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Update: City Council members voted to approve their own salary increases in May

Update: City Council members voted to approve their own salary increases in May

Kristy Kelly
Politics

The Kinston City Council met for a Budget Worksession on May 24, 2021, wherein a four-to-one vote they approved their own salary increase of $18,000 total per year and the mayor’s $3,600 per year raise ahead of the June 15th City Council meeting. The City of Kinston is expected to increase property taxes by $0.04 per $100 valuation at that meeting.

As this was a budget work session, there is no video of the off-site meeting, but an audio recording is attached. This vote was the only one taken during the four-hour budget meeting. During the same session, the previously reported dry-cleaning allowance line item was removed by the consensus of the mayor and board.

Your Shot at a Million: Governor Cooper Announces $4 Million Summer Cash and College Tuition Drawings to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations

Your Shot at a Million: Governor Cooper Announces $4 Million Summer Cash and College Tuition Drawings to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations

Neuse News
Coronavirus, Education, Health, NC News, Politics

RALEIGH: As part of North Carolina’s effort to encourage more North Carolinians to receive COVID-19 vaccines, Governor Roy Cooper announced $4 Million Summer Cash and College Tuition drawings to motivate those who have not yet been vaccinated — and thank those who have. Four vaccinated North Carolinians 18 and older will win $1 million each and four North Carolinians ages 12 to 17 will win tuition for post-secondary education. Executive Order 219, which has concurrence from the North Carolina Council of State, authorizes the drawings.

Kinston City Council set to increase property taxes and seeks own pay raise second year in a row

Kinston City Council set to increase property taxes and seeks own pay raise second year in a row

Kristy Kelly
Local News, Politics

Kinston City manager Tony Sears released his budget recommendations to Council at the meeting on June 1, 2021. A proposed increase in Property Tax from $0.73 to $0.77 per $100 valuation is included in the 2021-2022 City Budget. The budget also includes a $3,600 increase to the Mayor’s salary and the total line item increase in City Council members’ salaries is $18,000 total per year, also $3,600 each for the year. This is more than a 40% increase over previous years. In addition to the salary increases, the Board Member Allowance increased 44.98% to $19,422.

“The City Council and myself worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Hardy. “When you start talking about advocating resources for vaccinations and food drives, COVID-19 testing, and organizing boots on the ground trying to get people vaccinated.”

Former Kinstonian runs for Congress in California

Former Kinstonian runs for Congress in California

Kristy Kelly
Local News, Politics

The guest speaker Tuesday at the Lenoir County Republican Party meeting was Pastor Brian E. Hawkins, a San Jacinto City Council member who is running for California’s District 36 Congressional seat held by Democrat Raul Ruiz since 2013. Born in California, Hawkins spent his childhood in Kinston and attended Rochelle Middle School in Kinston, and his father graduated from Grainger High School.

Following New CDC Guidance on face coverings, Governor Cooper lifts many COVID-19 restrictions

Following New CDC Guidance on face coverings, Governor Cooper lifts many COVID-19 restrictions

Neuse News
Politics

Following yesterday’s guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fully vaccinated individuals can safely do most activities without wearing a mask or the need to social distance from others, the state will remove its indoor mask mandate for most settings. Additionally, the state will lift all mass gathering limits and social distancing requirements. These changes are now in effect as of 1:30 PM today.

Governor Cooper highlights state’s resilience throughout the pandemic

Governor Cooper highlights state’s resilience throughout the pandemic

Neuse News
Local News, Politics

Tonight, Governor Roy Cooper delivered his third State of the State address. The speech highlighted North Carolinians’ resilience throughout the pandemic and reinforced the need for legislators to work together to help the state rebuild from the pandemic even stronger by expanding Medicaid, raising teacher pay, investing in workforce training and solidifying the state’s infrastructure.

Gov. Cooper issues Executive Order to relax state’s outdoor mask mandate and ease mass gathering limits

Gov. Cooper issues Executive Order to relax state’s outdoor mask mandate and ease mass gathering limits

Neuse News
Politics, Local News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. gave an update on the state’s current data, trends and vaccination progress. As the state’s metrics and key indicators remain stable, Governor Cooper also signed an Executive Order outlining safety measures for the month of May.

Josh Stein: Don’t fall for fake vaccine cards

Josh Stein: Don’t fall for fake vaccine cards

Neuse News
Health, Coronavirus, Politics, NC News, Columns

More than 3 million North Carolinians are now fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. This is a remarkable step forward in our fight against the pandemic, and soon we can begin safely returning to our lives. But scammers have used the pandemic as an excuse to take advantage of people for the past year, and they’re still at it. The next fight against COVID-19 vaccine scams is stopping the spread and use of false vaccine cards.

Sen. Jim Perry and fellow lawmakers develop comprehensive flood plan

Sen. Jim Perry and fellow lawmakers develop comprehensive flood plan

Neuse News
Local News, Politics

Since 2016, North Carolina has experienced $22 Billion in damages related to major flood events related to two hurricanes, Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018). Eastern North Carolina communities are on the frontlines of flooding, whether it be from tropical storms, hurricanes, or just strong thunderstorms. Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne) and Senator Danny Britt (R-Columbus, Robeson) serve as Co-Chairmen of the Senate Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in North Carolina and introduced the “Flood Resiliency and Prevention Act” this week.

Gov. Cooper announces North Carolina will relax some COVID-19 restrictions

Gov. Cooper announces North Carolina will relax some COVID-19 restrictions

Neuse News
Coronavirus, Politics

As North Carolina’s trends continue to show improvement and vaccine distribution increases with 31.7% of North Carolinians over 18 having received at least one dose of vaccine, Governor Roy Cooper announced today that the state will continue to ease some COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order No. 204 will take effect March 26 at 5 pm is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect.

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