August 2004 archives

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Tuesday, August 31, 2004

On the job, over there

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Regina M. Baker Among those deployed to Southwest Asia from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is Staff Sgt. Christopher Thompson of the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, seen here inspecting the interior of...

SAT scores are up

The latest SAT scores for students in Wayne County public schools are up 20 points, to the highest average scores in the county's history. School officials say the gap between Wayne County and the state and national averages is...

Operation Homefront Hugs matches deployed military with civilians

A single mother serving the U.S. Army National Guard in Iraq with two children back home has many obstacles to overcome. A Goldsboro woman has made the soldier's life a little easier by adopting her through an organization called...

Decision on rail route expected in October

The Department of Transportation is expected to decide by October whether the Raleigh-to-Wilmington passenger rail route should go through Fayetteville or Goldsboro. N.C. Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett will make a decision within 30 to 45 days on which route...

Seven Springs mayor says she is leaving due to health

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Former Mayor Jewel Kilpatrick told the town clerk Monday she's not coming back. Mrs. Kilpatrick, who brought the town through a crisis following a flood in 1999, resigned earlier this month. In her letter of resignation,...

House burns again, and again

SEVEN SPRINGS -- A vacant brick home -- already damaged in a fire that authorities ruled was an arson -- was set on fire again Monday, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report. An Emergency Services official said Monday...

Duplin has first emergency services training officer

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County has acquired its first emergency services training officer. Training officer Jeremy Hill came to work for the first day Monday from Lenoir County, where he had been the emergency medical services training officer for two...

Public records

Ballpark break-ins Wayne County Sheriff's detectives believe they have solved a series of six break-ins at the Eastern Carolina Athletic Park on Buck Swamp and four other break-ins with the arrest of a Princeton teen-ager. Joshua Daniel Green, who did...

Briefly

Poetry week at library The Wayne County Library on Ash Street will have a week of poetry events Sept. 20 through 23, featuring performances from local poet Shirlette Ammons. The week will begin with a poetry reading and a musical...

Monday, August 30, 2004

Gaston blows past Wayne

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Art teacher Alice Wicks welcomes children in the rain this morning at Greenwood Middle School....

Travel spending rises in Wayne County

Travelers to Wayne County pumped $98.1 million into the local economy last year, according to the U.S. Travel Data Center. This was a 2.1 percent increase over 2002. "I think any increase is good, especially in this economy," said...

Mount Olive gets $400,000 grant from the N.C. Rural Center

MOUNT OLIVE -- The N.C. Rural Center has awarded a $400,000 grant to the town of Mount Olive to help fix its sewer system. Town Manager Ray McDonald said this morning he received notice from the center's president, Billy Ray...

Library goes Hollywood

There's a new place in town for film lovers to see classic and offbeat movies, and it's free. The Wayne County Library recently installed a surround-sound theater system in the Gertrude Weil Auditorium and is offering a variety of...

Red Cross blood-giving procedure removes red cells, returns the rest

For the last year, the Wayne County Red Cross has been performing a blood-donation procedure that is easier for the donor, eliminating the weakness sometimes associated with giving blood. The Wayne County chapter is using a new process by...

Public records

Kitchen fire Unattended cooking was blamed Sunday night for a fire that caused about $2,400 in damages to a home at 209 S. Virginia St., a Goldsboro fire official said. The fire damaged the stove, cabinets and the floor, Assistant...

Ticket for the Taste of Wayne available one more day

For those who forgot to purchase their tickets to the annual Taste of Wayne County, last-minute ticket sales will be available Tuesday at Grounds For Expression from noon to 6 p.m. and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's outdoor recreation center...

Goshen Medical Center gets another grant

Goshen Medical Center has received more money to expand, especially at the clinic in Beulaville. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified Goshen that it will receive a $150,000 loan for X-ray equipment and a $40,000 grant to implement...

OPINION -- Read the directions

Some 40 years ago I learned a valuable lesson: "Read directions before starting assembly." It was Christmas Eve and I had bought a pedal-operated riding train for my 5-year-old son, Charles. John Lynch, now retired publisher of the Star-News...

Sunday, August 29, 2004

Fellow sailors speak for Kerry

Thirty-five years ago, John Kerry defended their lives on rivers in southern Vietnam. Saturday, two of Kerry's brothers in arms came to Goldsboro to defend his reputation. Del Sandusky and Elliott "Skip" Barker said that Kerry is nothing like...

Korean War veterans swap stories

Vivid memories of the blood that was shed in the fight against communism came rushing back during a reunion of four Korean War veterans. The men overcame tremendous odds under extreme conditions to survive one of the key battles...

'Tuesdays with Morrie'

What better tour guide can there be on a journey than someone who has already traveled the road himself? That was true of Morrie Schwartz and now it is again true as Ed Hogan picks up the mantle. Schwartz...

Red Cross honors volunteers

Durwood Bostic, a five-year volunteer with the Red Cross, received the Wayne County Chapter's highest honor Friday -- the Mary C. Norwood Award. The award was presented during the chapter's annual meeting Friday at the Goldsboro Country Club. Donna...

Senate hopeful visits

The United States is at a crossroads, facing tough decisions on the war in Iraq, health care and the economy, U.S. Rep. Richard Burr said Friday in Goldsboro. "If we make the wrong choices, our children will spend their...

