Author: Scott D. Yost

The Guilford County Family Justice Center isn’t letting a fire halt its very important operations.
After a blaze earlier this month severely damaged the Katie S. Cashion Center in downtown Greensboro and displaced several county departments, Family Justice Center staff moved quickly to establish a pop-up site inside the Guilford County Courthouse at 201 S. Eugene St. in Greensboro.
Starting on Tuesday, July 22, the temporary location will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to carry on the work of the department.
It’ll remain in operation until the Cashion Center is safe to reoccupy.
“The safety and well-being of our residents is always our top priority,” said Center Director Catherine Johnson. “We’re incredibly grateful to our partners and to Chief District Court Judge Fletcher for working swiftly to ensure our life-saving services continue uninterrupted.”
Johnson said getting the courthouse site up and running so quickly says a lot about the partnerships that make the Justice Center model work.
“Survivors deserve consistent, compassionate support,” the director said, “and, thanks to Guilford County administration and our partners, we’re ready to assist residents from our Greensboro and High Point offices.”
The Center provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse and stalking.
In addition to the temporary Greensboro site, the Center’s High Point location at 505 E. Green Dr. remains open for walk-ins during the same weekday hours.
Repairing the damage from the fire is estimated to cost county taxpayers about $1 million. The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted to move that repair project forward on Thursday, July 17 at the board’s only July meeting.
Visitors to the courthouse pop-up site should use the main public entrance facing the Governmental Plaza. Those needing ADA access can enter from South. Eugene Street.
Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices aren’t permitted inside the courthouse.
For help or more information, you can call 336-641-SAFE or visit guilfordcountync.gov/fjc. For emergencies, call 911 or the Family Service of the Piedmont’s 24-hour Crisis Line at 336-273-7273.
Johnson held a press conference in the Carolyn Coleman Conference Room at 301 W. Market St. to publicize the new temporary location on Tuesday afternoon, July 22…

Some Greensboro residents will walk away with new shoes, clothes or even cleaning supplies on Saturday, July 26 – all while enjoying free food and music.

The City of Greensboro’s Community Safety Department is teaming up with the Black Men United organization to host a Community Giveaway and Resource Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church at 408 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Greensboro….

A fire earlier this month at the Katie S. Cashion Center in downtown Greensboro has left several Guilford County departments displaced and has triggered a recovery effort that’s now pegged at $1 million.

At the Board of Commissioners’ Thursday, July 17 meeting, Commissioner Alan Perdue – the county’s former longtime Emergency Services director – used the fire to discuss the need to add and upgrade fire suppression systems and to take other safety measures in the county’s buildings…

A lot of people in the county don’t believe the Guilford County Board of Commissioners should be picking winners and losers in the non-profit community and handing out tax dollars to churches, fraternities, school booster clubs and lots of others; however, the Democratic majority on the Board of Commissioners wholeheartedly disagrees.

 And, this year, the list of beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars is the longest in history, with 83 organizations getting a total of $1,740,000…

Low-income homeowners in Greensboro may now apply for a program that could put some extra cash in their pocket this year – especially if their city property tax bill has gone up.

For the third year, the City of Greensboro is offering financial help to residents whose 2024 property tax bills are higher than they were in 2021. Qualifying homeowners may be eligible to receive a check covering the difference, provided they meet a few requirements…

Guilford County officials are putting settlement money from Big Pharma to work – and they’ve been asking the community to help guide them.

Recently, the county held its third annual stakeholder input session and asked the participants how to best spend the money – just over $40 million – that it’s receiving in opioid settlement funds over the next 17 years.

The event brought together 48 people from 20 different agencies and groups, including law enforcement, schools, nonprofits, health providers and Guilford County government…

On Thursday, July 17, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to name Assistant County Manager Victor Isler as the new county manager – a decision that Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston said would bring widespread excitement immediately to county employees.

Isler steps into the top job following the abrupt resignation of former County Manager Mike Halford last month.

Alston said the board considered whether to do a national search but quickly realized it already had the right person in-house.
..

After the hundreds of tragic flood deaths in Texas, the importance of mass notification and warning systems has never been clearer.

This week, Guilford County is set to renew its commitment to a regional emergency alert network that keeps residents informed in times of crisis. At the Thursday, July 17 meeting…

Greensboro residents just got a big thumbs-up from the City of Greensboro recycling people due to residents upping their recycling efforts and knowledge.

