Wayne Week — July 13, 2025

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Wayne County leaders confirmed that the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law July 4 will see more than $120 million allocated to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base — maintenance dollars that will keep the 4th Fighter Wing's F-15E fleet in the skies.

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CONTENTS JULY 13, 2025 Volume 2, Issue 47

NEWOLDNORTH .CO M

EDITORIAL EDITOR Ken Fine EDITOR Renee Carey DESIGN DIRECTOR Shan Stumpf PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Casey Mozingo

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Melissa Hamilton ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE McKayla Alves ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Lara Landers

4 SJAFB gets a win from D.C.

President Donald Trump's legislative victory — the One Big Beautiful Bill — secured a major win for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, too.

6 SBI turns case over to D.A.

The State Bureau of Investigation has wrapped up its inquiry into a late January incident that unfolded inside the Wayne County Jail. Now, it is up to District Attorney Matthew Delbridge to determine whether to indict a member of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for alleged use of "excessive force."

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New Old North Media LLC

CONTACTS EDITORS

kfine@newoldnorth.com rcarey@newoldnorth.com

7 Funding freeze hits WCPS

A federal funding freeze will likely have an impact on Wayne County Public Schools, but as of press time, Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard said it was unclear just how much money WCPS will lose.

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES hevans@newoldnorth.com llanders@newoldnorth.com malves@newoldnorth.com

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WAYNE WEEK (ISSN 2993-9666) is published weekly — except the week of Christmas, Easter, and July 4 — for $125 per year by New Old North Media, LLC, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530. Periodicals postage paid at at Goldsboro, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WAYNE WEEK, 219 N. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

8 M.O. manager search on hold

Mount Olive Town Board members agreed to spend several thousand dollars on a search for a new town manager, but according to a member of the board, that search is over — and nobody has told the public.

16 Best of the Boot is back!

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Best of the Boot contest and you, our subscribers, get the first crack at the form.

20 Public Notices COVER DESIGN

BY SHAN STUMPF

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NEWS +VIEWS

Gerrard: Trump’s legislative victory gave SJAFB, Wayne County a “huge win,” too.

One Big Beautiful Bill secured more than $127 million to ensure Seymour Johnson Air Force Base’s F-15Es are fit to fly — now and in the future.

BY KEN FINE

I

t passed through the House of Representatives and Senate by the slimmest of margins — and ignited a fierce back and forth among political rivals — but local military advocates believe every Wayne County resident, no matter which party they align with, had a reason to celebrate when President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law July 4.

In fact, they characterized the $127 million allocation to be used to “prevent the retirement of F-15E aircraft” tucked inside the sprawling piece of reconciliation legislation as a “huge win” for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base’s present and, more importantly, the Goldsboro installation’s future.

Ken Gerrard, who serves as a liaison between the city and county governments, Friends of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and the consulting firm working in Washington at their behest, said that money was “critical” to ensuring the base’s fleet of Strike Eagles was fit to fly — and could guarantee future windfalls of money for the 4th Fighter Wing.

“You know, one of the things that has baffled me in this process is the way that the Air Force determines the amount of maintenance dollars that any one base would receive. It’s based on flying hours of the aircraft,” Gerrard said. “Well, you know, at one time Seymour was running, I don’t know, let’s say 30 or 40 sorties a day, and they’re down now to maybe less than 20.”

The reason, he said, is simple.

The 4th simply has not received the maintenance dollars it has needed to ensure its air crews are in the sky as long as they used to be.

And that is where the One Big Beautiful Bill delivered a “massive victory.”

“Because of the maintenance needs, their flying hours are not up, and so their share of the dollars, if you will, are not what they need to be, because the planes are not flying because they have some type of maintenance need,” Gerrard said. “But in order to get the funding, you have to be flying. So, it’s kind of a weird bureaucratic calculation, if you will. So, what this bill does is huge because now, that 4

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A 4th Fighter Wing maintainer inspects an F-15E engine.

money is going to be used to keep the fighter jets in the air.”

Which, in turn, will mean more future funding as flying hours increase.

“We’ll have more sorties flying,” he said.

“And that really is a win, win. And after what we’ve been through over the last few years, we’ll take our wins where we can get them.”

But Gerrard understands something else, too.

It can be easy, he said, to read about a victory and assume the fight for Seymour Johnson’s future has been won.

That, though, is something that could not be further from reality — a fact he feels should have been made clear when the Air Force nearly divested a large percentage of its Strike Eagle fleet and attempted to deactivate

Photo courtesy of the 4th Fighter Wing

the 333rd Fighter Squadron.

“So, this piece that was in the Big Beautiful Bill is great, and it’s a win, and again, we take our wins when we get them, but we turn right around the next day and start strategizing on the next step,” Gerrard said. “When you’re a part of this effort, you have got to start the next day on the next project.”

And on that front, he wants local residents to understand that they have the power to play a critical role in that next step — particularly given that in 2026, retiring Sen. Thom Tillis’ seat will be up for grabs and Congressman Don Davis will be running for reelection.

