Johnston County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow met with the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday to discuss the district’s current capital needs.

During the meeting Dr. Renfrow gave a presentation outlying the most pressing facility needs of the school system.

An external independent audit of Johnston County Schools facilities conducted by Hite Associates in Greenville showed several areas of need. Renfrow said $31.5 million would be required to meet the most immediate needs.

The projects,school locations, and estimated costs include:

Johnston County Manager Rick Hester said commissioners agreed to speak with the NC Local Government Commission, which oversees all the borrowing for local governments in the state, to see what steps could be taken.

“There are a lot of guidelines we have to follow,” Hester said Thursday.

The county will likely seek “non-traditional funding” to pay for the repair costs.  Typically, voters are asked to decide on bond referendums to pay for school facility needs. However local governments have now been limited to only being able to hold a bond referendum in even number years.  Hester said it was too late to place a referendum on the November 2016 ballot, so officials will have to look at other options including a non-voter approved loan.

Hester said commissioners want to make sure the money can be borrowed without having to increase property taxes while still maintaining a 15 percent reserve level.  The goal, Hester said, is to have everything in place within 60 to 90 days to be able to move forward with a loan if commissioners so desire.

“Money from the county commissioners will help diminish the gap between our older and newer facilities,” said Dr. Renfrow. “We applaud their efforts in recognizing the disparity in facilities and appreciate their teaming with the school system to help find a solution.”

The county manager said he anticipates the school board seeking a bond referendum for other capital needs in 2018.

The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people on unrelated sex offense charges.

Eighteen year-old Matthew Mouldon of Glasgow, Kentucky was arrested by Sampson County deputies and jailed under a $2 million bond.

Mouldon is charged with 5 counts of statutory rape, 8 counts of statutory sex offense, 5 counts of first degree forcible rape, 8 counts of first degree forcible sexoffense, 13 counts of indecent liberties with a minor and 5 counts of crimes against nature.

Mouldon was living in Sampson County during the summer of 2016 when these crimes occurred. A relative of the victim reported the alleged sexual misconduct to authorities on August 6 and an investigation was launched into the incident. As a result of the investigation, Mouldon was arrested in Glasgow, KY and extradited back to North Carolina.

In an unrelated incident, criminal investigators charged Brandon Lee Connor, 25, of Hobbton Highway, Clinton with sexual offense with a child and indecent liberties with a minor. He was given a bond of $125,000 secured and a court date of September 23rd.

In 2015 the juvenile’s parent filed a complaint alleging sexual misconduct by Connor. Investigators immediately began looking into the incident, but the case was prolonged because the victim relocated to another state. Investigators were recently able to obtain enough probable cause to charge Connor with the crime.

No further information was released about either incident. The ages of both victims were also withheld.

Mount Olive – Donnie and Linda Lassiter of Selma are as friendly and down to earth as any two people you will ever meet. They believe in God and love their family. The Lassiters work hard, and they play hard.  The couple makes friends easily, and they give generously.

The Lassiters recognize their blessings, and because of them, they have freely given to many charitable organizations including the University of Mount Olive (UMO), where Donnie serves on the Board of Trustees.   Most recently the couple has given UMO two very generous stock gifts. Those gifts will be directed to the Kornegay Student Farm and to the Chapel renovation project.

Donnie and Linda chose to give to the Chapel expansion because of their FWB roots and because it was one of the first structures built on the UMO Campus. The Lassiters are longtime members of Selma Original Free Will Baptist, where Linda has played the piano for nearly 50 years and where Donnie has served in many leadership positions.

The couple chose to contribute to the agriculture program because of their farming background.  “We are pleased to be able to contribute to the Agriculture program which is doing amazing things under the guidance of Dr. Sandy Maddox,” Donnie said.  “I grew up on a farm.  Agriculture is a big part of Eastern North Carolina. UMO is positioned to have a lot of opportunity for growth in the areas of Ag business and Ag education. We want to help people complete their dreams.”

In 1987 Don was employed by Credit Card Software Systems where he was a co-founder. In 1997 he was co-founder of Omni-Card, Inc. where he served as President for two years.  Omni-Card became Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS).  Don served in many management positions with HPS, including National Sales Manager.  He retired from HPS in 2006 after an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.

