Wilson Energy recognized for recent awards

Wilson City Council honored Wilson Energy for safety, reliability and service awards, including APPA’s top-level Reliable Public Power Provider recognition and APGA safety honors.

Tobacco farmers hit hard with high diesel prices

Rising diesel costs, weather damage and weak tobacco prices are squeezing growers selling their crops in Wilson’s secondary markets.

Pamlico Grove Apartments: 48-unit affordable rental project planned in Grantsboro

Why was the project funded by North Carolina's Affordable Housing Development Fund?. GRANTSBORO, Pamlico County — Site work is underway for the future Pamlico Grove Apartments in Grantsboro. The Town of Grantsboro says a groundbreaking ceremony was held October 2. State project documents describe Pamlico Grove Apartments as a...

Plans for demolished 45-acre mall property hang in the balance as officials eye a massive mixed-use development

A COUNCIL proposal could turn a demolished mall into a new residential space. This isn’t the only current example of a city stepping in to transform a dead mall into something new. At the start of the month, Wilson City Council members in North Carolina were presented with two...

Cotton farmers prepare for rain over the weekend

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Cotton farmers are preparing for heavy rain and winds over the weekend by getting ahead of harvesting. Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall early Saturday morning, and Calvin Warren, operator of Jack Allen Farms, was in the field since 6:30 a.m. Friday. “So, we...

A new group to help US small towns lead the clean energy transition

As the mayor of tiny Enfield, North Carolina, Mondale Robinson has huge clean energy ambitions. Among them: building a solar farm to power the entire town of about 2,000, replacing the town's decrepit substation to distribute those renewable electrons, and building a thermal energy network to provide heating and cooling and reduce exorbitant electric bills.

Rocky Mount finances improve from earlier this year, but remain low: NC Treasurer

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCN) — The City of Rocky Mount’s financial situation has improved from earlier this year following a financial crisis, but still remains low, the North Carolina Department of the State Treasurer said. The Local Government Commission, which is part of the state treasury department, received...

Onslow County Commissioners approve rezoning measure affecting 1,153 properties in Jacksonville area

More than 1,100 property owners in Onslow County are navigating new local rules. The Onslow County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a massive sweeping rezoning measure affecting 1,153 properties. The shift comes after a North Carolina state law stripped the City of Jacksonville of its jurisdiction over these specific areas,...

Dickinson Avenue growth leans into camaraderie

Entrepreneurs creating spaces for camaraderie and good times are helping energize a revival in one of Greenville’s downtown entertainment districts. Despite a problem-plagued roadway rehabilitation project that left portions of the Dickinson Avenue closed for about 3½ years, the corridor in the center of the city continues to draw visitors with restaurants, bars, retailers and places to live. “We’re in a space where people are showing up and they’ve already set aside this time as a time for entertainment,” said Shawn Hendrix, co-owner of Fellowship Games, one of three businesses that have made the district home in the last year. Hendrix said the mission statement at Fellowship Games is to “end the epidemic of loneliness and we believe that is best done around a table sharing food, sharing drink and playing games together.” He said downtown has plenty of places to drink and eat. Fellowship Games adds an entertainment option. Community members celebrated the new business on Sept. 17 with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce. It opened its doors with a soft launch in June and helps hold down the 800 block with The Birdie Bar, an indoor golf simulator club and bar, and

Drought diminishes yield for corn, tobacco, peanuts, and other N.C. crops

North Carolina's ongoing drought is bringing reduced yields for crops including corn, peanuts, and cotton across the state. Though conditions are slowly improving in the mountains and along the coast, there's no real way to undo months of heat and minimal rain, leaving farmers to grapple with the drought's long-term ramifications throughout the harvest season.

Steve Biggs officially retires from Martin EDC

It was going to happen at the end of June, and it almost did. It was back then that Steve Biggs, President of Martin County Economic Development (MCED) was set to retire as President and CEO of the organization. In April, Biggs said he was looking forward to retiring and considered the idea of becoming a landscape artist. That was before the heat set in. Thoughts of that career change didn’t last long, Biggs extended his stay but now, has officially retired as of Sept. 30 after working with the MCED for an extended three months. One might say Biggs is returning home to Edenton where he served on the town council for 24 years. Biggs began his work with Martin County in 2023 after serving as Bertie County Economic Development Director for many years. It was just over three years ago, in March 2023, when Biggs was introduced to the Martin County Commissioners as the new CEO by Economic Development Board Chair Roy Lilley. “It’s my great pleasure to introduce Steve Biggs to you tonight. I’m pleased to tell you, we all were in sync on our process and our choice. There was really no difference in opinion. We

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 61st anniversary banquet for Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, a nonprofit organization that provides job opportunities for people with disabilities. In the ceremony, held Oct. 1 at Rock Springs Center, the 24-year-old was honored as ECVC’s 2026 Employee Success Story of the Year. Paralympian and 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 challenging. Stewart, who has

Greenville career fair helps jobseekers take next step

The “Better Skills, Better Jobs” career fair brought more than 100 employers and job seekers together last Thursday at the Greenville Convention Center. The event is hosted by Pitt Community College in alliance with various sponsors and community partners such as Invest Greenville, East Carolina University, and the City of Greenville.

North Carolina city’s finances remain low despite improvement: NC Treasurer

The City of Rocky Mount's financial situation has improved from earlier this year following a financial crisis, but still remains low, the North Carolina Department of the State Treasurer said.

KS Bank Celebrates 1st Place Finishes in Best of Johnston County and Goldsboro Best of the Best Awards

Recognitions highlight the importance of relationship-driven community banking in North Carolina. SMITHFIELD, NC, UNITED STATES, October 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- KS Bank, a state-chartered savings bank and community-oriented financial institution, is honored to receive 1st place for Best Bank in both the Best of Johnston County and Goldsboro Best of the Best Awards. Both awards are community-driven, meaning nominations and votes come from locals utilizing the businesses in town.

Residents react to gas prices relief efforts

Bring An Appetite To Mount Olive, North Carolina, Where Mt. Olive Pickle Company Rules The Town

Some towns are known for a famous person or a big battle. One small town in eastern North Carolina is known for something that fits in a jar. Folks in faraway states stock their pantries with it, and some families have bought it for more than fifty years. The town feels like a classic slice of the rural South, with friendly people and a slower pace.

Old warehouses to be torn down in downtown Walstonburg

WALSTONBURG, N.C. (WITN) - Crews will soon begin work on a property in downtown Walstonburg that has not been used for years. Two old warehouses at the former Farmers Oil Company property on West Railroad Avenue will be torn down. Crews will also clear parts of the property, but the...

Second phase begins for University of Mount Olive’s livestock education facility

What is the purpose of the laboratory space in the second phase?. MOUNT OLIVE, Wayne County — Construction is moving into a second phase at the University of Mount Olive’s Educational Livestock Facility, according to Jackson Builders. The construction company says site preparation for the next phase is...