Nutrition program celebrates 35 years

Courtney Barnes credits a nutrition program sponsored by Cooperative Extension with making her a smarter student. The 13-year-old Dillard Middle School student said she learned much through her participation in the Expanded Food Nutrition Education program, or EFNEP. "Being...

The demolition man cometh

MOUNT OLIVE -- Owners of deteriorated buildings are getting certified letters to attend a hearing and explain their intentions. Those who do not respond will be on a demolition list that Mount Olive's building inspector, Kenny Talton, will provide...

Wayne men and women in the military

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

Warsaw EMT vote Friday

WARSAW -- The town's rescue building will house full-time county emergency medical technicians. The Warsaw town board voted four-to-one Friday to authorize the town manager to enter an agreement providing the building cost-free. Eric Coman cast the dissenting vote,...

Volunteer Wayne

Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. Contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151, extesnion 336, or at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer...

Briefly

POW/MIA dinner The Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter 371 is sponsoring a dinner honoring POWs and MIAs next month. The dinner will be held Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Officer's Club. Social hour...

Student News

Lindsay Johnson of Goldsboro is a recipient of a $1,500 scholarship by The Scholarships for Military Children Program. She is a student at Liberty University and is the daughter of Eric and Betsy Johnson. Over 7,000 students applied for the...

School menus

Following are breakfast and lunch menus for Wayne County Public Schools for the week of August 30-Sept. 3: Monday -- Breakfast: Cereal, toast with jelly, fruit and juice. Lunch: Country style hamburgers and gravy, chicken with sauce, potatoes, green beans,...

Guardian ad Litem program needs volunteers

The number of abused and neglected children in Wayne County is growing at an alarming rate, says a court official who works with them. The situation will not change, she says, until the law is strengthened. Colleen Kosinski, the...

Superior Court

These cases have been heard in Wayne County Superior Court: *David Murchison, 39, East Elm Street, second-degree sexual offense (two counts), statutory rape (two counts), child abuse (two counts), indecent liberties with a child (two counts), lewd and lascivious...

Mount Olive court

These cases have been heard in Mount Olive District Court: *Jan B. King, North Church Street, Mount Olive, worthless check (two counts), 45 days suspended, 12 months unsupervised probation, $478.53 restitution and costs. *Cori D. Brown, 32, North Kornegay...

District Court cases

These cases have been heard in Wayne County District Court: *Patsy Mildred Barnes, 48, West Holly Street, communicating threats, not guilty. *Patricia Ann Faison, 32, East Kelly Street, Mount Olive, assault, not guilty. *Karl E. Miller, 57, West Main...

Friday, August 27, 2004

Corn leaving the fields

Bobby Williams This is a common sight, particularly in the southern part of the county, as farmers begin harvesting corn in earnest. On Wednesday, Roger Davis and his son, John, picked 32 acres they farm in Calypso. The land...

More foreign teachers hired in Wayne to alleviate shortage

A cultural exchange program is helping to offset the ongoing teacher shortage in Wayne County. For 10 years, Wayne County public schools have participated in the Visiting International Faculty program, which locates teachers from other countries interested in teaching...

Processing plant to close in Duplin

TEACHEY -- A plant near Wallace that processes turkeys under the Carolina Turkeys label is closing. Dan Blackshear, the president of Carolina Turkeys near Mount Olive, said Circle S Foods announced this week it will close. He said Circle...

Few details revealed on arrests at motel

Law-enforcement officials have not released any further information on five men arrested during a raid of a Goldsboro motel. One of the five men arrested Thursday at a Goldsboro motel was believed to have been wanted for numerous murders...

Annexation foes say city violated state law

Goldsboro's annexation opponents filed an amendment Wednesday to their lawsuit declaring that the city's annexation violated state law. The amendment was served in response to a ruling by a judge last month saying the city was entitled to more...

Flowers chosen as new president of Arts Council

The Arts Council of Wayne County board of directors began its meeting with a new president Thursday afternoon. Mary Lee Flowers, who had been elected vice president, is now president following the resignation of Richard Hunt. Hunt resigned due...

Seven Springs Mayor can't quit

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The mayor can't quit. The Seven Springs town board voted unanimously this morning in a special called meeting to offer Mayor Jewel Kilpatrick a leave of absence until the end of the year. Town Commissioner Lib Quinn...

Wayne County Red Cross volunteers helping in Florida

Wayne County Red Cross volunteers are helping Florida's victims of Hurricane Charley get their lives back on track. Three volunteers with the Wayne County chapter have been sent to the disaster area. Sara Frances is doing family services. Jo...

Lawyer reponds to judge's censure explanation

A Jacksonville lawyer who has sued Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell accuses the judge of lying about the lawsuit and of besmirching his character. Braswell issued a statement Tuesday in which he discussed the suit that had been filed by...

Waynesborough Village focus of Make a Difference Day

Waynesborough Historical Village will receive some renovations during this year's Wayne County Make A Difference Day sponsored by the United Way. "We are absolutely thrilled and delighted that we were chosen," said Colleen Baker, secretary of the Old Waynesborough...

Public records

Property stolen again from ballpark A speaker and an amplifier were stolen between Wednesday and Thursday from Eastern Carolina Athletic Park at 871 Buck Swamp Road, according to a Wayne County Sheriff's Office report. The break-in was the sixth at...

