WTSB Headline News

"Where the Stories Break"

1090 AM ~ Smithfield, NC 

Clayton Appeals $500,000 Lawsuit Verdict
Through their attorneys, the Town of Clayton has appealed a half million-dollar verdict awarded to a man mistakenly shot by police 5 years ago while they were looking for a wanted person. In September, Manuel Pena was awarded damages for being shot by two Clayton police officers on his Liberty Lane property.  Pena was on his front porch and armed with a gun when he was shot by officers who were trying to find a suspect who had escaped nearby from a probation officer.  Pena reportedly did not know the men on his property were law enforcement officers.  The appeal seeks either a new trial or a reduction in the monetary damages awarded to the 66 year-old man. 

School Board Reviewing Proposal Rental Fee Increases
The Johnston County School Board has tabled a proposal to raise rental fees of school buildings until the new fee schedule can be more thoroughly reviewed.  The current rates were adopted 12 years ago, and officials said the higher fees were necessary due to increased costs.  Among the proposed changes are increasing the fees charged to churches from $30 to $100 per hour.  For-profit organizations would see rental fees double from $100 to $200 per hour.  The school board will hear recommendations and likely vote on a new fee schedule when they meet in January.       

NC Jobless Rate Back Up To 11 Percent
North Carolina’s unemployment rate, which had been below eleven percent since July, is back at 11 percent.  Unemployment numbers for October were released Friday by the NC Employment Security Commission.  ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr. said his agency is working quickly “to implement the new extension of benefits for those individuals who have exhausted or are about to exhaust their benefits.”  Currently, 496,279 people are unemployed in the state. One year ago, the jobless rate was at 7.0 percent. 








New Law Prohibits State Name, Stickers Being Hidden On License Plates
Beginning Dec. 1, Operators Can Be Cited, Later Fined
DMV officials are reminding drivers about a new law that goes into effect on Tuesday, December 1. The law requires the state’s name across the bottom of the plate as well as the year and month stickers on a license plate to be fully visible. They can no longer be partially covered by a license frame. Vehicle owners can be cited for committing an infraction and, after Nov. 30, 2010, fined $100 for the violation.  The law was introduced in the 2009 session of the General Assembly and was supported by law enforcement officials because it increases the readability of registration information on the plates and helps identify vehicles registered in North Carolina.








A "Tree"Mendous Effort

River Dell Elementary Kindergarten, head start and first grade students packed more than 200 "Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes" recently for poverty-stricken children in far away lands.  The children and teachers alike were so excited as they piled their boxes in a shape of a Holiday Tree! Happy Holidays from River Dell Elementary!

 

Smithfield Police Investigating Armed Robbery
Smithfield Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Princeton man early Friday morning. The 49 year-old victim was in the 700 block of South Brightleaf Boulevard around 1:00am when he said two armed gunmen approached him. The suspects demanded he empty his pockets. After learning the victim only had $3, they turned and fled, police said.  The victim was not injured.    

Drugs Found After Man Runs From Traffic Stop
A Smithfield man who reportedly fled from police during a traffic stop on Rose Street on Wednesday is facing drug charges. Smithfield Police said after chasing down 21 year-old Lajarvis Marquiz Jones of Seventh Street he fought with officers before being detained.  Officers said they subsequently found crack cocaine in his possession. Jones was charged with felony cocaine possession and resisting arrest. Bail was placed at $21,000.

Joint Investigation Leads To Garner Woman's Arrest
A Garner woman is accused of having stolen property, reportedly taken from locations in Johnston and Wake Counties, in her possession.  Johnston County sheriff’s detectives charged Jessica Torres, 24, this week after a stolen TV and video game system were reportedly found in her possession. Her arrest followed a joint investigation between the Johnston and Wake County Sheriff’s Departments.  

 

Pair Accused Of Stealing Checks From Overseas Military Personnel
Two people have been charged with stealing checks from overseas Airmen, then forging those checks against their bank account.  John Oscar Newsome, 78, and Melissa Shannon Garcia, 37, both of Goldsboro were arrested by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and charged with forgery, uttering, and obtaining property by false pretenses.  

