All in Local News

Governor Cooper announces additional $40 Million COVID relief for small businesses

Some North Carolina small businesses that have experienced extraordinary disruption to their operations due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic may benefit from a $40 million relief program to help offset fixed costs like rent, mortgage interests and utility bills, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Also, effective October 2, large outdoor venues would be permitted to open at 7% capacity with key safety precautions in place.

From Crayons to Careers, Greene Lamp turns 55

Greene Lamp, a leading community action agency designed to create positive change in the community, celebrates 55 years. Greene Lamp started in 1965 as a 501(c)3 non-profit Community Action Agency in two counties. With additional funding through grants, their services have extended to 12 counties with an emphasis on achieving self-sufficiency.

flyExclusive continues to grow with new Chief Operating Officer Col. Donn Yates

Kinston-based flyExclusive, a leading provider of premium private jet charter travel, recently announced that it is expanding its leadership team with the addition of Col. Donn Yates to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With 28 years in the United States Air Force, Yates held the command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with a wealth of combat experience and more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15 aircraft.

Farmer's market update: In memoriam of "Wild" Bill Tilghman

We dedicate this weeks' market to our dear friend and long-time vendor, Bill Tilghman, affectionately known as "Wild Bill Tilghman". What fun we had when Bill was around the market. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a store of tales, tall and otherwise! Our market will go on, but it will never be the same without Wild Bill among us. We will miss him enormously. There will be a memorial table at the market Saturday, as we pay our respects to our friend. Joyce, Bill's wife, Bill, Jr. and Bill's granddaughter, Anna will be with us between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for Bill's customers, friends and fellow vendors to greet and chat with the family. There will be a guest book that all may sign and leave a memory.

Spice Bouquet offers cooking classes and a broad line of spices, herbs and seasoning blends

Over 30,000 people have taken popular cooking classes from Kinston’s Spice Bouquet throughout the business’s time in operation. Located at 1200 East New Bern Road, Spice Bouquet is locally owned and operated by Frank Crowley. The next classes will be on Tuesday, September 22 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and Friday, September 25 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. To sign up please call 252-527-7000.

Public schools now able to implement Plan A for elementary schools

After several weeks of stable COVID-19 trends and continued low virus spread in school settings, Governor Roy Cooper today announced that beginning on October 5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5). Plan A continues to include important safety measures like face coverings for all students, teachers and staff, social distancing, and symptom screening, but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom.

Ribbon cutting at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q’s 40th location

The Kinston Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q’s 40th location in Kinston. “Today is a very special day. This is store number 40,” said Smithfield Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q President Lew Starling. “You get a warm feeling when you come, and your next-door neighbor is Chick-Fil-A and they bring you cookies,” said Starling. “It doesn't get much better than that.”

NWS issues severe weather threat, including flash flooding

According to the National Weather Service, as the remnants of Sally move from Alabama into the Carolinas today into Friday, several impacts are likely for our area.

These include:

...Heavy rain with Flash Flooding Today and Friday

...A severe weather threat later this evening and tonight with strong wind gusts and isolated tornadoes possible.

...Prolonged strong northeasterly winds leading to coastal flooding, rough surf, dangerous rip currents and potentially significant beach erosion and ocean overwash.