Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 36 by North State Journal

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

19-year-old from Warsaw arrested in connection with armed home invasion

Warsaw

JaMaury Coe from Warsaw is one of two North Carolina Central University students who were arrested on Oct. 18 in connection to an armed home invasion that occurred on Oct. 10, in Durham. Coe is in jail under a 300,000 secured bond. He was charged with three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, four counts of second degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and rst degree burglary.

Willard woman killed in Oct. 19 crash on I-40 exit

Wallace A car accident resulted in the death of Donna Vickery, 66, of Willard. According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the single -vehicle accident happened around 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 on the I-40 westbound exit ramp on Highway 41 near Wallace. The woman’s truck ran o the side of the road for unknown reasons, overturned and struck a tree. A passenger was also injured in the accident and airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Kenansville

Duplin County Cooperative Extension presents a free Land Use Summit on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Auditorium, located at 165 Agriculture Drive in Kenansville. Topics of discussion will include property ownership and transfer, timber and forestry use, farmland preservation and agricultural conservation easements, case study examples with Q&A and more. Call 910 -296-2143 to register. Lunch will be provided.

Local Toys for Tots calls for businesses

Duplin County Duplin County Toys for Tots is calling for area businesses interested in placing a Duplin County Toys for Tots box at their facility. Participants will receive a donation box to collect new, unwrapped toys. Donations will be collected before Dec. 14. Call 919-817-2671 for more information.

A helping hand from Wallace

Wallace Mayor Jason Wells was among a group that traveled to western N.C. the weekend of Oct. 18-20 to help deliver supplies, provide meals and clear out debris from around the town of Newland. See more on Page B6.

Wallace takes ownership of facility that will become Town Hall

ECU Health presented the deed to the town Oct. 28

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — ECU Health handed over the deed for the current Parks and Recreation building on Medical Village Drive to the town of Wallace on Monday afternoon, paving the way for the facility to eventually become the new Town Hall. Parks and Recreation have inhabited the building for about 10 years, Town Manager Rob Taylor said, and the town has been renting the space from ECU Health for $1 a month.

Faulty readings lead to water overcharges in Warsaw

Commissioner calls out the need for an audit of town water bills

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WARSAW — A growing frustration among various Warsaw residents, now also echoed by Commissioner Ebony Willis-Wells, has highlighted a range of ongoing issues in the Town of Warsaw.

As the town continues to grow, it faces various challenges, including aging infrastructure, insufficient funding for necessary upgrades, and an urgent need for more personnel to address the community’s increasing demands. Since new water rates were implemented last July, many residents have complained

Kenansville native performs at Concert for Carolina

“It’s probably the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done.” Wesko

$2.00

The event raised $24 million for hurricane relief and attracted 82,000 spectators

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

LIFE HAS BEEN a bit of a whirlwind lately for Wesley Holmes. After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina he and his buddy JD Williamson penned a song called “Helene.” The song quickly “gained traction” on TikTok and YouTube, with many people sharing the song on social media. Last Wednesday, the Kenansville native, also known as country music artist Wesko, got a call from superstar Luke Combs. Three days later, Wesko took the stage in front of a crowd of more than

82,000 people at the Concert for Carolina in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

The event raised more than $24 million for hurricane relief, and was a chance for the Duplin County musician to perform with some of his country music idols.

Wesko was in Swannanoa in western NC, surveying some of the damage and working with a relief organization called Savage Freedoms when he got the call from Combs. “Luke had seen the videos of ‘Helene’ and he asked me to play at the concert,” Wesko recalled. “He said he had seen the song so many times.”

Wesko had a day to return home to Kenansville and prepare for the biggest performance of his life. He even missed his

about unexpectedly high water bills. Individuals who previously paid around $65 a month are now reporting bills exceeding $100 — with some as high as $200. At the October town hall meeting, the board addressed some of these concerns, including residents being mistakenly billed for 42 days in August. Officials explained the error was due to faults in the new meter reading system.

Willis-Wells stated in a social media post that an audit is necessary for all town water bills to determine if any residents were incorrectly assessed in June, July, and August.

“We have heard from so many citizens, and as a commissioner, I can acknowledge

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

See WARSAW, page A7

WESKO, page A6

COURTESY EMILY LUDLUM

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ECU Health representatives presented Wallace Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, far right, with the deed to the current Parks and Recreation facility on Medical Village Drive. The building will be home to the new Town Hall next year. Pictured with Rivas-Diaz are, left to right, Matt Williams, Je Dial, Murray Roberts, Deborah Kornegay and Dr. Mott Blair, all representing ECU Health.

See WALLACE, page A3

10.31.24

WEEKLY FORECAST

THURSDAY

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Two shot, one dead near Faison

The Sheri ’s O ce is asking the public for assistance with information about the incident

Duplin Journal sta

The Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce is investigating a shooting that took place near the town of Faison. According to law enforcement, on the evening of Oct. 19, Duplin County Communications received several calls reporting a shooting on Shine Road. The Sheri ’s O ce and Duplin County EMS responded to the scene and discovered that Russell Hines and Latonya Tiska Corbett had been shot. Investigators with the DCSO arrived shortly after and began an immediate investigation, which is currently ongoing with the help of the District Attorney’s O ce. Hines sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, while Corbett tragically succumbed to her injuries.

The Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce is asking persons with any information no matter how minor it may seem, to contact the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce at 910-296-2150 or reach out to the tip line at 910 -372 - 9202. Your information could make a signi cant di erence in solving this case.

FRIDAY NOV 1

SATURDAY NOV 2

SUNDAY NOV 3

MONDAY NOV 4

TUESDAY NOV 5

WEDNESDAY NOV 6

Oct. 31

• Come dressed in your favorite costumes to the Warsaw Trunk-or-Treat and enjoy a spooky good time! Take your little ghouls, ghosts, and goblins for a safe, family-friendly fun night to Front Street, Warsaw on Oct. 31, 6-7.30 p.m. For more information, call the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce at 910-293-7804.

Magnolia’s Trunk-or-Treat is back and will take place on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Magnolia Fire Department, located at 110 Taylor St., Magnolia. A costume contest will be held at 7 p.m. For more information, call 910590-6337.

• The public is invited to the Faison Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. at the Faison community center parking lot. Persons or organizations who would like to bring their decorated trunks and treats, may contact Matthew Scott at Recreation@faisonnc.org or by calling 910-267-0115 or 910-372-0088.

Join the Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church for Light Up the Night in Westbrook Park on Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. The family-friendly event is free and will feature games, food, and candy for everyone.

Visit the Cowan Museum of History and Science on Thursday, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. for a Haunted Museum & Trick or Treat. This event is free to the public and will include candy and a Halloween themed museum, historical park, and garden. The museum is located at 411 S Main St. in Kenansville. For more information, call 910-296-2149.

Nov. 2

• Come to downtown Warsaw and celebrate the oldest consecutive Veterans Day Parade in the nation. The 104th Veterans Day Celebration and Parade will be on Saturday, Nov. 2. Line up will start at 10 a.m., with the parade kicking o at 11 a.m. The event will feature live music with 581 South Band playing from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a NC Forestry y over, the 82nd Special Forces Parachute jump team, a kids zone with bounce houses, food trucks, concessions, vendors and more!

• The NC Poultry Jubilee Car Show will be held Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Rose Hill Fire Department with awards going to the best of show, people’s choice, and other prizes. Registration starts at 9 a.m. For information or to sign up, call 910-604-1769.

St. John’s # 13 Masonic Lodge AF & AM will host a

Oct. 22

• James McClain, 50, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce (DCSO) for possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver methamphetamine, selling and delivering Schedule II controlled substance, felony probation violation, possession of a rearm by a felon, carrying a concealed gun, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Oct. 23

• Joshua Blake Gross, 34, was arrested by DCSO for felony possession of Schedule II controlled

pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Warsaw Baptist Church from 7 - 9:30 a.m. The cost is $ 10 per plate. All proceeds will go to help Masonic Charity.

Nov. 4, 5, 7

The Small Business Center at James Sprunt Community College will host the following free seminars: 10 Ways to Solve Cash Flow Problems and Jump-Start Sales on Nov. 4, 6-8 p.m.; How to Write a Business Plan on Nov. 5, 7-8:30 p.m.; Red Flags on Nov. 7, 6-8 p.m. Visit ncsbc. net/Events to register.

Nov. 5

Join the Cooperative Extension’s Nutrition Education Series every Tuesday, through Nov. 26, 10 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development, located at 414 N Norwood Street, Wallace. Each session will include a presentation, followed by a “Med Way” food demonstration, where participants will learn food preparation tips. The classes will take a look at protein sources, types of fats, snacking strategies, re ned vs whole grains, and will examine sugars added into our diets. For more information, call 910-665-1352.

Nov. 6

• El Centro de Negocios de JSCC realizará un seminario gratuito en línea llamado Cómo iniciar un negocio de comida móvil en Español, el 6 de Noviembre, 7-9 p.m. Visite ncsbc.net/Events para registrarse.

Nov. 8

Bingo Night, a fundraiser for Pet Friends of Duplin County, will be held 6-9 p.m. at the American Legion, 529 E. Southerland St. in Wallace. Tickets will be available at the door and cost $10. Tickets include one card, chips and water, with additional cards available at a cost of $5 for one and three for $10. Pizza and bake sale items will also be available for purchase.

Nov. 8, 9

Celebrate the fourth annual Pickles, Pigs & Swigs festival in downtown Mount Olive at the corner of Center and East Main streets. The festival will

substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for controlled substances, obstructing justice, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Graig Sawyer, 45, was arrested by DCSO for robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault by pointing a gun, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, and multiple vehicle registration violations.

Oct. 24

• Jason Edward Wood, 40, was arrested by DCSO for domestic criminal trespass.

kick o Friday, Nov. 8 with the introduction of the N.C. Pork Council-sanctioned whole hog barbecue cook-o teams. Saturday festivities will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature live music, rides on the Pickle Train, craft beer, free pickles, a classic car cruise-in, vendors, and more. Visit picklespigsswigs. com for more information or call 919-658-3113.

Nov. 12

• Join the ECU Health Duplin Hospital, Diabetes Education Fair in the extended dining room on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for wellness screenings, nutrition information, diabetes education and more. 15 vendors will be there sharing vital information and resources. Join the Cooperative Extension’s Nutrition Education Series every Tuesday, through Nov. 26, 10 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development, located at 414 N Norwood St., Wallace. Each session will include a presentation, followed by a food demonstration, where participants will learn food preparation tips. For more information, call 910-665-1352.

Nov. 15-16

• UMO will celebrate Homecoming and Pickle Classic Weekend on Nov. 15 & 16, featuring concerts, food trucks, Kid’s Korner, a 5K run and 1.5-mile walk, a vendor fair, art and ceramics shows, and Pickle Classic basketball games. Registration for the annual Trojan Trot will be on Nov. 16 at 7 a.m. in front of the Poole administration building. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. The Trojan Trot cost is $10 for adults and $5 for UMO students. The event is free for kids 10 and under. The Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament will swing into action on Nov. 15, at Southern Wayne Country Club. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m., with the shotgun tee time set for noon. First and secondplace prizes will be awarded for each of the two ights. For more information, call 919-658-7757.

Nov. 18

The town of Teachey will host

• Angela Maria Branch, 43, was arrested by DCSO for possessing methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana.

a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 18, after the town board meeting, which was moved to Nov. 18, 6 p.m. at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910-285-7564.

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 910-298-4647.

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

• The Faison town board meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-2672721.

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 information, call 910-285-7564.

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

• The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910-2893205.

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 o ering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For information, call 910-3729178.

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.

Oct. 25

• Tyler Edward English, 32, was arrested by DCSO for eeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, possessing methamphetamine, driving while license revoked, misdemeanor probation violation, and multiple tra c violations.

