Duplin Journal Vol. 8, Issue 44 by North State Journal

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 44 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2023

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the

BRIEF this week

Centennial celebrations in 2023 Duplin County John A. Stallings, a World War II veteran who served with the U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division, 38th Regiment, celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 20. Stallings was born in 1923. The Teachey native fought battles in France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, a Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. John Taylor celebrated his 104th birthday on Dec. 12. Elizabeth Hicks celebrated her 103rd birthday on Nov. 20, she was born in 1920 to the late Rose and Albert Middleton. Mabel Branch Henry celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 20, she was born in 1923 in Pink Hill. She is the eldest daughter of the late Gaston and Minnie Branch. Andoria Kenan Middleton celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug. 8. She was born in the town of Rose Hill in 1923, to the late William H. and Sarah B. Kenan. Edith Garrett celebrated her 104th birthday on July 25. Garrett was born in 1919 to the late Louis and Katie Hall in Kenansville. Margaret Wood Oakley celebrated her 100th birthday on July 12, she was born in 1923 to the late Arthur and Louise Wood in Cedar Fork. Henrietta Sandy celebrated her 102nd birthday on July 9. Sandy was born to the late Anna and Henry Cupid in 1921 and lived in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands for 50 years before moving to Chinquapin. These seniors are part of Duplin County Senior Center Centennial program. Anyone 90 years or older may join this elite club by calling 910-296-2140 to complete a brief registration and get their birth date verified with the local Register of Deeds office. DJS

Duplin County Dog 4-H’ers make donation to Animal Shelter Warsaw For a community service project, members of Duplin County’s own Dog 4-H Club collected pet supplies at Warsaw Animal Hospital and Tractor Supply in Wallace throughout the holiday season. On Thursday, Dec. 21, the 4-H’ers delivered the supplies to Duplin County Animal Services and took a tour of the animal shelter. So many donations were received that they could barely fit in the vehicles to be delivered, said Dog 4-H leader Judith Hawk. Duplin County Dog 4-H started in April 2023, under Hawk’s direction and the group will continue to do service projects in the coming months. DJS

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Wallace PD introduces new K-9 Officers The Wallace Police Department recently added two new K-9s, Viper and Maverick, to the police force. Maverick and Officer Taylor Meshaw, and Viper and Officer Ivan Sanchez were introduced at the Wallace Town Council meeting on Dec. 14. The K-9s and their handlers graduated from six weeks of training on Dec. 6, and began working with the Wallace Police Department soon after. “Both are certified in narcotics detection, article searches and tracking,” said WPD Chief Jimmy Crayton.

2023 Year in Review

Duplin experienced a steady pace of growth By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal WALLACE – Duplin County has been on a steady pace of growth for the past couple of years with 2023 bringing numerous noteworthy highlights and wrapping up the year with a healthy unassigned fund balance of $35.849,716 according to County Manager Bryan Miller. Duplin welcomed new staff members, faced staffing challenges, and endured the loss of beloved leaders. In January, the biennial economic impact study from the Division of Aviation revealed that Duplin County Airport generated more than $70 million in economic output and produced $6.25 million in state and local tax revenue. The Economic Development Commission recruited Scotty Summerlin as EDC director on Jan. 3. In February, the Town of Wallace announced Rob Taylor as their new town manager,

he started in this role on Feb. 2. In March, the town of Calypso mourned the loss of mayor David “T-Bone” Tyndall who passed away at age 66, on March 11. On April 17, former county manager Davis Brinson announced his resignation after serving with the county for nearly three decades in different capacities. His last day was July 31. An EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds hit near Beulaville on April 22, destroying a camper and ripping off several large trees near Lester Houston Road. No one was injured. Jimmy Jerome Memorial Park in Rose Hill received a serious facelift thanks to generous donations from House of Raeford and Smithfield Foods, the big reveal took place in late April. Beulaville Elementary School unveiled its new 5,637-square-foot multi-purpose gym on April 24. On May 8, Duplin County longtime volunteer Doris See REVIEW, page 2

Magnolia family loses home to fire Community rallies to help family of six By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal MAGNOLIA – A Magnolia family lost everything in a house fire on Monday, Dec. 18. The cause of the fire was still under investigation as of press time. At around 10:30 p.m. last Monday, the fire broke out in a home in the Plantation area of Magnolia, Fire Chief Luis Arellano said. The family lost all of their clothing, household items, furniture, and Christmas gifts. Because of this, the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department put out a call on social media, asking for donations for the family. “I’m glad everybody has come together and helped out this family,” Arellano said. Luckily, the family was able to secure a place to stay in town, and they do have another house set up for them. As for the day-to-day items, they’re still in need, however. As of Friday, Dec. 22, Arellano said the donations were “coming slowly but surely.” The family has received some household items, mattresses, blankets and bedclothes, and some clothing, but more is still needed.

“I’m glad everybody has come together and helped out this family.” Luis Arellano, Magnolia Fire Chief

Below is a list of the victims and their sizes: •

10-year-old girl: size L adult shirts; pants size 7-8; shoes size 6-7

•

11-year-old girl: size L adult shirts; pants size 7-8; shoes size 8-9

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16-year-old boy: size XXL shirts; pants size 38x32; shoes size 11.5-12

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4-year-old boy: size 7 shirts; pants size 6; shoes size 1

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Mom: size L/XL shirts; pants size 12-13; shoes size 9

•

Dad: size M shirts; pants size 32x30; shoes size 7

Those interested in donating should contact the Magnolia VFD via its Facebook page, or call 910-590-6337.

Military roots run deep for combat veteran Ben Parrish “We’ve acquired $6.2 million worth of equipment -- all free. The Humvees when they have outlived their life cycle with us, we turn them in, and we get another one or whatever the latest model is replacing that. The only caveat to it is we have to go and pick it up wherever it is located in the system.” Ben Parrish

Part two of a two-part series By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal ROSE HILL – Located just a few miles from the county seat is the Sheriff’s Office Training Center. As Ben Parrish, Sheriff’s Office training coordinator would say, “this is where all the magic happens.” Each time a new officer is hired, the training center is their first stop. “We have roughly 75 officers within the agency, at one point or another I’ve had all of them out here,” said Parrish. The training facility is a true

example of the kind of support that exists in the community and the collaborative efforts between government and businesses who year after year, champion for the people in Duplin County. According to Parrish, in 2014, when he became the training coordinator, the property that serves now as the training center was being used as a clay pit for compost for the landfill. “We approached Smithfield Foods Engineering Department,” said Parrish, explaining they asked for any help the company would be willing to provide for the construction of the range. “Six weeks later, the ranges were finished, the berms and everything. That was their give back to the community,” said

Parrish explaining that at the very begining they had not even thought about a classroom, but as things progressed they were able to get a great deal for the construction of a shell building and the concrete. “We were able to utilize our county maintenance department to come in and cut all the panels. Inmate labor hung See VETERAN, page 6

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Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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DUPLIN CALENDAR SPONSORED BY

Duplin Journal

Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers jim@northstatejournal.com

Ena Sellers, News Editor ena@northstatejournal.com

Abby Cavenaugh, Features/Business Editor abby@northstatejournal.com

Michael Jaenicke, Sports Editor michael@northstatejournal.com

David Guy, Advertising Manager dguy@northstatejournal.com

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County: DEC. 27 x Thelma Dingus Bryant Library in Wallace is hosting a pet food drive to benefit Duplin County Animal Services now through Jan. 31. Please drop off bags or cans of pet food, towels and blankets at the library. DEC. 31 x Countdown to 2024 at the Mad Boar Restaurant & Pub on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. as they ring in the new year with Jim Quick & Coastline. Tickets at $40 per person and include party favors, and champagne toast. x The annual New Year’s Blueberry Drop at historic downtown Burgaw will be on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Visit burgawnc.gov for more information.

