March 2010 archives

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Come one, come all to the circus

Lions and tigers and ligers? Oh my. The world's largest circus under the big top, Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars, has pitched its 136 feet wide by 231 feet long tent and present an extravaganza of entertainment that starts...

Mount Olive officials say taxes likely to stay same

MOUNT OLIVE -- Faced with rising expenses and payments on its new sewer treatment plant, the town of Mount Olive likely will increase sewer rates by 5 percent to avoid raising property taxes. The Mount Olive Board of Commissioners,...

Veterans group makes plans for Memorial Day celebration

Memorial Day might be two months away, but those in charge of the local observance are already gearing up for a weekend dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Members of the Wayne County Veterans and...

Lawyer seeks delay in Marine's trial

JACKSONVILLE -- The lawyer for a former North Carolina-based Marine accused of killing a pregnant colleague has asked to delay the trial three months because of a knee injury. In a motion filed on Monday, Richard McNeil said a...

Local church sets stage for annual Easter weekend event

For the eighth year in a row, Whitley Church in Princeton will bring the story of Easter to life. "The Cross and the Crown," which was written by Outreach and Kid's Church pastor Jimmy Bryant and his wife, Jean, tells...

These angels provide more than pennies

When Helen Harwood sees a need, her natural inclination is to respond. Ideally, she'd like to help everyone she can. As patient advocate at Southeastern Medical Oncology Center, it's part of her daily job. She assists patients with rent,...

Lightning hits part of SWHS

Lightning struck Southern Wayne High School late Sunday night during a storm that blew through Wayne County. Damages were confined to one of the modular units, as well as the WISH Center, the school-based health center, said Ken Derksen, public...

Making Easter baskets

Alethia Keith, right, Goldsboro senior administration specialist, and Sue Chance, Goldsboro community affairs specialist, assemble Easter baskets in Goldsboro City Hall. The Easter baskets were sold as a fundraiser for the Mayor's Youth Council Scholarship Fund. More than 100 baskets...

Tea Party rally to be April 15 at City Hall

The second annual Tea Party Rally will be held Thursday, April 15, at City Hall on Center Street from noon until 1:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by the Citizens for Constitutional Liberties, a non-partisan political action group...

All County Band concert set for Thursday at Dillard Middle

Band students from 15 middle and high schools will showcase their talents Thursday night during the annual All County Band Festival, which starts at 7 p.m. at Dillard Middle School. More than 130 students will participate in the concert,...

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

$94 million chicken plant possible for Goldsboro

Wayne County officials met privately this morning to discuss plans by Mississippi-based Sanderson Farms to invest approximately $94 million in a new poultry deboning facility in the county that could employ up to 1,100 people. The potential project has...

Explorers practice law enforcement technique

Explorer Scouts with Post 209 are learning techniques that will serve them well if they decide to make a career in law enforcement. The Explorer Scout program allows some posts to focus on police training and Goldsboro's Post 209...

District eyeing schools' recess

The Board of Education is considering a proposal to introduce 30 minutes of recess activity time into the school day, starting in the coming school year. Debbie Durham, the district's director of health and physical education, said much research went...

Public record

Man shot in robbery Leonard Neal Jr., 40, of East Walnut Street was reportedly shot multiple times during a robbery in the parking lot at 508 E. Walnut Street, police said. The robbery suspect was described as a black male...

Restaurant closes in Goldsboro

A popular restaurant in Goldsboro has closed its doors. Ham's Restaurant, located at 1003 N. Spence Ave., closed Monday after 10 years in business. General Manager John Runkle declined to comment on the abrupt closing, but Amanda Jones, marketing...

Ogden will take command of 916th

Less than two weeks after officials from the 916th Air Refueling Wing announced commander Col. Fritz Linsenmeyer would leave his post in April, his replacement has been named. Col. Randall Ogden, currently the Operations Group commander for the 434th Air...

Census rally to be Thursday at City Hall

A rally to encourage Wayne County residents to participate in the United States Census will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. on the steps of Goldsboro City Hall on Center Street. Census forms have been mailed to the majority...

Monday, March 29, 2010

New 916th ARW commander named

Less than two weeks after 916th Air Refueling Wing officials confirmed that current Commander Col. Fritz Linsemeyer would relinquish his post April 11, his replacement has been named. 434th Air Refueling Wing Operations Group Commander Col. Randall Ogden is set...

Holding the tax torch

The Job: Waver The Company: Liberty Tax Service The Location: Goldsboro My face hurts. I will officially not be smiling or waving for the next week as I recover from my stint as a waver. I arrived at Liberty Tax...

Tickets are on sale for Kitty Askins fundraiser

Tickets are now on sale for the first concert to benefit the current expansion project under way at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. "Along the Way: A Homecoming" will be Saturday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre....

Easter Bunny sees double

Four-year-old twins Kyle, left, and Tyler Norris run to search for Easter eggs during the Goldsboro Parents of Multiples' fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt at Herman Park. The group seeks to educate parents about the risks and challenges of...

Severe weather hits N.C.

Wayne County was hit by heavy rain and some thunderstorms overnight, but was spared the violent weather that struck the central part of the state. National Weather Service investigators were viewing damage thought to be caused by tornadoes in...

Crime-mapping system allows residents to watch neighborhoods

A local business that offers cutting-edge mapping technology is helping lawmen in Goldsboro and Wayne County plot a detailed map that helps them track criminal activity. Geographic Technologies Group, using specialized data collected by local officials, is able to...

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Wayne County, Fort Macon connected again

Nearly 150 years after members of the Goldsboro Rifles and, later, Andrew's Battery, defended Fort Macon, Wayne County and the five-sided coastal construct are again connected. Only this time, local residents are helping to preserve its history, not write it...

Police charge man in male rape

Police say a West Grantham Street man faces charges after an alleged sexual assault that sent a male acquaintance to the hospital. Tyrone Lamonte Scriven, 29, was charged with two counts of first-degree sex offense after an alleged Friday...

Steele Library Steering Committee meeting postponed

MOUNT OLIVE -- The meeting between the Steele Library Steering Committee and library consultant Phil Barton has been postponed to April 6. The meeting was originally set for Monday. Barton has prepared a draft building program for the new...

Easter holiday closings announced

Local and state offices will be closed Friday in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Federal offices will remain open on both Friday and Monday. All Wayne County offices will be closed, including landfill and convenience centers. All county...

County selected for child health insurance initiative

Children with health insurance fare better -- from school attendance and learning outcomes to simply being able to access typical childhood needs like glasses and braces. Wayne County will soon be able to better locate families lacking coverage, through a...

Spring festival blooms

Fremont residents and friends from neighboring towns filled the streets of Fremont on Saturday for the 24th annual Daffodil Festival. The festival's featured entertainment, The Embers, got the crowd on their feet and even invited this year's Miss Daffodil...

Stoney Creek's Wag-A-Thon

A parade of local dogs and their owners came out to support the kick-off for fundraising for a future dog park at Stoney Creek Park Saturday. The Stoney Creek Park Alliance seeks to raise $40,000 for a fenced-in dog park...

Wayne sets Career Readiness Certificate record

Carnell Sutton of Goldsboro hopes to soon add his own accomplishments to the growing record number of Career Readiness Certificates that have been awarded through the program at Wayne Community College. For Sutton, 52, who has been retired since...

Come one, come all, to the circus

Lions and tigers and ligers? Oh my. The world's largest circus under the big top, Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars, will pitch its 136 feet wide by 231 feet long tent and present an extravaganza of entertainment that starts...

Chloe's gift

ChloƩ Wolf smiles every time her mother says her name. She has no idea Teresa is talking about a recent deployment to Haiti and an orphan more than 1,000 miles away. It will be years before the 4-month-old understands the...

Friday, March 26, 2010

Hill retires from Wayne County Public Schools

The man who spearheaded many of the facilities plans for Wayne County Public Schools has quietly retired. Sprunt Hill, assistant superintendent of auxiliary services, retired effective March 1, officials confirmed Thursday. Hill, of Mount Olive, had been placed on administrative...

Lawyer loses his license for loan frauds

A Goldsboro lawyer has been disbarred by the North Carolina State Bar for preparing more than 50 false bank loan statements. William D. Orander III will be able to apply for reinstatement in five years, according to a bar...

A shave to help kids beat cancer

His fingers running along what was left of the blond locks he wore moments earlier, Alex Grice curled his upper lip and looked toward the ground. The loss was starting to sink in. But as family members, friends and countless...

Daffodil royalty reblossoms

With the Fremont Daffodil Festival only a day away, a few of the former Miss Daffodils look back fondly on the town and their time wearing their crown. Although all have since left Fremont, they remember growing up in the...

Help troops 'Beat the Heat'

The North Carolina Branch of Give2thetroops, is collecting items for care packages for deployed troops in its "Beat the Heat" campaign. Items needed include snacks such as jerky, tuna in pouches, protein powdered drink mixes, nuts, granola bars, dried fruit,...

Thursday, March 25, 2010

No mail on Saturdays no worry for most

Rain, sleet, snow and gloom of night might not stop mail carriers from making their rounds, but a plan expected to be submitted next week to the independent Postal Regulatory Commission would stop them from making Saturday deliveries. Overnight...

AmeriCorps volunteers help erect Habitat house

Goldsboro is a long way from home for 18-year-old New York native Billy Murphy, but just three days after arriving in North Carolina, the AmeriCorps volunteer was already busy cutting building materials for a new Habitat for Humanity house...

City man gets time for child porn case

A federal judge has sentenced a Goldsboro man for manufacturing child pornography, according to a news release from the Eastern District of the U.S. Attorney's Office. Larry Donnell Parks Jr., 33, entered a guilty plea earlier this month, U.S. Attorney...

Over-wet winter weather curbed N.C. wheat crop

Wheat crop losses in Wayne County because of unusually wet November and December weather could potentially top $3 million. However, the full extent of damage will not be known until temperatures return to normal and the crop begins to...

Student wins black history quiz bowl

Christopher Ophila, an eighth-grader at Norwayne Middle School, completed 24 round and earned first place honors in the African American Quiz Bowl held last month. He was one of 16 Wayne County Middle School students that participated in the...

MS Walk sponsors sought

The Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has announced sponsorship opportunities for the annual Goldsboro Walk MS to be held Saturday, May 1, at the Herman Park. "Sponsors of Walk MS are seen, recognized and celebrated...

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Jobless rate up slightly in Wayne County

The unemployment rate in Wayne County jumped again slightly in January, according to numbers that were recently released from the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina. The January rate for the county was 9.9 percent, up from 9.2 percent in...

Drug raid near park results in 3 arrests

Police seized nearly four ounces of powdered cocaine and at least five firearms in an investigation Tuesday that started in Herman Park and ended at a Park Avenue home, authorities said. Herman Park, where two of the men allegedly...

DGDC plans to renovate donated downtown store

In what Downtown Golds-boro Development Corp. executive director Julie Thompson is characterizing as "a bold step forward," the DGDC Board of Directors has voted to rehabilitate 219 N. John St. for the purpose of housing the organization. The building, donated...

Daffodils to bloom in Fremont Saturday at annual festival

Come Saturday, the streets of Fremont will be filled with people, entertainment, games and crafts. The 24th Annual Fremont Daffodil Festival is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Fremont. "Our daffodils are in full bloom throughout...

Wayne elementary schools answer Haiti fundraising challenge

In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti, Mathnasium issued a challenge to elementary schools across the county to create UMCOR Health Kits to be sent to Haiti via the MERCI Center. In response to this challenge, Northwest Elementary...

NC GOP proposes 'opt out' legislation

With President Barack Obama's signing of federal health care reform into law Tuesday, Republican lawmakers in Raleigh announced plans to file legislation to protect North Carolina residents from the legislation's mandates and penalties. "We don't have the specific language...

Wayne County Planning Board holds rare special meeting

Meeting in a rare special session, the Wayne County Planning Board Friday afternoon took less than 15 minutes to handle its one-item agenda -- a two-lot family subdivision plat final. The board agreed to recommend that county commissioners approve...

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Mt. Olive Pickle Co. donates $50,000 to library

MOUNT OLIVE -- A fundraising campaign for a new Steele Memorial Library got a $50,000 boost Friday from the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. Foundation. An initial $10,000 contribution was made last week. The remaining pledge will be paid in...

School resource officer gets DWI

A school resource officer for Charles B. Aycock High School resigned his job after being charged with a driving while impaired offense, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. Deputy Alejandro Jones was arrested Saturday night by the state Highway Patrol...

County drug squad conducts search for 27 drug traffickers

The Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad was busy this morning, pursuing a list of 27 people wanted for trafficking in marijuana, cocaine, heroin, certain types of prescription narcotics and several firearms. Officers from both the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and the...

Marshall says she can stand up to Burr

Jobs and the economy will drive this year's U.S. Senate race, but before it gets that far Democrats will have to choose a candidate who is not only in marked contrast to incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr, but who...

Military children get in free to N.C. State's Red vs. White Game

RALEIGH -- Military children and their families will be admitted free to N.C. State University's 2010 Kay Yow Spring Red vs. White football game April 17, through Operation: Military Kids. The game will start at 1 p.m. at Carter-Finley...

Public record

Church theft Pikes Crossroads Church, in the 2000 block of Pikeville-Princeton Road, was reported broken into through a window and burglarized on Saturday morning, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office reported. Taken were a music equipment, a small television and a...

Shamrock to host head-shaving benefit

A head-shaving benefit to raise money for childhood cancer research will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Flying Shamrock on John Street. The St. Baldrick's event is being sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Leatherhead Society, or...

GHS holds Senior Americans Day

Former students, educators, family members of students and area residents participated in the annual "Senior Americans Day" at Goldsboro High School recently. The Student Government Association hosted the event, which included presentations by students from the school's theater arts,...

