The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Private NonProfit (PNP) organizations in North Carolina of the January 9th deadline to submit disaster loan applications for physical damages caused by Hurricane Matthew in October.

PNPs located in Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Wilson counties in North Carolina are eligible to apply to SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to PNP organizations for physical losses up to $2 million. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may now include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster. Additionally, PNPs can obtain loans for unmet working capital needs. To be considered for this assistance, PNPs need to apply by the deadline.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Jan. 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 10, 2017.

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), the House of Representatives passed the FY 2017 Continuing Resolution to continue government operations, maintain funding at the current budget cap level and provide vital disaster relief to families and communities impacted by recent flooding – including disaster aid to assist North Carolinians in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

“Since Hurricane Matthew hit our state in the beginning of October, I have been on the ground meeting with local elected leaders, business owners and our farm communities to help craft a legislative package that is responsive to the immediate needs of individuals, families and communities affected,” said Rep. David Rouzer, whose US Congressional District includes Johnston County and southeastern North Carolina.

“The $334 million in disaster relief for North Carolina is a vital first step in helping North Carolina families and farmers recover from the devastating storm.  I will continue to advocate for more disaster relief funding and work with our state and local communities to help our fellow citizens, many of whom are in the 7th Congressional district, recover from Hurricane Matthew.”

Included in the $334 million designated for North Carolina are:

• $193 million for the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program to provide flexible grants to rebuild affected areas and provide critical seed money to start the recovery process;
• $23 million for the Federal Highway Administration to rebuild and maintain damaged portions of the highway;
• $27.5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Conservation Program to help farmers repair damage to farmlands;
• $6 million for Emergency Watershed Protection Program to conserve natural resources by relieving hazards to life and property caused by floods; and,
• $83 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build and maintain damaged infrastructure.

The “Tree of Life” was illuminated December 3rd on the grounds of the State Capitol in honor of the memory of the 1,387 lives lost on North Carolina highways in 2015. The Governor’s Highway Safety Program, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and law enforcement agencies from across the state joined families and friends of the victims to honor these tragic deaths and to bring awareness safe driving.

The tree is lit with 431 red lights memorializing the victims of alcohol-related crashes, 955 white lights commemorating the lives lost in all other vehicle crashes, and 1 blue light recognizing the law enforcement officer who lost his life in a traffic crash. Following the tree lighting, M.A.D.D. held a candlelight vigil in memory of those who died as the result of a drunk driver.

“The annual Tree of Life ceremony is our time to honor the victims that lost their lives on North Carolina roads and to use the ceremony as an opportunity to help prevent similar tragedies from occurring,” said GHSP Director Don Nail. “Our goal is zero fatalities in North Carolina, and we want to remind everyone who is about to travel for the holidays to buckle-up, travel the posted speed limit and don’t drive impaired.”

Director Nail and M.A.D.D. National Representative LaRonda Scott were joined by several others that spoke about the loss of life due to a traffic-related crash. Angela Thomas spoke on behalf of her son that died due to a distracted driver. Jahlecia Smith expressed the importance of not driving impaired while speaking of her mother, Felicia Harris, her 6-year-old niece, Jahnice Beard, and a friend of her mother, Darlene McGee, that were killed by an impaired driver.

N.C. Transportation Secretary Nick Tennyson spoke to honor DMV License and Theft Bureau Inspector Robert Bowling, who was killed in a traffic crash in Mebane in May 2015.

There have been 1,224 fatalities so far this year on North Carolina roadways, which is a slight decrease from the 1,236 deaths that occurred during the same period in 2015. Alcohol-related deaths are down almost 20 percent, with 312 fatalities this year compared to 387 at the same time last year.

The “Tree of Life” will remain on display at the State Capitol through Jan. 5, 2017. Contributed photo

William Strickland of Selma is the artist and interior decorator behind the interior refreshing at the SECU Hospice House.

With help from a local artist, SECU Hospice House gets a makeover

For the past few months at the SECU Hospice House, an artist has been at work.

To the walls and ceilings of the building, William Strickland of Selma has added pattern and texture that delight and make you look twice.

Are those real wood planks above the fireplace? Could those stripes in the dining room be wallpaper? Is that wall behind the nurses station made of natural stone?

Strickland, who has been painting for nearly 30 years, says he pulled tricks from his interior-decorating bag to soften and brighten the environment, and to draw attention to architectural features such as the trey ceilings in the lobby, dining room and hallways. The spaces now have bold, modern light fixtures that command attention.

“Medical settings have a lot of hard surfaces such as plastic, Formica, stainless steel,” he says. “To give the space a residential feel, we used a few decorating tricks to counter things we couldn’t change.”

A committee of staff, volunteers and members of the Johnston Health Foundation board of directors selected Strickland for the makeover, and helped define the scope of work. It’s the first interior refreshing since the hospice house opened in June, 2010.

