The mission of Neuse News is to provide hyper-local news to communities in or near the Neuse River Basin via a web-based platform and subsequent print publications We will do so with no online subscription fees and no subscription to the Associated Press We will provide valuable information to consumers that will help them lead more productive lives as citizens Subscribe to our FREE Neuse Newsletter! the City of Kinston recognized four community leaders and organizations with the prestigious Mayoral Key to the City and impact on the local and statewide community Mayor Don Hardy presented Keys to the City to G.I and martial arts educator Grandmaster Joseph Jones during a series of heartfelt tributes delivered from the festival stage Joes and its partners for their ongoing efforts to serve North Carolina veterans and respond in times of crisis the organization played a pivotal role in delivering emergency supplies during Hurricane Helene helping to distribute goods across western North Carolina “This organization… represents the best of who we are as a city and as a community,” Hardy said “They remind us that service doesn’t end with the uniform.” Alfonzo Driggers Honored for Business Leadership and Faithful Service a longtime Kinston entrepreneur and co-owner of Tops was recognized for his decades of business leadership and dedication to his community and church A 1973 graduate of North Lenoir High School Driggers has been married for nearly 50 years and is an active leader at Live Oak Church in Grifton a shining example has been set in the business world,” Hardy said “His mission has been clear: to uplift and inspire by helping others feel their best — from head to feet.” Kenneth Blizzard Celebrated for Civic Contributions a Kinston High School graduate and President of Contract Flooring & Design was honored for his extensive involvement in civic and philanthropic causes across Lenoir County and eastern North Carolina A former board member of the Salvation Army Blizzard also serves in leadership roles at First Presbyterian Church and East Carolina University “He is a reflection of what it means to give back and to never forget your roots,” said Kinston’s Special Events Coordinator K Grandmaster Joseph Jones Recognized for Mentorship and Youth Empowerment A local legend in martial arts and youth mentorship Grandmaster Joseph Jones was honored for his six decades of Taekwondo practice and his enduring impact on generations of Kinston youth Since opening his martial arts academy in 2001 Jones has led programs across schools and community centers while earning numerous awards for his service we honor not just the master of martial arts — we honor a master of mentorship “Thank you for making Kinston stronger — one life at a time.” The Key to the City is one of Kinston’s highest honors symbolizing gratitude for those whose work continues to shape the community for the better For more about the BBQ Fest on the Neuse and upcoming city recognitions, visit www.kinstonnc.gov Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you. Word nerd with an unhealthy obsession with politics who happens to be a paranormal fiction author Email her at kristy@neusenews.com Happening right now in the heart of Kinston the annual BBQ on the Neuse Festival While contestants are firing up their grills tonight there’s a lot of action happening on North Heritage Street And you can see all the action happening right behind me This two-day festival includes activities for kids vendors and over 100 different food options so in about roughly 30 minutes they’ll be welcoming the cooking teams and later tonight they’ll get started on their pig We spoke to two contestants earlier about the hours’ long process Sot (Charles Worthington/contestant) TRT 6 sec The chefs say in the mean IME they’ll be preparing their sauces and their minds for the long night ahead they will have live performances from two talented country artists to kick off night one But tomorrow is the day you do not want to miss there will be a car show and we will find out the winner for the 2025 BBQ on the Neuse cook off has died at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville Ross Jovian Smith will now be charged with another felony count of first degree murder.Previous:A Kinston man is in custody of Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office investigators after allegedly killing his wife and severely wounding a man and a dog this morning is accused of breaking into a residence on the 100 block of Carl Ball Lane a little after 8:30 a.m this morning and shooting his estranged wife Latoya Smith was pronounced dead at the scene; Kennion was taken to a landing zone in Jackson Heights where he was airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville Ross Smith also allegedly shot a dog in the residence; the dog is still alive Smith fled the scene in a black Chrysler sedan; the vehicle was identified with assistance from the Kinston Police Department LCSO deputies located the vehicle on the 1400 block of Stroud Avenue in Kinston LCSO deputies took Smith into custody without incident near the N.C 11 intersection in Pitt County at approximately 11:30 a.m Smith is still being interviewed by LCSO investigators and has not yet appeared before a magistrate Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said Smith is going to be charged with first degree murder felony breaking and entering and felony animal cruelty This is still an active investigation; when Smith is taken before the magistrate we will release a mugshot and potentially further details The 44th Annual Wil King Hog Happenin’ at the BBQ Fest on the Neuse brought thousands to downtown Kinston and a shared passion for Eastern North Carolina’s culinary heritage This year’s festival featured a record-breaking number of cook teams with over 100 participants from across the Southeast competing in backyard and professional divisions sanctioned by the North Carolina Pork Council culminated in the announcement of winners on Saturday afternoon Sauce Boss Mark Copeland and Bill Perry of the Pocosin Boys earned top honors in the Sauce Boss category showcasing their signature blend of flavor and technique also secured first place in the Natural Source category underscoring their mastery in traditional whole hog preparation 1st Place: Scottie McNamera of Little Doo Que impressed judges with his backyard barbecue skills 3rd Place: Chris Hatcher of Throwing Smoke supported by Hobart/Down East Food Equipment Solutions 1st Place: Mark Copeland and Bill Perry of the Pocosin Boys continued their winning streak with a standout showing 4th Place: Chris Fineran of Beach Boys BBQ rounded out the top professional competitors the festival aimed to set a Guinness World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches sold in an eight-hour period Attendees lined up at the Chop Tent to contribute to the tally with official adjudicators from Guinness overseeing the attempt The BBQ Fest on the Neuse continues to be a cornerstone event in Kinston celebrating the region’s rich barbecue traditions and community spirit A convicted felon was arrested by Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies Tuesday after he was found hiding in an outbuilding with a firearm of Kinston was arrested in an outbuilding on Andy Lane in Kinston and charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon He was also served with several outstanding orders for arrest for failing to appear in court on other charges The situation started when LCSO deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on Wendy Lane in Kinston it was discovered that Miller had left the scene LCSO Street Crimes and Ready Response (SCARR) officers soon located Miller inside the outbuilding on Andy Lane and he was arrested Miller was booked into the Lenoir County Jail under a total secured bond of $43,000 for all charges Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLENOIR COUNTY (WITN) - A man who was in critical condition after he was shot has now died According to an update from Lenoir County Public Information Officer Bryan Hanks 24-year-old Calvin Kennion of Pink Hill has died at ECU Health Medical Center that’s off Highway 55 in the Moss Hill area of Lenoir County Deputies say Ross Smith broke into the home around 8:30 a.m where he shot and killed his estranged wife The 35-year-old Smith left the home and deputies say his vehicle was found on Stroud Avenue in Kinston Smith was eventually arrested near the Highway 903 and Highway 11 intersection in Pitt County around 11:30 a.m. Ross Smith was charged with first degree murder Now Smith will be charged with another felony count of first degree murder The following land transfers were filed with the Lenoir County Register of Deeds: Maidred Stroud to Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne Reginald Stroud to Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne Smart Kinston City Project Foundation to Heather Giddens NC State Road 1144 & NC Hwy 11 & Woodland Avenue Cindy Shackelford to Shackelford Properties Hyper-local news by the team you know and trust. Subscribe to the Neuse Newsletter - emailed every morning at 7:00 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page WNCT The NC Pork Council and Smithfield Foods teamed up with the BBQ Festival on the Neuse to set a Guinness World Record for the most barbecue sandwiches sold in eight hours The NCHSAA released the playoff brackets for baseball as games are set to begin Tuesday Professional baseball returns to historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston with the Down East Bird Dawgs Persephone Tirrito is a 14-year-old multi-sport athlete on the Swansboro Middle School baseball team The city of Greenville is taking another step towards completing a major project that has been in the works for years It’s Cinco de Mayo today and Mexican culture celebrates the victory over French armed forces in the battle of Puebla in 1862 Local restaurants in the area are preparing for their busiest day of the year ECU graduation is this weekend and Pitt Community College is the following weekend With the busy transition period in Greenville some graduates will try to get their start in the workforce and federal experts provided resources and information for the upcoming hurricane season during Carteret County's Hurricane Preparedness Expo The city of Greenville will be adding longer hours to the Greenville Public Transit System starting Monday The month of May is Water Safety Awareness Month as summer is just around the corner Learn about the benefits of flying local at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in New Bern explore the awesome products at the periwinkle in Beaufort and find out how you can save on amazing products with Epic Discounts by BestReviews Davia speaks with Andrew Shorter about easy-access travel and why flying local through Coastal Carolina Regional Airport makes a difference Riley's Army hosted a barbeque fundraiser to raise money to support local children with cancer and their families April 29 by Lenoir County Sheriff's Office deputies for hiding in an outbuilding with a firearm LCSO deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on Wendy Lane in Kinston on Tuesday Deputies