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WILSON’S LOCAL PRINT AND DIGITAL COMMUNITY INSTITUTION SINCE 1896

VP Mike Pence to speak at Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport

Vice President Mike Pence will hold a Saturday rally at the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport as he and President Donald Trump barnstorm North Carolina in an effort to mobilize voters in this …

Complaints target GOP sample ballots

Democrats in Edgecombe and Halifax counties have filed complaints over marked sample ballots without state-required disclosure statements indicating the ballots’ source. The Halifax County …

Wilson County Board of Elections member Doug Inscoe uses a knife to open mail-in ballot envelopes during a Tuesday meeting. Once the envelopes are opened, the ballots are fed into a tabulating machine and locked up, with the results released on election night once the polls close.

Wilson voters take advantage of mail-in ballots

The steady flow of completed mail-in ballots to the Wilson County Board of Elections means endless hours of processing the votes before election night. “Each one is stamped with the date they …

Volunteer Mary McLees-Lane calls potential voters from the Wilson County Democratic Party headquarters on Tuesday.

Busy times at Democratic headquarters

There’s been a steady flow of people into the Wilson County Democratic Party headquarters on Tarboro Street in downtown Wilson. “It’s been amazing. Lots of traffic,” said Jim Hawley, the …

William Baile of Bailey, left, gathers campaign materials while visiting the Wilson County Republican Party headquarters on Wednesday.

GOP: Trump merchandise ‘a hot item’

At The Wilson County Republican Party headquarters, it’s been hard to hold onto political merchandise. “All the Trump items that we could get in have sold as quickly as we could get them in …

Wilson Chamber of Commerce President Ryan Simons stays socially distanced from State Treasurer Dale Folwell as Folwell presents a replica check for unclaimed funds owed to the chamber that were identified at NCCash.com. The treasurer's office holds unclaimed property in reserve for its owners.

State treasurer: Pandemic poses economic, health obstacles

State Treasurer Dale Folwell used a quote from his mentor to describe the inequalities COVID-19 has highlighted in rural North Carolina. “‘You can’t tell who doesn’t have a bathing suit on …

Michael Barnes, custodian at New Hope Elementary School, uses an electrostatic sprayer to spread a COVID-19-killing chemical in a doorjamb Wednesday.

Schools receive intense midweek cleaning

Michael Barnes used a Victory electrostatic sprayer to cast a fine mist onto every desk in the room and waited as the sudsy chemical did its job. The virucidal chemical went to work killing any …

Lucama water operator Chris Hare releases water from a fire hydrant.

Lucama water line project delayed

LUCAMA — Residents will have to wait longer for improvements in the town’s water distribution system. The town asked for and was granted a construction contract extension from Aug. 3 to Oct. 1 …

Della Ruth Koster, 10, lines up her shot Wednesday at Pool After School in Elm City.

Playing pool after school: Business offers parents a break on after-school care

ELM CITY — Randy Tate was 12 the first time he picked up a pool stick, but he quickly fell in love with the game. As his skills improved, he was exposed to drinking and drugs that led him down a …

This illustration reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

Wilson County sets record for hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Wilson County saw an increase in newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases Thursday as well as a record high for hospitalizations. Officials reported 48 new cases, up from 32 the day prior. …

Former Wilson officer named Zebulon police chief

ZEBULON — An 18-year Wilson police veteran will become Zebulon’s top cop next month. Knightdale police Capt. Jacqui Boykin has been named the Zebulon Police Department’s next …

Virginia Bane, the United Way of Wilson County's communications and marketing director, prepares to take a load of donated items inside the agency's office in April during a Pantry on the Porch no-contact food and supplies drive for Wilson helping agencies. A similar event is taking place Friday.

Pantry on the Porch seeks to help those in need

Wilson County residents can join in a little Halloween fun Friday while helping local agencies in need of nonperishable food items and supplies. The United Way of Wilson County will hold a …

Longleaf Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Wilson provides nursing home services to patients with psychiatric, neurological and brain trauma.

Wilson County reports 66th COVID-19-related death

Wilson County health officials say another person has died in association with COVID-19, marking the 66th death here since the pandemic began. Health officials say the patient was a Longleaf …

Harrell earns Trooper of the Year honor: Patrolman chased driver who shot him

Trooper Daniel Harrell has received another prestigious award for his heroic efforts during a Wilson County traffic stop where he was shot and injured in January 2019. On Monday, the …

Departing Wilson County Board of Education member Gary Farmer, left, listens as board Chairwoman Christine Fitch reads a poem about him at Farmer's going-away luncheon Monday.

