Johnston County Government

Johnston County Government's summer interns presented their capstone projects during a program on July 30 at the Public Safety Center. A capstone project is the culmination of everything interns learned during their time with Johnston County. It's an opportunity to showcase new knowledge and skills, reflect on personal and professional growth, and demonstrate how the experience has shaped their future. Interns had several ways to tell their stories. Some created interactive presentations highlighting the departments they worked with and what they learned. Others proposed solutions to real-world challenges they observed during their internships. Finally, some built professional portfolios featuring their projects, accomplishments, and career goals. The departments that hosted our summer interns were Soil & Water, Emergency Services, Veteran Services, Public Utilities, Environmental Health, IT, Finance, and HR. Congratulations to this year's interns on completing the program, and we thank them for sharing their experiences with County leadership and employees!

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners recognized this year’s class of summer interns during its regular meeting. Through Johnston County’s Thriving Together Internship Program, students spent the summer gaining hands-on experience in local government while working alongside County staff across a variety of departments. The program helps participants build professional skills, receive mentorship, and explore careers in public service. The Board thanked this year’s interns for their hard work and encouraged students interested in future opportunities to apply for next year’s internship program. To learn more about the Thriving Together Internship Program and future internship opportunities with Johnston County Government, visit JohnstonNC.gov/jobs.

The rain held out just long enough for the grand opening of Johnston County Regional Park! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at today's ribbon cutting of the first County-owned and County-operated park. Johnston County Regional Park is the first step in a long-term vision to expand recreational opportunities and enhance quality of life in our community. This milestone is the culmination of years of planning and investment to create a place where families can gather, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors. The journey began in 2019 with the creation of Johnston County's Parks, Greenways, and Open Space Program. In 2020, the County purchased this 70-acre property from the Cleveland Community Parks and Recreation Association, a nonprofit formed by local residents led by Denton Lee. Their vision was to preserve this land for recreation before it was lost to development, and today that vision has become a reality. Phase 1 of the park features four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, an ADA-accessible fishing pond, a picnic shelter, and parking. Future phases will add multi-use athletic fields, walking trails, accessible sidewalks, a K-12 playground, a splash pad, a dog park, a disc golf course, a skate park, an outdoor amphitheater, open green space, and other amenities. Construction of the first phase cost approximately $4.3 million and was made possible through a combination of Johnston County funding and grants, including support from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Please note that the fishing pond is not yet open for fishing. The pond must stabilize before it can be stocked and opened to anglers. Johnston County Regional Park is now open seven days a week from dawn until dusk. We look forward to seeing our community enjoy this special place for years to come.

Johnston County Commissioners on Monday presented the inaugural Cypress Legacy Award to Sherrill Stevens, a U.S. Army veteran, former Army Reserve chaplain, and longtime pastor. Inspired by North Carolina’s Order of the Longleaf Pine, the Cypress Legacy Award recognizes men and women whose contributions extend far beyond a single achievement. "It recognizes those who have devoted years of service to strengthening Johnston County through education, business, public service, agriculture, public safety, volunteerism, philanthropy, the arts, or other meaningful endeavors," said Patrick Harris, chairman of the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. Stevens is a Johnston County native whose life has been defined by service to his country, his faith and his community. Born near Benson and raised near Clayton, Stevens graduated from Wilson's Mills High School in 1943 before being drafted into the U.S. Army at age 18 during World War II. Although the war ended before he completed basic training, he served in Germany as part of the Allied occupation forces. After returning home, Stevens continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserve, building a distinguished 35-year career that culminated in his retirement as a colonel in 1981. During that time, he served as an infantry officer, battalion and brigade chaplain, faculty member at the U.S. Army Chaplain School, and assistant commandant responsible for mobilization and deployment. In civilian life, Stevens served as pastor of Baptist churches in North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia for more than 55 years. He holds degrees from Wake Forest College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Stevens also served as an adjunct professor at Southeastern Seminary and Campbell University and authored eight books, along with Sunday School literature and biblical interpretation resources. Stevens and his late wife, Marguerite, shared 67 years of marriage before her passing. Together they raised three children and built a family that now includes 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Now 99 years old, Stevens thanked the commissioners for the recognition. "I am a proud Johnstonian," Stevens said. "I have lived a good deal of my life away from this county, but this is where my roots are. And it has been my privilege to be a part of this county's life in retirement now since 1987." Stevens said he remains active in Army Reserve activities and other opportunities to serve the county. "I thank you very much for this award," he said. Harris called the Cypress Legacy Award more than a recognition of distinguished service. “It is a tribute to those whose vision, dedication and leadership have left an enduring mark on Johnston County and its future,” he said.

