVE - Carolyn Jean Watson, a senior piano performance major at Mount Olive College, said she knows the healing power of music. It has not cured the blindness she developed at age 3 or helped her avoid the recurrent...

Feast in the East will sort winners from losers

The pork cook-off at the second annual Feast in the East won't begin until tonight, but competitive juices have already begun to flow. Fifteen teams will square off at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fairgrounds in the cook-off, sponsored by the...

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Traffic stop yields drug charges

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Wayne County Sheriff's ACE Team, from left, Randy Thompson, Chris Worth, Jerry Maxwell and Mike Cox after finding 100 packets of heroin after stopping a sport utility vehicle. The weapons they are holding were seized from a...

Heroin, 8 guns seized in arrest

Following a routine traffic stop, the Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team, a division of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, seized 100 bags of heroin, $1,400 in cash and eight firearms. Daryl Pittman, 38, of LaGrange, was stopped in the Hood Swamp...

City meeting helps erase eyesore

Gunshots, drug deals, dilapidated houses occupied by potentially dangerous people and plenty of fire ants. Kornegay Street residents voiced these concerns Sept. 16 at the first of Goldsboro's city-sponsored neighborhood meetings. The goal of the gatherings, which will continue in...

Duplin still looking for tank shooter

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Sheriff's Office is seeking information about the shooting of two water tanks, one in the Summerlin's Crossroads area of Duplin County and the other near Kenansville. Capt. Stanley Jones with the Duplin County Sheriff's Office...

Mental health reform debate continues

MOUNT OLIVE -- Secretary of Health and Human Services Carmen Hooker Odom has softened her position on how to overcome a $28 million shortfall in the state's mental health budget. But if local providers don't choose their new partners as...

Public records

Man on moped dies after Oct. 16 crash A Goldsboro man whose moped was struck by a pickup truck Oct. 16 at North William Street and Stronach Avenue died this week in Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. The victim,...

Blood drive Friday

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a blood drive Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Chevrolet Cadillac of Goldsboro. Donors will receive an Adam's Auto coupon for a free car wash....

Family Y planning spooky fun Saturday

The Goldsboro Family Y is having a party from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Saturday for ghoulies and goblins. It's time for some spooky, silly fun, senior program director Hal Warner said when he announced the party and invited the children...

Pikeville cat to appear on December page of calendar

A Pikeville cat named Runt will appear on the December page of a 2006 calendar coming out soon. Runt's owner, Suzanne and Jeffrey Tyner of Pikeville, submitted a photo that was chosen for the 2006 edition of the Marley Fund...

Eureka parade set for December 11

EUREKA -- The town of Eureka will hold its Christmas Parade at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, with line-up at 2 p.m. on Davis Street. The parade will go down Church Street, West Main (N.C. 222), Baker Street, Martin...

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

A promise kept

News-Argus/Phyllis Moore Jonathan Jones, band director and soccer coach at Grantham School, gets his first haircut in more than a year from Debra Britt of House of Styles. Jones had offered to get his hair cut as an incentive...

Jet piece lands in S.C. family's yard

A Bowman, S.C., family got a surprise Monday night when a 6-inch part from a Seymour Johnson Air Force Base F-15E Strike Eagle landed in their back yard. The pylon ejector foot, which is used in the missile launching process,...

County museum searches for new director

The Wayne County Museum will have a new director soon after members of the county's Historical Association decided to change the direction of and personnel at the facility, officials said today. Association President Louis Marriner Jr. said the group will...

Pay raise would help teachers in Wayne

Edgewood Community Developmental School principal Tasha Christian Adams said she learned about the governor's plan to raise public school teachers' salaries a couple of months ago through the North Carolina Associ-ation of Educators, where she serves as a district officer...

14th arrest made in raid; six still sought

A 14th person was arrested Tuesday by Wayne County authorities as a result of a year-long undercover drug campaign against street and mid-level dealers. Thirteen people had been arrested in a predawn sweep by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad, sheriff's...

City firefighters learn how to save trench collapse victims

Goldsboro firefighters are learning how to rescue victims from collapsed trenches. New construction in the city and county is making knowing how to extricate victims safely from under piles of dirt more than just a nice skill to have, Assistant...

Public records

Eight people injured in county collisions Eight people were injured and damages were estimated at $78,825 in 10 recent traffic collisions in Wayne County, officers reported. *Three people were injured in a two-vehicle collision at 2:02 p.m. Tuesday at East...

Adopt-a-deputy for Halloween program offered

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office will offer its adopt-a-deputy program for subdivision residents in the county. Subdivision representatives may request that deputies patrol their neighborhoods between 6 and 8 p.m. Halloween night on Monday. The deputies will volunteer their time...

Warsaw plans 85th celebration of Veterans Day

WARSAW -- The Warsaw Chamber of Commerce willl begin celebrating Veterans Day early next weekend. The chamber will sponsor a pre-Veterans Day Celebration to honor veterans in the community at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the First Baptist Church...

Live updates planned for flu clinic

The Health Department plans to give "real time" updates throughout Satur-day's mass flu vaccination clinic at Goldsboro Middle School. The clinic, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., is more than an opportunity to provide protection against the flu virus. It...

Coach makes pact with Grantham School team

A school teacher getting a haircut doesn't usually create a lot of buzz. But Monday afternoon following Grantham School's final volleyball and soccer games for the season, a crowd gathered in the gymnasium lobby to watch Jonathan Jones get clipped....

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Drug arrests

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Antonio Spruill, left, one of about 13 people arrested this morning, is read charges by Wayne County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brian Dawson. More than 20 arrest warrants were issued. For more information see 20 sought in morning...

20 sought in morning drug raid

Twenty street-level and mid-level drug dealers were being sought today in the culmination of a year-long undercover campaign by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad. Most suspects were charged with offenses dealing with cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine or the drug with the...

Council votes to condemn apartments

City Council members voted to condemn a dilapidated apartment building located at 300 Randall Lane at their meeting Monday night. The building contains 24 apartments, with four currently occupied, said Ed Cianfarra, Goldsboro's chief building inspector. "All of the units,...

Wings Over Wayne set for takeoff November 5

Prepare for takeoff. The 2005 Wings Over Wayne Air Show will take place high above Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Nov. 5. Base gates will open at 9 a.m., and the show will begin at 10:30. Aerial performances will include...

Board OKs new rules for homes

FAISON -- Officials say they hope they have put a stop to a problem with dilapidated and abandoned mobile homes in Faison with new rules regarding the structures. The Faison Town Board adopted an amendment to the town's zoning ordinance...

City to observe Halloween on traditional date

Ghosts, goblins and other costumed creatures of the night will be turned loose in neighborhoods across Goldsboro next Monday as city officials observe Halloween. Mayor Al King announced Monday that trick-or-treaters will take the streets between 6 and 8 p.m....

Operation Christmas Child center will be open November 14-20

The local collection center for Operation Christmas Child will be open Nov. 14 to 20 at Adamsville Baptist Church, 1302 N. Berkeley Blvd. Operating hours will be from 3 until 7 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. until...

Public records

Police car rammed by driver in chase A 25-year-old driver rammed a Goldsboro police car today after being stopped following a high-speed, predawn chase, according to police reports. Kimberly Diane Harrison of Beaver Drive, Dudley, was seen while driving erratically...

WAGES offers 'weatherization'

Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, Inc. provides weatherization services for Wayne, Greene and Lenoir counties. The federal Weatherization Assistance Program is managed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity. It is designed...

