WEEK Wayne
BACK on the BEAT
A Goldsboro Police officer who was put on administrative duty after video of an arrest went viral on social media is back on patrol — but officials inside City Hall are not willing to offer much comment until after Monday's City Council meeting.
By
NEWS & VIEWS
AUDIT REVEALS MORE TROUBLE IN MOUNT OLIVE CPA reports that town officials have violated North Carolina General Statute. p. 4
KEN FINE and RENEE CAREY p. 14
MARCH 16, 202 5 Volume 2, Issue 28 NEWOLDNORTH.COM
EDITORIAL
EDITOR Ken Fine
EDITOR Renee Carey
DESIGN DIRECTOR Shan Stumpf
PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Casey Mozingo
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CONTENTS
4 Audit reveals issues in Mount Olive
The town, according to the accounting firm that completed its most recent audit, violated North Carolina General Statute.
8 Pikeville board eyes fireworks
After discussing the pros and cons of spending tax dollars to support the Greater Pikeville Improvement Committee, commissioners come to "gentlemen's agreement" to fund half of the annual July 4 celebration.
9 Wayne Pharmacy abruptly closes
After more than 50 years in business, the Wayne County institution put a sign on its door informing customers they had to pick up their prescriptions at Walgreens.
14 Cover story
A Goldsboro Police officer who was placed on administrative duty after an arrest went viral on social media is back on the beat — but officials inside City Hall are unwilling to confirm that the internal investigation has officially cleared him of wrongdoing until after the City Council meets Monday.
17 NCHSAA shakes up conferences
Wayne County sports teams will face new foes in the fall, after the North Carolina High School Athletic Association unveiled its new conferences — and an increase from four divisions to eight.
20 Spectator
Packed houses lauded the cast of "Phantom of the Opera" inside the Paramount Theatre last week.
COVER DESIGN BY SHAN STUMPF
NEWS + VIEWS
Mount Olive audit reveals violations of North Carolina General Statute
The findings reflect the latest bad news for a town that has been mired in controversy in recent years.
BY KEN FINE AND RENEE CAREY
For the fifth consecutive year, the accounting firm that performed Mount Olive’s annual audit found that the town exceeded appropriations in its approved budget — a “material weakness” the firm said “undermines financial oversight, increases the risk of fiscal instability, and could erode trust among stakeholders in the Town’s governance and fiscal management.”
And because a failure to ensure expenditures remain within “the limits established by the annual and project budget ordinances” is a violation of North Carolina General Statue, S. Preston Douglas & Associates, LLP recommended department heads and financial staff be trained on “budget compliance requirements,” to help prevent future occurrences.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, expenditures in the Water and Sewer Fund “transfer” line item exceeded appropriations by more than $840,000 — a result, the accountants said, of the town not monitoring reports “at frequent intervals to ensure budgetary compliance.”
But that was not the only “material weakness” noted in the audit report submitted to the Town Board Feb. 27.
The town violated General Statute a second time by failing to meet the requirement that its finance officer have a minimum fidelity bond of $1,000,000 — a law designed to protect municipalities “against potential fraudulent activities such as embezzlement, theft, or misappropriation of funds.”
“This helps safeguard taxpayer money and public trust,” the report reads.
But as of the date of completion of the report, Mount Olive’s finance officer was bonded only for $200,000, well below the required threshold.
• • •
The findings noted in the town’s 2023-24 audit report reflect the lat-
MATERIAL WEAKNESSES IDENTIFIED
est blow for a local government that has been making headlines since December 2023, when the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor announced it had launched an investigation into happenings inside Town Hall — and state officials began conducting interviews and pulling documents as part of the inquiry.
And while it remains unclear how long it will take for the NCOSA to complete its investigation, the office seemingly laid out what it was looking into in an email sent to former Town Manager Jammie Royall Dec. 20, 2023.
In the notice, which was obtained by Wayne Week via a confidential source, Staff Auditor Jenna Murphy wrote that NCOSA had received “allegations of improper conduct” regarding the town.
“I am an investigator with the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor. OSA investigates allegations of improper governmental conduct by state agencies or state employees within our statutory authority,” the email reads. “OSA received allegations regarding the Town of Mount Olive.”
Murphy then requested a series of documents to “assist with the triage of the allegations.”
They include:
• The town’s personnel policy.
• The town’s secondary employment policy.
• The town’s procurement policy.
• All open and closed board minutes from June 1, 2020, to the present.
• All of William Carroll Turner’s contract(s) of employment entered into between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023.
• All documents pertaining to the sidewalk construction performed on Church Street in 2022.
The hits did not stop there.
A little more than a year later, Commissioner Barbara Kornegay was forced to publicly apologize to Commissioner Delreese Simmons after an off-color
Continued on page 7
“joke” — in response to Simmons quipping that he might apply for the town manager position should Royall be let go, Kornegay allegedly said that if he did so, “they” were going to “string you up” — enflamed racial tensions across the community.
“Lynching is nothing to joke about,” Simmons posted on his Facebook page. “So I’m pissed, I’m angry, I’m fired up. To think a white woman would say that to me then say she joking. And the white men on the board set (sic) in silence.”