The project was paid for with funds from the hospice house capital campaign.

Wanda Johnson, coordinator of hospice volunteers, says the staff, patients and visitors love and appreciate the new look, which includes colorful furnishings in the front lobby and family room, and two large dining-room tables that accommodate families.

Light fixtures, color help draw attention to the trey ceiling in the dining room.

Original, local artwork has been added to the common areas, and ceiling fans in patient rooms.

Johnson says Strickland’s painting was a pleasant diversion for families and patients. “They enjoyed watching his progress and liked asking him about his craft,” she says. “He has a way, too, of connecting with people. I’m trying to recruit him as a volunteer.”

For his part, Strickland says he learned how hospice works and enjoyed talking with the staff. “I could feel the compassion that nurses, volunteers and housekeepers have for patients and families,” he says. “It’s a different place because of that. It was an honor to do the project.”

Strickland says his goal was to make the hospice house pretty.

“The hospice house is a place for the living,” he adds. “Patients still need joy in their lives, whether it’s gazing out on a sunny day, having family come by, or appreciating the colors in a beautiful work of art.”

Washington, D.C. – With the support of Congressman David Rouzer, the House of Representatives has passed a comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation, the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act.  This legislation includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 which passed the House of Representatives in September and includes language to authorize and make top priority specific U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.  Additional language was included to address safety and maintenance concerns at Southport Marina.

“Our ports, beaches and waterways are the lifeline of economic activity and job growth for our coastal communities.  Passing meaningful legislation to support and continue the authorization of funding to address the unique needs we have on the coast is absolutely vital,” Congressman Rouzer (R-NC) said in a statement. “As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am very pleased that this bill includes provisions addressing immediate needs at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Southport Marina.  The passage of the WIIN Act is critical to Southeastern North Carolina and our nation, and I look forward to the President signing this important infrastructure bill into law.”

The WIIN Act requires the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the needs of area beaches, including a three-year extension of coastal storm damage reduction funding for Carolina Beach, and requires the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard to work with state and local officials to establish a no wake zone for recreational vessels on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Southport Marina.

In addition to addressing the needs of North Carolina coasts, the WIIN Act authorizes much-needed investments in our infrastructure systems, supports the maritime and waterway transportation systems and provides for flood protection for homes and businesses.

The WIIN Act is a result of bicameral negotiations.  The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

A Kenly man was arrested Monday morning for allegedly stealing from his mother-in-law.  Allen Ray Hales, 47, of Ollie Road, was charged with felony forgery and felony uttering a forged check.

On December 1st, a Four Oaks woman reported a check had been stolen and later forged and cashed for $75 at a Stancil’s Chapel convenience store.

Deputies identified Hales as the suspect. He was arrested this morning and given a $20,000 bond on the two charges.

A Four Oaks woman is facing felony charges following a traffic stop Saturday night on Highway 210 near I-40 outside of Benson.

A deputy stopped a vehicle for crossing over the centerline several times, according to Johnston County Sheriff’s Offices spokesperson Tammy Amaon. The driver, identified as 24 year-old Kristin Dale Kornegay of the 4500 block of US 301 South, gave the officer a fictitious name.  During a search of the car a small amount of marijuana was located near a passenger who was given a citation for the offense.

Deputies eventually determined Kornegay’s real name and found out she was wanted for failing to appear in court on a felony hit and run charge.   After being taken to jail and searched, 2.5 grams of methamphetamines and a smoking pipe were reportedly found concealed under her clothing.

She was charged with felony identity theft, felony possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamines, felony possession of a controlled substance in jail, possession of drug paraphernalia.  Bail was set at $100,000 on those offenses plus an additional $3,000 on the failure to appear warrant.

A Benson woman is facing 17 criminal charges after she allegedly posted stolen merchandise for sale on the Internet site Offer Up.

Brittany Ann Langdon, 30, of the 5600 block of Highway 242 South was arrested Sunday night following an investigation into the theft of the items.

Langdon allegedly stole several items from the victim including a desk, lamp, and TV which she posted for sale.  The items were later purchased by individuals who didn’t know the merchandise had been stolen.

Langdon also reportedly took photos of some of the victims other personal belongings and posted those items for sale also, even though they had not been stolen and remained in the victim’s home.

Deputies said Langdon was acquainted with the victim, who was not named.

She was charged with four counts of larceny and 13 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.  Bail was set at $140,000.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin today announced the North Carolina Supreme Court has refused to hear the insurance industry’s appeal of the North Carolina Court of Appeals decision affirming Commissioner Goodwin’s rejection of a 2014 homeowner’s insurance rate increase of approximately $600 million.

