Governor Roy Cooper has appointed Major Freddy L. Johnson Jr. as the next Commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
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City of Kinston dedicates a bench for Child Abuse Awareness Month
The month of April is known as National Child Abuse Awareness Month. This year Kinston has decided to dedicate a bench in honor of the children lost to childhood abuse. Many officials feel as though this issue is very near and dear to their hearts.
80th annual Coastal Plains Jr. Livestock Show and Sale
The 80th annual Coastal Plains Jr. Livestock Show and Sale was held at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena on Monday and Tuesday. Monday featured goats and lambs, a cattle show, and a breeding gilt show. On Tuesday there was a market hog show. Both days featured children, farm animals and a lot of smiles.
The Herritage granted permit after request contested by citizens
A conditional use permit was requested to allow The Herritage, a bar currently located on Herritage Street, to move from its current location to 128 W. North Street at Kinston’s City Council meeting on Tuesday. When the council opened up the request to a public hearing, the owner of The Herritage Laurie Anderson spoke in favor of the permit. In response to recent social media comments, she stated, “We are not a gay bar, but we do not discriminate.” The comment came because residents have taken to social media to protest the permit as The Herritage has leased their space to organizations like ENC Pride, which has hosted drag shows at the establishment.
ICYMI: BBQ Fest is a go for downtown Kinston
After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a permit request was put before the city council on Tuesday for a scaled down event. With vaccination numbers rising, the question of whether or not the council would allow an event that has been known to draw thousands to operate downtown was placed in the agenda. The festival is from May 7-8.
BBQ Fest is a go for downtown Kinston
After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a permit request was put before the city council on Tuesday for a scaled down event. With vaccination numbers rising, the question of whether or not the council would allow an event that has been known to draw thousands to operate downtown was placed in the agenda. The festival is from May 7-8.
North Carolina’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens for all adults on April 7
Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress as tomorrow also marks the opening of vaccine eligibility for Group 5. This means anyone 16 years and older who wants a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination is eligible to get one.
UPDATE: Sheriff's department identifies employee in tragic pedestrian accident
On Tuesday morning in front of the courthouse on Queen Street in Kinston, a pedestrian slipped off the sidewalk and was hit by a vehicle. At this time the pedestrian has not been named and was taken to Vidant for treatment for their injuries. Their condition is not known.
Reggie Bullock, business partners requesting City Council approval to open a Hookah Lounge
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a conditional use permit requested by Carolina Ice Company for a private club and hookah lounge. The permit is to open a new business owned in part by former Kinston and UNC standout Reggie Bullock, who now plays for the NBA’s New York Knicks.
Lenoir County land transfers
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
Emergency loans available with Farm Service Agency
On March 3, 2021, President Biden declared a major disaster in the State of North Carolina based on losses caused by Tropical Storm Eta that occurred November 12 to November 15, 2020. As a result of this major disaster, 19 North Carolina counties were declared eligible for Federal disaster assistance, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency (EM) loans for eligible family farmers.
Kinston-based Magic Mile Media partners with Lexington digital news startup
With print papers across the nation moving toward regional and national consolidation, local news is harder to come by in smaller communities. “Magic Mile Media launched Neuse News in 2018 out of frustration with a lack of community backyard news the way it used to be told 60 years ago,” said BJ Murphy, owner of Magic Mile Media, Inc. and publisher of Neuse News. With the help of Magic Mile Media, Lexington-based DavidsonLocal.com launches on Monday, April 5, and already has over 250 daily subscribers. In less than two and a half years of publication, Neuse News has 5,000 daily subscribers. The all-digital local news model, based on the experiences of Neuse News, will feature current events, investigative pieces, and more local content for Davidson County, NC.
Snow Hill included in first round of North Carolina's community economic recovery and resiliency initiative
Administered by the Department’s Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Planning Program, CERRI will provide a structured planning process for communities to develop strategies for local economic recovery and offer technical services to assist with the implementation of each community’s local strategies.
New Lenoir County corporations
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
Check out Lenoir County Farmers' Market and support the farmers
The Lenoir County Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturday, April 3, 2021 between 8:00 am and 12:00 am. There will be a limited number of vendors on Saturday to include fresh flowers, farm fresh eggs, and granola.
Lenoir County Farmer's Market update for April 3, 2021
The market will be open on Saturday, April 3, between 8 and 12 with fresh flowers, fresh eggs and Holy Granola - all just in time for Easter Sunday!
Sen. Jim Perry and fellow lawmakers develop comprehensive flood plan
Since 2016, North Carolina has experienced $22 Billion in damages related to major flood events related to two hurricanes, Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018). Eastern North Carolina communities are on the frontlines of flooding, whether it be from tropical storms, hurricanes, or just strong thunderstorms. Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne) and Senator Danny Britt (R-Columbus, Robeson) serve as Co-Chairmen of the Senate Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in North Carolina and introduced the “Flood Resiliency and Prevention Act” this week.
LCPS to fully implement Plan A instruction April 12
Effective April 12, more LCPS students in all grade levels will have the option of returning to school for face-to-face instruction as the district transitions to the state’s Plan A and its less restrictive physical distancing requirements.
Damaging winds, tornadoes, and hail possible Wednesday night
The main threat is damaging winds, but a few tornadoes or large hail can't be ruled out. The main window for storms will be 5 PM to midnight.
Lenoir County Board of Education votes to transition Middle and High School students to Option A
The Lenoir County Board of Education met in person Monday for the first time in 2021 and unanimously voted to transition middle and high schools to adopt option A under the pandemic policies for school reopening. “In Lenoir County, we already had four days a week available for some students, the problem is that it wasn’t available for all students,” said Lenoir County Public Schools Superintendent Brent Williams.