SMITHFIELD — Students in Johnston can now attend an International Baccalaureate school from kindergarten through 12th grade. South Smithfield Elementary has become an IB Primary Years Programme school, giving Johnston County an IB school at every grade level. “Now our district has a K-12 feeder pattern full of IB options,” Principal Chad McLamb said in a video that the Johnston […]
JHN – Local news
What’s in a street name?
Plenty if you’re a black family living on street with ‘Plantation’ in its name.SMITHFIELD — Brian Sampson no longer wants to live on a plantation. But 160 years after the Civil War, he does, or at least on a street with that name. “It’s 2025,” Sampson told the Johnston County Board of Commissioners earlier this month. “The name Summerwind Plantation should be dropped off that street name.” Sampson knows where the subdivision street […]
Fire hydrant replacement will disrupt water service in Smithfield neighborhood
SMITHFIELD — The town will replace two fire hydrants on North Fifth Street this weekend. The work will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Caswell and Bridge streets and wrap up by 9 a.m. Sunday, the town said in a news release. To replace the hydrants, the town will need to shut off water service in the area. […]
Partnership hopes more will enroll in next Child Care Academy
The Partnership for Children’s first Child Care Academy had 13 graduates, with seven now employed in local daycares. The Partnership is working to enroll even more participants in the upcoming class. “Staffing shortages make this a critical time for the child-care field,” said Emily Englehart, the Partnership’s training coordinator. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, […]
Clayton can help you keep those New Year’s resolutions
CLAYTON — Setting New Year’s resolutions can be a tradition filled with promises. Still, it’s not always easy to stay on track. The Town of Clayton can help with that. “We are here to help residents turn their goals into reality,” said town spokesman Nathanael Shelton. “From fitness classes and volunteer opportunities to local events and civic engagement, there are […]
Johnston residents on President’s List
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Students from Johnston County earned places on the fall semester President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University. They are listed below by community: Benson — Cannon Johnson. Clayton — Dalaine Bradley, Miosotis Lora, Kelsey Smith, Rajat Malhotra, Nyteeyah Sherman, Rachel Hamilton, Dominique Casteel, Frederick Cleveland, Gorette Musitano, Victoria Fontoura, Israel Rodriguez, Ariana Masciave, Rosemary Martinez and Zahra […]
New Selma manager will start work this month
Selma’s new town manager will begin her duties on Jan. 31. Alexis Carter, 26, comes to the post from Princeville in Edgecombe County, where she worked for one year, first as town clerk, then as assistant town manager. Mayor Byron McAllister said Carter, a Wilson County native, stood out among the five applicants the Town Council interviewed back in the […]
Mayor has sharp words for Selma employees
SELMA — Mayor Byron McAllister on Jan. 14 delivered a pointed message to the town’s employees. “We need people who want to do more than just work for the town,” he said toward the end of last week’s council meeting. “We need people who want to succeed for the town.” Selma has much going for it, McAllister said. “I see […]
Smithfield hospital earns B in patient safety
SMITHFIELD — UNC Health Johnston’s Smithfield hospital earned a B on its latest report card from The Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit focused on patient safety. Nationwide, the latest grades from Leapfrog show hospitals are making progress in patient safety in several areas, including infections, hand hygiene and medication safety. “Preventable deaths and harm in hospitals have been a major […]
Winter, spring bring events, festivals to Johnston
SMITHFIELD — Johnston County boasts a full yearly calendar of events and festivals. Here’s a look at what’s on tap in the first half of 2025. Polar Bear Run: Jan. 25 — Grab your scarves and sneakers for Selma’s ninth annual Polar Bear Run. The event supports Bailey’s Human Rescue, a local rescue group, which welcomes pet supplies and donations […]
JCC announces fall President’s List
SMITHFIELD — Johnston Community College has announced its fall semester President’s List. The follow students, listed by community, made all A’s: Angier — Evan P. Allen, Riley Baker, Tara R. Cameron, Hannah Sirra Ceesay, Coen P Czysz, Olivia Grace Greene, Stephanie M. Kistler, Hannah B. Lucero, Caroline A. Montgomery, Kylie Sara Moore, Ashton L. Norris, Michelle R. Runyan, Patrick James […]
TLC will protect Neuse lowgrounds in Johnston
The Triangle Land Conservancy has received $3.7 million for two projects that will protect more than 900 acres in the lowgrounds of Johnston County. One of the projects will protect 400 acres of floodplain and wetlands on a 600-acre property. The other will protect more than 200 acres of floodplain on a 300-acre tract. Leigh Ann Hammerbacher is a director […]
Two from Johnston on Bridgewater list
BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Two Johnston County residents earned places on the fall semester Dean’s List at Bridgewater College. They are Walker Johnson of Clayton and Wyatt Singletary of Benson. Both are majoring in health and exercise science. To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher. Founded in 1880, Bridgewater offers […]
Smithfield will stage daddy-daughter dance
SMITHFIELD — “Under the Sea,” a daddy-daughter dance, is scheduled from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center, 600 M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway. The cost per couple is $45 for Smithfield residents and $55 for all others. Additional daughters are $5. Register in person at the SRAC or got to smithfield-nc.com. The deadline […]
Johnston school board member guilty on all charges
Ronald Johnson will serve at least six months in prison, give up his board seatSMITHFIELD — Ronald Lee Johnson Jr. is now a convicted felon and former school board member. A Johnston County jury on Friday found Johnson guilty of extortion, obstruction of justice and two counts of willfully failing to discharge the duties of a school board member. “This defendant wreaked havoc on his community while he was a public official,” said N.C. […]
Board of Education welcomes trial’s end
SMITHFIELD — Johnston school board Chairman Lyn Andrews released the following statement after a jury found board member Ronald Johnson guilty: “The criminal trial of Ronald Johnson, a Board of Education member, has now concluded. A jury has found Mr. Johnson guilty on all counts, including felony extortion, felony obstruction of justice and two counts of willful failure to discharge […]
Present-Use Value can be a landowner’s friend
On Jan. 2, like many of you, I received my new Johnston County property value in the mail. The state requires counties to revalue property at least once every eight years to ensure that property owners are paying their fair share for services such as public schools, law enforcement, emergency management, public health and libraries. Now, it’s certainly true for […]
The vets are in
From a café table, they offer comfort, support to one anotherSMITHFIELD — Sammy Smith of Smithfield walks almost daily at the Johnston Medical Mall. But it wasn’t until this past Veteran’s Day that he decided to stop and speak with the Vietnam veteran he had often seen sitting at Dylan’s Café. “I went up to his table to thank him for his service,” said Smith, also a veteran. “We started […]
Johnston residents are N.C. Teaching Fellows
Johnston County residents are among this year’s class of N.C. Teaching Fellows. The scholarship winners include Sydney Anderson of Smithfield, Natalie Baker of Princeton, Kate Barnes of Kenly, Ava Bradshaw of Benson, Abby Clark of Benson, Anna Heath of Princeton,Trista Leach of Clayton and Evelyn Rosas of Kenly. The Teaching Fellows program is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan program providing […]
Clayton library shares its most-read books
CLAYTON — As it says goodbye to 2024, the town is looking back at the books that captivated the attention of nearly 10,000 library cardholders over the past year. Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library has tabulated the most-circulated books from its physical and digital collections, spanning genres and interests that have captured the attention of readers of all ages. Top reads include […]
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