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The pilot who lost his life during Thursday night's airplane crash near the Kinston Drag Strip has been identified by officials.
The deceased pilot is William James Brinkley, 52, of Biddle Road in Dover.
The crash, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
There is increasing urgency for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the more dangerous new Delta variant is rapidly spreading in the United States, including in North Carolina. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified the Delta variant as a ‘variant of concern’ because it spreads faster than current COVID-19 variants. Early studies from the United Kingdom have also shown a possible increased risk of hospitalization in people infected with the Delta variant. The currently available COVID-19 vaccines are the best protection against the virus and its variants.
It’s not like Austin Rivenbark didn’t have a plan. A rising senior at South Lenoir High School, he’s on track to earn a college degree in industrial maintenance by the time he’s awarded his diploma. It’s just that now – after being accepted into the Youth Apprenticeship program at Crown Equipment’s Kinston plant – Austin’s plan looks a lot like a potential career.
Health Department Recruitment: Public health nurse supervisor - $46,367 - $55,116
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the state is expanding availability of its at-home COVID-19 test collection. Any North Carolina resident may receive a Pixel by Labcorp® COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit that is shipped overnight directly to their homes at no cost. Tests can be used on people age 2 and up.
Family Dollar, a leading small format and convenience retailer, has announced plans for a renovated store’s grand re-opening in Deep Run.
The Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 rural North Carolina students were selected to receive up to a $12,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship, including one in Jones County and three in Lenoir County.
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:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching an expanded COVID-19 screening testing program to support public, charter and private K-12 schools in protecting students and staff from the spread of COVID-19. The program will launch in fall 2021 and schools can register to participate beginning in early July.
We are so very happy to offer FRESH BUCKS at our market. Fresh Bucks are funded by a grant awarded to us by RAFI(Rural Advancement Foundation International) , which enables the market to give free tokens to match an EBT purchase up to $20.00. In other words, spend up to $20.00 from an EBT card and receive up to $20 in free tokens, for a total of $40.00 for one to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.
A small plane crashed near Kinston Drag Strip on Thursday evening. Neuse News can confirm that there has been a fatality involved in the plane crash. The authorities are waiting to notify the victim’s next of kin before they release any further information. The FAA and NTSB are on their way to the scene as it will come under federal jurisdiction.
Around 12 A.M. on June 16th, a juvenile crashed a stolen vehicle into Additive America on the corner of North and Herritage Streets. “We woke up to phone calls from a bunch of people who were looking to get a hold of us,” said building owner Zac Holcomb. “They said there was a person who had gotten into a car accident and ran into the building. My wife and I arrived around one and they had a tow truck backing the car out.”
For the first time in nearly a decade, the city of Kinston is looking for a city manager.
During closed session of Tuesday’s regular meeting, City Manager Tony Sears tendered his resignation to the Kinston City Council; his final day in the position will be Aug. 17. He has accepted the deputy city manager position for the City of Wilson.
After surrendering eight unanswered runs in the final four innings, the Down East Wood Ducks fell to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 9-7, Tuesday. With this loss, the Wood Ducks fall to 0-6 when the opponent scores first.
On June 15, 2021, Kinston’s City Council voted to approve the proposed 2021-2022 budget, which included a four-cent property tax increase. The budget did not include the proposed salary increase for the city council members or the mayor. During the meeting, Councilmember Robert Swinson made a motion to remove the salary increases from the proposed budget, which was seconded by Solomon. The motion passed with Solomon, Swinson, and Councilmember Kristal Suggs voting for the budget without the salary increases, and Councilmembers Antonio Hardy and Sammy Aiken voting against it.
“I will sleep well tonight knowing that we made the right decision to not approve the salary increase for the Council,” said Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon.
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The Jones County Commissioners lowered the tax rate by two cents in the 2021-2022 Jones County budget. The budget included a county-wide cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase of 2.5%. Jones County Commissioners were excluded from the first COLA increase in at least four years. Jones County Commissioner April Aycock felt as if the pandemic opened a lot of eyes with health care in Jones County. “We are extremely limited with our medical services in the county,” said Aycock. “So by the health department being expanded to five days a week, it provides more accessibility to our county.”
Two principals with Lenoir County Public Schools have graduated from a year-long program designed to bolster their leadership skills.
By Cailyn Kennedy
Lenoir County Public Schools
Sadly for the second year in a row, the Kinston City Council has sought these personal increases, yet this year's discussion is distracting from the fact that they are also raising property taxes. The cost to the taxpayers if approved would be $670,000. Despite the fact the Kinston City Council has already voted on their increases, they could amend the budget tonight, by stripping the salaries and allowances back to the FY20 funding and passing a revised budget.
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