Important Announcement: In an effort to conform with the recent recommendations regarding COVID-19, City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, March 17 and it will remain closed until further notice.
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Chick-Fil-A to close its dining rooms due to Coronavirus
Kinston’s Chick-Fil-A released the following statement: We will be closing our dining room to guests today (March 16,2020) at 11:00am. The following options will be available for ordering:
Special Facebook Live with Sen. Jim Perry and LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt
On Sunday afternoon Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy was joined by guests Senator Jim Perry and Lenoir Community College President Dr. Rusty Hunt for a special Facebook Live segment. They discussed the latest on COVID-19 and its impact on our community. And they fielded a few questions from our Facebook Live audience.
Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation closing all facilities
Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation will close its facilities on Monday, March 16 at noon until further notice. Posted on the Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page, Director Corey Povar called for the closures to keep people from gathering in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“We want to do what we can to keep everyone safe,” said Povar. This comes a day after Governor Roy Cooper closed North Carolina Public School Systems. This will include all of Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation facilities, including the Planetarium and Neuseway Nature Center.
Suddenlink, division of Altice USA, brings free broadband to K-12 student households
On Friday, March 13, Altice issued the following press release:
In response to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, Altice USA has taken several steps to ensure that Americans within the communities we serve have reliable access to high-speed broadband connectivity to keep them connected to the people, information, and resources they rely on.
Local schedule changes due to Coronavirus precautions
Local schedule changes due to Coronavirus precautions. Submit your organization’s changes to info@neusenews.com.
Piedmont Natural Gas suspends disconnections for nonpayment
Piedmont Natural Gas issued the following statement to their customers: “We recognize some customers may be facing unusual financial hardships, and we are suspending disconnections for nonpayment effective immediately. This applies to all home and business accounts in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. We are also offering increased payment flexibility for customers who need extra time to pay their bill.”
Senator Perry and Representative Humphrey react to Governor Cooper's order closing schools
Senator Jim Perry and Representative Chris Humphrey released statements this afternoon following Governor Cooper’s Executive Order closing schools and prohibiting mass gatherings for the next two weeks.
Governor Cooper's Executive Order No. 117 defines mass gatherings
In Governor Cooper’s press conference this afternoon he ordered the closure of K-12 schools and prohibited mass gatherings. See the full description of “mass gatherings” and why it does impact concerts, etc. but not shopping malls, airports, libraries and more.
Governor Cooper orders closure of public schools for two weeks
Governor Cooper held a press conference on Saturday to announce the closure of public schools for two weeks. Starting Monday, there is no school for students from March 16-30.
Governor Cooper stated, “Today, I am issuing an Executive Order to stop mass gatherings of more than 100 people across our state. As you know we issued this as guidance on Thursday. However, despite this several venues continued their events, so today’s order makes it mandatory. No concert is worth the spread of this pandemic.”
He continued, “This Executive Order has another key component. It directs K-12 public schools across our state to close for students on Monday, March 16 for at least 2 weeks. Several school districts have already made this decision & others are considering closures. Closing schools now will give us time for further understanding of COVID-19 and its effect on the people of our state. I do not make this decision lightly. We know that it will be difficult on many parents and students.”
Kinston Councilmember Suggs clarifies Mayor's State of Emergency
On Friday evening, City of Kinston Councilmember Kristal Suggs issued the following statement:
City of Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy declares State of Emergency
City of Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy has released a State of Emergency proclamation stating, “the Chief of Fire and Rescue along with Chief of Police…may restrict or deny access to any area or street” if that restriction “is necessary to promote efforts being made to overcome the emergency or to prevent further aggravation of the emergency…”. Read the full proclamation:
Public officials give updates on COVID-19
Public officials stress personal hygiene, individual responsibility, and remaining calm in the wake of COVID-19’s classification as a pandemic. With fear and chaos popping up on social media, the message from healthcare officials is to stay informed and not to panic. Hear from UNC Health, Lenoir UNC Health Care, Lenoir County Health Department, Kinston Community Health Center and the Lenoir County Council on Aging.
Down East Wood Ducks statement on delay of 2020 season
In light of the announcement made by Minor League Baseball yesterday, the Wood Ducks are preparing for a delayed start to our 2020 season.
Downtown manager encourages continued economic activity
Kinston and Lenoir County are no strangers to crisis and we are famous for our commUNITY support in times of crisis. Life happens and sometimes what happens is disruptive and scary, but we are strong, we adapt, and we come together to take care of our own. - Leon Steele, Pride of Kinston Executive Director
Statement from Lenoir County Public Schools regarding its response to the coronavirus outbreak
LCPS is monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and working with local and state public health agencies to develop plans to keep our schools, students and staffs safe. Currently, public health experts do not recommend schools be closed. Keeping our schools open contributes to the stability of the community, helps ensure food security for many of our students and provides a welcomed element of routine at a time when disruption seems to be the norm. Those advantages, however, are secondary to our commitment to school safety and our obligation to help stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Because the situation with coronavirus is evolving, LCPS plans and procedures will evolve. These are current directives as of March 13.
Neuse Regional Library questions Town of La Grange's commitment to supporting library services
The Neuse Regional Library questions the Town of La Grange’s commitment to library services following a February 24 vote by the town’s council. Yesterday, the Neuse Regional Library issued the following statement:
UPDATED: Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Rec releases official statement on Coronavirus
UPDATE: In conjunction with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) the Kinston/Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department has elected to follow suit and cancel all spring athletics programming, this includes Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Track and Field, Gymnastics, Tennis, and Volleyball.
More information regarding this cancellation will be provided as soon as possible.
NCHSAA suspends interscholastic athletics
CHAPEL HILL, NC | The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors moved to suspend interscholastic athletics beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020 through at least Monday, April 6th, 2020. The NCHSAA Board of Directors will assess this situation regularly over the next few weeks. This includes all workouts, skill development, practices and contests.
Arendell Parrott Academy will move to online instruction beginning March 16th
According to Dr. Bert Bright, Arendell Parrott Academy will be moving to online instruction starting Monday, March 16 for two weeks. All on-campus activities are canceled during this time.