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Smithfield Names Full Time Fire Chief

After serving as interim fire chief for several months, John Blanton officially took over Thursday as the permanent fire chief of the Smithfield Fire Department. Blanton had been serving as the interim since the retirement of former Chief Patrick Harris…

Home Invasion, Robbery Reported Near Benson

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion and robbery. It happened around 11:20am Wednesday in the 1300 block of Federal Road near Benson. A 19 year-old college student was at home when three suspects forcibly entered the…

Four Oaks Bank Renames Financial Services Division

Four Oaks Bank has announced the renaming of their financial services division.  Four Oaks Financial Services is now Four Oaks Wealth Management. The Bank established their financial services division in 2002, to give their customers, as well as the people…

Church Break-In Reported

Johnston County deputies are investigating an attempted break-in at the White Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The church is located on Highway 231 near Highway 222 near the Johnston-Nash County line.  A church member discovered the attempted break-in on Wednesday…

Selma Tweaks Subdivision Rules

The Town of Selma has modified an ordinance making it easier for subdivisions to locate within their extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Selma Town Council approved a change allowing an exemption for sidewalks to be…

School Board Waives Snow Makeup Day

Johnston County school students will not have to make up a day lost to winter weather in January. At their board meeting on Tuesday, the school board agreed to forgive January 22nd for all three school calendars including traditional schools,…

Selma Says “No” To Chickens

Two months after a resident asked the Town of Selma to allow chickens within the town limits, the Selma Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to deny the request. Angela Parrish appeared before town leaders in December asking officials to…

Candy Stolen During Florist Break-In

Smithfield Police are investigating a business break-in. Monday night or early-Tuesday, someone broke into Smithfield City Florist located at 902 South Brightleaf Boulevard. Police Captain R.K. Powell the suspect used a flower pot to shatter a rear window at the…

Bid Awarded For Public Works Building Upgrades

The Smithfield Public Works Facility will be getting some much needed upgrades. The Smithfield Town Council has awarded a bid to renovation some of the facility.  The low bidder on the project was SOHN, Inc. at $14,963. They were slightly…