Connect Lenoir, Volume 15, Issue 1, January 2020

The Parks & Recreation Department is hosting several events at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center to celebrate Black History Month. Check out the latest edition of Connect Lenoir for more information and updates.

Upcoming Events

Women of Gospel Concert

Sunday, February 2, 2020, 3:00 PM @ Martin Luther King Jr. Center

Black History Month starts with the the Women of Gospel Concert featuring Ms. Faith Dula-Banner from Lenoir, Miss Tonie Carlton from Lenoir, Miss Kyesha...

Connect Lenoir, Volume 14, Issue 5, November 2019

We have a lot happening this Christmas in the City of Lenoir!

Thanksgiving and Christmas Closings

Thanksgiving Closings

• City Hall will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, for Thanksgiving. The Lenoir Aquatic & Fitness Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and Mulberry Recreation Center will al...

Paving project started this week

Workers started a paving project this week, and the first street to be resurfaced was Greenhaven Drive. Greenhaven Drive now offers a smooth ride from from Blowing Rock Boulevard to Arlington Circle.

Industrial Court should be paved this week from Morganton Boulevard to Polychem Court, and Mulberry Street will be paved next week from Morganton Boulevard to College Avenue, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen issues. On-street parking on Mulbe...

City Council honors Richard Hedrick

The City of Lenoir City Council honored long-time Planning Board member Richard Hedrick Tuesday night, Oct. 6, 2020, during the City Council meeting.

Mr. Hedrick served 23 years on the Planning Board, first as the Extraterritorial representative, then as a regular member. He also was an inaugural member of the Lenoir Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Hedrick retired off the Planning Board in August...

Like online services? We have a few.

The City of Lenoir has several online services available through the City website. We also have plenty of ways to get in touch with City staff.

Pay Online

Our most popular online service is Pay Online. Customers can pay their City utility bills and tax bills via our payment portal. Residents can also set up an automatic bank draft to pay bills. That way, customers don’t have to bother wi...

City paving streets

A couple key thoroughfares in the City of Lenoir will get a fresh layer of asphalt during the next few weeks.

Sections of Greenhaven Street, Industrial Court, and Mulberry Street should be paved by the end of October, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen issues.

Mulberry Street will be paved from Morganton Boulevard to College Avenue. Greenhaven Street wi...

Want backyard chickens? There are a few rules.

City of Lenoir residents can keep backyard chickens as long has they apply for and receive a permit, but backyard roosters aren't very welcome.

City of Lenoir Code allows for up to four backyard chicken hens. Roosters are not allowed under the Backyard Chicken Permit. Residents must apply for a permit and follow the rules outlined in Sec. 3-2 of the City Code:

• Hens must be kept within an enclosed ...

City opening playgrounds and picnic shelters tomorrow

In response to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper's Executive Order 163 (EO163), the City of Lenoir is opening City playgrounds and picnic shelters at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020.

The City’s outdoor basketball court, tennis courts, and skate park will be open as well.

Governor Cooper recently announced that the state will move into Phase 2.5 starting tomorrow. Mask mandates and other prevention methods remain in effect and...

City offering payment plans for some utility customers

The City of Lenoir recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has created financial hardships for some of our residential utility customers.

In an effort to provide a way for customers to bring their balances up to date, the City will offer payment plans for customers who were unable to pay their utility bills since March, April, May, June, and July this year. Customers will have to meet the f...

Utility bill help available for City residents

The City of Lenoir and Caldwell County Yokefellow, Inc., are partnering to provide utility bill assistance for City water, sewer, and solid waste fees.

The help only applies to City of Lenoir bills, not any other type of bill such as power, phone, or internet.

Funds are available to residents who live inside the city limits of the City of Lenoir and meet the income requirements. To qualify, gross househol...

Post 29 recognizes Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year

American Legion Post 29 Commander Wayne Mihelich honored and recognized a City of Lenoir Firefighter and Police Officer Tuesday night Aug. 4, 2020, during the City Council meeting.

