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WILSON’S LOCAL PRINT AND DIGITAL COMMUNITY INSTITUTION SINCE 1896

School board to discuss reentry plans next week

The Wilson County Board of Education decided Monday to discuss possible reentry plans for Wilson County Schools children in a special meeting Wednesday. Superintendent Lane Mills commented on Gov. …

Members of the Wilson County Board of Commissioners and the Wilson County Board of Education look at a drop off in a portion of the track oval at Hunt High School in 2019. Drew C. Wilson | Times

Wilson County Schools

School board to reconsider track renovations

The Wilson County Board of Education has called a special meeting to discuss track and field improvements at Hunt and Beddingfield high schools. The board voted 5-1 on Sept. 14 to have existing …

Defendant in Wilson man’s killing ruled insane; Tyrique Hudson’s legacy lives on through scholarship

A Maryland judge ruled Tuesday that a man who gunned down a Wilson Early College Academy graduate inside the young man’s apartment stairwell in April 2019 was insane at the time of the …

This illustration reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

2 more COVID-19-related deaths reported in Wilson County

Two more Wilson County residents have died from COVID-19-related causes, county health officials say. One patient was a Brian Center resident in her mid-80s. The other patient was a woman in …

Woman faces accessory charge in Cannon Hinnant’s murder

Police have arrested a Wilson woman on an accessory charge in connection with 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant’s murder. Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, 21, was arrested Tuesday on a felony …

2 face charges in Wilson alcohol enforcement raids

Two Wilson men were arrested after local and state authorities raided homes in illegal gun, drug and alcohol investigations. N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Wilson Police Department and the …

The Wilson City Council voted Monday not to allow a restaurant on Lot 2 of this planned development on the 2900 block of Raleigh Road Parkway. Planning board members approved the proposal in August, but the final decision rested with the council.

Wilson City Council rejects rezoning request for new restaurant

In a 6-1 vote, the Wilson City Council on Monday denied a second restaurant on the 2900 block of Raleigh Road Parkway. “I would be in favor of the plan we have and continuing the momentum of …

Gov. Roy Cooper arrives for a June press briefing on the COVID-19 virus at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.

Cooper announces $40M in small business relief; state launches COVID-19 exposure app

Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday announced a $40 million pool of COVID-19 relief funds for small businesses, new capacity limits for large outdoor venues and a statewide smartphone app to alert people when …

Cannon Hinnant's family plans Saturday celebration of life in Kenly

Five-year-old Cannon Hinnant was never afraid to tell people — even strangers — that he loved them. “That was his favorite sentence — ‘I love you,’” said the boy’s mother, Bonny …

Clothes Line associate Lisa Mercer, left, and manager Teresa Joyner organize items. Employees revamped the thrift store while it was closed for seven weeks during the statewide stay-at-home order. Now reopened for business, the Clothes Line is accepting merchandise donations to fund Wesley Shelter programs.

Wesley Shelter weathers pandemic: Agency adapts to safety guidelines, effects on victims

Wesley Shelter clients have needed more services than ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. And the agency has adapted to ensure clients’ needs are met on a daily basis. “We want people to …

Dante Pittman listens to Ruth Baines, curator at the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum, which celebrates African American history in Wilson County.

THE BLACK EXPERIENCE

Black history often untold: Wilson native says museum helps fill educational gaps

Since moving back home to Wilson, Dante Pittman has visited the Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum several times. “I am always blown away when I walk in and read,” Pittman said. The …

Finch Fancy Nail Spa owner Melinda Finch takes a moment in her new salon at 421 Nash St. in the Walston Center.

New downtown salon opening amid COVID-19

Not even the coronavirus pandemic can stop Melinda Finch from realizing her dream of opening a nail salon. “We started with plans for this place back in February,” Finch said. “I was …

Lalor Armstrong Smith, second from left, is sworn in as a Wilson Community College Board of Trustees member. From left are college President Tim Wright; Smith; Tracy Lane, executive assistant to the president and secretary to the board; and trustee Chairman David L. West.

Lalor Smith sworn in as Wilson Community College trustee

Lalor Armstrong Smith was sworn in as a new member of the Wilson Community College Board of Trustees last week. Smith is a Wilson County native who grew up in a small farming community near …

Democrat Linda Cooper-Suggs, left, and Republican Mick Rankin are vying for Wilson County's seat in the N.C. House.