While that controversy swirled, Royall, who is black, was fired after a decision was made without Mayor Jermone Newton’s consent to change the date of the special-called meeting during which the termination unfolded.
And the mayor, who seemed aware that the manager was on the chopping block, was so concerned about the potential bad optics, sent an email before that meeting — one he noted he would not be able to attend because of a scheduling conflict — imploring members of the board to reconsider the timing to avoid the perception that firing Royall was motivated by “vengeance and racism.”
tivity 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.
The following is what he sent to the board:
“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 closeddoor 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 insensi-
We all must be concerned with the harmony, peace and justice that our citizens richly deserve.
Sincerely, Dr. J. Jerome Newton, Mayor” The drama did not stop there.
In early February, Newton confirmed that the State Bureau of Investigation was probing “possible misconduct” among town employees.
And while it remains unclear when that investigation will be resolved, some town resident said they were “getting tired” of “the town being embarrassed.”
Then, after the town was awarded $7,363,920 from the State Water Infrastructure Authority to fund a sewer line rehabilitation project and a “find and fix” effort that could put a dent in inflow and infiltration issues, State Rep. John Bell chided the Town Board for its inability to properly manage previous allocations from the state and claw the town out of a moratorium it has been under for more than a decade.
“My biggest concern is, here it is, once again we’re helping Mount Olive. They have received millions upon millions of dollars to fix their issue, but it’s up to the Town Board to get it done,” Bell told Wayne Week earlier this month. “We have helped Mount Olive numerous times. It’s time for Mount Olive to fix its issues. And it’s time for everyone in the town to hold that board accountable. No more excuses. Their issues are a direct result of mismanagement. They have mismanaged millions of dollars. It’s been going on for years.” n
Pikeville board eyes fireworks partnership
No formal vote took place Monday, but board members seem poised to split cost of annual Independence Day celebration with the Greater Pikeville Improvement Committee.
BY KEN FINE
The show will go on — but this year, members of the Pikeville Town Board are poised to split the cost of the town’s annual July 4 celebration with the organization that has, almost single-handedly, kept the event alive for the better part of the last decade.
But before board members came to a “gentlemen’s agreement” — the actual appropriation of funds will not be official until the 2025-26 budget gets the green light in the coming months — they acknowledged that for some, “literally blowing up” tax dollars “in the park for fun,” reflects a lack of “fiscal conservatism.”
Matt Thomas, turning to new Commissioner Raymond Deck, broke it down fairly bluntly.
“Ray, you have no idea the emotional tension that this topic has. Like, it is, I mean realistically … nobody likes to spend taxpayer money. Nobody likes to literally blow up taxpayer money on it. So, I think there are really two perceptions on the issue and they’re very far apart,” Thomas said.
One side, he said, favors “fiscal conservatism.”
“That is, we should not spend money literally blowing it up in the park for fun,” Thomas said.
But those with “the other perspective,” he added, believe that community events are an important part of marketing, branding, and relationship-building.
“Overall, it improves the quality of life here,” he said. “It promotes a sense of community and encourages people to move here. That kind of stuff.”
But in his experience on the board, there has never been a middle ground.
“So, it’s just literally just a question of what’s more important to you? There’s nev-
I think there are really two perceptions of the issue and they're very far apart.
er been a compromise. It literally always just comes down to whatever the majority wants, and it yo-yos back and forth over time from paying for everything to paying for nothing,” Thomas said. “So, welcome to the club, brother. Have fun making that decision.”
In reality, the event only costs just north of $12,000.
And with the exception of last year’s celebration, the Greater Pikeville Improvement Committee — an organization founded “in an effort to better (the town) for the residents and surrounding community” — has covered the costs.
But Police Chief Rodney Jarman told the board that because the July 4 event brings thousands of people to town and they spend their dollars inside local businesses before
and after the fireworks show, he feels the town should take some ownership.
“I came here in 2015 … and when I came here, if you asked anybody, they wanted to see fireworks in Pikeville,” he said. “So, I’m an outsider. I’m not from here. But the community is obviously passionate about it.”
And because GPIC hosts other events with the goal of drawing people into “the Gem of Wayne County,” the board providing some funding for the summer event and freeing up more of the organization’s money for other initiatives makes sense.
“This is by far their biggest expense,” Jarman said. “And while they have found a way to make it happen every year … I don’t think it should be all on them. I mean, that’s a day when we have seen over 10,000 people in this town … where folks have sold out of food at brick-and-mortar restaurants. So, it’s a big economic push.”
And if other Wayne County municipalities allocate funding for everything from N.C. Freedom Fest to the N.C. Pickle Festival, Pikeville should not, the chief said, be afraid to make the same kind of investment.
“Any other town, you look at Mount Olive, they pay $40,000 to help put on the Pickle Festival every year,” he said.
Deck agreed that the celebration has value.
“I think it’s a great thing for small towns to have events like this,” he said.
And Thomas said he feels there is a way to placate residents on both sides of the issue.
