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WILSON’S LOCAL PRINT AND DIGITAL COMMUNITY INSTITUTION SINCE 1896

Leads sought in quadruple homicide: Investigators mark 4 years since Christmas Eve killings

Christmas Eve marks four years since investigators made a grisly and bloody discovery inside a Wilson County home. Four people were shot to death in a home on Banks Lane near Wilson. It was …

Wilson police officers gather with bicycles and bags of gifts before distributing them to needy families on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Officers play Santa: Christmas in the South delivers joy

Christmas came early for hundreds of children thanks to the Wilson Police Department. “It just brightened my day and it’s brightened my kids’ day,” said Jami High, whose children were …

A nurse holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine at Guy’s Hospital in London.

Wilson County Health Department begins COVID-19 vaccinations

The Wilson County Health Department has received COVID-19 vaccinations and began inoculations on Wednesday. Assistant County Manager Ron Hunt said vaccinations will continue next week after the …

Sims woman dies in midnight fire

SIMS — A woman died in an accidental house fire Monday night. Shelia Renee Brown, 61, lost her life in the blaze at 6635-B Wall St., according to Wanda Samuel, Wilson County Sheriff’s …

In pandemic year, Wilson's United Way faces $500,000 shortfall

The United Way of Wilson County is facing a $500,000 decrease in donations that will hit area agencies hard, but Wilson residents can help. “We want the community to know that we are …

Couple distributes gift bags, coats for Christmas

Instead of giving gifts to their own family this Christmas, Bobby and Colavito Tyson organized a giveaway for Wilson residents in need. “The reason we are doing this today is our pastor had …

Butterfield applauds coronavirus aid package

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield gave his stamp of approval to the COVID-19 relief bill that sailed through Congress on Monday following weeks of negotiations, noting that the $1.4 trillion omnibus …

Local health officials ask county residents to practice the three Ws: Wear a cloth face covering when with other people, remain 6 feet apart, avoiding close contact, and wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Wilson County reports 2 COVID-19 deaths

Wilson County reported two COVID-19-related deaths Tuesday as hospitalizations here were the lowest they’ve been since October. County health officials say the decedents are a man in …

Cannon Hinnant's family members distribute Christmas gifts to families in need Sunday in honor of the little boy who was shot and killed on Aug. 9.

Grieving family spreads Christmas joy: ‘Every stocking has a gift from Cannon’

Jaylen Thorpe’s eyes were as wide as his smile. “For me?” the 6-year-old asked when he first saw a new bicycle and a pile of gifts wrapped up to look like a snowman. Jaylen’s Santa …

Coronavirus Crisis

Cooper signs order allowing carryout mixed drinks

North Carolinians ordering takeout during the COVID-19 pandemic can take their cocktails to go — with a few limitations. Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday signed an executive order allowing the N.C. …

This illustration reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

Coronavirus Crisis

Health officials: Keep family safe and well

County and state health officials are concerned they will see an additional spike in coronavirus cases as Christmas and New Year’s Day approach. “While we urge residents to gather with their …

The top of one of the towers didn't quite make it to the ground Saturday during the implosion of the BB&T Towers. Drew C. Wilson | Times

BB&T tower implosion heard, felt for miles

As a series of percussive booms rang out Saturday morning, the BB&T towers were reduced to rubble, and the skyline in historic downtown Wilson was forever changed. “I guess I expected it …

D.H. Griffin workers clean up broken glass at the Wilson Chamber of Commerce after the BB&T towers' implosion on Saturday.

Surrounding buildings sustain ‘minimal’ damage in BB&T implosion

Saturday morning’s implosion of the BB&T towers caused minimal damage to surrounding businesses. “I received a phone call from the demolition company soon after the implosion on …

D.H. Griffin worker Rueben Gonzalez throws a section of cord down from the BB&T towers' rubble on Monday.

Going, going, gone: Recording the BB&T implosion required creativity

Many have called the BB&T towers’ implosion one of the biggest events in Wilson’s history. As such, still and video photographers have struggled with the exactly how to capture imagery of …

Burger Boy was transformed into Mr. Beast Burger for a Nov. 10 event that drew thousands to the Ward Bouelvard restaurant. Now the popular drive-thru restaurant is preparing nine items for delivery through the Mr. Beast Burger app, as none will be available for in-person orders.

