Monday, April 21, 2025
Home Community

Community

Latest

Cleanup for Wynn Cemetery in Mount Olive to be held March 15

The Wynn Cemetery cleanup will take place Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. -2:15 p.m. The community is being asked to participate.

Apostle Dr. Norbert Simmons, center, has been awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest honor. Left to right are, Congressman Don Davis of Snow Hill who presented the honor; Simmons’ wife Gwen; Simmons; Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton; and Goldsboro Mayor Charles Gaylor. Simmons, a Mount Olive native, is the founder of Deeper Life Church Ministries in Goldsboro. (Contributed photo)

Simmons presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine

“May the work I’ve done speak for me.”

Mike Davis, left, Tri-County EMC general manager/CEO, was honored during the Monday night, March 3, town board session. The award was presented by Commissioner Vicky Darden, who established the program to recognize community service. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Town board recognizes community service during brief monthly session

It took the Mount Olive Town Board just under an hour Monday night, March 3, to handle its brief agenda that included honoring Mike Davis, Tri-County EMC general manager/CEO, and former town commissioner Harley Carmichael and his wife Della.

Mount Olive Mayor Jerome Newton who has struggled in recent month to control town board sessions started Monday night’s session by laying down ground rules for acceptable behavior for the audience and commissioners. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mayor lays ground rules for meeting behavior

The discord, disorder and at times acrimony that have marred Mount Olive Town Board meetings for the past several months were all but missing during Monday night’s session.

The popular pickle-eating contest will be back again for this year’s N.C. Pickle Festival on Saturday, April 26. Festival Co-chair Julie Beck, right, joined in on last year’s competition. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

N.C. Pickle Festival planning continues; theme is unveiled

N.C. Pickle Festival organizers say they knew they would get beaten up over their decision not to hold a classic car show during this year’s festival.

One of the changes planned for the 39th annual N.C. Pickle Festival is moving the Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run from downtown. To be held Friday, April 25, the run will start at Westbrook Park and end at R&R Brewing. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Changes highlight annual Pickle Festival planning

No festival-favorite car show, a new location for the Friday night free concert, an earlier set-in-stone vendor application deadline, requiring that all food vendors offer at least one picklely food, and new town impact fees are just a few of the significant changes planned for the 39th annual N.C. Pickle Festival.

Lynn Williams, left, N.C. Pickle Festival co-chairman, has been honored by the N.C. Association of Festivals & Events as Director of the Year. Festival Co-chair Julie Beck, center, and festival Administrator Melissa Kilpatrick hold the awards the festival and Pickles, Pigs and Swigs won during the N.C. Association of Festivals and Events Showfest held in Charlotte. The festival won Best Poster for its James Bond theme; Best Merchandise for the dill pickle soda created by R&R Brewing; Best Brochure (that won for the second time in as many years) for the festival map; and Best Non-Print Media for a pictorial stamp. Pickles, Pigs and Swigs won Best Merchandise for its hats. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Williams honored as Festival Director of the Year; Festivals bring home awards

N.C. Pickle Festival Co-chairman Lynn Williams suspected something was afoot when instead of finding the bottle of water she was searching for she discovered her mother, husband and grandson hiding out in a break room.

The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce presented several awards during its annual banquet and awards ceremony held Thursday night, Jan. 30, at the Southern Wayne Country Club. Seated, left to right, are Amy Brogden, Lillian B. Langley Award; Jenny Coley Sasser, Distinguished Educator; Barbara Kornegay, Ruff Huggins Lifetime Community Service Award; Lauren Branch, Lillian B. Langley Award; and Harlee Statler, Distinguished Youth. Second row, left to right are, Terry Wynn, Distinguished Senior Citizen; Josh Phillips and Tony Martin representing Friends of the Parks that received the Moses E. King Award; Tom Ferrell of E.T. Ferrell & Son Heating and Air Conditioning that won Business of the Year; Nicole Hatch Reynolds, Spirit of the Chamber; Mike Gariba of Ribeyes of Mount Olive that won Small Business of the Year, and his son, Kirk. (Contributed photo|Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce)

Chamber honors individuals, organizations for community service

The Mount Olive Area of Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1930, is celebrating its 95th birthday this year.

Eastern Carolina Council Executive Director David Bone presents a proposal to the Mount Olive Town Board to hire the organization to prepare, advertise and help with the town manager search during the board’s Monday night session. The meeting was recessed until 5 p.m. Thursday at the town hall courtroom, 114 E. James St. It took two votes, but Mayor Jerome Newton persuaded the board to table the issue until then. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Town board tables possible action on possible contract for town manager search until Thursday

Mount Olive town commissioners Monday night kicked a decision on how to proceed in the search for a new town manager down the road for a few days.

The town of Mount Olive has identified two employees in the water department under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation for possible misconduct. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mount Olive employees under SBI investigation named

Watia “Tia” Best, 37, and Rashonte Pettit, 31, have been identified as the two Mount Olive town employees under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation for possible misconduct.

Load more

Calendar

© Mount Olive Tribune 2025