COULD HE BE ADMIRING THE SNOWY SCENERY?

Here's an iconic "state bird" scene captured in the editor's backyard at midday Wednesday as the morning's snowfall seemed to be tampering off. An afternoon of mostly sleet brought treachery to Smithfield's streets, but thank goodness no freezing rain accumulated here to generate power outages. Thursday arrived with our streets covered by ice, prompting motorists to creep carefully along thoroughfares like South Bright Leaf Boulevard (below). And there was no morning sun to accelerate melting, as occurred after last month's wintry-storm event.

County addresses costs of JCC enrollment boom
$372,000 added to Commissioners' Promise tuition grants

Johnston Community College's unprecedented enrollment growth comes with a cost for taxpayers. JCC's President Vern Linquist asked the County Commissioners Monday evening for another $372,000 for the Commissioners' Promise program that guarantees tuition-free enrollment for any resident of Johnston County.

The board granted the request without dissent, although Commissioner Ted Godwin questioned whether the aid should go to all students regardless of household incomes. "If their parents are independently wealthy I don't know why they should be going to school on the taxpayer's dime," he said.

Dr. Linquist defended the universal aid. "I'm fairly certain I can say that there are very few of our students whose parents are independently wealthy," he said.

He offered this selling point for the program: "I think you really want to encourage students to go to college locally," Dr. Linquist insisted. "The more you do that, the more they tend to stay in the county and work in the county."

Even so, "maybe we ought to put some limitations on it," Mr. Godwin said.

Commissioners' Promise is a "last dollar" commitment to students: They have to exhaust all other avenues for financial aid before the county picks up the remaining cost of their tuition.

The $372,000 approved this week brings the total allocated by the county for the program this fiscal year to $852,000. Dr. Linquist noted that participation has grown from 90 students three years ago to more than 400 now.

Two more JCC requests for additional county funding

Dr. Lindquist also asked commissioners Monday to consider appropriating $550,000 in the coming year's county budget to cover the cost of books and fees for about 1,200 high-school students enrolled in the tuition-free Career and College Promise program based at JCC. He said Johnston's Board of Education has served notice it will discontinue covering that expense during the fiscal year ahead.

As he did regarding the Commissioners' Promise program, Ted Godwin questioned whether the county should be providing such assistance to students whose parents could afford to pay for books and fees.

Commissioner Mike Rose countered by pointing ourt that "high-school students don't pay for books" in Johnston's public schools.

The Career and College program at JCC enables students from anywhere in the county to complete their high-school graduation requirements while earning credits that shorten time spent in college classes later.

Near the end of Monday's meeting, Commissioner Patrick Harris made a plea for county funding to employ additional teachers in JCC's Public Safety program until delayed state funding arrives. He said a current shortage of instructors is precluding timely re-certification of emergency-service employees at several fire departments.

"If we had three more positions, we would still be treading water," added JCC's President Linquist, who said the state is running "two years behind" in funding community-college needs for more staff to handle rising enrollments.

Commissioner Harris said the county's cost of temporarily covering the expense of adding the JCC instructors could reach $292,956, "but could be slightly less."

The board agreed to take up both the Career and College Promise and the Public Safety funding requests during 2025-26 budget deliberations this spring.

Neuse Charter School delegation asks for $16 million

Commissioners received the request favorably but deferred making a funding commitment until their upcoming budget deliberations.

The charter school's leadership approached the county board a year ago asking for $8 million to help fund a second classroom building on its Smithfield campus for elementary students. The request was renewed last fall.

Now the school is seeking as much as $16 million. Superintendent Melissa Blackwell told commissioners Monday the latest estimated cost of the new building has grown to perhaps $10 million. The rest of the $16 million requested would be spent on outdoor athletic facilities, which the school presently lacks, Dr. Blackwell said.

She noted that 98% of Neuse Charter's current enrollment of 916 are residents of Johnston County.

Commissioners once again seemed to favor funding at least a portion of the school's request. A 2023 change in state law gives counties permission to pay for capital projects at charter schools.

Even so, Commissioner April Stephens expressed reservations. "I'm a big proponent," she said, but "it's hard for me to spend taxpayers' money on a charter school" given other funding pressures on the county.

Commissioner Patrick Harris suggested the board address the Neuse Charter request during upcoming deliberations leading to adoption of the 2025-26 county budget. That's going to be "a complex issue," he said, referring to the fallout from recent real-estate revaluations on top of mounting capital needs including commitments already made for new schools and a desire for new quarters for the Department of Social Services and perhaps the Health Department as well.

Board OKs $5 million to start Clayton High project

Commissioners without dissent approved borrowing up to $5 million for design and other "due diligence" services related to the rebuilding of Clayton High School on its present campus. That funding will also cover a new press box and replacement of the home-side bleachers at the school's football field.

The commissioners have agreed to finance the entire Clayton High project by borrowing money beyond bond issues recently approved by Johnston's voters. The county's Board of Education with a split vote last week selected the design-build team of Barnhill Contracting and LS3P Architects to proceed with the planning.