“I am pleased to announce this victory for homeowners and I am proud to continue to protect every consumer in North Carolina,” said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “I rejected the insurance industry’s proposed rate increase because I felt it was unjust and this action will save homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars.”

NC Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin

In January 2014, the insurance industry requested a 25.6% increase in homeowner’s insurance rates across the state.  That request was rejected by the department and a hearing was held on the filing later that year. In December 2014, Commissioner Goodwin ruled that the industry’s proposed rate increase was unsubstantiated by presented facts and ordered that no increase be awarded. That ruling was appealed by the industry to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, who presented their decision upholding Commissioner Goodwin’s ruling on Aug. 2, 2016.

The North Carolina Supreme Court decided not to hear the case.

The Court of Appeals concluded their decision with “Upon a full review of the Commissioner’s order, we hold the order reflects a careful, thoughtful, and thorough consideration of the evidence. The evidence in the record supports the Commissioner’s critical findings and ultimate conclusions. This Court will not second guess the Commissioner’s determinations as to the credibility of the witnesses or the weight to be given their testimony. Therefore, the order of the Commissioner is affirmed.”

A patron inside the West Smithfield McDonald’s took this photo of a suspect wanted for robbing a customer in the bathroom on December 6th. The man walked to a purple Chevy C-10 pickup truck driven by a female and fled from the area. No weapons were displayed.

Smithfield Police are searching for a purple pickup truck in connection with a robbery inside McDonald’s in West Smithfield last Tuesday.  The victim waited until Friday to alert police about the crime.

The customer said he was in the men’s restroom when the suspect came in and began assaulting him. During the assault the suspect grabbed his wallet and began to flee.  The victim exited the restroom and yelled that he had been robbed.  The suspect then threw the wallet towards the victim.

The black male suspect fled in a purple Chevy C-10 pickup driven by a black female.

Police said the victim had $12 in his wallet. The money was not taken.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Smithfield Police at 919-934-2121.

A local church has received approval to operate a daycare.  Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located on Little Creek Road just off US 70 West, received approval from the Smithfield Town Council for a conditional use permit to operate daycare facility.

The Smithfield Planning Board heard the request at their November 3rd meeting and unanimously recommended approval.  The church is located within the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

The church plans to open a before and after school program and later extend the services to a full time daycare.  The facility will be required to meet all state regulations.  The church will provide transportation to and from public schools for children enrolled in the before and after school programs. An estimated 15 children will be enrolled when the facility opens..

The daycare was unanimously approved by the town council during their December 6th meeting.

(left to right) Smithfield Police Sergeant Richard Conerly, Lieutenant Samuel Jones, Administrative Captain Ryan Sheppard, Mayor Andy Moore, and Police Chief Keith Powell. JoCoReport.com Photo

Three Smithfield police officers received new oaths of office last week after being promoted.

Officer Ryan Sheppard was promoted to Administrative Captain. Samuel Jones was promoted to Lieutenant of the “A” Team Patrol. Richard Conerly was promoted to Patrol Sergeant supervising the “D” Team Patrol.

Sheppard has been with the department for 17 years. Jones has been with the agency 19 years and Conerly 9 years.

All three officers received a 5 percent salary increase with the promotion.

During the Dec. 6th ceremony at the Smithfield Town Hall, each officer received their new badge and were congratulated by members of the Smithfield Town Council.  JoCoReport.com Photo

Authorities are searching for three suspects following an armed home invasion near Kenly. It happened around 9:00pm Friday in the 7800 block of Old Beulah Road.

Johnston County deputies said three people in their 20’s were inside the home when they heard a knock on the door.  The individual asked for some water.  While one of the residents was retrieving water, three other persons burst into the home armed with handguns.  They ordered the victims to the floor and demanded they hand over their money and cell phones.

The three suspects – 2 black males and 1 black female – fled out the rear door with the stolen items.  No injuries were reported.

Clayton Police are searching for three men who robbed a convenience store early this morning (Monday).

Around 1:45 am officers responded to an armed robbery at the Han-Dee Hugo on US 70 near Shotwell Road.  Three men walked in, one with a handgun, and demanded money from the night shift employee.  No customers were in the store and the clerk was not hurt.

All three men walked behind the counter and took money, cigarettes and cigars.  They ran out toward the dirt parking lot behind the gas station and the Bojangle’s next door.

They jumped into a white older model Ford Explorer and fled on Shotwell Road.

Police ask anyone who recognizes the suspects or the distinctive clothing they were wearing to call Clayton Police at 919-553-4611 or Clayton CrimeStoppers at 919-359-TIPZ (8479).  Callers can remain anonymous.

Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants (JCATA) and Department of Social Services stand with the 2016 Angel Tree gifts. On the front row (from left) are Debbie Brown, JCATA President Fred McLamb, North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants 1st Vice President Chris Brown, JCATA Historian Lisa Soard, Carolyn Kay, and Bonnie Fox. On the back row are Sheila Rawlings and DSS Foster Care Licensing Supervisor Tony Harris.

The Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants (JCATA) partnered with the Department of Social Services for the 2016 Angel Tree project delivering hundreds of gifts to DSS on December 15th.

During the gift drop-off North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants 1st Vice President Chris Brown and JCATA Angel Tree coordinator, thanked all the teacher assistants for their support of the Angel Tree project. “This is truly a blessing for the children of Johnston County,” said Brown. “I hope this will let the children know they are not left out and the teacher assistants are thinking about them during the holidays.   The TA’s in Johnston County always put our children’s needs first before ourselves.”

Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants (JCATA) members (from left) Chellie Cherry, Chris Brown and Cornetta McKey help prepare gifts for delivery.

“The Angel Tree event was a tremendous success and I believe this shows the hearts of our TA’s. When we are asked to do something outside of the classroom, we pull our resources together and we get it done,” said JCATA President Fred McClamb.

This is the eighth year the  Johnston County Association of Teacher Assistants has been part of the Angel Tree project, and this year 15 of Johnston County’s schools participated.

A Johnston County woman says she lost money after falling victim to a sweepstakes scam.

The 37 year-old Clayton resident said she received a phone call at her home on December 17th from a man claiming she had just won $950,000 plus a Mercedes Benz in the 2016 Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.

The caller informed the local woman all she needed to do to obtain the cash and the new car was to send $249 to cover the taxes. The victim went to an area Wal-Mart store and transferred the $249 to the suspect.

A short time after returning home, the woman received a second phone call from the man saying an additional $100 was needed to cover the taxes. She became suspicious and called the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.  A deputy was at the victims home taking a report when the suspect called again.

The deputy answered the telephone. The man cursed at officer and hung up the telephone.

The Federal Trade Commission doesn’t oversee sweepstakes, but is investigating thousands of sweepstakes scams reported every year. The FTC says no legitimate sweepstakes company will contact you asking for money so you can claim your prize.

If you have been the victim of a sweepstakes scam, report it to your local authorities and the FTC Complaint Assistance Division.

Selma Fire Chief Philip McDaniel introduced the newest member of the Selma Fire Department to members of the Selma Town Council recently.

Fire Engineer Jessie Massey was hired three weeks ago by the department.  Chief McDaniel said Massey was selected from a long list of applicants for the full time position.

Massey has seven years of experience in the fire service. He is from the Brogden community. He was introduced to the Selma mayor and members of the town council during their Dec. 13th meeting. JoCoReport.com Photo

A robbery suspect on the run for 14 months has been captured.

Tony Dorian Ward, 34, of Marler Road, Benson had been wanted since an October 20, 2015 incident on US 701 South near Peach Orchard Road outside of Four Oaks. That’s when Ward’s 31 year-old girlfriend reported she was assaulted in a car as the couple traveled down the highway. Ward was allegedly upset she had purchased the wrong cell phone for him.

Ward allegedly pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victims head and threatened to kill her.  She tried to dial 911 but he allegedly destroyed her cell phone and later physically assaulted her at another location. The victim said Ward also stole two watches valued at $1,075 and caused $300 in damage to her vehicle.

Ward fled from the scene before officers arrived.

Deputies obtained warrants for his arrest, however he managed to elude arrest until he was found on Dec. 17th.  Ward faces numerous charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault by pointing a gun, assault with a deadly weapon, assault by strangulation, damage to property, and communicating threats.  He was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $70,000 bond.

All hogs and pigs on North Carolina farms on December 1, 2016 totaled 9.3 million head, up 1% from September 1, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Market hogs, at 8.42 million head, were up 5% from last year and up 1% from last quarter. Breeding stock totaled 880,000 head, up 1% from last year but down 1% from September 1, 2016.

The State’s pig crop during the September – November 2016 period totaled 4.74 million head, up 4% from the same period last year. These pigs were produced by 460,000 sows, up 2% from the same time last year. Pigs saved per litter averaged at 10.3, which is up from the 10.15 pigs saved during the same quarter last year.

North Carolina producers intend to farrow 455,000 sows during the December 2016 – February 2017 quarter and 450,000 sows during the March – May 2017 quarter. North Carolina ranks 2nd nationally, behind Iowa, in the total number of hogs and pigs produced.

A Selma man was arrested Tuesday following a search of his home on Trails End Drive.  Johnston County deputies and NC Probation and Parole officers conducted the search at the home of 45 year-old James Michael Starling.

While searching Starling’s bedroom, officers said they found several drug paraphernalia items along with a white clear crystal substance on top of a piece of glass. The substance reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine.

Starling was charged with felony possession of methamphetamines and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Johnston County Jail under a $20,000 bond.