Oct. 26

• Juan Pablo EspinozaRosales, 38, was arrested by DCSO for larceny

of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Oct. 27

• Jesus Alberto Santivanez, 34, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired, misdemeanor probation violation, possession of cocaine, driving while license revoked, and reckless driving.

• Ignacio Flores, 23, was arrested by the Wallace Police Department for assault by strangulation, misdemeanor crime of violence, and assault on a female.

Election Day just days away

In Duplin County, 624 registered voters have changed their party a liation

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WITH LESS THAN a week away from Election Day, the public is reminded that the early voting period ends Saturday, Nov. 2. Additionally, absentee ballots must be received in the Duplin County Board of Elec-

tions o ce on Election Day, Nov. 5 by 7:30 p.m.

According to Duplin County Board of Elections Director Carrie Sullivan, out of the 32,512 registered voters in Duplin County, 8,747 voters have already cast their ballots. The number re ects in-person and mail-in votes as of Oct. 25.

The number of registered voters in Duplin County increased by 2,011 since the presidential election in 2020, when there were 30,501 registered voters. Also, since the primary election,

624 registered voters in Duplin County have changed their party a liation.

Visit Home for election day updates. You can also follow results as they go live on Nov. 5 at NC SBE Contest Results

A few reminders from the State Board of Elections:

• As you head to the polls, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a chair if you have diculty standing for long periods of time.

• Leaving a contest blank will not invalidate your ballot. If you

skip contests, your votes will be counted in all other contests on your ballot.

• Voting from your car is not for voters who do not want to wait in line. It is only for voters who are unable to enter the voting place without physical assistance due to age or disability, and they will have to sign a sworn statement a rming that.

“Voters with disabilities will nd handicap parking spots and curbside voting at all locations,” said Sullivan. “An Express Vote will also be found in-

Duplin by the numbers:

• 8,747 total ballots cast through Oct. 25

32,512 registered voters

side every location. The Express vote is a touch screen voting machine that has headphones and a braille keypad to assist our voters that are visually impaired.” If you have any questions, call the Duplin County Board of Elections at 910-296-2170.

Incentives for project that could generate 42 jobs approved

A $370K funding amendment to CDBGNR also passes

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Eco -

nomic Development Director

Scotty Summerlin conducted a public hearing last week during the Oct. 21 Board of County Commissioners meeting to discuss incentives for Project Panda, which involves a manufacturing facility considering establishing its operations in Duplin County. According to Summerlin, the manufacturing company is looking to make a local investment of $4 million over a three-year period, cre -

from page A1

Renovations to the Clement Park Community Center have been ongoing for several months. In March, the town council awarded the renova-

ating 42 new jobs, each with an approximate annual salary of $45,897. He explained that the potential investment could reach $16 million over five years, creating 167 local jobs.

Factors drawing them to our area include proximity to ports and favorable land lease prices comparable to those in competing states, explained Summerlin, emphasizing that incentives are crucial for the decision.

“Commerce is considering a building reuse program, and the county’s local commitment would be $10,000,” said Summerlin, adding that they are also exploring the OneNC Fund, which would involve a county contribution of $41,667.67 over three years.

tion project to Hatcher Builders with a cost of $808,000. Since then, costs have uctuated, but the project remains ongoing and should be ready for Parks and Recreation to move in at the beginning of the year.

County Manager Bryan Miller explained that a $4 million infrastructure improvement would create $29,400 per year in initial taxes. “If it jumps to $16 million, it’s around $117,000 per year,” said Miller.

The board approved a resolution to support the project.

In other business at the Oct. 21 County Commissioners meeting: During road concerns, Warsaw Mayor A.J. Connors expressed concerns about an area between Kenansville and Warsaw, near Phillips Farm, where there have been several incidents involving deer crossing the road that could prevent accidents if it had signage to alert drivers.

Duplin resident Ange -

“We’re also upgrading our public safety facilities,” Taylor explained. “The re department and police department need more space.

“So, once Parks and Recreation moves to the new Clem-

la Maynard brought to the board’s attention a busy road near Grove Run Drive by James Kenan High School that children must cross to get to school. “Those cars coming by in the morning real fast,” said Maynor, adding that she has seen several near misses and the board should consider placing a warning sign.

Miller shared Maynard’s concern. “We have reached out to DOT, and we’ve also spoken with the Board of Education chairman about this matter,” said Miller. “They’re working together to try to resolve the issue and get some markings or some lights or something to rectify the situation.” County Planner Chris Hatcher conducted a public hearing to request a program

ent Park Community Center, this building will be renovated and will become Town Hall.”

The re department will renovate its space, and the police department will occupy the en-

amendment to the county’s 2022 Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization program.

“The county is seeking additional funding due to continued deterioration of some of the houses, including the grant and inflation, which has increased the cost of construction since the original date application,” said Hatcher. He explained that the additional cost would be $370,000. The board approved the request. Randy Norwood was honored with a retirement plaque and presented the Old North State Award for his dedication and service to Duplin County for nearly two decades. The next meeting will be on Nov. 4.

tirety of the current Town Hall on Murray Street.

“I would expect, with all of that work going on, we might be in the new town hall at this time next year,” Taylor told Duplin Journal.

Veterans Day Parade 12:00 - 3:00 pm…….……Warsaw Fire Dept Open House/Demo 1:00 - 3:00 pm…….…..…......…..Duplin Veterans Museum Tours LP Best House, Hill Street, Warsaw

4:00 pm Gaylon Pope Gospel Concert, Warsaw Baptist Church

• Watch the 581 South Band will play from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the crowd

• Visit the Kids Zone with Bouncey Houses

• Take a fun picture at the Photo Opt Set up

• Grab snacks at the Food Trucks, Concessions & Vendors

• Watch the NC Forestry Fly over as well as the 82nd Special Forces Parachute Jump Team | Army Silver Star, Heroism, Bronze Star, Dominican Republic, 2 tours Vietnam 7:00 pm………………….......Boy Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony Warsaw Methodist Church Parking Lot - Plank Street

WALLACE

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Kamala Harris tells Christian students to leave event

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including lateterm abortion — on every state in America if elected.

THE TRUTH has a way of coming out.

For anyone who still has any doubt, several recent and prior events have clari ed what Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris’ stance is toward Christians and people of faith.

At a campaign event recently in La Crosse, Wisconsin, two Christian students in the crowd shouted, “Jesus is Lord!” after su ering through one of Harris’ oft-used rants for unlimited abortion rights, apparently her only campaign issue.

Kamala Harris is famous for spouting her poll-tested soundbites — no doubt a necessity for her inability to construct a clear sentence.

But sometimes she goes o -script.

So, when the two students attending her rally yelled out “Jesus is Lord,” Kamala shot back:

“Oh, I think you’re at the wrong rally.”

The left-wing crowd went wild.

And then she doubled down: “You belong down the street” (at a Trump rally).

But you don’t need viral, o -the-cu remarks to know that a Harris administration poses an existential threat to everything we hold sacred.

That’s because she has a long track record of attacking Christians.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

She denounced a judicial nominee for being a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lay group.

Her failed leadership on our southern border has led to a humanitarian crisis, with migrants raped or sex tra cked, and hundreds of thousands of children now lost.

She has pledged to impose unlimited abortion — including late-term abortion — on every state in America if elected.

She has promised to go all in on the radical “trans” agenda, including taxpayer funding of surgeries (including on children), allowing boys in girls’ bathrooms, and to force schools to allow boys to participate in women’s sports.

Don’t forget: She has also introduced legislation to compel Christian employers, charities and schools to violate our fundamental moral beliefs.

If not before, the faith community has now taken note. As one Christian writer put it, “Kamala Harris’ response to ‘Jesus is Lord’ is be tting a modern Jezebel.”

Sen. JD Vance, speaking at a later event, unashamedly proclaimed that “Jesus is King and there is something bizarre with Kamala Harris’ anti-Christian rhetoric and antiChristian approach to public policy,” he said.

The Democratic Party’s bad October

While many voters have problems with Trump’s character, his personal ratings are higher than they were in 2016 or 2020.

WAS IT JUST A COINCIDENCE that Vice

President Kamala Harris showed up, 15 minutes late, to be interviewed by Fox News’ Bret Baier a day before Nate Silver’s poll aggregation website showed her chances of winning the election slipping below 50%? Probably not. October hasn’t been a good month for Harris or her party.

Nor has it been an entirely bad one. Silver’s model still gives her a 47% chance of winning, much higher than Trump’s 29% on election eve 2016. But it’s perceptibly below her 57% chance on Sept. 27, which re ected poll results after the Sept. 10 debate. “Since then,” Silver writes, “the race has slightly drifted away from her.” Slightly but perceptibly. Silver’s model gives reduced weight to polls conducted as long as six weeks ago. Another way of looking at the trend is to take a raw average of all polls conducted over a month. That method shows Harris leading Trump nationally by 3.6% in September and 1.7% in October.

The RealClearPolitics average, which includes only polls conducted starting Oct. 9, puts Harris’ lead lower, at 0.8%. A Harris popular vote plurality of less than 2%, Silver estimates, has only a 16% chance of producing a Harris electoral vote majority.

Poll averages in this year’s seven target states show something similar. September polling had Harris ahead in four of the seven states. October polling showed her leading in one, with Trump ahead in four and tied in two. The 34 target-state polls listed by RCP conducted primarily or totally since Oct. 9 show Trump ahead in all seven states, by an average of 48.5% to 47%.

There have been similar shifts below the presidential level. In RCP’s generic vote for the House of Representatives, Democrats’ lead was cut in half, from 1.8% on Sept. 30 to 0.9% now. That’s been consistent in past years with Republicans winning a majority of House seats.

In Senate races, Republicans seem to have captured two Democratic seats — in Montana, where challenger Tim Sheehy has led three-term

incumbent Jon Tester in two polls by 52% to 44%, and in West Virginia, where no one seems to have bothered polling because Republican Gov. Jim Justice seems sure to replace retiring Democrat Joe Manchin. In TrumpVance’s Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Bernie Moreno by only 0.6% in three October polls — a danger sign for a three-term incumbent.

Republicans are challenging ve incumbent or better-known Democrats in presidential target states. In no case is the Democrat topping the magic 50% mark, which leaves at least three and perhaps all ve Democrats vulnerable under standard political rules of thumb.

Why has the campaign been trending away from Democrats? Three hypotheses: One is that “vibes” are not enough for even a four-month campaign. The “joy” that partisan Democrats felt after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal prevented a disastrous defeat was not shared by most voters.

Plus, what I’ve called the Democrats’ “hide the candidate” strategy and Republican analyst John Ellis calls their “bubble wrap” strategy left many voters uncertain what she really thinks.

Choosing a president is a voter’s most personal political choice, and even Harris’ careful discipline and great smile have not established personal connections. Her campaign seems to have recognized this by switching strategy and booking “60 Minutes,” Fox News and CNN appearances, with disappointing results so far.

That has left Harris open — my second hypothesis — to attacks on radical positions she has taken, especially in her 2019 campaign for the 2020 presidential nomination. Republicans, including Senate candidates as well as the Trump campaign, have been running TV ads on Harris’ opposition to fracking (especially in Pennsylvania), her support of phasing out nonelectric cars (especially in Michigan), her endorsement of transgender surgery for prisoners, and her support of biological boys in girls sports. “Kamala’s agenda is they/them, not you,” is one e ective tagline.

Speaking to faith leaders in North Carolina, President Donald Trump said Christians were always welcome at his rallies. “We will never tell Christians to get out; we will tell you to get out and vote.”

Former Cabinet Secretary Ben Carson challenged the notion that Harris’ comments were mere ga es, quoting from a Bible verse that declares “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

“She didn’t have time to think about what she was going to say; she just said what is in her heart,” Carson said. “So maybe she is the one who doesn’t belong.”

