The Johnstonian News

Spring Branch project underway
By Scott Bolejack
sbolejack@johnstoniannews.com | 919-424-1776 | June 1, 2023
SMITHFIELD — A contractor has begun the makeover of Spring Branch between Fifth and Sixth streets. The work will restore the stream bank and build a wetland to capture flood waters. “This project won’t eliminate floods but may mitigate some of them,” Smithfield Planning Director Stephen Wensman said in an...

JoCo TEACH awards first scholarships
For the Johnstonian News | June 1, 2023
SMITHFIELD — Smithfield-Selma High School seniors Carter Clever and Lilly Johnson have received the first JoCo TEACH scholarships from the county’s public schools. Last fall, the school board approved creating a scholarship for JoCo TEACH, or Johnston County Teaching Educators And Coming Home, a teacher-training program in the county’s schools....

Luncheon salutes Clayton High students
For the Johnstonian News | June 1, 2023
CLAYTON — Hatley Construction & Repair, a Clayton firm, sponsored the appreciation luncheon for students in the CORE, Carpentry 1 and Carpentry 2 classes at Clayton High School. These classes enroll some 250 students annually, providing them with practical skills in construction and repair. “Alongside my colleagues, we all feel...

Kenly police seeking peanut butter, jelly
June 1, 2023
KENLY — Through June 15, the Kenly Police Department is collecting unopened jars of peanut butter and jelly. The donations will go to Kenly Area Ministries for distribution to needy kids. Bring donations to Kenly Town Hall, 207 W. Second St. Town Hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5...

Three from Clayton on Bob Jones list
June 1, 2023
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Three students from Clayton have been named to the spring semester Dean’s List at Bob Jones University. They are Hudson Knight, a freshman majoring in social studies education; Jacob McLean, a sophomore business administration major; and Jenna McLean, a freshman business administration major. To qualify for the...

NJ’s Aycock receives Sam Narron Baseball Award
From staff reports | May 31, 2023
SMITHFIELD — Carter Aycock capped off an accomplishment-filled senior year Tuesday morning when he became the fifth North Johnston High player to receive the Sam Narron Baseball Award in its...

Panthers rally, force game 3 in East Region championship series
By Andrew Schnittker
aschnittker@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807 | Twitter: @aschnitt53 | May 27, 2023
KENLY — The North Johnston High softball team refused to let its season end on George Daniels Field in game 2 of the NCHSAA 2-A East Region championship series Friday...

Clayton will offer boys’ volleyball
May 19, 2023
CLAYTON — The Parks and Recreation Department will offer volleyball for boys. Play will be in three age groups: 8-10, 11-13 and 14-17. Boys will learn the fundamentals of volleyball...

Why are GOP lawmakers destroying public schools?
May 31, 2023
Public education is the most important function of state government, and we spend more tax dollars on education than any other budget item. Given those two facts, a reasonable person...

Of course books can be dangerous
May 31, 2023
A thought occurred to me as I was traveling through the North Carolina Piedmont last week. The notion didn’t have to do with my location but was instead prompted by...

Childhood summers spark awareness of racism
May 31, 2023
“Summertime… and the living is easy. Fish are jumping and the cotton is high.” Anticipation of summer parties, cookouts and pool parties. Beach trips and lake trips — and our...
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...