“Those folks, particularly in a Republican primary, those folks are going to be coming into Wayne County and we really need to be asking

them, ‘Where do you stand on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and can we, you know, can we expect you to support our base … when we come and ask you for support?’” Gerrard said. “In our community, sometimes you take things for Ken Gerrard granted. And I guess the people see guys like Henry Smith and others that have worked for so many years, people like Troy Pate, who have been fighting for a base, and they assume they don’t have a role to play. And it’s easy for the community to just take it for granted that Seymour is not going to go anywhere. They think, ‘It’s always been here. It’s going to be here.’ That’s just not true. So, I think it’s important that everybody, you always want to know where people stand and they talk about the big issues like abortion and taxes and things like that, but we really need to know, we need to be asking the hard questions of, ‘Will you support Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the efforts to not just to support it as it is, but to grow the mission?’”

If not — if Air Force brass, again, tries to divest 4th Fighter Wing Strike Eagles without resistance from the likes of men like Sen. Ted Budd and Davis who helped ensure the Pentagon reversed course on F-15E cuts through the end of 2027 — this latest windfall won’t mean much.

“Could you imagine the devastation if something happened to that base? I mean could you really imagine what that would do to Wayne County and Goldsboro?” Gerrard said. “Sometimes, I think people just hear the number — the amount of that economic impact — and don’t really think about what it would mean if we lost it one day. So, we have to be vigilant. Yes, this was a huge, huge win. But there’s more work to do and we had better all be in it together.” n

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SBI turns over findings to Wayne County D.A. Goldsboro Police officers were allegedly disturbed by an incident they witnessed inside the Wayne County Jail in late January involving an alleged assault of a detainee by a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

BY RENEE CAREY

T

he fate of a Wayne County Sheriff ’s Office deputy is officially in the hands of District Attorney Matthew Delbridge, but whether or not he will be indicted for his role in an alleged assault that unfolded inside the Wayne County Jail in late January remains unknown.

A State Bureau of Investigation spokesman told Wayne Week Tuesday that the bureau has wrapped up its inquiry — one that included site visits, interviews with witnesses, and a review of video footage from inside the facility — and passed along its findings to the D.A “several weeks ago.”

Delbridge, though, has not communicated with the SBI since, and has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Here are the details of the incident that were confirmed by SBI Public Information Officer Chad Flowers earlier this year: On Jan. 26, Goldsboro police officers made an arrest and, as is protocol, transported their “detainee” to the Wayne County Detention Center.

But before they officially relinquished custody, a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office employee allegedly assaulted the individual — raising concern among the arresting officers.

They reported what they saw, and the following day, Sheriff Larry Pierce contacted the SBI and asked the agency to assist with

a case of “potential use of excessive force.”

Since that time, witnesses have been interviewed, and video footage has been reviewed by state agents during a months-long investigation.

And Flowers confirmed it would be up to Delbridge to, if necessary, convene a grand jury and potentially indict the member of the WCSO. Several law enforceDistrict Attorney ment sources have laudMatthew Delbridge ed both the GPD officers for “refusing to stand by and stay silent” after they witnessed what unfolded and Pierce for “self-reporting” the incident to state authorities.

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But Pierce, when asked for comment earlier this year, seemed to suggest the altercation was initiated by the detainee — a fact GPD sources refute.

“On January 26, 2025, Goldsboro Police Department officers brought two suspects before the magistrate for charges. While in the custody of the Goldsboro Police Department, one individual became aggressive with the officers, as well as two detention officers,” Pierce told Wayne Week. “A brief altercation ensued between one detention officer and the aggressive suspect. The suspect was not injured in the altercation, and the booking process continued. It was later discovered that the suspect was in possession of a controlled substance and attempting to conceal the controlled substance before the altercation.”

The officer, the sheriff added, was placed on “administrative duties” pending the outcome of the investigation.

Wayne Week, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, has submitted a request for access to the video footage of the incident.

Should that request be fulfilled — or should Delbridge honor the paper’s request for comment or announce his decision on what, if anything, to do about the deputy’s alleged actions — additional details about the case will appear in a future edition of Wayne Week. n

Impact of federal funding freeze on WCPS uncertain Wayne County Public Schools’ superintendent said the district is in a “holding pattern” until status of certain funding sources is determined.

M

ore than $168 million that was due to be allocated to North Carolina public schools ahead of the 2025-26 school year July 1 is currently being withheld after the U.S. Department of Education said it was reviewing funding for teacher training, after-school programs, summer school, and services for English as a Second Language students.

But Wayne County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard is not yet willing to commit to the local impact of the funding freeze, as leaders await “further guidance” from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

He did, though, acknowledge that WCPS has been informed of the development and that his team was in the process of determining the impact on local coffers.

“Like other school districts across the state, we received a memo on July 3 from Mo Green, Superintendent of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), informing us of the funding freeze,” Whichard said in a statement provided to Wayne Week Tuesday. “We are in the very early stages of determining budgetary impacts if funds remain frozen and are in a holding pattern awaiting further guidance from the state for the upcoming school year.”

That memo is included in this package.

The federal programs under review include: • Title II-A for teacher professional development • Title IV-B for before and after-school programs • Title IV-A for academic enrichment • Title III-A for English-learner services • Title I-C for migrant education

- Renee Carey

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Mount Olive’s manager search on hold

Board members voted to hire a firm to help them find a new town manager and the process was moving along.