“I think half and half is a more sustainable long-term option and I think it better meets the legitimate concerns in the community about fiscal responsibility, as well as continuing to engage in building our reputation,” he said.
•
Town residents will still have a chance to weigh in on the potential expenditure, as until the 2025-26 budget is approved by the board, the roughly $6,000 they agreed, informally, to allocate to GPIC for the event is not a done deal.
And from asks from the local museum to Town Manager Tim Biggerstaff’s idea of potentially moving Town Hall to the old library building, big decisions, Thomas said, were on the horizon.
“Long story short, there are a number of items that we are going to have to discuss as a board,” he said. “We’re going to have to pick and choose the things we want (to fund).”
But Biggerstaff noted that some “surplus revenue” that came in this past year would “probably help” cover the costs of the July event.
And Thomas said meeting GPIC in the middle instead of the town footing the entire bill as it did last summer would “give us some more flexibility with other things” as budget negotiations loom.
“I think this is, given our revenue, I think this is a reasonable compromise,” he said. “I like the idea. You know, I’m always a passionate fireworks supporter. I’m a bit of a pyromaniac, so maybe that’s influencing me, but I’m just gonna pitch out there, let’s meet them in the middle.”
Mayor Garrett Johnston agreed.
But he wants to see the town take advantage of what he considers a potential money-making opportunity.
“You have to remember that Mount Olive has gotten a lot better at nickel-and-diming their guests (at the N.C. Pickle Festival), too,” he said. “We don’t really make the money we could be making off that event.” n
WAYNE PHARMACY, AFTER 53 YEARS, ABRUPTLY CLOSES ITS DOORS
A letter sent to prescribers by Walgreens suggests that the chain was taking over the one-time Wayne County institution’s accounts.
On Wednesday afternoon, Key’onte Williams stepped out of her black sedan and made her way to Wayne Pharmacy’s entrance. At first, she did not notice the large sign notifying customers that the 53-year-old business was shuttered — that they needed to go to Walgreens to pick up their prescriptions.
“How are you gonna close in the middle of the day?” she said. “My grandmama needs her pills.”
She was not the only one that afternoon to pull into the parking lot and attempt to go inside — only to discover that a pharmacy that has been an institution in Wayne County for more than a half-century was no more. And while the business’ owners were not reachable by press time, an announcement sent to prescribers by Walgreens that was obtained by Wayne Week reflects a potential buyout by the corporate chain.
The letter reads:
[ ATTENTION PRESCRIBER
- Please be aware that effective today, 3/12/2025, Wayne Pharmacy Inc at 2302 Wayne Memorial Dr in Goldsboro, NC has closed and their files have transferred to Walgreens #9288. At Walgreens, we realize how important physicians, nurses, and your support staff are, and want to work with you to continue providing great care for your patients.
- Walgreens #9288 is located at Wayne Memorial in Goldsboro, NC and will have your patients’ electronic prescription files available starting today to process future refills.
- You can reach our friendly pharmacy staff at (919) 739-5539 by pressing # then ‘0’ to speak directly with a Pharmacist.
- You will also need to redirect future electronic prescriptions (eRx) that would have been sent to Wayne Pharmacy Inc to Walgreens #9288. To easily locate our pharmacy in your eRx software, please utilize our NCPDP #3404679.
We realize how busy you are, so we want to make this transition as easy as possible for you. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Thank You, Walgreens #9288 Pharmacy Staff ]
Williams, after calling her grandmother to deliver the news, said she was surprised by her reaction.
“It really bothered her. I really thought she was fixin’ to cry,” she said. “I guess when people get used to a place and the people and all that, it hits them different.”- Ken Fine
TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES
It has been commonplace over the last decade, especially over the last five years.
The loudest voices, the protests that make the news and stir up unrest, they have been the way of the world for a while now.
And many of us, concerned about the implications of standing against their raucous disruptions and abusive response to those who disagree with them, have been loath to point out the other side, or to stand tall against conclusions that we thought to be self-serving, extreme and often, ill-informed.
But that is changing.
It is not as easy to spew incendiary rhetoric and to guilt good people into just staying out of the line of fire.
Now, we are braver, and not so willing to simply go along with those who seek to foment discord.
We are more than willing to acknowledge that problems might exist — or to look critically at incidents and societal norms that deserve review — but we are not going to allow divisive rhetoric to skew our views on everything from our police and law enforcement to the way members of our
society treat one another.
No one is controlling the narrative or setting the proper responses anymore.
And that is a good thing.
It is how you turn protests and disruption into conversations and progress.
Because sometimes, there are things to talk about — and procedures or reactions that need to be revisited and old attitudes that need to be challenged.
And most of us are willing to do just that, but we are not going to be bullied by those whose first thought in any situation is to call “racism” or any other pejorative that is a hot button for those who are looking for someone to dox.
We say all that to prepare you.
It might be time to take another hard look and a firm stand.
A few weeks ago, there was an uproar at a Goldsboro City Council meeting.
We told you about it at the time — that the discussion involved a city police officer who confronted a man who was allegedly threatening workers at a local housing office.
