Thursday, November 6, 2025

			
				                                Interim Mount Olive Town Manager Glenn Holland, right, gives his report to the board while District 1 Commissioner Vicky Darden listens. (Georgia Martin Dees|mountolivetribune.com)

Resident tells town board water bill increases not fair

Water was the hot topic at Monday night’s Mount Olive Board of Commissioners meeting.


			
				                                District 1 candidate James Carlton during Tuesday night’s public forum. (Georgia Dees|mountolivetribune.com)

Public forum allows candidates to share their platforms

Their backgrounds, demographics and ideas varied, but the 10 candidates at a public forum Tuesday night agreed on one thing: Mount Olive can’t continue to operate as it has if the town wants to grow and prosper.


			
				                                Head Coach Stephen Allard coaching up the Southern Wayne Saints defense on a timeout. (Kareem Brown photo)

Saints fall to Warriors in Friday night football action

DUDLEY — It was a tough night for the Southern Wayne Saints as they fell to Wilson Hunt Warriors, 63–0, in a one-sided matchup. The Wilson Hunt Warriors dominated from start to finish, capitalizing on offensive momentum and defensive takeaways to secure the victory.


			
				                                James Kenan’s quarterback No. 11 Eli Avent lining up the offense for a drive. (Kareem Brown photo)

James Kenan Tigers dominate Rosewood Eagles in homecoming matchup

GOLDSBORO — The James Kenan Tigers came out strong and never looked back in a commanding 49-7 victory over the Rosewood Eagles in the Eagles’ homecoming game.


			
				                                The University of Mount Olive will host renowned scholar Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka as the featured speaker for the annual Vivian B. Harrison Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Rodgers Chapel.

Nationally recognized scholar to headline Harrison Lecture at UMO

MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive will host renowned scholar Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka as the featured speaker for the annual Vivian B. Harrison Lecture on Wednesday, October 8, in Rodgers Chapel.


			
				                                Spring Creek’s men’s soccer team took a loss to Greene Central. (Kareem Brown|mountolivetribune.com)

Spring Creek Gators vs. Greene Central Rams: A battle to the final whistle

In a fast-paced and physical matchup, the Spring Creek Gators and the Greene Central Rams went head-to-head in a thrilling game that delivered plenty of action, intensity, and dramatic moments. Battling back and forth until the final whistle.

Local event to offer benefit services to veterans

The Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition, Inc. is hosting Wayne County Stand Down 2025 as a way to offer services to veterans from Wilson, Lenior, Johnston, Sampson and Duplin counties.


			
				                                Residents packed the Mount Olive Town Board meeting Monday night, many of them there to question a recent Office of the State Auditor report laying out findings and recommendations involving the town’s Water Department and Municipal Airport. (Georgia Martin Dees|Mountolivetribune.com)

Packed house greets town board, seeks answers

With almost every seat occupied, tension and frustration were obvious throughout the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night.


			
				                                The 76th annual Wayne County fair will be held starting Sept. 15. Information about the fair, including a daily schedule, tickets and entertainment can be found at https://waynefair.com

It’s fair time!

The 76th annual Wayne County fair will be held starting Sept. 15. Information about the fair, including a daily schedule, tickets and entertainment can be found at https://waynefair.com


			
				                                Southern Wayne High School pulled out a win over the Cougars in Friday night football action. (Kareem Brown|mountolivetribune.com)

Saints outlast Cougars in overtime thriller, 32–26

Fans were treated to a nail biting showdown as the Saints and Cougars battled into overtime, with the Saints ultimately pulling out a 32–26 victory. The Pre-Game Interview with Coach Stephan Allard was impactful. He acknowledged this was a rivalry and planned to keep the team poised and morale high during the game because this one would be a big test. In the county, bragging rights were also on the line.