Rodney McCaskill new EMS medical director

The board appointed Dr. Rodney McCaskill (right) to serve as medical director of Johnston County Emergency Medical Services following the retirement of Dr. Ed Hartman, who has held that position since 2008. Dr. McCaskill is chief medical officer for UNC Health Johnston. He had been serving as assistant EMS medical director.

Commissioners make three appointments
to Johnston's Economic Development board

Voting by written ballots, commissioners filled three of five positions open on the county's Economic Development Advisory Board. Newly appointed was Joseph Stallings representing Clayton. Reappointed were Clyde Castleberry representing Archer Lodge and Joseph Lee Scarboro representing Selma. Remaining to be filled are representatives for Pine Level and Princeton.

County awards $3.5-million contract for landfill's expansion

Shamrock Construction & Remediation of Greensboro was low bidder on a plan to add another 7 1/2 acres to the county's solid-waste landfill off NC 210 west of Smithfield. Shamrock's price of $3,552,158 came in below estimates, noted Brian Beasley's, the county's solid-waste director. He said the project includes earthwork, installation of "membrane" liners, and a drainage system. Including 5% for contingencies ($177,000), the project's budget totals $3,729,158.

Annual "State of the County" report presented in a short video

Shown at the outset of Monday's meeting was the annual "State of the County" report in the form of a five-minute, county-produced video featuring Board Chairman Butch Lawter and Vice Chairman Patrick Harris. WATCH IT HERE>

County Commissioners postpone this week's planning retreat

Because of Wednesday's snowstorm, this week's strategic planning "work session" for the County Board of Commissioners was postponed. Originally scheduled for today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday), the retreat will likely be rescheduled for sometime in March, said County Manager Rick Hester.

Partnership for Children marks "Family Support Awareness Month"

Posing with several representatives of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County – (in front, from left) Leticia Urbina, Allison and Nathan Boyd, and Kelly Blanchard – are County Commissioners (left to right) Michelle Pace Davis, Bill Stovall, Ted Godwin, Bruce Lawter, Patrick Harris, Mike Rose, and April Stephens who adopted a proclamation Monday in support of this month's observance, which "emphasizes the vital role of parenting education programs in empowering caregivers as they raise their children." (County of Johnston photo)

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Town paying $456,210 for amphitheater restrooms

The Smithfield Town Council Tuesday night approved a design-build contract for erection of a restroom building on property the town recently purchased across Front Street above the Neuse River Amphitheater. The estimated cost is $456,210 including $74,400 for plans by Turpentine Design of Fuquay-Varina and $381,810 for construction by Southern Tide Homes of McGee's Crossroads. The proposed facility will encompass 528 square feet.

Councilman Travis Scott called that price ($864 per square foot) "absurd" for a building that isn't air-conditioned.

"I agree," responded Parks & Recreation Director Gary Johnson, who said his staff had found the price in line with what other municipalities are paying for similar facilities. Even a pre-fabricated building would cost more, the director noted.

Mr. Johnson said the Front Street facility would have four stalls in both the men's and women's sections, and would be larger than a similar building at the town's Community Park.

Most of the project's cost will be covered by a $300,000 state grant from last year's session of the N.C. General Assembly. Town Manager Mike Scott said the balance will come from unappropriated federal funds received by town from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) adopted by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councilman Marlon Lee joined Councilman Scott in voting against the contract.

Here's landscape architect Clayton Narron's concept for the reconfigured courtyard (Market Street sidewalk on the right, Third Street at the bottom). He prepared this rendering for the Downtown Development Corporation at no expense.

Public Library's courtyard poised for a makeover

The Town Council approved the Downtown Development Corporation's request to use $30,000 earmarked for "special projects" within the central business district to help finance a revamping of the courtyard in front of the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield – on one condition: that the library's trustees give the proposal their blessing.

Councilman David Barbour insisted on that condition after noting that his wife sits on the library board and "hasn't heard anything about it" till now. The library trustees' approval is "a step that's been missed," he exclaimed.

Downtown Development Director Heidi Gilmond said Library Director Johnnie Pippin has been involved in the project's planning "since day one" and concurs with the concept of upgrading the appearance and function of the courtyard, in effect turning it into a "pocket park."

Ms. Gilmond said the envisioned project's cost could be $175,000 to $200,000. Beyond the town's appropriation, the County of Johnston will be asked to contribute funding, and various grants will be sought to help with the expense, she said.

Two principal elements of the present-day courtyard – Frank Creech's sculpture, "The Reader," and the clock near the corner – will be kept in place, Ms. Gilmond assured the council.

Portion of Market Street to be closed during Ham & Yam

The council adopted an ordinance required by the N.C. Department of Transportation to authorize the closure of Market Street (US 70 Business) from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. between Front and Fourth streets during Smithfield's Ham & Yam Festival on Saturday, May 3.

