Lemuel Sutton Hardy, 73, completed his course of faith and entered into rest in the arms of his Savior early Christmas morning, December 25, 2025. A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Wheat Swamp Christian Church, with Pastor Hank Jarman officiating. Committal will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston.
January through December brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
On October 21, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3800 block of Pecan Grove Circle in reference to a suspicious death. Upon arrival, deputies secured the scene and the General Investigations Division assumed the investigation.
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
Selma Jones Carter, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, La Grange.
January through December brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
My Christmas shopping list was longer when my parents were living because they loved opening presents. I tried once to get my small immediate family to exchange names at Thanksgiving and everyone just give one gift for Christmas.
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
“Who’s your favorite character in the Christmas story?” A great question. Well, aside from Baby Jesus, who we all probably should name! Many reverence Mary for her quiet faith and willingness to obey, or Joseph for his stepping up when needed. Others love Zechariah and Elizabeth or Simeon, or even the Wise Men.
January through December brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
RALEIGH – State Veterinarian Mike Martin has granted entry into North Carolina to Santa Claus and his reindeer. This ensures that Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and yes, even Rudolph will be allowed into the state on Christmas Eve.
At the conclusion of the closed session today, Mayor Don Hardy called the open meeting to order and entertained a motion to hire Steven Harrell as interim city manager. The councilmembers present, Robbie Swinson, Felicia Solomon and Chris Suggs all voted in favor.
After a months long investigation, detectives with the Kinston Police Department’s Violent Crime Action Team (VCAT) concluded an investigation into an illegal online casino operation conducted through Facebook. On December 23, 2025, detectives took 51-year-old Quarla Blackwell into custody at her residence without incident.
RALEIGH, N.C. – State Representative Chris Humphrey (R – Kinston), the incumbent representative for North Carolina House District 12, issued the following statement welcoming former Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy to the race for the seat representing Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties:
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
Kimberly’s Boutique has spent the past two years building a loyal customer base from an unlikely location in the countryside of Pink Hill.
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
Sheriff Jackie Rogers and the Lenoir County GHSP Crash Reduction Team closed out the first week of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety annual “Booze It & Lose” Campaign with a multi-agency operation resulting in multiple charges.
UNC Health Lenoir is proud to announce the addition of Aquablation® therapy to its urology service line, offering patients a leading-edge, minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as enlarged prostate.
January through November brought a wide range of headlines, including high-profile criminal cases, contentious political battles, major development projects, and deeply personal community stories. Readers closely followed election challenges, public safety investigations, school system updates, and decisions with long-term impacts on local taxpayers. Together, these monthly top stories offer a snapshot of a year defined by change, accountability, and an ongoing demand for transparency in Eastern North Carolina.