discovered that Miller had left the scene when they arrived Miller was located by officers in the outbuilding and was arrested was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon According to authorities Miller was also served with multiple outstanding orders for his arrest due to failing to appear in court on other charges Miller was taken to the Lenoir County Jail where he received a $43,000 secured bond Police in Kinston are investigating a series of break-ins that happened last Friday Officers first responded to a breaking and entering on April 25 just before 6:00 am at the Greater Kinston Credit Union they located a door that was damaged and uncovered that a male suspect had entered and ransacked the business Officials say no items have been reported stolen from the bank at this time KPD says they received a second breaking and entering call while still on scene at the Greater Kinston Credit Union Officers responded to the Kinston Pawn Shop where they found a broken widow and say $600 worth of items were stolen They have confirmed that the person responsible for both break-ins are the same individual Anyone with information about this investigation or the suspect is asked to call the Kinston Police Department Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Kinston-Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444 Lenoir County — UPDATE: The Kinston Police Department have released the identity of the fatal stabbing victim The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Bradly Brady of Hickory Officials say Brady was staying at a secondary home in Kinston at the time of the incident Police also say no one is currently in custody and the incident is believed to be isolated Kinston police are currently investigating a fatal stabbing of a Hickory man who was found lying outside of an apartment early Wednesday morning Officers were called out to Rose Vista Road at 7:00 am to a report of a person possibly shot officers located an unresponsive 45-year-old man with an unknown injury The man was pronounced dead on scene by EMS officials Detectives and Crime Scene personnel were called out and discovered that the man died from a stab wound to the chest Officials say there is no known threat to the community surrounding this incident and this investigation remains ongoing Anyone with information regarding this stabbing is asked to call the Kinston Police Department's Tip Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444 News 12 is on the scene and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available The Crown Point #1 Fire in Hubert has grown to 50 acres in size and is now 100% contained The Kinston Police Department along with the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP) have received a second pole-mounted radar speed display at no cost This radar will be permanently installed and will collect traffic data to help responsible driving habits Several road closures are expected for the BBQ Fest on the Neuse event along with certain public parking lots as well A Kinston Police Department Facebook post lists the closures LENOIR COUNTY — The Kinston Police Department have made a second arrest following an investigation into a report of a shots fired incident earlier this month The investigation kicked off on February 6 when the Kinston Police Department got a call about shots fired near Bright Street and Adkin Street they found out that two cars had entered into the intersection at the same time and started shooting at each other The Investigations Division launched an investigation into the incident and with help from video footage and witness accounts Officials obtained warrants for 45-year-old Milton Jones Jr of Kinston on charges of attempted first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon He was transported to the Lenoir County Jail was found in possession of over 70 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at the time of his arrest and now faces additional charges to include possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver schedule VI The first arrest in this case was 26-year-old Nico Jones who was arrested and charged with a felon in possession of a firearm and felony conspiracy. He was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he remains held without bond. This case continues to remain under investigation please reach out to the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444 Big Lots is officially reopening its Kinston location at 2407 N which closed temporarily amid the company’s financial challenges Lockhart announced a hiring event beginning Thursday The store is looking to fill positions for customer service associates and applicants are encouraged to speak with the store manager on duty Big Lots originally faced closure following the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September 2024 the chain announced plans to close hundreds of stores nationwide as it struggled with declining sales and mounting debts a company based in Henderson with a long history dating back to the 1940s has given the Kinston store a second chance Variety Wholesalers also owns Roses and Maxway and has been actively expanding its presence in eastern North Carolina a well-known figure in the Kinston community and a former Kinston High School basketball standout has returned to manage the store after originally starting his career there he was transferred to Greenville but chose to come back to Kinston when the reopening opportunity arose Lockhart envisions a fresh new look for the store incorporating more high-end clothing and even some small appliances — a nod to the classic Big Lots shopping experience “It’s about bringing back the old Big Lots feel,” he said The store is aiming for a soft launch on May 1 with new shelving and merchandise arriving in the coming weeks While the store has filled most of its staffing needs it continues to accept applications and welcomes community support and we need the community’s support to keep us here in Kinston,” Lockhart said The store will operate seven days a week from 9 a.m as it works to reestablish itself as a vital part of the local retail landscape LENOIR COUNTY — A multi-vehicle car incident yesterday in Kinston resulted in tragedy Today the community is mourning the loss of 51-year-old Torry Gardner Gardner was described as a hard-working man Authorities believe that Torry Gardner also known as face may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash which resulted in a six-car chain reaction Local authorities in Kinston were dispatched to East Vernon Street Monday afternoon for a crash involving six cars According to a press release by Police Chief Keith Goyette 51-year-old Torry Gardner may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash Gardner struck the first car causing a chain reaction “Was a very impactful person here in the barbershop and he's greatly going to be missed," said Jeano Farrow/ barbershop owner Jeano Farrow is the owner of Jeano’s Beauty and Barber Shop in downtown Kinston where Gardner worked for thirteen years before the pandemic He says the last time he saw his long-term friend was last Friday was a loved and well-known barber in Kinston Facebook has been flooded with posts remembering Gardner and his contribution to the community Always kept somethings going on in the shop and was a part of the family here at Jeano’s beauty and barbershop," said Farrow you can tell how much he meant to the community Not just in the barbershop but in the community itself.” Jeano says tomorrow they will be decorating his chair to honor him and what he meant to the barbershop But as of now the community in Kinston is mourning this tragic loss A 15-year-old has been charged after authorities say he led them on a high-speed chase from NC 11 in Pink Hill The chase started at a Duplin County trash dump when the teen jumped into a vehicle while an elderly woman was dropping off her trash per Pink Hill Police Department Chief Michael Hoffman The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office Crash Reduction Team observed the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed around 5:30 p.m heading north on NC 11 just south of Kinston Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle and pursued it from NC 11 onto US 70 West The teen made a U-turn and began traveling east on US 70 to Hill Farm Road then onto Banks School Road before the chase ended at Barnet Park in Kinston The teen was taken into custody and transported to Duplin County where he has been charged with larceny of a motor vehicle The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office has charged the teen with felony speeding to elude arrest and several other traffic violations on juvenile petitions A secure custody order was issued in Duplin County and he was placed in the county’s juvenile detention center This story will be updated after more information is made available Officers from the Kinston Police Department’s A-Squad and Investigations Division responded to a report of a breaking and entering on Hardee Road the location of the former Vernon Park Mall on Friday officers conducted a search of the building but were unable to locate any suspects during that time KPD was notified by a Caswell Police Officer shortly after that they received a call about a person reportedly trapped in the ductwork of the same building along with officials from Kinston Fire Department responded to the scene and located Michael Sturkey of Black Creek approximately 25 feet in the air Sturkey voluntarily descended a ladder and was taken into custody without incident He was transported to UNC Lenoir for medical treatment not related to the incident Sturkey has been charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues Sturkey has not yet been formally processed for the criminal charges NC — The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office arrested two men on multiple charges following a traffic stop in Kinston on Thursday Deputies pulled over 19-year-old Steven Montrell Hagans and 20-year-old Jaylen Malik Baker both from Greene County in a vehicle on North Queen Street in Kinston This stop was in response to a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alert issued by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Three firearms along with a bag of marijuana were discovered during the traffic stop which led to the arrests of both Hagans and Baker Hagans faces charges of felony possession of a stolen firearm carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a schedule VI-controlled substance Baker was charged with felony possession of a stolen firearm The Kinston Police Department is seeking assistance in finding Shamia Freeman KPD described Freeman as 5'1 tall and around 120 pounds If you have any information on Freeman's whereabouts The University is currently operating under normal conditions Growing up surrounded by the effects of poverty and violence in Kinston the incoming first-year student founded a program to empower young people in his community Service has been a hallmark of Chris Suggs’ teenage years in his hometown of Kinston Now the incoming first-year student is ready to bring that same spirit of service to campus this fall “There have been good times and challenging times But 2014 was the most challenging year that Kinston faced in my lifetime “Seeing firsthand the effects of poverty and to hear gunshots… by October I was like Suggs launched the nonprofit Kinston Teens with a mission to empower young people through a strengthened community and civic engagement “This isn’t just an after-school program or a club that you meet once a month with,” he explained “We are connecting teens in Kinston with their city council members – even using SnapChat We want young people to get involved in leading this organization and leading our community.” the group has been a force in leading recent “Overall crime is down in our community the last several years- violent crime as well as juvenile crime,” said mayor BJ Murphy “The Kinston Teens organization has been such a help The state of North Carolina benefits from someone like Chris being in our state who has a passion to serve our state and the local community.” The dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy talks about her research The Well compiled all the details you need before attending UNC-Chapel Hill’s May 10 graduation The Well newsletter updates Tar Heels on UNC-Chapel Hill’s top stories NC Children’s will be North Carolina’s first freestanding hospital dedicated to caring for kids The Carolina sophomore shares her life through her poems © 2024 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The Kinston Police Department’s B-Squad conducted a checking station on Queen Street on Friday This lead to multiple violations being addressed These were the findings from the checking station: According to authorities, Andrea McCoy, 50, of Lenoir County was found operating a motor vehicle without a registration plate. McCoy was also previously arrested on Jan. 4 for drug possession. KPD’s K9 Loki was deployed during the investigation and alerted to the presence of narcotics. Cocaine was discovered following the search of the vehicle . McCoy was arrested and taken to the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond. Officers initiated a traffic stop on David Taylor, 57, of Lenoir County after the checking station for a motor vehicle violation, authorities say. During the stop, officers observed narcotic violations, leading to an investigation, authorities say. A Snow Hill man is behind bars after Kinston authorities say they discovered he was operating a stolen vehicle during a traffic stop. Montaris Johnson, 26, was stopped around 12:57 a.m. on Friday, March 7, by the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad. The stop was in reference to a stolen vehicle incident, per officials, and the vehicle had been reported stolen to KPD on July 17, 2024. Johnson was taken into custody without incident, per a release. Johnson had previously been identified as a suspect in the original investigation and authorities had obtained multiple warrants for his arrest including the following: Johnson was transported to the Lenoir County Jail, where he was booked under a secured bond. The Kinston Police Department remains committed to holding offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of our community. Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Kinston gets $2M grant for lead line replacement under federal infrastructure lawby Chloe Ettinger Hardy is announcing that Kinston has been awarded a $2 million grant from the North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA) to support lead service line replacement throughout Kinston and Lenoir County made possible through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and administered by the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Infrastructure Replacing outdated service lines is critical to protecting public health This investment will allow us to upgrade aging water systems preventing contamination risks and ensuring that Kinston families have access to safe drinking water for generations to come Hardy expressed his gratitude to Kinston Public Services team for their dedication in securing these funds and the NC Department of Environmental Quality for their commitment New data from the Kinston Police Department indicates a notable decrease in crime statistics as shared during the city council meeting last night Calls for service in Kinston decreased by nearly 4,000 in 2024 The number of arrests also saw a significant decline with 2,379 arrests in 2023 compared to 1,368 in 2024 the report highlighted an increase in the use of force events per arrest Chief Goyette noted that both property crimes and crimes against people have decreased since 2024 "The men and women of the police department do an amazing job I stand up here and I talk to you all and I make little charts But—you know the boots on the ground those who are working really extremely hard and take every case serious." Chief Goyette reported a drop in the number of shootings within the city while this year the number fell to approximately 20 While Chief Goyette expressed a desire to see the number of shootings drop to zero he emphasized that the department is doing its best to protect the people of Kinston Image Courtesy of the Kinston Police Department A Lenoir County resident was arrested for driving while impaired after a traffic stop by the Kinston Police Department on Highway 258 South the Kinston Police Department's B-Squad conducted a traffic stop after a vehicle nearly struck an officer's patrol car Rombold admitted to having an illegally concealed firearm inside the vehicle Rombold was arrested and charged with the following Rombold was transported to the Lenoir County