After North Carolina educators started receiving threats from "bad actors," the company admitted it had paid a ransom to have stolen data destroyed. But it was not.
7 Boyette eyes solution to crisis
District 2 City Councilman Chris Boyette wants to see the council unfreeze two Goldsboro Police Department positions — officers that would be dedicated, exclusively, to dealing with the city's homelessness crisis.
9 EPA extends chemical deadline
The city of Goldsboro now has until 2031 to get "forever chemical" levels under the threshold set by the BidenHarris Administration.
10 Our take
After months of fielding concerns from Goldsboro Family YMCA members, former and current employees, and former and current board members, it is, in our view, time for the community to help find a solution to the issues plaguing the organization — before it's too late .
14 Cover story
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein came to Wayne County Wednesday to drop the biggest economic development announcement in the county's history.
18 Spectator
Wayne Community College held its graduation ceremonies this week and Wayne County Public Schools seniors are getting ready for their upcoming celebrations.
COVER PHOTO BY CASEY
MOZINGO
NEWS + VIEWS
PowerSchool paid ransom, but ‘threat actors’ still have data
A few months ago, after a data breach, PowerSchool said North Carolina educators and students were in the clear — that the data had been destroyed. The company was wrong.
BY KEN FINE
In the January 27 edition of Wayne Week, Wayne County Public Schools officials confirmed that a worldwide PowerSchool data breach had impacted current and former teachers and students — that Social Security numbers and other information from as far back as 2013 had been compromised.
But back then, the company assured the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that the data was “not shared and has been destroyed” — and, to ensure those impacted by the breach felt protected, offered credit monitoring services to give them peace of mind.
PowerSchool was wrong.
• • •
Is started Dec. 28, 2024, when the company was alerted about the breach — one that occurred because “the credentials of a PowerSchool contract employee were compromised.”
“The threat actors used the compromised account to download student and staff data tables from schools around the world,” NCDPI officials said in a news release. “A limited number of student social security numbers were exposed, specifically less than 1,000 students’ social security numbers were in the data from the 12 years PowerSchool administered North Carolina’s student information system. More teachers’ social security numbers were impacted than students.”
Then, WCPS spokesman Ken Derksen told Wayne Week that the district had not come out unscathed — that the incident would impact “students and educators dating back to the state’s adoption of the platform in 2013.”
And while he did not provide specific numbers, he said PowerSchool would be notifying those whose data had been compromised — and that WCPS would instruct those affected on how to take advantage of the free services being provided by the company.
“We will be sharing info about identity protection and credit monitoring being provided by PowerSchool,” he said. “As well as some other tips families and staff can take to protect themselves.”
Fast forward to earlier this month.
Public school employees from across the state began reporting to NCDPI that they were receiving threatening messages from people who claimed they were in possession of the data PowerSchool said had been destroyed.
And that is not all.
The people provided information to those school employees that verified they,
PowerSchool responded — admitting to a series of events one state official told Wayne Week felt like “something out of a James Bond movie.”
The following statement was posted to the company’s website after reports from educators started coming in:
“PowerSchool is aware that a threat actor has reached out to multiple school district customers in an attempt to extort them using data from
indeed, had access to the stolen data.
“That information was not destroyed and is out there,” NCDPI Chief Information Officer told the media during a call May 7.
But state officials said they would not engage with those “threat actors.”
“The message attempted to extort North Carolina’s public schools,” a statement from DPI reads. “NCDPI has not and will not engage with the threat actors. North Carolina law prohibits engaging with threat actors or paying ransoms.”
And the department doubled down on its position from January — that this was a PowerSchool problem that could not have been prevented on the state’s end.
“At the time of the original incident notification in January, PowerSchool assured its customers that the compromised data was not shared and had been destroyed. Unfortunately, that has proven to be incorrect. PowerSchool is the party responsible for the breach,” the statement reads. “There is nothing NCDPI, school districts or individual schools could have done to prevent these violations.”
the previously reported December 2024 incident. We do not believe this is a new incident, as samples of data match the data previously stolen in December. We have reported this matter to law enforcement both in the United States and in Canada, notified all PowerSchool SIS customers of the development, and are working closely with our customers to support them. We sincerely regret these developments — it pains us that our customers are being threatened and re-victimized by bad actors.
Any organization facing a ransomware or data extortion attack has a very difficult and considered decision to make during a cyber incident of this nature. In the days following our discovery of the December 2024 incident, we made the decision to pay a ransom because we believed it to be in the best interest of our customers and the students and communities we serve. It was a difficult decision, and one which our leadership team did not make lightly. But we thought it was the best option for preventing the data from being made public, and we felt it was our duty to take that action. As is always the case with these situ-
ations, there was a risk that the bad actors would not delete the data they stole, despite assurances and evidence that were provided to us.
In order to best mitigate this risk, we have also offered and made widely available credit monitoring and identity protection services for a period of two years to students and faculty of our PowerSchool SIS customers, regardless of whether they were individually involved.
We encourage all those who were offered these services to take advantage of them:
• For individuals who reside in the U.S., you can find more information on identity protection services and credit monitoring at https://www. powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/notice-of-united-states-data-breach/
• For individuals who reside in Canada, you can find more information on identity protection services and credit monitoring at https://www. powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/notice-of-canada-data-breach/
• For individuals who reside elsewhere, you can find more information via your school on the Experian services available to you or your child.
We recognize how this incident has affected our customers and are here to help as we navigate the path ahead together.”
It is unclear whether WCPS employees have, to date, received threats akin to those reported by other North Carolina educators over the last two weeks, but Derksen said to his knowledge, it has not happened yet.
“We can confirm that WCPS was not among the school districts contacted by threat actors last week in follow-up to the PowerSchool data breach reported in January,” he said.
Still, the district is aware that it could soon happen.
“While WCPS has received no confirmation from PowerSchool, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction did report that threat actors may still have access to this data accessed through the breach,” Derksen said.
And because the threat is real, he encourages those who want additional information as it becomes available to look for updates on the WCPS website, www.waynecountyschools.org, and take advantage of credit monitoring and identity protection services being offered by PowerSchool.n
2305 E. Ash Street | Goldsboro
Come out and enjoy shopping, Goldsboro Food Truck, Bluey & Bingo and music! Bluey Bingo music!
Boyette has plan to ‘solve’
Goldsboro’s homelessness crisis
Funding two officers who would, exclusively, deal with the city’s homeless community is, according to the District 2 City Councilman, the way to put a dent on an issue he feels has “plagued” the community for “long enough.”
BY KEN FINE
He has gone through City Manager Matthew Livingston’s proposed spending plan “line by line” — and at first blush, he considers it a “pretty perfect budget.”
But Councilman Chris Boyette also saw an opportunity to “solve” what he considers one of the city’s most pressing issues.
The District 2 representative’s proposal reflects the second consecutive year he will be leading the charge to ensure public safety is “our top priority.”
Last year, he fought for a tax increase to fund raises for members of the GPD — a measure that has, as West predicted it would — given the city the ability to compete with neighboring communities for would-be law enforcement officers.
Now, Boyette wants the community to rally behind the idea of spending the money it would take to unfreeze two GPD positions, officers that “would only have one job until they get it done.”
“These two officers would be dedicated, 24/7, to getting rid of our homelessness problem,” he said. “It’s time to put our foot down and get aggressive. It’s time for us to come face-to-face with these folks every single day.”
The issue, Boyette said, has been at the fore since before the GPD shuttered Tent City a little more than a year ago.
But now, it has “gotten out of control.”
“It’s becoming more and more dangerous. It’s becoming more and more widespread,” he said. “And frankly, if every single person who lives in this community wasn’t rattled by the fact that they found a tent with guns inside it on Seymour Johnson property, I would be shocked.”
And the problem with maintaining the status quo, he said, is clear.
“We simply don’t have the resources to patrol those woods and arrest the trespassers and criminals who are out there every single day. That gives them the confidence to stay out there and continue to commit crime,” Boyette said. “And if we were to say, ‘Do the best you can with what we’ve got,’ in a few months, we are taking valuable officers out of the neighborhoods where we have our gun violence and drug problems.”
“It’s becoming more and more dangerous. It’s becoming more and more widespread.”
- City Councilman Chris Boyette
still out there on other people’s property breaking the law every single day — take us seriously if we aren’t staring them in the face every single day? Why should they fear consequences if they aren’t really having to face them?”
And, perhaps more importantly, how can the GPD feel the council “has its back” when officers are being “criticized for not handling the problem” when “we are not doing everything we can to empower them to do it.”
“Maybe I’m sensitive to this because I was a cop, but the truth is, the community is going to blame GPD when their houses and cars and businesses are getting broken into by the same crowd and those people are never locked up,” Boyette said. “So, let’s give them the green light to get after it — relentlessly — and I would put money on this issue being resolved sooner than later. Let’s face the facts. Nobody is going to stay around here if they are put in handcuffs and charged every day for the same crime. And eventually, the judges, magistrates, and our D.A. are going to have to give them real time if those charges keep adding up.”
So, in his view, the “reality” is clear.
“Our taxpayers have poured hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars into organizations that have offered a hand up and, in my opinion, that means the only ones we have left out there are the people who have no intention of changing their lives,” Boyette said. “And as a former law enforcement officer, that means if they are insistent on breaking the law, it’s time to put them in jail.”
But that doesn’t mean their first interaction with his proposed “specialized unit” has to be a negative one.
“We can do the community policing approach and it can start with a conversation on Day One. It’s, ‘Hey guys. We are a new unit that is here for one job and that job is to make sure you guys are
not out here stealing, trespassing, doing drugs, and breaking the law,’” Boyette said. “That would be their first and only warning. After that, we tell the chief that those two officers are to arrest every single one of them every single time they are breaking the law after that.”
As of now, he does not have a sense of how other members of the council will respond to his idea, but having spoken with dozens of his constituents, he is confident that the community would support “whatever it takes” to “end this problem once and for all.”
