The Wilson Times

‘Teaching is so rewarding’: Holly Johnston named Beginning Teacher of the Year
By Olivia Neeley
olivia@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7879 | October 2, 2023
Rock Ridge Elementary School kindergarten teacher Holly Johnston was surprised in a big way Monday morning. Johnston was selected as Wilson County Schools’ Beginning Teacher of the Year. Johnston, who is in her second year...

Music mural to wrap up this week
By Drew C. Wilson
dwilson@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7818 | October 2, 2023
A new downtown mural is quickly taking shape and drawing plenty of attention. The artist working on the African American Music Trails mural expects to return Thursday to complete the work. Max Dowdle, director of...

Teen perishes in fiery wreck
By Drew C. Wilson
dwilson@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7818 | October 2, 2023
A Greenville teenager died in a fiery crash on Interstate 587 near Saratoga early Saturday morning. Markvon Javon Mobley, 18, of the 4500 block of N.C. Highway 33 West, died in the crash, according to...

Ricardo Dew running on accountability
By Christopher Long
clong@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7821 | October 2, 2023
Ricardo Dew pulled no punches when discussing his focus on transparent and accountable governance. “There’s a lot of transparency that’s not there,” the Wilson City Council District 1 candidate said. “You don’t know what’s going...

No surprise – Scott, Pope rule Wilson County Cross-Country Championships in record fashion
By Paul Durham
paul@wilsontimes.com | 265-7808 | October 3, 2023
Neither Wilson Christian senior Lin Scott nor Fike High senior Erin Pope set a personal record Monday at the 16th Wilson County Cross-Country Championships held at Gillette Athletic Complex, but...

Demons surge past Warriors, 8-0
By Craig Moyer
cmoyer@wilsontimes.com | 265-7808 | October 2, 2023
Despite holding a three-goal halftime lead, Fike High boys soccer head coach Chris Mizelle pleaded with his team to start the second half stronger than it played the opening 40...

AREA ROUNDUP: Warriors whip Spartans to stay within striking distance in QCC
From staff reports | October 2, 2023
SMITHFIELD — With four huge 3-A Quad County Conference matches awaiting the Hunt High varsity volleyball team, the Warriors spent a little longer than planned dispatching a two-win Smithfield-Selma team...

MIDDLE SCHOOLS: CCS falls to ALA-Johnston
From staff reports | October 2, 2023
Community Christian School boys soccer suffered a 6-1 loss to visiting ALA-Johnston on Monday. Ayden Cox tallied the lone goal in the loss off an assist from Ashton Bradshaw, while...

Hurricanes aiming to make the step from perennial contender to Stanley Cup winner
By The Associated Press | October 2, 2023
The Carolina Hurricanes are determined to make the step from perennial contender to Stanley Cup champion. The Hurricanes are coming off a fifth straight playoff appearance and third straight division...

Blaney does rare burnout to celebrate sliding into next round of NASCAR’s playoffs
By Jenna Fryer
AP Auto Racing Writer | October 2, 2023
Early in his NASCAR career, Ryan Blaney didn’t do a celebratory burnout following a victory, a decision that caught the attention of Hall of Fame crew chief Dale Inman. “Dale...

400 celebrate Miracle Field’s first game
By Drew C. Wilson
dwilson@wilsontimes.com | 252-265-7818 | September 29, 2023
Some 400 Wilsonians cheered mightily for every hit, every throw and every rounding of the bases in Thursday’s inaugural game on the Miracle Field at Wilson’s J. Burt Gillette Athletic...

“Chatting With Chip,” Sept. 26, 2023
September 26, 2023
Barton College football head coach Chip Hester and Times sports editor Paul Durham discuss the Bulldogs' 16-14 loss Saturday, Sept. 23, at Mars Hill as well as their upcoming game...

Chatting With Chip, Sept. 19, 2023
September 19, 2023
In this episode of "Chatting With Chip," Times sports editor Paul Durham and Barton College football head coach Chip Hester discuss the Bulldogs' 28-24 win over UVA Wise last weekend...

Our Opinion: Local newspapers serve vital mission to inform residents
A Wilson Times editorial | October 2, 2023
For less than you’d spend on a cup of coffee or a 20-ounce soft drink, you can buy a copy of today’s newspaper and learn something new about the corner...

Our Opinion: State lawmakers play hide and seek with public recordsFree Access
A Wilson Times editorial | September 28, 2023
Your votes send them to Raleigh. Your state income taxes fund their stipends, furnish their offices and provide a paid staff of assistants and advisers. But North Carolina lawmakers say...

Our Opinion: Despite 2 rainouts, Wilson County Fair keeps tradition alive
A Wilson Times editorial | September 25, 2023
THUMBS UP to the Wilson County Fair, which rolled with the punches Mother Nature dealt to continue its 90-year tradition of drawing crowds and spreading smiles. Relentless rain from Tropical...

Washington won’t fix health care
By John Hood | October 2, 2023
North Carolina’s Medicaid program will expand on Dec. 1 to offer fully subsidized health plans to virtually every legal resident whose household income is at or below 138% of the...

How the Berger era in North Carolina could end
By Alexander H. Jones | October 1, 2023
Sen. Phil Berger’s titanic stature in the tiny world of North Carolina politics has clearly gone to his head. A whale shark in a backyard pool, he wields his clout...

Cooperation, competition beat government monopolies
By Thomas L. Knapp | October 1, 2023
In June, Florida’s legislature passed — and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed — a bill transferring control of Gainesville Regional Utilities from the city’s government to the state’s. In late September,...
School voucher critics resort to class warfare
Letter to the editor | October 2, 2023
Several studies have shown that providing vouchers increases student performance as schools public, private and charter find themselves competing for students and upping their game to do so. Parents can...
Rebounding from life’s down times
Letter to the editor | October 2, 2023
We experience ups and downs during various times in life. Today, I will write about getting up from the down times in life. I have three points: 1. Get back...
Wilson schools are making the grade
Letter to the editor | September 29, 2023
Along with other members of Public School Strong, I attended both the Instructional Services Committee meeting and the following session of the full school board on Sept. 18. As detailed...