ENC Regional News

East Carolina University will give the community a chance to weigh in on the possibility of removing a former Governor’s name from a university residence hall. George Olsen has more.

East Carolina University and partner institutions will work together to investigate saltwater intrusion in freshwater areas. George Olsen has more.

Law enforcement agencies are asking the public for tips as they try to halt a string of home invasion robberies of Asian restaurant owners. George Olsen has more.

The state Department of Public Instruction reports the state leads the nation in the number of National Board Certified Teachers. George Olsen has more.

The state Ferry Division has announced a new route schedule for 2015. George Olsen has more.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance wants to work with Greenville area farmers. Jared Brumbaugh has more on a Saturday event, planned to facilitate that partnership.

HIV programs at the Brody School of Medicine are outpacing national norms in limiting the spread of the virus. George Olsen has more.

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University is topping the four state medical schools in the number of graduates continuing to practice primary care medicine. George Olsen has more.

The use of body cameras will be expanded soon throughout the Greenville police force. George Olsen has more.

The state Board of Education is reporting a slight decline in the teacher turnover rate last school year. George Olsen has more.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to have their corn tested for aflatoxin to prevent contamination of feeds and food.  Jared Brumbaugh has more.

Aflatoxin is a byproduct of a mold, and can be harmful to both humans and livestock.  Feed Compliance Officer George Ferguson says the Cunningham Research Station in Kinston is one of six drop-off locations across the state where farmers can submit their 5 pound sample of shelled corn. 

INTRO – On National Voter Registration Day yesterday, the state Board of Elections provided a snapshot of the state’selectorate. George Olsen has more.

A bill introduced Friday proposes changing Highways 117 and 70 to become interstates.   Jared Brumbaugh has details. 

The City of Kinston is combating gang activity by increasing police presence in the community with the implementation of a new gang unit.  Jared Brumbaugh has more.

On Monday night, City Council members voted to fund  the unit, consisting of four members who will work in areas where gang activity is prevalent.  The decision comes after a successful program during the summer.  Kinston’s Public Safety Director Bill Johnson says during the six week period, officers arrested 129 individuals, served 92 warrants and removed 17 guns off the streets.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation and the City of Jacksonville are working together to improve the Beirut Memorial Grove.  Jared Brumbaugh has more.

A press release from the Department of Public Instruction says the rate of students graduating in four years or less is now 83.8 percent … up from 82.5 percent in 2013 and from 68.3 percent when the state first started reporting the four-year cohort graduation rate in 2006. The percentage of students graduating in five-years or less is 84.9. DPI notes the graduation rate has risen despite students needing at least 22 credits to graduate compared to needing 20 in 2009. DPI also reported that all subgroups of students had higher graduation rates in 2014 from the prior year.

Tens of thousands of dead fish have washed up on the banks of the Neuse River.  Jared Brumbaugh has this. 

The fish kill at Flanner’s Beach started during the Labor Day weekend and was reported to the Neuse Riverkeeper Alliance Tuesday.  Travis Graves is the Lower Neuse Riverkeeper.

“100 percent of the fish I saw were on Flanner’s Beach were menhaden between the peanut size up to even the one year old and two year old.”

INTRO -- Seat belt usage in the state is at an all-time high. George Olsen has more.

INTRO – An 1866 lighthouse is re-opening to the public today (Thursday). George Olsen has more.

North Carolina wants the public’s help in dealing with a growing problem – buzzards at boat ramps across the state.

The state Wildlife Resources Commission says the Buzzards, also known as vultures, are federally protected birds of prey. Geoff Cantrell of the Commission’s Public Affairs says the birds have damaged vehicles and trailers.

“They are leaving scratches and torn places on vehicles and boat trailers, they are pulling at the molding around windshields, pulling at the wiper blades, they are pulling at antennas – that sort of thing.”