Blood drive Wednesday

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cherry Hospital. Donors will receive an Adam's Auto coupon for a free car wash....

Monday, October 24, 2005

Candlelight vigil

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit More than 50 people took part in a candlelight vigil Saturday night at the Herman Park gazebo in memory of victims of domestic violence. The vigil was sponsored by the Lighthouse of Wayne County. Survivors of domestic...

City officials struggle to overcome record gas prices

Some people have canceled weekend trips. Others are now carpooling to work and putting their children on the school bus. Many people have changed their routine trying to save a few dollars since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, creating...

Municipal elections are Nov. 8

Residents of Wayne County's municipalities, except Goldsboro, will go to the polls Nov. 8 to choose representatives for their town boards. Municipal elections will be held in Mount Olive, Pikeville, Eureka, Seven Springs and Walnut Creek. The election of representatives...

Flooding problems to be discussed

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive Mayor Ruff Huggins said the committee formed to resolve flooding problems in town will meet next month with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine the town's next step. The meeting is tentatively set for...

Rain hurt profit, but official happy with '05 Wayne fair

Rain put a damper on the profitability of the Wayne Regional Fair this year, cutting into attendance during the fair's final days. But fair officials said they were not discouraged by the wet weather and reduced gate receipts and expect...

Defending Stewfest champs to compete without chief cook

ALBERTSON -- Jamie Grady and her dad keep their trophy for winning last year's Stewfest cook-off displayed on the counter at the R-Mart. She said her dad, Jimmy Johnson, taught her how to cook the award-winning shrimp stew, and they...

Grandmother charged in granddaughter's death to appear in court today

MOUNT OLIVE -- A grandmother charged with murdering her granddaughter was to make a first appearance in court today. Mount Olive Police officials said Carolyn Ann Boyette, 57, of East Slocumb Street in Mount Olive was charged with murder Saturday...

'Sleepy Hollow' production begins Nov. 3

The Center Stage production of 'Sleepy Hollow' will debut Thursday, Nov. 3, and run through Sunday at Herman Park Center. A feature story Sunday incorrectly listed the dates. The correct days and times are Nov. 3, 4 and 5 at...

Public records

Shootings One man was shot at, another was wounded and a home was damaged by gunfire in separate weekend incidents, according to the law-enforcement reports. Richard Elliott, 21, of Fussell Street was walking Tuesday in the 500 block of West...

Gauge size incorrectly listed

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Seven Springs town commissioner Danny Carter said when he told the board during a meeting last week the Army Corps of Engineers wanted to install a 20-by-20 stream gauge on the riverbank behind the River House, he...

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Flu vaccine clinic Saturday

Wayne County Health Department anticipates having 2,050 doses of the flu vaccine on hand at its mass flu vaccination clinic planned for Saturday at Goldsboro Middle School. Saturday's clinic will be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Reporting times...

Make a Difference Day in Wayne

Early-morning fog and the threat of rain didn't dampen the spirits of Wayne County residents as they rolled up their sleeves and pitched in for the 14th annual Make a Difference Day on Saturday. The day culminated a week of...

Grandmother charged in granddaughter's death

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive Police Chief Emmett Ballree said "an argument that just went too far" Saturday resulted in a 57-year-old woman being charged with killing her 21-year-old granddaughter. Carolyn Ann Boyette, 57, 204 E. Slocumb St., has been...

Several honored at Disabilities Awards Luncheon

The Goldsboro Mayor's Committee for Persons With Disabilities honored several members of the community at a luncheon on Friday. "The people we are here to recognize today have dedicated their lives to overcoming challenges and changing stereotypes," said Naomi Collie....

Wayne law enforcement officers display results of drug work

City councilmen and county commissioners often ask law-enforcement officers what they are doing about drug trafficking. The officers usually can say little about current investigations. But Friday they spoke volumes about a two-year, joint undercover operation that resulted in the...

After school programs promoted

In today's society, afterschool programs for all children are not a luxury, but a necessity. This was the main point of a Lights On Afterschool! luncheon held Wednesday at the Wayne Center. Community leaders, school officials and others gathered to...

Volunteer 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...

Wayne County Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *Larry Donnell Jones, 43, South Sycamore Street, Fremont, first-degree child rape, 335 to 411 months (new sentence, appealed); indecent liberties with a minor, 25 to 30 months (new sentence, appealed);...

Salvation Army stockings ready

The Salvation Army will have Christmas stockings ready for pickup Tuesday. The agency is asking community members, civic groups, churches and businesses to fill as many stockings as they can to be distributed to needy children. The stockings are 24-inch...

Mount Olive District Court

Mount Olive District Court These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Ronnie Lee Bowden, 54, Albritton Street, Calypso, fictitious registration, 30 days suspended, 12 months unsupervised probation, $25 fine and costs. *Alton M. Barfield, 42, Harper House...

Military news

Capt. Kenneth Karcher has been named the Marine Aviation Command Control Officer of the year for 2005. The Marine Corps Aviation Association presented the award to Karcher for "meritorious service as detachment officer in charge, weapons and tactics instructor and...

Holiday Open House Nov. 17 in Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE -- Plans are firming up for the upcoming second Holiday Open House in downtown Mount Olive. The open house will be held on Nov. 17 in the Heart of Mount Olive, as it's now called. Organizers are arranging...

Wayne County District Court results

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Laheshia Hardy, 20, LaGrange Road, LaGrange, harassing phone call, not guilty. *Angela Marie Davis, 41, Lanetown Road, Stantonsburg, assault, not guilty. *Tiffany Gibson, Daffodil Drive, Dudley, communicating threats, dismissed. *Danny...

Friday, October 21, 2005

Drug arrests and seizures announced

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Donnie Hanson of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration speaks this morning at Goldsboro City Hall about Operation Goldrush. For more information see 1 million dollars in cash seized in drug raid....

Drug distribution cell dismantled

A two-year investigation into drug trafficking in Wayne County culminated today with the announcement of the conviction of 28 people, including a Mexican lawyer, in federal court and the seizure of $1.6 million in cash, drugs and property. The campaign...

HIV numbers increasing in Wayne County

HIV is spreading in Wayne County. If you doubt it, just ask those living with it on a daily basis. Jeri Barnes has written poems about the disease and its effects over the last decade. The diminutive black woman speaks...

Man guilty of robbing 6 women

A Mount Olive man who brandished a butcher knife to rob three elderly women and overpowered three others in robberies earlier this year was convicted Thursday of nine serious crimes. James Lenair Albrittain, 30, of Oliver Street was sentenced today...

TJ Maxx opens its door Sunday

Retailer T.J. Maxx will open its Goldsboro store in Berkeley Commons on Sunday. The retail clothing store will occupy a 31,000-square-foot location, and is the third store in the new shopping center to open. Ross Dress for Less opened a...

Blue ribbon bugcatchers

Northeast Elementary School fifth-grader Reagan Herndon said she became "hysterical" when she found out the school's Insect Club took first place in the science competition at the N.C. State Fair. "It was a little room just for the bugs and...

Duplin to open two new rescue stations

KENANSVILLE -- A shortage of volunteers has caused another rescue squad to close in Duplin County, and county commissioners have agreed to open two new rescue stations. The new ambulance stations will be at Rose Hill and Kenansville, bringing the...