Then, they stopped — agreeing to retain their interim leader — without telling town residents they had decided to do so.

BY KEN FINE

T

first place drew the ire of the voting minority — and the town’s mayor.

Here is why: The decision to change the date of the session was allegedly made informally, and potentially in violation of Open Meetings Law, by the majority of the board without Newton’s consent.

He even sent an email to members of the board protesting the change as a violation of “proper protocol” — noting that he was the leader of the town and had been informed about the date change via text message.

And he also called into question the motivation of those who sought to have Royall removed, citing the potential perception of the move as one fueled by “vengeance and racism.”

The following email was obtained by Wayne Week and was sent to the board before the Jan. 13 session. It has not been edited:

hey spent several thousand dollars to hire a firm to assist them with a search — to ensure a crop of qualified candidates was available as they looked for a new town manager.

They interviewed applicants and held special-called meetings — sessions that were veiled from the public to protect the identities of those who were seeking the position.

But then, Mount Olive board members abandoned the search and decided, behind closed doors, to keep Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland in the position.

The public, however, has never been formally told that.

And Commissioner Delreese Simmons is not happy about it.

“I think they should have informed everybody. They should have told everybody that we’re not searching for a town manager,” he said. “I think it’s over. On our line items in the budget, the manager search is gone.”

But Mayor Dr. Jermone Newton told Wayne Week that the search had not been abandoned — saying only that the board was “waiting on additional funding” before it resumed its quest to find a new town manager.

Simmons, though, said the original process resulted in the discovery of a more-than-qualified candidate — one he claims every member of the board had ranked in their “Top 2.”

“We could have a manager right now — a good manager — but the majority, they just won’t do anything if it means agreeing with me and (Commissioner Vicky Darden),” he said. “They did not want to agree with me and Vicky that (the candidate) was the best thing for Mount Olive. He was smart and capable and had the credentials and all of a sudden, being in their Top 2 wasn’t good enough. Explain that.”

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Mount Olive has been without a permanent town manager since Jan. 13 when, during a special-called meeting that was held without Newton in attendance, then-Town Manager Jammie Royall was fired.

But the majority of the board’s action that day was not the only controversy.

The fact that the meeting was held in the 8

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Mount Olive Interim Town Manager Glenn Holland

Greetings Commissioners, During the monthly meeting of January 6, 2025, the Board voted to have a closed session meeting on January 15, 2025 of which I agreed to preside. A recent text communication informed me that the meeting for January 15, 2025 had been rescheduled to an earlier date, without my consent or input. As the Town Mayor, proper protocol demands my direct input in assembling and/or changing closed-door sessions. I did advise that the date change is not in keeping with my availability. My suggestion is postponement to a date amenable to all concerned.

Over the last week, I have been struggling to comprehend the January 6, 2025 revelation of the term utilized by Commissioner Kornegay – “string you up” - issued to Commissioner Simmons. To date, this matter has caused a tumultuous predicament of much outrage, criticism, concern and anguish.

The apology of Commissioner Kornegay, a longstanding Caucasian official, does not preclude the level of the resulting insensitivity and threat imposed upon the use of such racially charged verbiage referring to the “lynching” of an African American male official. The statement overshadows and outweighs the proposed meeting’s intent as we have an outstanding negative atmosphere to manage. While I know some of you would like to proceed forward, the dynamics of this closed meeting has changed.

We must consider the atmosphere at this time to

avoid the appearance of vengeance and racism regardless of your motivation.

Hence, I object to the meeting on January 13 and I propose that the intended meeting’s closed-door matter be moved to a more appropriate date as we manage the pressing challenge before us with citizens, the press and surrounding towns.

We all must be concerned with the harmony, peace and justice that our citizens richly deserve.

Sincerely, Dr. J. Jerome Newton, Mayor •

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•

Royall’s firing came a little more than a year after Mount Olive officials were notified by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor that the town was under investigation — and state officials began conducting interviews and pulling documents as part of the inquiry.

To date, no official resolution has been released by the NCOSA. And while some, including Simmons, believe that firing Royall was a way of “scapegoating,” Royall told Wayne Week that in his view, internal conflicts and deteriorating relationships with certain board members played the most significant part in his termination.

I think it's over.

On our line items in the budget, the manager search is gone.

- Commissioner Delreese Simmons

He said he believes the board chose to hire him to meet diversity goals — he is black — but added that there were some town employees who disagreed with the choice and who wanted to have the job themselves.

That created a tough work environment from Day One, Royall said, adding that while diversity might have “played a role” in his hiring, the notion that he was given the job simply because he was black “is not correct.”

“I’ve always worked hard for anything I got,” Royall said. “So, for anyone to say, ‘Well, they just gave it him,’ is just a misstatement.”

In fact, he worked for the town for a number of years — training under former Town Manager Charles Brown and working his way up to Public Works director.

And no matter what the reason was for his hiring, Royall said that he always intended to serve the board and the town with dedication and hard work.

“I am gonna work hard in any job that I have,” he said.

And that, Royall said, is exactly what he did.

But often times, he would hit a wall, as fellow town leaders worked against him — making negative comments about the job he was doing and suggesting that it was only a matter of time before he would be fired.

