December 2011 archives

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Friday, December 30, 2011

Many offices closed Monday for holiday

Federal and state offices, the post office and banks will be closed Monday for the New Year's Day holiday. The following Wayne County departments are closed until Jan. 2: Animal Control, Board of Elections, Day Reporting Center, Development Alliance,...

Pickle prep

Pete Evrard, left, and Lynn Williams of Mt. Olive Pickle Co. ready the company's giant pickle for the annual New Year's Eve Pickle Drop that will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. The event, in its 13th year, is...

County taxpayers line up to beat deadline

A line of people this morning snaked around the inside of the Wayne County Tax Office and out the door into the atrium of the county courthouse annex as the tax office reopened after being closed, along with most county...

Goldsboro stores not on closure list

No locations in Wayne County were on the initial list of 79 Sears and Kmart retail stores that Sears Holdings aims to close, according to a release by the company Thursday. Sears Holdings announced its aim to close between...

Public record

B&Es and larcenies *Pamela Barrett reported a break-in at her home in the 100 block of Corney Street that occurred Wednesday. The suspect(s) threw a concrete block through the window of a rear door to gain access into the home....

Barbershop partners retiring after 47 years behind the chair

When J.R. Daughtry and Noble Hudson lock the door at the end of work today at Jefferson Park Barber Shop, it will mark the end of an era and decades of memories. Like the time a military man asked if...

Youth writes community service grant

Zachary Brewer-Kirby, a member of the Goldsboro Mayor's Youth Council and youth leader at New St. Mary Church Ministries, was the principal author for a community service grant awarded to the church by the North Carolina Youth Council. The grant...

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Suspect wanted for attempted murder

A Goldsboro man is wanted on multiple charges, including attempted murder, after allegedly firing several shots into an occupied vehicle on a perimeter street of the Lincoln Homes housing community Wednesday afternoon. Edquan Battle, 24, is believed to have...

Wayne Community College class aims to help people improve job skills

A class to help people hone their employability skills has been launched at Wayne Community College and students are being sought for the next class that begins in January. Angela Strickland, 53, who was in the program's November pilot class,...

Woman starts mission to help people in need

A Wayne County woman has made it her mission to deliver necessities to the less fortunate residents of the county and is currently searching for a building to work out of in the city where those residents can come...

Bomb threat at Cherry

For the third time in a month, members of the 4th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight were called this morning to the Cherry Hospital construction site to answer a bomb threat. The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base team remained...

Public record

Unforgiving bunker Howard Hunt reported that an unknown suspect(s) drove a vehicle onto the fairway and green of the 15th hole at Southern Wayne County Club between Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. It appears, according to the report, the...

Cool weather practice

Alan Cuddington hits a tennis ball to Jennifer Potts Wednesday at Herman Park. Cuddington, a retired tennis coach who mentored players at schools across Wayne County for 45 years, said Potts, a student at Wayne Christian School, has the...

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Raleigh developer buys Five Points Plaza

A Raleigh-based property developer has taken over the management of a Goldsboro shopping center. Plaza Associates finalized the purchase of Five Points Plaza on U.S. 117 South last week for a reported $5.77 million. Senior Property Manager Scott Miller...

Public record

Home break-in Helen Thompson reported a break-in at her home in the 300 block of Brazil Street that occurred on Monday. The suspect(s) broke out a window of a door in the back of the home to gain entry....

Word on Foster could come soon

A week after a contractor suggested that the W.A. Foster Recreation Center on South Leslie Street be closed due to asbestos concerns, Goldsboro officials will learn the fate of the facility after two visits from contractors Tuesday and today....

Trees planted at Stoney Creek

About 26,000 trees have been planted alongside Stoney Creek this month as part of the city and state's continued efforts to restore the stream to its natural state and improve the quality of the water it empties into the...

Peggy Seegars honored for work helping seniors

Three recent awards have cemented Peggy Seegars' legacy as a champion advocate for Wayne County's and North Carolina's senior citizen population. The Sharon Wilder Award was presented to the 86-year-old Mrs. Seegars by Friends of Residents in Long-Term Care....

Mount Olive College to offer new nursing degree program

MOUNT OLIVE -- A new nursing program being introduced at Mount Olive College in January is expected to be popular one. The "RN to BSN," or bachelor of science degree in nursing program, targets registered nurses who already hold...

Local Special Olympian face of P&G's January campaign

Fifteen-year-old Jordan Wiggins loves the Christmas season. From his train ride on the Selma Polar Express to his family's annual viewing of "The Santa Clause" and "Home Alone" movies, avid parade-goers could have counted him riding in six area...

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Pickle Drop to usher in new year

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town of Mount Olive is home to one of the "Quirkiest New Year's Celebrations," according to TripAdvisor.com and the employees of Mt. Olive Pickle Co. Last year, the travel website named the town's annual Pickle...

Family repays ReNu Life after facility helped their son

When Ruth Anderson's son, Russell, had an unexplained medical emergency nearly a year ago and became a patient at a Raleigh facility, she was totally unaware of ReNu Life. Since discovering the Goldsboro facility for brain injury treatment, though, it...

Jeffreys Seed sued by Labor Dept.

