Saturday, April 19, 2025

			
				                                Legendary coach Doyle Whitfield was inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame Friday night during a ceremony at Southern Wayne High School. (Robert P. Taylor|Mountolivetribune.com)

Whitfield honored with NCHSAA Hall of Fame induction

Southern Wayne High School celebrated a monumental moment Friday night, honoring legendary coach Doyle Whitfield for his induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Hall of Fame. The event, held between the JV and varsity baseball games, drew a crowd of former players, family, and community members eager to pay tribute to a coach who dedicated decades to shaping young athletes.


			
				                                Kinzely Sloan, (#11), pauses at third base during softball action against North Johnston Thursday. (Robert P. Taylor|Mountolivetribune.com)

North Johnston overwhelms Spring Creek in 14-1 victory

SEVEN SPRINGS — North Johnston asserted dominance early and never relented, securing a 14-1 victory over Spring Creek’s Lady Gators Thursday on. Despite a brief spark from the home team, the visiting Panthers controlled the game with aggressive baserunning and timely hitting.


			
				                                Spring Creek’s Rosa Cabrera Flores (#7) sprints downfield as a defender launches into the air, showing off incredible athleticism in pursuit of the play. (Robert Taylor|Mountolivetribune.com)

Gators lose hard-fought battle to N. Johnston

Spring Creek hosted North Johnston on a cool evening in Spring Creek. The weather was mild, with a slight breeze drifting across the field, making for ideal playing conditions. The field, though slightly damp from rainfall earlier in the week, was firm enough for quick passes and sharp movements.


			
				                                An estimated 2,000 FFA students from across North Carolina, and some from South Carolina, along with their advisors and ag teachers, attended the University of Mount Olive’s 10th annual AgFest Thursday on the UMO campus. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

AgFest educates, entertains FFA students while planting the seed for potential new students

It is not unusual to see someone fry pickles — that is unless they are using a high-voltage transmission line.


			
				                                A new sign was unveiled on US 117 marking the Patrolman Isaac T. Moore Bridge. (Courtesy photo)

New bridge signs in memory of fallen trooper unveiled

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the unveiling of a new sign naming a bridge in memory of a fallen trooper.


			
				                                Patricia Warren, right, instructs dancers during a Dance For Christ rehearsal. Beside her is daughter Tara Lancaster. Together, the women produce, direct, and choreograph the Christian dance ministry, which has upcoming shows at the Paramount Theatre April 4-6 and April 11-13. For more information, go to goldsboroparamount.com or call 919-583-8432. (Lindsay Crawford|Courtesy photo)

Dance ministry to ‘plants seeds’ of the Gospel during annual show at the Paramount

GOLDSBORO — It’s a courtroom scene unlike any other you’ve probably seen in movies or on TV. In this enactment, three souls are on trial, with Satan as the prosecutor, Jesus as the defense attorney, and God as the judge.


			
				                                N.C. Pickle Festival Co-chair Julie Beck presents the N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Best Merchandise Award to Ryan Roberts, owner of R&R Brewing, for his canned pickle soda. The soda also won the Southeast Festivals and Events Best Merchandise Award. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Award-winning pickle soda provides taste of N.C. Pickle Festival

Anyone thirsty for a taste of the N.C. Pickle Festival, as well as owning a unique collectible, are in luck — a locally produced pickle soda will be available again for this year’s 39th annual festival.


			
				                                At the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Celebration on March 29, the Flag Line of Honor will line the walkway leading into the Wayne County Museum. The public is invited to this free event, to be held at the museum, located at 116 N. William Street. (Larry Edmonds|Courtesy photo)

Vietnam veterans to be honored at celebration; public invited

GOLDSBORO — Thank you! and Welcome home! Those are the messages that will be conveyed to veterans of the Vietnam War during a celebration to be held Saturday, March 29, beginning at 11 a.m., on the second floor of the Wayne County Museum. The public is invited to attend this free event.


			
				                                Faison Methodist Church Pastor David Helbig leads a devotion at Faison Presbyterian Church during one of this season’s Lenten lunches. Lenten lunches will be held every Wednesday, noon to 1 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church until Easter. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Lenten lunches to be held at Presbyterian Church on Wednesdays until Easter

FAISON — “Lent is a season of challenge; we’ve left the celebrations of Christmas and we aren’t quite to Easter,” Pastor David Helbig told a crowd of 60 to 70 gathered for a Lenten lunch in the fellowship hall of Faison Presbyterian Church on Wednesday.


			
				                                Pastor Jeffrey Hendrick has served as the Creative Arts Pastor at The Bridge Church since November. Having moved here with his young family from Colorado, he is embracing his new home — appreciating Southern hospitality, trying new foods, and getting used to living life at a slower pace. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Pastor from Colorado finds a lot to like about the South

DUDLEY — Greeley, Colorado, is about 50 miles north of Denver. It’s a half-hour drive from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and its population is well over 100,000. In other words, it is a world away from Dudley, not just in terms of distance, but also in terms of culture, and one local pastor is navigating those cultural differences since relocating here from Greeley, with his young family, almost four months ago.