January 2014 archives

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Friday, January 31, 2014

City audit has no findings

Goldsboro's annual financial audit -- a snapshot of how well the city stuck to its budget last year -- is complete and the city given a clean bill of health. No finance violations were discovered during the audit, either...

Roads clearing

With temperatures expected to reach the 40s today and highs in the 60s over the weekend, the remains of Tuesday night's winter storm are quickly disappearing -- but not before Wayne County residents returning to work this morning still...

Schools still closed

The winter weather is continuing to wreak havoc on family's schedules as Wayne County Public Schools are closed for the fourth consecutive day today. Also closed today is Wayne Community College, though private schools and child care centers around...

Neighboring deputies lending support today

Members of North Carolina's community of first responders are banding together today to allow those who served under him to attend the funeral of Wayne County's fallen sheriff, the late Carey A. Winders. "Every Wayne County Sheriff's Office employee...

Good Samaritan gains traction

For many people, trying to get around with ice on the road can be nerve-racking -- trying to stay in one lane, watching out for other cars. Now try managing that on a bicycle with temperatures in the teens....

Highway to close for processional

U.S. 117 North from Smith Chapel Road, Mount Olive to Genoa Road, Dudley will be closed starting at 2:15 p.m. Friday for Sheriff Carey Winders' funeral procession. The highway will be closed until the graveside service at Wayne Memorial Park...

Dog bites man, who later turns out to be a suspect

A Goldsboro man bit by a dog in the 1400 block of Humphrey Street on Wednesday is now in the Wayne County Jail charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon. According to one Goldsboro police report, Roemello Sasser, 19,...

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Wheeeee: Wayne County takes to the hills

Like many Wayne County residents, Wednesday was a snow day for the Yelvertons in Eureka. And also like many Wayne County residents, they had to improvise when it came to playing in the rarely seen white stuff. "I called...

Toughing it out: Where the sign said 'OPEN'

Anyone out looking for something hot to eat Wednesday likely had a little trouble finding it as the winter weather caused delays and closings for city restaurants as they struggled to get even skeleton crews in the door. Krispy...

Hitting the panic button: What you bought at the store

otted meat, pork and beans, tuna and Vienna sausage are among the top prizes, along with milk, eggs and bread, sought out by local shoppers.  "I am looking at (a potted meat) aisle now I could lie down in,"...

Crews out treating roadways

Goldsboro residents woke up to icy roads this morning as temperatures in the single digits kept the salt on the roads from melting the ice, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials said. NCDOT workers plowed primary routes such as...

City scrambling to fix broken main

A burst water main was the source of two rivers of water flowing down Beech Street and Lionel Street this morning in the wake of Tuesday's severe winter weather. Residents say the main burst Friday and crews worked through...

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Plows try to keep up with snow, but wrecks, other problems continue

Goldsboro Public Works employees began plowing at 4 a.m. today to push back the sleet and snow coating the roads since Tuesday evening. "It's going pretty good," Public Works Director Jose Martinez said. "We got all of our arterials...

Ice, snow likely will stay until weekend

Wayne County residents woke up this morning to find their yards covered by a 3- to 3.5-inch mixture of snow and sleet. There was one report of nearly 4.5 inches near Pikeville. The totals include about three-quarters of an...

Snow Hill man pleads guilty to drug charge

Joel Devon Williams, 27, of Snow Hill, was sentenced Monday in federal district court to 72 months in prison and three years of probation on his pleas of guilty to distribution of crack cocaine and possession of firearm by...

People, animals begin to explore winter wonderland

Goldsboro residents woke up today to a blanket of snow, and ice, covering yards, cars and everything else this morning as more than 3 inches fell in the city overnight. Most people were buttoned up tight this morning, preferring...

Judge delivers Theurer penalty

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base senior airman who pleaded guilty Monday to, among other things, starving his 15-month-old son to death, was sentenced at just after midnight today to life in prison...

Safe driving tips

*Slow down. *Don't tailgate. You likely will need more distance to come to a stop, so double or even triple the distance you normally follow another vehicle. * Keep your distance from aggressive drivers. If they try to pass you...

Ag chief backs location for new center

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler has endorsed Wayne County's plans for a $12 million Wayne Regional Agriculture Center. "I support locating the regional agriculture center at the old dairy farm on the Cherry Research Farm," Troxler wrote...

Closings

Wayne County and Goldsboro city offices remain closed today because of the inclement weather. Updates regarding potential delays for Thursday will be posted on the county's website at www.waynegov.com and on the county's Facebook page. People may also call...

Crime of the Week

On Jan. 19, at approximately 9 p.m., Jonathon Garland of Julian reported that he parked his trailer at 2608 North Park Drive with two dirt bikes tied down to it. He returned to it on Jan. 20, at approximately...

Child care center gets chance at new grant

After first three years participating in Shape NC, the Wayne Community College Child Care Center is in line to receive another grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield, via the Wayne County Partnership for Children. Begun three years...

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Airman guilty of murder

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- Matthew Theurer knew what he was about to read, but when the time came to speak during his court-martial proceeding at Langley Air Force Base Monday, his emotions got the best of him. And...

