Benson News

Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. What started last year as one Southport Sunday school class' local mission project has grown into a yearly music festival.

Having lost out to Statesville and Kinston in its bid for All-America City status, Benson is gearing up to apply for the honor again next year.

Tim Harrell and his family understand the rich heritage of tobacco in eastern North Carolina -- they've lived it.

Accessible for Motorcoaches: Yes Admission Charge $: Call for rental fees. Advance Notice Required for Groups: Yes Handicap Accessible: Yes Hours of Operation: Call for hours Private Area for Groups: Yes Season of Operation: Year round Driving Directions: I-95 Exit 79 to Main Street.

Benson lost its cowboy hero this month. Willis McLamb, a rodeo owner and co-founder of Mule Days, died at 90 on June 10.

Eleven-year-old Michael Boykin grinned broadly as he made his way into the Southwest airplane around 7 a.m. Wednesday, a little nervous but far more excited, he said.

A Juneteenth Festival will be held from 1 till 6 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in Smith-Collins Park in Smithfield.

A recent Patrick County High School graduate was killed Saturday in an accident on Interstate 95 near Benson, N.C., according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

SPIVEY'S CORNER - A traffic stop Tuesday night on U.S. 421 north led to the arrest of two men and the confiscation of marijuana weighing 950 grams.

For now, the town's streets have a little less crack cocaine. The police department's narcotics division is wrapping up a months-long undercover operation with a string of arrests.

The MOMS Club of Clayton will meet at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, June 4, at Everett Chapel Baptist Church, 307 Everett Ave., Clayton.

On Saturday, I found myself in downtown Benson and Four Oaks, and that got me to thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of small-town downtowns.

Unknown Source: News & Observer Wordcount: May 21--In an effort to mute the argument that a national health care plan would hurt marketplace competition for insurance, a coalition of employee and civil rights groups released data Wednesday showing a near monopoly of coverage already in North Carolina.

Spaghetti dinner A spaghetti dinner is scheduled from 4 till 8 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Johnston Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 6147 Raleigh Road, Benson.

Last week I traveled to North Carolina. It was my first trip to NC in the two years I've been on staff at Southern Living.

Festival in Four Oaks Four Oaks will hold its annual Acorn Festival this weekend.

Firefighters from about a half-dozen fire departments responded to a textile factory fire this morning in Benson.

Crews are still on the scene of fire at a commercial building in Johnston County.

Eddie Miles is coming to Selma with his tribute to country legends and Elvis Presley.

OK, this can go one of two ways. This column could be about the mean, evil woman who pulled over to the side of the road in Benson and apparently abandoned a helpless puppy -- or it could be about the kind woman who rescued the animal and found it a home before something bad happened.