Briefly

Rail work to continue A second day of trimming of small trees, bushes and shrubs on the railroad right of way along Royall Avenue was postponed from today until next week, a Goldsboro police official said. A portion of Royall...

Thursday, August 26, 2004

Update on hotel standoff...

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Wayne County Sheriff Winders said, "Information received by the federal government indicated at least one of the suspects was wanted in Mexico for a number of murders. ... Five persons were taken into custody and transported to...

Standoff at Best Western

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit An FBI agent subdues a man as others, with guns at the ready, prepare to enter a room at the Best Western Motel this morning. For more information see Five arrested after FBI standoff at motel....

Five arrested after FBI standoff at motel

With guns raised and shields in front of their bodies, federal agents apprehended five people this morning in two rooms at a Goldsboro hotel. Five people are in custody today after they were called out of two rooms at...

Dad delivers baby on side of road on way to hospital

"Baby Bledsoe" is his name, and waiting to get to the hospital is not his game. His name will change, but the story he is going to tell his grandchildren will not. His parents, Ray and Carlette Bledsoe of...

Schools get training to spot meth abuse

As the methamphetamine problem grows, Wayne County school officials are being taught how to recognize the signs in children who may have been exposed to the illegal drug. School social workers and counselors from across the county received training this...

Magistrate moves against home owner

A Wayne County magistrate ruled Wednesday that Quality Homes and Sherwood Daly were not responsible for the sagging floor in James Potter's mobile home. Potter appealed the ruling Wednesday afternoon, and the issue will now go before a District...

State Education officials work to narrow gaps

State and Wayne County educators will meet next month to talk about an array of topics concerning the federal No Child Left Behind law. As part of Wayne County public schools' plan, "Building Capacity for Student Success," consultants with the...

DuPont employees face pay cut

DuPont employees to face pay cut KINSTON -- Employees of the former DuPont plant will face a 20 percent pay cut once the company is acquired by Unifi in September, according to an article in the Kinston Free Press. Koch...

Public records

Information sought on woman's death The Goldsboro Police Department is seeking information on the shooting death of Latasha Sutton in the Jefferson Court apartments. Ms. Sutton's body was found Aug. 26, 2003, by police in Apartment 50 at 1100 N....

Briefly

Jones named nicest U.S. Rep. Walter Jones appears in the September issue of The Washingtonian as the nation's nicest member of the House of Representatives. Jones came in second the last time the survey was taken in 2002. The Washingtonian,...

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Freshmen arrive at Mount Olive College for orientation

MOUNT OLIVE -- The students have returned to Mount Olive College. The college has planned a week full of freshman seminars. They're very helpful, says freshman Sarah Finch of Goldsboro. "I like the smaller groups for the freshmen," said...

Laid-back biker rides from Washington to N.C.

So why has Reg Gomez spent the last two months riding his bicycle across the United States? To kill time because he had no summer plans, he says. He began the journey on June 7 from his home in...

Schools to put greater focus on reading

In Rose Hinnant's first-grade class at Carver Heights Elementary, students are learning to read at their own pace. For her pupils, that means first learning to rhyme, then moving to sounding out one-syllable words, and finally, on to reading books....

Red Cross hires new director

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross has a new director. Chuck Waller, 44, took over the directorship Friday. Waller had been the interim director since May 1 when Cindy Bell left to take a job in...

Social Services hits barrier with hiring freeze

Wayne County Social Services is facing a "crisis situation," officials say, because of a shortage of investigators of child abuse and neglect. The child protective services unit has nine vacancies, which it cannot fill now because of a county...

Attorney General still reviewing Everett retirement

Former City Attorney Harrell Everett left his job with the city almost two months ago, but the state's attorney general's office still hasn't decided whether he is eligible for retirement pay. Michael Williamson, director of the state retirement system,...

Public records

Church break-ins Howard A 43-year-old man from Kinston has been accused of breaking into churches, ramming a convenience store with a vehicle and stealing property, Wayne County Sheriff's Office reports say. Johnny Lee Howard of Kinston was charged Tuesday with...

Briefly

Kerry shipmate to speak Del Sandusky, a former Navy shipmate of U.S. Sen. John Kerry, will speak Saturday in Goldsboro. Sandusky was Kerry's second in command in Vietnam and is one of his supporters in his run for president. He...

Dupln officials surprised at turn out school forum

WARSAW -- Duplin County school officials said they were surprised to see such a large turnout for a forum designed to set an agenda for the schools' future. Around 200 people split up into groups of six Tuesday night...

Eastpointe nearing certification

CLINTON -- Eastpointe mental health agency has nearly resolved two concerns raised by a top state mental health official, the agency's director said Tuesday night. Within weeks, Eastpointe should be approved as a local management entity, Director Jack St....

Unlucky 13 trips up spellers at Bee

A buzz made its way through Goldsboro Country Club on Tuesday as 10 teams vied to be crowned the new Corporate Spelling Bee champion. Cheers and sighs of relief and disappointment came from the teams as they attempted to...

Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Child injured

Bobby Williams Duplin County emergency workers help members of the East Care team load Benjamin Parks Story onto a helicopter Monday afternoon. He was transported to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville where he was listed this morning in critical...

8-year-old hit by car in Calypso

CALYPSO -- A child was hit by a car and seriously injured Monday afternoon on Trade Street. Benjamin Parks Story, 8, of Trade Street, was crossing the street to see a friend and did not see the oncoming car, which...

