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CONTENTS
4 Whichard reacts to progress
Wayne County Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard sat down with Wayne Week for nearly an hour to talk about why, in his view, WCPS has made such incredible progress since he became the leader of the school district just more than two years ago.
8 Davis' NDAA ask rejected
Congressman Don Davis was trying to get language inserted into the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that would have guaranteed, in perpetuity, that two operational fighter squadrons would be housed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. But just because his attempt failed does not mean "the sky is falling," according to local military advocates.
9 GPD: Weeks was cyberstalked
The Goldsboro Police Department arrested a woman Wednesday for allegedly cyberstalking City Councilwoman Beverly Weeks.
12 Cover story
The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair is right around the corner — marking the Wayne County tradition's 76th year.
18 Spectator
Thousands of people converged on downtown Goldsboro for the 2025 N.C. Freedom Fest.
20 Public Notices
Whichard discusses WCPS' turnaround
Wayne County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marc Whichard is among those celebrating the accountability data released Sept. 3 by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
BY KEN FINE
He had only been on the job for a few months when the district he signed up to lead received news that sent shockwaves across the community it serves.
More than half of Wayne County’s public schools, 16 of the 30 that qualified for judgment, were designated “low-performing” — each receiving a “D” or “F” from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
To make matters worse, with a teacher and bus driver shortage impacting his team’s ability to turn things around — and facilities that were not even close to meeting his standards — he knew asking the Wayne County Board of Commission -
ers for additional funding was a must.
And no one seemed too keen on pouring money into a “Low-Performing District.”
But back in early 2024, after the county board rejected Dr. Marc Whichard’s request, he insisted he would keep “the blinders” on and focus on those things he could change.
The decisions he made were not always popular.
He made administrative changes and shuffled a handful of student populations to different facilities.
But when WCPS received its school report cards from NCPDI a year ago — scores that also served as a judgment of his performance as superintendent — the district had shown progress.
So, when, a year after he lived up to his pledge of ensuring the district was a “one and done” on the state’s low-performing list, Whichard received the annual accountability data from NCDPI, even he was “a little surprised” by just how much progress it reflected — that only seven WCPS schools earned “low-performing” status; that in his relatively short time as superintendent, WCPS has moved from 91st out of the 115 districts in the state into the top 62; that the majority of his high schools earned a “B” or better.
Monday, Whichard sat down with Wayne Week Editor Ken Fine to unwrap how, in his view, such
“incredible” strides have been made in two years.
The following reflect some of the highlights of that conversation:
• Whichard said the thing that “privately just thrills me to death,” is how WCPS’ growth since he took on the job of superintendent compares to districts across the state.
“When you look around your own walls, within your own house, it’s, ‘Gosh. This is absolutely beautiful.’ Things look great. But then, you walk over to somebody else’s house and it’s like, ‘Well, wow. My place doesn’t look so great after all.’ So, I always index us — benchmark us — against what other districts are doing,” he said.
That is why one of the metrics that means the most to him is the jump WCPS has made in the state rankings — from 91/115 when he arrived to 62/115 today.
or teacher has demonstrated he or she is not up for the job, he has let them go.
“I’m up front with posting the speed limit sign in terms of what we will do — my non-negotiables — and if we do that, and more, life’s good. I’m your guy. I’ve said it before. I’m the guy that’s going to wrap my arm around you and laugh with you in the good times and cry with you in the bad times,” Whichard said. “But if you don’t do your job, I’ll take my foot and I’ll put you out of those doors. My wife will tell you, I pour in a lot of hours,
you build a household upon,” he said. “In that respect, I do think it helps to come in and basically have a set of blinders on. Because then, when it comes to consequences for actions, the bottom line is, ‘It says you did X, Y, and Z. Did you do X, Y, and Z? Well, the penalty has been prescribed as A, B, and C for X, Y, and Z. So, you knew.’”
• Whichard said part of the reason he shows up on campuses nearly every day is to show staff he has their back — and to ensure they are living up to his non-negotiable of providing bellto-bell instruction for students.
So, in two years, the data shows we've moved past not quite 30 districts. ... That says a lot.
“So, in two years, the data shows we’ve moved past not quite 30 districts,” he said. “We’ve leapfrogged ahead of that number of districts in the state. That says a lot.”
• Whichard acknowledged that being an outsider has its advantages — particularly as it relates to holding administrators, teachers and students accountable. But he also said that he has never believed in “playing favorites” or doing favors for people because of relationships or political pressure.
“I’ve always been, I don’t care who you are, I don’t care who your mother is, I don’t care who your daddy is, I don’t care how much money you got in your pocket. If anything, I’m going to err on the side of the least, because in many cases, they don’t have an advocate,” he said. “But right is right, and wrong is wrong. I’m a no gray area kind of person. I want to be able to know when my days come to an end and someone judges me, that I have done what’s right, and I have done what is good and what is decent and what is moral. And I just call balls and strikes.”