Timeline of Matthew Theurer case

January 2013 -- Theurer's wife, Amy Jo, moves back to their Indiana hometown -- leaving her estranged husband in charge of their son. Feb. 15, 2013 -- Theurer comes home from his shift and finds his son "lifeless" on his...

Bracing for snow

Wayne County was bracing today for between four and eight inches of snow as the latest blast of arctic weather moves through the area. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning from noon today through 9 a.m. Wednesday...

New group formed to support moms before and after birth

Postpartum depression is not a myth, but nor does it have to be an extreme scenario. An evening support group to both educate and provide help to mothers affected by the condition is being launched next month, with the...

County GOP honors Winders during service

Members of the Wayne County GOP said Monday night people could learn a thing or two from the life of Carey A. Winders, the late sheriff of Wayne County -- and many, in fact, said they did. Longtime Republican...

Closings

Wayne County government offices were to close at 1 p.m. Tuesday and remain closed through Wednesday because of the inclement weather. Updates regarding potential opening delays for Thursday will be posted on the county's website at www.waynegov.com and county...

Monday, January 27, 2014

"Guilty"

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base senior airman accused of murdering his 15-month-old son last year pleaded guilty early this evening to several charges in a Langley Air Force Base courtroom. See Tuesday's News-Argus...

University of Mount Olive to host black history celebrations

Performers from the "African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina" guidebook will be visiting the University of Mount Olive for a free, all-day program Wednesday, Feb. 12, in celebration of Black History Month. The event will begin with...

Snow's gonna fall

Wayne County residents are likely to see that long-awaited -- or long-dreaded -- deep snowfall that gets children excited and commuters worried. Forecasters with the National Weather Service are calling for between 4 and 8 inches of snow for...

City seeks to teach, recruit to boards

Starting in March, a new city program will be available to teach residents about how local government works. The free school of government is a collaboration between Assistant City Manager Angel Wright-Lanier and Community Affairs Director LaTerrie Ward. The...

County seeking Troxler's help on ag center

A letter has been sent to North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler seeking his help in having the state convey land near Cherry Hospital for Wayne County's use as the site for a proposed $12 million regional agricultural...

Winders funeral services moved to Friday

The funeral: A service to celebrate the life of Sheriff Carey Winders will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Kornegay Arena at the University of Mount Olive, with pastor John Massengill and Dr. Richard Glosson officiating. Burial will follow in...

Sunday, January 26, 2014

In memoriam

Some wanted to post something, but couldn't bring themselves to write more than a few words. Others shared quite a bit about the man they knew -- and loved. The following is a selection of the comments that have appeared...

Design firm closing in on contract for cemetery

A design firm could be under contract as early as next week to create the plans for the new state Veterans Cemetery planned for the Long's Plant Farm Road area just east of Goldsboro. Those construction designs could be...

Greenfield will take on duties until appointment

Wayne County Sheriff Carey A. Winders died suddenly Friday morning after apparently suffering a massive heart attack at his home in Pikeville. He was 57 years old. Wayne County EMS responded to a call of an unresponsive person at...

Fremont officers find drugs, guns in car

FREMONT -- Fremont police officers recovered illegal drugs and a stolen handgun Thursday while executing a search warrant on a vehicle in the 800 block of Martin Street. Police recovered 30.7 grams of crack cocaine, 13 bags of high...

Father to face charges in son's murder

A court-martial for the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base senior airman charged in connection with the death of his 15-month-old son is scheduled to begin as early as Monday at Langley Air Force Base, military officials confirmed. Matthew Theurer...

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift? Raise money to fight cancer, too.

Relay for Life often focuses on celebrating more birthdays, but this Valentine's Day, several teams are offering opportunities for people to show their sweeties just how much they love them. Of course, all the efforts are fundraisers for Relay...

N.C. Poet Laureate set to speak Tuesday

North Carolina Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti will review this year's selection for the Wayne County Reads campaign on Tuesday night at Wayne Community College. Bathanti will speak on "The Things They Carried" at 7 p.m. in Moffatt Auditorium. The...

Still frozen

The statues at the bottom of the Lady in the Park fountain are hidden behind ice on Saturday after several days of below freezing temperatures created a scene from a winter wonderland in Herman Park. People stopped to look...

Eight contestants to compete for Miss Spring Creek

The seventh Miss Spring Creek Scholarship Pageant will be held at Byrd Assembly Hall in Mount Olive on Saturday night, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. Eight contestants are vying for the title of Miss Spring Creek 2014. Tickets are...

Funding available for some projects

Anyone interested in borrowing a slice of the $576,923 in Wayne County's Eastern Region Trust Fund is going to have to provide Wayne County commissioners with specific project details. People will have the opportunity to do so during a...

Case Farms donates $5,000 to Calypso VFD

Poultry processor Case Farms recently donated $5,000 to the Calypso Volunteer Fire Department. This year, the annual donation is designated for the department's building renovation and expansion payments. The fire department, located at 103 SE Center St. in Calypso, is...

Friday, January 24, 2014

Greenfield to perform sheriff's duties, for now

Wayne County Sheriff's Office officials have released the following statement: "North Carolina General Statue requires that Maj. Fane Greeenfield be the person for Wayne County and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, to perform the duties of the Sheriff until...

