Each year that the Town of Roseboro has hosted a Christmas parade, a grand marshal is selected to begin the festivities. This year, a man with a unique laugh and a great sense of humor will start the parade off. The candidate for this year is known throughout the Southeastern region of North Carolina for calling sporting events for more than 50 years.

For the past four decades there’s been few people or places more popular to go visit if hunger hit while in Sampson County than Gracie Bullock and her famous restaurant Gracie’s Grill. Now, after 40-plus years of service, she’s finally decided to step away from the business and enter retirement.

An agriculture spill left another mess in Clinton as the issue again reared its ugly and smelly head on Tuesday night — this time on N.C. 24.

Sampson County leaders on Monday approved implementing 2.5% pay raises for all full-time and part-time county staff, effective Jan. 1, 2023, as well as offering hiring bonus for several “hard-to-fill” positions in an effort to recruit candidates to vacancies. The measures were unanimously approved by the Sampson County Board of Commissioners.

Jerol Kivett is the Sampson County Board of Commissioners’ new chairman, assuming the post after a year-long tenure at chair for Sue Lee, who again assumed the vice-chair seat. Both were unanimously voted into the posts by their fellow board members during an annual reorganization Monday night.

On Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., Blessing Box Ministry will be having their “Annual Honoring Local Heroes Fundraiser.” Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at door. Attire: Formal. Location: 600 South Magnolia Ave., Dunn, N.C. Everyone is invited. FMI, contact Belinda S. Surles 910-514-0751.

With the brisk temperatures we are beginning to have and frequent fluctuations of our North Carolina winter weather, it is always good to remember how critical these changes can be to our equine companions. If you’ve been in the horse business long enough, you have probably encountered a horse experiencing colic due to temperature changes. Keeping horses warm and hydrated in the winter, as well as in good body condition can be a challenge. Key factors in achieving this are providing shelter from the wind and rain, along with plenty of clean water and good hay. Here are some things to consider as the winter progresses.

Several employees took their issues to Sampson County Schools leaders during a regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on Tuesday morning, the second day of an organized walkout in protest of the fact that, while a state-approved salary supplement was extended to certified personnel, there was no bonus extended for non-certified staff.

The trees were illuminated Sunday at the Sampson Regional Medical Center, kicking off a new chapter of love and giving that sought to include the community like never before — including family-friendly activities, carols, and a new holiday light display.