October 25, 2025
Schools
Caregiver Sentenced In Death Of Special Needs Client Left In Hot Vehicle
JOHNSTON COUNTY — A caregiver has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the tragic death of Dontarius Batts, a 22-year-old autistic man left unattended in…
Former School Resource Officer And Wife Sentenced In Johnston County
JOHNSTON COUNTY – A former school resource officer and his wife, a former teacher, were sentenced to probation on Thursday after pleading guilty to charges stemming from an investigation involving…
Ernie Woodard Named JCPS 2025 Employee Of The Year For Facilities And Construction
SMITHFIELD – Ernie Woodard has been named the Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year. Woodard has been employed with JCPS since 2019, beginning…
Spell Named Virtual Teacher Of The Year
By Daily Record of Dunn Kristen Spell, a lifelong educator and Dunn resident, was named the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Virtual Public School, the state-run…
School Board Approves Principal Transfers, Superintendent’s Recommendations
SMITHFIELD – The Johnston County Board of Education held a Special Session Personnel Meeting on Monday, July 28. During the meeting, the board approved the recommendations of Superintendent Dr. David…
Groundbreaking For Princeton Graded School Restoration Project Set For August 15
PRINCETON – A significant milestone in the restoration of the historic Princeton Graded School will be celebrated on August 15 at 9:00 a.m. with a groundbreaking ceremony to officially launch…
Melissa Waring Named JCPS 2025 Media Specialist Employee Of The Year
SMITHFIELD – Corinth-Holders Elementary School’s (CHES) Melissa Waring has been named the Johnston County Public Schools 2025 Media Specialist Employee of the Year. Waring’s initiatives and fresh ideas have been…
JCPS Leadership Conference Moves Forward Into The 2025-2026 Academic Year
JOHNSTON COUNTY – Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) principals, assistant principals, and Central Office staff gathered at Corinth Holders High for the annual three-day Leadership Conference held July 15-17, 2025.…
Emily Sierra-Uriostegui Experiences Blossoming Internship At JC Raulston Arboretum
MOUNT OLIVE – As the summer sun rises over Raleigh, NC, University of Mount Olive (UMO) senior Emily Sierra-Uriostegui begins her day surrounded by vibrant blooms, lush greenery, and the…
Kathryn Farrior Named JCPS 2025 Employee Of The Year For Curriculum, Instruction, And Accountability
SMITHFIELD – Kathryn Farrior has been named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Employee of the Year for Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability. Farrior is the Workforce Development Specialist for the…
School Board Split On Discrimination Policies
Separate policy banning Pride flags in classrooms adopted By The Smithfield Weekly Sun SMITHFIELD – With one member absent, the Johnston County Board of Education on Tuesday voted 3-3 on…
Melanie Lee Named JCPS 2025 Employee Of The Year For Administrative And Auxiliary Services
SMITHFIELD – Melanie Lee has been named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) 2025 Employee of the Year for Administrative and Auxiliary Services. As Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Superintendent of…
