On February 10, 2026, at approximately 12:44 p.m., Kinston Police Department VCAT detectives observed 23-year-old Brafranco Bryant operating a vehicle on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Detectives were aware that Bryant did not possess a valid North Carolina driver license.
Mrs. Lillian Vause Wilcox recently celebrated her 100th birthday, marking a century of life spent almost entirely in southern Lenoir County.
I am writing to share our sincere gratitude following a recent fundraiser held in support of our local Friends of the Homeless Shelter. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we significantly exceeded our fundraising goal with this event. The funds will go directly toward providing critical services and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
On February 11, 2026, at approximately 1:47 a.m., KPD’s C-Squad officers conducted a traffic stop at East Gordon Street and Vance Street for motor vehicle violations.
On February 10, 2026, KPD’s A-Squad officers were dispatched to the area of Orion Street and King Street to assist the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue. Fire personnel were investigating a reported gas odor and requested assistance due to a belligerent individual on scene.
On February 10, 2026, at approximately 11:59 p.m., KPD’s C-Squad officers were dispatched to the intersection of North Queen Street and Park Avenue in reference to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash.
On February 10, 2026, KPD’s A-Squad officers received information regarding a vehicle reported stolen out of Virginia.
On February 10, 2026, KPD’s A-Squad officers responded to 1344 Highway 258 South in reference to a larceny from a motor vehicle. The caller provided a description of the suspect, including clothing information.
The Lenoir County Board of Education approved a calendar adjustment at last night’s meeting to provide additional flexibility later in the school year should inclement weather occur.
Cody Baggett never expected an agriculture classroom to help shape his path toward medicine or two of North Carolina’s most prestigious scholarship opportunities. Now, the South Lenoir High School senior and FFA president is a finalist for both the Morehead-Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Goodnight Scholarship at North Carolina State University, honors that recognize students for academic excellence, leadership and service.
Black History Month is important because it recognizes, preserves, and honors the contributions of Black people that have often been ignored, minimized, or erased from mainstream history. Join G.I. Joe’s Living History Museum in celebrating Black History Month February 15th, at 2:30pm.
Neuse News and Magic Mile Media are accepting applications for their paid summer internship program, offering a limited number of opportunities for high school and college students and a once in a lifetime experience.
In August, 2025, Kenji Jerkins, 31, and Tyquil Yates, 31, were arrested by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office as a result of a narcotic investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine throughout Lenoir County. During their arrest, a large quantity of methamphetamine was located.
Jones County achieved a major milestone with the groundbreaking of a new industrial shell building—an important step forward for the county’s economic growth and long-term prosperity.
Betty Jean Grantham Rollins, 91, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Betty was born in Wayne County to the late Emma Lee Alphin Grantham Hall and Paul Grantham on July 14, 1934. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, DJ Hall; her husband of 68 years, Benjamin Ennis Rollins Sr.; a son, Leonidas “Lee” Grantham Rollins; her sister, Billie Hail; her brother, Paul Grantham; and nieces, Lea Rollins and Paula Hail.
On February 7, 2026, KPD’s D-Squad responded to a hit and run involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle in the area of Smithfield Packing.
The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:
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.