That is why when an administrator
so I’m expecting everybody else is doing the same thing. And if you’re just drawing a check and you’re not doing the job, I’m your worst enemy.”
But his philosophy on holding people accountable does not stop with staff.
When it comes to students, he has no problem supporting administrators who see a need to move them to the district’s alternative school — regardless of “the numbers.”
“I expect our staff to be able to come to work and teach and do their jobs in a safe, clean environment where students are not going to heckle, harass, and sass and do whatever else in terms of tearing the place apart,” he said. “And if they don’t, I want to know about it because I’m going to weed them out.”
In other words, he doesn’t worry about keeping suspension numbers down.
“That’s a whole big bag of stupid because what principals are then going to be is handcuffed,” he said.
And he is not worried about being criticized for what some see as a leader who they feel is overpopulating
Wayne Academy.
“Discipline is the foundation that
ACADEMIC GROWTH EXCEEDED
• Carver Elementary School
• Charles B. Aycock High School
• Dillard Middle School
• Eastern Wayne High School
• Eastern Wayne Middle School
• Grantham Elementary School
• Mount Olive Middle School
• Norwayne Middle School
• Spring Creek Elementary School
• Spring Creek High School
• Spring Creek Middle School
ACADEMIC GROWTH MET
• Brogden Middle School
• Brogden Primary School
• Fremont Stars Elementary School
Graduation numbers, he said, mean nothing, if the proficiency scores don’t back them up.
“That, to me, is the cruelest thing, to say that we’ve graduated a student and they’re not prepared. We should be turning out quality. That’s what I want to make sure of, that we’ve got quality instruction because, again, I’ve got a child in this. You’ve got a child in this,” Whichard said. “And I want us to be able to say at the end of the day, that’s where my child went to school and I’m darn proud of it because I know my child got a high-quality education in that facility. That is going to pay off more for us in the long run than a graduation percentage.”
• Whichard believes personnel changes played a key role in changing the fortunes on several campuses.
And he likened doing so — even when some of his decisions were lampooned by the public — to his childhood cancer battle.
“We have replaced some principals … and we have attracted talent that I would put up against any school district in the state,” he said. “You know, I’m a cancer survivor. I went through chemotherapy my entire senior year of high school. Well, you’ve got to apply the chemotherapy. You’ve got to take the different medications that go in coordination with that to get rid of the cancer, the problem, the
Continued on page 6
• Goldsboro High School
• Greenwood Middle School
• Northeast Elementary School
• Northwest Elementary School
• Rosewood Elementary School
• Rosewood High School
• Rosewood Middle School
• Southern Wayne High School
• Tommy’s Road Elementary School
• Wayne Early Middle College High School
• Wayne School of Technical Arts
• Wayne School of Engineering
ACADEMIC GROWTH NOT MET
• Carver Heights Elementary School
• Eastern Wayne Elementary School
• Grantham Middle School
• Meadow Lane Elementary School
• Wayne Academy
LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS
• Brogden Middle School
• Brogden Primary School
• Carver Heights Elementary School
• Eastern Wayne Elementary School
• Goldsboro High School
• Grantham Middle School
• Tommy’s Road Elementary School
RECURRING LOWPERFORMING SCHOOLS
• Brogden Middle School
• Brogden Primary School
• Carver Heights Elementary School
• Eastern Wayne Elementary School
• Goldsboro High School
• Grantham Middle School
• Tommy’s Road Elementary School
EXITED LOWPERFORMING STATUS
• Dillard Middle School
• Eastern Wayne Middle School
• Southern Wayne High School
Keen Plumbing Co.
Keen Plumbing Co.
•
issues, so that you can have a high quality of life. Well, I think we’ve done that here and there’s a few more to take care of, but what we’re seeing now in Wayne County is a very, very bright future that’s coming about for this district.”
• Whichard, without taking direct shots at other educational options in the area, said he believes the 2024-25 accountability data — and the progress that has been made across WCPS since he became superintendent — is proof that WCPS should be the go-to destination for every child in the community.
“The bottom line is, if you want your child to get a high-quality education, we’re the best game in town. That’s right. And my thing is, if you’ve got a problem with public schools, don’t cut and run from it. Sit down and let’s work through it to make our schools better together,” he said.
• Whichard acknowledged that there is “still work to do” and he expects his team to “put their shoulders to the plow” to accomplish his goal of WCPS breaking into the Top 50 school districts in North Carolina by this time next year.
And it starts with the schools that remain on the low-performing list.
“The number that still keeps me up at night is our low-performing schools,” Whichard said. “But I will not rest until we have no low-performing schools. And there’s no reason we can’t.” All it is going to take is some “fine-tuning.”
• Whichard praised the Board of Commissioners for living up to the pledge it made in 2024 to provide WCPS with additional funding in the 2025-26 budget if the district showed improvement.
