THE HWY 70 CONNECTOR: August-September 2026 Edition
Dear Neighbor,
As summer winds down and a new school year gets underway, there is a lot to be proud of across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties. From celebrating outstanding educators and opening new doors for our students to supporting local organizations, farmers, businesses, and industries, I continue to be encouraged by the people working every day to make eastern North Carolina a better place to call home.
This month, I’ve also been focused on concerns I’m hearing directly from our communities — including the increased traffic being routed onto rural roads that families and farmers depend on every day. When an issue affects the safety and quality of life of the people I represent, I believe it deserves attention and action.
In this edition of The Hwy 58 Connector, I’m glad to share some of those efforts along with highlights from around our district. As always, thank you for staying engaged, sharing your concerns, and giving me the opportunity to serve you in Raleigh.
At your service,
Chris Humphrey
State Representative
CONGRATULATIONS TO LENOIR COUNTY'S PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR!
Senator Bob Brinson and I were honored to congratulate Principal Christy Eubanks of Northwest Elementary on being named Lenoir County Public Schools’ Principal of the Year!
Principal Eubanks’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to her students have made a tremendous impact at Northwest Elementary. This recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to have her serving the students and families of Lenoir County.
VISITING BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS IN KINSTON AND SNOW HILL
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the Boys & Girls Clubs in Kinston and Snow Hill alongside Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain leaders Mark Holtzman and Leonard Paulk.
It was great to see the positive impact these clubs are making in the lives of young people and the dedication of the staff and leaders who help provide safe, supportive places for kids to learn, grow, and succeed.
Thank you to Mark, Leonard, and the entire BGC Coastal Plain team for all you do for our communities and our children!
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
School is back in session across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties! 📚✏️
Wishing all our students, teachers, school staff, and families a safe and successful school year. Thank you to everyone who works hard each day to help our children learn, grow, and reach their full potential!
Enjoyed making doughnut deliveries to several Lenoir County schools last week and getting a chance to thank our teachers and staff for all they do for our students.
One extra special stop was Lenoir County Early College, where I got to see my nephew, Thomas! Wishing all of our students, teachers, and staff a great school year ahead.
ADDRESSING TRAFFIC THAT'S BEING RE-ROUTED THROUGH RURAL ROADS IN ENC
My office has been hearing from residents and local farmers about a troubling increase in speeding, crashes, near misses, and unfamiliar traffic on roads in Lenoir County.
That’s why I sent a letter to Transportation and Agriculture officials, along with Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze — asking them to take a closer look at whether GPS systems are re-routing drivers onto roads that weren’t designed for heavy through-traffic.
These roads are used every day by families, school buses, farmers and slow-moving farm equipment. We need to work together to identify solutions that protect rural residents in North Carolina and across the country.
While the letter highlighted several specific roads as examples, the concerns raised are not limited to those roads. The letter was intended to address the broader issue of GPS navigation directing traffic onto rural roads across our communities that were not designed to handle increased through-traffic.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss these concerns in an interview with WITN (video linked below). The goal isn’t to close roads — it’s to make sure navigation technology accounts for the realities of rural roads and helps keep our families, farmers, and drivers safe.
RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEW GREENE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IN SNOW HILL
It was an honor to deliver remarks at the ribbon cutting for the new Greene Central High School in Snow Hill.
With modern technology, expanded learning spaces, and career-focused classrooms — this new campus will give students even more opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for the future.
Congratulations to the entire Greene Central community. Go Rams! 🐏
CELEBRATING HISTORY IN JONES COUNTY
It was an historic occasion joining the community in Trenton as three new historical markers were unveiled at the Jones County Courthouse.
Did you know that both George Washington and James Monroe once spent the night in Jones County? What an incredible history we have right here in ENC! 🇺🇸
MEETING WITH ENC FARMERS IN DEEP RUN
Thank you to NC Farm Bureau and Senator Bob Brinson for bringing together farmers from across the state at the Tyndall farm in Deep Run. I appreciated visiting with Jerry and Sonya Tyndall, Johnny Tyndall and their families, Curtis Smith of T.C. Smith Farms, Kendall Paramore of the Southeastern Drainage Office, and many others.
It was a pleasure to have this valuable conversation about the issues affecting North Carolina agriculture and the people who keep it strong. 🚜
F-35 EVENT IN KINSTON
It was an honor to join Commissioner Cleveland Lovick, Mayor Kareem Moore, and Councilman Les Lipford at the F-35 event at the Senator Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence in Kinston.
I enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate the continued success of our region’s aviation and aerospace industry and the tremendous impact these investments have on our economy.
Proud to be part of a community working together to strengthen Eastern North Carolina’s future!
ENDORSED BY NC VALUES COALITION
I’m proud to earn the endorsement of the NC Values Coalition! Their support reflects our shared commitment to protecting life, defending parental rights, and preserving religious freedom. As your State Representative, I’ll continue standing strong for the values of families across Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties.
CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN THE OLD STATE CAPITOL
It was a special privilege to join my colleagues for a commemorative session in North Carolina’s historic Old State Capitol as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. May we always cherish the freedom, sacrifice, and enduring principles of liberty that have guided our nation for two and a half centuries. 🇺🇸
RIBBON-CUTTING FOR ALTEN'S NEW FACILITY AT N.C. GLOBAL TRANSPARK IN KINSTON
It was great to join local leaders for the ribbon-cutting of ALTEN’s new facility at the North Carolina Global TransPark.
ALTEN’s arrival in Kinston brings new good-paying job opportunities to our region and strengthens Eastern North Carolina’s growing aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing industries.
Welcome to our community, ALTEN!
UPDATE ON PINELAWN CEMETERY
We are beginning to see progress at Pinelawn Cemetery, with potholes patched and additional employees hired to improve maintenance. However, there is still much work to do.
I appreciate everyone who has helped bring attention to these concerns. Please continue documenting any issues you see and reaching out to my office — we will remain engaged.
HONORING THE LIFE & LEGACY OF U.S. NAVY CAPTAIN EUGENE "RED" MCDANIEL
I recently took the House floor to honor the life and legacy of Captain Eugene “Red” McDaniel — a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and a proud son of Kinston and Lenoir County.
From enduring nearly six years as a prisoner of war to continuing his distinguished service in the United States Navy, Captain McDaniel lived a remarkable life defined by courage, faith, patriotism, and service. We will never forget his extraordinary legacy.
JONES COUNTY EARNS STATEWIDE RECOGNITION
Congratulations to everyone involved with the Jones County Community Closet on receiving a 2026 Civic Excellence in Innovation Award from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners!
This statewide recognition is a testament to what Jones County's dedicated staff, volunteers, and residents can accomplish by working together. Jones County continues to make us proud!
CONGRATULATIONS TO LOVICK'S CAFE ON 85 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY
It was an honor to present Steve Lovick and Angie Potter with a proclamation from our office recognizing Lovick's Cafe and the Lovick family for 85 years of serving the community.
For generations, Lovick’s has been more than a restaurant, it has been a local tradition and a gathering place for neighbors and friends.
Congratulations on this incredible milestone — and thank you for 85 years of dedication to eastern North Carolina communities!
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