The GPD had dealt with the man before,
police say, and he was ordered to stay away from the property.
But the workers at the office were worried — and they called 911 when he returned and refused to leave.
It is the same old story.
A dispute becomes a threat and a lawful order to leave is ignored.
And that is when the police are called to diffuse it.
Situations like this can become dangerous quickly — especially when there is a weapon involved.
And, according to police reports, there was one in this mix that the man did not tell lawmen he had.
So, the GPD responded, issued a warning, and when the situation continued to deteriorate, an officer who had already been in contact with the suspect responded and took him down — after there was an alleged assault on police.
And that is when social media took over.
Within hours, the same people who have been praising the Goldsboro Police Department for its dedication to keeping the
community safe were now screaming police brutality and racism.
They had not seen the body camera footage.
They did not know the facts.
But a man was taken down in a manner that resulted in injury, so it must have been police overstepping their bounds.
Look, we get it.
There are bad cops.
They overstep their boundaries, and they do not treat people fairly.
So, it is important to scrutinize complaints when there is a situation like this.
Reviewing arrests like this should be a priority — and it is, as part of normal GPD standards.
But we have to resist something else.
We have to resist the call of the rush to judgment.
It is easy to throw out words like “racist” and “police brutality.”
But it is not so simple to look at the danger officers face in situations like this every day.
An angry suspect — with a history of threats and violence — and an office full of people
Continued from page 13
2025 PROPERTY REVALUATION
Wayne County is conducting a property revaluation to ensure tax assessments reflect current market values, as required by North Carolina law.
Revaluation does NOT determine your tax bill. The Board of Commissioners will set the tax rate later.
Property values are assessed fairly based on real market conditions.
You have the right to appeal if you believe your assessed value is incorrect.
Revaluation notices will be mailed in late February - early March.
... and get ready, because the Sept. 6, 2025 version is sure to be our best festival yet!
who are legitimately scared he could get out of control requires judgment in a moment on how best to de-escalate the situation.
It is easy to say the officers should have been able to talk the man down — that the action that was taken was too much, that it was an excessive response.
It is not so easy when you are face to face with a suspect who has already made threats and is agitated and potentially armed.
You have a moment — only a moment — to think, to assess, and to act.
And if the officers had hesitated and an innocent person had been killed because of that hesitation, we would be having an entirely different discussion.
There were those who did not wait for the facts. They stoked the fires and joined the call for the police officer to be fired.
Luckily, we have some cooler heads on Goldsboro City Council.
Half of the board has waited to pass judgment, to even comment, until they had the information.
Sadly, because they decided to take the prudent path, they were immediately labeled as insensitive racists.
They endured the pressure and the namecalling — none of which they deserved.
But now, they have studied the body cam footage.
They have asked the questions and looked at the evidence.
And now that it appears the internal investigation revealed that officer had acted appropriately, they will have nothing to apologize for.
They did what good leaders do.
They made the hard decision to keep quiet until they had the facts.
Now, maybe there is something to talk about.
Maybe we need to not only understand the situations police officers face every day — how a seemingly routine call like a “domestic” can turn deadly in an instant — but also, we need to review how the police department works to contain violent confrontations.
But we feel strongly that Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West is determined to not only keep his community safe, but also to improve relations with residents.
He has demonstrated that he wants to make sure law enforcement is done with respect and with as little armed response as possible, and he has instilled that attitude in his department.
He has earned this community’s trust.
So, what West doesn’t need is a whipped up frenzy of accusations that damage the relations between the city and the police who protect it.
And he definitely doesn’t need a civilian review board “to examine” arrests without any
of the tools that would be necessary to actually do it.
And what we, this community, don’t need is a police force that hesitates to take action that is necessary for fear of some hyped-up response and the resulting lack of support from the city’s leadership.
That helps no one — especially those who are in the communities that face the most serious and most prolific criminal activity.
No police department should be automatically cleared in a situation where there is an arrest that results in an injury.
We want there to be accountability in how our community is protected.
But there is another kind of accountability we should demand, too.
Those who think that when they make others feel unsafe, or when they commit a crime and make threats or hurt others, that all they have to do is scream police brutality — they should understand that actions have consequences, too.
We have seen where the mob mentality gets us — fewer people who want to risk their lives to keep their communities safe and more and more crime and serious consequences for communities.
And we have seen what can happen, in an instant, when an answered call leads to a law enforcement officer taken from his family far too soon.
So, let’s talk about community policing — which has been a priority for West and a goal he hopes he will be able to make even more a part of GPD’s agenda as his department’s ranks continue to increase.
Let’s keep an eye out for those who are not living up to their oath — those officers who are not the best representatives of the law enforcement community — and when we find bad apples, let’s support West as he weeds them out.
And let’s talk about crime, the dangers officers face and the repeat offenders who believe that they can threaten, sell drugs, rob, or cause mayhem without facing consequences.
All those topics are necessary if we are going to have a safer Goldsboro.
But there is no more time for those who want to jump on the racism and police brutality bandwagon to get attention and power.
