SMITHFIELD — The town and the Downtown Smithfield Development Corp. have launched the Downtown Smithfield Social District. The initiative, which allows open-carry alcohol, aims to create a more vibrant, walkable downtown experience. “This new initiative is about more than just enjoying a drink outdoors,” said Heidi Gilmond, head of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corp. “It’s about building a more connected […]
JHN – Local news
Selma audit will be late — and costly for taxpayers
SELMA — An audit of the town’s 2023-24 finances was due to the state’s Local Government Commission last Nov. 1. Instead, the audit will arrive six months late, and Selma taxpayers will pay for the delay. The Town Council on Friday agreed to pay accounting firm Mauldin & Jenkins $95,000 to deliver the completed audit to the LGC by month’s […]
Kenly ABC store makes move to larger quarters
KENLY — The town’s ABC store has moved to a more spacious home, and it’s ready to celebrate. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, May 2, in the Food Lion shopping center at 406 S. Church St. As part of the celebration, the store will hold a bourbon lottery. Through 9 p.m. Thursday, customers can register for […]
Smithfield library launches gardening series
SMITHFIELD — The Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield has launched its 2025 gardening series in partnership with the Johnston County Master Gardeners. The series, for all ages and skill levels, offers hands-on learning about gardening, sustainability and environmental stewardship. The program features expert-led lectures, gardening activities for children and complimentary seed kits to encourage home gardening. In the […]
Kiwanis Club to serve pancake breakfast
CLAYTON — A pancake breakfast is scheduled from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3, at RiverWILD, 114 W. Main St., Clayton. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, contact Corey Harding at 910-309-0049 or clhardin71@gmail.com or Bernard Herring 910-876-4587 or tbherring77@gmail.com The breakfast is a fundraiser of the Kiwanis Club of Clayton, […]
Baskets bloom with treats at Clayton’s annual Easter egg hunt
CLAYTON — Families are enjoying sweet treats after the town’s annual Easter egg hunt. More than 12,000 colorful, treat-filled eggs dotted the Clayton High School football field, but eager youngsters took just minutes to scoop all of them up. The hunt had three age-based zones, allowing children 6 and younger to search for eggs in their own area. In addition […]
Johnston charts building priorities
CLAYTON — In Johnston, county government’s latest building priorities begin not with new bricks and mortar. Instead, they start with soil borings, water and sewer lines, and other site work on land the county has assembled for a government complex on U.S. 70 Business east of downtown Smithfield. “I felt like that had to be done before you got to […]
Turn lanes, wider shoulders, new roads lead draft transportation plan
The draft of Johnston County’s next comprehensive transportation plan is long on safety and efficiency. Turn lanes Among its many recommendations, the plan is likely to call for center turn lanes on: • Noble Street from Buffalo Road into Selma. • Buffalo Road from Old Beulah Road to Live Oak Church Road. • Holt’s Pond Road from Martin Livestock Road […]
Signing day lands 19 new teachers
SMITHFIELD — The Johnston County Public Schools signed employment contracts with 19 student teachers during the district’s second annual teacher signing day on April 10. The total was up significantly from the six signings during the first event in 2024. “Early contract signing for student teachers signifies a proactive approach by JCPS to secure enthusiastic educators who are eager to […]
Boys & Girls Club kids express their creativity
SMITHFIELD — Boys & Girls Club members in Selma and Smithfield recently explored women’s history through art. Selma artist Percilla Williams led sessions in hands-on art instruction and cultural exploration. She encouraged the young people to explore color, texture and their imaginations. “Our members were engaged, focused and proud of their work,” said Lynn Stanley, director of the Boys & […]
‘Fore the Kids’ raises thousands for Johnston children
SMITHFIELD — The Johnston County Partnership for Children teed off its first-ever “Fore the Kids” golf tournament on April 4, raising more than $28,000 to support children and families. Held at the Country Club of Johnston County, the event brought together teams eager to “putt for a purpose,” with proceeds going toward such initiatives as parenting education, classroom support and diapers […]
From roundabouts to rail, draft transportation plan eyes safer, smoother travel
SMITHFIELD — It’s not final, but a draft of Johnston/s next comprehensive transportation has more than 100 recommendations for roads, public transit, bike and pedestrian paths, and the county’s airport. Will Letchworth, an engineer with consulting firm McAdams, hit the highlights for County Commissioners during a recent meeting. “So three really important words here — safety, efficiency and multimodal,” he […]
Commissioner wonders what Johnston will do with its stormwater
CLAYTON — County Commissioner Bill Stovall has many worries about Johnston’s rapid residential growth. One is the stormwater that all of those rooftops, driveways and subdivision streets produce. “We’re seeing more and more flooding events,” Stovall told his fellow commissioners during their planning retreat. “And I know some people want to try to attribute that to global warming, but the […]
McGee’s Middle principal is an Administrator to Watch
The N.C. Association for Middle-Level Education has named Larkeysha M. Sheppard, principal of McGee’s Crossroads Middle School, a 2025 Administrator to Watch. She received the honor during the association’s annual conference on March 24. The Administrator to Watch award recognizes principals who show exceptional commitment to middle school education and make a significant impact on students and the broader school […]
Student from Johnston shines at national Farm Bureau meet
MOUNT OLIVE — Morgan Simpson has placed in the top four at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet. A graduate of South Johnston High School, she is a senior agricultural education major at the University of Mount Olive. The annual discussion meet, held this year in Denver, Colorado, brings together college students to draft […]
Clayton salutes its animal control officer
CLAYTON — The town recognized Animal Control Officer Patrick Kostka during Animal Control Appreciation Week. Working under the Clayton Police Department, he plays a key role in protecting both animals and the community. Kostka, who has long been passionate about animal welfare, became an animal control officer to advocate for animals and ensure their well-being. “I am grateful for the […]
Ranch Road extension opens to traffic
CLAYTON — The newly built extension of Ranch Road to Clayton Boulevard, formerly U.S. 70 Business, opened to traffic on Monday afternoon. The N.C. Department of Transportation expects the $9.7 million project to ease congestion in fast-growing Clayton by creating a new commuter route to Interstate 42. Under the project, the DOT extended Ranch Road to Rose Street, which had […]
New owners take the reins at Coffee on Raiford
SELMA — Coffee on Raiford, a downtown Selma staple since 2019, is entering a new chapter. Founders and siblings Jeffery “Jeff” Hamilton and Zena Hamilton-Rose have passed the torch to Kim and Jim Fry, a former Army couple who came to Selma nine years ago and have since immersed themselves in the community. Kim Fry said the decision to buy […]
Clayton offering paid internships
CLAYTON — The town is accepting applications for four paid internships. These temporary roles give students and young adults the chance to work alongside professionals, learn more about public service and explore different career paths within local government. Clayton will hire interns in the following departments: • Budget and Performance — the internship is open to college juniors and seniors. […]
Smithfield to host summer specialty camps for kids
SMITHFIELD — The Parks and Recreation Department will offer the following specialty camps for kids this summer: • LEGO Camp-Minecraft Engineering — Open to children ages 5-7, this camp will meet from 9 a.m. to noon June 9-13 at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center, 600 M. Durwood Stephenson Parkway. Register at play-well.org. • LEGO Camp-Machine Mayhem — Open to […]
Category Pages are limited to 90 days. Please use the archive page or the search box to find older articles.