“What I heard from them is, ‘We don’t trust you as a school system because we’ve been investing money in a sinking ship.’ And I basically looked at myself and said, ‘Well, I wouldn’t put more money into that either. At some point, you’ve got to cut your losses,” he said. “So, I came in and I told our people, ‘‘If we want more investment, we’ve got to show some results. You want me to go to bat and get you a supplement increase? I’ve got to show that you’re worth keeping. I’ve got to show that we’re gonna provide a return on investment for our community.’ And our people heard that, and they’ve all shouldered up to the plow and made it happen. And I think our commissioners have rightfully said, ‘Marc kept his word, and he did what he said he was gonna do in his schools, so we’ll help you out. We have limited resources, but we’ll help you out as much as we can.’” n
PHOTO COURTESY OF WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Gerrard: Failure of Davis’ NDAA amendment is “not the end of the world.”
The Goldsboro City Council was briefed Monday on a measure Congressman Don Davis was trying to get added into the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. But local military advocates say just because Davis was unable to get it done, there is no cause for alarm.
BY KEN FINE
Congressman Don Davis tried, earlier this week, to insert language into the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that would signal a significant victory for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the community that houses the installation.
In fact, the bi-partisan amendment to the NDAA would have guaranteed two operational fighter squadrons were housed, in perpetuity, in Goldsboro.
The measure failed.
But Ken Gerrard, who serves as a liaison between Washington-based lobbyists, Friends of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Wayne County, and Goldsboro, said “the sky isn’t falling” because Davis was unable to deliver.
And while, on the Senate side of Congress, Sen. Ted Budd inserted language of his own into that chamber’s version of the military spending plan — an amendment that would allow for divestment of some F-15Es in 2026 — only “two or three” of those Strike Eagles, if any, would come from Seymour Johnson.
Budd’s recommendation would, if it makes it into the final piece of legislation sent to President Donald Trump, give the Secretary of the Air Force the ability to retire up to 54 F-15Es from October 2026 to September 2027 — seemingly a reversal of the prohibition on divesting any Strike Eagle through the end of that window.
But Gerrard said those aircraft would, almost entirely, come from installations that have older, less advanced Strike Eagles in their inventories.
In other words, the 4th Fighter Wing’s fleet would still remain relatively unscathed, as evidenced, he added, by the inclusion, in that same NDAA, of nearly $130 million for maintenance of the base’s existing inventory.
RECENT F-15E DEVELOPMENTS
JULY 2023 Then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown Jr. tells the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Air Force intends to retire 119 F-15Es and backfill the branch’s fleet with more modern fighter jets.
DECEMBER 2023 Thanks to Sen. Ted Budd, the Senate passes its version of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision that would protect Seymour Johnson Air Force Base from planned F-15E cuts.
DECEMBER 2023 President Joe Biden signs the 2024 NDAA into law, but the spending plan allows the Air Force to move forward with some Strike Eagle cuts.
FEBRUARY 2024 Then 4th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Lucas Teel confirms, in a statement provided to Wayne Week, that the 333rd Fighter Squadron would be deactivated, the 335th Fighter Squadron would transition to a Formal Training Unit in 2025, and that Seymour Johnson would lose some of its F-15Es as a result of the 2024 NDAA.
“The staff at Sen. Budd’s office and the staff at Congressman Davis’ office, they are working with the Air Force. Well, we’re talking to the Air Force, too. And we’re confident and comfortable right now in terms of what we know about Seymour Johnson and its future,” he said. “We’re not losing any squadrons. We’re not losing any part of the mission. We stopped that. We stopped the mission from changing and we stopped losing a squadron.”
Gerrard is not wrong.
Congressman Don Davis
After nearly losing dozens of F-15Es, the 333rd Fighter Squadron, and seeing the 4th Fighter Wing’s mission transitioned into a training-only one, the 2025 NDAA reversed a decision made a year
MARCH 2024 Goldsboro and Wayne County leaders cut ties with the lobbying firm The Roosevelt Group, and sign a contract with Crossroads Strategies after being “blindsided” by the fallout from the NDAA.
APRIL 2024 — The 335th and 494th Fighter Squadrons engage and destroy more than 80 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles and at least six ballistic missiles fired at Israel by Iran and Houthi-controlled Yemen. Biden lauds the F-15E crews, calling them “the best in the whole damn world.”
JUNE 2024 Budd and Congressman Don Davis insert language into the Senate and House of Representatives’ respective versions of the 2025 NDAA that would reverse the decision to divest F-15Es from the Air Force’s fleet and protect F-15Es through the end of 2029.
DECEMBER 2024 After the toppling of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, Strike Eagle crews participate in the bombing of ISIS targets in Syria.
earlier that would have made all of those losses a reality.
So, even though local military advocates would have welcomed Davis’ amendment being included in the 2026 version of the spending plan, its exclusion “doesn’t change where we are,” Gerrard said.
