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WILSON’S LOCAL PRINT AND DIGITAL COMMUNITY INSTITUTION SINCE 1896

Murder convict could be paroled in husband’s killing

A woman who’s spent three decades in prison for fatally beating and torturing her elderly husband in a Wilson hotel is eligible for parole. A Wilson County jury convicted 78-year-old …

Nash deputy in critical condition after traffic stop crash

NASHVILLE — A Nash County deputy remains in critical condition following a Thanksgiving Day crash during a Rocky Mount traffic stop. Deputy Jared Allison tried to pull over a …

A worker walks under the BB&T towers as an excavator works to smash out the first-story glass facade on one tower Tuesday in preparation for the eight-story buildings' December implosion.

BB&T towers’ demolition scheduled for Dec. 19

Decades after becoming an iconic sight in historic downtown Wilson, the BB&T towers will fall to the ground in a simultaneous implosion at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. “Many city departments …

Contentnea Fire Department volunteer and Christmas light programmer extraordinaire Josh Thomas shakes a string of lights malfunctioning on a tree Tuesday outside the fire station on N.C. 42.

‘A little bit of light in these dark times’: Annual light show starts Friday

For more than a month every holiday season, the Contentnea Fire Department is aglow with thousands of lights choreographed to music, and this year, the tradition lives on. “We can’t cancel …

Wilson County charts spike in suicide attempts

In the wake of a pandemic, social unrest and financial instability, Wilson County has seen a rise in suicide attempts in 2020. The Wilson Police Department and Wilson County Sheriff’s Office …

Bonny Parker, Cannon Hinnant's mother, sits next to a rendering for the Wilson City All Children's Multiplex as the boy's family announces its financial support for the project Wednesday at the J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex.

'We're doing it for Cannon': Boy’s family funds playground renovation, Miracle Field

The J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex playground was a favorite place for 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant. And to honor the boy’s memory after his August killing, his family joined city and community …

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.

Officials urge Wilson to follow mask mandate; executive order includes criminal penalties

Rising COVID-19 cases prompted Gov. Roy Cooper to expand the statewide mask mandate, and Wilson officials are encouraging residents to take the added precautions. “Wilson has a strong …

Wilson recognizes Small Business Saturday, Giving Tuesday

Wilson Mayor Carlton Stevens recently approved two proclamations supporting area small businesses and community nonprofits. The proclamation recognizing Small Business Saturday notes that …

This illustration reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

Lee Woodard Elementary classes go remote

Lee Woodard Elementary School students and staff will not be in the classroom for the next two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 case where staff members were identified as close contacts with the …

Tasha "Tott" Williams, 43, has been missing for more than a month. Police ask anyone with information about her wherabouts to contact them.

Missing woman’s family, friends want her home

Family and friends of a Wilson woman who’s been missing for more than a month are praying for her safe return. Officials say 43-year-old Tasha L. Williams, who goes by the nickname …

COVID hospitalizations hit record high; Greenfield switches to virtual learning for 2 weeks

Wilson County and North Carolina reached a new high for COVID-19 hospitalizations again Tuesday, breaking all previous records. There are currently 53 Wilson County patients hospitalized due …

Wilson police officers distribute boxes of Thanksgiving meals Tuesday at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Needy families were identified through the department's PAL program and school guidance counselors. Officers assisted 155 families.

Wilson police distribute turkey dinners to 155 families

The Wilson Police Department blessed 155 families Tuesday and distributed large boxes of turkey dinners with all the fixings ahead of Thanksgiving. Officers held the annual giveaway at the …

Gov. Roy Cooper arrives for a June press briefing on the COVID-19 virus at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.

Citing 'pivotal moment' in virus fight, Cooper tightens state’s mask mandate

Gov. Roy Cooper gave North Carolinians a stark warning Monday as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase statewide. “We are in danger,” Cooper said during a …

Mack Johnson pushes a cartful of cans and metal to sell for scrap to pay for his next meal. Johnson, a homeless man, said he is thankful just to be living.

'Thankful for another day to be alive': Wilson County residents share their gratitude

Can we all agree that 2020 has been a hard year? Sickness, job loss, anxiety and depression have hit so many of us. But in the midst of it all, there have been plenty of blessings and reasons to …

Wilson deputies help capture Lenoir County shooting suspect

The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team helped capture a suspect accused of shooting a Lenoir County deputy and another man. Officers shot 30-year-old Robert Lee …

Tammy Grady’s family members stand together at Toisnot Park on Sunday as they remember the 35-year-old who went missing a year ago.

