Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 17

Duplin Journal

inside

A group of dancers from Los Colores de mi Tierra perform a choreography native to Panama during NC Field’s Community Fair Camino al Bienestar on Saturday in Mount Olive. Read the story on Page 3.

Five -mile section of I- 40 dedicated to former state Rep. Larry M. Bell

Faison

A ve-mile section of Interstate 40, from mile marker 352 to 357, was recently dedicated to former State Rep. Larry M. Bell. The unveiling of the sign took place at a ceremony held at Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Faison. The section was dedicated as Representative Larry M Bell Highway. Bell worked nearly two decades in the General Assembly serving the residents of Duplin, Sampson and Wayne counties.

DJS

Public feedback sought on EV charging stations development

Duplin County The North Carolina Department of Transportation wants the public’s feedback on deploying the second phase of electric vehicle charging stations.

Phase 1, which is planned to start in 2025, will involve the installation of fast chargers capable of charging a vehicle in about 20 minutes. In Duplin County the stations would be located on Exit 364 at N.C. 24, College Street, exit 369 at U.S. 117, and exit 373 at S. Kenansville Bypass.

Phase 2 will focus on the buildout of community-based fast chargers and Level 2 chargers that take between four and eight hours to charge a vehicle.

NCDOT will host a webinar on June 26 from 3-4:30 p.m. to provide more information about this project. Visit ncdot.gov to register.

DJS

Man guilty of 2018 murder in Harrells gets life in prison

Harrells

Lajona Carr was sentenced to life in prison last week for the murder of Jamaris Pridgen, of Harrells, in 2018. Carr was jailed at the Sampson County Detention Center on outstanding felony warrants in a Duplin County case when the murder warrant was issued. The victim, whose body was found in a shallow grave on Wilber Pridgen Road, died of a single gunshot wound to the torso.

Duplin GOP asks for more transparency in county meetings

County Commissioners approved the FY 2024 -25 budget unanimously

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — There was a full house at the County Commissioners meeting Monday night as the board approved the FY 2024-25 budget ordinance.

During public comment, Angela B. Mainor praised County Manager Bryan Miller and his team for a job well done putting the budget together and making it easy for the people of Duplin County to understand. She also thanked the board and said it was the rst time in many years she was pleased with it.

Andrew Odom, Duplin County Republican Party Chair who had also signed up for public comment, addressed the board asking for them to consider video recording the meetings and live streaming or broadcasting them after the fact.

“There are a number of counties, including Wayne, Onslow,

A proposed vehicle tax was nixed as part of budget approval

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — During a busy meeting Thursday night, the Wallace Town Council continued its discussion on groundoor downtown apartments and ultimately decided not to move forward with an ordinance amendment that would have allowed ground- oor apartments in the downtown area.

The item has been on the council’s radar since April, when the council requested that Town Manager Rob Taylor and Plan-

“Y’all have done a tremendous job keeping our employees in mind and the taxpayers — that can be a hard battle.”

Commissioner Elwood Garner

Jones, Lenoir, Pender, Sampson, that all do that in some regard,” said Odom, pointing out that technology makes the process simple, and that churches are live streaming on Sunday mornings. He added that having that feature would be an asset for the county as they can better serve the public who are not able to attend.

“We just feel like it would be a great way to maintain the transparency of the commissioners’ meeting, as well as allow some of the members of the community that can’t get out, whether it be because they are homebound, or they’re just older, or they have meetings

See GOP, page 6

ning Director Rod Fritz work on an ordinance amendment that would allow apartments on the ground oor of buildings.

Cameron Lee, planning board chairman, addressed the council and stated the planning board has reviewed this request three times, and all three times unanimously recommended denying the request.

Lee stated the reasons the planning board recommended denial included access to utilities, garbage collection, parking, deliveries and input from other downtown business owners as well as other municipalities.

Lee stated that there are currently 39 planned apartments in the central business district (CBD). Allowing ground- oor

Wendy Murphy elected UNC System Board of Governors chair

Duplin’s hospitality industry businesswoman makes history as chair of the rst all-female-led board

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

DUPLIN COUNTY hospitality businesswoman Wendy Murphy was recently appointed by the state House of Representatives to serve as UNC System Board of Governors Chair, making history as chair-elect of the rst all-female-led board. She is also the rst Duplin resident to hold the prestigious role. “I’m honored to be elected chair at a time when three women will assume leadership roles as Board o cers for the rst time in history,” Murphy told Duplin Journal in an email. “This is a critical moment for higher education, and I’m blessed to serve alongside Vice Chair-elect Kellie Hunt Blue and Secretary-elect Pearl Burris Floyd. Together, we have meaningful experience on university boards in North Carolina, and I know we will always keep students at the forefront of our minds when making decisions about the university.”

Murphy, a native of Rose Hill who currently lives in Wallace, will assume her new role on July 1, She will be taking over the role held by longtime Board of Governors’ chair Randy Ramsey. Murphy, who is serving her second four-year term on the Board of Governors, told Duplin Journal she is hopeful the legislature will appoint her to serve one more four-year term, which will allow her to complete her time as

apartments would bring that total to 59 available apartments and would include one-story buildings like Family Dollar, Piggly Wiggly and the former A&P.

“I think we’re being a little anxious or impatient about residential development in and around Wallace,” Lee said. “Residential for Wallace is coming. It’s just a matter of getting the infrastructure in place.”

He reiterated that the planning board still recommended denying the request.

“I will say personally, this was very eye-opening,” Council Member Jason Davis said. Taylor then went into detail

chair. Board of Governors are appointed by the House or Senate and can serve three fouryear terms. Murphy’s immediate goals, as she assumes her new role, are to keep the board’s focus on quality education, student success and a ordability.

“These are key themes in our strategic plan, but we also have speci c goals that include raising graduation rates, improving campus e ciency, and increasing enrollment of adult and military learners and students from underserved counties,” said Murphy. “We have an enviable track record of keeping tuition low and lowering student debt — I want to maintain that. And we want to produce more graduates in high-demand elds such as engineering, healthcare and teaching.”

Murphy is a big advocate of approaching literacy standards aggressively and arming future

“I love the idea of having some sort of ADA-compliant apartment downstairs because we don’t have any. But it’s also got to be done the right way.”

Jason Wells, Wallace mayor

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Andrew Odom, chair of the Duplin County Republican Party, addresses the Board of County Commissioners Monday night, asking for more transparency by broadcasting future meetings.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WENDY MURPHY

THURSDAY

6.20.24

WEEKLY FORECAST

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Duplin Journal

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CRIME LOG

JUNE 4

• Nathan Alexander Casteen, 43, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for misdemeanor larceny, reconnecting utility, and felony probation violation out of county.

• Adam Ormond Conklin, 32, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of injury to personal property and a parole violation.

JUNE 5

• Devonta Tyrese Brinson, 25, was arrested by the Warsaw PD for felony possession of a Schedule II controlled

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:

22

JUNE

Join the Duplin County Food Truck & Vendor Fest at the Duplin Events Center on June 22, from noon to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy food trucks, vendors, live music & more. The British Invaders Band, a sensational Beatles and ‘60s Tribute Band, will take the stage at noon, followed by the soulful sounds of Mamer’s own Dalton Davis at 2 p.m. Heart Breaker will take the stage at 4 p.m. and Rivermist will close the night with performances kicking off at 6 p.m. Gates Open at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $5 at the door.

Join First Baptist Church of Teachey for the Juneteenth Teachey Parade and Festival on June 22 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event starts at the church and ends at Teachey Park. Juneteenth will feature a parade, entertainment, music and dance, food and fun games.

Pet Friends is calling

substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Jasmine Octavia Carter, 31, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for simple assault and possessing drug paraphernalia.

• Jordan Marquis Stokes, 20, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, attempted firstdegree murder, and six counts of discharging a weapon into an occupied property.

JUNE 7

• Tiffany Faith Kurtz, 25, was arrested by the Kenansville

Carolina Strawberry Festival Queens sweeten council meeting

The 2024 Carolina Strawberry Festival queens were special guests at the June 13 Wallace Town Council meeting. The three young ladies were chosen from 23 contestants, and all three winners are actually from Duplin County. From left, Baby Miss Anne Michael Johnson, daughter of Nash and Martha Johnson; Mini Miss Gisel Salinas, daughter of Josh and Paula Salinas; and Little Miss Dylan Dixon, daughter of Darrell and Dewanda Dixon.

all dog lovers in Mount Olive and nearby areas to join its free group dog training classes in Wallace on June 22, from 10- 11 a.m. at the Wallace Dog Park, inside Boney Mill Pond. No need to RSVP – simply leash up your pup and head to the park! Dog trainers will lead you through a series of interactive exercises designed to enhance obedience and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Remember to bring some tasty treats to reward your pups for their efforts.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the rst and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.

The Beulaville town

PD for resisting a public officer.

JUNE 9

• Christie Alexandria Bell, 42, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for second-degree trespassing.

JUNE 10

• Terrence Lamar Damon, 28, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for a felony probation violation.

• Gary Wayne Locklear, 54, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for possessing methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.

board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4647.

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the rst Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade Street. For information, call 919-658-9221.

The Faison town board meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-267-2721.

The Economic Development Board meets the rst Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call

• James Victor Sheffield, 62, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for malicious conduct by a prisoner, being intoxicated and disruptive, and damaging property.

• Timothy Charles Wiggins, 41, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, and seconddegree trespassing.