Monday, March 22, 2010

Making the tortillas ...

The Job: Tortilla maker The Company: Alta Foods The Location: Goldsboro I should have learned my lesson. A couple of months ago I tried my hand at the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. topper line. I learned then that I am...

Potential Medicare cutbacks limit care

When Alton Glenn Smith Jr. went to Immediate Care in early March, he was not expecting the reaction he received. Smith, 69, was suffering from bronchitis. To make matters worse, he had two herniated disks that caused him pain...

Speakers bureau will talk up role of agriculture

Retired farmer Rachel Rawls smiles when she remembers how excited the little girl was to find sweet potatoes at the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. "I go into the schools some and work with the children and the children do...

Duplin school sign-ups on April 16

Pre-kindergarten/kindergarten registration for Duplin County Schools will be held on April 16. Registration will be at all elementary schools from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students must be five years old on or before August 31 to enroll. In...

Survey: What do you want in a new chief of schools?

KENANSVILLE -- More than 600 people told the Duplin County Board of Education in a recent staff and communitywide survey what qualities they most want to see in a new school superintendent. North Carolina Association of School Boards representative Allison...

GATEWAY to hold public hearing on use of federal stimulus money

The Goldsboro-Wayne Transportation Authority, which operates the GATEWAY bus and van system will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on March 30 at 10 a.m. in the city's anteroom located adjacent to council chambers on the second floor of the...

Public record

Man shot Friday Kevin James Jr., 21, Pittman Street, told Goldsboro police Friday that he had been shot while on the 1900 block of N. William St., but could not provide any information as to who might have done it....

Three hurt in bus-truck accident near Mar Mac

A rear-end collision between a charter bus carrying teenage children from the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf and a truck just before 9 a.m. on U.S. 117 near Mar Mac injured at least three people this morning....

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Kerstetter officially takes reins as MOC president

MOUNT OLIVE -- Alumni, friends and supporters of Mount Olive College officially welcomed college President Dr. Philip Kerstetter into office Friday in a ceremony seen only three times before in the private institution's 59-year history. Kerstetter, the fourth person...

Shooter will serve time for federal charge

A man charged in connection with the 2008 shooting of a Goldsboro police officer has been sentenced to prison time on federal charges in connection with the crime. Jerome Demond Wright, 26, of Goldsboro, has been sentenced to 120...

Kelly takes last flight as 4FW commander

His flight suit still dripping -- courtesy of the traditional post-sortie hose down -- Col. Mark Kelly pulled his wife and daughter in for a quick kiss and long embrace Friday afternoon. But his focus quickly shifted to the...

WCC speaker to tie Fort Macon to Wayne

Fort Macon ranger and historian Paul R. Branch Jr. will discuss the fort's history and connections to Wayne County in a talk at Wayne Community College on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium. A Carteret County native, Branch...

Vendors being sought for 10th Ole Timey Days

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Vendors are being sought for the 10th annual Ole Timey Days Festival in Seven Springs that will be held Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. People interested in operating a vendor booth should call...

Baseball league to hold fundraising golf tournament Saturday afternoon

TEAMMATES and the Mount Olive Parks and Recreation Department are joining to sponsor an inaugural TEAMMATES Golf Tournament on Saturday at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course to help raise money for the TEAMMATES baseball program in Mar Mac and...

Sub teacher training Thursday

Substitute teacher training will be offered from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday at WAGES at 507 E. Royall Ave. To attend the training, candidates must obtain a substitute packet from WAGES and take a criminal records check to the...

Ride for the Red set for Saturday

The sixth annual Blue Knights NC IX "Ride for the Red" fundraiser will be held on Saturday. *Registration for the ride and breakfast will be held at 9 a.m. at the Wayne County Red Cross office at 600 N. George...

MOC receives honor for its community service

MOUNT OLIVE -- Even as Mount Olive College students and staff celebrated earning national recognition for their dedication to community service, they were already forging ahead with the next outreach project to help needy families. More than 50 families...

Smith proud of different approach to photography

Walking into Image Worx Photography studio isn't like walking into a traditional studio. The walls are black and a conference table is propped up on top of steel trashcans in the urban, New York-style studio. "It's like nothing you've...

Local gas war pushes lines onto U.S. 70

A grand-opening promotion offering gas at $1.99 per gallon sparked a gas war Friday creating lines at the pumps reminiscent of those seen during the gas shortage of the 1970s. And at one station, traffic was backed up onto...

Duplin's top teacher, principal honored

KENANSVILLE -- As Duplin County Teacher of the Year Selina Riley-Gurganus watched eager students walk to the podium Tuesday night to receive their own special recognitions, her heart tightened a little. It's what the East Duplin High School teacher...

Two sentenced for roles in 2008 Duplin murder

Jordan Guy and Ivan Wallace, both age 17 years at the time of the offense, were sentenced in Duplin County Superior Court on March 15 for accessory after the fact to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Derrick Shonte...

Paid service predicted by Duplin fire officials

KENANSVILLE -- Volunteer fire departments are struggling with higher costs, stricter training requirements and other changes that are making it harder for them to protect lives and property. Duplin County may have to consider moving to a paid firefighter...

The battle: Take Two

BENTONVILLE -- Nearly 4,000 re-enactors are in this rural Johnston County community this weekend to recreate the Civil War Battle of Bentonville -- an event expected to draw close to 40,000 people to the site and pump millions of...

Friday, March 19, 2010

Col. Kelly takes final F-15E flight as 4FW commander

Moments after Col. Mark Kelly landed his F-15E Strike Eagle for the final time as 4th Fighter Wing commander, he greeted the hundreds of airmen who showed up to help him celebrate his latest accomplishment. For complete coverage of...

Lobbying trip to D.C. could net city funds

Two members of a delegation from the city that went to the nation's capital Tuesday to lobby elected officials for support spoke Wednesday about a day both characterized as successful. Mayor Al King and Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. executive director...

Family: Eastern Wayne Middle student doing well after '09 collision with car

Taylor Gambrel, the Eastern Wayne Middle School student struck by a car while riding a bike near his home last year, is improving every day, his mother said. A benefit for the family is planned for this weekend at Daniels...

Cherry defendant takes plea in beating

Another defendant in the beating of Cherry Hospital patient James Dean Smith has resolved his case, taking a plea to a reduced charge on Thursday, court records show. Eric Jerrod Isler, 32, was accused, along with James "Allan" Smith,...

Dudley 17-year-old tries to flee to avoid statutory rape charge

A Dudley 17-year-old faces three felony counts for an alleged statutory rape with a 13-year-old girl, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office reported. Tracey Allen Deaver, 17, of Deaver Lane, is accused of the offenses, which allegedly took place on...

916th commander slated to move on

His replacement has not yet been named, but 916th Air Refueling Wing Commander Col. Fritz Linsenmeyer is scheduled to relinquish his post early next month. 916th officials confirmed Thursday that Linsenmeyer has been tapped to lead the 910th Airlift...

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Planning Board sets special date to examine plats

The Wayne County Planning Board will meet in special session Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the third-floor conference room at the Jeffreys Building, 134 N. John St. There is only one item on the agenda, consideration of a subdivision...

Fremont residents could face rate hike

Fremont residents might see a higher water bill come July. The town recently received the results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Division of Government, which took a closer look at...

What about reform for Wayne schools?

Whenever he hears a parent argue that his or her child has too much homework, Wayne County School Board Chairman Rick Pridgen cringes a little inside. That's because he knows that unless American students buckle down they can never...

Benefit planned to put dog area in place at Stoney Creek Park

One of the driving forces behind the movement to transform Stoney Creek Park into a popular destination announced an event that will officially kick off fundraising for construction of a dog park at the Ash Street site. Dr. Peter...

Longtime developer Bridgers dies at 83

Former Goldsboro City Councilman and businessman Brutus Stallings "Chubby" Bridgers, 83, died Wednesday at Wake Medical Center. Bridgers, known for his interest in fine horses and cars, played football at Duke University and was a veteran of the U.S....

Officials focus on teenage pregnancy

Teen pregnancy prevention remains at the top of the list of priorities being addressed by the Health Department, officials said at Wednesday's Board of Health meeting. Other priority areas are childhood obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, infant mortality and chronic...

Dudley fire caused by electric overload

DUDLEY -- A heavy electric load on a standard wall socket in a mobile home caused an electrical short and fire that completely destroyed the home and a truck next to it on Wednesday afternoon. Assistant Dudley Volunteer Fire...

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Meadow Lane students make hearts to help others

There are many teachable moments in area classrooms. At Meadow Lane Elementary School, one of those comes every year in the form of the Multiage Valentine Sale. Students in the K-1 and 1-2 grade classrooms combine efforts to create...

Putting on the green

Victoria Robinson, More at Four teacher at School Street Elementary School, assists Danata Parker with a hat made for St. Patrick's Day. The hats were made as part of a math exercise, and students were to wear them the rest...

Subway and Dollar General robbed

The Subway restaurant on Patetown Road was reportedly robbed Tuesday night by a man who stole a small amount of money, according to a police report. A 17-year-old female clerk told police at 9:23 p.m. that she had been...

Rabies vaccination clinics scheduled for Saturday

Wayne County will sponsor its annual series of rabies vaccination clinics on Saturday and then again on March 27. On the first Saturday, clinics will be held at Eastern Wayne High School from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. and at...

Duplin eyes ending contract early

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County might seek to save money by ending its contract with outgoing Duplin Events Center management company VenuWorks as quickly as possible. The company's contract with the county is set to expire by the first of July,...

Deputies hunt for cause of morning blast

Law enforcement authorities are citing "unnatural causes" for the explosion of a shed sometime around midnight on Northeast Church Road just north of Mount Olive. The shed was on property owned by Joseph Arnette, 44, at 684 Northeast Church...

Mayor will chair military advisory group

Just a few weeks after longtime Seymour Johnson Air Force Base advocate Troy Pate Jr. resigned from his post as chairman of the governor's North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs, his replacement was named by Gov. Beverly Perdue. But...

Students win high marks in vocal competition

Twenty-three students from Rosewood Middle and Eastern Wayne Middle recently competed in the East Vocal Solo Music Performance Adjudication in Greenville. Students learned a song chosen from classical repertoire and sang for a judge. The judge used the state...

Airport Road bridge to be fixed

Work is expected to begin as early as March 29 to replace a bridge on Airport Road (State Road 1537) over Nahunta Swamp north of Goldsboro. The state has awarded a $618,688 contract for the work to Sanford Contractors...

Partnership expanding popular Incredible Years parenting program

A $96,000 Division of Public Health grant awarded to the Health Department is making it possible for Partnership for Children of Wayne County to expand its parent education program. The Incredible Years program was already being offered for parents...

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Man suspected in pair of murders at city motel

Goldsboro police arrested a suspect this morning in the December double murder of a couple who lived and worked at America's Best Value Inn off U.S. 70 Bypass East. James Carnell Howard, 28, is already being held at Neuse...

Partnership adds classes for teen mothers at SWHS

The Partnership for Children of Wayne County will expand its parenting education classes soon -- to expectant teen mothers. According to Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention of North Carolina's latest numbers, in 2008 Wayne County ranked 27th in the state, with 294...

Mount Olive College prepares for president's inauguration

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College will officially inaugurate its fourth president, Dr. Philip Kerstetter, Friday at 2 p.m. in Kornegay Arena. Although Kerstetter has held the position since taking over from former President and current MOC Chancellor Dr....

Duplin School Board gets first look at applications

KENANSVILLE -- Over the next few days, Duplin County school board members will get a first look at superintendent candidates' resumes. Allison Schafer of the North Carolina Association of School Boards has been assisting the county in the search to...

Leaders lobby for project funding

A delegation from Goldsboro arrived in the nation's capital this morning to lobby elected officials -- U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Sen. Kay Hagan and Sen. Richard Burr -- for support on several projects they say will bring downtown back to...

Public record

Armed robbery A North Carolina Street man told police a man he did not know put a gun to his head at his home and stole a wallet and $250 in cash, according to a Goldsboro Police Department report. Dorsey...

Former teacher charged in assault

A report of a sexual offense taking place in August of 1992 has resulted in charges against a 62-year-old former Eastern Wayne Middle School teacher, Goldsboro police said today. Goldsboro resident and former teacher Richard Allen Pate, 62, of...

Carolina Fury team honored with Community Spirit Award

A unique Wayne County sports team recently received the 2010 Community Spirit Award at the Raleigh Sports Council's Evening of Champions. The Carolina Fury power hockey team is a sports organization geared specifically toward athletes with disabilities. Team members...

Mayor King tapped to lead governor's military commission

Gov. Beverly Perdue announced earlier today that Goldsboro Mayor Al King has been tapped as the new chairman of the North Carolina Advisory Commission on Military Affairs. King was named to the post after longtime Seymour Johnson Air Force...

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Monday, March 15, 2010

T-shirts of the rainbow

The Job: T-shirt maker The Company: Screen It The Location: Goldsboro It's possible I might never change my clothes again. The team at Screen It helped me design and make The Best T-shirt Ever. It's a hot pink shirt with...

Students to retake writing exam

A wayward text message created an "unforeseen problem" for students taking the state's writing exam last week, and now two schools must retake the test Tuesday. The N.C. Writing Assessment was administered to all 10th-grade students across the state March...

Program will address sex, teens and choices

As teen director at the Boys & Girls Club on Royall Avenue, Willemina Williams sometimes finds out more than she wants to know -- like when she overheard one 8-year-old explaining to another about French kissing. Or when she learned...

