Due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Dorian and his responsibilities to Lenoir County Emergency Services as its public information officer, Neuse News Editor Bryan Hanks has temporarily relinquished control of editorial content for the website, Neuse News Publisher B.J. Murphy announced this afternoon.

The move is effective immediately.

"Bryan Hanks is one of our area's greatest assets in communicating with the public,” Murphy said. “His service in this role last year helped keep our area safe and, quite possibly, saved lives. Neuse News will fill this short term void with several of our incredibly talented journalists.”

At the request of former Lenoir County Emergency Services Director Roger Dail, Hanks first served as the PIO for Lenoir County during the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in late 2016 and Hurricane Florence last year. In preparation for Hurricane Dorian, LCES Director Jerri King, who assumed the position on Jan. 1, requested Hanks to serve as the PIO.

Additionally, Hanks will be serving as the PIO for Jones County at the request of County Manager Franky Howard, a position he also held in 2018 following Hurricane Florence.

“We hope and pray Dorian stays away, but understand Lenoir and Jones residents will receive accurate and timely updates with Bryan's help," Murphy said.

Hanks said he was honored to serve Lenoir County and Jones County again this year.

"I am also extremely proud of serving as editor of Neuse News for B.J. and our community, but we both recognize it would be unethical at this time for me to make editorial decisions for the site while providing public information for the residents of Lenoir County and Jones County,” Hanks said. "I look forward to rejoining B.J. and our awesome staff at the Neuse News when my duties to Lenoir County and Jones County are complete."