Gary Farmer has ‘last hurrah’ as Wilson County school board member

Gary Farmer, who has one Wilson County Board of Education meeting left before stepping out of his District 6 seat, said he most appreciated hearing from parents during his tenure. Farmer, 73, has …

President Donald Trump watches as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the Constitutional Oath to Amy Coney Barrett on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday after Barrett was confirmed by the Senate earlier in the evening.

Senate confirms Barrett to Supreme Court; new justice takes oath at White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court late Monday by a deeply divided Senate, with Republicans overpowering Democrats to install President Donald Trump’s …

Claudia Baker, executive director of Veterans Residential Services of Wilson, shows a bare freezer at the agency's headquarters. Baker said demand for food among homeless and at-risk veterans has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. As fast as the agency receives food, it goes right back to those who need it most.

Pandemic especially hard on some veterans

Over the past several months, Claudia Baker has seen up close how COVID-19 has affected a particular population. “The world as it is now for my veterans is like they’re fighting their own …

Voters line up to cast a ballot Monday morning at the Wilson County Board of Elections office on Douglas Street in historic downtown Wilson. Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the elections office, the Wilson County Administrative building on Miller Road and the Wilson County Rescue Squad on Tarboro Street. Brie Handgraaf | Times

Early voting going ‘smoothly’

With one week until Election Day, roughly 37% of Wilson County voters have cast a ballot at one-stop sites or through mail-in voting. “Actually, I am very, very pleased,” said Wilson County …

Eyes on Main Street workers, from left, Dales Trump, Wesley Trump, Maria Popowitch, Darick Davis and Theresa Scott, hang an oversized print on the old Wilson Upholstery building in downtown Wilson.

‘Gigantic’ photo exhibit begins: Eyes on Main Street in 6th year

One in every five photographs at this year’s Eyes on Main Street exhibition will be oversized. Some 100 prints from 100 photographers representing 45 countries around the world have been going …

Wilson County Sheriff's Office to implement de-escalation training

By year’s end, the entire Wilson County Sheriff’s Office staff will have another tool when it comes to communicating with the public it serves. Sheriff Calvin Woodard said two detention …

Coastal Posh Boutique owner Regina Medlin, from left, browses clothing Friday with customer Ashley Parrish. The Brentwood shop opened in September.

Pandemic presents business opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to businesses, but many Wilson entrepreneurs have used the experience to evolve. • For example, Coastal Posh Boutique owner Regina Medlin …

ELECTION 2020 CENTRAL

Election winner will face pressing issues

With Election Day just days away and with millions of voters having already cast ballots by mail or early voting, it’s time to begin thinking about what comes next. This year’s …

Election may not be over on election night

Democrats may fall just short

Polling places painted for posterity

Your vote counts, so make a plan to cast your ballot

COVID, classrooms and corporations frame Cooper-Forest race

In final debate, Trump and Biden spar over raging virus, climate and race

Butterfield: Legalize marijuana and expunge pot convictions

US officials: Iran sent emails intimidating American voters

Sparks fly in state treasurer debate

Republicans courting Black voters

Wilson Democrats banking on blue wave

County has record-breaking voter turnout Thursday

Justice in selecting judges

For election coverage, newspapers get my vote

Follow our ongoing coverage of Cannon Hinnant

VIDEO

Game of thrones: Greenfield subdues Woodlawn 4-1, returns to championship game

Strike up the cars, not the buses, for Saturday afternoon on Forbes Field. The Greenfield School varsity boys soccer team is back in position to defend its North Carolina Independent Schools …

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LOCAL HEADLINES

Hope Station receives $100,000 COVID-19 relief grant

Flamingos spread message

Community Briefs: Halloween ‘boo bag’ giveaway set

Wilson Community College graphics earn national awards

Who was convicted in Wilson County Superior Court?