In April of this year, HPS was sold to Global Payment Systems for $4.3 billion which was divided among the shareholders, many of whom were employees.  “When we were sold, we still had merchants that had been with us for over 20 years,” Donnie said.  “We also had employees that had been with us almost from the beginning.  The $4.3 billion would not have been possible in a 29-year period without strong relationships.”
Donnie and Linda shared all of this not to boast, but to talk about the importance of relationship building, of having confidence in what you believe in, of making the most of the time you have been given, and of giving back when you have been blessed.

“Helping other people, helping those less fortunate than you because you are giving back to them and to God, those are the things that make us happy,” Donnie said.

“We want to support the kind of things that we hope will be carried on after we are gone,” Linda shared, “things that will make a difference in the lives of others.”

Donnie added, “We want to help people complete their dreams.  We want to help those that will one-day give back to others.  I don’t know of a better way to do that than through education.”

Donnie and Linda have two children Sara Massey and Trent Lassiter.  Trent is a UMO alumnus and is co-owner of Springhill Outfitters and owner of The Farm, an entertainment and meeting venue in Selma.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College.  For more information, visit www.umo.edu. (Press Release – University Of Mount Olive)

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office has released surveillance images of a suspect wanted for a business burglary.

The suspect was captured on a security camera breaking into The Junction, a nightclub located at 791 Tarheel Road, outside of Benson on August 28th. Once inside, the suspect stole a large amount of beer and alcohol. He also removed a large trash can and a DVD player.

Investigators said the suspect was not in a hurry during the break-in and remained inside the business for more than a half hour.

The suspect is a black male between the ages of 20 and 30.  Anyone who may recognize the individual or has information about the break-in at The Junction is asked to contact the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office at 919-989-5010. Callers can remain anonymous.

Two people were taken to the hospital after being injured in a two vehicle accident Friday morning. The collision was reported around 8:30 AM on Highway 210 at Raleigh Road.

The 50-210 Fire Department, 50-210 EMS, Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and NC Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

Charges are pending. Photos by John Payne

The Acorn Festival will take over the small town of Four Oaks this weekend. The annual event, which was held in May in previous years but now takes place in September, returns this weekend for the 27th year.

All the downtown shops and restaurants will be open with lots of great specials and discounts to celebrate the day.

Children will take over the spotlight of the festival at 10 a.m. That’s when the Children’s Parade will take to the streets of the Johnston County town. The parade will be from Four Oaks Elementary School to town hall.

“All children are welcome to bring their bikes, scooters, skates, pedal cars, small electric ride toys and such to walk or ride down Main Street. Children’s rides will be $1 each or $5 for an unlimited ride armband.

An Antique Tractor Show will offer displays and demonstrations at The Grove and on Railroad Street. The area will also feature approximately 20 vendors displaying their wares along with children’s rides and games. It ends at 5 p.m.

Local entertainment includes Wade Hill, Land O’Glory, Riversong Trio, Martin Davis Band, Jackie Gore and Charlie Barbour.

A number of events will take place in the area this weekend thanking first responders for their service.

Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

Area churches and civic groups have a number of events planned to recognize local law enforcement officers, EMS workers and firefighters.

A luncheon was held in Four Oaks on Friday to thank the emergency workers from that area.

A special ceremony was also held at the Wake Tech Community College Public Safety Education Campus. The Johnston County Marine Corps League Carry-On Detachment was a part of the ceremony.

Selma and Smithfield churches are planning special activities centered around first responders Sunday.

(Right to left) Keith Powell is congratulated by Town Manager Michael Scott after being named the permanent Smithfield police chief. Powell had been the acting chief since Scott, the former police chief since 2009, was named Smithfield town manager in May. Powell will receive his official oath next month. JoCoReport.com Photo

Smithfield Town Manager Michael Scott announced Friday he has named Keith Powell the new police chief. Powell had been the interim chief of police since Scott was hired as the town manager on May 3rd. Scott had been the police chief since 2009.

A total of 14 people had applied for the position.

Powell has worked his way up the ranks of the police department. A graduate of South Johnston High, Johnston Community College and NC Wesleyan College, Powell began work with the agency in 1994.  He has held the ranks of Housing Authority Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Patrol Commander, Captain and most recently Interim Chief.

