I hope you and your family are doing well as we start the new year. It’s been a busy month here in Raleigh and across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties, and I’ve continued working on the issues I hear about most from folks back home.
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Cooking with Tammy Kelly: A Kale You Will Love
If you are a little leery of eating kale, thanks to one of our local farmers, I have found your answer to adding Kale to your diet. It’s Lacinato or Dinosaur kale is a dark green leafy vegetable. Dino kale has an earthy, nutty flavor. It doesn't have the same strong bitterness as other varieties of kale, though it is still there. The sweetness helps offset that and makes it more approachable.
Lenoir County marriages
The following couples were married in Lenoir County:
Snow Hill Primary Terrific Kid awards
Snow Hill Primary gives out a weekly award called "Terrific Kid" awards. Each teacher at SHP chooses a student who has been responsible, shows great character, or has reached a personal goal. On Fridays, these students are presented with an award and are congratulated for their hard work. Below are Snow Hill Primary's Terrific Kid Awards!
Winter Weather Safety Update: Be Prepared, Stay Safe, and Stay Informed
The State Emergency Response Team has been activated ahead of the storm’s arrival to support affected communities.
Evelyn Dove Coleman: 2026 Is A Year Of Miracles
PathChoice Ministry owns 539 Briary Run Road in Kinston. Healing prayer services will begin there again soon. 2026 is going to be a year for miracle healings, and they have already begun to happen.
NWS: Winter Storm Watch in remains in effect, little change in forecast
Greatest freezing rain threat for areas along and west of Highway 17.
Friends of the Homeless shelter to remain open 24/7 during storm
Due to continued support from Lenoir-Greene United Way and the broader community, the Friends of the Homeless shelter will remain open 24 hours a day for the duration of the storm. The extended hours will provide a safe place for homeless individuals and families throughout the severe weather.
Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm
(RALEIGH) Governor Stein declared a State of Emergency as North Carolina prepares for the impacts of a major winter storm. On Thursday, January 22, at 11:15 a.m., Governor Stein will hold a media briefing to provide updates on the status of storm preparations. He will be joined by NC Department of Public Safety Secretary Jeff Smythe, NC Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson, NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray, NC State Highway Patrol Colonel Freddy Johnson, and NC National Guard Major General Todd Hunt.
NWS: Greatest impacts will be from accumulating ice
Increasing confidence that the greatest impacts within our area will be from ice accumulation due to freezing rain.
Kinston City Council hears public concerns, approves grants, selects firm for city manager search
The Kinston City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at City Hall, addressing public safety concerns, approving multiple grant-related ordinances, and selecting a consulting firm to lead the search for the city’s next permanent city manager.
NWS: Snowfall probabilities continue to decrease, threat for ice and freezing rain impacts remain
Greatest uncertainty in freezing rain impacts has now shifted west to the Hwy 17 corridor with little to no freezing rain accumulation currently forecast along the coast.
KPD Arrests Wanted Subject on Drug Charges
On January 20, 2026, at approximately 11:20 p.m., officers with the Kinston Police Department’s D-Squad checked out with a suspicious vehicle in the area of Plaza Boulevard.
NWS: Increased confidence in ice and freezing rain impacts this weekend
The biggest changes this morning are increased confidence in ice and freezing rain impacts, and lower probabilities of snow impacts for most, except those along and north of US 264.
Cleveland Lovick sworn in to fill commissioner vacancy
At the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 21, 2026, Cleveland Lovick was sworn in to fill the vacancy created by the death of Commissioner Roland Best. The oath of office was administered by Mary Alphin, Clerk of Superior Court for Lenoir County.
Former NFL Player Chris Draft to Visit UNC Health Lenoir to Promote Cancer Exercise Program
Former NFL player and lung cancer awareness advocate, Chris Draft will visit UNC Health Lenoir on Tuesday, January 27, to spotlight the Get Real and Heel exercise oncology program at the Minges Wellness Center.
NWS: Potential continues to increase for significant impacts this weekend into next week.
It remains too early to pinpoint amounts or where specific precipitation types will set up, but potential continues to increase for significant impacts this weekend into next week.
Joint Narcotics Investigation Results in Arrest
A joint effort between the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office and the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of a 20-year-old Duplin County woman for narcotic related charges.
Obituary: Roland Ernest Clayborne
Roland Ernest Clayborne, 85, of Kinston, North Carolina, was called home to the Throne of Jesus on January 18, 2026, where he was reunited with his beloved wife, Marie, and a host of family and friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rouse Funeral Home in La Grange, North Carolina. A celebration of his life and interment will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Westview Cemetery on Hwy 70 in Kinston.
NWS: Confidence increases for weekend winter storm
Confidence continues to increase for a winter storm to unfold across Eastern NC this weekend.