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Garner principal takes new job
James Overman, principal at East Garner Elementary, is leaving his post to become senior director of elementary education programs in Wake County.
Overman had been at East Garner since 2007. Before that, he was principal at Creech Road Elementary, assistant principal at Leesville Road Elementary and assistant principal intern at Timber Drive Elementary. He taught at Clayton High School from 1993 until 1998.
Overman was Wake County's Principal of the Year in 2005.
He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial technology and vocational education from N.C. A&T University in 1992 and a master's degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1999.
Crash damages fire truck
A Clayton Fire Department vehicle was damaged in a collision with another vehicle while responding to a call about 6:30 p.m. last Thursday.
Division Chief Jason Dean was driving the Ford Explorer support vehicle to a structure fire on Stallings Street when a 1995 Cadillac driven by Eldred McLaurin, 82, of Fuquay-Varina, pulled onto Lombard Street in front of Dean's vehicle. The emergency vehicle's lights and siren were on. The two vehicles collided, causing $5,500 in damage to the fire department truck and $5,000 in damage to the Cadillac.
Both drivers were treated and released from WakeMed with minor injuries. McLaurin was cited for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Garner to unveil streetscape plan
The Town of Garner will soon unveil its downtown transportation and streetscape plan.
Both plans are in their final stages and will be presented at a public meeting from 4 till 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at the Old Garner High School building, 742 W. Garner Road.
"These are two of the most sophisticated transporation plans ever completd in North Carolina, requiring collaboration with broad segments of the public, railroad authorities, various transporation agencies and considerable public imput and technical thought," said Scott Lane, director of planning for the Louis Berger Group Inc. and the project's director.
The plan will include details about expanded roadways, public transportation options, new sidewalk and pedestrian options and improvements for bicyclists. For more details, go to the project Web site at gogarner.org.
Work begins on police station
Work has begun to prepare for the 19,000-square-foot expansion of the Clayton Police Department headquarters.
The D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company of Raleigh has begun razing the adjoining fire station and rescue building to make room for the expansion.
The demolition company secured a bid of $63,800 to raze the buildings.
"We are significantly below our original cost estimate on this phase," said Town Manager Steve Biggs. "It makes good fiscal sense to get it done now."
The construction will be paid for using a low-interest U.S. Department of Agriculture loan.
Bar aids Harbor
The Johnston County Bar Association has given $500 to Harbor, which will use the money to build a playground at its shelter.
In April, bar members and members of First Baptist Church in Smithfield will help Harbor build the play space.
Keri Christensen is executive director of Harbor, which provides aid, including shelter, to victims of rape and domestic violence.
"The play space will be a great enhancement to the Harbor shelter," Christensen said. "It will provide a safe, homelike atmosphere where children can find the support they need to begin to heal from the wounds of domestic violence.Hundreds of children in Johnston County will benefit."
Lottery winner
Bernice Taylor of Garner is among the latest winners in the N.C. Education Lottery. Taylor won $10,000 playing "$200 Million Extravaganza."
Clayton to host conference
Clayton has been chosen to host the N.C. Main Street Conference in 2012.
"We are honored and delighted that Clayton was chosen to host this important conference in 2012," said Ed Knight, president of the Clayton Downtown Development Association. "This will be an opportunity to show that downtown and all of Clayton is a great place to invest."
Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod agreed.
"The conference is a huge opportunity for Clayton, and we will be calling on numerous groups to make it a positive and memorable experience for attendees, businesses and citizens alike," he said.
Clayton Downtown Development Association had submitted a proposal to host the conference, which involves workshops and an awards program for the state's 61 Main Street towns and cities and the 28 Small Town Main Street communities.
The 2012 conference will be held Jan. 25-27.
Towns, county receive money
The Johnston County Board of Alcoholic Control has declared a $300,000 surplus and given the money to the county and its towns. Here's the breakdown: Benson, $6,114.73; Clayton, $19,382.85; Four Oaks, $3,250.34; Kenly, $2,977.90; Micro, $921.37; Pine Level, $3,136.83; Princeton, $2,175.72; Selma, $12,329.73; Smithfield, $21,948.31; and Wilson's Mills, $2,762.22.
Leaf collection will end
The Town of Garner will end loose-leaf collection on Feb. 28. For more details, call 919-772-7600, or go to garnernc.gov for a collection schedule.
EMS Committee
Johnston County's Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the Emergency Operations Center at the courthouse, 120 S. 3rd St., Smithfield.
Johnston official receives award
Johnston County Registrar of Deeds Craig Olive recently received an Honorary Keeper of the Constitution award from N.C. Secretary Elaine Marshall.
He received the honor for modernizing recordkeeping in his office.
Olive's office recently became the first in the nation to record surveyor maps electronically.
"We must be visionaries to keep up with the changing pace of our ever-changing business world," Olive said. "I take great pride in maintaining our public records and providing easy accessibility to the citizens and business sector."
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