The defunct Jeffreys Seed Co., its president, Edward Taylor Jeffreys, and its corporate secretary, James T. Jeffreys III, are being sued by the U.S. Department of Labor to restore $20,324.08 in employee contributions to the company's employee pension and...

Monday, December 26, 2011

Un-shopping and bargain hunting

Lisa Barger and her 1-month-old daughter, Julie, were out shopping early this morning at the Target on Sunburst Drive. Shoppers were hitting the stores in Goldsboro and around the county in droves today, looking for post-Christmas deals. Analysts say...

Railroad crossing decision made

A traffic separation study by a Raleigh-based consulting firm suggests closing the railroad crossing at Mulberry Street, but doesn't recommend closing any other crossings along the Goldsboro railroad corridor that runs nearly parallel to Royall Avenue. Kimley-Horn and Associates...

County offices closed all week

Most Wayne County government offices are closed until Jan. 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays. The offices are: Animal Control, Board of Elections, Day Reporting Center, Development Alliance, Environmental Health Department, Facilities Services, Finance...

Lineup set for 2012 Dancing Stars event

With just a couple changes to the lineup and location, online voting has begun for Dancing Stars of Wayne County, the spring fundraiser for local education efforts. Organizers Debbie Grady and Beverly Carroll said they learned a great deal...

Pate Dawson to build Statesville distribution center

Goldsboro-based Pate Dawson Co. has plans for a $9 million distribution center to be built in Statesville that will employ 49 people -- mostly truck drivers and warehouse workers. Mac Sullivan, CEO of the 126-year-old company, and N.C. Department...

County to eye plan for survey

Officials with Insight Research Inc., a North Carolina company that conducts most of the surveys for counties and cities in the state, will meet with Wayne County commissioners during a board workshop Jan. 3. Commissioners have discussed the possibility of...

Public record

Shooting A man was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment after suffering two gunshot wounds in a drive-by shooting early Saturday on Crawford Street. Tarmarcus Lofton was struck in the arm and hip. Word on his condition was...

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Drive nets thousands of pounds of pet food

Dogs and cats across Wayne County are feeling the joy of the holiday season thanks to the good will of community members who supported the Holiday Pet Food Drive, organized by employees of Prudential The McMillen Real Estate Group. In...

Landfill ready to take post-holiday trash, trees

As the holidays end people will be faced with the task of cleaning up and disposing of gift-wrapping paper, boxes, furniture and electronics that have been replaced with newer models and their Christmas trees. Wayne County residents will be able...

Now, she's the boss

As the bell rang signaling the change of classes Thursday, students spilled out into the hallways. Tonya Faison marched into the main office of Goldsboro High School, hair pulled back into a ponytail and dressed in a camouflage ROTC uniform....

Missionary family battles back after fire

While many people were finishing their last-minute holiday shopping, John and Tabitha Groeneveld, both nurses in the intensive care unit at Wayne Memorial Hospital who also perform missionary work in Africa, were making sure they and their three young...

Friday, December 23, 2011

More homecomings

Families at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base welcomed home more airmen Thursday as the wave of early returning troops continued. Twelve jets and more than 100 pilots, weapons systems officers and other support personnel were sent home early from...

20-year-old charged in rape case

A 20-year-old Goldsboro man is behind bars after being charged in connection with the rape of a child. Tayvon Hawkins, of 1306 Stevens St., was arrested Wednesday after he was allegedly found by a Goldsboro police officer in the...

Airman asks for school supplies instead of holiday care packages

Among the millions of packages traveling across the world this holiday season is an interesting collection of school supplies bound for the Middle East and a special group of schoolchildren, thanks to an F-15E fighter pilot based at Seymour...

Health Department: Vaccine only for certain dates

Officials at the Health Department were apologetic, and maybe even a bit frustrated, Thursday about the brief amount of time they had to respond to a possible case of exposure to Hepatitis A through a former employee at Fruity Yogurt...

Public record

Seat belts save lives All three people involved in an automobile collision on N.C. 55 Wednesday night were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. near the highway's intersection with Shady Grove Road, about...

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Victim found dead in street

A 34-year-old Goldsboro man was shot to death on East Walnut Street late Wednesday night a block from his home. They body of Marquell Hocutt was found in front of 1304 E. Walnut St. shortly after 10 p.m. Minutes...

W.A. Foster closed for asbestos testing

The W.A. Foster Recreation Center will be closed indefinitely due to concerns about asbestos that arose from an inspection Wednesday afternoon. A structural engineer who evaluated the plausibility of installing a new gymnasium floor last week approved the structure,...

Holiday housework

Spring Creek Elementary School kindergartners Jewell Singleton, left, and Macey Thompson decorate gingerbread houses with pieces of candy early Monday afternoon as Debbie Turner's kindergarten class enjoyed Christmas-themed arts and crafts. Wayne County students are now done with school...

Health Department handles worries about Hepatitis A infection

As long as the public is aware of symptoms and treatments for Hepatitis A, there is no cause for alarm if the necessary precautions are taken, health officials say. The Wayne County Health Department and Seymour Johnson Air Force...

