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According to the National Weather Service in Newport-Morehead City, “We continue to tune the forecast for potential severe thunderstorms tonight into early Friday morning. While the main change was to shift the best chances of severe storms to the south, and remove the enhanced risk area from all of Eastern NC, we should continue to remain vigilant, as forecast confidence remains low this morning.”
According to the National Weather Service in Newport-Morehead City, the “Storm Prediction Center has portions of the area in an Enhanced Risk (3/5 on the Threat Scale), and the rest of the area in a Slight Risk (2/5) for the period from Thursday Evening through Friday Morning. The main threats will be strong damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, and large hail. Additionally, strong sustained winds will be present with this system, which could lead to isolated power outages along the coast, minor coastal flooding, and minor beach erosion.”
Today on Coronavirus Chat we welcomed Dr. Pradeep to discuss the latest statistics, new FDA approved home test kits, what are COVID-Toes, and we answered your questions.
In appreciation for the healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and paramedics who are committed to our health and safety, McDonald’s will offer free Thank You Meals from Wednesday, April 22 through Tuesday, May 5 as a token of appreciation for their selfless service.
Lenoir County Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Lenoir County SPCA is setting up a pet food distribution to help lighten the load for as many Lenoir County residents as we can possibly help. Pets are too often the silent victims when tragedy strikes. No innocent, beloved family pet should have to go hungry. Please fill out the form in the included link if you do not have transportation.
UPDATE: North Carolina State Veterans Home family members received a message late this morning stating, “This patient is no longer located in the center. Enhanced infection control protocols are being followed, staff members are utilizing appropriate protective equipment and we have increased the frequency of our cleaning procedures.”
ORIGINAL: According to family members of three separate residents at the Kinston-based North Carolina State Veterans Home, there is at least one positive COVID-19 case there. One family reports they received a phone call from Human Resources last night as notification of the case.
Lenoir County confirmed its first COVID-19 death today. The individual, who was older than 65 and had underlying medical conditions, died earlier today.
The latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City states, “The severe weather threat has diminished some for this morning's thunderstorm potential. The greatest threat area will be found mainly for far southern portions of Eastern NC, and especially over the coastal waters. There is still a chance that a storm or two could migrate onshore and become severe, with the main threat damaging winds and an isolated tornado.”
STRIDES is an initiative sponsored by International Lions in countries all over the world. Each Lions Club or a community of clubs can host events or do fundraisers for diabetes awareness. It’s the local club(s) choice how to use the funds as long as it’s for diabetes expenses, research or awareness.
Balancing public safety and the economy is a growing concern for small business owners who want to reopen the community safely without falling victim to debt. Neuse News spoke to Steve Lovick of Lovick’s Cafe, Hairmporium Salon owner Shamika Hall-Williams, and Brandon Potter of Potter Photography about their concerns for their businesses.
On March 27, Jones County lost a champion when Joseph Franklin Wiggins, Sr. of Trenton, NC passed away. He served Jones County for 20 years, with 10 of those years as Chairman of the County Commissioners.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, “Late tonight and Monday morning is the best chance for severe thunderstorms. The main threats will be damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes. The storms will also produce large hail, torrential downpours and frequent lightning. Rainfall of 1.5-2" is expected with locally heavier amounts possible.”
To increase safe social distancing and further reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, beginning Monday, April 20, Lenoir County Transit rides will be free of charge until further notice. Rides will be provided for essential-only trips, which went into effect March 23, and will remain in effect until further notice.
In a letter to Lenox employees, CEO Mads Ryder, said “The Company must notify you that, at present, the temporary furlough is now expected to be a permanent closing and the entire manufacturing operating unit will shut down.” Read the letter to the employees here.
Volunteer fire departments from around Jones County, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Maysville Police Department and local officials participated in a surprise staff appreciation for Carolina East Internal Medicine and Brook Stone Living Center nursing home.
As of 11:00 a.m., April 17, 2020, NCDHHS has reported 5,859 confirmed cases and 152 deaths. Lenoir County has 17 confirmed cases. Greene County has 12 confirmed cases. Jones County has 8 confirmed cases and 1 death. This post has data going back to March 20, 2020, which showed NC at 137 cases and 0 deaths.
TC Smith will return with strawberries, asparagus, sweet potatoes, red skin potatoes, plus they will bring in cucumbers, zucchini, squash, string beans, onions and tomatoes from Florida. Don't forget to pick some free-range eggs, honey, pork skins or peanuts and Soap Nerds' unscented hand sanitizer. Bridgette can tell you all about it.
“Today we announce a partnership with three of our state’s medical universities to use testing and tracing to help us determine how far the disease has spread in the state. This is part of a coordinated statewide effort to better understand the true number of COVID-19 infections. The University of North Carolina, East Carolina University and Duke University are joining with us in this project and we’re confident their expertise will tell us more about how the disease spreads.”
In the last month, more than 630,000 people have filed for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina, mostly due to the impacts of COVID-19. By the end of the next week, the Division of Employment Security plans to have more than three times its original staffing in place to respond to the surge in claims and ensure payments go out as quickly as possible.
Key takeaways: 1) A case of COVID-19 – the 17th – has been confirmed in Lenoir County. 2) Cases 15 and 16 were connected to travel or contact with a known positive case. 3) Lenoir County is unable to ascertain the number of recovered cases in the county due to the guidelines for certified recoveries being changed. 4) Fifteen tests pending.
