Benson
Johnston County BBQ Team Wins Mountain State Fair Cookoff
FLETCHER, N.C. – A Benson barbecue team has taken top honors in the 2026 Got to Be NC Whole Hog Cookoff at the N.C. Mountain State Fair. Showtime’s Legit BBQ,…
77th Benson Mule Days Set For Sept. 24-27
BENSON, N.C. – Mules, rodeos, live music, a downtown parade and four days of carnival rides will return to Benson later this month for the 77th annual Benson Mule Days.…
Driver Charged After Allegedly Leaving Crash Scene With Injured Child
SMITHFIELD, N.C. –– A Benson man is facing multiple charges after police said he wrecked a pickup on Wal-Pat Road, left the scene with two children and was later located…
Benson School Faculty, Staff Reunion Set For Oct. 10
BENSON, N.C. – Former faculty and staff members who served at Benson Primary, Benson Elementary and Benson Middle schools are invited to attend a reunion Saturday, Oct. 10. The gathering…
Unresolved Tuition Dispute Follows Former Benson Manager To Smithfield
Town of Benson paid $9,768.97 toward Kimberly Pickett’s MPA, later demanded money back; Pickett contends a subsequent town manager contract eliminated the repayment obligation BENSON — A year after the…
Childhood Experiences Inspire Johnston County Author’s ‘Orville’ Series
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – Johnston County native Tracy McKinley knows what it feels like to be different. Growing up, she experienced bullying, an experience she says eventually helped inspire a…
Serial Sheetz Soda Shoplifting Suspect Stopped
BENSON, N.C. – A string of suspected soda shopliftings at a Sheetz store has resulted in serious felony charges for a Fuquay-Varina man. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said Chad…
Johnston County Targets Defense Industry For New Jobs, Investment
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – Following the recruitment of a $1 billion rare-earth magnet manufacturing facility to Benson, Johnston County economic development leaders are looking to the defense industry as a…
Narcotics Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Alleged Meth Trafficker
BENSON, N.C. – A Benson-area man has been arrested on multiple drug trafficking charges following an undercover investigation by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division. Shaquan Tyrese Stanley, 23,…
Highway Patrol Investigating Fatal Benson-Area Crash
BENSON, N.C. – An 83-year-old man died after his vehicle ran off Benson Hardee Road, struck a fence and ruptured a gas line, according to the North Carolina State Highway…
Six-Month Drug Probe Leads To Search Warrants, Arrests Outside County Jail
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – A six-month undercover investigation by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division led to two search warrants, multiple arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs and…
Police: Benson Employee Linked To About $13,000 In Store Losses
BENSON, N.C. – A former employee of a downtown Benson hardware store has been arrested on felony charges after police allege he used fraudulent merchandise returns to take approximately $13,000…
