‘A new beginning’: WCC graduates mark milestone
Business owner Daquan Ratley proved to himself it’s never too late to finish what you started. “This is my second time going to college, and I’m finally finishing this time,” Ratley said. “I did it. I feel like I beat the odds. My kids will be able to look up...
City pursuing downtown Wilson rebrand
Officials in Wilson believe that now’s the right time for downtown to undergo a rebrand, and they’re looking to residents to determine what that rebrand should look like. “Rebranding now is a strategic decision driven by several factors: community identity, economic development, highlighting assets and future vision,” said Meg Edwards,...
Couple plant roots in new community
SELMA — Millissa and David Flanagan are establishing roots in their adopted community by creating a space where learning, farming and fun come together. The couple came to Johnston County with a clear vision in mind. “We moved to the area about 18 months ago,” Millissa Flanagan said. “We bought...
Doyle’s colleagues salute a trailblazer in justice
SMITHFIELD — Susan Doyle’s courthouse colleagues are giving high marks to the Johnston County district attorney as she prepares to retire. Superior Court Judge Tom Lock is Doyle’s former boss in the DA’s Office. “Fresh out of law school, Susan came to Johnston County in January of 1994 and cut...
VGCC to honor 551 graduates at 2025 Commencement
On behalf of its faculty, staff, and 2025 graduating class, Vance-Granville Community College invites the public to attend its 56th annual commencement exercises, honoring 551 graduates who completed degrees or diplomas during the 2024-2025 academic year. The 2025 graduation ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. May 16 on the grounds...
Rotary Club’s 3rd Annual Cars and Carnivores Street Festival is June 7
The 3rd Annual Cars and Carnivores Street Festival presented by The Rotary Club of Wake Forest returns to downtown Wake Forest June 7. The street festival is set up on Brooks Street and East5 Owen Avenue and is free for the public to visit the classic and modern car show...
Firebirds rally past Cavs in 3-A first round
A pair of clutch hits from seniors Brennan Pridgen and Grayden Murray in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted their Southern Nash High baseball team over visiting Southern Lee 4-2 in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs Tuesday night. Pridgen gave the No. 8-seeded Firebirds (14-12), the...
Ladybirds blank Swansboro in 1st round
The first round of the NCHSAA 3-A softball playoffs was business as usual for Southern Nash with a 10-0 win in five innings over Swansboro on Tuesday. Senior pitcher Anna Dickinson fired a two-hit shutout while going 3 for 4 at the plate as the Ladybirds, top-seeded among 32 3-A...
County manager recommends no tax increase
County manager Drew Cummings presented his recommended budget without a tax increase to the board during the May 5 meeting. Cummings said the fiscal year 2025-26 budget will be just under $90.8 million if the tax rate remains at 63.1 cents per $100 assessed value. The Fire Tax rate will...
Creedmoor man shot, killed after HP pursuit
A Creedmoor man was shot and killed by a State Highway Patrol trooper Thursday after fleeing a traffic stop and displaying a "dark object" when ordered to display his hands, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Philip Aiken Brown, 53, of Creedmoor, crashed his vehicle after fleeing from...
