WT – Top news

­STANTONSBURG ­ — Property owners in Stantonsburg could see a 5-cent reduction in their property tax rate under the town’s proposed 2025-26 budget. Town Manager Brian Hawley presented his recommended budget to Town Council Monday night. Hawley proposed a property tax rate decrease from 50 cents to 45 cents per $100 valuation. Stantonsburg’s estimated revenue-neutral tax rate is 40 cents […]

Wilson Community College has tapped Barnhill Building Group to lead the construction of its new $30 million biotechnology workforce training facility. The center will be located adjacent to Campus at 587 corporate park.  Barnhill will partner with O’Brien Atkins Associates to complete the design phase, college officials said in a news release. The state construction office approved the contract in […]

Wilson’s Planning and Design Review Board unanimously approved rezoning a historic Wilson landmark last week. Board members voted in favor of rezoning 401 Goldsboro St. E., which houses the Confederate Military Hospital No. 2, from urban residential zoning to neighborhood mixed use zoning in a May 6 meeting. “The neighborhood mixed use zoning was created to allow a pedestrian-scale mixed […]

ELM CITY — Town commissioners voted in a 3-1 split Thursday night to lower the town’s tax rate and raise the water and sewer rate for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. “We’re going down on the taxes and increasing on the water,” Commissioner Vonica Carr said at Thursday night’s special called meeting that was held to set the town’s tax rate […]

Janine Pray never imagined that a single social media post during her February trip to Africa would change a stranger’s life forever. But with the help from the Wilson community, Pray raised enough money to build a new home for a widow and her two sons who were living in one of the poorest slums in the world.  “It wasn’t […]

Junior Zy’Anna Sauls was devastated when she learned that no dance classes would be offered next school year at Hunt High School.  “We already did our registration for next school year,” Zy’Anna said. “Some of us already put dance on our schedule. It’s a lot of us.”  Amber Lynch, Wilson County Schools spokeswoman, said the teaching position was removed from […]

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 to me.”  Ratley was one of 258 Wilson Community College […]

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, downtown marketing and events strategist. “The rebranding process offers an […]

Wilson’s new City Manager Rodger Lentz is getting a new desk, a new computer and a new set of responsibilities, but what’s not new to the former assistant city manager is the job ahead. “There’s been so many people out in the community that have reached out to give words of encouragement and congratulations. I thank all of them. It […]

Jones Elementary School teachers were in for a treat Wednesday thanks to Teacher Appreciation Week. Wilson County Board of Education Chairman Blake Boykin and Wilson County Schools Superintendent Lane Mills cooked a pig, while school board member Beverly Boyette made desserts. Together, they served lunch to 100 teachers. Wilson County Commissioner Michael Wetherington joined in to help deliver the meals. […]

For 50 years, Henry Mercer has been a steady presence in classrooms and boardrooms, shaping the lives of countless students. This week, Mercer was honored for his unwavering commitment and dedication to Wilson County Schools during a celebration at Wilson Academy of Applied Technology.  Mercer, a retired educator who represented District 4 on the Wilson County Board of Education for […]

History teacher Shannon Campbell thought Wednesday’s fire drill at Wilson Early College Academy was routine. But as soon as she spotted Wilson County Schools staff and her family, she started to cry.  Campbell, who teaches American history and Advanced Placement U.S. history at the early college, was named Wilson County Schools 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. “I’m literally shocked and […]

Former City Manager Grant Goings joined the Wilson Economic Development Council board one final time Tuesday morning to give an update on the downtown baseball stadium project and say his goodbyes to the board he’s had a seat on for the last 21 years. “Things are going very well,” said Goings, who serves as a consultant to the stadium project. […]

Hills Machinery is partnering with Hydex USA to upfit water tanker trucks right here in Wilson. “Dust suppression and access to water is a growing demand throughout North America as job sites get bigger, mines and quarries get busier and as local regulations become more restrictive,” said Jim Hills, president Hills Machinery and Hydex USA. “The combination of the popular […]

The Wilson County American Legion Fairgrounds will have new restrooms ready in time for the county fair. Mick Rankin, president of the fairgrounds board, said the new 1,050-square-foot, cinder block structure is currently under construction. Rankin said the board voted in January to construct the $359,000 project, which is being built by Battleboro-based R&L Builders and Sons. Rankin said having […]

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Tank is headed for retirement, but not before completing one final assignment. Next month, he’ll sweep high schools ahead of graduation to help ensure everyone’s safety.  During Monday’s monthly meeting, Wilson County commissioners approved Sheriff Calvin Woodard’s request to retire Tank, who has serviced the community and agency for a decade. Woodard said the office […]