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Chief Justice Cheri Beasley today issued new emergency orders about court operations across North Carolina. The orders extend some filing deadlines, postpone jury trials, and require in-person court operations to take place with some defined restrictions to ensure safety protocols like social distancing and routine cleaning take place.
Governor Roy Cooper’s office released a Frequently Asked Questions 10-page document related to Executive Order 141 on Wednesday afternoon. NCDHHS simultaneously Phase 2 Guidance for restaurants, places of worship, large venue settings, retail businesses, salons, pools, tattoo parlors, day camps, overnight camps and childcare facilities. Find links to both the FAQ’s and the Guidance here.
On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Phase 2 will begin on Friday at 5:00 pm. Phase 2 impacts retail businesses, restaurants, barbershops and beauty salons, grooming, tatoo parlors, indoor and outdoor pools, childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps, mass gatherings, parks and more.
The Boiler Room, located at 108B W North St., and owned by Vivian Howard and Ben Knight will not be reopening when the local restaurants and businesses are able to open their doors to the public.
NCDHHS issues interim guidance for restaurants with an effective May 22 date. See the five-page document here.
Local salon owners are still wondering when they will be able to go back to work.
Senate Leader Phil Berger recently called on Gov. Roy Cooper to grant counties local flexibility to reopen restaurants at reduced capacity, especially for outdoor seating areas. One of the core issues that small business owners have with the Stay at Home order is the inability to generate revenue while their businesses are forced to remain closed.
On May 15, 2020, as an “Outreach Project” of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Delta Rho Zeta Chapter, members of the Annual Health Fair Committee presents 100 masks, made by members, to the NC VA Home, Kinston, NC.
A resolution in consideration of an Economic Development Agreement and Purchase Agreement for the sale of Lenoir County Shell Building #3 and Associated Land is a line item on the agenda for the Commissioner’s meeting on Monday.
Tropical Storm conditions could begin as early as tonight. However, the most likely time this area could see Tropical Storm Force Winds will be during the day on Monday.
A fixed-route bus service could potentially ease traffic congestion, promote economic growth, reduce travel costs and provide a more affordable means of transportation. Regular routes are proposed from downtown to Lenoir Community College, Walmart and UNC Lenoir Hospital, with shuttles to industries on Highway 70 West and in the NCGTP, as well as residential areas.
According to the latest “Ongoing Outbreaks in Congregate Living Settings” report, which can be downloaded in this article, NCDHHS reports the following:
Harmony Hall: 2 positive cases among staff, 0 cases in residents and 0 deaths.
NC State Veterans Home: 2 positive cases among staff, 2 residents and 1 resident death.
Caswell Developmental Center: 16 cases among staff, 10 residents and 0 deaths.
Spring Arbor of Kinston: 4 cases among staff, 12 residents and 1 resident death.
Yummy! Yummy! YUMMY! What a wonderful selection of goodies from COTTON BLOSSOM BAKERY. Come early to get your choice or to place a special order for a later date. TJ Designs has so many delightful craft items for sale each week. Be sure to stop at her booth to see and enjoy her creativity.
On May 15th from 8:00am -10:00am at the Marathon Gas Station, 2001 Queen Street in Kinston, three local churches gave away gas and food for those in need.
According to NCDHHS, “If you think you need a test to determine if you have COVID-19 contact your health care provider and share your symptoms. Not all health care providers provide testing onsite. The sites listed provide testing for COVID-19. Some require an appointment and/or a referral from a health care provider. Locations are subject to change.”
As of this post, the Greene County Department of Public Health located at 227 Kingold Blvd Suite B in Snow Hill is a test site.
Dangerous rip currents are possible starting this weekend into early next week, due to the potential of a tropical or subtropical storm off the Southeast Coast. The National Hurricane Center has increased the chance that this will happen to 80%, sometime late Friday or Saturday, over the Northwest Bahamas. Beyond rip currents, impacts, if ANY, on our area are largely unknown at this time.
NC Commissioner of Insurance and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey visited Lenoir County on Wednesday, and recognized local firefighters for their life-saving efforts.
Numerous media outlets reported on the existence of isolated colonies of so-called “murder hornets” in the Pacific Northwest. More formally known as the Asian Giant Hornet, the species is known for its ability to attack and destroy bee colonies, as well as their potential danger to humans who are subjected to numerous stings.
Lenoir/Greene United Way announces the move of their business office to 301 N. Queen Street in Kinston. The new office is inside the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce Building in the left wing.
Participation by Lenoir County Public Schools in a USDA program that provides no-cost breakfast and lunch to all students in the district during the school year also qualifies those students to receive additional nutritional assistant through the federal government’s new Pandemic – Electronic Benefits Transfer program.
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