Burger Boy now on Mr. Beast Burger app

Marion Boykin didn’t understand how the concept of a virtual restaurant worked, but the 86-year-old Burger Boy founder knew success when he saw it. “Granddaddy used to say, ‘If it sounds too …

The Wilson Times' new homepage is shown. Visit https://restorationnewsmedia.com/wilsontimes to use the Times’ new site. On Dec. 27, the WilsonTimes.com domain will take users to the redesigned version.

The Wilson Times launches new website

The Wilson Times is giving its website a face-lift for the new year. A redesigned Times website has launched, and print and online subscribers received a Tuesday email with login instructions and …

ELECTION 2020 CENTRAL

Beasley concedes defeat to Newby in NC chief justice race

RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley conceded on Saturday to Republican Paul Newby in their extremely close election after two rounds of recounts saw little …

Wilson County recount confirms chief justice vote totals

19 states sue to challenge mail-in ballots

Beasley withdraws Wilson election protest

Wilson elections board continues hearing on chief justice race

Follow our ongoing coverage of Cannon Hinnant

VIDEO

Lady Panthers sweep interstellar clash from Ladybirds

KENLY — Varsity volleyball teams from North Johnston High and Southern Nash conspired to commit an astronomy delay of game Monday night that was nearly 400 years in the making. No one seemed …

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LOCAL HEADLINES

Business program granted $100,000 boost

Artists receive grant funding

Stantonsburg police shop for local families

Stephenson Millwork donation buys bikes and skateboards

Wilson County Public Library announces new titles

Wilson is pilot site for medicine drone delivery

Veteran's family receives new home for the holidays

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

Be thankful for a merry Christmas

Wilson Community College's year in review

Pets of the week: Ice Cream and Popsicle seek loving home

A Christmas message to my community

Wilson County NAACP elects new leaders

All I want for Christmas is ...

Christmas still merry despite pandemic

Weathercast: Sunny skies, cold temps for Christmas

SaYum offers free Christmas meals

Kitchen fire displaces Wilson resident

Wilson Community College students receive scholarships

Marriage licenses: Who tied the knot in Wilson County?

COVID shutters license plate office

New state troopers headed to area

Authorities plan holiday DWI crackdown

A Christmas wish brought to life

Motorcycle club installs blessing box

Free Police: Missing woman found safe

Weathercast: White Christmas? Chance of snow flurries on horizon

Wilson Medical Center workers among first to take COVID-19 vaccine

Wilson County reports 101st virus death

Will these 7 predictions come true in 2021?

State picks Wilson schools for virus test pilot program

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

Wilson County deputy escapes injury in crash

Community Briefs: Food box giveaway scheduled

The wait of fulfillment

More local news

SPOTTED: Downtown Wilson Candy Kingdom Celebration 2020

THE BLACK EXPERIENCE

Randolph Sessoms, who served as Wilson County Schools' first African American superintendent, is pictured at his home near the Buckhorn community.

Leveling the playing field in education: Sessoms reflects on career in leadership

As the youngest of nine children in a rural Wilson County tenant farming family, Randolph Sessoms grew up to be Wilson County Schools’ first African American superintendent. “We grew …

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

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 …

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.

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 …

Wilson resident Joan Pender Davis holds racial segregation placards she's collected over the years.

Segregation left lasting impressions

Joan Davis remembers the way things were when she was growing up in Wilson. The 77-year-old said the railroad tracks that slice through downtown Wilson were a line of demarcation with white on the …

Paul Sherrod, 86, stands in the mezzanine of The Boykin Center. Before the civil rights movement, African-Americans had to watch movies and shows from the top floor.

Sherrod sees changes upon return to Wilson

Civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ recent death caused Paul Sherrod to think about how far the nation has come and how far it has to go. Sherrod grew up trucking tobacco and picking …

SLICES OF LIFE

Changing the oil

Wilson Parks and Recreation Department employee Brandon Baker helps change the fluids in the 66-year-old Wilson Recreation Park miniature train. Even though the Train of Lights can't be operated this year due to COVID-19, the train, gifted to the city in 1954 by the Kiwanis Club, still needs to be serviced. Parks and recreation workers Brad Norman and Mitch Matthews helped in the train's servicing from underneath the trestle.