House District 24 virtual candidate forum set for Wednesday

Candidates for Wilson County’s state House seat will share their vision for public service and field questions from the press and public during The Wilson Times’ virtual candidate forum …

Natasha Darden of Wilson, an extraction technician at United Natural Hemp Extracts, works to extract CBD from hemp in the solids recovery room at the Wilson facility as coworkers Christian Clifton of Raleigh and Joseph Dzisam of Ghana observe.

New hemp processing facility operational: DEA rule changes viewed as an industry concern

In the highly secure, climate-controlled processing facilities at United Natural Hemp Extracts, workers in white lab coats, hairnets and safety glasses work among stainless steel vats and pipes …

Bettie Applewhite of Wilson spent 25 years working in and around Washington for the federal government and the private sector before returning to Wilson in 2004.

THE BLACK EXPERIENCE

Raising a child on a maid’s wages: College instructor’s mother was live-in domestic worker

When Bettie Applewhite was about 9, she remembers discovering that it was awfully hard to find a Black kid on television. Her rural Wilson County family had just installed a black and white …

Elm City Middle School band and general music teacher Adam Schultz said remote learning has given him the opportunity to focus on individuals rather than the band as a whole.

Teachers get creative with lessons: Virtual learning has its challenges

Elm City Middle School band and general music teacher Adam Schultz knew teaching by remote learning would be difficult at the beginning of this school year. So he just shifted his focus from the …

Runners throw packets of nontoxic colored powder in the air at the start of last year's RC3 Live Life in Color run. This year, the Recovery Concepts Community Center is holding a virtual run due to COVID-19.

‘Live Life in Color’ run goes virtual

RC3 is gearing up for its third annual Live Life in Color run to support the nonprofit in substance use prevention and recovery support efforts in Wilson County. This year’s run is a bit …

ELECTION 2020 CENTRAL

A 'Supreme' September surprise

This election’s October surprise came in September, just as early voting began in the first few states. The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg not only upends the next six weeks …

Who wins the debate about debates?

With war chests, candidates can support local news

My choice for president will change the world

State House candidates spar over campaign pledge, 'defunding' police

Teachers' group backs Cooper-Suggs for Wilson's state House seat

Trump purges politics from diversity training

Ghosts of elections past haunt Democrats

Discord may follow delayed election results

3 ways to vote in Nov. election: Wilson tops 3,000 mail-in ballot requests

Answers to early voting, election questions

Cooper seeking too much power

Conventions were upended, but still told a story

Study political 'recipes' to make your vote count

Follow our ongoing coverage of Cannon Hinnant

VIDEO

Patience guides WCA to win in battle of Chargers

Three minutes into the second half Monday night, Wilson Christian junior Nestor Castro dribbled in the direction of the end line as the Chargers returned to North Carolina Christian School …

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LOCAL HEADLINES

Make it a great day

Health department offers vaccine clinic Saturday

Wilson County reports 47th COVID-19-related death

Weathercast: Sunny skies, mild temps in store this week

Bailey cancels Christmas parade due to COVID-19 concerns

Statewide litter cleanup canceled due to COVID-19

Hundreds isolated at home with coronavirus; Nash County's death toll climbs to 40

Pinetops improves fire protection rating

Wilson County reports 55 new COVID-19 cases since Friday

Kenly receives 15 applications for town manager

Sallie B. Howard School to continue remote instruction through year's end

Wilson council debates rezoning requests for planned restaurant, 60 new homes

Wilson County reports 28 new COVID-19 cases

Pet of the week: Siamese kitten loves attention and is constantly purring

Weathercast: Cooler temps mark first week of fall

Wilson-grown pumpkins arrive at market just in time for fall

Deed transfers: Who bought, sold property in Wilson County?

Wilson Community College offers free student resources

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87; served quarter-century on high court

Car hits utility pole

Hominy Creek improvement projects receive federal boost

Wilson County Superior Court

3 charged in Wilson man’s killing

Community briefs: Alumni plate sale planned

Wilson DSS earns financial management award

Cooper: Grades K-5 can return to classrooms for full-time, face-to-face learning

Wilson County reports 19 new COVID-19 cases

Kenly museum to reopen Sept. 24

Three men charged in 24-year-old’s July killing

Judd achieves Eagle Scout rank

More local news

SPOTTED: A Saturday at Casita Brewing Co.

#ICYMI - IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Daniel Franklin Heath, 33, appears in Wilson County District Court on May 10, 2019. Heath, who pleaded guilty to a child pornography charge in October, was sentenced to roughly 11 years in federal prison on Friday.

Former Wilson pastor sentenced in child porn case

A former Wilson pastor who pleaded guilty to coercing an underage Texas girl into creating child pornography will spend roughly a decade in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan …

Arthur Rogers looks at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park from properties on South Street he and AE Property partner Josh Hawn purchased recently.