Mihelich recognized James Greer as Firefighter of the Year and Chris Maher as Police Officer of the Year for the City of Lenoir.

"Lt. Greer is an integral part of the Fire Department’s success internally and externally," Fire Chief Ken ...

Barlow retires, several firefighters being promoted this month

With the retirement of Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention Roger Barlow, several opportunities for promotion within the Fire Department opened up.

Fire Chief Ken Hair has made the following promotions from within the department that will be effective later this month.

Chris Jacobs has been promoted to Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal effective Aug. 24.  Jacobs has served the department since Sep...

High-tech sludge dryer coming to wastewater treatment plant

One of the foundations of modern civilization is indoor plumbing. Running water and flushing toilets make life better. In a city, everything flushed down a toilet doesn't magically disappear. It all gets treated at a sewer plant.

This week, workers started installing a new treatment system at the Lower Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Staff have nicknamed the new equipment "the poop dryer." The new system will replace the plant’s old treatment process, "t...

City of Lenoir wins Excellence in Communications Awards

The City of Lenoir was among 21 North Carolina governments to earn recognition in the North Carolina City & County Communicators’ (NC3C) 2020 Excellence in Communications Awards.

The City of Lenoir won First Place in Digital Technology - Audio, and Second Place in Digital Technology - Website.

Local government communicators from across North Carolina submitted 192 entries in the 2020 NC3C award program. All entries were judged by p...

Controlled burn on Sunset Street

The City of Lenoir Fire Department will perform a controlled burn at 213 Sunset St. tomorrow, June 24, 2020. Residents will see smoke in the area.

The house located at 213 Sunset St. caught fire a couple years ago and has been vacant since. Recently, the property owner asked if the City’s firefighters would use the structure for training purposes. The burn will allow the City’s f...

Statement from Mayor Joe Gibbons Regarding the Death of George Floyd

As the Mayor of the City of Lenoir, I wish to express my thoughts regarding the tragic and unnecessary death of Mr. George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I join many of our neighbors across our communities and our country who are hurting and angry regarding the senseless brutality that led to the death of Mr. Floyd. I am disturbed and saddened by these actions and the tragic loss of life. There are no excu...

Section of greenway near Days Inn closed

A small section of the City of Lenoir greenway near Days Inn on US 321 has been closed due to a sink hole.

City staff will repair the sinkhole as soon as possible. Until then, the public should avoid this section of the greenway.

More parking and access points are listed on the greenway page. Click here to visit the Greenway page.

Read on...

WPCC student donates plants to Community Garden

A Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) horticulture student delivered nearly 1,000 plants to the Community Garden Friday, May 29, 2020. Community garden volunteers will tend the plants this summer and donate the harvest to local ministries.

Brandy Richthammer is a horticulture program student at WPCC. To help raise money for the program, students and staff hold an annual plant sale where they sell plants that have been raised by the spring semester students. Due to COVID-19 lock downs, the p...

City facilities remaining closed through Safer At Home Phase 2, July 4th Celebration canceled

City of Lenoir facilities, including the outdoor pool, will remain closed through Safer At Home Phase 2. Staff, with the approval of City Council, also canceled the July 4th celebration.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued his Safer At Home Phase 2 executive order Friday, May 22, 2020. Phase 2 limits mass gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. Click here to read the press release. S...

No increase in taxes or fees in proposed 2020-2021 budget

City of Lenoir City Manager Scott Hildebran presented his 2020-2021 proposed budget to City Council Tuesday night, May 19, 2020. There is no increase in taxes or fees in the proposed budget.

The proposed budget and presentation are available online at www.cityoflenoir.com/budgetproposal. City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget during the June 2, 2020, regular meeting. After the public hearing, Council will vote on the b...

Finance Dept. receives award for CAFR

The City of Lenoir Finance Department has again received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award (PDF)

The GFOA presented the award to the City for its latest comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). A CAFR is a set of financial statements that contains a wide variety of infor...

