Saturday, February 15, 2025

			
				                                Leora “Sam” Jones, right, basketball All-American and three-time U.S. Olympian, was presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, during halftime of the Southern Wayne High Schools girls basketball game Wednesday night. Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton presented the honor to Jones, a longtime friend and neighbor. Bheind Jones is Milton Whitfield who nominated her for the honor. The award is the highest honor presented by the governor for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Sam Jones, Olympian and basketball All-American, awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Leora “Sam” Jones was just having fun playing backyard basketball with her childhood friends growing up in Mount Olive.


			
				                                In recognition of Youth Sunday, the Warsaw Baptist Church youth will conduct the Sunday, Feb. 9 service, beginning with 11 a.m. worship. Teens Addison Haney and Brantley Frederick will deliver the message, and the youth choir and quartet will sing. In addition the WBC Youth Stick Ministry team will provide a dramatic musical presentation. A spaghetti fund-raising will be held immediately after worship service in Powell Hall, with proceeds benefiting an upcoming youth summer camp experience.

WBC holding Youth Sunday

In recognition of Youth Sunday, the Warsaw Baptist Church youth will conduct the Sunday, Feb. 9 service, beginning with 11 a.m. worship. Teens Addison Haney and Brantley Frederick will deliver the message, and the youth choir and quartet will sing. In addition the WBC Youth Stick Ministry team will provide a dramatic musical presentation. A spaghetti fund-raising will be held immediately after worship service in Powell Hall, with proceeds benefiting an upcoming youth summer camp experience.


			
				                                Sarah Hess prepares to make a tactical throw-in attempt that would give the Lady Gators a fighting chance in a game with Eastern Wayne Tuesday night. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)

Lady Warriors prove too much for Spring Creek

Eastern Wayne’s Lady Warriors proved too much for the home team Tuesday night, as Spring Creek’s Lady Gators fell to the visitors 56-36 in front of an enthusiastic crowd eager to witness this anticipated clash.


			
				                                Eastern Carolina Council Executive Director David Bone presents a proposal to the Mount Olive Town Board to hire the organization to prepare, advertise and help with the town manager search during the board’s Monday night session. The meeting was recessed until 5 p.m. Thursday at the town hall courtroom, 114 E. James St. It took two votes, but Mayor Jerome Newton persuaded the board to table the issue until then. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Town board tables possible action on possible contract for town manager search until Thursday

Mount Olive town commissioners Monday night kicked a decision on how to proceed in the search for a new town manager down the road for a few days.


			
				                                The town of Mount Olive has identified two employees in the water department under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation for possible misconduct. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mount Olive employees under SBI investigation named

Watia “Tia” Best, 37, and Rashonte Pettit, 31, have been identified as the two Mount Olive town employees under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation for possible misconduct.


			
				                                In its Fall 2023 issue, <em>Southern Cultures</em> featured photos and essays highlighting the many ways in which climate change is affecting the southeastern United States. Wayne Community College is partnering with <em>Southern Cultures</em> and UNC’s Carolina Public Humanities to look at this subject on a local level, by sponsoring a photo contest that people are invited to enter by submitting their original photos showing the effects of climate change both in Wayne County and in the broader region. The deadline for photo submissions is February 28. (Carolina Public Humanities|Courtesy photo)

WCC seeks entries for photo contest highlighting climate change; deadline Feb. 28

In Greenland, climate change looks like a rapidly melting ice sheet. In Southern California, it looks like raging wildfires. Off Australia’s coast, it looks like degradation of the Great Barrier Reef.

Mexican “Consulate on Wheels” returns to WCC

GOLDSBORO — Wayne Community College will once again host the Mexican “Consulate on Wheels” to allow Mexican citizens to get identification documents.


			
				                                The University of Mount Olive has been named as the college or university in North Carolina with the safest campus. (Courtesy photo)

UMO named Safest College Campus in North Carolina

MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive (UMO) has once again earned the distinction of being the Safest College Campus in North Carolina according to Niche’s 2025 Safest College Campuses rankings. This marks the fourth consecutive year that UMO has held the top spot in the state. Additionally, UMO was named the 9th safest campus in America, reflecting the university’s unwavering commitment to student safety and well-being.


			
				                                Alan Rangel Vargas

Planting a SEED: Vargas finds career path through WCC Pre-Apprenticeship Program

GOLDSBORO — Alan Rangel Vargas participated in Wayne Community College’s first pre-apprenticeship program last summer to explore career opportunities. His experience in the program opened many doors for him, including a registered apprenticeship with Mt. Olive Pickle Company.


			
				                                Mount Olive town officials announced Monday morning that the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating two town employees for possible misconduct. The two employees have been suspended without pay. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

SBI investigating two town employees for possible misconduct

Two Mount Olive town employees are being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation for possible misconduct. Both employees were suspended without pay effective Thursday afternoon, Jan. 30.