• Hector Alejandro Romero, 19, was arrested by the NC Highway Patrol for speeding and reckless driving that endangers others.

910-289-3078.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910-293-7814.

The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910-289-3205.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910-289-3159.

The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For information, call 910-372-9178.

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202 or you may also submit information at cc.southernsoftware. com/tipsubmission/ through the Duplin County Citizens Connect website.

SPONSORED BY DUPLIN CALENDAR

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Local event unites Duplin’s Latino community

Participants left the event with wagons loaded with free fruits and vegetables

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

MOUNT OLIVE — Bright dresses twirling to the rhythm of Latin music set the perfect background for Camino al Bienestar, a community fair hosted on Saturday in Mount Olive.

The event, held on the elds of St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, was the product of a collaboration between NC Field, Hispanic Federation, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development in Wallace, and Community Technical Assistance Inc.

The scorching warm weather did not deter guests as they trickled in throughout the day.

The fair featured music, dancing and performances by talented performers who delighted guests. Children and adults alike participated in Zumba lessons and had a chance to win gift certi cates for $100, $50, and $30, among other prizes.

Vendors peppered throughout the eld provided informational resources, health screenings, free haircuts, groceries and free goodies.

Stephanie Reyes with CommWell Health was among the vendors providing free screenings to participants.

“We are checking blood pressure and putting uoride,” Reyes

told Duplin Journal. “We occasionally do extractions at public areas as well — it just depends on what we can set up for each event.”

The event had representatives from several local and regional organizations providing information and assistance in English and Spanish, from free workshops for small businesses, and resources for farm workers to voter registration and citizenship information.

Melissa Reese with Trillium Health Resources was also onsite providing information.

“We work with the providers that provide mental health, substance use and intellectual developmental disability services,” said Reese. “We have information like our member and recipient service call line that folks can call for services and to learn more about what we provide.”

Elizabeth Montu with James Sprunt Community College was promoting JSCC’s classes o ered in Spanish. The initiative o ering courses in Spanish started with cosmetology and nail technician classes and continues to expand, rapidly adapting to the needs of Duplin’s growing Latino population.

“We’ve added aesthetics as of this week,” said Montu. “We have electrical-residential. We have cake decorating, computer (classes). We also o er ESL classes completely free.”

Representatives from N.C. Cooperative Extension provided free recipe books in Spanish and o ered information about

health and safety topics in the farm.

Members of the Shackle Free Community Outreach Agency in Warsaw provided information about support services they o er to address disparities and were conducting surveys to learn about the needs in the community.

ECU Health Duplin Hospi-

tal was also on site o ering free blood pressure screenings and providing information about chronic disease prevention and access to health care in Spanish.

Jorge Colchado, a participant, said he was enjoying the event.

“It’s really good. I’m checking out what they have,” he said, adding that this was his second time attending the community

fair and it has grown since the last time he attended.

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina had numerous volunteers who lled participants’ bags with fresh vegetables, fruits, and other groceries.

Guests left the event with big smiles and wagons loaded with free food and goodies.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | SHAWN KREST

The most important election of our lifetime

“This November, you will decide whether we pay a little more in income tax or a little less” doesn’t have quite the same “get to the polls” pressure, does it?

THIS NOVEMBER , Americans will go to the polls in what everyone seems to agree is “The Most Important Election of Our Lifetime!” Democracy? Personal liberty? Capitalism? The future of Europe? It’s all on the ballot.

And you thought it was just going to be Trump or Biden.

Of course, this isn’t the rst time we’ve been told that about an election. In 1936, voters were told:

“America is in peril. The welfare of American men and women and the future of our youth are at stake. We dedicate ourselves to the preservation of their political liberty, their individual opportunity and their character as free citizens, which today for the rst time are threatened by Government itself.

“The powers of Congress have been usurped by the President.

“The integrity and authority of the Supreme Court have been outed.

“The rights and liberties of American citizens have been violated. … To a free people these actions are insu erable.”

There were certainly some important issues in 1936. FDR had served two terms and was ignoring 150 years of precedent to run for a third term. He was defending his New Deal, which either helped begin to lead us out of the Depression or had been an enormous government overreach that went against the fabric of our nation. War was brewing in Europe, and, though it wasn’t known at the time, ve seats on the Supreme Court were about to come open over the next four years.

That’s an important election. Maybe *The* Most Important one.

According to Slate, we’ve been holding “The Most Important Election” since at least the 1805 Pennsylvania governor’s race, when the phrase was rst used. In the 219 years since, we’ve had a constantly increasing level of urgency, with each subsequent election taking the title as TMIEOOL (The Most Important Election Of Our Lifetime).

There are a couple of simple reasons why we feel this way. One is that creating urgency, whether merited or manufactured, is a good way to get your supporters to turn out.

“This November, you will decide whether we pay a little more in income tax or a little less” doesn’t have quite the same “get to the polls” pressure, does it?

The other big reason each election seems TMIE is an obvious but important fact about human nature:

We don’t know what’s going to happen.

We do know what happened in all those other TMIEOOLs, though: All the disasters — natural and man-made — and how they were

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

handled. We know about the economy, the wars and the ga es.

So, let’s take a look back to gure out which election was really “The Most Important”?

The three clear-cut choices for Most Important Election are:

1. 1944: We were about to elect the person who would be presented with the atomic bomb and have to weigh the merits of using it.

2. 1940: War raged in Europe and the U.S. would be attacked 13 months after Election Day.

3. 1860: The election would determine if states seceded from the Union and, soon after, went to war with it. It doesn’t get much more Most Important than that.

There are other candidates in the honorable mention section. 1796 was the rst election not involving George Washington. 1800 was referred to as “the Revolution of 1800.” There were the post-Lincoln elections as the country tried to recover from the Civil War, with 1876 perhaps being the most consequential. It turns out presidential elections have always been fairly important in our country.

Who knew?

But what about the end of that phrase: Of Our Lifetime. Here are the rankings: 1. 1980: The outcome of the election would determine if the American hostages in Iran would be freed. Plus, growing tensions with the Soviet Union, an economic recession and the emerging HIV pandemic were all on the horizon. The contrast between the candidates — mild-mannered incumbent Jimmy Carter and smooth-talking cowboy Ronald Reagan — also underscored the di erent paths the election could take us.

2. 2016: Again, the contrast between the two candidates — Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump — added to the importance of the choice. We didn’t know it, but the winner would be hit with a worldwide pandemic, and three Supreme Court seats, enough to sway the court far in one direction, were about to come open.

3. 2000: Vice President and climate activist Al Gore vs. another cowboy in George W. Bush. Clearly, the candidates had vastly di erent priorities, presenting us with two divergent paths, intersected by an unprecedented attack on American soil eight months into their term.

In hindsight, those elections were more important than all the others. Unless you count this November, which, of course, will be TMIEOOL.

European ‘far right’ issues a stinging rebuke to elites

Nineteen percent of Germany’s population is foreign-born, as is 15% of Spain’s and 13% of France’s, with many o spring of previous immigrants living in suburban highrise ghettoes.

“THE FAR RIGHT MADE BIG GAINS IN European elections,” reads The Associated Press headline on last week’s European Parliament elections. Lest you wonder why you should dread gains by the “far right,” the lead sentence of the article notes that the EU has “roots in the defeat of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.”

For many readers, that juxtaposition is a reminder of the sharp rise in Nazi party percentages in Weimar Republic elections from 3% in 1928 to 18% in 1930, 33% and 37% in 1932, and 43% in 1933.

So is fascist dictatorship on the rise in Europe once again? No, and for multiple reasons.

First, European voters usually don’t take European Parliament elections seriously. The parliament can only amend or veto legislation passed by the nonelected European Commission and thus is mostly a talking shop. Turnout in EU elections has usually been well below that in national elections, and in many countries, voters typically cast protest votes in the knowledge that the winners will have only limited ability to set policy.

Second, the gains for the supposed “far-right” parties can easily be overstated. The Identity and Democracy Party increased from 49 seats to 62, and the nonaligned, not all of which is classed as “far right,” increased from 62 to 102. That sounds like a big shift, but “far-right” parties still hold only a small minority of the parliament’s 720 seats.

Third, and most importantly, the “far-right” parties don’t stand for anything like Hitler’s Nazis or Mussolini’s fascists. Even the Brothers of Italy party, members of which have praised Mussolini, is now solidly committed to constitutional democracy. Its leader, Giorgia Meloni, has been Italy’s prime minister since October 2022, and it’s no more totalitarian than Italy’s center-left Democrats, which has historical roots in the Communist Party.

The losers in the EU elections are the Green, pro-EU, Left and Socialist parties. European and American journalists, imbibing the assumptions of vulgar Marxism or American New Dealers, have long assumed voters use their votes to grab others’ money and that their natural response to discontent is to seek economic redistribution.

But in post-welfare-state Europe, redistribution has gone about as far as it can go — or at least not many voters seem to want it to go further.

Protest voters are unhappy about other aspects of the status quo. One reason, writes The New York Times’ David Leonhardt, is “because mainstream parties have dismissed public opinion on a major problem: the enormous rise of immigration.”

Or, as maverick conservative Andrew Sullivan put it, over the last

decade, “in response to a volatile public mood, Western elites actually intensi ed their policy of importing millions of people from the developing world to replace their insu ciently diverse and declining domestic populations.”

