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It’s Friday, Johnston County! Let’s finish this week strong.
In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: An oyster roast, a model home open house, and a sensory-friendly egg hunt + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Johnston County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Commitment, positivity, lasting influence: JCPS honored staff at the 18th annual Leading with the Heart Celebration at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, recognizing peers who go above and beyond inside and outside the classroom — read the full story.
Prepare for a shopping marathon: Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield is an open-air stop off I-95 in Johnston County, with over 80 stores including Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Kate Spade that could fill your day — get all the details.
Local efforts get boost: Johnston County Public Health opened a $650,000 grant cycle for community programs tackling overdoses and supporting recovery. Awards up to $200,000 over two years will prioritize employment services and reentry — see funding priorities and amounts.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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💎 Local business spotlight
Clay, glass, and chill: Need a midweek creative reset? Pottery Camp offers walk-in pottery painting and relaxed workshops in fused glass, clay handbuilding, canvas, and wheel throwing. Ideal for a solo unwind or an easy hang with friends, with finished pieces picked up later, shiny and totally you-made-this.
New deck energy: Backyard hangouts due for a glow-up? Decks Plus LLC builds decks, screened-in porches, and sunrooms in Clayton, backed by 20+ years of know-how. Expect sturdy builds, clean lines, and easy lounging… the kind that makes weekends feel like they arrive a little sooner.
Crab cravings solved: Midweek seafood-boil urges? Crab Seafood House delivers steamy bags of crab legs, shrimp, and sausage in garlicky house sauce that somehow finds your sleeves. Grab a friend, extra napkins, and embrace the chaos… delicious, saucy self-care in a bag.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
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🫶 We got your back
Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →
Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →
Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🌱 2026 Master Gardener Symposium: Get Your Soil Right @ Johnston County Extension Office (Smithfield) | Saturday (3/14) at 8:30 AM – Gardeners, this is the tune up your beds have been begging for. The Master Gardener Symposium dives into getting soil right with smart, no-fluff sessions, expert advice for every skill level, and mingling to swap tips, compare compost, and find your people.
🍀 Sip, Savor & See @ Carolina Overlook by Del Webb (Clayton) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – St. Patrick’s cheer meets house-peeping at Carolina Overlook, with gourmet coffee, La Farm Bakery treats, music, and open clubhouse access. Wander through nine model homes, snag a gift, and maybe win $250 to HomeGoods. RSVP, then act like you planned this.
🥫 Blessing Box Food Drive @ Town Market (Selma) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Whether your pantry needs a little spring cleaning, or you just have a soft spot for this town, swing by Town Market to stock the Blessing Boxes. Cans, toiletries, generosity, all welcome. Busy? Click the wishlist and do good in sweatpants: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1IASC01UQZA2G?ref=wlshare
🌿 Late Winter Plant Sale @ Kindred Acres Homestead (Clayton) | Saturday (3/14) at 10:30 AM – Clayton’s low-key late-winter plant sale offers leafy greens, a few brassicas, and hazelnut trees, perfect for gardeners who refuse to wait for spring’s permission. Park along Cozy Brook Ct, bring a tote or grab wagons, wear shoes, and RSVP for the sneak-peek list.
🎉 Celebrate Smithfield @ Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Skip the airport and come hungry, Smithfield is hosting a global block party where your taste buds are the passport. Expect live entertainment, art, and vendors from everywhere, plus familiar faces from here. It’s a day that fills your plate, and your stories.
🦪 Annual Shamrockin’ Shuck @ Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery (Selma) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – Shuck the to-do list and lean into St. Patty’s Weekend with an oyster roast and live music all day. The Angry Lobster handles seafood while Dine in the Vines feeds land lovers, plus wine, beer, and a couple cocktails. Bring a chair, not a cooler.
🐣 Easter Jubilee @ Live at The Rudy Theatre (Selma) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:45 PM – Whether you grew up clapping along at the Rudy or just love a good spring sing, Easter Jubilee brings the feel-good tunes and small-town sparkle back to Selma. Expect tight harmonies, clean laughs, and zero plastic eggs to step on in the aisle.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Johnston County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 62°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 62. South wind 1 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 2 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
This house is wild
At 3,994 square feet, this Broadmoor West home offers 5 beds, 4.5 baths, and an open layout around a granite kitchen with double ovens. Hardwood floors and fresh paint set a clean tone. A main-level guest suite pairs with a spa-like primary. On over a half acre, it adds a fenced yard, porch, deck, and community pickleball, tennis, and pool.
Take a peek inside →
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