Selma Woman Arrested For Using Stolen Credit Card
A Selma woman is accused of using a stolen credit card to ring up purchases, including buying a cell phone.  Shobie Sherone Monique Williams, 25, was arrested by Smithfield Police this week for reportedly using the credit card owned by Ronald Strickland of Smithfield.  Strickland reported his card missing to police in August.  Williams was charged with two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.  









Teen Linked To 4 Car Break-Ins
A teenager from Wayne County has been arrested in connection with several car break-ins reported in the MarMac community in recent days.  Dylan Shane Wilburn, 17, of Dudley is charged with breaking into four cars.  Other charges are pending, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and detectives are seeking other persons of interest in the case.




  

Deputies Arrest Four Oaks Man
A Four Oaks man was arrested Thursday after deputies were called to a disturbance at his home on Webb Mill Road.  Officers said 25 year-old William Allen Core reportedly threatened to harm his father then ran into a wooded area and hid.  While deputies were at his home, he returned and reportedly approached a deputy in a threatening manner while armed with a stick.  Core resisted arrest but was finally taken into custody.  He was charged with resisting arrest, damage to property, and communicating threats. He was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $5,000 bond.  








Ava Gardner Still Enjoys International Stardom

Ava on location in Kenya for the movie Mogambo.

The Ava Gardner Museum, one of North Carolina’s most remarkable attractions, honors the life, loves, and legacy of one of Hollywood’s most glamorous leading ladies.  In the Museum’s 5,000 square-feet of exhibit space, visitors can see extraordinary costumes, movie posters and awards that represent Ava’s 50-year career as a leading Hollywood actress. In the 1950s and 60s, there was arguably no bigger actress in the world than Ava Gardner.  Her films were often shot on location, taking Ava all over the world.  Combined with living abroad in Spain and London the last 35 years of her life, Ava Gardner was an international star and known the world over.  Although Ava Gardner passed away in 1990, the Museum continues to draw over 12,000 visitors annually to Downtown Smithfield from all 50 states and countries worldwide, including Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Japan, and Brazil.  Almost 20 years after her death, news articles continue to be published about her daily.  In October 2009 alone, BBC Mundo (the Spanish-speaking bureau of the British Broadcasting Company) and Swedish National Radio completed and broadcasted stories about Ava Gardner and the Museum built in her honor in her hometown. “The Ava Gardner Museum is proud to be able to continue to honor the life and career of one of North Carolina’s most famous daughters.  After thirty years in existence, the Museum continues to increase its visitor numbers from year to year and we are pleased with our positive economic impact on tourism spending in Johnston County,” stated Jessica Meadows Hammett, Executive Director of the Ava Gardner Museum.  The Ava Gardner Museum is located in downtown Smithfield, at 325 E. Market Street.  The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm with admission of $6.00 adults, $5.00 seniors and groups and $4.00 children.







Teen Dad Accused Of Abusing 7 Week-Old Son
A teenage father is in custody accused of abusing his own 7 week-old son.  Colton M. Maddux, 19, of Parkertown Road, Four Oaks was arrested Wednesday by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.  On November 11, Maddux’s child was treated at WakeMed in Raleigh for four broken ribs.  Authorities said those injuries were intentionally inflicted, but won’t say how.  Maddux was charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious injury. He was jailed Wednesday afternoon under a $50,000 bond. Following his first appearance in court on the charges Thursday, his bail was lowered to $5,000.

Mom Accused Of Leaving 9 Month-Old In Car While Shopping
A young mother is in trouble with authorities after she allegedly went shopping while reportedly leaving her nine month old baby alone in her car.   Smithfield Police said the child was left unattended for over an hour in the parking lot of Carolina Premium Outlets Thursday morning.  Captain Bruce Gentry said Candice Rose Mogan, 27, of Goldsboro was shopping while her baby was alone in her car.  Police did not say which store Mogan was shopping. Mogan was charged with misdemeanor child abuse and released from custody pending a January 4 court appearance.  Captain Gentry said the Department of Social Services was also notified about the incident. 

