The Johnstonian News


Cold weather means polar run
By Debbie Herrera
dherrera@johnstoniannews.com | 919-284-2295 | January 26, 2023
Selma’s seventh annual Polar Bear Run on Jan. 14 gave runners and walkers a chance to support animal welfare while keeping their New Year’s resolutions. This year’s event showcased Bailey’s Human Rescue, a nonprofit working to reduce the overpopulation and euthanization of cats and dogs. The rescue accepted donations for...


Want to read an ebook? Johnston libraries have an app for that
By Debbie Herrera
dherrera@johnstoniannews.com | 919-284-2295 | January 26, 2023
SMITHFIELD — Libby is an app that allows library patrons to borrow and read ebooks, audiobooks and the like. The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield embraced Libby in October 2021 for its ease of use. “Libby is a much simpler platform to use,” said Johnnie Pippin, the library’s...


Selma’s Soul Food Feast returns on Feb. 18
January 26, 2023
SELMA — The sixth annual Soul Food Feast is scheduled from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Richard B. Harrison Gym, 601 Noble St. The celebration of Black History Month will feature food trucks, live entertainment and shopping. The event is a project of the town and...


Battlefield schedules 2023 special events
For the Johnstonian News | January 26, 2023
FOUR OAKS — Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site holds several special events throughout the year. Here’s the 2023 schedule: Battle anniversary — March 18. The state historic site marks the battle’s anniversary on the third weekend in March, with large reenactments every five years. The 158th anniversary commemoration will include...


Luncheon in Clayton to benefit youngsters
January 26, 2023
CLAYTON — A luncheon to benefit the Johnston County Partnership for Children is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E. Main St. Seatings will be at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $20. To purchase tickets, go to https://bit.ly/ClaytonSteakhouse.


Panthers’ Aycock a catch for Mount Olive
By Paul Durham
paul@wilsontimes.com | 265-7808 | January 25, 2023
North Johnston High has sent its share of quality baseball players to the University of Mount Olive over the past few years. While maybe not yet fully qualified as a...


Registration underway in Selma for youth sports
January 17, 2023
SELMA — Registration continues through March 10 for T-ball, baseball and softball. Here are the offerings: • T-ball — coed for ages 4-6. • Coach pitch — coed for ages...


Is football coach leaving SSS?
By Scott Bolejack
sbolejack@johnstoniannews.com | 919-424-1776 | January 10, 2023
SMITHFIELD — Is Deron Donald, who returned Smithfield-Selma High School to football prominence, leaving the school after three seasons? Last week, Smithfield Councilman Marlon Lee, a fellow coach in Johnston...


Why did we elect Thom Tillis?
January 26, 2023
Our senior senator, Thom Tillis, has a target on his back. Angry, disillusioned partisans are calling him a traitor, a betrayer. Curiously enough, those name callers aren’t Democrats, as might...


‘Fair Tax’ a terrible idea that just won’t die
January 26, 2023
Here we go again: The “Fair Tax Act” is out for its perennial limp around the dead legislation track. The “Fair Tax,” or “FairTax” for those with defective space bars...


Celebrate school choice, options for parents and students
January 26, 2023
My twin boys, now sophomores in college, never attended a traditional public school, nor a private high school. In no way do I mean to disparage traditional public schools, which...
School board might be grasping at straws
September 22, 2022
The Johnston County Board of Education has asked District Attorney Susan Doyle to determine whether evidence exists to charge board member Ronald with “willfully and corruptly” failing to discharge the...
School board might be grasping at straws
September 2, 2022
The Johnston County Board of Education has asked District Attorney Susan Doyle to determine whether evidence exists to charge board member Ronald with “willfully and corruptly” failing to discharge the...
‘Poorly chosen’ words created firestorm
August 17, 2022
What if Johnston school board member Kay Carroll had never said “Hide your money”? If so, fellow school board member Ronald Johnson would have had no reason to share secretly...
The blame game gets us nowhere
August 9, 2022
In Scott Bolejack’s column, “Developers aren’t the ones to blame,” he rightfully notes that farmers and their heirs can sell their land to whomever they wish. He fails, however, to...
Join her in cleaning up our waterways
August 8, 2022
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, one of the most comprehensive environmental statutes in our country’s history. The enactment of these regulations has allowed us...
For the sake of families, expand Medicaid
July 3, 2022
I have never written a letter to the editor before but am doing so today because I am heartened that...


Linwood Ralph Benton
December 5, 2022
PRINCETON, N.C. — Linwood Ralph Benton, age 74, died Sunday, December 4, 2022. Service arrangements are entrusted to Casey Funeral Home and Cremations.


Jeffrey Lysinias Creech
December 5, 2022
MIDDLESEX - Jeffrey Lysinias Creech, 62, made his Heavenly ascension on Friday, December 2, 2022. A native of Johnston County, he was born on March 17, 1960 to the late...


Edward Talton
December 5, 2022
LUCAMA, N.C. — Edward Talton, age 78, died Friday, December 2, 2022. Service arrangements are entrusted to Kenly Funeral and Cremation Service.