Gasoline, diesel-fuel prices
below state, national norms

In Johnston County, and Smithfield in particular, motor-vehicle fuels continue to cost less than state and national average prices.

This morning's report from GasBuddy shows prices as low as $3.89 a gallon in Smithfield, and nothing approaching the national average of $4.41 and the North Carolina average of $4.07 reported by AAA.

Meanwhile, diesel-fuel prices continue to hover around $6 a gallon, with the current average for all of North Carolina just over $6.07. Most posted prices around Smithfield on Wednesday were just below the $6 threshold.

According to AAA, diesel prices peaked nationally at $6.5276 last week while the highest national average for gasoline was $5.0165 in June of 2022.
 

 Speaking of fuel, 4 generations of Stancils have seen it all 

The first  generation started a fuel-oil business, the second made it big with gasoline, the third diversified into a variety of enterprises related to the automobile, the fourth has expanded the family businesses with billboards.

In the middle of it all is Larry Stancil of the third generation. He chronicles the family odyssey in an interview with Gary Ridout – the latest of his contributions to the Weekly Sun. The result appears on the FEATURE PAGE of this edition>
 

The reconfigured interchange at Smithfield's I-95 Exit 95 is mostly finished and in service for motorists crossing or accessing the Interstate at US 70 Business (East Market Street). Sidewalks have been added to the south side of the roadway as you can see in this view at the eastbound approach to the bridge over I-95. The project's contracted cost: $38.3 million.

Meanwhile, on the south side of town the basic structure for the new bridge carrying US 301 over the Neuse River is in place, awaiting completion of the approaches atop new clay roadbeds. As you can see, the new bridge will shift the roadway to the west. The $9.4-million project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Cornell Cox recorded 3.93 inches of rain during September at his unofficial Backyard Weather Station in South Smithfield. According to U.S. Climate Data, normal rainfall for the month is 4.43 inches. That leaves us 4.67 inches below average for the first nine months of the year. Rainfall at Smithfield usually amounts to 38.69 inches January-September; this year 34.02 inches has been recorded by Mr. Cox.

Johnston's jobless rate down to 3.1% in August

The N.C. Department of Commerce reports that 126,010Johnstonians were on the job in August – down slightly from 126,140 in July – while the number unemployed dropped from 4,155 to 4,029. That produced a jobless rate of 3.1% for August – better than the state statewide of 3.5% and the national rate of 4.1%.
 

 WHAT'S COMING UP 

Leo Daughtry book-signing at Johnston Museum Friday
As a prelude to this weekend's Ava Gardner Festival, Smithfield's Leo Daughtry will be signing his acclaimed historical novel, Talmadge Farm, from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Johnston County Museum at 329 East Market Street Downtown. The novel about three farm families navigating the changing culture of Eastern North Carolina in the middle of the 20th Century won gold in historical fiction in the 2025 Feathered Quill Book Awards. Copies of the novel are on sale as the museum.

Ava Gardner Festival activities Friday through Sunday
Ticketed events start Friday evening, continue through Sunday morning.
Here's the schedule along with ticket information>

County Commissioners will meet twice on Monday
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners will be asked by staff to move forward with development of a new water intake from the Neuse River below Princeton during the 10 a.m. session Monday at the Courthouse.
During their regular 6 p.m. session commissioners will get an update on revisions to the county's Unified Development Ordinance after two recent "drop-in" sessions producing public input.
VIEW agendas for both sessions once they're posted on the county's website>

Town Council to consider sewerage transfer Tuesday
The Smithfield Town Council will be asked to approve a transfer of "certain sewer infrastructure assets" from the county to the town during its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall. The county no longer needs those assets after completing delivery lines to its new sewage-treatment plant off NC 210 west of Smithfield. Also on the agenda is a financial report on the controversial baseball stadium project
VIEW the complete agenda for Tuesday's meeting>
 

 DEATHS AND FUNERALS 
Click on the name to read an obituary, usually posted by the funeral home:

BRUCE HENRY WOODARD, 95 – died September 30

KENNETH EARL AUSTIN, 69 – died September 26

LESTER CLEVELAND BYRD, 79 – died September 26

BILLIE ANN CREECH PEAL, 87 – died September 25

JEAN LANGLEY EATMON, 91 – died September 24

ANNETTE L. (NETTA) BURNS, 72 – died September 23

INDIA SUTHERLAND HIGGINS, 72 – died September 23
 

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 A WORD (OR TWO) FROM THE EDITOR 

Here are a couple of opinion columns that hit home

I read a couple of pieces in The News & Observer earlier this week that addressed two bothersome issues facing public education in Johnston County and the rest of the state and perhaps the nation.

One spotlights North Carolina's disappointing treatment of public-school teachers. The other, although it's about a situation in Charlotte, unveils weaknesses in N.C. law restricting accountability and transparency regarding high-level public servants.

Here are links to what I read:

• "Bipartisan commission calls for higher teacher pay. Will NC leaders answer?">

• "Superintendent debacle shows needs for NC. government transparency law">
 

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You'll find it in the Weekly Sun archives>