Vandals hit cemetery's main statue

A large, white marble Italian-made statue of Jesus valued at $20,000 was destroyed when vandals toppled it at Evergreen Cemetery west of Goldsboro over the weekend. The falling statue also did $8,000 damage to a nearby marble retaining wall....

Plans moving forward on Steele Memorial Library

MOUNT OLIVE -- The search for an architect and engineer for the planned new $4 million Steele Memorial Library could be well under way by mid-May. County Manager Lee Smith said there is no timetable for the project. However,...

Book signing to raise money for Smart Choices

Diane Wolfe understands about the importance of making good decisions. She's based an entire series of young adult books around the theme. Instead of the typical fiction books targeted toward teens, she has carved out a career trying to...

Engineering school among winners in DOT bridge contest

A team of students from Wayne School of Engineering were among regional winners in the N.C. Department of Transportation Statewide Model Bridge Building Competition, held recently in Raleigh. Each school team was judged in four categories, including written report,...

Students' artwork to be displayed at mall this week

Over the next three weeks, projects from hundreds of students across Wayne County Public Schools will be exhibited at Berkeley Mall. They will showcase student work in the areas of visual arts, second language/English as a second language, math...

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Woman charged with embezzling school money

A Goldsboro woman who had worked as a bookkeeper at Carver Heights Elementary since the summer of 2007 is accused of embezzling funds from the school. Bridgette Brown James, 43, of Brock Street faces one count of embezzlement, and...

Watts honored by state educators

Norwayne Middle School assistant principal Dianne Watts has been named the 2010 North Carolina Association of Educators Assistant Principal of the Year. The selection was based on a proven dedication to the education profession and to the teaching and...

Norwayne Middle wins Wayne schools' Battle of the Books

Rosewood Middle School's bright purple shirts said it all -- "Conquering the World of Books 1 Battle at a Time." They had already won last year's Battle of the Books for Wayne County Public Schools. But it was not to...

Pets often suffer abandonment when service members deploy

Friends and family members are not the only ones left behind when an airman from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base deploys. In fact, Wayne County Animal Control director Vicki Falconer said recent tours of duty for members of the 4th...

James Sprunt police program suspended

KENANSVILLE -- James Sprunt Community College has suspended its Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in response to an audit by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. Students in the program were unable to take the...

Kitty Askins halfway to funding goal

The expansion project at Kitty Askins Hospice Center has surpassed the halfway point, raising $2.5 million on the $4 million project, with a fundraiser planned for next month featuring an array of musical talent. Late last year, Kitty Askins received...

Republican candidates speak at convention

Republican candidates for a local, state and national offices got a chance to have their say at the annual Wayne County Republican Precinct Meeting and County Convention Saturday at the county Courthouse. Rep. Walter Jones, who is running for...

Woman killed in wreck Friday

A woman allegedly pulled her minivan into the path of a Ford Explorer on U.S. 13 North Friday, causing a crash and suffering injuries that later killed her, authorities said. Margaret Fernstron, 85, of Natural Drive, Pikeville, was killed...

Author to speak on Vietnam at WCC Tuesday

Jack Kannan served in the 173rd Army Airborne Brigade. His unit was one of the first sent to Vietnam when the conflict began, in 1966. But as a young soldier, he admits he didn't fully grasp the concept of...

Garden workday at library harbinger of springtime

Taking a look around the community garden Saturday morning, Shorlette Ammons was happy with what she saw. Not only was the community garden at Goldsboro Library getting prepped for a new season, but the "Spring Workday" brought out a...

Save the Animals Telethon raises funds

Area cats and dogs gave the Save the Animals Telethon two paws up Saturday night. The event raised more than $2,100 that will go towards the Animal Adoption & Education Center. "It raises awareness about what the animal center...

Rules on 911 revenue chould change

State Rep. Efton Sager of Goldsboro is optimistic that legislation defeated last year that would have eased restrictions on how 911 revenues may be used by local governments will gain renewed momentum during the upcoming short session of the...

Friday, March 12, 2010

Emergency call load increasing in county

With ambulance calls increasing steadily, Wayne County commissioners will be pondering over the next few months whether, and how, the county Emergency Medical System could be expanded. Commissioners will soon be looking over plans for 2010-11 budget that could...

Former Cherry worker acquitted

A jury found a former Cherry Hospital worker not guilty of a felony-level patient abuse and neglect charge on Thursday morning. James "Allan" Smith, 34, of U.S. 13, had been accused of playing a role in the beating of...

Three gang members caught in Grantham

Three admitted gang members wanted in Portsmouth, Va., were arrested after a tip that they were staying at a residence outside Goldsboro, a Wayne County Sheriff's Office detective said this morning. Shamouri Kwame Bibbins, 20, Elijah Majestic Svendsen, 19,...

City starts plans for proposed local produce gardening spot

Some wanted to implement garden projects in several at-risk communities across the city. Others envisioned a large, centralized grow spot for affordable produce. And a few simply wanted to build on efforts currently in progress at the Wayne County Public...

Three stores robbed at gunpoint Thursday

Three Goldsboro convenience stores were robbed at gunpoint on Thursday evening, city police said this morning. All three robberies involved black males unknown to the clerks who brandished handguns. Capt. Jeff Stewart said the first robbery took place at...

Miss Rosewood Pageant Saturday at WCC

The 2010 Miss Rosewood Scholarship Pageant will be held Saturday in the auditorium at Wayne Community College, with the show starting at 7 p.m. This year, there are nine contestants competing for the title that the current Miss Rosewood Meredith...

Public record

Convenience store burglary Authorities are looking for two white males who broke into Big Daddy's Gas & Grill on N.C. 222 East near Fremont, taking hundreds of dollars worth of tobacco products, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report....

Wayne one of counties short staff on census

The local United States Census Office has announced there is a serious shortage of census workers in Wayne County. The census, ordered to be held every 10 years by the Constitution and first taken in 1790, will be conducted this...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Cherry worker found innocent of beating

A jury found a former Cherry Hospital worker not guilty of a count of felony-level patient abuse or neglect against a Cherry Hospital patient under his care in 2006. James "Allen" Smith, 34, of U.S. 13 outside Goldsboro, was found...

Tobacco rows

Stan West checks two-week-old tobacco plants in a greenhouse on Ballance Farms near Fremont on Wednesday. The young, fragile plants will grow rapidly and soon be ready for transplanting. West said they most likely be moved to their permanent home...

Squadron christens new RED HORSE headquarters

Nearly a year-and-a-half after the 567th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron was established at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, unit commander Col. Timothy Lamb officially opened its headquarters at the site of the former Federal Prison Camp that...

Needy teenagers can get free prom dress from church program

As prom time approaches, there is another option for girls in need to find the right dress. Dana Southerland, owner of Bridal Gallery, started a program, Dana's Wardrobe, three years ago, initially providing dresses from her store or slightly-used...

Jury out deliberating in Cherry beating trial

A former Cherry Hospital worker took the stand in his own defense Wednesday in Wayne County Superior Court against accusations of beating a patient. A jury began deliberations of the charged against James "Allan" Smith, 34, about 4:30 p.m....

