News
Activate Selma submits application for HGTV’s Home Town Takeover
Selma, N.C. - Could Selma, North Carolina be the focus of an upcoming HGTV show? Producers of Home Town Takeover, a proposed 2021 series with Ben and Erin Napier, are inviting towns across the U.S. to apply. The couple currently hosts Home Town, a popular series now in its fourth season.Applicants must have a population less than 40,000, homes featuring great architecture waiting to be revealed, and a main street that needs a facelift. Selma fits the bill with 7,000 residents, 270 town-wide properties
JUNIOR WOMEN’S LEAGUE PRESENTS $10,000 DONATION TO MY KID’S CLUB
Smithfield, N.C. - On Thursday, January 16, 2020, the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield presented a check to My Kid’s Club for $10,000. Funds were raised at JWL’s 4th Annual Touch-A-Truck event held in downtown Smithfield on Saturday, November 2, 2019. “Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and the individuals and businesses who provided trucks, this year’s Touch-A-Truck was the most successful to date,” stated Dana Satterfield, 2019 Touch-A-Truck chair. “We are excited to grow our
Economic Development Luncheon draws over 200
Highway Upgrades, Workforce Skills, Industry-Ready Sites and Buildings Are Top Priorities for One of North Carolina’s Fastest-Growing CountiesJohnston County, N.C. – November 30, 2017. Jobs and population are growing at rates faster than the state or nation, and that puts a premium on transportation improvements, occupational skills and buildable industrial properties. Those were among the key messages more than 200 participants heard yesterday at the 2017 Johnston County Economic Development Luncheon, held
Past Chamber Chair hikes entire Appalachian Trail
BY ABBIE BENNETT, Reporter Smithfield Herald His friends now call him “New Dave,” but when he started his hike of the Appalachian Trail, he was just David Johnson, a Smithfield businessman with a wife, grown children and a rescue dog named Maizy. But “New Dave” fits because he was ready for something new. “I got involved in my family business at 17, and for 35 years, I had done the same thing,” said Johnson, whose family started Interstate Glass.He never even made it to college. “I was afraid that I
Life Member recognized for service to Masonic Lodge
From WTSB Radio JoCo Report Wallace Ashley was recently presented his 50 year Veterans Certificate in recognition of his long and dedicated service to Fellowship Masonic Lodge #84 in Smithfield. Mr. Ashley was Initiated on March 11, 1965, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on August 19, 1962 and raised to the sublimed degree of Master Mason on November 11, 1965. Ashley was Master of the Lodge in 1972. He is a life member of the Smithfield-Selma Chamber and the father of Smithfield Town Councilmember
Ava Gardner memorialized with historical marker
From WTSB Radio JoCo Report Local dignitaries were on hand Friday for the official unveiling of the Ava Gardner Highway Historical Marker in Smithfield. The marker is located on Highway 70 Business at Sunset Memorial Park, where Gardner was buried in 1990. The NC Department of Cultural Resources Office of Archives and History approved the marker in June but it took several months for funding and construction. Ava Gardner has the distinction of being the first and only North Carolina woman to be
Extension employee receives prestigious N.C. State honor
From WTSB Radio JoCoReport.com Katie Moore, County Administrative Assistant for the Johnston County Cooperative Extension Center, was presented with the Pride of the Wolfpack Award from NC State University at the Johnston County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Cooperative Extension is a partnership between the local county government and NC State University. The agents and staff at the Johnston center are employed by both entities. NC State University recognizes employees with the pride award
Edwards family celebrating 66th year in grocery business
From WTSB Radio JoCo Report The Edwards Family is celebrating their 66th year in the grocery business. The celebration will end on October 31st. The business was founded by Joe S. Edwards in Princeton. The business was named in honor of a grandfather, Vine Edwards, and was originally called Vine Edwards and Sons. The first store was built on Center Street in Downtown Princeton. The first store initially sold general merchandise like horse collars, fertilizer and plumbing supplies. But you could still
KS Bank to Sponsor ''Tailgate Party'' Food Drive, September 25th
All KS Bank locations will sponsor a “tailgate party” on September 25th to benefit local food banks and charities. Residents of each market area are invited to bring non-perishable food items to KS Bank retail offices between 9 am and 2 pm. From 11 am until 2 pm, each branch will serve hot dogs to those who bring donation s – food or monetary. The local charities to receive food donations are as follows:Kenly 200 North Church Street, Kenly Kenly Area Ministries Selma
RAYMOND JAMES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF 31 YEAR VETERAN FINANCIAL ADVISOR
[Smithfield, NC] Philip Randolph Taylor, formerly of Johnston County, is a Financial Advisor and Branch Manager with Raymond James Financial Services, member FINRA/SIPC. He manages offices in Raleigh, Smithfield, & Wilson, North Carolina. His official retirement date has been set for December 31, 2015. All of Phil’s duties and responsibilities will be assumed by his two longtime business partners, Jason Marshall Taylor of Wilson, NC and Stanley B. Coats II of Smithfield, NC. Together, Jason and Stan have
SSS football team featured on national level
