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Chris Suggs: Let's talk about money

May 11

May 11 Chris Suggs: Let's talk about money

Columns, Politics

Although there hasn’t been any public discussion regarding it, once again, there is an increase in pay for the mayor and members of the council being proposed in this year’s budget. This isn’t to say that the increase isn’t justified, my concern is that once again potentially controversial items are being presented in the budget that haven’t been formally discussed. Whether it’s the more than $100 million annual operating budget for the city, or a $6.3 million allocation from the federal government, each line item deserves thorough inspection and candid conversations about how they align with our priorities — especially one that has proven time and time again to ruffle feathers.

I’ve expressed my desire with the mayor and members of the council for us to have dedicated meeting time to talk about our city budget and finances, but aside from Councilwoman Felicia Solomon, the other members of our board haven’t shared that desire.

Reece Gardner: Come on in, the coast is clear

May 11

May 11 Reece Gardner: Come on in, the coast is clear

It has amused me over the years to see signs prominently posted on building entrances reading, "This is a Gun Free Zone," or "No weapons of any kind allowed on these premises." You may recall the "No Gun Zone" sign prominently posted a few years ago at the entrance to a school in Lakeland, Florida, which made it a clear target for a young man with a demented mind hearing Satan telling him to kill people.

John Hood: Let’s Try Grownups This Time

May 10

May 10 John Hood: Let’s Try Grownups This Time

Columns, Politics

With only a few days left to cast ballots in the 2022 primaries, most North Carolinians are worried and frustrated. Many are furious. Some 62% of voters responding to a recent High Point University poll said the country had “gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track.”

Mike Parker: ‘Road to New York’ runs through Kinston

May 9

May 9 Mike Parker: ‘Road to New York’ runs through Kinston

Columns, Local News

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about several exciting activities taking place in Kinston and Lenoir County. Shortly after that column appeared, I learned of a call for auditions that could help residents end up on “The Road to New York.”

Cooking with Tammy: Treat Your Best Girl (Mom) with a Mother’s Day Brunch

May 7

May 7 Cooking with Tammy: Treat Your Best Girl (Mom) with a Mother’s Day Brunch

Treat your Mom’s to a delicious morning treat for the whole family! Most of this menu can be done ahead and many of the main ingredients can be found locally grown!

Reece Gardner: Mother's Day - honor and remember

May 4

May 4 Reece Gardner: Mother's Day - honor and remember

As you know, this coming Sunday is Mothers' Day and I am sure it will bring back memories of the wives and mothers who have given so much to make our lives meaningful and enjoyable.

Mike Parker: Should the state involve itself more in homeschools?

May 2

May 2 Mike Parker: Should the state involve itself more in homeschools?

Columns, Education, Local News

I recently read an article in the Kinston Free Press entitled “NC homeschool families have little oversight. Many want to keep it that way” by Brian Gordon of the USA Today network. One of the experts cited in the story, Duke Law Professor Jane Wettach, wrote in a 2020 report on the state’s homeschooling law:

Cooking with Tammy: Sweetheart or Pointed Head Cabbage

May 1

May 1 Cooking with Tammy: Sweetheart or Pointed Head Cabbage

Have you seen the pointed looking cabbage at local produce stand and farmers markets, If not, check out the interesting vegetable at the Farmer’s Market. Pointed, hearted or sweetheart cabbage as it is sometimes known is a type of green cabbage with green leaves and a pointed head.

Reece Gardner: Miracle on Highway 109

Apr 27

Apr 27 Reece Gardner: Miracle on Highway 109

The horrific race car accident that recently occurred in which the driver's car crashed into a wall, exploded, and engulfed the car in flames, and from which there seemed no chance for survival, showed that Miracles still do happen as the driver emerged from this laming inferno largely unharmed.

John Hood: Freedom is a tool for progress

Apr 26

Apr 26 John Hood: Freedom is a tool for progress

I’m a conservative without a conversion story. Plenty of others have such a tale — they read a certain book, had a certain teacher, or somehow became disenchanted with their previous, left-leaning views.

Mike Parker: Looking for something to do? Check here first

Apr 25

Apr 25 Mike Parker: Looking for something to do? Check here first

Columns, Local News

For some time, I have been working at the Visitor Center at the intersection of US 70 and US 258 a couple of days a week. I had only been working a couple of weeks when one visitor from the Crystal Coast came in and asked, “Why would anyone come to Kinston? What is there to do here?”

Cooking with Tammy: Many ways to enjoy new potatoes

Apr 23

Apr 23 Cooking with Tammy: Many ways to enjoy new potatoes

What is a “new potato”, simply, they are any variety of potato that is harvested early. Unlike their full-grown counterparts, they keep their shape once cooked and cut. Since they are picked before their sugars have converted to starch, new potatoes are crisp and waxy and high in moisture.

Reece Gardner: Time is precious

Apr 20

Apr 20 Reece Gardner: Time is precious

TIME is precious. Every day it credits us with 24 hours which we must live in the present and make the most of each day.

Mike Parker: First ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ set for Saturday, April 23

Apr 18

Apr 18 Mike Parker: First ‘Breakfast on the Boat’ set for Saturday, April 23

Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Egg-cellent ideas for left over hard boiled eggs

Apr 16

Apr 16 Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Egg-cellent ideas for left over hard boiled eggs

It’s almost Easter and hard-boiled eggs are being colored everywhere!! Just how many hard boiled eggs can you eat? What else can you do with all of the leftover hard-boiled eggs? Of course, you can eat them with a little salt and pepper, or you could enjoy them in one of these egg-cellent recipes.

Reece Garner: Attitude is important

Apr 13

Apr 13 Reece Garner: Attitude is important

Attitude is more important than education, money, circumstances, failures and successes. It can make or break a company, a church, or a home. . So how happy do you want to be today? YOU DECIDE!

John Hood: Voters Can Still Be Persuaded

Apr 13

Apr 13 John Hood: Voters Can Still Be Persuaded

Some partisans I know insist political allegiances are so rigid that elections have become little more than turnout contests. Whichever party gets its base out wins.

Moss Hill returns to Battle of Books winner’s circle in convincing fashion

Apr 12

Apr 12 Moss Hill returns to Battle of Books winner’s circle in convincing fashion

A team of fourth and fifth graders from Moss Hill Elementary School ran away with the 2022 LCPS Elementary Battle of the Books championship Friday, collecting the school’s second win in the last three contests.

Mike Parker: Friends of the Library sponsoring fundraiser

Apr 11

Apr 11 Mike Parker: Friends of the Library sponsoring fundraiser

The Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library is again holding a raffle to raise money to fund enhancements in library programming. The Friends will kick off the spring edition of the "I Love My Library!" raffle on April 12.

Cooking with Tammy: Blueberries, a Superfood

Apr 9

Apr 9 Cooking with Tammy: Blueberries, a Superfood

These tiny little gems do indeed pack a potent punch. From anti-ageing to weight loss, blueberries rank the highest of any fruit for health benefits! They are super high in antioxidants, one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.