THANK YOU to all of our police officers, firefighters, healthcare workers, EMS workers, and other fearless first responders!
We are so grateful for all of your hard work, dedication, and willingness to risk life and limb for others.
Listen each Wednesday at 7:11 a.m. and 9:11 a.m. as the Q Morning Crew features and says thank you to a local Hometown Hero.
The featured Hometown Hero will win a gift card from Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q.
Want to nominate a Hometown Hero? Click Here.

Hometown Hero of the Week

Hometown Hero of the Week: Michaela Pavlik, September 24th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the week is Michaela Pavlik
Michaela is nominated by her children, Ansley and Granger. Michaela has been in EMS since she was 15 yrs old, starting out as a cadet. Once turning 18 yrs old she completed her EMT certification. Michaela then dedicated countless hours for almost 2 yrs taking care of a former Paramedic, Jason Palmer, during his battle with ALS. With Jason’s encouragement, Michaela continued her education to be a Paramedic, working full-time with Johnston County Emergency Services since June 2017. It was always a passion to become a nurs,e but nursing school was put on hold for a while with Ansley and then Granger joining the chaotic life. But Michaela never gave up on that nursing degree; she just finished nursing school from Bladen Community College all while also balancing working full-time with Johnston County EMS and being an amazing mother. Michaela is passionate about her career and helping others; she is always putting others before herself. Ansley and Granger agree that mommy isn’t only a hometown hero but their hero every day.
Thank you, Michaela, for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.