If we want to make Goldsboro the kind of place where you can raise a family or travel around your neighborhood safely, we have to take the steps to make it so.
And that means resisting the pressures from those who never miss the chance to take a potshot at police, and those without the courage to stand strong until all the facts are in. n
BACK on the BEAT
A Goldsboro Police officer who was put on administrative duty after video of an arrest went viral on social media is back on patrol — but officials inside City Hall are not willing to offer much comment until after Monday's City Council meeting.
By KEN FINE and RENEE CAREY
Less than six weeks after an internal investigation was launched in the wake of a video of a late January arrest going viral on social media — and a Goldsboro police officer was placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of that inquiry — the officer is back on the beat.
But GPD Chief Mike West, who confirmed the reinstatement, said it would be overstepping to discuss the details of the IA findings until after officials inside City Hall weigh in.
“The officer has been returned to full duty status,” West told Wayne Week. “But as the city manager will be meeting with the City Council to further discuss the findings of the internal affairs investigation, it would not be appropriate to provide further comment at this time.”
Interim City Manager Matthew Livingston confirmed that at Monday’s council meeting, elected officials will have the opportunity to review the report in the presence of legal counsel.
But he also stopped short of offering an extended comment about the officer’s status — saying only that once the next step in the process is completed, more information would be made public.
It started Jan. 28 with a 911 call that came into the call center at approximately 4:35 p.m.
A man wearing a black hoodie and red sweatpants was on private property he had been removed from by the GPD once before because he was, allegedly, threatening employees.
“He has previously threatened employees,” the caller told the 911 operator. “The last time that we asked for him to be banned, the cops actually, like, scared him off the property instead of formally banning him.”
And when officers arrived at the scene on Day Circle, they claim the 27-year-old refused to identify himself, resisted being put into handcuffs, and assaulted an officer during the ensuing struggle.
WHAT NORTH CAROLINA LAW SAYS ABOUT BODY CAM FOOTAGE RELEASE
The officer has been returned to full duty status.
He also, according to the GPD, was found in possession of a concealed knife — and another weapon was found near the place where the struggle with officers began.
But when video of portions of the incident began circulating on Facebook, some characterized the way officers used force to execute the arrest as “brutality,” and noted that after he was “slammed” onto the pavement, 27-year-old Talek Carter ended up in the hospital.
And as is the case any time force is used during an arrest, an investigation was launched.
City Public Information Officer LaToya Henry sent out a press release to that effect Jan. 30.
“The Goldsboro Police Department is conducting an internal investigation of the actions that occurred during the arrest,” she wrote. “The officer at the center of this incident will be placed on administrative duty pending the outcome.”
Then, according to several members of the GPD, “the noise got louder.”
Comments made on GPD and city government Facebook posts reflected two very different trains of thought.
On the one hand were residents who claimed the officer “brutally attacked” and “assaulted” Carter.
Continued on page 16
132‐1.4A. Law enforcement agency recordings. Release of Recordings; General; Court Order Required. – Recordings in the custody of a law enforcement agency shall only be released pursuant to court order. Any custodial law enforcement agency or any person requesting release of a recording may file an action in the superior court in any county where any portion of the recording was made for an order releasing the recording. The request for release must state the date and approximate time of the activity captured in the recording, or otherwise identify the activity with reasonable particularity sufficient to identify the recording to which the action refers. The court may conduct an in‐camera review of the recording. In determining whether to order the release of all or a portion of the recording, in addition to any other standards the court deems relevant, the court shall consider the applicability of all of the following standards:
1) Release is necessary to advance a compelling public interest.
2) The recording contains information that is otherwise confidential or exempt from disclosure or release under State or federal law.
3) The person requesting release is seeking to obtain evidence to determine legal issues in a current or potential court proceeding.
4) Release would reveal information regarding a person that is of a highly sensitive personal nature.
5) Release may harm the reputation or jeopardize the safety of a person.
6) Release would create a serious threat to the fair, impartial, and orderly administration of justice.
7) Confidentiality is necessary to protect either an active or inactive internal or criminal investigation or potential internal or criminal investigation.
8) There is good cause shown to release all portions of a recording.
The court shall release only those portions of the recording that are relevant to the person’s request, and may place any conditions or restrictions on the release of the recording that the court, in its discretion, deems appropriate.
On the other were an overwhelming number of people who backed the GPD — thanking officers for “throwing themselves” into “situations where they could get killed” in order to “protect us.”
Two camps were forming on the City Council, too.
Councilwoman Brandi Matthews, Councilman Roderick White, and Mayor Pro Tem Hiawatha Jones all addressed what unfolded Jan. 28 in Day Circle during a meeting — expressing concern while committing to allow the “process” to play out.
But Councilwoman Jamie Taylor, Councilman Chris Boyette, and Councilwoman Beverly Weeks remained silent — telling Wayne Week they felt it was inappropriate to weigh in while the internal investigation was unfolding.
Their silence, though, ultimately made them targets of the ire of a handful of people who would address the board during the meeting’s public comment period.
One local resident even inferred that because the three black members of the council had shown concern and the three white council members had declined to comment, those unwilling to share their thoughts must be “racist.”