Singer will debut new album at home

In Nashville -- AKA Music City -- it's not unusual to hear about record release parties every other week, says Monte Stephens, a record producer with Freedom Records. So when it came time to debut the gospel CD of...

Kindergarten readiness workshop

Parents and guardians are invited to a kindergarten readiness workshop sponsored by WAGES today from 6-7 p.m. at the Wayne County Public Library. For more information, call Delaine Tucker at 735-371, ext. 222, or Shelly Willis at 288-1072, ext. 205....

Man arrested in Wallace for heroin

WALLACE -- A self-confessed gang member is in the Duplin County jail under a $1,001,000 bond following his arrest Monday on numerous charges of trafficking in heroin. Sheriff Blake Wallace said Anthony Jamar James, 25, of Wilmington entered the...

MIssing person

William Bailey Suggs, 56, was reported missing on Tuesday. He was last seen wearing a gray fleece jacket and blue jeans. He was last seen leaving his home about 8 a.m. on North West 4th Street in Snow Hill,...

Wakefield to speak at Harrison Lecture

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College will hold its 20th annual Vivian B. Harrison Memorial Lecture in Rodgers Chapel on March 16 at 9:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Dr. Andrew Wakefield, associate professor of New Testament and Greek...

Fremont police chief offers safety advice to local senior citizens

Fremont police Chief R.K. Rawlings spoke to a group at the Fremont United Methodist Church Tuesday about safety in the town. The group, 50 Uppers, is made up of community members over the age of 50. "A lot of you...

'Fill the Boot' drive for MDA on Saturday

Wayne County firemen will be out Saturday at the Wal-Marts on Spence Avenue and U.S. 70, seeking donations for their annual Fill the Boot campaign. The annual drive is designed to raise money for the victims of muscular dystrophy. Firefighters...

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Museum's new director has conservation training

The Wayne County Museum is welcoming a new director to oversee programs and to manage the collection's preservation. Terry Williams, a retired Air Force aircraft maintenance officer who was once stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, was recently...

Circus feat

At only 8 years old, Juliet Carbolla dazzles the crowd with her contortionist routine during the Walker Brothers Circus held at the W.D. Crawford National Guard Armory in Fremont on Tuesday. The circus is a family affair for the Carbollas,...

Planning Board offers advice to property owners

Members of the Wayne County Planning Board Tuesday night offered advice to a local man as to how he could legally bypass county subdivision regulations in order to meet a deadline to qualify for a housing tax credit. However,...

Worker to testify in Cherry assault charge

The trial of a man accused of dragging a Cherry Hospital patient into a bathroom and beating him is scheduled to continue today in Wayne County Superior Court. James "Allan" Smith, 34, of U.S. 13, faces one count of felony...

Police recreate fatal accident on U.S. 70 near Berkeley Boulevard

The eastbound lane of U.S. 70 was closed for about two hours Tuesday morning near Berkeley Boulevard as investigators used laser-guided measurement tools to recreate a fatal accident. Capt. Mike West said that the two-hour period after morning rush...

Groups look at Duplin hospital

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County commissioners and Duplin General Hospital staff will know by the end of the month which entities might want to make a deal for control of the county's hospital. March 31 is the deadline set for receiving...

Battle of the Books kicks off Friday

Dozens of area middle school students will test their reading skills on Friday, during Wayne County Public Schools' 24th annual Battle of the Books competition. The quiz bowl-style contest is specifically designed for students in grades six through eight....

Mr. and Miss GHS

Goldsboro High School juniors Corteiz Spangle, right, and Kamesha Brown were crowned Mr. and Miss GHS during the Talent Show and Black History event held at the school on Feb. 26. The program also featured "Black History Moments" of African...

Open house planned for construction, diesel academies at SWHS

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne High School will hold an open house for its Construction Academy and Diesel Academy on Thursday from 1-4 p.m. Parents, students, and elected officials will have the opportunity to get a firsthand look at what...

Red Cross prepares to kick off annual sports memorabilia fundraising auction

On Thursday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m., the American Red Cross will open the doors to its annual Sports Memorabilia Auction and Dinner at Walnut Creek Country Club. This will be the seventh year the Wayne County Chapter has...

Fremont cleanup day called a good success

It took John Wood more than two hours to haul everything he wanted thrown out to the curb outside his home. From the looks of it, it's possible some of his trash had survived several decades before getting the...

Teen appointed to state panel on volunteers

Pikeville resident Michael J. Atkins Jr. has become the youngest person ever appointed to the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service. He was appointed to the commission recently by Gov. Beverly Purdue and became one of 15...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Man, 27, pleads to 2nd degree murder

A Mount Olive man accused in the shooting death of a Goldsboro man pleaded guilty to a reduced charge Monday afternoon. Michael Lee Shipman, 27, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of Javonnie Donta Langston in Wayne County Superior...

Officials: They saw Northrop Grumman decision coming

Wayne County officials said they are disappointed, but not entirely surprised by Northrop Grumman Corp.'s announcement that it is dropping out of the competition to build refueling tankers for the Air Force. Despite the Monday announcement, the local leaders,...

Two charged in thefts

A Poplar Street man accused of brandishing a utility knife and "charging" a Rosewood Wal-Mart loss prevention officer Satur-day evening and then leading police on a high-speed chase faces charges, and a female accomplice also was jailed for her...

Duplin County EMS earn national championship

The Duplin County Emergency Medical Service teamed up with the Cumberland County-based Cape Fear Valley EMS to bring a national EMS championship, and more than $20,000 in medical equipment, home to North Carolina. Members of both EMS departments combined forces...

Wayne County student earns NCSU Park Scholarship

A Wayne County senior attending N.C. School of Science and Math has been named a Park Scholar, receiving a full ride to attend N.C. State University in the fall. Joshua Chappell previously attended Southern Wayne High School before being accepted...

DGDC looks into theft from bank account

A Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. bank account was breached late last week and purchases -- to the tune of $2,100 -- were made. But DGDC executive director Julie Thompson said the bank, and members of her staff, have been...

Employee hurt Friday at Cherry

A Cherry Hospital staff member was "inadvertently" injured Friday while trying to transport patients on the grounds, officials said Monday. An internal investigation is being conducted into the incident, said Mark Van Sciver, spokesman for the N.C. Department of Health...

Former Cherry employee answering assault charge

A former Cherry Hospital worker facing one count of felony abuse and neglect of a patient entered a plea of not guilty in Wayne County Superior Court Monday afternoon. James Allan Smith, 34, of U.S. 13, Goldsboro, is accused...

Monday, March 8, 2010

Groups will get $250,000 in grants

Smart Choices for Youth will distribute $250,000 worth of grants to organizations that impact communities in Wayne, Wilson, Sampson and Edgecombe counties. This is the first time in its 20-year history that Smart Choices has been in a position...

