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

When compared to the same month last year, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 61 counties, decreased in 13, and remained unchanged in 26. Twelve metro areas experienced rate increases over the year and three remained unchanged.

UPDATE: K-9 Fuse has been located thanks to a citizen contacting the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Rogers thanks the community for sharing the post and keeping an eye out for K-9 Fuse. —— This morning, October 4, 2025, K-9 Fuse, a fully trained police dog with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, escaped from his kennel and walked away from his residence located on the 1700 block of Institute Road, just off US 258 near the Greene County line.

When the season turns to cooking all things pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, the continuous debate begins, fresh versus canned.  Some local bakers swear by the convenience and consistency of canned, others prefer the natural sweetness and texture of fresh pumpkin.  Both options have a set of advantages and disadvantages, but are they essentially the same? 

Sweetz Nutritional Smoothies grand opening on Saturday

The Lenoir County Farmers Market, located at 100 N. Herritage Street, will be open Tuesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

GREENE COUNTY — A Greene County man remembered as a firefighter, veteran, and retired Greenville police officer died Friday morning while transporting Hurricane Helene relief supplies.

On October 2, 2025, Detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit concluded an investigation into methamphetamine distribution in Lenoir County.

As Town Manager, I want to provide this update regarding the resurfacing of DOT-maintained streets in our community. Beginning in late 2023, the Town undertook a major USDA-funded project to upgrade and replace aging water and sewer infrastructure.

A beloved Kinston resident and local business icon is marking a major milestone this week.

Lenoir County Public Schools proudly announces that Rachel Noble, a 2025 graduate of South Lenoir High School, has been officially selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. One of only 161 students nationwide, and one of only three students from North Carolina to receive this honor, Noble is the first LCPS student to be recognized with this prestigious award.

Tyler Perry's movie called "Temptation" is not new. It was made available in 2009 I believe. But I just got a chance to sit down and watch it.  It is three hours long.  But it takes a whole lot of action for that one movie to maturely weave its way. UNC was way behind in the football game, so I turned to BET to watch the movie.

The Kinston Police joined local McDonald's owner/operator Ray Santos and the local community for coffee and conversation at the 110 W VERNON AVE location. 

On September 30, 2025, Detectives with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office General Investigations Division (GID) initiated an investigation following a complaint involving inappropriate behavior by an individual.

Cypress Creek Renewables, in partnership with Betabox Learning, delivered an immersive, on-site STEM experience to students at E.B. Frink Middle School in Lenoir County on Tuesday, September 9. The mobile learning program transformed the bus parking lot into a pop-up innovation lab where students explored circuits, coding, and energy career pathways. State Senator Robert (“Bob”) Brinson visited to observe and encourage students as they worked through hands-on challenges.

Sept. 30, 2025 – The Jones County Community Foundation, a North Carolina Community Foundation affiliate, has awarded $4,150 in grants to four organizations supporting the local community. 

Registration is still open for the "1st Annual Pepsi Superball Classic Golf Tournament" hosted by "Fairfield Through the Years". Contact Josh Bass (josh.bass@kinstonnc.gov 252-939-3335) to register or for more information

In the last two Faith Forward columns, we have talked about forgiveness and how to walk in it. Like gravity is a universal truth in the realm of physics, forgiveness is a universal necessity in the realm of interpersonal community. There is no human flourishing without the practice of forgiveness.

Our dad, Joseph “Joe” George Plasky, a loving father, inventive engineer, and beloved "Muffin Man," passed away on September 29th at the age of 88. The family will receive friends for a time of Visitation and a Rosary service on Thursday, October 9th, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Kinston (400 Academy Heights Rd).

The Visitation begins at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held several weeks later on Friday, November 14th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church in New Bern (3005 Country Club Rd).

Kinston Police Department is actively investigating a breaking and entering that occurred (B&E) on September 30, 2025, at approximately 10:43 a.m. The B&E was to a building on the 800 block of Tower Hill Road.

On September 30, 2025, at approximately 1:47 p.m., officers from the Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad responded to a report of juveniles inside a vacant residence in the 600 block of Greenmeade Drive.

William Jason “Simon” Wood Jr., 66, departed this life on Monday, September 29, 2025. A service of love and remembrance will be held at Rouse Funeral Home on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends in the hour prior to service. Committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Blackwell turned herself in to law enforcement. She was released on an unsecured bond.

Two local residents who had filed to run for commissioner seats have withdrawn from their races, though both names will still appear on the ballot.

The landscape of Bucklesberry has changed dramatically since the beginning of its colonization in 1720-1730. Notably, there are considerably fewer wooden clapboard and lap siding structures, although they were commonplace in the South for several centuries. The countryside today is speckled with farm buildings finished mostly with laminate veneer, vinyl, or metal siding.

Kinston residents could soon see lower electric bills as city officials move forward with a proposed 4% rate reduction, the first in several years. The change, which follows a cost of service study by Booth & Associates, will be the subject of a public hearing on Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.

If council adopts the proposal that night, the new rates will take effect Oct. 15. For the average household, that means about $6 off the monthly bill.

After 23 years at the helm, Calvin Watson has retired from Ribeyes of Snow Hill, marking the end of an era for one of Greene County’s most well-known restaurants.

Lenoir Community College (LCC) and East Carolina University (ECU) have strengthened their commitment to student success and workforce development with the signing of a new bilateral transfer agreement. The ceremony was held Wednesday, September 24, at ECU’s Science and Technology Building.

The Creative Director will oversee all aspects of our After School and Summer Programs, including curriculum planning, staff supervision, student engagement, billing, tuition, and communication with families.

The Board of Education of Lenoir County Public Schools is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified contractors for the repair or partial replacement of the fire alarm infrastructure at North Lenoir High School. The intent of this project is to bring the fire alarm system into compliance with applicable codes and regulations while utilizing all currently available, functional resources where possible.