East Clayton Kindergarten Students Step Back To The 50’s

(Front row L to R) Dillon Blow, Micheal Meredith, Megan Carpenter, Erica Salome, Jessica Knott, Henry Lowry, Erin Burns, Trey Blake. (Middle) Christopher Weller, Garren Thompson, Aaron Cockrell, Seth Benbow, Mariana Campos, Jadyn McLean, Drew Riddle, Addison Reid, D'Zaria Sanders, Alissa Davis. (Back) Sharon Crumpler, Betsy Mullins, and Beth Brooks.

The Kindergarten students at East Clayton Elementary School celebrated the 50th day of school with hula-hoop contests, root beer floats, counting games, and dressing up as students in the 1950’s.  They had a great time celebrating together.  Pictured are students from Mrs. Betsy Mullins’ and Mrs. Sharon Crumpler’s class.

Burglar Charged With Stealing Money From Church Alter
A Selma man was arrested Thursday morning a short time after police said he broke into Emmanuel Church on East Lizzie Street.  During the break-in, police said 29 year-old Alfonso Antonio Alford stole 16 quarters from the alter, money the pastor said was left at the front of the church each Sunday for children in the church who would come forward to sing.  Alfonso is accused of taking the change, along with committing two break-ins in recent days at the Cleaning Edge Car Wash in Selma.  Alford was confined in the Johnston County Jail under a $56,000 secured bond.

Johnston County 2011 Revaluation Underway
Johnston County appraisers and members of Pearson Appraisals are out in the county reviewing properties in preparation for the state mandated 2011 real property revaluation.  Residential property reviews are nearing completion and commercial property reviews are underway countywide.  Pat Goddard Johnston County Tax Administrator said, “All appraisers will wear county identification badges even if they are not driving a county vehicle.  No one will ask to see the inside of your home, but citizens can request an inside visit if they feel an inside inspection is necessary.”  In North Carolina, revaluations are required at least every eight (8) years and Johnston County conducted the last revaluation project in 2003. Many counties have shortened the revaluation cycle to every four years. However, Johnston County remains on an eight-year cycle.  Goddard said, “The main focus of any revaluation is to equalize values among properties.  Some properties have increased in value more substantially than other properties.” Notices of new value will be sent to citizens in late 2010 or early 2011 and informal appeals will begin first quarter 2011.  The new values take effect on January 1, 2011.

Contractor Charged In Home Construction Scam
A self-employed contractor is accused of swindling thousands of dollars from a Johnston County resident, leaving their home far from being finished.  Tracy Woodruff told authorities he signed a contract with Michael Ryan Craft of Wilson to build a home on Old Beulah Road.  Craft was reportedly paid $205,000 for the work and allegedly signed affidavits claiming subcontractors had been paid for their work. Sheriff’s deputies said they hadn’t.  Craft also reportedly failed to finish building the house.  On Wednesday, the 32 year-old builder was arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses, a felony. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.  

$500,000 Bail Set For Food Lion Robbery Suspect
Bail has been set at a half million dollars for a Clayton man arrested Wednesday for the September 7, 2009 armed robbery of Food Lion on Highway 42 East in Flowers Plantation.  Antonio Jamar Reese, 33, of Lassiter Farms Lane is charged with robbery and kidnapping.  Authorities said Reese entered the grocery store minutes before it closed, and while armed with an assault rifle, demanded money from the store safe.  Sheriff’s detectives said Reese was in the store about three hours before the robbery and based on surveillance video and being able to trace the purchase of the weapon to an area pawnshop, Reese was arrested. 

McGee’s Middle FFA Chapter Pre-Selling Poinsettias
The McGee’s Crossroads Middle School FFA Chapter is pre-selling poinsettias through November 30, 2009. The group is offering four varieties: Poinsettia ‘Red’, Poinsettia ‘White’, Poinsettia ‘Jingle Bells’ (red with splashes of white), and Poinsettia ‘Winter Rose’  (a beautiful double bloom variety). Order forms and picture guides are available online.   Payment is expected at time of order.  Orders will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, December 2, 2008 from 4:00 until 7:00 behind McGee’s Crossroads Middle, in the cafeteria.  McGee’s Middle currently has the only active, middle school FFA in Johnston County. For more information, contact Mary Hunter Olive, Chapter Advisor, at 919-894-6003.