According to the city’s latest Recycling Composition Study, Greensboro has recorded its lowest recycling contamination rate ever. The 2025 study shows contamination in the city’s curbside recycling stream has dropped from 36.2 percent in 2021 to only 20.1 percent this year…

If you’ve ever wished making new friends as an adult were a little bit easier – or simply less awkward – the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department has something just right for you.

The department is hosting a ‘Speed Friending’ event Friday, July 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at LoFi Park at 500 N. Eugene St. in Greensboro…

Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston is kind of a bizarro Donald Trump: He’s at the other end of the political spectrum but, like Trump, he always gets his way and his fellow Democrats on the Board of Commissioners (almost) never vote against him on anything.

So, Alston – the most powerful political leader in Guilford County – doesn’t need any more power, but he just got a bump in that category anyway. He has been selected to serve as the vice chairman of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, and that means it’s almost certain he’ll become that commission’s chairman again next year – a role he held nearly two decades ago…

Greensboro is putting more money on the table to help the city’s renters become homeowners.

The city announced this week that it’s increasing funding for its Homebuyer Assistance Program by $500,000 – bringing new life to an initiative that’s already helped dozens of local families…

Greensboro is one step closer to turning the old Regency Inn site into affordable housing.

A city-appointed review committee has recommended that Raleigh-based nonprofit DHIC Inc. get the opportunity to redevelop the long-vacant motel property at 2701 North O. Henry Blvd. If everything goes according to plan, the site will be transformed into 114 affordable housing units for seniors and families in two phases – with an estimated total development cost of over $29.5 million..

When this year’s Wyndham Championship tees off in Greensboro later this month, the golf won’t be the only big draw.

Country artist Lanie Gardner – a Burnsville native who’s been making waves on the national stage – is set to headline a benefit concert at Piedmont Hall at the Greensboro Coliseum complex on Thursday, July 31, following the opening round of the tournament…

Eight days after former Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts abruptly stepped down from his post, city officials have confirmed that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent review into business transactions that occurred during Watts’ time in office.

At a Wednesday, July 9 press conference, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson shed some light – at least on the process – surrounding the unfolding situation, though he provided no details regarding the allegations themselves…

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating an unnamed member of the Greensboro City Council; however, according to several sources, that investigation is not related to the SBI investigation of former Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts, who retired suddenly at the start of July.

Though SBI officials have not said which City Council member is under investigation, many people have surmised that it may be Councilmember Zack Matheny due to a lot of recent discussion of potential conflicts of interest and other concerns regarding his role as the president of Downtown Greensboro Inc. in conjunction with his position on the Greensboro City Council…

Greensboro’s new top attorney is no stranger to the courtroom – or to public service.

On Tuesday, July 8, the Greensboro City Council voted unanimously to appoint Deputy City Attorney Lora Cubbage as the next city attorney.

Cubbage, who joined the City Attorney’s Office only four months ago, will now take the reins as the head of the legal department, bringing with her a lengthy resume that includes a wide range of legal experience: She’s had stints as a prosecutor, judge, and assistant attorney general….

Cone Health has tapped longtime health system leader Dave Jenkins to take control of its behavioral health services, naming him vice president and administrator for the entire service line.

Jenkins, who joined Cone Health as a hospital administration intern in 2012, will now oversee operations at the Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital and lead initiatives across the broader system. His promotion is an indication of Cone Health’s growing emphasis on meeting behavioral health needs throughout the Piedmont…

Barrier1 Systems – a national manufacturer of anti-ram crash-rated vehicle barriers – has announced that it’s not going anywhere.

The company had been weighing offers from other Southeastern cities but has officially decided to expand its operations in Guilford County, where it already has deep roots….

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office recently overshot its personnel budget by an eye-popping $3.9 million, but it’s not because of extravagant new programs or expensive equipment. Instead, the overage is being blamed on a very familiar culprit – a lack of staff, combined with soaring overtime costs that’s been needed to fill in those gaps….

Piedmont Triad International Airport hasn’t quite been the same since 2019; however, according to PTI Executive Director Kevin Baker this might finally be the year he’s been longing for: the year the airport gets passenger traffic back up and over where it was before Covid turned the travel world upside down.