Red Cross: Test smoke alarms with time change

County reports 32 new coronavirus cases Wednesday

Wilson County Public Library announces new books

Community Briefs: Virtual veterans’ job fair slated

Size not an issue for these motorheads: Former flea market becomes RC car track

Thanks to grant, Wilson County replacing generator

Wilson County reports 108 new COVID cases since Friday; free drive-thru testing available

Wilson Arts accepting grant applications for pandemic relief

City workers raise $126,000 for United Way

Memorial service honors hospice patients

NC Whirligig Festival embraces fitness

WCC practical nursing pass rate at 100%

Wilson County company sees future in smokeable hemp

Retired Wilson fire chief receives national honor

NC Whirligig Festival plans virtual, in-person events

Nash charts 4 coronavirus deaths in single day

Halloween Booze It & Lose It campaign underway

Bailey Fire Department vandalized

Plan to go trick-or-treating Saturday? Officials have recommendations for safe fun

Weathercast: Zeta’s remnants could bring showers, gusty winds

Insurance commissioner: Medicare scams on the rise

Artificial intelligence is fighting the pandemic

Pet of the week: Lucy seeks loving home

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

New apartments going skyward

Wilson County reports 30 new COVID-19 cases

Wilson police seize 5 kilos of meth; 2 charged with trafficking

Weathercast: Mild temps, clear skies until midweek

Preparing for the surgery (degree)

Man charged in July shooting

More local news

SPOTTED: Deans Farm Hayrides

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

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: Zeta’s remnants could bring showers, gusty winds

Mostly sunny skies, after some early morning fog, and mild temperatures are forecast for the Wilson Times area Tuesday and Wednesday. High temperatures both days should get to the 76- to 78-degree …

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Wilson Christian's Chase Gurgone (15) goes up to head the ball beside teammate Alex Torres (1) in the first half of Tuesday's NCCSA 2-A semifinal against Alamance Christian at WCA. Gurgone scored on this corner kick as Wilson Christian won 4-1.

Using their heads, Chargers return to championship

Soccer can often present itself as a cruel game, where teams that sustain consistent offensive pressure are foiled with disastrous … Read More

Wilson Christian junior Will Hoskins (8) leads the break downfield during Saturday’s NCCSA 2-A quarterfinals match against Cramerton Christian at WCA. Hoskins had four goals and an assist in the Chargers’ 9-0 victory. Paul Durham | Times

Chargers click in runaway win over Cramerton Christian

With an adept display of passing, particularly within the opponent’s 18-yard line, Wilson Christian dazzled Cramerton Christian 9-0 … Read More

Wilson Christian's Hailey Carnes, right, runs into the block of Vandalia Christian's Natalia Rubio during Saturday's NCCSA 2-A quarterfinal at Wilson Christian. The Lady Chargers prevailed in four sets.

Lady Chargers withstand Vandalia to reach state semifinals

One of the maturation processes of a championship-caliber team is the ability to weather the best efforts and plans of an inferior, … Read More

Greenfield’s Jacob Wiggs (23) battles with Joseph Knott of Kerr-Vance for control of the ball during Friday’s NCISAA 1-A playoff match at Greenfield’s Forbes Field. The Knights won 9-0.

Knights kick off playoffs with 9-0 rout of Kerr-Vance

The three-game skid by the Greenfield School boys soccer team seemed a lot further than a month ago after the Knights kicked off the … Read More

Greenfield's Luisa Lee moves in for a forehand poach at the net as teammate Mae Pridgen looks on during Friday's NCISAA 1-A quarterfinal against Cape Fear Christian at Laura Leslie Crudup Tennis Complex. Pridgen and Lee swept their singles and doubles matches to ignite Greenfield in a 6-3 victory.

Grit and grind of Lady Knights produces trip to semis

Throughout the 2020 season, Greenfield School girls tennis coach Robin Morrison has praised the numbers that her Lady Knights have … Read More

RESTORATION NEWSMEDIA

THE ENTERPRISE

Highway Patrol probing roadside brutality claim

ROCKY MOUNT — Although no official complaint has been filed, the N.C. State Highway Patrol is investigating social media claims that trooper brutalized a Black woman during a recent traffic …

County OKs zoning for biomass plant: Power Resource Group plans to buy Masonite building

Spring Hope is focus of new feature film: Native directs love letter to town

Nearly $1 million in Nash County Detention Center repairs complete

Giant pumpkins tip scales in Spring Hope: National weigh-off to become annual tradition

JOHNSTONIAN NEWS

Son to face murder charges in parents’ deaths

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office plans to charge a 53-year-old man with murdering his parents. On Oct. 4, sheriff’s deputies went to 960 Olivia Way, Selma, to conduct on well-being check …

Former Kenly police officer pleads guilty

With Smithfield surgeon’s help, a Golden Knight aims to soar again

Virtual learning begins to fray parent, teacher relationships

Roundtable to tackle racism in education

FUN STUFF

COLUMN

Can we agree on some tax concepts?

