Partnership Raises Over $28,000 for Johnston County Children
Johnston County — On Friday, April 4th, the Partnership for Children of Johnston County hosted its inaugural “Fore the Kids” Golf Tournament, successfully raising over $28,000. Participating teams were eager to “putt for a purpose” as they generously gave to support vital initiatives known to enhance the lives of children. While hoping to score big, golfers contributed to essential resources like parenting education for caregivers, classroom support for teachers, and critical items like diapers and car
Ham & Yam Festival Road Closures May 2nd & 3rd
The Town of Smithfield is preparing for the 39th annual Ham & Yam Festival, celebrating local heritage, music, and food. To ensure the safety of festival goers and accommodate various events, several downtown streets will be closed during the weekend of the festival. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes. Road Closure Schedule: Saturday, May 3rd (7 AM - 7 PM): Market Street (from Front Street to 4th Street) will be closed for festival activities, including the Southland Car Club
AI and the Future of Work
To paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the “end of work” have been greatly exaggerated – more than once. Throughout history, the arrival of new technology has been regarded as a threat to human work and, in every instance, new technology has been integral to unlocking new work, new value, and rising incomes. This hopeful view is not the same thing, however, as saying that new technology, like artificial intelligence, will be all upside for every worker, all the time, everywhere. The recent report from the
Smithfield’s 39th Annual Ham & Yam Festival Set for May 3, 2025
Smithfield’s Longest-Running Festival Returns with a Spectacular Lineup of Fun, Food, and Entertainment! Smithfield, NC – Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day of fun at the 39th Annual Ham & Yam Festival, returning to historic Downtown Smithfield on Saturday, May 3, 2025! As Smithfield’s longest-running festival, this beloved tradition celebrates community, culture, and, of course, the two iconic Southern staples: ham and yam (they’re really sweet potatoes). This year’s festival promises to be
Johnston County Early College Academy Senior Jara Ashley is Poised for Success
SMITHFIELD, NC – Johnston County Early College Academy (JCECA) senior Ashley Jara was chosen to take part in the North Carolina’s Governor’s Page Program. Jara and around 10 other high school students from around North Carolina earned the opportunity to engage in four days of hands-on participation in state government. Since she was young, Jara has always been fascinated with the government. She remembers seeing Hilary Clinton on television when she was growing up and that inspired her. “There's
Coates Hearing Clinic Smithfield Expansion and New Services
Most of you already know about the addition of our Goldsboro location to serve Wayne County and surrounding areas, but we wanted to share the completion of our Smithfield expansion project. When we opened a little over 5 years ago now, we had hoped that we would be able to reach as many people as possible in Johnston County and surrounding areas to provide the best hearing healthcare possible to our community. We knew there was a need and we are so thankful and proud to be able to provide these
2022 Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame Recipients Named at Annual Banquet
Johnston County Public Schools inducted six new members to the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame on May 7, during the annual Hall of Fame Banquet held at Princeton High. In the fall of 2005, the high school athletic directors and principals met with JCPS administrators and presented the need to preserve the accomplishments and memories of the men and women who established athletic history in Johnston County. A Hall of Fame committee consisting of JCPS personnel was encouraged to
New Story Walk Open in Selma, NC
SELMA, N.C. The first Story Walk in Selma has arrived! It is located along the walking path around Blackley Athletic Park at 601 W. Noble Street. The Story Walk concept offers families the opportunity to enjoy some light physical exercise while reading stories along the path. Through this walk around the park, participants are guided through questions to ask their children, leading to meaningful family conversations and an easy start to Early Literacy. The Story Walk is easily accessible and within walking
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Junior Women's League Presents Annual Big Night Out Gala