Mark your calendar! Johnston County is attending the Local Government Career Expo coming Saturday, August 29 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Meet employers, explore career pathways, and learn how you can serve your community while building a rewarding career. Registration is now open: https://lnkd.in/e54TXX6i

Our interns recently took a field trip to the County’s Public Safety Building, learning how 911 dispatch, Emergency Management, the fire marshal, Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center help protect lives and property. The interns also heard from EMS Assistant Chief Adam Godwin, who talked about how time management is critical in emergency services — and is a valuable skill in everyday life. The trip to Public Safety was one of 10 the interns will take this summer. Still to come are trips to the landfill, the airport, a County Commissioners meeting, and Public Health. This year’s Johnston County Government interns are Riley Baker, Soil & Water; Taylor Boyette, Emergency Services; Gabriel Dixon and Kayley Stanley, Veterans Services; Noah Tripp, Public Utilities; Marissa Costodio, Environmental Health; Benjamin McLamb, IT; Kalyn Kyle, Finance; and Jadyn McLean and Emma Williford, Human Resources.

Tomorrow join us for America’s 250th anniversary at the America 250 Fair, a free community event filled with history, art, entertainment, and family-friendly activities! From 10am to 4pm at Johnston Community College, you will get a day of history, art, and family fun! Experience Camp Flintlock's living history encampment, parade, and cannon firing; explore exhibits from the Johnston County Arts Council and Heritage Center; enjoy a puppet show, carriage rides, food vendors, local crafts, and more. For more information and to view the fair map visit: https://lnkd.in/eQJg2h4Y

Tonight marks the first performance of the Broadway musical “1776,” part of Johnston County’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. June 26-27 and 3 p.m. June 28 in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College, 269 College Road, Smithfield. Tickets are $6-11, they’re available here: https://lnkd.in/em6YMBiJ “1776” is a Tony Award-winning musical about the debates and political maneuvering that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The musical follows John Adams as he pushes the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain. He faces resistance from delegates who fear war, economic disruption or political consequences. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stones, “1776” premiered on Broadway in 1969. Clayton Theatricals is staging the Johnston County production.

The Historic Smithfield Foundation, Inc. on Friday dedicated the restored Freedmen’s Schoolhouse on North Street in the Town Of Smithfield, NC. The building is believed to be North Carolina’s only remaining schoolhouse for freedmen. The event included a program at nearby First Missionary Baptist Church, followed by tours of the restored schoolhouse. Keynote speaker Crystal R. Sanders, an associate professor of history at Emory University, called on her audience to “never forget that education was a hard-fought thing.” “Learning to read and write,” she added, “should not simply be thought of as a rite of passage for childhood and adolescence, but rather as an important symbol of freedom.” Sanders called on the crowd to pay tribute to the school and those who built it by “telling the truth about our past.” “We honor their work by ensuring that accurate and inclusive history is taught in our schools,” she said. And that’s not all, Sanders said. “We must demand well-funded public schools because true freedom includes the right to an education,” she said. Todd Johnson is the secretary of the Historic Smithfield Foundation and the executive director of the Johnston County Heritage Center, a department in County Government. He thanked the restoration project’s many supporters, including N.C. Rep. Donna White, who secured state funding for the restoration. Learn more about the Freedmen’s Schoolhouse by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/eEDDxXZh....

Congratulations to our June 2026 retiree, Jason Guseman (Sheriff's Office)! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and years of service to Johnston County. We wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter and a happy, well-deserved retirement!