Lenoir Connect, Volume 16, Issue 2, August 2021

Events continue in August in the City of Lenoir, NC, with concerts, cruise-ins, and races. Come do more in Lenoir!

Caldwell County Farmers Market

Saturdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm | 902 Harper Ave (behind the County Office building)

The Caldwell County Farmers Market began in 1979 and is the longest running market in the area. The CCFM is a producer only market. Find ou...

Lenoir Connect, Volume 16, Issue 1, July 2021

Events are back and fun things are happening in the City of Lenoir! Check out Lenoir Connect for news and updates and information on things to do this month in Lenoir. #DoMoreInLenoir

Events

Caldwell County Farmers Market

Saturdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at at 902 Harper Ave behind the County Office building | The Caldwell County Farmers Market began in 1979 and is the longest running market in the area. The CCFM is a producer only mark...

Registration open for Halloween heist game

The City of Lenoir Main Street Department is organizing a Haunted Halloween Mystery Heist in Downtown Lenoir, and the top prize is $1,000!

The game will draw visitors into Downtown and promote local businesses. Main Street Community Engagement Coordinator Matthew Anthony said the Haunted Halloween Mystery Heist is similar to Clue, but players will have to figure out who is planning to steal ...

Boil Water Advisory Lifted

The boil water advisory has been lifted for City of Lenoir, Baton Water Corporation, Caldwell County, Joyceton Waterworks, and the Town of Sawmills water customers.

Customers can resume normal water use as of 10:11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. It is no longer necessary to boil water before ingesting. 

All high turbidity and pressure challenges have been corrected at the Water Treatment Plant and in the distri...

Boil Water Advisory!

Due to low pressure and higher than normal turbidities in the City of Lenoir water system, customers in Lenoir and Caldwell County are advised to boil water for human consumption for at least one minute until further notice.

In addition to City of Lenoir water customers, this advisory covers Baton Water Corporation, Caldwell County, Joyceton Waterworks, and the Town of Sawmills, all of which purchase water from the City of Lenoir.

Water consumers of the City of Lenoir in Caldw...

City Council extends condolences to family of Paul H. Broyhill

The City of Lenoir City Council extends condolences to the family of Paul H. Broyhill, who passed away Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at the age of 97 years old.

Statement from City of Lenoir City Council

"We were sad to hear of the passing of Mr. Paul H. Broyhill, and we extend our condolences to Mr. Broyhill's family and close friends. Mr. Broyhill was a true pillar of our City and his influence on Lenoir ca...

Lots of kids come out for free ball clinics

The free baseball and softball clinics held at Mulberry Recreation Center this week were a success.

Nearly 70 boys attended the baseball clinic taught by Appalachian State University coaches and players, and about a dozen girls attended the softball clinic taught by Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute coaches and players this week. The Pa...

Section of greenway closed Tuesday morning

Public Works staff plan to close a section of the Lenoir Greenway tomorrow morning to make improvements.

Staff will close a section of greenway between the big and small loops in Lower Creek from approximately 8:00 am to 2:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021. See the map below for location. 

Staff are installing ditching and drainage pipe in the ...

Council congratulates Fairfield Chair Co. on 100 year anniversary

The City of Lenoir City Council recognized and congratulated Fairfield Chair Company on its 100 Year Anniversary Tuesday night.

Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented a resolution to Mr. John Beall, Chairman of the Fairfield Chair Company Board of Directors, and Board Member Mr. Stewart Beall during the Sept. 21, 2021, City Council meeting. The resolution thanks the company for its ...

Free baseball and softball clinics next week

The City of Lenoir Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free boys baseball clinic and free girls softball clinic next week in Lenoir. Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College coaches and players are instructing.

The Baseball Clinic is open to 2nd through 8th grade boys. It will be held Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at Mulberry Recreation Center. Appalachian State University coaches and players are instructing the baseball clinic.

The Softball Clinic is...

Mayor & Council proclaim Sept 11 Remembrance and Constitution Week

Mayor Joe Gibbons and City Council proclaimed this Saturday as “National Day of Service and Remembrance” in honor of September 11, 2001, and the following Friday as the start of Constitution Week in the City of Lenoir.

Mayor Gibbons presented the proclamations to Diana Hale and Jeannie Hollar with local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Tuesday night during the City Council meeting.