That characterization did not sit well with Taylor.
So, she took to Facebook to explain her silence.
She wrote:
“Anyone who knows me knows that I believe in treating everyone equally — regardless of race, the color of their skin, abilities, differences, past mistakes, or social status. This belief is one of the key reasons I chose to run for City Council: to ensure that every resident is treated fairly, no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or their financial situation. Fair treatment should never be conditional.
I also believe in due process. Rules and procedures exist for a reason, and as a rule follower, I respect that process. Recently, some have questioned why I haven’t publicly spoken about a particular issue in our community. The reason is simple: I was advised not to comment while the matter is under internal investigation. As a city official, I represent both the City of Goldsboro and the residents of District 3, and I want to ensure this process unfolds properly, without interference or assumptions. Let me be clear: My decision to remain silent at this time has nothing to do with the color of my skin. Anyone who truly knows me understands that I have always stood for equal treatment. Unfortunately, some have misinterpreted my silence, but I will not engage in discussions that could compromise
the integrity of an ongoing investigation.”
Boyette also felt the need to respond.
But he did so at the council’s most recent meeting.
“I don’t think that any one of us up here preferred to have our integrity attacked or questioned when it comes to our decision-making process up here. I think it would be safe to say that when the time ever allows it — when it’s necessary and proper — I think I’ll have a lot to say about a lot of things,” he said. “So, I’ll speak no more about not speaking. It’s unfortunate that we sit here as elected officials and sometimes have our integrity questioned. But I stand on mine and I know my constituents know where I stand and where my integrity lies. Sometimes, we have to remember that … if someone has something to say, if they say it louder than someone else, it doesn’t make it any more right or wrong, just because you raise your voice to say something instead of saying it in a calm manner.”
And others, including Livingston and Mayor Charles Gaylor, have seemingly touched on the issue at a distance.
Livingston, without provocation, said the city needs to “work on our community policing model.”
And Gaylor offered support to a resident’s idea of convening a “civilian advisory and review board for police accountability” to look
at incidents like this one, despite the fact that in North Carolina, similar groups have proven to have little to no power and/or access to the information that would be needed — body camera footage, reports, personnel files — to serve their stated purposes.
“I really want us to revisit the advisory committee for GPD,” the mayor said. “I think that could be a really positive thing and I think that’s something we’re gonna want to talk about here very soon — very, very quickly.” •
Now that the officer is back on the beat, it is unclear how much of the internal investigation the council will be willing to detail after they review it Monday.
But a source who has seen the body camera footage in its entirety said it leaves “no question” that Carter was resisting arrest and assaulted an officer before he was subdued.
And it is conceivable that the council could release that footage to the public, as while it — and the investigation report — are protected under North Carolina General Statute, if the city can make a compelling argument to a judge that there is “good cause” to publish the footage, the court could, in theory, allow it. n
ARosewood vs. Spring Creek soccer rivalry?
Clashes between Goldsboro High School and Wallace-Rose Hill on the gridiron?
The Eastern Wayne High School basketball team facing off with Washington?
How about Charles B. Aycock and Southern Wayne competing with Rocky Mount powerhouse Northern Nash?
Every one of those scenarios will be a reality until the end of the 2028-29 school year after the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors approved the final conferences for the state’s first-ever eight-classification lineup.
And despite appeals from 27 different schools, the plan, after a marathon 10-hour meeting, passed 16-1 — and resulted in 54 split-classification conferences, which will likely lead to more questions about how conference games would impact playoff seeding when, for example, Northern Nash is now a 6A school competing in a conference with newly-minted 5A schools like CBA and Southern Wayne.
This season, schools were assigned into one of four classifications — 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A — that were determined using a formula that included average daily membership numbers (ADM), free and reduced lunch data, and “past success.”
But moving forward, the NCHSAA has decided to rely only on the size of the school’s student population. -Ken Fine
SPORTS + REC
NCHSAA shakes up athletic conferences
Wayne County teams will face new matchups starting in the fall.
THE NEW CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN FOR WAYNE COUNTY SCHOOLS
5A/6A CONFERENCE B
• Charles B. Aycock
• Fike
• Hunt
• Rocky Mount
• Southern Nash
• Southern Wayne
• Northern Nash
4A CONFERENCE 1
• Eastern Wayne
• North Johnston
• North Lenoir
• North Pitt
• Southwest Edgecombe
• Washington
• West Craven
2A/3A CONFERENCE B
• Rosewood
• Goldsboro
• James Kenan
• Midway
• Princeton
• Spring Creek
• Wallace-Rose Hill
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Hazel Marie Crowley, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd day of February, 2025.
Elizabeth Sarno Administrator for the Estate of Hazel Marie Crowley, 502 Church Street, Seven Springs, North Carolina, 28578
Published Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, and March 16, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DONALD MONROE SUMMERLIN
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Donald Monroe Summerlin deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of May, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd day of February, 2025.
