The whirlwind final days of a presidential campaign descended on the Kinston Regional Jetport on Sunday, as former President Donald Trump made a brief stop to rally supporters and bolster local Republican officeholders and candidates for office.
All by Catherine Hardee
Redistricting shuffles Lenoir County to First Congressional District
The congressional maps recently passed by the NC General Assembly move Lenoir County from the Third Congressional District to the First Congressional District.
Girl Scouts build bench for SPCA
Juniors from Girl Scout Troop 1442 completed their Bronze Award project, a bench for the Lenoir County SPCA.
"Autumn's in the Air" fall festival Saturday
The CSS Neuse Gunboat Association, the official nonprofit support group for the CSS Neuse Museum in Kinston, is hosting the “Autumn’s in the Air” Fall Festival from 10 am - 4 pm on Saturday, on the grounds of the Governor Richard Caswell Memorial, located at 2612 W. Vernon Ave in Kinston.
Redistricting changes local NC House and Senate districts
With new maps for the NC House and NC Senate now approved, Lenoir County will remain in the 12th House District, but will move to the 3rd Senate District. Local lawmakers Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne) and Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir, Pitt) say they plan to run for reelection in newly drawn districts.
Collision between train and truck closes Vernon Avenue Friday evening
A late afternoon collision between a train and a truck closed Vernon Avenue on Friday.
LCC Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Center holds event Saturday
LCC’s Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center hosted an event Saturday, offering tours to the public and potential students, and treating attendees to a free barbecue dinner. Currently, around 120 students take classes weekly at the center, in programs geared toward manufacturing and aerospace careers, including computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer-integrated machining and industrial systems.
LCC holds Spring Open House
Lenoir Community College held its Spring Open House Friday afternoon, offering the community a chance to learn more about its programs while experiencing a virtual trip around the world.
BREAKING: Manhunt in Lenoir County
A vehicle chase through multiple jurisdictions led to a manhunt in Lenoir County, near the Felix Harvey Parkway, Monday night. The wooded area in question is near Felix Harvey Parkway, Crestview Subdivision and Hickory Hills Road.
UPDATE: Tuesday, Feb 23 at 1:00am
The wanted suspect is Kenneth Earl Piper of Wilson. He is a white male, 29 years old, 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with brown dreadlocks and tattoos on his face above his eyebrows.
Bell introduces legislation to combat growing litter problem
A recently introduced bill in the NC General Assembly would stiffen the penalties for littering in an effort to combat the worsening problem of trash disfiguring local highways.
LCSO Deputy shot in the line of duty
Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said that as daylight has faded to night, the manhunt continues for Robert Lee Strother.
The search continues inside the perimeter that has been established along the Kennedy Home Road corridor from Snake Road to Lang Skinner Road.
That search is being aided by night vision technology from several agencies, including the State Highway Patrol, Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, Craven County Sheriff’s Office and the SBI.
“We are truly appreciative of all these agencies that are helping us find Mr. Strother,” Ingram said.
Local county boards of election to recount ballots for Chief Justice race
A statewide recount is being held to determine the winner of the race for NC Supreme Court Chief Justice, after the initial count found only 406 votes separating the two candidates. Lenoir County will recount its votes Friday, while Jones and Greene Counties will hold recounts on Monday.
Lenoir County Board of Elections Director Steve Hines also provided Neuse News with the final numbers for the write-in campaign for the Lenoir County Board of Education. Michelle Cash received 6,485 votes, and Nancy Gilmore received 6,088 votes.
Thousands greet Trump at Greenville rally
An enthusiastic crowd greeted Pres. Trump in Greenville today at his campaign rally. Trump spoke for well over an hour, touching on familiar campaign refrains such as immigration, the economy and taxes. The president also touted his administration’s response to the pandemic, and criticized NC Gov. Roy Cooper for his coronavirus response, and encouraged residents of the state to express their opposition for continued shutdowns to the governor.
BBQ fundraiser Saturday for local taproom closed due to COVID
Members of the community are holding a BBQ fundraiser to support The Herritage, which has been closed since mid-March due to COVID emergency orders.
KCHC provides a wide range of services to everyone in the community
The Kinston Community Health Center already provides a full range of primary care services to the community, regardless of ability to pay, but Director of Community Development Anna Kinsey hopes to offer even more in the future.