6-inch snowfall is most we've seen here since 2010

Winter Storm "Gianna" didn't measure up to expectations until the wee hours of Sunday morning. While Raleigh's snowfall fell short of predictions, Smithfield's accumulation turned out to be the most we've seen here since 10 inches descended upon us during Christmastime in December 2010.

A National Weather Service map posted online following last weekend's storm showed 5.7 inches at Selma (no report from Smithfield), 5.9 inches at Clayton, and 6.0 inches near US 70 west of Goldsboro. The editor's yardstick survey of a variety of spots in our yard for the most part measured 6 inches.

Both county and town government offices were closed Monday and didn't re-open until mid-morning Tuesday.

Johnston County's public schools have been closed four days this week, with students directed to "remote learning." Schools were also closed a couple of days at the beginning of last week following the ice storm named "Fern."

How cold did it get earlier this week?
The National Weather Service observatory at Johnston Regional Airport showed a low near 10 degrees Monday morning. Cornell Cox, the Weekly Sun's weather observer, says his backyard thermometers registered 12 degrees.

"I think this might be one of the lowest recordings – if not the lowest – we've had since January 7, 2018 when I recorded a low of 5 degrees," Mr. Cox noted. (His "Backyard Weather Station" is located in South Smithfield.)

Another "wintry mix" was forecast for early today (Thursday) yet only a trace of frozen precipitation was evident on some surfaces after daybreak. It wasn't expected to accumulate.

Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett reported to the Town Council on Tuesday that the N.C. Department of Transportation has alerted municipalities that distributions of brine for treating streets may be restricted as supplies of salt are running low after recent spells of icy weather across the nation.

A few snow scenes around town Sunday afternoon:


It was a nice day for a walk on the Buffalo Creek Greenway. Here's the entrance to the woods beyond the boat ramp at the end of North Front Street.


Oakland Cemetery beside North Street produced an appropriately peaceful sight.


Downtown Smithfield's South Third Street remained covered with compacted snow even though the roadway had apparently been scraped earlier in the day.

County Commissioners didn't meet this past Monday

Because of icy road conditions, the first-of-the-month meetings of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners scheduled for 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday were canceled. All agenda items listed for both meetings have been moved to the board's next regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. February 16.
 

JANUARY'S RAINFALL: 1.79 INCHES (below average)

Cornell Cox's Backyard Weather Station in South Smithfield measured 1.79 inches of precipitation during January – an amount below the month's average of 3.45 inches here, according to U.S. Climate Data. Looking back at 2025, we had 48.18 inches for the year – slightly above our annual average of 47.75 inches.
 

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CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR SLAIN MINNEAPOLIS NURSE

More than 50 persons gathered at the foot of the World War I statue outside the Johnston County Courthouse last Thursday for a vigil honoring the memory of Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was shot to death by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 24. Adam Buccafusco (shown near the statue in the photo) organized the event. The Rev. Kate Byrd of St. Paul's Episcopal Church led the gathering into a moment of silence. "It was cold but people came out to remind us all that community matters, loving your neighbor is vital, and to show solidarity to the community of Minneapolis and the families of those impacted," reported Stuart Lee, a Smithfield resident who provided the photo shown here.
 

The Smithfield Town Council Tuesday night adopted a new "Downtown Overlay District" described as a move to "extend the downtown corridor" with "zero lot-line development" from Fourth Street to Bright Leaf Boulevard.

That's how Downtown Development Director Heidi Gilmond characterized the change in land-use rules for properties fronting Market Street along four blocks. Hearing no objections, the council gave the proposal unanimous approval.

Calling Market Street "the spine of our downtown," Ms. Gilmond said the goal is to create "sight-line continuity" complementing the historical wall-to-wall structures in the heart of downtown.

She and Interim Planning Director Micah Woodard assured the council that the new Downtown Overlay District would not preclude existing business zoning along Market, nor would it require modifications to existing land uses there. The purpose, they said, is to guide future development of today's vacant properties.

They also confirmed that the zoning change does not alter boundaries of the downtown service district where supplemental property taxes are assessed.

Town OKs funding to get grant for Venture Drive sidewalk

The council voted without dissent to apply for a federal grant to extend a sidewalk along Venture Drive north of Outlet Center Drive. Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett said the anticipated $1,525,375 Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement grant would require a match from the town of $305,075 (20% of total cost). She recommended budgeting the town's contribution over two fiscal years.

The plan is to construct a five-foot-wide sidewalk about 2,500 feet long on one side of Venture Drive that joins an existing sidewalk coming from Bright Leaf Boulevard.

Councilman Travis Scott recommended taking the town's match out of an account other than the town's budget for street maintenance since annual state funding for that work continues to fall short of what's needed.

Non-profit to rent new houses to folks with "special needs"

Council members were invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony on February 20 for a non-profit organization's project to rent three newly constructed houses to "nurture the independence of individuals with special needs." The houses are to be built in the Finley Landing subdivision that's under construction beside US 70 Business across from the Amazon distribution center.