As a result, 19% of Germany’s population is foreign-born, as is 15% of Spain’s and 13% of France’s, with many o spring of previous immigrants living in suburban high-rise ghettoes.

Academics and journalists, puzzled that modest-income voters don’t demand economic redistribution, tend to ascribe unease about immigration to racism or “status anxiety.” Allegedly bigoted voters just don’t like dark-skinned people or fear losing their “white privilege.”

But there’s a better explanation: Too many of the immigrants there are committing violent crimes or are violently trying to impose what Europeans regard as their oppressive religious restrictions on native European young women and gay men. Or massacre journalists who run cartoons of the prophet.

Similar increases in immigration from culturally hostile backgrounds help explain why Britain’s Conservatives are about to be swept from power after 14 years and why, despite low unemployment, President Joe Biden is trailing in the polls.

You don’t have to be racist or anxious about your status to be upset if you face an increased risk of being violently attacked or killed. You don’t have to be unaware that a country with a declining population needs more young workers to oppose governments that welcome hundreds of thousands of immigrants hostile to your culture and uninterested in actually working.

The gains for “far-right” parties may not change EU policies much, but they’re likely to a ect politically responsible national leaders. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has called a snap two-round election.

French conservative party leader Eric Ciotti has announced an alliance with the hitherto boycotted “far-right” National Rally of Marine Le Pen and 28-year-old Jordan Bardella. With all three parties in Germany’s governing coalition running behind the verboten Alternative for Germany party, a snap election may be in order there as well.

European elites who opened borders and dismissed those worried about the consequences as racist have su ered a stinging rebuke. Maybe American elites who have done the same will also su er electorally.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

Local ambulance driver charged with failure to yield in accident

Duplin Journal staff

A DUPLIN COUNTY EMS ambulance driver was charged with failure to yield after a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer sent several people to the hospital.

The accident occurred on the morning of June 12 at the intersection of North N.C. 111 Highway and Sheep Pasture Road in Albertson.

A tractor-trailer registered to Case Farms was traveling north on NC 111 when the ambulance traveling south on N.C. 903 failed to yield and entered the intersection. According to law enforcement, the ambulance driver turned in front of the commercial tractor-trailer transporting livestock and was not able to stop on time.

Duplin County 911 Center received the call at 7:15 a.m., dispatching Albertson and Pleasant Grove fire departments, along with Duplin County EMS, Duplin County Emergency Management and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

New seafood restaurant opens in Beulaville

Beulaville

A new seafood restaurant has come to Beulaville. Carolina Girls Seafood & Grill opened June 12, at 812 E. Main St. Their hours are Wednesdays and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The restaurant is located next to Whaley’s Supermarket on Main Street in Beulaville.

JSCC o ers free online seminars for small business owners

All persons involved in the accident were evaluated and transported for medical care. There were no life-threatening injuries.

“We had two employees who were on the am -

“The ambulance was loaded with a patient and was in transit to the hospital without the use of lights or sirens. The driver of the tractor-trailer was ambulatory on the scene,” said EMS officials.

bulance at the time,” Brandon McMahon, Emergency Medical Services director, told Duplin Journal, adding that both were airlifted to ECU Medical Center in Greenville, and appear to have non-life-threatening injuries. McMahon said that both employees stayed overnight for observation.

“The ambulance was loaded with a patient and was in transit to the hospital without the use of lights or sirens.”

Duplin County EMS

Harrells Christian Academy robotics team wins 1st place at National Beta Convention

The team overcame adversity to win top prize

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

FOR THE SECOND, straight year, Harrells Christian Academy’s robotics team took home the top prize from the National Beta Club Convention held last week in Savannah. But it wasn’t an easy path to victory for the middle schoolers.

“Nightmare met reality as they encountered a malfunctioning robot at the start of a competition!” Henry L. Stevens shared in a Facebook post. His son, Henry, is a member of the team. “An inability to lift the robot’s arms would result in certain failure. Months of hard work were on the brink of unraveling, but giving up was not an option for these Crusaders! With the clock ticking before the judges would ask them to begin their demonstration, the team’s re -

solve only grew stronger. It was no longer just about winning; it was about proving to themselves and their dedicated team coach that they could overcome any obstacle.”

While the team’s coach, Emily Ludlum, waited in the hallway for the boys to x the robot, she had no idea if her team could pull through in time for the competition’s start.

“Her heart broke for the boys as she tearfully re ected on all the heart and soul that her young men had poured into raising the money to purchase their robot on their own, to planning their program, and to practicing their roles,” Stevens wrote. “She turned to the Lord for comfort, and as she prayed with other Harrells Christian Academy parents and supporters, the team’s perseverance began to pay o .”

With just minutes to go before the judges approached the team, they texted Ludlum that they had repaired the robot. “They had not only xed their

once again

Duplin County James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center o ers free online seminars every month for small business owners and those wishing to start their own businesses. Here are the online seminars available over the next few weeks: Getting More 5-Star Reviews and Dealing With 1-Star Reviews, June 20, 3-5 p.m.; Intro to Video Marketing, June 25, 6-7 p.m.; Sustainable Food Farming, June 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (at James Sprunt Small Business Center); StartUp Loans: How to Start the Process, June 27, 7-8:30 p.m. To register for any of these courses, visit ncsbc.net/ Events.aspx and select James Sprunt Community College as the location.

Got local business news?

Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, and noteworthy achievements, and we’ll share it with the community! Email Abby Cavenaugh at abby@ northstatejournal.com. The Duplin Journal reserves the right to edit for content, brevity, and clarity.

robot under immense pressure but they subsequently executed their program awlessly, resulting in their rst place national nish,” Stevens said.

“This robotics team’s journey

is a powerful reminder that success is not just about awless execution, but also about having the character to face challenges head-on and refusing to accept defeat.”

PHOTO COURTESY HARRELLS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

The Harrells Christian Academy robotics team

took home the top prize from the National Beta Club Convention. Pictured left to right: Fisher Blanton, Henry Stevens, JC Carr, Cavin Chambers, Miller Ludlum and Chance Evans.

DUPLIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

A Duplin County ambulance driver was charged with failure to yield after a collision with a commercial tractor-trailer sent several persons to the hospital. There were no life-threatening injuries reported.

Rose Hill adopts 2024-25 budget, pay raises for town employees

A sewer line issue was reported on

Charity Road

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL — The Rose Hill Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the 2024-25 scal year budget at its regular monthly meeting on June 11.

Town Administrator Angela Smith reported to the board that nothing had changed since the public hearing on the budget was held last month.

The budget keeps the town’s property tax rate at 75 cents per $100 valuation.

The budget also includes the 2024-25 pay and classi cation plan for town employees, which was approved unanimously as well. The plan includes a 7% salary increase for all full-time employees and a 2% increase for part-time employees.

Later in the meeting, Public Works Director Blake Parker reported a problem with a sewer line on Charity Road that needs

about what the proposed ordinance amendment would mean, including that all ground- oor apartments be situated at the rear of the building in order “to preserve the commercial character at street level.” The developer would also have to provide two parking spaces for each apartment, with no parking allowed on Main Street.

“We’d also like them to do a little bit of improvement in the back of the alleys, some green space,” Taylor said.

to be addressed quickly. “On Charity Road, Station 5, we were getting a lot of in ltration,” Parker explained. “That section was overlooked when they came in and did the TV and cameraing in town. At the time, we didn’t know we had an issue there. So one big rain storm, the pumps couldn’t keep up, we were having high in ltration.”

Upon investigation, public works crews found that someone had knocked holes in the sewer pipe. “It’s too late in the game to try and track down the crew that done it, so we wanted to know to what extent was it damaged?” Parker said. “We had AC Schultes come in. That pipe was about 14 feet deep. So we had them come in and camera it. Over half of the pipe is gone. There’s about an 18-foot span there that’s been hit. That is going to have to be replaced.”

In order to replace the line, the town is going to have to involve the Department of Transportation because the line runs under the highway. Parker said DOT has been back lling the ditch, so

it’s also got to be done the right way. This is so vague, it opens up a lot of places that we know we don’t want this.” He added that he didn’t see any point in having a public hearing at the next meeting on the issue because it wasn’t feasible at this time to have downtown ground- oor apartments.

“In my heart of hearts, I believe there’s a way to nd ADA-compliant apartments and be able to get them downstairs without at the same time opening up a lot of things we don’t want,” he said. “But this isn’t it.”

it’s aware of the problem but had not noti ed the town.

“We weren’t sure how much money it was going to cost, but it’s going to pretty expensive,” Parker said.

Smith stated she had gotten one quote from AC Schultes, in the amount of $74,000.

“If we get a major rain, it could be a catastrophic failure,” Commissioner Billy Wilson said.

Parker said he is going to reach out and procure as many bids as he can, and he’ll also have to contact DOT.

When Mayor Davy Buckner asked where the town will get the money to x the line, Smith replied that it would have to come from the town’s fund balance.

The board will likely discuss the issue again at next month’s meeting.

In other business at the June 11 meeting, the commissioners:

• Approved a retention and disposition schedule for general records and program records. “This basically tells us how long we have to keep

sewer rate hike as well as a $15 fee for vehicles registered within the town limits. The vehicle tax would be added on to customers’ annual DMV tag fees. The scal year 2024-25 budget totals $10.72 million, a 4.89% increase over last year’s budget, Taylor said. There were no public comments during the public hearing on the budget, but the council discussed the $15 vehicle tax at length.

and maintain records … and when we’re going to burn them,” Smith explained, adding that some records are kept on le permanently; it just depends what types of records they are.

Approved the commercial generator maintenance agreement, e ective July 1, which will include generators at Town Hall, the Sixth Street well and the public works department. The total cost is $10,145.50.

Approved a tax foreclosure attorney agreement with Zacchaeus Legal Services. Smith said the attorney provides services only when the town has a tax foreclosure, which happens approximately twice a year.

Agreed to let the Jimmy Jerome Park lawn maintenance contract expire, saving the town $15,750. The public works department will take over mowing of the property.

• Approved participating in the AIM (Accounting

hicle nancing. His motion passed unanimously.

In other business at the June 13 Wallace Town Council meeting:

Instruction and Mentorship) program o ered by the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Approved a resolution for the demolition and removal of a dilapidated structure on town-owned property on Fourth Street. The contract was awarded to Anthony Guy for $2,950.

• Discussed the Chapter 74 Parking Schedules, which have been discussed at previous meetings. The item will be up for board action at next month’s meeting.

• Established a public hearing for the July 9 meeting on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

• Heard from Commissioner Gary Boney, who’s also the town’s re chief, that there has been a ooring issue at the new re department, which has delayed the building’s opening again. Boney also pointed out Rose Hill’s re department is made up 100% of volunteers. “Good help is hard to nd, and we’ve got good help here,” he said.

• Learned that the tax collection rate through May is 93.58%.

The Rose Hill town board will next meet on Tuesday, July 9, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

aware of discolored water at her house.

Mayor Jason Wells stated his feelings had changed about the proposed downtown apartments. “My problem is a ne line,” he said. “I love the idea of having some sort of ADA-compliant apartment downstairs because we don’t have any. But

2024-25 budget adopted

Council Member Jason Davis said he was still uncomfortable with the vehicle tax. After some consideration, Taylor said the $15 fee would only generate about $40,000, an amount that could be recouped by nancing a needed truck rather than purchasing it outright.

• A capital project ordinance for road realignment at the airport was approved. The council continued the meeting until June 25 at 6 p.m. WALLACE from page 1

MURPHY from page 1

teachers with the correct knowledge and tools to teach students using proven methods.

“First, all teachers must enter the classroom with a foundation in literacy and the science of reading. That starts with our university’s schools of education, which are the single largest source of teachers in our public schools. For years now, the Board and the state have been focused on early grade literacy, and rightly so, when 68% of fourth graders are not pro cient in reading. Science has settled the question on how children learn to read, and it’s vital that we prepare our future teachers to correctly use these methods,” said Murphy, adding that she has been a proponent of attacking literacy standards aggressively. “There are signs that we have begun to make progress, but there’s still a long way to go.”

When asked about the challenges that come with her new role, Murphy stated, “It’s easy to be distracted by issues that make headlines — and there are many these days in the world of higher education. But we really have to remain focused on our core of teaching, research and public

Another major item at the June 13 council meeting was the proposed 2024-25 budget, which included an 8.5% water/

“I’m honored to be elected chair at a time when three women will assume leadership roles as Board o cers for the rst time in history.”

Wendy Murphy, UNC System Board of Governors

service. And we must constantly deliver the message to North Carolinians that earning a degree or credential beyond high school is critical for their success and the future of our economy and our society. There is a signi cant return on investment for students who earn a postsecondary degree at an a ordable university, and that’s what we’re all about.”

Murphy, who is a former teacher, served on the UNC Wilmington Board of Trustees for 10 years. She has also served on the Duplin County Education Foundation, Duplin County Community Foundation, Duplin Hospital Board of Directors and Harrells Christian Academy Board of Directors.

Davis motioned to approve the budget, with the vehicle tax removed and adding in the ve -

in other regards,” said Odom. “There’s also been some issues in the past with meetings being up to date on the website, that sort of thing, so this would be one way to get past that, to be able to have these. And with technology being as simple as it is, it really doesn’t require a lot of money or a lot of technology. You can use an iPhone and just upload it to YouTube after the fact.”

Odom told Duplin Journal he had sent a few emails but has not gotten a response.

“I’ve been bringing this up through emails,” he said. “I’ve sent four emails now to the group of commissioners and the county manager, and I haven’t gotten one email in return. Not even so much as saying, ‘Hey, got your email. Thanks for sending it.’ Nothing.”

He pointed out it should be simple to record the meetings as there is a camera that feeds the TV in the lobby’s over ow space.

“I don’t understand why we can show it that way, but we can’t record it and broadcast it,” said Odom. “It’s not like there is a lack of technology

During the public comment period, Edward Walker, who lives on Bray Street, complained of dozens of potholes on his street and pointed out that a lot of the town’s streets need to be repaved. Linda Sikes also reported to the board that one of her tenants had their water turned o by the town and were not noti ed so they called a plumber. She submitted the plumber bill to the town for them to pay. Also during public comment, Sarah Caillar of Wolf Den Court stated she wanted to make the town

because the technology is already in place. … All you got to do is press record and it will record the whole meeting and then go home and put it on YouTube.”

After public comment closed, Miller thanked Mainor for her comments, crediting the budget team and thenance director.

Mainor’s and Miller’s comments were echoed by other members of the board.

“Two years ago, our county implemented a signi cant pay raise,” said Commissioner Justin Edwards, explaining that it was funded by COVID money for two years. “At the end of that two years, we knew that our county would have to pay for it out of pocket through ad valorem taxes and the other revenue streams. ... For 18 months we have worked on securing that. And I’m proud of this budget because we have funded that and given a 5% cost of living adjustment, and we have not had to raise ad valorem taxes any to make it happen.” Commissioner Edwards remarked that 5% is not much considering the cost-of-living increases everyone has seen over the last few years, and he felt that they needed to help their employees in some way.

“We have been able to do that by giving that COLA but also respecting our taxpayers and hoping they still feel valued with our county and with our elected leaders,” said Commissioner Edwards. “I give hats o to Bryan and our nance department, and the majority of our department heads, they have bent over backwards to come together and work and make all of these things happen and I am proud of that.”

Commissioner Elwood Garner also thanked the team and everyone who contributed to making the budget.

“It’s probably been one of the easier budgets that we have had to deal with in a right good while with what we were

• The council approved a oneyear hunting lease for Keith Mote, who requested to rent land at the airport. The lease is for 152.434 acres at a price of $8.50 an acre, totaling $1,295.69. The council approved its interlocal agreement with the town of Teachey for sewer service. The contract is in place for another 10 years.

• The council agreed to lease the Rose House by Boney Mill Pond for $1,000 a month.

facing. I was not looking forward to this in January, but with the team that Mr. Miller has assembled, it is not hard. Y’all have done a tremendous job keeping our employees in mind and the taxpayers — that can be a hard battle.”

Chair Dexter Edwards added that it was all about teamwork.

“You know, it has been a really good exercise, probably one of the most transparent teamwork budgets that I’ve been involved in since I have been a part of the board,” said Chair Edwards, thanking Miller for his leadership and for recognizing his team.

“We’re doing a lot in this county with all the expansion we have out in the building processes and what we have laid out and continue, and a lot of that is accomplished through having good support from our state leaders as well, helping us with some funding.

... As chairman of this board, I say it is one of the easiest things that I do because of how y’all work so diligently together for common cause.”

In other business:

• Mainor asked the board to consider making Juneteenth a holiday for Duplin County employees.

Cindy Sallis brought up road concerns about Popeye Road and Hunting Club Road. “Popeye Road can be absolutely devastating, especially after it rains,” said Sallis about the gravel road.

“You have to drive incredibly slow — it’s such a mess, and Hunting Club also is. I’ve heard a number of people complaining it’s pretty bad.”

Miller shared that restripping for Penny Branch Road in Warsaw is now on NCDOT’s schedule.

• The board approved Miller’s request to cancel the rst meeting in July as customary due to the holiday. The next meeting will be held on July 15.

GOP from page 1

DUPLIN SPORTS

Diamond elds of softball talent in Duplin schools

Eight of the top 13 players on the rst team are underclassmen, as ND has ve top picks, ED four, JK two and WRH one

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Hardcore softball fans in Duplin County were treated to an array of outstanding players this spring as a deep pool of talent provided competitive and intriguing matchups.

A bumper crop of hitters features eight players with .500 or better batting averages, three more with .400 or better marks and ve with .354 strokes.

With that the case, being one of the top 13 players on the rst team is an honor. And play-

COACH OF THE YEAR

COACH OF THE YEAR

2015: Ricky Edwards, ND

2016: Ricky Edwards, ND

2017: Corey Lovelace, WRH

2018: Greg Jenkins, ED

2019: Greg Jenkins, ED

2020: Covid. No season.

2021: Ricky Edwards, ND

2022: Greg Jenkins, ED

2023: Jaime KylisHigginbotham, ND

2024: Jaime KylisHigginbotham, ND

ers on the second team likewise came through in big moments.

The coach of the county’s best team is also the Duplin Journal’s Coach of the Year, North Duplin’s Jaime Kylis Higginbotham.

That’s not a surprise since Kylis Higginbotham took the honor in 2023 and the Rebels won it in 2015, 2016 and 2021 under coach Ricky Edwards. East Duplin coach Greg Jenkins also has three COY trophies (2018, 2019, 2022).

Determining the other marquee individual awards isn’t as easy.

The Rebels’ Reece Outlaw nabs her second Ms. Softball crown, but she was pushed by teammates Addy Higginbotham and Lilly Fulghum.

