Little River Volunteer Fire Department

06/02/2026

FYI

NCDOT will close Sheriffs Road on Tuesday, June 2, between 8 am-3 pm to replace a pipe.

05/11/2026

May is the governors highway safety program month and the campaign. If you see any emergency vehicles at the scene on the highway including our partners at North Carolina Department of Transportation or our friends with wrecker companies please slow down and move over so we can all go home safely.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/07/2026

We want to congratulate our lieutenant Tucker Stone on his promotion to engineer and our paid staff employee Deighton to lieutenant at City of Lenoir Fire Department Congratulations to everyone else who got promoted as well.

City of Lenoir Fire Chief Norman Staines recently made several promotions in the Fire Department. The promotions will take effect on May 10, 2026.

05/03/2026

The N.C. Forest Service has lifted the burn ban for 81 counties in NC this includes caldwell county. This will go into effect at 8 am Sunday may 3rd. The county fire marshal can prevent burning within 100 ft of a residence and we will update you if that changes. We do ask for you not to burn if you can help it. Even with the ban lifted it is still extremely dry. Please use caution if you do burn.

04/27/2026

A little rain doesn't change a thing. We are thankful for the little we got but there is still a burn ban statewide and a burn ban within caldwell county itself within a 100 ft of a a structure. This means no campfires burning of leaf litter etc. Grills are allowed just be very safe when doing so.

The statewide burn ban remains in effect until further notice despite weekend rain in some areas. Persistent dry weather and increasing rainfall deficits from the last several months have left most of the state needing 10 inches of rain or more.

“While the rainfall we received over the weekend was a welcome sight, it offered little to no relief from widespread drought conditions while being nowhere near enough to reduce our wildfire risk,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Even the areas that received the heaviest amount of rain will quickly dry out from the sunshine and warmer temperatures. Until we get some additional rain and see more green-up in our forests, holding the burn ban in place statewide is the best option right now.”

While green-up and leaf-out are progressing at normal rate, low soil moisture, dry surface fuels and persistent low humidity are contributing to wildfire activity. For Western North Carolina, excessive forest fuels from Hurricane Helene are more available now than they were in 2025, low water levels in coastal areas have helped produce intense fire behavior where ground fire will likely be a long-term issue, and the Piedmont experienced 87 new wildfire starts over the weekend alone. Extended attack and mop-up efforts will be taxing and long-winded until drought conditions improve.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/497dNht

04/25/2026

We are saddened to hear the loss of retired fire chief keith Owen's of Gamewell Fire Dept as well as serving with City of Lenoir Fire Department and the North Carolina Forest Service. Keep his family friends and his brothers and sisters that he worked with in your prayers.

We deeply mourn the loss of former Fire Chief Keith Owens, a leader whose bravery and dedication inspired generations of firefighters and citizens. Chief Owens’ extraordinary commitment spanned over five decades, including 55 years of service with the Gamewell Fire Department, where he served as Chief for 31 years (1990–2021).
His passion for the fire service extended throughout North Carolina, with 20 years at the Lenoir Fire Department and 13 years with the NC Forest Service. Beyond his operational leadership, Chief Owens was a devoted educator. In 2018, his vision for youth mentorship became a reality with the founding of a junior firefighter academy, which was renamed the Chief Keith Owens Junior Fire Academy in 2023. His legacy will live on through the cadets who continue to learn the values of emergency services in his honor.
Funeral arrangements are currently pending and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

04/20/2026

If you would like to help the lackey family during this difficult time. Here is one way to do that.

💔Our church family is hurting and we ask that you please join us in prayer. Eric & Sherra Lackey lost their son, Isaac, and Eric's dad, PG, in a car accident this past Friday evening.
💛There has been a Meal Train set up to bless the family with meals to be dropped off, gift cards, and monetary donations. If you feel led to bless them, please use the link provided to do so.
🙏Once we know arrangements, we will share them. Until then, please lift up the Lackey family and friends during this difficult time and in the days to come.

Link to Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/eek93l

04/18/2026

If you will be praying for the family who lost loved ones and the driver who was involved in the secondary collision. Also be praying for our members as well as the mutual aid departments that assisted us as well as the deputies and state troopers who worked the accident scene.

Thank you City of Lenoir Fire Department , Kings Creek Fire Department Caldwell County Emergency Services Caldwell County Sheriff's Office communications and North Carolina State Highway Patrol

LENOIR — On Friday, April 17, at approximately 10:46 p.m., the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision on U.S. 64 at Union Baptist Road in Caldwell County.
A 2018 Ford F-150 was traveling east on U.S. 64, crossed the centerline, and collided with a 2006 Honda Civic. The Ford F-150 then ran off the roadway and struck a guardrail and a utility pole. The driver of the Ford then fled the scene on foot. The Honda came to rest sideways in the roadway after the initial collision.

Shortly after the initial collision, a 2015 Ford F-250 traveling west on U.S. 64 collided with the Honda, in the roadway.

The driver of the Ford F-150, Matthew Braden Frye, 20, of Hickory, was located in the woods nearby and taken into custody by Troopers. He was not injured.

The driver of the Honda, Pink Grant Lackey, 78, of Lenoir, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The front-seat passenger, an 11-year-old juvenile of Lenoir, also succumbed to injuries at the scene.

The driver of the Ford F-250 was not injured.

The initial investigation indicates that speed and impairment were contributing factors in the collision. Mr. Frye was charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving after consuming alcohol under the age of 21, and improper passing. Additional charges are pending following consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.

U.S. 64 was closed for several hours while troopers conducted the on-scene investigation.

04/16/2026

From the Caldwell County water department

Caldwell County Water customers in the Draco area may be experiencing little to no water pressure due to an issue with the Draco Water Tank.
We will provide an update once one is provided

04/10/2026

No burning within 100 feet of an dwelling or business effective today at 1700

A burn ban has been issued for Caldwell County beginning at 5 p.m. today (Friday, April 10).

Under the county’s ban, Caldwell County residents are not allowed to have open fires of any type, including campfires, bonfires, yard or leaf burning, etc., and residents should note that burning trash is illegal.

The only exception to the ban is cooking on/in outdoor charcoal, pellet, or gas grills provided precautions are taken to prevent fire from escaping those appliances.

The ban will remain in effect until rescinded.

Learn more at https://www.caldwellcountync.org/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/256