KEEPING IT 100

It started quietly — the kind of crime most people don’t notice until their money is already gone. What looked like innocent racks of gift cards in Texas stores were actually being turned into a multi‑million‑dollar pipeline for thieves who thought they were smarter than the system. But the system caught up. Three men — Kristians Petrovskis, Romunds Cubrevics, and Nurmunds Ulevicus — were arrested after investigators uncovered a $14 million gift card cloning scheme that stret

The last search for 19‑year‑old Camila Mendoza Olmos began on Christmas Eve, a night that should have been filled with warmth and family, not fear. But while most homes were settling into holiday comfort, one family in Bexar County, Texas slipped into a nightmare. Camila walked away from her house and vanished into the cold. No argument. No warning. No explanation. Just a young woman stepping out the door and disappearing into a silence that made her family’s hearts drop. Fro

Across the country, major changes are hitting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and millions of families will feel the impact. Several states have now received federal approval to ban certain foods  from being purchased with SNAP benefits — and more states are lining up to follow. These changes are part of a nationwide push to restrict “unhealthy” foods like soda, candy, and energy drinks , with the first wave of bans taking effect in 2026 . Here’s what’s

For weeks, people across Lenoir County have been confused, frustrated, and wondering why their LIHEAP applications were denied. Many thought they did something wrong. Others assumed the program had run out of money. But the truth is simple: If you applied before January 1 and you were under 60, you were denied because the early phase was ONLY for seniors. That phase is over. And now the door is wide open. 📌 Starting January 1 — LIHEAP Is Open to All  Households in Lenoir Cou

By Quarla Blackwell I never imagined my name would end up in headlines for something I didn’t even understand. I never imagined that trying to build a business — legally, openly, and with my name on every document — would turn into accusations that make me sound like a criminal mastermind. But that’s exactly what happened. According to online reports, I was charged with four counts of money laundering and two counts of gambling connected to what the state is calling an “illeg

A quiet legal defeat raises big questions about discipline, transparency, and leadership inside KPD — and inside City Hall. KINSTON, NC — The City of Kinston has allegedly lost a lawsuit brought by former Kinston Police Department sergeant and former Lenoir County Commissioner Chad Rouse, a case rooted in his termination from KPD after nearly three decades of service. Public records confirm Rouse began working for the department in 1993 and had been suspended twice during his

Let’s stop pretending the numbers don’t tell the story. In Lenoir County, the Sheriff’s Office is running on a budget so thin you can practically see daylight through it. Meanwhile, the Kinston Police Department is sitting on a budget that grows every year like it’s on steroids — millions on millions poured into equipment, vehicles, overtime, surveillance toys, and everything except the one thing this community actually needs: Compassion. And here’s the part that should embar

Let’s stop pretending the numbers don’t tell the story. In Lenoir County, the Sheriff’s Office  is running on a budget so thin you can practically see daylight through it. Meanwhile, the Kinston Police Department  is sitting on a budget that grows every year like it’s on steroids — millions on millions poured into equipment, vehicles, overtime, surveillance toys, and everything except the one thing this community actually needs: Compassion. And here’s the part that should emb

Kinston didn’t ring any bells or sound any alarms the night Steve Harrell became Interim City Manager. No press conference. No community briefing. Just a recessed meeting, a closed‑door session that stretched past an hour, and a unanimous vote from 1 standing council member and two remaining council members who hadn’t yet handed over the keys to the incoming administration. It was the kind of political moment that doesn’t scream — it whispers. And if you weren’t listening clo

This weekend, I got to do something I haven’t done in a long time: travel. Not just anywhere — to the nation’s capital, to watch the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Washington Commanders  live and in person. It wasn’t just a game. It was a moment. A reminder that God’s favor doesn’t care what people say about you . I want to thank Les Lipford , who blessed me with the tickets — no hesitation, no judgment, just love. And Makeba Harper , who drove every mile with patience, grac

KINSTON, NC  — In a city where opportunities for youth are often scarce, one woman decided to flip the script — and she did it in pajamas. Nikisha Williams , a Kinston native, pulled off a free Christmas event  that brought laughter, light, and internet personality Shamar  to the halls of Kinston High School . The event, styled as a community pajama party , was open to local kids and families, offering a safe space to celebrate, connect, and be seen. “In a place like Kinston,

Royal Oak, MI  — Every night at 8 p.m., something magical happens outside Corewell Health Children’s Hospital in Metro Detroit. Volunteers gather in the cold, gripping flashlights and pointing them skyward — not for themselves, but for the children watching from hospital windows above. It’s called Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams , a beloved tradition that began in 2017  and has returned this December to bring light, hope, and connection to pediatric patients spending the holidays

Several animal shelters across Eastern North Carolina have been hit with thousands of dollars in civil penalties after state inspectors documented widespread violations of the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act , including failures in veterinary care, sanitation, and access to basic necessities like water. The fines were issued by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS)  following formal complaints and on‑site inspections. Greene County Ani

Goldsboro, N.C.  — A 13‑year‑old girl was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in Goldsboro, prompting a swift investigation that led to the arrest of three teenage boys now charged with first‑degree murder. The victim, identified by family members as Jaleeyah “LeeLee” Tune , was found suffering from a gunshot wound around 4:35 p.m.  in the 200 block of North Alpha Court , near the Alpha Arms Apartments. Goldsboro Police officers responded after receiving a report of shots fired

What It Is The Holiday Booze It & Lose It  campaign is a statewide impaired‑driving enforcement initiative run by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program . Its purpose is to prevent drunk and drug‑impaired driving during the high‑risk Christmas and New Year travel period  through: Increased patrols Sobriety checkpoints Public awareness efforts Law enforcement in all 100 counties  participates, stepping up enforcement to remove impaired drivers before crashes occu

Kinston PD’s Vanishing Grant Announcement Raises Red Flags By Quarla Blackwell | Investigative Writer & Public Advocate The Kinston Police Department received a grant. Then they received silence. In a city where transparency is already on life support, KPD’s decision to quietly delete its own Facebook post announcing a law enforcement grant is more than suspicious—it’s a digital middle finger to public accountability. The original post, which briefly celebrated the award, van

North Carolina is seeing a sharp rise in flu cases, forcing some schools and daycares to go remote. Health officials warn that the current strain (Influenza A H3N2 subclade K) is spreading quickly, and prevention plus early treatment are key to protecting families 📰 Current Situation in North Carolina Flu surge:  The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported nine flu-related deaths so far this season , already higher than last year at this point. School im

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 18, 2025  to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III  under the Controlled Substances Act. This is the biggest federal cannabis policy shift in decades, but it does not  make marijuana fully legal nationwide 📰 What Changed Rescheduling:  Marijuana moves from Schedule I (same category as heroin and LSD) to Schedule III (alongside drugs like Tylenol with codeine, steroids, and ketamine). Medical R

Kinston Mayor Don Hardy has officially launched his campaign for the North Carolina House of Representatives, challenging incumbent Chris Humphrey for the District 12 seat — reigniting a political rivalry rooted in years of local tension and contrasting leadership styles. On December 18, 2025, Mayor Don Hardy announced his candidacy for the District 12 seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives, currently held by Republican Chris Humphrey. Hardy, a Democrat and two-t

It began with a smell. Drivers in the South know the difference between a fuel leak, a forgotten fast‑food bag, and something more sinister. But when one Knoxville man popped the hood of his SUV after days of foul odor, he didn’t find a mechanical problem. He found a python — coiled neatly on the battery, soaking up the warmth. That bizarre discovery made headlines, but it’s not just a one‑off oddity. It’s a warning. Snake season is here, and the line between wild habitat and