In the September 11 proclamation, Mayor Gibbons asks that residents dis...

Sculpture Celebration this weekend

The Caldwell Arts Council's 35th Annual Sculpture Celebration will be held this weekend at the T.H. Broyhill Walking Park.

The Sculpture Celebration is Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Walking Park. About 50 sculptors have registered to display their work. El Tacorriendo Food Truck will be on site selling food and refreshments.

After perusing the art at...

City facilities closed for Labor Day, Aquatic Center moving to fall hours

City of Lenoir facilities will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, in observance of Labor Day. Also, Lenoir Aquatic and Fitness Center staff are moving to fall hours this month.

SANITATION SCHEDULE

Sanitation will not operate Monday, Sept. 6.  Garbage normally picked up on Monday will be collected Wednesday, Sept. 8.  All other household garbage pickups will remain on a normal schedule. There will be no bulk pick...

UPDATED: SBI investigating officer-involved shooting

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is conducting a Lenoir Police Department officer-involved shooting investigation that occurred in the 2100 block of Morganton Boulevard.

On Monday, August 30, 2021, at approximately 12:40 p.m., Lenoir Police received a 9-1-1 call for service concerning an armed subject in the 2100 block of Morganton Boulevard. Two undercover officers and one uniformed patrol officer arrived on the scene an...

Council members tour water and wastewater plants

Several City Council members took a tour of the City's water treatment and wastewater treatment plants earlier this week to see upgrades made at the facilities.

During the past few years, the City has made millions of dollars in improvements to both plants. City Council has made it a priority to maintain and update the City's water and wastewater infrastructure with the goal of being prepared and plannin...

North Carolina honors City of Lenoir Water Treatment Plant

The N.C. Division of Water Resources honored the City of Lenoir Water Treatment Plant and 63 other plants for surpassing federal and state drinking water standards in 2020.

The division’s Public Water Supply Section awarded the facilities the prestigious N.C. Area Wide Optimization Award, which is part of a state effort to enhance the performance of existing surface water treatment facilities.

Awards are given each year to wa...

Post 29 recognizes Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year

American Legion Post 29 recognized Jonathan Wright and Jesse Massey as the Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year, respectively, Tuesday night during the City of Lenoir City Council meeting.

Wright started working for the City in January 2003 as a Firefighter. He was promoted to Firefighter 2 in 2005 and received his Driver/Operator certification in 2008. Two years later, Wright achieved certification as a Fire Instructor, and in 2012 he rece...

F1 Wagyu beef shop coming to Downtown Lenoir

The 4440 Ranch & Cattle Company is opening a new store in Downtown Lenoir that will sell F1 Wagyu beef raised in Caldwell County. The shop should be open later this year.

The new store will be located at 215 North Main St. It's owned by Madison Bumgarner, his wife Ali, father-in-law Mark Saunders, and brother-in-law Tanner Saunders. The family raises F1 Wagyu beef cattle in Patterson and a couple other places in the state....

City cuts ribbon on T.H. Broyhill Walking Park

The City of Lenoir cut a ribbon and rededicated the T.H. Broyhill Walking Park yesterday with some new improvements.

Earlier this year, the Broyhill Family Foundation donated $100,000 to replace the flooring on the observation deck at the park and to convert the park restrooms into three, single-unit restrooms. The observation deck was finished a couple months ago and t...

Lenoir police car getting new look

Residents might do a double take during the next couple of weeks when a Lenoir Police Department patrol car rolls by. The department is switching to a new color and striping scheme.

The new patrol cars are silver with black trim. The striping on the side of the car is a swoosh that fades from black to silver to black and is outlined in blue similar to the current patrol car swoosh. Underneath the swoosh is the police department patch...

Lenoir Crossing getting renovation and new tenant

The Lenoir Crossing shopping center at Smith Crossroads is undergoing renovations and will have a new tenant in the future - Jersey Mike's Subs.

The shopping center is owned and operated by Venture Properties. Aaron Edwards, Sales & Leasing Manager with Venture Properties, said interest in the shopping center and growth in the market in Lenoir prompted Venture to renovate the buildings and par...

Lenoir Local Episode 4: Policing with Chief Brent Phelps

In the latest episode of Lenoir Local, Joshua Harris talks with Police Chief Brent Phelps about why he got into law enforcement, the Explorers program for teenagers, and what to do when stopped by the police.

Lenoir Local is a City of Lenoir podcast about events, things to do, City services, community interest topics and more. Send questions, tips, or topic ideas to jharris@cityoflenoir.com.

cityoflenoir.podbean.com

Lenoir Connect, August 2021

Events continue in August in the City of Lenoir, NC, with concerts, cruise-ins, and races. Come do more in the Lenoir!

New tractor makes quick work of greenway debris

The City's new Ventrac tractor made quick work of sand and mud on the greenway yesterday during the first test of the broom attachment.

The majority of the greenway is located in flood plain. During heavy rains and storms, sand and mud often wash onto the greenway. In the past, Parks and Recreation staff would have to plow off what they could and then shovel the rest by hand. 

Yes...

Police Dept accepting applications for K9 Academy

The City of Lenoir Police Department is accepting applications for the next Citizen's Canine Academy. The academy starts in September and participation is limited.

During the academy, K-9 officers will instruct participants on basic obedience exercises and help class members address any obedience issue with their dogs. Instructors will not provide aggression/protection training, and no overly aggressive dogs will be...

Section of North Main Street closed this evening

City staff will close a section of North Main Street this evening to perform utility work.

Staff will close North Main Street from Ashe Avenue to West Avenue around 6:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Public Utilities Department workers are installing a new sewer tap for a property owner. The work will take a few hours. 

Drivers ...

Lenoir Local Episode 3: Unity Park Community Gardens

In Episode 3 of Lenoir Local, Joshua Harris talks with David Horn and Ellen Roberts about the Unity Park Community Gardens.

Horn is the Garden Coordinator as well as a Master Gardener. Ellen Roberts is a Master Gardener volunteer who helps keep things growing. Topics include the history of the gardens, how to rent garden beds, free gardening classes, and the new Community Shar...

Free jazz concert at the MLK Jr. Center

Head to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center tomorrow, Saturday, July 24, and enjoy the free Bring Back the Music Jazz concert.

Lexxi, Groove Masters Band, and Reggie Graves and Jazz Theory will perform starting at 6:30 pm. A food truck will be on site and free COVID vaccines will be available from Happy Valley Medical Center.

Bring a comfy chair or blanket and hang out for a night...

It mows, it sweeps, it trims!

The City of Lenoir Parks & Recreation Department purchased a new, 8-wheeled tractor that will help keep grass mowed and the greenway cleared around town.

Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Story said his department purchased the Ventrac 4500Z because it's versatile and able to perform many jobs. 

The tractor currently has a 72-inch finish mower attachment.  Staff are waiting for ...

Police statement on shooting in front of county courthouse

The City of Lenoir Police Department released the following statement earlier today about the shooting incident in front of the Caldwell County Courthouse.

Fact Statement for Immediate Release

Date: July 12, 2021Time: 2:00 PMCircumstance: ShootingLocation: Roadway in front of 216 North Main Street, Lenoir

Victim Information:

Victim #1Travis Lee Webb1211 SW Spainhour St. Apt. #1Lenoir, NC 28645DOB: 11-04-1985 (3...

Lenoir Local: Meet Mayor Gibbons

Communication & Public Information Director Joshua Harris talks with City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons about growing up in Lenoir and why he decided to get involved in local government.

Check out previous episodes at www.cityoflenoir.com/lenoirlocal or cityoflenoir.podbean.com.

Police release fact statement on Laurel Place incident

The City of Lenoir Police Department released the following fact statement on the incident that occurred today at 1226 Laurel Pl NW.

Fact Statement for Immediate Release 

Date: June 30, 2021Time: 3:30 pmCircumstance: Death InvestigationLocation: 1226 Laurel Pl. NW      Lenoir, NC 28645 

Summary: On June 30, 2021, the Lenoir Police Department r...

City of Lenoir starts new podcast

The City of Lenoir has started a new podcast to inform residents about news, events, and services. The first episode is available today.

The podcast is called Lenoir Local. Shows will cover a variety of topics including events, things to do, City services, community interest topics and more. Communication and Public Information Director Joshua Harris plans to release a new episode every ot...

