Obituary: Willie Gray

Surrounded by the love and presence of his family, Willie Dwight Gray, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. A service to celebrate Willie’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Rouse Funeral Home, with Pastor Aaron Bissette officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the Gray Family Cemetery.

Traffic stop leads to drug arrests

On July 4, 2025, at approximately 3:34 a.m., officers with the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad conducted a traffic stop on East New Bern Road for a lighting equipment violation. During the stop, officers observed indicators of possible narcotics activity, which led to a probable cause search of the vehicle.

Town of Maysville awards bids for town hall renovation and new fire department to Farrior & Sons

Maysville, NC — The Maysville Board of Commissioners is proud to announce the awarding of construction bids for two significant municipal projects: the renovation of the Maysville Town Hall and the construction of a brand-new Maysville Volunteer Fire Department. Following a competitive bid process, the construction contract has been awarded to Farrior & Sons, Inc., a reputable North Carolina contractor recognized for its high-quality public infrastructure projects.

North Carolina's May county and area employment figures released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 93 counties in May 2025, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in three. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.3 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.9 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one decreased. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.9 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County Children’s Garden

If you missed the Business After Hours at the Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County’s Children Garden (Children’s Garden), you really missed out! Great food, with a summer-time theme, as well as great fellowship was had by those that attended! Many exclaimed how amazing the garden space is, and how they cannot wait to visit again and bring their children, grandchildren, etc.!