August 2013 archives

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Saturday, August 31, 2013

Missed Direction: Who pulls the trigger?

It starts with a cluster of youths hanging around a store or a neighborhood. There is a fight, a scuffle, names are called and, in some cases, residents say, guns are drawn. It used to be viewed as just...

Missed Direction: Are gangs contributing?

Keith Acree, N.C. Department of Public Safety communications officer for adult corrections, says there are validated and non-validated gang members in Wayne County. "It's fair to say there are a very small number of folks on probation or parole...

Missed Direction: Pending murder cases

Of the 100 murder cases the District Attorney's Office has taken on since Assistant DA Matthew Delbridge began leading homicide prosecutions, there are 29 still pending from 21 events (some of the cases involve multiple suspects). Not all of them...

City eyes code violators

There is a crack pipe on a table and a broken mirror scribbled with gang rhetoric reading, "5 poppin', 6 droppin'." A deflated air mattress covered in insulation ripped from the ceiling is a make-shift bed -- and it...

Little Washington neighbors reunite

Doreatha Macklin bows her head and begins the blessing. From a tent a few hundred feet behind her, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's, "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You," plays softly over her prayer. "These are...

Literacy Connections to ask commissioners to reconsider

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday could be asked to reappropriate the $27,000 for staffing that they chopped from the Literacy Connections of Wayne County budget just two months ago. Pat Yates, Literacy Connections executive director, is expected to make that...

Steele Memorial Library on county agenda

A capital project ordinance for the Mount Olive Steele Memorial Library project is expected to be created by Wayne County commissioners when they meet Tuesday morning. Commissioners on Aug. 6 awarded the project to the design/build team of Smith...

Woman makes par, then says 'yes'

A few birdies and a good golf game led to an even better day when Alan Hawkins proposed -- successfully -- to his girlfriend -- now fiancee -- Ashleigh Carter, on Hole 7 at the Southern Wayne Country Club....

Council agenda set for meeting

Hours before the deadline passed for the upset bid process on the former Arts Council of Wayne County property, a counter-offer of $630,050 has come in from Pear Properties, LLC topping The Little Bank's updated offer of $600,000. Pear...

Friday, August 30, 2013

Rush to hospital results in crash

A mother and grandmother trying to rush a 4-week-old to the emergency room ended up in a crash Thursday. Initially, Goldsboro police thought the child was killed in the accident, which occurred outside Wayne Memorial Hospital at about 6:35 a.m....

Looking for online votes to make dream come true

Ever have an idea for something that belongs on the shelves at Walmart? For the second year, the company's "Get on the Shelf" contest challenged inventors, entrepreneurs and armchair dreamers to submit possible products they would like to offer...

Veterans gather to unify efforts

More than 12,000 veterans call Wayne County home, and they all have need for a "lot of different services," Wayne County Commissioner Bill Pate says. How to ensure that veterans know about and have easy access to those services...

Closings announced for holiday

Local, state and federal offices, including banks and the post office, will be closed Monday in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Wayne County Public Schools will be closed as well. All Wayne County offices, including the landfill and...

Thursday, August 29, 2013

YMCA targets child sexual abuse with new community program

The statistics of child sexual abuse are too alarming to ignore, says Kriquette Davis, associate executive director of the Goldsboro Family YMCA, which is launching an effort to bring training and education to Wayne County residents. "One in four girls...

Fall fun at the college

Wayne Community College professor Kirk Keller, second from right, grimaces as he helps the girls, including Jordan Wildman, left, and Emily Bible, right, against the boys during a tug of war Wednesday at WCC's Fall Festival. Miss Wildman is...

Classes offered to sellers of alcohol

The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is offering tips on how to catch those who are trying to break the state's alcohol laws. The commission will offer free two-hour workshops on its Responsible Alcohol Seller/Server Program Sept. 16 and Oct....

DGDC looking for help to add housing

Friday is the deadline for responses to a proposal for a private developer to partner with the city of Goldsboro for residential development at the south end of Center Street. The proposal was sent out by the Downtown Goldsboro...

Suspects identified by GPAC

Many of the suspects arrested last week in a countywide drug roundup have been notified by Goldsboro Partners Against Crime that they will have a final chance to turn their lives around or face far more serious trouble with the...

LaGrange Garden Spot Festival to be held Sept. 6-7

LAGRANGE -- The annual LaGrange Garden Spot Festival featuring entertainment, arts and crafts, food and other activities, will be held Friday and Saturday Sept. 6-7 at the LaGrange Community Park. Two new events have been added to this year's...

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Financial literacy program unveiled

The United Way of Wayne County introduced its new financial literacy initiative to a gathering of about 50 people Tuesday at the Lane Tree Golf Club, including representatives from area banks and non-profit service organizations. The program, expected to...

New rules poised to take effect for registration, vehicle taxes

Wayne County could gain several million dollars in tax revenue as the result of a new state law requiring that vehicle property taxes be paid at the same time someone renews a vehicle's registration. Beginning Monday, the new Tag...

Numbers are in for first days of school

A districtwide Internet outage and busing issues marred an otherwise smooth opening to a new school year for Wayne County Public Schools. The bulk of students on the traditional calendar returned to class on Monday. Three schools were already in...