Mayor Joe Gibbons selected as Vice Chair of NC Mayors Association

Mayor Joe Gibbons has been selected as vice chair of the N.C. Mayors Association Board of Directors and will serve a one-year term helping to lead the organization and its 11-member board.

The N.C. Mayors Association (NCMA) is an affiliate organization of the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM). The purpose of NCMA is to provide a platform for all of the state’s mayors to work together regarding the major goals and challenges of ...

City adds Main Street Attendant to focus on Downtown Lenoir

There's a new City employee walking around Main Street and West Avenue, and his job is to keep Downtown Lenoir clean and tidy and help out visitors as needed.

Well, Darren Bryant isn't technically a new employee. For the past year, Darren has worked in the Sanitation Division of Public Works. He moved into the Main Street Attendant position June 1, and has been learning the ropes, or rather, the sidewalks, for ...

City cleans up two properties

City staff recently completed cleanup projects on two properties in town.

Workers demolished the houses at 1921 Marigold Ln SE and 510 Harris St. The City owns the property on Harris Street and staff plans to market the land for redevelopment. The City placed a lien for the cost of cleanup on the Marigold Lane property.

Code enf...

Council approves 2021-2022 budget

The City of Lenoir City Council approved the FY 2021-2022 Budget Tuesday night, June 1, 2021.

The FY 2021-2022 General Fund budget totals $18,594,890. The budget includes a 3% cost of living raise for City employees; $590,000 for street paving; $125,000 for greenway paving and planning; $60,750 for code enforcement, demolition, and property clean ...

Council welcomes new K9 Team

City Council welcomed Police Department K9 Handler Jo Lo and his partner Atos during the City Council meeting Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Atos (pronounced 'a-tos) is the newest canine to work for the City of Lenoir Police Department and Master Patrol Officer (MPO) Jo Lo is the newest handler. MPO Lo has more than 20 years' experience in law enforcement. He has worked for t...

Finance receives Certificate of Achievement

The City of Lenoir Finance Department has for the 30th time received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The GFOA presented the award to the City for its most recent comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30 2020 (PDF). A CAFR is a set of financial statements that contains a wide variety of...

Girl Scouts donate birdhouses to Community Gardens

Girl Scout Troop 2374 donated 10, handmade and painted birdhouses to the Unity Park Community Gardens Monday, May 24, 2021.

The troop's headquarters is located at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church just across the street from the gardens. The Girl Scouts often visit and Scout Leader Cyndie Feemster said the girls wanted to do something special for the gardens. Garden Coordinator Da...

City reconfigures downtown parking lot

City workers restriped and reconfigured the City parking lot located on the 100 Block of Mulberry Street NW between Mulberry Street and Main Street in Downtown Lenoir.

Staff moved one accessible parking space from the eastern side of the lot to the western side near Main Street, and workers painted no-parking areas in the lot. People who park in the no-parking areas could be towed at their own expense.

The City leases th...

Bloom Blast in Downtown Lenoir

Public Works staff spruced up Downtown Lenoir this past Friday with hundreds of fresh, colorful plants and flowers.

Three Public Works staff planted more than 350 plants and flowers in 21 planter boxes in downtown. Each planter has nine to a dozen new plants that will fill out in the next month or so.

"The Cemeteries Division takes a lot of pride in planting these ...

City Council honors Sgt. Greg Snider

The City of Lenoir City Council honored retiring Police Sergeant Greg Snider Tuesday night, May 18, 2021, during the City Council meeting.

Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented a resolution to Snider honoring his years of service to the City of Lenoir. Mayor Gibbons also presented a small City of Lenoir flag and coins to Snider.

"We want to say thank you for all that you have done and all...

COVID impact aid still available

Money is still available to help qualifying City of Lenoir residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Payment assistance is only available for current or previous City of Lenoir water, sewer, and solid waste bills and current or previous mortgage/rent payments that are behind due to COVID-19 for people who live inside the City of Lenoir City limits.

Reside...

Recommended budget addresses Council priorities

City Manager Scott Hildebran presented his FY 2021-2022 Recommended Budget to City Council Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

The budget addresses Council priorities determined during the February 2021 retreat and during Council and departmental meetings held during the past year. The top priority of Council for the past few years has been to offer competitive compensation and b...

