Greene County Celebrates Opening of New Consolidated ABC Store in Snow Hill
Dedicated spirits enthusiasts lined up as early as 3:30 AM Wednesday morning, braving the cold for more than five hours before Greene County officials gathered for the 9:00 AM ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Weather Forecast
A significant cold air mass will grip the region this week, bringing frigid temperatures and a chance of wintry weather. Expect a sharp temperature drop beginning Monday, with highs struggling to reach the 40s and overnight lows plummeting into the teens.
A coastal low pressure system is forecast to develop mid-week, potentially bringing some snow to the area Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
Daily Forecast:
Monday, January 20, 2025: Mostly clear skies, but bitterly cold with a high near 38 degrees Fahrenheit and a bone-chilling low in the mid-teens.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025: Partly cloudy skies with a high near 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Scattered snow showers are possible in the evening, with less than an inch of accumulation expected, with some areas seeing only a few flakes. Low around 21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025: Mostly clear skies and continued frigid conditions with a high near 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Low around 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thursday, January 23, 2025: Partly cloudy skies with a high near 38 degrees Fahrenheit. A brief period of wintry mix is possible. Low around 21 degrees Fahrenheit.
Friday, January 24, 2025: Mostly clear skies with a high in the low 40s and a low in the mid-20s.
Saturday, January, 25, 2025: Mostly clear skies with a high near 47 degrees Fahrenheit and a low in the upper 20s.
Disclaimer: This forecast is for informational purposes only and may not be entirely accurate. Please refer to local weather advisories for the most up-to-date information.
Greene County Celebrates Opening of New Consolidated ABC Store in Snow Hill
Dedicated spirits enthusiasts lined up as early as 3:30 AM Wednesday morning, braving the cold for more than five hours before Greene County officials gathered for the 9:00 AM ribbon-cutting ceremony of a new ABC store in Snow Hill, marking the culmination of a four-to-five-year project that consolidates two existing stores into one modern facility.
Bobby Taylor, who serves as both Greene County Commissioner and chairman of the Greene County ABC Board, led the ceremony and highlighted the financial planning that made the project possible. "This project has finally come to fruition thanks to all the past and present county commissioners who helped make this a reality by carefully managing ABC profits over the past five or six years," Taylor said.
The new facility represents a significant investment in the county's ABC operations, with construction completed through a partnership between Bartlett Engineering and Charter Construction Services of Wilson. Local services were also utilized for landscaping work.
Taylor emphasized that ABC stores operate independently of county and state funding, relying solely on sales revenue. The consolidation effort required significant coordination, with ABC employees working extra hours and weekends to facilitate the move from the two existing locations.
In recognition of the store's opening, the NC ABC Commission provided the county with several cases of hard-to-find products, including Buffalo Trace bourbon. The store made arrangements to ensure each customer in line would have the opportunity to purchase one bottle of Buffalo Trace and their choice of other limited-availability spirits.
Local officials, including members of the Greene County Board of Commissioners and ABC Board members, participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the doors to the eager crowd that had grown steadily since the early morning hours.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Voice for Rural America
As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it's worth remembering how Dr. King's message touched not just cities, but rural communities across America. Born in Atlanta in 1929, Dr. King grew up understanding both city and country life, often visiting his grandparents' farm in rural Georgia during his childhood.
Throughout his ministry, King spoke about the challenges facing rural Americans of all backgrounds. He recognized that poverty and lack of opportunity affected rural communities deeply, regardless of race. In his later years, he worked on the "Poor People's Campaign," which sought to unite Americans from all walks of life; farmers, factory workers, and field hands alike - in the pursuit of economic justice and better opportunities for their children.
King's most famous speech, delivered in Washington D.C. in 1963, painted a picture of an America where people would be judged by "the content of their character." This vision resonated with fundamental American values of hard work, personal responsibility, and treating neighbors with respect - values that remain strong in Greene County today.
Less widely known is King's support for rural development and farming communities. He often spoke about the dignity of agricultural work and the importance of fair prices for crops. He believed that all Americans, whether they lived in big cities or small farming communities, deserved access to good education, decent jobs, and the opportunity to build a better life for their families.