Power outages reported along U.S. 13

For a few minutes at a time on Wednesday and Thursday, residents and business owners along U.S. 13 north went without power due to problems experienced by Progress Energy. Keith Westbrook, the company's operations manager in Goldsboro, said the temporary...

Schools to observe drug prevention week

The Wayne County Public Schools will participate in one of the nation's oldest and largest illegal drug prevention campaigns next week. During the week of Oct. 24, several schools will take part in "Red Ribbon Week," an effort promoting learning...

Public record

Drug raid An investigation conducted by the Goldsboro/ Wayne County Drug Squad resulted in the arrests of Dearron J. Lewis, 31, and Detoya Quinte Lewis, 28, at a residence on Mill Street in Fremont. Both were charged with possession with...

Blood drive scheduled Saturday

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Northwest Elementary School. Donors will receive an Adams Auto coupon for a free car wash....

Thursday, October 20, 2005

A private parade

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Goldsboro High School's trumpet section warms up before performing at the O'Berry Center on Wednesday evening. The bands from Goldsboro High, Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne performed for an enthusiastic crowd at the center. Organizers of the...

U.S. 117 Will be done by next fall

By this time next year, drivers will be able to cruise from Goldsboro to Wilson on U.S. 117 without interference from traffic lights or intersections, state highway officials say. The highway construction project is on schedule, said Bill Jones, public...

Back from the Gulf

Two Goldsboro firefighters who went to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina did not fight any fires or rescue any hurricane victims -- but they did assist hundreds of evacuees at an Alabama shelter. Lt. Rob Loreman and Firefighter Jourdon...

Wayne Community College breaks ground on new technology building

Wayne Community College officials broke ground Wednesday morning for the college's last building project funded by money from a 2000 state bond issue for community colleges and universities. About 70 business and technology students, faculty members and staff attended the...

One-stop voting available today through Nov. 5

The Wayne County Board of Elections kicked off one-stop early voting this morning. One-stop voting for the upcoming municipal elections on Nov. 8 will be in operation at the Elections Board office at 209 S. William St., Goldsboro. Office hours...

Health Department heroines help catch purse-snatchng suspect

Five mild-mannered Health Department workers by day are Wayne County's newest "SWAT Team" since turning into crime-fighters by night recently. After a late day at the office Oct. 13, the women exited the building around 7 p.m. bound for the...

Public records

Quick response leads to arrest A quick response by Goldsboro police to a burglar alarm before dawn today at a convenience store led to the arrest of a 23-year-old man who was inside. Officers L.T. Bethea and C. Burack arrived...

WCC planning 'Mardi Gras' Friday for storm victims

Wayne County residents are being urged to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina Friday while enjoying a taste of Mardi Gras. "Mardi Gras North" will be held at Wayne Community College. The college is inviting the public to attend the...

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Afternoon fire

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Mount Olive Assistant Chief Greg Wiggins stands in front of a burning house at 403 E. Nelson St. in Mount Olive Tuesday afternoon. The house, valued at $40,000, received an estimated $15,000 in damage. The damage to...

Recent rainfall didn't quench drought worries

For once, a storm might have aided Wayne County residents, but not enough to stop local officials from worrying about looming drought conditions. Rainfall fueled by Tropical Storm Tammy pulled the county out of drought conditions last week, according to...

Auditor: Fremont's outlook not rosy, but not gloomy

FREMONT -- Fremont does not have a rosy economic picture, but it is not as gloomy as it has been, an auditor told the town board at its monthly meeting Tuesday. Phyllis Pearson, an auditor with the firm of Petway,...

13 Wayne children bring goats to State Fair

Plenty of pastel-colored plaid shirts, shiny oval belt buckles, worn-down cowboy boots and dozens of dark blue jeans were needed to prepare the children representing Wayne County at this year's North Carolina State Fair. And let's not forget their goats....

Mount Olive hopefuls square off in first debate of election season

MOUNT OLIVE -- About 60 Mount Olive residents listened Tuesday night as candidates for the town board described how they could help improve the town's government. All six seats on the town board are up for election Nov. 8, including...

Officials ask residents for input on Stoney Creek

As night fell on Stoney Creek Park Tuesday, city officials and area residents met to discuss its future. Roughly 40 Goldsboro residents gathered at the Herman Park Center for a public forum sponsored by the Stoney Creek Park Development Committee....

La. family is starting life over in Wayne

A family who lost everything in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina is starting life over in Wayne County thanks to a local church. Pine Forest United Methodist Church has adopted the Morris family and set them up in a home here....

Public records

Fire calls Patetown volunteer firefighters put out a truck fire and an outbuilding fire, but both structures were destroyed, Chief John Gardner said Tuesday. A fire on Tuesday also destroyed a bailing shed near Fremont, Chief Donnie Wilkerson said. A...

Fremont resident complains about drainage problems

FREMONT -- A Fremont man told the Fremont Town Board on Tuesday night that a town storm drain has caused problems on his property and adjacent properties at the intersection of Cross Street and Charles Drive. Darren Flowers said the...

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Speeding to the hospital

News-Argus/Bobby Williams An unidentified woman, left, explains to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office officer why she was traveling more than 100 mph in the northbound lanes of U.S. 117 Monday morning. She told officers she was transporting her grandson...

Race to ER sparks chase

"She just panicked" was how one officer described the situation. An unidentified woman was taking her grandson to Goldsboro for X-rays Monday, when he developed seizures from a fall on his head the day before, officers said. The woman reached...

Two airmen die in crash in Greene County

Two Seymour Johnson Air Force Base airmen died Saturday afternoon when their motorcycle hit a pickup truck and then a car at an estimated speed of 130 mph. Airman 1st Class Dustin Cichon, 22, of Lakeland, Fla., and Senior Airman...

New prison superintendent named

Robert Hines has come home. The Rosewood resident is the new superintendent of Wayne Correctional Center on Stevens Mill Road. Hines, who has worked 28 years in the prison system, never really left the area. For the past four years,...

Feast in the East still needs vendors

There is still time to sell food or crafts at this year's Feast in the East, organizers say. The second annual Eastern North Carolina Barbecue Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 28-29, at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair-grounds....

Hospital welcomes new chaplain

Suzanne Franklin didn't know what aspect of the ministry she would like to go into when she finished seminary. But after spending two years in pastoral care at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, she found it to be a perfect...

He may be restaurant's next 'Jared'

Trying to live a healthy lifestyle is already paying off for one fifth-grader in Wayne County. Jose Ferretti Alyea, 11, a student at St. Mary School, has been named one of 10 Subway Champions from across the country to receive...

Public records

Mobile home fire A single-wide mobile home at 475 Nor-Am Road was destroyed Monday in a fire of an undetermined cause, a fire official said. Little River Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Aycock said the resident smelled smoke, looked toward her...

Monday, October 17, 2005

A tribute to service

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Shirley Grice, front, left, addresses the crowd Sunday at the National Guard Armory during the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the members of the 230th Support Battalion in recognition of their service as part of the...

Schools not happy with consultant idea

Some Wayne County Board of Education members aren't too happy about a suggestion the county commissioners might consider hiring a consultant to review the school system's facilities plan -- even before the county has received an official copy. During a...

Monument pays tribute to soldiers

For Rebecca Outlaw, the worst part about her son, Carl's 10-month deployment with the 230th Support Battalion of the Army National Guard was the waiting. "You worried all the time about them," she said. "You wanted to feel like you...