Education Foundation donates Chromebooks to MLK Center

The Education Foundation, Inc. of Caldwell County recently donated 10, brand new Chromebooks to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

Education Foundation Director and City Councilman Ben Willis delivered the Chromebooks to the MLK Center Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The donation comes at a good time for the center. Currently, only four people can use the MLK computer lab at one time due to C...

High-tech sludge dryer up and running

The City's high-tech poop dryer is up and running at the Lower Creek wastewater treatment plant.

In the video below, Public Utilities Director Radford Thomas talks with Communication & Public Information Director Joshua Harris about how the sludge dryer turns wastewater sludge into a dry, ready-to-use fertilizer.

The City of Lenoir City Council ap...

City launches WaterSmart portal for customers

The City of Lenoir's WaterSmart customer portal is live.

WaterSmart gives City of Lenoir Public Utilities customers online access to their water usage data, monthly bills, and more. Customers can access the portal at lenoirnc.watersmart.com. A link to the portal is also on the front page of the City website.

Cus...

City Council recognizes Hibriten Men's Soccer Team

The City of Lenoir City Council honored the Hibriten High School Men's Soccer Team last week during the City Council meeting.

Mayor Joe Gibbons presented a resolution to the team during the City Council meeting Monday, April 19, 2021, and congratulated them on a successful season and for making it to the state championship game. Read the resolution below.

RESOLUTION HONORING HIBR...

Summer ball returning to Walker Stadium

The Old North State League (ONSL) is bringing summer baseball back to Walker Stadium in Downtown Lenoir.

ONSL is the newest summer collegiate baseball league in North Carolina. The league has teams all across the state. Lenoir's team, Lenoir Legends, will play its first home game at Walker Stadium Sunday, June 6, at 7:00 p.m. Click here to see the full sched...

City paving more greenway, increasing access for residents

City staff paved 1.5 miles of greenway during the past couple of weeks bringing Lenoir's total paved greenway to nearly 9 miles. The City's goal is to connect residents to recreation centers via greenway and sidewalks.

Public Works Department crews paved another section of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT) from College Avenue south to Morganton Boulevard last week. Workers also paved a section of greenway from the Lenoir Rotary Soccer complex to S...

City to start reopening facilities Monday

City of Lenoir facilities will reopen Monday with limited access and some restrictions.

City Hall and the Police Department will reopen to the public Monday, April 26, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. Visitors are asked to check their temperature on entry, use the hand sanitizing stations, wear face masks, and social distance while inside any City facilit...

Paving is in the air

The City of Lenoir recently repaved several streets around town and contractors have more to do. The Public Works Department also plans to pave more greenway soon.

Last week, contractors paved Link Place, Peacehaven Place, Lutz Street, and Sherlee Street. Today, contractors are paving Victoria Court and Victoria Lane. They should be finished up in a day or two. Next to be paved is Commercial Court and sections of Un...

City and County helping clean up litter

The City of Lenoir City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night supporting litter cleanup in Lenoir and supporting Caldwell County's first annual "Clean Caldwell Day."

Mayor Joe Gibbons presented the resolution to Caldwell County Commissioner Donnie Potter during the City Council meeting. City staff will pick up litter during the annual City of Lenoir Employee Spring Litter Sweep Day, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Staff ha...

City staff participating in NC Litter Sweep next month

No one likes a litter bug, and no one likes trash in their community. City staff plans to get out and help clean up Lenoir during the North Carolina Litter Sweep next month.

The 2021 Spring Litter Sweep is taking place April 10-24. Normally scheduled in April and September, Litter Sweep is the N.C. Department of Transportation’s biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative. Residents throughout the state participate ...

Jesse Plaster named Main Street Champion

Local preservation architect Jesse Plaster was named the City of Lenoir Main Street Champion during the recent North Carolina Main Street Conference.

Plaster has invested a lot during the past several years to renovate and improve several buildings in Downtown Lenoir. His business, J B Plaster Architect, is located at 626 Harper Ave. in downtown - a building that Plaster owns. In addition to being a do...

Downtown Lenoir wins award for building rescue project

The City of Lenoir Main Street Department, architect David Maurer, and his wife Allison Gray recently received a North Carolina Main Street Award for saving the old Stine’s Ice Cream Parlor building in Downtown Lenoir.

Stine’s Ice Cream Parlor was located at 818 Harper Ave. The ice cream shop shut down sometime before the 1960s. The property was used for various purposes during the following decades. 

The Brakefield family owned the building. Their fat...

Single family homes going up in Lenoir

Contractors are building several new single-family homes in subdivisions across the City of Lenoir, and one local company is building new spec homes for the first time in more than a decade.

Single-family home permits have increased in Lenoir over the past few years. Owners and developers are currently building new homes in Georgetown Estates, Parkview, Powell Park, and Summerhill subdivisions in Lenoir. These are four of nine subdivisions in...

Downtown Lenoir creates digital scavenger hunt with big prizes

Downtown Lenoir's digital scavenger hunt starts next week, and the prizes are no small potatoes.

Sponsored by Smoking in the Foothills BBQ, the goal of the scavenger hunt is to bring people to Downtown Lenoir to explore local businesses and shops. Players will have to read clues and explore downtown to find the answers. Players win points by completi...

HPC members tour historic renovation project

Developer Yorke Lawson recently gave a tour of the Blue Bell apartment project to a few members of the City's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).

"This is a historic project in more ways than one," Planning Director Jenny Wheelock said. "It's preserving a piece of history, and it’s the first project to be developed under the City’s new preservation ordinance as a local landmark."...

Council sets priorities for 2021

The City of Lenoir City Council set a vision for Lenoir in 2021 during a two-part, virtual retreat last week. Council's top priorities focused on employees, housing, infrastructure, and cleaning up the city.

City Council held their annual retreat during two Zoom meetings. The first session was Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, at 8:30 am and the second session was Thursday Feb. 25, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. The agenda for the sessions is available online at www.cityoflenoir.c...

City receives $250K Recreational Trails Program grant

The City of Lenoir recently received a $250,000 Recreational Trails Program grant to design and build three street crossings along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT) that runs through downtown.

The total project cost to design and build the crossings is $312,000. The grant is $250,000 and the City is matching the grant with $62,500 in local in-kind funding. 

Part of the OVNHT runs along the old railroad bed through the City of Lenoir fro...

City Council honors Todd Laws and Scott Kanupp

The City of Lenoir City Council honored retiring employees Todd Laws and Scott Kanupp during the Feb. 16, 2021, City Council meeting.

Mayor Joe Gibbons read and presented to both men resolutions honoring their years of service to the City of Lenoir.

Battalion Chief Laws began his career as a firefighter with the City of Lenoir Fire Department in March 1991. He was promoted to 2nd Lieuten...

City Council honors the life of Gary Everhardt

The City of Lenoir City Council recognized the life and accomplishments Gary E. Everhardt Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, during the City Council meeting.

Mr. Everhardt was a Lenoir native. He served as the Director of the National Park Service and Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and he was a strong advocate of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which runs through Lenoir and Caldwel...

City Hall opening on delay

Due to possible inclement weather, City of Lenoir City Hall will operate on a delay tomorrow. City offices will open at 10:00 am Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021

If the weather disrupts Thursday's garbage collection route, staff will pick up trash later in the day or possibly Friday.

Related: Be prepared for severe weather, Feb. 17, 2021

Be prepared for severe weather

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for 7:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021, through 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night.

Read the storm warning details on the NWS website at https://www.weather.gov/gsp/winter. Rain, freezing rain, and ice have the potential to take down trees and power lines and cut off electricity.

Ready.gov has a lot of tips on emergency preparation and ho...

Find your way in the City of Lenoir

City staff revealed a new wayfinding plan and city-wide brand to City Council earlier this week. The goal is to install signs around Lenoir that promote city amenities and call residents and new comers to "Create With Us."

Staff and Council have been discussing wayfinding for a few years, but one frequent concern was, "What will the signs look like?" In 2019, the Lenoir Tourism Development Authority (LTDA) agreed to fund the wayfinding/brand project. The mission o...

City starts cleanup of old industrial site

The City of Lenoir started cleaning up an old industrial site located at the corner of Virginia Street and College Avenue near downtown. The cleanup is the first step in putting the property back into productive use.

The City contracted with RCI Demolition (RCI) to start removing possible Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) from the Virginia Street site. RCI is working to separate old brick and concrete from the debris piles. Once the materials are separated, RCI will...

