Johnston County appraisers and members of Pearson Appraisals are out in the county reviewing properties in preparation for the state mandated 2011 real property revaluation.? Residential property reviews are nearing completion and commercial property reviews are underway countywide.

Pat Goddard Johnston County Tax Administrator said, "All appraisers will wear county identification badges even if they are not driving a county vehicle.? No one will ask to see the inside of your home, but citizens can request an inside visit if they feel an inside inspection is necessary."

The West Johnston High School Marching Band placed third in Class AAA at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, this past weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium. The band spent five days in Indianapolis competing with ninety of the best high school marching bands in the nation for the title of national champion. West Johnston's third place finish is the highest they have ever placed at the National Championships.

In addition to their third place finish in class, West Johnston placed nineteenth regardless of class in Saturday's semi-final competition. This is the third time in the last four years that the West Johnston Marching Band has won a spot in the elite top twenty. They did not compete at the 2008 National Championships due to their appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They are the only high school band from the state of North Carolina to achieve this honor in the last fifteen years.