Obituary: Roland Ernest Clayborne

Roland Ernest Clayborne, 85, of Kinston, North Carolina, was called home to the Throne of Jesus on January 18, 2026, where he was reunited with his beloved wife, Marie, and a host of family and friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rouse Funeral Home in La Grange, North Carolina. A celebration of his life and interment will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Westview Cemetery on Hwy 70 in Kinston.

Kristy Kelly: The Monster Bike Saga Continues

After a decade in call centers, nothing makes me turn into the stereotypical entitled, middle-aged, woman quite like a bad customer service experience. Last month, my youngest son was involved in an accident while riding the monster bike. Apparently, a red pickup truck side swiped him, sending him and the bike over a curb. He’s fine, the bike is banged up, but fine, so he goes home.

Obituary: Marie Williams Obituary

Marie Taylor Williams, 64, of 1617 Highway 11 South, Kinston, entered her heavenly home on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Jackson Heights Original Free Will Baptist Church, with Pastor Justin Barnett officiating. Interment will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Jackson Heights Original Free Will Baptist Church.

Mike Parker: Dr. King: Student before Legend

Every school child knows – or should know – about Dr. Martin Luther King’s importance to the Civil Rights Movement. We have all heard stories about his fight for equality. We know he died on April 4, 1968, struck down by an assassin’s bullet as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

Snow Hill Primary Terrific Kid Awards

Snow Hill Primary gives out a weekly award called "Terrific Kid" awards.  Each teacher at SHP chooses a student who has been responsible, shows great character, or has reached a personal goal.  On Fridays, these students are presented with an award and are congratulated for their hard work.  Below are Snow Hill Primary's Terrific Kid Awards!

Inmate Death at Lenoir County Jail

At approximately 4:00 a.m., detention officers conducting routine 15-minute rounds observed an inmate, identified as Richmond Tee Croom III, unresponsive in his cell. Officers immediately entered the cell, began life-saving measures, and initiated CPR while requesting emergency medical assistance.