Incentive grants to help downtown businesses

Matchbox, a wood-fired pizza restaurant and oyster bar from the same owners as the Brown Bag Cafe on Patetown Road, is expected to open on John Street in the next six to eight weeks after construction delays held up...

Patrols to keep eyes on drivers

State and local law enforcement officers will be on the lookout this weekend -- and have been since Aug. 16 -- to make sure drivers are following the rules and easing off the accelerator. The Governor's Highway Safety Program...

Crime of the Week

On Aug. 18, a representative of Cox-Edwards Co. Inc., located at 1205 Parkway Drive, discovered a break-in that had occurred at the business between the dates of Aug. 16 and Aug. 18. The following items were reported stolen: •...

Literacy Connections starts fall schedule for adult readers

Literacy Connections of Wayne County has started a new learning schedule for adult readers for the fall. Adult beginning readers and need to review the alphabet, may attend small group classes from 9-10 a.m. or 5-6 p.m. on Mondays...

Keen elected to serve on state commissioners association board

Wayne County Commission Chairman Steve Keen has been elected to a two-year term on the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners board of directors. Keen, who was elected during the Association's 106th annual conference held Aug. 22-25 in Guilford...

Wanted: robot wranglers

Electric motors hum, and spinning wheels rev to speed. "All clear" The "bat" rears back and snaps. SCHWUuck. The Frisbee shoots forward spinning rapidly and floating on a column of air. As the plastic disc comes to rest 30...

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New safety policies in place

Following the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., last year, and another recent attempted shooting, school districts across the country are taking safety measures far more seriously. Efforts are being made to anticipate crisis situations and create insurance policies to counter...

Wayne Water District opens new building

Wayne Water District, a cooperative of five sanitary districts, has completed a $2.2 million project that includes a new office on a 20-acre site at 3600 Commercial Drive. "The five districts that make up the Wayne District basically cooperate to...

Veterans will hold meeting Thursday

Wayne County Veterans Services Advisory Board members are hopeful that a "visioning" session scheduled for Thursday will help provide direction as to how the county can better serve its veterans. Wayne Peedin, the North Carolina Veterans Affairs acting director,...

'Home' makeover

The Wayne County Boys & Girls Club normally shuts down the week before the school year starts, to give staff a chance to clean up the units and prepare for a new year. This year, though, the Royall Avenue club...

Aggie Ballers Classic

Keith Petten Jr., 8, practices during halftime of one of the Aggie Ballers Classic games in the Rosewood High School gym Saturday. The Gold-Wayne Chapter of the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association sponsored the basketball event to...

Little Washington reunion Saturday

The 11th annual Little Washington reunion will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at H.V. Brown Park. The park, located at West Elm Street and H.V. Brown Lane, can be seen from U.S. 117 South. Refreshments...

Monday, August 26, 2013

Salvation Army pantry in need of food items for needy

The Salvation Army is turning away hungry people because its shelves are bare. Salvation Army commander Lt. Kenny Igleheart said the pantry only has green beans -- not enough to feed a family or anyone. "We're in drastic need of...

Phone scams swindle citizens

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has seen a recent spike in the number of reported telephone scams, which dupe Wayne County citizens out of hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars. The calls are coming from area codes ranging from Washington,...

New group plans new 'get healthy' initiative

Go, Wayne, Go. Part cheer, part mantra, the grassroots initiative is designed to get county residents moving toward a healthier lifestyle. And it only takes a few minor changes, Wayne County Health Director Davin Madden said. "We talked about moving...

Ready, set, learn

Jada Higdon couldn't wait to ride the bus for her first day of school. "She woke us up -- 'Time for school!' -- at 5:30 in the morning," her mom, Sherry Higdon, said. At 7:03, the bus arrived and...

Alumni of former Norwayne High to hold weekend reunion

On Labor Day Weekend, high school graduates from Norwayne High School, Fremont Colored School, Friendship School, Pikeville Training School, along with relatives and friends, will gather for their 41st school reunion. Activities will begin with a meet and greet...

Immigration reform march

Advocates of immigration reform held a march and rally Sunday to bring attention to the issue. The group of about 200 people included labor groups, human rights advocates and others, who called on the state's lawmakers to take a...

Single-vehicle accident

Firefighters from Belfast, Patetown and Goldsboro fire departments responded to a single-vehicle accident on U.S. 117 North near Airport Road at about 8 a.m. Sunday. The driver, Ralph Eugene Myers, 44,  909 S. Chestnut St., was trapped in his...

Sunday, August 25, 2013

WCPS revamps bus inspection procedures

The Wayne County Public School system has tightened its bus inspection program in the wake of a state report that was critical of its inspection record over the past two years. "The schools' transportation department is monitoring safety inspections...

Elvis helps kick off United Way fundraising effort

The sounds of rockabilly, bluegrass and country music filled the Paramount Theatre on Friday night as United Way of Wayne County kicked off its annual campaign with an Elvis tribute concert that also featured local musicians the Malpass Brothers...

Finishing up as MOC's new year begins

MOUNT OLIVE -- Mount Olive College held its 60th summer graduation Saturday at the George and Annie Dail Kornegay Arena, celebrating the end of one phase in life and the beginning of the next for the nearly 200 graduates....