x Celebrate NOON Year’s Eve at the Zing Zumm, Children’s Museum of Jacksonville located at 625 New Bridge St., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. JAN. 2 x The Kenansville town board meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., at 141 Routledge Rd., Kenansville. For more information, call 910-2960369. JAN. 3 x The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 Northeast Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910285-7564. x The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at the Campbell Center located at 513 SE Railroad Street in Wallace from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

JAN. 8 x The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For more information, call 910-289-3078. x The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 137 E. 2nd St. For more information, call 910-285-7564. x The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-289-3078. JAN. 9 x The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 110 E. Carroll St. For more information, call 910-289-3205. x The Rose Hill town board

CONTACT US For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232 To place a classified or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

To submit a news tip or correction: 919-663-3232

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Duplin Journal

REVIEW from page 1 Faye Hatcher was honored at the State Capitol with the 2023 Governor’s Medallion Award. Rose Hill Mayor Sue Bowden resigned on May 9, due to health reasons after serving for more than a year. On May 25, Duplin County mourned the tragic loss of former Duplin County Airport Director George H. Futrelle, who died unexpectedly from post-surgical complications. Tracy Chestnut left her position as finance director on June 30. On July 15, the Transportation Department broke ground at the Duplin Commons for construction of its new facility. The new building is nearly ready and is expected to be completed in early 2024, according to assistant county manager Carrie Shields. On July 17, more than 30 law enforcement officials including police chiefs from across the county, Superior Court Judge Henry Stevens and representatives from the district attorney’s

meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For information, call 910-289-3159. JAN. 11 x The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., in the council chambers at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-296-0369. JAN. 16 x The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For more information, call 910-2937814. JAN. 18 x The Jan. 9 Duplin County Board of Education regular business meeting has been rescheduled to Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in the O.P. Johnson Education Building.

CRIME LOG DEC. 16

DEC. 18

x Kellie Jo Coffee, 36, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for possession with the intent to manufacture, sell or deliver heroin, possession of heroin, manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a schedule-I controlled substance, three counts of possession scheduleII controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also charged out of Onslow County for possession with intent to manufacture/sell/ deliver a schedule-I controlled substance, and possession of a scheduleII controlled substance. Total bond was set at $100,000.

x Michael Danielle Lanier, 41, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for a charged of felony probation violation. Bond was set at $20,000.

office joined Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes at the County Commissioners meeting to plead for the construction of a new jail. George Wood was hired as interim county manager. On Aug. 9, Davy Buckner was appointed as Rose Hill mayor to fill Bowden’s unexpired term. Also, this month, the county welcomed Christopher Hatcher as the new planning director, Joshua Raynor as Duplin County Airport director and Jaimie Carr as assistant Register of Deeds. In Wallace, Ben Jones was hired as the Henderson Field Airport manager after Gage King left his position for a job in Kinston. In September, the Grady-Outlaw Memorial Library in Albertson became part of the Duplin County Public Library System. Chelsey Lanier started her role as finance director and Jessica Lenig was hired as the Wallace Parks and Recreation program supervisor. On Sept. 23, Tropical Storm

Ophelia brought heavy rains to Duplin County, resulting in numerous downed trees. Local fire departments responded to 13 storm emergencies due to the tropical storm. Among the biggest challenges for 2023 was the county losing employees to adjacent counties, facing shortages and many employees having to work overtime to get work done. One of those departments is Duplin County Animal Control, which during a September County Commissioners meeting reported employees working a combined total of 500 hours in overtime. The demolition of the Magnolia Auditorium was complete in September, after the building was deemed irreparable due to damage sustained during hurricanes Matthew and Florence and from subsequent storms. A total of $136,500 in disaster recovery funds from North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency program were awarded to Magnolia to help demolish the auditorium and reopen the adjacent recreational fields. In October, Bryan Miller was

DEC. 20

x Ryan Matthew Pridgen, 41, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and charged with simple assault, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (up to 1/2 oz), possession of marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, and resisting public officer. Total bond was set at $7,000. x Brianna Masha Mayelle Boone, 28, was arrested by the Duplin County

Sheriff’s Office and charged with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license, reckless driving to endanger, and misdemeanor child abuse. Bond has not been set or was denied. x Barry Andrew Mcgee, 31, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office and charged with driving with a revoked license and an out of county misdemeanor probation violation. Bond was set at $7,000. x Francisco Lizardi Vargas, 48, was arrested by Kenansville police and charged with shoplifting by concealment of goods, second degree trespass, open alcohol container violation, and intoxicated and disruptive.

appointed County Manager and started in his new role on Oct. 9. The county also welcomed Carrie Shields, former Economic Development director, who returned to Duplin County on Oct. 26 as the new assistant county manager. On Nov. 9, Duplin County held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Veteran Services and Senior Center building at the Duplin Commons. “A dream that started more than 25 years ago” and is now in the process of becoming a reality. The target date for completion of the $6.2 million facility is December 2024. On November, five Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary school teachers won NC Bright Ideas’ grants worth a combined total of $10,489.44 to fund their school projects. Those teachers are Tanisha Jones, Jasmine Jones, Tanya Novakowski, Sulnora Oluyemi and Tim Mateer. Development at the Airpark was also a big highlight for 2023, with land clearing to build roads and shell infrastructure at the business and indus-

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.

try center, where the new NC Forestry Service Region One Headquarters will be located. In December, Duplin swore in five new mayors: Mayor JoAnn Wilson in Calypso, Mayor Billy Ward in Faison, Mayor Dawn Ward in Magnolia, and Mayor Bobby Jones in Teachey. This month came with the announcement that the U.S Department of Transportation approved a grant for studies to identify cities that will have a train station as part of the Wilmington to Raleigh returning passenger rail service. What this means for Duplin is the possibility of two passenger train stations in the next 7-12 years, one of which would be in Wallace and another in Warsaw. The year comes to a close, with two other facilities nearly completed. The new Rose Hill Fire Department is expected to be ready in January according to Rose Hill Fire Chief Gary Boney. Also, the new Animal Care Control and Adoption Facility is almost ready and just waiting on an electrical panel, according to Shields.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