The atmosphere, he said, made success

unattainable — as interference from some of the town leaders, especially with regard to personnel, created not only a “hostile work environment,” but conditions that made it “impossible for me to do my job.”

“We had to watch our backs. That’s no secret. Every employee knew this,” Royall said.

“It was a hostile work environment for all our employees. It’s been chaos up there.”

He even alleged that when he attempted to hire an employee, he was told by board members that he did not have the authority to do so — a statement that drew a response from his attorney, Glenn Barfield.

“I met with her, talked to her, interviewed her and, since she’s already working with us, I said, ‘This would be great. It’s just moving somebody up,’” Royall said. “Then, whenever I sent out the email saying that I hired her, (Commissioner Barbara Kornegay) came up and said, ‘You can’t hire her.’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’ I hired her. I told her how much she would be making. I already had her change of pay and promotion slip done.

(Kornegay) and them just called it off.”

He was fired soon after that exchange and, in the end, Royall feels he was not treated fairly — and was not given the chance to do his job well, or at all.

“They never let the town manager run the town,” he said. n

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Filing begins, but final races and potential primary matchups remain unclear

Those who are planning on throwing their names into the hat for leadership positions across Wayne County have until July 18 to do so.

BY RENEE CAREY

T

he filing period will remain open until July 18, but several local residents have already thrown their names into the hat for elections in Walnut Creek, Eureka, Pikeville, and Mount Olive.

A more comprehensive breakdown of the races — and what is at stake in the communities that will see new leaders elected in November — will appear in the July 20 edition of Wayne Week.

For now, here are the names of the people who have filed and the seats they will vie for: • Billy Martin — Eureka Mayor • Mary Crowder — Eureka Commissioner • Don Fairman and Harlie Carmichael — Mount Olive Commissioner At-Large • Vicky Darden and Robert King — Mount Olive Commissioner (District 1) • Delreese Simmons — Mount Olive Commissioner (District 2) • Raymond Deck — Pikeville Commissioner (Unexpired)

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• John Seegars — Walnut Creek Mayor • Mike Daly — Walnut Creek Councilman • Everett Jones, Janeth Cerra, Drew Hill, John Gardner, and Arrington Anderson — Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District Board Member • Ervin Watts and Daryl Anderson — Eastern Wayne Sanitary District Board Member • Reed Lewis and Andy Hartley — WayneFork Township Sanitary District Board Member • Charlie Holloway, James Taylor, Bobby Ray Outlaw, Debony Jones, Davita Lofton, Joel Swenson, and Mark McCary — Southern Wayne Sanitary District Board Member As of press time, nobody had filed for Mayor of Seven Springs, Seven Springs Commissioner, Mayor of Pikeville, Mount Olive Commissioner (District 4), Mount Olive Commissioner (District 3), or Mayor of Mount Olive, but several people have told Wayne Week they intend to file for those seats before the end of the filing period.

The Wayne County Board of Elections updates the list of candidates daily and posts it on its website.

Those who wish to throw their names into the hat are expected to do so at the Wayne County Board of Elections building, located at 309 East Chestnut St. A valid photo ID is required — as is cash, a check, or a money order to cover the filing fee.

The following offices will be on the ballot, and we have included the filing fee for those who need the information for planning purposes: • Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District (All 5 Member seats) – Filing Fee $5 • Eastern Wayne Sanitary District (All 5 Member seats) – Filing Fee $5 • Fork Township Sanitary District – (3 Member seats: Braswell, Hartley, & Hope) – Filing Fee $5 • Southern Wayne Sanitary District – (2 Member seats: Walker & Williams) – Filing Fee $5 • Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District – (All

5 Member seats) – Filing Fee $5 • Town of Mt. Olive Mayor – $24 Filing Fee Commissioner (All 5 seats: At-Large, 1, 2, 3, & 4) – $6 Filing Fee • Town of Pikeville Mayor – $5 Filing Fee Commissioner – 2 Full 4-year terms (Thomas & Langston) – $5 Filing Fee Commissioner – 2 unexpired terms ending in 2027 (King & Deck) – $5 Filing Fee • Town of Seven Springs Mayor – $5 Filing Fee Commissioner – 2 seats (Lee & Barton) – $5 Filing Fee • Village of Walnut Creek Councilman – 2 seats (Daly & Seegars) – $5 Filing Fee • Town of Eureka Mayor – $5 Filing Fee Commissioner – 2 seats (Martin & Pender) – $5 Filing Fee n

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{ our TAKE }

WITH LOVE AND A WINDFALL FROM WASHINGTON COMPASSION

A

ny piece of legislation is going to have pluses and minuses.

And that is particularly true for the One Big Beautiful Bill, the latest spending measure coming out of Congress and the White House.

We are sure you have your own thoughts on what its impact will be — and whether it is the right move for the country.

Suffice it to say, there is one universal truth that cannot be ignored — the U.S. cannot continue to print money like there is no tomorrow, and that the day of reckoning will never come.

Everyone knows that — even those who use pieces and parts to make it seem like the catastrophic collision coming from misspent dollars here and lack of oversight there are nothing but a figment of budget hawks’ imagination.