Smithfield, N.C. - The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield will host its inaugural Big Night Out Gala benefiting ReEntry Family Services and JWL’s Johnston County Blessing Boxes on Saturday, May 21st beginning at 7 p.m. at The Farm at 95. “The Big Night Out committee is working hard to plan a memorable event after having to pivot the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Our hopes are to gather everyone together for a night of celebration that creates a measurable impact on our community,”
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 88 donates 500 book bags to JCPS Written By: Robin Koppen, JCPS Communication Specialist SMITHFIELD, NC - The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #88 (FOP 88) bought and donated 500 backpacks to help children in Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS). Members of the FOP 88 worked alongside JCPS school social workers, school counselors, student advocates, school nurses, assistant principals, and some central office staff to fill the bags on Thursday, Mar. 17, at the
Junior Women's League Presents Over $10,000 Donation To House of Hope
Smithfield, N.C. - On Thursday, February 17, 2022, the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield presented a check to House of Hope North Carolina for $10,059.06. Funds were raised at JWL’s 6th Annual Touch-A-Truck event held in downtown Smithfield on Saturday, November 6, 2021. “We are thankful for the generous support of our sponsors as well as the businesses and individuals who provided trucks, helping us to bring JWL’s Touch-A-Truck event back to Downtown Smithfield and raise much needed funds
Celebrating the Voices and Passions of Local FarmHers
Smithfield, N.C. -- The Junior Women's League of Smithfield, in partnership with the Johnston County Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher program and JoCo Grows Agriculture Committee will host Ask A Farm(HER), a local farmer Q&A panel featuring female farmers from Johnston County on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m at Johnston County Ag Center. The purpose of the Q&A panel is to give Johnston County citizens an opportunity to hear farmers discuss the issues of importance to
JUNIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE OF SMITHFIELD’S 6th ANNUAL TOUCH-A-TRUCK FUNDRAISER IS NOV. 6
Smithfield, N.C. - On Saturday, Nov. 6, the Junior Women's League of Smithfield (JWL) will host its sixth annual Touch-A-Truck event, presented by Anchor Disposal, LLC and McClung’s Electrical and Plumbing, Inc. Children will have the opportunity to climb in and explore big rigs, emergency vehicles, construction equipment and other big machines that make kids of all ages say "whoa!” in the Narron Wenzel Truck Stop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Third Street in Downtown Smithfield. Bring
Town of Selma Announces The Opening of The Reggie Barnes Basketball Court.
The Town of Selma Parks and Recreation Department announced that the Reggie Barnes Court is now open and ready for play.The Reggie Barnes Basketball Court is located on the campus of the Harrison Gymnasium located at 601 W. Noble Street. It is situated next to the Jacquelyn J. Lacy Tennis Courts.“Selma is so proud that Reggie was able to give back to the community in which he started.” Stated Parks and Recreation Director, Billy Roach. “Reggie truly is an inspiration for all the youth here in Selma. We
The First “Red Vest Tuesday” For Lowe’s 100 Hometowns Project, Activate Selma A Success
SELMA, NC: Monday, August 30 - On Tuesday, August 24th, volunteers from Selma Parks and Recreation, Activate Selma, local businesses and Lowe’s of Smithfield endured the heat and dramatically changed the look of Downtown Selma during the first “Red Vest Day” as part of Lowe’s 100 Hometown projects. “Red Vest Tuesday” is in conjunction with the Lowe’s 100 Hometowns, a $10 million initiative to celebrate Lowe’s centennial by completing 100 community impact projects across the United States by the end of
SOLA CREATIONS BOUTIQUE FEATURED IN THE BOOK, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC
The much-awaited book, A Heart for Selma: 12 Stories of Activate Selma NC, written by Pine Level writer Cindy Brookshire, shares 12 personal stories of Selma, North Carolina residents, volunteers, and business owners who are revitalizing and uplifting their beloved rail community and all it has to offer. Katja Jentes of ProverbsPhotography shot all the photos in the book, including the book cover. Twenty-three community members participated in the project and two national experts, Roger Brooks
Smithfield River Rat Regatta on the Neuse, Cardboard Boat Race, Returns on August 14
SMITHFIELD, NC – After being delayed and then canceled in 2019 due to weather and the 2020 event being scrubbed due to the COVID-19, the Smithfield Yacht Club will open once again for the River Rat Regatta on the Neuse on Saturday, August 14 at 4:00 p.m. The event will feature a race between 2-person teams in cardboard boats from Smithfield’s Boat Ramp on N. Front Street to the Deputy C. Paul West, Sr. Bridge. The boats must be constructed entirely from corrugated cardboard, glue, and duct tape. Entries
