All but one incumbent local official re-nominated
None of them have opposition in General Election

Adam Caldwell (right) got more votes than recently appointed Mike Rose to fill a full four-year term on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners as the representative of District 3, which stretches from Benson to Princeton and includes Meadow and Bentonville townships. Mr. Rose, a Princeton businessman and former town commissioner, was appointed to the county board in November 2024 following the death of Commissioner Tony Braswell in March of that year. 

A Benson resident, Mr. Caldwell is a client resource officer with WithersRavenel, an engineering firm based in Cary. (Coincidentally, incumbent Commissioner Butch Lawter of Clayton also works for WithersRavenel.)

Mr. Lawter won renomination Tuesday in a contest with former commissioner Keith Branch. Both Mr. Lawter and Mr. Caldwell along with Board Chairman Patrick Harris of Smithfield will be unopposed in November's General Election since no Democrats filed for any of the three commissioner seats up for election this year.

Only one of three incumbents on the Johnston County Board of Elections faced opposition in Tuesday's Republican Primary. Terry Tippett outpolled Jeremy Jenkins to continue holding the seat representing northern Johnston County. Incumbents Michelle Antoine and Kevin Donovan were unopposed in the primary. None of the three has oppostion in the General Election.

In the Republican Primary for sheriff, incumbent Steve Bizzell won with a landslide vote over challenger Randy Ackley, a former supervisor in the Sheriff's Department. Mr. Bizzell has no opposition on General Election ballots.

The three Republican incumbents representing Johnston County in the N.C. General Assembly – Senator Benton Sawrey and Representatives Larry 
Strickland and Donna White – prevailed in Tuesday's Primary, yet all three will face challengers in November's election.

For an open seat in the United States Senate, former Governor Roy Cooper won the Democratic Party's nomination against five other candidates with 92% of Johnston County's vote. Republican Michael Whatley outpolled six other candidates, winning 68% of Johnston's vote. Smithfield's Elizabeth A. Temple received 3.8% of Johnston's vote.

Incumbent Brad Knott won renomination in the Republican Primary for the state's 13th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won 90% of the vote in Johnston County. He'll face the winner of Tuesday's Democratic Primary, Paul Barringer, in November.

For the latest tallies of votes for all contests on Tuesday's Johnston County ballots, follow this link to results posted on the local Board of Elections website>
 

Conditions include angled parking on one-way streets

The Smithfield Town Council Tuesday night accepted a recommendation from its Market Street Task Force to suspend Town Government's opposition to removal of parking along Smithfield's main street – with conditions attached to a resolution adopted by the council.

Among the conditions:
• State financial aid to convert portions of three town-maintained streets near the Courthouse to one-way traffic with angled parking on one side: Third (northbound) and Second (southbound) between Johnston and Bridge, Johnston Street (eastbound) behind the Courthouse between Second and Third.
• Streetscape enhancements "to the greatest extent practicable" – including more trees and planters, better lighting, and "pedestrian amenities."
• Artistic crosswalk painting and "edgeline striping."

Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett presented the task force's strategy to the council  on Tuesday. She said the intent is to turn the state's stubbornness regarding no-parking into a "positive" with a campaign to educate the public about off-street parking alternatives and to make motorists slow down and be wary of pedestrians. "Park. Walk. Shop Smithfield – Explore More. Worry Less" is the campaign's focus.

Pam Lampe, a resident of North Second Street, objected to the one-way streets, adding that "angled parking is dangerous" since motorists back into traffic. "How many parking spaces are we gaining on Second and Third?" she asked.

"We're not going to gain any spaces at all," Ms Pickett conceded. "In all the meetings we've had" with NCDOT officials, she said, "downtown does not have a choice" as the state has consistently rejected all options to keep some parking along Market.

"It's not over," concluded Mayor Andy Moore. "We're going to continue pressing."

Oak Street's naming returned to its original designation

The council restored the name of Oak to the southern portion of a residential street that had been erroneously marked as Dogwood after expansion of the Pine Acres subdivision more than 50 years ago. Interim Town Manager Pickett said recent research into property records confirmed the mistake.

Sewerage extensions prompt changes in Growth Plan

The council approved updates to maps associated with the town's Comprehensive Growth Plan to reflect recent real-estate projects, mostly in West Smithfield with the arrival of Amazon and other industrial activity near Johnston Regional Airport. Interim Planning Director Micah Woodard said much of that recent growth has been spurred by extension of sewer service by the county and town into areas previously classified as "Low Density Residential" because of past reliance on septic tanks.
 

