All in Local News
Megan Hicks of La Grange named to President's List at University of the Cumberlands
In recognition of academic performance, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at University of the Cumberlands has announced the students named to the President's List for the spring 2021 semester.
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:
Governor Cooper proclaims June 4 as Gun Violence Awareness Day
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed June 4 as Gun Violence Awareness Day in North Carolina to raise awareness about and honor the lives of those we have lost to gun violence.
Long-term shelter manager at Friends of the Homeless Emergency Shelter to retire
The Friends of the Homeless Emergency Shelter announced the retirement of their long-time shelter manager, Kinston native Jasper Newborn. His dedication and service to the shelter will be missed. Newborn has worked with The Friends of the Homeless for over thirty years. The Vietnam veteran returned to Kinston in the 90s.
Farmer's market update for June 5, 2021
Family and Consumer Science Agent, Kelly Tyndall is back with NC Cooperative Extension's Locally Delicious!! Come check out what she uses from the Market to make a "berry delicious beverage!'“
Lenoir County announces three deaths related to COVID-19
The Lenoir County Health Department (LCHD) is reporting three additional deaths in the county of residents who had tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number to 122. The three fatalities occurred since the last time the LCHD reported deaths on April 23.
Former Kinstonian runs for Congress in California
The guest speaker Tuesday at the Lenoir County Republican Party meeting was Pastor Brian E. Hawkins, a San Jacinto City Council member who is running for California’s District 36 Congressional seat held by Democrat Raul Ruiz since 2013. Born in California, Hawkins spent his childhood in Kinston and attended Rochelle Middle School in Kinston, and his father graduated from Grainger High School.
Lenoir County burn ban lifted
North Carolina Forestry Service and Lenoir County Emergency Services have rescinded the restriction on open burning effective at 5 p.m., June 2, 2021.
N.C. HOPE program application period Is open, offering rent and utility assistance for North Carolinians struggling to recover from pandemic
Governor Roy Cooper and Chief Operating Officer of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) Laura Hogshead shared an update on the application process for the N.C. Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program. The program is open for a second application period to assist very low-income renters that are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The HOPE Program provides rent and utility bill assistance to prevent evictions and utility disconnections.
North Carolina extends P-EBT food assistance benefits through summer to more than 1.2 million children
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced North Carolina has been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food assistance program through Summer 2021. The P-EBT program helps families with eligible children whose access to free or reduced-price meals at school or other food assistance has been impacted by COVID-19. Summer P-EBT is an extension of benefits for the 2020-2021 school year.
Staffing difficulties impacts hours of availability
Small businesses throughout North Carolina are experiencing staffing difficulties for a variety of reasons. Hiring crunches are causing many problems with the consumer experience. The lack of staff is affecting the hours of availability for local businesses. “I had 70 people respond, I set up 60 interviews, I had 40 people show up for the interviews, I hired 20, and I have two left,” said Joe Hargitt, owner of King’s Restaurant.
Downtown Kinston Revitalization recognized as 2021 Main Street America Affiliate
Downtown Kinston Revitalization has been designated as an affiliate Main Street™ program. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of nationally recognized affiliate programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns and commercial districts using the Main Street Approach™, a framework for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
New Lenoir County corporations
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
Governor Cooper signs bill into law
Governor Cooper signs bill into law
Challenges of pandemic a lesson carried over into commencements
For a brief time this week – the one-hour graduation exercises at North Lenoir High School on Thursday evening and South Lenoir and Kinston high school commencements Friday morning – the unity that comes with spending 13 years pursuing the same goal, celebrating the same school achievements and, because of the pandemic, enduring the same struggles felt like an element of survival, an important piece of the legacy of the Class of 2021.
NCDHHS Urges North Carolinians to “Vax Up or Mask Up” following CDC guidance on face coverings
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching a new public campaign encouraging North Carolinians to "Vax Up or Mask Up” to support the new guidance that lifts many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Lenoir County land transfers
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
South Lenoir seniors give back to Shriners Club
COVID-19 changed the dynamic of graduation and end-of-year activities for local area high schools including prom.
Farmer's market update for May 29, 2021
Farmer's market update for May 29, 2021