CSX railroad has told the Town of Smithfield that it plans to replace the crossties under the Peedin Road crossing. The work was tenatively scheduled to begin this week, with the crossing likely closed for three days. Motorists should plan accordingly, the town said.

JCC leader retires

Jeanne Whisnant, vice president of information technology at Johnston Community College, has retired.

Whisnant worked at JCC for seven years. Previously, she held leadership posts at Lenoir and Mayland community colleges. She holds two associate degrees, a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees.

"JCC is the world's greatest place to work," Whisnant said. "The people here are very welcoming, they embrace you, they are very open to new ideas, and that is wonderful."

During her time at JCC, Whisnant saw the number of distance-education students grow from 400 to 5,400. She was also instrumental in planning the college's new library, which, when built, will be the first environmentally certified building on campus.

Whisnant said she made her career at community colleges because she believed in the mission of helping others. "What we do is mission work," she said. "We take people where they are and get them as far as they can go. We have the ability to help people and the community in so many ways."

Outside of JCC, Whisnant has been a supporter of the Johnston County Relay for Life, the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce and the Smithfield Rotary Club.

Whisnant plans to move back to her home place in Western North Carolina. She says she'll likely remain active with Relay for Life, volunteer with hospice and definitely have a lot of fun.

"I'll miss the people," Whisnant said. "It's really been a lot of fun, but I always have a good time. I think everything you do should be fun."

Towns get dollars for streets

The N.C. Department of Transportation has distributed money for street improvements to the 10 towns in Johnston County.

Here's the breakdown: Benson, $102,61.94; Clayton, $371,001.60; Four Oaks, $56,545.26; Kenly, $54,431.70; Micro, $14,418.67; Pine Level, $52,223.32; Princeton, $40,010.55; Selma, $189,285.96; Smithfield, $347,389.05; and Wilson's Mills, $42,923.80.

Stump named

to tourism board

Heidi Stump has been named to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Johnston County Tourism Authority. Appointed by the Clayton Area Chamber of Commerce, she is executive director of The Clayton Center, the performing-arts hall and conference center in Clayton. The Tourism Authority oversees the Johnston County Visitors Bureau, which uses a tax on motel and hotel stays to promote tourism in Johnston.

"I am honored to serve on the board and look forward to working with others to help market Johnston County," Stump said. "The Visitors Bureau is an integral part of our economic development; we need the revenue that visitors bring into our county."

Stump is a graduate of the University of Virginia. She has been executive director of The Clayton Center since 2005.

Johnston man elected to post

Mark Otto of the Cleveland community has been elected vice chairman of the 2nd Congressional District Republican Party.

"It is imperative that citizens of the Second District restore our rightful representation in the House of Representatives by electing someone who shares our values, understands the needs of the people and who will support fiscal re sponsibility, transparency and personal accountability in Washington," said Otto. "These values have been absent far too long, and we, the people, deserve a representative who will stand up for hard-working, taxpaying citizens who want smaller, more efficient government and less interference from Washington in our personal lives."

Al Lytton is chairman of the 2nd District GOP. "I am very pleased and excited to have Mark on board," he said. "Mark's record of dedicated service with the Republican Party and his willingness to stand up for his conservative values is a true asset that our party needs. Mark and I are making it our immediate priority to seek out a strong candidate who represents the values of the people of the Second District and help get this person elected to Congress."