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North Carolina's July County and area employment figures released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in July and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.1 percent while Avery County had the lowest at 3.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.7 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.9 percent. The July not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.

New exhibit opening at the CSS Neuse

Lt. Frances Lyell Hoge served as the Executive Officer aboard the CSS Neuse from February 1864 through the end of the Civil War but lived a life much larger than his brief time in Kinston. Based on research conducted by NC Historic Sites Education & Interpretation Supervisor Andrew Duppstadt, this temporary exhibit explores Hoge’s life from his education at the United States Naval Academy to his career as a civil engineer in Wheeling, West Virginia after the Civil War. The new temporary exhibit, which includes numerous artifacts on loan from Hoge descendants, will be unveiled at the CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center in downtown Kinston on Saturday, September 4.

Anne M. Gaddis Cooperative Extension Scholarship of Lenoir County

This scholarship has been established in memory and honor of Mrs. Anne Jeanette McArthur Gaddis, who passed away peacefully on Friday, July 30, 2021, at the age of 94. Mrs. Anne dedicated her life to service for others, commitment to community, and the education of our youth. This scholarship will be given annually to a Lenoir County high school senior. There is no greater public servant to honor than Mrs. Anne Gaddis with this named scholarship.

flyExclusive to add expansion at Global Transpark

The NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region held a ribbon-cutting and announced that flyExclusive will expand with a 24,000 square foot facility. The expansion will create 200 new jobs and will be an $8 million investment. flyExclusive is a subsidiary of LGM, and the ribbon-cutting was for LGM Enterprises’ facility.

Gov. Cooper signs executive orders extending statewide standing orders for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 229. The Executive Order extends several provisions outlined in Executive Order 224 that direct the State Health Director to issue statewide standing orders for testing and vaccination. Additionally, this Order directs cabinet agencies to implement the COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy developed by the North Carolina Office of Human Resources (OSHR).

$100 summer card incentive to get a COVID-19 vaccine ends Tuesday

North Carolina’s $100 Summer Card program will end Tuesday, Aug. 31. As part of its ongoing effort to get more North Carolinians vaccinated and safely bring summer back, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been offering $100 Summer Cards at select locations in various counties across the state. Cards were distributed to offset the time and transportation costs of getting vaccinated.