He's 7, and he has a new CD

When Blake Price becomes a famous country music singer, remember you read about him here first. The 7-year-old Dudley boy released his first CD two weeks ago, and it is selling in local stores. He and his family hope one...

Mass flu shot clinic scheduled

The Wayne County Health Department is planning to hold a mass flu vaccination clinic Saturday, Oct. 29, at Goldsboro Middle School on Lionel Street. Clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic is designed to prevent people from...

After-school program Wednesday

The Wayne County Lights On After School program will hold a luncheon Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Wayne Center to discuss the importance of after-school programs. It is open to school officials, community leaders, parents and students. Lights On...

Public records

2 women robbed Two women were robbed Saturday in a driveway in the 100 block of Orbit Road by three people, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report. The resident, Tammy L. Thomas, told deputies that the suspects grabbed...

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Board still studying liability release

A controversial policy designed to protect the school system in case a student is injured while on a field trip is still under review by the school board's attorney, while school officials are also weighing concerns about another requirement that...

Prices will affect some city projects

Strolling down cracked, deteriorating sidewalks might become more commonplace across the city as increased fuel prices have pushed the cost of construction materials sky-high, city officials learned this week. Effective this month, the cost of asphalt and concrete will increase...

Wayne relief effort nets $125,000

Some took hammers to their piggy banks. Others gave a pint of blood. They did it on the Internet, at the office and in home-room. A few even walked to City Hall one September morning in the rain. Wayne County...

Volunteers can make a difference

Wayne County residents are making a difference at home this week during the annual Make A Difference Week campaign. The event is sponsored nationally by the Points of Light Foundation and USA Weekend magazine and locally by Volunteer Wayne, United...

Elizabeth Rowe at State Fair

For some livestock show competitors at this year's North Carolina State Fair, having one animal to shepherd around the ring will be enough. Elizabeth Rowe, 13, of Dudley will guide five goats during her stay in Raleigh -- although not...

Collision remains under investigation

A collision in which a bicyclist was killed Thursday night on U.S. 13 South remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol. Douglas Alan Harrell, 21, of 147 Hood Drive was riding north at about 9:16 p.m. when his bike was...

Candidates forum Tuesday in Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE -- The public is invited to attend a candidates forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Senior Citizen's Center at 711 N.W. Center St. in Mount Olive. The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the forum...

Wednesday early dismissal day in Wayne

Students in Wayne County Public Schools will be dismissed early on Wednesday in order for teachers to attend staff development workshops. This is one of ten days set aside in the school calendar for student early dismissal. Additional minutes have...

Wayne native Edwards honored

Matthew Edwards, Ph.D., a professor of physics at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in Huntsville, Ala., received the Emerald Honors Award in Research Science at the Minor-ities in Re-search Science Conference in September in Baltimore. A 1965 graduate of Central...

Volunteer 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...

Veterans Day parade planned

Wayne County's 2005 Veterans Day parade will be held on Friday, Nov. 11, in downtown Goldsboro. It be-gins at 11 a.m. Organizer George Carberry said the event will pay special tribute to the National Guard Reserve and active duty military...

Superior Court news

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *Larry Donnell Jones, 43, South Sycamore Street, Fremont, first-degree child rape, 335 to 411 months (new sentence); indecent liberties with a minor, 25 to 30 months (new sentence); lewd and...

Student news

George Reeve Silver Jr. of Goldsboro was awarded the degree of doctor of veterinary medicine by St. George's University during a ceremony held at the Head-quarters of the United Nations in New York City. Dr. Silver plans to continue his...

School lunch menus

The following are breakfast and lunch menus for Wayne County Public Schools for the week of Oct. 17-21. Monday --Breakfast: Blueberry Pop Tart. Lunch: Baked chicken nuggets with fresh-baked roll, ham and cheese on a bun, whipped potatoes with gravy,...

Museum undergoing revitalization

Wayne County Historical Association officials are working to modernize the museum, now in its 18th year in the old Goldsboro Woman's Club building. "We're turning it upside-down, so to speak," said Louis Marriner, Jr., Historical Association president. "It's been the...

Mount Olive District Court

These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Robert Harold Ray Jr., 47, Radford Drive, Goldsboro, driving while license revoked, 15 days active, 120 days suspended, 12 months supervised probation and costs. *Sandra Tolbert Denton, 38, Indian Springs...

Military news

Michael M. King has been promoted to the rank of senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. King, a personnel programs superintendent, is assigned to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. He has served in the military for...

Goldsboro Fire Dept. puts out eight major fires

The Goldsboro Fire Department put out eight major fires that resulted in about $77,850 in damages in September. Two residential fires occurred Sept. 6 at homes at 1203 Harris St. and 102 Brookshire Drive. The Harris Street fire was referred...

Diane Kester wins honor

WINSTON-SALEM -- Dr. Diane Kester of Goldsboro was presented the North Carolina Librarian's Association's Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization's 56th Biennial Conference in September in Winston-Salem. Kester worked as a librarian in the Wayne County schools before earning her...

Author Catherine Guess will give concert, sign new book

Author/composer Catherine Ritch Guess has selected Goldsboro and the neighboring areas of Farmville and Snow Hill for the setting of her latest novel, "'Tis So Sweet," the first of a seven-book series all set in the local area. "'Tis So...

Artist Cheryl Hooks will exhibit works at Arts Council

"Meditations, Our Defining Symbols" opens Oct. 23 at the Arts Council of Wayne County. The exhibition includes about 75 works including acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings as well as a number of photographs. Artist Cheryl Hooks describes her images as...

District Court news

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Mohssen Almojadid, South Slocumb Street, communicating threats, not guilty. *Frank Aguirre Jr., 22, Bryant Circle, assault on a female and communicating threats, not guilty. *Laurence Nicholas Hatem Jr., 43, Dawson...

Public record

Investigations The Goldsboro Police Department is investigating the following crimes: *Travis Levon James of West Mulberry Street told police he was shot in the leg during an argument around 3 a.m. Saturday while he was on a sidewalk. He said...

Friday, October 14, 2005

Wayne Motel

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Workers for A/K Grading and Demolition of LaGrange take down the Wayne Motel on U.S. 70 West Thursday. Best Commercial and Development has purchased the motel and the 5 acres it sits on. For more information see...

Motel comes down

A Goldsboro landmark is being torn down, and speculation has already begun about what type of business might take its place. The Wayne Motel on U.S. Highway 70 is being demolished to make way for development. The motel and the...

Bicyclist killed by truck on U.S. 13

A 21-year-old man was killed Thursday night after his bicycle was struck by a tractor-trailer truck on U.S. 13 South, the Highway Patrol said. The victim was identified as Douglas Alan Harrell of 147 Hood Drive. The collision occurred at...

20 years and still frying

Eight hundred pounds of fish; 160 gallons of oil; and thousands of children whose lives will be changed forever. For members of the Wayne Shrine Club, there is only one reason to get up at 6:45 a.m., haul fish and...

Sewer project ready by 2006

PIKEVILLE -- Pikeville's sewer plant construction is on schedule, said Town Administrator Lonnie Graves. Graves said he hopes the plant will open next spring. "All the pipes are in the ground," Graves said. "They found a couple places were there's...

Public records

4 hurt in accidents Four people were injured and damages were estimated at $65,400 in six recent traffic collisions in Wayne County, officers reported. *A driver tried to squeeze a tractor-trailer truck under the railroad bridge across North Carolina Avenue...