Cardiologist To Leave Johnston Health
Smithfield Cardiologist Dr. Frank Wefald told WTSB late Wednesday he is leaving Johnston Health but will not leave the area.  More details will be released as they become available. Wefald owns and operates Millenia Cardiovascular in Neuse Commons in Downtown Smithfield. Dr. Wefald hosts "Heart to Heart Talk with Dr. Frank Wefald" every Wednesday afternoon at 3:15 on WTSB. Dr. Wefald said he would release complete details on his departure on his November 25 program. Wefald is recognized as one of the top cardiologists in the United States. He is married to Vickie Foote Wefald, and resides in the McGee's Crossroads community. WTSB File Photo     

Economist Predicts NC Will Emerge From Recession In 2010
Dr. Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds professor and North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist at North Carolina State University predicted Wednesday that North Carolina will emerge from the recession in 2010. Walden says the state will climb slowly out of the recession over the next two years with metropolitan areas leading the way. Walden prepares an economic outlook for the state every six months. In his North Carolina Economic Outlook: Winter 2009, he sees the end of what some have called the “Great Recession,” the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Walden sees the North Carolina unemployment rate peaking early in 2010 at between 11.3 and 11.5 percent. From that point, unemployment will gradually improve. North Carolina’s unemployment rate stood at 5 percent in December 2007, and Walden does not foresee a return to that number in the near future. The economist sees the jobless rate falling to 9.8 percent by the end of 2010 and to 8.9 percent at the end of 2011.  Economic indicators such as manufacturing output, earnings per worker and retail sales have trended upward in recent months, Walden points out, while the housing market, which sparked the recession, appears to have bottomed out.  Walden sees North Carolina’s economy growing over the next two years, but slowly. Economic growth will be held back by consumer debt, he predicts. Consumers entered the recession with what Walden calls “historically high outstanding debt.” The economist doesn’t think consumers will begin to spend until they’ve paid down some of that debt, and consumer spending tends to drive the economy. Economic improvement will be uneven across the state. “Job growth will be strongest in the Charlotte, Triangle and Wilmington regions, and several regions will continue to have unemployment rates above 10 percent at the end of 2011,” Walden writes.







Coats Police Chief Injured During Chase
Coats Police Chief Eddie Jaggers was injured in an assault Tuesday night as he tried to arrest a suspect after a car chase that ended behind a house on Highway 27. The incident began shortly after 5 p.m. when the suspect reportedly drove away from a checkpoint near Coats heading east on N.C. 27 toward Benson, according to Harnett County Sheriff’s Major Gary McNeill.  After turning behind a home, the suspect, 43 year-old Stefon Stewart of Holly Springs, reportedly ran his car into a creek and tried to flee on foot.  Chief Jaggers was reportedly struck in the head during a struggle. He was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh where he was treated and released.  Rita and Maurice Howerton said they were just sitting down to an evening of dinner and Glenn Beck on TV when they heard sirens that sounded like they were coming from every direction.”Next thing we knew they were in the back yard with the chief laid out on the ground,” Mr. Howerton said. Police from Coats, Benson, Lillington, Erwin and Angier police departments searched the Oakdale Trailer Park and woods for Mr. Stewart. He was apprehended around 9:30pm behind a home on Bailey’s Crossroads Road.  He was jailed under a half million dollars bond.  Officials haven’t determined why Stewart ran but show he had just been released from parole on October 28 for 1994 convictions for rape, burglary, and robbery in Wake County. Countesy The Daily Record   

SJHS Wide Receiver Selected To Play In Shrine Bowl

Dee Williams, a South Johnston senior and wide receiver on the Trojans football team, has been selected to play football in the 73rd Annual Shrine Bowl.  The 2009 Shrine Bowl will take place on Saturday, December 19th at the Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