PERSON ON THE STREET: TOWN MAYORS

HUTCH JONES

JOANN WILSON

BILLY WARD

DIANE BROWN

STEPHEN WILLIAMSON

DAWN WARD

DAVY BUCKNER

BOBBY JONES

JASON WELLS

A.J. CONNORS

Duplin County Mayors answer ‘What is the most significant thing happening in your town in 2024?’ By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal DUPLIN COUNTY’S municipalities have faced their fair share of ups and downs in 2023, with many towns seeing unprecedented growth, while others have welcomed new leadership. The Duplin Journal asked the town’s 10 mayors what they see as the most significant thing happening in their town in the coming year. Below are their responses. The items facing the town of Beulaville in 2024 are: managing growth, infrastructure needs, and overall balance. We’ve had a great deal of success following Covid, qualifying for a number of grants. In 2024, we will see massive parks and recreation improvements, and a number of water and sewer projects. It’s important to remain focused and balanced in value to community and not outpace our needs with our wants. Our priority next year will be to continue to make the town and community of Beulaville solvent, relevant and a value to the county and eastern N.C. — Hutch Jones, Beulaville We’ve got a CDBG grant and we’re going to be doing some houses, about five or six houses in town. We’ll be building new ones for the ones that are in the worst shape. Since we got the grant to update several houses, that’s what we’re going to be focusing on. We’ve also got a dam situation with the beavers in town. We’re working on that, too. We’ve got to drain it but we have to wait until a certain time of year so we can be better able to control it. We’re working with BRIC as well. That’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Community. We’re still waiting on some information from the state before we get

started with that. As a whole, all these things are ways we’re trying to build up the community and make our town a better place. — JoAnn Wilson, Calypso The most significant thing that will happen in Faison in 2024 is the unveiling of the Dr. William Thornton 6-foot-tall black granite memorial and courtyard where the “old Faison gym” sits now. Dr. Thornton was born and raised in Faison, and became the first NASA Astronaut from North Carolina. Dr. Thornton is also buried in the Faison Cemetery. — Billy Ward, Faison The town of Greenevers’ top priorities for 2024 are to fortify our water infrastructure, address stormwater issues, and improve the financial operation of the town. These long-term ongoing objectives will be achieved by completing several of the following tasks. The town currently will be moving forward with contractors with the bid and design of several water infrastructure projects (water line extensions, improvements to the elevated water tower and pump houses, installation of well generators, and meter project). Additionally, the town is presently working with an engineering firm to complete an Asset Inventory and Assessment study on the water and sewer systems to better assess the current condition of the infrastructure of both systems. All these projects will help to ensure the continuality of the water system. To address the stormwater issue on several town-owned roads, the town is currently considering completing a project to clean out and install necessary

ditches in these needed areas. This project is expected to be bid out and completed in 2024. The town has currently partnered with N.C. League of Municipalities and Black Mountain Software to obtain updated financial and utility billing software. This new upgrade will help the town to implement the best accounting practices, provide monthly oversight, improve year-end preparedness, and other needed accounting assistance. —Diane Brown, Greenevers I see getting our departments back fully staffed and utilizing the grants we have received to improve our water and sewer infrastructure and the Kenan Park playground as top priorities in addition to the normal day-today operations of our town. — Stephen Williamson, Kenansville The most significant thing happening for Magnolia in 2024 is the completion of the recreation master plan. The plan will lay the vision and groundwork for developing four acres of the town’s property. It will service the diverse population we have in Magnolia and improve quality of life. The first phase is the renovation of the gym, for which we already have $548,000 to complete. The gym will eventually become a multipurpose facility where classes, meetings, etc., can be held, in addition to recreation activities. The second phase will, hopefully, be a PARTF grant matching the current grant we have, and then applying for other grants. The intention is to create activities for residents, both cur-

rent and future, to include youth, seniors, and all ages in between. — Dawn Ward, Magnolia A lot of things are happening in Rose Hill. One of the biggest things is our infrastructure. We have gotten grants and applied for grants to pave our streets and we’re working on that right now. The fire department being built is also one of the biggest things going on. There have been delays, so they’ve been working on that for about a year and a half now. It’s finally coming together, and I think they’ll probably be having a dedication after the first of the year. That’s a wonderful thing for the town, to have a new fire department. I drive past it every day. — Davy Buckner, Rose Hill I don’t think there’s any huge projects on the horizon, outside of there’s a subdivision that River Landing developers want to build on 117, going toward Bill Carone. I think it’s about a quarter mile or so before that, as you’re going into Wallace. That’s the biggest thing on the horizon that we have going on in town. I heard that they’re expecting to build between 200 and 300 homes in that area. That’s going to be a pretty big deal, because it’s definitely going to double the homes in the area, but it’s going to magnify the people and the residents here exponentially. We want to make sure that we’re doing things the right way, that they’re building things the right way, and all that kind of stuff. In my opinion, I think it’s a good thing for Teachey. We want to grow. Obviously, growth and change are inevitable. I think once you stop growth and change, things deteriorate. Like the Word

says, without a vision, the people perish. I see Teachey more now as residential. I guess you can call it a residential suburb of Wallace, on a very small scale, compared to cities. I see Teachey as being that, because Wallace is growing so much commercially. — Bobby Jones, Teachey The most significant events in 2024 all center around growth. We have a request for the largest annexation to our town in Pender County with a project that will bring approximately 600-plus homes over the next several years. We also will see similar projects off of Highway 41 and Highway 11 in town, and will lay the infrastructure for development. The addition of new businesses in the Tin City area will be scheduled to open in 2024 as well. All of this will catapult growth in our area over the next three to five years. — Jason Wells, Wallace The town of Warsaw is looking for financial aid to help increase the town waste treatment facility. We are also heading into the town budget workshops for 2024-2025 fiscal year. We would like to see a increase in activities at the town’s Recreation Department. I feel there is so much more for our young people than just basketball and football that should be caring out at the Recreation Center. I would love to see a strong support for our Boys and Girls Scouts in our community. We are seeking a full scale dining restaurant with full service. We are enjoying the facts that new homes are being built in the town of Warsaw. As the Mayor I am praying for a great positive increase in Warsaw in 2024. — A.J. Connors, Warsaw

Thank you!

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Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

OPINION

ECU

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

How are you preserving the true spirit of Christmas?

Traditions will be re-lived in our conversations. But, will the good traditions of our past be passed on to the next generation by our actions?

ARE YOU AS SURPRISED as I am that another Christmas is gone? The idiom is true; “Time flies.” It seems to me that it is in our nature to be surprised by the recurring of certain annual events even though we know, by experience, that they are sure to come. It is also hard for me to remember that Granny was right when she told me, “Remember son most of your days will go slow but your years will go fast.” Dr. Seuss once expressed this idea with a thought provoking question; “How did it get so late so soon.” Many of us will, until the old year is gone from the calendar, express memories of Christmases past. Children will listen to the older ones tell stories of how things used to be different. You know like, “I remember when we were lucky to get one nice thing for Christmas.” Or, “I remember when we would go into the woods and cut our Christmas tree.” Or, “Daddy and mama didn’t have much money to spend on Christmas but they made sure all we children got something we could use for Christmas.” Traditions will be re-lived in our conversations. But, will the good traditions of our past be passed on to the next generation by our actions? Can the true Spirit of Christmas survive success and prosperity? Or, will a severe dose of poverty and hardship be required

to bring us, as a nation, back to the reality of Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy? “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,...” (Isaiah 9:6-7) Governments of man are good and are necessary for the success of our communities if we are to live in harmony with each other. Governments led by righteous men and women are approved of God and can enjoy His blessings. When the organized communities of man depart too far from His teachings, they do not enjoy His blessings. All people in governments can and should benefit from the principles inherent in the true Spirit of Christmas. What is the true spirit of Christmas? The answer to this seemingly complicated question is given, in simple words, by Dr. Suess through the Grinch, “a bitter, grouchy, cave-dwelling creature with a heart two sizes too small that lived on Mount Crumpit,” who tried to steal Christmas. When Christmas still came after all his efforts to steal it, he said: “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!”...