Public Utilities encourages businesses to flush water lines before reopening

The City of Lenoir Public Utilities Department encourages any businesses that have been closed for more than 10 days to thoroughly flush all their water pipes before reopening.

Related: Governor Cooper Announces Modified Stay At Home Order and Transition to Phase 1 of Easing Restrictions, May 5, 2020

When water stays in pipes for too long, it can become stagnant. Over time, the disinfectant in the water, such as chlorine, will li...

City rolling out new garbage carts

The City of Lenoir is distributing new, roll-out garbage carts this week. The Sanitation Division plans to start automated garbage collection on the Monday route next week. The remaining routes will be phased in during the next two months.

Contractors are delivering the new carts this week. The carts are a warm gray and have the City of Lenoir seal impressed on the sides in white. There is also a link to the garbage collection page on the City website. The carts are bar coded so staff know ...

City moving to automated garbage collection

The City of Lenoir Public Works Department is moving to automated garbage collection this year. On Tuesday, City Council adopted a new sanitation ordinance as part of the move.

Public Works Director Jared Wright said the move will improve the City’s garbage collection service in a few different ways.

"We’ve been planning to move to fully automated collection for a while, and we started the process last ye...

Caldwell County Sheriff and Police Chiefs issue joint statement regarding Stay At Home Order

Caldwell County Sheriff Alan Jones and Police Chiefs Brent Phelps, City of Lenoir; Richard Blevins, Town of Hudson; and Chris Jenkins, Town of Granite Falls, issued the following joint statement regarding Governor Roy Cooper's Stay At Home Order.

Caldwell County Law Enforcement Agencies statement regarding the recent Stay At Home Order

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a Stay At Home Order effective at 5:00 p.m. yesterday, March 30, 2020. The order was included in the Governor’s E...

Caldwell County sets up health information line

Earlier this week, the Caldwell County Health Department opened its Health Information Line to answer questions and provide information about COVID-19. Call the health information line at 828-426-8456.

828-426-8456 - Caldwell County Health Information Line

If a person believes they have been exposed to COVID-19 and develops a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, they should call their healthcare provider, urgent care, or the health ...

Lenoir wins again at state conference

By Garrett Stell, gstell@newstopicnews.com
Mar 12, 2020 4:36 PM

Lenoir again has won awards at an annual state conference of downtown development officials.

The North Carolina Gravity Games was chosen in the category of Best Downtown Event or Series, and the reconstruction project of 122 Boundary St. was chosen in Best Endangered Properties Rescue Effort at the 2020 North Carolina Main Street Conference in Ne...

City declares state of emergency

In response to the recent declarations by NC Governor Roy Cooper and the Federal government, and to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Coronavirus, City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons officially declared a state of emergency for the City of Lenoir.

Mayor Gibbons declared the state of emergency Tuesday, March 17, 2020. The declaration allows the City Manager to take proactive measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 including altering the way City services are delivered to residents. In addition t...

City recreation centers closing

Given the executive order of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Saturday, March 14, 2020, the City of Lenoir will close all City recreational facilities through March 29.

On Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order to stop mass gatherings of more than 100 people and to close K-12 public schools for at least two weeks. To abide by the Governor’s order and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Ci...

Several city events canceled

In accordance with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommendations, the following City events have been canceled:

• Leprechaun Leap 5k/10k
• West End Plan Community Workshop
• Carolina Sweetheart 4 Miler
• Lenoir Downtown Cruise In (April 4)
• Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza
• Bootlegger 100 Cycle Race
• 10th Annual NC Gravity Games & Street Fest

In addition to canceling these events,...

City of Lenoir Coronavirus Action Plan

The City of Lenoir is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and working in partnership with local and state agencies to address community and employee safety.

Staff has developed a flexible action plan to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to provide essential City services to our residents.

“The safety of our community is our top priority,” City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons...

Stay in the loop with CodeRED Emergency Alerts and Notify Me

If you want to stay in the loop about what's happening in the City of Lenoir, you need to sign up for CodeRED and Notify Me.

