Esther Whitfield Almond, 91, was graciously welcomed into the presence of her Lord on July 20, 2025. Born in Wayne County on November 6, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Stenis J. Whitfield and Ruby Lee Etheridge Whitfield. A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Rouse Funeral Home, with Rev. Percy Cunningham and Rev. Leon Grubbs officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service. A private committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Edna Adams Potter went home to be with the Lord and reunited with her husband, Billy, on July 19, 2025. Edna passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home, 108 N. Caswell Street, La Grange, NC 28551. A graveside service will follow immediately after at Westview Cemetery in Kinston, NC.

Following an internal review conducted by the Kinston Police Department Administration and the department's Internal Affairs Division, the following information is being released to provide transparency and support the actions taken by responding officers during a recent critical incident. 

Our hearts are heavy as we address the recent incidents that have deeply affected our City. This is an emotional time for our entire community, and the Mayor and Council are profoundly concerned about what has transpired. We understand and share your anguish, and we want to assure you that we are taking these matters with the utmost seriousness.

In light of this weekend’s events, we want to ensure that families in our community know about this important program designed to help protect individuals who may be at greater risk of wandering or going missing, such as those living with autism, dementia, or other cognitive challenges.

Neuse Regional Libraries (NRL) are excited for the opportunity to implement the Digital Learning Centers: Opening the Door to Accessibility project thanks to a $44,595 LSTA grant made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.  

The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds:

Lenoir County Schools is seeking a qualified testing and special inspections firm for the E.B. Frink Middle School Replacement project. The School District will negotiate a contract with the selected firm immediately upon selection and services are expected to begin immediately afterward, in July of 2025. The project is scheduled to be completed in February of 2026.

Lenoir County says an external cybersecurity breach led to the $1.34 million payment error and has asked the FBI to investigate after an internal review confirmed its systems were secure. According to the statement, the County is negotiating in good faith with the contractor to resolve the dispute without burdening taxpayers.

On Saturday July 20th, 2025, Harry went to be at peace with Jesus after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, July 24th, 2025, at ?? at Westview Cemetery at 917 Cleveland Dr., Kinston, NC with Pastor Jerry Pike officiating.

With deep sadness, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of K9 "Judge," a loyal and dedicated bloodhound who faithfully served our community since October 2018. Judge, who was nearly 9 years old, passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, July 20, at the home he shared with his handler, Sgt. E. Carlyle.

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., applauds the passage of H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025:

What do Chuck Grassley, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden, Chuck Shumer, Hal Rogers, Chris Smith, Steny Hoyer, Dick Durbin, Marcy Kaptur, and Mitch McConnell all have in common? They are the 10 longest serving members of Congress – and each one has served 40 years or more in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate.

The following restaurant inspections were conducted by the Lenoir County Health Department:

The Automotive Systems Technology Instructor is responsible for providing quality instruction to program students using seated, online, hybrid, and lab courses.

The Adjunct Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology Instructor is responsible for providing quality and industry standard instruction in aviation topics through the use of seated, online, and lab courses. The Instructor is responsible for providing innovative and engaging instruction and ensuring that course topics and examples evolve with advancements in the field. The Instructor reports directly to the Director of Aviation Programs.

This position functions to develop and deliver comprehensive occupational courses and program offerings. In addition to course and program development, the Occupational Extension Coordinator – La Grange and Greene County Centers ensures the delivery of quality learning experiences, facilitates the learning process, advises students, and interacts with community/industry members and the public to determine emerging occupational extension training needs.

 The Public Safety Fire Coordinator/Instructor is responsible for instructing and coordinating the College’s fire and rescue training programs by NCCCS and OSFM standards. This position reports directly to the Dean of Workforce Development.

2:20PM Update: At approximately 1:33 PM, divers from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office located the body of Jaylen Green. Chief Keith Goyette shared the following statement: “Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Jaylen Green. On behalf of the entire department, I want to express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the search and ask the community to continue offering their support to the family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Early Sunday at approximately 3:15 a.m., Kinston officers responded to a domestic-related call on the 1300 block of Manchester Road where a male suspect armed with a firearm threatened a female resident. When the suspect produced the weapon upon officers’ arrival, they discharged their service weapons, fatally wounding him. The SBI and KPD’s internal affairs division are now conducting independent and internal investigations, and both officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.

According to the World Health Organization, Kidney Health is at the forefront of the current health agenda.  CKD or Chronic Kidney Disease is often undiagnosed and therefore untreated.  Kidney function is closely related to heart disease and can affect heart health

The Lenoir County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $14,910 in grants to seven organizations supporting the local community.

The state’s seasonally adjusted June 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from May’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.1 percent.

The following is a list of people who have recently passed away in Lenoir County:

NOTICE is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of La Grange will hold a public hearing at the regular Board meeting of the Town of La Grange on August 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Town of La Grange Town Hall located at 203 South Center Street, La Grange, North Carolina, on two proposed Official Zoning Map Amendments (Rezonings).

The Automotive Systems Technology Instructor is responsible for providing quality instruction to program students using seated, online, hybrid, and lab courses.

The Adjunct Aviation Management and Career Pilot Technology Instructor is responsible for providing quality and industry standard instruction in aviation topics through the use of seated, online, and lab courses. The Instructor is responsible for providing innovative and engaging instruction and ensuring that course topics and examples evolve with advancements in the field. The Instructor reports directly to the Director of Aviation Programs.

The Annual Plan of the Housing Authority of the City of Kinston North Carolina is available for review for 45 days beginning July 30, 2025 at the Central Office of the Authority located at 608 North Queen Street, Kinston, North Carolina and all Public Housing Manager’s Offices.

This position functions to develop and deliver comprehensive occupational courses and program offerings. In addition to course and program development, the Occupational Extension Coordinator – La Grange and Greene County Centers ensures the delivery of quality learning experiences, facilitates the learning process, advises students, and interacts with community/industry members and the public to determine emerging occupational extension training needs.

 The Public Safety Fire Coordinator/Instructor is responsible for instructing and coordinating the College’s fire and rescue training programs by NCCCS and OSFM standards. This position reports directly to the Dean of Workforce Development.