After warnings, N.C. launches Medicaid claims system
(AP) -- A new $480 million computer system begins processing North Carolina's Medicaid payment claims, and state health agency officials hope it's ready for prime time. The complex NCTracks software...
View ArticleAudit says IRS sent 2,400 refunds to one N.C. address
(AP) -- A federal audit shows that a single North Carolina address was sent more than 2,400 refunds by the Internal Revenue Service in the 2011 tax year. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports...
View ArticleLenoir County arrest reports
The following arrests were reported by the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office: Elwood Eugene Tyndall, 45, 906 Madison Ann Drive, La Grange, June 17, misdemeanor order for arrest/child support,...
View ArticleKinston arrest reports
The following arrests were reported by the Kinston Dept. of Public Safety: Trenton Sinclair Williams, 30, 1410 Old Snow Hill Road, Kinston, June 6, misdemeanor contempt of court. Bond: $1,000....
View ArticleSnow Hill woman is new Legion Auxiliary district president
SNOW HILL — A Greene County woman has advanced in the veteran service organization, American Legion Auxiliary, to become a district president. JoAnn Artis Stevens, the wife of a Vietnam-era veteran,...
View ArticleJones County may rejoin Council of Governments
Jones County opted out of the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, an agency providing a variety of services for counties and municipalities in a 16-county region. But they may be joining back....
View ArticleMan allegedly attempts to enter patrol car while drunk
A man allegedly walked down the middle of East Caswell Street, shouting and causing a disruption while drunk, and attempted to enter a police cruiser. According to the Kinston Department of Public...
View ArticleKinston Towers’ repairs to take three to four weeks
It’s going to take longer than expected as residents of Kinston Towers won’t be able to move back into their homes for up to a month. According to the Kinston Housing Authority, the electrical repairs...
View ArticleFight leads to stabbing
Shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday, a simple walk down a road south of Jackson Heights turned into a knife fight. According to the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, Jacob Lynch was walking down Albrittons...
View ArticlePolice finding weapons on increasing amount of young teens, adults
On June 9, the Kinston Department of Public Safety received a tip about illegal guns. The suspects were minors, according to the incident narrative. Officers seized four .22-caliber rifles, two...
View ArticleColumn: Seven-fingered man still loves fireworks and the Fourth
Editor’s note: This column was originally published July 3, 2012. When Curtis Payne was a young boy, he always looked forward to July 4th. “Unless the rain had messed us up, we’d didn’t have to work...
View ArticleN.C. House, Senate still working on tax reform bill
After weeks of deliberation on a tax reform bill — House Bill 998 — the N.C. House and Senate are still deliberating on a compromise. “We’re trying to negotiate, but one chamber has 120 members and...
View ArticleUPDATE: Police need help identifying suspect
UPDATE: A man allegedly running a scam on area Wal-Marts is wanted by the Kinston Department of Public Safety. Two pictures released by KDPS show the man — 36-year-old Greenville resident Renford Neal...
View ArticleYouth leader at N.C. church faces sex charges
(AP) -- A youth leader at a church in Rowan County has been arrested on charges of inappropriate behavior with underage victims. Sheriff's detectives say 36-year-old Torrey Morgan of Salisbury is...
View ArticleColumn: Hello, I'm Jessika
I can assure you I will not pack your Free Press sports pages with Lakers news. Some of you may recognize my byline from news stories appearing in the paper the last nine months. With a fervent goal...
View ArticleKelly: Fourth of July food fare
Celebrate the birth of our great nation this week with food that reflects the Red, White and Blue! Red, White and Blue Pasta Salad 1 8-ounce package pasta 1/2 cup roasted or sundried tomatoes 1/2...
View ArticleConservation winners recognized / Names in news
Conservation winners recognized The Lenoir Soil and Water Conservation District held its annual poster, essay, speech and computer designed slide show contest for the 2013 school year, and has...
View ArticleWealthy Tar Heels against potential tax cut
While the N.C. House and Senate continue to deliberate on tax cuts for businesses, a group of the wealthiest residents of the state are making a push to eliminate the cut for the good of the working...
View ArticleGuest Column: A look back at a historic lawsuit
“Freedom is never free.” When my friend Ted Sampley, local businessman, veteran and activist, passed away, I had those words were inscribed on his memorial. Ted knew that government unchecked is...
View ArticleSuspect wanted in Sunday shooting
A 17-year-old man is wanted in connection to a Sunday shooting in the 300 block of Adkin Street. “(The victim) couldn’t tell us who was shooting at him,” Kinston Department of Public Safety spokesman...
View Article