Donna Marie Summerlin Hamm Executor for the Estate of Donald Monroe Summerlin 111 Long Point Circle, Powells Point, North Carolina, 27966
Published Feb. 23, 2025, March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, and March 16, 2025
NOTICE TO PICK UP FILES AND OF THEIR DESTRUCTION
NORTH CAROLINA WAYNE COUNTY
The undersigned having been appointed trustee for the Law Office of Janice S. Head, PA or Janice Head Kornegay, Attorney at Law in Wayne County file number 25 R 19, because Janice S. Head/Janice Head Kornegay died on January 3, 2025. This is to notify all people or businesses that may have a file in the custody of Janice S. Head/Janice Head Kornegay that you will have from March 3, 2025 until May 5, 2025 to pick your file
up. You may call 919-736-3076 or 919-635-9007 or email shelby@ bentonfamilylaw.com to arrange a time to pick up your file. You will need a photo ID to pick up your file and the file can only be given to the client in whose name the file is noted. If you do not pick the file up within the time set out above the remaining files will be destroyed in accord with the rules of the North Carolina State Bar. This the 18th day of February 2025.
Shelby Duffy Benton, Trustee Law Office of Janice S. Head, PA Janice Head Kornegay, Attorney at Law Goldsboro, North Carolina
Published March 2, 2025, March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, and March 23, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Raymond Murphy Davis deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 3rd day of March, 2025.
Sherri Davis Creech Administrator for the Estate of Raymond Murphy Davis, 2 067 Warrentown Road, Snow Hill, North Carolina, 28580
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JACQUELINE RHEW
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Jacqueline Rhew, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 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 3rd day of March, 2025.
Capen Rhew, Executor of the Estate of Jacqueline Rhew 4741 Delta Lake Drive Raleigh, NC 27612
Published March 9, 2025 March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICES
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JIMMY LEWIS ADAMS
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jimmy Lewis Adams, Deceased, of Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 9, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the decedent or estate shall please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 9th day of March, 2025.
Jimmy Lewis Adams, Jr., and English Adams Albertson, Co-Executors
c/o Henry C. Smith, Attorney Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, LLP P.O. Box 1616 Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 (919) 734-1841
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE
TO CREDITORS OF GILBERT WRIGHT BROWN
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Gilbert Wright Brown, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on or before June 9, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 3rd day of March, 2025.
Samuel Craig Brown, Executor of the Estate of Gilbert Wright Brown c/o L.E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, LLP P.O. Box 1616
Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF NANCY JEAN KUHN
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Nancy Jean Kuhn, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the address below on
or before June 9, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate are asked to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 3rd day of March, 2025.
Robert Warren Kuhn, Administrato rof the Estate of Nancy Jean Kuhn c/o Caroline Taylor Phillips, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, LLP P.O. Box 1616
Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Evelyn Dolores Hood, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 4th day of March, 2025.
Doug Hood, Administrator for the Estate of Evelyn Dolores Hood, 473 Falling Creek Church Road, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27534
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, March 30, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF DEBORAH SUE YELVERTON
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Deborah Sue Yelverton, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 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 is the 9th day of March, 2025.
Cara Yelverton Davis, Administrator of the Estate of Deborah Sue Yelverton 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 March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF SHIRLEY DAVIS GARDNER
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Shirley Davis Gardner, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 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 is the 9th day of March, 2025.
Timothy Milton Kearney, Executor of the Estate of Shirley Davis Gardner 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 March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Kelly Ann Smith, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 5th day of March, 2025.
Grover Allen Smith, Administrator for the Estate of Kelly Ann Smith, 103 Quailcroft Drive, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27534
Published March 9, 2025, March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, and March 30, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF HELEN CARLTON
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Helen Carlton, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of June, 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 March, 2025.
Marsha King, Executor of the Estate of Helen Carlton 507 Durham Lake Road Dudley, NC 28333
Published March 16, 2025, March. 23, 2025, March 30, 2025 and April 6, 2025
GENERAL NOTICE OF TAX FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 23 CVD 744
WAYNE COUNTY and the TOWN OF MOUNT OLIVE, Plantiffs vs. JIMMY STEVENS, JOYCE STEVENS, Defendants & THERENCENE DOUCEUR, Defendant Lienholder
Under and by virtue of an Order of the Clerk of Superior Court of Wayne County, North Carolina, made and entered in the action entitled “WAYNE COUNTY and the TOWN OF MOUNT OLIVE vs. JIMMY STEVENS, ET AL., the undersigned Commissioner will on the 26th day of March, 2025, offer for sale and sell for cash, to the last and highest bidder at public auction, at the courthouse door in Wayne County, North Carolina, in Goldsboro at 10:00 a.m. the following described real property, lying and being in State and County aforesaid and more particularly described as follows:
605 S. Breazeale Avenue, Mt. Olive (PIN: 2572654339)
Being all of Lot No 2 of the B.E. Wilson Subdivision as shown on plat recorded in Plat Cabinet D, Slide 14 of the Wayne County Registry.