King was also a man of faith who earned his doctorate in theology and served as a Baptist minister, like his father before him. He drew strength from his Christian beliefs and often referenced Scripture in his speeches, particularly in his calls for peaceful change and understanding between all people.
As we honor his memory, let’s reflect on how his vision of unity and respect for all individuals can strengthen our rural community. By embracing Dr. King’s call to care for our neighbors and work together, Greene County can continue to build a future rooted in equality, opportunity, and shared purpose.
Practical Steps to Protect Your Home and Family This Winter
When Sarah Johnson looked out her window that January morning, she couldn’t believe her eyes. The weather forecast had warned of cold weather, but what she saw was something different entirely. The pecan trees on her family’s farm were coated in ice, and snow was starting to accumulate on the ground, reminding old-timers of the big snow of 1988.
“My grandmother always said, ‘better ready than sorry,’” Sarah recalled. “She’d remind me every winter that sometimes Mother Nature throws us a curveball.”
Tommy Matthews, a local plumber, echoed this advice. “Folks around here don’t keep their pipes wrapped well enough. Every time we get a hard freeze, my phone starts ringing off the hook. Best advice I can give is to wrap those pipes before you need to.” Matthews remembered a close call from a few winters back. “And whatever you do, don’t go crawling under your house with space heaters or hair dryers to thaw frozen pipes. I had a customer lose their home that way when a heater caught the insulation on fire. Keep those faucets dripping instead. It’s cheaper than calling me, and a whole lot safer than taking risks.”
The previous week, Sarah had taken Matthews’ advice to heart. Remembering the winter storm that left parts of the county without power for hours, she stocked up on non-perishables at the grocery store, filled her prescriptions early at Realo Drugs, and made sure both vehicles had full tanks of gas from Head’s Gas & Grocery.
The temperature dropped faster than expected. Sarah’s decision to wrap her outdoor pipes with insulation from Ace Hardware proved wise. She stored extra water in cleaned milk jugs, gathered flashlights and fresh batteries, and brought her outdoor cats into the mudroom.
In rural areas, neighbors often rely on each other during emergencies. When the power flickered and went out, Sarah immediately checked on her elderly neighbor, Ms. Eleanor. “This reminds me of winters we used to have years ago,” Ms. Eleanor said as Sarah helped her gather supplies. “Back in the ’80s, we all checked on each other. That’s just what neighbors do.”
“Sure gets quiet when the power goes out,” Sarah said, thinking about how different things were now compared to when her grandmother dealt with winter storms. “But some things never change—like knowing your neighbors might need help.”
Matthews had one last piece of advice. “Winter weather doesn’t come often around here,” he said, “but when it does, you’ll be glad you were prepared. The best time to get ready isn’t when the forecast turns bad – it’s right now.”
Winter Safety Tips
Keep a week’s worth of shelf-stable food and water at home.
Ensure you have necessary medications on hand.
Store flashlights and batteries where they’re easy to find in the dark.
Maintain at least half a tank of gas in your vehicle.
Keep blankets, emergency supplies, and a bag of cat litter for traction in your car.
Know which local stations sell non-ethanol gas for generators.
Wrap outdoor pipes and leave faucets dripping during hard freezes.
Check on elderly neighbors or others who may need assistance.
By following these simple steps, you can stay safe, comfortable, and prepared no matter what winter brings.
Highlights from the Outside
Boy’s Basketball: Farmville Central dominates Greene Central 90-58 in-front of sellout crowd: Farmville Central beat Greene Central in a landslide 90-58 Friday night in front of a sellout crowd in the Rams gym.
NFHS Names Greene Central’s Benjamin Brann North Carolina State Baseball Coach of the Year: Greene Central High School’s baseball coach, Benjamin Brann, has been named the 2023-24 North Carolina State Baseball Coach of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. Brann takes the crown out of all classifications in the state of North Carolina.
Two ENC schools join FCC's $200M cybersecurity initiative to enhance digital safety: Greene and Pitt County schools have been selected as two of the 707 participants for the FCC's Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. This $200 million dollar program includes 645 schools, 50 libraries, and 12 consortia, according to a release.