Helping hands abound during Days of Caring

As you pass by their kennels, the dogs wag their tales, bark for attention and give you the sad puppy dog eyes begging you to take them home. Some will be lucky enough to find a new owner, while...

County makes new plan for health

An organization's strategic plan is like a road map, a way to set goals and focus on areas that can be improved upon, says Wayne County Health Director Davin Madden. The county Board of Health recently approved its plan,...

Taking her last orders: Gaynell Brock closing Southern Belle

MOUNT OLIVE -- Hugs and well wishes, some served up with tears, have been a steady diet at the Southern Belle restaurant since operator Gaynell Brock announced her retirement. A part of the community since 1962, Sept. 1 will...

County reports 2 rabies cases

A Wayne County man is undergoing rabies shots after a rabid kitten, which he found as a stray several weeks ago, bit him on the hand. Another local resident had to have his three pet dogs euthanized after they...

Legislative wrap-up breakfast planned

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce will hold a legislative wrap-up breakfast, on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Lane Tree Golf Club. All five members of the county's delegation to the General Assembly are expected to attend: Sens. Louis...

City trying to sell property on Wayne Memorial

City-owned property along Wayne Memorial Drive, bought for the purpose of building a civic center, is up for sale although it is not listed with any Realtors, city officials said. The city has placed signs on the nearly 18-acre...

Financial literacy is focus of new effort

The United Way of Wayne County will introduce its new financial literacy initiative, Bank On Wayne, at a breakfast at Lane Tree Golf Club on Tuesday morning. The program, expected to begin in January, aims at expanding the number...

Friday, August 23, 2013

Just a dog and his family, almost, after being a hero

To Staff Sgt. Ben Seekell, he is more than just a dog. He is a confidant -- a partner. He's family -- a bond forged in Afghanistan when the two were nearly killed while on patrol not far from...

Meet your teacher ...

Aaliyah Moses stood quietly by her father as they waited for directions to her new classroom at North Drive Elementary School late Thursday afternoon. The third-grader enjoys school, she said, "because it's fun and educational." The 8-year-old with aspirations...

County adds name to housing help list

Wayne County Commissioner Joe Daughtery on Tuesday questioned how the county selects local residents for its federal Community Development Block Grant programs. The question was raised during board discussions about adding a person to the county's current $400,000 Community...

Florida murder suspect arrested

The Goldsboro Police Department's Selective Enforcement Unit arrested a man wanted on murder charges issued out of Orange County, Fla., Thursday. Daniel Craven Jr., 27, 726 Annabelle St., was arrested in the 100 block of North Slocumb Street after...

Jam spot could move down street

Future expansion plans for Cornerstone Commons could see Center Street Jams eventually moving about a block away to the space that could double in size and be utilized as a downtown park, city officials say. While the project to...

Thursday, August 22, 2013

County tax bills are in the mail

Wayne County taxpayers can expect to see a decrease in their county property tax bill when they get it in the mail sometime this week. The $160 million county budget approved by Wayne County commissioners in June reduced the...

First peek at a new year

Greg Lamm was braced for the steady stream of students coming into his office late Wednesday afternoon with class schedule changes. Even though the sign on the counselor's door at Rosewood High School announced that no schedule changes would...

Police arrest 20 in raid

A coordinated drug sweep conducted by the Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad and other agencies resulted in 20 drug-related arrests across the city Wednesday. Fifteen additional suspects remain at large. Officials are calling Wednesday's operation a "roundup," the culmination of a...

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Lawmen seeking 35 in drug sting

Law enforcement officials from across the county worked Wednesday to take down 35 drug suspects identified during a three-month investigation. It is unclear at this time how many have been arrested on the 116 charges that include everything from possession...

Introducing dance: Pikeville couple looks to spread love of dance to younger generation

It's not unusual for young girls to begin taking tap and ballet or other forms of dance at young ages. Not so much for young boys. Likewise, ballroom dancing hasn't always been a go-to class for children or adults...

Luckenbaugh named WCPS top teacher

An Air Force wife and mother is Wayne County Public Schools' 2013-14 Teacher of the Year. Kristi Luckenbaugh, a second-grade teacher at Meadow Lane Elementary School, has been in the profession for seven years, four in her present position. "It's...

County worries about debt

Federal budget cuts have forced Wayne County to absorb more than $56,000 in bond interest payments on two recent school projects. Now the county commissioners are worried the county could face repaying nearly $13 million still owed on the...

City leery of funding highway study

The state is picking up the tab for an economic impact study for the proposed U.S. 70 Bypass and other highway projects, but Goldsboro City Council wants to make sure that the city has a voice on the commission...

County keeps surplus property

Wayne County commissioners were hesitant Tuesday to surrender the county's half share of more than $220,000 in tax-foreclosed properties to city control. The tax value of the 21 pieces of property, jointly owned by the county and city, range...

Rotary Club hears argument for shrimp industry regulation

Death threats, police escorts and plain-clothed bodyguards were just some of the experiences Tim Hergenrader described Tuesday for the Goldsboro Rotary Club while it listened to a panel discussion on the need for shrimp industry regulation. "I got a...

Holding discusses future for immigration legislation

MOUNT OLIVE -- U.S. Rep. George Holding stopped Tuesday during a tour of colleges to hear concerns from Mount Olive College faculty, staff and students. "I wish I could solve all the problems that we have in Washington. It's...