Those who are honest know that we have waste in our government — and taxpayer dollars don’t stretch as far as they used to.

They have seen the accounting for where their tax dollars are going.

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And they don’t like it.

So, there is a debate to be had about what all of this is going to mean — and who will be affected. We are sure many of you are thinking about that yin and yang now.

But Wayne County is one of the places where there are two sides to the budget coin.

Cuts to funding in education could have an impact on programs here and throughout the state — and perhaps, in some cases, a significant one.

Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard says he is not sure yet what the impact will be — because, frankly, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction isn’t sure either.

That’s a spot to watch in the coming weeks, and we will need to keep an eye out to see what the numbers are and what they will mean for Wayne County Public Schools and students.

That’s the “not so good” news.

But inside the One Big Beautiful Bill is a lot of good news for Wayne County — really good news — when it comes to the future of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

and the F-15E Strike Eagles housed there.

According to the people who are charged with dealing with the future of the base, the bill contains a new provision that will enable the base to get the funds it needs for maintenance that will allow it to keep more jets in the air — a great way to keep the base humming and on the “good” list.

It sets the stage for Wayne County to take advantage of making the improvements and changes that will make the environment conducive for not only the continued operation of the base in our hometown, but also positioning it to remain a vital part of the Air Force’s plans moving forward.

We cannot tell you how important that is.

There are some community leaders who scoff at the impact Seymour Johnson Air Force Base has on the community — and they rail against money spent to keep it here.

Those people are dangerous, ill-informed, and, quite frankly, incompetent.

And if we still have a couple of them — and we do — we need to get them out as soon as the ballot boxes open.

The economic impact the base has on the county and

the city of Goldsboro is enormous.

Someone who works closely with the city and county to lobby for the base in Washington put it very succinctly — that he did not even want to think about what would happen to this community if the base closed.

It gives us shivers, too.

Forget the decades of relationship that would be lost — and the history.

To lose that base would be the equivalent of an economic nuclear bomb.

The county could survive it, but it would leave one heck of a crater.

Goldsboro would be, as the young people say these days, cooked.

So, now that we have the good news of some added protections in the One Big Beautiful Bill, Wayne County officials must continue diligently getting the to-do list done to make sure SJAFB stays right where it is — full capacity, with options for the future.

The other piece of good news is that the work is already being done — major improvements in the school district’s performance, a new spirit of cooperation from the county commission and the school board as well as a determined Goldsboro City Council that is focused squarely on making the important decisions on what comes next no matter how hard they are.

Sure, we will still have bumps and challenges ahead, but we are moving along the right track.

And we are seeing the investment and the attention coming in already.

But we also have a very important task coming up.

North Carolina is about to get some new leaders — and they will be courting your votes.

Sen. Thom Tillis’ announcement that he will not seek re-election means a very important post is up for grabs — and it is one that will be critical to us here in Wayne County.

We need someone in Washington who is not only listening, but who understands that the battle to keep SJAFB is not over.

Ken Gerrard is 100-percent right.

We would not even have come this far had it not been for U.S. Sen. Ted Budd and Congressman Don Davis, both of whom fought to get the attention and the necessary adjustments to secure the safety of the 4th Fighter Wing’s Strike Eagle fleet.

Without their efforts, SJAFB could have lost a squadron and been relegated to a training facility.

It was scary how close that came.

But having someone who understands the stakes and who respects and admires the decades-long relationship Wayne County has had with the Air Force — and the men and women who serve there — is not enough.

We need someone who is watching, lobbying, and safeguarding the base’s future.

That’s a question we will need to ask anyone who is seeking our votes to be our next senator.

We hope there are some community leaders already planning to ask those questions — and to make sure any potential candidate understands that we will demand accountability, that there will be no forgetting us after those votes have been counted.

And just as important as the national representatives are, so, too, are the people we send to Raleigh.

Without the hard work of Rep. John Bell, we would not be in contention for any of funds that are waiting for communities to claim.

We need active and interested representation in the capital — not just someone who knows how to gladhand and eat barbecue when election time comes around.

We need results, not promises.

And we won’t get the former unless we refuse to just accept the latter.

And as we move forward, we need to make sure anyone we put in the General Assembly understands that.

So, while the provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill are a start, and a chance to heave a little sigh of relief, they are not a guarantee that there is nothing to worry about moving forward.

We need to remain focused on making sure the elements are in place and the work has been done to shore up the relationships we already have in Washington and to form new ones.

We have to get our infrastructure and our schools in the A-plus category.

And we have to make sure our budgets — and our credit — are ready to attract more investment in our community.

That’s how we build a county that is “open for business” and ready to welcome new families.

And for that, we need strong, competent candidates for the local offices that make the decisions that set that stage.

No more drama.

No more race-baiting or good-old-boy backscratching.

No more embarrassments like the one in Pikeville (we will get to that in the coming weeks).

So, yes, the One Big Beautiful Bill might have opened the door but keeping it open will be dependent on whom we put in Washington and Raleigh — and the standard we set for our local governments.

It is a challenge that can no longer be ignored.

Not if we want to keep Wayne County strong and growing well into the next decade and beyond. n

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. Wayne WEEK . 13

Mount Olive board — again — blows the assignment

T

here is a hold on the search for a new town manager in Mount Olive.

