Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 10

Duplin Journal

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

the BRIEF this week

Beulaville man wins

$25k a year for life

Beulaville

Harold Eubanks of Beulaville is celebrating a big win after a $2 Lucky for Life ticket won him a $25,000 a year for life prize last week.

The North Carolina Education Lottery announced Eubanks won his prize with a ticket he bought from 365 Stores LLC on North Jackson Street in Beulaville.

The Lucky winner claimed his prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, choosing a $390,000 lump sum instead of $25,000 a year for the rest of his life. After required state and federal tax withholdings, Eubanks took home $278,853.

The odds of winning are 1 in 1.8 million.

Duplin Rotary Club president receives scouting award

Kenansville

Michael Stempek, Duplin Rotary Club President, was recently presented with the Scouting Rotarian Award.

DJS

Duplin Coalition for Health asks residents to take health needs survey

Duplin County Duplin Coalition for Health is asking Duplin residents to take a survey to help them identify and address the health needs and challenges in our community. Visit the Duplin Coalition for Health Facebook page to take the survey.

DJS

Man wanted for involuntary manslaughter

Beulaville

Antonio Santes is wanted for his involvement in the death of Melana Villafranco, 18. According to authorities, on Sept. 14, 2022, Santes gave Villafranco what he believed to be a Xanax; however, Villafranco’s toxicity report later con rmed her death was due to a fatal dose of Fentanyl. Santes is 5’10” tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has long brown hair, green eyes and multiple tattoos along his neck, chest, and arms. He is believed to be in the Kinston area. If you have any information, call the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce Tip-line at 910-372-9202 or 910-296-2150.

DJS

Record crowds attend NC Pickle Festival

the

of people from across the country attended the annual festival, which according to organizers had record crowds in attendance. Turn to page 6 for the story and photos.

Garden Gala kicks o Carolina Strawberry Festival in style

Carolina Strawberry Festival is this weekend, May 3-4

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WILLARD — For the rst time in its long history, the Carolina Strawberry Festival kicked o a week early with the Garden Gala, held Saturday, April 27, at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery in Willard.

“The main thing is we want to have an event kind of like the Azalea Festival Garden Party to kick o the festival,” said Kristyn Padgett, who handles advertising and social media for the Strawberry Festival.

Nearly 300 people turned out for the event, which included live entertainment from The Catalinas, food and beverage vendors, and self-guided tours through the lush, picturesque gardens at Johnson Nursery.

“It’s really important to have events like this,” said Johnson Nursery owner David Johnson.

“The mission of the Gardens is a nonpro t. We started this to

display what we grow, and to improve lives by helping people learn about what grows here.”

In addition to calling attention to the Gardens for people who might have never seen them, Johnson said he also agreed to host the event because it was a great way for the Carolina Strawberry Festival organizers to thank the festival’s sponsors with a fun garden party.

“It’s exciting,” said Annie

Medicaid expansion in Duplin County reaches 2,317 bene ciaries

DSS still losing employees to other counties

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

DUPLIN RESIDENTS without health insurance have jumped at the opportunity to have health coverage through the Medicaid expansion, reaching a total of 2,317 bene ciaries to date according to Annie Murrell, Duplin County Social Services director.

Murrell told the Duplin Journal that they have also seen an increase of people applying for other programs, like food assistance and help paying electric bills.

“We have had increases in other programs, such as our food

58.1%

Of Duplin County Medicaid bene ciaries are females.

and nutrition. We’ve seen an increase in applications there, and our crisis program,” said Murrell, explaining that a lot of beneciaries are applying online and learning about other programs available.

Data from the NC Medicaid, Division of Health Bene ts shows that 58.1% of those cur-

Johnson, David’s daughter, who also works at Johnson Nursery.

“Our grounds are really beautiful, and it’s exciting to display them and have people see the gardens.”

Plein air painters were dotted throughout the gardens during the event, painting scenes that played out in front of their eyes. Painter Patrick Raynor said the artists were

See GALA , page 12

Warsaw will be home to Duplin County’s rst Sheetz store

Popular convenience store will open in August

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Popular convenience store chain Sheetz is opening a new location on NC Highway 24 in Warsaw, just o I-40.

The convenience store chain is known not only for its fuel, beverages and snacks, but also for its made-to-order meal items like burgers, pizzas, chicken sandwiches, fries and breakfast sandwiches. Sheetz stores also feature espresso bars with made-to-order coffees. According to Sheetz, the stores also have the lowest prices on tobacco and cigarettes that are allowed by law. The Warsaw Sheetz will be located at 2543 W NC Highway 24. Construction is well under way and town o cials say the store will be open in August.

See SHEETZ , page 12

Authorities investigate Rose Hill fatal re

Despite lifesaving e orts, the 88-year-old man succumbed to his injuries

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

AUTHORITIES are investi-

gating the cause of a re that led to the death of Morrell Chasten, 88, of Rose Hill on Sunday. According to the Department of Emergency Management, the Duplin County 911 Center received a call about a re in the area of 390 Clinic Circle Drive, Rose Hill on April 28 at 11:54 p.m.

After responding units conducted a primary search of the structure, they found the man who was later identi ed as Chasten and removed him.

O cials reported that despite medical personnel lifesaving e orts, Chasten succumbed to his injuries. He was later transported for an autopsy that will be conducted by the North Carolina O ce of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“Out of respect for the family of the victims and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, no further details about the investigation will be released,” stated the report.

$2.00

DJS

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor, left, chats with David Johnson, owner of Johnson Nursery, at the Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala on Saturday, April 27.

Dylan Rinker (center) won the Pickle Eating Contest in the male division after eating 13 pickles in ve minutes on Saturday, April 27 at

North Carolina Pickle Festival. Thousands

PJ WARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WEDNESDAY 5.1.24

WEEKLY

WEDNESDAY

“Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal www.duplinjournal.com

North State Media LLC 303 West Raleigh Street, Siler City, North Carolina 27344 Copyright 2023 North State Media LLC

Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com

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

Ena Sellers, News Editor ena@northstatejournal.com

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

Michael Jaenicke, Sports Editor michael@northstatejournal.com

David Guy, Advertising Manager dguy@northstatejournal.com

CONTACT US

For a vacation hold or to report a delivery problem: 919-663-3232

To place a classi ed or display ad: 919-663-3232; Fax: 919-663-4042

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

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

MAY 3-4

The Carolina Strawberry Festival will be on May 3-4. Friday night will include live music from North Tower and the Band of Oz, while Saturday night’s entertainment will be provided by Rivermist and The Tams. Both Friday and Saturday will include amusement rides, and the dinosaur show. The annual pageant will be held on Saturday morning at the main stage. Parking is street side and the festival can be accessed from Norword Street (Highway 41) from the east and west or from Cliff Street, Boney Street or Souherland Street. The event is free and open to the public.

MAY 11

Chinquapin Volunteer Fire & Rescue is having a BBQ cook off at Chinquapin Ball Field on May 11. BBQ judging starts at 9 a.m., Fire truck judging at 10 a.m., and plant sale at 11 a.m. BBQ plates are $10.

MAY 15

Registration for Summer Basketball for ages 3.5-15 in the town of Faison, opens May 15 through June 30. For more information, call 910-2670115.

MAY 18

Duplin County Culture & Community Health Fair will be on May 18, noon to 3 p.m., at 165 Agriculture Dr., Kenansville. For more information, call 252329-0593.

MAY 31

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce 9th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be on May 31 at the Bear Trail Golf Club. Maple Hill, NC with Tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 910-262-5272 for more information.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the rst and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100. The Beulaville town board meets the rst Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910298-4647.

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the rst Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade Street. For information, call 919-6589221.

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

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

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-289-3078.

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

The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front

APRIL 24

Uffin Mark Davis, 34, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of assault on a female. Bond was denied.

APRIL 25

Precious Antionett Atkinson, 40, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on three counts of communicating threats, three counts of injury to real property, and resisting a public officer. Bond was set at $20,000.