Junior Women's League of Smithfield Provisional Members Complete Projects to Benefit Johnston County Foster Children and Senior Adults
Smithfield, N.C. -- The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield (JWL) has seen months of hard work by its newest members come to fruition with the completion of two projects by its provisional members to address the needs of foster care children and senior adults in Johnston County. JWL's provisional members from the Adopt a Golden Angel project provided 150 caddies to residents of Barbour Court Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Over the past year, long term care facilities have been hit especially hard;
ARCA Menards Series East To Race Southern National Motorsports Park Opener Saturday
(Lucama, NC) The stars and cars of ARCA Menards Series East will be making their way to the Tar Heel State for 200 laps of thrilling racing action this Saturday, June 12th at Southern National Motorsports Park. The Southern National 200 presented by Solid Rock Carriers will be joined by three other divisions of racing. Southern National Motorsports Park will kick off their 2021 schedule with four divisions of heart pounding action. Three local divisions will accompany the ARCA Menards Series East 200
LIVE@THE RUDY to Open JULY 10, 2021!
The 2021 LIVE@THE RUDY shows are set to hit the stage on JULY 10th! This will mark the second Grand Opening of the Rudy Theater since first opening with live shows in 1998. “As more and more people get vaccines and businesses are allowed to open, we plan to celebrate a Grand Re-opening, with our Classic Country Jubilee on July 10th, said owner/producer/musician Spook Joyner. “We will move that date up or back, depending on the Governor’s mandate.” The Classic Country Jubilee will run from July through
The 301 Endless Yard Sale is Happening in 2021
Selma, NC – After last year’s postponement due to COVID and a narrow miss this year due to summer school, the counties along the route are excited to announce this year’s 301 Endless Yard Sale will happen. On Friday, June 18th and Saturday, June 19th, Highway 301 (for over 100 miles) will be filled with excited vendors and shoppers. Hours of the sale vary by vendor but 7AM to 5PM daily is typical. Event organizers ask participants to please keep in mind that schools along the route will be in session for
JUNIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE PRESENTS $12,000 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT TO PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF JOHNSTON COUNTY
Smithfield, N.C. - On Thursday, March 4th, 2021, the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield presented a Community Impact Grant award to Partnership for Children of Johnston County for $12,000. Funds were raised during JWL’s Diaper Drive in the Fall of 2020. Due to a quick pivot from the Junior Women's League of Smithfield's Touch-A-Truck committee, the hard work of our members, and the incredible support of our community (and beyond), JWL was also able to donate more than 31,000 diapers, as well as wipes
Lenovo Launches “Cause The Affect” to Celebrate Small Businesses
Raleigh, North Carolina [February 22, 2021] – Lenovo, whose North American headquarters are in Morrisville, NC, kicked off a Cause The Affect movement by calling on Triangle-area citizens to join the global technology company in celebrating and supporting small businesses across America and in the local community.“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. They fuel us, feed us, and connect us. Now, more than ever, they need our support,” said John Bischof, executive director, North American
Athena Award recipient is living legacy for service
Presented by Crystal Roberts at the 45th Annual Meeting on January 26th, 2015 The Chamber Athena Award is presented each year to recognize the outstanding achievements of women in the Smithfield-Selma community. A national award, it is presented in over 300 communities and is sponsored locally by Corestaff Services. The Chamber would like to thank Corestaff for their continued sponsorship of this prestigious honor. If one were to describe her as a book, this living legacy would be the leather-bound
Sherry Harris Is A Woman To Follow
Speech Given By Crystal Roberts: Ladies and gentleman, the Smithfield-Selma Chamber is again excited to present the prestigious Athena Award to a well-deserving recipient. This award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment. Tonight’s recipient is a fierce advocate for acknowledging female potential and just as importantly doing what needs to be done to make this community
