The Weekender: Clayton Catch-Up

Good Morning, Clayton!

Glad to be back after a week off!

I had a great time in Hollywood. Got to recharge the ol' creativity battery, catch up with some friends, and watch some classics — such as Friday the 13th Part VI! — on film in old movie theaters. Which is probably my favorite thing to do.

Lots of highlights, but seeing one of my favorite bands, Hiss Golden Messenger, and getting to film their show at the legendary Troubadour was definitely the peak. Everyone should check out their new record, I'm People. It's been on pretty much nonstop since it was released earlier this summer.

Check out the new Hiss Golden Messenger record here!

Also, watching David Lynch's Mulholland Drive on 35mm at the historic Egyptian Theatre was an incredible experience.

But enough about my working vacation. Apparently, Clayton didn't take the week off with me!

So this week, we're playing a little catch-up. Instead of our usual deep dive into one big story, I've got a quick rundown of what's been happening around town over the past couple of weeks, complete with my two cents on each.

And, of course, we've got your Weekend Picks!

Alright, let's get into it!

The Dispatch Lead

The Clayton Catch-Up

Clayton's $950,000 Fire Truck Crash Ruled Preventable

Just three days after entering service, one of Clayton's newest fire engines overturned on Covered Bridge Road while responding to an emergency call on September 24.

During the October 5 Town Council meeting, Fire Chief Jason Rains shared the findings of the department's internal investigation.

The crash was preventable. Investigators determined that mechanical failure was not responsible and identified multiple human and environmental contributing factors.
The truck may be a total loss. The department is still working with its insurance company and the manufacturer to assess the damage.
The driver was traveling at approximately the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Rains explained that speed became a contributing factor once the truck left the roadway.
Seven contributing factors were identified, including the road's narrow shoulders, wet conditions, steering inputs, driver experience, and darkness.
The department plans changes, including additional driver training, revised emergency response protocols, and new safety equipment on future vehicles.
Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured, and the department reports that emergency response capabilities have not been affected.

Dan's Dispatch Take: Shit happens.

One of the best bosses I've ever had gave me three simple rules to follow and promised that if I followed them, I'd always have a job with the company.

Show up for work.
Always tell the truth.
Never make the same mistake twice.

At this job, we built and managed self-storage facilities. On one project, a superintendent failed to verify a measurement against the plans, resulting in a $500,000 mistake on a concrete pour.

The boss was definitely upset when he found out, and the superintendent — and honestly, everyone at the company — thought for sure he'd be fired.

But instead, the boss asked him one question:

"What did you learn?"

"Always check the measurements against the plans," the superintendent replied.

"Don't let it happen again!" was the boss's response.

Those three rules have gotten me through life with my integrity.

Which brings me to Clayton's $950,000 fire truck.

I think we can all be glad that nobody was seriously injured. That could have been a whole lot worse.

I also appreciate Chief Rains standing in front of Town Council and acknowledging that the accident was preventable. He didn't try to sweep it under the rug. He explained what happened, identified the contributing factors, and outlined what the department intends to do differently going forward.

That's what accountability looks like.

Accidents happen. People make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are really, really expensive.

The important thing is that we acknowledge them, learn from them, and do everything we can to make sure they don't happen again.

And as far as I'm concerned, that's a much better response than looking for somebody to throw under the bus.

Town Says Clayton Planning Director Resigned

Clayton Planning Director Conrad Olmedo is no longer with the Town of Clayton.

The Town confirmed to The Clayton Dispatch that Olmedo resigned, with his final day of employment being Monday, September 28.
Olmedo was absent from the September 28 Planning Board meeting, where he had been listed on the agenda.
When The Dispatch asked whether Olmedo had provided advance notice of his resignation, the Town declined to answer, stating that the information was not public.
The Town has not provided an explanation for his departure

Dan's Dispatch Take: What's that smell?

The departure of Clayton's Planning Director is definitely noteworthy, considering the amount of development currently underway around town.

The Town has a long history of openly celebrating employees who leave for positions elsewhere, often with the mayor, town manager, and council members offering well wishes during council meetings.

Combine that with the fact that Conrad Olmedo's last day was the same day as a scheduled Planning Board meeting, which he didn’t attend, and I'm skeptical that much advance notice was given, if any.

Which makes me wonder whether this was really a straightforward resignation, or whether there was a little more to the decision than the Town is letting on.

Clayton Makes the Budget Easier to Explore

The Town of Clayton is highlighting its expanded online budget resources, giving residents more ways to examine how public money is allocated and how Town departments are performing.

Budget Manager Todd Melton has overseen the Budget and Performance Office since joining Clayton in 2024.
The Town's budget portal includes an interactive budget book, financial dashboards, performance metrics, and detailed budget reports.
Residents can also review the Town's Capital Improvement Plan and learn more about how budget decisions are made.
Clayton's FY2027 operating budget totals approximately $140.3 million across its three major funds.

Dan’s Dispatch Take: I think it’s pretty clear that around here, we're big fans of giving taxpayers more access to the numbers, and there's some genuinely useful information here. Credit to Todd Melton and his office for making these resources available.

Of course, being able to see where the money goes is only half the equation. Understanding why it was spent, whether the spending was justified, and what taxpayers are getting in return should be equally important.

You can bet we'll be putting these tools to use.

Explore the Town's Budget & Performance portal

New Clayton High School Reaches Major Construction Milestone

Construction of the new Clayton High School reached a major milestone last week, with Johnston County Public Schools celebrating the completion of the building's structural framework on October 1.

The new 278,000-square-foot campus will accommodate approximately 2,000 students.
The facility will feature 99 teaching spaces, 19 career and technical education classrooms and labs, 13 science labs, and a 762-seat auditorium.
The first phase is scheduled for completion in late 2027, with demolition of the remaining old buildings and final construction expected to wrap up in August 2028.
School officials say they will incorporate elements of the original campus into the new facility to preserve some of Clayton High's history.

Dan’s Dispatch Take: Clayton High School has been part of this community for more than 170 years, and generations of Clayton families have passed through its doors. My grandmother went to Clayton High, my dad went to Clayton High, and I went to Clayton High. It's exciting to see the new campus taking shape, especially knowing how much our community has grown.

We're also glad to hear that pieces of the original school will be preserved. Progress matters, but so does remembering where we came from.

ADVERTISEMENT | THE UNSANCTIONED REHEARSALS SOCIETY

Broadway's Baddest Villains Are Coming to Clayton!

An Evening of Wicked Entertainment, Delicious Food & Unforgettable Performances!

Being bad never sounded so good! The Unsanctioned Rehearsals Society invites you to an evening celebrating Broadway's most notorious villains. Enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared buffet dinner while some of musical theater's most delightfully wicked characters take center stage for a night of drama, laughs, and unforgettable performances.

Your ticket includes dinner and the show, so come hungry and prepare for a wickedly good time!

Location: 217 E. Main Street, Downtown Clayton

Recommended for ages 14+ due to mature themes, language, and suggestive content.

Get Tickets

Weekend Picks

A quick rundown of what’s happening around Clayton this weekend. Music, markets, food, family stuff, and anything else worth leaving the house for.
Presented by The Clayton Center.

Friday

Pottery Camp | 12973 Clayton Boulevard

Turkish Lantern Workshop | 6–8 pm
Light up your Friday night with something a little different! Pottery Camp is hosting a hands-on workshop where you'll create your own colorful, mosaic-style Turkish lantern. Choose your glass pieces, arrange your design, and assemble a one-of-a-kind lamp to take home. All materials are included, along with everything you'll need to finish the grouting process at home. The class costs $70, with a $35 deposit required to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so don't drag your feet!

Get Tickets

Clayton Fear Farm | 1620 Loop Road

2026 Haunt Season | 7–10 pm
Looking for a good scare this weekend? Clayton Fear Farm is back for another season of things that go bump in the night! Head out to the farm for a night of haunted attractions, creepy encounters, and plenty of reasons to question why you paid someone to scare the hell out of you. Open Friday and Saturday nights throughout October, with $25 admission covering all attractions. Free parking and concessions are available, and tickets can be purchased online or at the farm.

Get Tickets

Saturday

Main Street Community Garden | 439 East Main Street

Movies in the Garden: Midsommar | 8:30 pm
The flowers are blooming. The feast has been prepared. You're invited! Movies in the Garden continues Saturday night with Ari Aster's sun-drenched folk-horror nightmare, Midsommar. Follow a group of friends to a remote Swedish village for a festival full of flowers, dancing, and completely normal Scandinavian hospitality. Bring a chair or blanket and prepare for a deeply unsettling evening under the stars. The film is rated R, and proceeds benefit the Main Street Community Garden. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the screening will move indoors to Crescendo at The Station in Downtown Clayton. Tickets purchased for the original postponed date will be honored.

Get Tickets

The Barn House | 3268 Barber Mill Road

Kait Parrish Book Signing: Be Different, Be You | 10:30 am
Grab some warm apple cider and head over to The Barn House this Saturday for a special book signing with Johnston County resident and author Kait Parrish! Her children's book, Be Different, Be You, celebrates kindness, inclusion, and embracing what makes each of us unique, with a special focus on children with disabilities and special needs. Stop by, meet the author, hear her story, and pick up a signed copy while supporting a local writer and a great little local business.

Deep River Brewing Company | 700 West Main Street

Oktoberfest | 12–10 pm
Prost! Deep River Brewing Company is throwing its biggest party of the year this Saturday with a full day of Bavarian-inspired fun. Expect plenty of beer, five food trucks serving everything from BBQ to Filipino favorites, and games including a keg toss, Bavarian bag toss, and stein-hoisting competition. Feeling competive? Winners take home Deep River gift cards! AxeTreme Axe Throwing will be on-site from noon to 4 pm, and the Stuart Smalley Trio will provide live music from 6–9 pm. Grab your lederhosen (optional), bring your friends, and raise a stein!

Sunday

Deep River Brewing Company | 700 West Main Street

Yappy Hour | 1–3 pm
Who says Sunday afternoon beers are just for humans? Grab your four-legged drinking buddy and head to Deep River Brewing Company for Yappy Hour, hosted by Happy Hounds Pet Care! Enjoy an afternoon of cold beer, good company, and plenty of tail-wagging while supporting a great cause. For every beer sold during the event, $1 will be donated to Red Barn Rescue to help pups in need find their forever homes. Good beer, good dogs, and a good cause? Sounds like a pretty solid Sunday to us!

LaDiDa Wine Shop | 459 East Main Street

Sunday Funday Music Bingo | 2–4 pm
Think you know your music? Put those useless song lyrics rattling around in your head to good use this Sunday at LaDiDa Wine Shop! Mike Brock Entertainment is hosting an afternoon of Music Bingo, where recognizing your favorite tunes could win you prizes every round. Grab a glass of wine, bring some friends, and see if all those years of singing along in the car finally pay off. Ages 21 and up.

Become a Paid Clayton Dispatch Member

$5 per month or $50 per year Membership helps support independent local reporting, expand coverage, and pay for future Dispatch upgrades.

Members receive:

The ability to comment on Dispatch stories
Priority question submissions for the upcoming Council Watch-Along with Dan podcast
Regular behind-the-scenes reporting notes and project updates
Member discounts and early access to Clayton Dispatch merch
An exclusive Clayton Dispatch sticker for monthly members*
An exclusive Clayton Dispatch tote bag for annual members.