County to join land use study

Wayne County Commissioner Bill Pate and county Planning Director Connie Price will serve on a Department of Defense Joint Land Use Study group that will look at gaps in land use planning in counties near the Dare County Bombing...

Sheriff Carey Winders passes

Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders, who was the first Republican to hold the office in more than a century, died early Friday of a heart attack. He was 57. Winders was serving his fifth term in office. He was...

Fremont town board decides to buy new police cars

FREMONT -- The Fremont Town Board of Aldermen on Tuesday approved a request to pull two police cruisers out of its fleet for auction at a later date at its meeting. The two vehicles, a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria...

Keith Gunnet wins Cornerstone Award; Beverly Carroll becomes first Ollie Toomey Service Award honoree

As more and more details were revealed about the 2014 Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Award winner, one man kept looking down, shaking his head softly and holding back a smile. Everything was clicking for him. A 1971 graduate...

Murder charge filed in beating

The Goldsboro Police Department made an arrest Thursday in the case of the man found beaten in his home a day earlier. Eight hours later, the charges were upgraded to murder. Robert Lee Davis, 62, was found beaten in...

Annual Sudan Shriners winter event starts today in New Bern

NEW BERN -- Sudan Shriners will hold their 98th Winter Ceremonial today and Saturday -- the event where new officers are elected and appointments made for the ensuing year. It will start this afternoon when Shriners and their families...

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Cold, but no snow

Temperatures will drop again tonight into the teens, keeping Wayne in a deep freeze for a third straight day. Temperatures early today were in the low 20s in Wayne County and ranged from 8 degrees in Boone to 30...

Man is found beaten in home

The Goldsboro Police Department is investigating the beating of a man found injured in his home Wednesday. Mac Bizzell, 39, returned to the home he shares with Robert Lee Davis, 62, at 902 Newsome St., to find Davis with...

GATEWAY will fund bus rides for seniors

A $30,000 hit on the Wayne County Services on Aging Budget almost stranded senior citizens who depend on GATEWAY vans for rides to WAGES meals sites in Goldsboro and Mount Olive. However, GATEWAY Director Lynn Lamberth said that she...

SJAFB jets take part in flyover for veteran

When an Air Force icon is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery this afternoon, members of the 4th Fighter Wing will be among those honoring his service. Four 336th Fighter Squadron F-15Es are scheduled to conduct a missing man...

Group sets sights on BRAC

Wayne County was successful in leading the campaign to secure state legislation protecting North Carolina's military bases, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, from the threat posed by giant windmill farms, members of the Friends of Seymour Johnson told...

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Not even enough for a snowman

Wayne County residents awoke to a snow-covered landscape this morning as a winter storm swept over North Carolina early today, leaving behind about an inch of the white stuff over most of the county. The snow delayed the opening...

Firefighter saves man

A Goldsboro man escaped from his burning home Tuesday night by jumping from a second-story bathroom window and into the arms of a New Hope firefighter who helped break his fall. Gary Diaz, who was home alone at the...

County eyeing acting 'boss'

Wayne County commissioners could soon be poised to name an acting county manager while they are deciding what to do with suspended County Manager Lee Smith. But for now, commissioners aren't talking about what the search involves or how...

Council approves raise for manager

The Goldsboro City Council unanimously agreed to give Goldsboro City Manager Scott Stevens a 2 percent raise as well as a $300 bonus at its meeting Tuesday night. At the same time, the Council approved the findings of a...

Art exhibit puts photos to war stories

North Carolina veterans tell of their war experiences in Vietnam through the exhibit "A Thousand Words." The exhibit is currently at the Arts Council of Wayne County through Jan. 31, in conjunction with this year's Wayne County Reads book...

Wayne County Reads book named

The book has been chosen and an array of activities to support this year's "Wayne County Reads" effort is set to unfold over the next two months. This year's selection for the one-book, one-community project is "The Things They...

Garden prep

More than 70 students and staff from Dillard Academy Charter School along with students from Wayne Community College and other volunteers pitched in Monday to lay mulch, build pathways, construct a grape arbor and a message board for outdoor...

UMO senior wins ag award

MOUNT OLIVE -- Hannah Singleton of Goldsboro, a senior agriculture education major at the University of Mount Olive, recently won the North Carolina Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet. She will now represent North Carolina at the American Farm Bureau...

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Schools delayed Wednesday

Wayne County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay Wednesday, due to threat of snow. Should the school system cancel classes, we will provide that information on NewsArgus.com as soon as that decision is announced....

Two men facing robbery charges

The Goldsboro Police Department is working to identify two men in connection with a robbery/kidnapping that took place in the parking lot of 508 E. Walnut St. Monday at 10 p.m. Harry Oaks, 49, and Darryl Applewhite, 48, both...

Forecasters: Snow on way

Wayne County students will leave school early today as officials prepare for a sudden chill and the possibility of poor travel conditions caused by a prediction of snow and cold coming the county's way. No decision has been made...

Marchers join state protests

North Carolina NAACP President William Barber led a "Moral Monday" march down Center Street Monday to protest what he says are unfair Republican policies and to drum up support for a Feb. 8 march in Raleigh. Monday's march, sponsored...

Pikeville man dies in crash

A Pikeville man was killed in a single vehicle wreck on Nor-Am Road Saturday just minutes before 9 p.m. A passenger escaped with minor injuries. The N.C. State Highway Patrol said Gregory Allen Towne, 38, died when his black...

Wayne Community College to offer continuing education courses

Wayne Community College Continuing Education will offer courses this spring. For just $35, anyone can learn Jewelry Creation, Spring Flower Arranging, Self Defense, or Cardio-Kick Boxing. For more information on these "Leisure/Recreational" courses, contact Lisa Newkirk at (919) 739-6931 or...

Monday, January 20, 2014

Work on Mount Olive library ahead of schedule

A steady construction schedule has moved up the completion date of the future Steele Memorial Library from mid-summer to closer to the beginning of summer. "By the end of May, you'll be checking books out," said Kent Warren, vice...

Snow? Maybe. More cold on the way

Today's mild weather will give way to a chance of snow and sub-freezing wind chills accompanying a strong cold front that will move across the area Tuesday afternoon. There is a 30 percent chance of rain after 2 p.m....

Hundreds gather to pay tribute to civil rights leader

A last-minute surge in ticket sales brought the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at the Goldsboro Raleigh Assembly to life this morning with close to 400 participants, city officials said. The event featured breakfast and a speaker...

Extension officials closer to choosing new agent

Interviews have been completed as the Wayne County Extension Service moves forward with its search for a new livestock agent. It will be at least next week before a call will be made to make the job offering, Extension...

Deal is reached on wind farms

The company developing the Pantego Wind Energy Project in Beaufort County and the Department of Defense have reached an agreement aimed at reducing the project's effect on military training in eastern North Carolina. The announcement comes at the same...

County to talk about school funding

An associate professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina School of Government will conduct a workshop Tuesday for Wayne County commissioners on the local funding of public schools. The workshop had originally been on...

County Science Fair winners announced

Grades K-2 Division Ryan DeLoach - Rosewood Elementary Grades 3-5 Division 1st Place: Peyton Wilkins -- Grantham 2ns Place: Katelyn Gregory -- Carver Elementary 3rd Place: Reagan Walker -- Carver Elementary Middle School Division Biology A 1st Place: Joseph Foy...

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Random inspection leads to 13 WCPS buses being pulled from roads

pmoore@newsargus.com A third round of poor bus safety scores discovered during the state's latest random inspection visit last week -- with 13 of the 23 buses checked immediately pulled from the road -- has prompted the Wayne County Public Schools'...

Murder trial set for Feb. 10

Counsel for the defense in the pending first-degree murder trial of Brendan Jamarin Pemberton filed 24 pre-trial motions in Wayne County Superior Court Wednesday, among them, a motion to dismiss the charge of first-degree murder -- a motion that...

Nearly $177,000 spent for commissioners room

Wayne County commissioners are spending nearly $177,000 to upgrade the lighting, cameras and sound system in their meeting room. The equipment will be used to stream commissioners' meetings live on the Internet and to record them for the county's...

Man shot during home invasion

A 65-year-old Wayne County man is in stable condition at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville today after he was shot in the abdomen during a home invasion Friday night. At approximately 7 p.m. Friday, three masked men forced their way...

Teenager arrested in Herman Park

A Goldsboro man who attempted to break up a fight in Herman Park Saturday afternoon had a gun pulled on him for doing so. According to a Goldsboro police report, Corey Marvin Barnett, 42, of Forest Drive, was walking through...

Gail Roberson, columnist, dies

Nature in a Nutshell was a regular column in the Sunday newspaper, and featured observations on life by Mrs. Roberson. Some were just funny little stories that made you laugh, some made you cry, and others made you wonder where...

He's still fighting

Looking down still shocks Matt Poland. It has been three months, but the reality of his partially amputated left leg -- the fact that his foot is where his knee used to be -- is something the 15-year-old is still...

Man dies in one-car crash

An Albertson man was killed Friday just before 8 p.m. in a single-vehicle accident on N.C. 111 South, just south of the Wayne/ Duplin County line. N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Best said Jose Luis Carrivales Herrera, 34, 4290...

Council meets Tuesday

The Goldsboro City Council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday for its work session due to city offices being closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Council will begin with a closed session meeting for...

75-year-old woman defends home

A 75-year-old Wayne County woman successfully defended her home against a burglar Friday, according to a press release issued by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Joseph Nick Newsome is in the Wayne County Jail under a $164,000 secured bond on...

Friday, January 17, 2014

Man shot during home invasion

A black male was shot -- and transported to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville -- after a home invasion, Sheriff Carey Winders said earlier this evening. For complete details, see Sunday's News-Argus....

City scores another restaurant on Berkeley

Three years after Ryan's Family Steak House closed its doors, work began this week on a new steakhouse in the old location on Berkeley Boulevard. Texas Roadhouse, a Kentucky-based restaurant chain, is slated to open May 26 following a...

Assistant superintendent sets official retirement date

An assistant superintendent who had announced last spring that he would retire with the schools' superintendent, but extended that date to ease the district through the new testing mandates, has decided to retire effective March 1. Dr. Steven Taylor,...

Could she be the next 'Idol'?

American Idol 2014 has a contestant from Goldsboro. But if you aren't a fan of spoilers, read no further. The Internet is swirling with all sorts of "inside information," including who made it to Hollywood Week and a list of...