“I will say to you that the sky is not falling,” he said. “The community, as you know, always wants guarantees. Well, I can’t guarantee there’s going to be a tomorrow. But what I can say is that we are confident because of what we’re hearing from Sen. Budd’s staff and Congressman Davis’ staff. We think we are positioning ourselves well for the future. We have the right people in place to help Seymour get to where we want it to be — a base with an important mission and a bright future.” n
Note: During its Sept. 8 meeting, the Goldsboro City Council approved renewing its contract with Crossroads Strategies, the lobbying firm that works on behalf of the city and county to strengthen Seymour Johnson.
DECEMBER 2024 The House of Representatives and Senate approve a “compromise” version of the 2025 NDAA. It includes a provision that would prevent the Air Force from divesting any F-15Es from the nation’s fleet until the end of 2027 and was signed by then-President Joe Biden.
EARLY 2025 Air Combat Command leaders confirm to Wayne Week that the 333rd Fighter Squadron would no longer be deactivated and the 4th Fighter Wing would not transition into a training-only unit.
SUMMER 2025 Thanks to Davis, the House version of the 2026 NDAA includes a provision that would award nearly $130 million to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to “prevent the retirement of F-15E aircraft.”
SEPTEMBER 2025 Davis attempts to have an amendment added to the 2026 NDAA that would guarantee two operational fighter squadrons are housed at Seymour Johnson in perpetuity. The measure fails.
Resident arrested after allegedly stalking Councilwoman Beverly Weeks
Rachel Radford was taken into custody, marking the latest chapter in a volatile month for members of the Goldsboro board.
AGoldsboro resident was arrested Wednesday and charged with cyberstalking after what officials characterized to Wayne Week as “relentless verbal abuse” she has allegedly inflicted on City Councilwoman Beverly Weeks for the last several weeks.
The woman, Rachel Radford, was taken into custody after the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office gave the Goldsboro Police Department its blessing to pursue charges.
Radford’s arrest marks the culmination of a volatile month for members of the council.
At the board’s Aug. 18 meeting, after the majority of the council decided to move its live broadcasts from Facebook to YouTube, Councilwoman Hiawatha Jones was followed to the bathroom and berated in the hallway, an incident that resulted in intervention by the GPD.
And at the same meeting, Mayor Charles Gaylor had death wished upon him by a local resident during the council’s public comment period.
A week later, City Manager Matthew Livingston sent a letter to the county seat’s elected officials.
That note, which was obtained by Wayne Week, spelled out a series of “actions” that have been taken to “enhance the security during City Council meetings.”
They include:
BY RENEE CAREY
• Security cameras have been installed in the City Hall parking lot to “provide increased surveillance and monitoring.”
• Reserved Parking signs have been ordered and will be installed to “designate reserved parking spaces specifically for City Council members.” Those spaces will be strategically located so that they are close to the City Hall exit near “the back elevators.”
• A Goldsboro police officer will be stationed in the City Hall parking lot “prior to and immediately following” council meetings “to provide visibility and ensure safety.”
• Two officers will be assigned to council chambers “during all meetings” and will also “be charged with escorting City Council members to their vehicles.”
But Livingston, during the council’s Sept. 8 meeting, said other measures could be implemented, too, should staff find funding to do so.
They include installing metal detectors at City Hall and potentially hiring a private security firm to manage them.
Should that step be taken, it would be consistent with screening that takes place at the Wayne County Courthouse where the Board of Commissioners holds its meetings.
The letter, which was dated Aug. 25, was delivered to council members the day before Gaylor told Wayne Week he felt it was nec-
essary to take an opportunity to remind the public that the city has a standard for behavior during council meetings, and that he has the authority to act should lines be crossed.
That authority is afforded to him by NCGS §160A-81.1, which allows for boards to establish rules “for the maintenance of order and decorum in the conduct of the hearing.”
Goldsboro’s policy, which demands speakers remain civil, courteous, and refrain from personal attacks and/or threats directed toward members of the board and public, gives the mayor — or presiding officer — the power to remove people from meetings.
If they refuse, and willfully “interrupt, disturb, or disrupt” an official meeting, they could be found guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor (NCGS §143-318.17).
“My top priority is for council meetings to be candid, thoughtful, and safe for all involved. We expect everyone who chooses to participate in a City Council meeting to conduct themselves professionally in their interactions with one another,” Gaylor said Aug. 26. “In my role as mayor, I have the responsibility of ensuring that discourse is civil and the process of debate is respected. I never desire to gavel down conversation or remove participants from our meeting. However, I must ensure that reasonable restrictions are enforced, that meetings are efficient, participants are professional, and everyone goes home safely.” n
{ our TAKE }
VIOLENT REACTIONS
Close your eyes.
Now, imagine a 31-year-old father of two young children — one a new baby boy — and the other a beautiful little girl under the age of 6.
He is newly married and proudly tells everyone he knows about how much he loves and admires his young wife.
They are just starting to build a life and they are happy.
He is standing in front of a crowd talking about his beliefs, his faith, and his concerns about the future.