Initially, the Ham & Yam's planning committee had recommended the closing be extended to Seventh Street, but that idea was scotched when council members insisted that Fourth Street, especially, be kept open across Market for festival traffic and emergency egress by fire and rescue teams stationed on South Fourth.

Town Manager Mike Scott said the Market Street closure will improve pedestrian safety during the festival while making space available for a large car show as well as an exhibition of antique farm tractors.

Councilman Sloan Stevens, who serves on the festival's planning committee, said organizers are anticipating a larger number of on-street vendors this year, with hopes that the estimated 10,000 persons who've been attending will grow to 15,000.

Appearance Commission's chair reappointed to a new term

The council reappointed Kaitlyn Tarley to a new term on the Smithfield Appearance Commission. She currently serves as the board's chair.

DSDC hires part-time executive assistant

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation has employed Teasha Barth as a part-time executive assistant. Originally from New Kent County, Virginia, she spent nine years in local government, working in the Tax Assessor’s Office as a real-estate assessor and personal property-tax director. Teasha moved to Johnston County in 2023 and is married with three children and four grandchildren.

https://www.johnstonhealth.org/patients-visitors/patient-stories/

301 river bridge to stay open during replacement

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $9.4-million contract to build a new bridge beside the existing US 301 bridge across the Neuse River at Smithfield. As a result, the highway will not have to be closed during the three-year construction timeline.

"Two new lanes of the bridge will be built on the west side of the existing bridge," NCDOT explains. "Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the two new lanes, allowing for the removal of the existing bridge and additional construction" that will provide "a middle turn lane to match the traffic pattern on U.S. 301 on either side of the Neuse River."

The existing bridge – built in 1926 and widened in 1951 – "is nearing the end of its useful life," notes NCDOT. Building the new bridge could start "as early as May."

Middle Creek bridge ahead
of schedule

NCDOT says the replacement bridge for NC 210 across Middle Creek is likely to open in May or June – ahead of its July 1 goal. The new bridge is in place "and the contractor is currently working on roadway items," according to JoCoReport. It's a $3.2-million S.T. Wooten project.

Boys & Girls Club announces new leadership team

Appointed to advance the organization's mission "of inspiring and enabling youth to reach their full potential" are (left to right) Kourtney Bowden, club director; Lynn Stanley, Resource Development and Community Engagement assistant; CEO Matt Taliaferro; and Kelly Blanchard, director of Resource Development and Community Engagement. The club is based in new quarters beside Selma Elementary School and also operates a program at South Smithfield Elementary. The Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County is successor to My Kid's Club. LEARN MORE on its website>

WHAT'S COMING UP
Listed here are community events open to the public free of admission charge:

Heritage Center Black History program: The "Fat Boy" Story

The Black History Committee of the Johnston County Heritage Commission will host a screening and panel discussion of the PBS documentary "FAT BOY: The Billy Stewart Story" at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday (Feb. 27) at the Public Library Downtown. A nationally acclaimed Rhythm & Blues singer, Mr. Stewart and three of his band members died in an automobile crash on I-95 near Smithfield in 1970. Beverly Lindsay-Johnson, producer of the documentary, will be joined by Mr. Stewart’s cousin Dane Riley and former band member Charles Stafford, who will talk about the singer’s legacy and answer questions from the audience.

Town of Smithfield salutes SSS swim champs

Mayor Pro Tem Roger Wood introduces three members of the Smithfield-Selma High School women's swim team and their coach at the outset of Tuesday night's session of the Town Council: (left to right) Frankie DiGiovanni, Anya Muminovic, and Natalie Irish. The trio along with teammate Payton Millard (who wasn't present) finished second and third in a couple of relay races at the state 3-A swimming championships earlier this month The four also won several individual awards, including a first-place finish for Frankie in the 500-meter free-style race. The SSS team finished fourth overall – a repeat of last year's performance in the state meet.

A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR

High-school sports used to get better attention

Kudos to the Town of Smithfield for bringing some attention to the recent achievements of the Smithfield-Selma High School women's swim team in a state championship meet held two weeks ago. That's the only local attempt to share the news with the public that I've seen so far.

Nothing posted on websites or Facebook pages of Johnston County Public Schools and Smithfield-Selma High, where online recognition of students and faculty members is common practice. (I don't regularly check Instagram or other social-media sites).

Local news media? No ongoing coverage of high-school sports in recent years. (An exception is the Four Oaks-Benson News in Review, which does publish brief reports about teams representing two high schools: South Johnston and West Johnston.)

"Back in the day," every high school in Johnston County got extensive write-ups about their teams' performances, good or bad. Even the middle-school teams got recognition. That level of coverage went away with demise of local newspapers like The Smithfield Herald and The Clayton News-Star.

I made an attempt to provide weekly reports about football and basketball teams at SSS until last year, when I found it frustratingly difficult to round up results from online high-school sports sites like MaxPreps. Did the athletic staffs, for some reason, cease reporting their game results?

So who's going to step up and fill this void?

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