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| PUBLISHED
ONLINE SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
• VOL. 1, NO. 39 |
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 MIRACLE LEAGUE GETS A BOOST FROM CAMPBELL The entire baseball team from Campbell University came to town last Saturday morning to serve as volunteers for the Miracle League of Johnston County that gives handicapped youngsters a chance to play ball on a specially designed field at Smithfield Community Park. MORE about it on the SPORTS & RECREATION page> SAT scores: SSS only Johnston high school below national average; others below state Smithfield-Selma is the only Johnston County high school scoring below the national average on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) this year. Meanwhile, just three of the county's traditional high schools scored above the North Carolina average. The national average score for the 2018-19 school year was 1039. North Carolina's was 1091. Smithfield-Selma High School's average score was 1032. Neuse Charter School posted an average score of 1078. Topping the state average: Corinth Holders High at 1125, Cleveland at 1100, and West Johnston at 1096. Meanwhile, the Johnston County Early College Academy, operating outside the normal high-school environment, registered an average score of 1202. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction, which released the scores this week, noted that fewer students are taking the SAT nowadays. The percentage statewide was down to 47% for 2018-19. A big reason is that the state now requires and pays the cost for all 11th graders to take the ACT college-readiness exam but not the SAT. (ACT, originally known as American College Testing, is a non-profit organization that administers the standardized test taking the place of the SAT for many students.) Here are the latest SAT scores for all of Johnston's high schools> Here are the latest ACT results for Johnston's high schools> |
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 7th Street Marketplace & The Chicken Barn |
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The Salvation Army has new commanders
Both are natives of Canada, and both are in the sixth generation of their families to serve the Salvation Army. Not only that. Three of their five children are working with the Army, two of them here with their parents. The Craddocks came to the Smithfield command from Killeen, Texas. They previously served at Lake Charles, Louisiana and Decatur, Alabama. The Smithfield center provides worship services, "character building" youth programs, an emergency food pantry, and clothing for needy families. "Sally's Kitchen" provides hot lunches four days a week plus a Wednesday evening meal served along with weekly Bible studies. Its Family Store, stocked with used clothing and furniture mostly, is the local program's major source of revenue. Starting in January, the center's gymnasium will be the home of youth sports operated by the Salvation Army. (Presently, the gym is being leased for unaffiliated activities.) For more information, visit the Smithfield Army's website>  2019-20 LEADERS OF CENTRAL JOHNSTON ROTARY Recently installed officers and directors of the Rotary Club of Central Johnston County met last week with Rotary District Governor Marie Howard: (left to right) seated --- Don Duggin, president-elect; Mrs. Howard; Michele Brownlee, president; Rick Childrey, membership chair; standing --- Pete Connet, sergeant-at arms; David Wiley, foundation treasurer; Cheryl Campbell, administration chair; Jason Wenzel, assistant district governor; Rudy Sasser, treasurer; Parks Byrd, Rotary Foundation chair; and Martin Tetreault, secretary. Not pictured: Todd Edwards, service projects chair; Kelly Lee, public image chair; and Kevin Barnes, immediate past president. |
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Smithfield seeks grant to stabilize banks
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 HIGH HONOR FOR RETIRED JUDGE ANDY CORBETT The family of retired District Court Judge Albert A. (Andy) Corbett Jr. are shown with his portrait that's being added to the "walls of honor" inside the historic Superior Courtroom of the Johnston County Courthouse. On hand with Judge Corbett for the unveiling last Thursday afternoon were (left to right): his daughter, Sarah West; granddaughter Caroline West; his son, Paul Corbett; grandson Connor West; and son-in-law Troy West. Judge Corbett served the district that encompasses Johnston, Harnett, and Lee counties for 24 years, including 13 years as Chief Judge, until his retirement in 2014. He joined his father as a practicing attorney here in 1969.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENDAS
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WHAT'S COMING UP? A rundown of upcoming civic and cultural events in our community that we've been told about or seen publicized elsewhere: AN "INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL" hosted by St. Ann Catholic Church is set for Saturday, October 5 on the church grounds beside US 70 Business northwest of Smithfield. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. without admission charge, the festival features foods from 19 nations, international music and dance, games for all ages, and a silent auction. For more information, visit www.internationalfoodfestival.net. JOHNSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT'S "SKYFEST" --- an "open house" featuring aerial demonstrations, a "kids zone," outdoor concert, and "beer garden" --- is set for Saturday, October 12. The airport is located northwest of Smithfield off US 70 Business. Admission to the event will be free of charge. For more information, visit www.skyfestnc.com. AN "ELITE" HIGH-SCHOOL CHORUS will perform at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Smithfield on Saturday, October 12 at 7 p.m. Colla Voce, an audition-only chorus from Wake County's Holly Springs High School, has been invited to perform at Westminster Abbey and other venues in Great Britain. There's no admission charge for the concert here, but donations will be accepted for the upcoming trip. St. Paul's Music Director John Drymon, organist, will accompany the chorus. SMITHFIELD KIWANIS PANCAKE SUPPER is set for Tuesday, October 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church. Tickets are $7, dine in or take out. Proceeds benefit the Kiwanis Club's community-service projects. |
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Bar Association honors Attorney Narron  Smithfield attorney James W.
(Jimmy) Narron is the second recipient of the
Distinguished Service Award from the Estate
Planning & Fiduciary Law Section of the
North Carolina Bar Association.Mr. Narron, a certified specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law, was a member of the charter class of specialists in that field in 1987. He has practiced law in Smithfield since he graduated from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1975. He later earned an LL.M. in taxation from New York University. READ MORE about his award on the N.C. Bar Association's website> DEATHS & FUNERALS Each week we'll post links to obituaries about persons who have died during the past week. We'll monitor the websites of local funeral homes to compile our list, and we welcome links provided by readers to obituaries of persons with Smithfield connections who have died outside our immediate area. GLADYS MARIE ADAMS ANDERSON, 70 - died September 24 RANIEL DOUGLAS WILLIAMS, 30 - died September 21 BRENDA LEAH HOLLOMAN FREEDMAN, 69 - died September 18 |
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THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS 1950s view of Austin Building, South Third Street At the time, the huge 1920s structure was primarily home to Heilig-Meyers Furniture (featuring Maytag appliances). It also included a storefront for Smithfield Tire & Tackle Co. (featuring B.F. Goodrich products). How about those classic cars of the Fifties out front! Today's Austin Building is primarily occupied by apartments for the elderly. On the ground floor are offices for attorneys and investment brokers. Gone are retail businesses. (Photo from Johnston County Heritage Center archives) |
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"INSIDE" PAGES IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION SPORTS & RECREATION: Miracle League boosters OBSERVATIONS: "Climate change" a political plot? WANT TO VIEW PREVIOUS EDITIONS? Visit our archives |
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Meeting in special session last Thursday
evening, the Smithfield Town Council approved applying
for a state grant to stabilize the banks of Spring
Branch between South Fifth and Sixth streets and
develop a nature park on adjacent town property.
JOHN
P. (JACK)
O'HALE
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