Activities planned to increase awareness of domestic violence

A candlelight vigil and a poster contest are just some of the activities that the Lighthouse of Wayne County is sponsoring for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The candlelight vigil will be held Oct. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at...

Goldsboro-Wayne NAACP to celebrate 60th anniversary

The Goldsboro-Wayne branch of the NAACP will celebrate its 60th anniversary Nov. 4 in the H.V. Brown Hall of Dillard Alumni Cultural Center on Poplar Street. Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. The anniversary celebration will feature a banquet and Freedom...

Blood drive scheduled

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mays Chapel Church. Donors will receive an Adam's Auto coupon for a free car wash....

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Water problems loom for Duplin

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County residents might soon have to watch how much water they are using -- and not because of the recent vandalism to two county water tanks, either. Duplin lies on the western edge of a what officials...

Lighthouse thrift store is permanently closed

The Lighthouse of Wayne County's thrift store has closed permanently. Last year, the Lighthouse received a grant to help open the Beacon of Hope thrift store. Co-director Cheri Seronick said donations were up, but sales were down. "The thrift store...

Pork will be king at Arts Council's cook-off during Feast in the East

There will be plenty of pork later this month when the Arts Council of Wayne County presents its third annual Swinefest. As was true last year, the barbecue cook-off will be part of the second annual Feast in the East...

Man with ties to Goldsboro will be honorary chairman of Memory Walk

A man with Goldsboro ties will be the honorary chairman of the Neuse Region Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk Saturday. Dr. John Hope Franklin of Durham is a historian, lifelong civil rights activist and the author of several books. He credits...

City staff completes course in teamwork

City department heads and leaders completed a course in teamwork Sept. 21 and are hoping the result will be a more efficient city government, officials said Monday. Relying heavily on Peter Senge's business bestseller "The Fifth Discipline: The Art and...

WCC Foundation scholarships available

New and returning students who plan to attend Wayne Community College for the spring 2006 semester may apply for Foundation of Wayne Community College scholarships now through Oct. 31. Scholarship applications are available in the foundation office in the Dogwood...

Wilson Whirligig Festival to be held Nov. 5-6

WILSON -- Wilson's first Whirligig street festival will be held in downtown Wilson on Nov. 5 and 6. The two-day event includes free concerts by bluegrass great Doc Watson, the bands Chairmen of the Board and the Super Grit Cowboy...

Public record

Drug arrests The Goldsboro-Wayne County drug squad arrested two Goldsboro people on drug charges and placed one of them, Dionco Rolaan Hamilton, 31, under $100,000 bond. He and Erica O'Neil Johnson, 29, were charged after officers searched their house on...

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Vandalism in Duplin

News-Argus/Bobby Williams This water tank near Summerlin's Crossroads is losing 40 gallons of water a minute from a bullet hole caused by a rifle. The tank will have to be drained before it can be patched. For more information...

County wants third opinion on plan

Wayne County officials will likely call in an outside consultant to review a proposed school building plan before deciding how to proceed, County Manager Lee Smith said Tuesday. The county Board of Education developed a preliminary $130 million building plan...

Rifle shots cause leaks in towers

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County law officers are searching for a vandal or vandals who shot holes in two of the county's water tanks over the weekend, causing huge losses of water in the Summerlin's Crossroad and Kenansville areas. Someone using...

Hospital growth sends departments to new locations

The board of directors for Wayne Memorial Hospital has voted to spend $1.09 million to relocate some departments to accommodate expected growth. Patient Financial Services and Wayne Area Diabetes and Endocrine Center will move to an office building nearly three...

In the eye of Katrina's aftermath

Steve Harrison and Cheryl McAlphin saw the good and the bad while they were in Gulfport, Miss., helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. Neighbors risked their own safety to dig neighbors out of sludge and rubble, while others fought each other...

Store opens in Berkeley Commons

Goldsboro's newest shopping center continues to grow as Bed Bath & Beyond opened its doors Tuesday afternoon in Berkeley Commons. The home furnishings store opened for business just before 4 p.m. after final inspections by fire marshals and city officials....

MOC singers

MOUNT OLIVE -- Ten students have been chosen for this year's Mount Olive College Singers, a song and dance troupe that will perform throughout the year for a variety of audience. Dr. Larry Oldham, professor of music at the college,...

Public record

Breaking and entering The Wayne County Sheriff's Office arrested Michael Jarman Jr., 21, of Stantonsburg on Tuesday, in connection with several residential break-ins that occurred on Watery Branch Church Road in northern Wayne County. Jarman was charged with breaking and...

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

SUV Chase

News-Argus/Bobby Williams Wayne County investigators look over a stolen sport utility vehicle seized Monday after a chase that ended at Creekside For more information see Lawmen chase stolen SUV....

Lawmen chase stolen SUV

Wayne County Sheriff's deputies and Goldsboro police are searching for a suspect that led lawmen on a chase Monday morning before abandoning a stolen vehicle and running away. Sgt. Chris Worth attempted to pull over a 2001 Jeep Cherokee just...

School building plan accepted in Duplin County

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County students will get two new school buildings and renovations at another -- if state money becomes available, the county's commissioners decided Monday. The Duplin County Board of Commissioners voted 4-2 to accept the Board of Education's...

Program will challenge men to 'step up' to family duties

Daniel Hooper knows there is a huge problem in Wayne County with fathers not being proper role models. But knowing about the problem and changing it are two different things, said Hooper, who works as a parent involvement coordinator with...

Flooded roads in Duplin reopened

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin Emergency Services Director Craig Forlines said this morning all the roads closed due to flooding over the weekend have been reopened. Deep Bottom Road and Durwoood Evans Road were open to drivers this morning. Duplin emergency officials...

Map planned for 2005 open house in Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE -- Those who attend the holiday open house in downtown Mount Olive this fall will have a map to direct them to participating merchants. Organizers of the holiday open house set for Nov. 17 are arranging for each...

Students earn spots with MOC Student Government

MOUNT OLIVE -- Several area residents are serving on the Student Government Association at Mount Olive College this year. Ashley Aanenson, a junior, has begun her third year as student council member, serving as junior class vice president. The daughter...

Substitute training planned for Oct. 27

Substitute teacher training will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 at Royall West Common Room, 507 E. Royall Ave. Those planning on attending must obtain a substitute packet from the Royall Avenue building no later than Oct. 24...

Public records

Shooting Deleak Curtis Lofton, 24, of Grantham Street, suffered three gunshot wounds Monday afternoon when an unknown subject got out of a maroon vehicle and began shooting at him with a rifle, according to police reports. The suspect chased Lofton...

Monday, October 10, 2005

New City Hall building

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Officials say construction of the new City Hall building is expected to be completed by February 2006. After that, work will begin on renovating the current City Hall. For more information see City Hall construction on schedule...

City Hall construction on schedule for 2006

Work on the new City Hall building at the corner of Center and Mulberrry streets is on schedule, city officials said today. Assistant City Manager Tasha Logan said construction of the $4.6 million structure should be finished in mid-February. The...

Center offers glimpse at mission

Dr. Frank Farrell, director at O'Berry Center since July 1, said he was taken aback by a TV journalist's reaction during a tour of the facility recently. He said the man had an image of what mental health hospitals were...

Fair could still pay bills after wet weekend

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Director Milton Ingram said crowds were sparse after Saturday's rains on the last night of the fair. As bills begin roll in, Ingram said he hopes the fair will be able to break even. "We had...