The Spartan Football Team was recently featured on a national level when it appeared on the cover of the National Football Foundation’s website “Football Matters.” The team was featured for its selfless dedication to come together off the field and donate their Saturday morning to mixing, weighing, packaging, and sealing 10,000 meals in two hours with the Raleigh-based organization Stop Hunger Now. Showcasing football teams from around the country, FootballMatters.org brings attention to football teams
Hula Girl of Selma receives the 2015 Jimmy Creech Small Business Award
The Jimmy Creech Small Business Award Presented to Ray and Rose Pittman by Crystal Roberts at The Annual Meeting on January 26th, 2015 The Jimmy Creech Small Business Person of the Year Award is given in memory of the 1976 President of the Chamber. Mr. Creech operated Creech’s Pharmacy in downtown Smithfield for some 40 years and was the epitome of a business and community leader. The award is given to people who emulate this fine man. It is sponsored annually by Stancil Oil Company.If your bucket list
Donald Baker's service shines in Selma
Presented by Selma Mayor Cheryl Oliver at The Annual Meeting on January 26, 2015 The Distinguished Citizen Award is given annually to citizens who, over the years, have consistently served the Smithfield-Selma area with outstanding ability and dedication. Recipients of this award have demonstrated their commitment to the vision of the chamber by "making the Smithfield-Selma area a community of choice." This award is sponsored by Woody’s Computing Service. We’ve all heard the quote: “You can please some
Athena Award recipient is living legacy for service
Presented by Crystal Roberts at the 45th Annual Meeting on January 26th, 2015 The Chamber Athena Award is presented each year to recognize the outstanding achievements of women in the Smithfield-Selma community. A national award, it is presented in over 300 communities and is sponsored locally by Corestaff Services. The Chamber would like to thank Corestaff for their continued sponsorship of this prestigious honor. If one were to describe her as a book, this living legacy would be the leather-bound
Sherry Harris' plants a garden' for women in Johnston County
By Corina Knott Almost 5 years ago Sherry and I were sitting at lunch at Ruby Tuesday discussing important things like shopping, and changing the world. We talked about how many things in this county were run by men, and that there were a lot of fabulous woman in the county doing great things. We wanted a platform to showcase these women, and for these women to get together to network and fellowship. At that lunch the seed for the Chamber Women's Business Network was planted.We took the idea to Chris Key,
Partnershp To Build A Miracle receives state grant
The Town of Smithfield was awarded a $350,000 NC Parks & Recreation Trust Fund Grant today for the Partnership to Build a Miracle project, which will build a Miracle League Baseball Field and an Inclusion Park for exceptional needs children and the entire community, at Smithfield Community Park. The grant is the fifth PARTF award given to Smithfield in the past 19 years. There were 64 local governments/projects that applied for $17+ million and only $4.1 million was on hand to be awarded. Smithfield
Sherry Harris Is A Woman To Follow
Speech Given By Crystal Roberts: Ladies and gentleman, the Smithfield-Selma Chamber is again excited to present the prestigious Athena Award to a well-deserving recipient. This award celebrates the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community and honors individuals who strive toward the highest levels of professional accomplishment. Tonight’s recipient is a fierce advocate for acknowledging female potential and just as importantly doing what needs to be done to make this community
2013 Citizen of the Year - Selfless actions of a community leader
The Smithfield-Selma Citizen of the Year is given annually to someone who has contributed extraordinary service to this area. It is sponsored by Triangle Insurance & Benefits. This year’s award is being given to someone who has supported our community for more than 30 years. A native of Smithfield, he recognized at an early age that giving back to the community in which you live helps make the community a better place. While in High School, he was active in numerous projects undertaken by Centenary United
Ava Gardner graces another magazine cover
From The Johnston County Visitors Bureau North Carolina film legend and Hollywood icon Ava Gardner graces the cover of the newest edition of Our State Magazine, dubbed the publication’s first ever “Movie Issue”. Almost all of the March 2014 issue of Our State is devoted to features about the North Carolina film industry, including a profile on Gardner and features on hometown theaters around the state and Wilmington as “Hollywood East”. Ava Gardner, a native of Johnston County would appear on hundreds
Heritage Center's 11th Annual Patrons Dinner will take an historical walk through music
"Music: The Tie That Binds" will be the theme for the Heritage Center's 11th Contributing Patrons Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday evening, March 11 at the Johnston County Agricultural Center. Regional TV personality and on-stage entertainer Tina Seldin Cash will serve as our emcee, guiding us through a look back through Johnston County's musical heritage and performing several songs along the way. Invited to the March 11 banquet are Contributing Patrons of the Heritage Center who make donations of
'Inspired' CWBN raises $13,000 for scholarships
By Sherry Harris, Chair of the CWBN Committee I remain in awe of the inspiring Chamber Women’s Business Network event on Tuesday, November 19. With an outstanding moderator (Debra Morgan, anchor with WRAL-TV) and panelists, JoCo Golden Girls entertainment, sponsors, food, vendors, and audience, we can truly say it was an enjoyable time. Yes, we cried, laughed, and even sang “Taking Care of Business.” And, hearing the challenges and successes shared by the panelists will instill in us the importance of
