County Approves Princeton Rock Quarry Expansion

In a unanimous vote, Johnston County Commissioners have approved the expansion of a rock quarry owned by Hanson Aggregates Southeast, LLC. Hanson received approval to rezone more than a dozen adjacent parcels of land near Princeton totaling 625.6 acres from…
Federal Road Accident Victim Identified

Authorities have released the name of a man who was killed in a crash Tuesday morning on Federal Road near Benson. 48 year-old Ramon Alejandro Ponce Luna, 48, of Buffaloe Road, Raleigh was operating a Ford pickup on Federal Road…
Guns Stolen During Break-In

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a residential break-in where several guns were reported stolen. It happened Nov. 22nd at a home on Stevens Sausage Road off Brogden Road east of Smithfield. The victim said he left home at 9:15am…
Reminder: Peak Season Soil Testing Period Opens Nov. 27

Harvest of crops across North Carolina has been ongoing for months and weather has generally been favorable for growers, unlike the wet months of the fall of 2018 after Hurricane Florence. The soil lab has already analyzed over 123,000 samples…
Former Johnston County School Teacher Announces Candidacy For NC Superintendent Of Public Instruction

CARY- Republican Catherine Truitt, Chancellor of non-profit Western Governors University North Carolina (WGU NC), has officially declared her candidacy for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. Truitt believes her unique background has led to this moment. “I’ve had a very…
Suspects Steal Money From Honor System Payment Box

Authorities are searching for two suspects who allegedly stole cash out of an honor system payment box near Benson. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and has released a surveillance photo of one of the suspects. Deputies said it happened…
Fire Department Will Keep Old Ladder Truck

The Smithfield Fire Department, which recently received delivery of a new 2019 Smeal 100 foot platform ladder truck, will keep the old ladder truck that it replaces. At the request of Fire Chief John Blanton, members of the Smithfield Town Council…
Troop 63 Eagle Scout Christopher Jordan Hales

On Sunday, November 24th, an Eagle Scout Ceremony was held for Eagle Scout Christopher Jordan Hales from Boy Scout Troop 63 of Pine Level. The Ceremony took place at Parrish Memorial Baptist Church near Selma. Jordan is a Senior Patrol…
Pecan Growers Prevail, Good Crop For Thanksgiving

Pecan pie lovers can celebrate. The North Carolina pecan growers have a good crop ahead of the holidays despite a relatively dry summer and damages sustained during last year’s hurricane season. That is good news for consumers wanting to incorporate…
WCC Students Headed For Aviation Mechanic Certification

A dozen Wayne Community College students are ready to tackle the Federal Aviation Administration Airframe Mechanic exam. The Aviation Systems Technology students completed all requirements and were awarded Airframe Certificates authorizing them to sit for the FAA Airframe Mechanic written…