Fremont board takes up trees, wastewater, personnel issues

FREMONT -- At the town Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, changes were made to the police chief and public works director positions changing them over to salaried positions. Town officials say the change will allow them to better control...

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Chocolate fun

Danielle Moore, 9, shouts as she slips down a plastic slide covered in chocolate in front of the Herman Park Center during Chocolate Obsession Day on Monday. Participants also enjoyed an M&M icebreaker, a chocolate pudding eating contest, candy...

Library dealing with impact of local cuts

A $30,000 budget reduction in materials for the library could mean a year of just getting by, Wayne County Public Library's executive director said. Donna Phillips added that it is too early to know for sure what the recent...

City donates property for house

A fire-ravaged, city-owned property will soon be replaced by a new home for a local family. Goldsboro City Council recently approved the donation of the property at 211 Shaw Court to Habitat for Humanity. The current structure will be...

Council weighs offers on site

Two items not on the Goldsboro City Council agenda dominated discussion at the council's work session Monday night: an offer on the former Arts Council of Wayne County property and a possible partnership with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base...

Monday, August 19, 2013

County to review applications for community housing grants

Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning will consider awarding contracts for demolition and for modular and/or mobile homes through the county's $400,000 Community Development Block Grant Scattered Site Housing project. The board also will be asked to select an alternate...

Farmers vs. mud

Jacob Odom strips all the tobacco leaves off the stalk by hand Friday, forced to resort to the old way of picking tobacco because of the mud in the fields. The conditions made it impossible to use automatic harvesters....

Red Cross Bloodmobile schedule announced

Here is the September blood drive schedule for the Wayne County chapter of the American Red Cross: * Sept. 3 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. * Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at...

Cooper Bussmann closing its doors

Company officials have told employees at the Cooper Bussmann plant at 210 Dixie Trail that the facility will close by next summer. The plant, which has operated in Goldsboro since 1983, employs about 132 employees, 60 of whom are...

Center Stage sets season schedule

Good guys will fight the bad guys using swords, ghosts will try to get a man to change his ways and women will gossip at the beauty shop during Center Stage Theatre's 2013/14 season. The group's 36th year of...

Sunday, August 18, 2013

WCC Foundation plans trip, lectures and all that jazz

The future of Obamacare. The Gettysburg Civil War battlefield. The book of Job. And all that jazz. These are just a few topics represented on the fall Arts and Humanities schedule at Wayne Community College. The college's Foundation, which sponsors...

County fair drops demo derby, but just for 2013 season

There won't be any shake, rattle and roll of the automobile variety at the fair -- at least this year. The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair has dropped demolition derbies from its Saturday and Sunday afternoon schedules in favor of...

Schools to have open houses

Open house events to usher in a school year will be held in Wayne County Public School this week. Classes for students are scheduled to resume next Monday, Aug. 26, with the exception of Dillard Middle School, where students...

Convict faces second jury for 2006 charges

A Wayne County man will spend an additional 20-26 years in prison after a Superior Court jury last week found him guilty -- again -- in connection with the 2006 shooting of a Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad officer. The state...

Millions in projects, and still counting

After a tough few years, the commercial construction business is booming in Goldsboro. For the first seven months of the year in 2012, there were more than $26 million in construction projects in Goldsboro. This year, that number jumped...

Three finalists are chosen for Teacher of the Year

The three finalists have been named for this year's Wayne County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. The annual banquet to announce the district winner will be held Tuesday evening at Walnut Creek Country Club. Meanwhile, selection was made following...

Bees, unbuzzed

More than 350 people attended the first National Honey Bee Day Celebration on Saturday sponsored by Beekeepers of the Neuse....

Starting school off right

Jerry McClarin hands a school supply package to Shantalia Greenfield, 3, at Bible Faith Missionary Baptist Church Saturday. McClarin gave out the bags of school supplies to elementary, middle and high school age students in the community. Supplies were...

A walk in the park to fight MS

Katie, a rescued Chow-Corgi mix, wears a handkerchief that reads "Walkies for Uncle Jimmy" during the second Annual MS Dog Walk at Stoney Creek Park Saturday. Katie's rescuer, Kristi O'Hara, has a brother, Jimmy, who lives in South Carolina...

Fall arts festival set for September in city

Wayne County is preparing to celebrate the upcoming autumn season in style -- with its first-ever Fall for the Arts Festival. It will be held Sept. 14 from noon to 8 p.m. at the corner of Center and East Spruce...

Duplin board sworn in

KENANSVILLE -- The new Duplin County Board of Elections was recently sworn in and met to reorganize. Republican Derl Walker of the Mount Olive area was elected chairman of the board. The other two board members are Republican Linwood Sanders...

Hookah lounge on city agenda

A hookah lounge could be coming to Goldsboro in the near future. A public hearing will be held at the Goldsboro City Council meeting Monday night for the public to comment on the proposed use of the former Kwik...

Friday, August 16, 2013

Teachers head back

Michelle Rutledge wanted to set her alarm early so she wouldn't be late for school Thursday. "My plan was to wake up at 4, but I woke up at 3 and just started reading," she said, attributing that to...

Rosewood High School ag teacher named top in the state

Allison Jennings, the state's top ag teacher, says she models much of her teaching style after those educators who have left an impression on her. Growing up in Morehead City, the agriculture teacher at Rosewood High School did not...

