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FAISON — Last November, on the site of the former Faison School, the town dedicated a stately, black granite monument to the school and to one of its most distinguished graduates, Dr. William E. Thornton, who was born and raised in Faison, before going on to become the state’s first astronaut; he is also buried in the town’s historic cemetery. Now, members of the public are being invited to add personal tributes by purchasing custom-inscribed bricks to be placed in the courtyard where monument sits.

The intersection of N.C. 55 and Secondary Road 1744 (Indian Springs Road/Old Seven Springs Road) is scheduled to be converted into a single-lane roundabout as part of an $8 million project that includes eliminating the intersection of N.C. 55 and North Church Street.

Isaiah Whitfield, 14, had to stretch to hold his phone high enough over his head to get just the right angle of his parents, Michael and Fransha Whitfield, as they posed in front of a banner celebrating Juneteenth.

Brad Mitchell has countless fond memories of time spent with his grandmother, Norma Ann “Nanny” Vinson, especially her baking lessons using her recipes — memories he wants to share with others while helping them make memories of their own.

“This man, right here, is my daddy, Paul Smalley,” Pernell Brickey said holding a photo album of former Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce leaders above her head. “He was the chairman in 2001. He passed away in 2013.

Overhead, dull gray skies threatened rain Monday morning, but the vacant lot adjacent to Roberts Machine & Supply on N.C. 55 West was ablaze with the colors of U.S. flags billowing in a brisk breeze.

Despite rainy weather, Warsaw celebrated Memorial Day in what many called ‘patriotic fashion,’ from the Warsaw Baptist Church Chancel Choir’s opening performances to the ceremonial laying of a wreath to honor the war dead by David Benton with Warsaw VFW Post 9810. Retired Command Sgt Major William Watson gave a ‘moving’ keynote address, urging all to remember the sacrifices made to preserve faith, liberty and freedom, the James Kenan JROTC presented the colors and John Berry, retired Army, from VFW 9810 played ‘Taps.’ Also on the program during Monday’s celebration was Warsaw Mayor AJ Connors and Warsaw Chamber President Frank Rhodes. Monday’s ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Jerry Allan Carter, a volunteer with Warsaw’s Recreation Department, a veteran and ‘a dedicated friend and volunteer of the Warsaw Chamber who loved participating in and working for the annual Veterans Day Parade. (Sherry Matthews|mountolivetribune.com)

Robert Van Wormer drove his screwdriver into the hard ground at Oakview (Maplewood) Cemetery; in the hole it left, he placed a small U.S. flag.

Margaret Annette Sutton, of the Suttontown community, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2025, at Mary Gran Nursing Home in Clinton.

WALLACE — Seeds of faith are being planted in the Duplin County soil once again as members of Poston Baptist Church and supporters of its school look toward the future and a $1.2 million building that will, when complete, allow for the acceptance of sixth-graders by the 2026-27 school year.