Public record

Students accused of drinking, weapon possession *Juvenile petitions were filed on a 12-year-old girl at Rosewood Middle School who was allegedly found to be in possession of a Mountain Dew bottle containing alcohol. The incident was reported by Kevin Smith...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hepatitis A warning issued

The Wayne County Health Department is advising anyone who ate at a yogurt stand on Spence Avenue earlier this month to seek treatment for possible exposure to Hepatitis A. Patrons who visited Fruity Yogurt at 317 Spence Ave. on Dec....

Salvation Army gives out food and toys

Brenda Zamora choked back the tears as she told her 8-year-old daughter, Sara, there would be no Christmas this year. The 37-year-old mother had just started a full-time job last month and was desperately trying to catch up on the...

Court orders bank to pay fines

The Goldsboro Housing Authority will receive a share of about $2 million from Wachovia Bank, now Wells Fargo, as part of a multi-state settlement of a bid rigging scheme -- money that Housing Authority officials had been unaware of....

Public record

Troopers look for driver The state Highway Patrol say they are continuing to look for the driver believed to be responsible for a traffic incident that resulted in a Wayne County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle crashing into a wooded area....

Seven students perform in State Honors Chorus

Seven students were chosen to participate in the State Honors Chorus, performing in concerts held in downtown Winston-Salem last month. The N.C. Elementary and Middle School Honors Choruses, sponsored by the N.C. Music Educators Association, provided the students with...

Back in the Nick of time

For some, Christmas came a little early on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's flight line Tuesday as dozens of airmen returned home from Afghanistan -- just three months into what was expected to be a six-month deployment. Among those...

For Christmas, wife just wanted a manger

For years, all Agnes Rogers has wanted for Christmas was a way to display her outdoor Nativity scene. "I just asked for a manger. That was all I wanted in my yard," she said. But you know how husbands...

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Owner sought in fraud arrests

Law enforcement officials in North Carolina and Georgia are searching for Timothy Batts, the operator of a Wayne County group home, who is among those facing charges in connection with various schemes to defraud Medicaid. Criminal charges levied against the...

Christmas with the Embers: Near-full house for benefit concert

The Embers hit town Monday night, bringing their Christmas show to a packed Paramount Theatre for the third year in a row. The legendary beach music band, now in its 53rd year, revamped its holiday show this year to...

Several protest zoning change

Residents in the area near Franklin Baking Co. again turned out at Monday's Goldsboro City Council meeting to show their opposition to the company's rezoning request filed with the city. Many of the same residents appeared at a Sept....

Another false threat at Cherry work site; SJAFB EOD responds

The entire construction site at Cherry Hospital was cleared of all workers this morning after someone called in a bomb threat to local authorities. Carlos Torres, site manager of the construction project, said he ordered the evacuation just after 7...

Miss North Carolina needs your votes

Before the Miss America Pageant even hits the airwaves next month, the public can cast its votes on their favorite contestant, which just might secure her place in the Top 15. Miss North Carolina, Hailey Best, is hoping her...

Public record

Patrol vehicle crashes While responding to an emergency call, a Wayne County Sheriff's Office patrol car was involved in a single vehicle crash. The crash occurred at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday when another vehicle pulled out in front of...

Construction worker falls at Cherry site

A construction worker was seriously injured Monday afternoon after falling about 30 feet while working at the site of the new Cherry Hospital on West Ash Street. Firefighters with the Goldsboro Fire Department responded to assist Wayne County Emergency...

Monday, December 19, 2011

Dashing to mail

Postal clerk Davicene Pearson sorts through Christmas cards and other mail at the main Postal Service office in Goldsboro. Today is the last day to send holiday cards and packages via regular rate through the U.S. Postal Service to...

Teen charged in sexual assaults on young girls

A Goldsboro teen is in the Wayne County Jail under a $1 million secured bond in connection with alleged sexual assaults against two young girls. Eric Wilder, 18, of 301 S. Virginia St., was arrested at his home by...

Schools serving homeless children

As a social worker in Wayne County Public Schools, Donna Best sees students in all sorts of dire situations, including homelessness. But she prefers not to use that term. It's awkward enough when families find themselves in need of help...

Harris Teeter not yet a 'yes' for city

Despite posts from the Harris Teeter Facebook account and other rumors, there are no specific plans to bring one of the Charlotte-based company's grocery stores to Goldsboro, a spokesperson for the company said today. A Facebook group, Bring Harris...

Chamber unveils new app to catch travelers' eyes

Renovations to the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's 1904 building brought the old building to the present, but a Goldsboro-based software company is aiming to put the Chamber a few steps into the future. In Touch is giving those...

Public record

Home break-ins *Jason Wayman reported a break-in at his home on the 1300 block of East Holly Street that occurred Thursday. After a suspect(s) kicked open a rear door to get into the home, a TV, XBox 360, PlayStation 3,...

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Wilson OFWB churches donate $45,975 to MOC

Members representing Free Will Baptist churches in Wilson County generated $45,975 in gifts to Mount Olive College. One hundred seventy-five people attended the annual College Dinner at Daniels Chapel FWB Church. Churches presented their gifts to the college at...

WCDS kindergarten teacher recognized

In a manner of speaking, Cheryl Warren accidentally became a kindergarten teacher at Wayne Country Day School. "About 18 years ago, I was substituting and they just had a need in the beginning of the year because they had too...