Cooking it ... Fremont style

The Job: Hamburger flipper The Company: Capitol Cafe The Location: Fremont There seems to be some sort of language barrier between me and the town of Fremont. "I'll have one burger all the way and one without," one guy said...

Duplin takes aim at budget to look for savings

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County commissioners have taken a look at what kind of cuts they could take to reduce the county's 2010-11 budget by more than $3.4 million. Based on the 2009-10 budget, that amount is how much the...

Commissioners take issues to D.C.

A contingent of Wayne County leaders will attend the National Association of Counties' annual legislative conference this week. Commissioners Jack Best, J.D. Evans, Andy Anderson, Steve Keen and John Bell and County Manager Lee Smith will be in Washington,...

To garden or not to garden in city, that will be the mayor's question

More than four months after a lecture at Goldsboro High School got city officials thinking more seriously about the concept of urban farming, Mayor Al King and members of the City Council will host a public meeting -- scheduled to...

Investigators will try to reconstruct accident

Goldsboro police and the state Department of Transportation plan to shut down the eastbound lane of U.S. 70 sometime soon to reconstruct an accident that killed a Snow Hill man just before midnight on Saturday, police said. Goldsboro Maj....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Saturday telethon to save the animals

The Humane Society will host its third annual Save the Animals telethon Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. on PACC-10 TV. The line-up will feature animals up for adoption, as well as some success stories. The three-hour event will...

Snow Hill man dies in U.S. 70 accident

A Snow Hill man was killed around midnight Saturday after an accident with a rollback tow truck, Goldsboro Police Department officials said in a news release. Perry Michael Lanier, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene -- near the...

Mission to Haiti

When Dr. Howard Newell came across a 13-year-old girl with an infected foot injury, he knew he had to act swiftly. "If we hadn't seen her, she might have died," he said. "The infection had already spread to the...

County, towns putting last touches on disaster plans

Over the next two months Wayne County and its six smaller municipalities will put the finishing touches on a plan that aims to lessen the impact of natural disasters in the county, most notably flooding. For example, one of...

Annual conference looks for ways to help children in need

Parents, service providers and concerned volunteers gathered Friday at the ninth annual State of the Child conference at Mount Olive College to learn new ways of helping children in need. Guardian ad litem Program Director Colleen Kosinski knows that...

Kelly to leave April 1

In just a few weeks, the 4th Fighter Wing will have a new leader. Wing Commander Col. Mark Kelly confirmed Saturday that he will relinquish his post during a ceremony on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base April 1 --...

WCC offering continuing education classes this spring

Wayne Community College is offering several courses through its continuing education program this spring -- including quilting, flower arranging, golf, photography, stained glass, dog obedience, sewing and landscape painting. "Beginning Quilting" provides students with steps to design their own...

Soldier with local ties killed in Afghanistan

An 82nd Airborne soldier with family ties to Goldsboro was killed last week in Afghanistan. Specialist Josiah Crumpler, 27, of Hillsborough, died Monday when his patrol came under enemy attack in northwestern Afghanistan. He was the grandson of Joyce...

Youth told to choose abstinence

"You are worth waiting for" was the message heard over and over by youths attending the 2010 Rose Banquet Wednesday as they were urged to choose abstinence over sex. Sponsored by the Wayne Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention the...

Movie coming to Goldsboro praised for positive impact on teens

An award-winning film widely praised for its positive impact on teenagers is coming to Goldsboro this month. "To Save a Life," is an independent movie about the real-life challenges facing young people. It is rated PG and has received...

Title 1 workshop Thursday

Wayne County Public Schools will hold a Title I parent workshop on Thursday at the H.V. Brown Center on Poplar Street, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Marcia Tate will be the guest speaker for the event. She is the...

Love you Grandma, Grandpa

Gray Sauls, left, of Eureka, kisses her 5-year-old grandson, Chance, in the hallway after his performance at Faith Christian Academy's Grandparents' Day Celebration on Friday. The morning started with a breakfast reception, with food prepared by the seniors in Della...

Quinn honored by N.C. Baptist Hospital board

WARSAW -- Businessman and civic leader Gerald H. Quinn was recently honored by North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem as an honorary lifetime member of its board of trustees. He is only the second person in the 87-year history...

Legislators pay visit to Dillard Academy

Two area lawmakers were educated last week on the successful role of public charter schools. State Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, and state Rep. Efton Sager, R-Wayne, paid a visit to Dillard Academy, a K-4 charter school, as part of...

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Goldsboro advances to state finals

Goldsboro High School's boys' basketball team defeated Pender High 58-48 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 1-A east regional finals this morning at Minges Arena on the campus of East Carolina University. The Cougars advanced to the state...

Friday, March 5, 2010

Local Red Cross kicks off fundraiser

The American Red Cross of Wayne County kicked off its annual campaign Thursday, with about 100 people attending a luncheon at Red Cross headquarters on George Street. This year's theme is "Heroes Grow Hope" and, like last year, this...

Swinging into spring

Eddie Radford takes his first swings of the golf season at Lane Tree Golf Course Thursday as skies cleared and temperatures moderated a bit. Forecasters were calling for a couple of cold nights still but with warmer days ahead as...

New road project selection system unveiled

KINSTON -- A new method of selecting highway projects, based more on pure data and leaving less room for politics to play a part, was unveiled recently by state Department of Transportation officials. For the most part, the new...

Man killed in bike accident

A story in Friday's News-Argus incorrectly identified the victim of an accident on 11th Street as a physician. Thomas Allen Mangum, 34, was struck from behind by a vehicle while he was riding his bicycle about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. He...

Two held on meth charges

DUDLEY -- Chemical analysis shows a meth lab was in operation before an April house fire that killed 26-year-old Dennis "Allen" Anderson Jr., and authorities are deciding whether additional charges should be filed in connection with his death. Wayne...

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Duplin Events Center will lose manager

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County Events Center management company VenuWorks will serve out the remaining time on its existing contract with the county but will not seek to renew the deal. "We have withdrawn from the Request For Proposals process that...

Grimes to challenge Butterfield for U.S. House

Jerry Michael Grimes II takes pride in his unusual route to politics. "One voter complimented me, 'You're an anti-politician.' I'm certainly anti-establishment," he said. Grimes, who lives in Goldsboro, is running for the opportunity to represent the Republican Party...

Special Olympian will take part in U.S. competition

Wayne County native Dianne Jordan's favorite part of competitive bowling is round, shiny and golden. "I like it when I throw in the middle every time, and I win the medal," she said with a smile. As a Special Olympics...

Health Department seeing increasing syphilis infections

There is a syphilis epidemic in Wayne County, Health Director James Roosen says -- one that if left untended, could become a widespread problem. "We have a very high rate of syphilis -- probably among the highest in the state,"...

Pipeline under Spence forces repair

Staring some 15 feet down through one of several large holes along Spence Avenue near its intersection with Elm Street, City Engineer Marty Anderson said he did not feel comfortable even walking on the section of the popular thoroughfare closed...

