All tagged Kristy Bock

Kristy Bock: When words are the downfall of communication

Words have power, and the lack of personal accountability throughout social media has segregated humans into categories that are all-encompassing. The division forced readers and posters to assume sides instead of attempting to find a middle ground. If there are no repercussions for inflammatory or sensationalized media forums, blatant lies and half-truths will masquerade as fact that influences humans who believe what they read without independent verification.

Bean to bar chocolate available at The Market

Woodberry Chocolates is a small, family-operated company with a love of chocolate. They strive to offer quality bean to bar artisan chocolates and confections handcrafted in Kinston. Their wares are located inside Downstairs at The Market on Herritage Street in Kinston, patrons can sample different types of chocolate made inside the shop.

Kinston City Council creates two additional paid holidays, "not costing the city any extra money"

The Kinston City Council passed two motions on Monday evening declaring two additional paid holidays for city staff. The first motion makes General Election Day a paid holiday, falling this year on Tuesday, November 3. The second motion creates Juneteenth as a paid city holiday backdating to June 19, 2020.

Councilmember Sammy Aiken said, “For the public’s information, this is not costing the city any extra money.” Then he followed up with the question, “Is that correct?”

“That’s correct, Mr. Aikens,” said Mayor Don Hardy.

Brown's Sweet Treats celebrates 20 years

In 2000, Darlene Brown took a risk and left her job at Caswell Center to open a bakery. Twenty years later, she has accomplished many things including making a cake and cookies for the Carolina Tarheels Basketball team, baking for Lenoir County and the Chamber of Commerce, and hopes to continue to serve current and potential customers for another 20 years.

Local health official recommends skipping some festivities for Halloween

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) strongly recommended that alternative Halloween activities, instead of the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, be utilized. Lenoir County Health Director Pam Brown shared her thoughts on what area families can do to keep their family safe this Halloween. “Individuals and families should skip festivities where many people are gathered and children should not go door to door collecting candy from shared bowls ... A Halloween costume mask is not considered a protective mask, and children should not wear both a protective mask and a Halloween decorative mask at the same time.”

KPD announces the passing of retired Police Officer Levi Simmons

The Kinston Police Department announced the loss of retired Police Officer Levi Simmons who served in law enforcement for 50 years and was certified as the longest-serving police officer in North Carolina. Originally from Sneads Ferry, Simmons started his career after capturing the attention of Jacksonville’s chief of police in 1967. His service in Kinston lasted from 1990 through his retirement in 2018.

College for the Holidays at LCC

Each year Lenoir Community College offers College for the Holidays where certain classes are marketed toward students who attend a four-year North Carolina university, as well as those attending LCC. The five week courses run from November 23rd through December 28th. The goal of the classes is to help out students who may be missing a class or two to help get caught up. LCC has articulation agreements with all of the four-year North Carolina universities to ensure the credits will transfer. “It’s a really good opportunity for our students to get that extra three to seven credits that they might need to transfer back,” said Dr. Timothy Maddox.

flyExclusive continues to grow with new Chief Operating Officer Col. Donn Yates

Kinston-based flyExclusive, a leading provider of premium private jet charter travel, recently announced that it is expanding its leadership team with the addition of Col. Donn Yates to the role of Chief Operating Officer. With 28 years in the United States Air Force, Yates held the command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base with a wealth of combat experience and more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15 aircraft.