Still going strong at 111
ST. PAULS — For Maggie Johnson Devane, celebrating her birthday never gets old.
Even No. 111.
On Sunday, Devane, the daughter of a slave, was surrounded by dozens of family members as she checked off another milestone at a reception at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church outside of St. Pauls, demonstrating a sense of humor and a still keen mind.
“I know some of you would like to know more about me but it’s too long a tale,” she said, sending laughter throughout the crowd.
Gerontology Research Group, which tracks and verifies super-centenarians worldwide, lists Devane as the world’s 87th oldest person, among 43 other 111-year-olds on that list. Italian Emma Morano is the world’s oldest person, celebrating her 117th birthday on Tuesday.
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Soldier’s death is being investigated
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville police are investigating the death of an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, according to the division.
Sgt. 1st Class Grant Shanaman, 38, of Media, Pennsylvania, died in his Fayetteville home on Wednesday, according to the 82nd Airborne Division. Shanaman was an infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
He was serving as a brigade operations non-commissioned officer.
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County makes a $1.896M purchase
WHITEVILLE — The county commissioners voted to buy the vacant Georgia-Pacific facility Monday night, potentially paving the way for Project Black to move onto the site.
The commissioners will spend $1.896 million to buy the property and facility. The property is being purchased as an industrial park, but the county has been trying to entice Project Black to locate here and bring in an estimated 140 jobs.
Besides new jobs, the company would make a major capital investment at the site.
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Student wins state Farm Bureau meet
MOUNT OLIVE — University of Mount Olive junior agribusiness major Sarah Best recently won the regional and state level N.C. Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet held in Mount Olive and Raleigh, respectively.
Best will now represent North Carolina at the upcoming American Farm Bureau Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet to be held in Pittsburgh, Pa., in February 2017. Best was awarded a $1000 cash prize for winning and her trip costs to Pittsburgh will be completely covered by Farm Bureau.
Best is the daughter of Greg and Paula Best of Newton Grove.
From staff and wire reports.