My Christmas shopping list was longer when my parents were living because they loved opening presents. I tried once to get my small immediate family to exchange names at Thanksgiving and everyone just give one gift for Christmas.
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New Lenoir County corporations
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
May: Looking back: Neuse News’ most-read stories of 2025
January through December brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
Santa’s reindeer granted permission to enter North Carolina
RALEIGH – State Veterinarian Mike Martin has granted entry into North Carolina to Santa Claus and his reindeer. This ensures that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and yes, even Rudolph will be allowed into the state on Christmas Eve.
City Council hires interim City Manager
At the conclusion of the closed session today, Mayor Don Hardy called the open meeting to order and entertained a motion to hire Steven Harrell as interim city manager. The councilmembers present, Robbie Swinson, Felicia Solomon and Chris Suggs all voted in favor.
KPD VCAT Concludes Online Gambling Investigation
After a months long investigation, detectives with the Kinston Police Department’s Violent Crime Action Team (VCAT) concluded an investigation into an illegal online casino operation conducted through Facebook. On December 23, 2025, detectives took 51-year-old Quarla Blackwell into custody at her residence without incident.
Rep. Chris Humphrey welcomes defeated Kinston Mayor to NC House District 12 race
RALEIGH, N.C. – State Representative Chris Humphrey (R – Kinston), the incumbent representative for North Carolina House District 12, issued the following statement welcoming former Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy to the race for the seat representing Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties:
April: Looking back: Neuse News’ most-read stories of 2025
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
Kimberly’s Boutique marks two years as Pink Hill hidden gem
Kimberly’s Boutique has spent the past two years building a loyal customer base from an unlikely location in the countryside of Pink Hill.
Lenoir County land transfers
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
133 Charges Filed During First Week of Lenoir County’s Booze It & Lose It Campaign
Sheriff Jackie Rogers and the Lenoir County GHSP Crash Reduction Team closed out the first week of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety annual “Booze It & Lose” Campaign with a multi-agency operation resulting in multiple charges.
UNC Health Lenoir Introduces Aquablation Therapy for Advanced Treatment of Enlarged Prostate
UNC Health Lenoir is proud to announce the addition of Aquablation® therapy to its urology service line, offering patients a leading-edge, minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as enlarged prostate.
March: Looking back: Neuse News’ most-read stories of 2025
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
Lenoir County restaurant inspections
The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:
February: Looking back: Neuse News’ most-read stories of 2025
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
Lenoir Community College Foundation Performing Arts Announces First-Ever Season Ticket Packages for 2026
The Lenoir Community College Foundation Performing Arts (LCCFPA) program is introducing season tickets for the first time, offering patrons a new way to experience the full slate of performances planned for 2026.
Lenoir Community College Honors 2025 Excellence Award Winners
Lenoir Community College recognized two outstanding employees during its annual Holiday Breakfast on December 16. April Best, Computer Information Technology Program Chair and Instructor, received the Teaching Excellence Award, and Caroline Murphrey, Director of Online Learning and Faculty Development, received the Staff Excellence Award.
Lenoir County death notices
The following is a list of people who have recently passed away in Lenoir County:
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County Announce 2025–2026 Horticulture Grant Recipients
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County (EMGV) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 EMGV Horticulture Grant. This annual grant program supports innovative, hands-on horticulture projects that enhance student learning and connect classroom instruction to real-world environmental and agricultural experiences.
January: Looking back: Neuse News’ most-read stories of 2025
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.