Hockey players show disability is no handicap

They crashed the boards and shot the puck. They faced off and made great saves. And they did it in wheelchairs. Saturday night, the Carolina Fury PowerHockey team took the floor at Charles B. Aycock High School to face a...

Opinion -- And Say, 'Thank You'

Sometime back, I did an editorial commenting on the Shriners hospitals that have treated upwards of a million crippled children suffering from birth defects, from injuries suffered in accidents and from severe burns Those hospitals also have attracted and provided...

Public records

Assaults Three people were injured in separate weekend assaults, according to Goldsboro police reports. Otavis McKinney, 17, of South Andrews Avenue was shot in the leg at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday in the 1200 block of Olivia Lane. Police said...

Community Watch program being formed in Faison

FAISON -- Faison residents are being urged to join a Crime Watch program that law enforcement officers say will make their community a safer place. Criminals target small towns with limited law enforcement staff, said Duplin County Sheriff's Deputy Eric...

Wine-Sky to perform at Mayor's Committee annual luncheon

Ross Wine-Sky will entertain at the Goldsboro Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities awards' luncheon. The annual event will be held Friday, Oct. 21, at noon at the Goldsboro Country Club. Tickets will be $12 at the door. Advance tickets...

Information sessions for 50-and-over population scheduled

A series of informative sessions for people age 50 and older will be held beginning Thursday. They are sponsored by Services on Aging, the city of Goldsboro, the county of Wayne, Volunteer Wayne/RSVP, WAGES older adult division, Wayne County Public...

Sunday, October 9, 2005

Rains takes toll on fair profit

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair officials hoped to break even after a wet closing weekend cut into attendance and profits. Rains from Tropical Storm Tammy kept the fair closed on Friday and delayed opening on Saturday, the fair's final day. Fair...

Teachers get more at certain schools

The Board of Education has voted to continue a differential salary incentive in six city schools as a way to retain and recruit highly qualified teachers and improve student performance on tests. The board made a few revisions to the...

Health Department plans flu shot clinic for at-risk groups

The Health Department will have its first flu clinic next week, but only for specific high-risk groups. Health officials say they do not anticipate a shortage of the vaccine this year locally or in the state. The Health Department expects...

Taking hope to Mississippi

The woman walked over to where members of the North Carolina Baptist Men's Relief Program were working to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. "Are you the angels God sent?" she asked. "No," said Ray Gales of Love Memorial Baptist Church...

Program offers help with life, homework

Glenwood Burden Jr. said he has seen many young people influenced by the negative, he decided to offer a positive. The youth director for Gospel Perspective Ministries developed the Good News Gang, a community afterschool program begun in September for...

Fremont firefighters get special response vehicle

FREMONT -- Fremont's volunteer firefighters now can ride in style and carry much of their equipment in their new special response vehicle. The 43-foot truck was turned over to the department Friday. It will be displayed from 2 p.m. to...

Mobile clinic helps control pet population

A trio of animal care workers are helping stem the tide of unwanted pets in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Beverly Shelbourn, a veterinarian, and technicians Carrie Eattock and Lisa Sager run the SNAP-NC mobile clinic that visits Goldsboro about once...

Students show their talents at fair contest

"Ladies and gentlemen, the time has arrived," said Janet Barnes, master of ceremonies for the talent show at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. Wednesday and Thursday, students competed in eight categories for a $10 prize. The money seemed secondary, though,...

Rose Hill volunteer EMS to end service

The Rose Hill Volunteer Emergency Medical Services will no longer answer calls after Friday. The volunteers have been helping paid county paramedics by answering back-up calls on week nights from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. since Oct. 2 last year....

Public records

Investigations Wayne County law enforcement officers are investigating the following incidents: *Alma Rowe reported an unknown subject entered her property at S. Tiffany Road by pushing a window air conditioning unit into the building, and took a color television, valued...

Goldsboro artist among LaGrange show winners

Brenda Behr of Goldsboro was among the winners in the 2005 LaGrange Garden Spot Festival Show and Sale at the La Grange Arts Center. Martha Smith Brooks from Morehead served as the show's juror. She presented the first-place award to...

Applications available for Head Start classes

Applications will be taken for WAGES Head Start and Early Head Start Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Royall Avenue Center, 601 E. Royall Ave.; the Carver Center, 612 S. Breazeale Ave., Mount Olive; and the Pikeville...

Friday, October 7, 2005

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber Emily Dunn at the pony and mule show at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair on Thursday. For more information see A real horse and pony show....

Weather forces early day for fair

A normal Thursday evening at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair would have brought 4,000 people through the gates. Heavy rains this week, brought 425, fair director Milton Ingram said. Forecasts for more rain are making fair officials think twice about...

No fair today

The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair will not open today, said Milton Ingram, fair director. Heavy rains and a forecast of more precipitation throughout the day forced the Friday cancellation. Ingram said plans call for opening Saturday at the normal...

Football games postponed

Forecasts for heavy rain have forced the postponement of some of the high school football games scheduled for tonight in the Wayne County area. *Eastern Wayne at Southern Wayne, postponed until Monday at 6 p.m. *C.B. Aycock at Wilson Beddingfield,...

Flood watch

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Wayne and surrounding counties until 8 p.m. tonight. Tropical moisture brings the potential for heavy rains into the early evening hours. Roads and urban areas are at a higher risk if...

A real horse and pony show

Rains moved the Open Pony and Mule and Horse shows inside at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Thursday, but did not dampen enthusiasm. Showmen young and old showed mules and horses in more than 15 categories in the Livestock Arena....

Ash Street paving is nearly done

Drivers have only a few more days to wait until work on Ash Street is nothing but a memory, the contractor said. Smooth pavement covered jagged potholes on torn-up sections of Ash this week. New lines mark the median and...

Sewer plant project is waiting for state to approve permits

MOUNT OLIVE -- State officials are doing the final review on the last permit for a regional sewer plant. Mount Olive Town Manager Ray McDonald said if everything stays as it is now, it looks like the town will be...

Wayne County teacher earns state math honor

It isn't hard for Tracy Wilson Thomas to recall being a second-grader in Room 24 of Meadow Lane Elementary School. That's because she returns there every day, now as a teacher. "I always wanted to work here," she said. "It...

StageStruck auditions scheduled

An audition will be held for the Missoula Children's Theatre production of "The Frog Prince" on Monday at Goldsboro High School Auditorium from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. Those auditioning should arrive at 4:15 and plan to stay for the full...

Schools seek instruments for bands

Band directors in area middle and high schools say they could use more instruments for students. Dr. Sandra McCullen, associate superintendent for instruction in Wayne County Public Schools, said the school system tries to provide some of the larger instruments...

Public records

2 men charged in drug trafficking Two men were arrested Thursday by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad and charged with felony drug trafficking offenses after a traffic stop in the New Hope community and the search of a home on...

Mount Olive candidate forum to be held Oct. 18

MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a candidates forum Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Senior Citizen's Center at 711 N.W. Center St. The forum will give an opportunity for the community...

An official eye in the sky

The Raven is taking a bite out of marijuana production in Wayne County. The Raven is not a big bird, but the Sheriff's Office helicopter. Sheriff Carey Winders said since the helicopter was put in service in 1999, it has...

Girl Scouts get 5,000 dollar donation

The Wachovia Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Girl Scout Council of Coastal Carolina. The grant is intended to support Girl Scouts who live in community housing. With the extra help, some girls would not be able to...

