Jason McKnight: Lessons from Pain

This week, Iโ€™ve been flat on my back. Six days ago, I torqued the wrong way moving a pile of books. That was on top of an earlier morning tweak while exercising. Which resulted from a bad night of sleep for some unknown reason. That book torque was the kill-switch: โ€œThis guyโ€™s going down.โ€ 

Obituary: Orville โ€œBig Edโ€ Langley Jr.

Orville โ€œBig Edโ€ Langley Jr., 85, of Kinston, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. at Howard-Carter Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. following visitation at Howard-Carter Funeral Home in Kinston with Pastor Gray Harrison officiating. Burial will follow the service at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston.

Obituary: Virginia Rogers

Virginia Lee Reynolds Rogers, 87, passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2026. A service of love and remembrance will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Rouse Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Ward officiating. The family will receive friends in the hour prior to service. A graveside committal officiated by Rusty Alphin will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery.

Mike Parker: The common sense of โ€˜Common Senseโ€™

As we contemplate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we cannot overlook one of the most significant works written not only to support the push for independence, but a work that also plainly argued that anything less than independence from Great Britain placed the colonies as second class citizens as long as that bond existed.

Help Wanted: Controller

 The Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting, and reporting activities. The Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations and supervise a team of staff members including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and purchasing.

Help Wanted: Controller

 The Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting, and reporting activities. The Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations and supervise a team of staff members including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and purchasing.

Obituary: Johnny Bryan

John Wayne โ€œJohnnyโ€ Bryan, Sr., 89, entered into the joy of his salvation while surrounded by his loving family at his home on January 6, 2026. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home. A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Rouse Funeral Home with his son, Pastor Michael Bryan, officiating. A committal for the family will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m.