That year – 2019 – saw PTI hit a high-water mark when it comes to people flying in and out of the airport, with more than 2.14 million passengers. It was a strong showing and a hopeful sign that the Triad’s airport was gaining a lot of ground as a mid-size regional hub…

Early on the morning of Sunday, July 6, Guilford County received reports of fraudulent emails impersonating the Guilford County Communications Department’s GovDelivery account.

GovDelivery is a mass email notification system used by many government agencies to send out news releases, alerts, meeting notices and other official updates to residents who subscribe…

First things first: City of Greensboro offices will of course be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Also, there will be no city garbage or recycling collections on July 4.

Friday’s collections took place on Thursday, July 3, and Thursday’s collections took place on Wednesday, July 2. (All other collections remain the same.)…

Last week Guilford County Manager Mike Halford announced and immediately entered into retirement and, on Wednesday, July 2, another top area local government official announced an immediate retirement.

The Greensboro City Council put out the word on Wednesday that Greensboro City Attorney Chuck Watts is retiring, effective immediately…

Everyone knows that Downtown Greensboro Inc. holds a massive Annual Fun Fourth celebration each year on Independence Day. But that’s just one of many big events going on in the region in the effort to celebrate the holiday this year. Here are some more that will be lighting up the skies –and packing the parks – across Guilford County and the surrounding areas…

Let the games begin.

Even before the start of the filing period, a lot of area residents have expressed a desire to take political seats in the next election. 

Well, starting right after the July Fourth Weekend, they’ll be allowed to officially toss their hats in the ring by registering to run at the Guilford County Board of Elections.,,

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday, June 30 that early last month on Wednesday, June 4,  Detention  Services  Officer Charles Leon Parker,  40,  “initiated  an unjustified use of force incident with an inmate.”

According to a statement from the Office, Jose Freddy Flores-Martinez,  23, (pictured above on the right) was being held  in the Guilford County jail in downtown Greensboro. Flores-Martinez is classified as “an administratively segregated inmate who requires a two-officer policy when escorted in the housing unit…

Jesus said the truth will set you free; however, in the case of US Senator Thom Tillis’ from North Carolina, it was his announcement earlier in the day that he would not be running for reelection in 2026 that appears to have freed him up to speak his mind with a force and frankness rarely seen on the Senate floor.

And on Sunday night, June 29, that’s exactly what he did…

In a decision that’s sending shockwaves through North Carolina political circles and national political circles, US Senator Thom Tillis announced abruptly on Sunday, June 29 that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

The move came just hours after President Donald Trump publicly lashed out at Tillis on social media – sharply criticizing the senator from North Carolina for opposing the high-profile Trump-backed “Big Beautiful Bill” that Trump has bet the farm on…

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners met on Friday afternoon, June 27, to hold a very rare special closed session to discuss a personnel issue and, when the board came out of that closed session, the commissioners voted unanimously to accept the retirement notice of Guilford County Manager Mike Halford.

Guilford County just adopted a new fiscal budget on June 19 and Halford did not appear at that time to be anywhere near ready to leave Guilford County government…

Personnel matters are one of the few things that local governments are not required by law to share with the public if requested to do so. Therefore, it isn’t known – and may never be known – which Guilford County employee is in very hot water. 

However, from the evidence that is publicly available, it’s clear that the county commissioners are extremely concerned about something going on in the county government…

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has announced that on Wednesday, June 25, the Guilford County Narcotics Task Force, working with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, concluded a narcotics investigation and nabbed two people and over two pounds of fentanyl.

One of those arrested was a teacher at Southern Guilford Middle School: Saadia Marie-Denise Owen, 32, (pictured above) was arrested and charged with the following…

Not everyone in Guilford County government is going along to get along with Chairman of The Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston and his merry band of big spenders. There are still two Republicans on the board and, when the seven Democratic commissioners voted on the 2025-2026 fiscal budget, the two explained in detail why they were worried about it and why they couldn’t support it…

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the state’s first case of measles of 2025 – a child who became ill while visiting Forsyth and Guilford counties after arriving from a country where measles outbreaks are ongoing.

According to health officials, the child began displaying symptoms after arriving in North Carolina and the child visited several public locations in Guilford and Forsyth counties before being diagnosed with the disease…

Now that Greensboro and Guilford County’s economic success story has become better than in the leader’s wildest dreams  – and a bajillion people are about to move to the Greensboro area – the city is even more worried about where they will all live.

To that end, the City of Greensboro will hold a community open house on Thursday, June 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Depot – Waiting Room at 236 E. Washington St. in downtown Greensboro.

It’s officially summer now and it’s suddenly very, very hot and humid in Greensboro and Guilford County.  As the area bakes under a punishing stretch of extreme heat this week, Duke Energy is asking everyone to help reduce stress on the electric grid to avoid potential power outages.

As of Monday, June 23, a Heat Advisory is in effect through Tuesday, with the National Weather Service forecasting heat index values around 105 degrees. An Excessive Heat Watch is expected…

On Friday, June 20, the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services is eliminating federal funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that’s dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth services.

Beginning on Thursday, July 17, 2025, people who call 988 will no longer have the option to press 3, which is the extension specific to LGBTQ+ youth considering suicide…

A North Carolina legislator has come under fire after sharing a controversial image on social media – prompting one prominent group to demand her removal from a key committee post in the NC House.

State Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Democrat representing Wake County, apologized Monday on the House floor after posting a video montage from the “No Kings” protest in Raleigh on Saturday, June 14…

If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. 

And again, and again, and again. 

That’s certainly the philosophy of the Guilford County commissioners, who keep putting a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the ballot only to see it be shot down by voters time and time again.

The commissioners are now hoping that the eighth time is a charm…

The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that, on Monday, June 16, the newly formed Guilford County Narcotics Task Force executed multiple narcotics-related search warrants in both High Point and Greensboro.

The officers didn’t come up empty handed in either city.

 These busts follow on an impressive string of drug busts that have taken place in Guilford County in 2025, when a whole lot of cocaine and fentanyl have been taken off the streets…

For years and years, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has passed a budget on Thursday nights; however, since Thursday, June 19 is a holiday, the board passed the fiscal 2025-2026 budget this year on Wednesday, June 18.

The new budget, the largest in the history of Guilford County, totals out at $847.3 million.

One month ago, Guilford County Manager Mike Halford proposed a budget totaling…

At its Tuesday, June 17 meeting, the Greensboro City Council adopted an $831 million budget for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year, which begins July 1 and ends on June 30, 2026.

The budget of any local government is its road map for the coming 12 months and the official document that determines what priorities get taxpayer money and which projects or initiatives do not.

The new budget, presented by Greensboro City Manager Trey Davis, represents a 3.5 percent increase over the current year’s budget…

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners just authorized nearly $2.75 million to cover installment loan payments to pay for a whole lot of new cars, trucks and other vehicles.

The big beneficiary is the Guilford County Sheriff’s office which got the vast majority of the new vehicles.

Nearly all of the autos and items in the contract are already in the county’s possession.  The county voted earlier to buy them on credit and then make good on that loan at a later date, which they did on Thursday, June 5…

Guilford County has announced the appointment of Courtney McFadden as its new Division of Public Health director.

McFadden, who holds a Master of Public Health degree, will officially begin her duties with the county starting on Monday, July 14. In her new role, she’ll oversee Guilford County’s public health operations and lead the county’s efforts to protect and promote the well-being of more than 500,000 residents….

Juneteenth is such a new federal holiday that a lot of people still don’t realize it’s a holiday until they show up at the bank or a city office to conduct business and find no one there.  However, it’s a federal holiday in the United States that was officially designated as such four years ago when former President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act…

Child abuse and spousal abuse in Guilford County get a lot of attention; however, anyone who works down at the Guilford County Family Justice Center can tell you that they also see a lot of elder abuse taking place. On Friday, June 13, the Guilford County Division of Social Services hosted a community event in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which is observed each year on June 15…

When Piedmont Triad Airport Executive Director Kevin Baker and other airport officials envisioned creating a new 1000-acre megasite around what was already a thriving airport manufacturing and repair business site, and began buying up a golf course and other land to make that vision a reality, they obviously thought it would be successful, but it’s highly unlikely in their wildest dreams that they could have imagined exactly how successful…

For seven years, Guilford County government has had an MWBE (Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) Department  – a department that offered support and preference to those types of businesses.  However, that department has suddenly and quietly been disappeared like it was a tattooed immigrant who slapped Kristi Noem…

The City of Greensboro just took a big step toward reimagining how it addresses public safety with the unveiling of its new five-year “Comprehensive Community Safety Plan.”

The announcement came during the third annual “Peace on Purpose” event held at the Simkins Sports Pavilion, where city leaders and community members got together to highlight a collaborative approach to cutting down on violence and improving safety across all neighborhoods in the city….