Tuesday, December 16, 2025

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.

Louis M. Pate, 88

David John Price, Jr.

David John Price, Jr.

Town manager asks for patience as they work through Auditor’s probe

The town and its interim manager are asking for “the public’s patience” as they try to address issues found during a recent N.C. State Auditor’s investigation.


			
				                                Team captains #3 G. Sauno, #9 S. Aphael, and #12 J. Giron Castillo lead the Saints onto the field for the coin toss.

Saints shut down Goldsboro home opener

DUDLEY — What a night it was at Southern Wayne Tuesday as the Saints hosted non-conference opponent Goldsboro in their first home game of the season. With a big crowd in attendance, the atmosphere was electric, and this matchup promised to deliver. The Saints entered the game undefeated at 3-0-1 and wanted to keep their strong momentum rolling.

Jerry Lee Swinson

Jerry Lee Swinson


			
				                                James Kenan’s I. Covarruibus kicks the PAT following a touchdown drive in Friday’s game against the Saints.

James Kenan Tigers dominate, but Southern Wayne shows growth

GOLDSBORO — It was a perfect night for football Friday as the Southern Wayne Saints hosted the James Kenan Tigers in a non-conference showdown. Just one year after making their playoff berth, the Tigers continue to build on their winning culture, while the Saints are laying their foundation, brick by brick, despite coming up short on the scoreboard.


			
				                                During their first visit to Mount Olive, Wilmington residents Reed Slatas, left, and Doran Rozen sample Mt. Olive Pickle Co. products in the company’s new downtown Pickle Parlor. Their verdict? ‘Delicious!’ and ‘Crisp and fresh!’ (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

One month in, Pickle Parlor ‘dill-lights’ visitors from near and far

Since moving to North Carolina two years ago, Reed Slatas and Doran Rozen have made a number of trips from their home in Wilmington to attend events in Raleigh. During each drive, they’ve tossed around the idea of hopping off I-40 for a side jaunt into Mount Olive, and on a recent Friday afternoon, they finally did just that — which explains how they found themselves in the Mt. Olive Pickle Co. Pickle Parlor surrounded by, you guessed it, all things pickle: t-shirts, puzzles, greeting cards, ornaments, tote bags, toy trucks, aprons, oven mitts, and much more — including, of course, jars and jars and jars of pickle products.


			
				                                Miss North Carolina’s Teen Kate Ward shows off a copy of her children’s book, <em>Just One Little Fox</em>. Ward wrote the book as part of her community service initiative, ‘The Tree Hugger Project.’ Ward was crowned Miss North Carolina’s Teen on June 28 in High Point. She will travel to Orlando, Florida, September 2-7 to compete in the Miss America’s Teen pageant. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Kenansville native is Miss North Carolina’s Teen; will vie for national title in September

KENANSVILLE — When 18-year-old Kate Ward won the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2025 on June 28 in High Point, it was the culmination of a years-long process that began in 2013 when she participated in the Carolina Princess (now Carolina Star) program, in which young girls are mentored by local Miss North Carolina and Miss North Carolina’s Teen titleholders. That “behind-the-scenes” look was all it took to hook her on the idea of one day entering the competition herself.