Saturday, June 21, 2025

			
				                                Samantha Macklin, Payton Lowery, and Amilcar Lopez Escalante celebrate during one of WCC’s spring graduation ceremonies. (WCC photo)

Wayne Community College recognizes recent degree, program graduates

GOLDSBORO — Wayne Community College’s graduating class of 2025 is ready for the next step in their journey.


			
				                                Becky and Chip Craig (center) with North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Volunteerism Coordinator Kenneth McLellan (right) and Executive Director S. Briles Johnson at the ceremony honoring the 2025 Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service recipients.

Becky and Chip Craig honored with Governor’s Medallion Volunteer Service Award at NC State...

Becky and Chip Craig were honored as recipients of the prestigious Governor’s Medallion Volunteer Service Award during a ceremony held on Monday, May 12, at the North Carolina State Capitol. The Craigs were recognized alongside honorees from 20 other counties for their exceptional dedication to volunteerism and community service across the state.


			
				                                Tick-seed (Coreopsis sp.) is a popular summer perennial now blooming during June. (NC State Extension photo)

Gardening tips that will get you through the June heat

As we welcome in summer, our gardens are now in full swing. With summer weather we have to keep our gardens watered regularly and be on the outlook for insect and disease problems. Below are gardening tips to help your garden grow through the month of June.

Put your tax cards on the table

RALEIGH — The North Carolina House and Senate have enacted very different versions of a 2025-27 state budget, even though two plans would authorize virtually the same amount of spending. The differences are so vast, in fact, that some insiders predict no comprehensive budget will pass this session.


			
				                                Forensic Science students participate in a decomposition lab as part of their Forensic Biology class at WCC. (WCC photo)

WCC, ECU sign transfer agreements for criminal justice and forensic science programs

GOLDSBORO — Students in Wayne Community College’s Criminal Justice Technology and Forensic Science programs now have the opportunity to transfer seamlessly to East Carolina University through a new partnership between the two schools.


			
				                                Mount Olive Exchange Club member James Kornegay, right, gets a U.S. flag for his friend and Southern Wayne High School classmate, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Carlton Keen. Keen spoke Monday morning during the Exchange Club’s second annual Field of Heroes dedication ceremony. Keen, a veteran combat pilot, is a native of the Grantham community. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Field of Heroes pays moving tribute to those who have made an impact on...

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)

Warsaw celebrates Memorial Day

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)


			
				                                Vietnam veteran Robert Van Wormer salutes the flag he had just placed at the grave of a fellow Vietnam veteran Saturday morning at Oakview (Maplewood) Cemetery. Volunteers were busy placing flags on the graves of veterans ahead of Sunday’s annual Memorial Day observance and Memorial Day on Monday. In the background is his wife Sandra. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Memorial Day speaker offers encouragement to continue to honor a debt that can never...

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

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

Wayne County to pay tribute to fallen warriors in Memorial Day ceremonies

The 2025 “Flags In” and Memorial Day ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 24, to honor the fallen warriors of Wayne County.