Top 10 Neuse News stories from January 2019
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10. Kinston High freshman one of 100 chosen for Disney Dreamers Academy
A Kinston High School freshman is one of 100 students from across the United States invited to attend the 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day leadership development program that attracts thousands of applications each year. Nicholas Harvey III was selected for the academy’s Class of 2019 on the basis of three essays and written responses to questions about leadership and leaders he admires.
9. Kinston City Council ends pact with Retail Strategies
The Kinston City Council decided to discontinue its partnership with Retail Strategies in Tuesday’s regular meeting. By a 3-2 vote, the board elected to deny the contract request by Retail Strategies. Kinston worked with the organization since December 2014 and invested $38,000 over three years. Retail Strategies had asked for a $25,000-per-year commitment to continue services after contractual obligations ended in December.
Jessy is proof that there is no standard to following your dreams. She didn’t graduate from college. She didn’t know her coffeehouse was going to be successful. She simply grew where she was planted. Jessy and her husband own Middle Grounds Coffeehouse, located right in the heart of downtown Kinston on Herritage Street. This isn’t your average Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Yes, they all have good coffee, but the similarities end there.
7. UPDATE: Kinston Police confirm shooting victim is deceased
The Kinston Police Department is continuing to investigate Monday’s shooting, which left a man dead. On Monday, January 14, 2019, just before 9:30 pm, officers of the Kinston Police Department responded to a call of a gunshot victim. The investigation reveals that Quantae Dixon, age 23 of Kinston, was shot while sitting in a vehicle which was parked in the area of the 900 Block of Doctors Drive in Kinston. Mr. Dixon received treatment at UNC Lenoir and Vidant Medical Center in Greenville before dying.
A small town guy now has a big league opportunity. Jamie Stallings announced this week he will be an associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. Stallings, who graduated from North Lenoir, has been an assistant baseball coach, umpire and scout for more than 20 years, starting at Pitt Community College in 1997 as a player-assistant coach hybrid.
5. Two different wrecks on HWY 70
An overturned fuel tanker on Hwy 70 has blocked the roadway. Ryan Mills of Jones County EMS said the area will be shut down for an extended period of time. “Approximately 200 gallons of fuel spilled out onto the road,” Mills said. “State rescuers are assisting now and we don't know how long it will take to open back up.”
4. UPDATE 1/31/2019: Kinston Police: Arrests made, warrants issued
UPDATE 1/31/2019 at 10:17 a.m. On January 30, 2019, officers from the Kinston Police Department and members of the United States Marshal Task Force arrested Koran Smith in Kinston. Later in the day, Porsha Moore was also arrested in Kinston for her involvement in the case. Both subjects received a $1,000,000 secured bond and were placed in the Lenoir County Detention Center.
There is no bad blood between the basketball teams of South Lenoir and Greene Central. The teams met Monday near Skinner’s Bypass to shake hands and apologize after Friday’s game in Deep Run. After the final whistle blew in the Rams’ come-from-behind 56-48 victory, a scuffle broke out between the teams and prevented customary postgame pleasantries.
2. Former Greene Central standout Walt McKeel died Tuesday
Greene Central lost a legend Tuesday. Walter Thomas “Walt” McKeel, 46, died at his home. McKeel was a two-time state champion with the Rams, who won titles in 1987 and 1990 before being drafted by the Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox in the third round shortly after graduation. McKeel would play his first game in the MLB in 1996, and played for the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies during his pro career.
1. UPDATED: Tractor-trailer driver in Dec. 9 accident identified
The driver of the tractor-trailer that plunged into the Neuse River on Dec. 9 has been identified. State Highway Patrol Sgt. Scott Hemby told Neuse News the body discovered Saturday morning is Richard White Jr., 31, of Elizabethtown. Duck hunters happened across White’s body around 9 a.m., Saturday, near the King Street extension boat ramp. His body was taken to the State Medical Examiner’s office, where it was determined it was White.