The sale will be made subject to all outstanding city and county taxes and all local improvements assessments against the above-described property not included in the judgment in the above-entitled cause. A deposit of 5 percent (5%) of the successful bid will be required or $750.00, whichever is greater, in the form of cash, certified check or money order. This the 25th day of February, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published March 16, 2025, and March 23, 2025
GENERAL NOTICE OF TAX FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 22 CVD 212
WAYNE COUNTY, Plantiff vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF OSCAR LEE ARTIS and all assignees, heirs at law and devisees, together with all of their creditors and lienholders, regardless of how or through whom they claim, and any and all persons claiming any interest in, by, under or through the Estate of Oscar Lee Artis; JERMAINE BANKS and SPOUSE, if any; KAREEN ARTIS; JAMAAL ARTIS and SPOUSE, if any, Defendants
Under and by virtue of an Order of the Clerk of Superior Court of Wayne County, North Carolina, made and entered in the action entitled “WAYNE COUNTY vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF OSCAR LEE ARTIS, ET AL., the undersigned Commissioner will on the 26th day of March, 2025, offer for sale and sell for cash, to the last and highest bidder at public auction, at the courthouse door in Wayne County, North Carolina, in Goldsboro at 10:00 a.m. the following described real property, lying and being in State and County aforesaid and more particularly described as follows:
Tract One – PIN: 3559363488 / 190 Jesse Jackson Street, LaGrange
BEGINNING at an iron stake in the southern margin of North Street, said beginning point being the northeast corner of Lot 24 of Jackson’s Division North, and runs thence from said beginning point N. 84° 51’ E. 100 feet to a point; runs thence S. 05° 09’ E. 234.16 feet to a point; runs thence S. 83° 31’ W. 100.03 feet to a point; runs thence N. 05° 09’ W. 236.49 feet to the point of beginning and being all of Lot Number 23 of Jackson’s Division North according to map or plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 19 at Page 11 of the Wayne County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a better and more perfect description.
Tract One – PIN: 3559364580 / 192 Jesse Jackson Street, LaGrange
BEGINNING at an iron stake in
the southern margin of North Street, said beginning point being the northeast corner of Lot 23 of Jackson’s Division North, and runs thence from said beginning point N. 84° 51’ E. 100 feet to a point; runs thence S. 05° 09’ E. 231.84 feet to a point; runs thence S. 83° 31’ W. 100.03 feet to a point; runs thence N. 05° 09’ W. 234.16 feet to the point of beginning and being all of Lot Number 22 of Jackson’s Division North according to a map or plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 19 at Page 11 of the Wayne County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for a better and more perfect description.
The sale will be made subject to all outstanding city and county taxes and all local improvements assessments against the above-described property not included in the judgment in the above-entitled cause. A deposit of 5 percent (5%) of the successful bid will be required or $750.00, whichever is greater, in the form of cash, certified check or money order. This the 25th day of February, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal
Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published March 16, 2025, and March 23, 2025
GENERAL NOTICE OF TAX FORECLOSURE SALE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 24 CVD 1858
WAYNE COUNTY, Plantiff vs. JOHN OUTLAW, Defendant & US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Defendant Lienholder
Under and by virtue of an Order of the Clerk of Superior Court of Wayne County, North Carolina, made and entered in the action entitled “WAYNE COUNTY vs. JOHN OUTLAW, ET AL.,” the undersigned Commissioner will on the 26th day of March, 2025, offer for sale and sell for cash, to the last and highest bidder at public auction, at the courthouse door in Wayne County, North Carolina, in Goldsboro at 10:00 a.m. the following described real property, lying
and being in State and County aforesaid and more particularly described as follows:
115 EAGLE RIDGE DRIVE, DUDLEY
(PIN: 2597510140)
Being all of Lot No. 13 of Eagle Ridge Subdivision, Section One, as shown on map recorded in Plat Cabinet I, Slide 387 of the Wayne County Registry.
The sale will be made subject to all outstanding city and county taxes and all local improvements assessments against the above-described property not included in the judgment in the above-entitled cause. A deposit of 5 percent (5%) of the successful bid will be required or $750.00, whichever is greater, in the form of cash, certified check or money order.
This the 6th day of March, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published March 16, 2025, and March 23, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Vickie Marie Waters, deceased, late of Wayne County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of June, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 11th day of March, 2025.
Tiffany Maddox, Administrator for the Estate of Vickie Marie Waters, 304 Carew Drive, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27530
Published March 16, 2025, March 23, 2025, March 30, 2025, and April 6, 2025
IS NOW AN OFFICIAL PAPER OF RECORD!
the SPECTATOR
The music of the night
Packed houses celebrated the StageStruck cast of "Phantom of the Opera" inside Goldsboro's Paramount Theatre last week.
PHOTOS by CASEY MOZINGO
Congratulations to the BEST team in NORTH CAROLINA!
The Wayne County Clerk’s Office was one of only six offices in the state to achieve an “Effective” audit opinion for our internal audit — the highest opinion given, which indicates excellence in minimizing potential risks.
I feel so blessed to work with all of you.
Thank you for helping Wayne County shine!
Sending you love and best wishes as we take on this new year together as a community!
Julie Whitfield, Wayne County Clerk of Court
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