Rohr reappointed to 2021 NLC FAIR Committee

City of Lenoir Attorney T.J. Rohr has been reappointed to serve on the National League of Cities (NLC) 2021 Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) federal advocacy committee.

The FAIR Committee is responsible for developing policy positions and leading NLC’s advocacy on issues involving intergovernmental relations including Federalism and unfunded mandates, Census, municipal pensions, municipal bonds and capital finance, tax r...

City gem getting renovations thanks to generous donation

The City of Lenoir will be making some renovations to the T.H. Broyhill Walking Park this year thanks to a generous donation from the Broyhill Family Foundation.

The Broyhill Family Foundation donated $100,000 to replace the wood on the observation deck on the north end of the park and to convert the park restrooms into three, single-unit restrooms, similar to the units at J.E. Broyhill Park. Known as the Walking ...

More multifamily housing on the horizon

Construction is underway on two multifamily housing projects that will add more than 100 new apartments to the City of Lenoir.

Yorke Lawson and Tom Niemann, owners of Blue Bell Lenoir, LLC, are building 46 market-rate apartments in the old Lenoir Cotton Mill/Blue Bell, Inc. plant on College Avenue in downtown. Mark Morgan, owner of MC Morgan & Associates, INC, has broken grou...

Police K9 Axel passes

After providing six years of exemplary service to the City of Lenoir Police Department, and providing his handler and family six years of love and companionship, Police K9 Axel passed away yesterday, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, due to cancer.

Axel was born June 30, 2013, in the Czech Republic and was purchased by the City of Lenoir Police Department in August 2014. Sgt. Zachery Poythress trained Axel from start to finish while the sergeant earned certification as a Comprehensive Polic...

Don't forget about curb-side Christmas tree pickup

The City of Lenoir offers lots of sanitation services for customers, including picking up Christmas trees. Residents can request many of those services on the City website.

The Sanitation Division provides weekly garbage collection, bulk and white goods pickup, yard waste collection, limbs and trimmings pickup, leaf collection, and Christmas tree pickup. The division also manages the City's Recycling Center, located at 1121 ...

New year, new homes in Downtown Lenoir

The new year will bring new places to live in Downtown Lenoir as developers finish up work on two new housing projects in the heart of the city.

Jesse Plaster and Angela Postigo are building five apartments at 1001 West Ave. in downtown, and Steven and Jamie Stewart are working on converting 819 Harper Ave. into a mixed-used building with office space on the first floor and an apartment on the sec...

Luminary display starts tonight

City of Lenoir employees set out roughly 8,000 luminaries Friday morning at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The annual Luminary Display at Blue Ridge Memorial Park starts tonight at 6:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.Every December, City staff and volunteers place thousands luminaries on the graves at Blue Ridge Memorial Park to honor families whose loved ones ar...

Holiday safety tips from the City of Lenoir

Keep your Christmas merry and your New Year happy with a few holiday safety tips.

City of Lenoir Fire Chief Ken Hair said the holidays are always a good time to remind everyone of important fire safety tips.

“According to the National Fire Protection Association, 44% of holiday home fires start when decorations are placed too close to a...

City trims trees in downtown

A professional contractor recently finished trimming dozens of trees in Downtown Lenoir.

"Over the past couple of years, we’ve had some concerns with streetscape trees limiting signal visibility at intersections," Public Works Director Jared Wright said. "By hiring a professional tree trimming contractor, we were able to perfor...

New section of greenway completed at Wilson Park

Public Works finished paving a new section of greenway at Wilson Park, and Parks & Recreation recently sowed the shoulders.

The gate between the parking lot and the new section at Wilson Park will remain closed until staff can install new bollards, however, the public is welcome to use the new section, just mind the shoulders.

Wilson Athletic Park is located at 1010 Powell Rd N...

City Council honors Donald Hall

The City of Lenoir City Council honored retiring employee Donald Hall Tuesday night, Dec. 1, 2020, during the City Council meeting.

Hall started working for the City of Lenoir on Aug. 1, 1980, as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I. In 1987, Hall obtained additional certification to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator II and further certification in 2000 to Wastewater Treatment Pl...

Main Street America puts spotlight on City businesses

Last month, Main Street America interviewed three Downtown Lenoir business owners as part of the Business Spotlight: Women-Owned Businesses on Main Street series.

