James Donald “Donnie” Heath Jr.,74, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.  Donnie was a devoted family man whose greatest joy came from the people he loved. 

On the evening of Friday, September 25, 2026, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reduction Team hosted a GHSP Saturation Patrol with partnering agencies across eastern North Carolina. During this event 43 law enforcement officers from twelve agencies, including Deputies, Officers, and Troopers, focused on dangerous driving and motor vehicle violations throughout Lenoir County. During the five-hour operation, 116 charges were issued with 67 warnings given.

State Employees Credit Union recently awarded the SECU Foundation “People Helping People” Scholarship to Lenoir Community College students Rylee Brewer of Nashville and Willow Gardner of Kinston. The $5,000 scholarship, awarded to students who embody the credit union’s membership philosophy, provides $1,250 per semester for each semester they are enrolled full time at LCC.

Detectives with the Kinston-Lenoir Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into Khalil Dail, 27, regarding his suspected involvement in the trafficking and distribution of marijuana. During the investigation, detectives gathered evidence indicating Dail was actively involved in distributing marijuana within Lenoir County.

Update: The Kinston City Council and Lenoir County commissioners will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, to discuss matters related to the Down East Bird Dawgs. The council will then consider Municipal Service District requests regarding its operations and a proposed litigation settlement.

Coleen P. (Baker) McKivergin, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, daughter, and sister, passed away on September 13, 2026, at the age of 94 in Kinston, North Carolina. A graveside service will be held at Lindenwood Cemetery Chapel in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.

Kinston Public Services will host a fall cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Neuseway Nature Center, 401 W. Caswell St. in Kinston. Volunteers should meet at the picnic shelter.

Kinston police reported three drug-related arrests and a separate arrest on burglary and assault charges Sept. 24-26. The assault left one person seriously injured, according to police.

In Loving Memory of Beverly Kennedy Alston July 3, 1946 – September 25, 2026 Beverly Kennedy Alston of Kinston, age 80, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2026. Born on July 3, 1946, to the late Rozelle and Alyne Kennedy of Richmond, VA.

If you have read my columns through the years, you know I am a retired high school English teacher. I spent 37 ½ years in the classroom at the secondary level and another 30 years part-time at the collegiate level. I consider myself somewhat of an authority on what parents need to do to help their children succeed in school.

The Instructional Support Specialist - Continuing Education provides comprehensive instructional, operational, and administrative support for the Continuing Education Division.

Martin Cervantes of La Grange was named to the Dean's List for the summer 2026 term at University of Maryland Global Campus.

The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:

Alyssa Beaman became the 2027 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County. She received a $3,500 scholarship and medallion, $500 clothing allowance for the state program and a 16 x 20 portrait from Brittany Smith Photography.

Snow Hill Primary gives out a weekly award called "Terrific Kid" awards.  Each teacher at SHP chooses a student who has been responsible, shows great character, or has reached a personal goal.  On Fridays, these students are presented with an award and are congratulated for their hard work.  Below are Snow Hill Primary's Terrific Kid Awards!