Scott Bolejack

A new memorial in Wilson pays tribute to state roadway workers who lost their lives while on the job. Two were from Johnston County. Carl Vance Oliver, 55, died May 1, 1978. He was standing beside his motor grader when he reached in to turn on the ignition. “But it was already in gear, and it began moving and killed […]

SMITHFIELD — Chris Johnson, the county’s industry recruiter, put it this way: “With regards to economic development, Johnston County once again had a banner year,” he said as 2024 drew to a close. Consider just one project: Insulin maker Novo Nordisk said it would spend $4.1 billion to build a third plant near Clayton that will employ 1,000 people. “The […]

CLAYTON — The seeds for Christine Gaskill’s business venture — a self-serve dog wash — were sown in the Rocky Mountains. “I lived out in Colorado for a couple of years with work, and Colorado’s all about animals and the outdoors,” said Gaskill, owner of The Dog Wash. “I’ve been thinking about it since I was out there in 2015-2016. […]

CLAYTON — Canoe and kayak enthusiasts are a step closer to being able to put in on the Neuse River. Johnston County has received a $145,500 state grant for what it’s calling the East Clayton river access site. “It will allow us to put in a canoe and kayak launch along with a fishing dock and permeable parking area,” Adrian […]

CLAYTON — The seeds for Christine Gaskill’s business venture — a self-serve dog wash — were sown in the Rocky Mountains. “I lived out in Colorado for a co

CLAYTON — An arctic blast has brought frigid temperatures to the region, and the town is focused on helping residents as they navigate this cold snap. To help the community stay safe and manage energy use, the town’s Fire Department and Utility Customer Service Department are offering tips to battle the bitter cold. The Fire Department stresses the importance of […]

SMITHFIELD — Johnston Community College has posted its highest-ever enrollment for a spring semester. On the first day of spring semester classes, the college welcomed 5,246 degree-seeking students. That was a 10% increase over last spring and marked JCC’s fourth consecutive semester of double-digit percentage gains in enrollment. “We are proud to welcome another record-breaking number of new and returning […]

Editor’s note: This is the second in a series about local podcasts. Through her “Down Home Dirt Podcast,” Dusta Rhymes, the online persona of Kassandra Williams, aims to educate and connect entrepreneurs. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you do a lot of one-to-ones,” she said. “That’s where you learn a lot about things that can help you, things that can help […]

ARCHER LODGE — On New Year’s Day, this community came together to celebrate new beginnings over brunch. Amy Dean was there partly because her husband, Matt, is vice president of the Archer Community Center, which hosts the annual brunch. “He brought us out to enjoy this morning,” she said. But Dean was there for another reason too. “I was also […]

SMITHFIELD — Bryant Spivey was blunt in his assessment of the year in farming. “2024 was a tough year for farmers in Johnston County and all of North Carolina,” said Spivey, the longtime director of the county’s Cooperative Extension Service He blamed the weather. “The first challenge came … in mid- to late May with essentially no rain for six […]