Thursday, October 6, 2005

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair

News-Argus/Mitch Loeber John Crawford has worked at the Grantham Grange and Fire Department stand on the fairgrounds for 50 years. For more information see 50 years ... and counting....

Woman indicted in man's murder

A 38-year-old Goldsboro woman has been indicted by the Wayne County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder of her boyfriend. Teresa Edwina Bizzell, who lived in Tanglewood Mobile Home Park off Central Heights Road, is accused of fatally stabbing Larnell...

50 years ... and counting

An empty Coca-Cola bottle used to get you spending money when John Crawford and his brother, Bobby, were children. So, after the Wayne County fairgrounds were quiet, the boys would hunt through trash barrels looking for a treasure or two....

Showmen try their hands at begin judges in the ring

Before Wednesday's livestock judging contest at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair, 11-year-old Jesse Grady was out for redemption. "Last year, my little sister beat me," he said. "That just doesn't seem possible." After a week of presenting their livestock at...

Today, Friday at the fair

THURSDAY + 3 p.m. -- Gates open to all exhibits + 4 p.m. -- Midway opens; Grades K-2 Talent Contest, Entertainment Arena; Livestock Judging, Livestock Arena + 5 p.m. -- Cheerleading Contest, Grandstand + 5:30 p.m. -- Auto Mechanics vocational...

MOC professor makes disaster studies a career

MOUNT OLIVE -- Dr. Christopher Dyer, dean of arts and sciences and a professor of anthropology at Mount Olive College, has done extensive research on the devastating aftermath of natural disasters. When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, though, it struck...

Wednesday's fair winners

Cheerleading Contest Varsity: Hunt High School, Wilson Jr. Varsity: Goldsboro High School, Goldsboro Middle School: Norwayne Middle School, Fremont Talent Contest Winners Vocal Solo: (K-2) Lyndsey Parnell, Northwest Elementary (3-5) Hannah Smith, Eastern Wayne Elementary Instrumental Solo: (K-2) Anna LaDine,...

United Way campaign behind but still time to meet goal

This year's United Way campaign has fallen short of where it was at this point last year. But Campaign Chairman Jane Rustin is confident the goal of $1,425,000 will be met. "We are a little behind, but not significantly," she...

Public records

Man sentenced in armed holdup An 18-year-old man from Mount Olive has been sentenced to 38 to 55 months in prison after pleading guilty in Wayne County Superior Court to the armed robbery of a man in Goldsboro. Joshua E....

Ken Derksen, former TV reporter, hired by schools

Wayne County Public Schools has hired a TV news reporter to be its new public information officer. Ken Derksen, Goldsboro bureau chief for News 14 Carolina, will handle public relations for the school system and media coverage for stories about...

Kenansville tables jurisdiction decision

KENANSVILLE -- The Kenansville town board has tabled a decision about forming an extraterritorial jurisdiction until December. Town Clerk Crystal Jenkins said the town's planning board asked that the ETJ map and it adoption be removed from the agenda for...

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Wayne County Regional Agricultural Fair

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit The judges' eye view of the pie competition at the Wayne County Argicultural Fair. For more information see Mooning over fair pies....

Change makes spot for retailer

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town of Mount Olive is holding its collective breath, waiting to hear from retail giant Wal-Mart about a long-awaited possible location of a store near the town. Wal-Mart officials are expected to contact local property owners...

Mooning over fair pies

Tall, thin peaks topped white mountains -- mountains of meringue, that is. Several pies filled a table at the annual pie baking contest at the fair Tuesday. Now, some judges might have found tasting pie after pie after pie...

Tammy expected to bring rain -- maybe lots of it

A tropical depression off the east coast of Florida became Tropical Storm Tammy this morning and could bring much-needed rainfall with the heaviest downpours beginning Thursday and lasting into Friday. Tammy is the 19th named storm of the 2005 Atlantic...

Wayne memorial gets new nursing director

Since starting her new role as vice president of patient services at Wayne Memorial Hospital earlier last month, Shirley Harkey has already donned the white nurse's uniform she keeps behind her office door several times so she can make the...

Quick answer, showmanship skills help in heifer competition

A big part of successfully showing livestock in competition is being able to answer the judge's questions quickly and correctly. After all, it's the showman, not the animal, that is being judged. So when Randy Wood, the judge in the...

Today, Thursday at the Fair

TODAY + 3 p.m. -- Gates open to all exhibits + 4 p.m. -- Midway opens; Grades K-2 Talent Contest, Entertainment Arena; Livestock Judging, Livestock Arena + 5 p.m. -- Cheerleading Contest, Grandstand + 5:30 p.m. -- Auto Mechanics Vocational...

Public records

Drug charges Two Goldsboro men were arrested Tuesday by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad and Goldsboro Housing Authority police and charged with felony drug offenses in separate incidents. Four others also were arrested and charged with drug violations. *Darryl Eugene...

Princeton police can't put stop to animals at home

PRINCETON -- Princeton has an animal problem -- well, sort of. Police Chief Eddie Lewis says a home just outside the town limits has two goats, a donkey, a few geese, 50 chickens and the usual household pets. But because...

City Council denies Berkeley rezoning

The Goldsboro City Council on Monday night denied the rezoning of property at the intersection of Berkeley Boulevard and Lisa Lane to accommodate a business. Residents of the neighborhood had opposed the zoning, saying it would create increased traffic and...

Bloodmobile at Lowe's on Friday

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lowe's. Donors will receive an Adams Auto coupon for a free car wash....

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair

News-Argus/Dennis Hill Rachel Garrou of Elm City in Wilson County shows off her lamb, Lightning, after winning the blue ribbon for showmanship in the novice division of the Open Junior Market Lamb Show at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair...

City to residents: Conserve water

Mayor Al King announced Monday that Goldsboro and Wayne County are dealing with a serious water shortage and called on the public to conserve water whenever possible. King made a Declaration of Voluntary Conservation of water after receiving information from...

Schools will look again at liability release form

Wayne County's Board of Education adopted a district field trip policy Monday night, but school officials are going to take another look at a liability release and a proof of insurance requirement that have some parents concerned about signing permission...

Showmen baa-ttle for titles at Junior Market Lamb Show

Will Coor of Selma wasn't sure which end of the line he was on as he waited for the judge in the Open Junior Market Lamb Intermediate Showmanship competition to announce the Grand Champion. When he realized he was on...

Railroad wants to close Princeton street

PRINCETON -- Four streets cross the railroad in Princeton, and the railroad wants to close one of them. But which one is the question. The Princeton town board wrestled with the issue during Monday night's monthly meeting but took no...

City Council sets next neighborhood meeting

Residents who have something to say to the Goldsboro City Council and other city officials will get their chance in two weeks. The City Council has announced the date and location of its next neighborhood meeting. It will be held...

Families, sorrow touched life of Red Cross Katrina volunteer

More than 650 people were jammed into a small gymnasium with no room to walk. They came with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Most of them had lost everything they owned. Some had been separated from their loved...

Public records

Woman robbed A woman leaving her car to enter her home was robbed Monday of $15, her purse and car keys, a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report said. Cynthia D. Barrett of Hare Road told deputies that a black man...

Princeton board hears four-lot annexation plan

PRINCETON -- Four lots, totaling about an acre, could be annexed by Princeton as soon as next month. No one spoke Monday night on the proposed annexations during the town's board's monthly meeting. Mayor Don Rains explained that the properties...