Not that the town board told the community it had reached the decision to suspend that search — or had a public discussion about the reasons why the resumes that have already been received were not up to par.

One day there was a search, and the next there wasn’t — and the current interim town manager became the “until further notice” town manager.

Of course, there were some mumblings about “getting money together for another search” and some implications that since the current interim was already the interim, there was someone in place to do the job.

Like it was no big deal.

And like just about every other political body or bureaucratic chief these days, that was supposed to be enough.

And in the past, that might have been enough.

But unfortunately — or fortunately, depending on from whose perspective you are considering — the citizens of Mount Olive are not just sitting back and going about their lives anymore.

So, the town board’s actions have raised a few eyebrows, especially in light of the fact that there seem to have been more than a few problems in the administration in the last few months — and some “stuff,” like a solid budget, that should have been done the right way and seemingly wasn’t.

Any decision, especially one made under the cloak of “nothing to see here,” is bound to make some people nervous.

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But the secrecy is not an uncommon practice.

And sometimes, the last thing those who have been charged with running a community want is to have to slow down a decision because the community has not had a chance to weigh in — or to have to discuss the real reasons behind the votes they took and the decisions they made.

And those who direct such evasive maneuvers usually look to loopholes to get away with not being up front and honest with the community — and in this case, the need to protect the identity of applicants allows the perfect cover.

But that’s a mistake — for Mount Olive or for anyone who is trying to move their community forward.

There is an air of mystery about this decision.

No one really knows why the board decided to throw away the resumes that came in and place the search on hold.

In fact, one board member told us there was a qualified candidate who made every single person’s “Top 2.”

There are rumors, of course, and conspiracy theories about why the board made this choice.

We hope none of them are even close to true.

But we do know this.

Mount Olive cannot afford anymore shenanigans — and trust is a high priority right now.

There is potential in this community, and lots of land to catch the eye of a business or residential developer.

But without a solid leadership core — and a town structure that is responsible with money, good at planning, and well-versed in getting things done when they are supposed

to be done — Mount Olive runs the risk of being just another one of those also-ran dots on the map.

And that would be a shame.

So, as we watch closely to see what is going on in the town, we offer this.

Mount Olive needs a qualified town manager who knows how to get the job done.

And that is absolutely not a shot at Glenn Holland.

It doesn’t need: • A pick based on backdoor deals and back-scratching.

• A town manager who is merely a patsy for the board, who does the majority’s bidding and not what is in the best interest of the community.

• A choice made to check a race box rather than a qualifications box — and that goes for both sides of the coin.

• A hasty pick who has not been vetted — or one to shut down complaints from one faction or the other.

• A local hire who is a space-holder, who really doesn’t have the skills to execute the duties of a town manager.

• Somebody’s first cousin, brother-in-law, or lodge buddy — or the female equivalent.

A professional search is a good way to avoid the trappings of a homegrown hunt for a town manager.

It allows the board to put out a list of qualifications, to set a salary range, and to share a bit about what the town needs in the future, and then to evaluate those who might be the best pick to meet those needs.

And any local candidates who meet those

parameters and who are willing to go through the recruitment and evaluation process are welcome to apply.

Sometimes, you find a great candidate right in your own backyard.

Just ask the city of Goldsboro.

But there is something else the town of Mount Olive needs as it moves forward, besides an active and interested community that is ready to hold those who serve it accountable for the decisions they make.

Mount Olive needs a town board that understands that the bickering, the backdoor deals, and the “us against them” attitude are just not going to work anymore.

There is no more room for the finger-pointing and the embarrassing lack of action on key issues.

There is just too much at stake.

And Mount Olive also needs a town board that understands one more thing — the public’s business must be done in public.

There simply cannot be anymore skirting of the rules, talking over coffee outside of session, or doing anything else that keeps the community from knowing what is going on with their town.

You see, there are some members of the board who haven’t quite gotten that message yet — and others who seem to be doing their best to cause some commotion on their way out.

Mount Olive needs to put its foot down — both now and when the time to choose its next slate of leaders comes along.

Fortunately, the community will get its chance in the coming months. n

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If the Goldsboro City Council adopts the 2024-25 budget recommended by Interim City Manager Matthew Livington, local residents will be forced to absorb a 15-cent property tax increase and a 7-percent water and sewer rate hike, as leaders look for a way to finance police and fire raises.

WEEK

MIND GA M ES

?

A unanimous decision to move Goldsboro High School to a new building has drawn the ire of community leaders, former students, and teachers who fear the school will soon close for good.

SPECIES? ENDANGERED

Dozens have graduated from the University of Mount Olive’s Master's in Counseling Psychology program, but because it is still not accredited, most are unable to find employment as therapists in North Carolina.

BY KEN FINE p. 1 4

Budget Buffet

BY KEN FINE

/ p. 14

BY K E N F I N E / p. 12

NEWS: Court documents filed last week seem to indicate former WCSO deputy has reached a plea deal . p.6 N E W OL D NORT H M E DI A PR ESE N TS A W E E K LY N E WS M AGA Z I N E

F E BU R A RY 18, 2024

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ALSO INSIDE

Wayne

Coram’s lawsuit thrown out / p. 4

WEEK

NEWS Salmon out as City Manager / p. 8

CLIPPED WING?

If you have been with Wayne Week since the beginning — or signed up within our first few weeks — you are nearing the end of your 1-year subscription period.

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CONTENT WARNING

Some of the information in our cover story could be perceived as graphic in nature and could be upsetting to some readers, including those who might have experienced abuse or sexual assault.

WEEK

Local leaders say it’s time to fight back after community was “blindsided” by news of cuts coming to 4th Fighter Wing. / by KEN FINE p. 16

DIGITAL

M AY 12, 2024

THE PROBLEM WITHIN

Two Wayne County public school teachers have been charged with taking indecent liberties with students since Gov. Roy Cooper signed a harsher set of penalties for the crime into law in late 2023.

But those two individuals are only part of a problem the local education community has been dealing with for the last several years.

BY KEN FINE p.12

New Old North Media 219 North John Street Goldsboro, NC 27530

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. Wayne WEEK . 15

FOOD & DRINK Best Restaurant

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Best Burger

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Best Seafood

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Best Chicken Sandwich

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Best Sandwich (Not Chicken)

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Best BBQ Sandwich

__________________

Best BBQ Joint

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Best Wings

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Best French Fries

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Best Breakfast Spot

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Best Asian Food

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Best Pizza

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Best Mexican Food

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HERE’S HOW TO GET THEM TO US

Best Steak

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STEP 1: Fill in the name

5 th Anniversar y

NOMINATION BALLOT

I

t is hard to believe that it has been five years since we created the Best of the Boot contest — an initiative born out of our desire to give businesses that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic a boost during their darkest hours.

And it’s even more difficult to accept that it would come to mean so much to so many of our neighbors — that Wayne County residents would be hard pressed to go out for a night on the town and not see a Best of the Boot finalist sticker or winner poster proudly displayed on at least one of the storefront windows they passed that evening.

But here we are.

For those of you who are new to the area, here is how the contest works.

Local residents are asked to nominate their favorites in nearly 100 categories — from “Best BBQ” to “Best Veterinarian.”

Then, we create a ballot and ask folks to vote online or via the paper version we will include in a future edition of Wayne Week so we can crown our winners.

Once the votes are tallied, members of our team venture out with finalist stickers in hand — presenting them to the Top 4 vote-getters in each category.

A flood of social media celebrations always follow.

And to cap it all off, we produce an award-winning magazine at the end of the year that reveals the winners. (Until that publication is distributed across the community, only a few members of our staff know who took home “The Boot.”)

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This year, to mark five years of a contest that has taken on a life of its own, we will celebrate our finalists — and release our magazines — at a banquet in downtown Goldsboro, the details of which will be revealed down the road.

For now, all we need is your nominations.

Best Donuts

__________________

of your favorites on the nomination form that follows.

Best Brewery

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STEP 2: Mail them to us — or stop

Best Cocktails

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Best Ice Cream

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Best Bartenders

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Best Coffee

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Best Baristas

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Best Dessert

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Best Produce

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Best Caterer

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Best Food Truck

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by our office at 219 North John Street and drop them off with a member of our team or, if we’re out of the office, in the black mailbox to the left of the front door.

After that, we will let you know when it’s time to vote!

We hope it goes without saying how humbled we are to have such a dedicated subscriber base — a group of people who seem to rally behind every initiative we launch and guide us as we chase our goal of pointing this community toward its brightest star.

Our sincere wish is that you shower all of our local businesses with that same loyalty.

They are, after all, what makes Wayne County such an incredible place to live, work, shop, play, and raise a family. n

2025 BEST OF THE BOOT NOMINATION BALLOT

HEALTH & FITNESS Best Doctor

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Best Nurse

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Best Fitness Center

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Best Pharmacy

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Best Veterinarian

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Best Hospice Care

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Best Dentist

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Best Hair Salon

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Best Spa

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Best Orthodontist

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Best Health Care Provider

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Best Mental Health Care Provider

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Best Pet Groomer

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Best Tanning Salon

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Best Eye Doctor

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Best Chiropracto

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PLAY

SHOP Best Thrift/Vintage Shop

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Best Jewelry Store

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Best Tattoo Shop

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Best Furniture Store

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Best Local Musician

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Best Hardware Store

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Best Local Visual Artist

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Best Garden Center

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Best Festival/Community Event

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Best Boutique

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Best Event Venue

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Best Clothing Store (For Her)

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Best Golf Course

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Best Clothing Store (For Him)

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Best Park

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Best Unique Gift Store

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Best Office Supply Store

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Best Storefront/Curb Appeal

__________________ Continued next page.

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. Wayne WEEK . 17

2025 BEST OF THE BOOT NOMINATION BALLOT

SERVICES

PUBLIC SERVICE

18

Best Landscape Company

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Best Florist

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Best Pest Control

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Best Heating & Air Company

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Best Engineering Firm

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Best Marketing/Advertising Firm

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Best Insurance Agent

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Best Hotel

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Best Insurance Agency

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Best Fire Extinguisher Service