Tax bill deadline looming

Wayne County taxpayers have three weeks remaining in which to pay their property taxes without having to worry about a late penalty. However, they are reminded that the tax office will be closed Dec. 26 through 29 and again on...

WATCH seeking volunteers as patient load continues upswing

One of the busiest medical offices in the county is showing no signs of slowing down. WATCH (Wayne Action Teams for Community Health) which features a clinic at the YMCA and a mobile van that traverses the county, is "swamped,"...

Airmen coming home for holiday

Hundreds of local families were prepared to face Christmas morning know-ing that someone would be missing. Children had been consoled. Husbands and wives had accepted the fact that they would be single parents during one of the most hectic weeks...

Search for Goldsboro police chief ongoing

More than 20 people have thrown their hats into the ring in hopes of being named Goldsboro's next police chief, and City Manager Scott Stevens is expecting many more to apply. The city began accepting applications just over three weeks...

North Carolina qualifies for portion of $500 million early childhood grant

The Partnership for Children of Wayne County might be getting an unexpected boost to its services, as North Carolina was named one of nine states that will share $500 million in grant money for early childhood programs. The official announcement...

Protecting, serving, playing Santa

Local police officers and firefighters took needy children shopping for Christmas on Saturday, with the grownups giving the impression they enjoyed themselves even more than the elated youngsters. Jesse Jernigan is president of the Wayne County Lodge of the...

Peggy Seegars honord by Eastern Council of Governments

Peggy Seegars of Goldsboro was among those honored by the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments at its annual Leadership Awards Banquet Dec. in New Bern Ms. Seegars has served as a Senior Tar Heel Legislator since the inception of...

Local student participates in governor's page program

Nia Kearney of Goldsboro participated in the Governor's Page Program recently, spending a week gaining valuable life experience and providing administrative support as a page for the Department of Commerce. The Governor's Page Program provides students with an opportunity to...

GATEWAY schedule announced

The Christmas and New Year's holiday schedules have been announced for the GATEWAY bus and van services. The bus service will operate from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 23 , while the van service will observe its...

Federal grants announced

Congressman G. K. Butterfield announced Friday the awarding of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Greene County Health Care. The grant will be used to provide primary health care services to underserved...

Making holiday dreams come true

Thanks to the good will of community members across Wayne County, hundreds of the area's needy children felt the spirit of the Christmas season at the Empty Stocking Fund gift giveaway Saturday. The Whitley family from Rosewood stepped out of...

Offices to be closed for holidays

Federal offices, the post office and banks will be closed Dec. 26 for Christmas and Jan. 2 for New Year's Day, while state offices will be closed Dec. 26 and 27 and Jan. 2. Wayne County Public Schools will dismiss...

City Council to hold public hearings Monday

Five public hearings will highlight the Goldsboro City Council meeting Monday night, with council members seeking the public's input on three conditional use permits, a conditional rezoning request and a noncontiguous annexation request. Franklin Baking Co. is again seeking...

Officials caution: Use care with lights and trees

As the holiday season kicks into full swing, fire officials are hoping residents will take fire-safety precautions during their yuletide celebrations. The U.S. Fire Association says nearly 250 home fires involving Christmas trees occur each year and holiday lights cause...

Friday, December 16, 2011

Portion of U.S. 70 bypass opens today

The first leg of the U.S. 70 Bypass opened to traffic this afternoon after work crews late Thursday corrected a short list of issues that turned up during a Monday morning inspection of the highway. "They started first thing this...

Church to feature live nativity Sunday

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. St. Paul United Methodist Church has a stop to remind you that the holiday season is about more than wrapping paper and bows. The church's live nativity will be...

New 4FW commander named

Col. Jeannie Leavitt is no stranger to breaking barriers. She was the first American woman to enter combat training as a fighter pilot -- and the first to reach mission-qualified status. She was the first woman to graduate from the...

Public record

School theft Martin Juarez, an employee of Baker Mechanical Inc, reported the theft of copper welding cables and brass couples near the boiler room of Rosewood Middle School, located at 541 N.C. 581 S. The theft occurred between Monday and...

Driver dies in crash

A 79-year-old Faison woman was killed in a car accident early today on N.C. 55 about five miles east of Mount Olive. Betty Jean Herndon of Soloman Street in Faison, apparently pulled out in front of a passing vehicle...

Empty stocking fund donations

* Dees, Smith, Powell, Jarrett, Dees and Jones, attorneys at law, $100 * From your loving parents, $25, in memory of our daughter Carolina Maria Russo * Jack and Susie Prentice, $40 * The Browns, $50, in memory of Connie...

Bicyclist in serious condition after accident

A Goldsboro man was in serious condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital Thursday after he was struck by a car Wednesday evening while trying to cross East Ash Street on a bicycle. Mark Ray McNair, 50, of North Kornegay Street,...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Schools' poinsettia production down

For years, greenhouses at area high schools have been a popular place to buy poinsettias at Christmas time. Not this year. Eastern Wayne High School is already sold out of the limited supply they had available and other high schools...

Educators share funding concerns

Angela Joyner has dedicated 20 years to the teaching profession. But these days, she finds herself worried -- about retirement, health costs, lack of planning time in the classroom. "We have teachers who come to school at 7 o'clock...

Public record

Bullets hit home Demarko Briggs reported that an unknown suspect fired a gun into his home in the 600 block of Isler Street early Wednesday morning. The damaged property included a window and a $1,000 TV. A bullet was...

Special Olympics supporter

A Small Miracle, which provides services for children and adults with special needs, presented a $36,000 check to Special Olympics North Carolina last week, making the agency a silver level sponsor. The agency has presented $30,000 each of the...

No. 6 wins Mazda 6 at United Way event

Six was the lucky number for Jonathan Smith of Mount Olive Wednesday night. Smith drew the sixth key in the United Way's Fair Share Challenge. And when his turn came to try it in the driver's door of the...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ex-school staff plead guilty

GREENVILLE -- Danny Lee Langley, 54, of Snow Hill and Earl Wayne Rhodes, 58, of Pikeville, former employees of the Wayne County Public Schools maintenance department, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to charges of public corruption in a...

A holiday design

Lisa Wagner paints a silk scarf Tuesday at the Arts Council of Wayne County. She was taking part in a class taught by Emily Best on the art of painting silk scarves and used the opportunity to create something...

Cities withdraw motions; petitions arriving

Updated 1/3/12 More than 67 percent of petitions mailed out to property owners in the Phase 11 area concerning the area's possible deannexation have been returned, according to the Wayne County Board of Elections. As of Dec. 13, 331 of...

Billboards support immigrants

A Raleigh-based non-profit organization is aiming to bring its immigrant-friendly message to Wayne County in the next two months through its statewide billboard campaign. Uniting NC will erect billboards in the Triangle area, Charlotte, Asheville and Mebane as part...

Highway projects to be pushed back

Safety improvements at two U.S. 117 intersections in southern Wayne County and a third project at the U.S. 70 West intersection with Ebenezer Church and Capps Bridge roads have been pushed back a year. The delays were approved earlier this...

Wayne Engineering in fifth year with successful record

Gary Hales, principal at Wayne School of Engineering, says he thanks his bosses all the time for the opportunity to lead the district's newest high school. The school is one of four in the state affiliated with the N.C....

Public record

Attempted robbery at eatery Carlos Herrera reported that he was nearly robbed by an unknown suspect as he was taking trash out of Los Fogones, located at 209 S. Berkeley Blvd., around 7:30 p.m. Monday. The suspect brandished a 9-mm...

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Teenager charged in accident at mall

Goldsboro police have charged a 16-year-old girl who was behind the wheel during a single-car accident Thursday evening in the Berkeley Mall parking lot that sent five people to the hospital. Two of the teens sent to Wayne Memorial...

Bypass portion near state OK

The few minor issues discovered during Monday's final inspection of the first section of the new U.S. 70 Bypass do not amount to enough remaining work to delay the highway's anticipated opening by the end of the month, said...

A little taste of home

They will not embrace a brother or sister on Christmas Eve. They won't wake up to the smell of their mother's cooking the following morning. Not this year, anyway. So even though it might seem like a simple gesture, members...

Public record

Jewelry stolen Jose Lopez of Pineview Cemetary Road in Seven Springs told deputies that $10,000 of jewelry was stolen from his house when he returned to his home. Lopez, 36, questioned three white males who were in his yard...

Monday, December 12, 2011

Wayne County Reads book selected

Wayne County Reads has selected "The Pleasure Was Mine," a novel about a family coping with a member in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, as its 2012 selection. The novel's author, Tommy Hays of Asheville, has agreed to...

Eureka! It's Christmas

Children riding on a float wave to the crowd during the Eureka Christmas Parade on Sunday afternoon. The parade drew hundreds of people to the northeastern Wayne County town. It was the last of the many parades held across...

Tax listings must be made by Jan. 31

Residents who own real and/or personal property in Wayne County are required to list that property between Jan. 3 and 31 -- any listing made after that time will be subject to a penalty of 10 percent of the taxes...

Dudley house fire

Dudley Fire Department Capt. Cary Hughes works his way through the remains of a house fire Sunday morning on Jill Court in Dudley. Firefighters from Dudley, Arrington and Mar-Mac responded to the fire shortly after 7 a.m. Homeowner Reta...

Franklin Baking not yet ready to expand

Despite talk at a September Goldsboro City Council meeting, there are no plans for expansion at Franklin Baking on West Grantham Street. Wayne County Development Alliance Vice President Mike Haney said during a public hearing Sept. 19 that the...

Commander comments on F-15E team cut

More than a week after Air Combat Command officials cut the majority of its air show acts -- including the 4th Fighter Wing's F-15E Demonstration Team -- Seymour Johnson Air Force Base officials are breaking their silence. But installation Commander...

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Schools get edict to alter 10-month pay schedules

A new state law designed to eliminate paperwork for public school employees is expected to stir up backlash, as two-thirds of teachers, administrators and other school workers could be socked with higher insurance premiums and bigger gaps between paychecks....

Jingling in the park

Her hands wrapped around a cup of hot cider, Bryce Edgerton peered around the dozen people standing between her and a ride on the "Polar Express." "Are we next, Mama?" the 6-year-old said. "It's cold." The woman standing next...

They can't give it away

As Monday's Goldsboro City Council meeting drew to a close, District 6 Councilman Jackie Warrick, during his comment period, turned to City Manager Scott Stevens and asked about the house the city had donated to a sweepstakes in June....

Eastern Wayne Sanitary District customers to call for balance

Wayne Water Districts' enforcement of its failure-to-pay policy has developed a new wrinkle since an unknown number of water bills were lost in the mail last week. Customers in the Eastern Wayne Sanitary District who have not yet received...

To honor all who served along with her

The floor was hers but she was at a loss for words. There were too many tears falling. The standing ovation had taken her aback. She still didn't feel like she deserved the recognition a group had just bestowed...

SJAFB EOD responds to 9th call

Wayne County residents have grown accustomed, over the past year, to seeing members of the 4th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight respond to scares outside the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base gates. But for the residents of Kelford, a...

MOC graduates 383 in Saturday commencement ceremony

MOUNT OLIVE -- Sandra Chapel took a moment to collect herself after tears started falling. She knows just how hard her husband worked to make it to his college graduation -- how a four-year degree had taken him six...

Not just for Alan ... but for all Olympians

Don and Charlotte Jenkins decided long ago that supporting their children on the sidelines was not enough. They needed to be involved. So when their son, Alan, now 25, began competing in Special Olympics, his parents also found ways to...

Grand jury hands down 26 true bills of indictment

The Wayne County grand jury handed down 26 true bills on Dec. 5. Of all the charges leading to the indictments, 13 were related to thefts and larcenies; seven were assault related; seven involved unlawful behavior by motorists; four...

Annual bank blood challenge Monday

Local financial institutions are combining their efforts this holiday season to give the gift of life through the eighth annual Bank Challenge blood drive Dec. 12. It will be held at the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red...

Friday, December 9, 2011

EOD called on again

Members of the 4th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight are on their way to Kelford after they were dispatched, moments ago, to an abandoned warehouse in the town that only boasts a population of just more than 200 people. It...

Walnut Creek plans $649,000 bridge project

A $649,000 contract has been awarded to replace the bridge on Lake Wackena Road over Walnut Creek (Lake Wackena), southeast of Goldsboro. In addition to rebuilding the bridge, construction includes work on the approaches on Lake Wackena Road. Work...

It's Christmas in Parkstown

Parade-goers cheer on the floats and bands at the Parkstown Christmas Parade on Thursday afternoon in the Parkstown community near LaGrange. Dozens of entries, including marching units, fire trucks, horse riders and, of course, Santa Claus, took part in...

Man, 27, charged in September murder

A man has been charged in connection with a September murder. Goldsboro police arrested Antonio Jamar Seaberry, 27, of 2003 Rose St., in connection with the Sept. 17 shooting death of Laquan Devon Pearsall, 20. Pearsall was shot behind an...

There's still money available for winter heating help in county

As of Thursday afternoon, 211 households had been approved and $56,800 committed of Wayne County's $720,000 allocation for the revamped Low Income Energy Assistance Program. "We still have quite a bit of money at this point," said Debbie Jones, director...

Ex-board member Lehman Smith dies

Former Wayne County School Board member Lehman Smith died Thursday night. He was 74. A member of the Board of Education for nine years, he was initially appointed to the District I seat in the late 1990s and then re-elected...

Five teens injured in mall crash

Five teenagers were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital after a car in which they were riding ran off the road and struck a pine tree behind Berkeley Mall Thursday at about 6:30 p.m. One of the occupants, a 15-year-old...

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Water clients facing shut-off

The second round of collective enforcement of Wayne Water District's one-month delinquency shut-off policy went off with little fuss Tuesday as the Southwestern Wayne district had about 130 customers have their service disconnected. As part of stepped-up enforcement of...

United Way battling shortfall

Despite a successful Taste of Wayne County and the support of 60 local businesses, United Way officials say the organization's Community Campaign is facing a shortfall -- to the tune of more than $85,000. And should the annual fundraiser fail...

YMCA will help needy families

Members of the Goldsboro Family YMCA and its employees are working together to provide an unsuspecting group of families with an evening full of Christmas cheer. Since late October, the family fitness facility has collected food items and gift...

Mayo takes place on commission; Anderson retires

Surrounded by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, Ray Mayo took the oath of office Tuesday to become the new Wayne County commissioner for District 1, which encompasses most of the northern part of the county. Seated in the audience...

'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Takari Pridgen, a kindergartner at Carver Elementary, performs as Snoopy during the school's presentation of Charles Schulz's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on Wednesday. The students from six kindergarten classes at the school took part in the performance. The kindergarten...

Shootings worry law enforcement

GREENEVERS -- The Duplin County town of Greenevers is under a 6:30 p.m. curfew for foot traffic and limited vehicular traffic following two shootings this week that left two dead and three injured. The number of deputies on duty...

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Airman honored with Bronze Star

Not every airman gets to see the sacrifices being made in Afghanistan through the eyes of those who have witnessed valor. Only a few can say they have read a Medal of Honor narrative before the decoration was bestowed upon...

Machining leads to jobs, but WCC program still underutilized

Ted Koger is convinced that if more people knew about the computer-integrated machining program at Wayne Community College, they'd consider it as a career choice. Koger, an instructor in the program, is also a graduate -- first with a certificate,...

