Notice is hereby given that the Kinston City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, or as soon thereafter as may be heard, in City Hall Council Chambers, 207 East King Street, Kinston, NC and/or by virtual format. The following item will be heard:
The filing period for North Carolina's 2026 municipal elections opened Monday, December 1, 2025 marking the official start of the campaign season for dozens of local offices across Lenoir, Jones and Greene counties. Candidates seeking election to partisan and nonpartisan offices have until noon on Friday, December 19 to file with their respective county boards of elections.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections on Wednesday dismissed both election protest appeals related to Kinston’s 2025 municipal races, allowing the city’s election results to move forward toward final certification.
The Kinston City Council voted Dec. 2 to approve a contract committing the city to pay $7,500 per month for lobbying services, a decision made before newly elected council members were sworn in and seated.
La Grange-Paulette Lancaster Burroughs, 76, peacefully departed this life on Sunday, December 14, 2025. A service of love and remembrance will be held Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Mellay officiating. The family will receive friends in the hour prior to the service. Committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Lenoir Community College proudly announces that it has been selected as a recipient of the State Auditor’s Award of Excellence, a prestigious statewide honor recognizing exemplary financial reporting and accountability. LCC is one of only a select group of institutions, including universities, community colleges, and state agencies, to earn this distinction for outstanding financial audit performance.
In a classroom usually filled with lesson plans, lab sheets and the hum of kitchen equipment, two South Lenoir High School sophomores created something that reached far beyond their school walls. Jeremiah Bey and Christopher Rodgers are now among just five student teams in the state to be competing in the finalist round of the North Carolina Junior Chef Competition, a statewide challenge that pushes students to design nutritious, affordable meals that could realistically be served in public school cafeterias.
Betsy Sutton Gray, 87, peacefully went home on Monday, December 15, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro. Born April 8, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Alton and Lorena Sutton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Christine Gray.
December 16, 2025 — UNC Health Lenoir has been recognized as a Top Rural Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog organization known for setting the highest standards for patient safety, quality, and transparency in the United States. This prestigious honor is awarded to a select group of hospitals that demonstrate exceptional performance across a range of safety and quality measures.
Kenneth “Kenny” Dunham passed away at the age of 68 on December 13, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. A celebration of life service will be held at 902 Church, 2009 Carey Road, Kinston, North Carolina, on Tuesday, December 16, at 6 p.m. Visitation will follow the service.
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
Lenoir County’s Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma recognized outstanding beginning teachers in their third year of teaching in December with the Buzzing Bee BT Award.
Kinston police charged two individuals with going armed to the terror of the people after responding to a report of armed individuals in the Jack Rountree area. In a separate incident, a Lenoir County man was arrested following an erratic driving stop on U.S. 70 and charged with DWI and multiple related offenses.
The City of Kinston has delayed the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials because the Lenoir County Board of Elections has not yet certified the results of the Nov. 4 municipal election.
The National Retail Federation released its annual holiday forecast on November 6, predicting retail sales in November and December will grow between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024. That figure translates into total spending between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion.
The following inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:
The Data Analytics & Improvement Strategist is responsible for collecting, querying, analyzing, and transforming institutional data into actionable insights that drive continuous improvement in student experience and achievement.
The Instructional Designer collaborates with faculty and the Director of Online Learning and Faculty Development to design and enhance courses for increased engagement and student success.
The Public Safety Specialist provides advanced administrative and clerical support to the Director of Emergency Medical Science and the overall Public Safety Division to ensure effective and efficient daily office operations. This position also manages the admissions process for prospective public safety students. The Public Safety Specialist reports to the Director of Emergency Medical Science.
The Director of Library Services provides leadership and vision for the library. The Director is expected to represent the library within the community, offer programs to students, develop collections that meet the needs of faculty and students, provide budgeting information, and manage all library staff, facilities, and services.
