The 4th of July is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. However, this year, many Independence Day celebrations could look differently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All in Coronavirus
North Carolina to continue working toward getting students back in the classroom
Governor Roy Cooper today shared that North Carolina will continue working with schools, teachers, parents, and health experts to ensure that plans for school this coming year will protect everybody, especially those at high-risk.
House Bill 1023 passes providing funding to address domestic violence with technology
Yesterday, the North Carolina State Legislature passed a critical bill that allocates federal funding to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Administration. These funds will be used to provide a grant to an Eastern North Carolina non-profit, Caitlyn’s Courage, to address domestic violence head-on with technology.
Lenoir County announces 11th death of person who tested positive for COVID-19
Lenoir County announces 11th death of person who tested positive for COVID-19. The patient was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions.
Arendell Parrott Academy graduates one of its largest senior classes
Arendell Parrott Academy graduated one of its largest senior classes at commencement exercises on Friday evening in Ellis Simon Gymnasium.
Community Council for the Arts will remained closed through Labor Day
The Board of Directors of the Community Council for the Arts regret to announce the continued closure of the Arts Center. This action is anticipated to last at least through the Labor Day weekend.
Gov. Cooper signs bill allowing N.C. teens to get provisional licenses without road test
Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 158 into law on Friday, June 19. The bill allows the North Carolina DMV to temporarily waive the road test requirement for a Level 2 limited provisional license. Elliana Sylvia, who lives in Kinston and started a petition in April to temporarily waive the road test requirement, got her Level 2 license on Monday, June 22.
Enforcing Governor Cooper's Executive Order mandating face coverings
In an executive order announced on Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase 2 of reopening North Carolina until July 17 and made face coverings mandatory in public. The mask requirements take effect Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. In a recent Facebook post, Jones County Sheriff Danny Heath stated, “NO, I will not be enforcing the wearing of face masks! Be careful and responsible and make your own decision.”
UNC Lenoir CEO: "I am proud of the heroic work the UNC Lenoir team continues to do"
With 345 reported cases of COVID-19 in Lenoir County as of June 25, the capacity of UNC Lenoir Health Care to deal with the number of patients is an important factor. According to UNC Lenoir Marketing Coordinator Barbara LaRoque, the hospital has handled the current volume of COVID-19 patients well.
NC News: Lt. Gov. Forest to sue Gov. Cooper over the Emergency Management Act
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (R), also a candidate for Governor, issued a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and a statement today notifying him that “as a member of the Council of State, I will be suing his administration for violating the Emergency Management Act.” In his letter, he references several Executive Orders enacted by the governor without consent of a majority of the Council of State. “The North Carolina Constitution does not create a unitary executive, but rather disburses executive power throughout the Council of State.”
Governor Cooper extends Phase 2 and requires face coverings
Under Governor Cooper’s new Executive Order, which is effective on Friday at 5:00 pm, North Carolina will extend Phase 2 for three more weeks (through July 17) and will require customers of retail businesses to wear face coverings. Citations shall be written only to businesses or organizations that fail to enforce the requirement to wear Face Coverings. Law enforcement personnel are not authorized to criminally enforce the Face Covering requirements of this Executive Order against individual workers, customers, or patrons.
Senate passes "No Patient Left Alone Act"
The North Carolina Senate on Friday passed the No Patient Left Alone Act, which allows hospitalized patients to designate one visitor who would be permitted access to their room in accordance with a hospital's visitation rules and limitations. The measure is in response to heartbreaking stories of loved ones being left to die alone in a hospital room as their spouses and family members are denied entry to the building.
Mayor Hardy issues mandatory face covering order
Kinston Mayor Don Hardy issued a mandatory face covering order to include parking lots, grocery stores, pharmacies, sidewalks and more Sunday afternoon. “All persons who are present within the jurisdiction of the City of Kinston are required to wear a clean face covering…The intent of this declaration is to encourage voluntary compliance with the requirements established herein by businesses and persons within the City of Kinston.” The declaration is effective on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:00 p.m. with no definitive end date.
NCDHHS reports Caswell Developmental Center has 39 COVID-19 cases
According to the latest “Ongoing Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings” report, which can be downloaded in this article, NCDHHS reports the following:
Harmony Hall: 7 positive cases among staff, 0 cases in residents and 0 deaths.
Caswell Developmental Center: 19 cases among staff, 20 residents and 0 deaths.
NC State Veterans Home: no longer listed
Spring Arbor of Kinston: no longer listed
Greendale Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: 2 cases among staff, 0 residents and 0 deaths.
Down East Wood Ducks to host 2020 High School Senior Send Off
The Down East Wood Ducks announced plans to host the inaugural 2020 ENC High School Senior Sendoff, Presented by Lenoir Community College on Saturday, June 27th at Grainger Stadium in Kinston. The event is a celebration of all recent 2020 graduates, but will be highlighted by a doubleheader of baseball games featuring recent 2020 graduates from various Eastern North Carolina High Schools. Gates will open at 11am with Game 1 scheduled to start at 1pm and Game 2 at 6pm.