All in Local News

City of Kinston Proposes $133M Budget for FY 2025-2026

The City of Kinston has unveiled its proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, totaling just over $133 million, up from $120 million last year. The proposed general operating property tax rate for FY 2025-2026 is $0.73 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from $0.77 cents the previous year. This comes on the heels of Lenoir County completing a county wide property revaluation. The proposed rate remains higher than the revenue-neutral rate of $0.5994 cents.

Vehicle pursuit ends with drug charges and one suspect at large

On Tuesday, the 20th of May, 2025, at 8:50 pm, Sergeant Shackley was patrolling the Pink Hill area of Jones County. Sergeant Shackley identified a vehicle with an equipment violation and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and sped up, leading to a vehicle pursuit. During the vehicle pursuit, Sergeant Shackley was able to identify items being thrown from the vehicle by a passenger.

LCPS statement on firearm found at Woodington Middle School

Today at Woodington Middle School, students reported to school administrators that another student might have a weapon in his book bag. School administrators immediately investigated, which determined an 11-year-old male student was in possession of an unloaded firearm in his book bag. The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office took possession of the weapon and will make decisions about possible charges and other necessary steps moving forward.

LCSAEOP Names Heath Office Professional of the Year, Jones Administrator of the Year

The Lenoir County Schools Association of Educational Office Professionals (LCSAEOP) gathered last Thursday for its annual banquet, a celebration of service, scholarship, and excellence across the district. The event featured the installation of new officers, recognition of student scholarship recipients, and the presentation of two of the organization’s highest honors: Educational Office Professional of the Year and Administrator of the Year.

Contentnea-Savannah Joins Frink, Northwest in State STEM recommendation

Contentnea-Savannah joins list of schools recommended for state STEM distinction Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School has been added to a growing list of Lenoir County Public Schools campuses recommended to the State Board of Education for recognition as North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction—joining earlier recommendations for E.B. Frink Middle School and Northwest Elementary.