Kamala Harris’ progressive policies are not just political positions; they are a direct challenge to Christian values.

As Christians, we must be discerning, recognizing that not all who claim to be of the faith truly live by it. Harris’ record speaks for itself, and it is a record that should concern every believer.

In this crucial election, we must remember that our allegiance is rst to Christ and His teachings. As we cast our votes, let us do so with a clear understanding of where the candidates stand — not just in their words, but in their actions.

For both Christians and every American who cares about religious liberty, the stakes could not be higher.

Sam Currin is a former judge, law professor and United States attorney. He lives in Raleigh.

My third hypothesis is that Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) reassuring tone tamped down fears of an erratic second Trump administration, while Gov. Tim Walz’s (D-Minn.) ustered performance “may damage the morale of Democratic voters” by making it harder for its core of liberal college graduates “to think of themselves as the smart people’s party.”

It may turn out to help explain what appears to be lower Democratic participation in early voting this year. The one clear example is in target state Nevada, where well-respected veteran journalist Jon Ralston notes that Republicans lead in early voting this year and concludes that “if this becomes a trend and not an anomaly, it will be over” for Democrats.

Of course, the polls once again could be wrong. They show fewer undecideds this year, leaving less room for Trump to overperform his poll percentages.

On the other hand, we’ve also seen increased Trump support from Hispanic and black men, and census data show population and, thus, probable turnout declines in central cities like Philadelphia and Detroit and some counties.

The fundamentals still favor Trump on the issues, with voters rating the Trump administration more positively than the BidenHarris administration. While many voters have problems with Trump’s character, his personal ratings are higher than they were in 2016 or 2020.

Perhaps as indicative as Trump’s small but steady gains this October have been, the reactions to his stint at the fryer and drivethru window at McDonald’s in Pennsylvania last weekend were even more revealing. Trump supporters, like the candidate, have been all smiles, while Trump opponents — check out the internet chatter — have been bristling with rage. Guess which side thinks it’s winning.

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

COLUMN | SAM CURRIN

Beulaville’s IGA to change ownership, reopen under new name

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — After nearly 40 years as Jackson’s IGA, the Beulaville store will close next week and reopen on Nov. 13 as Carlie C’s IGA.

Store Manager Malinda Ball con rmed the news to Duplin Journal. “The owner, David Jackson, has put us in very good hands,” she said.

The Beulaville IGA is the only store in Duplin County changing ownership; the Jackson’s IGA in Kenansville will remain under David Jackson’s ownership.

“Nobody’s losing their jobs,” Ball explained. “We’re just

changing ownership. Nothing’s really going to change for anyone who works here. The only thing that’s going to change is the name on the building.”

The last day for Jackson’s IGA in Beulaville will be Nov. 9. The store will close at 6 p.m. that day, and will undergo a renovation process with a grand reopening on Nov. 13 as Carlie C’s IGA.

There have been rumblings for several months about the Beulaville IGA, due to a diminishing supply of products in the store. However, Ball assured customers that once the store reopens, they can expect the same deli, meat and produce they’ve grown accustomed to nding, as well as other grocery items.

“We are most de nitely going to ll up on stock so we can

“The only thing that’s going to change is the name on the building.”

Malinda Ball, Jackson’s IGA Beulaville

provide for our community,” Ball said. “Carlie C’s motto is to love, bless and serve the community, and that’s what we’re here to do.”

In a press release, Mack McLamb, president of Carlie C’s IGA, stated, “We are excited to be able to have the opportunity to serve the people of Beulaville and the surrounding area. It has taken several events and many negotiations to allow us to be a part of the community

of Beulaville and we are honored to be able to become a part of the local area.”

McLamb added, “We are planning to add some new things, in addition to the great things that Jackson’s has offered for so many years. The culture of the Jackson family and operations mirrors so many of the things that we do at Carlie C’s.”

There are 32 Carlie C’s IGA locations across North and South Carolina. The closest location to Duplin County currently is in Clinton.

“We’re just excited and ready for everyone to see what we have to look forward to,” Ball said. “And we want the community to know that David Jackson has been a great boss, and he’s going to be missed in Beulaville.”

New co ee shop opens in Kenansville

Kenansville

A brand new co ee shop and boutique has opened in downtown Kenansville. Front Street Brewtique, located at 104 Front St., opened the co ee shop portion of the business on Oct. 25.

“Once the boutique area is completed, we will plan for a ‘grand opening’ celebration,” the shop shared on its Facebook page.

Normal operating hours for the co ee shop will be Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wallace Rotary Club hosting Pancake Breakfast

Wallace

The Wallace Rotary Club is hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast on Nov. 2, starting at 8 a.m. at the Hwy. 55 Restaurant in Wallace, located at 611 E. Southerland St. The pancake breakfast is one of the club’s largest fundraisers of the year.

JSCC to host Small Business Center Pop-up Shop

Kenansville

James Sprunt Community College is seeking vendors for a Small Business Center Popup Shop on Dec. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Room 113 of the Boyette Building on the main campus in Kenansville. The shop will allow local small business owners to showcase their products. Vendors can register online at this link: ncsbc.net/workshop. aspx?ekey=270440126. Registration is free.

1st

Free Carnival Rides

Food Vendors

Band Of Oz at 7 - 10 p.m.

Duplin Wine Beer and Wine Garden

2nd • Vendors start at 9 a.m.

• First Piece of Chicken is dropped into the Worlds Largest Frying Pan at 10 a.m.

• Open Ceremonies at 1 p.m. • Food and craft vendors

Carnival rides

Cake Auction

Local dance and music talent

The grocery store will become a Carlie C’s IGA

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Jackson’s IGA in Beulaville will close on Nov. 9 and reopen Nov. 13 as Carlie C’s IGA.

Pickles, Pigs & Swigs returns to Mount Olive

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

IT IS THAT time of the year again as Mount Olive prepares for the fourth annual Pickles, Pigs & Swigs festival. This beloved event, which celebrates our town’s food culture, will be held downtown at the corner of Center and East Main streets.

The festival will be held Nov. 8-9, kicking off Friday evening with the introduction of the N.C. Pork Council-sanctioned whole hog barbecue cook-off teams.

Saturday festivities and BBQ sale will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring live music performances, rides on the Pickle Train, craft beer, free Mt. Olive Pickles, classic car cruise-in, vendors, and more.

This year’s cook-off partici-

pants will get a chance to win $1,200 for first place, $600 for second, and $300 for third place. Cook-off winners will be announced between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Julie Beck, president of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce and organizing committee member, said they are looking forward to a fun weekend with good weather. Proceeds from the Pickles, Pigs & Swigs festival are not just for a good time, but also for a good cause. They benefit the Mount Olive Community Development Corporation in its efforts to lead downtown revitalization initiatives. Last year, the Community Development Corporation funded the creation of a five-year downtown strategic plan. Two of the four plan’s action teams and

the community round table are already actively working on various projects and making significant strides. Recent enhancements to downtown include potted plants, benches, American flags, and pole banners.

“The underlying purpose of Pickles, Pigs & Swigs is important to the future of downtown, but the event itself is designed for people to come downtown, enjoy a beautiful fall day with family and friends, live music, and hometown favorites,” said Lynn Williams, who along with Beck, serves on the organizing committee.

For more information, visit picklespigsswigs.com or call the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce at 919 - 658 - 3113.

New, improved Poultry Jubilee set for this weekend

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL — All things poultry will be celebrated this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2, at the annual North Carolina Poultry Jubilee in Rose Hill.

The festival has undergone quite a few changes over the past couple of years, event organizer Amy Turner said, due to the construction of the town’s new re department on the site of the former town square.

“Every year, we’ve said this is our year,” Turner said. “The site has been under construction for the past few years, so we went from a pile of dirt on the site to having the re department built. We’ve had to gure out when something isn’t going to work and try something new.”

The town square included a stage fronting Sycamore Street, which was lost when the re department construction began. As a result, this year’s Poul-

rst cousin’s wedding so that he could travel to Charlotte and play with some of the biggest stars in country music.

“It was a touch-and-go ordeal,” he said. “I met Luke and he was honestly the most genuine person I have met in the music business. It was really neat to be around a lot of my heroes, like Luke, Eric Church and Randy Travis. It was nice and a little bit overwhelming to be rubbing elbows with some of them.”

He said it was also overwhelming for his heroes to have heard his song “Helene” and to praise him for writing it.

“It was overwhelming in the best way possible,” he added.

Nerves did play a factor as he took the stage during

try Jubilee will feature only one live band, the ever-popular Band of Oz, performing on Friday night 7-10 p.m.

“Since we only have one stage now, there’ll be no big band on Saturday,” Turner said. “We have a lot of other events on Saturday that require a stage.”

the concert, but nervousness wasn’t as big of a factor as he thought.

“Going out onstage honestly the thing I was most focused on was not crying,” he said. “Especially with the stu I’d just seen in Swannanoa, and the nature of the song. It’s probably the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done.”

As for performing in front of 82,000 people — and the millions who were live-streaming the event at home — Wesko said he’s glad he got to experience it. “I don’t know if I will ever get to experience it again,” he said. “They told me I wouldn’t be able to see past the rst few rows with all the lights and everything, but once I got out there, I could see everybody.”

Instead of letting the nerves

The festival kicks o at 5 p.m. and will last until 10 p.m. Friday.

In addition to the Band of Oz performance Friday night, carnival rides will be free for all, courtesy of House of Raeford.

Friday night will also host the annual Wing Cook-O ,

food vendors, and the Duplin Wine and Beer Garden. Things kick o again at 9 a.m. Saturday, with food and craft vendors on site. The rst piece of chicken is expected to be dropped into the World’s Largest Frying Pan at 10 a.m. Plates of fried chicken and all the xings will be

take over, Wesko said he “leaned into the nervousness.”

“I think it was the best thing possible to lean into the moment and embrace it,” he added.

Most of his family were un-

Country music artist Wesko is shown performing his song “Helene” at the Concert for Carolina Oct. 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

able to attend the show, due to his cousin’s wedding, but Wesko said his dad and uncle and his co-songwriter were there with him. “And at least half the county was watching it on livestream,” he said. “I’m just

sold throughout the day on Saturday.

Saturday will also feature local dance and musical talent, including local Adam Quinn, who will be singing. The NC Poultry Jubilee Queens will also be performing various talents, and will host the famous cake auction as well.

An opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. with the mayor and other local o cials on hand.

The festival will wind down at about 6 p.m. on Saturday, Turner said, which still makes for a 10 to 12-hour celebration.

“Last week, someone gave me the best compliment,” Turner said. “They told me they were so glad the Poultry Jubilee is getting back to its roots. I took that as a compliment, because in the past, we’ve tried to grow bigger than maybe we should have, and I feel like now it’s more manageable.”

She added that the Poultry Jubilee “is for anyone that helps bring poultry to the table, whether it be turkey farmers, chicken farmers, seed farmers, people that work in the processing plants, whatever. That’s who it’s for.”

so grateful to have been able to take part in that event and to help raise $24 million.”

So, what’s next after playing for such a huge crowd? Wesko isn’t sure what will come next, other than a bene t concert in Avery County on Nov. 15, which Wesko performing at Concert for Carolina closeup is also raising money for hurricane victims.

“I’m just taking it as it comes,” he said. “And I’m grateful to have experienced it all.”

He pointed out that the reason he was at the Concert for Carolina — his song “Helene” — is available to stream and download online. “I’m donating 50% of the pro ts to western North Carolina,” he said. To learn more about Wesko, or to listen to “Helene,” visit wesko.komi.io.

The event will feature fried chicken from the World’s Largest Frying Pan

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Members of the Rose Hill Fire Department cook chicken in the World’s Largest Frying Pan at the 2023 North Carolina Poultry Jubilee in Rose Hill.