“We are a compassionate community. It’s one of the things I love about living in Goldsboro,” Boyette said. “But in this situation, we are being taken advantage of. Our kindness has been our weakness. Why would any of these criminals — and again, those are the only ones
And at the end of the day, stories like the one a Tent City survivor told Wayne Week earlier this month give him hope that “maybe, just maybe” an opportunity to get clean and think about their actions inside the Wayne County Jail is the most compassionate thing for those who remain on the streets of Goldsboro.
“The right thing to do is help these people get a second shot at life,” Boyette said. “But just like your child, if they never face real consequences — and if you’re not consistently handing those consequences down — you can’t blame them for continuing their behavior and getting worse and worse. So, again, it’s time. We’ve let this get of hand because we didn’t have the dedicated homeless enforcement team I’m going to propose. And I, for one, am going to do everything in my power to get it done in this budget.”
Editor’s note: Livingston’s proposed FY2025-26 budget is available on the city’s website and the city manager is expected to present it to the City Council at Monday’s meeting. n
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.
“Forever
chemical” deadline extended by EPA
Cities that are above the threshold put into place by the Biden-Harris Administration have two more years to get into compliance.
BY KEN FINE
The city of Goldsboro — and other municipalities across the nation — were given some breathing room from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday, as the Trump Administration extended the deadline by which they must comply with national drinking water standards to protect communities from exposure to “forever chemicals” — also known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.
The new date is the end of 2031.
Goldsboro was among the estimated 6 to 10 percent of the 66,000 public drinking water systems in the nation that was forced, because of those legally enforceable limits, to take action to reduce the amount of forever chemicals in its drinking water.
But City Manager Matthew Livingston told members of the City Council April 7 that the money is simply not there to complete was he characterized as a “really expensive” project.
“I don’t know how cities and counties are going to afford these things,” he said then. “That project, if it stands up the way it is, that’s a $30 million project.”
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used since the 1940s.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, they can be found in the following locations:
• Drinking water — in public drinking water systems and private drinking water wells.
• Soil and water at or near waste sites — at landfills, disposal sites, and hazardous waste sites such as those that fall under the federal Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs.
• Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that produce or use PFAS – for example at chrome plating, electronics, and certain textile and paper manufacturers.
• Food – for example in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS.
• Food packaging – for example in grease-resistant paper, fast food containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers.
• Household products and dust – for exam-
ple in stain and water-repellent used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; paints, varnishes, and sealants.
• Personal care products – for example in certain shampoo, dental floss, and cosmetics.
• Biosolids – for example fertilizer from wastewater treatment plants that is used on agricultural lands can affect ground and surface water and animals that graze on the land.
• Fire extinguishing foam — in aqueous film-forming foams (or AFFFs) used to extinguish flammable liquid-based fires. Such foams are used in training and emergency response events at airports, shipyards, military bases, firefighting training facilities, chemical plants, and refineries.
And when Goldsboro officials got wind of the latter, the city joined a lawsuit against 3M and other companies that manufactured and sold the foam.
“As soon as it came out that we were asked to join the lawsuit and ultimately did, to his credit, (Public Utilities Director) Bert Sherman initiated the testing,” Mayor Charles Gaylor said last year. “And that’s when he initiated trying to figure out, you know, what materials
are we going to need, what filtration methods are we going to need to be able to provide safe water and obviously be compliant. So yeah, I’m proud of him.”
But the lawsuit the city joined was not the first time Goldsboro and 3M were at odds in a courtroom.
Back in 2021, the state of North Carolina brought a civil action against the company and more than a dozen others, claiming they were responsible for “injuries to North Carolina’s natural resources, including groundwater, surface water, sediments, soils, and biota” — one that sought compensation for “property damages, economic damages, remediation and restoration costs, and all other relief available as a result of releases of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”) and perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA “) into the environment due to the use, release, spill, transport, storage, disposal, and/or handling of aqueous film-forming foam (“AFFF”) at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.” •
Based on the standards set by the EPA, Goldsboro is above the legal limit for two of them,
PFOS and PFOA. (The city’s PFOS level is 7.56 and its PFOA level is 5.68.)
And last year, despite the fact that the federal government said it would give municipalities several years to get their levels below the new threshold, Gaylor pledged to ensure a system was put into place as soon as possible that would guarantee the safety of the water coming out of residents’ faucets.
“We’re not waiting. We’re talking about water — a fundamental tenet humans need to survive. So, it needs to be a high-quality product that we’re offering to our community,” he said. “So yeah, it’s going to happen and it’s not going to be five years from now. It’s going to be just as soon as we can get the right solution identified and implemented.”
But now that a potential price tag for the work has come to the fore — and the city is only expected to receive a fraction of the total when the class action lawsuit pays out, Livingston is concerned.
“We’re in the class action lawsuit and I’m signing off on that litigation,” he said. “That’s $3.5 million, but there’s a huge funding gap there. So, yeah, we’re faced with some really significant challenges.”
Livingston acknowledged Wednesday that in a “perfect scenario,” the extra time would help Goldsboro fall below the EPA’s limit — rendering a multi-million mitigation project obsolete.
