Hubert
Hubert, NC · Business
carolinajournal.com
Cabinet manufacturer slashes jobs at Kinston location
MasterBrand Cabinets LLC announced in a notice to WITN that it plans to lay off 400 employees at its manufacturing facility in Kinston, North Carolina. The Collier-Loftin Road facility will shut down its value semi-custom cabinet operations, according to the WITN report. As a result, jobs directly related to those operations will be eliminated, and some positions will be consolidated, the company said. The first round of layoffs is set for late November.
The Daily Reflector
ECVC custodian finds niche at courthouse, named Employee of the Year
In the 1946 Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” George Bailey — played by actor James Stewart — gets a rare chance to see the difference his life has made. Eighty years later, James Stewart of Greenville had a somewhat similar experience. This week, Stewart watched the screen along with hundreds of others as friends, family and colleagues offered praise for him and his work. His story was highlighted on film during the 61th anniversary banquet for Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, a nonprofit organization that provides job opportunities for people with disabilities. In the ceremony, held Thursday at Rock Springs Center, the 24-year-old was honored as ECVC’s 2026 Employee Success Story of the Year. Paralympian and a best-selling author John Register, a U.S. Army veteran and motivational speaker, gave the keynote address at the banquet, held in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The annual event recognizes an individual with a disability who has achieved success through employment. “James is very helpful,” said Glenett Ward, who has been Stewart’s ECVC janitorial supervisor for three years. “He’s easy to work with; he follows directions. He’s a good employee.” For people with disabilities, finding employment can be a challenging. Stewart, who
The Daily Reflector
Workweek: New Dunkin’ draws coffee-loving customers in Ayden
AYDEN — More than 100 excited customers lined up around the store, through the parking lot and into the street last week when the new Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins opened its doors in Ayden. This business, located at 156 W. Third St., is owned and operated by local family man Peter Patel, and his family and friends came out to support the grand opening in a special way. Patel’s daughters were the first to address the crowd of eager customers before the 8:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and the start of the grand opening celebration at 9 a.m. “Welcome to Dunkin’ in Ayden, North Carolina. My name is Moshka, and today I am so excited because this is not just any grand opening. It’s my dad’s fourth grand opening this year,” said Moshka Patel, the younger daughter. “He has worked so hard to make this happen, and let me tell you something: At home, my dad talks about Dunkin’ so much, sometimes I think he loves Dunkin’ more than he loves me. I’m just kidding, Dad. I know I’m still your favorite.” Moshka got right down to business and talked about the real reason everyone lined up early that morning: the coffee. “We are
Rocky Mount Telegram
ECU Health joins effort to explore electric flight in rural health care
ECU Health is joining an initiative to use electric aircraft to bolster rural health care. The kickoff of the Electric Logistics and Integrated Flight Testing, or eLIFT-NC initiative, was announced Sept. 23. The eLIFT-NC initiative aims to explore how electric aviation can better connect hospitals, airports and rural communities to improve access to medical supplies, equipment and disaster recovery resources while maintaining strong safety and infrastructure standards. The process will begin with training and initial operations before expanding to additional routes and potential hospital-to-hospital missions. The program will also help inform the infrastructure and systems needed for long-term implementation. The initiative was announced Wednesday by Gov. Josh Stein, representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, N.C. Department of Aviation, BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation, Metro Aviation, ECU Health and other state healthcare organizations. One of the aircraft, built by BETA technologies, landed at the Pitt-Greenville Airport on Monday as part of a test flight from Raleigh to the Outer Banks. ECU Health provided lightweight cargo for the aircraft to carry during its flight. In March, the N.C. DOT Division of Aviation announced it had been selected to participate in the FAA’s Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot
wcti12.com
MasterBrand to cut up to 391 jobs at Kinston facility
KINSTON, Lenoir County — MasterBrand Cabinets plans to eliminate up to 391 positions at its Kinston manufacturing facility as the company shuts down one of its operations there, according to a WARN notice. In a notice dated Sept. 28, MasterBrand said it will end all Value Semi-Custom operations at...
The Daily Reflector
Workweek: New Dunkin’ draws coffee-loving customers in Ayden
AYDEN — More than 100 excited customers lined up around the store, through the parking lot and into the street last week when the new Dunkin’/Baskin-Robbins opened its doors in Ayden. This business, located at 156 W. Third St., is owned and operated by local family man Peter Patel, and his family and friends came out to support the grand opening in a special way. Patel’s daughters were the first to address the crowd of eager customers before the 8:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and the start of the grand opening celebration at 9 a.m. “Welcome to Dunkin’ in Ayden, North Carolina. My name is Moshka, and today I am so excited because this is not just any grand opening. It’s my dad’s fourth grand opening this year,” said Moshka Patel, the younger daughter. “He has worked so hard to make this happen, and let me tell you something: At home, my dad talks about Dunkin’ so much, sometimes I think he loves Dunkin’ more than he loves me. I’m just kidding, Dad. I know I’m still your favorite.” Moshka got right down to business and talked about the real reason everyone lined up early that morning: the coffee. “We are
theproducenews.com
Nash Produce brings expanded sweet potato programs to IFPA
Nash Produce will arrive at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show with an expanded sweet potato program, increased acreage and a major packing facility investment designed to support the company’s next phase of growth. The Nashville, NC-based company will highlight its Mr. Yam product line, including traditional Covington...
The Daily Advance
The Bare Wall on E. King Street offers frames and more
EDENTON — In March, Jean Bigsbee made a visit to Edenton that changed her life. “I fell in love with Edenton,” Bigsbee said. “Everything seemed to unfold in a positive way for me, and the people of Edenton were very welcoming.” Bigsbee was so impressed with the community that she started asking about commercial space for her framing business, “The Bare Wall.” She found a spot at 114-116 E. King Street, a location that put her almost across the street from the historic 1767 Chowan Courthouse. Bigsbee jumped at the chance and moved her frame shop from Winston-Salem to Edenton. The move gave her an opportunity to restart her frame shop, a business she operated for more than 30 years. She had closed the business, but when looking at the vacant commercial space, she saw possibilities. “This was my second chance in life,” she said. The Bare Wall provides framing services, sells and displays local artwork, and also has a selection of clothing. Bigsbee holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and specializes in watercolor and quilting. She also worked as a color consultant for Sherwin-Williams. That combination of artistic and design experience helps her guide customers in selecting
WBTV
Manufacturing company to lay off nearly 400 workers in North Carolina, records show
KINSTON, N.C. (WBTV) - A manufacturing company in North Carolina will lay off nearly 400 employees later this year, records show. State records indicate MasterBrand Cabinets plans to lay off 391 workers by Nov. 27, as it permanently eliminates hundreds of jobs at its facility on Collier-Loftin Road in Kinston.
WITN
Truck drivers feel the squeeze as diesel prices hover near record highs
BETHEL, N.C. (WITN) - High diesel prices are putting growing financial pressure on the truck drivers responsible for keeping store shelves stocked and goods moving across Eastern North Carolina. At pumps in Bethel, drivers say daily fuel expenses have climbed sharply. Sean Hannes, an independent truck driver who pays for...