US Chamber Poll Shows NC Opposed To Current Health Care Reform Plan
On Wednesday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a public opinion poll showing that 49% of North Carolinians oppose the health care reform plan currently being discussed in Congress while only 40% support it.  The poll of 600 registered voters was conducted November 8-10 to gauge support for health legislation currently being proposed.  “Polling clearly shows that North Carolinians oppose the current direction of health care legislation,” said Bruce Josten, executive vice president of government affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has been a strong advocate for reforms that improve access to quality care and lower costs but, like North Carolinians, we are very concerned about the legislation Congress is now considering.”  The Chamber commissioned polls in seven key states – Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Virginia – all of which showed voters in those states oppose current legislation, with substantial majorities saying it will increase the federal deficit and raise the cost of their health care.  Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed believe a government-run public option will raise health care costs, 69 percent believe it will raise taxes, and 60 percent think proposed cuts in Medicare will harm health care for seniors. Fifty-one percent of seniors surveyed in NC oppose the health care legislation. The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

Selma Police Recover $12,859 In Stolen Cash

(L to R) Selma Police Captain R.A. Cooper counts out a total of $12,859 recovered by officers Tuesday night a short time after it was reported stolen from the Laraza Store. Detective Sgt. R.K. Vaughn looks on. WTSB Photo

Selma Police recovered nearly $13,000 in cash Tuesday night, hours after it was reportedly stolen from a Hispanic business.  Officers said a relative entered the back door at the Laraza Store on South Pollock Street and took a bank bag containing the cash.  A short time later, the suspect and his wife were located at a Smithfield motel and arrested.  Alejandro Garcia, 19, and Carla Ibarra, 17, both of Selma were arrested on conspiracy charges. Garcia was also charged with felony larceny.  Police recovered $12,859 in cash, nearly all the money that had been stolen.   

AARP Survey: Seniors Concerned About Financial Scams
An AARP survey released this week suggests seniors have a high level of concern about the impact of financial scams.  Seventy eight percent of those age 55 and above surveyed said scams have affected them or someone they know. The report says a common setting for fraudsters to engage their victims is through a free lunch or dinner offer, by which an individual is solicited to attend and learn more about investing in retirement. Many of these invitees have received 10 or more invitations to these “free” events, the AARP reported. Once at the seminar, half of attendees surveyed said the presenter asked for personal information, such as contact or financial information, and nearly 46 percent reported that the presenter attempted to make a follow-up appointment at their home.  The AARP, in collaboration with North American Securities Administration Association, have launched the Free Lunch Monitor program in response to raise public awareness about the possible dangers of attending free lunch seminars, and also how to report suspicious activity.  








Etheridge Objects to Capitol Police Slur on Pork
U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge has sent a letter to United States Capitol Police Chief Phillip D. Morse Sr., to bring pigs to the U.S. Capitol. On November 3, The Hill newspaper reported the police department denied a request from an advocacy group to bring pigs onto the US Capital Hill area.  Police denied the request “due to the significant health concerns about the possible spread of the H1N1 virus.”  Etheridge’s staff said his letter informed the police chief H1N1 is a human-adapted virus transmitted from human to human, not pig to human. Etheridge said misinformation about pigs’ role in the current H1N1 outbreak has hurt pork producers in NC and across the nation.  Just this week, Clinton, N.C.-based Coharie Farms, the 22nd-largest pork producer in the United States, declared bankruptcy. “The pork industry is hurting economically from top to bottom,” Etheridge said.  “Banning pigs on a trumped-up charge hurts our farmers, their families, and our local economy.”

Red Balloons Carry Special Message

Cleveland Elementary students, joined by the school staff, recently released 850 red balloons on the campus. The event was held as part of a “Says No To Drugs” education campaign.  The students pledged their support for being drug free. Contributed photo

Rash Of Car Break-Ins Reported
Johnston County sheriff’s detectives have a message for car owners, keep your vehicles locked and your valuables out of sight.  Thieves entered eight cars parked in two subdivisions off Highway 50 near McGee’s Crossroads Monday night or Tuesday morning.  Electronics, money, and golf clubs were among the items taken.  Detective Lt. A.R. Benson said nearly all the vehicles entered had been left unlocked.   









