New houses coming for adults with disabilities

Last Friday's groundbreaking celebrated the start of construction in the Finley Landing subdivision (across from Amazon in West Smithfield) by My Forever Home, a non-profit based in Clayton. Ten lots have been donated by Frank Floyd Development, with houses to be constructed by Harbinger Homes. My Forever Home helps adults with disabilities transition to independent living. Each residence will be rented to a disabled individual at least 18 years of age accompanied by a caretaker. VISIT the organization's website to learn more>
(Town of Smithfield Facebook photo)
 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Next Tuesday is N.C.'s Primary Election Day

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. till 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Meanwhile, early voting continues until 3 p.m. Saturday at four sites including The Bridge Church art 951 M. Durwood Stephenson Parking in Smithfield. Weekday voting hours are 8 a.m. till 7:30 p.m. To view sample ballots and lists of early-voting sites and Election Day polling places, visit the Johnston Board of Elections website>

Results of the voting will be posted on the Board of Elections website as soon as precincts turn in their reports after the polls are closed.

For Information about candidates competing in local and regional contests,
visit today's Weekly Sun FEATURE PAGE>

Downtown's parking plan remains unsettled

The Town of Smithfield's Market Street Task Force met with N.C. Department of Transportation officials last week and presented an option that would keep parking spaces on the south side of the street. NCDOT wants no parking on both sides.

Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett said "they completely nixed our option of one side," so the task force proposed keeping about 12 spaces in front of stores on the south side eastward from the Courthouse. She expects an answer from NCDOT for a report to the Town Council when it meets next Tuesday.

Meeting on revised county UDO set for March 23 

A public hearing before Johnston's County Commissioners on January 20 drew considerable opposition that prompted the board to delay adoption of a new Unified Development Ordinance until further revisions could be considered. This week the county announced that commissioners will conduct a "town hall meeting" at 6 p.m. Monday, March 23 at the Agricultural Center off NC 210 west of Smithfield on a revised UDO draft.

The county's announcement states that "the meeting will start with a presentation on the UDO from county planning staff and the consulting firm that helped draft the ordinance. Afterward, planning and consulting staff will be at various stations with detailed information about the UDO, and they’ll be available to answer questions and receive feedback."

Meanwhile, the latest draft and a summary of its revisions will be available this Friday on the Johnston County Planning Department’s website> 
 

L. Lamar Armstrong Jr.	Marcia Armstrong	L. Lamar Armstrong III	Eason Armstrong Keeney

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Annual "dirty water" cleansing now through April 2

The Town of Smithfield Water Filtration Plant has begun its annual "free chlorine burnout" as part of routine water-system maintenance. During this time, some customers may notice a slight change in the taste or smell of their water or mild discoloration. Residents who experience these effects should flush their plumbing fixtures for several minutes. The town emphasizes that the water remains safe to drink, and no boiling or special precautions are necessary. Customers with questions should call the water plant at 919-934-2661 during regular business hours.

County Commissioners to get Fire Service Staffing Plan

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will receive a Fire Service Minimum Staffing Plan for Johnston's 23 fire departments during its meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the Courthouse. VIEW the complete agenda>
The board will hold hearings on a couple of Cleveland Township land-use rezoning cases during its 6 p.m. session on Monday. VIEW the complete agenda>

Town Council to consider amendments to Growth Plan

The Smithfield Town Council will consider approval of amendments to the town's Comprehensive Growth Plan following a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall (details of the changes are in the meeting's agenda background accessed below). Also on the agenda is a request to rename a section of Dogwood Street to Oak Street in the Pine Acres neighborhood. VIEW the complete agenda>

Black history film on N.C. massacre this week and next

Screenings followed by discussions of American Coup: Wilmington 1898 will take place in two parts: at 7 p.m. today (Thursday) in the "Smithfield Performing Arts Center" at 141 S. Third Street (former Howell Theatre) and at 7 p.m. next Thursday (March 5) in the Johnston County Museum at 329 E. Market Street. The sessions have been arranged by the Black History Committee of the Johnston County Heritage Center. Call 919-934-2836 for more information.

The historical photo below shows the burning of a Wilmington newspaper office during "a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection" in what was North Carolina's largest city in 1898. The newpaper's editor, "a primary target of coup organizers," grew up in Johnston County.


 

Join us for a morning of inspiration
and community at our inaugural
CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS BREAKFAST
featuring keynote speaker Mike Glennon,
former N.C. State and NFL quarterback. 
This event will support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Johnston County and our commitment to providing safe, nurturing, and opportunity-rich spaces for local youth. For SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES use the QR code on the right, or e-mail Lstanley@johnstonbgc.org, or call 919-369-4951.       

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 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 

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

 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

From county board retreat: where Johnston stands

Top-level staff from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners led off the Johnston County board's annual planning retreat earlier this month by presenting a statistical profile of North Carolina's "third fastest growing county" (Johnston's 2024 population was estimated at 249,794; an estimate for 2025 should be coming soon).

The county's Public Information Office posted the graphics below on Facebook to highlight some key numbers in the state association's report to commissioners:

MISS A PREVIOUS EDITION?
You'll find it in the Weekly Sun archives>