Pikeville sets its sites on tall grass

Pikeville town commissioners unanimously approved the new grass ordinance Monday night. Effective immediately, land owners whose lawns are not in compliance will be charged a fee of $50 to cut the grass, and a $100 civil penalty. In September, commissioners...

Officials will talk about flooding

MOUNT OLIVE -- Residents and lawmakers will meet with environmental officials this month to find a solution to flooding in Mount Olive. Mount Olive officials said during a town board meeting Monday that years ago a stream was diverted, and...

Monday, October 3, 2005

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair

News-Argus/Steve Roush Tiffany Futch, 14, of Rosewood pulls the sled during her heat of the 850 single class at Sunday's Lawn Tractor Pull at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. For more information see Pulling for a prize....

School district eyes liability release

A proposed policy by the Wayne County Public Schools to protect the school system from liability in case of student accidents on field trips might be scuttled even before it comes before the school board for a vote. The Board...

Minister seeks top N.C. spot at NAACP

Greenleaf Christian Church will host a Community Prayer and Worship Service tonight at 7 in support of the Rev. William Barber's candidacy for the presidency of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP. Barber, 42, an honors graduate of North...

Pulling for a prize

They had names like Lucky, Ol' Bubba and Big Dawg. And, of course, there had to be a Git-R-Done. The tractors in the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair's Lawn Tractor Pull were little, but mighty. The contestants themselves ranged from young...

Today, Tuesday Fair schedule

TONIGHT AT THE FAIR: 4 p.m. -- gates open, midway rides open. 5:30 p.m. -- vocational competition, carpentry in the educational showplace. 5:30 p.m. -- health occupations spelling bee in the entertainment arena. 6 p.m. -- pig races near the...

Group unveils print in honor of festival

FAISON -- A chance meeting at a blueberry festival has turned into a special print for the Market Days Festival. Artist Ivey Hayes of Wilmington greeted the lunch crowd gathered at the Southern Exposure Restaurant in Faison Sunday to unveil...

Hispanic Center marks first year of helping others

Gaspar Gonzalez still remembers the way things were when he first came to Wayne County in 1978. "It was rough for Hispanics to be here," he said. "They were looked at in a different way." When he and Willie Cartagena...

Public records

Two men robbed Two men were robbed by a masked gunman before dawn today at an apartment in the 200 block of Hereford Drive, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report. Ashton Wayne Johnson, 25, of Baltimore was robbed...

Correction

The name of the late Clifton Britton was misspelled in a Sunday story about the proposed production of his play, "The Shepherd's Song."...

Sunday, October 2, 2005

Anonymous donor asks for 'Shepherd's Song'

When he was just a freshman at Goldsboro High School, State Rep. Phil Baddour played the role of Reuben in "The Shepherd's Song." The year was 1956. Now, more than 49 years later, an anonymous $36,000 gift to Wayne Community...

Portion of highway to be closed

Drivers who travel along U.S. 117 might find a few additional delays in the coming week as work continues on the highway project there, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials announced Saturday. Beginning this weekend and continuing through Wednesday, railroad...

Murderer is up for parole

A Goldsboro man convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and armed robbery more than 25 years ago is being considered for parole. Gerald Edward Bryant, now 54, was sentenced Dec. 18, 1970, by Judge Elbert Peele of Williamston to...

School system required to offer tutoring

Wayne County Public Schools is among 42 school systems across North Carolina that have been identified for Title I District Improvement, under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The school system will be required to perform several corrective actions....

Blessing of the animals

The human beings who brought their pets to St. Francis Episcopal Church's Blessing of the Animals Saturday morning knew why they were there. And maybe, just maybe, the animals did, too. The 32 pets included one newt and a few...

Kids show livestock

Little Haley Edwards didn't seem bothered at all that her hog, which was much bigger than she was, ran across the Open Junior Market Hog Showmanship ring Friday night. In fact, the 6-year-old, who was wearing a little pink pig...

Today at the Fair

SUNDAY + 1 p.m. -- Gates open to all exhibits; Midway opens + 2 p.m. -- Lawn Tractor Pull Contest, Grandstand; Pig Races, near Red Barn + 3 p.m. -- Barnyard Express, near Red Barn; The Almost Amazing Rex, Kidzville...

Youth Empowerment Summit set

WATCH and Communities in Schools is sponsoring a Youth Empowerment Summit for high school students on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Open to 120 students in the six high schools in Wayne County Public Schools, 20...

Ugly furniture contest part of Big Sweep day

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County's Keep America Beautiful Committee will host an ugly furniture contest during Big Sweep Free Day, with a goal of removing ugly upholstered furniture from front porches everywhere. The committee is encouraging citizens to take advantage of...

Wayne County Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *George Edward Mayes Jr., 21, Friendship Drive, Fremont, possession of cocaine, three to four months. *Lonnie J. Taylor, 34, Bear Creek Estates, LaGrange, possession of a firearm by a convicted...

Public record

Juveniles charged Three juveniles have been charged with two separate break-ins in the city. On Friday, Investigator G.N. Lynch of the Goldsboro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division formally charged a 14-year-old male from Tommy's Road in connection with a residential...

Mount Olive District Court

These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Douglas Randolph Price, 46, Larry Coltren Lane, Mount Olive, driving while license revoked, 120 days suspended, 36 months supervised probation, $600 fine and costs. *Christina Marie Williams, 24, Daly Boulevard,...

Military news

Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher S. Gibson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs...

Kids learn to cook and eat healthy

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County are teaching members that eating healthy can be fun. From eating more healthy foods to being more physically active, the participants in the clubs' "Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids" program are...

Jay Jernigan chosen at audition

Jay Antonio Jernigan, 6, the son of Jay Antonio Jernigan Sr. and Gladys G. Jernigan, was chosen for excellence at a recent audition for the American Modeling & Talent Association, hosted by Touch of Class Models and Talent of Greenville....

Home, Health and Hospice given award during forum

Home Health and Hospice Care, Inc., 3HC, has received the prestigious Transformational Change Leader Award from The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence (CCME), formerly known as Medical Review of North Carolina, during the fifth annual Ralph E. Snyder, MD, Healthcare...

Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair winners

Best of Show awards for the following categories at the county fair were awarded to: *Food conservation -- Patricia Turnage of Goldsboro. *Prepared foods -- Pat Head of Pikeville. *Apparel and textiles -- Sylvia Weaver of Mount Olive. *Needlework --...

Wayne County District Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Robbie Carroll Gregory, 27, Old Grantham Road, assault by pointing a gun, not guilty. *Stephanie Louise Johnson, 24, Havelock, second-degree trespass, not guilty. *Leron Jani Moore, 24, West Chestnut Street,...

Congressional Medal of Honor winner to speak in Princeton

PRINCETON -- Congressional Medal of Honor winner Walter J. "Joe" Marm of Fremont will be the guest speaker during the third annual Princeton Veterans Day Celebration. Marm, a retired colonel and Vietnam veteran, will speak at 3 p.m. Nov. 5...

Computer classes scheduled

KENANSVILLE -- A schedule of computer classes has been developed for James Sprunt Community College for this fall. The Continuing Education classes are scheduled for both daytime and evening. The round of classes will run from Monday, Oct. 10, through...

Annual Kids Fest Saturday

October is being celebrated as Child Health Month in Wayne County. In recognition, the Wayne County Heath Department is gearing up for its eighth annual Kids' Fest set for Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berkeley Mall. Twenty-seven...