Taxes are almost always a big part of political elections. Questions about who pays taxes, whether taxes are too high or too low and complexities in the tax system are usually parts of debates and …

LIFE

Students learn on 3D anatomy program

In the Barton College anatomy lab, shelves are filled with giant eyeballs and ears, cutaway brain models, dismembered and skinless arms and legs and a box of bones sitting next to a skull on a …

E-EDITION

Friday, October 30, 2020

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BEST OF

Wilson Christian boys win NCCSA cross-country title; Scott captures individual crown

If the Wilson Christian cross-country teams can continue to produce underclassmen that emerge as individual state champions, then good luck keeping the Chargers out of contention for …

Wildcats squeeze by Cyclones 20-13 in loop battle

WILMINGTON — Despite being outweighed by nearly 30 pounds per man, the Charles L. Coon High Cyclones battled host New Hanover High before succumbing 20-13 on the Wildcats …

Rhyming out of trouble

Remember the old rhymes and sayings we learned as kids that would help us through life? You know, things like ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt …

Powell finishes 2nd at NCISAA 1-A meet as Knights place third

CHARLOTTE — Senior Will Powell concluded a cross-country career that includes a team title for Greenfield School with a runner-up showing at Thursday’s North Carolina Independent …

In this photo from the Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, edition of The Wilson Times, Southern Nash senior Nathan Paris celebrates after the 3-A No. 4-ranked Firebirds spilled No. 5 and defending state 3-A champion Rocky Mount 21-10 at Southern Nash to stay unbeaten through nine games.

No. 4 Firebirds conquer No. 5 Gryphons 21-10 for Big East lead

STANHOPE — In a showdown of top-five state-ranked teams, No. 4 Southern Nash rallied from a 10-7 deficit against No. 5 Rocky Mount in the fourth quarter at Firebird Stadium to pull …

Lake Wilson Blue 14U reaches 5-0, beats Greene County

Snyder Pearson and Caroline Adkins each swept their singles and doubles matches to help their Lake Wilson Tennis Club coed 14U Blue team remain unbeaten through five matches with a …

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Robert and third baseman Justin Turner pose for a group picture after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to win the World Series in Game 6 on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Arlington, Texas.

Fitting finale: Dodgers win title, Turner tests positive

ARLINGTON, Texas — No large dogpile, no champagne and a mask on nearly every face — the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their first World Series title since 1988 in a manner …

K.J. Hill, right, of the WYSA '06 Explosion defends against the Columbus FC Red Stars on Oct. 17 in Irmo, S.C.

WYSA RECAP: ‘06 Explosion handed first Piedmont Conference loss

An opportunity to leap into second place in the National League Piedmont Conference standings eluded the Wilson Youth Soccer Association ‘06 Explosion on Sunday afternoon with a 2-0 …

Sports home

College Sports

Coach K: March Madness will be back in ‘21

March Madness — in one form or another — is on its way back in 2021, assured Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski in a Wednesday Zoom call. And he likes the team he can put on the floor …

Blue Devils dealing with injuries after off week

Looking back on one of the greatest finishes in college basketball history

Tar Heels win the turf war with Wolfpack

Thomas accounts for 5 TDs as App State beats Arkansas State

School Sports

Herring wins final tourney of his junior golf career

A combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and his decision to graduate early from Fike High and enroll at North Carolina State University in January has left Jake Herring without a chance to win the …

Wilson City Little League Glance

Unbeaten weekend pushes ‘06 Explosion into Piedmont Conference showdown

Wilson City Little League Glance

The fish are still smarter but I’m learning

EDITORIALS

Free, independent press is a uniquely American concept

Religion, speech, press, assembly, petition. If you can recite that list from memory, you’re ahead of 96% of American adults, according to the Freedom Forum Institute’s 2019 State of …

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

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

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR