Duplin Journal Vol. 8 Issue 45

VOLUME 8 ISSUE 45 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

DUPLINJOURNAL.COM

Duplin Journal THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Mt. Olive Pickle Drop rings in 2024 with style Mt. Olive Pickle Drop on New Year’s Eve brought children and adults alike for an evening of fun as they welcomed the new year. Not only do people attending the Mt. Olive Pickle Drop get free pickles and plenty of fun, they also can have their photo taken with Ollie Q Cumber, the Mt. Olive Pickle mascot. See story and more photos on page 12.

the

BRIEF this week

Duplin employees plead for new jail

47 charges issued on NYE traffic check

Duplin Journal tours local detention center

Wallace The Wallace Police Department teamed up with area law enforcement agencies to conduct traffic checks on NC 41 on New Year’s Eve, resulting in 47 charges issued.

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

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Health Department receives 125K grant to support women’s health Kenansville A grant to support women’s health services will increase access to contraceptives and help improve maternal and infant health in Duplin communities according to the Health Department.

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Duplin receives grant for mobile event response unit Duplin County Emergency Management will soon have a Mobile Event Response Trailer to support traffic control events thanks to funding from the Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $21,500. The MERT unit contains equipment like barricades, cones and signs needed for traffic control.

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KENANSVILLE — The need for a new detention center to replace the deteriorating and severely overcrowded Duplin County Jail is a dire concern for Sheriff Stratton Stokes. The sentiment is shared not only among staff and local law enforcement, but also by other members of the community who are worried for the safety of the workers and inmates. On Dec. 15, the Duplin Journal visited the facility.

The pace was busy as guards moved in and out through the narrow hallways of the bluewall interior. The sound of metal gates echoed throughout the tight space, as a guard brought in a male to a holding cell about the size of a bathroom. The cell was already occupied by three other inmates who had been sleeping there due to overcrowding. People sleeping on the floor throughout the jail’s different areas was a common sight.

Right now, the jail is housing 22 inmates in other counties, and they are still over the 96-limit with 110 inmates at the facility. According to Sheriff Stokes, between 15 to 30 inmates are housed off-site at any given time with most be-

“It’s like you are fighting a no-winning battle in a sense because, you know, the courts bring them, probation brings them, deputies bring them, troopers bring them, and you have no room to put these people… and then you’ve got to send your workers back there to deal with them and they’re everywhere… They are laid out everywhere and you’ve got nowhere to put them and then you call other counties to try to get them moved, and they are fighting the same thing we are fighting, so sometimes they can’t even take them...”

Lt. Denise Mitchell ing males, costing taxpayers $60 per day, per person. The cost goes up to $100 a day if it is a female inmate who needs See JAIL, page 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELISA BROWN

Crews work at the Senior and Veteran Center site which is on track for completion in December 2024.

2024: the year ahead County management shares a glimpse into what’s coming up this year

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal KENANSVILLE – As 2024 rolls in, Duplin County is setting gears in motion preparing for growth. Carrie Shields, County assistant manager shared that a key focus for the county in 2024 will be infrastructure.

“We really need to look at water and sewer infrastructures within our municipalities to make sure that we are prepared for current and future growth. The Town of Kenansville especially, that is where the growth is happening for government facilities,” said Shields, adding that Kenansville was awarded $8 mil-

lion from the state to improve their sewer infrastructure.

“We will lock arms and partner with the Town of Kenansville and make sure that we’re all in lockstep to bring that to fruition,” she added.

Shields shared that they also plan to focus on helping drive growth in other municipalities within the county. “Right now, for Duplin County, the Town of Wallace and the Town of Beulaville are the only towns that have available sewer capacity.

So, we need to make sure that they continue to stay ahead of it,” she said, explaining the importance of it for a town’s growth.

The Duplin Commons is seeing a lot of activity with crews working diligently on facilities that are scheduled to open this year. According to See 2024, page 2

Area students earn NC Teaching Fellows awards 130 students from around the state selected for program

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission announced in December that 130 students from across the state have been selected to receive North Carolina Teaching Fellows awards for the Class of 2024 during its early-decision window.

The Teaching Fellows program is a competitive, merit-based forgivable loan program providing tuition as-

sistance of up to $10,000 per year for qualified students committed to teaching elementary education, special education, science, technology, engineering, or math in a North Carolina public school. The purpose of the program is to recruit, prepare and support future teachers who attend institutions of higher education in North Carolina.

Duplin County area students selected to receive the awards in 2024 include: • Sarah Hall of Beulaville • Katie Dodson of Mount Olive • Nyla Polk of Turkey • Camilla Torres of Mount Olive

Those named as fellows may attend any of the program’s eight partner institutions, pending institutional admission: Elon University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; NC State University; Meredith College; University of North Carolina at Charlotte; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The program will be expanding to include two additional institutions in Spring 2024.

During the early-decision window, the commission received 221 completed and See AWARDS, page 6

“We are proud to offer Teaching Fellows awards to these deserving students during this inaugural earlydecision window.”

Bennett Jones, director of the N.C. Teaching Fellows Program

$2.00

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

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

Party will host a forum on Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. at the at the Country Squire Restaurant to meet with Democratic primary candidates Michael Morgan, Rachel Hunt and Carolyn Thompson. The ticketed event is open to the public. For information, call 910284-0602 JAN. 8

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.

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.

JAN. 6

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 Start the new year tingling your brain cells with fun, hands-on science experiments at Science Night on Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. at the Duplin County Extension Office, located at 165 Agriculture Dr., in Kenansville. Call 910-249-2143 for more information. x The Duplin County Democratic

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.

x The Beulaville town board will meet Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For information, call 910-298-4647.

JAN. 9 x The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive on Jan. 9, at Beulaville Presbyterian Church, located at 205 East Main St. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment online. Walkins welcome. 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 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 Red Cross will be holding

a blood drive on Jan. 11, at Beulaville Presbyterian Church, located at 205 East Main St. Visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment online. Walkins welcome. 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.

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

Get in touch

www duplinjournal.com

CRIME LOG DEC. 28

x Darrell Tyrone Allen, 48, faces charges of misdemeanor larceny and driving while license revoked. His bond was set at $4,999.99.

2024 from page 1 County Manager Bryan Miller, paving of the parking lot for the new Transportation Department will begin soon and they hope to have a certificate of occupancy within the next month and a half.

Miller also shared that the Animal Care Control and Adoption Facility is waiting on one more electrical panel.

“We’re starting to see some movement and some parts coming in,” said Miller, adding that he is cautiously optimistic that they will get the other panel delivered within the next month or so. “We are going to see some movement on that fairly quickly… The contractors are having to cover the insurance and all the costs of the building until we get the certificate of occupancy for both buildings, so they want to get these things done just as quickly as we do.”

The Veteran Services and Senior Center building is on target for completion in December 2024.

“Daniels and Daniels are doing a terrific job with that...

They built up the foundation to

DEC. 30

DEC. 29

x Brian Jordan Tucker, 22, was arrested and charged with breaking or entering.

His bond was set at $500.

x Marvin Earl Jones, 62, was arrested for shoplifting by concealment of goods.

His bond was set at $40,000.

x Cody Allen Dodson, 24, faces charges of driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, no liability insurance, and failure to wear a seat belt.

x Tajuan Lamarr Davis, 23, is charged with seconddegree trespass, with a bond set at $1,000. x Amy Nicole King, 27, was arrested for simple assault. Bond was denied or not set.

Duplin Journal

and attempted larceny.

The bond was either denied or not set.

x Davies Dragon Li Whitaker, 18, faces charges of communicating threats where it needs to be, soil compaction looks good. We look for an on-time completion,” said Miller. “Our seniors and veterans really have something to look forward to.”

Miller also shared that the county is working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and a few jurisdictions including Teachey, Wallace and Warsaw on wastewater projects to help residents with wastewater solutions.

EMPLOYMENT According to Shields the main employment focus for 2024 is to fill vacant positions in the Sheriff’s Office and Duplin County Schools.

“We’re about 23-24 deputies short with jailers total, and that’s about 20-25% of our workforce, so it definitely has an impact on how well we operate and the response times,” Sheriff Stratton Stokes told the Duplin Journal.

“There’s always been turnover, but it’s two-fold,” he said, explaining that the current climate with the police force in the U.S. caused a lot of retirements, in addition to the pandemic which pushed a lot of people to

DEC. 31

possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana one half to one and onehalf ounces. Bond was set at $61,000. x Kenneth Ray Huffin, 43, was arrested for simple assault and resisting a public officer. x Erick Alvarez, 21, faces charges of assault on a female. Bond was set at $3,500.

x Luis Adrian Sanchez, 35, was arrested and charged with resisting a public officer, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia,

x Brian Scott Utter, 58, is charged with assault on a female.

retire early.

“The job market is very, very tight in every sector, but in order to find qualified candidates who can be police officers and can serve the county and state, we’ll have to pay them better.”

The Sheriff shared that they are competing with neighboring counties where some people are getting 20% more in pay. “Crime is always going to be there. We need to pay our deputies a good salary where they can survive.”

Duplin County Schools has 16 teacher vacancies as of Dec. 18, 2023.

When the Duplin Journal asked Miller if there was a plan in place to retain employees in 2024, Miller shared that they have some thoughts on how the county might be able to retain some employees. “But those things will come up at budget time and they’ll be discussed with the board of commissioners,” Miller explained. “We’ll try to figure out some concrete ways to keep some of these employees, but it is hard competing with these larger jurisdictions that have a larger tax base… They can afford to pay higher salaries.”

Miller added that for many

employees, Duplin County is home. “So, we want to keep those people in Duplin County, they have already shown a tremendous amount of loyalty to the county, working jobs where they could go to a neighboring county and make five to ten thousand dollars more a year.

We need to be grateful for that and we need to show our appreciation to them, and we plan to do that,” said Miller.

When asked if salary increases will be considered more seriously this year. Miller said they are going to “make recommendations to the board of commissioners, but with every recommendation comes a price tag… and that is tough. The board of commissioners is in a tough position. They’ve got to look out for the residents and the employees, at the same time for the business community… They’ve got a lot of hats to wear. It is not as easy as you might think. We need to make sure that we identify revenues that can pay for these recurring expenses,” said Miller.

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.

x Courtney Johnson Caraganis, 35, was arrested by the N.C. Highway Patrol and charged with driving while impaired. Her bond was set at $1,000.

TOURISM Miller shared that he is excited to have Shields as assis-

tant county manager. “She is incredibly great,” said Miller, adding that Shields is “overseeing non-traditional government services” to help department heads in aspects related to tourism at the Events Center, and Cabin Lake among others.

“She has such a wonderful strategic vision,” said Miller as he spoke about Shield’s leadership and foresight. “I am incredibly excited about that.”

Shields told the Duplin Journal that they are looking to do more concerts and events for the community.

“We’re trying to focus on what the community is telling us that they want and what we see is working.” Shields shared that they want to make concerts an ongoing thing. Currently there are plans for a big concert coming to Duplin in the spring. “We’re looking at April for that concert.”

While the name of the artist cannot be disclosed yet, Shields said it will be a big-name artist.

Shields encourages the public to be on the lookout for upcoming events at Cabin Lake.

“Jordan Whaley has done a fantastic job ... making it a true tourist attraction,” said Shields.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

3 Duplin police departments make holidays brighter for area children Magnolia, Wallace and Warsaw PDs hold toy drives

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal Three Duplin police departments helped to make this Christmas a happier one for children in need across the county. The police departments from Magnolia, Wallace, and Warsaw each held toy drives this holiday season and distributed the toys to children in their respective communities in the days leading up to Christmas.

The Magnolia Police Department conducted a Christmas toy drive at the Dollar General in Magnolia from the end of November through December 19. Toys were distributed the week before Christmas.

“Operation Christmas Drop PHOTO COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

See HOLIDAYS, page 6

These children and many others had a merrier Christmas, thanks to the Magnolia Police Department’s toy drive.

JAIL from page 1 housing. Last month, the Sheriff’s Office had to request an additional $300,000 from the county, as they had exhausted the budgeted $200,000 within the first six months of the fiscal year.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Inside the jail, the employees responsible for caring for the inmates are faced with many challenges trying to keep things running and juggling accommodations for a flow of inmates that does not slow down whether there is space or not.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 15 of last year, 1,839 persons were brought to the jail, serving a cumulative time of 42,930 days as they waited for their sentence.

For First Sergeant Erica Williams, who has been with Duplin County law enforcement for 10 years, making the move from working courts to the jail, gave her a new perspective of what it is like working inside the facility.

“Coming from the courts, you come over here, you drop them off — you leave. (Jailers) are having to deal with (inmates) all day long and all night, and that really opened my eyes to how dangerous it is. You pop that door, and anything can happen.

They’d be sweet one minute and next minute they can rush that door,” said Williams.

Lt. Denise Mitchell, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office Detention Center Division for the last 25 years, told the Duplin Journal that the jail gets so overcrowded it is unsafe for the employees.

“Every day you’re taking a chance when you come in these doors,” said Mitchell. “You get all kinds of attitudes from back there and sometimes up here. It’s like you are fighting a no-winning battle in a sense because, you know, the courts bring them, probation brings them, deputies bring them, troopers bring them, and you have no room to put these people… and then you’ve got to send your workers back there to deal with them and they’re everywhere… They are laid out everywhere and you’ve got nowhere to put them and then you call other counties to try to get them moved, and they are fighting the same thing we are fighting, so sometimes they can’t even take them, and so, here we is — back again,” Mitchell said.

As we moved through the

AT A GLANCE x From Jan. 1 through Dec.

15, 2023, 1,839 persons were brought to the jail, serving a cumulative time of 42,930 days. x The Sheriff’s Office houses between 15-30 inmates out of county at any given time. x The majority of inmates housed out of county are males.

The rate per day per male is $60 and $100 per female. x The Sheriff’s Office has one transport officer who averages 2,000 miles a week transporting prisoners due to writs, involuntary commitments, and housing inmates out of county. :diamonds:The jail has no isolation rooms for females. x It would cost $2.4 million to house 100 inmates for a year if the detention center shut down. x The forecasted average daily population for 2025 is 174.57 and the classified average daily population for 2025 is 209.49, according to a study conducted

by Moseley Architects on Feb. 22, 2019 using the highest admission rates.

facility, the restless cries of a woman afflicted with mental health reverberated through the walls. She has been arrested and committed to the hospital multiple times.

Housed in a segregation cell in the male side of the facility, this woman is waiting to be evaluated at Cherry Hospital before her cases can proceed in the court system. Due to backlogs at the psychiatric hospital the woman could be looking at a year-long wait.

The jail has no single cells for females, making it a challenge when there is a need to keep them separate. While every attempt is made to house overflowing inmates in other jails, when it comes to those who are violent, suffering from mental health, or having medical issues, it is extremely difficult to find placement due to the liability associated with it. Sheriff Stokes explained that depending on the inmate’s charges, “if their bond is too high — (other

CONTRIBUTED

An inmate sleeps on the floor in the visitation area at the Duplin County Jail in Kenansville, during the pandemic.

Overcrowding has been an ongoing problem at the facility originally built in 1978 and renovated in 1996.

jails) won’t take them.”

The need is so dire at times, that personnel resort to using meeting, visitation, and fingerprinting areas to hold inmates.

While these small rooms can help in a pinch, officers on shift must regularly take those inmates out to provide access to a restroom.

The chronic overcrowding situation bleeds into other areas of dysfunction, like people getting unsecured bonds or criminal summons instead of warrants, as stated by the sheriff at the July 17, 2023, county commissioners meeting.

According to the Sheriff, they currently have one transport officer who averages 2,000 miles a week. The officer transports prisoners daily due to writs, involuntary commitments, and housing inmates out of county.

“He alone cannot handle all the transports, so we utilize other divisions to assist,” said Sheriff Stokes.

The jail staff is tired and overworked, pulling 12-hour shifts a day, many times going without a day off due to staffing shortages.

This means that for the next 12 hours two or three jailers must make rounds, feed 110 inmates, do meds, sick calls, and courts.

“It can get really crazy… admin courts calling constantly,” said Williams.

“It gets frustrating, you know, you are overworked, and then you got to come in and deal with overcrowding, and people with attitudes... Some people have worked all week,” said Mitchell explaining that sometimes they go without a day off because they are so understaffed. “We work on shift too, to fill in, that takes away from stuff that we need to do, but I’m not going to leave my people hanging.”

But law enforcement is not the only one with concerns about overcrowding and safety at the Duplin County Jail, Raymond Campbell, a member of the Duplin County Crime Stoppers Board is one among other concerned citizens hoping something gets done to prevent a potential tragedy from happening.

“If something happens in that 40-men cell — and they will call other people in if it is bad enough,” said Campbell.

“But you know how quick somebody can get hurt? Not just the inmate, an officer or anybody — Quick.”

Bill Wolak, a Beulaville attorney, and member of the DCCC board, is another resident with concerns about the jail.

“The biggest problem is going to be if the Department of Justice steps in, I am talking about the United States Department of Justice, their civil rights division. If they step in, they will mandate that the county build a jail, period. They’ll get a federal court order and that’s the end of the conversation for the commissioners,” said Wolak. “…and at that point, there’s no more local discussions as to where you are going to get the money — you are going to get the money, or they are going to fine the county X number of dollars per day for every day that they don’t start. That is looming…”

For the past 27 years local law enforcement, state repre-

CONTRIBUTED

Four inmates are housed in a holding cell at the Duplin County Jail on Dec. 15, 2023, due to over crowding. Three have been sleeping on the floor. sentatives and members of local government have advocated for a new jail to replace the current facility, which was built in 1978 and retrofitted in 1996.

Jail studies were conducted in 2005, 2008 and 2019 to mitigate a situation that continues to pose a problem.

From structural to maintenance issues the list of repairs needed continues to grow, now with an analog camera system experiencing problems. Due to ongoing repairs, exposed plumbing can be seen with missing panels off the walls in the older side of the jail.

The prisoners’ only connection to the outside world is an app like FaceTime, used for visitation since the pandemic. Due to overcrowding, the jail does not offer in-person visitation with very few exceptions.

Tall brick walls in a patio roughly the length of a school bus provide inmates the rare opportunity to get sunlight if the weather allows.

Aside from escorted visits to the courthouse or the doctor, inmates remain in their cell, day in and day out, and while each is assigned a tablet with books, movies, and access to educational programs, “if you are there 24-hours a day, seven days a week, you’ll get bored,” Mitchell explained.

Safety has been a big concern due to overcrowding, now with inmates tearing stuff apart and making shanks out of any metal they manage to find in their environment. In 2023, the staff confiscated more than 15 shanks. They also had to stop a work crew that used to help at the landfill.

“I went ahead and stopped that altogether because I think they were bringing stuff in,” said Sheriff Stokes, adding that last month he had the staff fitted for stab-proof vests. “We’re trying to do everything we can to make

sure everybody’s protected.”

Mitchell shared that she wishes the County Commissioners would visit the jail.

“In the past, we have invited the commissioners to come over here and just see what we do. I mean, spend a day with us to see what we go through,” said Mitchell, adding that a couple have visited in the past, but she would like to see all of them visit as a group. “If they would come over and see what goes on day to day, they would not believe it. They just would not believe it.”

Sheriff Stokes expressed that a three-pod facility, which has capacity for 236 beds would provide sufficient beds to house males and females in separate wings as required by law and provide the safety and functionality needed to operate.

According to the sheriff’s presentation at the July 2023 commissioners meeting, a twopod facility with capacity for 156 beds would not resolve the overcrowding problem, with 78 beds allocated for males and 78 for females the male wing would be overcrowded from the start.

As we concluded the Duplin Journal’s visit to the jail, we asked Mitchell for a few closing words — something she would like to say.

“For the safety of the people… we need another jail… I know it is not like a school and we don’t want them to have the Hilton.... “It is for the workers’ safety (and) the public’s safety…

You don’t have room to put these people.”

The bid deadline for the construction of a two-pod jail with an option to a third pod is Jan. 16. According to County Manager Bryan Miller, at that point the County Commissioners will have the cost estimates needed to decide how they wish to move forward.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

4

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

COLUMN | AUSTIN OBASOHAN

Celebrating every moment and staying the course

I encourage our students to continue to work hard, do your homework and seek help from your peers and teachers whenever the need arises.

As we move forward into this new year, let’s take time to look back and count the many blessings bestowed upon us during 2023. United as “One Family,” our amazing students, staff, parents/guardians and community/ business partners stopped at nothing to ensure the very best opportunities for our children in the classroom and at home. Our business partners have been instrumental and we are grateful for their continued support of our schools through mentoring programs, grant opportunities, staff celebrations, moral support, and so much more. Not only did we pull together to overcome educational and/ or family challenges that tried to get in our way, we came together to fellowship and celebrate one another and the growth of our precious students. As your humble servant, I am so grateful for our DCS family and our unwavering determination to do all we can for one another and the amazing students of this magnificent county.

Looking back on our blessings, we are thankful for State and Federal ESSER/CARES funding that is assisting in the District’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Expenditures have included items such as staffing, tutoring, academic recovery programs, digital learning

and technology, facility enhancements, HVAC upgrades, cleaning and equipping schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, recruitment/retention initiatives, funding positions to avoid layoffs, etc. Thanks to the financial due diligence of our Board of Education, administrative team and all staff, through CARES funding, we have been able to address immediate academic recovery needs and much needed facility improvements/upgrades that will benefit the whole school system for years to come.

Let’s be grateful for and make the most out of every blessing we have received. I encourage our students to continue to work hard, do your homework and seek help from your peers and teachers whenever the need arises.

I encourage our educators to stay true to your calling and always remember how much you are valued and appreciated. Together and through God’s guidance, we can all make a positive difference in the lives of our children!

On behalf of our Board of Education and my family, best wishes for a very blessed holiday season.

Dr. Austin Obasohan is the Duplin County Schools Superintendent.

COLUMN | BETSY MCCAUGHEY

Stop funding the ‘rights for migrants’ legal scam You’re paying to be legally coerced into providing more for migrants, even at the cost of cutting vital city services — kind of like hiring your own assassin.

AS A RECORD NUMBER OF MIGRANTS INVADE THE U.S., wreaking pain on New York City and other communities, one group is winning big-time: the public advocacy lawyers. Their business is to constantly sue to win more so-called rights for migrants. Rights to shelter, rights to meals, rights to health care, even the right to vote in local elections.

Who pays the bills on both sides of these lawsuits? You do. Taxpayer money largely funds these legal combatants, which include the Coalition for the Homeless, Legal Aid Society, and Vera Institute of Justice.

You’re paying to be legally coerced into providing more for migrants, even at the cost of cutting vital city services — kind of like hiring your own assassin. It’s absurd, but it’s about to get worse.

On Dec. 14, the New York City Council passed Resolution 556, calling on the state legislature to guarantee, as a right, that all migrants have lawyers paid for by taxpayers when they go to immigration court. It would be a “first-in-the-nation” guarantee.

Resolution 556 would give migrants more rights than American citizens have. No one else is guaranteed a publicly funded lawyer in civil court matters such as housing court issues or divorce.

Yikes, the city council’s proposal would make the Big Apple even more of a magnet for migrants than it already is.

Who’s behind this push? The Vera

Institute of Justice, for one.

Vera claims we “need a federally funded universal legal defense service” for migrants. In short, a national army of left-wing lawyers paid by you. What better place to launch this lunatic idea than at the New York City Council?

The Vera Institute is not the only organization cashing in on migrants’ rights.

In October, Mayor Eric Adams went to court for temporary relief from the rigid rules and settlements that define what the city must provide the homeless, as tens of thousands of homeless migrants arrive.

Immediately, the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless swooped in, claiming his plan would “gut” the long-standing rights of the homeless.

These lawsuits are largely funded by you, through grants and contracts from the city and state. Manhattan Judge Gerald Lebovits urged the parties to compromise, and arranged for the lawyers on all sides, representing the city, the state and the migrants, to meet in his chambers several times.

This scam is being repeated all over the nation. The Justice Action Center — also publicly funded — is suing the Biden administration on behalf of Haitian asylum seekers whose rights it claims were violated by U.S. Border Patrol Agents on horseback trying to stop them as they crossed the Rio Grande. Lawyers for the migrants and lawyers for the Biden administration

will cross swords. Never mind who wins. They’re all being paid by us.

It’s a free country. Anyone can sue.

But why should we be paying for these legal boxing matches?

Disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the remedy for New York City’s mounting woes is to sue the federal government for more money.

Wrong. That would send more wasted funds down the litigation rathole.

Cuomo also argues that the “right to shelter” should apply to all the counties, instead of just Gotham, and that state lawmakers should “fairly distribute” the migrant burden statewide. Spoken like a pol who is eyeing a city position and no longer cares about the rest of the state.

The notion that there is a “right to shelter” in the state Constitution was concocted by the Coalition for the Homeless in a lawsuit in 1981. It has tied the hands of city leaders ever since. It should be legally challenged.

Extending that questionable right to migrants who just arrived here, and then imposing it statewide, would compound the wrong.

Tell lawmakers to stop funding the legal advocacy industry with our money. It’s time to break the stranglehold these publicly funded lawyers, under the guise of doing good, have on our city and nation.

Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

5 N.C.’s unemployment increases for November Statewide

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOUSE OF RAEFORD

Rose Hill’s own House of Raeford gave back to its community by gifting residents of the Gardens of Rose Hill gift baskets for Christmas, as well as donating a new TV and stand to the nursing facility.

House of Raeford spreads Christmas cheer throughout the Southeast Poultry company gives back to Duplin County and beyond

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal AS THE HOME of House of Raeford, Duplin County holds a special place in the hearts of the poultry corporation’s leaders and staff. So when the holidays roll around each year, House of Raeford reaches out to the local community to ensure that as many people as

possible have a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Through its nonprofit outreach program, FLOCK (Faithful Love Offering for Christ’s Kingdom), House of Raeford gives back to the community through monetary gifts, product donations, and volunteer outreach.

“Christmas always brings out the best in our House of Raeford Farms FLOCK teams across the Southeast,” reads a press release from House of Raeford. “Giving to others always blesses us as much as the recipients.”

“Christmas always brings out the best in our House of Raeford Farms FLOCK teams across the Southeast.”

House of Raeford To start off the Christmas season, a FLOCK team visited the students and staff at Wallace Elementary School, “turning their outdoor courtyard

into a winter wonderland.”

“Lights, trees, decorations, and even snowflakes have made this a nice escape from the classroom,” said Dave Witter, manager of corporate communications and sustainability for House of Raeford.

“In addition, our local FLOCK members blessed students at the school with Christmas gifts to add some extra joy to their lives, and hosted a Christmas party for all of those teachers and support staff who needed See RAEFORD, page 6

North Carolina’s seasonally adjusted November 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. Compared to the same time period last year, the state’s unemployment rate was down 0.4 of a percentage point.

The number of people employed increased by 2,417 over the month to 5,095,540 and increased 134,850 over the year.

The number of people unemployed increased 2,816 over the month to 182,214 and decreased 17,642 over the year.

Since November 2022, Total Non-farm jobs increased 103,800 with the Total Private sector increasing by 86,800 and Government increasing by 17,000.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Thursday, January 4, when the county unemployment rates for November 2023 will be released.

Thelma Dingus Bryant Library conducting pet food drive Wallace 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, located at 409 W. Main St., Wallace.

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, January 3, 2024

AWARD from page 1

RAEFORD from page 5

screened applications.

In making its decision, the commission considered grade point average, leadership and experience, awards and honors, written essays, educator recommendations and video submissions to offer the 130 awards. Standardized test scores from SAT/ACT were optional to align with admission standards from participating colleges and universities.

The 130 awards in the early-decision window nearly match the 132 awards offered during the entire 2023 application cycle. The early-award recipients hail from 83 different cities and towns, representing 48 counties across the state. The 2024 early features an increase in minority recipients when compared to the previous class. Overall, more than one-third of the recipients in the early class of 2024 are minority candidates, a 2% increase from the previous year’s total. According to the commission, 72 of the recipients intend to study elementary education, 39 will study special education, and 19 will pursue licensure in STEM areas.

Students who did not receive an early-decision award were deferred to the regular application window, which runs from Dec. 18 to Feb. 18.

Any potential teachers in the areas of elementary, STEM, or special education are encouraged to apply at www.ncteachingfellows.org during the regular application window.

The comprehensive list of the Class of 2024 Teaching Fellows awardees will be finalized in March 2024.

“We are proud to offer Teaching Fellows awards to these deserving students during this inaugural early-decision window,” said Bennett Jones, director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program.

“The commission made a strategic decision to implement this early-decision window to increase the number of applicants to the program and to provide students with the knowledge that they have this award, which will assist them in their college application and decision-making processes.

We are excited about the continued growth of the Teaching Fellows program and are grateful for the support of lawmakers and education policy leaders as we continue to promote the teaching profession across the state.”

a break from the daily routine and allowed others to serve them.”

FLOCK team members from the Rose Hill operation of House of Raeford also made their annual visit to the Gardens of Rose Hill nursing home, presenting gift baskets to all of the residents. FLOCK also donated a new television and stand to the facility.

Of course, the House of Raeford operation reaches beyond Duplin County, so the company and its FLOCK team also provided some holiday cheer to people in Greenville, S.C., Lavonia and Forest Park, Ga., and Arcadia, La. In Greenville, S.C., the FLOCK adopted children through the Greenville YMCA and provided gifts to help fulfill the kids’ holiday wishes.

The Greenville operation also donated chicken products to several organizations, and assisted with food distributions throughout the community. A monetary donation also went to the “Night of Hope” event in Lavonia, Ga., where community members come together to provide Christmas gifts, dinner and entertainment for children of incarcerated parents.

House of Raeford’s Filet of Chicken division in Forest Park, Ga., donated turkeys to several area churches and food pantries, as they have done for many years now. They also participated in a toy drive in Clayton County to help provide Christmas gifts for needy children in the area.

Finally, the Arcadia, La., FLOCK team fulfilled Christmas wish lists of children served by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association. “They packed the gifts into individual backpacks so each child had somewhere personal to store their presents,” the press release states. “FLOCK – Arcadia also purchased, wrapped, and delivered gifts to each resident of Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Arcadia.

Finally, FLOCK gave gifts to Leslie Lakes Retirement Center for their Christmas bingo game and collected pajamas for the residents.”

“Thank you to all our FLOCK team members for reaching out in their communities and offering some Christmas cheer to both young and old,” the press release concludes. “We appreciate their efforts to live out the mission of FLOCK.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOUSE OF RAEFORD

The Wallace Elementary School courtyard was transformed into a winter wonderland – complete with snow! – as part of House of Raeford’s community outreach this Christmas.

HOLIDAYS from page 3

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALLACE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Wallace Police Captain David Morgan presents toys collected by the police department to Ariella Brinkley, Children Services, Foster Care, with the Duplin County Department of Social Services.

is a success!,” the Magnolia PD posted on its Facebook page Dec. 21. “Thanks to all who donated. Magnolia PD has been delivering toys to happy children all week!”

Local businesses, organizations and citizens also donated toys throughout the Christmas season to the Wallace Police Department. “Our officers were able to distribute a multitude of toys to children in our community,” a post from the Wallace PD read. “We also visited both Duplin County and Pender County Departments of Social Services to get … some toys to those in need.”

The Warsaw Police Department also hosted its own toy drive, titled Stuff the Cruiser. Throughout November and December, citizens could donate new toys to be stuffed into a cruiser until they were delivered to needy children in town.

“The love and meaning of the Christmas season is

“These toys will go directly to a local Warsaw child whose Christmas will be a lot brighter thanks to the goodness of others.”

Warsaw Police Department Facebook post alive and well in Warsaw,” the department shared on its Facebook page. “This year’s Stuff the Cruiser toy drive was a big success, thanks to the many citizens and businesses who stepped up to help. These toys will go directly to a local Warsaw child whose Christmas will be a lot brighter thanks to the goodness of others.”

Greensboro police sergeant killed in off-duty incident at gas station Three suspects arrested after shooting cop over stolen beer

By Jordan Golson North State Journal GREENSBORO — An off-duty Greensboro Police sergeant was shot and killed by suspects who allegedly stole beer from the Sheetz gas station on Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax Saturday night.

Sgt. Philip Dale Nix, a 23year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department, witnessed individuals stealing beer from the station and was shot after confronting them. Despite immediate aid from another off-duty Greensboro police officer and a Guilford County paramedic, Nix died at a local hospital.

“I am angry, and I’m sad,” said an emotional Greensboro Mayor Nancy B. Vaughn at a Sunday press conference. “It shows the dedication of our police officers that, whether on duty or off duty, they are always focused on protecting our community and serving our community. And I think he is a hero.”

Three Winston-Salem residents — Jamere Justice Foster, 18; Z’quriah Le’Pearce Blackwell, 18; and John Walter Morrison, 28 — were arrested.

Winston-Salem police assisted in the arrests.

Foster is charged with first-degree murder, while Blackwell and Morrison face

SGT. PHILIP D. NIX accessory charges. Foster and Morrison are held without bond, and Blackwell’s bond is set at $500,000. Additional charges are being considered.

Arrest warrants allege the stolen beer was valued at $83.45. The suspects reportedly discussed disposing of the firearm and the getaway vehicle’s license plate.

A “Blue Alert” was sent, the first in North Carolina, according to archives of the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, the organization that manages the system. It’s similar to the Amber and Silver alerts for missing children and senior citizens, notifying of an extraordinary threat to law enforcement and the public, and is received on smartphones and broadcast via media outlets.

Saturday’s alert, sent at 6:10 p.m. advised of a Chevrolet Equinox with NC tag KKA-

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A memorial to Sgt. Nix outside Greensboro Police headquarters on East Police Plaza. Community members and fellow law enforcement have left flowers, department patches, and notes of remembrance.

4332, “last occupied by 2 black males in their early to mid 20’s, one wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants with black shoes, with a green/gray toboggan, one suspect wearing a jean jacket with fur and gray sweatpants, with tennis shoes.”

The alert was canceled at 7:52 p.m.

Sergeant Nix worked across numerous assignments at Greensboro PD in his 23 years, including the Criminal Investigations Division, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, and his current assignment as Supervisor of the Family Victims Unit.

He was also a Team Leader on the department’s Peer Support

Team for 12 years and Assistant Team Leader of the GPD Honor Guard.

The Greensboro Police Department will share more on a fundraiser for the Nix family on its Facebook page. A memorial has been set up at police headquarters at 100 E Police Plaza in Greensboro.

SPORTS Ex-teammates still hooping it up Former teammates Murray and Newkirk coach against one another at M.L. Carr Invitational

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal TEACHEY — Michael Newkirk knows the competitive side of Ervin Murray, his former teammate at Wallace-Rose Hill in the late ‘90s.

Last Friday, though, the two faced off as coaches when Murray’s Bulldogs faced Newkirk’s Tuscarora High Huskies in the finals of the eight-team M.L. Carr Classic.

Newkirk and Murray played on WRH’s unbeaten state title team in 1998, coached by Steve Robinson who sat at one end of the court named in his honor.

Robison and perhaps even Carr, a WRH alum and twotime NBA champion would rave reviews of the fight of the home team during a 75-59 loss to the northern Virginia school.

The Huskies returned a flock of players from a team that went deep in the playoffs in 2022, while Murray is rebuilding the ’Dawgs.

Tuscarora’s talent, discipline, shooting and fundamentals were top notch as the led from beginning to end. Yet WRH made the Huskies work for anything and everything.

“I told our kids before that team will play us hard and not quit,” Newkirk said. “Not Irvin Murray’s team. “That guy was the leader of our 31-0 team. His players went all out, which I totally expected coming in here.”

Tournament MVP Jayden Johnson scored 27 points, Payton Williams 18 and five assists, Issac Ure 15 markers and TJ Dujgan 10.

Tuscarora (6-1) stormed past Trask (73-46) and New Bern (8764) to real the finals, while WRH (2-4) cruised by Hobbton (63-31) See WRH BOYS’, page 8

Rebels put in pressure cooker against 2A schools Weaknesses exposed during tourney games cutlines

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal KINSTON — The North Duplin girls’ basketball team has nearly as many losses this season as it did in the previous two campaigns.

But the Rebels may be a better team since three of its core players are back.

Yet the schedule has been brutal for ND (5-4), which went 24-2 last season and 22-2 in 2022, exiting from the 1A playoffs in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

ND is on its first threegame skid since 2021 following losses to three 2A schools at the FCA Winter Classic at Lenoir Community College.

The Rebels’ other loss was also to a 2A school, James Kenan.

Stallions run over Rebels

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

KaShawn Scarborough scored 13 points in the finals against Tuscarora.

Tigers on track JK takes third place at FCA tourney

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

MICHAEL JAENICKE | DUPLIN JOURNAL

Darius Howard has become a sixth-man who brings energy to the floor for JK.

WARSAW — James Kenan basketball coach Taylor Jones said the Tigers are beginning to find their way.

While the veteran coach wasn’t happy about not playing during the post-Christmas tournaments, he feels his team is up for the challenge it will have during its East Central 2A Conference schedule in the next two months.

“We’re starting to find a nice rotation and established lineups,” said Jones of his 4-3 club that will host Spring Creek on

Thursday in Warsaw. “I don’t like the fact that we were off a week and that during the week vacations, sickness and the like made it a wash. We get to practice Tuesday and Wednesday.

But I like the direction we are heading with these guys.”

Point guard Tyquise Wilson, TJ Oats and Stephone Stanley have given JK both points and solid backcourt play, with Stanley playing more of a wing role.

Hassan Kornegay and Kel Artis have been solid in the paint.

Darius Howard is the Tigers’ sixth man, while Shykown Williams is first off the bench to fill a spot in the frontcourt.

“We’re starting to find a nice rotation and established lineups. ... I like the direction we are heading with these guys.”

Taylor Jones, JK coach.

See JK BOYS’, page 9

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Yamorie Hardison scored 20 points and Riyanna Galloway 14 last Thursday when ECC 3A favorite Southwest Onslow (11-0) ripped ND 43-30 in the opening round.

The Stallions led 27-15 at halftime and 27-17 entering the fourth quarter. Hardison, who is averaging 18 points, six assists and three steals was the ringleader.

SWO controlled the guard play of ND as leading scorer Reece Outlaw scored just six points and backcourt partner Addy Higginbotham was limited to nine markers.

Post Tateyawana Faison pushed in eight, but ND’s 16 turnovers proved to be too much.

ND outscored SWO 13-6 in the final eight minutes of play.

Jaguars rally in fourth Farmville Central’s offense was limited to four points in the second and third quarters.

While that almost certainly leads to a loss, the Jaguars closed out the game with a 26-8 run for a 47-46 loss on Thursday.

Jamya Saddler scored 11 of her 14 points in the fourth and Madison Denman (five) and Carma White (nine) were likewise crunch-time performers in the final quarter. Nakevia Phillips added 10 as four scoring See ND GIRLS’, page 8

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

8

Panthers on winning track, ready to contend in ECC Seasoned players, upstart youth lead victory parade

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal BEULAVILLE — They’re back on the back lead lap.

That’s probably the best way to describe the East Duplin girls basketball team, who have recovered from two uncharacteristic losing seasons.

The Panthers (7-1, 1-0) didn’t have a busy holiday hoop schedule, but enter the second half of the season confident and with depth it lacked while going 1114 in 2022 and 3-18 in 2021.

Longtime coach Mark Lane has a balanced attack with several players making contributions to the offensive attack.

Leading scorer Makya Kornegay is averaing 11.1 points per game, Ja’Myah Pickett 9.3 and 6.1 boards, Sallie Hatcher 9.9 points, freshman point guard Kinsey Cave 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds, Zakoya Farrior 5.5 points and Carrie Carr 3.1 points, 5.9 rebounds.

ND had a chance for revenge on its lone loss on Wednesday when North Duplin visited Jerry Hunter Court in Beulaville.

ED clobbered Princeton 59-9 in its last game of the year

on Dec. 22 in Johnston County.

The Panthers rushed to a 23-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back.

Kornegay, an all-county first-team selection two years ago before playing at Southwest Onlsow for a season, scored 11.

Cave had 10, six rebounds and five assists.

Pickett had eight and Hatcher, an all-Duplin pick in 2022, chipped in with five, the same amount sophomore Zoe Cavenaugh came up with as one of 11 Panthers to punch points in the scorebook.

Two days previous, ED knocked out North Lenoir 5628.

Kornegay zipped in 17.

Pickett scored 15 points and hauled down 11 rebounds.

Hatcher hit for 10 and Cavenaugh eight and had seven boards.

ED went up 19-5 to all but end any hope the Hawks (4-7, 1-0) had in keeping it close.

The Panthers return to ECC play on Friday when Kinston (8-4, 0-1) visits Beulavile.

A key league game will be played on Jan. 23 when unbeaten Southwest Onslow (110, 1-0) comes to town. The two front-runners meet again on the final day of the regular season – Feb. 16 – in Jacksonville.

PHOTOS BY EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Above, Carrie Carr, left, does multiple things for ED, including score, rebound and play defense. Left, Zakoya Farrior is avergaging 5.1 points for ED via her work in the paint.

ND GIRLS’ from page 7 sources proved greater than ND’s usual trio.

Outlaw hit for 18 and Higginbotham 16 and Faison nine.

ND led 25-19 at halftime and 38-21 entering the final quarter.

Warriors depth wears down Rebels Eastern Wayne (9-1) used a balance attack that featured six players scoring seven or

more points to knock off ND 47-41 last Friday.

Fasion netted 14, Outlaw 10, Higginbotham seven and Lilly Fulghum six.

ND played East Duplin in Beulaville on Wednesday and host Spring Creek on Friday and then again five days later, before starting Carolina 1A Conference play at Neuse Charter (7-7) on Jan. 16 in Smithville.

The Rebels beat the Panthers 53-39 on Dec. 1 in Calypso.

PHOTOS BY EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Tateyawna Faison is ND’s top rebounder and third-leading scorer.

WRH BOYS’ from page 7 and Pender (67-45).

Each school the tournament played three times at the third annual holiday event, which Murray started.

“They’re a really good team and this was a good chance for our players to get reps.” Murray said. “They’ve been playing since September. We’ve been going for three weeks. They’re a basketball school without a football player on the roster, and a school with 1,600 students. We’re a football school with football players. We share athletes, and because of the success of our football team, we start later.

“But we don’t back away from anyone.”

Huskies play solid on both ends of the court Tuscarora played tough defense all night and had a balanced scoring attack, playing unselfish by moving the ball, setting picks and getting quality looks at the basket. The Huskies also rebound well on both end of the court.

“We talk about running our system and letting our players showcase their talent,” Newkirk said. “Fundamentals come first, though we’ll work hard on the rim and shoot the ball well.”

A hoop from Ja’Corey Boney and two via Irving Brown, the second an ally oop, and two inside scores by KaShawn Scarborough helped WRH stay close at 17-9 midway through the opening quarter.

Jamarae Lamb’s driving score came after he was turned the ball over the previous play, as the Huskies’ half-court defense gave WRH fits early and throughout the night.

Hoops by Scarborough and

Brown were all WRH could muster in the final three minutes of the first, which ended 30-15.

From this point forward it was all about the Bulldogs fighting to keep the lead under 20 points.

Each time they trimmed the margin Tuscarora answered with a flurry.

Scarborough and Lamb scored five straight points and Tuscarora responded with a 3-pointer and two free throws.

Brown and Marlo Harris connected on shots and the Huskies countered with a dunk, 12-foot jumper and three charity tosses.

By halftime WRH trailed 4530.

But a 3-point play, two free throws and an offensive rebound turned into a bucket to start the third returned the lead to 22 points – 52-30 – though WRH continued to battle.

Lamb had a 3-point play at the 3:53 mark and freshman Amir Moore, a 6-foot-7 post brought fire off the bench.

Yet WRH’s biggest push came early in the fourth via a steal and layup and 3-point bomb by Lamb. Down 61-47 with 5:40 to play the Huskies never relented in their assault, using a dunk, tip-in, bomb and two transition scores wear down WRH. Scarborough and Lamb scored 13 points apiece, Brown 12, Moore eight and Jamari Shaw six.

Tuscarora went 24-5 last season in Newkirk’s fourth season.

He won 160 games in nine seasons as the coach of the girls’ team.

“We made a significant jump last year, winning the regionals and getting to the semi-state,” Newkirk said. “We play objectsare-closer-than-they-appear on defense because we have guys

who play like they are 6-4 or 6-5.

WRH played Goldsboro (9-2) early this week and hosts South Lenoir (2-8) in its East Central 2A Conference opener on Friday on Steve Robinson Court.

Tourney Notebook New Bern (9-5) beat Pender 59-37 for third place. Coastal Christian (9-7) topped Hobbton 59-21 for fifth place. Trask (74) got past SoutheasternHome School 59-41 for seventh.

“There are a lot of tournaments this time of the year and we’re just in there to show basketball fans in the area good teams,” Murray said.

New Bern assistant coach Terrance McCormick played on WRH’s first state-title team in 1994. He is the defensive coordinator for the Bears gridiron team that won a 4A title in 2022.

WRH title-team has reunion Jan. 13 The state-title 2A team from 1998 will have a reunion on Feb. 13 when WRH hosts Pender.

Players, coaches, cheerleaders and fans will be following the game at the Mad Boar.

“It’s something that binds us together forever,” said Murray, who took over for Robinson after he retired five years ago. “Winning at that level, the entire experience, completes a very special bond. I stay in contact with Coach Newkirk because we both love the game.”

Newkirk relishes his playing days at WRH. He was a year behind Murray, who went on to play for Wake Forest.

“My senior year (1999) we went to the state semi-finals and lost by three points to Clinton,” Newkirk said.

WRH won a 1A title under Robinson in 2006.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Tigers prep for ECC at Terry Walls Tourney Drop three straight against stellar competition

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal WARSAW — James Kenan enters the new year on a threegame losing streak.

Yet in those setbacks the Tigers played quality teams, and though that is a consolation, it also shows that Kenny Williams’ club could be ready for ECC play.

JK started its skid with a 4436 loss to Wayne Country Day, which won the NCISAA 2A title a season ago.

It was the first of three games at the Terry Walls Invitational in Goldsboro.

Gabriel Outlaw scored 13 and Y’anna Rivers and Lil-

lie Kornegay 10 apiece. JK played without starting guard Ron’Nyia Joyner.

“We cut a nine-point deficit to 2 and that was as close as we could get,” Williams said.

“We played fairly well against a tough opponent.”

A day later, unbeaten Goldsboro (11-0) pushed its way to a 65-36 win as Des’Myah Croom scored 18 pouints, Aziyah Boyer 17 and Nashiyah Williams 13.

“They are a really tough team and the final score was more lopsided than the game,” Williams said. “It was a nine-point game into the third when foul trouble really got to us down the stretch. Rivers, Aleyah (Wilson) and Tytiana Wilson all fouling out, and Kornegay was limited the whole game.

Without Joyner for the game, their physical style and pressure really affected our guard

play and we’re still learning how to deal with that level of physicality.”

On Friday, JK fell to Thales Academy (Apex (9-4) as Kornegay hit for 10, Joyner returned for nine, and Alelyah Wilson added eight.

“Another tough opponentvery fundamentally sound with an outstanding lead guard,” Williams said. “Joyner tried to chime back and played in spurts in the first half, giving us a lift with threes 3s to keep us in it, but wasn’t able to go in the second.”

JK was also playing without guard Markeshuia Strong.

“The shortages at the guard position forced us to use Rivers up top a lot more and they were able to double and harass her,” Williams said. “We’ve got to continue to improve our guard depth as we move forward because over a long season, you will deal with injuries, sickness, foul trouble, etc. and we need to be able to fight through those stretches.”

JK (4-4) travels to Deep Run on Jan. 9 for an ECC encounter with South Lenoir (4-6, 0-1).

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JK needs senior guard Ron’Nyia on the floor for her experience and play.

JK BOYS’ from page 7 Backup point guard Jeremiah Hall has been on the court with Wilson and also as the lead guard when he is catching a break on the bench.

“Hassan didn’t play basketball last year, but we’re finding he does so many other things, filling in and doing a great job,” Jones said. “We’ve also got big play out of Shykown. He’s only 5-foot-11, but he’s big and thick as a brick house.

“Tyquise, TJ and Stephone are playing well. And Naszir (Williams) has been giving us 5 to 6 points every night, and he’s quick and handles the ball well.”

JK beat Wayne Prep 57-52 on Dec. 22 for third place in the FCA Tournament at UMO. The win came after a tough 72-41 loss to tourney champ Wayne Country Day. The Tigers tripped Eastern Wayne 48-46 in its opener at Kornegay Arena, as Stanley was named to the all-tourney team.

“It was a good showing for us,” Jones.

The only other significant barrier is having all-Duplin swing player Ja’Maury Coe return to the court. He’s missed four games due to non-athletic reasons.

But Jones has indicated that JK will continue progressing behind its core group, and that Coe would have to work his way

into the structure.

JK, whose ECC loss is to defending champ and league favorite Kinston.

The Tigers return to league play on Tuesday with a trip to Deep Run to face two-win South Lenoir and host East Duplin on Friday. JK’s lone non-conference matches are Jan. 17 and Jan. 29 encounters with Clinton. Those games were moved when the Dark Horses’ football team advanced to the 2A finals.

Wallace-Rose Hill (2-4), East Duplin (0-6), South Lenoir (2-8) and North Lenoir (56) are rebuilding, making these games key to JK’s state playoff hopes. JK will likely need to win six of these eight matchups to feel good about being in playoff contention.

Southwest Onslow (7-3) and Kinston (7-2) are the early league favorites to nab playoff spots from the ECC, though it’s far too early to think about such scenarios.

Panthers’ skid hit six East Duplin needs to find a way to put the ball in the basket.

It’s as simple as that for the Panthers, who are averaging just 47 points per game, which has led to an 0-6 mark.

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Panthers, who host ECC defending champ and league favorite Kinston on Fri-

day. ED has not beaten the Vikings since they joined the ECC in 2018.

Crusaders drop pair of cliffhangers at tourney Two Wayne County schools got the last word on Harrells Christian at the Terry Walls Holiday Invitational in Goldsboro.

Both were games that went to the wire, as the Crusaders fell 57-55 to Goldsboro (9-2), an NCHSAA school, and 56-54 to Wayne Country Day (12-9), a NCISAA school.

In between, HCA pushed past Southern Wake Academy 58-41 to enter the new year with an 11-8 overall mark. The Crusaders are 3-1 in Coastal Independent Conference play.

Antonio McKoy pumped in 21 against the Lions and 18 versus Wayne Country Day. Cousin Dashaun McKoy added 19 and 16, respectively, and Zicarian McNeil eight and five markers during the same games.

HCA is 3-1 in Coastal Independent 2A Conference play.

The Crusaders face league foes Kerr-Vance Academy on Wednesday and travel to Shallotte to face non-league foe Southeastern Christian Academy on Jan. 9. Three days later, HCA travels to Rocky Mount for an encounter with Faith Christian (7-3).

FILE PHOTO

East Duplin, girls’ basketball Kinsey Cave fills East Duplin’s need for a true point guard to distribute the ball in the Panthers’ offense.

The freshman leads the team in assists with 4.5 per game, is fourth in scoring at 8.3 and third in rebounding at 4.9.

Cave is shooting 54 percent from 2-point range and is averaging 4.5 steals in an ED offense designed to push the ball after a turnover or rebound.

The Panthers started the week with a 7-1 mark and the addition of a point guard opens up shots for two former all-county players, Makya Kornegay and Sallie Hatcher, and upstarts Ja’Myah Pickett, Carrie Carr and Zakoya Farrior.

10

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Rebels playing better than record indicates ND showing fight against competitive schedule

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal CALYPSO – North Duplin has played a tough non-conference schedule, which include games against four 2A schools and 1A schools, such as Jones Senior and Lejeune, which have solid teams.

Rewards from battling a brutal schedule could come in January and February during

peak season in the Carolina 1A Conference, where Hobbton (19), Union (0-9) and Lakewood (4-4) are not on the level of foes such as Southern Wayne and James Kenan.

ND’s scoring is up from a season ago when the Rebels went 7-15 overall and 2-8 in ECC play.

The biggest difference is leading scorer Dujuan Armwood, who is averaging a teamhigh 16.6 points and 4.5 rebounds.

Armwood was at Southern Wayne the previous two sea-

sons after playing for the Rebels as a sophomore.

While ND is 3-6 overall and 0-1 in the league, don’t count the Rebels out. ND has been competitive and has increased their scoring from a season ago.

ND is averaging 64 points per night, up significantly from 47.4 points in 2022.

New additions Micah Lesesane is putting in 11.1 points and hauling down 8.1 rebounds, Dylan Tyndall is at 7.8 and 3.8 and sophomore upstart Trashawn Ruffin is netting 8.3 markers and hauling down 7.2

boards.

Branson Martin (6.7) and Tev Collins (6.3) have combined for a baker’s dozen.

ND entered Wednesday’s second matchup against East Duplin with a three-game skid.

The Rebels beat the Panthers 67-53 on Dec. 1 in Calypso.

Two of the losses were nail-bitters.

Armwood doubled down for 21 points during a 59-50 loss to Rosewood (6-4) in a nonleague game in Goldsboro on Dec. 22. Lesesane had 12 and nine boards and Tyndall nine

markers, while Luke Kelly added a season-high six.

A day earlier, ND dropped a 60-58 heartbreaker to Southern Wayne as Armwood (15), Lesesane (nine), Martin (eight), Brady Byrd (seven) and Tyndall (five points, 10 rebounds) made contributions.

ND plays Spring Creek (4-3) twice before facing traveling to Smithfield on Dec. 16 to begin CC play against Neuse Charter (3-13). Nine more league games follow. The Rebels finish the regular season with a threegame homestand.

NATIONAL SPORTS

Former Duke standout RJ Barrett traded to hometown Raptors The Knicks also sent Immanuel Quickley to Toronto for OG Anunoby

By Brian Mahoney, The Associated Press NEW YORK — The New York Knicks traded RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday and got back OG Anunoby, dealing two of their top offensive players but likely getting a boost to their defense with last season’s NBA leader in steals.

The Knicks also acquired Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, while sending the Raptors a 2024 second-round pick belonging to Detroit.

The deal, which sends Barrett to his hometown team, left both clubs shorthanded for their games Saturday night.

The Raptors lost in Detroit, where the Pistons snapped their NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games, while the Knicks fell in Indiana.

“Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court. RJ is a versatile wing who is, of course, well-known in his hometown, and seeing him in a Raptors uniform will be a special moment for our fans and for all Canadians,” Toronto vice chairman and president Masai Ujiri said in a statement.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye, especially when play-

ers like OG and Malachi have spent their careers with our team. We wish Precious, Malachi and OG all the best.”

The deal comes four months after the Knicks filed a lawsuit against the Raptors, alleging they had conspired to steal thousands of videos and other scouting secrets after hiring a former Knicks scouting employee.

Anunoby figures to step right into Barrett’s forward spot in the Knicks’ starting lineup. The 6-foot-7 swingman is averaging 15.1 points and had his highest-scoring game of the season when the Raptors visited the Knicks on Dec. 11, scoring 29 points.

“OG’s complete offensive game and ability to defend

multiple positions will enhance our team on both ends of the court,” Knicks president Leon Rose said.

Barrett — who played one season at Duke in 2018-19 — averages 18.2 points but has struggled lately with his outside shot, going 2 for 12 from 3-point range over the last two games. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft helped the Knicks reach the playoffs twice in the last three seasons after missing them the previous seven.

Quickley was the runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, but there has been speculation he could be moved since the Knicks declined to give him a contract extension before this season.

They will have to replace his 15

points per game off the bench and ability to play both guard positions.

“RJ and Immanuel both began their professional careers in Knicks uniforms and their contributions both on and off the court have had a great impact on this city and organization,” Rose added.

Achiuwa averaged 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 153 games for the Raptors after they acquired him from Miami in August 2021. The 6-8 forward could help the Knicks up front after they lost starting center Mitchell Robinson to a stress fracture in his ankle.

Flynn was a 2020 firstround pick who averaged 5.4 points in 175 games for the Raptors.

The Knicks traded former Duke guard RJ Barrett to Toronto.

AP PHOTO

NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough dies at 84 The South Carolina native won three straight Cup titles in the 1970s

By Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press CALE YARBOROUGH, considered one of NASCAR’s alltime greatest drivers and the first to win three consecutive Cup titles, died Sunday. He was 84.

NASCAR announced the death of the Hall of Famer and South Carolina native in a statement. No cause was given.

“Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen. His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book,” said Jim France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR. “He was respected and admired by competitors and

AP PHOTO

Cale Yarborough, considered one of NASCAR’s all-time greatest drivers and the first to win three consecutive Cup titles, died Sunday. He was 84. fans alike and was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind the wheel of

a stock car.”

Known for his fierce toughness and grit, Yarborough won the Daytona 500 four times and the Southern 500 at his home track of Darlington Raceway five times. His 83 Cup Series victories are tied with Jimmie Johnson for sixth on NASCAR’s alltime wins list, and Yarborough ranks fourth with 69 pole positions.

But one of his most famous moments came in the 1979 Daytona 500, the first to be televised live flag to flag across the country. Yarborough, a Golden Gloves boxer who also earned a football scholarship to Clemson, crashed while racing with Donnie Allison on the final lap for the win.

The two drivers got out of their wrecked cars to fight, Allison’s brother, Bobby, pulled over to join the scrap and it was two Allison brothers versus Yarborough as Richard Petty crossed the finish line first.

It was a breakthrough moment for NASCAR, which, because of a snowstorm on the East Coast, was being shown on live television to its largest audience ever.

On X.com, Petty’s account offered condolences to the Yarborough family.

“His rivalry and competitive spirit with The King will always be a renowned part of NASCAR History, showcasing their mutual respect and the intensity of their competition on the track,” the post said.

Yarborough quit full-time racing after winning six races in 1980 and finishing second in the Cup standings after winning three straight crowns from 197678. He said at the time it was to spend more time with his three daughters. During his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction speech in 2012, Yarborough said he felt like he’d completed his journey from the bottom rung of the lad-

der to the top.

“I sure hoped I was going to get to this point because working in the back of the fields in that hot sun would make you want to do something else,” he said. “I always dreamed of … ending up where I have ended up tonight.”

After retirement, Yarborough opened and operated a used car dealership in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and served on the Florence County Council.

“The NASCAR industry and our millions of fans have lost one of the grittiest and most successful superstars of all time,” Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “Cale’s remarkable legacy and accomplishments in NASCAR will live in our minds, our hearts and the archives of the NASCAR Hall of Fame forever.”

Yarborough is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, and daughters Julie, Kelley and B.J.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

11

obituaries Norma Jean Shackleford Howard June 4, 1935 - Dec. 25, 2023 (age 88) CLINTON — Norma Jean Shackelford Howard, 88 passed away Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 in Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton. Jean was born June 4, 1935 in Duplin County to the late Melvin Shackelford and Virginia Poythress Shackelford.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Community Funeral Home Chapel in Warsaw, NC with visitation following the service.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Kathy Wilkins and husband, Robert of Warsaw; brother, Ray Shackelford and wife, Grey of Goldsboro; granddaughters, Jamie Pope and Billie Jo McCoy and husband, Don; grandsonin-law, William Pope; great grandchildren, Aidan McCoy, Kenzie McCoy, Logan Pope and Greyson Pope and her beloved fur baby, Simba.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by sister, Sylvia Waters.

John David Blanton Sr. Oct. 26, 1940 ~ Dec. 23, 2023 (age 83) John David Blanton Sr, age 83, of the Charity area, passed from his earthly life to meet his Lord on Dec. 23, 2023, while a resident of the Wallace Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born on Oct. 26, 1940, he is the son of the late James Harvey and Thelma Horrell Blanton. Also preceding him in death are sisters, Debbie Cantrell and Ginny Stokes.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Annette Malone Blanton; children, John David Blanton, Jr. and wife Darlene of Magnolia, Thomas Eugene Blanton and wife Arlene of Watha, Kimberly Ann Blanton of Magnolia, and Susan Rebecca Colantuono and husband Pete of Jacksonville; 10 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and siblings, Clinton Blanton and wife Jean of Rose Hill, Sonny Blanton and wife Marsha of Wallace, and Frances Malone of Rose Hill.

Blanton’s work career gave him 31 happy years with Murphy Farms as an equipment mechanic wherein he later became a supervisor. A wise man in many regards, his philosophy was to “turn and walk away” when in the face of anger or adversity, rather than letting Satan take over. He was faithful to his Lord and to Island Creek Baptist Church for many years. Family was paramount in his life and his love for family was the most important thing on earth to him.

A service to celebrate his life was held on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, in the Island Creek Baptist Church in Rose Hill, with interment to follow in Riverview Memorial Park.

Family greeted friends at a visitation on Dec. 26, 2023, in the chapel of Padgett Funeral & Cremation Services in Wallace.

Theodore ‘Ted’ Simon Dumas

Renee (Faircloth) Stoppelbein

June 6, 1936 - Dec. 26, 2023

Feb. 3, 1968 ~ Dec. 28, 2023

(age 87)

(age 55)

Theodore “Ted” Simon Dumas, 87, of Wallace passed away peacefully on Dec. 26, 2023 at home, surrounded by his family.

He was born on June 6, 1936 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Alexander and Esther (Chertkoff) Dumas. Mr. Dumas was also preceded in death by his siblings: Frederick Dumas, Saul Dumas, Rose Marlowe, Julia Glickman and Sally Chudakoff.

Surviving to cherish his memory is his best friend and wife of 60 years, Rose (Mulhall) Dumas; daughter Cindy Iacovetta and husband, Frank of Erie, PA; daughter Michele Brake and husband, Adam of Cary; grandchildren: Kaley Iacovetta (Jeff Mullen), Briana Gamble (Michael), Cassidy Brake and Cameron Brake; great-grandson, Orion Gamble; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ted served his country honorably in the United States Air Force, then began a career as a life insurance agent and underwriter. Ted was a hard worker and always provided well for his family. He worked his way into financial advising, becoming a Certified Financial Planner. Ted opened his own financial planning firm, where he built a thriving business with his partner and friend, Andy Moyer. Before fully retiring in 2012, Ted faithfully served his clients, many of whom became his personal friends.

Ted was a wonderful husband and amazing father.

He was adored by his four granddaughters, and was lovingly named “Papa Ted” by his 2-year-old greatgrandson. Above all, he was very proud of each member of his family, including his sons-in-law and grandsonsin-law. With his outgoing personality, Ted never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. A longtime resident of Warren, Ohio, he was active in his community and developed many close, lifelong friendships. In 2008, he and Rose relocated to North Carolina to build their dream home in the River Landing community, where they gained many friends who became like family.

Ted was very active throughout his life and was known for being a regular at the gym well into his 80s. As a sports enthusiast, he was a huge Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He enjoyed golfing, was an avid reader, conquered many New York Times crossword puzzles, and loved listening to Jazz and Blues music. Most of all, Ted valued spending quality time with his family and friends.

Ted will be greatly missed, but treasured memories of him will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends, and is being planned for a later date.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice of Clinton for the wonderful care, compassion and support they provided in Ted’s last months and days. Memorial donations can be made to Gentiva Hospice, 126 E Elizabeth St Suite B, Clinton, NC 28328.

Renee Faircloth Stoppelbein, 55, of Kenansville passed away at home surrounded by her family Dec. 28, 2023.

Renee was born Feb. 3, 1968 in Clinton, to the late Bobby Ray and Roena Faircloth.

Renee loved with all of her heart and her radiant smile brightened the life of everyone who knew her. Filled with kindness, compassion, joy and laughter, Renee welcomed everyone she met into her wide circle of extended family members and friends. She was a gift to this world and loved by so very many.

Renee is survived by her husband, Dr. William “Bill” Stoppelbein and son, Colby Stoppelbein of the home; stepdaughter, Anna Stoppelbein Brown (J.C.) and granddaughter, Anna Claire Brown of Winston-Salem; mother, Roena Faircloth of Wallace and sister, Christie Faircloth Dixon (Fred) of Summerville, S.C. Celebration of life will be held at Duplin Country Club, 148 Duplin Country Club Road, Kenansville, NC on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at I just helped save a life or to a church or charity of your choice.

Maria Isabel Zelaya Rojas April 10, 1951 - Dec. 23, 2023 (age 72) ROSE HILL — Ms. Maria Isabel Zelaya Rojas, age 72, of Rose Hill passed away on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023 at Iglesia Pentecostes Santidad a Jehova, 1537 Blind Bridge Road in Magnolia. Burial followed at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey.

Left to cherish her precious memories: son, Edwin Noel Chirinos Zelaya; daughters, Karen Yadira Chirinos Zelaya and Gricelda Marleny Chirinos Zelaya; brothers, Marco Zelaya and Julio Zelaya; sisters, Nolbia Zelaya, Estella Zelaya, Nery Zelaya and Consepcion Zelaya; grandchildren, Amy, Annie, Nicolle, Jason, Annie G., Angie, Gicci, Ariel, and Stephany; greatgrandchildren, Abraham, Iker, Valentina and Cesar; nieces, nephews and numerous family and friends that will miss her dearly.

SPONSORED BY QUINN MCGOWEN FUNERAL HOME

John Earl James March 29, 1949 - Dec. 24, 2023 (age 74) John Earl James, 74, of Magnolia answered the Master’s call Dec. 24, 2023 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville. Funeral service was held Saturday Dec. 30, 2023 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Wallace.

Visitation was Friday Dec. 29, 2023 at Hawes Funeral Home.

Interment was in Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey, following the funeral service.

John Earl was born in Duplin County to the late Robert James and the late Alice Mae Freeman James. He was the third of 17 children.

John Earl attended public schools in Duplin County.

Later in life, John Earl worked in the logging industry as a log load operator for 40 years. The Wallace Enterprise reported him as being the best in Duplin County. Logging was truly his passion.

John Earl was united in holy matrimony to the late Annie Louise Houston James.

This union was blessed for 49 years. They were also blessed with four children.

John Earl accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was a strong believer in the Lord.

He was a faithful member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for 36 years. John was also a member of the mass choir and the Sunday School Superintendent for many years.

Along with his wife and his parents, John Earl was preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

John Earl leaves to cherish his precious memories: three daughters, Juanita James, Angela Imes and Regina Highsmith (Delmas); son, Otis Earl James (Latesa); seven siblings, Napoleon James, Eunice Melvin(Edward), Sharon Weeks, Anthony Rydell James, Kelvin James(Carmela), Sheryl Cannon (Mose) and Herbert James; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Elma Sanderson Walton Aug. 9, 1930 - Dec. 27, 2023 (age 93) Elma Sanderson Walton, 93, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at her home.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Rifton (Rick) Walton and a grandson, Jerry Allen Brown.

Graveside service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville. Visitation was held at the cemetery.

Survivors include: daughters, Gelynda Barbee (Wayne) of Richlands, Marilyn Brown of Chinquapin, and Wendy Walton of Seven Springs; sister, Peggy Turner of Beulaville; grandchildren, Adam Brown (Amy), Jennifer Beck (Burke), and Melanie Caroon (Josh); and great-grandchildren, Bryson Brown, Logan Brown, Layla Caroon and Bailey Caroon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Beulaville OFWB Church, P.O. Box 1014, Beulaville, NC 28518.

Amos Hue Jones Dec. 21, 1955 - Dec. 27, 2023 (age 68) Amos Hue Jones, 68, died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hoppy and Ruby Dean Jones and a niece, Shannon Whaley Knowles.

Graveside service was held on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at Sand Hill Cemetery, Pink Hill.

Visitation followed at the cemetery.

Survivors include: sister, Minnie Whaley (Ivey) of Beulaville; nephew, Jason Whaley (Kris) of Asheville; and great-nephews, Gavin Brinkley, Gabe Price and Barrett Whaley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Potters Hill Advent Christian Church, 984 Church Road, Pink Hill, NC 28572.

Steven Curtis Aultman Oct. 2, 1961 - Dec. 27, 2023 (age 62) Steven Curtis Aultman, 62, of Warsaw transitioned to eternal rest Dec. 27, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday Jan. 2, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Magnolia.

Visitation was held one hour prior to service. Interment was at Devotional Gardens Cemetery in Warsaw.

Sheila Ann Graham May 1, 1961 - Dec. 31, 2023 WARSAW — Sheila Ann Graham, 62, of Warsaw passed away Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh. Sheila was born May 1, 1961 to the late Myrtle Jenkins Graham and Sammie Graham.

A memorial service/visitation will be held 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at Community Funeral Home Chapel of Warsaw. A private burial will take place at Devotional Gardens.

Left to cherish her memory are children, Staci Bailey and IJ (Josh) Quinn III, both of Warsaw; grandchildren, Kurt Bailey and Emma Bailey.

Duplin Journal for Wednesday, January 3, 2024

12

Judith ‘Judy’ Anne Jones

Sharlene Boney Jennings

Ransom Newkirk Jr.

Aug. 24, 1943 - Dec. 21, 2023

Feb. 6, 1958 — Dec. 20, 2023 (age 65)

Feb. 15, 1944 — Dec. 20, 2023 (age 79)

KENANSVILLE — Sharlene Boney Jennings, age 65, of Kenansville passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Memorial services were held Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 at noon at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill.

Left to cherish her precious memories; husband, Gregory Jennings of Rose Hill; four sons: Prease Boney of Beulaville, Gregory and Melvin Boney of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Vernon Boney of Long Island, N.Y.; three daughters: Veronica Gaines of Wilson, LaMisha Boney of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Ijnanya Boney of Newark, N.J.; three brothers: Leon Boney of Wallace, Guy Boney of Chinquapin, and Jerry Boney of Willard; two sisters: Renita Boney of Wallace, and Linda Farrior of Fayetteville; 25 grandchildren; seven greatgrandchildren; numerous family and friends that will miss her dearly.

WALLACE — Ransom Newkirk Jr., age 79, of Wallace passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 at home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 at noon at Newkirk Chapel Church in Willard. Burial will follow at African American Community Cemetery in Willard.

Left to cherish his precious memories: sons: Larry (Shelbie) of Durham, Ransom, III “Randy” of Dumfries, Va., and Vincent (Angie) of Clinton, Md.; daughter, Margaret Ann of Wallace; brother, Tommy (Trina) of White Plains, N.Y.; sisters: Esther (Danny) of Wallace, Laura of Wallace, and Belinda of Florida; eight grandchildren, 11 greatgrandchildren, one greatgreat-grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

(age 80) Judith Irvin Jones, 80, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in ECU Health Duplin Hospital, Kenansville.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, with visitation following the service. A graveside service was held on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at Hosea Fountain Cemetery, Chinquapin.

Survivors include: spouse, A.D. Jones of Chinquapin; son, Al Jones of Richlands; and sister, Claire Hall of Seaboard.

Rosa Miller Harrell

Belinda Sue Raynor

June 25, 1930 - Dec. 28, 2023 (age 93)

Oct. 13, 1965 - Dec. 30, 2023

Rosa Miller Harrell, 93, died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

Funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2023, with visitation preceding, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service will be Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Thompson Family Cemetery, Odell Thompson Lane, Beulaville.

Survivors include: sons, A.J. (Buddy) Harrell (Paula) of Beulaville, Andy Harrell (Beth) of Maysville; daughter, Sandra Thompson (Timmie) of Beulaville; sister, Ruth Thornhill of Water Haven, Fla.; brother, George Miller of Comfort; grandchildren, Tonia Thompson, Warren Harrell, Amanda Allen, Jonathan Byrd, Brittany Harrell and Ashley Harrell; and greatgrandchildren, Megan Martin, Brandon Allen, Clayton Harrell and Gia Grimes.

(age 58) Belinda Sue Raynor, 58, died on Dec. 30, 2023 in ECU Duplin Hospital, Kenansville.

She is preceded in death by her father, Donald E. Raynor.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024 at 7 p.m., followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: mother, Ramona Raynor of Beulaville; brother, Jammie Raynor of Pink Hill; special uncle, Gordon Raynor; and caregiver, Roxanna Maready.

Mt. Olive Pickle Drop makes New Year’s a big dill

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal MOUNT OLIVE - What started out as a small gathering of Mt. Olive Pickle employees has grown into an annual New Year’s Eve event that draws thousands and was even named one of USA Today’s 10 Best New Year’s Eve Drops in the U.S. This year’s event was staged in front of the University of Mount Olive’s Kornegay Arena, with a

ladder truck from the Mount Olive Fire Department hoisting a giant lighted pickle among the tree tops. At 7 p.m., which is midnight GMT, the pickle is dropped into a waiting jar and fireworks immediately light up the sky behind the arena.

The whole event is finished by 7:30 p.m., and features live music, free pickles, food trucks, and door prizes for those who bring a donation for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

PHOTOS BY ABBY CAVENAUGH | DUPLIN JOURNAL

The giant lighted pickle drops at 7 p.m. sharp every New Year’s Eve at the University of Mt. Olive.

Fireworks conclude the annual Mt. Olive Pickle Drop on New Year’s Eve, an event that started in 1999 as a small gathering of Mt. Olive Pickle Company employees and has grown into one of the premier events in southeastern N.C.

The 23rd annual Mt. Olive Pickle Drop, held at the University of Mount Olive just over the Duplin-Wayne County line, draws thousands each year on New Year’s Eve.

The lighted Mt. Olive pickle drops into a waiting jar as thousands gather to witness the New Year’s Eve tradition in the town of Mount Olive.