Developer plans space for downtown Wilson restaurant

Work is underway to transform 217 South St. into Casita Brewing Co., but the developer said work will begin soon to prepare the adjacent properties for at least one restaurant. “We’ll do a …

Louretha Virginia Renfrow Johnson looks over genealogical charts detailing the lineage of Rocky Branch United Church of Christ members.

Church celebrates 150th anniversary

Five years after the Civil War ended, a handful of former slaves established a worship place under a “bush shelter” near a rocky stream in western Wilson County. Members of Rocky Branch United …

Equipment ruined by a July 22 fire at Custom Quality Packers near Bailey sits in the sun Friday afternoon.

Destroyed hog plant had slaughter violations: PETA seeks federal prosecution

BAILEY — A meatpacking plant destroyed in a fire late last month received two federal suspensions this year and had drawn the ire of an international animal rights group. Custom Quality …

Evan's Snack Cabinet owner Evan Tucker, 12, checks in with Chick-N-Stix owner BetiJo Ballin, who's teamed up with the young entreprenuer to sell his gourmet popcorn and candied nuts at her Wilson restaurant.

12-year-old’s love of snacks turns into business

Family and friends know Evan Tucker as the “snack monster.” “I love snacks,” the 12-year-old said. With a little help from his parents, Tasharra and Nick Tucker, the young …

SLICES OF LIFE

Playing with the puppies

Irma Molina plays with her three puppies, Nico, Z and Zeus, in the Toisnot Reservoir dog park on Saturday. Molina was there with her husband Darwia to run their young German shepherd and Siberian husky mix puppies.

Routing the runners

Barbara Taylor, a Wilson County resident who lives on Hornes Church Road, weaves fresh butterbean runners back through the vines in her garden under the hot sun Thursday. "Last year we didn't have much luck, but this year looks a lot better," Taylor said. "We planted the runner kind because they are easier to pick."

The last angler

Wilson resident Anthony Edwards fishes on Lake Wilson as the amber hues of sunset fade away on July 15.

Changing the marquee

Bella Johnson, an Arts Council of Wilson volunteer and intern, changes the Edna Boykin Cultural Center marquee on Sunday to promote the art show "Healing" by Juan Carlos Duron-Martinez.

Sunset on the pier

Brenly Yencho and Patricia Luy, both of Wilson, sit on a pier together as the sunset fades away over Lake Wilson on July 15.

Catching air at the skate park

Nine-year-old Brooks Johnson of Wilson performs skateboard tricks while his father Brandon Johnson takes pictures of daughter Bria Johnson, 14, at the Toisnot Park skate park Sunday.

'Push me, Mommy'

Rachel Kimbrell of Wilson pushes her 2-year-old daughter Penelope Brock on the swing Sunday at Toisnot Park.

Father and son time

Darnell Jackson and his son Trevien enjoy an afternoon of fishing in Wilson as rainwater spills over the Wiggins Mill dam on June 17.

Playtime at the park

Danny and Heather Stapp of Wilson play ball with their sons, 5-year-old Jackson and 2-year-old Carter, on the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park stage.

Trail riders

Families mount up for a ride together near the city of Wilson's Equestrian Trail at the end of Sullivan Road near the Buckhorn Reservoir banks in late April.

Calling the play

Wilson Rough Riders football player Kuvante Griffin, right, and brothers Jay and Dominique Hinnant practice on the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park grass Sunday.

Fishing the Buckhorn Reservoir

Stephen Chambers and son Kaiden Chambers bring in a fish while angling on the Buckhorn Reservoir at the end of Johnson Farm Road outside Kenly in rural Wilson County.

Feathered friends

Sisters Morgan and Megan Hall feed the Canada geese at the Toisnot Reservoir on Sunday.

A lazy afternoon

Dillon Lee of Stantonsburg and Kristen Henderson of Wilmington relax in the grass at downtown Wilson's Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park.

Paddling on Lake Wilson

Kayakers Jessica Phillips, Martha Jo Stanley, Tammy Hooks and Summer Hooks paddle onto a placid Lake Wilson on Sunday.

Family enjoys fishing trip

His hands full, Emerson Watford helps his wife Kiara and their children, Tiffany, Xavier, Emily and Kinsley, rig their fishing poles at Wilson's Toisnot Reservoir on Sunday.

A stroll in the park

A couple walks hand-in-hand around Lake Wilson Park on Sunday afternoon.