Charles Jacob Farrior, 43, was booked into the Duplin County Jail for probation violation out of county. Bond was set at $25,000.

Tony Terrell Pickett, 48, was booked into the Duplin

County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and negligent child abuse resulting in bodily injury. Bond was set at $60,000.

Sammie Lamont Gilchrist, 42, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of driving while license revoked, fictitious/altered title registration card/tag, and misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $5,000.

Jesse Allen Medlin, 23, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, operating an all-terrain vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular

area, and misdemeanor larceny. Bond was set at $1,350.

APRIL 26

Tymir D. Dondre, 26, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of driving while license revoked and failing to secure a passenger under 16. Bond amount was set at $500.

Jesus Vazquez, 57, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of driving while impaired. Bond was set at $1,000.

APRIL 27

Fonda Annette Robson, 56, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of second-degree trespass. Bond was set at $500.

APRIL 28

Alexander Jr Kornegay, 64, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of driving with a revoked license, speeding, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft, obtaining property by pretense, and two counts of felony worthless check. Bond was set at $27,500.

Gregory Scott Taylor, 43, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of misdemeanor larceny, second-degree trespass, communicating threats, and simple assault. No bond set.

St. For more information, call 910-293-7814.

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

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910289-3159.

The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For more information, call 910372-9178.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-4136.

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

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

Four County EMC Board Directors Honored

Ronald J. Allen, G. Clayton Hollingsworth, and S. Eugene Jordan, all members of the Four County Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors were recently honored with the commendable service awards during the 2024 statewide annual meeting of N.C. Electric Membership Corporation, N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives, and the Tarheel Electric Membership Association.

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202 or you may also submit information at cc.southernsoftware.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Special thanks to our DCS family

A teacher’s role is endless and their work is never done. We must continue to support them and lift them up in every way, just like they do for our students each day.

IT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE that the end of the 2023-2024 school year is approaching. Our entire school family has worked so hard this year, and I am so proud of everyone’s relentless drive to nish this school year strong. From our amazing cafeteria sta who serve our students each day, to our custodians, bus drivers, support sta , teachers and administrators, and every one that works with our students in some way, I say, thank you! Your commitment to the success of our children has never waivered. Thank you to our Board of Education, our families, communities, and business and industry partners that support us in our e orts to make sure that our students succeed to their highest potential. There is no way that we can do this without all of you.

Our teachers continue to serve faithfully at the forefront, and I am so thankful for their dedicated commitment to our students and families. Let’s take time to share our appreciation for all they do each day to help our students learn, thrive, and grow. A teacher’s role is endless and their work is never done. We must continue to support them and lift

them up in every way, just like they do for our students each day. Their value is immeasurable and they deserve to be respected for the role they have been called to serve. As we approach the end of this school year, let’s take time to not only re ect on our successes, and improvements that we have made, but let’s re ect on the challenges that we have faced and how we overcame them. The education profession and life itself is not easy, as they certainly come with their share of obstacles. But in spite of those, we remain dedicated to our children and families. Through prayer and God’s amazing grace, we will continue to get up each morning, thanking God for blessing us with the mission to serve, educate, and love his children and each other.

Duplin County is a very special place, and I am so thankful for everyone that He has placed in our school system. We will continue to stay committed as “One Family” and keep working hard, so that our students get the quality education that they deserve, no matter what.

Dr. Austin Obasohan is the Duplin County Schools Superintendent.

Trump faces 34 felonies at trial; But was there a crime?

I CAN’T TELL YOU how many people I know who do not like former President Donald Trump yet nonetheless smell prosecutorial overreach in Manhattan.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged the former president with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

The case began with Michael Cohen, Trump’s onetime xer, making a “hush money” payment to the former adult lm actress known as Stormy Daniels to keep her from revealing information about an apparent sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. Bragg used the fact that Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels in 2016, when Trump was running for president, as a pretext to turn a moldy misdemeanor o ense into a felony.

But is it even illegal? This trial showcases something rich men and big corporations have been doing for years — paying o mistresses or wronged sta ers with cash settlements with little public scrutiny thanks to nondisclosure agreements.

I don’t like it, but it’s not a crime.

On Tuesday, National Enquirer editor David Pecker testi ed that during a 2015 meeting in Trump Tower, he told Trump, Cohen and campaign stalwart Hope Hicks that he wanted to help the Trump campaign, if behind the scenes. What followed was “catch and kill,” the term for the scheme of paying to get dirt on a public gure, then killing the story, as happened

with another alleged Trump gal pal, Karen McDougal. The National Enquirer paid her $150,000 for a story that never ran.

Trump has denied that anything extramarital occurred with McDougal and Daniels.

But as Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told CNN, “You don’t pay someone $130,000 not to have sex with you.”

Back to Cohen. He’s a awed witness to be sure, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to charges that included tax evasion and lying to Congress when he testi ed about Trump, his former master. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison.

Then, last year, Cohen claimed that he lied when he admitted to tax evasion. A more careful prosecutor would not hang a case on an accomplished liar.

Given his capacity for self-pity and selfsabotage, it’s no surprise that Trump told reporters after the second day of trial, “I’m not allowed to defend myself.”

Trump also continued to throw shade at Judge Juan Merchan, whose gag order, Trump maintained, robbed him of his “right to free speech.” Trump also o ered that Merchan “should recuse himself.”

Pecker testi ed that he was glad to help by running “positive stories about Mr. Trump,” as well as negative stories about his campaign rivals.

I’m guessing many Big Media hot shots feel the same way — about Biden.

COLUMN | AUSTIN OBASOHAN

Getting to know Charley Farrior WITH DUPLIN COUNTY’S MOVERS & SHAKERS

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

CHARLEY FARRIOR has lived most of his life in Wallace, save for four years at N.C. State University and about a year and a half in Kannapolis working for Canon Mills. So it’s perhaps no surprise that he’s one of the town’s biggest cheerleaders and supporters. Farrior served on the town council for 35 years, with 26 of those as mayor. He’s also president of the Carolina Strawberry Festival, which has become Wallace’s premier event, in addition to serving on numerous boards and committees, both for Wallace and Duplin County as a whole. For our next Q&A series, the Duplin Journal sat down with Farrior, and asked him about his many years of service to the town of Wallace, as well as the upcoming Strawberry Festival.

What made you rst want to become mayor of Wallace?

My daddy was mayor from 1970-1979. I remember the celebrations and the joy he had in doing the job, but I also remember a lot of the challenges that he had in doing that job. And honestly, for a long time, I wasn’t sure that was something I wanted to follow.

But in 1986, the mayor at that time, Earl Whitaker, passed away while he was in o ce. And so that created a vacancy. The mayor pro tem was Arnold Duncan, so Arnold stepped into the mayor seat at that time. And then they had a vacancy on the board, and the town council at that time asked me would I consider running out Arnold’s unexpired term since he had moved up to mayor. I thought about it a lot and talked with [my wife] Harriet about it a lot, and decided that I wanted to see if I could contribute to the town that I love. So I got on the town council, and served a number of terms there and then in 1995,

rently enrolled in Duplin County are females and 41.9% are males with 40.3% of bene ciaries falling into the 19-29 age bracket, 21% are between the ages of 30-39, 16% are 40-49 years old, 14.9% fall into the 50-59 age bracket and 6.8% are 60-64. In Duplin County 228 bene ciaries are documented non-citizens.

Arnold said that he was not going to run for mayor again and asked if it was something I wanted to do. The rest is history.

How has the town of Wallace changed since you rst became mayor until now?

Having been mayor for 26 years, it’s changed a great deal. The one word that pops into my mind is growth. We’ve had growth downtown, and downtown in past years has been cyclical. You’ll have a ourishing downtown and then you might have a number of businesses that go out of business, or business owners pass away and you’d have empty buildings. But right now, I think Wallace’s downtown is the best that I have known it, particularly since I have been mayor.

What do you think makes the Strawberry Festival a great event for the community?

I think the Strawberry Festival, of course, its

Despite departmental shortages the sta is managing to keep up with the challenges.

“We are still losing employees to our neighboring counties that pay signi cantly more money than we do… so, we’re trying to work through that,” said Murrell, adding that they have quite a few dedicated employees that love working at the agency.

“We do have a good percent-

history is a celebration of agriculture, a celebration of the strawberry, which was the money crop for farmers back in the ‘30s, some into the ‘40s. Farmers would bring their strawberries to town, they’d auction them o , load them on trains, carry strawberries to New York and places further than Wallace. It was just a big, big deal and of course, all of Wallace would get together at the end of strawberry season and celebrate, and that’s where the Strawberry Festival started. It was that big celebration.

I think our festival now brings together folks of all ages. There’s something at the festival for everybody to do, no matter what age you are. Lots and lots of vendors; over 150 vendors this year. it’s just going to be a good time for everybody.

On a more personal note, what do you do in your spare time?

I like being part of my grandchildren’s lives.

age that won’t leave, but we do have a lot that are leaving,” said Murrell, explaining that in the last two months, at least four employees left to go work for a county that o ered better pay. She also explained that usually some individuals know whether that is the type of work that they want to do within their rst two years, so that also plays a factor on employee turnover.

They’re in beauty pageants, they’re in dance recitals, they’re playing baseball, and Harriet and I try to attend as many of those events as we can. And in addition to that, I just like volunteering in groups that help the town of Wallace and help Duplin County.

What’s the last book you read?

The last book I read was ‘Boss Hog: The Legacy of Wendell Murphy.’ I really enjoyed reading that. It talks a lot about Wendell’s life and it brings in local folks that helped him build his industry. A lot of those local folks, I know. I like success stories and that book is a very creative man that wanted to change the hog industry and did that, and was successful at doing that, while he worked very, very hard.

What’s your favorite eatery in Duplin County?

I can’t boil that down to one. If I want a hamburger, I like to go to Dixon’s Grill. If I want a steak, I go to the Country Squire. If I want a pork meal, I go to the Mad Boar. If I want just good old country cooking, I like the Rose Hill Restaurant. A really good sandwich, I like Duplin Winery. If I want a croissant, I’m going to go to Burney’s. And if I get co ee, I’m probably going to go to MoJoe’s.

What, in your opinion, is the best thing about Duplin County?

The best thing about Duplin County is the people. They’re good folks that want to help their neighbor and their friends celebrate their successes, but also want to be there in times of need. And I think that love among the people is something that you don’t see in every area.

“In Medicaid, I have 52 positions, and out of 52, I have eight vacancies, which is a 15% vacancy rate,” said Murrell, adding that across the board they have a 20.89% vacancy rate for the department, which is the highest that it’s been in the last two years.

“I would say retaining sta is, right now, one of the challenges.”

JSCC Small Business Center o ers free online seminars

Duplin County

James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center o ers free online seminars every month for small business owners, or those wishing to start their own businesses. Courses throughout the next couple of weeks include: Target and Attract Customers for Your Website and Store, May 1, 6-8 p.m.; Making Money While You Sleep (But You Have to be Awake to Start), May 2, 6-8 p.m.; Never Too Late: Starting a Business at 50+, May 7, 7-8:30 p.m.; Secrets to Maintaining Positive Cash Flow and Funds, May 8, 6-8 p.m.; Pro t Acceleration Road Map Series — HighPerforming Teams, May 9, 3-5 p.m. To register for any of these courses, visit Events/Workshops and select James Sprunt Community College as the center.

Cabin Lake County Park hosting vendor and craft fair

Beulaville

Cabin Lake County Park will play host to a vendor and craft fair on Saturday, May 11, starting at 9 a.m. Rain date will be May 18. The fair will include vendors o ering food, crafts, woodworking, tumblers, and more. For more information or to sign up to be a vendor, call 910298-3648. “Whether you’re searching for one-of-a-kind gifts, home décor, or simply want to treat yourself to something special, this fair is the place to be!” reads a Facebook post from Cabin Lake County Park.

Public input sought for Community Health Needs Assessment

Duplin County ECU Health Duplin Hospital is encouraging citizens to take part in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment. Responses to this optional survey are anonymous and allow the health system to understand what community members see as the most important health issues a ecting Duplin County. To access the survey and learn more about the Community Health Needs Assessment, please visit ECUHealth.org/ CHNA.

We’ve seen an increase in applications, and in our crisis program.”

Annie Murrell, Duplin County Social Services director.

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Former Wallace Mayor Charley Farrior is shown at the street renaming ceremony for longtime Wallace Council Member David Jordan on March 15.

Pickle Festival brings ‘dill-lightful’ time to Mount Olive

Annual celebration attracts record crowds

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

It was an exciting weekend for Mount Olive, as warmer weather and the love for everything pickles brought thousands of visitors to celebrate the annual North Carolina Pickle Festival, April 26 and 27. The festivities kicked o Friday and continued through Saturday with carnival rides, live music, vendors, and a full schedule of non-stop entertainment.

Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds ooded the streets of downtown Mount Olive to enjoy the two-day event.

“It was an awesome crowd,“ said Lynn Williams, NC Pickle

Festival public relations manager about the event, which year after year continues to attract more crowds from all over the country.

“I do think this was a record year,” said Williams, explaining that despite planning for more people they still had way more attendance than anticipated. “We had three places for shuttles to pick up on campus and then three other shopping centers in town. ... We plan for more people every year and then we have way more people than we planned for.”

For Williams the best part of the festival is to see the excitement of the crowds.

“The pickle eating contest was de nitely the highlight of the day. It was an amazing crowd to watch and to [see] cheer people on,” said Williams about the yearly tradition, where 14 con-

“The pickle eating contest was de nitely the highlight of the day. It was an amazing crowd to watch and to cheer people on.”

Lynn Williams, NC Pickle Festival public relations manager

testants have ve minutes to devour as many pickles as they can during the pickle eating contest.

Dylan Rinker, of Fair eld, Pa., won the male division trophy and $100, eating 13 pickles, and Vivian Redd, of Fayetteville was the female division champion

with 10 pickles.

This year the event had over 150 volunteers and 175 vendors, the most they ever had according to July Beck, NC Pickle Festival Chair.

Among some of the new features of this year was Ollie’s Costume Contest, which had crowds ‘awww-ing’ and cheering as participants approached the stage for Ollie Q. Cumber, the festival mascot, to do the judging.

“He’s the ultimate pickle costume, so we think it’s only tting that he judges the others,” said Williams.

“People put a lot of thought into their costumes.”

Also new this year was the Poetry Fox, and the Kazoobie Kazoo show where festival goers got free kazoos, danced and played along.

“We just had a lot of really special things going on this year,” said Williams, adding that the costume contest and the pickle eating were some of her favorite things.

“Both were just a lot of fun,” she said adding that she loves how participants engage in the activities and some even wear their costumes all day.

“It’s the spirit of the crowd,” said Williams. “So many of them are pickle lovers and they’re just here because they love pickles or they’re with their wife who loves pickles, but they don’t really. It’s really a wonderful crowd. They’re good natured and fun.”

From live music and dance performances to car shows and helicopter rides, the North Carolina Pickle Festival had something for everyone.

NOTICE OF SECOND PRIMARY ELECTION DUPLIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

The statewide second primary will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Voters must go to their assigned precinct on Election Day.

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when they vote. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Voters

who lack ID can get one for free from their county board of elections. Find out more at BringItNC.com.

Early voting will be held at the following locations from Thursday, April 25, 2024, to Saturday, May 11, 2024: Duplin County Board of Elections o ce, 160 Mallard Street, Kenansville, NC 28349

Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them as soon as they are available. A voter can ll out an absentee ballot request at votebymail.ncsbe.gov, or by lling out a request form provided by the board of elections. The request must be received through the website or by the Duplin County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. May 7, 2024.

All voters who are registered with the political party of the candidates on the ballot are eligible to vote in the second primary. Additionally, voters who are not a liated with any party and who either didn’t vote in the rst primary or voted the ballot of the party for which the second primary is being held are eligible to participate. For example, if a second primary is held for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, then all registered Republicans and una liated voters who did not vote or voted the Republican ballot in the rst primary would be eligible. Questions? Call the Duplin County Board of Elections O ce at (910) 296-2170 or send an email to dcboe@ duplincountync.com.

Angela B.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at the Beulaville Town Hall on May 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to receive citizen input concerning the proposed 2024/2025 budget ordinance. A copy of the proposed budget ordinance will be available for public inspection prior to the hearing.

Please contact the Town Hall at 910-298-4647 for further information.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing.

Lori T. Williams Town Clerk/Finance O cer

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD / DUPLIN JOURNAL

DUPLIN SPORTS

ND seeks the CC Tourney title on Thursday in Rosewood

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — The North Duplin softball team is lighting it up and on another long winning streak.

A year removed from sporting a historic 23rd win, the Rebels have two goals in mind: Winning two trophies.

The rst will fall on Thursday when ND plays for its third straight Carolina Conference Tournament title.

The second objective requires more attention: Return to the 1A nals and bring home

the banner. That journey starts next Tuesday as ND hosts its rst playo game.

The Rebels (12-1, 7-0) could earn the overall No. 1 seed in the 32-team East eld.

They have the highest RPI (18.06) and have a wide lead over second-place Vance Charter (13.41) and the rest of the eld. ND is No. 21 in RPI among all classi cations.

While the Rebels have gotten solid pitching from ace Lilly Fulghum and Ady Spence, a solid No. 2 hurler, ND has put dings all over their aluminon bats.

The Rebel are hitting .407 and on a nine-game winning streak as the tourney time bells begin to ring.

Sound familiar?

ND hit .439 last spring and

had winning streaks of 10 and 11 games.

The calm before the storm came last week when ND blasted Rosewood 9-0. The Rebels have outscored foes 169- 37 this spring, including an 107-11 margin in CC play. Yet the win over the Eagles was the smallest margin in six league games.

Fulghum drove in three and Sara Tucker Thomas two against Rosewood. Reece Outlaw and Iala Overton each added a pair of hits. Spence and Marissa Bernal chipped in with an RBI. Fulghum whi ed eight, walked two and yielded three hits for the win, lowering her ERA to 0.62.

ND has four players hitting .400 or better -- Addy Higginbotham (.633), Fulghum (.628), Outlaw (.535) and Spence (.413).

Eagles stick thorns into Rebels to capture CC title

ND seeks revenge from two losses to Rosewood in the tourney nal on Thursday

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — In baseball, the smallest things can be magni ed into a loss.

Not hitting is an easy way to an “L.” Walks, unearned runs and baserunners who are left stranded also spell defeat. All of these came into play when Rosewood beat North Duplin 6-2 last Tuesday to clinch the Carolina 1A Conference title on the Rebels’ diamond.

Eagle hurlers Jack Adams and Cam Medlin combined to limit ND to two hits and one earned run. The Rebels worked out seven walks, though, only Hunt Pate used a free pass as a ticket to score one of two rst-inning runs. Six other walks produced nothing in return.

Austin Du likewise walked and crossed the plate as ND took a 2-0 lead into the fourth.

Adams and Robbie Boren knocked in runs as Rosewood (15-5, 10-0) went in front 4-0. Adams is hitting .455 this spring and Boren .471. Yet Rosewood’s best hitter, Anderson Clucas (.428, seven extra-base hits, 25 RBIs) was 3-for-4. The Eagles added two in the seventh as insurance against a comeback. Rosewood won the rst meeting between the schools.

Du was held hitless for just the second time this season. The two teams seemed destined for a third matchup in the CC Tournament nal. ND (11-7, 8-2) was to play the winner of Hobbton-Union on Tuesday this week, while Rosewood waited for the survivor of Neuse Charter and Lakewood.

The nals are Friday at Rosewood. While ND would love revenge, the tables are all but set for the 1A playo s, with the Rebels taking the CC’s No. 2 seed.

ND is No. 20 in terms of Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) in the 1A East. That’s good enough for a home game before being on the road the rest of the way. Rosewood is No. 7 and will be playing on its diamond longer. Bear Grass (18-1) is the top seed, followed by Wilson Prep (17-2) and Northside-Pinetown (14-5).

WRH, which won just 12 games in the past two seasons, is on the playo bubble. The Bulldogs entered the week as the No. 30 team in a 32-team, 2A East bracket.

WRH seeks the postseason to complete its rst season of rebuild

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Last week was a take-it-on-the-chin kind of week for the Wallace-Rose Hill baseball team.

The Bulldogs’ season-high ve-game winning streak ended after a 9-1 loss on Tuesday to East Central 2A Conference member North Lenoir.

Another cleat dropped on Thursday following a 12-1 setback to Trask. That left WRH at 10-9 over-

all and 5-6 in ECC play with a game against South Lenoir (145, 9-2), which won a 2-1 decision over the Hawks (17-4, 10-1) last week in a battle for rst place.

NL meets James Kenan (413, 2-9) in its regular-seasonnale, while SL takes on WRH, as both Duplin schools get an opportunity to play the role of a spoiler.

Since the ECC does not have a postseason tournament, schools will prep for possible state tournament games this week with a bit more rest than their competitors. The brackets will be drawn on Monday. First-round games start on Tuesday at the home eld of the higher-seeded team.

Duplin rival East Duplin is No. 24 and in the playo eld, though No. 47 James Kenan, will end its season this week. North Duplin is No. 11 in the 1A East as the Rebels have secured a spot in the postseason.

Thirty-two of 53 schools in the 2A classi cation will be playo -bound.

Getting there is a huge goal for WRH’s rst-year coach Logan Kissner, a former Bulldog player who was in the postseason during his heydays.

He’s guided WRH to its rst winning season since 2016. The Bulldogs went 15-9, 17-7, 13-13 and 12-12 leading up to ’16, yet 40-72 from 2017 to 2023. That being the case, there’s

BULLDOGS, page 9

Sizzling

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WRH’s Dallas James is one of two senior starters. He’s hitting .326 and has logged the second-most innings pitching to ace Kaiden Lui.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL ND’s Holden Williams is hitting .419 with 17 RBIs.

Panthers get wakeup call before key ECC match against Stallions

The Dark Horses ran away with a lopsided win in Clinton

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — If nothing else, East Duplin’s 7-1 loss to Clinton last Friday was a wakeup call to the Panthers. East Duplin was to play Southwest Onslow on Tuesday in Jacksonville for the outright East Central 2A Conference title.

The Panthers were assured at least a share of the ag since they slipped past the Stallions 2-1 in overtime on April 9 on ED’s pitch.

That is assuming ED beats North Lenoir (4-10-2, 4-8) on May 8 in LaGrange. ED thrashed the Hawks 9-0 on March 26.

SWO (9-5-1, 8-1) has won ve straight matches after a loss to ED.

Anamarie Rodrigues scored

the Panthers’ lone goal against the Dark Horses.

ED (13-5-1, 8-0) lost for the rst time on its home eld as Kenzie Yang had a hat trick and Jenna Jackson scored twice.

Rodrigues, Yuliana Chavarria, Briana Mejia and Claire Beth Bradshaw scored on Monday during a 4-0 conquest of Southern Wayne (5-12-1).

Even a Panther loss in Jacksonville gives ED a co-championship. A win or tie means the Panthers the crown outright.

Bulldogs topple NL to secure third in the ECC

When Bri Maradiaga plays well, Wallace-Rose Hill plays plays well.

It’s that simple.

The Bulldog junior scored two goals in two games in key wins as WRH improved to 9-7 overall and 4-5 in ECC play.

She hit the back of the net on Tuesday last week in LaGrange and so did Kami Sabillion to lead WRH to a 2-1 win over

North Lenoir. The victory secured third place in the ECC’s regular-season standings. Katerin Garcia and Sally Martinez combined for seven saves. A rst-half score by Maradiaga provided a 1-0 win over Pender the following day. The win was the third straight for WRH, which was to close out the regular season against South Lenior (7-8-1, 3-5-1).