Vigil pays tribute to missing daughter, sister

Candles flickered as Tammy Grady’s family and friends formed a circle underneath the Sunday evening sky at Toisnot Park. Tears were shed as those gathered spoke about the 35-year-old, who has …

Sanoca Farms co-owner David Harrell, center left, gives Farm-City Week attendees a tour of the cucumber grading facility.

Farm gate sales dip to $124.8 million in Wilson County

The estimated income from sales of farm products in 2020 tumbled nearly $19 million from Wilson County’s 2019 totals. Norman Harrell, director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Wilson …

ELECTION 2020 CENTRAL

States, voters share uneasy balance of power

The climactic runoff in Georgia for two U.S. Senate seats will likely determine partisan control of the Senate. If two Democrats win, that party will, with the vice president’s vote as Senate …

Wilson County to recount votes in NC chief justice race

Workers, volunteers kept our election secure

Parity extends down the ballot

New and old North Carolina collide — again

Follow our ongoing coverage of Cannon Hinnant

VIDEO

From all angles, Hunt sweeps aside Southern Nash

Rare will be the night during the 2020 season where the Hunt High varsity volleyball team has a setter that flirts with the 25-30 assist range, emblematic of an efficient offense in its own …

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LOCAL HEADLINES

Weathercast: Low pressure to increase shower, storm chances

College honors faculty, staff members of the year

Pet of the week: Friday the cat gets along with big, small dogs

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

Winstead named to NC A&T alumni council

Community Briefs: Firehouse to host blood drive

DSS: Brighten holidays for older adults and youth

Who was convicted in Wilson County Superior Court?

Wilson County Public Library names new books

Thanksgiving is one meal, and yet so much more

Thanksgiving baskets delivered

Supreme Court blocks NY governor's coronavirus limits on houses of worship

Tacos join turkey for couple’s Thanksgiving food giveaway

Salvation Army starts holiday fundraising, Angel Tree campaigns

Stores work to keep holiday shoppers safe and happy

Pocket confetti

Collection day doubles pesticide poundage

Thanksgiving baskets delivered

'My roots kept me grounded': Heather Finch returns home to restart wreath business

Community Briefs: Library collecting food donations

Entrepreneurs strive to cater to holiday shoppers

Marriage licenses: Who tied the knot in Wilson County?

Young actress helps with Sallie B. Howard School food drive

Church distributes food for Thanksgiving

Churches team up to give away 500 turkeys

Weathercast: Cool temps, mostly sunny skies for Thanksgiving

Kenly native publishes uncle’s World War II memoir

Finding reasons for gratitude in a dumpster fire

Barnes named state trucking association chairman

Families appreciate turkey giveaway

Weathercast: Cold front set to follow mild weekend

Pet of the week: Graham

BB&T tower prepared for demolition

Cemetery memorial installed in paupers’ section

More local news

SPOTTED: Whirligig Festival Outdoor Events 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

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: Low pressure to increase shower, storm chances

High pressure centered over Virginia is forecast to give The Wilson Times area sunny skies Saturday with high temperatures reaching the mid-60s by afternoon. After an overnight low in the upper …

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Most recent videos:

North Johnston’s Lanie Croft, left, wins this battle at the net against Beddingfield’s Mackenzie Howard during Monday’s 2-A Eastern Plains Conference match at Beddingfield. Looking on are Myah Stevens, left, of the Lady Panthers and Emilee Moss of the Lady Bruins, who lost in three sets.

Lady Panthers 3-0 after sweeping Beddingfield in its opener

The difference in experience, both overall and immediate, was apparent between varsity volleyball teams from Beddingfield and North … Read More

Gracie Farmer (1) of Wilson Christian tries to get a step on Greenfield's Serenity McNair during the second half of Thursday's game at Wilson Christian. Farmer knocked down four 3-point shots, one in each quarter, to help propel the Lady Chargers to a runaway 53-28 victory.

Lady Chargers shackle Greenfield for third straight win

Brian Trull would much rather talk about his team’s defense. But if the Wilson Christian varsity girls basketball team can … Read More

Firefighter Jordan Childress from the Silver Lake Volunteer Fire Department sprays water into the Silver Lake Growers Cotton Gin trash building on Tuesday.