And he is inviting those who disagree with him to come to the front of the line so he can engage with them — and let them speak their truth.
It was not just a sermon.
It was a discussion — sometimes a rather heated one.
He wanted it that way.
And then, suddenly, a shot rings out.
And in an instant, that same young man is bleeding profusely and being rushed to a hospital.
A few hours later he is pronounced dead.
Now, open your eyes.
Yes, we were talking about influencer Charlie Kirk.
And yes, he might be someone you have never heard of — or he might be someone you vehemently disagree with.
But as our little experiment shows you, that wasn’t what made what happened Wednesday so horrible.
It could have been anyone standing on that stage — Republican, Democrat — and at other times in other places in recent years, it has been both.
And it really doesn’t matter.
What happened on that Utah college campus to a young man in a country that prides itself on its ability to debate, to discuss, and to disagree, is nothing short of an atrocity, no matter what side of the aisle he was on.
There is no excuse.
There is no justification.
There is no room for any comment other than contempt and outrage for such a heinous act.
It shouldn’t happen anywhere and many of us never thought it would happen here.
We don’t often talk about national events in these columns.
But we felt like today, we had to — not because we agreed with everything that came out of Charlie Kirk’s
mouth, but because we were around when people could disagree without the venom that seems to be a hallmark of political discourse these days.
It is getting worse.
And it is not right.
You might think it is not relevant here — that the inability of people to have a real discussion about their differences of opinion would never escalate to the level that we saw Wednesday.
But we want to ask you a question.
How many people do you know — family members and friends — who are no longer talking to people they have known for decades because they cannot handle their different political opinions?
We know too many.
And here is another scary thought.
There was an arrest Wednesday of a Goldsboro woman who was accused of harassing a Goldsboro City Council member — threatening her online.
Cyberbullying to be exact.
She is, of course, innocent until proven guilty, but
knowing an arrest was made — and that the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office felt it was a winnable case — well, that should give you pause.
It is one of the few that has made it through to the authorities.
Then, there was a recent incident at a council meeting where one of its elderly council members was chased down on her way to the bathroom.
And during the same meeting, a member of the public openly and unapologetically wished death upon Mayor Charles Gaylor — another young man with a beautiful family.
And we are not even counting the venom that we read online in Wayne County message boards every day.
Have you been called a name you did not deserve?
We have.
Have you been involved in a political discussion that devolved into a shouting match with someone you have known for decades labeling you with a pejorative you did not deserve? We have.
Have you had to hold your breath when you read something on social media that was just plain vile and uncalled for. You can bet we have.
And if you are in the public eye and state your opinions for everyone to see — and
speak the truth to power no matter what letter is after their name — you know how unsafe and vulnerable that makes you feel.
So, yes, we consider it a great personal act of courage to be one of those people — one of those Americans who still believes that this country’s greatest gift and privilege given to its citizens is the right to say whatever we want, and to call out those with whom we disagree or to cheer on those with whom we agree.
We used to be able to do that — to talk to one another, to debate respectfully and to part as friends.
We did not stand for bullies or for screaming activist loonies on either side of the aisle — or those who propagate the rhetoric that triggers them.
We did not tolerate the terrorism of those who explain away violence or discuss it on their social media feeds as justifiable responses to what they perceive as tyranny.
And we certainly did not allow talking heads to pontificate on why there might be a reason that anyone should take a shot at a 31-year-old man with whom they disagreed. They would have been condemned — immediately.
In other words, we did not tolerate garbage or disrespect.
We just didn’t. But that was then.
Sadly, this is a whole new America.
So, we write today with heavy hearts as people who know just what we have lost as a country.
It was not that Kirk was someone who had all the answers.
It was that he had the courage to take a stand and then to engage with those who had radically different viewpoints — outside, on a quad where anyone could come up and join the discussion.
And we do not have enough of that.
Not in Utah.
Not in Goldsboro.
The truth is, acts like this are starting to trickle down.
And some people — in political office and in the streets on Wayne County — still don’t get it.
You do not have the moral high ground to justify criminal activity.
Your viewpoint is not a license to harass, to bully, to chase down a woman on her way to the bathroom, or to kill.
This was an act meant to silence someone who has inspired millions of young people to engage and to think.
And it was vile and wrong.
There is no justification for it.
So, anyone who even takes a moment to do a happy dance or to use this tragedy to play politics should be shamed off the internet.
You see, when you accept this kind of villainy — when you allow it, when you silence differing viewpoints — you have lost something important.
That’s why those of us who have been charged with keeping our eye on those who have been elected to care for and to protect this nation and its future must continue to hold the powerful accountable — no matter who they are, how connected they are, or what consequences they threaten.
No coward’s bullet should stop that. It is this freedom of speech that has gotten us here, and it will be the catalyst for those who are not crazed idealogues to get us back to the days when reasonable people could agree to disagree — or sometimes even find common ground.
Enough is enough.