CodeRED and Notify Me serve two different communication functions. Staff uses CodeRED to send out emergency alerts and general announcements to all residents. Notify Me is a subscription service. Residents can sign up to receive notifications about City n...

Council reviews progress, looks to the future

City Council reviewed the past year's economic progress during a planning retreat last month. Councilmembers were impressed with the number of new businesses and the amount of new investment in Lenoir.

City Council held their annual Planning Retreat Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at the Blue Ridge Energy Caldwell District Office. To kick off the retreat, City Manager Scott Hildebran and Mayor Joe Gibbons gave a state-of-the-city update. The presentation include...

City facilities opening late Friday

Due to the weather, City of Lenoir City Hall and other facilities will open at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020.

The start of the City Council Planning Retreat tomorrow has been delayed as well. The retreat will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Energy Caldwell District Office Community Room. Click here to visit the Agenda Center and download the ret...

Becky Gibbons receives first "Gibbons Award"

Becky Gibbons received the first Gibbons Award Tuesday night, Feb. 18, 2020. The award is named in honor of Mayor Joe Gibbons and his wife, Becky.

Main Street staff and volunteers presented the award during the "I Heart Main Street" celebration held at 1841 Cafe.  The celebration is a way to show appreciation for the time and hard work volunteers and staff invest in Downtown Lenoi...

Mayor Gibbons gives Key to the City to Police Chaplain Larry Smith

City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons gave a Key to City to Police Department Chaplain Larry Smith last week. Gibbons and Police Chief Brent Phelps thanked Smith for his many years of service to the City and to the Lenoir Police Department.

Smith worked as a telecommunicator for the department for several years, and he has served as a Volunteer Chaplain since 2004. Smith and his wife plan to move out of the area later this year, so he will no longer be able to serve as a Chaplain.

Mayor Gibbo...

Don't move or drive around barricades

Due to recent heavy rain, the City of Lenoir is experiencing localized flooding on some city streets.

 If you see a barricade, do not move the barricade or drive around the barricade. Also, never drive through flood water. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when...

Police start false alarm reduction program

The City of Lenoir Police Department is launching a voluntary alarm registration program to help reduce the number of false alarm calls in the city.

City of Lenoir Police Capt. Couby Stilwell said sending officers to false alarms takes up time that could be spent patrolling the city or answering other legitimate calls. He hopes the new Alarm Reduction Program will help reduce false alarm calls and hel...

City Attorney appointed to NLC FAIR Committee

City Attorney T.J. Rohr has been appointed to serve on the National League of Cities (NLC) 2020 Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) federal advocacy committee.

The FAIR committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s federal policy positions on issues involving national economic policy, general financial assistance programs, liability insurance, intergovernmental relations, census, municipal...

Thank you to everyone working during the holidays

Although many City facilities will be closed during Christmas and New Year's Day, there will still be plenty of City employees patrolling the streets, responding to emergencies, picking up trash, and keeping the water running.

City of Lenoir City Hall and recreational facilities will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Dec. 26, in celebration of Christmas and Wednesday, Jan. 1, in celebration of New Year's Day. During both weeks, the Sanitation Division will collect W...

Luminary Display postponed

Due to the forecast for 100% chance of rain tomorrow, the Luminary Display at Blue Ridge Memorial Park is postponed to Friday, Dec. 20.

Every December, City staff make and light thousands of luminaries to display on the graves at Blue Ridge Memorial Park to honor families whose loved ones are buried in the cemetery.

Lighting generally starts around 4:30 p.m., and the Luminary Display start...

Fire Chief recognizes Officer and Deputy

Fire Department Chief Ken Hair presented plaques of appreciation to Lenoir Police Department Corporal Joe Hamrick and Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Deputy Paul Exon Tuesday night, Dec. 3, 2019, for their lifesaving efforts during a recent house fire.

Deputy Exon was the first to arrive on the scene of the house fire on Bradford Mountain Road in the early morning hours of Nov. 16. Deputy Exon was driving near the home when he heard the call for the fire. He immediately drove to the location. Deputy Exo...

