For Hernika Cannon, transformation is not an abstract idea. It is a daily practice shaped by caregiving, grief, and a long-held vision for community healing.

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, a Jones County woman was arrested following an investigation into multiple copper thefts that occurred in Lenoir County.

Have you ever dreamed of recording your own music or trying your hand at voice acting? Perhaps you’re considering launching a YouTube channel, starting a podcast, or producing a commercial to promote your small business.

The American Red Cross will host a community blood drive on Thursday, Jan. 23, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Kinston Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Fairfield Center Fellowship Hall, located at 800 Greenbriar Road.

Lenoir County resident Erin Bright Fox has been named executive director of the American Heart Association for Eastern North Carolina.

Looking for a New Career for the NEW Year?! This is an entry level position that we provide ALL training for the position.

A tense exchange between Felicia Solomon, Chris Suggs, and Don Hardy defined the final Kinston City Council meeting before the swearing-in of Kareem Moore, Les Lipford and Sammy Aiken, following the certification of the municipal election results.

On Saturday, January 3rd, a Lenoir County man was arrested for failing to comply with sex offender registration requirements under North Carolina law.

On Saturday, January 3rd, a registered sex offender was arrested in New Hanover County for failing to report a change of address, as required by law.

flyExclusive has confirmed that it plans to relocate fewer than 100 employees from Kinston to Raleigh over the next six months.

Raleigh, N.C. - The North Carolina Department of Commerce recently awarded grants to eight local governments to support housing and public improvements for low- and moderate-income North Carolinians. The grants, totaling more than $12 million, were awarded from the department’s Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) program.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has certified Kareem Moore as mayor, Les Lipford and Sammy Aiken as members of the Kinston City Council.

The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Governor’s Highway Safety Program Crash Reduction Team hosted an operation on the Western Side of Lenoir County Saturday, January 3, 2026 as the annual GHSP Holiday ‘Booze It & Lose It’ Campaign came to an end. 

The Kinston City Council will consider accepting a $65,000 multimodal planning grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to update the city’s bicycle and pedestrian network plan.

The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 approved a budget ordinance amendment related to the settlement of a lawsuit stemming from the renovation of the county administration building, with county officials repeatedly emphasizing that taxpayer dollars were not used.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has formally certified Kareem Moore as the duly elected mayor.

The Lenoir County Board of Commissioners opened its first meeting of 2026 on Jan. 5 by honoring the late Commissioner Roland Best before approving a series of economic development, budget, and administrative actions, including financing for a new industrial shell building and additional legal support for the Department of Social Services.

On January 4, 2026, officers with the Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of N. Trianon Street.

On January 2, 2026, at approximately 7:08 a.m., officers with the Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad responded to a residence on Hardee Road in reference to a report of indecent exposure.

As 2025 ended and 2026 was being born, I had the opportunity to spend a week with my children and grandchildren at North Myrtle Beach, SC. Each year, we try to travel somewhere together to put aside our jobs and daily demands and focus on family. This year, all my children and all but one of my grandchildren made the trip.

The Greene County Board of Commissioners will consider approving adjustments to emergency medical services fees following a recommendation from the county’s billing provider during their Jan. 5 meeting.

The Jones County Board of Commissioners will consider approval of a contract agreement involving Trenton Emergency Medical Services.

A rezoning request for a property at 519 Towerhill Road will go before the Kinston City Council during a public hearing Tuesday.

 As we close out 2025, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our local veterans as well as the veterans of G.I. Joe’s and your families.

Greene County commissioners will receive the county’s fiscal year 2025 audit during their Jan. 5 meeting.

Jones County commissioners will review a proposed amendment to an existing economic development agreement during their Jan. 5 meeting.

Kinston officials are moving forward with the demolition of three condemned properties, while more than 100 others remain under review, according to a demolition update scheduled for presentation to City Council.

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

Gone are the protein obsessed, in case you haven’t heard, the current social media trend taking over Tik Tok is fibermaxxing.  The practice of fibermaxxing is the about increasing or maximizing your fiber intake in order to boost digestion and overall health.  It works best when you slowly integrate additional fiber in your diet.  Dieticians recommend doing this by increasing your intake of whole foods, like beans, berries and whole grains.