Cemetery holds luminary service

Sybil Maddrey, office manager at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, checks candles during Wednesday's annual luminary ceremony and candle-lighting of 2,500 to 3,000 graves in the cemetery off Nash Street.

Drone talk

Licensed drone operators Bill Howard, left, and Shannon McKinnon talk shop as McKinnon hovers a drone capturing imagery at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park for the Electric Light Fantasy Drive-In show. Howard is a freelance photographer and McKinnon is a geographic information systems technician for Wilson Energy who uses drones for his work.

Daydreaming on the merry-go-round

Five-year-old Jaliya May, left, and 6-year-old London Jones, right, let the day roll by as they spin around on the merry-go-round Sunday afternoon in Wilson's Pender Street Park.

Students retire the colors

Lee Woodard Elementary students Giovanni Boseman, left, and Carlos Valdivizio join Gracie Skinner, not pictured, in the daily duty of lowering the United States and North Carolina flags at the end of the school day Tuesday.

Last walk across a century-old bridge

Bridgersville Road residents Emmalane Webb, Susie and Michael Sikes walk across the century-old N.C. Department of Transportation bridge spanning the Town Creek in rural Wilson County on Wednesday afternoon. The three had walked down from their homes to see and walk across bridge No. 105 perhaps one last time before it's torn down and replaced by a new span. The bridge was built in 1920. “It's a dangerous bridge because it is so narrow,” said Michael Sikes.

Great-grandfather time

Three-year-old Calle Batts passes the day on a bench with great-grandfather Henry Brice, 68, of Wilson, at the corner of Tarboro and Nash streets on Sept. 24.

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, cold temps for Christmas

Seasonable temperatures and mostly sunny skies should give the Wilson Times area near-perfect last-minute shopping weather Tuesday and Wednesday. After that, numerous showers appear on tap for …

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Most recent videos:

Greenfield’s Victoria Coleman (15) pulls up for a baseline jumper as Fayetteville Christian’s Lena Darnell approaches during Saturday’s game at Greenfield. Coleman, in her first Greenfield contest after missing the opener with a shoulder injury, poured in a game-high 17 points in leading the Lady Knights to a 40-32 win.

Lady Knights add muscle, top Fayetteville Christian in return

For a team that had been away from the floor for precisely a month due to a COVID-19 related shutdown, the Greenfield School varsity … Read More

Hampton Evans (35) of Greenfield looks for a path to the basket between Tomas Stephens (1) and Javonnie Barker (22) during the first half of Saturday’s game against Fayetteville Christian. Evans had a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds as Greenfield rolled in the second half to an 87-61 win.

Knights rev up second-half engines to rout Fayetteville Christian

A 30-day absence from the court left the Greenfield School varsity boys basketball team itching to return to the floor Saturday … Read More

BB&T Implosion

Wilson Christian’s Kate Hoskins (11) drives between Riley Crawford (23) and Ali Smith (15) of Fuquay-Varina Hilltop Christian during Friday’s game at Hilltop. Hoskins led a balanced attack with 13 points as the WCA defense suffocated another opponent with a 55-28 victory.

WCA turns the lights out on Hilltop, 55-28

FUQUAY-VARINA — When host Hilltop Christian took the floor for Friday’s North Carolina Christian School Association 2-A District 3 … Read More

Wilson Christian’s Seth Thompson (2) tries to dribble by the defense of Fuquay-Varina Hilltop Christian’s Hayden Peacock (11) during Friday night’s NCCSA 2-A District 3 game at Hilltop Christian. Thompson had 10 points, but a difficult shooting night doomed WCA to a 54-39 loss.

Cold-shooting Chargers fall at Hilltop

FUQUAY-VARINA — Kevin Zander didn’t have to go far to find the culprit for the demise of his Wilson Christian varsity boys … Read More

RESTORATION NEWSMEDIA

THE ENTERPRISE

Hospital settles with blind patient over billing issue

ROCKY MOUNT — Nash UNC Health Care recently settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of a blind patient claiming he didn’t receive bills in Braille. John Bone received $150,000 in damages, …

2 charged in teen's killing

Robbery convict gets 10-year sentence

Church plans to feed 5,000

Nash charts 156 new virus cases

JOHNSTONIAN NEWS

Habitat for Humanity dedicates Kenly home

KENLY — Habitat for Humanity has dedicated its newest Johnston County build, a three-bedroom, two bath home at 309 S. Maple St.

At airport, an appeal not to overlook the little guy

Long-shot candidate has no regrets

Fire that destroys former Gurley Feed Mill in Princeton under investigation

An interview with Johnston County’s Shelby Stephenson

FUN STUFF

COLUMN

Social media can 'defriend' direct sellers

Facebook and Twitter courted controversy by flagging and fact-checking voter fraud claims on their platforms, but when it comes to socially responsible moderation, video-sharing app TikTok is leading …

LIFE

Coastal gallery features clay artist Mark Gordon

CALABASH — Mark Gordon, former Barton College associate professor of art and design, is the Sunset River Marketplace’s featured artist through Jan. 9, gallery owner Ginny Lassiter …

E-EDITION

Monday, January 11, 2021

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BEST OF

NCHSAA releases first draft of conference realignment

Upon first glance of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s first draft of conference realignment Wednesday, it didn’t take long to deduce the status quo is leaving …

Farris & Thomas Law Attorneys Student-Athlete of the Week: Hampton Evans, Greenfield School

Hampton Evans helped his Greenfield School varsity boys basketball team make a victorious return to the court last week, making him this week’s Farris & Thomas Law Attorneys …

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts on the sidelines during a game against Syracuse on Oct. 24 in Clemson, S.C.

CFP matchups: What will decide Tide-Irish, Tigers-Buckeyes?

The last time Alabama and Notre Dame played each other, it was a BCS championship blowout won by the Crimson Tide. The last time Clemson and Ohio State faced off — just last …

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) shoots between Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Caris LeVert (22) during the first half of a game in Charlotte on Sunday.

Hayward, Hornets hand Nets first loss of season, 106-104

CHARLOTTE — Gordon Hayward had 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets handed the Brooklyn Nets their first loss of the season, 106-104 on Sunday …

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) runs with the ball as he is chased by Washington Football Team defensive back Jeremy Reaves (39) during the first half of Sunday's game in Landover, Md.

Samuel does best McCaffrey impression in Panthers’ win

LANDOVER, Md. — With Christian McCaffrey out again, the Carolina Panthers snapped their three-game losing streak thanks to a big performance from someone who wasn’t on the radar …

In this file photo from the Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, edition of The Wilson Times, Fike’s Brandon Monk puts up a 3-point shot during the Golden Demons’ 63-61 win against Beddingfield in the boys semifinals of the Farris & Farris Holiday Tournament at Hunt High.

Unbeaten Golden Demons get past Bruins, will play Hunt tonight for title

The Fike High varsity boys basketball team stayed unbeaten by holding off Beddingfield 63-61 to advance to the championship game of the Farris & Farris Holiday Tournament at Hunt. …

Hang on, local sports are about to take off

If you’re an observer of local sports (and you probably are if you’re reading this), let me just say that I hope you have enjoyed your break. After all, it’s been …

Area Calendar, Dec. 28-29

Monday, December 28 No events scheduled. Tuesday, December 29 High School Varsity Boys Basketball Freedom Christian at Greenfield, 5 p.m. ; Wilson Christian at …

Sports home

College Sports

COVID, legislation, lawsuits signal change in college sports

The coronavirus was only one factor in a chain of events that consumed college sports in 2020, and is poised to do more of the same in 2021 and beyond. The virus, combined with the harsh …

Bulldogs to get a dry run with five-game spring football slate

Daniels, N.C. State beat 17th-ranked UNC 79-76

Gardner scores 21 to lead ECU past Tulane 68-58

Wisconsin set to face Wake Forest in Duke’s Mayo Bowl

School Sports

NC Baseball Museum’s Celebrity Golf Tournament moved to Aug. 12

The North Carolina Baseball Museum’s 18th annual Celebrity Golf Tournament has not been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the event has been moved from its traditional May spot to …

Fighting for retirement: King back in familiar saddle, return to ring imminent

Pitfalls exist with tree stands

WYSA sends 4 to North Carolina's U12 Olympic Development Program Event Team

We will get through this

EDITORIALS

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun: Dear …

Our Opinion: Skateboarding is not a crime, commissioners

Our Opinion: Free, independent press is a uniquely American concept

Our Opinion: Stealing signs squelches voters' political speech

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

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR