May 22, 2009, GOLDSBORO – North Carolina native Milton Bullock will perform at the Goldsboro Paramount, Sunday, May 24, at 3 in the afternoon.

Bullock has entertained audiences most of his life with his satin-smooth voice and his natural stage presence. He was formerly the first tenor in the legendary vocal group The Platters, with worldwide hits such as Only You and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. After The Platters disbanded, Bullock continued his work in the music and film industry, and you may have seen him in such films as “Home Alone 2″ and “Prelude to a Kiss,” among others. Presently, his solo performances as The Golden Platter continue to wow audiences -young and old- because of his sensational voice.

May 22, 2009, GOLDSBORO – More than a dozen area high school sophomores and juniors paired up with Wayne County department heads earlier this week for a first-hand view of the every day workings of county government. After observing the County Commissioners in action, the students toured various departments, and then they met with the Commissioners and school officials during a special lunch at Wilber’s Barbecue Restaurant.

May 22, 2009, GOLDSBORO – The Mental Health Association in Wayne County is hosting a presentation by Dr. Dave Tayloe on Obesity in Today’s Youth and Schools, Wednesday, May 27, at noon in the Cherry Hospital Conference Center. You must be registered to attend, and please make reservations by today. The event costs $5 for Mental Health Association Members and $10 for non-members.

May 22, 2009, GOLDSBORO – Do you drive, bike, walk or ride the bus in the Goldsboro area? And are you concerned about the future of transportation? If so, make sure to attend a public workshop Thursday, June 4, from six to seven-thirty in the evening, in the Gertrude Weil Aditorium at the Wayne County Public Library.

The city of Goldsboro, Village of Walnut Creek, and Wayne County invite citizens and business owners to update the metropolitan area’s long range transportation plan. The plan will guide short-term and long-term investments and decision making in the greater Goldsboro area. The public workshop activities will include an open house to view maps and other materials, a presentation of the plan and how you can help and small group sessions to gather around the maps and provide feedback.

May 22, 2009, RALEIGH – Gov. Perdue reminded citizens Thursday, May 21, that 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the state’s costliest and most destructive storm and she proclaimed May 24 - 30 Hurricane Preparedness Week.

On Sept. 16, 1999, Hurricane Floyd struck North Carolina leaving behind 52 deaths and $6 billion in damages. North Carolina ranks second only to Florida in vulnerability to hurricanes, and to ensure that the state is prepared to respond to a disaster, Gov. Perdue, cabinet officials and state emergency management officials will conduct a simulation exercise, rehearsing the roles and responsibilities of each agency during a disaster. Citizens are urged to assemble emergency supply kits, then make and rehearse plans for where to go and what to do if a hurricane threatens the state. Citizens are also encouraged to review and update their homeowners’ insurance policies to make sure they include coverage for accidental damage and natural disasters and, if necessary, flood insurance.

Hurricane season officially begins June 1, and for more information on how to prepare for any type of emergency, please visit www.ReadyNC.org.

May 20, 2009, GOLDSBORO – The Wayne Pregnancy Care Center is hosting a 2nd Annual Benefit Golf Tournament, Friday May 29, at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course.

If you are interested in participating please contact Wayne Pregnancy at 583-9330.

The Wayne Pregnancy Care Center is a Christian ministry committed to upholding the sanctity of human life by assisting individuals facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies, providing post-abortion support and promoting sexual abstinence until marriage. All proceeds from the Tournament will benefit the Wayne Pregnancy Care Center.

May 20, 2009, RALEIGH – Gov. Perdue signed House Bill 2, Tuesday, May 19, which prohibits smoking in public bars and restaurants.

Rep. Holliman and Sen. Purcell led the efforts to pass this landmark legislation. The smoking ban will go into effect Jan. 2, 2010, and will be enforced by local health directors.

Perdue said, this is a historic day for North Carolina and it will have a positive impact on public health. She said, “By banning smoking in our restaurants and bars, we will greatly reduce the dangers of secondhand smoke and lower health care costs for families.”

According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, secondhand smoke causes the death of approximately 50,000 citizens a year. In addition, a study prepared by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina found that exposure to secondhand smoke costs North Carolinians $289 million annually.

May 20, 2009, GOLDSBORO – Wayne County Public Schools was recently awarded a $146,063 “Summer Youth Employment Program” grant from the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, Inc.

The grant will allow at-risk students, teen parents, students with disabilities, and high school dropouts to enter the workforce in select jobs over the summer. The Program will last seven weeks, from June 22 to August 7; up to 40 participants, ages 16 to 21, will be accepted to the program, and they will be paid $7.25 an hour for a 40 hour workweek at no cost to the participating employer.

Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor said, “Participants will be able to strengthen their resumes and the local workforce through the development of work ethic and new skills. They will also receive additional support in the classroom, all while earning a paycheck.” The Program requires participants to spend eight hours a week in the classroom working on subjects such as math, literacy, and even finance skills, then they will work the remaining 32 hours at a participating business or non-profit.

May 20, 2009, GOLDSBORO – Goldsboro Crimestoppers and the Police Department are seeking help with a series of car break-ins in residential subdivisions in the north end of Goldsboro. During the night between May 11 and 12, thirteen vehicles were broken into.

Items taken include: MP3 players, laptop computers, GPS/navigation systems and cash.

To avoid becoming a victim be sure to lock your vehicle, place valuables out of sight or remove them from the vehicle, roll up windows, make sure the trunk is locked, and never leave your keys in the vehicle.

If you have information about these crimes please call Crimestoppers at 735-2255.

May 20, 2009, GOLDSBORO – The Aycock Birthplace will show “Rio Bravo”, May 24, at 3 in the afternoon.

The movie stars John Wayne and it is the story of a small town sheriff in southwest Texas who must keep custody of a murderer whose powerful brother is trying to help him escape.

The Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site was opened to the public in 1959, at the same time, people flocked to the movies and paid around $.50 at places like the Goldsboro Paramount and the Mount Olive Center. As part of the 150th anniversary of the Governor Aycock’s birth, and the site’s commemoration of 50 years, the Aycock birthplace is hosting a program series featuring movies from 1959.