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Hey Johnston County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Perseid meteor shower, Watership Down in the garden, and back to school bash + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community talent pipeline: This summer, Interns for Impact in Wilson placed students at 13 nonprofits including Hope Station and Legal Aid to build skills and encourage returning home -- read the full story.
Summer sky spectacle returns: Perseid meteor shower has returned across North Carolina. From Johnston County, watch nightly now through Sept. 1, with the peak at 9:53 a.m. on Aug. 13, weather permitting -- see the meteor peak.
August rail service changes: Track work is disrupting Amtrak’s Piedmont today through August 6, with buses replacing parts of trips between Greensboro and Raleigh and skipping Burlington, returning August 24–27. Expect later schedules -- track the Piedmont detours.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Recover like a pro: Whether you're sore from yardwork or chasing kids around, Frost & Fyre has whole-body cryotherapy, red light therapy, compression sessions, and cryo sculpting to reduce inflammation, speed muscle recovery, and tighten things up. Quick sessions, big reset vibes... worth a try this week.
Sushi with range: Sushi Iwa Clayton piles on variety, with sushi entrees, hibachi or teriyaki, Thai curries, and slurpable soups like tom yum, tom kha and even a mini pho. The specialty rolls run A to Z, from crispy rice-topped Spicy Tuna Sandwich to caviar-dotted Colosseum…treat yourself.
Make this week active: From the pool and splash park to the double gym for pickup hoops, indoor track, racquetball courts, and a legit pottery studio, Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center keeps the whole crew moving, creating, and de-stressing, with group and water fitness plus Tigershark Aquatics swim lessons.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
☕ IBN Coffee Connection @ 9Bar Coffeehouse (Clayton) | Tuesday (8/4) at 9:00 AM – This casual coffee meetup at 9Bar in Clayton gathers business folks and entrepreneurs for real conversation, not elevator pitches. It is free to attend, you buy your latte, and yes, bring those business cards you swore you were done with.
🍻 Pints with the Pack 2026 @ Deep River Brewing Company (Clayton) | Thursday (8/6) at 5:00 PM – Deep River Brewing turns Wolfpack country when the Club swings through Clayton for pints, tall tales, and sports nostalgia. Free to attend, open to all NC State faithful, and yes, there’s a free drink ticket with RSVP, because we still reward good behavior around here.
☀ Good Morning Clayton @ Clayton Chamber of Commerce | Friday (8/7) at 8:00 AM – Kick off first Friday with Good Morning Clayton at the Chamber, where coffee, quick updates, and a 20-second commercial build connections, minus awkward sales pitch. Free for CCOC investors and first timers, hosted by Southern Flooring Solutions, with Black Castle IT as series sponsor.
🎬 Watership Down | Movies in the Garden @ Main Street Community Garden (Clayton) | Saturday (8/8) at 7:30 PM – Main Street Community Garden hosts a free outdoor screening of the animated classic Watership Down under the stars. It is a blanket, the good snacks, and a surprising reminder that those rabbits are deeper, and occasionally darker, than memory suggests, plus cricket surround sound.
🎒 Back to School Bash @ RiverWILD Warehouse (Clayton) | Tuesday (8/18) at 5:00 PM – Consider it Downtown Clayton's trinity of parent wins: free dinner, free haircuts, games, and a bounce house to wear them out. Add hygiene supplies and local resources, and the kids start class confident while you look like you planned this all summer.
🛍 Vibe Central Events Pop-Up Series @ Vibe Central Events (Selma) | Thursday (8/20) at 5:30 PM – Hit the third-Thursday pop-up while Rockin’ on Raiford is thumping down the street. It is free, air conditioned, and stocked with bakers, boutiques, florists, and artisans who actually make things. Cool air, real restrooms, zero-guilt shopping, the dream.
🎶 Groovin' in Garner @ Garner Recreation Center | Friday (8/21) at 6:30 PM – Downtown Garner is cranking up a free outdoor concert with EnVision, the party band jumping from 60s Motown to today’s Top 40, with R&B, pop, dance, funk, and a little jazz. Expect singalongs, lawn chairs, and knees pretending they still remember the Electric Slide.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Johnston County report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 60%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 76%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind 0 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis pre-sale Smithfield charmer sits on 1.53 acres with a backyard oasis and tons of potential near downtown. Plans are already drawn, and the home is set for a full down-to-the-studs renovation with new siding, roof, and major systems. Buyer selections make this transformation especially exciting.
Take a peek inside → |
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