West Johnston High School Shares Children’s Books

(L to R) West Johnston High ninth graders Delanie Barbour and Brooke Fuller read a children's book to elementary school students as part Nov. 10 as part of a school project.

On November 10th, 127 ninth grade students from West Johnston High School visited West Smithfield, McGee’s, and West View Elementary Schools to read to K-2nd graders.  As a culminating project to their unit of study on the Middle Ages of Europe, students created children’s books, which fused factual information with creative, appropriate language and images common children’s literature.  Students worked extremely hard to create books that were true to the styles of actual children’s literature authors and were very excited to share their work with the elementary school children.  By participating in this experience, the 9th grade students developed a deeper understanding of subject matter by teaching others, developed character and leadership skills, and served as positive role models for younger children in the community.  School staff members said they were very proud of their young leaders.

Council Approves SRAC Fee Increase January 1
Fees for the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center (SRAC) will be increasing January 1.  The Town Council has signed off on a proposal to increase rates for new members. Current members would not be affected.  Application fees will increase from $35 to $40, while individual membership prices will go from $30 to $35 per month starting next year for Smithfield residents. Non-residential rates will increase from $47 to $52 per month for individuals.  Corporate rates will also increase about $5 per month for each category.  Non-members will still be able to pay a daily guest fee ranging from $5 to $10.  In a memo to the Town Council, Parks & Recreation Director Tim Johnson said even with the rate increase the SRAC will still be in a very competitive position with the amenities the center has to offer to the public.    

Medicare Part D Annual Election Period in Full Swing
Recipients can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan or change their current coverage
NC Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin wants to remind the state’s 1.3 million Medicare recipients that the Medicare Part D annual election period started Nov. 15, and will continue through the end of this year.   “The enrollment period has begun, so now Medicare recipients have six weeks to review their current coverage and make a decision about which plan to choose for the upcoming year,” said Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “North Carolinians have many prescription drug plans from which to choose — so many in fact, that the decision-making process can be daunting. Before you make any changes, call SHIIP at the Department of Insurance. We can help you understand your options.” The Department’s SHIIP Division, or the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, employs trained staff that can answer questions about Medicare Part D.  For the coming year, North Carolina will have 47 prescription drug plans (PDPs) available to Medicare beneficiaries, and 20 companies will administer the plans. Some existing plans also have changed their prescription formularies, monthly premiums and deductibles. For questions about Medicare Part D’s annual election period, PDPs or other Medicare products, call SHIIP at 1-800-443-9354 or visit www.ncshiip.com.

2 Of 3 Smithfield Shooting Suspects Indicted
Two of three teenagers reportedly involved in a drive-by shooting in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Smithfield in September have been indicted.  Oscar Delarosa, 16, of Selma (left) and Juan Manuel Mora, 17, of Princeton (right) were indicted by a grand jury on charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharging a weapon into occupied property resulting in bodily injury. Raul Omar Martinez, 19, of Princeton was also arrested for the crime but was not indicted this month with his two alleged co-conspirators.  The three are accused of shooting 17 year-old Useil Beltran of Lucama in the leg while he was sitting in his car in the store parking lot.  According to court documents, Mora was on probation at the time of the shooting, having appeared in court days earlier and given two years probation for possession of burglary tools.  Smithfield Police said the September shooting was not a random act and stemmed from an earlier altercation. 








