All in Local News
Federally Supported Community Vaccination Center to Open in North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper today announced the establishment of a COVID-19 vaccination center in North Carolina, in partnership with the federal government.
Moderna vaccine will be available at Realo Discount Drug
Realo Discount Drug will be offering the Moderna Vaccine for healthcare workers and other first-lie employees that qualify for Phase 1A as well as people who are over the age of 65. School employees and daycare workers are also eligible to receive the Moderna Vaccine. “We have 100 vaccines available,” said Hardy Creech, owner of Realo Discount Drugs. “Once we use those we can order more and set up another clinic.”
Lenoir County births
Birth certificate records obtained from the Lenoir County Register of Deeds database list the mother's maiden name. In some cases only one parent is listed:
WWII veteran and Wayne County native Winston Best turned 100 years old
WWII veteran and Wayne County native Winston Best turned 100 years old. The team at North Carolina State Veterans Home - Kinston helped his friends and family plan a safe birthday celebration for the veteran.
Lenoir County Transit to offer free rides for vaccines
Beginning Monday, Lenoir County Transit (LCT) will be offering free rides for individuals needing transportation to get vaccinated. Individuals who wish to utilize this service will need to follow LCT's current scheduling policy by calling the reservation line at 252-523-4171, before 1 p.m. at least one business day in advance.
C.F. Harvey Parkway extension to open Monday
Construction to extend C.F. Harvey Parkway (N.C. 148) north of Kinston is complete and the section of roadway is expected to open next week.
BJ Murphy: The Never-Ending State of Emergency
Roughly one year ago, Governor Cooper declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19, and while an emergency is typically seen as a momentary crisis, this has been harnessed into the “new normal”, expanding bureaucratic control over citizens’ lives for an alarming period of time. Regardless of the continued state of emergency, our local officials are holding themselves to a different standard. The Kinston City Council and Lenoir County School Board continue to meet outside of their chambers and only through Facebook or Zoom. Are they afraid for their safety while asking their staff to be dismissive of their own? Are they worried about facing parents and the community in a real public forum again?
Two Junior Master Gardeners promote recycling at the Lenoir County Extension Office
Junior Master Gardeners (JMG) Jackson Tuller and Eli Tuller placed recycle bins in the workroom, kitchen, and employee break room in the Lenoir County Extension Office. Jackson and Eli reached out to Tammy Kelly, Director of the Lenoir County Extension office to get her approval for the project and to determine the needs of the office for recycling bins in order to satisfy one of the eight leadership projects required for the students to complete certification as Junior Master Gardeners.
Lenoir County marriages
The following marriages were verified by the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
When the Neuse rises, the Nature Park must adapt
The Neuse River at Kinston has experienced its fair share of flooding in recent years. One of the local landmarks impacting when the Neuse floods is the Nature Center at Neuseway Nature Park. If the river exceeds 16 feet, the campground has to be evacuated.
Kenneth Earl Piper is in custody
UPDATE: Maj. Ryan Dawson of Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed Kenneth Earl Piper is in custody.
BREAKING: Manhunt in Lenoir County
A vehicle chase through multiple jurisdictions led to a manhunt in Lenoir County, near the Felix Harvey Parkway, Monday night. The wooded area in question is near Felix Harvey Parkway, Crestview Subdivision and Hickory Hills Road.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Feb 23 at 1:00am
The wanted suspect is Kenneth Earl Piper of Wilson. He is a white male, 29 years old, 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with brown dreadlocks and tattoos on his face above his eyebrows.
Lenoir County land transfers
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
15 year old's unshakable faith through battling brain cancer
Ben Lozano’s fight for survival started before he was born. Under 20 weeks pregnant, Ben’s mother Valerie was pulled into the doctor’s office and given the news that her unborn son had Polycystic Kidney Disease and she was given the option to terminate the pregnancy.
Even a pandemic can’t mask the love
A very dedicated group of Greene Early College students decided to continue a tradition in the midst of a pandemic: Project Valentine.
Lawmakers look to implement summer school for at-risk students
As state lawmakers try to sort out when students can go back to school full time, members of the House are sponsoring a bill that would offer a voluntary summer school program for North Carolina students.
Sen. Jim Perry Op-Ed: PPP - I support small businesses
NC State Senator Jim Perry (R - Lenoir, Wayne) issues an op-ed on how the State of North Carolina should handle tax liability associated with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). “The State of NC shouldn’t think about these extraordinary events through the lens of normal operations. We shouldn’t saddle business people with a surprise state tax liability just because they helped distribute federal stimulus dollars to the people of North Carolina. I worked with Senator Chuck Edwards and Senator Dave Craven to file Senate Bill 104 requiring that NC not burden small business owners who participated in the Paycheck Protection Program.”
Second vaccine shots are ready to be disseminated next week
Addressing unsubstantiated rumors circulating in the area, Lenoir County Health Department (LCHD) Director Pamela Brown wants to reassure county residents there are plenty of second shots of the COVID-19 vaccine available for those who are scheduled to get them next week.
Crown Equipment to grow and add more than 130 new jobs in Lenoir County
Crown Equipment Corporation announced its plan to invest up to $13 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Kinston. This expansion will create more than 130 new jobs in Lenoir County.