Former and current members of the city council do not support a proposed raise for the Kinston mayor and city council, which will be voted on Monday evening.
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City considering hiring freeze, furloughs and $21,600 pay raise for council, mayor
The proposed budget for next year anticipates steep drops in revenue. It eliminates capital outlay and calls for positions to remain unfilled while raising the possibility of employee furloughs if revenues drop more than expected. Under the proposed budget, city council members and the mayor would receive a raise.
Governor Cooper Extends Moratorium on Utility Cut Offs and Implements Evictions Moratorium
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 142 to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions. The Order went into effect on Saturday with the Governor’s signature.
Gov. Cooper: Focus on why people are in the streets, not the property damage
Governor Roy Cooper: “Across the state, we saw a pattern in some of our cities. Protests and demonstrations held earlier in the day remained focused, powerful and nonviolent. Then as the night set in, a different crowd shifted to a more aggressive, more disruptive display…Storefront windows & government buildings were damaged. Retail stores were looted. Small businesses already struggling under COVID-19 were damaged. I communicated with some of them today and people were out there helping them today. Fires burned.”
Gov. Cooper: Let’s not let our guard down
“African American and Hispanic communities make up a disproportionate number of our state’s lab-confirmed cases and deaths compared with their percentage of the population. And we must focus on how we can identify these disparities, and most importantly, work to fix them.”
Gov. Cooper appoints Kinston native to oversee COVID-19 county funding
Dwayne Patterson will serve as the Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer for NCPRO. A Kinston native, Patterson most recently served as Director of the Division of State Parks and Recreation.
Governor Cooper Highlights Innovative Safety Training Program for Restaurants, Other Businesses
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services were joined by North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) President and CEO Lynn Minges to highlight Count on Me NC, a free online training program to help restaurants, hotels and other businesses learn the best ways to protect customers and employees from COVID-19.
Sen. Perry: Governor Cooper Needs to Lead
I've worked to build a reputation as a reasonable, consensus-seeking legislator. These public thoughts are probably the heaviest I've delivered, but I believe they are warranted.
Local representatives concerned with slow pace of reopening
Local representatives are concerned with the slow pace of reopening. Included are statements from Rep. John Bell, Sen. Jim Perry and Rep. Chris Humphrey.
Frequently Asked Questions and Industry-Specific Guidance for Phase 2
Governor Roy Cooper’s office released a Frequently Asked Questions 10-page document related to Executive Order 141 on Wednesday afternoon. NCDHHS simultaneously Phase 2 Guidance for restaurants, places of worship, large venue settings, retail businesses, salons, pools, tattoo parlors, day camps, overnight camps and childcare facilities. Find links to both the FAQ’s and the Guidance here.
Gov. Cooper: "Phase 2 is another careful step forward"
On Wednesday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Phase 2 will begin on Friday at 5:00 pm. Phase 2 impacts retail businesses, restaurants, barbershops and beauty salons, grooming, tatoo parlors, indoor and outdoor pools, childcare facilities, day camps and overnight camps, mass gatherings, parks and more.
Phase 2 effective on Friday at 5:00 pm
Read Executive Order 141: Easing Restrictions on Travel, Business Operations, and Mass Gatherings
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley to Hold Press Conference about Court Operations
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley will hold a virtual press conference on Thursday, May 21, at 10 am to announce new directives affecting statewide court operations.
NCDHHS Issues Interim Guidance for Restaurants Effective on Friday, May 22
NCDHHS issues interim guidance for restaurants with an effective May 22 date. See the five-page document here.
Still unsure if NC is moving to Phase 2 on Friday
In a press conference Monday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper addressed when to expect an announcement on Phase 2, several county requests for regional approaches to reopening, the reopening of barbershops and hair salons, and what community pools should expect in Phase 2.
Judge blocks Cooper's ban on indoor church services
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order, barring enforcement of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order barring indoor church services with more than ten people. Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir) said he was pleased to see the temporary restraining order was granted for what he believes was a reasonable request by the plaintiffs.
North Carolina working with local manufacturers to make critical supplies
North Carolina is working with local manufacturers to shift their production to make critical medical supplies.
Sen. Jim Perry supports Counties' effort for regional reopening approach
“I have been asked if I support the efforts of County Commissioners (Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico and Wayne) who have contacted Governor Cooper asking him to relinquish the emergency powers he assumed over their counties…I personally believe local health departments, local physicians, local hospital leaders and local elected officials in Eastern NC have the same intelligence, and capabilities as those in our State Capital. I respectfully request Governor Cooper work with them to find the best path to honor their request.”
Sen. Jim Perry on Coronavirus Chat
Today, Senator Jim Perry joined us to discuss his frustration with the unemployment system, to chat about the mask or no mask debate, Governor Cooper's Phase 1 implementation, COVID-19 testing in NC and more.
Governor Cooper: Phase 1 is a careful, modest step to re-igniting our economy
Governor Roy Cooper stated in today’s press conference, “We still need to keep certain businesses closed or limited during this phase. Public health experts have explained that any place people sit or stand still for more than 10 minutes, especially indoors, greatly increases the risk of spreading this virus.”