State approves Princeton for new ABC store along U.S. 70

The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission in Raleigh voted unanimously Wednesday to approve two newly-proposed ABC Store locations, one in Nags Head and another in Princeton, just outside of Wayne County. The Princeton property is located at 9576 U.S....

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Wayne Community College begins fall waiting on funds

Wayne Community College expects to receive its budget figures from the state Friday. Fall classes, however, started this morning. It's an irony not lost on officials at the college, who say they look both ways during budget time --...

Boats afloat

Airmen assigned to Seymour Johnson's 4th Fighter Wing participated in the Build-a-Boat competition. They were given an hour to build boats out of cardboard and duct tape, then race across the base pool competing for the overall fastest time...

Funeral home open again with new name

The former E.M. Matthews Funeral Home at 401 N. William St. is back in business under new management and with a new name -- Community Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Goldsboro. "Community Funeral Home is open and Michael...

County looks at solar farm regs

The county planning department is looking to update its zoning laws as the solar farm industry continues to grow in Wayne County. During the Planning Board's meeting Tuesday night, a solar farm ordinance that would mandate building regulations --...

Pennies from Angels raises more than $5K at 12th annual banquet

Pennies from Angels held its 12th annual banquet July 27 at Farmington Heights in Wilson. There were 230 people present for the event. Blended Hands of Pikeville shared their talents with all those that were there with their sign...

Optimist Club gives computers to families

During the 2012-13 school year, the Optimist Club of Goldsboro distributed 42 computers to low-income families with 105 children enrolled in the Wayne County Public Schools through its Optimist Computers4Kids program. The computers were donated by county residents and...

Nominations of advocates for people with disabilities sought

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities is inviting nominations for its Hefner Award, which recognizes a state resident for outstanding advocacy and service on behalf of improving the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities....

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Another post office opens

To increase convenience and access to postal services, a new contract post office, offering almost all regular postal services, is now open in Goldsboro. Carlie C's IGA contract postal unit, located in the store at 1805 Wayne Memorial Drive,...

Chargers get new digs

Construction of a new high school wing at Wayne Country Day School was finished just in time for the new term, which starts today. There are still a few projects remaining in the second piece of the three-phase expansion...

Teachers talk about changes

Danette Narron never aspired to be a teacher, even when it might have made her actual job easier. The instructional assistant at Edgewood Community Developmental School remembers one year when the class where she was assigned had six students in...

Two from Goldsboro to be presented at Debutante Ball

Katherine Anne Roethling and Elizabeth McCrary "Mack" Thompson have a shared history. "We've been best friends since we were like 2 or 3 years old," Miss Thompson said. "I went to Wayne Country Day School up to third grade,...

School leads to job

Gene Koon has many fond memories of watching his grandfather working under the hood of a car. "He tinkered on engines his whole life," the 19-year-old recalls. The recent graduate of Southern Wayne High School never envisioned it could...

Almost gone

The final pieces of the former Arts Council building at the corner of East Ash Street and Spence Avenue are coming down as an AK Grading & Demolition crew chops away sections of the steel beams Tuesday. The demolition...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Hurried harvest: July rains put farmers behind, but showers needed

July's heavy rainfall was nearly double the annual average and provided a mixed bag for Wayne County's farmers. But even with all the rain that fell last month, it still wouldn't hurt to have some more in some parts...

School district to hire its own architect

The Wayne County Board of Education wants to secure its own architect for the proposed facilities projects, including a new Grantham Middle School and renovations at several others. The school board voted Monday night to begin the process of...

Statutory rape suspect flees, caught

A 22-year-old Goldsboro man, under investigation since June for the alleged statutory rape of two girls under the age of 16, fled from Wayne County Sheriff's deputies seeking to serve warrants on him Monday morning. He was apprehended by officers...

Goldsboro man charged in fatal Wilson wreck

Sameer Patel, 20, of Goldsboro, faces involuntary manslaughter and DWI charges following a fatal accident in Wilson on Friday. Patel, of 109 Brighton Drive, allegedly ran a stop sign on Hines Street in Wilson shortly after 5 p.m., killing...

Longtime businessman, volunteer dies at age 92

Former Goldsboro accountant James C. Crone Jr. died Monday at an assisted living facility in Chapel Hill. Crone was not only an astute businessman, who began his firm, James. C. Crone CPA, in the 1950s. He also was active in...

Monday, August 12, 2013

Subdivision streets issue vexes county commission

Wayne County commissioners last week questioned what can be done to ensure that subdivision streets built to state standards are taken over by the state for maintenance in a timely manner so that residents don't end up with a...

First day back

Shawnna Smith watches as her son Ben unpacks some of his school supplies this morning at Wayne Christian School. Today was the first day of classes at the school....

Schools awaiting word from DPI

The state budget recently passed contains several cuts that will affect education in Wayne County Public Schools, officials say, including an estimated 1,000 tenured teachers and the 450 instructional assistants. Among the most highly contested and debated are: *Cuts to...

City approves architect for GATEWAY bus transfer station

Approval was given by the Goldsboro City Council last week for the city to enter into a contract with an architect to oversee the design of the proposed GATEWAY Transfer Facility adjacent to Goldsboro Union Station on Carolina Street....