“That would be wonderful, and it is conceivable. We’re barely above that limit and it wouldn’t be surprising to me if we were somehow able to do better, for lack of a better word,” he said. “That would be the perfect situation, but right now, we’re trying to do the best we can to try to comply with what’s out there.”
And given the “unknowns” that remain and the ever-changing climate in Washington, he is taking it day by day.
“A lot of this is in flux, so two years, well, it’s helpful but we’re still kind of drilling down on what the cost of this is gonna be. If they keep changing the requirements or the levels, it’s hard to really say,” Livingston said. “But I’m glad to hear they’ve pushed it back two years and I think the reason they did that is because somebody got smart and said there are too many unknowns here. The EPA, sometimes they get ahead of themselves.” n
SOURCES: ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, CITY OF GOLDSBORO
PFAS WATER CYCLE
You can't spell community without a Y
It isn’t always easy to say the hard things. Especially when it is a community organization that has done so much good and has the potential to do so much more.
But when you do sound the warning, and action gets taken swiftly, what seemed like a harsh critique is now the first step toward salvation.
And that is where we are with the Goldsboro Family YMCA.
For months now, we have heard from concerned residents, Y members, former and current employees, former board members, and leaders throughout Wayne County that there is a serious problem at the Y.
Of course, like just about every time an alarm bell
sounds when it comes to organizations like this, it is about money and management.
Put simply, according to our sources, the budget is a mess or nonexistent and some of the decisions being made in the front office have put the organization into a membership freefall.
And we can’t have that.
Here’s why:
The Goldsboro Family YMCA has done some very good work in this community.
It has been a place for people to gather, to start their health journeys, and, in past years, a spot that supports children and families.
We have watched it sink as the years have passed —
as more and more people have decided it simply is not the best place for them.
And we can understand why.
Yes, there was COVID.
But really, the problems are the kind that come along with a building like that — it is showing its age.
And when there is a major need for renovations, it is a downward cycle.
Facilities that are not kept up or simply are just showing signs of wear are a clear signal to potential clients that the YMCA is not in a good place.
And the vicious cycle is — without a steady stream of income and money to fund improvements or a reliable membership base to pay the bills — the facility
just keeps getting worse and worse.
And when that starts, there are decisions made that might be a short-term solution, but that do not address the fundamental concern.
You see where we are going?
So, now you know the concern. And in the coming weeks, we will give you the shocking details.
But just to show you how dire it is, there are concerns that the YMCA is not able to dig itself out of the financial hole it is in without significant interference from board members.
That’s right.
Board members have, according to dozens of sources, fronted the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to date.
So, that’s the bad news.
But here is the positive possibility.
There is a way to get the YMCA back to where it should be — and to create a spot that can be used by more of the community and to benefit residents as well.
A public-private partnership is what we need.
There are some pretty smart people thinking about this idea right now.
We know because they have come to us with their plan.
The idea would be that the city/county would work with the existing board to not only get the money to improve the facility but to create programs that could be used for public employees and others in the community.
A thriving organization like the YMCA could help in a lot of ways — childcare facilities for working parents, gathering options for senior citizens for socialization and health, as well as affordable workout facilities for working adults.
If Wayne County Public Schools wanted to join the effort, afterschool programming could be offered there, too.
There is no downside really.
There are grants out there to fund all sorts of community health programs — with likely even more opportunities coming soon as the focus on making America healthy continues.
And there are local organizations — like the United Way, for example — that have experience with opportunities to bring dollars into a community, and the will to be a part of creating a healthier and thriving Wayne County.
Really, it is a win-win.
A newly renovated facility for community use — and the opportunity to reach more people with information and classes on how to get healthy and stay healthy.
And you can see the benefits for businesses and government, too.
A healthier workforce, and perhaps parents who don’t have to worry about finding childcare, is a really great incentive when
trying to sell a potential employee on the benefits of coming to Wayne County.
Again, that helps everyone.
Sounds easy, right?
Just build it and they will come.
Now, here is the tough part.
There is money available for projects like this at the state and federal level, and local leaders who have proven track records of getting the attention and dollars to Wayne County.
But they cannot — and should not — simply hand over tax dollars or advocate for the allotment of tax dollars without a solid path forward.
Money can make a difference.
But dollars that are poured over an already damaged foundation will improve nothing.
The YMCA needs a plan, new leadership, and an audit to see exactly where it stands financially and what it would take to get it in shape.
Spoiler alert: A change like we are envisioning will not come cheap — and it cannot be managed properly without someone who really knows what they are doing.
So, if there is the possibility for a public-private investment, we simply cannot pass it up.
We have been in a situation like this before.
We sat back and watched as some organizations have drifted off into the wasteland, and we have also seen what happens when you do not pay attention to how money is spent.
It would be a shame to see the same thing happen to the YMCA.
There are experts in this community — some of whom are past YMCA leaders — who could offer some insight into how a project like this could work.
And there are finance and construction experts who know what it would take to get the work done on the facility and what kind of money it would take to get there.
And there are also many, many people in this county who remember a special time at the YMCA or who used it to start their own healthy reboot, who might consider coming back.
