Area News
Calypso proposes district just for business
By Barry Merrill Tribune Publisher Most of the zoning regulations for Calypso were drawn up 30 years ago, but potential growth from the development of I-795 has the planning board scrambling to make sure that growth is directed in the town’s long-term best interest. Planning Board Chairman Roger Davis made a detailed presentation on establishing…
Read MoreMayor defends Warsaw PD in Waffle House arrest
By Barry Merrill Tribune Publisher An argument between a Warsaw Waffle House employee and an African-American customer has led to allegations of racial discrimination and excessive force against the town’s police department by the restaurant chain. The town’s African-American mayor isn’t buying it. Warsaw Mayor A.J. Connors, a Baptist minister, contacted the Mount Olive Tribune…
Read MoreCalypso Rec. problems spilling out into streets
by Barry Merrill Tribune Publisher A Calypso Town Board member and his wife came into the board meeting last Monday openly complaining about the abusive parents driving through their yard to park at the town ballpark. They left with assurances the problems would be fixed. The Recreation Department management of the recently opened spring seasons,…
Read MoreMore Mt. Olive ‘eyes’ on crime
by William Holloman Staff writer Several years ago town commissioners authorized the installation of surveillance cameras in high crime areas throughout the city. Since then, officials say plans for the new fiscal year include adding more cameras, pushing the total to 20. The goal is to have 24 operational and according to town officials, that…
Read MoreFaison board concerned about speeders
By Barry Merrill Tribune Publisher Are cars getting airborne when they cross the railroad tracks in Faison? It was a semi-serious question before the Faison Town Board at their regular monthly meeting last Wednesday. Most of the conversation centered on 18-wheeler traffic on N.C. 403 through town exceeding the speed limit, but as Mayor Carolyn…
Read MoreKerstetters address their final UMO class
The 2018 Commencement Ceremony of the University of Mount Olive began May 5th with the elegant introduction of President Philip Paul and First Lady Mary Johnson Kerstetter from Dr. David Hines, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “While I do not have any special authority to make a formal declaration, if I could, I would declare…
Read MoreWCDA head forced out
by Barry Merrill tribune publisher Crystal Gettys the head of the Wayne County Development Authority, has resigned, effective Friday, April 20. The resignation came in a meeting with County Manager Craig Honeycutt. County Commissioners Chairman Bill Pate and Commissioner Joe Daughtery were also present. Mr. Daughtery confirmed Sunday that the decision to request her resignation…
Read MoreNCPF ‘18: A most dill-lightful day
by William Holloman Staff writer North Carolina Pickle Festival 2018, the 32nd annual event, is another on the books now, and officials again called it “bigger and better than ever before.” Festival co-chair Lynn Williams, Mount Olive Mayor Joe Scott, and town manager Charles Brown agreed the weekend event drew another record crowd, and credit…
Read More117 construction, wrecks bring HP, Sheriff, MOPD
by William Holloman Staff writer The presence of state, county, and local law enforcement has been increased along the work zone areas of the U.S. Highway 117 Bypass in an effort to curb speeders. The area from O’Berry Road south to the Duplin County line has seen beefed up enforcement by the North Carolina Highway…
Read MoreBlue jailed after meat cleaver attack
by William Holloman Staff writer A domestic dispute in which a woman allegedly assaulted her boyfriend with a meat clever resulted in a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Mount Olive Police arrested 50-year-old Shelia Marie Blue of 201 County Road for the alleged meat clever assault on William Cobb of the same address.…
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