Scot said, “This decision came after a nationwide search for applicants, a testing process that spanned the last four months that also included the assistance of not only town staff, but assistance from the Smithfield Town Council and two citizen volunteers.”

Chief Powell will be sworn into his position during the October 4th town council meeting.

It’s 1944. Meat rationing ends in America, allowing Turnage and Talton’s Grocery in Smithfield to sell more and Fred Adams to add more to his hot dog chili, Army defeats Navy 10-7 on the gridiron in the ‘Arab Bowl’ in North Africa, the green flag doesn’t drop at the Indianapolis 500 due to World War II, helicopters are first used by the US military in warfare, Bing Crosby croons ‘Swinging on a Star’ for Decca Records, Harry McAlpin becomes the first black reporter at the White House, the Cincinnati Reds sign the league’s youngest baseball player,15 year old Joe Nuxhall, Batman and Robin hit the funnies, Sue Dauser becomes the first female U.S. Navy Captain, ‘Casablanca’ wins the Oscar, Bill Nicholson belts 4 homers for the Chicago Cubs, Utah edges Dartmouth 42-40 in the 6th ever NCAA Championship basketball game, Astrid Lindgren begins writing ‘Pippi Longstocking’ while nursing a broken ankle, the Montreal Canadiens sweep the Chicago Blackhawks in 4 games to clinch the Stanley Cup, Leonard Bernstein’s ‘On the Town’ premieres in New York City, Ghandi is freed from prison, Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the ‘GI Bill of Rights’, WABC TV-5 hits the airwaves in New York, the Democratic convention opens in Chicago, a Messerchmitt 262 becomes the first jet fighter in combat, Tennessee Williams’ ‘Glass Menagerie’ premieres in Chicago, Anne Frank records her final diary entry before being arrested by Nazis and sent to the concentration camp in Auschwitz, the Jackie Gleason – Les Tremayne show premieres on NBC radio, Bob Hamilton clinches the PGA Championship,15,000 American troops liberating Paris march down Champs Elysees, Winston Churchill and FDR meet in Canada, ‘The Boys from Boise’ is the first TV musical comedy, the St Louis Browns clinch their only pennant and win their first World Series game before losing the Series to the St Louis Cardinals, Aaron Copland’s ‘Appalachian Spring’ premieres,  Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats Thomas E. Dewey to secure his 4th term as President, Red Cross wins the Nobel Peace prize, the first open heart surgery is performed at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Marty Marion of the St Louis Cardinals is the National League MVP, General George Patton’s 4th Pantzers defeat the Germans in the Battle of Bastogne and this is Johnston County’s Thurman W. Peedin of the US Army on the cover of the July 3rd Life magazine helping a wounded soldier returning from patrol.

Contributed by Carter Rabil.

Oxycodone and drug paraphernalia were seized from a passenger in a car stopped in Princeton.

A Johnston County sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on South Peedin Avenue on Tuesday. During a search, oxycodone and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in a zip lock bag in the passengers pocket.

Scotty Dewayne Hughes, 45, of Arrowhead Drive, Princeton was charged with three counts of trafficking in opium or heroin and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.  He was jailed under a $10,000 bond.

A Willow Spring woman is facing a long list of charges after she allegedly stole from her 71 year-old grandfather.

The victim reported in August his computer tablet and 5 checks were stolen from him. The tablet was later sold to a Raleigh pawnshop. The five checks were reportedly forged and cashed at banks for amounts ranging from $150 to $300.

On Thursday, the victims granddaughter 21 year-old Carol Lorraine Edwards of Gardner Lake Drive, Willow Spring was arrested on a dozen charges including larceny and forgery.

A 25 year-old Clayton man is facing charges following the theft of a vehicle last Saturday.

A resident on Vinson Road reported their work truck was stolen from the driveway of their home. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday the arrest of Ethan Jeffrey T. Huff of Deer Flag Lane.

Huff was charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle.

Huff was also charged with obtaining property by false pretenses, forgery, and uttering a forged endorsement following an unrelated incident in July where he reportedly forged and cashed a $400 check. He was incarcerated in the Johnston County Jail under a $50,000 bond on the charges.

A Johnston County man has been arrested in connection with thefts from new home construction sites. Over 16 thefts have been reported since August at building sites across the county.