Teacher dearth called a crisis by study group

North Carolina must take greater action to recruit and retain teachers in public schools or face "an impending crisis," says a report being released today. A rapidly increasing school-age population, class-size reduction, and high turnover in some districts have...

New magistrate hired to fill vacancy

A magistrate has been hired to replace Gilbert Owens, who resigned. The announcement of the new magistrate, Patricia Williams, was made Monday by Jerry Braswell, the resident Superior Court judge for Wayne County. Braswell, who has been holding court in...

Schedule of Fair fun released

It's that time again to gather up the family for some good food, entertainment and rides for this year's Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair. The catalog for the 2004 fair has been mailed to sponsoring members, directors and previous exhibitors...

Judge defends actions but accepts censure

Judge Jerry Braswell defended his actions that led to his censure by the state Supreme Court but also said that he fully accepted the court's decision. "I fully accept the ruling of the Supreme Court and will incorporate the wisdom...

Fall Litter Sweep is Sept. 18

Picking up trash will not only help improve the county's appearance, it could also put a little cash in your pocket. Keep Wayne County Beautiful, the state Department of Transportation, Wayne County and the city of Goldsboro will hold...

Public records

Masked gunman robs gas station A masked gunman robbed a Goldsboro service station Monday night of an undetermined amount of money, according to a Goldsboro police report. The robber entered the Spur station at 2000 N. William St. at about...

Briefly

Bloodmobile The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a Bloodmobile on Wednesday from 1:30 to 6 p.m. at Wayne Christian School. Donors will receive a coupon for a free car wash. Hall of Fame The Duplin...

WAGES to take enrollment applications Sept. 14

Enrollment applications will be taken for WAGES Head Start and Early Head Start on Sept. 14. Enrollment will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Royall Center, 601 E. Royall Ave. in Goldsboro, and the Carver Center,...

Green Power forms speakers bureau

A speakers bureau is standing by for those interested in buying blocks of renewable energy that comes from the Wayne County landfill and a hog farm in Duplin County. Residents and small businesses can sign onto a renewable-energy power...

Monday, August 23, 2004

First blooms

News-Argus/Dennis Hill Ruth Pelt of Saulston Road shows off the blooms on her angel trumplet plant. She said it is the first year the plant has bloomed....

'Voter-less bonds' get city backing

Goldsboro City Council members are supporting an amendment to the state's constitution that would allow local governments to issue bonds without a vote from the people. Leslie Coman, vice president of governmental affairs for the North Carolina Citizens for...

New drug court planned to help families reunite

Wayne County officials are planning a new court program to help negligent parents break out of addiction and reunite with their children. Pending federal funding, Family Drug Treatment Court will begin in early 2005. County officials will work intensively...

Grant awarded to help prisoners' children

A federal grant to help provide mentors for children of prisoners has been awarded to the Wayne County Youth Outreach Program. The three-year grant, worth $300,000, is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for...

Argument ends in murder; one charged

A 30-year-old Goldsboro man was gunned down Sunday night, and Goldsboro police have charged a man with the murder. LaTerance Gooding of 200 Hilda Place was shot during an argument in a parking lot in the 1100 block of North...

Early dismissal Tuesday

Students in Wayne County public schools will be dismissed early on Tuesday for teachers to attend workshops. This is one of 12 days set aside for student early dismissal. Additional minutes have been added to the school day to make...

Baseball clinic set to help stop abuse

Bats will be swinging and baseballs will be flying at the third annual Take Me Out to the Ballgame baseball clinic. It will be held Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Eastern Carolina Athletic Park, or...

Public records

Driver charged after car theft A driver sped from a parking lot Saturday night in a stolen car, crashed into another auto and injured the other driver, was chased by witnesses and police, then slammed into a phone booth and...

Briefly

More at Four has openings The Wayne County Partnership for Children has added 92 More at Four, bringing the total of children served to 414. That equals a 29 percent increase from last year and a 766 percent increase from...

Litter vac is coming soon

Getting that trash vacuumed up from the sides of city streets is still a few weeks away, but the machine that will do the job has arrived. Joseph Sawyer, city general services manager, said the litter vacuum was delivered...

Sunday, August 22, 2004

Border collies protect air base by chasing birds from wetlands

Dragonflies flit over the tall grasses in the Goldsboro wetlands, their tiny wings sparkling in the morning sunlight. You'll see plenty of the brightly covered insects darting through the blue flag irises, bulrushes, water lilies or any of the...

Relatives reminisce as Goldsboro woman nears 104th birthday

Catherine Davis of Golds-boro is turning 104 today. Mrs. Davis doesn't talk unless she takes a notion, says Freeman Aldridge, one of her nephews. "When you get old, you don't talk much. I don't think I'll talk a lot...

Mount Olive commissioner to survey interest for health center

MOUNT OLIVE -- Town Commissioner Ora Truzy wants anyone interested in learning more about health and wellness to call her. She is planning to survey Mount Olive residents about what they're interested in learning more about in the area...

Norwayne Alumni makes homecoming plans

Norwayne Alumni and Friends Inc. will have its 32nd annual homecoming Sept. 3 through 5. On Sept. 3 at Norwayne Middle School, there will be networking and reflections at 7 and 10:30 p.m., scholarship and eighth-grade awards at 8 p.m.,...