Chamber of Commerce kicks off new year

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce kicked off the new year Thursday evening with a new type of business after hours event -- a joint evening between CrossFit Goldsboro and Curves Gym on Parkway Drive. The after-hours social took...

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Eastern Wayne High School coach accused of sexual assault

Charges of indecent liberties with a student have been filed against an Eastern Wayne High School coach, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday. Glen Isaac Darden, 59, of 2524 HB Lewis Road, Clinton, an instructional assistant and head...

Ex-EMS worker is suing county

A class action lawsuit alleging Wayne County does not pay its emergency medical technicians time and a half for overtime work is headed to mediation. The lawsuit also alleges the county has failed to pay those employees for sick...

Two plead in McLaurin case

Two defendants in the Kennedy McLaurin Jr. murder case accepted plea deals in Wayne County Superior Court on Wednesday, agreeing to testify against a fourth suspect. According to testimony from Jerome Jilah Butts and Curtis Omar Ethridge, McLaurin, 16,...

Post Office open Saturday hours

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the Berkeley station will be open on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for customer convenience prior to the office's closing Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday....

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Heart disease top local health concern

Wayne County's health problems might remain consistent, but count Health Department officials say they are making every effort to protect the community and its residents from them. Reviewing the 2013 State of the County Health Report, prepared for the state...

District seeks funds for new schools

The Wayne County Board of Education voted Monday night to request funding from the county commission in hopes of moving forward on construction projects to build two new middle schools. A letter, to be sent out Tuesday, was drafted by...

There for each other

Rosewood High School was a different place Tuesday. Some students had already finished their exams and had the day off. Others, who still had tests to complete, arrived with quiet voices and solemn expressions, and left the same way....

Julie Beck to lead MO Chamber as interim president

Julie Beck has been chosen as the interim president of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce after a meeting of the Chamber board on Jan. 8. "We feel very confident in Julie. We feel extremely excited," said Chamber...

STEP panel is seeking administrator

FREMONT -- The Fremont Small Town Economic Prosperity Committee on Tuesday delved into a number of issues regarding its plan for the $100,000 it has received from the North Carolina Rural Center for economic development. The committee decided to hire...

Communities in Schools seeks to launch own fundraiser

The Partnership for Children has Lobster Fest. The Boys & Girls Club has Pig in the Park and an annual pancake breakfast. Communities in Schools would like to have its own "signature event" and hopes next month to roll...

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Schools to end graduation projects

The graduation project will no longer be required for high school students to receive a diploma from Wayne County Public Schools, after a 5-3 vote by the Wayne County Board of Education on Monday night. Board Policy 3460, which contained...

In mourning

"Not taking anything for granted today because what you have today, could be gone tomorrow" * The hashtag that will forever bind their thoughts on a social media thread is simple enough. But in the hours since the Rosewood High...

Easing of restrictions on FEMA-purchased land sought

Easing restrictions on the use of land purchased through the Federal Emergency Management Agency would help Wayne County in its efforts to extend Interstate 795 across the Neuse River and on to Interstate 40, state Board of Transportation member...

Two teens die Monday

The Rosewood community is grieving today after two Rosewood High School students died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Investigators with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office say Spenser Terry Garrison, 16, of Ash Landing in Goldsboro, placed a phone call to...

Monday, January 13, 2014

Student testing just beginning

Student testing began this past week, as high schoolers wrap up the fall semester. But the stringent season of tests being imposed by the state is just beginning. Dr. Craig McFadden, assistant superintendent for accountability/student services for Wayne County Public...

Moral Monday protest planned

Goldsboro will be the site of a protest by the North Carolina NAACP on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 20. The weekly Moral Monday protests held this past year at the state Legislative Building in Raleigh drew intense...

County radio broadcast urged

Wayne County should continue paying a local radio station to air county commissioners' meetings because some residents still lack a computer or cable TV necessary to watch county-generated broadcasts of the sessions. That is the argument Commissioners Steve Keen,...

College's Manufacturing Center of Excellence to improve worker

As envisioned, the proposed Wayne County Manufacturing Center of Excellence would be filled with state-of-the-art equipment, resemble what a manufacturing floor would look like and have classroom areas and some office space as well. But until a permanent home...

City Council supports transportation projects

The Goldsboro City Council last week approved the city's portion of planning funds for two transportation plans through the Goldsboro Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Goldsboro MPO will sign a contract with Alta/Greenways, which worked on the Mountains to Sea Trail,...

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Shelter from the storm?

Jill Moore's umbrella collapses in the wind and rain on Saturday as she hurries her children Connor, 3, and Heather, 1, into Michaels. Mrs. Moore was already in her car running errands when she heard about the severe weather...

As death toll rises across state, local health officials urge avoiding the flu

With state officials reporting the death toll reaching 21 from the seasonal flu outbreak, Wayne County Health Director Davin Madden reiterated the need to take necessary precautions -- get vaccinated, adopt the habit of frequent hand-washing and stay home...

Smith could seek $1.4 million

Wayne County would owe suspended County Manager Lee Smith a $1.4 million severance package should he be fired, his lawyers say. Possible legal action by Smith and his attorneys comes on the heels of two closed session meetings called...