Town employs new finance and planning directors

The Town of Smithfield has announced two key additions to its leadership team: Tracy Stubblefield as Finance Director and Brent Ashley Reck as Planning Director.

Ms. Stubblefield brings 26 years of accounting experience, including more than a decade in local government finance. She most recently served as Assistant Finance Director for the Town of Clayton, where she helped guide day-to-day financial operations and long-term fiscal planning. Her work focused not only on balancing budgets, but on building systems that support transparency and accountability.

Before her time in Clayton, Tray spent seven years as Internal Auditor for Johnston County Schools. In that role, she provided independent oversight and strengthened internal controls.

A Certified Local Government Finance Officer, Ms. Stubblefield earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from University of Mount Olive.

Mr. Reck steps into the Planning Director's role with more than 20 years of experience in municipal planning, zoning, and land development. He began his career with the Town of Cary, where he advanced through several positions, including Zoning Compliance Supervisor.

In 2008, his peers recognized his leadership and professionalism by naming him "Zoning Official of the Year" through the N.C. Association of Zoning Officials.

Smithfield is familiar ground for Brent. He previously served the town as a Code Compliance Officer before continuing his municipal career with the Town of Holly Springs Engineering Department. He later moved into private-sector land development, managing residential projects with M/I Homes and D. R. Horton.

Mr. Reck studied Civil Engineering at N.C. State University and Urban Planning at UNC-Chapel Hill. He holds both AICP and Certified Zoning Official (CZO) credentials. He also served in the U.S. Army with the 7th Special Forces Group (Green Berets), the 8th Field Artillery Regiment, and the 7th Infantry Division Light Fighters, completing his tours at Fort Bragg.

Interim Town Manager Kim Pickett said both appointments reflect the town’s continued focus on strong, steady leadership. “Tracy and Brent each bring deep experience and a genuine commitment to public service,” Ms. Pickett said. “They understand the responsibility that comes with serving a growing community like Smithfield, and I’m confident they will help position our town for continued success.”

Story & photos from Town of Smithfield Public Information Office
 

Director Myra Burrell of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County called it a "crisis" as she presented the local program's annual report to the County Commissioners Monday morning.

She said 15 of Johnston's licensed child-care centers have closed since last summer. She cited "a lack of qualified staff" as the main reason. As a result, the Partnership will be seeking additional funding for staff training in the year ahead, Ms.  Burrell told commissioners.

The Partnership's report said 104 staff members employed by Johnston's 86 child-care facilities got "education-based salary supplements" this past year.

The News & Observer reported last week that North Carolina has had a net loss of 367 licensed child-care programs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 12% of those losses recorded during the last quarter of 2025.

VIEW a summary of the Partnership's report to Johnston's commissioners>

County eyes more full-time staffing of fire departments

Commissioners received a proposed Fire Service Minimum Staffing Strategic Staffing that would fund at least two full-time positions at all of Johnston's 23 fire departments. The cost of putting the plan in place was not announced at Monday's meeting, nor was a scheduled for implementing the plan.

"Volunteers are not there like they used to be," said Chris Ellington, chief of the Cleveland department who's chairman of the Johnston County Fire Commission. He said Johnston has seen a 50% increase in call volume over the past five years.

"Objective 1" is to increase the minimum level of staffing from two part-time personnel Monday through Friday by hiring one full-time supervisor for each department, starting July 1 of this year.

The next goal is staff all fire stations with three employees Monday through Saturday starting July 1, 2027. Following that, in 2028, all stations would have two personnel on duty during daytime hours Saturday and Sunday.

The plan calls for three personnel on duty seven days a week starting July 1, 2029.

Salary minimums would be $18 hourly for firefighters, with higher minimum rates of pay for personnel with advanced certifications.

DA Office renovation, Veterans Services grant projects

Commissioners awarded a $524,900 to low-bidder Talon Construction, Inc. of Smithfield and subcontractors to renovate offices of the District Attorney on the third floor of the Courthouse. The work is to be finished by July.

Commissioners accepted a $20,000 grant from the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for technology and digital access, training and education, office furnishings, and "outreach and community engagement."

Cleveland Township rezonings: one approved, one denied

At the board's evening session, commissioners approved without dissent conditional rezoning for 25 acres in the 400 block of Angie Road from Mobile Home Park District to the broader category of Agricultural Residental to permit Duke Energy Progress to construct electrical substations, transmission lines, and related facilities there.