The threesome and James Kenan’s Anna Morgan Armstrong, Jourdan Joe and Shylah Sloan,

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Lexi Kennedy and East Duplin’s Ava Noble all hit better than .500.

Higginbotham is the O ensive Player of the Year. Fulghum and Armstrong are co-recipients of the Heart of a Champion award.

It’s a shame there are not more categories. Kennedy, for example, kept WRH on the softball map this spring.

Noble, a freshman, got a late start but was unstoppable in the batter’s box.

Joe and Sloan hit the ball and ran around the bases as if they were running from a re.

It was also a time when three other schools in the Journal’s coverage area boasted softball stars.

While none are eligible to be on the Duplin County squad, let’s offer apologies to Richlands’ pitcher Makenzie Goin (7-4, 166 strike-

outs, 44 walks) and teammates LeNayah Jackson (.480), Erin Thibault (.451) and Reagan Stapleton (.375), Harrells Christian’s Sabrina Batts (.507) and Richlands’ Mackenzie Jackson (.426). There are 13 players on the rst team and 10 on the second squad. North Duplin checked in with ve on the rst team, East Duplin four, JK three and Bulldogs two selections. The rst team is comprised of four seniors, two juniors, ve sophomores and two freshmen. Marquee individual winners who are also rst-team members include:

Ms. Softball Reece Outlaw, ND, Sr., SS O ensive Player of the Year Addy Higginbotham, ND, Jr., 2B

Co-Heart of a Champion Lilly Fulghum, ND, So, P Anna Morgan Armstrong, JK, Sr., P

Coach of the Year Jaime Kylis Higginbotham, ND

All-Duplin County Softball 2024

Ms. Softball

Reece Outlaw, ND, Sr., SS O ensive

Player of the Year

Addy Higginbotham, ND, Jr., 2B

Co-Heart of a Champion

Lilly Fulghum, ND, So, P Anna Morgan Armstrong, JK, Sr., P

Coach of the Year

Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham, ND

First Team

Lexi Kennedy, WRH, Sr., P

Morgan Brown, ED, Jr., P/OF Jourdan Joe, JK, So., OF Shylah Sloan, JK, So., OF Ady Spence, ND, So., P/OF Ava Noble, ED, Fr., OF Kinsley Bond, ED, Sr., 1B Marissa Bernal, ND, So., OF Karsyn Parker, ED, Fr., 2B

Second Team

Addison Tuck, ED, Sr., CF Marissa Bernal, ND, So., OF Kenadi Giddons, JK, Fr., OF Jansley Page, WRH, So., IF M’chelle Jaco, ND, Jr., OF Carley Grace Jenkins, ED, Sr., 3B

Sophie Sloan, WRH, So, IF/OF Iala Overton, ND, Jr., OF/DH Kaylee Powell, WRH, Sr., 1B Emory Raynor, ED, Jr., OF

crown and the league’s postseason tournament that followed. The Rebels avenged their only loss by turning the lights out on Wayne Christian 17-7.

North Duplin coach

Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham repeats as the top coach and driving forced behind her team’s push to titles and a long playo run

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — North Duplin’s Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham is very experienced and knows the

game of softball from a multitude of levels.

This spring she seemed to make all the right calls, and the Rebels responded to her insight by con dently taking care of their business.

They often did it quickly via 10-rule mercy rule victories.

Kylis-Higginbotham kept the focus on the next opponent, and when it was over ND had captured a conference and postseason tournament, a sectional crown by advancing to the third

round of the 1A playo s, and a shot at Northside-Pinetown for a chance to return to the East Region nals.

The Rebels (17-2) fell to the Panthers, who went on to capture the East ag.

Kylis-Higginbotham watched her team slam Lejeune, Pender and East Columbus in the rst two postseason rounds by a combined total of 35-9.

ND earned the No. 1 seed in the East by capturing its third straight Carolina 1A Conference

Kylis-Higginbotham had the Rebels focused to complete a mission each time they took to the diamond. ND played with blinders on and the nish line within eyesight to end 15 games via the mercy rule.

The Rebels were talented, no doubt, but Kylis-Higginbotham has proven to be a secret weapon.

A former college coach at the University of Mount Olive, she coached her two daughters, Addy, a rising senior, and Graclyn, a seventh-grader, since the

See

page 8

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

JK Slylah Stone puts a tag on WRH’s Jansley Page. Both sophomores were among a talented group of players at Duplin County’s four public schools.

Hit-leader Higginbotham’s complete arsenal produced runs

North Duplin junior

Addy Higginbotham

stepped up in a talented and crowded eld to win the Duplin County batting title

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — No player had more hits this spring than Addy Higginbotham.

Yet there’s more than one number that popped out after the North Duplin junior second baseman was chosen as the Duplin Journal’s O ensive Player of the Year.

Higginbotham’s 44 hits included 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs, all which led to a .629 average.

Along the way she scored 42 times and drove in 36 runs.

She moved past teammate Lilly Fulghum (.617), James Kenan’s Jourdan Joe (.627), East Duplin’s Ava Noble (.538) and Wallace-Rose Hill’s Lexi Kennedy (.547) to win Duplin County’s batting tile and honor above her peers.

UNC-bound teammate Reece Outlaw is Ms. Softball, edging out her longtime sidekick Higginbotham.

The Rebels junior, whose mother Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham coaches ND and is a two-time Coach of the Year, had another sister. though in softball in the form of Outlaw. Higginbotham’s father, Joey, was a longtime men’s basketball coach at the University of Mount Olive, where her mom still teaches and where she

coached softball for more than a decade.

Higginbotham has been a coach’s player from the time she crossed the chalk lines as a youth.

She was a model of consistency for the Rebels, who went 17-2, won a conference title and were eliminated in the fourth round of the 1A playo s by eventual East champ Northside-Pinetown.

Higginbotham hit safely in all but one game this spring and had two or more hits 16 times, three hits ve times and four hits three times.

During consecutive wins over Wayne Christan Academy and Hobbton she went 8-for-8 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs.

Wins over East Duplin, Lakewood and Rosewood featured 10 hits in 13 at-bats and 10 RBIs.

She collected two hits in each of her four playo games and scored eight times.

The on- re Higginbotham hit .638 with eight doubles, three triples, a home run and 36 RBIs and totaled a whopping 67 hits in 2023 when ND advanced to the 1A nal and set a school record for wins by going 23-5.

Her 30 hits in her sophomore year gave Higginbotham a .545 average, and the season clearly signaled her arrival to center stage.

She’s looking to play Division 2 softball in college, though she could have the talent to play somewhere at the top level.

This season Higginbotham was an all-county perform-

er in three sports, leading the basketball team to a Carolina 1A Conference Tournament crown. It will be interesting to she

how she progresses and continues to lead ND next season without Outlaw. Don’t expect complications and don’t think Higginboth-

am needs any added pressure to succeed. She’s truly in her element when the competition heats up.

Outlaw defends crown by overcoming strong competition

The ND shortstop and soon-to-be Tar Heel becomes the third two -time winner in a category the Rebels have won six of the past nine seasons

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Reece Outlaw has been on a crash course to Division I softball for several years, though she never talked about it openly.

The North Duplin senior would rather do the work and let others comment.

Outlaw more than kept up her end of the deal in leading the Rebels to a conference title and into the fourth round of the playo s before falling to eventual East Region champ Northside-Pinetown.

What Outlaw did against the Panthers during a 12-5 loss says volumes about what she gave to the ND program.

She bashed three hits, drove in three and scored twice. It was her eighth three-or-more hit game of the season and 17th game she drove in a run this season.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Reece Outlaw will play softball at UNC after winning back-to-back Duplin County Ms. Softball honors.

She was held hitless just twice in 19 games.

The stats go on and on for one if not the best all-around athletes to come from Rebel land, where female sports were in the basement in basketball. She’s a three-time all-county player who scored more than 1,000 points in her career.

But softball is her rst love, a passion she will take to UNC

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2 Units Units # 35- Andrea Hill Unit #7- Nathan Cochrane

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10 a.m. at Johnson Storage 5786 S Us 117 Hwy Wallace, NC 28466

next fall, becoming one of the rare Duplin County athletes to play Division I sports in a Power Five conference (ACC, Big 10, SEC, Pac 12, Big 12).

Outlaw is the sixth Rebel in nine years to win the award. She joins ND’s Rylee Pate (2015, 2016) and Wallace-Rose Hill’s Haven Williams (2018, 2019) as twotime winners. The only other nonND winner came in 2022 when

COACH from page 7

day both picked up a softball.

While the Rebels didn’t return to the 1A nal and capture that ag for the second time in school history or set a school record for wins as they did in 2023, North Duplin had a large fanbase at a small school excited and engaged.

Two-time Ms. Softball Reece Outlaw graduates, but ND brings back a cast of players who have talent and have been in big ball games.

The beat goes on with Kylis-Higginbotham. She became the third coach to be named Coach of the Year two times. Ironically, the two other coaches have won it three times apiece. Former Rebels coach Ricky Edwards was the top coach in 2015, 2016 and 2021, while East Duplin coach

James Kenan’s Rachel Blanchard and East Duplin’s Chandler Mobley shared the award.

Blanchard has gone on to star for the Methodist University softball team. Pate, Haley Brogden (2017) and Callie Thornton (2021) both played or played on the collegiate level.

