In 2019, NC Sweet Potato production was valued at $ 647,736,000, and provided over 70% of the nation’s sweet potatoes. NC remains the leading sweet potato producer in the United States. North Carolina’s Official Vegetable is the sweet potato.
All in Columns
Algenon Cash: Fact vs Myth - What has Trump done for Black America?
Politicians are notorious for making wild claims or exaggerating what they have done on behalf of those who elected them. President Trump is a master of puffery and routinely makes false or misleading statements about his political accomplishments. But one claim has gotten the attention of Black voters, a loyal Democratic voting bloc; some Black voters are questioning the president's assertion that he has "done more for the Black community than any other president."
Jane Phillips: Kinston and the Spanish Flu pandemic - 1918-1919
I’ve read that 1918 was one of the worst years throughout recorded history. The First World War was raging in Europe while an unseen enemy, the Spanish Flu, was spreading across the earth. The illness began in the spring and seemed to subside during the summer months. It lasted until late 1919 and consisted of “waves” of varying intensity.
The first victim of the Spanish Flu Pandemic I have found in Kinston was in late summer 1918. The victim was State Sen. William Durward Pollock. In October the height of the Spanish Flu Pandemic was in full swing in Kinston. Three died that first week. There were some days when 15 to 20 victims died.
Reece Gardner: Make your voices heard
As you know, Early Voting will continue through Saturday, with Election Day falling on Tuesday, November 3. There are many very important contests to be decided this year. Let's make our voices heard!
Mike Parker: A simple question with no simple answer
Many domestic violence victims fear if they attempt to leave, their abuser’s actions may become more violent, even lethal. Many women have no idea that programs such as SAFE in Lenoir County exist. Before a woman can leave a dangerous situation, she must have somewhere she can go – and somewhere she can take her children.
North Carolina leads in jobs lost
There are about 300,000 fewer jobs in North Carolina today than there were in February, before the start of the COVID-19 recession. That’s a 7.5% drop in total employment — the biggest decline in the southern United States.
Reece Gardner: We could be witnessing the largest election turnout in history
If the turnout of voters in this first week of Early Voting continues to grow, we are in the process of witnessing the largest election turnout ever, both in North Carolina and throughout the country. Another interesting development is the rapid growth of independent voters.
Folks, our nation as we have known it since our founding some 244 years ago is at a cross roads that we have never seen before. As I mentioned to our church congregation this past Sunday, this is the most important election in the history of our country. Let me tell you why – at least in this one man’s opinion.
Mike Parker: Enjoy a meal and strike a blow against domestic violence
Local restaurants are working with SAFE to generate funds for fighting domestic violence. During the week of Oct. 18 through Oct. 24, these restaurants will be displaying table tents that include information about SAFE and a QR code to allow patrons to make donations to our local domestic violence prevention program.
John Nix: Who defines your reality?
November 3rd will be a defining and pivotal day for America. Reality tells us there is a “binary choice this election between America and radicalism”. The America as we have known it, is a Constitutional, orderly and civilized America where everyone has a chance to live the “American dream”. The alternate America we are facing is a chaotic, violent America, one where mob rule and tyrannical government control reigns. We live in a Republic, not a Democracy. Democracy is mob rule, but the media would have you believe differently. Not once in the Constitution of United States of America is the word “Democracy” mentioned. That is reality.
John Hood: Ticket-splitting still shapes elections
North Carolina, like most of the country, has become increasingly polarized in our political thinking and behavior. But what does that really mean? Well, we know it doesn’t mean that all North Carolinians are so rigidly partisan they support only candidates of one major party or the other. Split-ticket voters do make up a smaller share of the electorate than they did generations ago. They’re rarer. That doesn’t make them extinct.
Reece Gardner: Early voting begins tomorrow
All contests on the ballot this year are very important, but the races for the N.C. Supreme Court are ultra-important. As John Guze, director of legal studies at the John Locke Foundation pointed out, voters need to keep in mind that the NC Supreme Court has become a super-legislature as a result of judicial doctrines adopted in the second half of the 20th century.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Happy Halloween 2020
It’s no surprise that Halloween, like many other Holidays, will be celebrated quite differently this year. Halloween traditions like choosing costumes, decorating pumpkins, and getting special treats, may look a little different, but it can still be great fun!
Reece Gardner: Happiness lies in the happiness of others
Before I get to my main topic today on happiness, I want to highlight some deadlines pertaining to our big and very important election this year. Be sure that you are registered to vote. Regular Voter Registration forms must be postmarked or delivered to your county board of elections office by 5 p.m. this Friday, October 9. However, voters may also same-day register at any one-stop early voting site from October 15 to October 31.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Definitely the year to keep the doctor away
You may laugh at the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but much about that is rooted in truth. Apples provide multiple nutrients and compounds that help promote good health and weight management.
Mike Parker: Looking back over 92 years
Within just a couple of days my mom, Irene Parker, will turn 92. She lives alone, has a driver’s license she renewed just weeks ago, and handles her own affairs. I can only imagine how much the world has changed for her through the years since 1928.
Reece Gardner: There is beauty in saddness
With all the lawlessness, looting, rioting, and violence going on in our country today it is sometimes difficult to maintain a positive attitude, but we have many reasons to be positive, and that's what I want to concentrate on today. There is beauty even in sadness.
John Hood: Lieutenant Governor rivals differ sharply
This year, the leading candidates for lieutenant governor are giving North Carolina voters a sharp contrast. The Democratic nominee, Yvonne Lewis Holley, says she will use the formal and informal powers of the office to check Republican majorities in the General Assembly (should those majorities extend into 2021) and to move North Carolina in a leftward direction. The Republican nominee, Mark Robinson, says that as lieutenant governor he will help GOP lawmakers continue the conservative reforms of the past decade.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Turnip season is on the way
Turnips, in season in our area from October to March, is a vegetable most often grouped with root vegetables, but in reality, belongs to the cruciferous family whose cousins are Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli.
Mike Parker: Virtual Learning leads to sympathy for Ms. Hannigan
Sandra and I are just two of the – ah – victims of fallout from the “virtual learning” Mondays decreed by Pitt County Schools. For the past few weeks, we have taken granddaughters Abby and Hannah home with us after church so they could spend the night and do their virtual assignments on Monday. Since Rachel and Joe both are teachers and must report to school on Mondays, they did not want to leave their girls home alone.