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” Success and prosperity unwisely handled can have a blinding influence on us all and may fool us into thinking that we can buy Christmas from a store. With rare personal perspective, Helen Keller observed, “The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.” Bob Hope brings us to this proper conclusion: “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” We, the people would do well to encourage the men and women in our governments to help preserve the true Spirit of Christmas for future generations. Jimmy Dixon (R-NC04) represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Let’s be clear — this is about Joe Biden, not Hunter Biden WHEN JAMES COMER WONDERED ON CNN WHETHER SPECIAL COUNSEL David Weiss had indicted Hunter Biden on nine taxrelated charges to protect him from having to be deposed in the House Oversight Committee, Jake Tapper snarkily responded: “Yes, the classic rubric. He indicted him to protect him. I got it.” Well, yes. Indicting a person on lesser charges can often protect him from more serious ones. It happens all the time. In this case, though, “him” isn’t Hunter. It’s Joe. Weiss failed to indict Hunter for failing to register as a foreign agent or failing to pay taxes on the millions that flowed from those arrangements. Why? Probably because any investigation into Hunter’s $17 million foreign influence-peddling business — which Weiss has scrupulously avoided — leads to the president of the United States answering lots of awkward queries about his connection to disreputable people and authoritarian regimes. There is no Hunter Biden case without Joe. There is no Biden Inc. without Joe. Hunter’s laptop — the one that the New York Post got its hands on, and that Tapper and others attempted to cover up — was crammed with texts and emails in which the son references his dad’s role in securing payments and taking cuts from the business. Any genuine investigation into the 20-plus shell companies set up by James Biden, Joe’s brother, and Hunter would compel lots of people to answer questions on the record or under oath. Weiss conveniently allowed some of these infractions to pass the statute of limitations, but some have not. Hunter pulled in $1 million a year

from Burisma from the years 2014-2017, while Joe was forging American policy in that nation. It’s only a weird happenstance, not a massive conflict of interest, that the sitting vice president’s decisions may have aided the oil concern while his son was being paid. Hunter’s salary fell to roughly $500,000 annually from 2017-2019, after Joe was out of the White House. Another weird coincidence. But the president’s son also had a 10% stake in a Chicom investment fund named BHR Partners from 2013-2021. Joe flew him to China to set it up, met one of the partners, and then wrote a letter of recommendation for the man’s kid. All completely innocent, no doubt. Let’s not forget, either, that without the IRS whistleblowers coming forward, Hunter would probably have escaped any charges. And let’s also not forget that without U.S. District Court Judge Maryellen Noreika putting the kibosh on it, Weiss would have allowed Hunter’s lawyers to write an extraordinary plea agreement that not only would have ensured the president’s name wouldn’t be dragged into the investigation, but it would have let Hunter plead out to two of the least consequential charges — with virtually no punishment — in exchange for blanket immunity. At every turn, Weiss is protecting Joe. Then again, this is about Hunter insomuch as all of this can be politically disastrous for the president. On the Sunday talk shows, the president’s defenders portrayed Hunter Biden as a lost man struggling to overcome drug addiction and Joe Biden as the loving father, who had recently lost his other son, there to help. Others contended that Hunter was the real victim of an

overzealous prosecution. Hunter is a middle-aged Yale-educated lawyer, international lobbyist, foreign energy consultant, millionaire and celebrated artist, whose work can go for upwards of half a million dollars. The jails are strewn with Americans who have far more tragic stories to tell. Do they get to write off sex club memberships, prostitutes, and hotel rooms for his drug dealers? Would you? Moreover, Hunter continued cheating on his taxes after he had supposedly gone clean and remarried. He set up his influence-peddling schemes before his brother Beau died — not in combat, as the president often claims, but from a brain tumor. When ordinary Americans are being audited by the new supercharged IRS, or spending hours struggling to figure out the square-footage formula used to write off their home office in their 1040s, I hope they remember that Democrats believe Joe and Hunter are the real victims here. At any rate, Weiss knows, despite the media’s insistence, that Joe doesn’t need to directly benefit from his family’s foreign ventures to corrupt himself — though there is plenty of circumstantial evidence that he did. If one of the most powerful men in the United States government participates in a scheme — or allows people to believe he is offering access — that makes millions for his entire family, it may or may not be illegal, but it is corrupt. And any investigation that leads to those questions is a disaster for the president. David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

ECU Health resident crosses ocean to plant roots in Duplin Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez is a third-year resident originally from the Philippines

Warsaw Police Department’s ‘Stuff the Cruiser’ event a success Warsaw Over this holiday season, Warsaw Police Department hosted a Stuff the Cruiser event, asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys that would go to local children in the Warsaw area. The event was deemed a success, with the police cruiser truly stuffed with toys.

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE - Growing up in a small town in the Philippines, Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez saw firsthand the detrimental effects that lack of adequate health care can cause. That’s why the third-year resident physician is passionate about providing family care in a small, rural community and feels that she’s found the perfect place to do that, right here in Duplin County. “In the Philippines, there is a lack of health care in general, especially where I lived because it’s on an island in a very, very small town,” Porquez explained. “My parents have suffered hypertension, diabetes, all those chronic diseases. It was very hard for them to seek medical care, so at a young age, I was already exposed to that kind of environment where health care is limited. It kind of opened up my eyes to what I wanted to be in the future.” Porquez and her family moved to the U.S. when she was in high school, living in California, before she returned to the Philippines to study for four years in undergraduate school. After that, she studied medicine at the American University of Antigua. Following that, she did her clerkship in Miami, Fla., and New York, before being matched with the ECU Health Rural Residency Program, and thus, winding up at Goshen Medical Center in Beulaville, practicing family medicine alongside the well-regarded Dr. Carl Pate. “I specifically choose ECU Health because of its rural community,” she said. “There’s a lot of growth for me, and specifically an underserved population. So I’m setting roots here in Duplin County.” It was her childhood dream to be a doctor, Porquez said, and

Duplin County Drive-Thru Resource Event offers food and toys for the holidays Kenansville

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez, a third-year resident in family medicine, talks with a patient at Goshen Medical Center in Beulaville. especially to help serve in a rural population like Duplin County. “I chose this as my top program,” she explained. “ECU Health is very robust in terms of their training. The rural residency class is new, but it’s tied up with the family medicine program that has been there for years. I was particularly interested in the rural program, because of the underserved population.” When choosing between the sites in the rural residency program, Porquez said Duplin County stood out. “I really wanted a small community and a very good connection,” she said. “I’d met with the faculty and staff during my interview; they were very welcoming and I just had a connection with them easily. Getting to know Dr. Pate, and how he knows everybody, and everybody looks up to him, and he’s very well respected. It kind of gave me the idea of what kind of area I was wanting to work with.” Practicing family medicine in Duplin County may be a dream come true for Dr. Porquez, but

it’s not without its challenges, of course. “The biggest challenge is the limited specialists,” she said. “We have a few specialists around the area, but sometimes it’s hard to send the patients out to them because they won’t have the availability you need to send a patient. So sometimes, we have to step in as a cardiologist, a pulmonologist, an endocrinologist for diabetes in the meantime until they get seen by the specialist providers.” Many patients also do not have health insurance and have to pay out of pocket for their medical care. “We take uninsured patients and offer them a sliding scale so they’ll be able to afford to get the medical care they need,” Dr. Porquez said. Another challenge is trying to find the most cost-effective medication for patients. “There’s a lot of newer medications, but they’re very costly and our patients here in Duplin County — or any rural area, really — wouldn’t be able to afford that medication,” Dr. Porquez said. “So we have to work our way around, seek oth-

“I was particularly interested in the rural program, because of the underserved population.” Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez er sources, and figure out what kind of medication will work.” As for the future, Dr. Porquez is staying put in Duplin. She recently accepted an offer to join ECU Health’s family practice program in Kenansville once she graduates from her residency in July. She won’t be far from her patients, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Some patients told me that they would follow me wherever I go. I love taking care of them. If there were an option, I’d just take them in my backpack. I’d gladly do that. That’s one of the reasons I really want to stay here in Duplin County, is because of them.”