Holiday Safety Tips

Lenoir Police Detective Stella January shared some holiday safety tips with Communications Director Joshua Harris.

Click here to watch the Holiday Safety Tips video on YouTube.

If you see something, say something. Call the City of Lenoir Police Department at 757-2100 to report suspicious behavior. Call 911 if you have an emergency or see someone committing a crime.

Have...

City rededicates fields at Lenoir Optimist Park

Mayor Joe Gibbons officially rededicated two baseball fields at Lenoir Optimist Park earlier this week in honor of two founders of the Lenoir Little League Program.

The baseball field farthest from Mulberry Street was rededicated in honor of W.D. "Dave" King. The other field was rededicated in honor of Harold Beach. Mayor Gibbons and City staff held the rededication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2...

Turkey Tuesday is next week at the MLK Jr. Center

The 6th Annual Community Turkey Tuesday is next week at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Lenoir. City Councilmembers Crissy Thomas and Rev. Ike Perkins are still taking donations for the event, and there is a slight change to the start time.

This year, Turkey Tuesday will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. At 3:00 p.m., volunteers will give away the first 50 turkeys to seniors and people with special needs. The giveaway for the general public will start at 5:00 p.m.

Councilmember Perkins said the...

Holiday events start tomorrow

Downtown Lenoir is kicking off the holidays tomorrow with Light Up Lenoir, and the Downtown Lenoir Christmas Tree Festival is this weekend.

Light Up Lenoir

Light Up Lenoir is an annual holiday event where local students and other groups decorate dozens of Christmas trees in Downtown Lenoir. This year's event is Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown Lenoir.

Local businesses...

City rededicating fields at Lenoir Optimist Park

The City of Lenoir will rededicate the baseball fields at Optimist Park Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, to honor W.D. "Dave" King and Harold Beach.

Staff will hold the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the park.

Little League started in Lenoir in 1952. Dave King and Harold Beach were founders of the league, and served as officials. Mr. King also coached. The first four teams were the Optimist Club team, Kiwani...

Cerik and Mato retire from Police Department

K9s Cerik and Mato retired from the City of Lenoir Police Department Tuesday night, Nov. 12, 2019. City Council thanked the animals and handlers for their service. The dogs will spend their retirement living with their handlers and families.

Police Chief Brent Phelps said Cerik and Mato have been valuable members of the department and will be missed.

"I’m proud of the work these two handlers have put in with these two K9s," Chief Phelps said.  "and I&rsquo...

Pedestrian bridge on site for greenway extension

An 18-wheeler pulled into Lenoir yesterday carrying an 80-foot pedestrian bridge. The bridge will span Lower Creek as part of the greenway extension Google is building along Morganton Boulevard.

The bridge will sit on two concrete abutments on either side of Lower Creek in front of the Google Data Center. It will connect the greenway extension that starts at the intersection of Harrisburg Drive SW and Lynhaven Drive, crosses Lower Creek, and runs...

Public Works creates new leaf collection schedule

Leaves are finally starting to fall in the City. To help residents plan their yard work, the Public Works Department has created a leaf collection schedule.

Public Works Director Jared Wright said the schedule will help keep staff on track. It also will give residents an idea of when crews will be in their neighborhood to pick up leaves.

"We get a lot of calls every fall from people asking when leaves wil...

Registration still open for basketball and wrestling

Registration is open through Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 for youth basketball and wrestling offered by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Registration for Junior League Basketball will be open through Friday, Dec. 6.

The winter basketball league is held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and Mulberry Recreation Center. The league is open to boys and girls ages 4 to 15 years old. The league...

Public Works Director gives greenway update

Public Works Director Jared Wright gave an update Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, on a new section of greenway his department is currently paving in the city.

The new section is known as the Rail Trail. The Rail Trail is the old railroad that runs through town from Morganton Boulevard north to Sealed Air located on NC 90. 

This year, the City Public Works Department will pave a section of the Rail Trail...