City developing plans for pedestrians, cycling paths

The Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with the city Planning Department, is in the beginning phases of developing a comprehensive master plan for pedestrian and cycling transportation in Goldsboro. The process to develop the plan will take...

Mount Olive considers demolitions

MOUNT OLIVE -- The town of Mount Olive is looking at possibly tearing down buildings on three different lots by condemning them as public nuisances, unless their owners take action to make the buildings safe. The Mount Olive town...

City man charged with identity theft

A man accused of obtaining other people's checking account numbers and manufacturing fraudulent checks is behind bars, held under a $97,500 secured bond in Wayne County Jail, according to police. The Goldsboro Police Department announced charges Friday against 27-year-old...

Mount Olive College to hold summer commencement Aug. 24

Mount Olive College will graduate approximately 275 students at its summer commencement on Saturday, Aug. 24. Graduation exercises are scheduled for 2 p.m. in the George and Annie Dail Kornegay Arena. Wayne County Board of Commissioners Chairman Steve Keen will...

Drug squad seizes $15,000 in narcotics

The Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad seized approximately $15,000 in narcotics Tuesday, Aug 6, as a result of an investigation that culminated in two arrests. Brandon Lee Hobbs, 26, of 113 Reavis Drive, was charged with possession with intent to...

Sunday, August 11, 2013

United Way kickoff Aug. 23

Elvis will raise the roof again this year as part of United Way of Wayne County's efforts to let people know how they can make a difference in the community. United Way will kick off its 2013 campaign with...

Interstate highways focus of meeting

Completing Interstate 795 from Goldsboro to Interstate 40 west of Faison and construction of a regional interstate loop are two projects that will have major economic impacts on eastern North Carolina, members of the Wayne County Commission's Transportation Committee...

A friend forever

"Despite of all optimism in the exchange program this fellow did not know what the public opinion in the USA against his country might be," Wittke wrote. "He didn't know whether he would meet friends or opposition, and this was...

County still untangling payroll

Wayne County commissioners continue to struggle with how to correct the damage left by a failed attempt to switch to a new payroll system that either underpaid or overpaid most of the county's employees during the six months it...

Burglary, kidnapping charges filed

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has charged two men in connection with a burglary-kidnapping that took place near Pikeville after 1 a.m. Friday. Eric Donavan Murchison, 20, Irish Inn Highway 70 E., room 220, and Justin Kendrick Green, 25,...

Students attend Optimist summer computer camp

This summer, 15 Wayne County students in grades 5-9 attended the first-ever "Optimist Computers4Kids Summer Camp," which was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Goldsboro. Three sessions of the computer camp were held during the three weeks between July...

Steve Keen reappointed to environmental panel

Steve Keen, chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, has been reappointed to serve on the state's 15-member Environmental Management Commission appointed by the governor, the Senate president pro tempore and the speaker of the House. Commission members...

Railroad siding is being built near LaGrange

LAGRANGE -- A $4 million project is under way to construct a new two-mile-long passing siding on the North Carolina Railroad tracks near LaGrange at the Wayne-Lenoir county line. The project is expected to be completed this fall and...

Partnership worried over Pre-K slots

As officials await final allocations for preschool slots, officials at Partnership for Children of Wayne County are concerned for working parents seeking quality child care. "In the last couple of weeks, we have had folks call here. We can't tell...

New equipment boosts WCC machining program

As hard as the machining program at Wayne Community College works to keep abreast of changing technology, the high cost of equipment often slows down the process. "To be able to train our people to meet the needs of manufacturers,...

Concentrating on a cause

Jacob McCullen, foreground, concentrates on keeping his tractor straight on the track Saturday afternoon at the Neuse Mini-Tractor Pulling Contest on Casey Saw Mill Road. But McCullen wasn't pulling to win a trophy. He, along with more than 100...

Man gets time for possession of firearm

A Mount Olive man has been sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of probation, following his conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Anthony Earl Rivers, 25, was sentenced last week in...

AgCarolina scholarships awarded

AgCarolina Farm Credit awarded a total of $9,500 in scholarships to 13 deserving students through their corporate-giving program, the Fund for Rural North Carolina. Among the local students earning scholarships were Elizabeth Price of Mount Olive and Franklin Scott of...

Friday, August 9, 2013

County graduation rate drops

Wayne County Public Schools' four-year cohort graduation rate dropped 2.5 percent for 2012-2013, from 80.1 percent to 77.6 percent, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. By contrast, the state has shown improvement, with more than eight out of...

Budget cuts hurting elderly

Ms. Arntsen said that the reductions had been expected by Ms. McAuliffe, who decided to take the money out of the transportation and in-home aide programs -- two areas where funds were available. Services on Aging has money in the...

Center Street Jam series down to one more show

After a summer of music, dancing, food and fellowship, downtown Goldsboro's Center Street Jam series is nearing its end. Local residents only have one more chance to attend the event -- the Embers will perform Aug. 22. City officials...

Local bees brought to their knees

The bee was paralyzed. Bob Kemper watched as it dragged itself out of the bottom of the hive -- its back legs motionless. Suffering from acute paralysis virus, the insect did what any bee would do -- it got...