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Best Real Estate Agency

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Best Real Estate Agent

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Best Funeral Home

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Best Local Politician

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Best Storage Company

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Best Non-Profit

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Best Farm

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Best Elementary School Teacher

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Best Travel Agent

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Best Middle School Teacher

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Best Construction Company

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Best High School Teacher

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Best Photographer

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Best Private School

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Best Car Dealership

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Best Educational Advocacy Group

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Best Carpet/Flooring

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Best Government Employee

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Best Car Wash

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Best Local Mentor

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Best Auto Repair Shop

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Best Law Firm

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Best Property Manager

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Best Youth Group

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Best Plumbing Company

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Best Professor (UMO)

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Best Roofing Company

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Best Professor (WCC)

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Best Mortgage Broker

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Best Daycare

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Best Church

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. Wayne WEEK . newoldnorth.com

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. Wayne WEEK . 19

NO T ICE S NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF KAROLINA K. WRIEDT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF GRADY CONWAY HUNT

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF GERALD KEITH HERRING, JR.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RICHARD GERALD ADAMS, SR.

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Karolina K. Wriedt, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 29th day of June, 2025.

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Grady Conway Hunt, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 6th day of July, 2025.

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Gerald Keith Herring, Jr., deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 6th day of July, 2025.

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Richard Gerald Adams, Sr., deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 22nd day of June, 2025.

Mack Nicholas, Executor of the Estate of Karolina K. Wriedt 6435 Wayne Memorial Drive NE Pikeville, NC 27863

Kenneth Bryant Hunt, Executor of the Estate of Grady Conway Hunt 804 Fox Valley Road Marion, Virginia 24354

Melanie Herring Woodard Executor of the Estate of Gerald Keith Herring, Jr. c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for the Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025

Jennifer Harrell, Executor of the Estate of Richard Gerald Adams Sr. 278 Aycock Dairy Farm Road Fremont, NC27830 Published June 22, 2025, June 29, 2025, July 6, 2025, and July 13, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DIANNE K. DOTTER

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 25SP001218-950

Published June 29, 2025, July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, and July 20, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF TIMOTHY PEARSALL

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Timothy Pearsall, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of September, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 29th day of June, 2025.

Lillie Barnett, Executor of the Estate of Timothy Pearsall c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published June 29, 2025, July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, and July 20, 2025

Published July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025

NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF CAROLYN DAUGHERTY HINNANT

All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Carolyn Daugherty Hinnant, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 6th day of July, 2025.

Keith F. Hinnant and Robert W. Hinnant, Jr. Co-Administrators of the Estate of Carolyn Daugherty Hinnant c/o Mark J. Hale, Jr. Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. Attorneys for the Estate P.O. Box 916 Goldsboro, NC 27533-0916 (919) 735-7275 Published July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025

All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dianne K. Dotter, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 6th day of July, 2025.

Deborah A. DaGrosa, Executor of the Estate of Dianne K. Dotter 110 Cranbrooke Drive Franklinton, NC 27525 Published July 6, 2025, July 13, 2025, July 20, 2025, July 27, 2025

NOTICE OF SALE OF MOTOR VEHICLE UNDER A LIEN NORTH CAROLINA WAYNE COUNTY

MAC LAWNS vs.

JOHN DAWSON and WEST LAKE FINANCIAL TO: JOHN DAWSON AND WEST LAKE FINANCIAL TAKE NOTICE THAT: A petition seeking relief to satisfy a motor vehicle lien has been filed. The nature of relief sought is to satisfy $12,825 for towing, storage, and services to a 2008 Porsche Cayenne VIN# WPOAA29868V761836 by sale of such vehicle which is registered in your name.

The vehicle is being sold pursuant to N.C. General Statute 44A-4.

Mac Lawns, 124 Neal Drive, Goldsboro, NC, 27530, 10 a.m., August 1, 2025 (Location of Sale, Time, Date) This is the 13th day of July 2025.

Mac Lawns, Petitioner 124 Neal Drive Goldsboro, NC 27530 919-709-8344

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Published July 13, 2025, and July 20, 2025

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION NORTH CAROLINA MCDOWELL COUNTY In the General Court of Justice District Court Division File No. 24 CVD 748 JOHNSON PAVING COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff vs.

THOMAS MILLER and HANKINS VILLAGE, LLC, Defendants.

To: Thomas Miller, individually and as Registered Agent for: Hankins Village, LLC 406 Yearling Drive Goldsboro, N.C. 27534 TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: For Money Judgment of $41,662.50, plus interest and costs of Court for Breach of Contract; for attorneys’ fees, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 44A-35, and to enforce its Claim of Lien by the sale of the Premises known as the Hankins Village Mobile Home Park in McDowell County, N.C., and which is more particularly described in the Complaint.

You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than August 22, 2025, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This the 13th day of July, 2025. /s: James B. Hogan Attorney for Plaintiff Starnes Aycock Law Firm 118 N. Sterling St. Marion, N.C. 28752 (828) 437-3335 Published July 13, 2025, July 20, 2025, and July 27, 2025

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JERICHO FA R M S

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EASTERN NC’S PREMIERE WHOLESALE GROWER OFFERING A WIDE VARIETY OF TREES AND SHRUBS 3 GALLON - 25 GALLON