How Educators Feel About the Supreme Court’s Decision to Uphold TikTok Ban: I don’t think kids are magically going to pay so much more attention in class or anything like that,” said Patrick Greene, the principal of Greene Central High School in Snow Hill, N.C. “I think something will pop up and take its place. I don’t anticipate I’ll see a dramatic change in schools because of the ban.
Schools brace for clash with immigration officials ahead of Trump term: Many times, schools are the first people that a student will disclose an undocumented status to, and that’s because of trust,” said Patrick Greene, principal at Greene Central High School in North Carolina, who has seen undocumented students ask their school for help for a license, finding a job or applying for college.
Greene Correctional inmate dies of apparent suicide just months before release date: An inmate at an Eastern Carolina prison died yesterday in what appears to be a suicide, just months before his release date.
Employment Opportunities
Mechanic: Kenneth W. Barnhill, Inc., a trucking company in Walstonburg, NC, is seeking a full-time mechanic. Pay is based on experience, but training is available for those willing to learn. Applicants must have basic mechanical skills. For more information, call (252) 714-4385.
Public Services Crew Leader: Greene County is seeking an experienced equipment operator for the role of Public Services Crew Leader at the Greene County Landfill. This position involves overseeing daily landfill operations, requiring strong leadership and computer skills. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and every other Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The annual salary is $39,235.81. For more details or to apply, visit www.GreeneCountyNC.Gov (Human Resources section) or contact David Jones at (252) 747-5720. Completed applications can be emailed to Josh.Jones@GreeneCountyNC.Gov or mailed to Greene County HR, 229 Kingold Blvd, Suite D, Snow Hill, NC 28580.
The Community Calendar
Monday, January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Monday, January 20, 2025: Greene County government offices and the landfill will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. However, the county’s trash convenience sites will operate on their regular schedule. Most town governments in the area are expected to follow similar closures, though residents are encouraged to check with their local offices for specific details.
Monday, January 20, 2025: The Greene County NAACP will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The event will take place at Best Chapel FWB Church, located at 3386 NC-58 in Snow Hill, NC. Pastor Joann Artis Stevens will serve as the keynote speaker, delivering an inspiring message in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.
Monday, January 20, 2025: Greene Lamp Community Action will host a Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers are needed to serve hot meals to Greene County residents at 84 N. Perry Drive, Snow Hill, starting at 3:30 p.m. To register, visit this link or contact Zenaida Bryant at 252-620-1883 or zbryant@greenelamp.org.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025: Greene County Board of Elections Meeting: 6:00PM at the Elections Office. The Board will go into closed session to discuss personnel matters.
Friday, January 24, 2025: Free Union OFWB Church Laymen’s League Sausage & Pancake Supper Fundraiser: 5:00PM - 7:00PM, $10.00 (Kids 8 & Under Eat FREE!), 2573 Fire Tower Road, Walstonburg, NC. All You Can Eat! Call 252-747-8511 for details.
Friday, January 24-26, 2025: New Life World Outreach Center will host REACH 2025, a three-day conference on January 24–26 2025. Sessions are Friday and Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 6 PM at 106 Hull Road, Snow Hill, NC 28580. Guest speakers include Pastors Anthony Jones, Mike Parks, and Tony Lee.
Saturday, January 25, 2025: The "Strictly for Ladies" Basketball Showcase will be held at Greene Central High School on January 25th featuring an action-packed day of basketball, with games starting at 10:00 AM. Key matchups include John Paul II vs. Washington County (10:00 AM), DH Conley vs. Perquimans (1:00 PM), and Greene Central vs. Pamlico County (8:30 PM). Admission is $15.00.
Snow Cream
Snow cream is a simple winter treat made with fresh snow, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. It’s light, sweet, and perfect for enjoying on a cold, winter day.
Ingredients:
8 cups clean snow
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Gather clean snow: Make sure the snow is fresh and clean. Avoid snow from busy roads or areas that may be contaminated.
Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the snow, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of sweetened condensed milk.
Mix well: Stir vigorously with a spoon or spatula until the snow is completely incorporated and the mixture resembles a light and fluffy ice cream.
Serve immediately: Enjoy your homemade snow cream while it's still cold and refreshing!