It really is time to take our country back — one respectful discussion, one polite debate, and one encounter between people that leads to understanding and compassion at a time. We are not going to stop speaking up and speaking out.
And neither should you.
We are not going to stand for violence and hatred or rhetoric that promotes either. And neither should you.
Whether you agreed with the views of the person sitting under that tent or not. n
There is something about a county fair.
For those of us with more than a few years in Wayne County, the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair has created many memories.
Some of us started when we were children, looking forward to the annual family outing.
Others discovered the wonders of the midway as adults and have made the event a new tradition.
And many of us are now roaming those same grounds with our children and grandchildren.
There is plenty of fun, of course — from rides of all sorts to plenty of mouthwatering goodies.
Who doesn’t love a candy apple, some cotton candy, or an apple jack?
But there is so much more to this event — and a much bigger reason why it is a tradition that we need to honor and foster.
For generations, the fair has been a showcase for what has been the lifeblood of this community for a very long time — agriculture.
From animal production to crops like tobacco and soybeans and corn and cotton, the economy of this community was born and bred on the land.
So many of us have it in our blood. And it is a tradition we should pass on to our children.
Here’s why:
New generations have moved farther away from their farming roots.
They do not really understand how food gets to the grocery store or this community’s role in getting it there.
But every exhibit at the fair tells that story.
Walking through the livestock barn not only acknowledges the work of the 4H youth exhibitors and the months they have put into raising and caring for their animals, but also allows us to tell the story of the thousands of steers, pigs, poultry, goats, and sheep that have been part of the livelihoods of generations of Wayne County families.
Animal husbandry has changed a great deal over the years, with large factory farms now a major part of the national landscape, and hobbyists keeping the old traditions alive.
So, the shows at the fair are about much more than allowing children and adults of all ages the chance to meet a horse, to pet a rabbit, and to admire a chicken as they wait to see who will take
the blue ribbon for Best in Show.
It is in the show rings that dreams of taking on a 4H livestock project are born — and an important part of the community’s tradition is preserved.
And there are other exhibits, too — projects that showcase some of the other skills that were part of life on the farm, from canning and baking to sewing and embroidery.
We even get a chance to see antique farm equipment.
And no. You won’t find them in most history books.
But at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, your little ones can learn about caring for the environment, conserving water, and developing crops as well as other skills to manage the land responsibly.
And you can never go wrong teaching children early about respecting the responsibility that goes along with living off the land.
It’s a lesson we hope will be passed on from generation to generation.
In just a little more than a week, we will have the chance to do just that. Agriculture has been a big part of the county’s past and present and, we hope, its future.
The land has been generous to many families, and there have been many successful businesses that have sprouted up because of this community’s agricultural roots.
Even the University of Mount Olive boasts a first-class agricultural sciences program, which is designed to educate the next generation of farmers and agriculture professionals.
The goal might be the same as those who first tilled the land decades prior, but the technology and new seeds and fertilizers have added a whole new dimension.
Agriculture has truly become a science, and keeping up with the latest developments is critical in a community that has relied on crop and animal production as a major part of its economy. Educating
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PHOTOS BY CASEY MOZINGO
Continued from page 13
those who will take up the mantle of caring for the land and being part of producing the food we eat is an important responsibility.
Fortunately, UMO has become a leader in helping to prepare the next generation of Wayne County agriculture professionals.
Agriculture companies like Mt. Olive Pickle as well as the livestock producers and the Wayne County Livestock Association are a big part of helping keep the agricultural economy thriving, and they support the fair every year as part of that effort.
But fun and preserving Wayne County’s agricultural roots are not the only reasons to make a trip out to southern Wayne County at the end of September.
The fair is a community gathering.
Neighbors greet each other as they pass along the midway and local organizations operate booths with everything from giveaways and raffles to treats to share.
Charitable endeavors use the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community, while others use the occasion to raise a little money.
You can talk politics, faith, and family and learn how your efforts can support families in your community.
And one of the places where a lot of us gather is at the local volunteer fire department booths.
Money spent on a hotdog or a hamburger and a Coke not only makes for a cheap dinner, but also helps these critical community groups answer the calls when their communities need them.
And the best part is, these organizations are a tradition themselves.
Many of those who are currently work-
ing with the volunteer fire departments are legacies — fathers and sons and daughters of grandparents and great-grandparents who have given of their time and dedicated themselves to being there when duty called are continuing what has become a family tradition.
And then there is one of the specialties of the house — apple jacks, a treat that has been something that has made mouths water for generations of Wayne County residents.
We hope we can find them again this year.
So, yes, there is every reason to buy a couple of tickets and to head down to the fairgrounds in the coming weeks.
It will be a chance to enjoy dinner out with the family and to see a few old friends — not to mention the opportunity to showcase the tradition and history of agriculture in our community.
And while you are there, please make sure to stop and say thank you to the organizers and volunteers who have worked so hard to make every year’s Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair a success.
Those exhibits, shows, rides and treats don’t just happen by themselves.
Without their hard work and those who handle the logistics like security, parking, and cleanup, there would be no fair and no tradition.
There are other communities that have let their fairs lapse, moving forward into the new age of technology and automation.
Thank goodness there is a core of people — and a fair committee and a livestock association — who are making sure that the next generation of Wayne County residents remember where they came from.
It is a tradition worth preserving, and a legacy worth sharing. — Renee Carey n
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
8 a.m. Receive exhibits
Noon All educational booths completed
12:30 p.m. Judging all individual exhibits and educational booths
4 p.m. Gates open to all exhibits
5 p.m. Powers Great American Midways open
6 p.m. Open Junior Market Hog Show
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
7:00 p.m. Queen of the Fair Contest
8:30 P.M. Ninja Experience
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
NOTE: Special Populations Day –(Gates Open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for “Special Populations” event.)
4:00 p.m. Gates Open
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:30 p.m. Math Contest
6:00 p.m. Open Junior Market Goat Show
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
11 a.m. Gates Open
Noon Powers Great American Midways opens
Noon Open Junior Market Lamb Show
2 p.m. Ninja Experience
5 p.m. Ninja Experience
8 p.m. Ninja Experience
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Noon Gates open to all exhibits
1 p.m. Open Junior Beef Heifer Show
1 p.m. Open Junior Beef Steer Show
2 p.m. Ninja Experience
5 p.m. Ninja Experience
8 p.m. Ninja Experience
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
4:00 p.m. Gates open to all exhibits
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:30 p.m. Carpentry Contest
5:30 p.m. HOSA Spelling Bee
6:00 p.m. “On the Spot” Lego Contest
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
NOTE: Each day, other attractions include:
• Dangerous Feats of Comedy
• Strolling Piano Man
• Kid’s Club in the Youth Barn
• Vintage Farm Equipment on Display
Continued from page 15
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Note: Wayne UNC Health Care Senior Day – (Free admission for ages 60 and above. Gates Open at noon for senior attendees.)
Noon Pie Baking Contest
3:00 p.m. Salute to Senior Citizens
4:00 p.m. Gates Open
4:30 p.m. Livestock Skillathon
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:30 p.m. CTE Contest (Electrical)
5:30 p.m. Junior Chicken Show
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
4:00 p.m. Gates open to all exhibits
4:30 p.m. Grades K-2 Talent Show
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:00 P.M. Cheerleading Contest
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
6:00 p.m. Grades 3-5 Talent Show
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
Note: Military Appreciation Day. $5 admission and $10 off ride wristband for those who show a valid military ID.)
4:00 p.m. Gates open to all exhibits
4:30 p.m. Tractor Operators’ Contest
4:30 p.m. Grades 9-12 Talent Contest
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:30 p.m. Horse Shows
5:30 p.m. CTE Contest (HVAC)
5:30 p.m. CTE Contest (Drafting)
6:00 p.m. Grades 6-8 Talent Show
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
4:00 p.m. Gates open to all exhibits
5:00 p.m. Powers Great American Midways opens
5:30 p.m. Science Competition
6:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:30 p.m. Ninja Experience
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
11:00 a.m. Gates open to all exhibits
Noon Powers Great American Midways opens
Noon Demolition Derby
2:00 p.m. Ninja Experience
5:00 p.m. Ninja Experience
8:00 p.m. Ninja Experience
the SPECTATOR
Freedom rang
The 2025 N.C. Freedom Fest saw thousands of people converge on downtown Goldsboro for family fun, a chance to thank the men and women who serve, and to take in an evening of live music.
PHOTOS BY
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against John Wesley Southerland, deceased of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of November, 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 24th day of July, 2025.
Edward A. Southerland Administrator of the Estate of John Wesley Southerland 701 Rosemont Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403
Published August 24, 2025, August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, and September 14, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF EMMA JEAN KILPATRICK WILLIAMS SCOTT
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Emma Jean Kilpatrick Williams Scott, 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 November 24, 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 the 19th day of August, 2025.
Thelma Susan Williams McClenny, Executor of the Estate of Emma Jean Kilpatrick Williams Scott 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 August 24, 2025, August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, and September 14, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF RUBY LEE PITTMAN RAINS
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Ruby Lee Pittman Rains, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of November, 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 24th day of August, 2025.
Mary Deborah Rains Davis and Timothy Rowe Rains, Co-Administrators of the Estate of Ruby Lee Pittman Rains 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 August 24, 2025, August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, and September 14, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF CHRISTOPHER JOSEPH LEE
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Christopher Joseph Lee, 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 November 30, 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 the 22nd day of August, 2025.
Matthew Joseph Lee, Administratorof the Estate of Christopher Joseph Lee 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
August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, and September 21, 2025
NOTICES
NOTICE TO CREDITORS A ND DEBTORS OF ALLEN NELSON CUNNINGHAM
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Allen Nelson Cunningham, 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 November 30, 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 the 21st day of August, 2025.
Joyce Anderson Cunningham, Administrator of the Estate of Allen Nelson Cunningham 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
August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, and September 21, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Kenneth Eugene 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 November 30, 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 the 31st day of August, 2025.
Oramanee K. Edwards, Administrator of the Estate of Kenneth Eugene Brown 164 Brook Meadow Lane LaGrange, NC 28551
August 31, 2025, September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, and September 21, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Julia Cousins Frederick, 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 December 8, 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 the 7th day of September, 2025
Adrian S. Cousins, Administrator of the Estate of Julia Cousins Frederick 105 Bernier Court Princeton, NC 27569
September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, and September 28, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JOHN MERRITT LEAR PEACOCK
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against John Merritt Lear Peacock, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of December, 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 7th day of September, 2025.
Robin Peacock Dawson, Executor of the Estate of John Merritt Lear Peacock 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
September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, and September 28, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JOYCE SMITH COATES
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Joyce Smith Coats, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of December, 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 7th day of September, 2025.
Douglas Allen Coates and Lori Coates Thomas, Co-Executors of the Estate of Joyce Smith Coates 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
September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, and September 28, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF JOSEPH IRVIN POWELL
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Joseph Irvin Powell, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of December, 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 7th day of September, 2025.
Willie Ray Powell, Administrator of the Estate of Joseph Irvin Powell 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
September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, and September 28, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF MARY ALICE WILSON
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Mary Alice Wilson, deceased, of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of December, 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 7th day of September, 2025.
LuAnn Smith Burton, Executor of the Estate of Mary Alice Wilson 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
September 7, 2025, September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, and September 28, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
All persons, firms, and corporations having claims against Brian Lee Hitch, deceased of Wayne County, are notified to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of December, 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 14th day of September, 2025.
Brianna Marie Hitch Administrator of the Estate of Brian Lee Hitch 1001 Broadbank Drive Apt. 329 Leland, NC 28451
Published September 14, 2025, September 21, 2025, September 28, 2025, and October 5, 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. 24CVD001681-950
WAYNE COUNTY, Plaintiff vs. REGINA CLEVENGER, Defendant
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. REGINA CLEVENGER, the undersigned Commissioner will on the 24th day of September, 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:
254 UNION DROVE CHURCH ROAD, FREMONT (PIN: 2695281434)
BEGINNING at the centerline intersect ion of N.C. Secondary Road No. 1341 and the run of Little Swamp, said point of beginning being located 1570.30 feet measured in a southerly direction along the center of N.C. Secondary Road No. 1341 from a nail set in the centerline intersection of N.C. Secondary Road No. l34l and N.C. Highway No. 222, and runs thence with the center of N.C. Secondary Road No. 1341 S. 17-05 w. 546.63 feet to the centerline intersection of said road and a ditch, if extended, thence to and with the center of said ditch N. 43-19 W. 161.58 feet and N. 48-48 W. 122. 73 feet to an iron stake set in the center of said ditch, thence leaving said ditch N. 36-15 E. 328. 71 feet to an iron stake set on the southern bank of the run of Little Swamp, thence continuing N. 36-15 E. 10.00 feet to the center of the run of Little Swamp, thence up the run of Little Swamp S. 77-29 E. 3.57 feet and N. 72-05 E. 168.15 feet to the point of BEGIN-
NING, containing 1.95 acres, more or less, including the road right-of-way. And being part of the property conveyed to Junius A. Evans and Floyd Anthony Evans and Nancy F. Evans by deed dated December 16, 1982 and recorded in Book 1040, Page 267 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 28th day of August, 2025.
Andrew J. Neal County Attorney Attorney for Plaintiff P.O. Box 227 Goldsboro, NC 27533 (919) 705-1713
Published September 14, 2025, and September 21, 2025
CITY OF GOLDSBORO — ADVERTISEMENT OF INTENT TO LEASE REAL PROPERTY 2026-2030 FARM LEASES
Pursuant to NC General Statute 160A-272 notice is hereby given to all interested parties, and all are invited to attend the meeting to be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 7:00pm in Council Chambers, City Hall, 214 N. Center Street, Goldsboro, NC, when the Goldsboro City Council will hear a proposal to authorize leases of the following properties for growing crops. Leases for jointly owned property will be subject to Wayne County’s approval.
Lease #1 between the City of Goldsboro, the County of Wayne and Alfred Parks for five years for Farm #11693, 56.3 acres, $8,810.95 Annually. Farm #8742, 24.2 acres, $3,787.30 Annually. Farm #11850, 5.1 acres, $484.50 Annually.
Lease #2 between the City of Goldsboro, the County of Wayne and Shawn Mitchell for five years for Farm #11852, 43.4 acres, $4,240.18 Annually. Farm #6599, 25.1 acres, $1,844.85 Annually.
Lease #3 between the City of Goldsboro and Shawn Mitchell for five years for Farm #12942, 47.59 acres, $4,640.02 Annually. This the 14th day of September 2025.