Public Record

Gunshot victim Jesse Lee Burns, 34, Crawford Street, was admitted to Wayne Memorial Hospital after a shooting Friday afternoon on the 1500 block of E. Elm Street. According to police reports, Burns was walking when two black males drove...

Friday, August 20, 2004

Jam band

News-Argus/Dennis Hill The Band of Oz brings a little 'beach' to the city Thursday. The beach music band performs at the Downtown Center Street Jam....

Firm will buy factory, save 120 local jobs

Turkington Industries has agreed to buy the APV Baker plant for more than $10 million. The sale will preserve 120 local jobs, say Wayne County officials. The $10 million deal is expected to be completed Friday, Aug. 27. "We...

Heavy rains didn't harm crops

Wayne County row crops are ahead of the growing schedule on average and most still look good. Bob Pleasants, county extension agent, said farmers are quickly trying to finish the tobacco harvest, because it has been affected by disease,...

'Fear Factor' at church

Want some worms in your mouth or to be covered in mice? Or how about a little taste of squid shake? A group of teens put fear to the test Wednesday night at Goldsboro Worship Center on New Hope...

Wayne chamber supports Amendment One

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and the town of Smithfield are among more than 100 cities and organizations that are backing an idea to allow local governments to approve bonds without a vote of the people. "Amendment One," which...

Murder, shooting, break in arrests made thanks to Crime Stoppers

Tips to Goldsboro-Wayne County Crime Stoppers led to arrests last month for a murder, a shooting and a school break-in. A 27-year-old Goldsboro man, Leandren Andre Wilson of Brownrigg Street, was arrested in Benson and charged with the murder...

Duplin schools receive lion's share of grant

KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County public schools, which will receive the lion's share of a $150,000 grant, are impressing educators in other states. A federal grant is coming to Duplin and Mecklenburg-Charlotte school systems to identify new forms of civic...

Public records

Drug charges Two men were arrested Thursday by the Goldsboro-Wayne County Drug Squad and an estimated $92,000 worth of cocaine was seized from their home near Dudley. Jose Manuel Diaz, 26, and Eustorgio Arrellano, 27, both of Timothy Street, were...

Briefly

Don't blame church Officials of the Goldsboro Worship Center want it known that the church was not responsible for the big glob of white paint that was on the pavement in front of the church Thursday afternoon. Custodian Billy Smith,...

Thursday, August 19, 2004

Fire kills man despite firemen's heroics

MOUNT OLIVE -- A bed-ridden Rones Chapel man died Wednesday despite efforts to rescue him from his burning house. Firefigters Rodney Lambert and John Daniel Ivey had handed Leroy Bunn out the side window and into the arms of...

Ex-magistrate was overpaid, office says

Former Magistrate Gilbert Owens was paid a month's salary after he had resigned, a state court official acknowledged Wednesday. The official, Dick Ellis, a spokesman for the state Administrative Office of the Courts, said the AOC personnel office had...

Blood supplies low as holiday approaches

With blood already low and the Labor Day holiday fast approaching, the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross is trying to keep supplies from dipping to a critical level. Types O and A are already low, said...

Wayne gets grant for two school nurses

The Wayne County Health Department has received state money that it will use to add two school nurses, moving the school system closer to the ideal ratio of nurses to students. The grant, from a program called "Healthy Children,...

Briefly

Closer scrutiny The Wayne County commissioners intend to begin interviewing applicants for some volunteer boards and commissions. The county board wants to meet people before they're appointed to the Planning Board. The board currently has a vacancy due to the...

Eastpointe contract plan abandoned

Eastpointe has abandoned a controversial plan to split off some of its duties into a separate nonprofit agency, the Wayne County commissioners heard Tuesday. The proposal is a "dead issue," Eastpointe Director Jack St. Clair told the commissioners. "It's...

Mental illness workshops scheduled

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Wayne County will soon offer the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program for Wayne, Lenoir, Sampson and Duplin counties. This free course is for families and friends of someone diagnosed with a serious mental...

Public records

Man charged in firearms case A 23-year-old Goldsboro man was arrested Wednesday by police in the 400 block of Stronach Avenue and charged with two felony firearms violations and other offenses. William Javon "Von" Maye was charged with possession of...

Duplin Digest

Duplin hospital faces 50 KENANSVILLE -- Dig out those scrapbooks and boxes of memorabilia. Duplin General Hospital is getting ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The hospital board is looking for pictures, mementos, perhaps some of those old hospital bills...

GFD answers 175 calls

The Goldsboro Fire Department put out two major building fires from among the 175 fire and service calls that it answered in July, according to Chief Bobby Greenfield's monthly report. A bolt of lightning on July 28 struck the roof...

Duplin eateries receive awards

Duplin County Health Services has presented 15 food service establishments with the 2004 Food Service Recognition Award. First presented in 2000 by Environmental Health Services, the plaque is awarded annually for outstanding sanitation practices. It is given to restaurants, meat...

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Malachi's grandparents

News-Argus/Bonnie Edwards David and Loresse Earl are mourning the loss of their grandson, 14-month-old Malachi Edmundson. For more information see Couple mourn death of grandson....

Couple mourn death of grandson

Malachi Edmundson's family says the room would light up when he would walk in. On Friday, that light went out. Malachi, who was 14 months old, was killed. The next day, sheriff's detectives charged Donald Elbert Purnell, age 17,...

