Phillis Wheatley’s name is probably better known by many high school students today than it was during my generation. Frankly, I never heard of Phillis Wheatley when I was cracking the books in my American literature class in 1967. I became familiar with a few of her poems as I constructed my syllabus for Major American Writers at East Carolina – at least two decades ago.
Around midnight on February 6, 2026, Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to C Shift conducted a vehicle stop on NC 258 North near Daly Waldrop Road involving a gray Nissan Altima. The vehicle was stopped for a registration violation.
The following is a list of people who have recently passed away in Lenoir County:
The Lenoir County Commissioners, during their February 5 meeting, issued a proclamation honoring Christine Maroules who will celebrate her 100th birthday on February 8.
The 2026 Miss Neuse Scholarship Pageant has introduced this year’s contestants, continuing its mission as a fundraiser supporting young women ages 14 to 17.
The Daikon radish is a winter vegetable usually sown in mid to late summer and harvested in the cooler months. The Daikon radish can be found in a variety of shapes and colors and boasts a characteristic crispness and snap when served or eaten raw, but totally changes to something more like a potato when cooked. It is said that the Daikon is much milder and less peppery than the familiar red radish.
The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:
KPD officers have obtained arrest warrants for Shamiya Cannon, 27, of Lenoir County, in connection to a Hit & Run that occurred on January 30, 2026, in the area of Laroque Avenue.
Kinston-Patti Dupree Alphin, 88, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026. Patti was born in Duplin County on April 9, 1937, to the late Clifton Floyd Dupree and Alice Smith Dupree. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Alphin; and a son, David Clifton Alphin.
On February 5, 2026, Kinston Police Department D-Squad officers conducted a traffic stop on West South Street involving 29-year-old Juquan Jackson of New Bern.
On February 5, 2026, the Kinston Police Department’s VCAT team concluded a narcotics distribution investigation involving 24-year-old Sincere Teach. With assistance from KPD’s Investigations Division, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 1100 block of Ferndale Lane.
When I was a Freshman in college, one of my professors assigned me a book to read that was not on the Curriculum List.
The Town of Pink Hill posted the following: Due to a high volume of calls at Town Hall, we would like to provide the following update. At this time, there is no estimated timeframe for completion of the waterline repairs.
Today Governor Stein signed an executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina. Executive Order 33 directs several cabinet agencies to take action strengthening how the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems coordinate and serve the public.
I’ve become obsessed with watching yoga videos. Not because I can do them, but because I haven’t been able to bend that way since I was a toddler. The yogis are on a journey toward enlightenment, and I’m clearly on a vastly different journey of stiff joints and bad decisions.
LITTLE ROCK, AR (02/04/2026)-- Kaitlin Beratto of Kinston, North Carolina, has been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
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.
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.
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.
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.