Main Street America talked with Jennifer Sime, owner of Doodle Bugs; Iris Bender, owner of Taste of Havana; and Heather Bryant, owner of High Country Herbs. Doodle Bugs, located at 106 Main St. NW, is a boutique specializing in children's clothing and gif...

City expanding greenway at Wilson Park

Public Works staff have prepped a new section of greenway at T.H. Wilson Park. Workers plan to pave the new section Monday, weather permitting.

Public Works Street Division staff have already graded the new section and put down stone base. The section will add about 700 feet to the greenway and create a loop around the park. The loop will be just over 3,000 feet or about .56 miles long.

Parks and ...

Warren Harper, City's first African American firefighter, passes

The City of Lenoir extends our condolences to the family of Mr. Warren Harper, who passed away Saturday Nov. 14, 2020. Mr. Harper served as the City of Lenoir's first African American firefighter.

Mr. Harper retired from the City of Lenoir Fire Department in 1999 after 30 years of dedicated service. Fire Department Chief Ken Hair, then an engineer, worked with Mr. Harper for the last seven years of Mr. Harper's career with the City.

"On behalf ...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

How lovely are your branches!

City of Lenoir staff from several departments put up and decorated the City's 20-foot-tall, 1,000-light, supersize Christmas tree Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2020. 

Public Works delivered and placed the tree on the southwest corner of the square in front ...

Bright lights, big savings

City Building Maintenance staff have spent the last few months installing more than 900 new, LED lights in several City facilities. The LED lights are brighter, more energy efficient, and they are already returning savings.

Public Works Director Jared Wright said the lighting upgrade was a project waiting for the right time and the right price. 

"Earlier this year, we were buying new lights for a couple parks, so we decided to check on prices and possible incent...

Turkey Tuesday canceled this year

Below is a joint statement from Mayor Pro Tem Crissy Thomas and Councilmember Ike Perkins regarding Turkey Tuesday.

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and with all the City of Lenoir facilities closed, Turkey Tuesday, which is hosted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center has been cancelled. We pray and look forward to giving out Turkeys next year, 2021. Everyone contin...

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

The CDC as well as NCDHHS suggest alternative Halloween activities instead of traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. If residents do choose to trick-or-treat or hand out candy, they should follow the NCDHHS and CDC guidelines below.

Click here to read information from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Click here to read the CDC Holiday Guidelines.

Happy Halloween from the City of Lenoir!

Photo by Daisy Anderson from Pexels

Leaf collection starts in November

The Public Works Department has started collecting leaves in hot spots across the City of Lenoir. All residents will get at least three leaf pickups between November and January.

Residents should rake or blow leaves into piles behind the curb or ditch line. Be sure to remove all bricks, rocks, sticks, or glass. Those items can injure employees and damage equipment.

Residents will get three leaf pickups - one pickup in November, one...

Paving on Mulberry Street starts Monday

Workers will start paving Mulberry Street Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, weather permitting. On-street parking will not be permitted on Mulberry Street during paving. Drivers should expect delays.

Earlier this week, contractors paved Greenhaven Drive from Blowing Rock Boulevard to Arlington Circle and Industrial Court from Morganton Boulevard to Polychem Court. Workers will restripe the lanes on the streets once paving is complete for all three roa...

City Council honors Jeff Hayes and Roger Barlow

The City of Lenoir City Council honored retired employees Jeff Hayes and Roger Barlow Tuesday night, Oct.20, 2020, during the City Council meeting.

Jeff Hayes retired Sept. 1, after 36 years of service with the City. Mr. Hayes started his career with the City of Lenoir in 1984 as a Water Plant Operator. He was promoted to Chief Water Plant Operator in 1989.

Roger Barlow retired Aug. 1, after 30 years ...

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 moving forward with some events, canceling others

The City of Lenoir plans to hold some holiday events this year and cancel some others based on Centers for Disease Control and State guidelines.

The City is moving forward with the Downtown holiday light show. Staff plans to place a massive Christmas Tree in Downtown, and the City will also hold the Luminary Display at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in December.

"Due to state and federal guidelines,...

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 with logging...

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 are even ...

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 Hair said....

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, "the poop mi...

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 firefighters to get s...

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...

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