Teen jailed after man shot

A Goldsboro man narrowly escaped life threatening injuries after being shot multiple times during a failed robbery in the 1700 block of East Holly Street Thursday -- and the Wayne County teenager police say is responsible for the attack...

United Way close to its goal

Although the United Way of Wayne County did not reach its goal of raising $1.2 million in 2013, its campaign leaders are not calling the drive a failure. There is more to the campaign than just raising dollars, said...

Cuts hurt elderly

At a time when Wayne County Services on Aging has experienced a nearly fourfold increase in members, it has also had to contend with nearly $30,000 in state and federal budget cuts. Since the new Senior Center opened on...

Daddys, daughters will take the dance floor next month

Next month will mark the 10th year for the father/daughter dance at the YMCA, and organizer Alando Mitchell says each year it becomes more special. "A lot of dads and girls have expressed the memories that they get to...

Families in the market for new friends attend adoption event

Walking down the line of kennels and looking in at the hopeful faces outside of the Pet Supplies Plus on Berkeley Boulevard is a far cry from the artificial light of an animal shelter. At Diamonds in the Ruff...

Friday, January 10, 2014

NCHP: Driver won't be charged

PIKEVILLE -- The driver of the vehicle that struck a Norwayne Middle School student at a bus stop on Rose Road near Pikeville on Thursday will not be charged, the N.C. State Highway Patrol said this morning.However, Wayne County School...

City collects trees; turns them into mulch

Just because the official end to the Christmas tree pickup is scheduled for today doesn't mean procrastinators will not be able to get rid of their last remnant from the holidays. The Goldsboro Public Works Department has picked up more...

Traffic stop ends with drug arrest

A Princeton man is in the Wayne County Jail today under a $100,000 bond on charges of trafficking in opiates by possession and transportation, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Joseph Clifton Johnson,...

Here comes the sun

Wayne County commissioners have scheduled a Feb. 18 public hearing on proposed zoning of solar energy facilities despite concerns by several board members that the initial rules are too restrictive and would infringe on the rights of property owners....

Even more solar farms looking to come to area

A Canadian solar farm supply company working with NARENCO, a solar developer out of Charlotte, announced plans this week for three new solar farms for Wayne County. Two are to be located near Goldsboro and the third in Mount...

Board split on radio repair

Wayne County commissioners by a 4-3 vote Thursday night approved a $3 million contract for work they hope will cure the county's radio system woes. Thursday's meeting continued a seven-hour marathon session Tuesday. Unable to reach a decision after...

WCC job training scholarship deadline is Jan. 17

Applications for scholarships for job-related training through Wayne Community College Continuing Education will be accepted through Jan. 17. The college will award up to $750 for spring semester courses that lead to state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials. The scholarships are provided...

Duplin agribusiness dinner set for Jan. 30

KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Agribusiness Council will hold its annual dinner meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Lois G. Britt Agricultural Center at Duplin Commons south of Kenansville. Guest speaker will be Dr. Steven Lommel,...

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Child hit trying to catch her bus

A Norwayne Middle School student struck by a car this morning at a bus stop on Rose Road in Pikeville received non-life threatening injuries as she crossed the street to board a waiting school bus. Wayne County Public Schools...

Into the wild blue yonder

An Air Force colonel cracks a smile as she pins one of the nation's oldest military decorations on the chest of one the young men under her command. "To be able to ... pin the Purple Heart on him was...

Two arrested in scrap metal theft case

Goldsboro police responding to a break-in in progress at 803 Leslie St. just after 2 p.m. Wednesday found two black men in the backyard of the vacant, burned out residence. Police say both men admitted to taking scrap metal...

Keen asks for school bond levy info

Along with choosing candidates in the May 6 primary, Wayne County voters could be deciding the fate of a school bond issue. Wayne County Commissioner Steve Keen Tuesday told his fellow commissioners that he had taken it upon himself...

Health board says no to smoking at department

The Wayne County Board of Health on Wednesday adopted a revamped policy that restricts use of tobacco and tobacco products within 50 feet of its properties. Calling it "a good start," veteran board member Tommy Gibson made the motion that...

Cold weather causes two minor water main breaks

City officials said the deep freeze Tuesday did not cause too many problems -- until things started to thaw out Wednesday. On Wednesday morning, two six-inch water mains broke in the downtown area causing minor traffic delays in the...

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

County weighs deal on fix for radios

Wayne County commissioners spent more than two hours Tuesday dissecting a $3 million contract to fix the county's troubled radio system. But other than voting down a motion by Commissioner Steve Keen to require a change in how radios...

City might make snow

The cold weather this week was not unwelcome for everyone in Goldsboro. Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department employees took advantage of the frigid temperatures to test a homemade system to create snow, much like ski resorts do in the...

WCC one of most diverse community colleges in nation

Four area community colleges have made the list of institutions awarding the most associate degrees to minority students in the nation. For several years now, the publication "Diverse: Issues in Higher Education" has compiled data for the Top 100...

WCC announces spring events

A stellar lineup of entertaining programs and activities are featured on the Arts and Humanities calendar at Wayne Community College in the coming months, said Jack Kannan, executive director the college's Foundation. "I must say, I'm the most excited...