High winds spread fire at cotton gin

ELM CITY — Some 50 firefighters from five departments fought a stubborn cotton waste fire adjacent to the Silver Lake Growers … Read More

High winds cause fire to leap from burn pile at Silver Lake Growers Gin on NC 58

High winds cause fire to leap from burn pile at Silver Lake Growers Gin on NC 58 Read More

A truck turns around Friday after the driver chose not to venture into floodwaters on N.C. 222 between Stantonsburg and Saratoga.

Stantonsburg 'like an island' as water rises after Tropical Storm Eta

STANTONSBURG — This southern Wilson County town was almost cut off from the rest of the world Friday as runoff from Tropical Storm … 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

Our state has gotten freer

RALEIGH — While modern conservatism in America brings together a number of discrete groups, interests and priorities, one of its unifying themes is maximizing freedom — by which …

LIFE

Full services return in classroom: In-person learning benefits county’s exceptional children

Exceptional children resource teacher Lisa Harrison could see her fourth grade student was having trouble with the reading lesson. With in-the-moment precision, Harrison made eye contact, helped …

E-EDITION

Friday, November 27, 2020

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BEST OF

Let them run: NCHSAA cross-country season opens Monday

As the North Carolina High School Athletic Association lifts …

Guess Who?

"Guess Who?” is a weekly photo feature from The Wilson Times sports photo archives that will run each week in the Times sports section. If you know or would like to guess who is …

In this file photo from the Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, edition of The Wilson Times, Hunt senior Josh Willingham (31), blocking the shot of Morganton Freedom’s Chris Bridges during the NCHSAA 3-A championship game March 15, 2014, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, was the top returning player from the Warriors state runner-up team the previous season.

Gracia’s hat trick: Golden Demons junior named all-state, Region 3 Co-Player of the Year, Big East Offensive Player of the Year

Fike High junior Jamil Gracia earned what Golden Demons Chris Mizelle called the “triple crown” as he achieved 3-A all-state status and 3-A Region 3 Co-Player of the Year from the …

Lake Wilson 12U seizes Downeast Fall League title

Sweeping each match in its final two outings, the Lake Wilson Tennis Club 12U Beavers concluded its Downeast Fall League Junior Team Tennis season with a championship by throttling …

In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, North Carolina head coach Mack Brown laughs with the television crew as he prepares to do an interview prior to the Tar Heels' NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill. Brown's 25th-ranked Tar Heels host No. 2 Notre Dame on Friday.

No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 25 UNC meet in headliner

Here are things to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Week 12: GAME OF THE WEEK No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 25 North Carolina. Brian Kelly’s Fighting Irish (8-0, 7-0 …

Farris & Thomas Law Attorneys Student-Athlete of the Week: Drew O'Neal, Beddingfield High

Drew O’Neal picked up points for his Beddingfield High cross-country team in its first meet of the season last week, making him this week’s Farris & Thomas Law …

‘Bow therapy’ can be needed stress reliever at times

The outdoors and its activities offer plenty of things to give a bit of peace. There are many times I went fishing not with the goal of catching a single fish, but instead the goal …

In this file photo from the Saturday, Nov. 27, 1976, edition of The Wilson Daily Times, Fike senior Michael Smith (82) tries to come up with a pass from quarterback Timmy Wilkerson as Richmound County’s Mike Quick (83) defends during the NCHSAA 4-A Eastern championship game at Fike.

Fike’s title dream ends

Fike High’s “Impossible Dream” of winning a state football championship was ended at the hands of unbeaten and state-ranked No. 1 Richmond County, but not before the …

Sports home

College Sports

San Francisco stuns No. 4 Virginia 61-60 in Bubbleville

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — San Francisco shocked No. 4 Virginia on Friday, scoring the biggest upset of the young college basketball season and the program's biggest win in decades. Jamaree …

Book, defense help No. 2 Notre Dame beat No. 25 UNC 31-17

Gardner lifts East Carolina over Charlotte 66-57

College basketball begins strange season in empty arenas

ACC reaches for end zone of season-long schedule shuffle

School Sports

McGuire, Sutton cop WSCC women’s titles

The turnout was low but the drama was high as Willow Springs Country Club held its annual women’s golf club championships the weekend of Nov. 8-9. Sue McGuire rallied Sunday with a …

No harm, no foul

Lake Wilson 12U, 18U Green both improve to 5-1

Follow these tips to avoid hiking weirdness

Greenlight doubles up E.B. Sports to claim Little League title

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