Jail where he was held without bond due to being on pretrial release for a previous DWI offense Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department at (252) 939-3160 or their tip line at (252) 939-3160 More than 75 pounds of marijuana were seized from a Hullwood Drive residence in Kinston are behind bars facing multiple drug charges were arrested after the LCSO’s Street Crimes and Rapid Response (SCARR) and narcotics units conducted a drug investigation at a Hullwood Drive home LCSO officials were aided by the Craven County Sheriff’s Office the Havelock Police Department and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Authorities say that upon the execution of a search warrant along with various materials to distribute process and package the drugs were located Evidence was discovered on scene that linked Goldman and Johnson as suspects Goodman was arrested at the scene and Johnson was later arrested at a traffic stop with the assistance of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Officials say that Goodman and Johnson were both held in the Lenoir County Jail on no-bond holds due to being out of jail on pretrial release on previous criminal charges Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad conducted multiple enforcement actions resulting in several citations and arrests C-Squad officers conducted a traffic stop on Wade Cherry Cherry admitted to illegally carrying a concealed firearm during the stop officers observed a glass jar containing marijuana and drug paraphernalia Officers responded to a shots fired report in the Williams Street area Officers were directed to a residence in the 700 block after canvassing the area where they located several shell casings in the front yard admitted to firing rounds into the air in celebration of his birthday C-Squad officers conducted a traffic stop on Queen Street leading to a search of the vehicle occupied by Lauren Barfield Officers discovered 10 grams of methamphetamine Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Jail Lenoir County— Firefighters from Kinston and Lenoir County responded to a house fire early on the morning of Monday Officials tell News12 that the fire caused damage to approximately 70 percent of the house We will provide updates as we learn more about the potential cause A convicted felon from is behind bars without bond after assaulting two Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies while they were attempting to arrest him on nearly a dozen charges including domestic violence against a pregnant woman and her children LCSO deputies had responded to a domestic disturbance call in which Lenoir County Communications had been advised by a caller that a naked male subject was outside of a residence threatening to assault the caller and her children Dispatch further advised that the subject had entered two other residences in the area without consent Kinsey physically attacked two deputies by striking them in the head and face with a closed fist A Good Samaritan assisted the deputies and helped take Kinsey into custody The deputies were taken to the hospital and treated for the injuries they sustained during the assault after the altercation with Kinsey They were later released after being treated for their injuries Deputies learned Kinsey had held the pregnant victim and the children against their will and threatened them with a firearm The victim was eventually able to escape the residence and run to a neighbor’s home for help Kinsey entered two residences in the area while trying to find the victim Deputies located and seized the firearm Kinsey used against the victim; their investigation also revealed he was a convicted felon Kinsey was taken to the Lenoir County Magistrate’s Office Kinsey received no bond due to being out on pretrial release This is an ongoing investigation with more charges pending Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers said he would unequivocally not tolerate any assaults on his deputies The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office charged a Kinston woman with two misdemeanors on Tuesday related to stealing items from a yard sale on the 2500 block of U.S She was accused of stealing a box that contained jewelry Browning allegedly stole the box and then fled to a neighboring residence The LCSO deputies went to the house where Browning entered and spoke with a family member then the family member told deputies Browning had stolen the items and fled the residence in a vehicle leaving some of the stolen property behind The witness provided the recovered items to the deputies who returned the stolen property to the owners Browning’s probation officer was contacted and the suspect surrendered to the LCSO — UPDATE: North Carolina State Highway Patrol officials tell us that the initial investigation has revealed that the patrol vehicle was traveling south on NC 241 when it crossed the center line and traveled off the roadway to the left Miller stated that he fell asleep as to the reason for traveling off the roadway Miller was transported to UNC Health Lenoir in Kinston but had no obvious injuries Firefighters in Potters Hill say a Kinston Police car was involved in a crash Sunday morning According to firefighters they responded to Highway 241 at 6:38 A.M in reference to a wreck involving a patrol car and a light pole Firefighters say the driver was trapped due to power lines on the vehicle Firefighters say Tri County EMC arrived and turned off the power and the driver and his K9 were able to get out The Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library will host its biannual book sale