Decision on teacher pay still pending

More than 1,000 Wayne County teachers will have to wait at least three more weeks before finding out what they'll be paid this year. The county commissioners said Tuesday that they still need some financial information from the school...

Moratorium on zoning around base extended

The Wayne County commissioners agreed Tuesday to extend until January the moratorium on new subdivisions and mobile home parks near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Meanwhile, officials plan to seek outside advice on how to dampen outside sound from...

Adultery suit lies at bottom of judge's censure

JACKSONVILLE -- Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell of Goldsboro was censured last week for failing to step aside from a lawsuit that involved a man who also was suing the judge for adultery. Braswell refused to recuse himself in 2002...

11 new teachers to be hired

Wayne County will be hiring 11 new teachers this term, primarily to reduce class sizes in the elementary schools. Olivia Pierce, executive director for community relations for the school system, said a legislative mandate recently signed by the governor...

Consultants reveal $467 million transportation plan

Local transportation officials got their first glimpse Thursday at a plan that maps out road improvements until 2030. Mike Rutkowski and Roger Henderson, engineers from the Raleigh consulting firm Kimley-Horne, were hired last year by Goldsboro to prepare the...

Group taking civil rights complaint to Washington D.C.

A group concerned about racial imbalance and achievement gaps in the schools is taking its complaint to the U.S. Office of Civil Rights next week. During a news conference Tuesday, members of Concerned Clergy and the Wayne NAACP said...

Briefly

NEA president to visit The president of the National Education Association, Reg Weaver, will speak at the Wayne County chapter's fall membership campaign next month. Weaver is scheduled to attend festivities at Tommy's Road Elementary School on Sept. 9. Sponsored...

Volunteers recognized

Volunteers who give to the community every day got something back Tuesday. It was gratitude. The 24th annual North Carolina Outstanding Volunteer Service in Wayne County awards reception was held at First Presbyterian Church. Five residents received awards: Patricia...

Community meets new 4th Wing commander at reception

The new commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and his family received a warm welcome Tuesday from community officials. "We are extremely excited to have them here," said Jimmie Edmundson, chairman of the...

Public records

Fugitive caught Garner A Dudley man wanted by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office on three felony charges stemming from a shooting was captured Tuesday during a traffic stop in Norfolk, Va. Quanta Keneil Garner, 22, of Jenny Lane will be...

Wayne votes for Stewart, but Atkinson gets nod

A longtime educator filled the final spot on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot by winning the Democratic runoff for the race to replace Mike Ward, departing superintendent of public instruction. June Atkinson defeated Marshall Stewart for the party's nomination for...

Fremont contracts for street improvements

FREMONT -- Motorists in Fremont may be riding on smoother roads after the town board approved a low bid for repaving streets and filling in potholes. The board accepted a bid of $76,209 from Goldsboro Paving Co. for street...

Commissioner criticizes EDC for vacant shell building

Wayne County Commissioner Arnold Flowers harshly criticized the Economic Development Commission on Tuesday for not finding industries to buy the shell buildings and other county properties. Those investments have already cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars, with...

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Blighted

News-Argus/Barbara Arntsen Weeds and bushes thrive at this Kornegay Street house. The dilapidated condition of the building is helping to create a blighted area in Goldsboro. For more information see Councilmen want city to intervene in neighborhood....

Judge censured by court

The State Supreme Court has censured Superior Court Judge Jerry Braswell of Goldsboro for presiding over civil proceedings when he might have had a conflict of interest. Censure is one way that higher courts call attention to misbehavior on the...

City and county will match grant to save APV plant

Goldsboro and county officials have approved providing $300,000 to try to save 120 jobs. The Goldsboro City Council voted unanimously Monday to match a grant of up to $150,000 that economic development officials say will allow a company to...

Low turnout seen for primary

Candidates in Tuesday's runoff election spent their final day of campaigning by rallying supporters to vote and trying to buck predictions of low turnout. That might prove a futile task because negativity that has dominated races for two Republican...

Wayne Community College expects record enrollment

Wayne Community College officials are expecting record enrollment of more than 3,350 students this fall. That number tops the previous record of 3,311, which was set in 2002. At the end of registration Friday, 3,050 students were signed up and...

Councilmen want city to intervene in neighborhood

Goldsboro Councilmen Chuck Allen and Bob Waller ride down Slocumb Street, between Mulberry and Walnut, shaking their heads in dismay over the deteriorating and dilapidated houses. Many of the houses in the section barely show the luster of their...

Game Room denied consent for expansion

The City Council decided Monday against allowing a game room on Slocumb Street to expand. A council member cited concerns for children's safety. Last month Hilda Hill asked the council for a special use permit that would allow her...

Jones says he is fighting for veterans right to health care

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones said Monday in Goldsboro that he is fighting for veterans to get health benefits, but he does not expect the legislation to pass this year. Jones told the Wayne County Alliance of Retired Military that...

Briefly

Christmas parade set Entries are being accepted for the Goldsboro Jaycees Christmas Parade. The parade will be Saturday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. The theme for the parade is "Christmastime in Olde Goldsborough." The deadline for entries is Nov. 20....

Public records

Two women held in credit card scam Two Goldsboro women were arrested Monday and charged with stealing credit cards from shoppers' purses and then using the cards. LaPleasure Artis, 27, of West New Hope Road and Onea Hodge, 22, of...