Tigers tumble twice, tie Devils

James Kenan (8-7-1, 2-6-1) starts this week in a ve-game winless streak (0-4-1), which included losses to nonconference foe Trask (4-2) and ECC rival Southwest Onslow (5-0), and a 2-2 deadlock with league foe South Lenoir. The Tigers are showing signs of progress even though it has come with a handful of defeats. First-year coach Kenny Williams remains patient in rebuilding his young Tiger roster.

Lenoir sister schools wreak havoc on ’Dawgs, Panthers

Close losses haunt East Duplin and Wallace-Rose Hill

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The Blue Devils have put a curse on Duplin County softball teams.

The Hawks from the other side Lenoir County have likewise tagged East Duplin, James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill with haunting ECC losses.

All of that needed to happen for South Lenoir (11-5, 9-1) and North Lenoir (13-1, 9-1) to battle it out for the regular season title.

The margin for error has been small but both schools tagged Duplin’s 2A schools with heartbreaking setbacks.

ED (10-9, 8-3) and WRH (127, 6-5) can feel the burn of losses to Lenoir’s sister schools.

Last Tuesday, the Bulldogs lost a 6-5 game in eight innings to the Hawks. NL slipped by WRH 4-3 on March 19 in Teachey.

The result of one or both games changes the complexion of the standings.

The Bulldogs nished o the regular season against SL on Tuesday. They fell 7-2 in the previous meeting on April 9.

And consider the Panthers close encounters, too.

ED lost three heartbreakers to the Lenoir schools, falling

13-11 and 16-15 to NL on backto-back days in late March, and then leaving the eld with a 2-1 loss to SL on April 19. In that game, the Blue Devils scored the winning run in the home-half of the sixth inning.

Panthers speed past Vikings

ED nearly took batting practice during a game last Tuesday during a 17-0 win over Kinston, a Lenoir school that has struggled for years to eld a competitive club.

Morgan Brown was 3-for-3 with four RBIs. Karsyn Parker homered and Olivia Di endorfer drove in a pair of runs.

The Panthers traveled to Jacksonville to face Southwest Onslow before hosting East

Bladen on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

ED entered the week as the No. 12 RPI team in the 2A East, a high-mark that could help the Panthers when the state playo pairings are announced this weekend.

WRH started the week at No. 23, while James Kenan had the 32nd and nal spot.

Bulldogs can’t hold three-run lead

WRH took a 5-2 lead over NL only to see the Hawks rally, chipping away with a run in the sixth and two in the seventh to tie it at 5-5.

What would have been a monumental win was turned into a bitter loss as the Hawks won the hit battle 15-8. WRH gave hurler Mattie Rouse just

ED’s Emory Raynor lays down a bunt along the third base line during a recent game.

once, while NL’s repeated dings paid o over the course of the game. The Bulldogs had one more chance at a signi cant win during the regular season against SL.

Wildcats crush Vikes for seventh straight

Reagan Stapleton, Erin Thibault and LeNayah Jackson were slamming softball sisters last Tuesday when Richlands beat Croatan 3-0 to sweep the Coastal 3A Conference series. Their Wildcat teammates joined the bash on Friday during a 16-0 power party in Jacksonville as Richlands won its seventh straight game. Stapleton singled, walked and drove in a run against the

Cougars (10-8, 5-3).

Thibault had two hits and scored twice, while Jafckson drove in a pair with two singles. Makenzie Goin scattered ve hits, striking out 12 and not walking a hitter during an 84-pitch win in the circle.

Jackson and Thibault homered and Goin and Megan Pittman each laced two hits in the triumph over the Vikings.

Richlands (15-6, 6-2) ripped its way to 15 hits and is secrely in second place in the league standing and a game behind Dixon (16-4, 7-1). The Cougars beat the Bulldogs last Friday. The Wildcats close out the regular season against Swansboro (6-9, 3-5) and West Carteret (5-13, 2-6).

Crusaders drop eight-inning a air

Sabrina Batts had two hits and Mary Rumbold a double, but Harrells Christian Academy lost 4-3 in eight innings to Faith Christian last Thursday in Rocky Mount.

HCA (6-10, 1-5) scored twice in the sixth to send the game into extra innings. Seventh-graders Makenzie Jackson and Breelyn Peed scored runs for the Crusaders. Izzy Bradshaw had one of four HCA hits.

HCA faces Grace Christian (8-5) twice this week to conclude the regular season.

ED has shown an ability to bounce back during a return-to-roots season

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The fact that Brandon Thigpen guided East Duplin to 100 wins just more than seven season has been a bit overlooked this spring. Thigpen, a former Panther and Methodist University player, and his Panthers have struggled, at least in terms of his teams from 2017 to the 2023. ED fell slightly from grace last season (14-9), though it

could hardly complain after going 24-1 the previous campaign. The Panthers (10-11, 5-6) leveled out more this season as the rebuild continues.

ED was 39-50 overall and 13-17 in league play under former coach Joshua Kennedy from 2014 to 2016. Thigpen has gone 108-48 overall and 57-24 in the ECC, which includes a 4-1 mark in 2020 and 10-3 record the following season, both of which were shortened because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Before this season, 10-run, mercy-rule wins were enforced by the Panthers. This season, ED’s been on the other side of that equation

ve times (Midway, SL, Southwest Onslow, CB Aycock. Though to ED’s credit, these schools have a combined record of 53-23.

ED needed a win over SWO and WRH loss to SL on the last day of the regular season to have sole possession of third

place over the Bulldogs. The two teams split a pair of games earlier this season. Due to a competitive schedule, the Panthers RPI is No. 12 in the East in 2A. WRH is No. 30 and James Kenan No. 47. Thirty-two of 53 schools in 2A make the postseason, which

starts on Tuesday at the higher-seeded school.

Greene Central (20-0), Whiteville (17-1), NL (17-4) and Midway (5-8) are the top four schools. SL is 10th.

Tigers’ theme: ‘Wait ’til next year

James Kenan (4-13, 2-9) was better than its record would indicate, as a team with only one senior -- Mason Grady -- played teams tough with a handful of players on the rise. That list includes Tiger hitters Eli Avent (.433), Hansley McGee (.333), Hunter Whitman (.308) and Cal Avent (.333).

Cal Avent drove in four, and twin Eli, Paxton Smith and Jonathan Pittman each had a pair of RBIs during a 19-0 victory over Kinston on Thursday. McGee and Eli Avent had both JK hits in a 20-0 loss to SWO two days earlier.

JK will be better next season as rst-year coach Lee Sutton puts more of his touches on the program.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED senior Halen Watkins connects for a hit.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Anna Hernandez dribbles to swing the ball across the eld.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Baseball and Softball Leaderboard

Baines Raynor, ED: .545, 36 hits, 28 runs, 18 RBIs

Reid Page, WRH: .551, 10 doubles, triple, 18 RBIs

Austin Du , ND: .500, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 28 RBIs

Caden Gavin, WRH: .447, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBIs

Kaiden Lui, WRH: .440, 22 hits, 6 doubles, two triples, 20 RBIs

Eli Avent, JK: 433,13 hits in 12 games

Holden Williams, ND: 413, 19 hits, 15 RBIs.

Zach Brown, ED: .381, 24 hits,, 29 runs, 5 doubles, triple, HR, 12 RBIs.

Tanner Kornegay, ND: .345, 19 hits, 29 runs, 6 RBIs

Hunt Pate, ND: .370, 17 hits, 17 RBIs, 31 runs

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

Hansley McGee, JK: .326, 15 hits.

Mason Grady, JK: .340, 7 RBIs.

Gavin Holmes, ED: .316, 18 hits, 18 runs,14 RBIs

Shawn Marshburn, ED: 281, 4 doubles, triple, 11 RBI

Eli Avent, JK: 433, 13 hits in 12 games.

Cal Avent, JK: .333, 3 doubles

Cain Graham, ED: .210, 12 hits, 22 RBIs

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Baines Raynor leads the county in hits (36).

BULLDOGS from page 7

plenty to celebrate about WRH baseball, including a eld that has been upgraded with new lights, concrete pathways, stands and a new scoreboard.

So while the past few years have been bleak, baseball is making a comeback as WRH has won more games this season than last season and in 2022. It’s also two wins away from matching its three-year win total from 2021-23.

WRH graduates starters Reid Page and Dallas James in June, but will return a solid core that includes junior pitcher Kaiden Lui and classmates

Addy Higginbotham, ND: .633, 31 hits, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HRs

Lilly Fulghum, ND: .628, 27 hits, 11 doubles, 6 HRs, 23 RBIs

Ava Noble, ED: .618, 17 hits, 7 doubles, 7 triples, 2 HRs, 14 RBI

Jourdan Joe, JK: .609, 28 hits, 12 doubles, 3 HRs

Lexi Kennedy, WRH: . 578, 26 hits, 10 doubles,

Reece Outlaw, ND: .535, 3 doubles, 6 triples, 3 HRs, 18 RBIs

Sabrina Batts, HCA: .519, 27 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs

LeNayah Jackson, Richlands: .508, 33 hits, 29 RBIs

Erin Thibault, Richlands: .470, 31 hits, 6 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HRs, 27 RBIs

Shylah Sloan, JK: .468, 4 doubles, 2 triples, HR

Anna Armstrong, JK: .468, 22 hits, 22 RBI

Kinsley Bond, ED: .414, 7 doubles, 7 triples, 2 HRs, 14 RBI

Ady Spence, ND: .413, 19 hits, 11 RBIs

Makenzie Goin, Richlands: .392, 1.09 ERA, 127 Ks, 2 walks

Karsyn Parker, ED: .418, 23 hits, 5 doubles, 15 RBIs, HR

Morgan Brown, ED: .390, 6 doubles, 19 RBIs

Jansley Page, WRH: .367, 2 doubles, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs

Marissa Bernal, ND: .342

Sophie Sloan, WRH: .341, 10 RBIs

Addison Tuck, ED: .327, 3 doubles, 12 RBIs

Megan Pittman, Richlands: .328, 4 doubles, 2 triples

Carly Grace Jenkins, ED: .321, 3 doubles, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs

Iala Overton, ND: .300, 11 RBIs

Caden Gavin and Dane Turner, and sophomores Will Brooks (catcher), Hayden Lovette and Devon Sloan.

Hawks inch close to title with rout

Petey Wiggin, Carter Chadwick and Jackson Jenkins each drove in a pair of runs against WRH to get NL within reach of the ECC title.

Page went 2-for-2 and knocked in a run in the sixth.

Gavin had the only other base knock o Hawk pitching.

As usual, NL took advantage of its ballpark, getting to Davis Barnette and Lovette for

Anna Morgan Armstrong

JK, softball

Anna Morgan Armstrong has been four-year starter as productive as any in James Kenan history. She entered this week’s action with a .500 average with seven doubles, six home runs and 25 RBIs. She hit .350 last season as a rst-team selection on the All-Duplin team. This spring she shattered personal bests like she was using a pitching machine in practice. Armstrong has been the face of Tiger softball for the past few years, especially after the graduation of Rachel Blanchard.

11 hits, though nine walks certainly made the runs pile up quickly.

The Titans (5-12) likely notched their best win of the season against WRH, as Lui had his rockiest outing (11 hits, nine earned runs in three innings) this season.

The Bulldogs will have what might feel like a long wait to see if they make the state playo eld.

WRH will travel to face a high-seeded team in the opening round on Tuesday.

Yet right now, getting the call to step into the batter’s box in the playo s means everything to Kissner and company.

Request for Quali cations for Professional Engineering Services

Hamlin holds o Larson late to claim NASCAR Cup race at Dover Speedway

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver picked up his third win of year

By Dan Gelston

The Associated Press

DOVER, Del.— Denny Hamlin held o a hard-charging Kyle Larson over the nal, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped tra c to win the NASCAR Cup race by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

Hamlin’s third win of the season tied William Byron for most this season in the series. Hamlin also picked up his 54th career Cup win, all with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s tied with Lee Petty for 12th on the career Cup list.

“It’s just fantastic,” Hamlin said. “I couldn’t hold Lee Petty’s helmet.”

Larson nished second and nipped at Hamlin’s bumper for most of the nal 25 laps and seemed on the brink of passing the Toyota. Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet just couldn’t close the deal on the mile concrete track. Hamlin took the lead o a restart with about 79 laps left and never let it go, repeatedly closing o Larson at the top of the track.

“I just couldn’t really do anything,” Larson said. “Nothing could generate enough speed to get close enough to do anything.”

Hamlin was soundly booed as he grabbed the checkered ag — boos louder than usual at the track because of a big crowd. He

Former Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacts during a game last season. Smith is rebooting his career as the o ensive coordinator for the Steelers, who used their early picks in the NFL Draft on o ensive linemen hoping Smith can replicate the success he had calling plays in Tennessee earlier in his career.

led 136 of the 400 laps.

After rainouts forced Monday races each of the last two years, the sun came out Sunday — and so did the fans. The grandstands were packed and the track came close to its 54,000 capacity. While NASCAR tracks do not release attendance numbers, the crowd was easily the largest at Dover since before the pandemic.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top ve.

The big one

There was a multi-car wreck with 71 laps left in the race that took out Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and William Byron.

Coming o a restart, Zane Smith appeared to get into the left rear of Wallace’s Toyota which sent him into tra c and into Byron and Bell. Wallace was running 11th at the time of the wreck. Bell was 16th and Byron 18th.

Four months after being red by Atlanta, Smith hitting reset button in Pittsburgh

As Steelers’ o ensive coordinator, Smith will build around Russell Wilson and draft picks

By Will Graves The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Arthur Smith walked in and sat down, a microphone in front of him and a Pittsburgh Steelers baseball cap pulled tight on his head.

Four months after being red in Atlanta, Smith is returning to his play-calling roots — and hoping to hit the reboot button on his career — as the o ensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. Smith did little to articulate what exactly the Steelers will look like in the fall. Considering what Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan did in the rst two rounds of the NFL draft, maybe Smith didn’t have to.

Khan selected o ensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick on Thursday. On Friday, he added center Zach Frazier from West Virginia. They will join a line that includes tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ rst-round selection a year ago, and veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.

For a team with serious needs at wide receiver and cornerback, a team very much in “win now” mode with Russell Wilson taking over at quarterback, the approach couldn’t be more apparent. Or, on the surface anyway, more suited for Smith.

Five years after turning Tennessee into a top-10 offense behind Derrick Henry’s churning legs and Ryan Tannehill’s playmaking outside the pocket, Smith is tasked with doing the same in Pittsburgh in hopes of ending a playo victory drought currently at seven years.

The similarities are startling. The Steelers have one of the best running back tandems in the league in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. They believe Wilson can still summon some of that “Let Russ Cook” magic from his prime in Seattle. And they have given Smith a line that they hope one day rivals the ones led by perennial Pro Bowlers Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro a decade ago.

Asked to describe his philosophy, a soft-spoken Smith got straight to the point.

“There’s a certain style of play and intent we want that ts this team and the history here and the Steelers and the

brand of football, a shared vision,” Smith said.

It’s a vision that never fully came to fruition for Smith in Atlanta, where he coached the Falcons to three straight 7-10 seasons while overseeing an offense that never cracked the top 14 in yards or points.

It took Smith less than a month to land on his feet in Pittsburgh.

He might not be ready to talk about his exit in Atlanta or what brought him to the Steelers. But when it comes to Fautanu and Frazier, Smith is, in a word — one Smith used 10 times in 10 minutes — “excited.”

“They’re two really physical players who play with high e ort level, high football IQ,” Smith said. “So you know they check a lot of boxes for us.”

There is a sense of urgency in an organization that for decades has been de ned by success and stability. There have been seismic changes on the roster and the coaching sta of late. The Steelers are no longer committed to business as usual, and Smith knows it.

“We’re not going to get stale,” Smith said. “There are going to be schemes you add every year, wrinkles. We’re going to have our core philosophy, but you have to stay on top of that.”

All-Star sub

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion who retired at the end of last season, will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in place of Kyle Larson in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR AllStar race.

Larson will stay in Indianapolis on May 17 to practice for the Indianapolis 500 rather than travel to North Wilkesboro Speedway to practice and qualify for the NASCAR All-Star

TAKE NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000119

Denny Hamlin celebrates with the checkered ag after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway for this third victory of the season.

race. He will become the fth driver in history to attempt to complete “ The Double ” and run 1,100 miles in one day, starting with the Indianapolis 500 in an Indy car and then ying to Charlotte to drive in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the year.

Up next

The Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway where Hamlin is the defending race winner.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned ANTHONY RAYMOND BARNETTE, having quali ed on the 21ST day of MARCH, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MILTON RAY BARNETTE, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 9TH Day of JULY, 2024., or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 10TH Day of APRIL, 2024.

ANTHONY RAYMOND BARNETTE, EXECUTOR 803 S. ROXBORO ST #201 DURHAM, NC 27707

Run dates: A10,17,24,M1p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000148

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

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

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000137

The undersigned ROBERT PRESTON HENDRIX, SR., having quali ed on the 12TH day of APRIL, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of WILLIAM KENNETH HENDRIX, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 16TH Day of JULY, 2024., or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 17TH Day of APRIL, 2024.

ROBERT PRESTON HENDRIX, SR., EXECUTOR PO BOX 361 BEULAVILLE, NC 28518 Run dates: A17,24,M1,8p

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

obituaries

Judi Faye (Gri n) Baker

Aug. 5, 1944 - April 19, 2024 (age 79)

Judi Faye Gri n Baker passed from her earthly life on the late afternoon of April 19, 2024 while a resident of the Gardens of Rose Hill. Born on Aug. 5, 1944, she is the daughter of the late Willie Oswill and Macy Alice Clemmons Gri n. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Geneva Kirby.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Dondrea Renee Baker of Wallace and Donald Ray Baker II of North Topsail Beach; and her granddaughter, Jordyn Baker of Colorado.

Mrs. Baker spent most of her early life in the Brunswick County area. The majority of her work career was in the management of apartment complexes. She was considered by many as a “spit re” in most everything she set out to complete.

Service arrangements will be forthcoming in the near future.

Michael Hearn Pistner

July 12, 1948 - April 25, 2024 (age 75)

Michael Hearn Pistner of Wallace passed from his earthly life on Thursday, April 25, 2024, while a resident of Wallace Health and Rehabilitation.

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on July 12, 1948, he is the son of the late Bernard and Neta McMillan Pistner. Also preceding him in death are his wife, Jo Ellen Herring Pistner; son, Michael Deane Pistner; and brother, Bernard Pistner. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Joseph Patrick Pistner (Deborah) and Amy Michelle Darboe; sisters, Joyce Savage (Charles) of Rose Hill and Neta Pistner Lee of Asheville; and his beloved feline companion, “Punkin”. Mr. Pistner was very positive in all aspects of his life. He was always jovial with a “super social” personality. He related well with everyone and always tried, in his conversations, to determine if others were related to his family. Somewhat of an expert in computer technology, he was well known for computer repair and sales. While a “blue blood” in his University of North Carolina allegiance, he often related that he was going to attend classes there in his later life. After becoming in rm, his favorite thing to do daily was riding his feline companion “Punkin” around the house on “paw parade” in his wheelchair. A service to celebrate his life was set for Sunday, April 28, 2024, at graveside in the Rock sh Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Wallace. O ciating was the Reverend Bobby Smith. The family asks that, rather than owers, memorial contributions be presented to the family for nal medical bills.

Ervin Galloway Jordan

May 22, 1942 - April 17, 2024 (age 81)

Ervin Galloway Jordan, 81, of Kenansville, departed this earthly life for his eternal rest on April 17, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare of Wilmington. A Celebration of Life was held on April 27, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home of Warsaw.

Ervin Jordan, known to his family as “Buddy” was born May 22, 1942 in Pender County. He obtained his education at the historical EE Smith in Kenansville. He was later employed with Charles D. Roberts Saw Mill in Greensboro.

Ervin was united in marriage to Carolyn M. Jordan. With that marriage he was blessed with two stepsons, Timothy McAdo and Larry Herring.

In addition to his parents, Ervin was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn.

Left to cherish precious memories are: stepsons, Timothy McAdo (Fatima) and Larry Herring; grandchildren, Jordan, Marquell, Jessica, Larry Jr.; six great-grandchildren; sister, Evangeline Miller; stepsister, Sherry; one brother, Matthew Jordan (Eloise); and a host of nieces and nephews, other loving relatives and friends.

Rese Odell Beatty Sr.

Feb. 11, 1952 - April 17, 2024 (age 72)

DURHAM — Mr. Rese Odell Beatty, Sr., of Durham, NC passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill.

Left to cherish his memories: wife, Tobatha Beatty; ve children, Shantay Pretrece Beatty, Rese Odell Beatty, Jr., Randall Beatty, Timothy Beatty and Je rey Beatty; 12 grandchildren, Patrick, Jasmine, Jerome, Tevin, Tiyanna, Tyrese, Xavier, Taliyah, Makayla Beatty, Elijah Milton, Joylanda Bradley and Josiah Reid; six great-grandchildren, Kassidy, Kamden and Khaden Herring, Aaliyah Devane, A’Nyla Watson and Koa Humphries; three sisters-inlaw, Eunice Beatty, Sharon Carr and Tammy Kerr; two brothers-in-law, Richard Carr and James Kerr; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Ricky Devone Bizzell

Oct. 26, 1958 - April 19, 2024 (age 65)

Ricky Devone Bizzell, 65, of Kenansville, answered the Master’s call on April 19, 2024 while at home. Funeral Service was scheduled for Saturday April 27, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home Chapel of Warsaw.

Ricky Devone Bizzell was born Oct. 26, 1958 to the late Walter Bizzell and Edna Mae Everett Bizzell Miller in Wayne County. He received his education in the Duplin County Public School System. He worked with Kornegay Logging for over 40 years as a loader.

Ricky enjoyed riding horses, shing and watching sports. He courageously fought a great battle with cancer and was able to complete his radiation on April 17, 2024, proudly ringing the bell.

In addition to his parents, Ricky was preceded in death by his spouse, Bille Jo Brock Bizzell, stepdaughter, Ashley Cartwright, and brother, Gregory Miller.

Ricky leaves to cherish his memories: one daughter, Pamela Matrice Massey; three grandchildren, Jasmine Bizzell, Demarcus Bizzell and Tejuan Sawyer; stepdaughter, Kayleisa Cartwright; three step-grandchildren; siblings, Walter Bizzell, Pamela Bizzell McKinney, Keith Miller (Gloria) and Patrick Miller (Nancy) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Perline Norris Davis

July 31, 1935 - April 26, 2024 (age 88)

Perline Norris Davis, 88, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at her home.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, George Davis, and a son, Douglas Davis.

Graveside service was held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Davis Family Cemetery, 146 Batchelor Road, Richlands, NC 28574. Visitation was held at the cemetery after the service.

Survivors include: son, Grady Davis (Cindy) of Richlands; daughters, Beverly Hobbs (Curtis) of Maple Hill, Greta Fisher (Ron) of Richlands; sister, Evelyn Parker of Wallace; brother, John Norris of Wallace; grandchildren, Clisa Pearce, Jason Hobbs, Brandon Davis, Heather Price, Laken Fisher and Braxton Fisher; 21 greatgrandchildren; and two greatgreat-grandchildren.

Mary Marie (Sanderson) Morales

June 2, 1953 - April 24, 2024 (age 70)

Mary Marie Sanderson Morales, age 70, of Beulaville left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from ECU Health in Greenville.

She was born on June 2, 1953, in Duplin County and was the daughter of the late Harmon and Mary Ruth Brock Sanderson. Mary was also predeceased by her sisters, Mary Helen Sanderson and Mary Kay James.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her husband, Jacinto Morales Mora of the home; her son, Billy Ray Faircloth and wife Mary Ruth of Rose Hill; her daughter, Melissa Foy of Magnolia; grandchildren, Abigail Renee Faircloth, Kevin Ray Faircloth and Luke Baker; brothers, Billy Harmon Sanderson of Beulaville, David Harmon Sanderson of Beulaville, Kenneth Harmon Sanderson of Chinquapin and Joseph Harmon Sanderson of Wallace; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Mary dearly.

Mary was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and sister. She was a simple lady who enjoyed the simple things of life, but her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren who were the ‘apples of her eye’. Mary believed in the “old school” way, that family should always come rst. Mary was a hard worker who helped throughout the years to provide for her family. Being an awesome cook, Mary enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. She was a sweet, loving and caring lady who had a great personality and many friends. Mary will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

There was a memorial service for Mary on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at QuinnMcGowen Funeral Home, Wallace Chapel.

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

April 6, 1967 - April 25, 2024 (age 57)

MAGNOLIA — Ms. Michelle Robinson, age 57, of Magnolia passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at home.

Funeral services will be

on Wednesday,

Franklin Rogers

June 24, 1950 - April 21, 2024 (age 73)

ROSE HILL — Mr. Jimmy Franklin Rogers, age 73, of Rose Hill passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill. Burial followed at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia. Left to cherish his memories: children, Jerome and Charlie; brother, Johnnie Rogers (Carol); sister, Catherine Lanier; ve grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Michelle Robinson

held

May 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill.

Jimmy

Paws for the Cause raises big bucks for Duplin’s animal shelter

Pet Friends of Duplin County gives $30,000 check for new shelter

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Pet

Friends of Duplin County’s annual fundraiser, Paws for the Cause, was a rousing success, raising $26,000 for the county’s new animal shelter. The event was held Saturday night at the Duplin Events Center.

“Paws for the Cause was started by a small group of people passionate about getting a new animal shelter,” said Pet Friends of Duplin County president Kebby Schweinsberg. “Over the years, they have raised a good deal of money. In fact, the amount of money and the commitment of community members is a large part of why the new shelter exists, since it contributed to why Duplin County could obtain such a large loan for its construction.”

Though the new shelter is now complete and open for business, the county still owes about $3.7-$3.8 million on the loan for the building, Animal Services Director Joe Newborn told the Duplin Journal. That debt is part of the reason why, even with the new shelter, events like Paws

“We had a very successful fundraiser, raising over $26,000.”

Kebby Schweinsberg, Pet Friends of Duplin County president

for the Cause are still needed.

The group has committed to give the county $30,000 each year for the next 10 years, with the first check presented to County Commissioners Elwood Garner, Dexter Edwards and Jesse Dowe at this year’s Paws for the Cause.

“We had a very successful fundraiser, raising over $26,000,” Schweinsberg said.

“Everyone enjoyed their steak dinners and many purchased the donated cake slices and cupcakes.”

Paws for the Cause also included a drawing for $5,000.

The winners were Sue Carver, Melanie Kurre, Lisa Lee, J&H Farms, and the Paws for the Cause organization itself.

“We purchased the last 10 tickets and put our winnings back into the organization,” Schweinsberg explained.

Prizes given to the audience also included 14 Westwater hams and a box from Mt. Olive Pickle Company,

which was won by Melanie Kurre.

“The 10 East Duplin High School BETA students were essential to keeping the event going, moving tables and chairs, setting up salads, setting up cups of ice and drinks, serving, assisting the younger scouts with Half n’ Half ticket sales, and cleaning up,” Schweinsberg said.”They were a joy to work with and we really appreciated Sherry Hatcher, their mentor and chaperone and volunteer extraordinaire. They put in six to eight hours of labor and always had a smile on their face.”

There were also ve local scouts and two adult leaders who volunteered at the event.

In addition, Gary Cook of Kenansville presented a large sign for the Animal Shelter’s front o ce, as well as a wood Paws for the Cause logo sign.

Also at Paws for the Cause Margie Hunter handled introductions and welcome, Janet Phillips said grace, and Trisha Hoskins sang the National Anthem. Chris Randall, River Landing Landscape Director, was emcee for the evening.

Paws for the Cause committee members include: Margie Hunter, Chris Jarman, David Phillips, Chris Alphin, Bobby Kennedy, Michelle Blanchard, Sarah Fussell, Katie Nunnalee, and Kebby and Dale Schweinsberg.

Construction is well under way on a new Sheetz convenience store on Highway 24 in Warsaw. The store will not only feature fuel and the usual gas station snacks and beverages, it will also have madeto-order food and co ees.

SHEETZ from page 1

Each store employs about 30-35 people, according to Nick Ru ner, public relations manager for Sheetz, so the new store will help boost the local economy in more ways than one. Ru ner shared the following statement with the Duplin Journal: “Sheetz is planning to open a new store in Warsaw along Highway 24, which will be easily accessible from Interstate 40 using exit 364. The store will include a restaurant-style experience with self-service kiosks and seating both inside and outside the store. The store will also include 12 fuel terminals along with ve lanes that will o er high ow diesel fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for semitrucks.”

“Sheetz is planning to open a new store in Warsaw along Highway 24, which will be easily accessible from Interstate 40 using exit 364.”

Nick Ru ner, PR Manager for Sheetz

Sheetz is a family-owned convenience store chain based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, started by the Sheetz family in 1952. The Warsaw location will be Store #843. For more information, visit sheetz.com and jobs.sheetz. com to search for positions at the new Warsaw store.

from the Wilmington Art Association, which promotes plein air painting throughout Pender, New Hanover and surrounding counties.

Along with the live beach and classic music from the Catalinas, there was also plenty of mingling and hugs, and a garden party atmosphere throughout the event.

The Carolina Strawberry Festival itself will begin on Friday night at 6 p.m. in downtown

Wallace, with performances by the North Tower Band, followed by the Band of Oz at 8 p.m., as well as rides from Funtime Amusements and dinosaurs from Ed’s Dinosaurs both days of the festival.

Saturday, the festival kicks o in earnest with a 5K race at 8 a.m., corn hole tournament at 9 a.m., and the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. The day will feature more than 150 food, crafts, and arts vendors lining the streets of downtown Wallace.

The Little Miss Strawberry

pageant will be held at 10:30 a.m., with various performances from local dance troupes and musicians throughout the day. Rivermist, at 6 p.m., and the Tams at 8 p.m. will round out the day.

This year’s artwork will be featured on T-shirts and festival posters, and was created by Ashley Yanez, a student at Wallace-Rose Hill High School. Visit the festival’s Facebook page, or carolinastrawberryfestival.com for more on the 2024 Carolina Strawberry Festival.

GALA from page 1

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

PHOTOS BY ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

(Above) The Garden Gala included a specially created photo backdrop where attendees could feel like celebrities. Here, Michelle Scronce, Chelsea Peterson and Katie Peterson pose for a photo. (Top Left) Wallace Town Clerk Jackie Nicholson, left, and volunteer Phil Gladden pause for a chat during the Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala at Johnson Nursery on Saturday.

(Left) Wallace Mayor Jason Wells, left, talks with Johnson Nursery owner David Johnson at the rst-ever Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala, held Saturday, April 27, at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery.

(Above) Plein air painters like Patrick Raynor were dotted throughout the grounds of Johnson Nursery’s gardens on Saturday for the Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala. The artists, from Wilmington Art Association, painted scenes of the gardens and the gala throughout the afternoon.

(Right) Popular beach music band The Catalinas performed live at the Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala on Saturday afternoon.