beginning on Saturday The sale will continue Monday March 17th through Wednesday March 19th In addition to books there will also be books on CD For more information about the book sale or any other programs in March, please call 252-527-7066, Ext. 134, email the library at nrl@neuselibrary.org or visit our website at www.neuselibrary.org The article above was submitted as a Press Release Neuse News publishes press releases from various sources The content of these press releases is provided by the originating entity and is published as received Neuse News does not independently verify the accuracy or reliability of the information contained in these press releases LENOIR COUNTY — Community members expressed frustration over the increasing number of abandoned homes in their community At Monday's neighborhood meeting hosted by the organization 'Kinston Teens,' community members voiced their concerns about the deteriorating state of their neighborhoods I wouldn’t." She emphasized the importance of property owners taking responsibility "Everyone should have that same heart and soul about where they come from or property you own "It's hurtful because I remember a time when this used to be a beautiful home that an elderly lady lived in and now she’s in a nursing facility and her family members are doing nothing with it," Thomas said Kinston Planning Director Elizabeth Blount highlighted the economic impact of abandoned properties "If we could get those property owners to take care of it it would be so much better for the city’s economy." She explained that the city notifies property owners after inspections which can cost between $10,000 to $30,000 per home Blount noted that homeless people live in some of the abandoned homes She said nine more homes require inspections before potential condemnation She also pointed out that some of these homes were damaged by previous hurricane flooding "A lot of these houses in this community are very old houses Some of them need to just be taken out." He added "And it makes the neighborhood look slum-ish." Blount stated that the majority of these homes were condemned in 2020 but neighbors said they observed them sitting abandoned for decades The city plans to engage with property owners next week before proceeding with demolitions Lenoir County — A 24-year-old Kinston man was arrested in connection to an attempted gun safe break in at a local Walmart according to the Kinston Police Department February 2 Kinston police along with the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a person trying to break into a gun safe at Walmart Anthony Wooten was taken into custody after law enforcement arrived on scene Wooten now faces charges of two counts of larceny of a firearm He remains jailed at the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to call the Kinston Police Department at 252-939-3160 New regulations could come for vape shops in Kinston the City Council asked planning staff for a report on the number of vape shops in the city They reported there are 20 vape and tobacco shops in the city and its surrounding areas 7 of those shops are located on Vernon Street They say Kinston currently has no regulations for these shops as long they open in the zoning district specific for selling goods Planning staff say their concerns included the number of shops Other cities like Jacksonville and Greenville have separation requirements Some cities in Eastern Carolina prevent the shops from being too close to schools and parks Kinston Mayor Don Hardy says he wants to work to make sure products like Delta-8 stay out of kid’s hands maintaining the current rules or putting in a temporary moratorium while gathering public input My family began this journey thinking we would be in North Carolina for one year; simply to complete a surgical bariatric fellowship at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine and once completed head back "home." Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be practicing medicine in Eastern North Carolina, especially Lenoir County in the last decade this community has afforded my family and me an immeasurable gift It is at the core of what connects us all and makes us human To my partners at UNC Surgical Specialists at Lenoir:  Dr Watching you grow into an amazing surgeon and executive you will truly make a difference for this community you are the glue that holds us together in all those tough spots Wayne Jarman: for being that father figure and the ever-calming presence Jamie Serrano along with the other surgeons joining the team will fit into the family we made and continue the mission to make the health of Kinston better.  To my colleagues and friends at UNC Health Lenoir: Ms whose dream of bringing Kinston a nationally accredited bariatric program was as big as mine The road trip to Novant Health will remain forever in my mind and the many others that have shared in this team's success Heather Rouse.  Your leadership and most importantly your friendship will always be with me The three most important components in any human’s life are: time We never get any more time and once it’s gone Time to do all the wonderful things this life has to offer Trust is the most precious thing that one human can give to another Some may even express it as "love" but at its most basic core it is trust the ability to touch these three human values with those in our community Lisa Domico has taken a job in another state and my family is leaving the area Over the past few weeks everyone’s outpouring of generosity and well wishes for us has been amazing Life often takes us in directions we don’t quite understand until God reveals it Moore and the UNC Health Lenoir Bariatric Surgery Center: came to practice medicine at UNC Health Lenoir in 2004.  It was his dream to bring more weight loss options to Kinston and Eastern NC.  With his guidance and determination Moore lead the team at UNC Health Lenoir in opening the UNC Health Lenoir Bariatric Surgery Center accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP®) a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) The MBSAQIP accreditation ensures that metabolic and bariatric patients receive multidisciplinary medical care improving patient outcomes and long-term success MBSAQIP-Accredited centers offer care before and after surgery designed specifically for patients with obesity The Kinston Police Department arrested two men in relation to a shooting that happened in early December 2024 The KPD's Violent Crime Apprehension Team (VCAT) in a vehicle parked in a yard on the 1600 block of Hyman Avenue Both men were wanted in connection to a shooting in the Richard Green area that happened on December 3 Dontreo Moore was also struck by gunfire in the same incident Dontreo Moore is facing the following charges: Dashawn Moore is facing the following charges: Dashawn Moore was found in possession of a firearm Dontreo Moore was charged with Sell/Deliver Marijuana related to another VCAT investigation Both individuals were placed in the LC Jail under a secured bond KINSTON, N.C. — A Kinston family is dealing with an unthinkable tragedy, after two-year-old Gynie Wade was hit and killed by a car during a domestic dispute. Kinston Police have charged her father Rashaun Wade in the incident Hicks says that her daughter was full of smiles and special little girl she had this little doll baby and you lift her arm up and it would sing and she would just be in there bopping to it everyday," said Hicks Hicks says her daughter could always make anyone smile "This has been truly heartbreakingly hard," says Hicks Hicks says her faith in God has been helping her in grieving Including a message she heard at church on Sunday helping her find forgiveness for Gynie's father loves going to be the only way to get me through this and know he’s beside me." And she says she knows that her daughter will always be with her I know she’s in the happiest and greatest place she ever could be And that’s the only thing I know that’s going to keep me going I know she’s not with me where I want her to be but she’s somewhere way greater and way better and that’s going to keep me pushing forever," says Hicks The Kinston Police Department has announced the resolution of a murder case involving 35-year-old Melvin Lofton who was found shot and killed in his car earlier this month The incident occurred after Lofton crashed into a light pole at the intersection of Dr Officers initially responded to what they believed was a traffic incident just after midnight on November 7 they discovered Lofton deceased in the driver's seat Major Brandon Turner of the Kinston Police Department said "They found the victim Melvin Lofton who was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside his vehicle that had rolled and hit a light pole." Authorities have arrested and charged 26-year-old Kobe Sheppard and 21-year-old Jeramiah Golphin with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy Turner indicated that the suspects and Lofton likely knew each other though the exact details of their relationship remain unclear "We do believe that he knew the suspects and potentially had a close relationship with them," Turner said "I don’t know if it was a murder plot There was obviously some kind of disagreement or some kind of tiff that was going on." while Golphin lived in Snow Hill and was on probation at the time of the incident The investigation involved multiple agencies including the State Bureau of Investigation the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections "The case has been solved," Turner stated emphasizing the collaborative effort required in murder investigations "The moment a shooting occurs or a murder occurs Turner also highlighted the importance of community involvement in solving cases and encouraged residents to continue providing information to the police Three suspects have been arrested in Kinston in relation to a fraud case that involved stolen checks from a local business when the Kinston Police Department arrested Montaris Johnson Johnson is facing several charges related to the incident An investigation continued after Johnson's arrest and warrants were obtained for Paul Hardy III Authorities say that the fraud involved stolen checks from Blizzard Walls Inc where the suspects would forge and deposit the stolen checks Hardy III is facing the following charges: Hardy was transported to the Lenoir County Jail and placed under a secured bond Shenika Hardy voluntarily turned herself in to authorities later on Monday She was also placed in the custody of the Lenoir County Jail under a secured bond The Kinston Police Department’s C-Squad conducted a vehicle stop in the 300 block of E Officers initiated a Driving While Impaired (DWI) investigation during the stop which led to the discovery of cocaine and drug paraphernalia Boyd was arrested at the scene and transported to the Lenoir County Jail officers served an outstanding warrant for arrest related to domestic violence and an order for arrest for failing to appear in court Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kinston Police Department at 252-939-3160 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444 Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here