Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) tapped Sen. Jackson (R-Sampson, Jones) to work on property tax reforms alongside other senators from across North Carolina.
Obituary: Michael Jean Braswell
Michael Jean Braswell, 78, passed away on Monday, February 2nd, 2026, at the Crystal Coast Hospice House. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at 2pm in the Edwards Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Obituary: Dixie Carter
Dixie Rose Hardy Carter, 78, was welcomed into her heavenly home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. She was born in Wayne County on November 2, 1947, to the late William Randolph Hardy and Florence Elizabeth Mozingo Hardy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth King; a son, Glen King; a grandson, David Greenup; and her sisters, Regina Stelley, Gwynn Holland, and Betty Deaver.
Obituary: Dorothy "Dot" Lane Crisp Bennett
Dorothy “Dot” Lane Crisp Bennett of Kinston, NC, passed away on February 2, 2026. She was 93 years old. Services will be held on Saturday, February 7th, at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. The service will follow at 12:00 p.m., with graveside services immediately following at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
NWS: An icy Thursday morning commute likely
Rain today combined with high temperatures well into the 40s should bring some good melting. Unfortunately colder air moves back in tonight into early Thursday.
G.I. Joe’s Military Living History Museum
G.I. Joe’s is a local museum of military pictures and related items. From day one we thought of it as a bridge. We want it to be a connecting bridge between Lenoir County veterans and their local community. A place where space was offered for recognition and reflection and camaraderie.
First Presbyterian Church to receive truckload of food through Convoy of Hope partnership
First Presbyterian Church of Kinston will receive a truckload of food and relief supplies Thursday through a partnership with Convoy of Hope, a faith-based nonprofit organization focused on hunger relief, community outreach and disaster assistance.
Lenoir and Jones County Chosen for Cypress Creek Renewables’ Scholarship Program
Cypress Creek Renewables (Cypress Creek) is pleased to announce the continuation of its Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship program. After awarding $115,000 in scholarships across 25 counties in 2025, the program is being offered to high school seniors in 32 communities this year, including in Lenoir and Jones County.
NWS: Possible wintry mix Wednesday night
On Wednesday rain is expected. That combined with high temperatures well into the 40s, we should get some good melting. Unfortunately colder air moves back in overnight Wednesday into early Thursday.
NCDOT Accepting Applications Now for Free Bicycle Helmets
Applications are now open to organizations statewide to receive free bicycle helmets from the N.C. Department of Transportation, part of an annual effort to promote safe bicycling and reduce head injuries among children.
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!
Black History Month series highlights Adkin High School walkout
The Community Council for the Arts will host a Black History Month program centered on the Adkin High School Walkout, a pivotal local civil rights action that predated the March on Washington and school desegregation.
Pitt County Woman Arrested in Lenoir County Stolen Vehicle Investigation
On Thursday, January 29, a Pitt County woman was arrested following an investigation into multiple stolen vehicles that occurred in Lenoir County.
Kinston police report multiple arrests following drug investigation, stabbing and break-in
The Kinston Police Department reported multiple arrests over several days following a drug investigation and separate violent and property crime incidents. On Jan. 30, officers concluded a three-month investigation into cocaine distribution, resulting in the arrests of two men and the seizure of drugs, firearms and cash at two locations. That same day, police arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection with a stabbing reported in the Mitchell Wooten area. On Feb. 1, officers also arrested a former Little Caesars employee accused of breaking into the business on two occasions and selling pizzas for personal profit.
Obituary: Ann Stroud Sutton
Ann Stroud Sutton of Greensboro, N.C., formerly of Kinston, N.C., passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026. She was the daughter of the late Bright and May Stroud of Kinston and sister of the late Ivey Stroud.
Mike Parker: Place names reflect Kinston’s history
Most citizens who drive through this city have little awareness that the street names preserve and reflect the city's history prior to the American Revolution. In December of 1762, the General Assembly passed an act to establish the town of Kingston on land belonging to William Herritage at Atkins Bank. Herritage, for whom Herritage Street is named, donated the first 100 acres of what became “Kingston” and later “Kinston.”
New Lenoir County corporations
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery; Plot for Sale
One burial plot available for sale at Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery. Serious inquiries only. Please contact Ted Gaskins at (252) 525-1406 or pricing and details.
Hickory Grove Church (6)
The exact year that Hickory Grove Church was established remains uncertain. Nonetheless, historical records available online, not readily accessible until recently, confirm that it was organized as a congregation about two decades before the construction of its building in 1860. The definitive evidence, buried deep in various church conference meeting minutes, indisputably indicates Hickory Grove had formed as a church assembly by 1841.
Mallory Sinclair was named to the Champlain College Online Fall 2025 Dean's List.
Mallory Sinclair of Deep Run, NC, was named to the Champlain College Online Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester.