News

Auditor finds Johnston County sheriff violated county purchasing policy

The state auditor’s office found that Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell bought vehicles and gas masks without obtaining the proper written quotes, in violation of the county’s purchasing policy.  The report released by State Auditor Beth Wood said that by not following this policy, the sheriff’s office potentially overpaid for these items, wasting taxpayer money....

Johnny Kampis
News

Ocean Isle Beach mayor could face charges after auditor’s report on property sale

State Auditor Beth Wood’s office found that Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith benefitted from using confidential town information in her real estate company’s purchase of a former police station site in 2018 and has referred the matter to the local district attorney. In the report released Wednesday,  Jan. 26, the office said it received...

Johnny Kampis
News

State auditor investigating Goldsboro over possible mismanagement of funding

State Auditor Beth Wood is investigating the city of Goldsboro over possible mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. The investigation comes after the city’s 2019 audit showed multiple bookkeeping adjustments to capital assets and notes receivable, with no audits conducted in 2020 or 2021. State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who requested the investigation, in a press release said...

Theresa Opeka
News

Robbinsville set to vote on beer, wine in state’s last dry county

Robbinsville, in the mountains of western North Carolina, will vote Tuesday, Nov. 2, on the sale of beer and wine in the state’s last dry county. The referendum doesn’t include hard liquor, such as whiskey or vodka. It’s the first time the issue has been put to a public vote since Graham County outlawed alcohol...

John Trump

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Opinion

We must call it what it is…child abuse

I live in Stanly County, and freedom-loving people in my community have been fighting for months to push our all-Republican school board to make masks optional in schools. Unfortunately, we have yet to effect change. But given that 108 of 115 North Carolina school districts still require masks in schools, I know we’re not alone. Words...

P. Jason Phibbs
Video

Pacific Legal Foundation’s Jessica Thompson discusses lawsuit challenging Farmville food truck rules

Jessica Thompson, attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, discusses Ole Time Smokehouse’s lawsuit challenging Farmville Food truck rules. Learn more here: “Food truck owner files court challenge against Farmville regulations.” (Editor’s note: The new rules require a 100-foot buffer between the food truck and a brick-and-mortar restaurant’s property line.)

News

Food truck owner files court challenge against Farmville regulations

An eastern N.C.-based food truck owner is going to court to challenge a steep increase in the cost of doing business in Farmville. Mark Shirley, owner of the Ole Time Smokehouse food truck, filed a lawsuit today in Pitt County Superior Court. It challenges Farmville’s food truck rules as violating the N.C. Constitution. “We have...

CJ Staff
News

State auditor uncovers poor record keeping in town of Plymouth

State Auditor Beth Wood’s office found a glaring lack of transparency in the town of Plymouth due to the nonexistence of meeting minutes for the Town Council for most of 2020. Plymouth Mayor Vershumn Hawkins blamed the problems on the sudden departure of the town clerk and a ransomware attack on the city’s computers. The...

Johnny Kampis