COURTESY MOUNT OLIVE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Cook-o Judge Owen Jackson judges an entry during the 2023 Pickles, Pigs & Swigs. This year’s event returns Nov. 8-9 in downtown Mount Olive.

WESKO from page A1

PHOTO COURTESY WESKO

Warsaw celebrates 104th Veterans Day Parade

Honor our nation’s heroes at the longest-running Veterans Day observance in the country

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

VISIT THE TOWN of Warsaw on Saturday, Nov. 2, and join the town’s largest and most awaited celebration honoring our nation’s heroes as the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce presents the 104th Veterans Day Celebration and Parade.

The Warsaw Veterans Day parade has become a cherished tradition in the Warsaw community, eagerly anticipated by families each year. This annual celebration is the longest-running consecutive Veterans Day observance in the country, dating back to 1921. It also serves as the state’s o cial Veterans Day parade.

Last year, over 100 groups participated in the parade, creating a festive display nearly a mile long. Participants included Department of Defense and school marching bands, JROTC units, homecoming queens and kings, Sudan Cruisers, Shrine Clubs, VFW posts, rst responders, churches, and various car and motorcycle clubs.

This year, organizers expect an even larger turnout.

“We have about 120 units registered,” Carolyn Quinn with Warsaw Chamber of

that our leadership doesn’t follow up or address town matters in a timely fashion or always in the best interest of the town,” wrote Willis-Wells.

“We have leadership that is struggling to properly run and lead the town, but are suppose to be qualified and equipped to do the job.” Willis-Wells expressed hope that the town board will continue to prioritize transpar -

there are already more than 120 registered. The parade will be on Saturday, Nov. 2, on Railroad Street with live music starting at 9 a.m.

Commerce told Duplin Journal, adding that this year they will have a kids’ zone, two bounce houses, a mini puttputt course, food trucks, con-

ency and avoid concealing information or misleading the public.

“It’s our responsibility to own mistakes and make corrections. We as leaders need to be open to constructive criticism,” said Willis-Wells.

cessions, vendors, and crafts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Celebrations honoring veterans will start Friday night with

a Boy Scout ag retirement ceremony at the Warsaw Methodist Church parking lot on Plank Street at 7 p.m. The festivities continue

on Saturday with a pancake breakfast hosted by St. John’s Masonic Lodge #13 at Warsaw Baptist Church on College Street, followed by a Veterans of Foreign Wars memorial service, a poignant moment that under DJ_VeteransDayParade2023.ES scores the town’s immense pride in honoring the sacri ce of veterans. The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Park on Railroad Street.

The ceremony will be followed by the presentation of the parade marshal and honorees, paying tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces. This year’s parade marshal is retired Army Sgt. Maj. William Watson from Wallace.

The parade festivities will begin with the NC Forest Service yover and the 82nd Special Forces Parachute Jump Team presentation of the U.S. Flag.

The event will feature live music by the 581 South Band, and the parade will o cially kick o at 11 a.m. on Railroad Street.

After the parade, the Warsaw Fire Department will host an Open House from noon to 3 p.m. Additionally, tours of the Veterans Museum inside the L.P. Best House on Hill Street will be available 1-3 p.m. The weekend celebrations will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 3, with a Gaylon Pope Gospel concert at Warsaw Baptist Church at 4 p.m.

“I put a meter in at a house, the meter wasn’t even there for one month and I get a bill with a consumption of 8,870 gallons. That’s what they billed me for,” Cecil Lennon told Duplin Journal. “When I opened up the meter and looked in there after I got their bill, I only used 125 gallons. They’re doing that to a lot of people in the area; they are overcharging if you don’t catch them like I caught them.”

Mayor A.J. Connors told Duplin Journal that getting the newly upgraded system up to speed is taking time. He also noted that some bills are over because some people do have water leaks and that the water department was evaluating things as they go.

Lennon shared that he brought his bill and showed them a picture of his meter, which recorded only 125 gallons. “There’s a big difference there,” said Lennon, questioning why the public has not been notified about the issue with the meters. “If we don’t catch it, we will still be paying.”

“I’d have been charged for the 8,870 gallons which is what they had charged me for by me contesting it. Oh,

we’ll make an adjustment ... there’s more to it than that you can’t just make an adjustment on almost 8,800 gallons of water … nobody could give me an explanation why it’s 8,800 except for the guy last night who stood up and said they’re getting the wrong meter reading at the office than what’s on hand, but the public doesn’t know and everybody’s getting water bills for like $150 - $200. Warsaw just [brushes] it off.”

FRIDAY, NOV. 8, 6 PM COOK OFF

SATURDAY, NOV. 9, 11 AM -4 PM, FESTIVAL

DOWNTOWN MOUNT OLIVE, NC

BBQ Sandwich Sale, $7 for 1 or $12 for 2

BBQ Pork by the Pound, $20

Live Music: Mount Olive s Zack Lee, 11-1:30 pm 42 West of Wilson, 1:30-4 pm

Craft Beer by R&R Brewing

Pickle Train Rides, $3

Petting Zoo

Classic Car Cruise In Vendors

Corn Hole

Bring your own chair and enjoy the day!

Proceeds benefit the Mount Olive Community Development Corporation & the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce

SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WARSAW

Pan-Roasted

Fruit

Assorted Breads & Rolls

Assorted Desserts

17 Duplin County organizations receive grants

The Duplin County Community Foundation awarded more than $16.8K in grants

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

THE DUPLIN COUNTY Community Foundation recently announced the award of $16,810 in grants to 17 Duplin County organizations.

For nearly two decades, the DCCF has been a steadfast pillar of support for organizations that make a tangible di erence in the community.

According to the announcement, the funds were allocated by DCCF’s local volunteer advisory board from the Duplin Foundation for Youth Advancement fund. The advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonpro ts, churches, local governments, and schools.

“We are proud to support their work,” Bob Kornegay, Duplin County Community Foundation advisory board president, stated

in the a press release.

The DCCF, an a liate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, provided grants to the following organizations:

• Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas received a $500 grant for the Duplin County Childhood Cancer Safety Net

• Diversity Nurtures

Achievement Community Youth Center received $1,000 for their Surviving to Thrive program.

• Diversity Nurtures

Achievement Community Youth Center received $1,000 for its afterschool enrichment program.

• Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries received $1,000 for the Feed Our Hungry Children Backpack Ministry summer backpacks program.

• Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries received $1,710 for Feed Our Hungry Children Backpack Ministry for 202425 school year backpacks.

• Duplin County Senior Services received $500 for Walking with Purpose — Physical Fitness/ Recreational Opportunity.

Duplin Medical Association, Inc. received a $1,900 grant for Serving the Underserved.

• Family Support Network of Southeastern North Carolina was awarded $500 for the Duplin PreK collaborative project.

• Home Health & Hospice Care (doing business as 3HC) received $750 for general operating support.

Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina-Duplin received $700 for the Kindness

Town of Magnolia welcomes new police o cer

Magnolia Police Department Chief Jerry Wood welcomes O cer Jose Flores to the Magnolia PD. Flores was sworn in Oct. 16 by Sonia Jaimes, the Magnolia town clerk.

“O cer Flores is an impressive young man with a very bright future,” said law enforcement on a Magnolia Police Department social media post. “Early on, he expressed to us that he had an earnest desire to serve as a Magnolia Police O cer because he grew up here, and he wants to serve his home community.”

Project.

“We are proud to support their work.”

Bob Kornegay, Duplin County Community Foundation

Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina-Duplin received $1,500 for Duplin Teen Court Ambassadors.

• Pet Friends of Duplin County received $1,000 for their Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Program.

• Prevent Blindness North Carolina received $750 for their Duplin County Vision Screening Program.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle received $500 for the Duplin County Care Fund.

• Rones Chapel Area Community Center was awarded $2,000 for Tutor to the Top Support — Duplin County.

• Wallace-Rose Hill Friends of the Arts received $1,000 for Noel and Don Gruen, Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth.

Wallace-Rose Hill Friends of the Arts received $500 for storyteller and musical artist Charlotte Blake Alston.

DCCF’s advisory board members include Bob Kornegay, Debra Morrisey, Jayme Jones, Brittainy Kildow, Wayne Branch, Kimberly Butler, Rhonda Campbell, Francisco Diaz, Ed Emory, Cathy Fonvielle, Susan Kerig, Todd Minchew and David Sutton. According to the release, all of these members live and work in Duplin County, which enables them to e ectively leverage resources, address local needs, and access various opportunities.

Plans for 132 new homes in Magnolia move along

Magnolia bids farewell to its town manager

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

MAGNOLIA — The town of Magnolia is preparing for growth as plans for 132 new affordable homes begin to take shape.

During the October town board meeting, former town manager Charles “Twig” Rollins shared that the proposed residential development could potentially double the town’s property tax revenue, enabling the town board to implement public initiatives.

While the project will increase the number of users on the town’s water and sewer system by over 25%, it won’t require additional personnel. The project is expected to generate around $273,000 in sales tax, improving the town’s nancial standing.

“That means there’s more revenue coming in. We can speed up our preventive maintenance. And we can steady the rates on water and sewer. Right now we’re paying for years past of not raising the rates. And with these extra 132 houses, it’s going to drastically change the nancial footing of the town,” said Rollins, adding that they anticipate a population increase of 30% to 35%, as these homes will attract younger families.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@duplinjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

Rollins shared that the development will have 1,500 squarefoot houses with three to four bedrooms and a homeowners’ association. He explained that this project could lead to more local businesses and resources for community initiatives. Rollins also shared that the board wants to set aside some funds for savings.

In other business at the meeting, the board appointed Sonia Jaimes, Magnolia nance o cer, as the o cial nancial custodian to replace Rollins, whose last day was Oct. 12.

Also at the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Jeanine Cavenaugh shared that the Magnolia tree lighting will be on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the old ball eld. They will have crafts for the kids, photos with Santa, free hot chocolate, cookies and an ugly sweater contest.

“In the water bill that will be coming out in a couple of weeks will be the ier about the tree lighting. There will also be a coloring sheet in it. We’re having a coloring contest for kids to submit them,” said Cavenaugh, adding that the winner will ip the switch to light the town’s Christmas tree.

Mayor Dawn Ward and the board of town commissioners all thanked Rollins for his service to the town and the accomplishments they have been able to do, thanks to his leadership and guidance.

“I would like to go on record as just saying thank you,” said Ward, adding that Rollins was a huge help as she became mayor last December. “I’ve learned a lot. I’m still learning … It’s a continual journey, but I just want to say I wish you the best of luck in your new position and any future endeavors.”

Commissioner Elvenia Wilson also thanked Rollins for his leadership and for encouraging the board to work together.

“We didn’t have the knowledge that we wanted to, so he encouraged us,” said Wilson. “I want to just personally thank you for what you have done. You have de nitely helped me.”

Commissioner Perry Raines mirrored the sentiment.

“We have not moved the way we have been moving the last two or three years. And it’s a pleasure to see it di erently. And to grow,” said Raines.

Cavenaugh expressed her appreciation for Rollins joining the town but conveyed her disappointment at his departure. “We’re going to miss you, Twig. Seriously, thank you for everything you have done for us.”

Cavenaugh asked the residents in attendance to be patient during this transition period.

“Y’all rest assured out there that we’re not gonna stop. I’m asking you as citizens to bear with us because it is going to be a time of transition with our interim and then with someone permanent,” said Cavenaugh.” If things don’t move along the process as you think it needs to, just be patient with us because we’re trying. And we’re determined that we will move forward.” Commissioner Eric Graham also asked citizens for patience as they navigate the change, adding that authentic leadership shines during adversity.

“As we go through this dicult transition, we have to double down on each other and continue to be productive,” said Graham. He also praised Rollins for improving Magnolia’s culture, noting increased productivity.

“The town board meetings are productive, and even the commissioners have become more productive. [Rollins] has been an advocate for continuing education through the UNC School of Government,” said Graham.

He added that the board wants to ensure transparency and encourage people to stay connected and engaged.

“As I always say, an informed citizen makes a better government,” said Graham. “We want y’all to be informed. Be connected. And be a part of the change that we’re trying to [make] here in Magnolia. Again, I don’t know what you see, but again I see a small town that has great potential. And because we’re almost 30 or 40 years behind, there’s more potential for us to grow.”

COURTESY MAGNOLIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Wallace team brings relief to NC mountains again

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

Hurricane Helene may have devastated western North Carolina over a month ago, but recovery from the storm will likely take years. No one knows that better than residents of River Landing and the Northeast community near Wallace, who faced devastating ood damage after Hurricane Florence in 2018.

In the Oct. 17 issue, Duplin Journal pro led three River Landing women going above and beyond to answer the needs of those most impacted by the storm. Emily Ludlum, Melissa Blizzard Stevens and Jennifer Johnson, along with other Wallace residents, have made multiple trips to mountain towns to deliver supplies.

The weekend of Oct. 18-20, they fed breakfast, lunch and dinner to the town of Newland, and provided a stop and shop for coats and blankets that were do-

nated from Wallace-area residents. In addition, work crews (including Wallace Mayor Jason Wells) cleared debris and students from Harrells Christian Academy packed 50 backpacks for children in Newland. They also gave out 14 kerosene heaters, 14 kerosene jugs, 11 buddy heaters, four small propane tanks per buddy heater, several large propane tanks, two electric heaters and one generator.

“Getting to Newland with all of our people and gear was no small task,” Ludlum shared on Facebook. “It took four trailers and 12 vehicles to get all of our food and donations there.”

Ludlum, Stevens and Johnson have joined with the Wallace Fire ghters Association to host a toy drive for children through Nov. 23. A donation box will be available at the NC Poultry Jubilee in Rose Hill this weekend, Nov. 1-2.

“The mountains are calling,” Stevens said, “and so we go.”

Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the Town of Beulaville, North Carolina (the “Owner”) for the Humphrey Athletic Park Phase I Improvement project and be opened and read in public at Beulaville Town Hall, 508 E. Main Street, Beulaville, NC 28518 on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m. prevailing time.

The Project consists of ve (5) Bid Items for the Humphrey Athletic Park Phase I Improvements in the Town of Beulaville, North Carolina. Base Bid improvements include construction of new perimeter walking trail, construction of 2 new basketball courts, construction of a sand volleyball court, and reconstruction of a parking area as shown on design plans. The Town is purchasing a play area directly that will be installed under a separate contract and may require coordination. The Town also is planning to install pedestrian lighting throughout the park from Duke Energy, that will need coordination.

All work on this contract must be completed within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days from issuance of a Notice to Proceed.

Contract documents and drawings for the proposed work (the “Contract Documents”), which have been prepared by the rm Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc.

are available electronically or via delivery by common carrier by making a request to Town.

Bidders will be furnished with a copy of the Contract Documents by request upon proper notice to the above e-mail addresses. In the e-mail message, the contractor shall indicate if they request an electron copy (PDF format) or paper copy. Electronic copies will be provided via e-mail at no charge. Paper copies will be provided after a non-refundable charge payable to Colliers Engineer & Design Inc. is received. Paper copies will be sent via UPS or Fedex if the contractor provides UPS or Fedex account information to defray the cost of this shipping method. Otherwise, paper copies will be sent via USPS.

The Contract Documents will be available during business hours beginning on October 24, 2024.

Proposals must be made on the standard proposal forms included with the Contract Documents in the manner designated in the Contract Documents, must be enclosed in sealed envelopes bearing the name and address of the bidder and the name of the project on the outside and be addressed to the Town of Beulaville and must be accompanied by a statement of consent of surety from a surety company authorized to do business in the State of North Carolina acceptable to the Owner

and wither a bid bond or a certi ed check drown to the order of Town of Beulaville for not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, except that the check shall not exceed $20,000.00. The successful bidder is hereby noti ed that a performance bond and labor and material (payment) bond for the full amount of this project is required.

The award of the contract for this project will not be made until the necessary funds have been provided by the Owner in a lawful manner.

Proposals for this contract will only be accepted from bidders who have properly quali ed in accordance with the requirements of the Contract Documents.

The right is also reserved to reject any or all bids or to waive any informalities where such informality is not detrimental to the best interest of the Owner. Further, the Owner reserves the right to abandon the project and reject bids entirely if any legal or state or federal administrative action is taken against the Owner which could delay or jeopardize the project from commencing. The right is also reserved to increase or decrease the quantities speci ed in the manner designated in the Speci cations. By order of the Town of Beulaville, North Carolina Lori Williams, Town Representative

PHOTOS COURTESY EMILY LUDLUM

Children from the Wallace community of River Landing took the trip to Newland in western N.C. to deliver coats and other supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene. Pictured (l-r), Elliana Johnson, Pearson Johnson and Walt Phillips.

Above, the families of Emily Ludlum, Melissa Stevens, Jennifer Johnson and others traveled to western North Carolina over the weekend to deliver supplies to those still su ering the e ects of Hurricane Helene. Left, as part of their latest trip to help western N.C. recover from Hurricane Helene, a group from Wallace provided three meals over two days for the community of Newland.

obituaries

Christopher Thomas Long

June 22, 1983 – Oct. 8, 2024

Christopher Thomas Long, 41, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Valley, New York, died on Oct. 8, 2024 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York on June 22, 1983, he was the son of David Thomas and Brenda (Vanderwel) Long of Wallace, and grew up in the town of LaGrange.

Christopher was a 2002 graduate of Arlington High School, and a 2006 graduate of Dutchess Community College with his associate’s degree in liberal arts. As a young man, he was a Boy Scout Star, and was a fencer in the Junior Olympics. He was employed as an Inventory Lead Clerk at ACME in Pleasant Valley. He was an avid New York Mets fan, and a video gamer.

In addition to his parents, Chris is also survived by his twin brother, Mark Long; and his cousins, Patrick and Page Long, Donald “Chip” and Meredith Long and their families.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 1-3 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross to assist the south with hurricane relief.

Ernestine Batts Dail

Jan. 21, 1944 – Oct. 21, 2024

Ernestine Batts Dail passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 at the age of 80. She was born in Duplin County to the late Gertie and Ernest Batts. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Mollie Pittman; brothers, Eslie Batts, Gerald Batts, Canarie Batts and James Batts.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Eugene Dail (Connie Marie Moser) and Henry Dail (Becky), God Daughter Sharon Jones (Rhonda); granddaughters, Taylor Dail (Daniel Perry), Courtney Bryans (Jeremy) and son Harrison; Sister, Frances Brock.

Ernestine or as many knew her “Ma Dail” will be missed dearly by her family, friends and, most certainly her fur babies. In lieu of owers; donations can be made in her memory to Lenoir County SPCA, PO Box 1481, Kinston NC 28503.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens. Reverend Hank Jarman o ciated. The family received friends after the service and at other times at the home of Henry and Becky Dail.

Dianne Mathis Bishop

May 30, 1957 – Oct. 15, 2024

Dianne Mathis Bishop, 67, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Duplin County, departed this life on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, at noon. Left to cherish her memories: her husband and love of her life, Arnathan “Nate” Bishop of Houston, Texas; two brothers, Robert “Bud” Mathis of Rose Hill, and James “Puddy” Mathis (Deborah) of Clinton, Maryland; ve sisters, Mary “Jackie” Teachey (Earl) of Fayetteville, Mable Chasten (Kenneth) and Virginia “Rae” Vaughn, both of Rose Hill, Geraldine Mason (Erskin) of Magnolia, and Debbie DeGree of Yonkers, New York; one aunt, Florence “Greedy” Love of Wallace; numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

A repast will be held immediately after the service at Rock sh AME Church in Teachey.

Eugene Edwards

March 3, 1940 – Oct. 19, 2024

Eugene Edwards, 84, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at his home.

Funeral service was Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Graveside service was Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: sisters, Fayelene Edwards of Beulaville, Annie Bell Higginbotham (Gene) of Raleigh, Dunnie Mae Hu man of Richlands, Irene Trent of Richlands, Judy Colantoni of Havelock; brothers, Richard Edwards of Ohio and Eddie Earl Edwards (Kathleen) of Beulaville.

Celia Taylor Cole

Nov. 8, 1937 – Oct. 25, 2024

Celia Taylor Cole passed away on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at her home.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Leland Cole and a son, Randall “Peanut” Cole. Funeral service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville. Graveside service was Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Kennedy-Cole Cemetery in Beulaville.

Survivors include: sons, Kenneth Earl Cole (Pat) of Wilson, Lynwood Cole (Brenda) of Pink Hill, Chris Cole (Jennifer) of Pink Hill; daughters, Patricia Carlisle (Eddie) of Kenley, Linda Cole of Kinston; 19 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Helen Margaret Boney Middleton

April 7, 1935 – Oct. 17, 2024

Helen Margaret Boney Middleton, 89, of Wheaton, Maryland, formerly of Duplin County, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill. Burial will follow at Boney Cemetery, West Charity Road in Rose Hill.Jerry’s family will remember his life privately.

Vickey Carroll Peterson Blackburn

Feb. 9, 1948 – Oct. 26, 2024

Born Feb. 9, 1948, Vickey Carroll Peterson Blackburn passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in the afternoon at 76 years old. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Graham Hugh Blackburn of Warsaw. Additional survivors include: one son, Michael John Blackburn and his wife Mary Hart Oswald Blackburn; two granddaughters, Mary Lila Blackburn and Lizzie-O Blackburn, all of Rose Hill. Of her ve siblings, Myril Peterson Garner survives. Also surviving are sister-in-law, Faye Boney Peterson, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Vickey was predeceased by her parents, Carroll James Peterson and Ella Wells Peterson; two brothers, Gerald Dean Peterson and Jimmy Wells Peterson; and two sisters, Hazel Peterson Hall and Mickey Peterson, Vickey’s twin who died at birth.

In her life, Vickey was proud to have served as an employee at Southern Bank, mainly in Warsaw and Faison, for 42 years. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church where she was active, especially during her retirement, with the Bible School Program. Vickey was a wonderful wife, mother, motherin-law, and grandmother o ering unwavering love and support wherever and whenever needed. Even to those she did not know, she o ered kindness and care, a true testament of her Christian faith and desire to highlight the goodness of God. When departing her grandchildren she often said, “See you Thursday!” as she had a standing Thursday night date with them. Her sense of humor, warm character, helpful nature, and positive attitude will long be remembered and cherished.

Vickey was interred at Devotional Gardens in Warsaw with a graveside service held on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Prior to the graveside service, a visitation was held at Community Funeral Home, Warsaw. In lieu of owers, please consider memorials to Calvary Baptist Church, 709 Memorial Dr., Warsaw, NC 28398.

Ruth Gray Geigher Humphrey

May 20, 1931 – Oct. 19, 2024

Ruth Gray Geigher Humphrey, 93, of Beulaville, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 at ECU Rehabilitation and Wellness in Greenville.

The viewing was held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Daisy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Beulaville, followed by the funeral service. Burial followed at the church cemetery.

Left to cherish her precious memories: ve children, Dorothy Gilchrist (Ervin) of Leland, Margaret Humphrey of Beulaville, Jerry Humphrey (Angela) of Wallace, Timothy Humphrey (Shannon) of Kenansville, and Phillip Humphrey of Richlands; 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 21 great, greatgrandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Lynn “Sammy” McKinley Maready

July 15, 1939 – Oct. 25, 2024

Lynn “Sammy” McKinley Maready passed away on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. Graveside service was Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Maready Family Cemetery, Chinquapin/ Visitation took place at the cemetery. Survivors include: sons, Berry Maready (Susie) of Chinquapin, Stanley Maready of Burlington; sisters, Myrene Thigpen of Potters Hill and Margaret Bostic of Chinquapin; brothers, Edward Maready (Sylvia) of Wilmington, David Maready (Audrey) of Chinquapin, Timmie Maready (Nancy) of Willard; two grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren.

Billy Ward Sumner

Sept. 5, 1943 – Oct. 21, 2024

Billy Ward Sumner, 81, passed away on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 in UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill. Graveside service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Whaley Family Cemetery, 107 Baker Road, Pink Hill. Visitation will be held at the cemetery.

Survivors include: son, Anthony “Tony” Sumner (Patricia) of Hampstead; sister, Pat James (Durwood) of Wallace; brother, Lynn Sumner (Linda) of Teachey; and grandchildren, Clay Sumner, John Sumner and Luke Sumner.

May 31, 1954 – Oct. 20, 2024

Robert Earl Houston 70,

Mary Ann Ralph

March 9, 1947 – Oct. 20, 2024

Mary Ann Stroud Ralph, 77, resident of the Beautancus community near Mount Olive, passed away Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2024, at ECU Medical Center in Greenville. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 26, at Tyndall Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Turner o ciating. Burial followed in the Roberts Family Cemetery. Visitation was held prior to the service.

Mrs. Ralph had been owner/ operator of Ann’s Draperies, where she designed and created custom made draperies and other home decorating accessories. She had also operated Sugarland Restaurant at Beautancus.

Surviving family members include her husband, William R. “Joe” Ralph, of the home; a son, Shane Ralph of Mount Olive; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Terry Baumgardner of Poolesville, Maryland; a brother and sister-in-law, James Edward and Jo Ann Stroud of Kaplan, Louisiana; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Elaine S. Kornegay of Mount Olive, and Debra S. and Donnie Bradshaw of Calypso; grandchildren, William Tyler Scheckel, Samantha Wood Scheckel and partner, Joshua Outlaw, Shaun Baumgardner and wife, Kimberly, and Heather Mees and husband, Phil; greatgrandchildren, Cora Mees, Blakeley Baumgardner, Brendan Outlaw, and Steven Outlaw; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Randolph Stroud and Jim Hazel Roberts Stroud; a daughter-in-law, Tracy Lee Scheckel; a brother, Randy Stroud; a special niece, Katie Lou Stroud; and a brother-in-law, Dennis Kornegay.

Robert Earl Houston

Arlean Futral Brown

May 21, 1932 – Oct. 25, 2024

Arlean Futreal Brown passed away on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024

Funeral service was Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was held Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 at Sand Hill Cemetery in Pink Hill. Survivors include: sons, Allen Brown (Mamie) of Oak Island, Randy Brown (Donna) of Pink Hill, Eddie Brown (Darlene) of Pink Hill; daughter, Patty Markl (John) of Richlands; sisters, Lily Mae Marshburn of Potters Hill, Faye Kennedy of Pink Hill; brother, Johnny Futral (Glenda) of Pink Hill; nine grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; and three greatgreat-grandchildren.

Janie Price

Nov. 26, 1937 – Oct. 19, 2024

Janie Price, 85, passed away Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 at Wellington Park in Kenansville.

Ms. Price was born Nov. 26, 1937 to the late Lannie Oliver Price and Martha Jane Barnette Price.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 in Community Funeral Home Chapel in Warsaw, with visitation following the service. A graveside burial was held on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Golden Grove Cemetery, Kenansville.

Ms. Price is survived by brother, Ben Price of Kenansville; sister, Shirley Blackmon and husband, Cecil of Kenansville; sister-in-law, Nancy Price; nieces Amy Rhodes and husband, Chris, Jennifer Armstrong and husband, Craig, Krissy Johnson and husband, Tony and nephews, Je rey Jones and wife, Michelle, Clarke Price and Michael Price and wife, Jennifer; and 10 great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Price was preceded in death by brother, Ed Price and Donald Price, brother-in-law, Herman Jones and sister-in-law, Carolyn Price.

Stanley Lemuel Johnson

Feb. 16, 1945 – Oct. 18, 2024

Stanley Lemuel Johnson Jr., 79, passed away Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 at his home. Mr. Johnson was born Feb. 16, 1945 in Duplin County, NC to the late Stanley Lemuel Johnson and Minnie Ozelle Mathis Johnson.

Mr. Johnson is survived by daughters, Robin Hardison and husband, Jack of Mesic, NC and Lori Ann Jalbert and husband, Tim of Arapahoe, NC; grandchildren, Josh Hardison and wife, Tina, Dayna H. Simpson and husband, Samuel, Devin Banks, Jayda Caraway; and great grandchildren, Kandyce Hardison, Skilar Hardison, and Lane Simpson. He is also survived by brother, Malcolm Johnson of South Carolina; sisters, Sue Bryan of Wallace and Brenda Jackson of Beulaville and brotherin-law, Charles Bryan.

UMO earns graduate counseling education accreditation

CACREP accreditation is required to seek licensure in North Carolina

Duplin Journal sta MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive recently announced that its master’s degree in counseling — clinical mental health received accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

UMO President Edward Croom, shared in a press release that CACREP accreditation is the gold standard in graduate counseling education, ensuring that programs meet the highest academic and professional training standards.

CACREP-accredited programs are required to seek licensure as clinical mental health counselors in North Carolina.

“This designation a rms UMO’s commitment to providing a top-tier education that prepares students to meet the rigorous standards of the counseling profession,” stated Croom in the press release.

The accreditation process involved a thorough selfstudy, which required a detailed assessment of program management, curriculum, admissions, faculty quali cations, and practicum and internship experiences, among other factors.

“Meeting all 177 standards required by CACREP, UMO’s program demonstrated excellence in every evaluated category,” Croom said.

“Meeting all CACREP standards is a rare achievement

during an initial accreditation site visit, and it re ects the exceptional caliber of our program,” said Deborah Buchanan, UMO counseling department chair/program director. Our students can be con dent that they are receiving a top-quality education that not only meets but exceeds the requirements for the counseling profession.”

Program graduates will be quali ed to work in various settings, including military and veterans’ services. They will also be able to bill Medicare and TriCare for their services. Additionally, graduates can bene t from the Counseling Compact, which enables licensed counselors to practice in participating states without requiring additional licenses.

“Our graduates will be on the front lines, helping to close the gap between the mental health needs of communities and the availability of qualied professionals,” Buchanan said.

The program has 98 enrolled students and 62 graduates. UMO’s CACREP accreditation is valid until Oct. 31, 2032, with a midcycle report due in the fourth year and renewal preparations starting in the sixth year.

Graduates can now work in mental health settings that require CACREP-accredited degrees and practice across state lines through the Counseling Compact.

“With the skills, education, and support provided by UMO, these future counselors are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the mental health profession,” said Buchanan.

DUPLIN SPORTS

Brown,

Lamb,

WRH

defense carry ’Dawgs over Panthers

WRH slips past ED in 10th-straight rivalry thriller decided by nine points or less

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Wallace-Rose Hill o ensive coordinator Adam Scronce showed East Duplin too many looks in a game in which both teams run Jack Holley’s Wing-T o ense.

And head coach Kevin Motsinger’s defense clamped down on fullback Shawn Davis.

WRH backs Irving Brown and Jamarae Lamb earned every tough yard during a hardfought 21-15 win on Friday at Brian Aldridge Field.

Brown (33-137) had a pair of scores, while Lamb (18-114) had key runs.

One of Scronce’s big calls came on fourth-and-3 at the ED 17 when Matthew Wells

found a open Jamari Carr over the middle for a touchdown to put WRH in front for the rst time at 14-8 with 39 seconds left in the rst half. Scronce also threw Single-Wing and various shotgun looks at the Panthers defense.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense got its act together after giving up and opening-drive touchdown to the Panthers, who went in front 8-0. They limited ED’s Davis to 68 yards in 14 carries and the Panthers to just 133 yards on the ground. The ’Dawgs (6-3, 4-1) host James Kenan (9-0, 5-0) on Friday for the ECC title, and No.1 seed in the 2A playo s. See the JK story on this page for more information on that clash.

Moving the “victory” chains

Yet WRH’s best o ensive face was on display during two

long, time-consuming drives in a third quarter that ED had just six o ensive snaps.

An 11-play drive featured Lamb and Brown both having a pair of runs for 10-plus yards before ED stu ed the Dawgs on fourth-and-13 from the Panthers 38.

WRH got after it for a 13-play, 62-yard drive to go in front by two scores at 21-8 when Brown hit pay dirt from the 1 with 6:37 to play. Lamb had a pair of 9-yard runs to take it to the 4.

Wells made a key quarterback run on fourth-and-2 on the second play of the fourth quarter.

And slowly moving the chains gave Motsinger and company a chance to walk o with his fourth win vs. Holley in 10 games.

Yet ED (4-5, 2-3) wasn’t going away quietly and will be in

See WRH, page B2

Tigers shred Stallions in prep for showdown with Bulldogs

Unbeaten JK will try to snap an 11-game skid against WRH with the No. 1 seed in the East 2A and ECC title on the line

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

JACKSONVILLE — The

bull’s-eye favorite this Friday at Thell Overman Field is on the James Kenan football team as the unbeaten Tigers look for a win to ice ECC title and keep their No. 1 seed for the 2A playo s. JK is a favorite despite losing the previous 11 encounters.

A WRH win would give the ’Dawgs a second straight conference crown.

The jury of fan opinion will be out until this longtime Duplin rivalry, which WRH leads 46-28, has nished.

“This is a position you’re hoping to be in, but now the expectations are di erent with the target on our backs,” said JK coach Tim Grady, who is 0-3 against WRH. “I couldn’t be more proud of where we are. It’s

a big game and our kids know what’s at stake.”

The Tigers (9-0, 5-0) believe their curse against the Bulldogs (6-3, 4-1) can be lifted.

“I challenged the kids to make history. That kind of caught on, and they’ve been saying it a little on the sidelines.

JK is seeking its rst ECC title since 1991 — though it grabbed eight crowns in other conferences from 1997 through 2016.

The Tigers’ last win over WRH came in 2015, a 33-15 dusting that the Bulldogs reversed 29-13 in the 1AA East Region nal (fourth round). WRH went on to its second straight state title among four straight winner-take-all crowns through 2017, the rst three under coach Joey Price and the fourth in current coach Kevin Motsinger’s rst year at WRH year.

Motsinger is 9-0 vs. JK since coming to Teachey in 2017. He had revived the Tigers program during three seasons (2003-05) with a 24-14 record. Then he

See TIGERS, page B3

Rebels rock Eagles to keep unbeaten streak intact

North Duplin holds Rosewood to 53 yards in rst blowout of Eagles since 2011, as the Rebels need one win to capture rst CC title since 2017

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Beating Rosewood has been a challenge for North Duplin.

The Rebels have a 31-20 lead in the all-time series, which started in 1973, yet keeping ahead of the Eagles hasn’t been easy as Rosewood had an 8-4 edge in the 12 previous encounters.

Securing dominate wins has

come often for ND, whose last big romp came 13 years ago, a 42-7 triumph in 2011 when the current junior class were 5-year-old playground prodigies.

They grew up a little more last Friday at H.E. Grubbs Field last Friday night.

Carell Phillips, the Duplin Journal-area’s leading rusher and scorer, ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns as the Rebels lashed the Eagles 24-7.

The overpowering victory left ND needing a win Friday at Hobbton to seal its rst outright Carolina 1A Conference ag since 2017.

Lakewood whipped ND last season, yet both schools tied for the title since the Eagles beat the

Leopards. Rosewood was the CC’s top dog in 2021 and 2022. It was a leave-no-doubt victory for ND, which is still unbeaten at 8-0.

“These games are always intense,” said Martin after rst chuckling about how his Rebels nally knocked their Wayne County rival to the canvas. “And that’s in every sport. It brings out the best in both schools.”

Last Friday, ND’s best exposed the worst in Rosewood as the Rebels defense limited the Eagles to 53 yards on 29 plays, including just 20 yards in the second half.

Donovan Armwood had three

See REBELS, page B2

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Neither Landen Bond, left, nor Corey Smith, right, could contain WRH running back Jamarae Lamb, who ran for 115 yards and passed the 1,000-yard mark against ED.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Branson Martin had three tackles against Rosewood and is averaging 4.2 per game.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Ty Morrisey is averaging 9.1 tackles for JK, second only to Hassan Kornegay (13.6).

’Dawgs ousted from playo s by No. 4 Hawks in third round

WRH beats East Carteret and Camden County for the second-most wins in school history

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

PITTSBORO — The Wallace-Rose Hill volleyball team might have felt they ran into a pack of buzzards in the third round of the 2A playo s.

It proved to be more than pesky birds on the court of their third-round matchup the Bulldogs could chase away.

The No. 4 Seaforth Hawks (23-4) won’t be a 2A school next fall and WRH left feeling good about that following a 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-8) loss, which advanced the Pittsboro squad into a matchup against No. 1 Ayden-Grifton (29-1) in the East Region semi nals.

WRH might have been overwhelmed with the moment — and the talent on the Hawks’ court as third-round visits have been rare, though the program won 21 matches, increasing the amount of victories three consecutive seasons.

“That’s a little college team that plays on a di erent level,” said Bulldogs coach Kevin Williams, who has orchestrated WRH’s rise in the 2A East.

“We won 21 and lost three to two teams (two to No. 2 Mid-

Bulldogs slip past Panthers, one win from ECC 2A crown

WRH clipped ED 2-1 on Monday to end the Panthers’ six-game winning streak; the ’Dawgs need to beat JK to capture an outright league crown

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Wallace-Rose Hill coach Rodrigo Diaz thought his Bulldog soccer team kept East Duplin in its game on Oct. 6 when the Panthers rallied three times before falling 6-5.

ED used the momentum to win its next six matches, including two against Duplin County and ECC rival James Kenan.

Diaz wasn’t about to let his team forget when the Panthers and Bulldogs met Monday in Teachey.

Alex Zepeda scored twice in the rst half and Junior Ayestas and Brayan Sanchez added second half goals as WRH beat ED 4-1.

Zepeda leads the Duplin Journal area in scoring with 37 goals. Senior Chris Mejia added assists on Zepeda’s second score and Ayestes’ goal.

The win ended the Panthers’ six-game winning streak and gave the Bulldogs their sixth in a row, guaranteeing WRH a share of the ECC title.

“It was all about our seniors tonight,” Diaz said. “We were the more technical team, but we knew we would have to control the tempo. We got some corner kicks and even at 1-1, I knew we would score by the way were attacking and pursuing.”

WRH (18-2-2, 9-1) needed a win or tie against James Kenan (12-4, 8-2) on Wednesday in Warsaw to capture its second straight crown.

ED (12-6-1, 9-2) cross -

WRH from page B1

the playo s. The Panthers host Southwest Onslow on Friday.

The rally was against both the ’Dawgs and the game clock.

Branson Norris (4-10 for 51 yards) passed ED into the red zone and then ran to the 4 on rst-and-10 from the 21.

Davis scored on the 12th play with 3:30 to play.

WRH then marched to the ED 27 but was stopped on fourth down with 2:04 remaining.

The Bulldogs lead the all-

es its ngers in hopes of a Tigers win, which would create a three-way tie at the top of the standings, though WRH may still nab the No. 1 seed for the state tournament via its higher RPI mark. ED swept its series with JK.

WRH is currently No. 4 behind No. 1 Clinton (20-2), No. 2 Greene Central (17-3) and No. 3 Franklin Academy (17-1-3), a team the Bulldogs beat 1-0 earlier in the season. JK and ED check in at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively.

ED, which got its lone goal via a penalty kick in the rst half via Yoskar Canales, faced Southwest Onslow in its last match before the uno cial end of the regular season. The Panthers have not won an ECC crown since 2011. JK ruled the league from 2020-22.

WRH did not have a match

time series 41-21-1 and are ahead 16-15 since 1996. The last 10 games have been decided by eight points or less. Brown and Lamb had fourstar performances, Motsinger said.

“I felt that was the most-disciplined our running backs have been since I came here (2017),” he said of the runners who read the Panthers defense.

“They showed great discipline, and we moved the sticks. And beyond the rst possession, our defense played exceptionally well. We took the trap away

way) and both are still in the playo s,” Williams said. “So we did a lot right.

“Our goal was to win the conference, and we had to ght for it but got it. These girls worked hard, stayed after school was out during the summer, with not many missing out.”

Josie Huneycut had 11 kills, Ally Forbes eight and Keira Rosenmarkle seven to pace the Hawks’ attack.

WRH won a ve-set win over Camden County, winning the opening two sets 25-21 and 25-23, dropping the next two at 25-17 and then winning the tiebreaker 15-7.

“We went up 2-0 and at out fell apart, mis-hitting and passing it into the stands,” Williams said. “Then momentum changed inside a packed gym.

“Then we woke up. Camden has been a top-six seed in the playo s for a while, so this was a big win for us.

Jansley Page was a workhorse with 21 kills, 14 blocks and two aces. Top-hitter Angelina Cavallaro had 13 kills and seven aces. Analeise Rivenbark netted nine kills and three aces, while Mattie Gavin added 38 assists.

The Bulldogs whipped East Carteret 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25 -18) in the rst round as Angelina banged home 11 kills, Page nine and Analeise Riven-

REBEL from page B1

interceptions and a sack. Senior lineman Ricky Castro has ve tackles and a sack. Austin Wolfe, Branson Martin and Garris Warren also had quarterback takedowns behind the line, which were in part created by the pressure applied by Castro, Trashawn Ru n, Isaac Davis and Rahmere Gates.

Yet it started with a defensive letdown, spotting Rosewood to an early 7-0 lead.

“Once we settled down and started running the ball both of our lines played well,” Martin said, “just after that opening score.”

And with those brakes and gas pedal of the ground game rmly pushed to the oorboard, ND’s clocking-chewing attack slowly grinded its way to 16 rst downs and 236 yards and 24 unanswered points.

Rosewood (5-3, 2-1) made a meager 50 yards in its rst four possessions. The Eagles had 64 passing yards, but minus 11 on the ground.

Armwood’s rst pick set up a 38-yard score from Philips, and it was 7-7 with 3:39 left in the rst quarter.

Jose Juarez booted a 24 -yard eld goal to give ND the lead, and it looked like the Rebels would have a three-point edge at halftime.

bark nine, while Mattie Gavin pushed her way to 26 assists. WRH graduates just two seniors.

Panthers exit in second round, Rebels in rst

East Duplin’s season to return to the limelight ended with a second-round loss to Ayden-Grifton.

The No. 16 Panthers won a 15-11 fth-set tiebreaker over No. 17 Clinton in Beulaville in the opening round to reverse a loss 3-1 loss on Aug. 26 on the Dark Horses’ home court.

Zoe Cavanaugh had 14 kills, Kinsey Cave 11 and Zoe Turner seven for ED, which nished 15-7 after a 10-12 campaign in 2023. The threesome combined for 57 digs.

No. 23 North Duplin was bumped o 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-9) by No. 10 Woods Charter in rst-round action in the 1A playo s.

Annabel Unah and Maya Sheridan combined for 34 of 47 kills for the Wolves.

Eva Quintanilla had six kills and Maggie Brown and Tateyawna Faison combined for six more as winners were hard to come up with for the Rebels, who nished 12-9 following a sub-.500 record last fall.

Lilly Fulghum hit for 12 assists and eight digs, with Marissa Bernal added 13 digs.

ND’s Hugh Martin has played in and coached against Rosewood 19 times during the 51-year series.

The ND approach limited both teams to a pair of second-half possessions.

Extra week before postseason, bye in playo s?

last week after Kinston forfeited the rest of its season, and two slate matches with the idle Bulldogs.

“We kept it intense in practice, and I actually think the practice time helped us work on some things,” Diaz said.

ED had to correct its miscues during wins over North Lenoir (2-1 in overtime) and South Lenoir (2-1).

Canales, Orlando Rodriguez and Brayan Mendez knocked in goals against the Hawks as ED rallied from a 1-0 halftime de cit to force overtime in La Grange.

Canales, a junior, got both scores against the Blue Devils and leads ED in scoring with 19 goals, and he has scored in 14 of 19 Panther games.

JK had identical 9-0 wins over South Lenoir and North Lenoir last week.

from them, but they got us on the counter some.”

Aaron Hall (8-50) took the ball to the house from 31 yards for the rst score of the night.

ED’s best drive went 13 plays and 72 yards. The Panthers converted three times on third down and once one fourth down.

WRH jumped o sides on the PAT and Holley had Hall run for the 2-point conversion on the next attempt inside the 2.

Brown’s rst score in the waning seconds of the rst quarter was followed by a

But Rosewood looked for more late in the second. Armwood picked o a pass and took it to the 15, and Phillps took it to pay dirt as the nal play of the rst half.

That was the big chill. The big kill came in the third when ND forced a three-and-out.

The Rebels used 19 plays to drive 76 yards and consume 10:03 of the clock, after Phillips’ 5-yard score to go in front by three scores (17 points).

ND used nine more plays to drive to the Eagle 12 as the game-clock expired. Running back Vance Carter (16-54), fullback Bryan Zambrano (11-33) and quarterback Luke Kelly (6-17) and slot back Armwood (2-8) for 112 yards to augment Phillips’ eighth consecutive 100-yard plus performance.

botched PAT kick and allowed

ED to keep an 8-7 advantage.

Gridiron notebook

WRH then had a perfectly executed onside kick as Jamari Shaw, Andre Allen, Kam Thomas, Jared Smith and kicker Cesar Peria-Fuentes all played a part in forcing the turnover. Lamb (123-1,026) went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, while Brown (132-753) had his fourth 100-yard game. Davis (91-830) is third in

After facing Hobbton (3-6, 1-2), the Rebels could be o for two weeks before their rstround playo game. All schools have an additional week, given to schools in western N.C. because of the damage of Hurricane Helene, but the Rebels could also get a rst-round bye since they are the No. 2 seed in the East. Tarboro (7-1, with a loss to 3A Havelock) is No. 1, Wilson Prep (8-1) third and Bear Grass Charter (7-2) fourth.

Schools below No. 6 Warren County (7-2) have three losses.

Gridiron notebook

It was ND’s second straight win over Rosewood, which had a ve-game winning streak from 2018-22. The Rebels won eight in a row from 2005-12. Phillips, a junior, has 1,202 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns this season and returned a kicko and interception return for scores.

Armwood has four interceptions, two less than Garris Warren’s team high. Anthony Kornegay and Ethan Turnage have one apiece. Turnage’s 4.5 tackles per game led the Rebels. Wolfe is at 4.3, Armwood 4.0, Davis 3.9, Martin 3.3 and Ru n 3.1.

the Duplin Journal coverage area. Pole-sitter Carell Phillips (120 -1,202) of North Duplin has paced the unbeaten Rebels. ED’s RPI fell from No. 9 to No. 22 with the loss. WHR is No. 12 and JK the top seed narrowly over fellow unbeaten and No. 2 Northeastern. Thirty-two schools will make the 2A East eld. The rst round of the playo s is Nov. 15, a week forward after the NCHSAA gave schools in western North Carolina an extra week following the destruction from Hurricane Helene.

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Mattie Gavin led WRH in assists this season with 409.

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Junior Ayestas’ second goal of the season was the third WRH score on Monday during the Bulldogs’ 4-1 win.

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Vikings’ second-half surge pushes over ’Cats for rst place in Coastal

White Oak pulls away to hand Richlands its rst loss and take control of Coastal Conference

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

MOREHEAD CITY — So much seemed lost after Richlands fell to White Oak 41-14 last Friday on the Vikings’ home eld.

Gone are the hopes of an unbeaten regular season, the Coastal 3A Conference title and the hopes of two home playo games.

“We turned the ball over, didn’t block well up front and I felt we were a little passive,” said Richlands coach Pat Byrd, whose club is 8-1 overall and 3-1 in league action, which concludes the regular season on Friday with a visit to Dixon (2-7, 1-3).

“It hurts and it should. We got beat by a very good football team. I told our kids to not hang their heads. We’ve still got a pretty daggone football team. We’ve got to give it all we have against Dixon. We have three weeks to get ready for a rstround playo game. We have to control what we can control.”

Richlands led 14-13 at halftime on the strength of touchdown passes from Caleb Simco. His rst came on the Wildcats’ rst possession, as the senior hit Tyler Clouatre for an 80-yard scoring strike.

Simco connected with Noah LeBlanc for an 11-yard touchdown with less than a minute left in the second quarter.

Yet stopping the Vikings (8 -1, 4-0), whose only loss was a 15-9 loss to Jacksonville (7-1), was another story, as quarterback Joshua Smith threw two touchdown passes and ran for 210 yards and a score.

He got help from running back Tareavion Mageo, who logged 127 yards on 22 carries and a score.

“We battled,” Byrd said. “We went toe totoe with them for 30 minutes. Things might have been di erent if we didn’t throw it away and give up a special score. We needed to give ourselves a chance to win it and we didn’t. And White Oak did what it had to do to win it.”

Smith set the tone early in the third quarter with a 64 -yard scamper to give the Vikings a lead it would only build upon.

Jamison Aliva’s 69-yard punt return further in ated the Wildcats and, with 3:12 to play in the third, made it 26-14.

An Edrick Pineda interception and Smith’s 32-yard toss to Avila put the nal nail in the co n for Richlands with 10 minutes left in the game.

Smith hit Aliva for a 32 -yard score for the third touchdown of the second half.

TIGERS from page B1

got 4A New Hanover back on a winning track in the next nine years with a 71-43 mark.

“James Kenan is more athletic than any of us (in the ECC),” Motsinger said, “and a very tough and very physical team, with six backs that can nd a crease and go. Their quarterback is good, and they are a disciplined team. We have to win the takeaway battle and not beat ourselves with turnovers and mistakes. We’ve got to be in the right spots and tackle.”

Long winning streaks by the Tigers have been rare in this series, which started when JK consolidated in 1957.

WRH has two seven-game winning streaks (1964-70 and 2000-05, including a second-round playo triumph in ’05), a six-game sweep (1984 -89) and a ve-game push (1992-96).

JK won eight straight (1974 -81) and four straight twice (2006-08, with a rst-round playo win in ’08), and again in the regular seasons of 1960-63.

The Jimmys and Joes go toe to toe

Expect a brawl.

“Wallace is big and physical

White Oak ran for 321 yards, converting 4 of 5 on third down and a pair of fourth downs in as many plays. Richlands made 5 of 11 on third down and were 0 for 1 on fourth down.

The Wildcats ran for 123 yards and passed for 99.

Smith’s touchdown a pass to Highsmith cut Richlands’ lead to 7-6.

Mageo scored from the 4 to give White Oak its rst lead.

Sideline chatter

Simco has had his hands and feet involved in 25 touchdowns this fall. He’s hit on 52 of 110 passes for 1,157 yards and 11 scores and ran the ball 74 times for 508 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Smith surpassed the 1,000yard mark running the ball while throwing it for 595 yards and seven scores. Mageo (204 -1,898) has a league-high 23 touchdowns.

LeBlanc has toted the ball 103 times for 789 yards and six scores.

and in the way of accomplishing our rst goal: winning the conference,” Grady said. “I feel we’re going to play great defense. I’ll take Hassan (Kornegay) and Ty (Morrisey) as my linebackers with Dakota (Henderson) up front and Cito (David Zeleya, Z (Zamarion Smith) and Tyquise (Wilson) as a lockdown corner any game of the year.

The mission of defensive coordinator John Bert Avent and his gang will be to stop senior running back Irving Brown (132789, 9 TDs) and junior backeld partner Jamarae Lamb (121-1,026, 6 TDs), and whatever plays WRH o ensive coordinator Adam Scronce designs.

While neither have produced many runs over 20 yards, both have many chain-moving gallops.

The Tigers appear more dangerous, even as WRH had two solid outings defensively against Kinston and East Duplin, holding both to a pair of touchdowns.

Quarterback Eli Avent has proven to be a ne passer (43 - 69 for 804 yards, 10 TDs) and runner (47-269, 9 TDs) and cannot be overlooked on scramble or set plays. He had three touchdowns against SWO and

Clouatre (12-507, 6 TDs) is the top receiver among the Duplin Journal teams. His second catch against White Oak was good for 16 yards. Lenny Halfter-Hunter, who had three catches, has 22 for the season for 356 yards and two scores.

Dixon lost three of its rst four games and ve of its last six. All schools in the state have an open week after Friday’s slate, which came about after the NCHSAA moved rst-round playo s up a week to Nov. 15 due to the damage by Hurricane Helene in the western part of the state.

One more win puts the Wildcats ahead of the 2011 and 1984 teams, which both went 8-4, and would be the best nish since 2003 when Kevin Wilson guided Richlands to an 11-2 mark. Wilson led Richlands to 10-3 and 11-2 marks in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Richlands won eight games ve other times, meaning another win puts the current ’Cats in elite company from records that go back to 1959.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

BILL CARONE

SPONSORED

Hassan Kornegay

James Kenan, football

Hassan Kornegay has lived up to his billing from last season as the ECC Defensive Player of the Year.

The James Kenan senior has made 109 tackles — 67 solo and 44 assisted — which include 21 that went for lost yardage. He’s also caused three fumbles.

JK’s defense has allowed 13.4 points per game while steamrolling to an 9-0 mark.

The Tigers need to beat Wallace-Rose Hill on Friday to capture the ECC and No. 1 seed in the 2A state tournament.

ran for 122 yards in a 32-20 win over ED. Jeremiah Hall, the new face in the JK back eld, has risen to the top, to run for 610 yards and ve touchdowns. That’s teamed with Josh Mitchell (48- 483, 5 TDs) and the early work of

running back Imri Sanders (44 - 403, 5 TDs), and the catchand run exploits of Wilson (18348, 4 TDs) and Zeleya (12-202, 2 TDs).

And what opponents have found is that JK is solid in all 22 positions, though several

players go on both o ense and defense.

“If we can get good blocking inside, it opens up things on the outside for Tyquise and others,” Grady said. “If I were having to look at defending our linebackers I’d be losing sleep. They are violently physical and love to play the game. Our kids live, eat and sleep football.” WRH won 36-15 last fall at Bill Taylor Field and 38-31 in overtime the previous season in Wallace. The Tigers were 4-7 against Joey Price, 8-11 vs. Thell Overman and 1-7 against Jack Holley (second all-time in career wins in NC). JK’s Ken Avent Jr. went 8-8 and Billy Byrd 7-10 against WRH. Tigers stampede past Stallions

Hall ran the ball 11 times for 166 yards against the Stallions. Mitchell added 58 yards on six totes, while Zeleya (2-60) and Kornegay (1-19) had scoring receptions. Jaquez Smith logged an interception. JK went in front 21-0 by halftime and scored the nal two touchdowns of the evening and held their foe to two touchdowns or less for the fth time this season.

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MICHAEL JAENICKE

Caleb Simco and Richlands were shut down in the second half against White Oak.

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Senior Dakota Henderson (5.5 tackles per game) has been the strongest player on the JK defensive line.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2023E000183

The undersigned, BERLINE DELVA, having quali ed on the 4TH DAY of AUGUST, 2023, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of SOLADEAN YDUD DIXON, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 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 OCTOBER 2024.

BERLINE DELVA, ADMINISTRATOR 2806 MCLAIN ST APT.A

GOLDSBORO, NC 27534 Run dates: O17,24,31,N7P

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DUPLIN NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, JOSHUA BURT, having quali ed as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ANTHONY STEVEN HARRIS Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said JOSHUA BURT at the address set out below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 31ST day of October, 2024.

JOSHUA BURT ADMINISTRATORS OF THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY STEVEN. HARRIS c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

Crusader foiled by Big East champ Trinity, face High Point for playo s

HCA lost for the second time in two weeks after winning six straight and will travel to High Point for a rst-round playo game on Friday

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

HARRELLS — The Harrells Christian Academy football team worked its way into the NCISAA playo s as a No. 7 seed in 2A’s eight-school format.

Head coach Clayton Hall and his Crusaders will travel take a trip the Guilford County looking to snap a two-game skid against powerhouse and No. 2-seed High Point Christian on Friday.

It’s an ironic rst-round matchup since a regular season confrontation against the Cougars was canceled because of the damage from Hurricane Helene in western N.C.

High Point (9-0) has been virtually untouchable this season, outscoring foes on Friday nights by an average of 36-14.

The Cougars have had one rst-to-last-play struggling, prevailing 22-21 over Charlotte Country Day, while having landslide wins over Ravenscroft, North Raleigh Christian and Covanant Day, which beat HCA (6-3) on opening night, though the Crusaders ran o sixth straight wins. That streak came to and end when HCA fell to the Ravens in a 38-35 thriller in Raleigh on Oct. 18. Last Friday, Trinity Christian o cially captured the Big East 2A Conference ag by humbling the Crusaders 42-6 in Harrells.

Ravens rally to topple Crusaders

Ravenscroft rallied from a 32-20 de cit with three fourth-quarter scores to beat Harrells Christian Academy 38-35 in the Capitol City.

Ravenscroft quarterback Elijah Deifer (14-21 for 214 yards) red a pair of touchdown passes to Bryan Copeland, and Brandon Williams (10-56) ran for three scores. Williams was a one-player

wrecking crew on defense with 17 tackles.

HCA was in front 32-20. The Crusaders would get a Sam McKeithan eld goal but nothing else the rest of the way. HCA got two touchdowns via Jarrod Miller (6-27). It also had one apiece from Demetrius Jones (6-53) and Dashaun McKoy (6-134), who also caught a pass for 34 yards during his best performance of the fall.

J’Kaeshi Brunson added 48 yards on 11 carries and Jeremiah Davis 53 yards on six totes as HCA rolled to a 301-yard rushing night, which nearly equaled the Ravens’ 320 yards passing and running the ball.

Against Trinity, Miller rambled for 89 yards and a score against Trinity, while McKoy (7-46) and Jones (9 -22) were stu ed by the Fayetteville school, which is seeded No. 3 opposite No. 6 SouthLake Academy (4-5) in the rst round with the survivor taking on the winner between HCA and High Point Christian.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#2024E-000430 The undersigned, BRAXTAN JAMES AND MARY MICAL, having quali ed on the 4TH DAY of OCTOBER, 2024, as COADMINISTRATORS of the Estate of DAVID BRYON MICAL, 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 15TH Day of JANUARY 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 OCTOBER 2024.

BRAXTAN JAMES, CO-ADMINISTRATOR 109 SR-682 THE PLAINS, OH 45780 Run dates: O17,24,31,N7P

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF DUPLIN

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, SUSAN BASDEN, having quali ed as EXECUTOR of the Estate of CHARLES MOORE, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said CHARLES MOORE, at the address set out below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 17h day of October, 2024. SUSAN BASDEN EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF SUSAN BASDEN c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR.

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Quarterback Reid Strickland had HCA’ o ense humming in a 38-35 loss to Ravenscroft.