Crime of the Week

On Dec. 13, the Goldsboro/Wayne County Drug Squad and Selective Enforcement Unit conducted a search warrant at the residence at 429 Atlantic Ave. in Goldsboro. Officers recovered more than 600 grams of marijuana from the residence. Warrants were secured...

Staying warm

With temperatures barely in the 20s, Eddie Lewis, left, and Jason Lane spent Tuesday afternoon splitting firewood -- both red and white oak, along with hickory. The pair are selling the firewood and offer a delivery service. The wood...

No local winners in US Cellular contest

For the first time since US Cellular introduced its Calling All Communities campaign five years ago, Wayne County was not represented on the latest list of schools receiving money for education. The 2013 contest came to an end before...

AKA to hold America's Sunday Supper Jan. 19

America's Sunday Supper will be held Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. room of the Neal A. Stitt building at 801 Poplar St., sponsored by Epsilon Phi Omega chapter. Community members will come...

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Wayne County Public Schools opening will be delayed two hours on Wednesday

Due to the threat of more frigid temperatures in the morning, Wayne County Public Schools will be on a two hour delay Wednesday, schools officials said today. The Schools have asked for all non-essential staff to report two hours after...

Pikeville police chief retiring

PIKEVILLE -- Pikeville Police Chief Paschal Tucker announced his retirement Monday night at a meeting of the Town Board. Tucker, 55, who has served as chief for five years, said his last day would be in mid February. Already...

Woman scratches off $100,000 winner

A Goldsboro woman has won one of four $100,000 top prizes in the state lottery's Jingle Big Ol' Bucks contest. Charlette Artis purchased the $5 ticket at the Hasty Mart on North Spence Avenue. After state and federal taxes...

Whooey, it's cold outside

Wayne County residents awoke to the coldest day in years this morning as a winter storm that has gripped the eastern half of the nation made its way into North Carolina overnight. Although there was no precipitation to create...

$18.9 million rec bond proposal moving forward

The Goldsboro City Council passed a resolution supporting an $18.9 million bond referendum for Parks and Recreation projects at its meeting Monday night. The resolution empowers city officials to proceed with preparations to have the bond ready for a...

Annual Beekeeping School set to begin

The Beekeepers of the Neuse Bee Club will hold its third annual Spring Beekeeping School this month. Three different class times will be offered at the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Office, 208 W. Chestnut St. The course is for...

Baddour to teach creative writing at Wayne Community College

A former humanities professor at Wayne Community College will return to campus to teach a creative writing course this spring. Now retired, Margaret Boothe Baddour, will lead the workshop-style continuing education class that starts later this month. The workshop-style...

Monday, January 6, 2014

Wayne County Public Schools opening Tuesday delayed two hours

The start of classes for the Wayne County Public Schools will be delayed two hours Tuesday due to the expected frigid weather, school official said today. Forecasters are calling for temperatures in the low teens overnight and in the morning,...

Wayne will see lows in the teens

Today's unseasonably mild weather will give way to bitter cold and wind chills of zero and below by early Tuesday,  and Wayne County residents are being cautioned to dress in several layers of clothing in addition to donning a...

Experience on call: backup for families

A chance conversation with a base chaplain has turned into an effort to connect military retirees with service families who could use a little support. Karin O'Donnell already had her own personal connections with the Air Force -- first...

Radio system on next agenda

How to correct problems with the county's beleaguered $10 million communications system is expected to be back before Wayne County commissioners when they meet Tuesday morning. Commissioners discussed a contract with Cary-based Radio Communications Co. for improvements to the...

Wayne Community College recognizes its top employees of year

Wayne Community College has recognized three of its top employees for the past year. Joanna Morrisette, the college's director of counseling services, was presented the annual Employee of the Year Award in the professional staff category. Mrs. Morrisette's nominator...

Sunday, January 5, 2014

University visitation day Jan. 20

MOUNT OLIVE -- Potential students can experience campus life at the University of Mount Olive during Visitation Day on Monday, Jan. 20. Registration in the Lois K. Murphy Center begins at 9:15 a.m. High school juniors and seniors and their...

In Kennedy's name, memory

jjoyce@newsargus.com Kimberly Best weeps as she listens to Assistant District Attorney Matthew Delbridge. Her tears fall faster and harder as he recites the details of her son's last days. She leans her head against her own mother, Janice Robinson, as...

Solar farms on commissioners' Tuesday agenda

By STEVE HERRING sherring@newsargus.com The proliferation of solar energy facilities has prompted Wayne County commissioners to schedule a work session for next week on the issue. The session is on the board's Tuesday agenda. The meeting will begin with...

girl scout cookies to start

Look out New Year's dieters. It is that time of the year again. The Girl Scout cookie patrols will be on the loose soon. And unlike in the recent past, cookie lovers can once again expect to hear knocks...

Free WCC business seminars planned

The Wayne Business and Industry Center at Wayne Community College has announced its spring 2014 schedule of free seminars designed to prepare business owners and managers to meet the challenges facing small businesses. The calendar includes: *How to Write...

Lenoir County businessman, philanthropist Felix Harvey dies

Lenoir County businessman and philanthropist Felix Harvey died Thursday. He was 93. Harvey was well-known across the state for his business acumen and unwavering support of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was instrumental in the...

Energy program has more money

sherring@newsargus.com Nearly 1,800 Wayne County households have benefited from $391,980 through two energy assistance programs since the first of October. There is money remaining in both the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) through...