A Look Back To 1967
It's 1967. Ralph Lauren is selling Polo to the preppies, the first Rolling Stone magazine rolls off the presses, the Rolling Stones band is on the Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis Presley weds Priscilla Beaulieu, color TVs become commonplace, the largest offensive is launched in the Viet-Nam War, the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, Israel wins the 6 Day War and is reunited and enlarged, The Fugitive is on ABC, the Toronto Maple Leafs wrestle Lord Stanley's Cup from the Montreal Canadiens, Hair is tops on Broadway, The Graduate, Bonnie & Clyde and Cool Hand Luke are tops at the box-office, Gary Brewer, Jr. is walking around in a green jacket at the Masters in Augusta, Twiggy is walking around in a mini skirt at the Picaddily in London, the first Indianapolis 500 to be televised in color on ABC's Wide World of Sports was won by A.J. Foyt, The Who open for Herman's Hermits, Philadelphia 76er Wilt Chamberlain sets records by snagging 41 rebounds, hitting 35 consecutive field goals and then missing 22 consecutive free throws, Jimi Hendrix releases Purple Haze, the Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I, the Boeing 737 takes to the air, Rocky Marciano retires undefeated, NY Yankees Mickey Mantle hits his 500th home run and Whitey Ford retires, Sonny & Cher's Beat Goes On, the Monkees win the Emmy for best comedy, Aretha Franklin takes Otis Redding's song Respect to #1 & he does the same thing with Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, Major Robert Lawrence is the first black astronaut, The Beatles dominate the  #1 slots with Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, All You Need is Love and the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as 400 million people watch their TV special, Thurgood Marshall is the first black Supreme Court justice, Bobbie Gentry is singing an Ode to Billy Joe, the Doors Light My Fire, Walt Disney goes wild with Jungle Book, Pink Floyd tours America, Surveyor 6 lands on the moon, gas is 33¢ a gallon at John Dail's Sinclair, the minimum wage is $1.40 per hour, a movie ticket to see Cool Hand Luke at the Howell Theatre is $1.25, the Summer of Love is in full swing and this is the gang at Ruth Baker's Kindergarten in Smithfield. Photo courtesy of Ruth Wallace. Contributed by Carter Rabil.

Grand Jury Indicts Woman For Biting, Seriously Injuring Jailor
A Four Oaks woman has been indicted on charges of biting a detention officer in the Johnston County Jail causing injury.  Deputy William McGee was reportedly placing 22 year-old Morgan Ann Barfield into a holding cell on September 27 when she reportedly bit Detention Officer B.A. Reed.  Reed received injuries to her arm.  Barfield has been arrested on a misdemeanor warrant for failing to appear in court on a larceny charge.  She was indicted for felony assault on a law enforcement officer inflicting serious injury. 







Kenly Woman Arrested For Credit Card Fraud
A Kenly woman is accused of using a debit card to ring up purchases including a visit to a local ABC Store.  Jacqueline Diedra Hare, 26, was arrested Tuesday morning. Authorities said Hare used a credit card lost by a farmer cutting grass on Highway 222 near NC42 on August 29.  Hare was charged with financial card fraud, obtaining property by false pretenses, and probation violation.  She was confined in the Johnston County Jail under $50,000 bond.  

Suspect Pleads Guilty To Passing Counterfeit $100 Bills
A Raleigh man has pled guilty in federal court to passing counterfeit money at area businesses.  Rene Amador Castillo, 59, and others reportedly conspired to pass counterfeit $100 bills while making small purchases and in return receive genuine currency. Among the businesses Castillo targeted were Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Rite Aid, and Best Buy stores in the Triangle area. The crimes occurred in July and August of this year. Sentencing is still pending, but Castillo could face up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

 

Couple Charged In 5 County Crime Spree
Suspects Linked To 3 Burglaries In Johnston County

A Middlesex couple has been arrested on connection with a five county burglary spree after they reportedly tried to sell some of the stolen property.  Richard Phillip Mullins, 36, and Lindsey Marie O’Hara, 28, of Highway 231 South, were arrested Thursday. They are accused of committing numerous break-ins and thefts in Johnston, Wake, Wilson, Nash, and Franklin Counties.  Some of the stolen goods were recovered during a traffic stop.  Mullins and O’Hara are accused of committing a home invasion on Buffalo Road near Archer Lodge on November 8, along with residential break-ins on Antioch Church Road and Crockers Nub Road, according to Detective Lt. A.R. Benson.