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| PUBLISHED ONLINE MARCH 31, 2020 • VOL. 2, NO. 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stories and photos by Wingate Lassiter unless otherwise noted (click highlighted link to e-mail the editor) |
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| Johnston
County adds seven more cases of CORONAVIRUS, bringing total to 16 Despite the nationwide upsurge in coronavirus cases, the number for Johnston County remains relatively low so far, although seven more cases have been recorded here since the middle of last week --- bringing our total to 16. Neighboring Wake County has recorded 186 cases, but surrounding counties have numbers similar to Johnston's: 18 in Harnett, 13 in Wilson, 116 in Franklin, 9 in Nash, 4 in Wayne, 2 in Lee, and only one case reported in Sampson. Could the lower numbers be attributed to fewer virus-detection tests being administered here than in the nation's metropolitan areas? STAY AT HOME Governor issues order for all of N.C. Friday afternoon Governor Roy Cooper issued a Stay At Home Order for the entire state of North Carolina, taking full effect today (Tuesday) for 30 days. It does not mean a complete shutdown of individual movements or "essential" businesses and public services since exceptions to the overall restrictions are numerous. Rather than list them all here, we'll direct you to the Governor's Office to get the particulars via the following links: The Governor's Executive Order 121 (Stay At Home) in its entirety> Frequently Asked Questions, answered by the Governor's Office> What about enforcement of Executive Order 121? Town Manager Mike Scott issued the following statement on Monday regarding the Smithfield Police Department's approach to enforcement: "At this time the Police Department is coordinating with other neighboring law-enforcement departments, the County, Sheriff, and the District Attorney's Office to make sure we are taking a common-sense approach to Executive Order 121. "We would rather see all of Johnston County enforcing the order similarly so our citizens know what to expect. "The executive order does not preclude an officer from needing a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed to stop someone, so random stops for no reason would be constitutional violations." CORONAVIRUS CASE COUNTS
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How are
our doctors handling the pandemic?
Horizon e-mailed an advisory to its patients Monday morning that summarizes the situation that's likely typical for all such practices. Here are excerpts: TeleMedicine
Is Now Available: We
are
encouraging patients to utilize Telehealth
visits with our providers. Telehealth allows
patients to see their usual provider in the
comfort and safety of their home using a
computer, smartphone or similar device with
a camera.... Triaging All Calls and Visits: If
you
are experiencing any symptoms of Coronavirus
(fever, cough, shortness of breath), please
call us before coming to the practice so
that we can determine the safest method to
evaluate and treat you.... Disinfecting Our Clinics: Horizon
has
always utilized hospital-grade disinfectants
in our lobbies, exam rooms and nursing
stations. We disinfect all surfaces multiple
times per day. Office Visits for Well
Patients: EDITOR'S NOTE: Horizon Family Medicine is an outgrowth of Johnston County's first "group practice," set up in 1983 by physicians Jess Pittard and Tony Liverman. |
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AND NOW FOR SOME GOOD NEWS SSS students win top scholarships at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State
Shuhud Mustafa (at left in photo) has received the Morehead-Cain award at UNC-Chapel Hill. Anna Hill (right) has received the Park Scholarship at N.C. State. Shuhud has also received a Joseph E. and Grace Needham Pogue Scholarship as part of the UNC Scholars Program. Less than 4 percent of candidates for the Morehead-Cain scholarship received the award as members of the incoming Class of 2024 at Chapel Hill. The scholarship covers all expenses for four years of undergraduate study plus a four-year Summer Enrichment Program. Besides the Park Scholarship, Anna has received an additional $4,000 scholarship from the N.C. State Engineering Department. The Park award covers full tuition for eight semesters, room and board, study abroad, and stipends for internships and mentorships. Hooray for Smithfield's azaleas and dogwoods! Another coronavirus antidote bustin' out all over  Back to South Smithfield's Sunset Drive: These unequaled bright-red azaleas fill a good chunk of the front yard of Millard and Patti Stallings, who reside where the family of Dr. Will H. Lassiter grew up --- across the street from my boyhood home.  A pair of mature dogwoods grace the front yard of the First Baptist Church on South Fourth Street. Smithfield's dogwoods have exploded in splendor since the First Day of Spring a week and a half ago. |
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BACK TO THE CORONAVIRUS THREAT State acts to ensure high-school graduation and allow paid leave for certain employees The State Board of Education adopted several measures Friday addressing this spring's high-school graduates, allocation of supplemental state funding for public schools, and paid leave for school employees through the month of April. Here are details of the state board's actions> JOHNSTON'S SCHOOL BOARD TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS FOR SUPERINTENDENT IN CLOSED SESSION TODAY (TUESDAY) The board's meeting will go on as previously scheduled at 6 p.m., although it will be conducted by means of a telephone conference call rather than a gathering of members at the Central Office. The only item on the agenda is a session closed to the public to review 31 applications for Superintendent of Schools. The board has been advised to pick perhaps seven to 10 candidates to interview. Its goal is to make the hire by July 1.  Only park in town that's open as usual The Second Street Dog Park remains open for dogs and their handlers, who are advised to "Please Use Social Distancing While On Site." In the background you can see one of two canvas-topped "shelters in place" providing relief from the sun.
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WHAT'S NOT COMING UP Here's a rundown of events previously scheduled that have been scratched because of the coronavirus threat and the Governor's order to limit the size of gatherings: JOHNSTON COUNTY DOG & CAT VACCINATION CLINIC Scheduled for this Saturday (April 4), this year's clinic has been canceled. PALM SUNDAY RE-ENACTMENT AT CENTENARY CHURCH Scheduled for this Sunday (April 5), it has been postponed till March 2021. NEUSE LITTLE THEATRE'S NEXT SHOW Scheduled to open April 17, "Never Too Late" has been postponed to a date not yet determined. SMITHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL 70th-YEAR REUNION The Smithfield High School Class of 1950 reunion scheduled for May 1 has been postponed to a date to be chosen later. SMITHFIELD'S HAM & YAM FESTIVAL Scheduled for May 5, it has been postponed, with no decision made on rescheduling later this year. |
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DEATHS & FUNERALS Each week we post links to obituaries about persons who have died during the past week. We monitor the websites of local funeral homes to compile our list, and we welcome links provided by readers to obituaries of persons with Smithfield connections who have died outside our immediate area.... DALLAS EARL WALLACE, 91 - died March 30 NICOLE LYNN BAKER, 45 - died March 28 |
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OTHER PAGES IN THIS WEEK'S
EDITION:
SPORTS & RECREATION |
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