Outlaw could and is expected to surpass the success of her fellow Duplin County softball comrades.

She hit .627 with 10 doubles, six triples and eight homers. She scored 42 times and had 36 RBIs and owned a .668 on-base percentage.

In 2023, Outlaw bashed at a .635 rate in 2023 with nine doubles, 13 triples and school and county records for home runs (14) and RBIs (50).

ND went 53-13 in the past three seasons as ND won 80.3% of its games with her in the lineup. And she just missed an opportunity to become Ms. Softball as a sophomore when she was edged out by co-winners Blanchard and Mobley when the threesome had virtually identical stats. No player has come closer to three winning the honor three times.

She fended o serious challenges from partner Addy Higginbotham and pitcher Lilly

MS. SOFTBALL

2016: Rylee Pate, ND

2017: Haley Brogden, ND

2018: Haven Williams, WRH

2019: Haven Williams, WRH

2020: Covid. No season.

2021: Callie Thornton, ND

2022: Rachel Blanchard, JK Chandler Mobley, ED

2023: Reece Outlaw, ND

2024: Reece Outlaw, ND

Fulghum, and outstanding performances from JK’s Jourdan Joe and Anna Morgan Armstrong, ED’s Ava Noble and WRH’s Lexi Kennedy, rst-team all-county players with .500-plus averages. Slipping past her teammates was the biggest hurdle as Higginbotham was the O ensive Player of the Year and Fulghum a Heart of a Champion honoree. Both return next season. Both prospered and matured with Outlaw as a near-perfect role model on and o the diamond.

Jenkins

and

Jaime KylisHigginbotham has guided ND to a 53 -13 mark in three seasons.

COY who is no longer coaching softball. Kylis-Higginbotham came after Edwards stepped down following the 2021 season. ND has gone 53-13 under her guise.

Greg

walked away with it in 2018, 2019

2022. Corey Lovelace gave Wallace-Rose Hill its lone COY designation in 2017. Edwards, ND’s athletics director, is the lone

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Addy Higginbotham hit .629 with 12 doubles, three triples and three HRs. She scored 42 runs and drove in 39.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL

CARONE

ND’s Fulghum, JK’s Armstrong carried monster workloads

Lilly Fulghum and Anna Morgan Armstrong have supreme talent but also use their competitive juices to achieve success and inspire their respective teammates

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Lilly

Fulghum and Anna Morgan Armstrong live to play softball, which isn’t the overstatement it might appear to be.

And while they are just a few years apart, they have more common ground as both will one day be playing college softball.

Armstong, a June graduate, will start her next softball “life” at Meredith College.

Fulghum, an all-state candidate and veteran after just two seasons, will have to wait for her next call.

Yet this spring, both showed every reason they should both be the Duplin Journal’s Heart of a Champion winner.

The rare share doesn’t diminish the honor or the product: A player who works tirelessly, plays for her teammates and community, and gives more than she receives.

Both were candidates for the other two individual marquee player awards. Fulghum’s teammates Reece Outlaw won her second Ms. Softball title, while Addy Higinbotham was the Offensive Player of the Year.

Fulghum and Armstrong were in hot pursuit all season with sizzling stats.

Fulghum’s future lled with positive vibes

When Fulghum moved into the circle last season as a freshman, fans wanted to see her become the next great hurler at ND, following the likes of such players as Rylee Pate, Haley Brogden and Callie Thornton, all of which play or played in college.

Fulghum made coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham’s decision to throw the freshmen to the softball wolves prove one thing: She was up to the task.

There aren’t many frosh pitchers who can cooly lead their team to a state nal, win or lose.

ND set a school record for wins in 2023 by going 23-5, and Fulghum laid down a foundation to be the next star in Rebel colors.

She slowly started to get her bat in order and wound-up nudging next to Outlaw and Higginbotham in most o ensive categories (.526 average, seven doubles, four triples, 10 HRs, 39 RBIs).

Yet beyond that she gave ND an ace hurler, and any team without one is almost certainly limited in making postseason runs.

Fulghum went 16-2, striking out 158 and walking 47 with an ERA of 1.66.

And while her pitching ERA swelled to 2.81 and her strikeout-walk ratio was 84 to 38, Fulghum never got bothered signicantly until facing eventual 1A runner-up Northside-Pinetown.

But her bat continued to glow like a orescent neon light.

She upped her average to .617, fourth in Duplin County, by smashing 11 doubles, ve triples and eight home runs. She touched home plate 38 times and drove in 31 runs.

It’s hardly a revelation and actually a safe bet to say Fulghum has a chance to be among and perhaps above the most accomplished Rebels legends on a very long list.

Armstrong put mark on Tigers’ program

Armstrong, meanwhile, is near that level for James Kenan, although it lacks the team success of North Duplin.

She’s been a starter since her freshman season and beyond Blanchard is the face of the Tigers’ softball franchise.

She got to the stage of getting college o ers and settled in to accept an o er from the Raleigh-based university.

Armstrong went 8-9 in the circle in her nal season, hitting .508 with eight doubles, seven homers and 29 RBIs.

She hit .350 as a junior with 13 RBIs as a junior, .525 with 24 RBIs as a sophomore and .295 her freshman season.

Meredith College, a Division III school that went 19-23 this spring and 61-58 the past three seasons, has a roster that is lled with N.C. players, including two from ECC schools and another from Clinton.

Armstrong, who played softball year-round, showed great character and leadership for her teammates. Sometimes those sel ess qualities are harder to nd than a player with white-hot statistics.

While the Tigers struggled to put talent around her, she never complained.

True champions and those with a champion’s heart don’t have that in the ber of their characters.

Ava Noble

East Duplin, softball

Ava Noble made an immediate impact for the East Duplin softball team this spring. The freshman’s 35 hits were fth among all players in Duplin County.

She hit .538 with eight doubles, seven triples, two HRs, 34 runs and 16 RBIs.

Noble was also the sixth man o the bench for the ED basketball team, which advanced to the third round of the 2A playo s.

ALL-COUNTY from page 7

FIRST TEAM

Here’s a capsule look at the nine players joining the marquee winners.

Lexi Kennedy, WRH, Sr., P Kennedy, who will pitch at Wake Tech next season, did it all for the Bulldogs. She hit .547 with 11 doubles, a triple, 20 RBIs and was the arm in the circle that kept WRH in close games by whiing 142 and having a 2.28 ERA.

Morgan Brown, ED, Jr., P Brown hit .390 with six doubles 12 walks, 19 runs and 13 RBIs. She went 10-7 in the circle with 88 strikeouts and 28 walks. And while that wasn’t the season she expected pitching, it didn’t bother the rest of her game.

Jourdan Joe, JK, So., OF The statistics say dealing with Joe was a factor this spring for Tiger foes. The sophomore hit .627 with 16 doubles, four HRs and 25 RBIs.

Shylah Sloan, JK, So., IF Sloan came to the forefront by hitting .532 with six doubles, two triples and two homers.

Ady Spence, ND, So., P, OF Spence turned the corner in the batter’s box by hitting .388, knocking in 18 runs via six extra-base hits and 20 base knocks.

Ava Noble, ED, Fr., IF Noble hit the cover o the ball and is clearly a player that will be among the best in the East in the next three seasons. She hit .538 with seven doubles, seven triples, two homers and 16 RBI.

Kinsley Bond, ED, Sr. Bond drove in 33 runs while hitting .391 for the Panthers. She ripped nine doubles, two triples and a pair of homers.

Marissa Bernal, ND, So., OF Transformed into another big gun for the Rebels. Bernal hit .404 with four doubles and a home run. The sophomore is showing she can live up to what many thought she could do in the batter’s box, as her strength

and bat speed seemed to rise from a season ago.

Karsyn Parker, ED, Fr. Parker also trended upward along the same projectile as classmate Ava Noble most of the season. She hit .435 via 20 singles, seven doubles and one yard shot.

SECOND TEAM

Addison Tuck, ED, Sr. Tuck hit .370 with six doubles and 17 RBIs as a Panthers veteran starter.

Jansley Page, WRH, So., IF Page hit .367 and should be a better hitter, player and leader for WRH in the next two years.

M’chelle Jaco, ND, Jr., OF Another piece to next season is percolating in the teapot of Jaco, who hit .361 with a pair of doubles and a lot of hustle in the eld and on the bases.

Sophie Sloan, WRH, So. Sloan found her way onto the team by whacking at a .353 clip and knocking in 12 runs.

Carley Grace Jenkins, ED, Sr., 3B Jenkins hit .356 with four doubles, two homers and 17 RBIs.

Iala Overton, ND, Jr., OF Overton is always worth more than the numbers on a sheet of page. She hit .328 with 19 RBIs.

Kaylee Powell, WRH, Sr., 1B Powell hit .276 to help the Bulldogs recover from losing a ock of seniors in 2023.

Emory Raynor, ED, Jr., OF Raynor came on at the end of the season to nish at .286 with 20 hits, three doubles, a triple and 10 RBIs.

Mattie Gavin, WRH, So., C Gavin hit .288 with ve doubles, a triple, a homer and had the team’s second-most RBIs with 15.