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Annual workshop teaches teachers to engage students

MOUNT OLIVE -- If Dr. Sam Houston had his way, every teacher would post a sign with the motto, "If I can't make you understand how you're going to use this information in the real world, you don't need...

County eyes closing prison

It is "way too early" to say what the state will or won't do with Wayne Correctional Center once it closes in October, said Pam Walker, a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety, but county officials are...

Produce delivery program now accepts SNAP payments

Roman Thomas and Louis Valentine don't mind that the produce-laden three-wheeled rickshaws don't corner well or that they offer no relief from the hot muggy weather or the rain. Pedaling the rickshaws across Goldsboro means much more, they say,...

Murder attempt ends in an arrest

Thanks in large part to a tip provided to Crime Stoppers, Goldsboro resident Jerry Aundrey Parks, 39, was taken into police custody Wednesday, less than two weeks after he allegedly beat another man nearly to death with a claw...

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sheriff's Office makes arrest in shooting

Wayne County sheriff's deputies arrested John Collins Chase II this morning in connection to the shooting of Anthony Scott Carter on Tuesday. According to deputies, the early reports on the incident indicated that Carter was the victim of a...

National Night Out draws big crowds in Goldsboro, Mount Olive

Herman Park was packed from end to end Tuesday night as the community poured out in droves to support National Night Out's 30th gathering. Children with painted faces and stickers on their shirts ran, and jumped and played hide-and-seek in...

Demolition crew hits gas line at former Arts Council

Demolition of the old Arts Council building on the corner of Ash Street and Spence Avenue hit a snag at about 5 p.m. Tuesday when workers punctured a gas line, forcing a mass evacuation of the immediate area. Goldsboro Fire...

Daughtery: Sorry for attack on Smith

Wayne County Commissioner Joe Daughtery, who just two weeks ago called for the firing of County Manager Lee Smith, Tuesday morning apologized for having done so. "I wish to extend an apology to Mr. Smith and my fellow commissioners...

Goldsboro woman sentenced for tax fraud

A Goldsboro tax preparer has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for her role in a scheme to file nearly $2 million in false income tax forms. Tracie Jones Mathis, 47, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S....

Purple Heart recipients honored as 'real heroes'

Throw the modern concept of the hero to the wind. Real heroes, Michael Johnson said, are the ones less willing to talk about what makes them a hero. "As we all know, Purple Heart veterans are not always willing...

Lotto fever

A clerk at the Wilco-Hess gas station on East Ash Street hands a Powerball ticket to William Hubbard this morning. Hubbard and thousands of other people across the country are hoping to cash in on the $425 million Powerball...

Crime of the Week

On Saturday, at approximately 1:45 p.m., officers of the Goldsboro Police Department responded to the 900 block of North John Street. Once officers arrived, they located an unconscious man that was later identified as Leodis Hamlin Jr., 36. Witnesses...

Kidnapping, attempted sex assault

A 68-year-old Goldsboro man has been arrested and charged in the kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of a 28-year-old LaGrange woman, the Goldsboro Police Department said. Roland Whitley, of 1700 Harris St., allegedly locked the woman in a barn outside...

County chooses team for library build

The design/build team of Smith Engineering & Design of Goldsboro/Jackson Builders of Goldsboro was selected by Wayne County commissioners Tuesday morning to build Mount Olive's new Steele Memorial Library. The next step, according to County Manager Lee Smith, will...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Woman charged in fatal accident

The wife of a man killed in an accident on U.S. 117 Alternate over the weekend has been charged by the state Highway Patrol with failure to see before turning. Dorothy Eley, 74, E. Nelson St., was driving Friday when...

Pikeville to weigh fees for Internet cafes

PIKEVILLE -- The Pikeville Town Board will hold a public hearing at its next meeting to discuss charging Internet cafes a fee for the computers they use for gaming. At the town board meeting Monday night, Town Administrator Blake...

Man, 19, victim of gunshot wound

DUDLEY -- A Dudley man shot in the chest at about 4:30 a.m. today in the area of Genoa Road has been airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. Investigators were unable to speak...

Council nixes feral cat feeding

Goldsboro residents will now be breaking the law if they feed feral cats. After being tabled last month, an amendment to the city of Goldsboro's animal control ordinance was approved Monday night by the City Council, making it a...

City building coming down

Demolition on the exterior walls of the former Arts Council of Wayne County building began Monday after the asbestos abatement was completed. The project, bid out to A K Grading and Demolition for $197,000, is set to be completed...

The day the bomb fell

A man pulls his car off a country road and breaks down. He still can't believe the news that has just been delivered over his radio -- that a U.S. aircraft had, moments earlier, dropped a bomb on Hiroshima; that...

Fire finishes mobile home destruction

A vacant mobile home at 117 Hines Road, Lot 28, was fully consumed by fire Monday afternoon. The fire began as a crew of workers was using tools to strip the trailer for scrap metal, next-door neighbor Luther Nick,...

Grain farmers to vote Wednesday

Small grain farmers across the state will vote Wednesday on whether or not to continue an assessment on seven types of small grain. The assessment would be for one-half of 1 percent for a six-year period on wheat, rye,...

Monday, August 5, 2013

Officials: County won't lose Rural Center incentive grants

Wayne County has been assured that it will still receive $425,000 in economic-incentive grants promised by the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center despite the state's freezing of the Center's funding. Nor is the closing of the state's Biofuels Center...