The Duplin County Health Department hosted a drive-thru resource event on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Duplin Events Center. Boxes of food were given out to customers, starting at 11 a.m. By 1:25 p.m., all of the boxes had been handed out. Toys for children ages 3-6 were also available at Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries as part of the event.

Faison Fire & Rescue conducts toy drive Faison On Dec. 19, the Faison Fire & Rescue morning crews delivered toys from the second annual toy drive to North Duplin Elementary School. “It was a huge success!,” a Facebook post reads. “Thank you to everyone who contributed, the Dollar Tree of Erwin (manger lives in Faison), and Mustard Seed Academy of Faison.” Got local business news? Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, noteworthy achievements, or upcoming events, and we’ll share it with the community here. Email Features/Business Editor Abby Cavenaugh at abby@ northstatejournal.com. The Duplin Journal reserves the right to edit for content, brevity, and clarity.

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Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

6 VETERAN from page 1 it. We used inmate labor to finish it up, they painted it and everything and we saved the county about $900,000,” said Parrish. “All total once it was completed with air conditioning, water, power, the whole nine yards, we got it for roughly $80,000 for the whole facility, so we are very, very proud of it.” Agencies like the U.S. Marshals, NCIS react team, retired FBI LEOSA, Highway Patrol, SBI, DMV are just a few of the agencies that have conducted training at the facility. “We’ve had Marine Special Operations Command out here doing their Raven exercise, which is their final training exercise before they deploy to a theater of operation. We have had the 3rd Special Forces Training Division from their transportation section come out and conduct training for us. We had the Robin Sage program from the U.S. Army Special Forces training section… You name it,” Parrish explained, adding that they don’t charge law enforcement or military agencies for access to the facility. For Parrish, training has always been a passion. “I wouldn’t change anything about my career,” said Parrish. The training facility has two ranges which can accommodate up to 25 shooters going at one time. The ranges use a pipe system so when the rain comes off the berm it ends up down in an 8-inch tile in front of the targets. “It’s a closed tile, so we’re not allowing any lead to get into the water system,” said Parrish. “We try to be very, very studious with the environment around us, making sure that it has kept clean. We’ve had a company come out of Florida to test the berm for lead and they said we’re good for about 25 years.” The training center sits on an 11-acre property. Here they store military equipment acquired through the Law Enforcement Support Services Office (LESSO). “We got these Humvees through the LESSO program for free… We got boats… we have generators, tents. You name it,” said Parrish as he explained how the diverse types of equipment enables them to conduct scenar-

“It definitely impacts us… training and equipping that officer is an expensive cost to the agency and then if that officer doesn’t stay but six to eight months and then moves to another agency, we basically trained somebody else’s officer.” Ben Parrish

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Ben Parrish has served in Duplin County law enforcement for 15 years. The combat veteran is pictured above next to his collection of challenge coins. io-based training, aiding them in providing better services for Duplin residents. They have four boats each capable of transporting 10 individuals. “We are in a team of Swiftwater trained officers that are trained to go out and rescue individuals in a high-water situation.” They also have ATVs obtained through the LESSO program, which enable them to do ground search and rescue. “We’ve tried to think of every eventuality and incorporate it into the services that we’re able to provide.” Parrish added that they do all their maintenance inhouse except for electrical, and “it is all facilitated through donation or transfer or agencies like the U.S. Marshalls purchasing our backers for the range targets. “They purchase 50 targets or backers every two years. We can get anywhere from 35,000 to 40,000 rounds of use out of each backer, so it saves not only in cost, but it also saves the environment because we are not using cardboard, we can sit there and use these foam backers until they disintegrate and then they can be repurposed,” said Parrish. “We’ve acquired $6.2 million

worth of equipment -- all free. The Humvees when they have outlived their life cycle with us, we turn them in, and we get another one or whatever the latest model is replacing that. The only caveat to it is we have to go and pick it up wherever it is located in the system,” said Parrish. “We’ve picked up a couple of our Humvees from Fort Jackson in South Carolina, we have got some generators that we picked up from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The Conex’s we have gotten at Camp Lejeune.” “We try and prepare for any eventuality that comes up,” said Parrish, explaining they train with the EMS department on active shooter scenarios. “We’ve incorporated them into our training so that we know what they need to do during a certain situation. The last call out that we had was on Blue Newkirk Road (about two months ago) and it was a nine-and-a-halfhour standoff with a barricaded individual... We hope and pray that every incident like that ends peacefully… We were able to get the individual out safely and get him the help that he needs.” Parrish shared that mental

health has been a huge problem, especially when dealing with involuntary commitments. “That affects our agency because if we have to sit there and transport an individual to Ahoskie, or the western part of the state near Winston, Salem that takes that deputy out of the community where he’s assigned to protect and that may delay a response to somebody’s house that’s being broken into, or somebody being assaulted or something like that,” said Parrish. The combat veteran explained that is one of the biggest reasons for needing more officers and trying to prevent turnover. This year alone he had about six officers that came through the training and left for varied reasons, a couple went to work for the Highway Patrol. “It definitely impacts us… training and equipping that officer is an expensive cost to the agency and then if that officer doesn’t stay but six to eight months and then moves to another agency, we basically trained somebody else’s officer,” said Parrish. According to the Sheriff’s Office, it costs between $15,000 to $20,000 from the time an offi-

cer turns in an application, goes through the background investigation, polygraph, psychological background, and the 12-week program with their field training officer, plus an additional $2,000-$4,000 for equipment and uniforms. “This year alone this office responded to over 22,000 calls for service, and that’s going through our 911 center.” According to Parrish the number of calls for service has increased significantly from last year. “That’s anywhere from four to five officers on the road at any given time that have to go from one end of the county to the other,” said Parrish explaining that for a county of 819-square miles the response time could be anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes of travel time. When asked what he thinks might be the reason for so much turnover, Parrish answered Pay. “The salary is just not enough to support their families … it is just It is disheartening what they have to live off. I am in a different situation in that I have veteran’s compensation for my injuries that I sustained in combat, so that helps me out a little, but not everybody is in that situation,” said Parrish, adding that agencies neighboring Duplin “have increase their salaries and so forth and naturally, somebody wanting to provide for their family, they’re going to go where they can make the most dollars.” Parrish also serves as a volunteer firefighter with the Calypso Volunteer Fire Department and is a Mason in the Kenansville lodge, Saint John’s number 13.

Best of 2023 Festivals

PHOTO BY ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Junior Miss N.C. Poultry Jubilee Brookelyn Griffin performed a song during the Poultry Jubilee on Saturday, Nov. 4. PHOTO BY ENA SELLERS | DUPLIN JOURNAL

A member of the Sudan Shriners waves at the4 crowds at the Warsaw’s 103rd Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE, BREW & ‘QUE

Blue, Brew & ‘Que 2023 Professional Cook teams.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

The Carolina Strawberry Festival held in May draw thousands of people to downtown Wallace.

PHOTO BY ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL Left, Beulaville held its annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 9.

SPORTS STORIES OF THE YEAR

Rebels rule: small school, big year By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal CALYPSO — The biggest headlines in Duplin County sports came from its smallest school. North Duplin, a quite small school in 1A, the smallest NCHSAA classification, brags the top two stories in 2023 and four in the top eight. Rebel nation reverberated to high-level success with four teams: girls’ softball and basketball and boys’ baseball and football. They surpassed Wallace-Rose Hill, which captured ECC titles in football and soccer, and East Duplin, which pocketed a league title in softball and had a remarkable 10win season following a 2A title in 2022. But the David-like Rebels handily took down the Duplin 2A Goliaths. North Duplin captured a Carolina 1A Conference title in three sports — softball, girls’ basketball, and baseball — and had a nine-win revival season in football, including a win in the state playoffs. We present Duplin Journal’s top 23 sports stories of 2023. 1 — Rebels’ record-setting softball season North Duplin won a 1A softball title in 2014 and nearly captured one in the spring, falling to Union Academy in two games at NC State, finishing with a school-best 23-5-1 mark after disposing of East Columbus in the East Region finals in three games. The bulk of the team returns in the spring, including 2B Addy Higginbotham (.638, 8 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 36 RBI), SS Reece Outlaw (.635, 9 2B, 13 3B, 14 HR, 50 RBI) and P Lilly Fulghum (15-2, 158 K, 47 BB, 1.45 ERA, .526, 7 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR). Graduating senior and C Kasey Jones (.471, 12 XBH, 25 RBI) and classmate CF Riley Hatch (.323, 11 XBH, 26 RBI) helped deliver the school’s third consecutive CC title. ND won a 1A title in 2015, and head coach Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham, who has coached the bulk of her team at lower levels, has enough talent to return and seize another state flag. 2 — ND girls forge into 4th round of playoffs The Rebel ladies held court into the fourth round on the basketball court behind two familiar names: Outlaw (20.8 PPG) and Higginbotham (14.6 PPG), who specialize in fastbreak points and hustle, and 6-foot sophomore Tateyawna Faison (9.5 PPG, 10.1 REB). ND lost to 2A Eastern Wayne a year ago, then 67-55 to Falls Lake in the fourth round of the playoffs, a win shy of the East Region game and two from the

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North Duplin rallied from a game down to beat East Columbus in East Region final. The Rebels, which return the bulk of their club this spring lost to Union Academy in the 2A finals.

ECC. Though league titles and not deep playoff runs are absent from a bunch of good WRH teams, it is the school’s first league title since winning the Four County 2A/1A in 2015. WRH wasn’t in the ECC from 2000 to 2016, and the Bulldogs’ last ECC flag was brought home by Jack Holley in 1988. Motsinger’s career mark of 165-81 is among the best in the state. He’s 68-24 in seven seasons at WRH, 24-14 in two at JK, and 73-43 in nine at New Hanover. 5 — ND baseball rules CC for 2nd season

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Battle Holley and East Duplin won a 2A title in 2022, and had its 22-game winning streak snapped by WRH. ED went 1 0-2 after losing 16 seniors from the title team. 1A title match. The net result was a 24-2 campaign and a 10-0 washing of CC foes. All three starters return this winter, and ND is off and running with a 5-1 start. 3 — Three grid teams bounced in 2nd round One of the biggest shockers of the year came when Wallace-Rose Hill, East Duplin, and North Duplin were all beaten in the second round of the football playoffs.

ND fell to Southeast Halifax, ED to Whiteville, and WRH to Hertford County. James Kenan lost in the first round. ED won 2A in 2022, and WRH was the East Region champ the previous season. ND’s last 1A title visit was in 2017; that same season, WRH won 1AA, and ED was runner-up in 2A. The biggest oddity was that the East title didn’t go through either Wallace or Beulaville. It once had to travel through James Kenan and WRH when

both were 1AA schools. The NCHSAA has proposed returning to eight classifications. 4 — Motsinger wins firstever conference title Kevin Motsinger has revived programs at JK and New Hanover and won a 2A title in his first season at WRH (2017). But after no league titles in 19 years, WRH beat ED 2014 in OT to snap the Panthers’ 22-game winning streak and a two-year stranglehold on the

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North Duplin’s talent and an energized second-year coach have turned the baseball program around. ND went 21-4, winning a second Carolina 2A Conference title before playing two extra-inning games in the playoffs under head coach Colton Chrisman. His first campaign ended 18-4 and 18-2 in league play. Duplin Player of the Year P Richard Noble (5-0, 1.28 ERA, 87 K, 24 BB; .397, 11 XBH, 24 RBI) was the brightest star, but P Erik Rossa (8-1, 1.61 ERA, 117 K, 15 BB), 2B Hunt Pate (.353, 6 2B, 23 SB, 18 RBI), C Ashton Duff (.281, 26 RBI) and outfielders Tanner Kornegay (.455, 26 RBI) and Brady Byrd (.351, 13 RBI) were key cogs. See TOP STORIES, page 8

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

TOP STORIES from page 7 ND loses its pitching — Noble and Rossa — but has a proven talent returning in the spring. 6 — Panther softball roars to title Greg Jenkins’ softball teams at East Duplin win. Jenkins, 338-153 since 2022, guided the Panthers to their second consecutive 19-win season with the help of C Ashlyn Stokes (.437, 14 XBH, 26 RBI), Chandler Mobley (. 400, 13 XBH, 21 RBI) and P/OF Morgan Brown (15-6, 2.12 ERA, 126 K, 22 BB; .389). ED went unbeaten, won the ECC, and has owned a share of it in two of the last three seasons. 7 — Bulldog soccer de-thrones Tigers Wallace-Rose Hill played three-time ECC champ JK as well as could be expected during the Tigers’ run. But 2023 was all about the Bulldogs, who went 17-5-2 overall and 10-0-1 in ECC play, including a league-winning 3-0 decision over the Tigers. The two clubs tied 6-6 in their other confrontation. WRH fell to Jordan-Matthews in the third round of the 2A playoffs, its furthest venture ever in that classification. All-state and Duplin County Player of the Year Alex Zepeda (45 goals, 24 assists) and Defensive Player of the Year Brando Romero were key leaders. 8 — Rebel football is revitalized North Duplin went 9-4 and fell in the second round of the playoffs, but it was a revival. ND’s last season of triumph on the gridiron was in 2017, when the Rebels went to the 1A finals. ND has made the playoffs every season since, but lost in the first round each time. The Rebels were a mix of young players plus senior RB Dujuan Armwood, who ran for 1,785 yards, 27 TDs, and 11.1 yards per carry. ND used head coach Hugh Martin’s effective ball-control offense to augment its stout defensive front and linebacker corps. 9 — Holley’s Panthers rebuild with 10 wins East Duplin grid coach Battle Holley lost 16 seniors from last year’s state title team yet finished 10-2, losing 28-7 to Whiteville in the second round. While a number of seniors contributed, the emergence of FB Shawn Davis (142 touches for 1,144 yards and 18 TDs) is the one that will last the longest. The sophomore broke his collarbone before the Wolfpack encounter. ED’s perfect-ending season in 2022 ended with the Panthers beating Reidsville in the 2A final, and few expected the Panthers to bounce back as strongly as they did last fall after all the personnel losses. Holley upped his 13-year tally at ED to 118-45. He’s 139-53 overall, including a season at WRH and two at Kinston. 10 — Bulldogs spikers roll to 18 wins The Wallace-Rose Hill volleyball team won 17 games in 2022 with a handful of longtime senior starters. The Bulldogs’ youth movement last autumn was a flying success as WRH went 18-5, following the lead of Duplin Player of the Year Angelina Cavallaro and first-team selections Jansley Page, Mattie Gavin and Analeise Rivenback. That was more than enough for coach Kevin Williams to win his second straight Coach of the Year honor in Duplin. 11 — ND’s Outlaw signs to play at UNC Reece Outlaw reversed her college choice from East Carolina to UNC during her junior season. A three-sport superstar at North Duplin as the county’s best hoops and softball player and a first-teamer on the all-county volleyball team. She will play softball for the Tar Heels, who have struggled in the past four seasons.

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WRH coach Kevin Motsinger guided his team to an ECC title by beating East Duplin in overtime. 12 — ED’s Gaby wins 2A hurdling title

18 — HCA hoops team wins 20 games

Last spring, Avery Gaby, the county’s top football player in 2022, won a gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles at the 2A state championships. Gaby, MVP of the football team that won a state crown, was fifth in the 110m-hurdles.

Antonio McKoy (17.4 PPG), cousin Dashaun McKoy (23.7 PPG) and Zacareian McNeil (10.1 PPG) guided Harrells Christian Academy to its best finish under head coach Clayton Hall, going 20-6.

13 — WRH’s Kerr is Duplin rushing king No one in Duplin County, or even eastern N.C., ran the ball like Wallace-Rose Hills’ Corbin Kerr. The senior fullback compiled a county-high 2,252 yards and 36 TDs and finished his career with 4,864 yards while averaging 8 yards per carry. Kerr is a top candidate for Duplin’s top player award, which is expected in the second week of January. He is also the Duplin Journal’s Male Athlete of the Year. He played in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas the second week in December. 14 — ED’s Lanier captures third at state meet Beaty Lanier used her senior season as a launching pad for golf. While she likely won’t play golf in college, Lanier will always have the memory of her bronze medal performance at the NCHSAA’s 1A/2A championships. 15 — Martin coaches in Shrine Bowl of Carolinas If North Duplin had a Hall of Fame, football coach Hugh Martin would be a charter member. With a career mark of 121-99, Martin’s teams tend not to sport the talent of the other three Duplin schools. But his talents were recognized by coaching peers across the state when Martin was an assistant coach at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas two weeks ago. 16 — Four Duplinites in East-West All-Star game The prep football season was extended for four Duplin 2022 graduates who played in the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star game in Greensboro last July. ED stars Avery Gaby and Kade Kennedy, and WRH grads Jacob Scheri-Reyes and Xzavier Pearsall, participated. 17 — JK’s Kornegay is ECC’s top defender Hassan Kornegay followed teammate Mason Brown’s footsteps by becoming the Defensive MVP of the ECC. Middle linebacker Kornegay, a feared competitor and the brother of JK great and HOF member John Brooks, averaged an incredible 11.9 tackles per game to nab the honor.

19 — WRH’s James, ND’s Outlaw top hoop players Wallace-Rose Hills’ Jalen James and North Duplin’s Reece Outlaw were named Players of the Year. James averaged 15 points despite losing nearly all his supporting cast to graduation or transfer. Outlaw averaged 20.1 points, beating out teammate Addy Higginbotham for the award. 20 — ED’s Brown, Noble shine on diamond East Duplin baseball took a step down after two fantastic seasons, but the work of infielders Zack Brown and Avery Noble was far above standard. SS Brown hit a blistering .397 with 16 RBIs and a .540 OBP. Noble, a starter at the hot corner for two seasons, hit .361 with 15 RBIs and was stellar on defense. Panther coach Brandon Thigpen is 98-36 overall and 52-18 in ECC play across seven seasons, including a 23-1 campaign in 2022. 21 — HCA soccer team wins league title After going 22-23 overall and 8-19 in conference play from 2020-22, Harrells Christian Academy soccer was a revelation this year. The Crusaders broke out last fall to go 11-5 overall and 7-3 in league play to capture the title over Rocky Mount Academy, Faith Christian, Kerr-Vance Academy and Oakwood Academy. HCA fell in the second round of the NCICSSA playoffs.

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WRH’s Rovin Pacheco was a scoring threat on a WRH team that beat JK for the ECC title. The Bulldogs advanced into the the third round of the 2A playoffs.

22 — Richlands football stabilized James Kenan grad Pat Byrd has turned around the Richlands football program. The Wildcats made the 3A playoffs in the last two seasons, going 13-9 overall and 8-1 in Coastal Conference play. That’s a terrific turnaround from the team’s 0-8 in the postCovid 2021 season. 23 — JK adds to Athletic Hall of Fame Coach John Barrow, threesport star Lee Ann Carlton, the late John Brook and the state title-winning Tigers’ 2013 team were inducted into the James Kenan Athletic Hall of Fame in October. Michael Jaenicke can be reached at michael@ northstatejournal.com

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Addy Higginbotham and. Reece Outlaw pushed ND into the fourth round of the. 2A playoffs.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Corbin Kerr

2023 MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

N JOURNAL

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal PHOTOS BY EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Zack Brown ED, football, baseball Irving Brown WRH, football, basketball Dujuan Armwood WRH, football, basketball

WATCHING HIM pop into a slim running lane, dodging and bouncing off defenders, he looks genuinely happy to see the defense ahead. Sure, he’s looking for open space, but he seems to thrive in heavy traffic, bouncing forward but not down with contact. In fact, defenses needed to rope him down in possessions. None could stop the Kerr, a Wallace-Rose Hill fullback, who is the Duplin Journal’s Male Athlete of the Year. The senior averaged 8.8 yards when he touched the ball, run-

ning for 2,252 yards and 36 touchdowns. He averaged 187.7 yards per game, five times topping 200. He scored three TDs in five games and had five more with two trips to the end zone. And Kerr did it against the best schools in the east: 146 yards against 4A finalist Hoggard. 130 yards against 2A finalist Clinton. 267 yards against 3A Havelock, which exited the playoffs in the fourth round. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound dynamo might have been the toughest player on the field most Friday nights during his team’s

8-4 season. Kerr was feared and respected on and off the field. And he plays hard in the classroom with straight-A report cards. The senior played for North Carolina at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas in mid-December in Spartanburg, S.C. “He’s a great student and an extremely hard worker, and he loves the weight room,” said WRH coach Kevin Motsinger. “He’s a physical and violent runner and just an amazing young man.” Kerr previously galloped for 1,500 yards as a junior and 1,112 as a sophomore at Southwest Onslow.

Reece Outlaw 2023 FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal REECE OUTLAW spearheaded a revival in girls’ sports at North Duplin. It started when she was a sophomore and with two sports seasons left – winter and spring -- before Outlaw graduates, the Rebels have state tournament trophies in their sights. The three-sport star is the Duplin Journal’s Female Ath-

lete of the Year. And barring an injury, it’s hard to see anyone taking that title from her in 2024. Outlaw is a special athlete that doesn’t come around very often. She’s quick and fast, strong, aggressive, and decisive. Her skill level is off the charts, particularly in softball. But she’s top rate in basketball, if for nothing more than her ability to shoot down stars. Outlaw signed a letter of in-

tent to play softball at UNC after carrying ND to the 1A finals. The Rebels’ 23 wins were a school record, with Outlaw hitting .635 with nine doubles, 13 triples, 14 homers and 50 RBI on the season. Last winter, she averaged 20.8 points to carry ND into the fourth round of the basketball playoffs. On top of all that, she recorded 160 kills and 128 digs for the ND volleyball team.

PHOTOS BY EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Addy Higginbotham ND, volleyball, basketball, softball Chandler Mobley ED, softball, volleyball

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

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Antonio McKoy Harrells Christian, boys’ basketball McKoy is the area’s top scorer at 21.1 PPG, plus averaging 8.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.2 steals. The junior is shooting 56% from the field and is 5-of-12 (41%) from behind the 3-point arch. At 6-foot-4 and 183 lbs, McKoy is already being recruited by numerous colleges, including Division 1 programs. He led HCA to a 20-win campaign in 2022. HCA is 8-6 this winter and in a new NCISAA conference. EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

NATIONAL SPORTS Former Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith is among several people who will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame next spring.

AP PHOTO

NC Sports Hall of Fame class unveils 2024 class Jim Nantz, Randolph Childress and Steve Smith highlight the inductees The Associated Press RALEIGH — CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, former All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and college basketball stars Randolph Childress and Shea Ralph are among the class of 2024 inductees to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Other notables to enter the hall at an induction ceremony in May in Charlotte include retired Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, former Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman and Que Tucker, commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the Hall of Fame said last week in a news release. Nantz, a Charlotte native, anchors CBS golf coverage and is the lead NFL play-by-play announcer for the network. He also

led the network’s NCAA basketball coverage for 32 years. Smith played 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers and is the team’s all-time leader in touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards. He also played three years for the Baltimore Ravens. Childress starred on the Wake Forest basketball team in the early 1990s, winning the ACC Tournament MVP award in 1995 after historic performances over Duke and North Carolina. He played professionally for

May 10 Date of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center 16 years. Now the women’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt, Ralph played her college ball at UConn, where she led the team to the 2000 NCAA title and was named Final Four MVP. Ralph averaged 39 points a game as a high school junior at Fayette-

ville’s Terry Sanford High School and held numerous state records when she graduated. McKillop recorded 634 wins and 23 conference titles while at Davidson. The Wildcats’ 2008 team, led by Stephen Curry, reached the Elite Eight. Other inductees include Sheila Ford Duncan, the 1984 NAIA women’s basketball player of the year while leading UNC Asheville to the national championship; Olympic rowing gold-medal winner and Greensboro native Caroline Lind; retired NFL tight end Pettis Norman, who played in college at Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte; and the late Don Skakle, the former men’s tennis coach at UNC. The 2024 induction will bring the Hall of Fame membership total to 411.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, December 27, 2023

obituaries Logan Smith Midgette

Becky Renee Cole King

Eva Davis (Uzzell) McLaughlin

Feb. 20, 1995 - Dec. 18, 2023 (age 28)

May 9, 1988 - Dec. 17, 2023 (age 35)

Nov. 28, 1933 - Dec. 18, 2023 (age 90)

Logan Smith Midgette passed from his earthly life unexpectedly on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 while at his job. Born in Buncombe County on Feb. 20, 1995, he is the son of Barry Louis and Katrina Shields Midgette. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kyrsten Rylee Mateer Midgette; parents, Barry Louis and Katrina Shields Midgette of Willard; brother, Avery Midgette of Willard; parents-in-law, Tim and Sassy Mateer; and brother-in-law, Kyler Mateer. A memorial service to celebrate his life is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 in the Calvary Church of Wallace.

Becky Renee Cole King, 35, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center, Goldsboro. She is preceded in death by her mother, Deborah Eakes Cole; a brother, Joshua Cole; and a granny, Rebecca Satterwhaite. Funeral service was held on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, with visitation following the service, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment was Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 at Kennedy-Cole Cemetery, Beulaville. Survivors include: father, Kenneth Cole (Pat), Wilson; grandmother, Celia Cole, Wilson; sisters, Tonya Cade, New Bern; Gina Randol (Joshua), Levelland, Texas, Ashley Pate (Randy), Pikeville, Crystal Cole, Kenansville; brother, Michael Cole Jr., Wilson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Funeral Home, P.O. Box 715, Beulaville, NC 28518.

Mary Carr Haughton Aug. 21, 1925 - Dec. 20, 2023 (age 98) Mary Carr Haughton passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on Dec. 20, 2023 in Knoxville, Tenn. She was born in Wallace. She was preceded in death by her parents (Julian Aubrey and Elizabeth Wells Carr), sister (Loyce Carr Phillips), and husband (William Francis Haughton). She leaves her children (Betsy Haughton and John T. Bushore, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Audrey F. and Richard Stokes, Westerville, (Ohio), grandchildren (Christopher James [CJ] Stokes, Gregory and Kaitlin Stokes, Kevin and Gabrielle Sasse, David Bushore and Saira John, Sarah Bushore and Brian Patterson, and Carol and Ben Lagemann), and eight great-grandchildren. Her family extends special thanks to the staff at Avenir Memory Care, Knoxville, Tenn., for their caring and dedicated support. A graveside service will be held at Rockfish Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Wallace on Dec. 27 at 10 a.m., which will be preceded by visitation at the church at 9 a.m. She requested no flowers and that any donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Gail Bradshaw Harper Nov. 10, 1957 - Dec. 19, 2023 (age 66) Gail Bradshaw Harper, 66, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at her home. She is preceded in death by her parents, Lindford and Jenette Bradshaw and a granddaughter, Rebecca Makinson. All services are private. Survivors include: spouse, Wyatt Harper, Kenansville; daughters, Jessica Makinson (Jimmy), Cary, and Jamie Wood (Shawn), Pink Hill; brother, Gary Bradshaw, Kenansville; and grandchildren, Ariel, Chloe, Nelson and William Makinson.

Mrs. Eva Davis Uzzell McLaughlin of Rose Hill departed her earthly life on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, while at ECU Health of Duplin. Born on Nov. 28, 1933, she is the daughter of the late Chester Martin and Frenchie Johnson Davis. Also preceding her in death are her first husband, Carl Thomas Uzzell Sr. and siblings, Chester Davis Jr, Robert Davis, and Florence Capps. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Daniel Henry McLaughlin; children, Karla Casteen and husband Wayne of Wallace, Deborah Price and husband Glenn of Wallace, Carl Thomas Uzzell Jr. and wife Roberta of Bremmerton (Wash.), Dr Suzanne Byrd and husband Joe of Greeneville (Tenn.), and Kelly Cook and husband Danny of Mebane; brother, Kenneth K. Davis and wife Mary of Clarksville (Va.); grandchildren, Zachary Casteen, Grayson Casteen, Peyton Price, Katie Price, Christian Uzzell, Carly Culler, and Grace Culler; nine great -grandchildren; and special niece, Valorie McCoy of Pink Hill. Additionally, stepchildren, Mark McLaughlin and wife Karen of Silver Spring (Md.), Janice Galloway and husband Jeff of Chapel Hill, and Michael McLaughlin and wife Sue of Louisville (Ky.). Mrs. McLaughlin was born and raised in Hamlet, North Carolina. She graduated from Flora Macdonald College and then married her high school sweetheart, Carl Thomas Uzzell, in 1956. Following his graduation from Union Theological Seminary, together they served churches in Virginia and North Carolina. During this time, she worked as an educator, teaching for almost 30 years. After Carl’s untimely death in 1987, she met and married Daniel McLaughlin in 1995. They enjoyed 27 years of fishing, dancing, beekeeping, and entertaining grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate her life was held on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, in the Wallace Presbyterian Church, Wallace, with visitation prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wallace Presbyterian Youth Fund or The Gardens of Rose Hill Assisted Living.