Jeff Holland, president of My Forever Home, told the council each dwelling would be occupied by a disabled individual at least 18 years of age accompanied by a caretaker. "We would welcome applications from anyone," he said.
VISIT the organization's website for more information>

"Discover Construction Day" scheduled on Bridge Street April 1

The council approved a permit for the Johnston County Building Industry Association to conduct a "Discover Construction Day" event in the 300 block of Bridge Street on Wednesday, April 1 from 9 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. More than 100 participants are expected to introduce young people to various trades.

Doris Wallace is council's new Appearance Commission liaison

The council appointed its newest member, Doris Wallace, to serve as its liaison on the Smithfield Appearance Commission. She succeeds Councilman Sloan Stevens, who was recently elected mayor pro tem. A number of other appointments to advisory boards on Tuesday's agenda were postponed without an explanation.
 

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Meeting on Sarah Yard Center's future this evening
It's a "community meeting" at 6 p.m. on a proposed partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County for daily use of the town's recreation center, located at 909 East Lee Street where the meeting will be conducted.

Heart-health campaign boosted; "Wear Red Day" Friday

Mayor Andy Moore read a proclamation at Tuesday's Town Council meeting designating February as "All in Red Month" in support of the annual "heart healthy awareness" campaign spearheaded by UNC Health Johnston and the Johnston Health Foundation. The proclamation encourages everyone to participate in "National Wear Red Day" this Friday (Feb. 6).

Oyster & Shrimp Roast Saturday for Cancer Society
First Presbyterian Church is hosting an "eat in or pick up" fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society from 4 till 7 p.m. Saturday. Purchase options include a bucket of oysters, a pound of steamed shrimp, or a pound of chilled shrimp (pre-sold only). To place an order or purchase tickets, call the church at 919-934-0988. The church is located at the corner of South Third and Church streets.

"Harlem Wizards" basketball show at SSS on Monday
The Johnston County Education Foundation is hosting the fund-raising event at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Smithfield-Selma High School gymnasium (doors open at 5:30). The show-business Wizards will "compete" against local principals, teachers, coaches, and other support staff. VISIT this website for ticket information>

Board of Education's monthly meeting next Tuesday
The Johnston County Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the schools' administrative headquarters on US 70 Business East.
VIEW the agenda once it's posted online>

County Commissioners' retreat next Thursday, Friday
The annual two-day planning workshop for the Johnston County Board of Commissioners and staff will be held this year inside the new JCC Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Four Oaks. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. each day and are scheduled to be live-streamed on the county's YouTube channel>
 

And there's a big difference in choices available on each political party's ballots (voters registered "unaffiliated" may vote in either party's primary but not in both):

Voters registered as Republicans have choices for U.S. Senate (seven candidates), U.S. House of Representatives (two candidates), N.C. Court of Appeals (two candidates), N.C. Senate (two candidates), N.C. House of Representatives (two candidates), Johnston County Board of Commissioners (two separate contests with three candidates in one, two in the other), Johnston County Board of Education (two candidates for one seat), Johnston County Sheriff (two candidates).

Voters registered as Democrats have just three choices: For U.S. Senate (six candidates), U.S. House (two candidates), N.C. Court of Appeals (two candidates).

Winners of the March 3 primaries will be on ballots for November's General Election.

Here's the link to Smithfield voters' sample ballot for the Republican Primary>

Here's the link to the Democratic Primary ballot facing Smithfield-area voters>

This Friday (Feb. 6) is the deadline to register for the first time or change your political party preference for voting in the March 3 Primary. Early voting, including same-day registration, begins next Thursday (Feb. 12).
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
Click on the name to read an obituary, usually posted by the funeral home:

BRINDA CAREL PEARCE, 78 – died February 3

RONNIE LYNN CREECH, 68 – died February 1

DORIS ANN BELL CHRYSOSTOM, 81– died January 29

JAMES HENRY (BLACKIE) MOORE, 94 – died January 29

ARTHUR LINWOOD HUGHES, 69 – died January 27

 

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 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

More complaints voiced about public notifications

Last month, Johnston's County Commissioners heard numerous complaints from citizens about poorly delivered communications regarding the county's new Unified Development Ordinance. This week, the Smithfield Town Council heard similar complaints, although not as extensive.

Council member Doris Wallace asked why many folks she talks with hadn't heard about a meeting scheduled for this evening (Thursday) to discuss the proposed sharing of the town's Sarah Yard Community Center with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County.

The town's staff said flyers promoting the meeting were distributed last week and that an announcement had been posted on social media. Even so, Ms. Wallace remained frustrated by citizens' lack of knowledge about the meeting and said she would make an effort to personally inform interested citizens this week.

Also, during the Citizens Comments segment of Tuesday's council session, Stephanie Avery urged the town to add "text messaging" to its electronic advisories regarding weather-related closings of town facilities and interruption of services like garbage collection.

In both cases, the fact remains that many citizens, especially the elderly, don't turn to social media and other Internet outlets to get important announcements about public doings. Direct messaging via one's telephone appears to be a practical alternative.

Before the Internet took over, folks depended on printed newspapers and local radio broadcasts to keep informed about community activities. Both of those sources of information nowadays have fewer and fewer readers and listeners.

What's the solution for our collective "failure to communicate"?

One more snow scene from last weekend's storm:

It's a view outside the editor's second-floor window of fallen snow gently decorating the boughs of an iconic pine tree as the sun came out Sunday morning. Thank goodness it wasn't ice weighing down those branches this time around!
 

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