Woman in fatal wreck identified

A Mount Olive woman was killed when she ran into a tree on N.C. 403 just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, a Duplin County Highway Patrol sergeant said this morning. Falling snow may have played a role in the death, according...

Southern Wayne student named 'Youth of the Year'

A Southern Wayne High School senior has been named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County. Myron Roberts was recognized for his character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community, officials...

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

She couldn't wait, even for the snow

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Little Samantha Serrano was not waiting for anyone -- not even Jack Frost. Her mother, Crystal, had kind of hoped she would have waited to make her debut at least until she got to a hospital....

County seeks justice grant from state

Wayne County will apply for a $116,000 state Criminal Justice Partnership Program for the Day Reporting Center's Sentenced Offender Program. The application was approved by county commissioners Tuesday morning after Day Reporting Center Director Theresa Barrett told them that...

Fremont teaches energy savings

More than 40 Fremont residents attended the town's energy saving class Tuesday night. A representative from ElectriCities, Brian McGinn spoke for about 40 minutes on ways to save energy. "The rates, we can't do anything about the rates, but we...

Man, 62, facing sexual assault charges

A Goldsboro man faces felony charges for four alleged statutory sex offenses with a 14-year-old Pender County boy, authorities said. Henry Allen Sills, 62, of Vance Drive, was initially jailed under an $800,000 bond after being arrested on Jan....

Three arrests made in mystery man murder

Mount Olive police arrested three men in connection with the fatal wounding of a Mount Olive man known as "Arturo." Demario Montrell Leach, 21, and Demontae Antwan Leach, 26, of Mount Olive were arrested Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. and...

Wintery wonderland ... still

Drivers were filling up early today at the Handy Mart on North Breazeale Avenue in Mount Olive during the snowstorm that swept across the county and most of the state. The National Weather Service later this morning dropped its winter...

Weaving students

Rosewood Elementary fifth-grade students Aaliyah Williams, left, 11, and Kathleen Allen, 10, weave on their homemade "looms" during Merle Elam's art class. The school hosted artist-in-residence Victoria Sowers of "Sandy Creek Weavers," who worked with fifth-grade art classes last week....

Miss Eastern Wayne

Lauren Richards, center, was crowned Miss Eastern Wayne 2010 on Feb. 26, and ambassador for raising the most money for the event. In addition to the crown, she also received a $2,000 scholarship. Also pictured from left are Adea...

'Fury'ously raising $

Airiel Down performs at the Paramount Theater in Goldsboro to raise money  for the North Carolina Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association. All the money from the show's performance will support the Carolina Fury. The North Carolina Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association gives...

Partnership book-bag program looking for help with donations

There is nothing like watching a child's eyes light up on kindergarten registration day, when he is handed a bright blue book bag filled with books and school supplies. "It's a tangible thing for the kids to know that...

Three die in crashes across county

Three people died in three separate accidents near Goldsboro, Dudley and Faison between 4 and 11 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. The first accident was on Wayne Memorial Drive, north of Tommy's Road, to which authorities responded after an emergency...

Several Duplin races expected to be tight

The deadline passed Friday for filing to run in the 2010 elections, with some Duplin County races hotly contested while others offer only one candidate for an office. Duplin County incumbent Commissioner Harold Raynor will face Ronnie Kennedy Jr....

Ministers meet

The 36th Annual Black Ministers Retreat for the National Convocation of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ will be held today at Rebuilding Broken Places at 2105 N. William St., starting at 3 p.m. The event has brought in more...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

City mulls over offer of former Moose Lodge for Rec Center site

Members of the local Moose Lodge made an offer to the Goldsboro City Council Monday, saying they had an idea that would cut the cost of the proposed Recreation Center project. Claude David said the organization is willing to sell...

Goldsboro Council makes dog tie-outs a 'no-no'

Goldsboro City Council members adopted two new ordinances Monday that will impact local dog owners, but police Chief Tim Bell said it would take some time -- and cooperation from the public -- to ensure the regulations are followed....

Flurries predicted across region

A Winter Weather Advi-sory is in effect from 9 p.m. this evening until noon on Wednesday for most of the central part of the state including Wayne and Duplin counties. Light snow accumulation of up to an inch is...

Wayne County Reads honors student essay winners at finale

The winners of the essay contest that capped the annual Wayne County Reads campaign chose an eclectic group of books to answer the question: "What book would you save?" Winners were honored at the campaign finale, a reception and...

Pikeville eyes higher rates for electricity

At the town of Pikeville board meeting Monday, members assured citizens they were taking a closer look at the higher electric rates. Mayor Johnny Weaver said board member Vance Greeson was researching when the rates peak, and if it's...

Schools want state to raise dropout age to 18

Wayne County's school board wants to raise the state's age for dropping out of school from 16 to 18. Monday night board members adopted a resolution requesting the General Assembly change the "compulsory attendance" policy and in turn, give parents...

Two arrested for drugs during traffic stop

A driver allegedly jumped from his vehicle and ran from Goldsboro police early this morning, leading to his arrest and the seizure of 42 "ecstasy" pills from his vehicle, authorities said. Adrane Lafette Swinson, 20, of West Pine Street,...

Clarification

The parade marshals for Black History Month Parade in Mount Olive were listed incorrectly in Sunday's News-Argus. The marshals were state Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, and state Rep. Larry Bell, D-Sampson. Also marching in the parade were the Goldsboro JROTC...

Public record

Shotgun attack A city man suffered minor injury after being hit with a shotgun round in the 600 block of South Audubon Avenue late Sunday night, Goldsboro police said. Antwan Stackhouse reported that while riding home on his bicycle, a...

Monday, March 1, 2010

Three schools named to magazine's list

Three county schools have made it to U.S. News and World Report's list of "America's Best High Schools." Based primarily upon academic and enrollment data, more than 21,000 public high schools across the country were categorized into gold, silver, bronze...

Remembering innocence lost

Wayne County for Children Council member Jennifer Dupuis lights a memory candle to symbolize one of the 33 children who have died by the hand of a parent or caregiver in North Carolina in 2008-09 during the fifth annual Life...

Back on the road again ...

The Job: Mechanic The Company: Johnson's Wheel Alignment & Brake Service The Location: Goldsboro I have a bone to pick with the maker of battery terminal protector. I sprayed it on a battery while working at Johnson's Wheel Alignment &...

County will weigh two grant options

Wayne County commissioners will consider two grants at their meeting Tuesday morning at the county courthouse. A public hearing will be held at 9:15 a.m. on an amendment to the county's 2008 Community Development Block Grant for scattered site...

Goldsboro will drop ownership in airport

The city of Goldsboro is turning over its portion of the Goldsboro-Wayne Airport to Wayne County, which will become the sole owner and operator of the facility located just north of the city on Aviation Road. "We don't get...

Alzheimer's caregivers workshop Thursday

A workshop for caregivers of Alzheimer's and dementia patients will be held on Thursday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on E. Chestnut Street. There is no charge for the workshop, which will be held from 10 a.m. until 2...