Commissioners put county manager on administrative leave

Wayne County Manager Lee Smith has been suspended with pay for unspecified reasons and without public discussion. The suspension followed a two-and-a-half-hour closed-door session held Friday night by Wayne County commissioners who approved the action by a 6-1 vote.Commission Chairman...

Council expected to take next step on bond

mcaulder@newsargus.com The Goldsboro City Council is expected to approve a resolution supporting an $18.9 million bond referendum for Parks and Recreation projects at its meeting Monday night. If approved, the resolution will empower city officials to proceed with preparations to...

Charges upgraded to murder

jjoyce@newsargus.com Charges against a Wayne County man in the Christmas Day shooting of a woman in his driveway have been elevated to murder, the Sheriff's Office said Friday. Johnnie Allen Jernigan Jr., 43, in custody since Dec. 25 on charges...

Beekeeping classes offered

The Beekeepers of the Neuse bee club will holding its third annual Spring Beekeeping School starting this month. Three different class times will be offered at the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Office, 208 W. Chestnut St. *Tuesdays, Jan. 7 to...

ABC class Monday

The N. C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission is offering a free training course to managers and staff of any local businesses with ABC permits. The Responsible Alcohol Seller/Server Program, RASP, workshop will be held at the Wayne County ABC Board...

Friday, January 3, 2014

Fremont hoping to improve finances

FREMONT -- Following a less than favorable audit last year, Fremont officials are looking forward to a better report in the coming year. In addition to a nearly $600,000 hit to the town's various fund balances, the town incurred...

2014's first arrival

The first baby of 2014 waited until late in the day Wednesday to make his appearance. Domonique Holmes and Darren Bridges of Dudley welcomed their third son into the world at 6:46 p.m. New Year's Day at Wayne Memorial Hospital....

Suspect sought in bank robbery

FARMVILLE -- Farmville police are searching for a man they say walked into the Southern Bank at 4217 E. Church St. in Farmville Thursday, and robbed the bank by handing the teller a note demanding money. The robbery took...

Fifth house leveled by fire

The Goldsboro Fire Department today battled yet another in a series of suspicious fires set in vacant homes, this time on Rudolph Street. Fire crews from Engines 1, 2, 4 and Ladder 1 responded to 700 Rudolph St., a...

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Sign up now for tax relief programs

Wayne County tax officials say that despite their best efforts some people still fail to get the message about deadlines for several tax relief programs. Two programs, the Senior Citizen/Disability Homestead Exclusion and the Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion,...

Hiring process ongoing for new ag agent

Interviews are scheduled next week for five applicants for the Wayne County Cooperative Extension livestock field agent position that has been vacant since May. The position could be filled by March or as early as February, Wayne County Extension...

City looking at fix for water meters

The Goldsboro City Council is expected to soon hear the results of an evaluation of its options for improving the efficiency of the city's automated water meter reader system. Problems have plagued the system since the meters were outfitted in...

Local NAACP to hold its Jubilee Day celebration

The Goldsboro-Wayne Branch NAACP will celebrate its 23rd annual Jubilee Day at 4 p.m. Sunday at Hooks Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 290 Hooks Grove Church Road, Pikeville. The guest speaker will be Dr. Reginald Watson, associate professor of English...

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Mount Olive marks 2014 with pickle

The two brothers McMillin, Aaron and Jacob, already had a good relationship with the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. brand as fans of petite pickles. They brought the pickle brand with them on a cruise through the Caribbean, and later...

Wayne County's top stories

* Wayne Memorial Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield end relationship Wayne County residents with health coverage through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina saw their insurance company drop Wayne Memorial Hospital from its list of in-network providers...

County to eye Smith's contract

Wayne County Commissioners will meet Friday afternoon in special session to consider contracts and "take action if needed." The meeting notice, sent out just before 2 p.m. Tuesday, did not specify whose contract would be discussed. However, speculation is...

Conference is planned for Saturday

Helping give women and girls a fresh sense of self-esteem will be the focus of a conference to be held Saturday at The Bridge Church in Princeton. Beverly Weeks and Sherry Jennings plan to focus on showing attendees how...

The year's top hits from NewsArgus.com

The following stories were the most viewed of 2013 on www.NewsArgus.com: 1. Doctor charged with DWI -- Goldsboro Pediatrics physician Dr. Michael Shane Hoover, 37, was charged by Goldsboro police in January with driving while impaired, hit and run...

2013 in review: A month-by-month look at local news

Jan. 1 -- More than 3,000 people welcome in the new year at the Mt. Olive Pickle Co.'s 14th annual Pickle Drop. Jan. 1 -- State prison officials announce that Randy L. Pace, 48, who is serving a life...

Schools: Read to your children

Students in Wayne County Public Schools return to classes on Thursday, with educators hoping not too much momentum was lost over the winter break. New rules regarding reading proficiency will impact state testing later this spring, and even a...

Man charged in Dec. 20 shooting at barbershop

Investigators with the Goldsboro Police Department charged Karcellius Tyquan Sutton, 20, of 803 C N. Claiborne St., with attempted murder Tuesday following an investigation into the Dec. 20 shooting outside a business on North Madison Avenue. Sutton allegedly shot...