Juveniles charged in vandalism at cemetery

Three juveniles have been charged by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office with doing $100,000 worth of damage to a church cemetery. More than 100 tombstones and grave plots were found vandalized at Providence United Methodist Church in southern Wayne County...

Casey named Exceptional Children Teacher of Excellence

Crystal Casey of Charles B. Aycock High School has been named 2011 Exceptional Children Teacher of Excellence by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction exceptional children's division. She was recognized during recent ceremonies in Greensboro and then before the Wayne...

School board eyes fund balance, dress code policy

School board members Monday night discussed keeping a heftier fund balance in reserve for emergencies, heard an update on construction projects at two schools and voted to keep the higher standard dress code policy as is. A fund balance, typically...

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Talton to run for commission seat

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Kenny Talton, 41, has announced his candidacy for the Wayne County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat held by Democrat J.D. Evans of Dudley. Talton is a Republican. Filing for the May...

Supporters plan park's next steps

The Stoney Creek Park Alliance's failure to get Parks and Recreation Trust Fund money to pay for its intended plan for Stoney Creek Park in its first few years of existence sharpened its members' resolve and gave it experience...

Another tree lit

Alexis Agius, right, sits on Santa's lap Monday at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's Christmas tree lighting. Alexis asked Santa for a kitten under the Christmas tree.  After the tree-lighting many children anxiously waited in line to tell Santa...

Town approves 2.5 percent pay increase

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town workers will receive a raise effective Jan. 1, the Mount Olive town board decided at its meeting Monday. Members passed a 2.5 percent increase, which will cost the town an additional $42,000 annually, and will...

Man, 29, charged in chase, break-in

A vehicle chase involving the Goldsboro police and a suspect believed to be in a stolen vehicle ended in a crash Monday night. Mitchell Jay Hardison, 29, of 415 Kingston Circle, was taken into custody around 10:15, after he...

Radford takes over as new school board chairman

Veteran educator Eddie Radford took over the reins as school board chairman Monday night, with John P. Grantham named vice chairman. Radford commended outgoing chairwoman Thelma Smith for her service to the board, both this past year as its leader...

Committee proposed to weigh Air Force museum

An unscheduled work session item that was added to the Goldsboro City Council agenda Monday morning involved a presentation of potential members of an Air Force museum exploratory committee to decide how best to transition the city's newly acquired...

Public record

Robbery near Herman Park Michael Cross, 44, reported that he was robbed while in the 800 block of Argo Street around 10:50 a.m. Friday. He told police that while he was walking, a burgundy Dodge Caravan pulled up next to...

Raising funds for local children

Jill Oaks prepares pancake batter during the Boys and Girls Club of Goldsboro 33rd annual Pancake Day Saturday. The club served 1,500 pancake plates which is equal to close to 5,000 pancakes....

Monday, December 5, 2011

Pikeville marks Christmastime

A group of motorcycle riders makes its way down the parade route Sunday during the annual Pikeville Christmas Parade. Hundreds of people turned out for the event, which was blessed with sunny skies and moderate temperatures. Wayne County still...

Unemployment down almost everywhere

Unemployment rates fell across the state in October according to the latest data released by the North Carolina Employment Commission Thursday. The report shows a month-to-month decrease of half a percentage point in Wayne County's unemployment rate, as the...

Official will end service Tuesday

Wayne County commissioner Andy Anderson of Pikeville, the board's senior member, will end his 19-year career on the board at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday. And just minutes afterward, his handpicked successor, Goldsboro businessman Ray Mayo, will be sworn in to complete...

Old-time Christmas

Civil War re-enactor Frankie Laurent demonstrates how to make candles at the Bentonville Battleground Historic Site on Saturday. Re-enactors showed visitors how residents would have prepared for Christmas in the mid-19th century by making candles and other decorations, using...

Judge's case could snarl local courts

Court dockets in the 8th Judicial District are in a state of flux after a local judge was charged with driving under the influence of prescription drugs. District Court Judge Lonnie Carraway of Greene County was charged Nov. 23...

Council to look at Internet cafe applications

When the Goldsboro City Council convenes for its first December meeting tonight, it will discuss a relatively light agenda that includes 11 items -- all on the consent agenda -- and a presentation from Becky Minchew of IMPACT Missions....

Sunday, December 4, 2011

They love a parade

Students from the Academy of Performing Arts wave to the crowd on Center Street during the Jaycees Christmas Parade. This year's parade theme was "A Miracle on Center Street." The parade set a new record high for number of...

Park group struggles to find way

When the Stoney Creek Park Development Committee, a city board under the umbrella of Parks and Recreation, was dropped in exchange for a non-profit organization to oversee the park's changes from floodplain to first-class park, its original purpose was...

Holiday hoopla: Hundreds gather for weekend of parades across Wayne County

The Bullocks have made it a point to attend multiple Christmas parades this holiday season, the latest one being the Goldsboro Jaycees Christmas Parade on Saturday afternoon. Jan, Donnie and Wes Bullock left the Princeton parade, which began at...

