Members of the Kinston Police Department had the distinct honor of welcoming former Officer Helen Sutton-Savage, now known as Helen Garris, back to the Kinston Police Department for a special visit and tour of the station.
Gov. Stein joins military leaders to open FRC East aircraft maintenance complex in Kinston
State and military leaders gathered Thursday, Sept. 17, to celebrate the opening of Fleet Readiness Center East’s new aircraft maintenance complex at the North Carolina Global TransPark, a project expected to bring more than 400 jobs to eastern North Carolina and expand the military’s ability to keep aircraft ready for service.
Letter of Intent Now Open for Lenoir/Greene United Way
Lenoir/Greene United Way invites interested nonprofit organizations to submit a letter of intent to request funding for the 2027 application cycle. Applicants must meet the following guidelines to pursue funding:
Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.: Updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C.
Thank you for taking the time to read my most recent updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. As always, it remains a true honor and a privilege to represent you in Congress! If this email was forwarded to you, you can subscribe to my e-newsletter here.
RADD to Benefit from Tidal Wave Auto Spa’s Annual Charity Day
Raising Awareness for the Developmentally Disabled (RADD) is excited to be one of the nonprofit organizations benefiting from Tidal Wave Auto Spa’s Charity Day on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Event: Bethel Christian Academy's Class of 2027 Yardsale
Bethel Christian Academy will hold its annual senior class yard sale Sept. 19, 2026. Proceeds will support the Class of 2027. For more information, call 252-522-4636.
Kinston-Lenoir Drug Task Force
The Kinston Police Department and the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office have officially merged KPD’s Violent Crime Action Team with the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, effective this week.
Local Artists and College Students Transform Community Trash and Found Materials into Art
The smART Gallery will host the closing reception for "Neuse Reuse," a unique community art exhibition featuring trash-terpieces created entirely from discarded materials and litter collected during local cleanups. The event will take place on Thursday, September 24 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the smART Gallery, located at 210 N. Queen St.
Snow Hill Board Untangles Utility Billing Dispute, Advances Grant Projects and Sidewalk Contract
The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners spent much of its September 14, 2026, meeting working through a months-long dispute over how the town billed residents for a new water and sewer rate, even as members pushed forward on a full slate of infrastructure work, from grant-funded well repairs to a new sidewalk contract, and accepted an award for the town's drinking water protection efforts.
Kinston council advances sewer, housing projects and appoints new city manager
The Kinston City Council on Tuesday approved a $3 million grant application for the Washington Avenue sewer rehabilitation project, advanced housing and public safety funding and, after a closed session, unanimously appointed Jon Mendenhall as the city’s next manager.
KPD/LCSO Narcotics Task Force assists with compliance checks
Detectives with the Kinston-Lenoir Narcotics Task Force recently assisted the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Probation and Parole, with compliance checks at multiple residences throughout the City of Kinston and Lenoir County.
Kinston Toastmasters to celebrate 75 years with Sept. 19 community event
Kinston Toastmasters Club 962 invites the community to celebrate its 75th anniversary at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, 510 N. Queen St.
Queen Street Church to celebrate 25th annual Christmas concert
Queen Street United Methodist Church will celebrate its 25th annual “A Queen Street Christmas” concert with three free performances Dec. 11-13.
Kinston City Council names Jon Mendenhall city manager
The Kinston City Council announced Tuesday night that Jon Mendenhall, who recently concluded a six-year tenure as Eden’s city manager, will serve as Kinston’s next city manager.
Lenoir County School Board backs Woodington grant effort in 6-1 vote
The Lenoir County Board of Education voted 6-1 Monday to move forward with seeking a $52 million state grant to replace Woodington Middle School, following debate over whether the district should explore a different grade configuration before pursuing the project.
Bucklesberry, Back in the Day: Hickory Grove Church (21)
A significant turning point in the life of Hickory Grove Church was the December 1884 pastoral call to Rev. William Ellis Swain of the Methodist Protestant Church (M.P.C.) Conference. In his 1929 book that traced the history of the M.P.C. Conference, Dr. Olin B. Michael, Th.D. affirmed, "The Hickory Grove people had come to us [the M.P.C. Conference], under W. E. Swain's pastorate."
Kinston selected for federally funded electric-vehicle charging station
Kinston has been selected for a new electric-vehicle charging station as part of a $14.4 million statewide investment announced by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Kinston License Plate Agency Temporarily Closed for Ownership Transition
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles’ license plate agency (LPA) in Kinston is temporarily closed through Sept. 18 to allow for contractor ownership transition. The contract for the previous owner expired on Sept. 11.
Lenoir County deputies arrest suspect after vehicle theft, armed standoff
On September 11, 2026, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office regarding a suspect who had stolen a vehicle and fled the scene with a small child. Deputies immediately responded to an address in La Grange, where the suspect, Austin Riggs, a resident of Lenoir County, had barricaded himself inside a residence.
NCDOT to host small contractor outreach event in Kinston
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold an outreach event in Kinston for small contractors interested in working with the agency.