Charley Jones presented with the NC Governor's Volunteer award

TRENTON - In front of a capacity crowd at this past Monday night's Jones County Commissioners meeting, Mr. Charley Jones was presented with the 2025 NC Governors Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his commitment to Jones County and his service as the Grants Chair of the Jones County Community Foundation and his service as the President of the Jones County Historical Society.

Letter to the Editor: Greene County Budget Process Needs to Start Earlier

As a Greene County Commissioner, I am writing to express my concern about the timeline of the budget process for the upcoming 2025-2026 fiscal year in our county. While neighboring counties like Pitt, Lenoir, and Wilson are well into their budget discussions, holding workshops and making critical decisions, Greene County Commissioners have yet to receive a copy of our proposed budget.

Public Notice: CHILD FIND

North Carolina has a continuing CHILD FIND procedure in place to locate all children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services.

Letter to the editor: Proposed fire tax cuts put public safety at risk

As a third-generation volunteer firefighter and a 19-year member of the fire service, I care deeply about protecting our community and ensuring that local fire departments are equipped to respond to emergencies and protect the citizens they serve. I currently serve as a captain and a member of the Board of Directors for North Lenoir Fire & Rescue, and I am deeply concerned about a proposed reduction in our county’s volunteer fire department tax rates that I believe puts public safety at risk.

Kristy Kelly: A journey through the crowd

Depending on how one quantifies success, the BBQ Fest on the Neuse was either a resounding triumph or a disappointing flop. From the viewpoint of an author hoping to sell books, it may have felt like a failure. But as a columnist, the festival renewed my confidence and reminded me why it's important to keep talking about mental health.