City crew helps with last-minute Thanksgiving sewage crisis

Any day you flush your toilet and hear your kitchen sink blow up promises to be the beginning to a hectic week. But imagine if you were expecting your family over in less than four days for Thanksgiving --...

Smithfield Christmas events

SMITHFIELD -- On Saturday, Dec. 17, Santa Claus is coming to Downtown Smithfield and will stop by the Howell Theatre. Santa will be available to visit with children and adults from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. A free showing of...

School board to pick new leaders Monday

The Board of Education is expected to name new leadership, vote on 23 district policy revisions and approve the district's latest audit report Monday night. The school board meets in the executive boardroom of the administrative offices of Wayne County...

Holiday party for children needs support

No present. No stocking. No meet and greet with Santa Claus. Without donations from the public, that will be the reality for hundreds of Wayne County children who rely, annually, on the generosity of those more fortunate than themselves. But...

Family loses home in early Saturday fire

A fire destroyed a home off Buck Swamp Road early Saturday morning. No one inside the home at the time was injured. The wood frame, one-story house at 201 Morgan Trace caught fire around 3:20 a.m. Goldsboro Fire Department...

KS Bank collects food for needy

KS Bank's annual food drive benefiting local organizations encouraged customers and employees to donate food items for Thanksgiving donations. This is the fifth year that KS Bank has sponsored a corporate-wide food drive. Each branch and department throughout the bank...

Parkstown parade set for this Thursday

The annual Parkstown Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday at 3:45 p.m. This year the community's veterans are being honored. Grand Marshals representing the military branches are Ezra Jackson Jr. (Air Force), Frank Gardner (Army), Eduardo Jackson (Marines) and James...

Teen kills cousin, himself

Two teens are dead after a 19-year-old shot his 18-year-old cousin, then turned the gun on himself Friday night. Raymond Samenski Jr. fired a single shot killing Ryan Shelby and another shot killing himself around 7:20 p.m. Deputies with the...

Holiday happenings are scheduled across county in December

As the holiday season goes into full swing, there's the shopping, wrapping and putting up decorations, but don't forget to take time out to enjoy the Christmas season. Wayne County has several holiday events planned for December -- everything from...

Bloodmobile December schedule

The following is the December blood drive schedule for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross: Dec. 1 -- Goldsboro High School from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wayne Country Day School from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m....

Public record

Armed robbery Down East Travel Center, located at 2600 U.S. 117 S., was robbed by a masked man around 4 a.m. Thursday. A clerk reported that a man wearing a ski mask and a jacket with a fur-lined hood...

Friends collect funds for Miss N.C. charity

Real friends know the importance of helping each other. Whitney Grantham, an aspiring elementary school teacher in her second year at Wayne Community College, has known Hailey Best, reigning Miss North Carolina, since they met as young girls. "My mom...

Friday, December 2, 2011

Sweet singing in the choir

Erykah Mosley, a member of the Meadow Lane Elementary School chorus, gives a thumbs up Thursday night at the Wayne County Holiday Showcase. The group performed "The Holiday Season" and "Papa's on the Housetop." This was the last night...

SJAFB's F-15E Demo team cut

Their heavy metal intro has been silenced. The pass they dedicate to the men and women currently fighting overseas will no longer unfold. They won't be one of the acts children revere after looking skyward and seeing them streak...

Man, 46, charged in drug seizure

A LaGrange man will face drug charges after being caught with nearly 300 grams of cocaine Wednesday. Rodney Lee Woodard, 46, was charged with 26 counts of trafficking cocaine by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad and placed in the...

Hearing set today in Duplin murder

KENANSVILLE -- A probable cause hearing was scheduled for today in Duplin County District Court for Danny Gwaltney, 55, of Calypso, who was charged in the Sept. 23 shooting death of a Dudley man. However, it will be after...

City employees meet with boss

Goldsboro city employees gathered together Tuesday morning for a large staff meeting at the Paramount Theatre, although City Manager Scott Stevens said many of the issues discussed were internal and the meeting served mostly to acquaint himself with middle...

N.C. judge: No delay in annexation petitions

Wayne County Board of Elections staff members will continue to accept petitions concerning the deannexation of the Phase 11 area of Goldsboro since a request for an injunction to suspend enforcement of the law was denied in Wake County...

Public record

Home break-ins *Sheniece Griffin reported a break-in at her home in the 200 block of Banks Avenue between Nov. 23 and Wednesday. Ms. Griffin said she returned from vacation to find her home broken into and the following items...

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Searching for teachers

It was not so long ago that teaching positions were at a premium and college graduates sought refuge in meager jobs until a slot opened up. These days, as Baby Boomers are retiring in droves and fewer students are entering...

Band director charged in theft at school

For the second time in a month, an employee with Wayne County Public Schools has been arrested on embezzlement charges. Antwann Devonte Smith, 28, band director of Goldsboro High School, was arrested and charged with one count of embezzlement...

Goldsboro sues over annexation

Attorneys representing the city of Goldsboro have filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against a number of state laws recently passed by the General Assembly making possible the removal of an area of the city from its jurisdiction. Anthony...

Dohertys named top ACC couple

He could have made a phone call. He could have sent a note. He certainly didn't have to drive to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. There were exercises and an inspection to prepare for. There were hundreds of airmen to...