Spending cuts key to taming deficit
NOW THAT Congress has approved tax increases, the focus in Washington needs to be on runaway spending, deficits and the massive accumulation of national debt. But some in Congress just can’t stop...
View ArticleParker: Controversial action seeks to remedy unemployment insurance debt
A bill moving through the North Carolina General Assembly is seeking a remedy to this state’s unemployment insurance problems. Right now, North Carolina owes the federal government $2.8 billion for...
View ArticleThe Wright stuff for the job
When Paige Wright joined the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary in 2005, she knew she had what it takes to make the Army Thrift Store’s boutique a success. “When I went to the Auxiliary,” she said, “I...
View ArticleFilling the Frame
Around four years ago, staffers from the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office were in Wilmington for computer training, when they saw a secretary’s counter covered in rocks. “It caught our attention,” says...
View ArticleMiss N.C. returns home from Miss America
Although she did not win the sought-after Miss America crown Saturday, Miss North Carolina Arlie Honeycutt traveled back to the Tar Heel State with her head held high. “Going into the broadcast, I had...
View ArticleCity of Kinston has preliminary list of 30 houses slated for demolition
When Richard and Pamela Ivey moved to the 400 block of East Lenoir Avenue in early 2012, they were looking for a quiet block to live on. While they have found a block safe enough to have their...
View ArticleLouisiana health official to lead N.C. Medicaid program
The Associated Press North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's administration moved quickly Thursday to name a Louisiana health official to lead the state's huge Medicaid program. Health and Human...
View ArticleN.C. school districts cut paddling cases in half
By EMERY P. DALESIO Associated Press The number of children being paddled in North Carolina public schools is falling fast as fewer districts use physical pain to enforce discipline, a report...
View ArticleLenoir County arrest reports
Takeisha Dianne Barrett, 30, 501 Day Circle Drive, Goldsboro, Dec. 22, misdemeanor simple physical assault, misdemeanor contempt of court. Bond: $800. Arresting officer: A. Kuenzi. Nekkia Toyana...
View ArticleGreene County arrest reports
The following arrests were reported by the Greene County Sheriff's Office: Geraldine Coppedgeu, 50, 232 Meadow Drive, Snow Hill, Dec. 28, felony conspire to sell schedule II, felony conspire to...
View ArticleWreck with injuries
Wes Wolfe of The Free Press is on the scene of a car accident with injuries on N.C. 58 North at Dawson Station. See tomorrow's edition of The Free Press for the full story.
View ArticleLancers brace for No. 1 Louisburg
Reminded moments after a 99-88 win over Guilford Tech on Saturday that his team next faces No. 1 Louisburg, Lenoir Community College men’s basketball coach Bobby Dawson had an interesting, if not...
View ArticleJones takes narrow view of NEH grant
Though couched in concerns for federal spending that are easy to understand, the objections of U.S. Rep. Walter Jones to a National Endowment for the Humanities grant that provides a community college...
View ArticleBenefit to support 7-year-old / Names in the news
Benefit to support 7-year-old A barbecue benefit sponsored by Southwood Memorial Christian Church is planned for Friday for Emily Dunham, 7-year-old daughter of Sam and Kim Dunham. Emily was diagnosed...
View ArticleWreck sends Kinston woman to hospital
A Chevrolet Suburban met up with a Dodge Stratus Monday morning, with predictable results. “They were traveling north on (N.C.) 58, and the Dodge stopped at the intersection, and the Suburban ran into...
View ArticleArea school systems dealing better with dropouts
Kinston High School Principal Angela Bryant knows sometimes a traditional pathway to education isn’t always best for some of her students, but some of those alternatives still contributed to the North...
View ArticleColumn: City of Kinston to annex Tri-County Electric
Many City of Kinston utility customers are still fuming over the recent Rouse Road substation failure that left thousands of customers without electricity. Those who weren’t fuming described...
View ArticlePreston laid to rest Monday
SNOW HILL — One of Greene County’s favorite daughters was laid to rest Monday. Jean Rouse Preston, a state legislator for 20 years, was buried at Fairview Cemetery in La Grange following a service at...
View ArticleLong-serving commissioner passes away
Marguerite G. Whitfield, who spent 12 years on the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners — and served on the boards of a number of other community organizations — passed away Sunday at the age of 85....
View ArticleIRS will begin accepting income tax returns Jan. 30
Early income tax filers should expect to receive their federal income tax return a week later than in past years, due to the Internal Revenue Service pushing the date it will accept returns back one...
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