Wayne County Schools hires new public information officer

The Wayne County public schools have hired Kristy Fair as the new public information officer. She replaces Stan Alleyne, who took a job with the Bumcombe County School System in Asheville. Ms. Fair most recently worked as a reporter with...

Girl Scout troops celebrate reunion

Today they are doctors, lawyers, business professionals and parents. They attribute their success to Girl Scouts. They say it gave them a variety of experiences that offered them opportunities they might never have had. Many of them have daughters...

Monday, August 16, 2004

4th Wing Change of command

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Col. James M. Holmes, right, takes the 4th Wing's flag from Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III, commander of the 9th Air Force. For more information see Holmes gets command of 4th Wing....

Dad, 17, accused in child's death

A 14-month-old boy has died and his 17-year-old father has been charged by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office with murder. The toddler, Malachi Jaahonelynn Edmundson, stopped breathing Friday at the father's home, detectives said. After a call to 911,...

Holmes gets command of 4th Wing

The 4th Fighter Wing welcomed Col. James Holmes today as its new commander. "This opportunity to work with you is truly my dream come true," Holmes said during today's ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. "All of you...

Police hit roadblock in fire investigation

How a fire critically injured a woman and damaged her home last week in Goldsboro remains a mystery to investigators. The victim, Cara Mason, remained hospitalized at the Burn Center at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. The fire occurred before...

Taste of Wayne coming Aug. 31

Do southern-style barbecue and lamb make your mouth water? How do pizza and seafood sound? Top it all off with pie and a flavored coffee and you have the 14th annual Taste of Wayne County. The food-tasting event will...

Primary scheduled Tuesday in race with little interest

Does June make you swoon? Or is Marshall your man? If you've got an opinion and you're a Democrat or unaffiliated voter, the Wayne County Board of Elections wants to hear from you Tuesday. Polling places for the second...

OPINION -- Say what?

On a recent Sunday, my wife, Gloria, had been called upon to deliver the sermon at St. Francis Episcopal Church. She serves there regularly as an ordained deacon. Hence, she is more familiar to some parishioners in her vestments....

Public records

Cigarettes stolen A thief drove a vehicle into the front doors of a convenience store, cut the electric wires and stole 30 boxes of cigarettes, a Goldsboro police report said. The cigarettes, valued at $2,749, were stolen from Fast Lane...

Seven Springs mayor offered leave of absence

SEVEN SPRINGS -- The Seven Springs town board held a brief emergency meeting Friday and decided to ask Jewel Kilpatrick to take a two-month leave of absence rather than resigning as mayor. Mrs. Kilpatrick said Saturday that she might consider...

Horton, Nobers get Hermans

It was a lucky Friday the 13th for winners of Center Stage Theatre's Herman Awards. Twenty-one awards were presented during the annual ceremony at Herman Park Center. This year's theme was "Masquerade Ball," and many of the participants came in...

Duplin treatment program sees success

WARSAW -- Five more people have graduated from a drug and alcohol treatment program that has been praised for having a high success rate. The ceremony was held Tuesday at the Mental Health building in Warsaw for Duplin County's...

Wayne commissioners to consider school counter-offer

The debate over teacher supplements will be back before the Wayne County commissioners Tuesday. The county board has called a work session to discuss the school board's latest offer in negotiations, which have lasted nearly two months. Also Tuesday, the...

Red Cross to conduct inquiries involving Charley victims in Florida

The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross is now doing welfare inquiries. Teresa Williams, disaster director, said that means that people here may call to find out the status of those in Florida who were in the area...

Albertson raises $30,000 for library

ALBERTSON -- The Albertson Community Library Corp. has raised nearly $30,000 toward a new library, says one of its members, Janice Grady. "It's coming along," she said about the fund-raising campaign and the renovation work going on at the...

Sunday, August 15, 2004

Charley fizzles in Wayne

Hurricane Charley had fizzled into a tropical storm with moderate winds and only a couple hours of heavy rain by the time it reached Wayne County Saturday afternoon. Wayne and Duplin residents were braced for the worst after Charley had...

Beth-Ellen murder remains unsolved

The 1994 murder case of 17-year-old Beth-Ellen Vinson remains unsolved. Her parents say they have come a long way in coping with the loss of their youngest child, but the pain is still there. Monday marks the 10-year anniversary...

City hall renovation plans on schedule

The building and renovation plans for Goldsboro's new city hall are ahead of schedule, and the city expects to award the construction contract in early December. Partin & Hobbs Architects is designing the $5 million expansion, which is scheduled...

Governor presents check

Efforts to help protect Seymour Johnson Air Force Base from the next round of base closings were given another boost Friday from the state. Gov. Mike Easley presented a check for $150,000 to "Team GoldWayne for Seymour," which is...

Military Affairs group discusses BRAC

The N.C. General Assembly gave military communities some help this summer as they work to protect their bases from closure or downsizing, a state panel heard Friday. But the Legislature's action are just a part of the effort that...

City Council hearing set

The city of Goldsboro will hold a hearing Monday on whether it should pitch in $150,000 to encourage a company to buy the APV Baker plant. The money would be contributed to the county's efforts to raise $300,000 to entice...

Shelters set up in Wayne

Anticipating a more potent Hurricane Charley, the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross opened two shelters and the Salvation Army opened its shelter Saturday about 9 in the morning. The shelters were closed at 5 p.m. The...

WCC opens Monday

More than 3,000 students are expected to start classes at Wayne Community College this week. Registration closed late Friday afternoon, but a final tally of students enrolled will not be released until mid-week. Tara Humphries, public information officer at...

Volunteer Wayne

Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. Contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151, extension 336, or at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer...

Briefly

Volunteers recognized Wayne County will recognize five of its top volunteers Tuesday at a reception at First Presbyterian Church. The awards ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. It is being sponsored by the Wayne County Association of Volunteer Administrators....

Student news

Chelsea Anderson and Timothy Moore, both from Goldsboro, were among 81 North Carolina high school juniors and seniors who took part in Western Carolina University's annual Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics held June 20 - July 17. The intensive...

Friday, August 13, 2004

Hurricane Charley to move into Atlantic: Inland tropical wind watch issued for Wayne

Forecasters are saying that Hurricane Charley, now a Category 4 storm with winds of 145 mph, will take a path thatÕs further east, bringing it across the Florida Peninsula and into the Atlantic. The storm is then expected to continue...

Charley on the web

Weather and emergency services related websites National Hurricane Center Interactive Weather Information Network NC Department of Health and Human Services Wayne County Office of Emergency Services City of Goldsboro Emergency Information...

Fountain donation

Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Pope Members of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee and city and county officials gather at Seymour Johnson to view the new fountain on base. A $10,000 donation from...

Charley to bring gusty winds, heavy rain

Part two of the August hurricane saga begins later today for North Carolina as rains from a powerful Hurricane Charley begin moving into the state. Travel over land will likely reduce the hurricane to the strength of a tropical storm,...

Allen named Teacher of the Year

A Southern Wayne High School math teacher has been named the county's Teacher of the Year. Freda J. Allen, a National Board certified teacher, has been at Southern Wayne for eight years. She was also the 2004 Coca-Cola Distinguished...

New Lagoon-closing method unveiled

WHITAKERS -- Hog farmers planning to close their lagoons may have a new, more environmentally friendly way of doing so. Instead of open pits, the lagoons could be converted into timberland, under a proposal unveiled Thursday at Hanor Farms...

Gen. Rosborg honored

Gen. Eric J. Rosborg, commander of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, may be leaving for a new assignment, but Wayne County leaders let him know Thursday that they want him back. Rosborg was given...

Public records

Thief gets away Wayne County sheriff's officers recovered $41,000 worth of stolen equipment Thursday, they said, but were unable catch the culprit. At about 2:15 a.m., Deputy Chris Peedin saw a suspicious vehicle parked along U.S. 13 in southern Wayne....

Briefly

Governor visit Gov. Mike Easley was scheduled to make an announcement in Goldsboro today concerning a grant to Wayne County and Goldsboro. He was scheduled to be at the Wayne County Courthouse today at 11:30 a.m. The state's Advisory Commission...

WCC To Lead Discussions on Globalization

The first of eight lunch-time lectures and discussions on globalization in the 21st century is set for Aug. 23 at Wayne Community College. The inaugural speaker is Dr. James L. Peacock, director of the University Center for International Studies and...

Thursday, August 12, 2004

Richard Burr

News-Argus/Kaye Nesbit Head Start student Tykhira Franklin, left, meets Congressman Richard Burr during his visit to WAGES this morning. For more information see Burr brings campaign for Senate to WAGES....

Wayne wary as storms approach

Wayne County may catch a small break despite the two tropical storms moving across the state over the next three days. Bonnie's path has shifted farther west, meaning less rain for Wayne tonight. But Charley will probably make up...

Burr brings campaign for Senate to WAGES

U.S. Rep. Richard Burr, Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, said his visit to Goldsboro this morning provided a chance to see what "community action agencies" do and why they are so unique. He chose WAGES as his Wayne...

Seven Springs mayor stuns board by resigning

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Jewel Kilpatrick, who led the town to recovery from a debilitating flood, has resigned as mayor of Seven Springs. The resignation will be effective at midnight today, but the town board doesn't want to accept it....

Lawyers argue whether Lane's rights were violated

Testimony ended Wednes-day in a hearing to determine whether the confessions of a man accused of murdering a 5-year-old girl should be admitted into his trial. But it may be a couple of months before a decision is made...

City lists qualities for future manager

Education, experience and computer expertise are some of the qualities the Goldsboro City Council says it wants in a new city manager. Council members spent time Wednesday listing the qualities needed in a city manager and the important issues...

Public record

Wreck caused by drunken driver, says Highway Patrol A head-on collision, allegedly caused by a drunken driver, sent two people to the hospital Sunday night, the N.C. Highway Patrol reports. George Clayton Worrell III, 33, of Daw Pate Road, was...

Duplin tobacco market opening unlike old days

WALLACE -- It's quieter and with fewer people than the old days. Instead of fast-chanting auctioneers walking the rows, the four buyers and three auctioneers hovered over a bale of tobacco synchronizing their hand-held computers. When the price was...

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Standing guard

Bobby Williams photo Goldsboro police officers M.A. Croom, left, and B.H. Canady stand outside the house where a woman was burned early Tuesday morning. For more information see Police seek clues to fire; victim critical....

Bonnie, Charlie head this way, may bring heavy rains

Tropical Storm Bonnie and soon-to-be Hurricane Charley are on a course that will eventually bring them, and rain, to Wayne County and the rest of North Carolina -- probably within 24 hours of each other. Bonnie, or its remnants,...