Kenadi Giddons, JK, Fr. Giddons hit a surprising .367 as a player pushing to contribute a bigger role next spring.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Lilly Fulghum hit .526 with seven doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 39 RBIs and was 16-2 in the circle for ND.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Anna Morgan Armstrong hit .508 with eight doubles, seven homers and 29 RBIs while winning eight games inside the circle for JK.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

SIDELINE REPORT

CRICKET

U.S. cricket team advances to second round in Twenty20 World Cup debut Lauderhill, Fla. The United States cricket team has made history by qualifying for the second round in its Twenty20 World Cup debut after its last group game against Ireland was washed out in Florida. That advanced the U.S. to the Super Eight stage and automatically quali ed the Americans for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The U.S. quali ed for this T20 World Cup only as a co -host with the West Indies but has used home advantage to make a stunning rst impression in its rst global cricket tournament.

SWIMMING

Ledecky heading to her fourth Olympics

Indianapolis Katie Ledecky is heading to her fourth Olympics, cruising to victory in the 400-meter freestyle at the U.S. swimming trials. Cheered on by a big crowd, Ledecky nished two body-lengths ahead of the eld and touched the wall in 3 minutes, 58.35 seconds. She improved on her time of 3:59.99 in the morning preliminaries and set herself up to make a run at another gold against a loaded eld at the Paris Games. The 27-year-old Ledecky already has six individual gold medals — more than any female swimmer in Olympic history.

NFL

Players union could trade spring practices for longer training camp

Santa Clara, Calif.

NFL teams wrapped up their mandatory minicamps last week leading into about a monthlong break before the start of a grueling season that could approach seven months for the teams that make the Super Bowl. That timeline has been a familiar one for years. The NFLPA is contemplating proposing a major upheaval to this schedule, replacing spring practices with a longer training camp. It’s a plan that has not been met with wide acceptance, with several players and coaches decrying the elimination of OTAs and minicamps in May and June.

TENNIS

Murray selected for 5th Olympics but not certain he will play

London Andy Murray is not “100% sure” he will play at a fth Olympics despite his selection for the Paris Games. Murray has been granted an International Tennis Federation place to compete in the singles’ event of the Olympic tennis tournament. Team GB announced its tennis squad for Paris on Sunday and while Murray is currently only down to play singles, he has been nominated for a place in the doubles alongside Dan Evans. The British duo will nd out on June 25 if the ITF has granted them a spot.

Blaney wins inaugural Cup Series race at Iowa, earns playo spot

The defending champion won in front of 80 friends and family members

By John Bohnenkamp

The Associated Press

NEWTON, Iowa — Ryan Blaney had his concerns heading into the nal laps Sunday night in the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. The problem was he didn’t hear his crew chief’s reassurance. There was no need to worry, though, with the defending series champion holding on for his rst victory of the season and a spot in the playo s.

Blaney seemed in control of the race, but was worried about fuel a couple of weeks after running out on the nal lap while leading at World Wide Technology Raceway. It’s why crew chief Jonathan Hassler came on the radio with less than 10

laps to go in this race to let him know he was good on fuel.

“I don’t even remember him saying that,” Blaney said. “I gured we were (OK). But I don’t remember him saying that.”

“I wanted to make sure he knew the whole situation,” Hassler said. “Sometimes I forget he doesn’t know what I know. So I just try to communicate as much as I can so he knows what’s going on.”

Blaney led four times for a career-high 201 laps, nishing 0.716 seconds ahead of William Byron for his 11th Cup victory.

“Ryan and those guys were really good,” Byron said. “He had a really good car. He was up front, contending a lot.”

Blaney regained the lead on Lap 263 after taking just two tires on a caution- ag pit stop. He led the rest of the way, getting through lapped tra c as Byron tried to close.

It was the decision to take two tires, on a weekend when tire wear was a concern for the

“We got a lot better qualifying to the race and got better through the night tonight.”

Ryan Blaney

Cup Series and X nity Series cars, that worried Hassler.

“There were not a lot of guys on two tires,” Hassler said. “At some point those guys are going to be a little bit better than you are. So, yeah, really nervous.”

Blaney, whose mother, Lisa, is from Chariton, Iowa, won in front of a sellout crowd of an estimated 40,000 fans that included 80 of his friends and family.

It was tting the rst Cup Series race at the 0.875-mile track would go to a Team Penske driver — Penske cars have won seven IndyCar Series races and three NASCAR X nity

Series races at the track.

“I think, as a whole company, we do a good job of these places we go to for the rst time,” said Blaney, who also has wins at the track in the X nity and Truck series.

But Blaney, who started on the outside of the front row, admitted he had concerns about how good his car would be for the race.

“Friday, I didn’t feel very good,” he said. “I wasn’t very con dent in the speed in our car. And we really went to work — we got a lot better qualifying to the race and got better through the night tonight. And I think we’re great at some points of the night. The last few runs were phenomenal. ” Chase Elliott was third. Christopher Bell, who had to start from the back of the eld in a backup car after crashing during practice Friday, was fourth. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who like Blaney took two tires on the nal pit stop, nished fth.

Former longtime Georgia Tech athletic director, NFL coach Homer Rice dies at 97

The administrator helped the Yellow Jackets get up to speed shortly after joining the ACC

The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Homer Rice, who as athletic director hired some of Georgia Tech’s most successful coaches and implemented the school’s Total Person Program, has died. He was 97. Rice died last Monday, Georgia Tech announced. Rice was Georgia Tech’s athletic director from 1980-97. Among his notable hires were basketball coach Bobby Cremins, football coaches Bobby Ross and George O’Leary, and baseball coaches Jim Morris and Danny Hall. Georgia Tech won a share of the 1990 football championship and its rst Atlantic Coast Conference basketball championship in 1985 while advancing to the Final Four in 1990.

The Yellow Jackets won 16 ACC championships in ve sports during Rice’s time leading the athletic department. Rice was a high school, college and NFL football coach before beginning his career as an administrator. He coached the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals in 1979-79 before beginning his time at Georgia Tech. Rice was a college assistant at Kentucky (1962-65) and Oklahoma (1966) and was the coach

at Cincinnati (1967-68) before leaving to serve six years as UNC’s athletic director. He was hired in 1976 as athletic director and football coach at Rice and held those positions for two years.

Rice’s Total Person Program is regarded as the model for the NCAA’s Life Skills Program. The Homer Rice Award is presented annually to a FBS athletic director in recognition for signi cant contributions to college athletics.

“Homer has reminded us throughout his career that the ultimate goal of intercollegiate athletics is to help student-ath-

letes grow fully as people,” Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera said in a statement released by the school. “At a time of profound changes in athletics, Homer’s message and legacy of excellence is more important than ever.”

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement Rice’s Total Person Program “was ahead of its time and paved the way for NCAA programming by preparing student-athletes for life beyond collegiate athletics. Each of the seven pillars of the Total Person program continue to resonate with not only myself, but every one of Dr. Rice’s peers, col-

leagues, and former student-athletes.”

Phillips said Rice, a native of Bellevue, Kentucky, “was incredibly in uential in the development of student-athletes, not only at UNC and Georgia Tech, but throughout college athletics.”

Former ACC commissioner and UNC athletic director John Swo ord said Rice, AD with the Tar Heels when he graduated in 1971, was his inspiration to pursue a career in athletic administration.

“He was my mentor then, and has been throughout my adult life,” Swo ord said in a statement. “I had the privilege of serving for 17 years as an A.D. with him in the ACC while he was at Georgia Tech and I was at UNC. Simply put, he was the best Athletic Director that I ever observed during my half century in college sports. He was the best leader, the most organized, the best motivator, the best innovator. He was full of integrity, decency and class.”

Rice taught a leadership class at Georgia Tech until recent years and wrote a number of books on leadership success.

Georgia Tech dedicated a statue of Rice outside of Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2021. Dodd and John Heisman are the only other in Georgia Tech athletics to be commemorated with a statue.

Rice’s wife of 64 years, Phyllis, died in 2013. He married his second wife, Karen, in 2015.

COURTESY GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS

In Homer Rice’s 17 years as Georgia Tech athletic director, he hired basketball coach Bobby Cremins and football coaches Bobby Ross and George O’Leary.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP PHOTO

Ryan Blaney does a burnout after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway. The win clinched him a spot in the playo s.

obituaries

Allison Ruth Ward Allen

June 9, 2024 – June 10, 2024 (age 40)

Allison Ruth Ward Allen, 40, passed away early Monday, June 10, 2024, at her mother’s home in Faison.

Allison leaves behind a loving family to include her husband, Jay Allen; two daughters, Kaitlyn-Grace Love Kornegay of Dudley, and Layla-Ruth Halo Allen of Faison; her mother, Peggy M. Ward of Faison; her father and stepmother, William M. “Billy Ward and Shirley Ward of Clarkton; three brothers, William M. “Billy” Ward II and wife, Heather, of Faison, Kris Ward and wife, Carol, of Whiteville, and Brandon G. Ward of Mount Olive; a niece, Abigeal Layken Ward; nephews, Wesley Michael Warde and Evan Matthew Ward; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Allston Ward Kornegay; a brother, Michael Hayes Ward; maternal grandparents, William Evans McKellar and Ruth B. White; paternal grandparents, John M. and Mary G. Ward; and motherin-law, Wanda P. Babb.

Allison’s life was remembered in a service Saturday, June 15, in the Faison Cemetery in Faison. Presiding was her brother, Kris. Following the service, the family greeted friends and relatives at the cemetery, and at other times at the family home in Faison.

Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., P.O. Box 7023, Merri eld, VA 221167023.

Gary Lynn Hilton

Sept. 5, 1947 – June 12, 2024 (age 76)

WARSAW — Gary Lynn Hilton, 76, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024 surrounded by his beloved family at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton. Lynn was born Sept. 5, 1947 in New Hanover County to the late Henry Gary “Pete” Hilton and Gertrude “Gertie” Horrell Hilton. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc. A funeral service followed, with burial in Devotional Gardens will conclude the service.

Lynn is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sharon G. Hilton; daughters, Gayle Langston and husband, Mitchell and Rebecca H. Stephens and Wayne Cuddington; two grandchildren, Jessica Langston Albertson and husband, Brandon and Ethan Stephens; four great-grandchildren, Bentley Albertson, Sydnie Albertson, Colton Albertson, and Natalie Albertson.

In addition to his parents, Lynn was preceded in death by brother, Larry Hilton.

William Fred Pickett

March 27, 1933 – June 12, 2024 (age 91)

WARSAW — William Fred Pickett, 91, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Coventry House in Zebulon. Mr. Pickett was born March 27, 1933 in Duplin County, to the late Norman Thomas and Marjorie Burton Pickett.

A visitation was held Friday, June 14, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc.

A graveside service was held Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Mr. Pickett is survived by son, Norman Fred Pickett and the mother of his children, Lisa H. Carr; son-in-law, Michael Kent Pierce; four grandchildren, Shannon Michelle Pickett, Bradley Thomas Pickett, Michael Kent Pierce, Jr. and wife, Samantha, and Christopher Allen Pierce and wife, Aleah; four greatgrandchildren, Annlyn, Oliver, Rowan, and Sawyer Pierce; sister, Maude P. Smith and nephews, Bobby Smith and A. Q. Smith.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Pickett was preceded in death by wife, Peggy Lanier Pickett; and daughter, Ann Pickett Pierce.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Warsaw United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 422, Warsaw, NC 28398.

Oct. 27, 1951 – June 7, 2024 (age 72)

John Michael Baker, 72, of Chinquapin laid down the burdens of this world and took the Master’s hand June 7, 2024 at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Funeral service was held on Friday June 14, 2024 at First Missionary Baptist Church of Chinquapin. Visitation was one hour prior to service. Interment followed in the Baker Family Cemetery in Chinquapin.

Cristie Alexandria Bell

July 20, 1981 – June 11, 2024 (age 42)

MAGNOLIA — Mrs. Cristie Alexandria Bell, age 42, of Magnolia passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Kenansville.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11 a.m. at GYT-The Prayer Center, Hwy. 41 in Wallace. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia.

Left to cherish her precious memories: her children: Miles Bell of Rose Hill and KriShae A. Bell of Jacksonville; sister, Elaine Clibbons of Magnolia; eight aunts, four uncles; niece, Niyonni Taylor of Jacksonville; nephew, John Lamb of Magnolia; a host of cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Alice Marie Zirkle Racic

March 1, 1955 – June 14, 2024 (age 69)

Alice Marie Zirkle Racic, 69, passed away on June 14, 2024.

She is preceded in death by a sister, Virginia “Suzi” Hu man. Services will be held at a later date.

Survivors include: spouse, Steven Racic of Beulaville; sons, John Pingley (Alisha) of Dailey, Shawn Racic (Rainie) of Pennsylvania; daughter, Andrea Guy (Jonathan) of Kenansville; grandchildren, Harlo Guy, Henry Guy, Harper Guy, Lilly Pingley and Mila Racic; special nieces and nephews, Susan Bohan, Bu y Chenoweth and Lee Channell.

Thomas Markelle Murray

Sept. 26, 1984 – June 13, 2024 (age 39)

MAGNOLIA — Mr. Thomas Markelle Murray, age 39, of Magnolia passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill. Burial will follow at Murray Family Cemetery, Oak Tree Road in Willard.

Left to cherish his precious memories: wife, Victoria; children, Carsten, Antwone and Kyle, all of Magnolia; parents, Edell Blakney of Rose Hill and Eddie Murray of Willard; brothers, Eddie Murray, Jr. of Elizabethtown, and Samuel Murray (Delphine) of Raleigh; mother-in-law, Mary Ann James of Willard; eight aunts, seven uncles, four sisters-in-law, two brothers-inlaw; god-parents, Ogden Batts (Arlatha) of Wallace; sister/ cousin, Monica Sims of Wallace and Ann Jackson (Michael) of Pensacola, Florida; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Feb. 19, 1961 – June 14, 2024 (age 63)

John Gillespie Jones, 63, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Survivors include: partner, Richard Hatcher of Chinquapin; sister, Barbara Davis of Lynn, Anna Teachey of Chinquapin; niece, Chloe Melvin of Chinquapin; 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Salome “Joe” Patlan Villanueva

Sept. 25, 1959 – June 14, 2024 (age 64)

Salome “Joe” Villanueva, 64, passed away on June 14, 2024.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Julio and Andrea Villanueva; brother, Alero Villanueva, Sr.; and a granddaughter, Constance Boseman.

Funeral service was Tuesday, June 18, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Frances Villanueva of Beulaville; sons, Frank Allen Thompson of Beulaville, William Earl Boseman of Beulaville, Anthony Wade Boseman of Beulaville, Eric Boseman of Beulaville, Zachary Thompson of Beulaville, Richard James Thompson, Jr, of Beulaville; sisters, Janie Perez of Texas, Sophie Villanueva of Colorado, Maria Ramos (Estaban) of Texas, Guadalupe Banda (Erasmo) of Texas; brothers, Genaro Villanueva (Martha) of Richlands, Luciano Villanueva of Texas, Raul Villanueva (Amy) of Illinois, Peter Villanueva (Terry) of Colorado, Julio Villanueva II of Georgia; grandchildren, Dylan Eric Boseman, Logan Gauge Boseman, Emily Ann Boseman, Drake Salome Boseman, Tyler Odell Boseman, Zackry Michael Smith, Ellie Williams and Emily Williams; ve greatgrandchildren; and special nieces, Sabrina Jenkins and Andrea Villanueva.

John Michael Baker

John Gillespie Jones

Boney Mill slowly returning to its former glory

Foundation and roof repairs are underway

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THOSE WHO FREQUENT the Wallace area have probably noticed over the past month or so that work is underway on the town’s old picturesque Boney Mill.

The mill’s timber frame dates back to the 1700s, with the mill itself a landmark in the town of Wallace since the 1930s. “Boney’s Mill is a small, partially enclosed, gabled building framed by cross-based, 10-inch timbers and sheltered by a tin roof,” a grant application for the renovations reads. The building houses a saw mill and a grist mill, both of which were used in times past.

Work on renovating the mill is thanks to a grant from SHPO, the State Historic Preservation O ces.

“This is the rst year in my recollection that they’ve ever offered what I call a sticks and bricks grant,” said Wallace Planning Director Rod Fritz. “In other words, for construction. Typically, SHPO o ers grants to do studies … but this is the rst sticks and bricks grant that they’ve ever o ered. We applied for it, we got it. It was close to half a million dollars for projects that had been damaged by either Matthew or Florence, which the grist mill t into that category.”

Once the grant was approved, for nearly $500,000, Fritz said the economy had in ated and construction costs had escalated so much that the grant will only pay for repairs to the foundation and roof.

“I was hoping that we’d be like the one in Raleigh, the Yates Mill, where we’d have a tourist place, but it’s not going to come that far this time,” Fritz said.

Workers are currently doing pile wraps, so all the pilings for the foundation and the steel undergirding structure is being repaired. This is so the build-

“It

or biological diversity

or something to that e ect.”

Rod Fritz, Wallace planning director

ing will be solid from a foundation standpoint, Fritz said. “And right now, as you’ve seen, they’re redoing some of the truss work, which is all custom. Back in the day, that was all hand-hewn stu , so they’re having to cut every piece di erently. They’re repairing the roof trusses, and then we’ll get a new roof on top, which will be a metal roof, probably red. Because I think the original one was red.”

Though the SHPO grant funding only goes so far, Fritz said there’s hope for the future that the entire mill could be completely renovated and become a tourist destination.

“It has some recreational value as a gathering spot for lectures or biological diversity stories or something to that e ect,” he said. “That would be great.”

Over the long term, town ocials would love to see the neighboring Rose House become something of a nature or parks and recreation center.

“It’d be fun to have kids come out there and go into the Rose House and get a little lecture about the biodiversity of the Boney Mill Pond and the birds and the mammals and the sh and how they work together, and why the mill would’ve been important back in the day to every little town that had commerce,” Fritz said. “It was a saw mill, it was a grist mill. I’d love to see somebody in a Smokey the Bear hat take them out there and buy a bag of corn for grits at the other end. But that’s way in the future.”

The renovations are about halfway done at the moment,

and it will likely be complete sometime in the next 60 days, Fritz hopes. “Because we have the pond lowered at this time, during the heat of the summer,” he ex-

Duplin Journal

plained. “It’s really the wrong time to lower the pond, right? Because the sh need the oxygen from the water running and circulating. We’ve got the pond lowered so they can work on the

foundation, so I’m hoping we can get the oodgates closed back down to normal so that the pond level gets back up. So I’m hoping in the next 40-60 days that they have this all buttoned up.”

PHOTO COURTESY TOWN OF WALLACE

Above, The Boney Mill in Wallace is currently under construction, with the roof and foundation being rebuilt. Left, The Boney Mill has long been a landmark in the town of Wallace, featured prominently along N.C. Highway 41/ Southerland Street.

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL