Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 12

Duplin Journal

Wallace proposes 8.5% water-sewer rate hike

“Every vehicle registered in the town would be charged a $15 at fee.”

Rob Taylor, Wallace Town Manager

A public hearing on the budget is set for June 13

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Town Manager Rob Taylor gave town council members a rst look at the proposed 2024-25 scal year budget, which includes an 8.5% increase in water and sewer rates, plus a $15 fee for vehicles registered within the town limits that would be added onto customers’ annual

the BRIEF this week

Get your passport applications, photos at Thelma Dingus Bryant Library

Duplin County Residents can now get their passport applications and take their passport photos at the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library, located at 409 W. Main Street in Downtown Wallace. For more information, call 910285-3796.

DJS

Faison o ering scholarships to help grandparents raising grandchildren

Faison

The Town of Faison is providing scholarships for kids to participate in the town’s summer programs, camps, and recreation sports. Folks over the age of 55 who are the main caregiver for their grandchildren are eligible for the program. For more information, call Matthew Scott, Faison recreation director at 910-372-0088.

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ECU Health Duplin Hospital encourages participation in community health survey

Duplin County

ECU Health Duplin Hospital is encouraging Duplin County residents to take part in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment by lling out an online survey. “Feedback from the Community Health Needs Assessment allows us to understand what community members see as the most important health issues a ecting their communities,” a Facebook post from the hospital reads. Visit ecuhealth.org to view the survey, which is available in English and Spanish.

DJS

USDA takes action to ensure fair housing practices on nanced rentals

Statewide

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that landlords of USDA- nanced rental properties will be required to issue a 30-day written notice to tenants who are facing a lease termination. The notice must include instructions on how tenants can resolve lease violations. Visit rd.usda.gov for details.

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DMV tag fees. Taylor presented the proposed budget to the council during the regular monthly meeting last Thursday, May 9. The public will have a chance to give feedback on the proposed budget at the next regular town council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. “Overall, it is a $10.72 million budget, which is a 4.98% increase over last year,” Taylor told the council Thursday night. “A couple of revenue

changes that I’m recommending… a municipal tag fee; every vehicle registered in the town would be charged a $15 at fee that would be added to their DMV tax bill. I’m also looking at a water/sewer rate increase of 8.5%. That does sound pretty tough, but it’s needed.” Taylor said that the increase in water/sewer rates was needed because the town has “just not been able to meet the num-

See RATE HIKE , page 5

Congratulations JSCC Class of 2024!

Duplin honors 3 local Governor’s Volunteer Service Award recipients

This year’s recipients were recognized during the County Commissioners regular bimonthly meeting

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — James Preston Brown Jr., Issac “Leroy” Dewitt and Donna Sessoms Grubbs were recognized

for their sel ess dedication and contributions, through their volunteerism, to Duplin County at the May 6 County Commissioners meeting. The three volunteers are recipients of the 2024 Duplin Governor Volunteer Service Award. Faison Sea Scout Ship 5, while not present, was also recognized for their outstanding contributions and will be presented with the award at a future meeting.

Melisa Brown, Duplin County Senior Services director, introduced each of the three volunteers asking them to come to the front, where Chair Dexter Edwards presented them with the award and a commemorative pin. The rst volunteer was Brown, also known as Jimmy, he was recognized for his ser-

See VOLUNTEER , page 3

School board, county commissioners talk budgets during joint meeting

Duplin County Schools’ costs increase, commissioners propose no tax hike

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Board of Commissioners and Board of Education held a joint meeting on Tuesday morning, May 14, during which the discussion centered around budgets for the two local government entities. Duplin County Schools

Chief Finance O cer Dawn George reported that the school system has requested a 10.66% increase in its budget this year, to $11,066,000.

“What that represents is the increases to our recurring costs, which includes the

state-mandated increase in salaries of about 3%,” George explained. “Retirement will go up approximately 1% and health insurance will go up about 7%.”

The DCS budget also includes a requested 20% increase in property insurance, and a 14% hike in utility costs.

George shared that the general fund balance is $6.4 million, of which $5.2 million is restricted for continuing expenses related to the pandemic. “We also have about $4.7 million in our special monies and grants fund balance,” she said. “We normally don’t have a balance that large in there, but the CARES funding allowed us to charge our grant costs.”

All of the CARES funding is currently allocated to projects that are already in progress and should be completed in

“Now is really an exciting time to be part of Duplin County local government.”

Bryan Miller, Duplin County manager

the next six months to a year, George said. The school system’s request also includes capital outlay funding. “This year, actually over the past two years, our prices for contracted services, equipment, vehicles and repair parts have escalated very quickly,” George said. “It’s escalated about an average of 50% so our request this year does include an increase of $495,000, which includes

See BUDGETS , page 3

Stabbing and shooting incidents leave two men with signi cant injuries

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE TOWN of Wallace had an eventful week, with a stabbing incident on April 30, followed by a shooting on May 3. Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton spoke during last Thursday’s town council meeting on May 9, giving an update on the two investigations. First, on Tuesday, April 30, a young man was stabbed in a parking lot at 212 E. Main St. A group of four individuals, who have all been arrested, attacked the 21-year-old and stole his bike. Later, he was walking down College Street and “they jumped him again and that time, they stabbed him,” Chief Crayton said. “He had some pretty signi cant injuries — laceration to his liver and a laceration to his kidney.” The victim remains in the Wallace sees two attempted murders in one week

See MURDERS , page 2

Hundreds of joyful James Sprunt Community College students gathered along with family, friends and faculty at the Duplin Events Center to receive their diplomas on May 9. Turn to page 6 for more photos.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

THURSDAY 5.16.24

THURSDAY

16

“Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal

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

MAY 18

Duplin County Culture & Community Health Fair will be on May 18, noon to 3 p.m., at 165 Agriculture Dr., Kenansville. For more information, call 252-3290593.

The Pink Hill Fire Department will host Fireman’s Day on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 201 South Pine St in Pink Hill. The event will feature a barbecue fundraiser, antique tractor, firetruck and car shows and lots of vendors. All proceeds benefit the Pink Hill Fire Department. For more information, call 252560-8958.

MAY 27

A Memorial Day Observance will take place at the monuments on the Courthouse Square in Kenansville on May 27. The Town of Warsaw and the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce will host a Memorial Day Service on May 27 at 9 a.m. at Warsaw Parks and Recreation, located at 309 Memorial Drive. The service will honor all the patriots who gave everything answering to the call of duty to fight for our freedoms.

MAY 31

DUPLIN CALENDAR

SPONSORED BY

p.m. Call 910-262-5272 for more information.

JUNE 8

The Disaster Preparedness Expo will be on June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charity Mission Center, located at 1333 W Charity Rd, Rose Hill.

JUNE 22

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.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

The Beulaville town board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910-2984647.

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 919-6589221.

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 910-2893078.

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-2937814.

The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910289-3205.

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 more information, call 910-372-9178.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-2854136.

Duplin County Beekeepers meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

Friends of Horticulture meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@ nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

In the May 1 issue of Duplin Journal, it was incorrectly reported that Paws for the Cause was a fundraiser put on by Pet Friends of Duplin County. Paws for the Cause of Duplin is actually a 501c3 organization whose sole purpose is to fund a new shelter, and is the organization that holds the annual fundraiser. The Paws for the Cause organization raised the $26,000 this year and presented a $30,000 check to the County Commissioners. It is a separate entity from Pet Friends of Duplin County.

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce 9th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be on May 31 at the Bear Trail Golf Club. Maple Hill, NC with Tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1

MAY 8

Jered Reed Grady, 23, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for violating conditions of a release order. Bond was set at $2,700,000.

Tremayne Donovan Carr, 37, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for a misdemeanor probation violation. Bond was set at $1,000.

Aaron Jermaine Smith, 40, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for driving while impaired (DWI). Bond was set at $1,183.

MAY 9

Albino Garcia, 35, was booked into the Duplin

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 910-2962100.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For more information, call 910-2857564.

The Duplin County Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport. We stand corrected

County Jail on a charge of assault on a female. No bond was set.

William Sloan Tucker, 32, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on three counts of trafficking opium. No bond was set.

Courtney Michelle Waterhouse, 24, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on five counts of financial card fraud and four counts of identity theft. Bond was set at $40,000.

Juan Carlos Baltazar, 35, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of a schedule II-controlled substance.

Marvin Earl Jones, 62,

was booked into the Duplin County Jail for misdemeanor larceny. Bond was not set.

Melik Tashon Wright, 25, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of hit and run leaving the scene of property damage, three counts of shoplifting/concealment of goods, and three counts of misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $9,000.

MAY 11

Alison Riley Raynor, 44, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for driving while impaired. No bond was set.

Michael David Williams, 38, was booked into the Duplin County Jail

for violating a domestic violence protective order, misdemeanor probation violation, and resisting a public officer. Bond was set at $5,000.

Charles Anthony Faulk, 52, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of obtaining property by false pretense, driving while license revoked (not impaired rev), and resisting a public officer. Bond was set at $15,500.

Michael Williams, 38, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for resisting, obstructing, and delaying a public officer. No bond was set.

MURDERS from page 1 hospital and is in stable condition. The suspects arrested were Wesley A. Milliken, 22, Alexander Bo Milliken, 18, Adam Milliken, 45, and Summer Donaldson, 26. Charges include robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon in icting serious injury, and conspiracy.

Then, on Friday, May 3, just as the Strawberry Festival was getting underway, there was a shooting on Brice Street. “That individual was shot seven

times,” Crayton said. “He obviously was airlifted to the hospital. He had some pretty significant injuries and remains in the hospital. One of the shots was in the face, but it somehow hit his cheekbone and came out beside his ear.”

Crayton said the victim looks like he will pull through, and the suspects were in custody within a few hours. “We got lucky with some really good citizens reporting things that they saw so we got a suspect description pretty quick,” he said.

Byrone Gaines, 20, and Lamaya Bouldin, 18, were both arrested and charged with attempted rst degree murder. Investigators seized the vehicle and two weapons used in the shooting. A total of 21 shell casings were recovered from the scene, .223 and .22 caliber. Both suspects are being held without bond.

“[The incidents] were not random acts, by any means. (The suspects) knew who they were going after.”

Though the incidents may be alarming to area citizens, Crayton emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the general public. “They were not random acts, by any means,” Crayton said. “They knew who they were going after.”

Jimmy Crayton, Wallace Police chief

Employee survey aims to help Duplin County’s retention, recruitment e orts

To date, 244 county employees have provided valuable feedback

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Jasmine

Savage, a member of the Duplin County administrative team, presented an employee survey report to the Board of County Commissioners during the May 6 meeting.

The survey’s purpose is to aid the county’s retention and recruitment e orts.

In the last three weeks, 244 employees have responded to the survey, which is divided in three areas listing short-term, medium-term, and long-term incentive categories.

Participating employees chose their preferences, rating them rst, second, third and fourth. Employees also had the option to provide additional comments and list other bene ts they thought would be helpful to the county in their recruitment and retention e orts.

Savage shared that in the

from page 1

vice in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Lifetime Achievement, Historically Underserved Population, and Senior Service.

“Mr. Jimmy has a passion to serve. When he retired, he became involved with Eastern Baptist Association and soon thereafter with Charity Mission Center. He has been an integral part of leading the ramp ministry for the last 10 years,” said Brown. “Mr. Jimmy serves others with love and compassion expanding outside Duplin County, serving in various capacities on national and international mission trips. The construction knowledge he has acquired, he shares with others to reach people with limited mobility. Although he does not share the personal cost and effort, it does not go unnoticed that if he sees a need outside of the ramp request, he will personally secure [it] for the individual. In addition, Mr. Jimmy’s knowledge and partnerships extend into the community, assisting the local senior center to decrease the waiting list for ramp projects.”

This last year alone, the 75-year-old volunteered 1,200 hours of service.

The next volunteer was Dewitt, he was recognized for his service in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Lifetime

from page 1

$125,000 for athletic capital expenses and $370,000 for improvement to sites, capital equipment and vehicles.”

School Board Member Pam Edwards explained to the commissioners that “the state will not allow you to spend any money —absolutely none — on athletics. It’s all got to be funded locally.”

The $250,000 set aside for athletics has not changed since it was implemented in 1991, Edwards said, with $200,000 going to the high schools and $50,000 going to the middle schools. Any other funding comes from local sources like booster clubs and donations. Edwards also shared with the commissioners that there are parking issues at North Duplin and Beulaville Elementary Schools. The DOT is hopefully funding the project, which may get underway this summer, depending on state approval. Commissioner Jesse Dowe requested that the school system look into addressing tra c at James Kenan High School as well. “I’d like for you to do a study to look at that and see if there’s a resolution that can be done,” Down said. “There have al-

short-term incentives category, employees chose from a personal holiday, an employee discount for lunch at various locations, one free meal a week at James Sprunt Community College and a family fun day. The personal holiday option received 186 votes, as the number one employees’ choice. In the medium-term incentives, employees chose from an annual vacation buyback, ex work schedule, telework, and cell phone discount. Savage explained that for the vacation buyback the county would buy up to 40 hours and the balance of the employees’ time couldn’t fall below 80 hours.

A ex work schedule was the preferred incentive chosen by 123 employees.

County Manager Bryan Miller explained that a ex schedule could mean a half a day o on Fridays for county employees depending on what each department head deems as their most advantageous schedule.

“Some department heads won’t be able to allow their entire sta to leave for half a day on Friday. So, for those depart-

Achievement, Historically Underserved Population, and Senior Service.

Dewitt, a U.S. Army veteran, has served as a homebound meal volunteer delivering meals in the Warsaw community since 2005.

“Quite often Mr. Dewitt would pick up an extra rotation to deliver meals, o er additional assistance to the seniors served, such as a grocery store pickup, or change out a light bulb in the seniors’ home,” said Brown as she introduced him.

“For over 15 years, Mr. Dewitt has served as a Trustee in the [First Missionary Baptist Church], and still currently serves as a Deacon. He was instrumental with the Kid’s Café — an after-school program for grades 1-8 that was held at

ready been a few accidents out there.”

School Board Chairman Brent Davis shared that the school board has reached out to several municipalities to see if school resource o cers (SROs) could be provided by town police forces, to help alleviate sta ng issues with the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce.

County Manager Bryan Miller gave an overview of the county’s proposed budget for the coming scal year. “Now is really an exciting time to be part of Duplin County local government,” he said, adding that the county has recently opened a new transportation center, as well as a new animal services center. A new senior and veterans services center should open this fall.

The commissioners have also approved the detention center project, which it’s currently seeking grants and loans to build. The project will cost $42 million.

“One phrase everybody wants to hear: no tax increase,” Miller said. “That was one of our goals going through this, and I think initially, we achieved our goal of no tax increase.”

There will be an acrossthe-board 5% increase in employee pay, with a 3% cost-of-

“We’ll have many more discussions based on this data. We wanted to put it in your hands so you could start thinking about it.”

Bryan Miller, county manager

ments it might be a half a day Monday or a half a day Wednesday along with the half a day Friday. So, it’ll really be the department head’s decision on which day works best for them,” said Miller.

In the long-term incentives category, participants chose from having daycare for county employees, retiree insurance, 401K match contribution, and an after-school program.

“For these incentives, it was pretty much equal as far as how many people chose in each category as their rst, second, third, and fourth choice, and we did leave an open comment section for employees to be able to provide us feedback. The salary in-

the First Missionary Baptist Church.”

Brown also shared that Dewitt is very generous with fundraising e orts in the Church and is always willing to help wherever needed in the community.

Dewitt has volunteered 520 hours of service.

The third volunteer introduced to the board was Grubbs. She was recognized for her service in the following categories: Health and Human Services, Youth Service, Senior Service and Other.

“Donna has a true servant’s heart. She leads her local Church mission ministry, spearheading several mission projects that serve participants from a variety of age groups. As a retired schoolteacher, she has a passion

living adjustment and a 2% merit increase.

“When we started the budgeting process, we were about $11 million over budget, that meaning our expenses were about $11 million more than our revenues were,” Miller stated, adding that the budget committee cut over $8 million that county departments had requested.

“A lot of the capital, the debt service, was paid using our unrestricted general fund monies,” he explained. “Right now, the Board of Education has about a $6 million fund balance out of … sales tax. So instead of using the general fund monies, we used the monies that were dedicated for school capital.”

The county also used a process of putting more emphasis on accuracy of funds received, rather than following trend analysis, said Commissioner Dexter Edwards.

“The pattern’s always been overestimate your cost and underestimate your income, so you have extra money,” he said. “We’ve done that, year after year after year.”

The county commissioners and school board will hold another joint meeting in about six months’ time. The date for the next meeting has not yet been set.

crease was listed for a majority of the comments, but we have come to a conclusion that employees were not aware of the proposed increase after the last department head meeting on May 2. Department heads were given the okay to move forward with telling employees about the proposed increase. So they are now aware,” said Savage.

The proposed rate increase will be included in the county’s budget proposal for FY 202425 and is a 3% for Cost of Living Adjustment and a 2% Merit, according to County Assistant Manager Carrie Shields.

Among the comments written by employees in the survey were requests to have Easter Monday and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving as a paid holiday, a daycare for county employees to take their children, additional sick leave to help parents when they have sick children, and the ability to extend the gym membership to family members on county insurance who are over the age of 16.

“We’ll have many more discussions based on this data,” said Miller. “We wanted to put it

for children and adults. In 2022, Donna started the Adopt-a-tiger program with the local schools, currently at Kenansville Elementary and James Kenan High School.”

Brown explained that this initiative pairs a teacher with a church member who sends them cards of encouragement, and/or supplies and treats each month.

“Currently, this project is blessing 200 teachers, and school support sta members,” Brown said.

According to Brown, Grubbs coordinated several e orts in the community, among them Operation Christmas Child, Easter Palooza Egg Hunt, and the annual food drive to support the Eastern Baptist Association.

“This year, approximately 300 items were collected and deliv-

in your hands so you could start thinking about it.”

Chairman Edwards asked Miller to look into what it would cost to ful ll some of the employees’ requests.

“I would like you to get back with us on the cost of making that happen and let’s see what we can pull o ,” said Edwards.

In other business:

The board accepted a bid commissioning the MEP systems for the detention center project. This encompasses all building HVAC, domestic hot water, and lighting controls.

“The total bid was $54,000 with an add-on of $2,400 per additional visit. ... It was distributed to probably 65 di erent companies and to the historically underutilized business community. We received two bids and this was the low bid for the project,” Miller said.

He also provided updates about the meeting with the residents of Calico Bay and Log Cabin Road for possible sewer solutions and the search grant.

“I think we’re positioning ourselves well to move forward with that project,” said Miller.

“Quite often Mr. Dewitt would pick up an extra rotation to deliver meals, o er additional assistance to the seniors served, such as a grocery store pickup, or change out a light bulb in the seniors’ home.”

Melisa Brown, Duplin County Senior Services director

ered. In addition, she serves on the Backpack Buddy Ministry for school children,” said Brown about Grubbs. “Each year, from January to April 15, you will nd Donna alongside her husband assisting with the IRS Volunteer tax aide program. She most often will be the one outside gathering the intake and completing packets.”

Grubbs, who is a Regional Aging Advisory Committee delegate and a member of the Senior Services Aging Advisory Committee, volunteered 438 hours of service.

“We could not have the results we have in this county if it wasn’t for our volunteers,” said Chair Edwards as he thanked the three volunteers for their service and dedication.

VOLUNTEER

JAMES PRESTON BROWN JR.

ISSAC “LEROY” DEWITT

DONNA SESSOMS GRUBBS

BUDGETS

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

People of Duplin County, join in

“As hard as it is sometimes to love one another, isn’t it worth our best e orts?”

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE enjoyed the music of The Catalinas at the Carolina Strawberry Festival’s Garden Gala at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina. Late in their set, the band invited everyone to “join hands, start a love train.” Soon a line of folks was weaving through the crowd.

A week later, as the Carolina Strawberry Festival was winding down to the music of Rivermist, the lead singer said, “I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, black or white or any other color. Let’s see how many people can make a love train!” Young and old, black and white, large and small, men and women formed a love train that wound through the celebratory crowd.

Released in 1972 by The O’Jays, “Love Train” reached #1 on the R&B Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts. Eddie Levert, a singer for The O’Jays, said, “’Love Train’ felt like destiny. It had such perfect, timeless lyrics that it was almost as if they’d come from God, and we had to deliver them to the people.”

In a sense, we could say those “perfect, timeless lyrics” did come from God. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:14, “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus taught there is no other commandment greater than to love the Lord your God with your whole being and to love your neighbor as yourself.

In the Gospel of John, we read that after Jesus had washed his disciples’ feet, he said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

There is a story about the apostle John who, when he was very old, was carried into worship by his followers. Every week John would preach very simply to the congregation, “Little children, love one another.” After hearing the same message so many times, John’s disciples asked him, “Master, why do you always say this?” John replied, “Because it is the Lord’s command, and if this only is done, it is enough.”

Some people will say that such a message of love is naive at best, even foolish in our world. But, as hard as it is sometimes to love one another, isn’t it worth our best e orts?

A recent Facebook post said that some 4–8-year-olds were asked, “What does love mean?” Their answers were eye-opening. Jessica, age 8, said, “You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”

Nikka, age 6, said, “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.”

Walter Williams, another singer for The O’Jays, said, “The timeless message of ‘Love Train’ is that if we pull together, we can make things better for everyone.”

Just imagine what our communities could be like if we truly joined hands and started a love train.

Philip Gladden is a retired Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who lives in Wallace, NC. He can be reached at gladdenphilip620@gmail.com.

That ’70s show — is Biden taking America back to the age of Jimmy Carter?

EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING in our fractured nation today seems so worrisomely reminiscent of America’s last lost decade — the 1970s.

For those who don’t remember, the late 1970s under parttime President Gerald Ford and then much worse under President Jimmy Carter was one economic and national security setback after another.

The witches’ brew of high in ation of 7% to 10% by 1979 and ever-increasing tax rates — which rose as high as 70% — drove the economy into a ditch. Real family incomes cratered under Carter because in ation rose so much faster than family takehome pay. Homes became una ordable, with interest rates on mortgages skyrocketing up to 17%. Gas prices tripled. Carter blamed “Big Oil” and “invested” in pipe-dream green energy alternatives that all went bankrupt.

Every time in ation rose, the economic whiz kids in Washington assured us the high prices were just temporary. (They didn’t use the term “transitory.”) When prices kept rising, Carter blamed corporate greed and installed price controls and windfall pro ts taxes — which only made problems worse.

On college campuses, we saw student protesters occupying the o ces of the college presidents. Race riots turned our inner cities into powder kegs.

Because America was so weak at home, our enemies abroad capitalized as Soviet tanks rolled into Afghanistan and troops into Nicaragua, while Iran held Americans hostage. Federal spending and debt soared, and the private sector started shrinking.

Carter’s response to the bad news was to point at the American people and lecture us to turn down the thermostat, put on a sweater, and learn to live with less. But even he didn’t threaten to abolish air conditioning and gas heat.

The new term that slid into the American lexicon was “stag ation.” This was the combination of high prices and sluggish economic growth. Does any of this sound familiar?

President Joe Biden’s prescription for the U.S. economy isn’t to reverse course. It is Carterism on steroids. More price controls, higher taxes on the rich and businesses, and another $2 trillion in spending on programs like student loan “forgiveness,” green energy subsidies and mortgage relief programs.

The tax rate on investment would soar well above 50%. As former Trump economist Larry Kudlow has put it, “Biden thinks he can tax America into prosperity.”

On energy policy, he’s doubling down on his commitment to “net zero” fossil fuel production and will command people to buy $70,000 electric vehicles made in China.

When the vast majority of Americans say they are nancially worse o , he doesn’t feel their pain. He shames them for not appreciating the wonderful things he’s done and the virtues of Bidenomics.

That message is a little tone-deaf given that Americans are worried about ’70s-style stag ation making a comeback. In ation is trending back up at the same time GDP growth has slowed to a 1.6% trickle.

The Biden response is Americans are unappreciative, and we are all sel sh for not wanting to live with less and give up our gas stoves and SUVs in order to save the planet.

In his infamous “malaise speech” in the summer of 1979, Carter spoke of a national “crisis of con dence” and lectured Americans about too much “self-indulgence” and learning to consume less and conserve more. He even talked about “threats to democracy.” Instead of inspiring the nation, he put the country in a funk.

Just like Jimmy Carter then, Joe Biden is o ering four more years of austerity and sacri ce and bigger, more intrusive government. That platform won the incumbent Carter 41% of the vote in 1980.

Stephen Moore is a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a senior economic adviser to Donald Trump.

It is Carterism on steroids.

Duplin Sparklers take silver medal

Duplin Sparklers brought home Neuse River Senior Games silver medals in the performing arts line dancing competition. The annual senior games took place at the Twin Rivers YMCA April 17 through May 9. The Neuse River Senior Games promotes fun tness and friendship for seniors 50 and up.

15 Duplin County students receive Tri-County EMC scholarships

DCS students were awarded a combined total of $7,500 from the scholarship program

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

DURING A FLOATING AWARDS ceremony held on May 7, 15 Duplin County seniors were presented with $500 scholarships from the Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation totaling $7,500.

The event, held at the Tri-County EMC corporate ofce in Dudley, celebrated the achievements of 53 scholarship recipients awarding a com-

bers that we were anticipating.” Added to that, the town is taking on new debt to cover much-needed expansion. The increase would average about $5 or $6 a month on a customer’s utility bill, he said.

Taylor shared that he’d done a comparison of rates in neighboring towns and found that Wallace was somewhere in the middle. “Certainly, we’re not the lowest, but we’re far from being the highest as well,” he said.

In addition, Taylor suggested an increase in the storm water rates, from $4.85 per equivalent residential unit, to $5. He pointed out that the rate hasn’t increased since 2016, and the town has depleted its stormwater fund balance, so a rate increase is needed.

The town’s property tax rate will remain unchanged, pending a county reassessment that should be taking place within the next year or so, Taylor said.

The proposed budget also includes the following:

• A 3.25% adjustment for

bined total of $24,800 to students from Duplin, Lenoir and Wayne counties.

“Among the recipients were 45 local high school seniors who received $500 towards their chosen four-year college or university, six students who were awarded $250 each for their community college education, and two non-traditional students who were granted $400 each to support their pursuit of a four-year degree,” Tri-County EMC told the Duplin Journal.

The scholarship recipients are as follows:

East Duplin High School

Addison Tuck, Allyson Hatcher, Carley Jenkins, Chase Ratli ,

town employees, which would include a 2% performance raise and 1.25% cost of living adjustment.

• A new oating holiday, possibly Juneteenth. The addition of a school resource o cer (SRO), which will be paid for by a grant from Duplin County Schools.

• Roof repairs at Thelma Dingus Bryant Library. $130,000 for re department requested air packs.

• New vehicle and tasers for the police department. An increase in some parks and recreation fees.

• A new pickup truck for Airport Director Ben Jones. In other business at the May 9 meeting, the town council: Approved a resolution and agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division regarding airport safety improvements.

• Approved a budget amendment to purchase new water meters for a new development in River Landing.

Elijah Thigpen, and Garrett

Johnson

North Duplin High School

Isabel Ruiz, James Dylan Tyndall, Mason Dixon, and Whitley Butler

East Duplin High School

Jenna Sumner, Jenson Welborn, Olivia Pierce, and Tanner Guy

James Kenan High School

Luke Reaves

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these talented individuals. We are condent that they will signi cantly impact their respective elds, and we wish them all the best

Approved the tentative award for the 830 Project to Burnette Enterprises of Wilmington Inc., which placed a bid of $3,475,828.24. “That’s upgrading the lift station at Maple Creek force main all the way to the corner of Highway 11 and River Road,” Taylor explained.

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Pender County on water/ sewer services at a newly annexed property, which will be home to a proposed residential/commercial development.

• Awarded a contract for the 2023-24 audit to RH CPAs for $25,300.

• Approved a contract with State Tree Services Inc. for debris removal, with a price of $44.75 per ton for vegetative debris and $67.75 per ton for construction and demolition removal.

• Approved nancing three new police cars for $120,000 with United Bank, with a 6.35% rate for ve years.

“We are con dent that they will signi cantly impact their respective elds, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”

Tri-County EMC

in their future endeavors,” stated a social media post from Tri-County EMC last week as the awardees were announced.

To date, the Tri-County EMC scholarship program has awarded over $520,350 in scholarships.

Learned about proposed new system development fees, which Taylor explained would be due for any new development that’s not connected to the water and sewer system right now. The newly calculated base rate for water would be $553 and sewer would be $2,069. A 45-day review and public comment period is required, with copies available online and at Town Hall.

• Approved the Fire Protection Contract between Wallace and Pender County.

• Learned that there will be a rededication ceremony for the memorial fountain in front of Town Hall on Friday, May 24, at 10 a.m. At last month’s town council meeting, there was a lengthy discussion on a possible downtown apartment ordinance, but Taylor said with the Strawberry Festival and other events, he and Planning Director Rod Fritz had not had time to investigate further by the May meeting. It will be on the agenda for the June meeting, he said.

Tourism Development Authority grant applications available Duplin County

The Duplin County Tourism Development Authority (DCTDA) is o ering the Duplin Tourism Grants Program for the county’s tourism related industries, i.e. attractions, lodging, festival & events, local community promotion. Applications for 2024-2025 Duplin County Tourism Grants are now available. The purpose of these grants is to assist Duplin County organizations with promotional and marketing projects that enhance the development of tourism in Duplin County. Interested organizations with questions about eligibility or whether a proposed project would be suitable for eligibility are encouraged to contact the Duplin County Tourism o ce at 910-296-2181. Visit uncorkduplin.com/ grant-information to apply online.

JSCC o ers free online seminars for small business owners

Duplin County James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center o ers free online seminars every month for small business owners, or those wishing to start their own businesses. Courses throughout the next couple of weeks include: A Host Guide to Glamorous Camping, May 16, 6-8 p.m.; The Best Me My Lender Wants to See, May 21, 7-8:30 p.m.; Small Business Tax Tips, May 22, 6-8 p.m.; Optimizing Team Leader E ectiveness, May 23, 6-8 p.m. To register for any of these courses, visit ncsbc. net/Events.aspx and select James Sprunt Community College as the location.

Murphy Family Ventures hosting blood drive

Wallace Murphy Family Ventures is holding a blood drive on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Murphy Family Ventures Corporate O ce, located at 5752 S. US Highway 117 in Wallace. To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood. org or call 1-800-REDCROSS and use the sponsor code “Murphy Family.”

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. Duplin Journal reserves the right to edit for content, brevity, and clarity.

RATE HIKE from page 1

PHOTO COURTESY MELISA BROWN / SENIOR SERVICES

JSCC Class of 2024 celebrates new milestone

The Duplin Events Center was buzzing with excitement as hundreds of James Sprunt Community College students received their degrees on May 9. Proud family members and friends cheered from the stands as their graduates received their diplomas.

DUPLIN SPORTS

Power surge: Rebels ride HRs into the fourth round

ending to the encounter.

Consecutive wins for North Duplin softball

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — When the Rebels’ three power hitters swat balls out of the park it’s going to be a quick ending to a softball game.

Lilly Fulghum, Addy Higginbotham and Reece Outlaw each ripped a home run and the rest of the North Duplin o ense was likewise super-charged during a 13-2 win over East Columbus on Monday in the third round of the 1A playo s. It was ND’s 15th win in a row and third playo game in which the Rebels used the 10run mercy rule to put an early

On Friday, the No. 1 Rebels (17-1) host the winner of Tuesday’s matchup of No. 5 Perquimans (20-8) and No. 13 Northside-Pinetown (17-4).

A triumph there is a ticket to the best-of-three East Region nal, slated for May 21-25. If the Rebels make it they could get two home games if the series goes to the limit. The winner meets the West champ for a best-of-three set for a state title.

Fulghum whacked one out in the opening inning, scoring Higginbotham, who walked and Outlaw, who singled.

Higginbotham jacked a solo shot in the third to up ND’s lead to 4-0.

East Columbus (18-8) trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the fourth when Jenna King and Chynna Patrick homered.

But that was the last uprising from the Gators. Bernal, Sara Thomas Tucker and Overton laced hits in the four-run fourth.

ND put it on ice in the fth when Outlaw dropped her bomb over the fence. Overton and Marissa Bernal had singles, Higginbotham a double and Gabby Zamudio a walk. Fulghum struck out six and walked two, retiring the side in order in the rst and third innings. She went one over the minumum in the third and fth and faced only ve batters in the one inning East Columbus scored.

The game was moved from Tuesday to Monday due to the threat of rain that was expected to come to Duplin County.

ND beat East Columbus in

No. 7 Seaforth nips

Wallace-Rose Hill 3-2 in the 2A playo s’ rst round

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

PITTSBORO — While Wallace-Rose Hill went to Pittsboro last Tuesday as underdogs against No. 7 Seaforth in the rst round of the 1A baseballnplayo s, the Bulldogs didn’t buy into

the prediction.

Jones, Rodrigues fuel Panthers past Jordan-Matthews

East Duplin wins to advance to Thursday’s second-round home match

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEAULAVILLE — Junior Katelyn Jones and freshman Anamarie Rodrigues are a powerful scoring pair.

East Duplin’s top goal scorers combined to put three goals in the net on Monday, sending the No. 5 Panthers to a 5-2 win over No. 28 Jordan-Matthews in the rst round of the 2A playo s.

“They’re quite a tandem,” said ED coach Joey Jones. “We had a good o ensive game and played pretty well defensively against a team that is pretty good. They are more of a kick-and-run team, but I thought we matched their speed.”

Miranda Roblero opened the scoring and Rodrigues added a penalty kick to give the Panthers (16-5-2) a 2-0 lead midway through the match.

Kaydance Drinkwater and Jones added goals early in the second half.

Dalia Botello then scored two times to give the Jets (8-12-1) a bit of false hope because Jones countered with a quick score and Rodrigues put a ball away with about six mintues left on the clock.

East Duplin faces No. 12 Southwest Onslow (10-6-3) on Thursday in Beulaville.

“It’s going to be a battle,” Jones said. “We know one another pretty well.”

The Panthers had the upper hand during the regular season. But both wins came via overtime

Chavarria scores a goal against North Lenoir in ED’s regular season nale.

No. 26 WRH played like an arch-rival of the Hawks (22-5) — representing a two-year-old school in eastern Chatham County who had cruised to the Mid- Carolina 1A/2A Conference crown.

Seaforth pushed a run across in the seventh inning to nip WRH 3-2. The Hawks beat West Craven 4 -1 on Friday and were set to play No. 2 Whiteville (21-1) in the third round early this week.

WRH ends its revival season with an 11-10 record, its rst winning season and playo appearance since 2016.

The Bulldogs left it all on the diamond.

“It was a heartbreaker,” said WRH coach Logan Kissner. “We played well. Pitched well and played good defense. We didn’t get a lot of hits, but some of that was because of their guy throwing the ball well.

“More importantly, we didn’t execute well with men on base. You have to play well in all three phases to win a playo game.”

Kaiden Lui scored in the second inning to give WRH a 1-0 edge and then tied it at 2-2 by

Outlaw, Higginbotham, Fulghum go yard in win over East Columbus

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Marissa Bernal (.370) has added punch to the Rebels’ lineup.

PJ WARD-BROWN / DUPLIN JOURNAL Kaiden Lui had a pair of hits and scored both WRH runs.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Yuliana

Rebels nab share of 1A region title behind Marcus Hill

The Panther girls were a point away from 2A winner Pender behind Pickett

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BURGAW — North Duplin’s boys did what it had never done in track and eld — although not having a track on its campus — with jumping, sprinting, hurdling and more.

Marcus Hill was the kingpin. Meanwhile, East Duplin was one “place” away from claiming a regional championship behind stellar individual performances from Ja’Myah Pickett.

Last Saturday, the Rebels tied Pender for the 1A East crown in Burgaw, while the Panthers’ 88 points were one shy of 2A East winner Manteo in Kinston.

Both schools will ship a horde of athletes to the state nals, as the top four-place winners in every event qualify for the state nals this weekend.

The 1A and 3A nals are Friday at N.C. A&T in Greensboro.

The 2A and 4A nals are Saturday at the same venue.

Rebel relay teams

key rst region crown

ND won its rst region track

and eld team title ever, according to longtime coach and athletics director Ricky Edwards.

“That’s what we’ve been told by someone who’s been around a long while,” said track coach Fred Kennedy. “We’re very proud of the kids. We took 14 kids and tied for a championship. I would have to say that’s pretty good.

The Rebels got great production from Marcus Hill, Trashawn Ru n and Dujuan Armwood.

Yet two of ND’s relay squads brought in huge points.

Anthony Kornegay, Khamari Leak, Armwood and Hill were on ND’s rst-place 800-meter relay team and its second-place 400-meter relay team.

“They’re just fast,” Kennedy said. “We worked on our exchanges all week as a point of focus. It’s actually the rst time this season we had this group together (in the 400). We worked hard and then took a day o to keep our legs fresh.”

“I thought we had a shot in one and an outside shot in the other,” he said. “And yes, that our kids did all of this without a track is a testament to their work and desire. But to get where we did involved a lot of individual performances. A lot of our kids had a great day.”

Hill’s day was the best as he placed in three events.

NCHSAA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

Rebels close book on diamond dream after falling to Pirates

ND’s bats went silent during its rst-round loss; the No. 3 Blue Devils stopped the Panthers for the third time

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — By most comparisons, North Duplin had a successful baseball season.

By the standard from the previous two seasons, the Rebels lacked consistency and a peak.

No. 21 seed ND closed out its campaign with a 14-1 loss to No. 12 Perquimans last Tuesday in the rst round of the 1A playo s.

The Rebels (12-9) return a good chunk of their roster next spring, even after not matching high marks set in 2022 (18-4) and 2023 (21-4). Both seasons, ND ruled the Carolina 1A Conference.

Yet it was hardly a season in which head coach Colton Chrisman worried about the foundation or structure. Rosewood (18-6), which won the CC and was likewise eliminated by the Pirates in second round.

The Rebels had three close losses to the Eagles.

“We’ve been up and down all year,” Chrisman said. “Our record doesn’t show how good this team is, given our really competitive schedule. We also asked players to do things they had not done before.

“So we had a good year, though Rosewood seemed to have our number. We didn’t have the pitchers to strike out a lot of guys, so it forces you to make more plays. That puts pressure on a high school player.”

ND shot itself in the foot in Hertford as Rebel pitchers gave up 11 hits, ve walks and hit ve batters.

“Everything we threw up there was either hit, a ball or hit someone,” said Chrisman, who will coach the Wayne County American Legion team this summer.

Garris Warren singled in Tanner Kornegay, who had walked, for the lone Rebel run.

Collin Roberts and Jacob

The junior won the 110-meter hurdles (15.59 seconds) and earned silver medals in the 300 hurdles (44.07), long jump (190) and triple jump (39-0).

Ru n used muscle and technique to win the shot-put (48-2 feet). He was seventh in the discus (92-8).

Leak went 18-9 for second in the long jump, and Armwood

SOCCER from page 7

scores by Rodrigues, as the triumphs gave ED the ECC crown.

“Savannah (Hill) was beaten down a little and we’ll need her to mark at Southwest,” Jones said. “Our marking backs make a di erence.”

Panther notebook

Askew combined to drive in ve runs for 19-5 Perquimans, which has a third-round game against No. 4 East Wake Academy.

The rest of the bracket has gone as seeded, as No. 1 Bear Grass Charter, No. 2 Wilson Prep and No. 3 Northside-Pinetown are still in the mix.

Rebels notebook

Kornegay, Austin Du , Hunt Pate and Garris Warren were all-Carolina Conference rstteam players.

There’s every reason to believe ND will be better in 2025 since most of its roster returns.

The Rebels had a three-game winning streak but otherwise never won nor lost more than two games in a row. They lost two consecutive games three times and won back-to-back games four times.

Du , who is ghting for time with the Legion team, was over .500 all season before dipping to .476. Kornegay nished at .349 and Pate at .382, while Holden Williams (.389) and Noa Quantanilla (.333) picked up steam the nal three weeks of the season.

Panthers fall for third time to Blue Devils

It’s rare when two teams from the same conference tangle in the rst round of the playo s. Jack Jenkins made sure his team East Duplin stayed on the outside as No. 3 North Lenoir (20-4) beat their ECC counterparts for the third time 7-1 last Tuesday in Deep Branch. Jenkins struck out 13, walked two and yielded two his 6.1-inning stint.

Zach Brown, Gavin Holmes and Jack Tuck had hits for East Duplin (10-14).

South Lenior, which beat East Duplin 5-1 and 2-0 on consecutive days during the regular season, led 3-0 before tacking up four runs in the sixth inning.

The Blue Devils then whipped Ayden-Grifton 3-1 in the and were to face No. 11 Marion County (15-10) in third-round action.

Jordan-Matthews has been around .500 the previous ve seasons, sans a Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference title in 2022 when the Jets went 13-4 -3.

Jones, Miranda Roblero and Bella Gabby connected when ED ended its regular season with a weather-shortened 3-0 win over North Lenoir.

The victory o cially clinched East Duplin’s second outright ECC title in three seasons and a share of three banners in of the previous four springs. The Panthers tied Clinton for the 2021 crown.

ED’s 15 wins are the most in 13 seasons. Its best mark before this season came was in 2019 when Jones’ Panthers

‘DAWGS from page 7

crossing the plate in the fourth.

Bulldog starter Dallas James (3-3), a southpaw, threw well, yielding just two hits in ve innings during a 93-pitch evening.

“He got a lot of popups and threw well,” Kissner said. “We had to load the bases in the seventh to make a force-out possible. Our players played hard.”

Lui (5-2), the ace of the sta , was tagged with the loss during a two-inning stint that included 30 pitches.

Winning pitcher Cam Elmore needed just 93 tosses to whi nine.

REBELS from page 7

the three-game East Region

nal series last season. But that’s when the Gators had Karli Goodwin, who hit .750 and hit 20 HRs. She’s at Oklahoma State hitting .341 with 14 HRs.

The Rebels prevailed then, but lost to Union Charter in the 1A nal series. Round three was all about Outlaw, Higginbotham and Fulham, who had three RBIs each and combined for seven hits.

Pickett wins pair of gold medals

Pickett was a double winner for East Duplin.

The junior, who was a Duplin’s Elite All-County basketball player in the winter, won the high jump (5-0) and shot put (38-9), was second in the discus (104-10) and fth in the triple jump (34-8).

The Panthers captured the 3,200-meter relay, as Anastan Holley, Tabor Holley, Kate Miller and Anamarie Rodrigues were clocked in 10:23. Rodrigues, a goal-scoring soccer player most of the spring, had a solid showing. She was second in the 800 (2:36) and third in the 1,600 (5:54).

Alania Dela Rosa was fourth in the 3,200 (13:40), Taj’rae Wiggins fth in the 100 (12.54) and Bella Gaby fth in the 100 hurdles (18.14). The team competition came down to the nal events as Manteo (89), East Duplin (88) and Northeastern (81) battled for the title.

Panthers’ Welborn a long-distance threat

hit the tape at 11.51 seconds to nish third in the 100-meter dash.

ND’s girls were paced by Tateyawna Faison, who won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.812 seconds and was second in the 300-meters in 52.79. Teammate Saniah McNeill was third in the 300 hurdles (56.92) and fth in the 100 hurdles (21.0).

were 14 -9.

From 2011 to 2017, ED went 66-62-6. The Panthers then had back-to-back second-place nishes to Clinton, going 13-9-1 and 14-9 in the next two seasons as a mini-breakthrough in contending for league titles.

ED has crafted a 37-21-9 record since the 2020 COVID-19 season that saw the season canceled after ve matches.

Kaydance Drinkwater and Jones were credited with assists in the regular season nale that was ended at halftime because of rain.

Rodrigues leads East Duplin in goals with 20. Jones has 17, Elleanna Rogers 10, Roblero nine and Yuliana Chavarrias six and Drinkwater ve. But 10 other Panthers have also directed a ball into the back of the net.

Roblero’s 10 assists is tops.

Rodrigues has six and Jones ve.

Tigers, Bulldogs fall in rst round

No. 25 James Kenan (9 -8-1)

“We put the ball in play,” Kissner said. “So again, props to their pitcher. If we played them three times I feel like we would win two times. It wasn’t our night.”

Hayden Lovette and Will Brooks were both 1-for-3.

WRH won ve straight after a 3-5 start, and then upset East Duplin and South Lenoir for its biggest wins of the spring.

“We brought the kids in here in August to change the culture, of our program” said Kissner, a rst-year coach who was a player on the last WRH team to make the state playo s. “They told me they wanted to beat our rivals (ED, James Kenan) and win 10 games. And

Soar past Devilpups, Pats to start playo s North Duplin ripped 31 hits and 24 runs in its rst two playo wins, shredding Lejeune 14-0 last Tuesday and Pender 10-2 on Saturday. Outlaw singled doubled twice, homered and drove in ve in the victory over the Devilpups (8-13). Fulghum had a pair of doubles and two RBIs, Higginbotham two hits and three runs, with Overton supplying an RBI and three runs.

Jenson Welborn had his feet involved with the Panther boys. He won the 3,200 in 10:211 and ran a leg on the 3,200 relay team that came in rst place, sharing the stage with Adam Hernandez, Michael Doyle and Conner Wilkins. James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill each had a fthplace performer. Tiger Tristan Diaz was fth in the shotput (45-0), while Bulldog DeaShawn Taylor hit that slot with a 129-10 toss of his discus.

and No. 22 Wallace-Rose Hill (10 -8) lost rst-round road matches.

The Tigers were stumped 6 -1 by No. 8 Princeton, while the Bulldogs fell 8- 0 to No. 11 North Carolina School of Science and Math (14 - 4). WRH’s 10 wins are the most in school history, better the 2915 mark of 9 -10 -1, though that squad had an 8- 6 mark in the Four County 1A/2A Conference. The Bulldogs were 5-5 and in third place in ECC play this spring under head coach Jordan Boser and top assistant Shannon Moore.

Yet from top to bottom, the ECC is superior to the Four County, moving WRH’s soccer growth two steps forward.

JK logged its most wins since 2018 (13-8) under the direction of Kenny Williams. The Tigers were 17- 4 -2 the previous season. JK also had a pair of 13-win campaigns in 2012 and 2013.

Yet two phases occurred as the Tigers were 83- 46 from 2011 to 2018 and 27- 49 from 2019 to 2023.

the seniors wanted to make the state playo s.

“We accomplished all three goals.”

Dugout clipboard

Junior Lui had 84 strikeouts and 24 walks in 49 innings. He hit .482 with 22 RBIs.

Senior Reid Page, who started out as the team’s catcher before moving to second base, hit .534 with seven doubles, three triples and a home run.

Caden Gavin, another junior, smacked at a .411 rate. Classmate Dane Turner pushed his average to .283 with a late rush. Lovette, a sophomore, checked in at .277.

Spence had a pair of hits and picked up the win by going four frames in the circle in which she yielded just two hits and an earned run.

Pender got to Fulghum for a run in the rst and another in the sixth. But the sophomore had the last laugh as she laced a pair of triples and homered.

ND worked through its lineup twice in its six-run sixth inning.

Spence, Outlaw, Sara Tucker Thomas and Iala Overton each drove in two runs.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Anastan Holley, Tabor Holley, Kate Miller and Anamarie Rodrigues captured the 3,200-meter relay at the regional meet in Kinston on Saturday.

Baseball/Softball Leaderboard

BASEBALL

· Reid Page, WRH: .534, 31 hits, 7 doubles, 3 triples, HR, 11 RBIs

· Kaiden Lui, WRH: .482, 27 hits, 7 doubles, 2 triples, HR, 22 RBIs

· Baines Raynor, ED: .480, 36 hits, 28 runs, 10 doubles, triple, 21 SB, 18 RBIs

· Austin Du , ND: .476, 30 hits, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 17 walks, 9 RBIs

· Caden Gavin, WRH: .411, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBIs

· Holden Williams, ND: .389, 21 hits, 16 RBIs.

· Eli Avent, JK: .394, 13 hits in 13 games

· Hunt Pate, ND: .382, 21 hits, 14 walks,19 RBIs, 31 runs, 5 doubles, 3 triples

· Wesley Holmes. ND: .360, 18 hits, 19 RBI

· Zach Brown, ED: .356, 26 hits, 29 runs, 5 doubles, triple, HR, 15 RBIs.

· Tanner Kornegay, ND: .349, 22 hits, 32 runs, 17 walks, 16 SB, 6 RBIs

· Mason Grady, JK: .340, 17 hits.

· Hansley McGee, JK: .333, 17 hits.

· Noa Quintanilla, ND: . 333, 5 doubles, triple, HR, 16 RBIs.

· Hansley McGee, JK: .333, 17 hits.

· Will Brooks, WRH: .333

· Cal Avent, JK: .318, 3 doubles, 12 RBIs

· Garris Warren, ND: .317, 19 hits, 19 RBIs

· Gavin Holmes, ED: .308, 19 hits, 18 runs,14 RBIs, 13 SB

· Hunter Whitman, JK: .300, 9 RBIs

· Dallas James, WRH: . 288, 3 doubles

· Hayden Lovette, WRH: .277, 8 RBIs

· Sawyer Marshburn, ED: .270, 4 doubles, triple, 11 RBI

· Cain Graham, ED: .206, 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 22 RBIs

SOFTBALL

· Lilly Fulghum, ND: .648, 35 hits, 37 runs, 11 doubles, 5 triples, 7 HRs, 28 RBIs

· Jourdan Joe, JK: .627, 37 hits, 16 doubles, 4 HRs, 24 RBIs

· Addy Higginbotham, ND: .625, 340 hits, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR, 33 runs 22 RBIs

· Reece Outlaw, ND: .610, 36 hits, 38 runs, 5 doubles, 6 triples, 5 HRs, 30 RBIs

· Ava Noble, ED: .538, 35 hits, 34 runs, 7 doubles, 7 triples, 2 HRs, 16 RBI

· Lexi Kennedy, WRH: .536, 30 hits, 11 doubles, triple, 19 runs,20 RBIs

· Shylah Sloan, JK: .532 32 hits, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs

· Anna Armstrong, JK: .508, 30 hits, 8 doubles, 7 HRs, 29 RBIs

· Sabrina Batts, HCA: .507, 37 hits, 29 runs, 3 doubles, 2 triples, HR, 22 RBIs

· LeNayah Jackson, Richlands: .480, 36 hits, 31 RBIs

· Erin Thibault, Richlands: .451, 37 hits 29 runs, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HRs, 42 RBIs

· Makenzie Goin, Richlands: .448, 1.17 ERA, 153 Ks, 3 walks

· Karsyn Parker, ED: .435, 27 hits, 7 doubles, 16 RBIs, HR

· Mackenzie Jackson, HCA: .426, 26 hits, 20 runs, 19 RBIs

· Ady Spence, ND: .426, 26 hits, 4 doubles, triple, 18 RBIs

· Kinsley Bond, ED: .391, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HRs, 33 RBIs

· Morgan Brown, ED: .390, 6 doubles, 13 walks, 19 runs, 13 RBIs

· Reagan Stapleton, Rich: .375, 30 hits 30 runs, 8 RBIs

· Megan Pittman, Rich: .375, 6 doubles, 3 triples, HR

· Marissa Bernal, ND: .370, 4 doubles, triple, HR

· Addison Tuck, ED: .370, 6 doubles, 17 RBIs

· Jansley Page, WRH: .328, 2 doubles, 3 HRs,15 walks, 27 runs

· Kenadi Giddons, JK; .367

· M’Chelle Jaco, ND: .367

· Megan Pittman, Richlands: .365, 27 hits, 27 runs, 4 doubles, 2 triples

· Brianna Carr, HCA: .359, 22 RBIs

· Carley Grace Jenkins, ED: .356, 4 doubles, 2 HRs, 17 RBIs

· Sophie Sloan, WRH: .353, 12 RBIs

· Kaylann Leon, JK: .319

· Tashi Allen, Rich: .319, 14 RBIs

· Iala Overton, ND: .321, 17 RBIs

Mattie Gavin, WRH: .288, 5 doubles, 2 triple, 2 HRs

· Kaylee Powell, WRH: .274, 2 doubles, triple

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Makenzie Goin

Richlands High, softball

Makenzie Goin is a strikeout machine with pinpoint control. The Richlands junior whi ed 150 and walked four this season while carving out a 7-2 record and 1.49 ERA. She hit .448 to help the Wildcats go 18-6, losing to No. 5 South Brunswick 3-1 in 10 innings in the second round of the 3A playo s.

Goin struck out 16 and did not walk a hitter. Goin had solid seasons during her freshman (11-5, 219 strikeouts, 0.84 ERA) and sophomore (10-3, 186 strikeouts, 0.66 ERA) campaigns.

Her career batting average is .356.

Panthers, Bulldogs lose rst-round road heartbreakers

South Brunswick prevails in a second-round pitching duel over Richlands in 3A

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Four teams in the Duplin Journal’s coverage area were eliminated in the state playo s last week, leaving North Duplin as the lone team in the mix for a deep run.

East Duplin and Wallace-Rose Hill both su ered one-run losses. James Kenan was beaten by the No. 1 seed in the 2A East. Richlands likewise fell by a single run in a 10-innning a air with South Brunswick.

Harrells Christian Academy’s rebuilding season ended with a second-round setback in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association’s 2A playo s.

ED’s Morgan Brown, WRH’s Lexi Kennedy and Richlands’ Mazenzie Goin threw well enough in the circle to come away with a win. Yet their teams scored a total of two runs as opposing pitchers silenced the bats of the threesome’s teammates.

Panthers can’t touch Gurley on her home diamond

No. 18 East Duplin and No. 15 West Craven had similar resumes heading into their rstround encounter on Tuesday in Beulaville.

ED’s Brown and her counterpart Ronnetta Gurly combined to give up just six hits. The lone run in the sixth led the Eagles to a 1-0 win.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Brown yielded four hits and no earned runs, striking out one and walking one in a performance worthy of more than an “L” on her record. Gurley walked ve and whi ed eight while allowing two hits.

ED had three errors, WC none.

ED’s Angelina Smith singled and scored. Teammate Izabella Sutton had two singles and a walk. Brown tamed WC to a batting average of .125

Karsyn Parker and Addison Tuck singled for ED, which hit .095 against Gurley.

Even so, Carley Grace Jenkins, Rebecca Beach, Kinsley Bond and Brown waited out walks and then hits to push them to the plate, which never materialized because Gurley pitched well with runners on base.

WC lost 5-1 to Roanoke Rapids in the second round to nish 12-10, the same mark as the Panthers. Both schools had 9-3 records in their respective conferences.

JK’s Ava Jones returned from an early-season injury for a hit in a playo loss to No. 1 Camden County.

Bulldogs’ third close loss ends season

Wallace-Rose Hill had lost pair of close a airs with North Lenoir (6-5, 4-3 in 10 innings) that stopped the Bulldogs’ climb in the ECC standings.

Yet a 3-2 setback to No. 10 North Johnston last Tuesday in Kenly was a bigger pill to swallow than those league losses during the regular season.

WRH (12-9) gave the Neuse Six 2A Conference team all it wanted as Kennedy more than threw well enough to deserve a better fate.

But runs in the playo s are often hard to come by, making each hit, walk, stolen base or sacri ce key.

Cougars’ Davis wins battle vs. ’Cats’ Goin

Kina Davis and Makenzie Goin will be pitching in college. The juniors put on a show in

Keselowski claims victory at Darlington Raceway

The victory ends his 3-year NASCAR Cup win drought

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Brad Keselowski moved to the front when leaders Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick hit battling for rst with nine laps left and held on to win the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday for his rst NASCAR win in three years. It was Keselowski’s 36th career victory, his second at Darlington and his rst since reconnecting with magnate Jack Roush and becoming a co-owner at Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.

“Hell of an e ort by everyone,” Keselowski said after crossing the nish line.

It appeared Keselowski’s employee at RFK, Buescher, would get the win after he passed his boss and Reddick with 29 laps to go. But Buescher and Reddick then hit and fell back, opening the door for Keselowski’s satisfying victory.

“What a heck of a day,” he said. “That battle out there with my teammate and Tyler Reddick, we just laid it all on the line.”

Ty Gibbs was second, Josh Berry third and Denny Hamlin fourth. Chase Briscoe was fth followed by William Byron, Bubba Wallace, Justin Haley and Michael McDowell.

It was another near miss for Buescher, who lost by 0.001 seconds to Kyle Larson at Kansas in the closest nish in NASCAR history.

Buescher slid to 30th and Reddick 32nd.

Buescher confronted Reddick when both got out of their cars, after the close call cost him a NASCAR victory for a second straight week.

Buescher had lost out by 0.001 of a second at Kansas to Kyle Larson a week ago in what was the closest ending in NASCAR history. This time, Buescher lost his chance at the Goodyear 400 when Tyler Reddick tried to pass for the lead.

Reddick’s car slid up into Buescher, knocking him against the wall and ruining both their chances for a Darlington victory.

Buescher shoved Reddick and shouted that he should not have tried that move.

“I tried to back out,” Reddick said. “The last thing I wanted to do was wreck your car. I’m sorry.”

Buescher pointed to the NASCAR playo decal on his car for those, like Reddick, who’ve quali ed for the postseason.

“That doesn’t work for me,”

Buescher said. “We don’t have that sticker on my door right now. I need you to be better. We’ve raced each other for so long just ne.”

Buescher had said how agonizing his loss to Kyle Larson at Kansas last week was, replaying it and coming up with several things he might have done di erently given another chance. At Darlington, Buescher knew who to blame.

“That’s two weeks in a row we had a shot to win races,”

Buescher said. “One, I’m going to relive in my head forever at what I would’ve done di erent (at Kansas). The other, I need someone else to be more mature about it.”

Reddick continued apologizing in his post-race comments.

He said his attempted pass was aggressive and he tried to check up so he would not slide into Buescher.

“It’s tough to walk away knowing that I used someone up, took their chance away from winning the race that’s racing me really cleanly,” Red-

Southport with South Brunswick, emerging with a 2-1 win in 10 innings. Shortstop Savanah Burgess singled in Kendra Goodwin for the winning run. Burgess walked to open the 10th and got to third base o backto-back errors by the Wildcats. Goin had 16 strikeouts and Davis, who already committed to play at Charlotte University, chalked up 13. Goin walked one. Davis didn’t give out a free pass to rst base.

The Wildcat junior, also on the recruiting list of several schools, was as cool as the other side of the pillow in the ninth when she held the Cougars scoreless following a leado double by Davis. Richlands (18-7) led 1-0 in the third inning before the home team tied in in the fth.

South Brunswick (21-4) hosted No. 13 Orange County High in Tuesday’s third round.

The Wildcats had scored all of their runs in the rst two innings in a 9-7 win over Harnett Central in the opening round.

Erin Thibault, Megan Pittman and Goin each lashed two hits. Reagan Stapleton and Addi Andrews were both 1-for3. Stapleton scored twice and Andrews knocked in a run, as did Tashi Allen.

Tigers say hello to Jones, goodbye to Armstrong

Ava Jones returned to the James Kenan lineup after a preseason injury, while Anna Morgan Armstrong nished up her stellar career.

TAKE NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000193

dick said. “I have to work on that and try and make some better decisions.”

Bad day

One slip up ended the chances of two NASCAR champions. Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr. and Byron were three-wide on lap 128 when Byron tagged Truex who pushed into Blaney and sent him against the wall in turn two.

The crew for Blaney, the defending Cup Series champion, could not repair the damage and his day was done. He rode up alongside Byron to signal his displeasure with Byron’s move.

“He used a little bit more race track than I thought, so I have every right to be mad and he gets away scot-free,” said Blaney, who wound up last in 36th place.

Truex, the 2017 series champion, dropped from the top 10 and nished 25th.

Odds and ends

Berry’s third-place nish was his best since replacing retired Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car. ... Erik Jones, twice a winner at Darlington, nished 19th in his rst race since suffering a compression fracture in a lower vertebra during a crash at Talladega last month. ... Larson’s No. 5 paint scheme homage to Hall of Famer Terry Labonte’s 1996 title-winning car was voted the best throwback by the fans. ... The series takes a week o of points racing for the All-Star Race at historic North Wilkesboro.

JK returned to the 2A playo s but fell to No. 1 Camden County 9-0.

Camden senior hurler Carlyn Tanis scattered seven hits to keep the Tigers o balance, though Jones, Armstrong, Kenadi Giddons, Jourdan Joe and Scarlett DeLuca each had a hit.

Jones, who the Tigers missed, will return for her junior season.

Armstrong will play softball at Division 3 Meredith College next fall.

JK nishes 8-12.

Crusaders push Pats in third round

Senior Sabrina Batts and Brianna Carr each had a hit in their nal prep game, but Harrells Christian fell to No. 4 Freedom Christian 6-0 on Saturday in the third round of the NC Independent Schools Athletics Association 2A playo s. HCA (9-12) gave the unbeaten Patriots ts most of the game. The Fayetteville school led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fth inning. Freedom (21-0) scored twice in both the fth and sixth. Batts belted three hits and drove in three runs during a 12-4 rst-round win over Faith Christian on Tuesday. HCA broke the game open with eight urns in the second frame. Freedom’s Breelyn Peed and Reagan Cannon each drove in a pair. Mary Rumbold singled, walked three times and scored twice. Makenzie Jackson went 3-for-4.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned GAIL D. PADRICK, having quali ed on the 13TH day of MAY, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROSE LEE DAVIS aka ROSE BROWN DAVIS aka ROSE LEE BROWN DAVIS, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 15TH Day of MAY, 2024.

GAIL D. PADRICK, EXECTOR 290 ARTHUR SLOAN RD. CHINQUAPIN, NC 28521

Run dates: M16,23,30,J6p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000148

The undersigned HENRY T. SMITH, having quali ed on the 15TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of FRANCES HALL SMITH, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 23RD Day of JULY, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 24TH Day of APRIL, 2024.

HENRY T. SMITH, EXECUTOR 438 HALLS POND RD. ROSE HILL, NC 28458

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000154

The undersigned SANDRA G. SWINSON, having quali ed on the 30TH day of APRIL, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ROBERT ANTHONY SWINSON, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 6TH Day of AUGUST, 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 8TH Day of MAY, 2024.

SANDRA G. SWINSON, ADMINISTRATOR 881 NORWOOD EZZELL RD. MT. OLIVE, NC 28365

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Driver Brad Keselowski holds up the trophy in Victory Lane after winning at Darlington Raceway on Sunday.

obituaries

Nathaniel George Miller

March 21, 1942 –May 5, 2024 (age 82)

Nathaniel George Miller, 82, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at his home.

Funeral service was on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Gospel Light Church in Comfort. Visitation took place after the service.

Graveside service was on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Trenton Municipal Cemetery, Trenton.

Survivors include: spouse, Brenda Foster Miller of Comfort; sons, George “Tony” Miller of Potters Hill, Jason Miller of Florida; daughter, Donna Miller Casad (Bryan) of La Grange; grandchildren, William David Miller, Allison Miller, Payton Miller, Matthew Casad, Jacob Miller and Christian Miller.

Virgil Chester

Nov. 30, 1957 – May 2, 2024 (age 66)

Virgil Chester, 66, of Rose Hill entered into his eternal rest on May 2, 2024 at ECU Health Medical Center of Greenville.

Funeral service was Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Charlotte Anne Barry

May 21, 2021 – May 4, 2024 (age 2)

Charlotte Anne Barry, 2, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at her home.

Funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, with visitation following the service, at Beulaville Baptist Church. Burial will be private. For 20 months, Charlotte fought the hard ght against Neuroblastoma and did this with such courage and a constant smile. She was a true hero to her parents, siblings, and community. Charlotte lit up every room she entered and showed everyone around what it takes to be a brave warrior. Her contagious laugh, spunky personality, and sweet smile inspired so many to nd joy, even on the toughest of days.

Charlotte was happiest when she was with her siblings, Madi, Maverick, Lainey, Jack and Parker. They gave Charlotte strength and lled her life with joy. Her siblings brought her so much light to all of the darkness.

Miley Kathryn Byrd

July 27, 2022 – May 5, 2024 (age 21 months)

Miley Kathryn Byrd was born July 27, 2022 to Ryan and Chelsea Byrd. She was born with the spirit of a champion and battled through three open heart surgeries and countless medical procedures. She fought victoriously and with grace against Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome for 21 months.

To know Miley was to know joy, strength and love.

Miley entered into heaven on May 5, 2024 and received her crown…forever victorious over HLHS.

She leaves behind her mother and father and two very brave, strong brothers, Hudson and Emerson Byrd.

Funeral service was Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the East Duplin Fine Arts Building in Beulaville. Graveside service was private.

Jerry Newkirk

Jan.15, 1955 – May 8, 2024 (age 69)

Jerry Newkirk, 69, of Jacksonville departed this life May 8, 2024 in Duplin County.

Funeral service was Monday, May 13, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home chapel in Warsaw. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service.

Charlotte had a great love for dance. Going to Dance Class was always the highlight of her week. She made so many friends that loved to make her laugh. To witness this, lled your heart with pure happiness. Her loving teachers, Stacie Dawson and Saedi Jenkins, were two of her most favorite people. Char learned so many of her dance moves from them and cherished every second that she had at The Studio Dance Center. Besides dance class, she could often be found running the halls of Maynard Children’s Hospital, showing o her latest dance moves to all of the doctors, nurses, and sta members. Charlotte underwent many treatments during her battle with Neuroblastoma. She received incredible care from many brilliant doctors at Maynard Children’s Hospital, Duke Children’s Hospital and CHOP. Her primary hospital, being Maynard Children’s Hospital, was full of remarkable caregivers that constantly gave love and the best care. Char’s entire medical team became part of her family. She knew everyone there, loved walking the halls during treatment, and visits with her friends at the hospital. Charlotte was given the title, Playroom Manager of KISU. She always enjoyed going to the playroom and picking out toys to play with each day she was there.

In Charlotte’s nal months, she was cared for by 3HC Hospice. With their help, Charlotte and her siblings were

Rosalie (Moore) Riley

March 28, 1955 – May 10, 2024 (age 69)

Rosalie Moore Riley, 69, of Rose Hill left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Friday, May 10, 2024. She was born on March 28, 1955, in Pender County; the daughter of the late Pete and Mary Caison Moore. She was also preceded in death by her husband Donald Riley; her brothers, Nelson Moore and Michael Moore.

Surviving is her son, Gary Riley of Rose Hill; daughter, Suzanne Fennell of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Jordan Padilla, Ryan Fennell and ancée Christina, Cierra Parker and husband, Eric and Pete Riley; great-granddaughter, Marley Parker; brothers, John Moore and partner Garland Whaley, Jr. and Lynetta Moore, all of Rose Hill; numerous extended family and friends that loved Rosalie.

Rosalie was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was a hard worker, always helping to provide for her family. Rosalie had a big heart for others and would always put others before herself. She loved her family with all her heart and would do her best to see they were all taken care of. With a quiet and humble spirit, she loved unconditionally. Rosalie will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Memorial service was held on Monday evening, May 13, 2024, at QuinnMcGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel with Reverend Rodney Bonham o ciating. The family received friends following the service at the funeral home.

able to enjoy a fun experience at The Great Wolf Lodge. To spend time as a family on vacation was something they didn’t think they would get to experience. Charlotte’s weekly visits from her compassionate and loving nurse, Mackenzie Sasnett, were lled with so much wholesome play time. 3HC truly went above and beyond in all of their care for sweet, Char Char SuperStar. Charlotte is survived by her parents, Joe and Megan; siblings, Madison, Maverick, Lainey, Jack, and Parker; grandparents, Lisa Finch, Will Alston, Lewis “Corkey” Finch, and David and Cheryl Barry; great-grandparents, Wayne and Martha Joyner and Priscilla Armstrong; aunts and uncles, Joey and Maegan Smith, Cameron and Taylor Finch, Olivia Finch, and Samuel Finch; cousins, Carson Finch, Daylon Finch, and Ryleigh Smith. Charlotte is also survived by many other family members and friends that she loved dearly. In honor of Charlotte, you may consider making a donation to Maynard Children’s Hospital, ECU Health Foundation 690 Medical Dr. P.O. Box 8489, Greenville, NC 27835 OR Riley’s Army, an incredible organization that supports pediatric cancer patients and their families in eastern North Carolina. They were there for Charlotte and her family, countless times during her life. P.O. Box 720, Winterville, NC 28590.

Judy (Quinn) Rouse

April 23, 1944 – May 5, 2024 (age 80)

ROSE HILL — Judy Quinn Rouse, 80, of Rose Hill passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 23, 1944, in Duplin County and was the daughter of the late Owen William and Mary Lilly Burton Quinn. Judy was also predeceased by her best friend and husband of 57 years, Theodore Rufus Rouse, Jr., and her sister, Billie Faye Brown.

Mrs. Rouse was owner and operator of Duplin Nursery for over 45 years. She was a member of Rose Hill Methodist Church.

Surviving are her devoted children, Debbie R. Rhodes of Rose Hill and Michael Rouse and wife Jackie of Southport; grandchildren, Adrianne Paul, Christian Noel Rhodes, Jason Stancil and wife Tori and Jonathan Stancil and wife Kristina; great grandchildren, Khloe Rhodes and Jack Stancil; sister, Ann Quinn Lanier of Chinquapin; sister-in-law, Marion Holland of Rose Hill; brother-in-law, Ted Brown of Jacksonville; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Judy dearly. Judy or “Goo,” as she was lovingly called, was a loving mother and caring grandmother and sister who loved her family with all her heart. Her grandchildren were the “apples of her eye”and her “ray of sunshine.” It was the rst grandchild who started calling her “Goo” and many know her by that today. Being a hard worker and having a very green thumb, Judy grew beautiful plants, shrubs and owers. She had a great business and enjoyed seeing old friends and making new friends as they visited her nursery throughout the years. Judy always put others before herself and would help anyone in need. She was a strong woman with a gentle touch, a big heart and a loving smile. Judy will surely be missed but never forgotten.

Funeral service was held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Wallace Chapel.

The family received friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial gifts made be made in memory of Judy Rouse to Rose Hill Methodist Church, 314 E. Church Street, Rose Hill, NC 28458.

Joseph “Joe” Oates

Jan. 9, 1928 – May 5, 2024 (age 96)

ROSE HILL — Joseph “Joe” Oates, a proud military veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam, who served his country with honor and distinction, peacefully passed away at the age of 96 on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Joe’s life was marked by a steadfast commitment to duty, remarkable courage and unwavering love for his family. Born on Jan. 9, 1928, in the Bronx, Joe was the youngest of eight children of Thomas and Maude Smart Oates.

Joe’s journey of service began at the tender age of 16 when he enlisted in the United States Army in 1945 during World War II. After completing his basic training in Fort McLellan, Alabama, Joe was deployed to Stuttgart, Germany, where he served with Troop E. 72nd Constabulary Squadron (Military Police). He continued his service through the Korean Con ict and into the Vietnam War, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and dedication throughout his deployments.

Joe’s military career spanned over two decades, during which he served in various roles and locations, including Fort Bragg, NC; Korea; Tokyo, Japan; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts Su olk County Air Force Base, New York; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; and Thule Aire Force Base, Greenland. He retired from military service in 1967 after 20 years of distinguished service, having earned numerous accolades and medals for his bravery and commitment to duty.

Following his retirement from the military, Joe embarked on a second career in law enforcement, serving in Florida and New Jersey, before joining the United States Postal Service. Throughout his life, Joe remained dedicated to his family, nding joy in the love of his wife, Eileen, and the cherished moments spent with his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Eileen, and their children, Callista Yacullo, Kathleen Neu, Joseph (Sheila), Mark (Karin), and Rosemarie Mobley (Glenn). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bob Paul (Alecia), Harry Artemisio, Patrick Artemisio, Holly Page (Kyle), Daniel Oates (Jay), Kevin Oates, and Rebecca Oates, as well as his great-grandchildren, Erin (Trey), Kayla, Caroline, Joseph, Kylie, HallieRose, Harry, and Candace, and great-great-grandchildren, Truman and Emme.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Trans guration Catholic Church, 510 E Main St, Wallace, NC 28466.

The family received friends on Thursday, one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment with military honors was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.

Ervin Kennedy

Nov. 4, 1931 – May 9, 2024 (age 92)

Ervin Kennedy, 92, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at his home.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Visitation followed the service. Graveside service was held on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Pink Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Vernice Edna Kennedy of Pink Hill; sons, Wayne Kennedy (Cathy) of Pink Hill, Randall Kennedy (Teresa) of Pink Hill; sister, Louise Maready (Earl) of Pink Hill; ve grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; and one greatgreat-grandchild.

Wallace Rehab residents cheer on 5K runners

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

LAST WEEKEND, Wallace Re -

habilitation & Healthcare Center

residents cheered on the Strawberry Festival 5K runners. There were 291 runners that ran past the facility twice in the race.

“The residents had a blast cheering for the runners,” said Administrator Megan Freeman. “A few of the runners stopped to take pictures with the residents and commented on how much they appreciated having them cheer them on.”

Wallace Rehabilitation & Healthcare Administrator Megan Freeman, Speech Therapist Frances McTee, and Maria Sauno, LPN participated in the race. The residents and sta participating in the event wore special shirts that said, “Life is Sweet at Wallace Rehabilitation & Healthcare.”

8th grader wins Duplin Rotary Club Essay Contest

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Duplin Journal at: obits@duplinjournal.com

Madeline Kimes, an 8th Grade student at North Duplin Jr./ Sr. High School, was recently selected as the winner of the Duplin Rotary Club Essay Contest: “The 4-Way Test — What it Means to Me.” Jo Ann Stroud presented Madeline with the award who was accompanied by her dad, Eric Kimes, and her English teacher Dominique Grady. Pictured from left to right are Dominique Grady, Eric Kimes, Madeline Kimes and Jo Ann Stroud.

PHOTO COURTESY BRIAN BULLARD

PHOTO COURTESY MEGAN FREEMAN

Residents of Wallace Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center headed out to the parking lot to cheer on the runners in the Carolina Strawberry Festival 5K on May 4.