Duplin Journal Vol. 9 Issue 45 by North State Journal

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF

this week

Pitch It Duplin! now accepting applications

Kenansville

The Duplin Chamber of Commerce and James Sprunt Community College Small Business have teamed up to host Pitch It Duplin!, a competition that gives business entrepreneurs the chance to win start-up money by pitching a new business idea to a panel of three industry experts. The application period is now open. The deadline to submit your application video, professional resume, and proof of residency is Feb. 18 by 5 p.m. Selected applicants will be notified Feb. 20-21. Visit marinefederalhb.org for more details.

Learn how to optimize soybean production

Kenansville

The Southeast Region Soybean School will host a class at the Duplin County Extension Center in Kenansville on Jan. 28. The class will feature research-based information for optimizing soybean production. Register by Jan. 15 at ncsoy.org/regionalsoybean-schools to reserve your spot.

Med instead of Meds series starts Jan. 16

Kenansville Nutrition Education: Med instead of Meds, a six-session series will start Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension office in Duplin. Space is limited, and cost is $20 for the series. For more information, visit go.ncsu.edu/duplin-mim.

Free adult wellness screenings

Wallace Free adult wellness screenings for blood pressure, glucose, body mass index and cholesterol checks will be offered at the Thelma D. Bryant Library in Wallace on Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. ECU Health will also offer free health coaching.

Teachers can win $2,500 grant to promote financial literacy

Statewide

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is awarding $2,500 grants to support innovative projects that inspire financial literacy in North Carolina classrooms. If you are a credentialed teacher with a unique idea to promote financial education and currently working at a public or private school in North Carolina, you can apply now through Feb. 1. The $2,500 grants will be awarded to the most innovative and impactful ideas. Recipients of the grants will be selected and announced by March 1. Visit coastal24.com/teachergrant to apply.

$2.00

New year ushers economic development in Duplin County

“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the exciting developments on the horizon and can’t wait to share more updates in the coming year.”

Bryan Miller, county manager

Duplin paves the way for sustained economic growth

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Duplin County hits the ground running as 2025 rolls in with several infrastructure and economic development projects on the books, continuing the pace of growth.

“Duplin County continues to pave the way for sustained economic growth by enhancing access to technology, vital resources, and increased infrastructure,” said Carrie Shields, deputy county manager. Our efforts not only support and retain our existing businesses but also position us to attract new businesses and industries, driving innovation and prosperity across the County.”

There are two significant economic developments coming in 2025. One

is NexGen Cabinets, which will invest $6.7 million in a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wallace. The other is a state-of-the-art grain handling, drying and storage facility currently underway in Rose Hill.

“In the past, farmers could only unload seven truckloads of grain a day, and so we were having corn left in the field and exposed to weather or any kind of hardship, and now, with this new feed mill, we can get our crop out of the field so we can make sure that we’re doing what we do best — feed a hungry world,” said Shields.

Two shell buildings, each spanning 50,000 square feet, are currently under development and expected to be completed this year to accommodate more businesses. One building is located at the Duplin AirPark in Kenansville, while the other is at the SouthPark Business

See DUPLIN, page A5

Duplin families ask DEQ to revisit Lear Corp’s draft permit

“How

have

we

gotten

to this point that money is more important than our children?”

Christine Goldsmith

Participants plea for a technology-based effluent limits mandate

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Approximately 45 people gathered at the Monk Auditorium in Kenansville on Dec. 17 to participate in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality public comment session.

The meeting addressed Lear Corporation’s latest draft permit regulating PFAS compounds — a class of toxic chemicals — discharges into the Northeast Cape Fear River.

Speakers like Jessica Thomas and Christine Goldsmith expressed concern for their families who live, swim

and fish downstream of the facility.

Recent tests on samples collected from Thomas’ backyard revealed alarmingly high toxicity levels in the largemouth bass and bluegill near the Sarecta Bridge. Thomas shared that for several months now, and she has reached out to county officials and area representatives to make them aware. Thomas shared that meaningful responses have been disappointingly absent despite her persistent efforts, and she believes the community is at risk.

As a mother of three boys, ages 8, 10 and 12, she struggled to hold back tears while reflecting on the countless hours they have spent swimming and fishing in waters they, for years, believed to be safe.

Mount Olive rings in ’25 with New Year’s Pickle Drop

The Mount Olive Pickle Drop on New Year’s Eve brought a fun evening of celebration as families and friends welcomed the new year.

2025 looks to be an exciting year for Wallace

New businesses to open, and more big names may be coming to town

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — With several new housing developments on the horizon, the town of Wallace is also looking to expand its business offerings in the new year. Several new businesses have been under construction in town for more than a year now, including a new strip mall located on Highway 41 near Walmart, and a Snappy Lube oil change and inspection station across the way. The Snappy Lube opened for business on Monday.

As for the strip mall, Quick Care Urgent Care will be ready to open soon, though no dates have been announced. Dunkin’ Donuts is still in talks to locate in the shopping center as well, but no dates have been announced for that either.

The town is also planning for the construction of 43 homes at Eastwood Acres. “There has been some reworking on that project,” Wallace Town Manager Rob Taylor explained. “Some chains are in talks to be part of that development, including Wawa, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, but we haven’t seen the plans for that.”

Another ongoing project in the town of Wallace

See WALLACE, page A5

COURTESY LYNN WILLIAMS

WEEKLY FORECAST

THURSDAY 1.2.25 “Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal www.duplinjournal.com

Neal Robbins Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com

Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers jim@northstatejournal.com

Ena Sellers News Editor ena@northstatejournal.com

Abby Cavenaugh Features/Business Editor abby@northstatejournal.com

Michael Jaenicke Sports Editor michael@northstatejournal.com

Karen James Advertising Sales Representative karen@duplinjournal.com

Loretta Carey Office Manager loretta@northstatejournal.com

Office Phone: 910 463-1240

To place a legal ad: 919 663-3232; Fax: 919 663-4042 #55

WE STAND CORRECTED

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

To report crime anonymously, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 910-372-9202 or you may also submit information at cc.southernsoftware.com/ tipsubmission/ through the Duplin County Citizens Connect website.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

DUPLIN CALENDAR

Wilson named Rose Hill VFD Chief

Billy Wilson is new fire chief, and Nick Buckner and Brandon Chestnutt are assistant chiefs

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL — The Rose Hill Volunteer Fire Department is under new leadership as of Jan. 1. Billy Wilson, who’s served on the fire department for nearly 40 years, was named the new fire chief, while Nick Buckner will retain his spot as assistant chief, and Brandon Chestnutt was promoted from captain to assistant chief.

“There was no negativity at all,” Wilson told Duplin Journal. “We’re just giving all of our members the opportunity to vote on who they want to lead the department.”

Wilson replaces Gary Boney, who had served as the fire chief for several years.

Members of the Rose Hill VFD formed a nominating committee and nominated the individuals they wanted to see as fire chief and two assistant chiefs, he explained.

“They looked at who was eligible, and also we were asked would we assume the role if we were voted in,” Wilson said.

“We’re just giving all of our members the opportunity to vote on who they want to lead the department.”

Billy

Wilson,

Rose Hill fire chief

The department changed its SOGs, or standard operating guidelines, so that the chief and assistant chiefs will now be voted on every five years, in case there’s a need for a change in the future.

“In 2030, we would agree to stay as chief or assistant chief, or go back through the nominating process,” he said. “We just want to keep things fresh so we’re open to newer interests or sparks.”

Wilson said he was honored to be chosen as the new fire chief. “I feel good about it,” he said. “It’s a big step and a huge responsibility.”

He added that he’s been asked if there will be changes to the department while he serves as chief.

“I said of course there are, just like there have been many changes since the de -

2 Mount Olive graduates honored with Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award

Both students received $1,500 for outstanding academic excellence

Duplin Journal staff

MOUNT OLIVE — Students Axel Engren and David Matthew Morris from the University of Mount Olive were recently honored for their outstanding academic achievements with the Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award. Each student was awarded $1,500.

Engren, who is from Sundsvall, Sweden, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and plans to join the auditing department at Deloitte.

Engren not only played on the UMO soccer team but also excelled academically. He cred-

its his ability to balance school and athletics to a hard-working mentality and a positive mindset. His professors describe him as the ideal student that every educator hopes to have. Morris, an online student from Holly Springs, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, achieving a perfect GPA. His dedication and academic excellence led his professors to consistently label him as the best student in class.

The Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award was established in honor of the late Thomas R. Morris, a retired optometrist from Goldsboro. His legacy continues to inspire and support educational excellence through this award recognizing students with the highest academic averages.

partment was founded in 1939.”

Part of those changes include encouraging

“We have a lot of younger ones coming up through

the department,” Wilson said, “and we want to encourage that because they are the future.”

Suspect in fatal shooting of police officer arrested in Duplin

The suspect was charged in the homicide of Officer Michael Horan

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WARSAW — A high - speed chase on Interstate 40 that halted traffic for several hours led to the capture of Tarell Isaac McMillian, 34, of Greensboro, near Warsaw. He was charged with first-degree murder in the Dec. 23 homicide of Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan. According to law enforce -

“He made that trip in a pair of handcuffs that belonged to Officer Horan.”

Greensboro Police

ment, Horan was killed at a Food Lion in Greensboro after responding to a call about a man with a firearm in the store. McMillian shot Horan and fled the scene.

Authorities reported that the chase began in Johnston County after deputies spot -

ted the suspect several hours later. Using a precision immobilization technique, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol stopped and captured McMillian. Duplin County Sheriff’s Office deputies took the man into custody until Greensboro Police arrived and transported him back to Guilford County.

“He made that trip in a pair of handcuffs that belonged to Officer Horan,” wrote Greensboro Police about the arrest in a social media update.

McMillian is being held at the Guilford County Jail without bond and faces multiple charges.

COURTESY BILLY WILSON

The Rose Hill Volunteer Fire Department will have a new chief and assistant chiefs. Left to right, Assistant Chief Brandon Chestnutt, Chief Billy Wilson and Assistant Chief Nick Buckner.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

A high-speed chase on Interstate 40 halted traffic for several hours on Dec. 23. Tarell Isaac McMillian was captured near Warsaw and charged with first-degree murder in the homicide of Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan.

Axel Engren

David Matthews Morris

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

ABC News caves to the bully

The Trumpers intimidated the media. He’s intimidated the billionaires. He’s made clear that he’s taking names and planning on revenge.

PITIFUL

That’s the best I can say about ABC’s decision to settle the defamation suit that Donald Trump brought against ABC News because star anchor George Stephanopoulos said he had been held liable for “rape.”

Trump’s claim: he was not held civilly liable for “rape” but for “sexual assault.”

In fact, the judge had already rejected Trump’s efforts to make a federal case out of that distinction.

In rejecting Trump’s effort to get a new trial, respected federal Judge Lewis Kaplan made clear that Stephanopoulos’ mistake — calling it rape — was not a mistake at all.

“The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was ‘raped’ within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump ‘raped’ her as many people commonly understand the word ‘rape,’” Kaplan wrote. New York’s legal definition of “rape,” Kaplan explained, is “far narrower” than the word is understood in “common modern parlance.”

Confused? Pardon me for being explicit, but it’s all about digital penetration. In New York, in order to qualify as civil rape, you have to prove penetration by the penis. What the jury found Trump to have done was forced digital penetration. The more common definition of rape, adopted by the Justice Department in 2012 and cited to by Kaplan as the American Psychological Association definition, includes penetration “with any body part or object.”

“The jury’s finding of sexual abuse therefore necessarily implies that it found that Mr. Trump forcibly penetrated her vagina,” Kaplan wrote. It’s just that he did it with his finger, not his penis.

The word “rape” has power. There’s no denying that. Some years ago, I went on a campaign that went like this: Don’t say no. Say rape. No may mean yes (rarely, if ever), but rape means trouble. But seriously.

If the case had gone to trial, Trump would have had to prove that his reputation was damaged because Stephanopoulos recklessly disregarded the truth by using the “common modern” definition of rape — and that Trump’s reputation was damaged by the suggestion that he used his penis instead of his finger. Imagine that trial.

It’s laughable. It was a nuisance suit. Trump could not have defended it.

So why did ABC settle it?

For the same reason that Jeff Bezos canceled The Washington Post’s endorsement of Kamala Harris. For the same reason that Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta gave $1 million to the Trump inauguration. For the same reason that Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski made their pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago. Fealty to the bully.

It’s a disgrace. The Trumpers have intimidated the media. He’s intimidated the billionaires. He’s made clear that he’s taking names and planning on revenge, loading his administration with loyalists who are committed to doing that, and the people and institutions who are supposed to be big enough

and strong enough to stand up to him are cowering instead.

ABC News was under the gun, in Trump speak. He took off after them because their anchors did their jobs as journalists, which is to say they had the audacity to fact-check the former president in his embarrassing debate with Kamala Harris. When he lied, as he did, they called him on it. He threatened their license, the sort of threat dictators who aren’t bound by anything like the First Amendment make. It’s the sort of threat that should be dismissed out of hand in a democracy like ours, but what does that mean anymore when you have a bully in charge?

The bully will keep bullying. The media is full of reports about how the Trumpers plan to use defamation lawsuits to intimidate their critics and humiliate the media.

It was notable last weekend that Pete Hegseth’s lawyer was using the threat of a defamation suit to try to silence his sexual assault accuser, before he was persuaded by Sen. Lindsey Graham to release her from her commitment to be silent about her abuse.

If 2024 was the year of Donald Trump, then 2025 is going to shape up as the year of lawsuits, and threatened lawsuits, unless and until institutions like ABC News have the guts to stand up and defend their journalists and themselves. George Stephanopoulos did nothing wrong. His bosses did.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.

Republicans must sign the tax cut by July 4

If Republicans can keep the House for four straight years, the Trump administration will get an enormous amount done.

CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS are working to pass special budget legislation as soon as President Donald J. Trump takes office. They must jump-start his agenda without getting stopped by Senate Democrats. They need to pass legislation to secure border and stop illegal immigration. And they must pass an economic-focused bill that cuts taxes and regulations to spur the economy. Whichever strategy they choose, the economic growth bill must be signed into law by the Fourth of July. This is because the No. 1 challenge for Trump and his administration is to keep Republican control of the House in 2026. If Republicans can keep the House for four straight years, the Trump administration will get an enormous amount done, and the GOP will be set up for a presidential victory in 2028. If the Democrats win the House in 2026, they will immediately invent a slew of nonsense investigations to undermine Trump and the Republicans. The House Republican majority is the smallest in modern history. My respect for Speaker Mike Johnson’s ability to patiently work with such a small margin is limitless. However, if the economy does not recover quickly, it will almost impossible for Republicans to keep the House. We have been here before. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan was talked into writing his three-year tax cut so the economic impact would not come until 1983. As a result, Republicans lost 26 House seats. In 1983, the economy took off and began growing at about 6%. It was fast enough to enable Reagan to carry 49 states in 1984.

In 2017, congressional Republicans wrote the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but it

did not immediately affect the economy in 2018. They lost 40 seats and control of the Congress. Democrats immediately moved to investigations, obstruction, and two impeachment efforts. The following year, the economy took off and grew dramatically (6.8%).

In both cases, if the tax cuts had gone into effect a year earlier and the economy had taken off, Republicans would have gained rather than lost seats.

The lesson of history is clear. President Trump and congressional Republicans must pass the economic growth bill and sign it into law by the Fourth of July. It’s the best way to create a reasonable opportunity to keep the House in 2026. It will be a hard fight in the off-year, but without economic growth it will be hopeless. If they fail, a Democratic House will be virtually guaranteed.

When I was speaker, we passed two reconciliation bills in 1997: The Taxpayer Relief Act and the Balanced Budget Act. So I know it is possible to do two reconciliation bills in one year. Republicans can start both bills simultaneously in January. One team can focus on a Safe Borders and Controlled Immigration Act. The other team can focus on an Economic Growth and Affordability Act.

While the border bill is moving in the legislature, the grassroots movement for the economic growth bill can be developed.

The big, popular parts of the tax bill must be identified by the end of February. Then grassroots campaigns must be launched to bring the American people together to pressure Congress to pass it.

Grassroots pressure from the voters can work even in polarized times. In 1981, Reagan’s televised appeals, his cabinet’s focus

and a grassroots effort led 46 Democrats in the House to vote for his tax cuts. Speaker Tip O’Neill complained of “a telephone blitz like this nation has never seen” and said it “had a devastating effect.”

In 1996, when I was speaker, we passed the most consequential conservative social reform bill in our lifetime, the Welfare Reform Act. It was first proposed by then-gubernatorial candidate Ronald Reagan 30 years earlier in 1966. The American people were so decisively in favor of welfare reform that we split the Democrats 101-101.

Building a wave of popular support so great that Democrats must vote with Republicans takes time. That is why the grassroots campaign must begin by late February.

Senate Republicans who favor a two-bill strategy must be committed to passing the Economic Growth and Affordability Act by May 31. Then the House and Senate will have all of June to conference the two versions and be ready for a signing ceremony by the Fourth of July. Every day after the Fourth of July, it gets harder to jump start the economy and win the 2026 election for the House.

It is in Trump’s deepest interest to get a commitment from the new Senate Republican majority to meet this schedule.

If the Senate will not agree to an accelerated schedule, then the two bills should be merged into one and pushed through in March or April.

This is the biggest single congressional decision Trump and Republicans will face in 2025. It must be the highest legislative priority for the year.

Newt Gingrich is former Republican speaker of the House.

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

Duplin County mayors answer: ‘What are your town’s top priorities in 2025?’

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

CONTINUING A tradition started in the year-end edition of 2023, Duplin Journal once again connected with Duplin’s mayors to share the goings-on in each of the county’s municipalities. This year, we posed the question, “What are your town’s top priorities in 2025?”

Below are the responses from the mayors of Beulaville, Kenansville, Magnolia, Teachey and Wallace. Look for more in next week’s edition.

In 2024, a lot has begun to pay off for the town of Beulaville. A year ago, when I responded to this piece, I reflected on “managing growth, infrastructure needs, and overall balance.” I continue to say those remain our focuses but with a lot more action this year. It’s nice to ride through town and see cleaner and safer streets, businesses thriving and people living in the community. We’ve broken ground on several CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) projects, water and sewer projects, and our new playground. We’ve recently seen East Duplin Christian Outreach relocate to an updated portion of our municipal complex, which was part of a large grant for the community. The Town Board and employees are very serious about continuing to work together to keep our budget balanced and in step with the local economy. Go -

WALLACE from page A1

is the construction of a Royal Farms gas station at the corner of Highways 41 and 11 in the Tin City area. The town council approved a second rezoning request for Royal Farms at the October meeting despite protests from residents of neighboring Plantation Acres. The property between the proposed Royal Farms site and Plantation Acres was rezoned to Highway Business with conditions, allowing for a possible expansion of the gas station. With the correct zoning now in place, construction can begin on the site at any time. However, Taylor told Duplin Journal, “Royal Farms had told us they were going to start construction,

DUPLIN from page A1

and Industrial Park in Wallace.

This year ushers the groundbreaking for the N.C. Forestry Service Region One Headquarters at the AirPark. According to Shields, it will take place sometime in January or February.

Also, the county is collaborating with a site readiness group to prepare for future development at the WestPark Business and Industrial Park. According to Shields, the county’s main focus for next summer will be to attract new industries to the area. Shields told Duplin Journal that they will have an intern assisting them in this effort. Additionally, the airport is working on the development of a new spec hangar to further draw in industry.

ing into 2025, I see the town of Beulaville becoming even more strategic in our local community and Duplin County. — Hutch Jones, Beulaville

Our priorities include continuing to take the steps required to complete current projects to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure. We also hope to construct a new playground at Kenan Park, and work toward demolition of vacant/abandoned properties to encourage site rehabilitation. We’ll continue to work to build our recreation program by actively developing and implementing recreational activities for kids and adults.

—Stephen Williamson, Kenansville

Magnolia is looking forward to a couple of big items we have going on this year.

We are continuing to move forward with the closing of the affordable housing development that will add 132 homes to Magnolia. While we had anticipated closing during the Fall of 2024, the closing was delayed for a time. However, all parties involved are still very much in favor of the development and continue to work together to that end. We are also moving forward with the beginning of renovations for our gymnasium. While

but that has not started yet.”

On Dec. 5, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that NexGen Cabinets will locate its East Coast assembly and manufacturing facility in Wallace, bringing an investment of $6.7 million and initially 42 new jobs to town. The potential is there for up to 500 jobs in the not-too-distant future, officials say.

NexGen Cabinets is a division of Honsoar International, a manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom furniture with a global production footprint in Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. NexGen will manufacture kitchen and bathroom cabinets for multifamily residential wholesale markets in North, Central, and South America. The loca-

Shields also shared that James Sprunt Community College will kick off their Workforce Development Center construction, and that the groundbreaking will be in January.

“Duplin County and James Sprunt are looking to continue an ongoing partnership to make Duplin County a better place to live, work, and play,” said Shields, adding that they are working on a project that will truly enhance residents’ overall quality of life.

Shields shared it will be midto late 2025 before they can reveal more details about this special project.

Shields and County Manager Bryan Miller credited the Board of Commissioners for their commitment to growth.

“This past year has been a

we, sadly, did not get the PARTF grant for which we applied in 2024, we are still committed to utilizing the funds already in hand to renovate the gym and make it more of a community-use space, rather than basketball only.

In that regard, our inaugural tree lighting on Dec. 5 showed what a valued space Magnolia has in the form of our gymnasium. The upgrades we have planned will only add to that. Those include adding air conditioning to our HVAC system, upgrading technology to include Wi-Fi, installing LED lighting, making our restrooms ADA-compliant, a removable floor that will protect the court floor and can be used for events other than athletics, removing some of the bleachers to install a small folding stage, and resealing the roof.

— Dawn Ward, Magnolia

Two words that come to mind for 2025 at the town of Teachey are growth and community. With the approval and annexation of a new subdivision in 2024, we expect the construction of that project to begin this year. There are also other projects underway that will be bringing new homes to the area within 2025. Our priority continues to be community-focused with an emphasis on unity. Part of that focus will see our town expand upon our “Movie Night at the Park.” Our first event was a huge success and will continue to be free for the commu-

tion in Duplin County will be the first manufacturing site in the southeastern United States with a 150,000-square-foot space for assembly, production and distribution operations.

“It’s a win-win for us,” Mayor Jason Wells said. “For somebody to invest that kind of money in our community and to bring their business to the old SteveCo Knit building, it fulfills our vision of bringing that building back to life.”

NexGen is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2025.

Construction will also start soon on a new housing development in Pender County on Highway 117, which was annexed into the town of Wallace earlier in the year.

transformative period for Duplin County,” said Miller. “We celebrated the opening of several new facilities, saw an increase in our fund balance — reflecting our strong financial health — and advanced our focus on economic development, attracting private investments while creating new opportunities for growth. Our Board of Commissioners remains deeply committed to serving the residents of Duplin County, supported by an exceptional administrative team and dedicated County departments.”

Shields also reflected on having a strong Economic Development Board and community partners who have a vested interest in the growth and development of Duplin County.

“We remain committed in our

nity. Lastly, we are striving to support our fire department in the pursuit of obtaining a new fire truck. Those things aren’t cheap, and we are looking at creative ways to raise funds so that the Teachey Fire department can continue to have the equipment they need to effectively do their job and help keep our community safe.

— Bobby Jones, Teachey

Our top priorities for 2025 are the completion of the 830 Sewer Line Project and having it come online, as well as the connection to Darling Foods in Rose Hill. This will help accommodate future growth that is coming to Wallace. We will open up the Clement Park building after renovations are complete in the first quarter, and will see Parks and Recreation move their offices into the building, as well as have space available for community activities and events. We hope to start renovation the current Parks and Rec offices by mid-year. The town has a continued investment in our parks, including the completion of the new inclusive playground and some additional work at Farrior Park. We also plan on breaking ground for a new fire station in early spring with a target completion date of June 2026. There’s also construction underway at the airport, including new road construction and a runway expansion. We’re also planning for a new terminal and hangars.

— Jason Wells, Wallace

“We’re finalizing the plans on that,” Taylor said. “That will be about 70 homes. Sometime early next year, they will start moving dirt on that.”

The town is working on expanding its infrastructure as well. A sewer line extension on River Road is “moving along very well,” Taylor said. “It should be completed early next year.”

A groundbreaking is also in the works for the town of Wallace to connect a force main to the town of Rose Hill to provide water and sewer for Darling Foods.

Wallace already provides water to Hampstead, Burgaw, Greenevers and Teachey, as well as parts of Pender County that fall under Pender County Utilities.

mission to improve the economic well-being and overall quality of life for every resident,” said Shields. “Together, we are building a brighter future for Duplin County.” Duplin County is also looking at consolidating departments in 2025.

“The Health and Human Services consolidation is probably the largest,” Miller told Duplin Journal, adding that while no decision has been made yet, they are exploring other opportunities to make the county more efficient.

“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the exciting developments on the horizon and can’t wait to share more updates in the coming year. Duplin County is thriving, and the future is bright,” said Miller.

ECU Health Duplin Hospital offers tours for those seeking health careers

Kenansville

ECU Health Duplin Hospital is offering a Career Exploration Tour on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 3-6 p.m. for those interested in a health care career. Visitors can explore different areas of the hospital — both clinical and nonclinical — and discover what it’s like to be a member of the ECU Health team. Visit wkf. ms/3VPNSn6 to reserve a space.

Get pesticide licensure at James Sprunt’s WestPark Campus

Warsaw James Sprung Community College’s WestPark Campus has a number of upcoming pesticide licensure courses coming up over the next few months. Courses and dates are as follows: Seed Treatment Pesticide License — Jan. 9, Soil Fumigation Pesticide License — Jan. 23, Ornamental and Turf Pesticide License — Feb. 6, Forestry Pesticide License — Feb. 27, Private Pesticide License — March 13, Commercial Pesticide License — March 27, Commodity Pesticide License — April 10, Livestock and Poultry Pesticide License — April 24. For more information, visit jamessprunt.edu, or contact Ken Jones at kjones@jamessprunt.edu or 910-275-6207.

JSCC offers free online seminars for small business owners Duplin County James Sprunt Community College’s Small Business Center offers free online seminars every month for small business owners, or those wishing to start their own businesses. Here are the online seminars available over the next few weeks: Start-up loans: How to Start the Process, Jan. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.; ABCs of Starting a Small Business on a Limited Budget, Jan. 9, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.; How to Start a Mobile Food Business, Jan. 15, 7-9 p.m.; Finding Your Customer & Creating a Marketing Plan, Jan. 16, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Cómo iniciar un negocio de comida móvil (How to Start a Mobile Food Unit) in Spanish, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to noon; The Treasure Hunt: Finding the Funds to Finance Your Small Business, Jan. 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Business Photography for NonPhotographers, Jan. 22, 7-8 p.m.; Dynamite Marketing on a Firecracker Budget for Small Businesses, Jan. 23, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.; The Treasure Hunt: Finding the Funds to Finance Your Small Business, Jan. 30, 2-3-p.m. and 6:307:30 p.m. To register for any of these courses, visit ncsbc. net/Events.aspx, choose “At Center” as the location and then select James Sprunt Community College.

Hutch Jones

Williamson

Ward Bobby Jones

Wells

“It wasn’t until this summer that I learned that PFAS can be absorbed through the skin. Not only can they be absorbed through the skin, but you get most of the contamination that way,” said Thomas.

She thanked DEQ for providing a platform to be heard and asked for the new permit to require the company to remove “forever chemicals” before discharging into the river.

“These companies and agencies have known for decades about the harm they cause, yet it’s allowed to continue. Why is this issue being ignored in Duplin County?” she asked. “You have in your presentation that Lear claims to have stopped using PFOA and PFAS 16 years ago. But those same chemicals are showing up in my backyard, in the water and in the fish.”

Goldsmith, whose family lives on Sarecta Road, also expressed her concerns about why residents living nearby were not directly notified; she only learned about the meeting casually a day prior.

“I’m disgusted that no one from Duplin County is here representing … Where are our representatives here at this meeting tonight?” said Goldsmith, adding that a mailer should have been sent out to everyone who lives close to the river to let them know.

“I didn’t know anything about it. This is not a Republican or a Democrat issue. This is a human being issue regarding our children. I’m not comfortable with my grandchildren fishing out of the Cape Fear River. How have we gotten to this point that money is more important than our children? ... Will they ever know what it’s like to fish out of the Cape Fear River and cook a fish on the fire and not have to be worried about chemicals that might kill them? That’s my question to everyone here tonight. It shouldn’t take until 2029 or 2027 or whenever to test for these chemicals. Do the right thing now.”

An attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center noted that the revised draft permit does not require Lear to implement best practices to protect the people, emphasizing that there was still time for DEQ to revisit its draft using the tools in the Clean Water Act to control PFAS.

Kasey Moraveck, also an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, expressed that while the studies and monitoring required in Lear’s draft permit sound nice, they don’t safeguard public health.

“You have known for five years that Lear is discharging harmful chemicals every day into the water that downstream communities rely on for fishing and swimming,” said Moraveck, noting that DEQ has been aware of the discharges since 2019. “Instead of acting affirmatively with this draft permit, you are knowingly subjecting these communities to PFAS for at least five more years.”

Moraveck expressed her frustration with the lack of decisive action.

“Despite having five years to prepare for this permit renewal, you claim that you need more information to set technology-based effluent limits,” said Moraveck. “DEQ can apply technology’s known removal efficiency to Lear’s PFAS data. From these results, lim-

its can be calculated in accordance with EPA permitting guidelines.”

Moraveck emphasized that the process is straightforward and can be accomplished using basic statistical methods.

She also noted that the draft permit’s reopener does not protect downstream communities from ongoing contamination.

“DEQ has never reopened a permit to address toxic pollution; we have no reason to trust that you will do it here,” said Moraveck.

Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch’s Riverkeeper who initially discovered the toxic discharges, was among the speakers.

“Lear has acknowledged that they discharge two especially dangerous PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, at levels 7,550 times and 1,470 times above the EPA health advisory level, respectively. In the last five years, Lear has violated their permit 48 times,” said Burdette, emphasizing that’s only the times they got caught.

He noted that largemouth bass he harvested near the Sarecta bridge had 20 times higher levels of PFAS in their tissue than the fish the state tested in Bladen County and deemed unsafe to consume, adding that bluegill had levels that were 12 times higher.

“I used the same process

and the same certified lab that the state used to issue their consumption advisory,” said Burdette.

He expressed disappointment that despite sharing the lab results about the toxic fish, no action has been taken to stop the discharges.

“We know that people fish in the river downstream of Lear, and that people should be able to fish downstream of Lear and bring those fish home to put on the table for a healthy meal for their families. But they can’t because Lear discharges PFAS into the river,” said Burdette.

“We know the EPA sent a letter to DEQ that said, ‘EPA Region 4 has determined that the draft

permit — this draft permit — does not adequately protect the health of the public or aquatic environment affected by these discharges.’”

A final decision about the draft permit will be made in 90 days. Persons who were unable to attend the session can mail comments to Fenton Brown Jr., NPDES Wastewater Permitting, Attn: Lear Corporation Permit, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 276991617 or via email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov, and should include Lear Corporation Permit in the email subject line. DEQ will accept comments from the public until Friday, Jan. 10.

Christine Goldsmith speaks to members of Lear Corporation about her concern for her grandchildren’s health, saying she no longer feels safe to fish in the Northeast Cape Fear River. She also expressed her disappointment that no leadership from Duplin County was present.

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Several familes attended the public comment session Dec. 17 at James Sprunt Community College’s Monk Auditorium in Kenansville to address Lear Corporation’s draft permit regulating PFAS compounds.

A boy holding a sign that brings attention to putting “people before profits” was among those who attended the Lear Corporation’s draft permit public comment session at JSCC’s Monk Auditorium in Kenansville on Dec. 17.

obituaries

Leniol “Pete” Webster Weston

Nov. 4, 1932 – Dec. 23, 2024

Leniol “Pete” Weston, 92, passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Elmer and Rosette Weston, a son, David Weston, and a sister, Sharon Lanier.

Funeral service was held on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Graveside service was Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at Sand Hills Cemetery, Potters Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Wynelle Weston of Wallace; sons, Len Weston of Beulaville, Richard Weston (Van) of South Carolina, Dell Murphy (Wendy) of Wallace; daughter, Wendy Crumpler (Kelly) of Wallace; brother, John Weston (Sally) of Wallace; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Alice Elizabeth Mathis Williams

Oct. 22, 1934 – Dec. 27, 2024

Alice Elizabeth Mathis Williams, 90, of Rose Hill, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at The Laurels of Pender in Burgaw.

Funeral services will be held at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Rose Hill, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Left to cherish her precious memories: children, Arthur C. Williams (Deborah) and Byron Williams (Bonita) of Rose Hill and Barbara Birden (Derrick Dixon) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; brother, Larry D. Mathis of Rose Hill; sister, Sadie Lee Murray of Teachey; eight grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; sistersin-law, Regeina Kenan and Essie Mae Williams; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Gina Lou Brock Hines

Jan. 1, 1970 – Dec. 22, 2024

Gina Lou Brock Hines, 54, of Rose Hill, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Kevin Hines of Rose Hill; son, Kevin Hines and wife Jessica of Rose Hill; sister, Anna Brown and husband Dennis of Rose Hill; and granddaughter, Kinlee Hines.

Memorial service was Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at Serenity Funeral Home in Beulaville.

Irma Byrd Dudley

July 4, 1936 – Dec. 24, 2024

Irma Mae Byrd Dudley, 88, reunited with her husband James on the anniversary of their wedding on Dec. 24, 2024. She passed peacefully at her home with her family by her side.

She is survived by her three daughters, Dianne Williams of Faison, Janet D. Turner and husband Carry, of Mount Olive, and Rhonda D. Myers and husband, Ray of Mount Olive; four grandchildren, Tracey Cruse and husband Aaron, Jennifer Merrill and husband Alma, Michelle Bradshaw and husband William, and Joshua Williams; eight greatgrandchildren, and three greatgreat-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband James, Irma was preceded in death by her parents; John Wesley and Ellen Bell Byrd; her son, Craven Dudley; sisters, Clypstine Olemaker, and Doris Sessoms; two brothers, J W Byrd Jr., and Dennis Byrd; and a son in law, Jimmy Williams. Funeral Services were held on Friday, Dec. 27, in the chapel of Tyndall Funeral Home. A private burial followed the service, and friends are welcome to call on the family at the home of Mrs. Irma on Hwy 403, just outside Mount Olive. Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be made to Rones Chapel Church or to a charity of one’s choice.

Minnie Creech Wilkins

March 11, 1947 – Dec. 26, 2024

Minnie Pearl Creech Wilkins, lifelong resident of the Scott’s Store area near Mount Olive, passed away early Thursday morning, Dec. 26, 2024, at the home of her daughter. She was 77.

Mrs. Wilkins had been employed at Carolina Turkeys, had been a caregiver, both for children and for the elderly, and had been a homemaker.

She is survived by her six children, Linda W. Williamson of Mount Olive, with whom she had made her home for the last several years, Eva W. Wilkins with companion, Vincente Garcia, of Mount Olive, Lisa W. Stroud with husband, Thomas Stroud, of Albertson, Nancy W. Raynor with husband, Mike Raynor, of Mount Olive, Dennis Wilkins with wife, Michelle Wilkins, of Mount Olive, and Jackie W. Herring with husband, Timothy Herring, of Wilmington; grandchildren, Belinda W. King, Aaron Wilkins, Kendra S. Wilson, Kristin Stroud, Ethan Stroud, Chris Raynor, Corey Raynor, Samantha Wilkins, Vivian Wilkins, Leanne Wilkins, Kimberly W. Silva, Thomas Wilkins, Matthew Wilkins, Kayla Herring, and Jackson Herring; 29 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert “Zeke” Creech of Mount Olive.

Mrs. Wilkins was preceded in death by her husband, O’Berry Wilkins; her parents, Carl and Sudie Kornegay Creech; three brothers, Wilbert Creech, Kenneth Creech, and Bobby Creech; and an infant sister, Catherine Creech.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, Dec. 28, at Tyndall Funeral Home with visitation following.

Committal rites with burial were Sunday, Dec. 29, at the Wilkins Family Cemetery off Buck Hill Road, Mount Olive.

Nancy Green Strickland

May 8, 1935 – Dec. 23, 2024

Nancy Green Strickland, 89, of Beulaville, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

She is survived by her daughters, Vickie Strickland of Beulaville, Theresa Strickland of Beulaville, Emma Kelly and husband Jimmy of Beulaville; son, Billy Lee Strickland Jr. and wife Sandra of Kinston; sister, Carolyn McKinney of Mooresboro; and two grandchildren, Justin Kelly and wife Brittany of Beulaville, and Jayne Kelly of Beulaville.

Funeral service was held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at Serenity Funeral Home, Beulaville, with visitation one hour before service. Interment followed at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Susie Kennedy Hawkins

July 16, 1950 – Dec. 28, 2024

Susie Kennedy Hawkins, 74, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Funeral service was Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Graveside service was Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at Kennedy Family Cemetery, 2796 Sarecta Road, Pink Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Donald Hawkins of Pink Hill; son, Donald Wayne Hawkins (Monica) of Pink Hill; daughter, Sandra Sanderson (Brad) of Pink Hill; sister, Macy Kennedy of Pink Hill; grandchildren, Blake Sanderson, Hope Sanderson, Ethan Hawkins and Sarah Hawkins.

Bertha Mae Merritt Murphy

June 28, 1957 – Dec. 22, 2024

Bertha Mae Merritt Murphy, 67, of Jacksonville, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024 at Carolina Rivers Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill. Burial followed at First Baptist Church Cemetery in Teachey.

Left to cherish her precious memories: children, Austin Murphy, Kim Alexander Murphy Jr. and Cherone Merritt, all from Jacksonville; brother, Fitzhugh Merritt of Teachey; sisters, Barbara Ann Carr of Teachey and Dorothy Henderson of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; three grandchildren; aunt, Hattie Jones of Teachey; a host of cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

James ‘Bud” Ivey Thigpen

Sept. 9, 1946 – Dec. 23, 2024

James “Bud” Thigpen, 78, passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at his home. Visitation was held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Burial was private.

Survivors include: spouse, Hilda Gray Thigpen of Pink Hill; son, Kevin James Tadlock (Samantha) of Mt. Olive; daughter, Colette Thigpen Whaley (Steve) of Pink Hill; sister, Betty Simpson of Richlands; brother, J.D. (Bean) Thigpen Jr. of Pink Hill; grandchildren, Erika Whaley (Matthew Surcey), Anthony Tadlock, Alivia Tadlock and Payton Whaley; and greatgrandchild, Sawyer James Surcey.

Marian (Rouse) Holland

Aug. 29, 1943 – Dec. 24, 2024

Marian Rouse Holland, 81, of Rose Hill, passed from this life to her eternal life on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forevermore. She was born on Aug. 29, 1943, in New Hanover County. The daughter of the late Theodore Rouse Sr. and Sara Cox Newton Rouse, Ms. Holland was also preceded in death by her son, Daniel Wray Holland; greatgranddaughter, Skyler Theel and brother Theodore “Bo” Rouse Jr. Ms. Holland was a lifelong member of Rose Hill Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church. Surviving to cherish her memory is her devoted son David James Holland and wife Judith of Rocky Point; grandchildren, Kristen Holland Blanchard, Amanda Holland Theel, Amanda Cooper, Tim Weyers, Matthew Holland, Paige Holland and Amy Holland; great-grandchildren Harrison Theel, Maverick Weyers, Camden Weyers, Isabella Cancro and Noah Cooper; numerous extended family and friends that loved Marian dearly.

Marian was a loving mother and caring grandmother. She enjoyed the simplest things in life, but her greatest joy was family. Growing up at Duplin Nursery, she developed a love for gardening that has stayed with her all her life. Marian, who was known as a “social butterfly” was a people person who never met a stranger. She enjoyed her job at the bank for many years and met many people who became friends for life. Marian will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Graveside funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey with her pastor, the Reverend Jack Melvin, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Rose Hill Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church, Rose Hill, NC 28458 in memory of Marian Rouse Holland.

Addie (Hodges)

Dec. 5, 1931 – Dec. 18, 2024

It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that we announce the transitioning of Addie Hodges Price. Addie Hodges Price was born Dec. 5, 1931 in Duplin County. On Dec. 18, 2024, our Lord called her home. Addie Hodges Price was the only girl born to the late Charlie and Gracie Faison Hodges. She was preceded in death by four brothers.

Addie completed Douglas High School and had a desire to become a teacher. She enrolled at Elizabeth State University. Following her degree in education, she continued her studies in New York and at North Carolina Central University. She was a faithful member and usher at Mount Zion United Holy Church Warsaw, and served well as long as her health permitted.

Addie had a fulfilling life and career. Addie was married to Sgt. Robert L. Price, who preceded her in death in November 2005. Addie leaves behind two loving sons, Robert G. Price of the home and Gary H. Price (Shirley) of Goldsboro; two grandchildren, Kamoni S. Davis (Tyree) of Waldorf, Maryland, and Sierra J. Price of Ft. Washington, Maryland; two greatgrandchildren, Tyson and Kaden Davis of Waldorf, Maryland; one person of guardianship, Mattie Denise Pierce of Wilmington; a special goddaughter and niece, Cassandra Miller of Kenansville; brother-in-law, Joe Price (Yvonne) of Norfolk, Virginia; two sistersin-law, Ann Lester of Florida and Valerie Price; a host of nieces, nephew, relatives, godchildren and friends.

Donald Carl Davis

July 31, 1939 – Dec. 24, 2024

Donald Carl Davis, 85, put his hand in the Master’s hand on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 at his home. Born in Duplin County, he is the son of the late Clarence and Nettie Pearsall Davis. Not only was Donald a master carpenter but fishing and hunting were favorite pastimes as well. He was dedicated to his church and served on the Deacon Board at Bethany Freewill Baptist Church. He attended faithfully until his health began to decline.

Cherished memories will linger in the hearts of his wife, Christine Davis; children, Cassandra Davis Hammonds and Roderick Davis; two grandchildren, Deontre’ Hammonds and Deonna Hammonds; one greatgrandchild, Dior Hammonds; two brothers, C. Earl (Bernetta) Davis and Charles (Ezzie) Davis; two goddaughters, Letita Isler and Shequita Gray; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he has been reunited with his siblings, Ethel Upton and Morris Davis.

Debbie (Bryant) Krause

March 30, 1957 –Dec. 19, 2024

Deborah “Debbie” Bryant Krause, 67, of Magnolia, passed from this earthly life to her eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. She was born on March 30, 1957, in New Hanover County and was the daughter of Robert Bryant of Burgaw and the late Martha Kay Shepherd Beacham.

She was a member of Riley’s Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving to cherish her memory is her best friend and husband of 48 years, Dean Krause of the home; sons, Brian Krause and wife Ali of Wilmington and Justin Krause and wife Amber of Rocky Point; grandchildren, Riley Krause, Rory Krause, Reagan Krause, Dezmond Krause and Haylie Krause; sister, Beverly McKeithan and husband Michael of Leland; numerous extended family and friends that loved Debbie dearly.

Debbie was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and sister. She enjoyed the simple things in life, but her greatest joy was her family. With a love for nature and the outdoors, Debbie enjoyed living on the farm and tending to her many animals. She was an avid animal lover and being with them was her “Happy Place.” Debbie always had signs and the words “Believe” around her home and farm. She was a firm believer in God and lived her life as an example to others. Debbie will surely be missed but she will never be forgotten.

Services will be announced at a later date.

Nora Grace Whitman Kornegay

Feb. 24, 1940 – Dec. 21, 2024

Nora Grace Whitman Kornegay, 84, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington. Mrs. Kornegay was born Feb. 24, 1940 in Duplin County, to the late Garland Davis Whitman and Thelma Miller Whitman.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 at Devotional Gardens, Warsaw. Mrs. Kornegay leaves behind to cherish her memories: son, Leslie Kornegay Jr. and wife, Rose of Warsaw; grandchildren, Anthony Kornegay and wife, Nikki of Kenansville and Jeremy Cecil and wife, Crystal of Goldsboro; great-grandchildren, Leah, Kayla, Annaleigh and Aubrey; brother, Steve Whitman and wife, Faye of Kenansville; sister, Judy Glazewski of Wilmington; nieces and nephews, Robert Whitman and wife, Dawn, Steven Whitman and wife, Shirley, Michael Glazewski and wife, Robin, Teresa Hart and husband, Ron, and Clarrisa Kosh and numerous great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kornegay was preceded in death by brother, J D Whitman, brotherin-law, Jim Glazewski, and nephew, Anthony Whitman.

Wilmoth Lou Bacon Thomas

July 12, 1939 – Dec. 19, 2024

Wilmoth Lou Bacon Thomas, 84, of Warsaw, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at Woodbury Wellness and Rehab of Hampstead. Mrs. Thomas was born July 12, 1939 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to the late Don Bacon and Ada Rappe Bacon.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at Warsaw United Methodist Church. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service Left to cherish Mrs. Wimoth’s memory are sons, Thomas D. Thomas of Warsaw, Kelly Thomas and wife, Sue of Fayetteville and Don Thomas and wife, Tammy of Maryland Joint Base Andrews; grandchildren, Kristen and Trey Cummings, Joel Thomas and Lindsay, Caven Thomas, Will Thomas and Tyler, Drew Thomas and Frankie and Jessica Thomas; great-grandchildren, Camden Cummings, Ryder Cummings, Lillian Thomas, Rylee Thomas and Lucia Thomas.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by husband, William F. Thomas and sister, Carolyn Peterson.

Mary Susan Lane Melvin

Dec. 19, 1958 – Dec. 27, 2024

Mary Susan Lane Melvin, 66, of Magnolia, passed away on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at home.

Funeral services will be held at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lane Family Cemetery in Magnolia.

Left to cherish her precious memories: children, Keith Martin Jr. and Marketta M. Edwards (Donovan) of Gibsonville; father, Willie Swann of New York; sister, Vanessa Martin of Detroit, Michigan; grandchildren, Kamoura Janelle and Promise Amour; special friend, Gregory Crumpler of Magnolia; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Elsie H. Swinson

Jan. 23, 1943 – Dec. 26, 2024

Elsie Hodges Waters Swinson, 81, longtime resident of Mount Olive, passed away Thursday night, Dec. 26, 2024, while a patient at UNC Wayne Hospital in Goldsboro.

Born in Newport News, Virginia, Mrs. Swinson grew up in Little Washington, N.C. She had been employed at Southern Bank in her earlier working years, followed by a tenure of service with an insurance agency. She earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Wayne Community College, and completed her working career as a registered nurse with what was Medical Park Nursing Center in Mount Olive, which was SunBridge Nursing Center at her retirement.

Mrs. Swinson was preceded in death by her first husband, Cecil Donald Waters; her second husband, Charles “Charlie” Weldon Swinson; a grandson, Kevin “#9” Wise; her parents, Walter Hodges and Elsie Virginia Hazzard Hodges; and a toddler sister, Carolyn Hodges.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Waters Wise, with whom she shared her home; a son, Donald Lee Waters and wife, Colleen, of Florida; stepdaughters, Teresa Swinson Thigpen and husband, Steve, of Calypso, and Laura Swinson Skinner and husband, Dwayne, of Mount Olive; grandchildren, Trey Pate and wife, Kelli, of Grantham, Dustin Waters and wife, Melissa, of Florida, Mitchell Thigpen and wife, Noelle, of Mount Olive, Corey Thigpen and companion, Krista, of Mount Olive, and D. J. Skinner, Morgan Skinner, Charleston Skinner, and Chase Skinner, all of Mount Olive; three great-grandchildren, Savannah Pate, Elli Thigpen, and Waylon Thigpen. She also leaves behind a sister, Judy Griffin and husband, Alton, of Little Washington, N.C. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 30, by the graveside in Maplewood Cemetery. The family received friends prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Wayne County Nursing Foundation, a local animal shelter/rescue, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Andrew Williams

April 21, 1956 – Dec. 19, 2024

Andrew Williams, aka “ Doball,” passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 at home.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Wallace. Burial followed at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Henrietta Williams of Wallace; son, Calvin Murray of Wallace; five brothers, Wilbert Williams (Merlette) of Kati, Texas, Jim Williams of Willard, DeWitt Williams (Grace) of Sugarland, Texas, Jeffrey Williams (Melissa) of Gastonia, and Daniel Williams (BaTonya) of Houston, Texas; three sisters, Brenda Robinson of Clayton, Sharon Bell (Nickey) of Elm City, and Lenora Hayes of Raleigh; mother-in-law, Sadie Lee Murray of Teachey; two sisters-inlaw, Linda Murray of Wallace and Cora Lee Murray of Teachey; and one brother-in-law: Troy Murray of Teachey; eight aunts, six uncles; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Gail Swinson Brinson

April 10, 1946 – Dec. 20, 2024

Gail LaRue Swinson Brinson, 78, of Calypso, died peacefully at her home on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. She was born in the Beautancus community of Duplin County on April 10, 1946, the youngest of six children of Macon and Ruby Swinson.

A graduate of North Duplin High School and Pembroke State College, she educated many generations in Duplin County through the Adult Learning Program at James Sprunt Community College, the Duplin County Schools system, and as owner and teacher of Kids Kare of Duplin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Macon Swinson and Ruby Hargrove Swinson; her siblings, Janet Swinson Byrd, Macon Forrest Swinson and his wife, Emily, Hilbert Aldine (Joe) Swinson, and Eleanor (Sally) Swinson Lee and her husband, Bert Lee; and niece, Gwendolyn (Gwen) Swinson King.

Gail is survived by her son, Kevin Ryan Brinson, daughter-inlaw, Kimberly, and grandchildren, Cora, Benjamin (Ben), and Danielle (Ellie) of Middletown, Delaware; her daughter, Karen Brinson Bell, and son-in-law, Patrick, of Raleigh; brother, Norman Coleman (Minky) Swinson of the Beautancus community, Duplin County; and 16 nieces and nephews, several of whom were instrumental in her care during the last few years as her health declined

She will be remembered as a loving mother, who extended her love and talents to hundreds of children in her classes and care. Her love of art, theater, rescue animals, and family history will live through her children, grandchildren, and the lives she touched.

The family received friends and loved ones on Friday, Dec. 27, at Tyndall Funeral Home, 1005 N. Church St., Mount Olive, followed by funeral services in the chapel.

The Rev. Paul Rose officiated. A committal service followed at the Maplewood Cemetery, Mount Olive, where she was laid to rest near her cherished parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Roberts-Swinson Endowment, University of Mount Olive, PO Box 90, Mount Olive, NC 28365 would be greatly appreciated as this tribute to the Swinson family was something Gail held dear.

Myung Hae Lee

Feb. 8, 1961 – Dec. 19, 2024

Myung Hae Lee, 63, of Rose Hill, (Greenevers community) passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Funeral services were held on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill. Burial followed at Riverview Memorial Park, Highway 117, Willard.

Glenda Scott Barwick

Oct. 25, 1940 – Dec. 20, 2024

Glenda Scott Barwick, 84, passed away quietly at home near Mount Olive, in her easy chair early Friday morning, Dec. 20, 2024.

Born in Duplin County, Glenda was raised in the Scott’s Store community. She was a member of the 1959 graduating class of B.F. Grady High School and held the honor of being class valedictorian. During her senior year of high school, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Ray “Pep” Barwick. Later, she earned an associate’s degree from Mount Olive College. Her working career began with employment at the college, followed by a brief tenure with Southern Bank and Trust Co. It was in 1977 that Glenda found her true niche — she became employed with Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation, starting as a membership services agent, and soon she became the co-op’s accountant. She retired with 42 years of being a faithful and hardworking employee, having acquired a vast knowledge of the operations of the cooperative through her exemplary tenure.

Glenda was a member of Northeast Original Free Will Baptist Church, and for as long as her health allowed, she had the distinction of many years of perfect attendance with the church’s Sunday school.

Glenda leaves behind her son, Kenneth R. “Ken” Barwick Jr., who has been faithfully by her side; a beloved granddaughter, Tyler Barwick Montague with husband, Adam, of Goldsboro; a brother and sister-in-law, D. L. Scott Jr. and Dr. Alice S. Scott of Pink Hill; a brother-in-law, Carl Rivenbark of Mount Olive; sisters-in-law, Mary Dell Barwick Lewis with husband, Butch, Marian S. Barwick, and Faye B. Barwick, all of Mount Olive; and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is Glenda’s faithful furry companion, her doggie “Essie.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Pep; her daughterin-law, Debra Dazey Barwick; a sister, Frances Scott Rivenbark; her mother, Janie Waters Scott; her father, Delmar L. “Ash” Scott; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Franklin Barwick, Harold Barwick, Harvey J. and Joyce Barwick, and Leonard M. Barwick and Marie Barwick Kennedy; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John Harvey Barwick and Hattie Holloman Barwick. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 23, at Tyndall Funeral Home, officiated by the Rev. Paul Rose, with visitation following.

For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Northeast Church, 489 Northeast Church Road, Attn: Geoffrey Merritt, Mount Olive, NC 28365.

DUPLIN SPORTS

22 players, several coaches play starring roles in 2024 prep landscape

Looking back at the top 20 stories of the year in high school

sports

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Any gridiron player with a football in their hands this fall ran in fear of James Kenan linebacker Hassan Kornegay, who was likely going to take them down short of a first down marker.

Meanwhile, North Duplin lineman Trashawn Ruffin owned the line of scrimmage.

Few players could hit a volleyball with the force and accuracy of Wallace-Rose Hill’s Angelina Cavallaro. And no one was even remotely close to her 400-plus kills and 91 service aces.

These and many more other

memories are included on the Duplin Journal’s top 20 individual story list for 2024. They are ranked, though calling it an unnumbered list of sightings in the Duplin sports skyline might be more apropos.

1. JK’s Kornegay has 200 tackles, leads a punishing defense as Tigers advanced to fourth round of 2A playoffs

Hassan Kornegay is a highly respected linebacker, who put fear in the mind of ball carriers. Kornegay, who led the state in tackles with 206 after finishing his career in the fourth round of the 2A playoffs, is also in the top 20 nationally.

Kornegay, who also plays tight end, might have been the best overall player in the East.

He was the Defensive Player of the Year in Duplin Coun-

ty and the ECC in 2023 when he averaged 11.9 takedowns, which included 15 tackles for lost yardage.

2. ND’s Ruffin gives verbal commitment to play football at Division I Texas A&M

Weeks before the opening of the football season, Trashawn Ruffin made up his mind to end his recruiting process by signing to play at Texas A&M. Schools from the SEC, ACC and Big 10 put out bids for the 6-foot-3, 305-pound two-way lineman.

Ruffin committed before taking a snap in his junior season, a year in which the Rebels went 10-1 and advanced to the third round of the 1A playoffs.

See 2024, page B3

2024 ALL-DUPLIN SOCCER

All-Duplin soccer team led by Zepeda, Omega, Canales

The Bulldogs, Tigers and Panthers shared the ECC crown and were 48-7-2 against outside foes

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — It was an incredible fall for Duplin County’s three 2A schools, all of which finished tied for first place with 10-2 marks in the final East Central 2A Conference standings.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Alex Zepeda and James Kenan’s Peter Omega waged a fall-long battle for Mr. Soccer, with East Duplin’s Yoskar Canales coming into the race with a late, strong push.

Zepeda and Omega were all-state 2A selections.

The Bulldogs’ striker captures his second-straight Mr. Soccer crown, while the Tigers’ top forward is the Heart of a Champion honoree.

Panthers head coach Blake Lanier is Duplin’s Coach of the Year, though it too was a battle

to the final kick as last year’s recipient, WRH’s Rodrigo Diaz, and three-time winner Mitchell Quinn made it a photo finish. Here’s how the tri-championship came to fruition. JK beat WRH twice and ED lost to WRH twice, meaning all three schools had 2-2 Duplin County slates. Combined, the threesome were 54-16-4. Removing all Duplin matches from that record pushes it to 48-7-4.

North Duplin, a 1A school, won’t be considered in the all-Duplin teams because of a couple of factors, including it still reeling from the unexpected death of head coach John Ross, who coached the Rebels the previous four years.

ND was late in naming Juan Barerrera as the head coach and started playing matches more than a month after the official start of the season. The Rebels struggled to a 1-9-1 mark, getting outscored 31-6. This made it tough to make comparisons between the Rebels and their 2A Duplin neighbors.

’Dawgs’ Brown signs to play at Division I Ohio University

Irving Brown had a record-breaking career at WRH and will begin his next journey this spring with the MAC champs

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Irving Brown, who ran into his way into the history books at Wallace-Rose Hill, will be feeling the sting of winter in the Midwest after signing a letter-of-intent to play at Ohio University two days before Christmas during a press conference packed with players, coaches and fans of the humble running back that

let his actions do the talking.

“He shares something in common with our recent players that went to quality college programs and everyone here knows; (he) is a much greater person than a player,” said head coach Kevin Motsinger.

Yet the son of WRH assistant principal Gary Brown and his wife, Kimberly, posted career numbers that put him near the top of the school’s all-time list. He ran for 4,545 yards and 65 touchdowns during his career, averaging 7.8 yards per carry and 116.5 per game.

Brown caught 22 passes for 408 yards for another six scores and also connected on three of his four passes for

91 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown follows the path led by running backs Javonte Williams (UNC, Broncos), Kanye Roberts (Appalachian State, now in transfer portal), Cameron Dalrymple (Navy).

Johnnie Glaspie and Keyshawn Canady, 2015 WRH grads, were also full-ride runners at ECU.

“Javonte paved the way for Kanye, and Kanye and Cam paved it for me,” Brown said. Brown proved his talent at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas by running for a 44yard touchdown between the hash marks and on anoth-

See BROWN, page B4

EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Hassan Kornegay made more than 200 tackles to lead JK to a 12-2 mark and a fourth round appearance in the 2A playoffs.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Irving Brown signed his letter-of-intent to play football at Division I Ohio University surrounded by his father, Gary, mother, Kimberly, offensive coordinator Adam Scronce (standing to left) and WRH head coach Kevin Motsinger.

EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL WRH’s Junior Ayesha’s, left, and teammate Steven Acosta try to beat JK’s Fransico Roldan to the ball during a key match for both schools.

The end result was giving more opportunities on the first- and second all-county spots for three schools that dominated foes in the ECC and elsewhere.

The Bulldogs place had a quartet of players — Chris Mejia, Junior Ayestas, Enil Gomez and Cristian Calderon — joining Zepeda on the first team.

Ronald Ramirez and Francisco Roldan were Omega’s teammates and also first-team selections. Canales was joined by Panthers mates Richard Reyes and Gabriel Faulker.

There were seven seniors, three juniors and a sophomore on the squad.

East Duplin had five players ranked near the top of the second team list. JK had three and WRH two on a squad that features three seniors, three juniors and four sophomores.

MARQUEE AWARDS

The All-Duplin marquee winners were featured in the previous issue of the Duplin Journal.

Coach of the Year: Blake Lanier, ED

Mr. Soccer: Alex Zepeda, WRH, Sr., F

Champion’s Heart: Peter Omega, JK, Sr., F

The other 20 all-Duplin players are as follows:

FIRST TEAM

Yoskar Canales, ED, Jr., F

Canales had a team-high 27 goals and has 10 assists. The junior scored in 18 matches after collecting 19 scores and 11 assists during his sophomore campaign and four goals and a pair of assists as a freshman.

“He was clearly our most talented player on the team,” said Lanier, whose Panthers went 15-7-1.

The junior’s biggest goal came during a 2-1 victory over James Kenan on Oct. 15.

Canales’ right leg was busy on Friday nights late in the fall, as he hit all nine of his PAT attempts for the East Duplin football team.

He was six of seven on penalty kicks during the season.

Chris Mejia, WRH, Sr., F/MF

Mejia ripped in 14 goals to finish fourth in the county and had a team-high 23 assists. He scored three times in the playoffs and had a goal in four of his final five matches. The senior had assists on all four goals during a 4-2 win over East Duplin on Oct. 28, and two goals and an assist during a 3-1 win over North Lenoir on Sept. 23.

He went for a goal and an assist when WRH beat White Oak 4-3 on Aug. 29. He had the Bulldogs’ lone score in a 2-1 loss to Southeast Alamance in the third round of the 2A playoffs.

“Chris Mejia stepped up big time this year. Huge player and hit a lot of bangers this season. Very proud of how he grew up in the game.

Gabriel Faulkner, ED, Sr., GK

Faulkner came into the season as the most experienced goalie in Duplin. His worksheet and video replays confirm it.

He had 88 saves while giving up 32 goals in 23 matches. The senior took chances based on his savvy to cover the field.

“Gabriel has just grown into such a big part of the team and improved so much over the last two years,” Lanier said.

Enil Gomez, WRH, Sr., MF

Soccer is not all about scoring, and Gomez, who has one goal and seven assists, proves that point.

“Enil is the heart and soul of the team and program,” Diaz said. “He was the reason why we won so many games. Without his leadership, we wouldn’t be the team that we were.”

Ronald Ramirez, JK, So., F/MF

Ramirez had 14 goals for the Tigers, who went 17-5-1.

He had 14 goals and eight assists as a junior on the all-Duplin second team.

“He has a skill for finding the ball and being in the right place at the right time,” Quinn said.

“He’s one of our top scorers, and he’s very good at finding the back of the net on free kicks.”

Junior Ayestas, WRH, Jr., MF/D/FB

Ayestas, a three-year starter, had the ability to go where he was needed.

“Junior was the backbone of the varsity team,” Diaz said. “He can play anywhere. Reliable and determined player who can compete against any team.”

Richard Reyes, ED, Jr., D

Reyes’ move from the midfield/striker positions to defense was key to the Panthers’ success that started during the ECC season as ED went 10-2.

“Richard is just the heartbeat of the team, never outworked by anybody in practice or games,” Lanier said.

Edier Ruiz, JK, Sr., D

Quinn stresses defense and gets players, such as Ruiz, to be solid defenders above all else.

Ruiz fit perfectly into the mold.

“He was a very strong anchor in the middle of the defense,” Quinn said. “He plays very solid, smart with the ball and has a strong foot.”

Francisco Roldan, JK, Sr., MF

Roldan made his presence known in ways other than his 12 goals.

“Definitely our Energizer Bunny,” Quinn said. “He plays against anyone, no matter their size; very hard, strong and tough. He too is one of the top scorers.”

SECOND TEAM

Jeffrey Velazquez, ED, Jr., D

Velazquez got better with each game as one of the Tigers’ enforcers in front of the goal and the opposition’s half of the field.

“Jeffrey and Luis (Ramirez) were the backbone of the defense,” Lanier said. “Jeffrey is really smart player.”

Kelbert David, JK, Sr. D

Quinn wanted David to be the Tigers’ goal keep last summer. Then he watched the senior blow up plays of the opposition in front of the keeper.

“The other strong anchor in the middle of the defense,” Quinn said. “Like Edier (Ruiz), he plays very solid and is smart with the ball. Having a strong

left foot is a plus. At the beginning of the spring semester 2024, he was in the net but as the semester progressed, he found a much more rewarding role on defense.”

Robert Ordones, JK, So., MF/F

Ordones is a scorer in the making, showing flashes of his potential this fall.

“He has a tremendous amount of speed, and a strong shot with his left foot is a plus,” Quinn said. “He didn’t have the number of goals I expected, but he had some key goals and definitely a scoring threat.”

Luis Ramirez, ED, Jr., D

Ramirez can track down a rabbit in the rain, or so it appeared to the opposition.

“Luis is quick enough to keep up with anybody they put on his side,” Lanier said.

Oscar Rodriguez, ED, Sr, MF/D

Rodriguez punched in six goals and had three assists in addition to the leadership he showed younger Panther players.

Cristian Caderon, WRH, So., MF/D

Calderon scored four goals and had three assists as one of the few sophomores in the limelight.

“He has the ability to be calm in stressful situations,” Diaz said. “He was an attacking midfielder who supported Alex (Zepeda) and the guys up top.”

Oscar Ramirez, ED, So., MF

Ramirez made his debut with seven goals and three assists. Barring injury, he has the look of a first-team player in the next two years.

“He can still improve and be a big contributor next year.” Lanier said.

Brayan Mendez, ED, Jr., MF

With eight goals and three assists, Mendez may not have yet tapped into prime-time form.

“He played well, and I think he can be better next season,” Lanier said.

Eliel Estrada, WRH, Sr., MF

Estrada scored eight goals and had four assists, working his way into extended playing time. Finally, Diaz could no longer keep the senior off the pitch.

“He developed from a role player to an every-game starter,” Diaz said. “He came through in very tough games and was very consistent. Played a critical role in our deep playoff run.”

Angel Sevilla, WRH, So., GK

Sevilla stepped into the hot seat as a sophomore and grew as the season progressed.

“Angel shutout a lot of tough teams,” Diaz said. “He was a top performer in our regular season and playoff run,” Diaz said.

Y’Anna Rivers

James Kenan, girls’ basketball

Y’Anna Rivers burst onto the basketball scene a season ago with fans expecting great things.

She had good results as a freshman, averaging 10.1 points and 8.7 rebounds in a season in which Rivers was an all-Duplin first-team selection.

The second chapter of the James Kenan guard/forward started off with a bang, even though it’s only a small sample.

Rivers is averaging 18 points through three games, hitting on 23 of 32 from the field for a 72% accuracy rate.

The Tigers beat Midway 40-28 and lost close-knit affairs with 3A Southern Wayne (47-43) and Clinton (55-52).

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Peter Omega Alex Zepeda

JK’s Ronald Ramirez and ED goalie Gabriel Faulkner battle during a key win for the Panthers.

EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

While no decision is ever permanent in these football days, one thing is for sure: Ruffin will wind up playing Saturdays for a Division I program.

He joins a handful of players from Duplin Journal-area to be at that level that includes Kanye Roberts, Javonte Williams, Greg Peterson, Nate Irving, Jimmy Jerome, Ralph Britt, Mario Williams and Wray Carlton.

3. WRH’s Brown set to sign with Ohio before its head coach takes another position

While coaches are free to move about — and carry with them players — it can often come at a price to those they recruited.

Such is the case with WRH running back Irving Brown, who had verbally committed to Division I Ohio University but ended up waiting until after a replacement was found for head coach Tim Albin, who resigned to take over at UNC Charlotte. The move came less than 24 yours after he led Ohio to its first MAC championship in 56 years.

Albin went 33-19 in four seasons and was the MAC Coach of the Year twice. Offensive coordinator Brian Smith, who recruited Brown, was named head coach, and Brown signed his letter-of-intent on Dec. 23.

4. ND’s Outlaw flips softball choice from ECU to UNC

OK, here’s a perfect example of modern recruiting: North Duplin softball star Reece Outlaw was set to play for ECU before flipping her choice to UNC in the spring.

Outlaw led the Rebels to the 1A title game in 2023 as ND set a school record by going 23-5-1.

She had a career batting average over .600 with 28 doubles, 34 triples, 28 homers, 104 RBIs and 164 runs. During that time ND went 65-14-1.

5. ED softball coach Jenkins inducted into N.C. Softball Hall of Fame

Greg Jenkins was voted into the North Carolina Softball Coaches Hall of Fame last summer, a honor befitting a forefather of the game in eastern North Carolina.

Jenkins, who has never had a losing season in 22 years, is 338-153 as the coach of East Duplin.

Jenkins has been an assistant coach for many sports during his time with the Panthers, with softball being his claim to fame.

He’s not hanging up his cap just yet, even though his daughter Carley Grace played under him her final prep season last spring.

Jenkin’s son, Ty, was a four-year starter for the baseball team.

6. ND’s Phillips wins rushing, scoring titles, carrying Rebels to third round of 1A playoffs

It would be hard to ask a football player to produce more than North Duplin RB/DB Carell Phillips.

Most in that situation would fall short of excellence.

Not the Rebels junior, who led all runners in the area in rushing (1,900 yards) and scoring (31 TDs). Phillips also had two kickoff returns and a pick-six.

Together with a pair of 2-point conversions, he put 204 points on the scoreboard for North Duplin, which went 10-1 and lost to conference rival Lakewood in the third round of the 1A playoffs.

With the bulk of the team returning, it’s hard to think Phillips won’t have the same kind of eye-popping statistics next season.

His numbers running surpassed running backs such as East Duplin’s Shawn Davis (169-1,298 19 TDs), WRH’s Irving Brown (219-1,227, 14 TDs) and Jamarae Lamb (179-1,361, 8 TDs) and JK’s Jeremiah Hall (113-1,035, 11 TDs), all solid 2A runners.

7. WRH’s ‘Kill Queen’ Cavallaro one of most feared volleyball hitters in 2A

Any volleyball player with more than 100 kills had a fairly successful season, and 125 to 200 is superb. That vaults Wallace-Rose Hills’ Angelina Cavallaro into the amazing category with 401, which is more than two seasons’ worth of wonderful.

She’s had three impactful campaigns and was Ms. Volleyball the previous two.

Wins and team pursuits came rushing to the surface, as WRH went 21-3 last fall, winning a conference title for the first time in 40 years.

8. Mr. Baseball Lui leads WRH back into playoffs

Kaiden Lui did it all for the Wallace-Rose Hill baseball team, including lead the Bulldogs to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Mr. Baseball hit .482 with seven doubles, two triples, a home run and a team-high 22 RBIs. He went 5-2 on with two saves the hill and had 84 strikeouts in 49 innings.

Lui held the fort while lefty Dallas James (3-3, two saves. 63 Ks in 26 innings) got into a groove.

9. WRH’s Zepeda named to second-straight all-state soccer team in 2A

When it comes to scoring goals, few players did it better than WRH’s Alex Zepeda, a two-time all-state 2A player who is also a double winner as Mr. Soccer in Duplin County.

Zepeda knocked in 48 goals, which was sixth among all players in the state. He dished out 24 assists. He scored 45 and had 24 assists as a junior.

10. Higginbotham passes 1,000-point mark for ND basketball team

Unless the sky falls or she suffers an injury, Addy Higginbotham will have her name written in the stars in her next two seasons of sports at North Duplin.

Higginbotham, who passed the 1,0000-point mark as a junior, is the leader of a basketball team that will contend for titles. So will the softball team, and she’s been its top hitter the past three seasons.

Higginbotham, an infielder who can play in the outfield, will vie for playing time on the Wingate University diamond in 2026. The North Carolina school is a power player in Division II.

11. ED’s JaMyah Pickett places at 2A track and field championships, helped hoops to a 24-win-campaign

Sometimes, it’s best to just stand back and watch Ja’Myah Pickett take over.

She did it in basketball by being the Panthers’ best inside player (8.6 points per game, 8.6 rebounds) as ED went 24-5.

In the spring, she finished third in the shot put and fourth in the discus at the 2A track and field championships.

12. Freshmen Rodriguez, Cave, Noble, Rivers make impact in 2024

Four freshman made slashing debuts during 2024 in ED’s Anamarie Rodriguez, Kinsey Cave and Ava Noble, and JK’s Y’Anna Rivers.

Rodriguez placed sixth in the 800 at the 2A track meet, scored a team-high 20 goals for a soccer team that advanced to the third round of the playoffs and was a setter on the volleyball team that won 15 matches.

Cave was Ms. Basketball as the point guard on ED’s 24-5 hoops squad and was a contributor to the volleyball and softball teams.

Noble was the hitter on the softball team and a starter/ sixth-man for the basketball team.

Rivers hit for 10.1 points,

8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the JK basketball team.

13. ED’s Raynor, WHR’s Page, ND’s Duff have off-the-charts hitting stats

While Wallace-Rose Hill’s Lui was Mr. Baseball, three players had monster seasons as East Duplin infielder Baines Raynor (.480, seven doubles, two triples, home run, 18 RBIs), North Duplin catcher Austin Duff (.476, eight doubles, two triples, 32 RBIs) and WRH’s Reid Page (.534, seven doubles, three triples, homer, .629 OBP) were all-conference and all-Duplin selections.

14. ND’s Armwood is Mr. Basketball in Duplin County; ND CC champ for first time in 22 years

Dujuan Armwood’s final performance came when the North Duplin senior led the Rebels to their first Carolina Conference title in 22 years.

Mr. Basketball in Duplin County was the leading scorer for Jeff Byrd’s club, which advanced to the third round of the 1A playoffs.

15. Richlands QB Simco was difference-maker in Wildcats’ run

Caleb Simco was hands down the best quarterback in the Duplin Journal area.

The Richlands senior accounted for more than 2,000 yards of offense during a 9-2 season, the fifth-most wins in school history.

Simco ran for 532 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he passed for 1,463 yards and 11 scoress.

16. JK striker Omega named to N.C. Soccer Coaches all-state squad in 2A

Peter Omega plays soccer at the speed in which others are left in his wake.

The James Kenan striker rocketed in 31 goals this past fall to earn all-state honors in 2A.

The senior led the Tigers to a pair of wins over WRH that forged a three-way tie for the ECC between the Tigers, Bulldogs and Panthers.

17. HCA’s McKoy cousins turning up heat on basketball court

Look for Antonio McKoy to

sign with a Division I school. Yet the Harrells Christian Academy star won’t be working toward “The Big Dance” for two more seasons.

The Crusaders junior is averaging 25.3 points through 10 games, nine of which were HCA wins. Two came against top-flight competition — Fayetteville Academy, which beat HCA four times the previous season, and the Greenfield School, located in Wilson. Cousin Dashaun McKoy (12.6 points, 12.1 rebounds), Zicareian McNeill (11 points), point guard J’Kaeshi Brunson (6.2 assists) and Amir Moore (9.4 points, 6.2 boards) give HCA coach Clayton Hall a starting five that can score, rebound and compete every night with the best teams in the state.

18. ND’s Faison, Ruffin, Hill make waves at East Region meet, 1A track and field championships

North Duplin tied Pender for the boys’ 1A East Track and Field championships last spring and then watched three of its state finals qualifiers perform admirably.

Trashawn Ruffin won a bronze medal in the shot put and was fourth in the discus.

Marcus Hill nabbed fourth in the 110 hurdles, while Tateyawna Faison went sixth in the 110 hurdles and seventh in the 200 hurdles.

19. Duplin grads Kornegay, Smith, Sutton, Kissner return as head coaches

The list of former Duplin athletes returning to coach grew significantly as a pair came to the baseball diamond and two more to the basketball court.

Former ND star Dr. Jon Kornegay took over the Rebels’ girls basketball team for John Oliver, while ED grad Aaron Smith took over the JK girls hoop program.

Two baseball coaches returned to their alma mater. Lee Sutton was named to coach the JK baseball team, while Logan Kissner took over the diamond fortunes at WRH.

20. JK’s Grady makes mark vs. ’Dawgs and Panthers, WRH’s Motsinger inches closer to 200 career wins

Some things change. Others remain stable.

The latter reflects the coaching career of WRH football coach Motsinger, who went 9-4 during a rebuilding season and is 26 wins shy of 200 for his career.

Motsinger is 77-28 at WRH since 2017, 73-43 at New Hanover in nine seasons and 24 -14 at JK in three seasons. He rebuilt the NH and JK programs and won a 2A title his first season in Teachey.

He’s also had players sign with colleges and later play professionally.

And finally, this list would not be complete without mentioning JK football coach Tim Grady, who earned his Tiger stripes by beating both ED and WRH in the same season.

Grady, a fourth-year head coach, finally got past WRH to end his school’s losing streak at 12 games. JK went 12-2, its best mark since 2015.

In Duplin County, beating your 2A rivals is paramount to success — every year — especially since all three reside in the East Central 2A Conference.

EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ND’s Addy Higginbotham hit over .600 for the second season in a row in softball and logged her 1,000th-career point in basketball.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Tatum posts Celtics’ 1st 40-plus point triple-double since Bird in 1992

Chicago Jayson Tatum’s big night earned him comparisions to Larry Bird. Tatum had 43 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for the Boston Celtics in a 123-98 win over the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 21. It was the first tripledouble for a Celtics player that included 40 or more points since Bird scored 49 points with 14 rebounds and 12 assists against Portland in a 152 -148 double-overtime win on March 15, 1992. Tatum said Bird is probably the best player to ever wear a Celtics uniform, so any time he’s mentioned in the same sentence as him, it’s special.

MLB MLB, umpires reach 5-year collective bargaining agreement

New York Major League Baseball and its umpires reached a tentative agreement on a fiveyear collective bargaining agreement, extending labor peace to a quartercentury in what used to be a contentious relationship.

The deal marked the fifth straight five-year contract without a labor dispute. It is subject to ratification by both sides, which will take place in January. MLB has been awaiting an agreement before announcing details of its planned spring training test of the automatic ball-strike system. Deals were reached ahead of the 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 seasons.

SOCCER Coachella Valley Invitational will include Charlotte FC, 13 other MLS, 6 NWSL clubs Los Angeles The Coachella Valley Invitational will include nearly half of the teams in Major League Soccer, including Charlotte FC, and the National Women’s Soccer League as the preseason event continues to get bigger. The three -week event will take place from Feb. 1-22 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, also the site of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. This will be the fourth year the 1,000acre property outside Palm Springs has hosted preseason training and games for MLS teams. NWSL teams were added last year. The CVI has two fields set up.

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BROWN from page

er play in the middle of the field in which he carried S.C. defenders for yards during a you- can’t-bring-me-down rumble that left fans with an unforgettable moment.

The Tar Heel gang won 49 -24 for its first win in 12 years.

“Dalrymple gave me a pair of gloves with a note on it,” Brown. “I can’t tell you what it said, but it fired me up. We had a running back get hurt, so me and another runner got all the carries.

N.C., which was coached by Scotland County head coach Richard Bailey, set a record for points in the all-star game for graduating seniors for both states.

Longer than expected road to Athens

The long recruiting road that ended in Athen campus, which has nearly 30,000 students, had an unexpected traffic circle after giving the Bobcats a verbal commitment at the beginning of the prep season, when Ohio head coach Tim Albin resigned following the MAC championship game to take the same position with the UNC Charlotte 49ers.

Brown and the Bulldogs staff postponed the press confer-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

North Carolina Duplin County Notice to Creditors File # 24E505 The undersigned, Ashley Quinn Lovette, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Beau Gene Lovette, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against the deceased to exhibit same to the said Ashley Quinn Lovette at the address below, on or before March 19, 2025, or this notice may be pleased in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said decedent will please make immediate payment to the to the undersigned at the address below. Ashley Quinn Lovette, Administrator 335 Stevens St Wallace NC 28466

NOTICE

ence until talking to new coach Brian Smith, who was the offensive coordinator for part of the Bobcats’ recent success. Smith coached Ohio to its sixth consecutive bowl victory when Ohio beat Jacksonville State 30-27 in the Cure Bowl. Ohio finished 11-3 and has 10 -win campaigns the previous two seasons. WRH offensive coordinator Adam Scronce’s expertise in the Wing-T offense has given many ’Dawg paths to success, including the last three DI signees, says Brown is as prepared as he can be for the trip to Ohio.

“His speed and his hands are his best attributes,” said Scronce, who was making calls when Williams and company won a 2A title in 2017 and for Roberts when he scored five times during a 2A final loss to Reidsville in 2021.

”He’s very smart and has all the intangibles — wanting to work hard, be dedicated and be able to handle adversity.

“He’s got what it takes. At the next level everyone’s talented. What I know about Irving is that he’s going to do what it takes to be on the field on all fronts.”

This season, Brown had to run behind a line that features new faces in every spot. WRH also desperately needed him on defense, mean-

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NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#2024E 000506 The undersigned, DAKOTA JAMEL HOLMES, JR, having qualified on the 5TH DAY of DECEMBER, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of SHARON DENISE REDDISH, deceased, of DUPLIN County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 19TH Day of MARCH 2025, 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 19th Day of DECEMBER 2024. DAKOTA JAMAL HOLMES, JR., ADMINISTRATOR 113 RUNAWAY LANE YORKTOWN, VA 23692 Run dates: D19,26,J2,9p

ing more was put on his plate than other running backs from the past. Brown had to work hard for every yard and every touchdown he made this fall came, and he also blocked well for upstart running back Jamarae Lamb.

WRH shared the ECC with JK this season after taking the crown in Brown’s junior campaign.

The ’Dawgs were one play away from the fourth round of the playoffs, falling to the Tigers after WRH missed a game-winning field goal that went through the uprights the first three times when penalty flags were thrown before the fourth swerved left of the goal post.

A favorite Bulldog son

Brown’s support network has many terminals, but starts with his mother and father.

“It all started, especially my love for football, at home with my dad,” Brown said. “And my mom has always modeled a hard work ethic in me that I’ll always take with me.

“And all my Wallace-Rose Hill coaches were father figures to me. But I want to thank God foremost. And everyone from Little League coaches to family and friends were there for my growth.”

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#2024E000530 The undersigned, DAVID SCOTT BROOKS, having qualified on the 27TH Day of DECEMBER, 2024, as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DONALD PARKER BROOKS, deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 2ND Day of APRIL 2025, 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 2nd DAY OF JANUARY 2025. DAVID SCOTT BROOKS, EXECUTOR 605 SE RAILROAD STREET WALLACE, NC 28466 Run dates: J2,9,16,23p

On December 2, 2024 the Duplin County Board of Commissioners adopted the schedules, standards and rules to be used in the reappraisal of real property in Duplin County effective January 1, 2025 and are open to examination in the assessor’s office. Any Duplin County property owner who asserts that the schedules, standards and rules are invalid may except to the order and appeal therefrom to the Property Tax Commission within 30 days of the date when the notice of the order adopting the schedules, standards and rules was first published, that date being December 12, 2024.

LIST YOUR DUPLIN COUNTY TAXES BY MAIL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

All property subject to ad valorem taxes shall be listed as of January 1, unless otherwise provided for in the General Statutes of North Carolina. Listing shall begin on January 2, and continue through January 31, 2025. Personal property such as unlicensed vehicles, campers, mobile homes, boats & motors, jet skis, airplanes, all farm equipment and machinery, rental household personal property and business personal machinery and equipment must be listed EVERY YEAR. If you received a listing form it should be completed and returned to the County Assessor’s Office, PO Box 968, Kenansville, NC 28349 by January 31, 2025.

IMPROVEMENTS OR OTHER

CHANGES TO REAL PROPERTY

MUST BE REPORTED BY JANUARY 31, 2025 Duplin County has the permanent listing of REAL PROPERTY; therefore,

JANUARY 2, 2025 THRU JANUARY 31, 2025

real estate can be brought forward; however, improvements (such as additions, new construction, decks, outbuildings, remodeling etc.) or other changes made to your real property MUST BE LISTED. You may be penalized for failure to report such improvements.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR ELDERLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED PERSONS

North Carolina General Statute 105277.1 excludes from property taxes the greater of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner. A North Carolina resident age 65 or older (whose income does not exceed $37,900.00) or totally and permanently disabled (whose income does not exceed $37,900.00) is eligible to apply. The exclusion covers real property occupied by the owner

as his or her permanent residence or mobile home used by the owner in connection with his or her permanent residence. Disposable income includes all moneys received other than gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal ancestors, or lineal descendants. Both incomes (husband & wife) must be reported. Application must be received in the Tax Office by June 2, 2025.

FILE FOR THIS EXEMPTION DURING LISTING PERIOD LISTING BY MAIL IS ENCOURAGED LIST EARLY TO AVOID LONG LINES AND/OR LATE POSTMARK IF YOU LIST IN PERSON, BRING YOUR FORM WITH YOU

LISTINGS RETURNED BY MAIL MUST BE POSTMARKED BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2025 TO AVOID THE LATE LISTING PENALTY

Anyone having questions concerning the forms or need help with the

listing should contact the County Assessors’ Office, 117 Beasley Street, Kenansville, NC, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday from January 2 –January 31, 2025. Telephone number is (910) 296-2110.

COMPLETED LISTING CAN BE PLACED IN THE DROP BOX LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAX OFFICE BUILDING AT 117 BEASLEY STREET – BOX IS CHECKED TWICE A DAY

TAX OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025

Applications for Present Use (Land Use) valuation must be filed with the office of the county assessor during the regular listing period (by January 31, 2025). Applications are available in the county’s assessor’s office.

GARY M. ROSE TAX ADMINISTRATOR DUPLIN COUNTY

Duplin Journal Vol. 9 Issue 45

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF

this week

New year ushers economic development in Duplin County

Duplin families ask DEQ to revisit Lear Corp’s draft permit

WEEKLY FORECAST

DUPLIN CALENDAR

SPONSORED BY

Wilson named Rose Hill VFD Chief

2 Mount Olive graduates honored with Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award

Suspect in fatal shooting of police officer arrested in Duplin

THE CONVERSATION

ABC News caves to the bully

Republicans must sign the tax cut by July 4

Duplin County mayors answer: ‘What are your town’s top priorities in 2025?’

obituaries

Leniol “Pete” Webster Weston

Alice Elizabeth Mathis Williams

Gina Lou Brock Hines

Irma Byrd Dudley

Minnie Creech Wilkins

Nancy Green Strickland

Susie Kennedy Hawkins

Bertha Mae Merritt Murphy

James ‘Bud” Ivey Thigpen

Marian (Rouse) Holland

Addie (Hodges)

Donald Carl Davis

Debbie (Bryant) Krause

Nora Grace Whitman Kornegay

Wilmoth Lou Bacon Thomas

Mary Susan Lane Melvin

Elsie H. Swinson

Andrew Williams

Gail Swinson Brinson

Myung Hae Lee

Glenda Scott Barwick

DUPLIN SPORTS

22 players, several coaches play starring roles in 2024 prep landscape

sports

All-Duplin soccer team led by Zepeda, Omega, Canales

’Dawgs’ Brown signs to play at Division I Ohio University

MARQUEE AWARDS

FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

Y’Anna Rivers

James Kenan, girls’ basketball

Tanglewood Apartments

Bermuda Run Apartments

SIDELINE REPORT

PIANIST WANTED

NOTICE

LIST YOUR DUPLIN COUNTY TAXES BY MAIL