Friday morning, Glenwood Alvin Worrells, 44, of Pondfield Road, Princeton was arrested. Worrells is charged with taking items from three of the sites. He allegedly confessed to the crimes, according to Tammy Amaon, Public Information Officer, with the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.

Worrells faces multiple counts of breaking and entering, larceny, and conspiracy. He was arrested last week by Kenly Police on a felony drug charge.

Sheriff’s detectives say they are still investigating the thefts and additional arrests are possible.

A Clayton man was arrested on heroin possession charges during a traffic stop in Goldsboro on Sunday.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Team was patrolling Williams street when deputies conducted a traffic stop and reportedly found heroin and drug paraphernalia in a vehicle.

A passenger, Blake Michael Morden, 31, of E. Smoketree Court, Clayton, and the driver, Elizabeth Michelle Amon, 21, of Whispering Fall Run, Raleigh were arrested. Both were also cited for giving false information to an officer.

A Johnston County woman has been arrested after she allegedly set fire to her boyfriend’s clothes. It happened during a domestic argument at the couple’s home in the Pippin Mobile Home Park on Highway 96 North of Selma Friday morning.

The 27 year-old victim reported his girlfriend set fire to his clothes during the altercation. Johnston County deputies said 25 year-old Brandi Lynn Hayes of Selma admitted to burning the clothes, valued at $1,500.

Hayes was arrested at the scene and charged with felony burning personal property.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several car break-ins.

A total of five vehicles were entered while parked on Cambridge Elm Drive and Hawthorn Drive in the Weston Woods Subdivision off Cleveland Road. The thefts were discovered Sunday, but could have occurred overnight Saturday.

The victims reported numerous items were removed from their cars including GPS units, jewelry, medication, a Samsung notebook, cell phone chargers and accessories. The total value of the items stolen was estimated at $1,700.

Authorities are looking for three suspects following a reported armed robbery Sunday night. It happened near the Super 8 motel at the I-40/NC42 interchange.

A 23 year-old guest at the motel said he was sitting near the pool around 11:00pm when he was approached by two men. The suspects offered the victim marijuana but told him he would need to step behind a dumpster on Leone Court to smoke it so no one would be caught.

After following the men behind the dumpster, the victim said he was held at gunpoint by the two men and robbed of his cell phone. The victim said he was forced into a car occupied by a man and a woman and driven to a wooded area on Commerce Parkway. The suspect fled into the woods with the suspect’s chasing him. He managed to getaway but not before sustaining minor injuries.

Johnston County deputies canvassed the area looking for suspects. As of Monday no arrests had been made but the incident remains under investigation.

A number of events were held in the area over-the-weekend in observance of the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

One of the events took place at the Clayton Civitan Club on McCullers Street in Clayton.

Local first responders including the Clayton Police Department, Clayton Fire Department, Johnston County EMS, and Veterans groups to include the American Legion Leonard Moore Post #71 of Clayton and the Johnston County Marine Corps League Carry-On participated .

The event was hosted by Cub Scout Pack #24 of Clayton in conjunction with Boy Scout Troop #24 and Century Crew #24.

In addition to the ceremony, the first responders enjoyed a delicious meal prepared for them.

The Scouts thanked them for their service and sacrifice to our country and community, hosted a remembrance ceremony, and prepared a delicious meal for them while the First Responders and Veterans chatted and shared stories with the Scouts and reflected on the events of September 11, 2001. Photo courtesy Johnston County Marine Corps League

A homeless teenager is accused of tossing an object off a bridge onto a truck on Interstate 40 Sunday night. It happened around 11:20pm at the Highway 42 bridge over Interstate 40 in the Cleveland community.

A 50 year-old Smithfield man said he was traveling eastbound in a Ford F-150 pickup when an object fell from the bridge striking the passenger side of the windshield directly in front of his wife, a front seat passenger. Fortunately the object did not penetrate the windshield.

Johnston County deputies located 18 year-old Michael Scott Harris walking nearby. Harris allegedly admitted tossing an object off the bridge but claimed it was only a drink cup. Harris was charged with a misdemeanor count of damage to property and jailed under a $2,500 bond.

No one inside the truck was injured. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,000.