We could make that possible for many other Wayne County families with a little vision and a little elbow grease.
With a community effort, we could take what could soon be a sad reminder of what used to be and turn it into a thriving community asset.
All we have to do is have a vision where there isn’t one and to think out of the box.
We talk often about the potential this community has to grow and to develop over the coming years.
It takes ideas like this to make that dream a reality.
Other communities might not have the
imagination to get it done, but we think Goldsboro is just the place to give it a try.
But first, before we go any further, we have to get the lay of the land, and to see just what it would take to turn this ship around.
That will take a board with the guts to call it like it is and community leaders who are not willing to just sit back and see what happens because there are hard things that might have to be said.
What if we created a community gathering place where there could be a special fitness program for everyone from new mothers to seniors, and classes on healthy cooking?
What if there was a thriving daycare and afterschool program for kids that WCPS/ county/city employees and others could take advantage of?
What if there were swim classes and other athletic opportunities for young people?
And what if there was a workout facility with some of the newest equipment — all available for us average, everyday people just looking to be around for their children and grandchildren?
Wouldn’t that be a positive community asset?
And wouldn’t that be worth the investment?
Taking a hard look and saying the tough things is only the first step. And we are going to do it.
Getting the framework in place is the second.
Then, it will be time to make a plan and to get to work.
Sitting around and just turning our heads and looking away will only end in a “CLOSED” sign and another empty building. So, too, will a last-ditch land deal that only raises enough money to keep operating the Y for another year.
Let’s fix it, now. n
It is always a thrill to watch a graduation.
It is not just a celebration.
It is a passing of the torch of sorts.
We all remember what our own day was like — the excitement, the hope, the thoughts about what might be ahead and gratitude for the chance to pursue a dream.
And for those who watched this week as one of their chil dren or grandchildren walked across the stage, even if they themselves never got to make that memory, there is the same feeling — of hope, of promise, of possibilities.
Whether it is the young men and women getting ready to start careers after completing their studies at Wayne Commu nity College or the University of Mount Olive or the seniors from local high schools who will soon have their own gradua tion experience, those who turned and will turn those tassels are the future — our community’s future.
For months now, we have talked about the reasons that we need to keep Wayne County moving forward.
There are the usual — economic stability, making sure Seymour Johnson Air Force Base stays put, stronger and safer neighborhoods.
But the most important one, the bottom line for all that we do and for what our grandparents and great-grandparents did, walked and will walk across those stages in the coming weeks.
A GRADUATION NOTE
We do it for our families — to give our children a strong com munity that we hope will offer them the possibilities that will make them want to come home, that will make it possible for them to come home and to build families and lives of their own someday.
Even those of us who want to encourage our children to dream big hope that they will never forget where they came from.
We want them to spread their wings, to find new paths, and to challenge themselves.
But we also hope that at some point, they will find their way back to us.
And when they do, we hope our community will be ready to welcome and support them.
Admit it. It’s what we all hope for — the chance to stay close to the ones we love.
There are generations of Wayne County residents who made that same choice.
They went off to college and then came home.
They have become the backbone of this community just like their parents and grandparents were.
They are carrying on a tradition — and taking the reins from those who worked so hard to get us this far.
Wayne County would not be nearly as strong without their skills and commitment — and their pride in their hometown. Those of us who are charged with caring for the community our parents and grandparents left us should never forget that we are holding it in trust for those who are coming next.
That means we must make the right choices, the hard decisions, and think about possibilities and opportunities, not just the status quo. It is how we will make sure that the Class of 2025 — and those who will come after them — have a strong community
to come home to, whether it is immediately after graduation or a few years down the road.
o the members of the Class of 2025, those who will soon cross a high school stage or those who have earned community college diplomas or college degrees, we believe in you.
We have watched with pride as you have navigated the challenges of this new world we are all still getting used to — how you have adjusted to an age when bytes and social media have taken on a whole new importance.
We have learned from your courage, from your spirit, and, most importantly, from your example of how life should be lived.
You inspire us to be better people.
And yes, although we might not always admit it, we have learned from you, just like we hope you have learned from us.
We know you will represent your community well, that you will take the values you have learned here and use them to create a purposeful life.
We know you will share the faith, the kindness, and the spirit that are so much a part of who you are and the community you come from.
Don’t let the bad actors make you doubt yourselves or think that because you come from an Eastern North Carolina county that you are somehow less than those whose addresses end
Know that you carry a tradition with you — values learned from generations of people who understand not only the honor of hard work and the importance of community, but of family and faith.
We take care of each other here.
We know you won’t forget that either.
And please, watch out for the naysayers, the bad influences, and the bullies out there. They will shatter your dreams and set you on the wrong path before you even realize it.
When you are faced with a challenge or a challenger, just think back to those lessons learned here at home.
The advice you got here will serve you well there, too. So, as hard as it is going to be to see you go off to your new lives as young adults, we will cheer you on.
We know our community — and our state, nation, and world — will be in good hands.
We look forward to hearing all about not only your hopes and dreams, but your insight into what’s next. Your input matters. After all, this will be your community to care for one day.
And years from now, when you are sitting in an audience watching as your not-so-little-anymore boy or girl walks across that stage, think back to this moment.
Only then can you really understand just how much this day meant to all of us.
So, best of luck Class of 2025, and hats off also to the moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, pastors, mentors, teachers, and families who got you here.
We expect great things.
Just don’t forget to come back and see us every once in a while. n
Contact Mallory Dumond to book today! Visit MalloryTravels.net or MalloryDumond@travelmation.net
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.
Gov. Josh Stein came to Wayne County Wednesday to drop an economic development bombshell on the community.
BY KEN FINE
North Carolina
In a news drop that one local leader characterized as “the most significant economic development announcement in Wayne County history,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein told the crowd that converged on the Maxwell Center Wednesday morning that Prolec GE Waukesha would be making a massive investment in Goldsboro. 330 jobs.
$140 million.
And the economic impact, the governor said, does not stop there.
“Economists predict that this will lift North Carolina’s economy by $1 billion over the next 12 years,” Stein said. “This company is going to make a huge difference in the quality of life of the people of Eastern North Carolina.”
But the announcement was not, until recently, a guarantee.
In fact, the company had other options outside of North Carolina.
That, Stein said, says a great deal about the quality of Wayne County’s leaders — and the community that elected them.
“It’s different than a new company coming in,” the governor said. “These folks know what the people of Goldsboro and Wayne County can deliver, and they said, ‘We want more of that.’ So, they are doubling down in their belief in the people of Wayne County.”
It is true that Prolec GE could have chosen to expand their operations in Wisconsin and Louisiana instead, as just last year, the company invested $34 million in its Louisiana facility — a move that created more than 150 new jobs.
But Wayne County, according to Wayne County Development Alliance Executive Committee member and Goldsboro City Councilman Chris Boyette got “the big one” — in part because the state’s Economic Investment Committee
They are doubling down in their belief in the people of Wayne County.
approved a Job Development Investment Grant worth $4.69 million to facilitate the deal and Wayne commissioners added a $5.5 million incentive, money that will be paid out over a 12-year period beginning in 2026.
“This is exactly why I have been banging the table since I was elected to make sure we were forward-thinking about the water reclaimation plant, roads, and public safety,” Boyette said. “When we create a community that these companies want to do business in, just look at those numbers. The tax revenue on that expanded facility and those 330 paychecks are going to be huge.”
NC Global Transpark President Mark Pope had something to say about those paychecks.
The average salary for those 330 jobs is projected to be more than $70,000 a year — a number that made those in the audience gasp before they erupted into applause.
Prolec GE, with locations in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil, is one of North America’s leading manufacturers of power transformers.
According to the company’s website, it has been “internationally recognized for quality manufacturing and reliable performance for over 50 years.”
Juan Garza, the chairman of the company and CEO of its parent company, said the Goldsboro facility expansion will allow them to double their production by 2030 — a win for a nation he said was at a crossroads.
“The United States faces both a unique challenge and an opportunity — to modernize its power grid and make it more resilient, efficient, and ready for the future,” he said. “That’s where Prolec GE and this investment come in.”
And the facility, which he said would be “high tech and future ready,” will be a sprawling 144,000 square feet that will Continued on page 16
330 new jobs
$70,000+ average annual salary 144,000 square-foot facility
$4.69 Job Development Investment Grant from the state
$5.5 million incentives package from the Wayne County government
2030
The targeted year where Prolec GE doubles its production
PROLEC GE'S COMPANY BIO
"Internationally recognized for quality manufacturing and reliable performance for over 50 years, Prolec is an electric industry leader in the Americas with four business units—Prolec GE, Prolec Celeco, Prolec Energy Solutions and Prolec Labs—and nine manufacturing facilities strategically located in Mexico, the United States, and Brazil.
Our broad transformer services offering in the U.S. as well as our wide variety of transformer components complement Prolec’s full line of transformer solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy for utilities, co-ops, municipalities, renewable project developers and original equipment manufacturers. As a leading supplier of critical infrastructure, Prolec embraces its commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience, superior quality products, comprehensive solutions and on-time deliveries while actively developing innovative, responsible, and sustainable solutions to solve the industry’s challenges."
SOURCE PROLEC GE
Continued from page 15
allow for “promise and possibility” both for Wayne County and a country that is moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable, form of energy.
“We’re living in a time of fast and profound change,” Garza said. “Around the world, we’re witnessing a shift toward cleaner energy, smarter technologies, and more sustainable practices.”
But County Manager Chip Crumpler said the announcement was about more than energy, transformers, dollars, and cents.
“It’s jobs, families, the future of this community — our community. Today, we celebrate an investment that strengthens all three,” he said. “Together, we’re building a better future for generations to come.”
And State Rep. John Bell said major moments like this can only happen when politicians and other leaders agree to come together for the common good.
“Things like this don’t just appear out of
thin air. They take a lot of work and collaboration. They also require a whole lot of trust,” he said. “But the end result we got to hear about today, that’s why we do what we do. When all of us work for Wayne County — and for the state of North Carolina — I think this is just another example of how much we can get done to create the quality of life we want for our children and our grandchildren. And I want to extend a major kudos to Mark Pope and Julie Graham for their hard work on this project. Those two people represent the very best of this county we all love.”
At the end of his remarks, Stein said he anticipated more exciting economic development news for the region and state in the near future.
“We’re not going to let up,” he said. And if a news report published earlier this month is true, he is right that Wednesday’s historic announcement might not be
the only reason Wayne County residents will have a reason to celebrate on the economic development front.
Earlier this month, The Triangle Business Journal reported that Pelsan Tekstil, a Turkish company that makes products for the medical and insulation fields, was about to announce a plan to invest more than $80 million in Goldsboro — a plan that, should it come to fruition, would create more than 200 jobs.
The Business Journal, citing a number of confidential sources, said the company was planning on purchasing 32 acres in the city — and referenced an upcoming Board of Commissioners vote on “Project Istanbul.”
County leaders, though, have declined to comment on potential economic development projects, as often times, maintaining secrecy ensures the deals can get done, they told Wayne Week.
Should that deal become official, details will appear in a future edition of the paper. n
the SPECTATOR
Tassels turned
The University of Mount Olive kicked things off. Then, this week, Wayne Community College graduates turned their tassels. And in the coming weeks, Wayne County Public Schools will hold celebrations, too.
PHOTOS by CASEY MONZINGO
The following list was provided by WCPS and reflects the upcoming public high school graduation schedule:
WAYNE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
May 21, 6 p.m.
WAYNE EARLY/MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH
May 22, 6 p.m.
GOLDSBORO HIGH
June 6, 6 p.m.
ROSEWOOD HIGH
June 6, 7 p.m.
SPRING CREEK HIGH
June 7, 10 a.m.
EASTERN WAYNE HIGH
June 7, 4 p.m.
WAYNE SCHOOL OF TECHNICAL ARTS
June 9, 6 p.m.
CHARLES B. AYCOCK HIGH
June 10, 9 a.m.
SOUTHERN WAYNE HIGH
June 10, 10 a.m.
NOTICES
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Hilda B. Jones, 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 27th day of July, 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 27th day of April, 2025.
Lisa J. Tyree, Administrator for the Estate of Hilda B. Jones, 202 Worth Drive, Goldsboro, North Carolina, 27534
Published April 27, 2025 May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ERNEST BUNN KIRBY
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Ernest Bunn Kirby, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of July, 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 27th day of April, 2025.
Casey Miller, Executor of the Estate of Ernest Bunn Kirby 141 Perry Drive Goldsboro, NC 27530
Published April 27, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF KENNETH BRIAN ROSSMAN
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Kenneth Brian Rossman, deceased, of Wayne County, NC, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 27th day of July, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 27th day of April, 2025.
Shawn Patrick Rossman, Administrator c/o Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC 121 E. Main Street Clayton, NC 27520
Published April 27, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF LINDA C. CASH
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Linda C. Cash, 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 July 27, 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 23rd day of April, 2025.
Stephanie Cash Ham, Administrator of the Estate of Linda C. Cash c/o L.E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P.O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616
Published April 27, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The UNDERSIGNED, Stephanie Mackie Anderson, having duly qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jennie Mackie, deceased, late of Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to Stephanie M. Anderson, Executor at 217 Creekside Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534, on or before the 27th day of July, 2025, said date being three (3) months from the date of first publication hereof, or this notice will be pleaded in bar to their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 27th day of April, 2025.
Stehpanie Mackie Anderson Executor of the Estate of Jennie Mackie
Published April 27, 2025, May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF TERRY BRYAN BUTLER
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Terry Bryan Butler, 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 August 3, 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 23rd day of April, 2025.
Ralston Daneel Butler, Executor of the Estate of Terry Bryan Butler c/o L.E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P.O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616
Published May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025
NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 24 CVD 1681
WAYNE COUNTY, Plaintiff vs. REGINA CLEVENGER
TO: REGINA CLEVENGER
TAKE NOTICE THAT:
A pleading seeking relief has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication will begin on May 4, 2025. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on real property located in Wayne County, North Carolina and described as 254 Union Grove Church Road, Fremont, NC (PIN: 2695281434), which is more completely described in the complaint; to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes. Plaintiffs seek to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you or others may have in said property. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice, May 4, 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 23rd day of April, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF LUTHER NAMON HARE
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Luther Namon Hare, 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 August 4, 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 t he undersigned. This 24th day of April, 2025.
Cheryl Lynn Hare, Executor of the Estate of Luther Namon Hare c/o L.E. (Trey) Taylor III, Attorney at Law Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P.O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616
Published May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF LEONARD MARK NEWSOME
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Leonard Mark Newsome, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of August, 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 4th day of May, 2025
Regina Hargrove Newsome Executor of the Estate of Leonard Mark Newsome 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 May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RICHARD E. CASEY
The undersigned having qualified as Ancillary Administrator of the Estate of Richard E. Casey, deceased, of Glynn County, Georgia, who died owning property in Wayne County, North Carolina, this is to notify all creditors of said estate to present their claims to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in a bar of recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement of the same. This is to further notify all persons having claims against said estate that they may serve the same upon Sherri Brewer of Hogan & Brewer, PLLC, Attorney for the Estate, 229 North Main Street, Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792. This is the 4th day of May, 2025.