Waiting for a bite

As the Town Creek's tannin-colored backwaters creep by, Alvin Williams and his 6-year-old fishing buddy Kevin Johnson of Elm City angle for freshwater fish off the new 75-foot-long bridge finished in April along Rock Quarry Road near Elm City.

Fishing for that pot of gold

Abraham Alonzo of Wilson, an avid fisherman around the local fishing holes, walks his tricycle up South Street as a rainbow arcs toward the ground ahead last Friday.

Wedding on the run

Alexander Hayman of Boston, left, and Suzanne Michalak of Durham walk down the steps of the Wilson County Register of Deeds after getting their marriage license Monday afternoon just in time for their wedding Monday night at the home of her parents, Daniel and Paul Michalak of Wilson. The couple had planned to hold and Asheville wedding, but that had to be canceled due to COVID-19. "We didn't want to wait another year to get married," the bride said. His parents are Bill and Radhia Hayman of Houston.

WEATHERCAST

Weathercast: Sunny skies, mild temps in store this week

The Wilson Times area is forecast to enjoy pleasant temperatures and sunny skies Tuesday through Thursday. The first meaningful chance of showers does not show up until Friday, and even …

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MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

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Greenfield's Sebastian Partida (6) makes his way past Wilson Christian's Ethan Mitchell during Friday's match at Wilson Christian. Partida converted a penalty kick in the first half as part of Greenfield's 3-0 victory.

Knights dictate to Chargers in 3-0 victory

For the second straight match to open 2020, an energy shift for the Greenfield School varsity boys soccer team in the second half made … Read More

Greenfield's Jeremy Alvarez collects a through ball from teammate William Smith on his way to completing a hat trick in the second half of Tuesday's season opener against Raleigh Friendship Christian on Forbes Field. Greenfield won 5-0. Defending for Friendship Christian are Seth Thompson (8), Samuel Dely (19) and Micah Soemer (21).

Defense allows Knights to overcome slow start in 5-0 opening victory

With seniors anchoring the back line of the defense for the Greenfield School varsity boys soccer team, the defending North Carolina … Read More

First responders approach a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Tuesday after its driver was thrown from the bike on Interstate 795 near the Wilson County line.

Man injured in motorcycle wreck

BLACK CREEK — A Rocky Mount man was taken to the hospital Tuesday after being thrown from his motorcycle on Interstate … Read More

Motorcyclists roll in along Parkwood Boulevard near the old Wilson Mall in honor of Cannon Hinnant, the 5-year-old who was shot to death on Aug. 9.

Motorcyclists offer support to Cannon Hinnant’s family

As Belle Waddell waited Saturday, she looked up at the sky. “I can look up there in those clouds, and I know he’s riding … Read More

Wilson Christian's Chloe Willard initiates the offense for the Lady Chargers during Friday's game against Durham Liberty Christian. WCA lost in 4 sets.

Lady Chargers can’t crack Liberty Christian defense, falter in 4 sets

There’s something to be said about a defense that simply won’t permit a rally to end. With each ball returned over the net, the … Read More

RESTORATION NEWSMEDIA

THE ENTERPRISE

Murder convict in 1994 shooting death set to receive parole

A convicted killer serving a life sentence in prison will be a free man in three years. A jury convicted Benjamin Rowen Williams of first-degree murder in the 1994 shooting death of Kenneth L. …

Nash woman dies in house fire

Troopers: Tesla on ‘autopilot’ strikes Nash deputy’s car

Crime in Spring Hope mostly from out-of-towners

Nash charts 4 coronavirus deaths; county's death toll rises to 22

JOHNSTONIAN NEWS

School board abandons in-person learning for grades K-5

SMITHFIELD — A divided Johnston County Board of Education on Thursday reversed its decision to have K-5 students come to school for in-person learning. Citing safety concerns, Superintendent …

Coaches, band directors to receive supplements

Treatment plant moving forward but faces hurdles

Johnstonians don’t mind getting counted, data shows

Council OKs Powhatan Road rezoning 3-2

FUN STUFF

COLUMN

Control nature? We wish

I contacted a friend — and former Wilson resident — now living in Oregon last week to ask how he’s faring amid the wildfires near his Oregon home. Wildfires are burning in …

LIFE

So many ways to use those summer tomatoes

My husband and I planted lots of tomatoes this year: cherry, Roma and big old slicing tomatoes. We grew some of the Cherokee Purple variety from seed and others from plants we purchased at a local …

E-EDITION

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

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BEST OF

Assertive Greenfield netters open season by doubling up Epiphany

Perhaps, it’s a bit mechanical and impersonal to refer to them as products of the system. Nevertheless, there’s a full-fledged girls tennis program on display at …

Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steven Stamkos (91) celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars with teammate left wing Patrick Maroon (14) during first period of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals action in Edmonton on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Stamkos scores, leaves, Lightning beat Stars 5-2 in Game 3

EDMONTON, Alberta — As soon as Steven Stamkos scored on his first shot since February, his Tampa Bay Lightning celebrated on the ice and the bench with 211 days of pent up …

Boston Celtics' Daniel Theis (27) forces Miami Heat's Tyler Herro to pass the ball out from beneath the basket during the first half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals series Wednesday, Sept. 23, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Herro scored a Heat rookie-record 37 points to lead Miami to a 112-109 win and a 3-1 series lead.

Herro, Heat top Celtics, move a game from NBA Finals

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The youngest player on the floor helped the Miami Heat move a game away from the NBA Finals. Tyler Herro — still just 20 years old — …

In this photo from the Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, edition of The Wilson Times, Fike’s Gavin Wheeler controls the ball in front of Southern Nash’s Adrian Rangel during a match at Southern Nash. Wheeler had both goals for the Golden Demons in their 2-1 win.

Wheeler scores twice as Fike wins Big East opener at SN

STANHOPE — After an 0-2 start to the season, the Fike High varsity boys soccer team pushed its winning streak to six games with a 2-1 victory at Southern Nash. Gavin Wheeler …

Greenfield's Jeremy Alvarez (10) fights for possession alongside Cape Fear Academy's Henry Steven (29) during Wednesday's match on Forbes Field. Alvarez had a hat trick in Greenfield's 6-3 loss.

Lesson learned: Another slow start sends Greenfield to second loss

With an experienced roster at the ready, third-year Greenfield School varsity boys soccer coach Eric Nguyen figured this would be the ideal season to put his defending North Carolina …

JUNIOR VARSITY RESULT: Lady Knights doubled up by CFA

WILMINGTON — Greenfield dropped a 6-3 girls tennis outcome Wednesday at Cape Fear Academy. Eliza Taylor claimed a singles win for the Lady Knights while the doubles tandems of …

Area Calendar, Sept. 24-25

Thursday, September 24 High School Varsity Boys Soccer Greenfield at Ridgecroft, 3:30 p.m.; Wayne Country Day at Wilson Christian, 4:45 p.m. High School …

N.C. State linebacker Isaiah Moore (1) celebrates with head coach Dave Doeren after N.C. State's 45-42 victory over Wake Forest at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Defense ahead of the offense early in ACC season

Defense seems to have the early edge in the Atlantic Coast Conference after the start of this pandemic-affected college football season. There are 11 ACC teams among the top 40 in …

Sports home

College Sports

Notre Dame-Wake Forest postponed after Irish positive tests

Notre Dame’s game at Wake Forest on Saturday has been postponed after positive COVID-19 tests landed 13 Fighting Irish players in isolation and another 10 in quarantine. The seventh-ranked …

Fuente hopes Hokies ‘able to play’ Wolfpack this week

Off and running: Knight, Person lead Wolfpack past Wake Forest in opener

Cutcliffe takes blame for Blue Devils’ underwhelming offense in loss to BC

Maui Invitational moving to Asheville during pandemic

School Sports

McDaniel aces Wedgewood No. 10

Low pressure makes the deer eat

‘06 Explosion settles for tie in 1st game back from long layoff

Rediscovering his focus: Herring lights up future home course with twin 64s

Abrams back on top at Wilson County Amateur

EDITORIALS

Our Opinion: Cooper-Suggs, Rankin share their Raleigh road maps

Linda Cooper-Suggs and Mick Rankin have each set their course for the same destination — a healthy, prosperous and well-educated North Carolina. They’re just following vastly different …

Our Opinion: King's dream should convict, challenge and unite us

Our Opinion: Wilson benefits from frank talk on race relations

Our Opinion: Crime coverage doesn't require mug shot gallery

Our Opinion: Political clothing offers no excuse to mistreat guests

Our Opinion: Wilson can relax mural, sign rules to boost business

Our Opinion: Farmer-Butterfield gave Wilsonians a voice in government

Our Opinion: Founding principles still inspire America

Our Opinion: Mask mandate drafts cashiers, clerks as Cooper's cops

Our Opinion: Lunch shaming finally off the menu for Wilson County Schools

Our Opinion: Police reform must start with transparency

Our Opinion: Open government guarantee belongs in NC Constitution

Our Opinion: What's Wilson's plan to prevent COVID-19 utility shutoffs?