Following a lengthy public hearing that drew opposition from nearby landowners and residents, the board voted 4-2 to deny a request for rezoning of 28 acres at the intersection of Cleveland and Pierce roads to Industrial 2 to allow Prologis, Inc. of San Francisco – a real-estate investment trust – to pursue mixed-use development ranging from "multiple heavy industrial uses" to residences. Voting against the request: Patrick Harris, Butch Lawter, Mike Rose, Bill Stovall. Voting in favor: Michelle Davis and Ted Godwin. April Stephens was absent.
 

FEBRUARY RAINFALL: 2.61 INCHES (below average again)
Cornell Cox's Backyard Weather Station in South Smithfield measured 2.61 inches of precipitation during February – an amount below the month's average of 3.31 inches, according to U.S. Climate Data. That brings the new year's total to 4.40 inches. Average rainfall for the first two months is 6.76.
 

SSS students in this year's All-District Honors Band

These are the Smithfield-Selma High School musicians selected to be part of the 2026 Southeastern All-District Honors Band. The students auditioned for the prestigious group, which presented a concert last Friday at Corinth Holders High School: (left to right): in front – Lilly McDonald, Noemi Luna, Sophia Klisiewecz; in back – David Gomez, Joshua Bridges, Grant Brice, and Jonathan Cruz (SSS Facebook photo)

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

"Spring forward": Daylight Saving Time returns Sunday
That means you'll need to advance your timepieces by one hour when you retire for the night on Saturday. Of course, you can wait till 2 a.m. to do that – the official time for the change to take effect. Or, you may not need to do anything since many of our devices automatically move the clocks forward. In that case, you'll simply need to pay attention to what your timepieces are showing after you wake up Sunday.

Parks & Recreation to mark St. Patrick's Day, "Pi Day"
"Project Shamrock" activities scheduled for ages 5-11 from 10:30 till noon this Saturday at the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center include story time, "crafts & traps," a scavenger hunt, and green pancakes and pie. "Pi Day" is a whimsical celebration of March 14 (3-14) for the mathematical multiplier 3.14. There's an admission charge of $5 per Smithfield resident, $10 for a non-resident.

School board's monthly meeting next Tuesday p.m.
The Johnston County Board of Education convenes at 4 p.m. with a closed session lasting about an hour before the open business session, which is live-streamed on the school system's YouTube channel>   VIEW the agenda once it's posted online>
 

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 tickets and SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES use the QR code on the right, or e-mail Lstanley@johnstonbgc.org, or call 919-369-4951.

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

JOHN P. BUCKNER, 89 – died March 3

RAYMOND EARL (BUDDY) PILKIINGTON, 86 – died March 3

ANNIE SLEDGE WOODARD, 94 – died March 2

JAMES DONALD (DON) CLIFTON, 87 – died March 1

DONNIE LEE CAPPS, 74 – died February 26

DORIS LEE SURLES, 83 – died February 25

DYRL GOWER WOOD, 92 – died February 22

KEISHA CHERRI HARPER MORALES, 42 – died February 17

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 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

"Standing tall & looking good; oughta be in Hollywood"

I'm on the way to chanting that old Army marching song as I begin the third week following back surgery to fix my spinal stenosis. Ouch!

I tried everything from pain medications to chiropractic care over the past several years to get relief, all to no avail. One of these days they're gonna find a less invasive way to eliminate what I've discovered to be a common.

I've had enough of "dealing with it," so here I am: trying to be a good patient to shorten the time for recovery.

Thank goodness I've been able to produce the Weekly Sun through it all. It's difficult to stay on task and avoid mistakes when you're hurting.

Speaking of editorial mistakes, let me advise careful readers of the Weekly Sun that factual, grammatical, and spelling errors appearing in this publication can be immediately corrected in editions archived on the website smithfieldweeklysun.com>

Unfortunately, the Thursday e-mails to subscribers containing each week's edition cannot be recalled once they're sent. But it's important to "set the record straight" in editions that should be accessible to the public indefinitely.

Please send corrections to wingate.lassiter@smithfieldweeklysun.com>

ONE FINAL NOTE: Delivery of today's edition to subscribers was delayed by an unforeseen convergence of circumstances.The editor's recovery from surgery slowed things a bit. Then along came an Internet service outage in Smithfield earlier this afternoon that added to the delay. It's scary how dependent we have become on electronic transmission of information!
 

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