Firefighters plan to eye study

The study that examined the operations of the county's volunteer fire departments provides a mixed bag of findings for the departments to consider, said Delbert Edwards, president of the Wayne County Firemen's Association. Wayne County commissioners last month declined...

Library plan on county agenda

The Wayne County Commissioners Facilities Committee will reconvene Tuesday at 7 a.m. to make its decision on a design/build team to construct the new Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive. The full Board of Commissioners could give final approval...

Woman on bail charged in armed robbery

A Dudley woman awaiting trial on armed robbery and first-degree kidnapping charges is back in jail after being charged with armed robbery again. Regina Speight, 37, of 122 Heather-Ann Lane, is back in the Wayne County Jail under a...

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Youngest gun

A 19-year-old American arrives at a Royal Air Force installation in England. It's June, 6, 1944. The historical significance of that particular day is not lost on 4th Fighter Wing historian Dr. Roy Heidicker. "It's D-Day," he says. "So...

One dead in weekend crashes

A Mount Olive man is dead after a fatal crash Friday afternoon, and a number of other people were injured in two other wrecks Friday night and Saturday afternoon. At about 1 p.m., according to state Highway Patrol officials,...

Watching their garden grow

Weekday mornings, soon after being dropped off at the Wayne Community College child care center, the boys and girls make a beeline for the playground. But not in search of a jungle gym or wide-open space to run. The...

Officials prepare for National Night Out

Set up has already begun for the 30th annual National Night Out, kicking off at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Goldsboro's Herman Park. Mount Olive will hold its National Night Out on the same night at Nelson Street Park from...

Scam targets elderly

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office is warning residents against a home improvement scam targeting elderly citizens in Wayne County. A press release issued Thursday stated that several reports have been received about a scam in which a person approaches...

Schools face $4.8 million in cuts

A little more than three weeks before the first day of school, Wayne County officials are still not sure what impact the state budget will have on everything from jobs to programs. Wayne County Public Schools faces $4.8 million...

Days of Caring event set for Aug. 19

It might be something as simple as picking up trash in your neighborhood. Or maybe you want to be a part of something larger like sharing a meal with a group of homeless men or creating special beds for...

City opens golf course pond to fishing families

Joseph Wemmering was the only child at the Big Cats: Kids Catfishing Tournament at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course this Saturday to catch a piranha -- or so he said. "Oh, it was huge. I think it was a...

Kids build fires, friendships at YMCA Outdoor Camp

When Savannah Shoemake first heard about the Y's outdoor adventure camp, she thought, "Bugs, tree branches and really high grass -- how's that going to be fun?" She took a chance and signed up anyway and had is having...

Planning Commission tables Busco Beach discussion

At the request of a lawyer representing Busco Beach and ATV Park, the Goldsboro Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday night to defer discussion and a recommendation on the request to re-zone almost 680 acres of land owned or controlled...

Former Arts Council building back on city agenda

The Goldsboro City Council will vote on a number of finance issues for city projects at its meeting Monday night, including a change order for the demolition of the former Arts Council of Wayne County building and the approval...

Friday, August 2, 2013

School district plans summer conference

Wayne County Public Schools' eighth annual Summer Institute will take place next week at Mount Olive College. The free three-day conference is an opportunity for new and veteran teachers, administrators, volunteers, parents and guardians to attend workshops on a variety...

Students enjoy shopping spree

Going back to school means going back to school shopping, and the Salvation Army did just that this morning. Volunteers armed with gift cards to Target paired up with approximately 30 children early today to give them a chance...

Dealer to spend eight years in prison

Accused heroin trafficker Coleco Tayloe Best, 30, was convicted and sentenced on several drug and gun charges in Wayne County Superior Court on Wednesday. He was sentenced to more than eight years in prison. Best, of 854 Old Highway 111,...

Picking for history

Three members of the bluegrass band Carolina Grass harmonize on a number during a benefit concert Thursday night at the old Goldsboro Meeting House. From left, Tommy Aldridge, Eddie Mcdarris and Larry Taylor perform before a packed house. The...

Burglary, assault charges filed

One man is in custody and another is being sought by Goldsboro police after a Saturday evening burglary on North Taylor Street resulted in an assault early Sunday morning. Police have charged 41-year-old Shelton June Ellis with second-degree burglary, larceny...

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Owner will seek lease for property

Busco Beach and ATV Park owner Smart Investors, LLC wants a new lease to allow the business to continue to use county-owned federal buyout land. Former Busco Beach owner Jack Bennett terminated his lease for use of the land...

Commissioners' architect offers new construction proposal

The $6.6 million originally estimated that would be needed to renovate Charles B. Aycock High School has doubled to nearly $13 million, according to a projection for Wayne County school facilities that was presented Tuesday at a joint meeting...

State's tax-free weekend set to begin Friday

North Carolina's annual sales tax holiday begins Friday at 12:01 a.m. and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. During the period, items used for students going back to school can be purchased tax free. This will be the state's...

Mechanics camp

Paul Randolph watches as Krais Brown uses some glue on his model car while attending Wayne County 4-H summer camp at the Wayne Center on Wednesday. The youths in attendance were learning about "shade tree" mechanics from instructor Wallace...