R. Shaughn Casey, Ancillary Administrator Estate of Richard E. Casey, deceased c/o Hogan & Brewer, PLLC
229 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC
HOGAN & BREWER, PLLC, Attorney 229 North Main Street Hendersonville, NC 28792
Published May 4, 2025, May 11, 2025, May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025
NOTICE TO PUBLIC CITY OF GOLDSBORO
2025-2029 Consolidated Plan & 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
HOUSING AND NON-HOUSING NEEDS
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The public is invited to provide input on housing and non-housing needs in the city of Goldsboro for the 2025-2029 Consolidated Five Year Plan (Con Plan) and the FY25-26 Annual Action Plan (AAP). The purpose of this public meeting will be to meet with interested parties who wish to make recommendations for eligible activities for these plans. The Consolidated FiveYear Plan outlines the City’s goals and strategies for the use of HUD issued funds, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME), that will best serve the needs of the community. The Annual Action Plan outlines projects that the City will undertake with its annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) funds from HUD that will support the goals of the Consolidated Plan.
Date of Public Hearing: Monday, May 19, 2025 Time: 7:00 pm Location: During the regular meeting of the Goldsboro City Council at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 214 N. Center Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
Accommodations for disabled, non-English speaking, or individuals needing interpreter services will be made available upon request. Individuals who are deaf and hearing-impaired may call 711 to access telecommunications relay services at no cost. For additional information, please contact the City Manager’s Office, City Hall Annex, by calling (919) 580-4330 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at least four (4) business days in advance.
Anyone who is unable to attend this public hearing but would like to receive additional information or provide input toward the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and the 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan may visit the Community Relations and Development Department, 214
North Center Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530, or email Kmfuller@ goldsboronc.gov.
The Community Relations and Development staff can be reached by phone at (919) 580-4318 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Krystal M. Fuller Community Relations & Development Specialist
Published May 11, 2025, and May 18, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF ALBERT DEKALB PARROTT III
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Albert Dekalb Parrott III, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 11th day of August, 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 11th day of May, 2025.
Reid Lancaster, Executor of the Estate of Albert Debkalb Parrott III 416 Innisbrook Lane New Bern, NC 28562
Published May 11, 2025, May 18, 2025, May 25, 2025, and June 1, 2025
NOTICE OF SERVICE
BY PUBLICATION
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAYNE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 25 CV001889-950
WAYNE COUNTY and the CITY OF GOLDSBORO, Plaintiffs vs.
THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SADIE REID 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 Sadie Reid; Defendants.
TO: THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SADIE REID
TAKE NOTICE THAT:
A pleading seeking relief has been filed in the above-entitled action and notice of service of process by publication will begin on May 11, 2025.
The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Foreclosure on real property located in Wayne County, North Carolina and described as 720 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC (PIN:3509241354), which is more completely described in the complaint; to collect delinquent ad valorem taxes. Plaintiffs seek to extinguish any and all claim or interest that you or others may have in said property.
You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than (40) days after the date of the first publication of notice, May 11, 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 5th day of May, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published May 11, 2025, May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JONATHAN CARL WORRELL
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Jonathan Carl Worrell, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of August, 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 18th day of May, 2025.
Timothy Charles Lail, Executor of the Estate of Jonathan Carl Worrell 131 Durham Street Holden Beach, NC 28462
Published May 18, 2025, May 25, 2025, June 1, 2025 and June 8, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF GEORGE JOSEPH HALLOW
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against George Joseph Hallow, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of August, 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 18th day of May, 2025
Sheryl Ann Hallow Executor of the Estate of George Joseph Hallow 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 May 18, 2025, and May 25, 2025, June 1 2025, and June 8, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF CHRISTOPHER CONRAD BAUN
The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Christopher Conrad Baun, 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 August 18th, 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 18th day of May, 2025.
Charley Baun, Executor c/o Henry C. Smith, Attorney Warren, Kerr, Walston, Taylor & Smith, L.L.P. P.O. Box 1616, Goldsboro, NC 27533-1616 (919) 734-1841
Published May 18, 2025, May 25, 2025, June 1 2025, and June 8, 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 1815
WAYNE COUNTY, Plaintiff vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WAYNE SCHWARK 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 Wayne Schwark; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF KAREN REDMAN 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 Karen Redman; BRIAN SCHWARK; JANET SCHWARK; SHANE SCHWARK, Defendants & BEVERLY P. BEST, 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. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF WAYNE SCHWARK, ET AL., the
undersigned Commissioner will on the 28th day of May, 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:
Lots 8, 9 and 10, Polly Watson Acres, Section Three, as shown on a plat recorded in Plat Cabinet K, Slide67-A, 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 23rd day of April, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal Wayne County Attorney Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, North Carolina 27533 (919) 705-1713
