the BRIEF this week
N.C. 111 closes for multiple pipe replacements
Duplin County
The N.C. Department of Transportation announced N.C. 111 near Donald K. Outlaw Road will reopen Aug. 30 and also N.C. 111 near Zion Church Road will close on Sept. 4 and reopen Sept. 5. During the closures, crews will install three new pipes to improve water flow along the highway. While local traffic will be allowed, drivers will be detoured to Zion Church Road, Mark Herring Road, Liddel Road, N.C. 903 to access either side of the closure. Drivers are urged to be cautious where crews are working and allow extra time for their commute.
N.C. Department of Labor fines electrical contractor after death inspection
Mount Olive
R.H. McRae, an external contractor for Butterball, was fined a $6,452.40 penalty for an Occupational Safety and Health violation. The N.C. Department of Labor announced the fine last week following an inspection that started after an external contractor died at the Butterball plant in Mount Olive on Feb. 22.
A back-to-school message from Commissioner Branch
Duplin County Commissioner Wayne Branch issued a back-to -school message to the students of Duplin County: “As you embark on this new academic year, remember that each day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference. Believe in your potential and know that your hard work will pave the way for a bright future. The entire community, including myself, is proud of your efforts and cheering you on every step of the way. Keep striving for excellence, stay positive, and never give up!”
North Duplin Elementary third grade teacher Jenny Sasser was named the Duplin County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2024-25. She will now compete for statewide Teacher of the Year.
Duplin County Schools names Teacher of the Year
Principals and support staff were also honored at the annual banquet
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
WALLACE — Duplin County Schools and the Duplin County Education Foundation honored the Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Be-
ginning Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year during a banquet held Aug. 22 at the River Landing Clubhouse. Jenny Sasser, a third grade teacher at North Duplin Elementary, was named the DCS Teacher of the Year. She will go on to compete for North Carolina Teacher of the Year and was awarded a plaque as well as $5,000.
It’s
Back-toSchool time once again
The first day of classes for most Duplin County Schools students was Monday, Aug. 26. Left, School Resource Officer Matthew Byrd welcomes Beulaville Elementary School students to the first day of the 2024‑25 school year. DCS Superintendent Austin Obasohan stated, “On behalf of our Board of Education, I would like to thank everyone for making today an amazing start to the 2024 25 school year! Our teachers, staff and students are positive and enthusiastic about teaching and learning, and I am confident our children are going to soar this year! God bless our school family, and best wishes for a successful school year.”
Vaping — the silent killer
Opioid Town Hall discusses solutions to protect children
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
WALLACE — Approximately 30 participants, including county and town leadership, gathered for the annual Opioid Town Hall at the Mad Boar Restaurant last week.
“We are trying to get our towns to think about what we can do to help the vaping and opioid crisis and give examples of what other counties are doing,” said Maury Castillo, Duplin County Health Department public health educator, adding that they hope some of those could be implemented locally.
Jamie Murray with the Duplin County Health Department Opioid Response Team opened the floor with an update on the Opioid Settlement Fund Distribution.
Wallace Walmart will be reconfigured as part of major store renovations
The store will hold a grand reopening on Oct. 25
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
WALLACE — Duplin County’s only Walmart is getting a facelift.
Over the past few weeks, shoppers have most likely noticed that the Walmart in Wallace is undergoing extensive renovations, with the pharmacy moving across the store and many other departments relocating.
The megastore chain, which includes groceries, household items, a pharmacy, outdoor furniture, a garden center and vision center, is expanding its offerings without physically expanding the store.
“The renovations are necessary to upgrade the overall shopping experience of our customers,” said Alicia Anger, global communications director for Walmart Corporate Affairs.
So far, the pharmacy has been relocated from near the grocery entrance to the housewares entrance. According to Anger, the pharmacy has been expanded, with an improved vision center also part of the renovations.
“Once the store renovations are complete, new and interactive features will be available to customers,” Anger said.
There will be new products and categories, she said, including expanded departments and new apparel brands. In addition, the dairy and foods section will be expanded with “an improved layout.”
The reconfigured store layout will provide “more convenient access to well-shopped areas,” new paint inside and outside the store, and signage for easier navigation through the store.
Finally, new fixtures and LED lighting will provide for better lines of sight and easier navigation.
“The renovations are necessary to upgrade the overall shopping experience of our customers.”
Alicia Anger, Walmart Corporate Affairs
The renovations will continue over the next two months, with a grand reopening slated for Oct. 25. $2.00
“We have been allocated $4,457,908,” said Murray. “We have already received $1,289,620.98. That’s almost 29% of our allocation.”
Murray spoke about some of the strategies that are being implemented in Duplin County, among them the distribution of free naloxone and medication safe lock boxes. Also, the Too Good for Drugs curriculum, which has been added for Duplin County Schools, starting with first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth graders. “When we did the pilot program, the kids loved it. They were very engaged.” Addiction treatment for inmates is another strategy that the Opioid Response Team will be implementing at the Duplin County Jail. It will include medication-assisted treatment and medication coverage.
Guest speaker Ernest Watts with Southeastern North Carolina Tobacco League was next on the lineup.
THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
COURTESY DUPLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Duplin Journal www.duplinjournal.com
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THURSDAY
Aug. 29
• The Horticultural Crops Research station located at 2450 Faison Highway, Clinton will host its 2024 NC State Coastal Plain Sesame Field Day on Aug. 29, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m
Aug. 31
• Jacob Powell Memorial Foundation presents their inaugural event We Recover Together at the Duplin Events Center, located at 195 Fairgrounds Dr., Kenansville. The event kicks off at 2 p.m., and will feature live music, food, vendors, special speakers and will conclude with a Rare of Breed concert.
• Enjoy a family day at Cinderella Farms pumpkin patch, located at 419 Northeast Rd., Wallace, on Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hay rides will be available for $3. No charge to visit the farm.
Sept. 1
• Support a race that drives change for disadvantaged children. Registration to help Toys for Tots in Duplin, Sampson, Hoke, Wayne and Scotland counties is open from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15. Visit toysfortots.org for more information.
Sept. 2
• R&R Brewing located at 541 NW Center St., Mount Olive, will host their Friday Weekend Lineup on Friday, Sept. 2 from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Sept. 5
A New York Style Cabaret show will be held on Sept. 5 at River Landing, located at 110 River Pl., Wallace. The show will feature world‑class entertainment, a three‑course dinner, and a silent auction benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association! Doors open at 5 p.m. For more information, call 910‑285‑1487.
Sept. 7
Join the Warsaw Police Department on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4‑8 p.m. at 309 Memorial Park and celebrate National Night Out. The yearly event will feature food trucks, bouncy houses, games, emergency vehicles and more.
• Cabin Lake’s Vendor & Craft Fair will be on Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at 220 Cabin Lake Rd., Pink Hill. The rain date is Sept. 17. For more information, call 910‑298‑3648.
Sept. 12-14
Get ready for a fun‑filled weekend at the 2024 Duplin Agribusiness Fair on Sept. 12‑14. The event will feature agricultural exhibits, thrilling carnival rides, and all your favorite fair food delights at the Duplin Events Center on Sept. 12, 5‑10 p.m., Sept. 13: 5‑10 p.m., and Sept. 14, noon‑10 p.m. Visit duplinfair.com to learn more.
Sept. 13
On Sept. 13‑15 Charity School Alumni Association will celebrate their 35th anniversary weekend. The public is invited to participate in the weekend celebration, which kicks off with game night at the Charity Missions Center on Sept, 13, followed by dinner and dancing at the Mad Boar Restaurant on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. and concluding with a day of worship at the New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2283 NC‑11 in Rose Hill, at 10 a.m. on Sept. 15. Call 910‑284‑0365 for more information.
Sept. 14
• Pet Day in the Park, sponsored by Pet Friends of Duplin County will take place Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clement Street Park in Wallace. The event will feature a doggie kissing booth, petting zoo, food trucks and more!
Sept. 28
• Explore a diverse selection of wines and meads at the NC Muscadine Festival on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Duplin Events Center, located at 195 Fairgrounds Dr., Kenansville.
Happening Monthly
The Beulaville town board meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910‑298‑4647.
The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade St. For information, call 919‑658‑9221.
The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910‑296‑2100.
• The Faison town board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910‑267‑2721.
• The Economic Development Board meets the first Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.
The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910‑289‑3078.
• The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910‑285‑7564.
• The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For information, call 910‑293‑7814.
• The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910‑289‑3205.
• The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910‑289‑3159.
• The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1‑5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St., Kenansville. For information, call 910‑372‑9178.
The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910‑285‑4136.
Duplin County Beekeepers meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.
Friends of Horticulture meet the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Duplin Extension Center.
• The Duplin County Airport Commission Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.
Town of Rose Hill plans for future growth
Citizen input is sought on the comprehensive plan
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
ROSE HILL — Rose Hill is in the beginning stages of a comprehensive land use plan that will determine the town’s direction in the future, in terms of zoning and growth.
The state legislature has required municipalities to have a land use plan in place in order to enforce zoning, said Town Administrator Angela Smith.
According to the project’s website, planrosehill.com, “The final document will serve as a comprehensive plan for future public investment to achieve the town’s overall vision. The intent of this project is to draft a plan that sets forth the goals, policies, and programs that will
The
is
guide the present and future physical, social, and economic development of the town of Rose Hill.” To Smith’s knowledge, Rose Hill has never had such a plan
plan for its
in place, and she feels it will help to define parameters for future growth and zoning enforcement.
“It’s just to see that everything is consistent,” Smith ex-
plained. “For example, we want to make sure Industrial-1 is zoned correctly, that only industrial sites are included in that zoning area.”
The town contracted Insight Planning & Development of Wilmington to serve as consultants for the plan.
A key component of the plan is citizen input, Smith said. “We want to make sure our citizens do have input in the goals they think Rose Hill should have,” she added. “We want to define what are the advantages and disadvantages, and we want to make sure zoning is enforced properly.”
The town has sought public feedback once through a virtual meeting held Aug. 15. Aside from Smith and Austin Brinkley with Insight, only two citizens participated, which Smith said was disappointing.
“Their input is critical,” she said. The public will have a few more opportunities to voice their opinions on what the plan should look like. A community engagement meeting is planned for Monday, Oct. 21 at 6-8 p.m. at the new Rose Hill Fire Department, located at 109 S. Sycamore St. The first 50 participants will receive a free meal from Carl Wayne’s BBQ & Catering. An information booth will be on hand at the North Carolina Poultry Jubilee in Rose Hill on Nov. 2, and a second virtual meeting is set for Nov. 6. Citizens can also fill out an online survey at planrosehill. com at any time to provide their two cents on the plan. The current schedule calls for the plan to be adopted in midMarch or April 2025 by the Rose Hill planning board and Board of Commissioners.
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
town of Rose Hill
taking steps to
future, with a comprehensive land use plan in the works. A community engagement meeting is set for Oct. 21 at the new Rose Hill Fire Department on Sycamore Street so the public can give feedback on the plan so far.
“One-third of your students have used a vape; 32% of them are using a vaping product at the current time,” said Watts, adding that 15% of them are in middle school and officals are seeing it in elementary school children as well.
“We’re seeing a high percentage of those using a controlled substance; 13.4% of your entire student body, high school and junior, are using a controlled substance, and that’s usually opioid or THC,” said Watts.
“Vapes don’t have the traditional smoke that you see with cigarettes. … It’s invisible, but the gas is still emitted. For those people around vapes, they’re exposed to nicotine, small pieces of metal, micro-fractured particles of aluminum and tin, some of the carcinogens that we see in tobacco. Remember there are chemicals we find in tobacco leaves, which are transmitted to the vape fluid, and that’s insecticides, because these are plants,” he said, adding that the propylene glycol used for flavoring on vapes damages the lining of the lungs.
Watts spoke about the towns’ ability to use the unified development ordinance as a tool to restrict the proliferation of vape shops in certain areas which make them accessible to children. While the goal is not to stop legitimate merchants, the concern is that many of those vape shops selling to minors are in strip malls and near schools.
“Unfortunately, we find not only are they selling vapes and nicotine, but they’re also selling forms of THC and kratom. Kratom is hallucinogenic. It comes from a plant in the Philippines.
“And right now in North Carolina, anyone can purchase it and anyone can take it anywhere they want. It does not fall under smoke-free, tobacco-free laws. If a first grader went into a vape shop and purchased kratom, you’re not breaking the law. If a third grader took kratom on school campus, you’re not breaking the law. They can do whatever they want with it,” said Watts,
adding that several laws have been brought before the legislature. “House Bill 391 was brought this last time. It got tied up in committee. They did pass a law that they have to have a list of every vape product that’s produced. And it’s going to be the secretary of state’s office in 2027.”
Watts emphasized there is no law regulating kratom, Delta 8 and Delta 9.
“You’re going against a well-endowed manufacturer who has better lawyers than we have and has much more influence.
… When this bill came through, I could not call my senator or my representative and say, ‘We need this,’ because as a state employee, I’m bound against that. Yet the companies could spend millions of dollars toward the legislature to prevent it.”
Watts spoke about what other counties are doing to combat the opioid epidemic. He explained a county can’t ban sales, but they can restrict where vape shops are located.
“In 2023, Wake County passed a unified development ordinance — a UDO amendment. Wake prevented tobacco hemp retailers from establishing in the unincorporated areas of Wake County 1,000 feet from schools, parks, greenways and up 1,000 feet from
other hemp retailers and residences. They did this through land use.”
Watts shared that an age check revealed that 23 out of 61 vape retailers in Jacksonville were selling to underage kids.
“I don’t like to compare counties because every county is different, but if they do it in a neighboring county, it’s going on here too,” said Watts. “They are preying on kids and they’re getting them addicted. … And not only that, but it also leads to other drugs such as opioids being used. Again, we don’t want to appear anti-business. We just don’t want them that close to our kids, parkways, our churches and our residential areas. As of Aug. 26, middle schools and high schools now have vape detectors. … Onslow is one of the three counties with the highest opioid rates in the state of North Carolina. You’re a different county, but you’re facing the same problems.
“I have an attorney, who is pro bono, will do any work to get this done for any municipality.”
The town hall concluded with a story about Solomon, a 15-year-old football player who was casually introduced to vaping, ultimately leading to his death.
Guest speaker Charlene
Zorn, Salomon’s stepmom, shared that when they first found out it was vaping that caused his death, Solomon had been dealing with health issues no doctor could figure out. Upon visiting a pediatric pulmonologist and running some tests, the doctor immediately knew.
“She looked at my son and said, ‘So you’ve been vaping, haven’t you?’ … Solomon had popcorn lungs,” said Zorn. “Things just kept getting progressively worse. … This was a kid who would be in the weight room at school every morning, pumping weights with his buddies, you know, standing ready for football. … We’re not talking about a kid who vaped for years. We’re talking about a kid who did sporadically for a year, year and a half. Al (Solomon’s father) caught him with a vape once, took it away from him, had a conversation, never thought anything about it again. … Nowhere would have someone thought that within four days, my son was going to be dead.
“And I tell you it is the most earth-shattering experience I’ve ever been (through). … Nothing is like watching your 15-year-old child die.”
For more information, contact ernest.watts@hth.co.robeson.nc.us.
Applications for the Homeownership Assistance Program are now available
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resilience has reopened the Homeownership Assistance Program, which is designed to help first-time and first-generation homeowners in 16 counties, including Duplin.
The program paused applications last year to ensure available federal funding would cover applications already in process, according to a press release from the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR).
NCORR has committed $4.4 million for the initiative, which can provide up to $30,000 in down payment assistance and up to 5% of the home sale price toward closing cost assistance to qualifying homebuyers. Approximately $2.2 million of that funding is still available to income-eligible homebuyers. The program also offers homebuyers education and counseling, which must be completed by the applicant prior to closing on a home and is offered at no cost through the program.
Welcome Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez
Meet Dr. Jim Jaralene Porquez – a family medicine physician at ECU Health Family Medicine - Kenansville. As a graduate of the Rural Family Medicine residency program at The Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Porquez has handson experience providing comprehensive primary care for the people of eastern North Carolina.
To make an appointment, please call 910-296-8080.
The Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) is made possible by HUD federal longterm mitigation funding provided through the NCORR Community Development Office. As part of NCORR’s mission of helping storm-impacted communities address urgent housing needs, HAP builds future resilience in areas hit hard by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The assistance is available in the following counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Edgecombe, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Scotland and Wayne.
Program requirements are available to view on the website, at bit.ly/4dCobOJ. Interested individuals should read the requirements to ensure that they meet the criteria for acceptance.
Proof of mortgage loan preapproval from a lender and a completed online interest form are required from applicants. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in disqualification.
Interested potential homebuyers should also first fill out the online interest form, available on the website and if eligible for assistance, they will receive a full application to fill out. Limited funding is available, so not all applicants will be approved.
HAP is supported by North Carolina’s HUD Community Development Block Grant–Mitigation funding. The HAP program is one of multiple housing programs overseen by NCORR through its Community Development Office, which also administers the Affordable Housing Development Fund, Multifamily Development Fund, Public Housing Restoration Fund and Infrastructure Recovery Program. In addition to affordable housing, NCORR manages programs that support disaster recovery, resiliency, mitigation, strategic buyout, infrastructure and housing stability. For more information or to apply, visit rebuild.nc.gov.
Last October, NCORR also awarded $9.706 million to the town of Beulaville to build 40 multifamily rental units as part of its Affordable Housing Development Fund (AHDF). Those funds were designed to be used to create or enhance affordable single-family housing in communities that were most affected by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
A participant at the Opioid Town Hall meeting holds a device used for vaping camouflaged as a wireless router.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH
She
nailed it
I think Harris will wipe the floor with him.
KAMALA HARRIS did exactly what she needed to do. She introduced herself to the American people. She addressed the most important issues facing our country. She drew sharply the contrast with Donald Trump, a small and unserious man who is a serious danger to American freedoms. She displayed the force and command that qualifies her to be commander in chief. She showed a side of herself that Americans have mostly just not seen in the last four years.
She went out of her way to reach out not only to the choir but to Republicans and undecided voters. As Bob Shrum pointed out in my podcast, “No Holding Back,” she did not mention the word Democrat a single time in her speech. She did not play to identity politics. She promised to be a president for all Americans.
Her speech — roughly one-third the length of Trump’s diatribe at the Republican National Convention — did what his was supposed to do but didn’t. He was supposed to give a speech about unity. That lasted about 15 minutes until he veered off script and went back to polarization politics.
It was a great convention. With the exception of going long on Monday night — and pushing Joe Biden out of prime time — it was flawlessly programmed. It was actually fun to watch. It was full of joy. No disrespect for Biden, but it was an entirely different convention than the one that was slated to renominate him. A much better one, animated
by the movement for change, by the optimism about the future, by the size of the tent, big enough for everyone from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Adam Kinzinger.
The best Trump could do in response, on Truth Social and on Fox News, was to fling his usual mud in response.
“SAY GOODBYE TO THE U.S.A.! SHE IS A RADICAL MARXIST!” he posted. In real time, he repeated his lies about immigration and crime. “LYING AGAIN ABOUT PROJECT 2025, WHICH SHE KNOWS, AND SO DO ALL DEMOCRATS, THAT I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH!”
In fact, it was drafted by numerous alumni and friends of the Trump administration as a playbook for the next Republican administration. He defended the overturning of Roe v. Wade, falsely claiming that “everybody,” including Democrats, “wanted Roe v. Wade TERMINATED.” No, they didn’t; an overwhelming majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade. In response to her strong commitment to Israel’s security, he posted “SHE HATES ISRAEL ― Wouldn’t even show up to Congress for Netanyahu’s session!” In fact, she met with him privately. And on and on. Throw all the mud you can and hope something sticks. Repeat the same lies over and over again in the hope that if people hear it enough times, they will believe it. Will it work?
Can DMV pilot its way to shorter lines on the horizon?
DMV launched an early check-in system called Q-Anywhere to help reduce the appearance of lines and let people wait in comfort.
I’VE SEEN FIRSTHAND the troubles our citizens have with the DMV. I’ve witnessed the full waiting room and the line stretched around the building at the Fuquay-Varina office in my district. Something has to change. I invited Commissioner Wayne Goodwin to meet me there to talk about solutions. Here’s what we saw: James Hall was in constant motion on a recent hot and humid Friday morning in Fuquay. As manager of that location, Hall was making sure customers in line had their papers in order and keeping an eye on things inside. People began standing outside before the office opened at 8 a.m. Although walk-in visits did not start officially until noon, many of those in line had tried making an appointment and had waited in line multiple times at other offices. They came prepared on this day. One had an umbrella to shade himself from the sun. Another brought a kendama, the traditional Japanese cup and ball toy, to keep himself entertained. Near the 15-person line, Rep. Howard Penny (R-Harnett), Fuquay-Varina Mayor Blake Massengill, Town Manager Adam Mitchell, Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayefskie and I talked with Commissioner Goodwin and his team about why this scene has become common.
We saw the DMV employees doing great work and heard customers leave praising their efforts. They are doing their best within a broken system — a broken system that we are working to fix.
Fuquay-Varina’s influx of new residents from across the country and around the world mean transactions take longer, but long lines are endemic. Ronald Byrd was on his third try to renew his driver’s license. “I tried Sanford since I was down that way but didn’t get in,” he told us. “I went to Erwin, but I didn’t get in there either.”
DMV is trying to overcome its own past experience to solve its customer service problems. Officials told us they tried all-day appointments but moved to morning- only appointments in October 2023 to accommodate more walk-in visits. That left half as many appointments available, forcing more people to show up without an appointment. Commissioner Goodwin promised to try different approaches and measure the results.
Inspired by common practice at hair salons and restaurants, DMV launched an early check-in system called Q-Anywhere to help reduce the appearance of lines and let people wait in comfort. The DMV’s twist on this convenience is that a person must go to the office and scan a QR code to check in. Although people line up before the office opens and can wait
Harris has had the best month of any politician in modern political history. Her choice of Tim Walz has turned into an unexpected bonanza, while Trump’s choice of JD Vance has to be seen as one of the worst choices of a vice-presidential nominee in recent years.
And it’s still a close race, at this point, too close to call.
That’s because the politics of polarization — of us against them — works for Trump. As Shrum points out, he has a lock on 45% of the American people. And, effective as Harris and the Democratic Convention was, it is hard to see what anyone can do to loosen that lock. Last week, Trump received the endorsement of Robert Kennedy Jr., a pitiful stain on the Kennedy family legacy. Harris, rightly, wanted nothing to do with him. Trump, who has no scruples about who he makes common cause with, from white supremacists to antisemites, welcomed the support.
The debate will be critical. I know I’m supposed to lower expectations, but I think Harris will wipe the floor with him. If their respective acceptance speeches are any guide to what will happen when they are on the stage together, she will stay on message and he will rant and rave.
It may not shake loose his supporters, but so far, he has come up with no argument to move those voters who are not already with him. And they will decide this election. That, and getting the vote out, which the enthusiasm and momentum coming out of the convention should facilitate on the Democratic side.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
outside for hours, DMV practice had been to not make Q-Anywhere available until noon. Wait times posted online, therefore, may not be accurate because they are tied to the Q-Anywhere code. Office managers have since been asked to make the signs available at the start of the day and official notice should be out by the time you read this. Despite the best efforts of DMV officials to make these recent changes, patience is running out from southern Wake residents. The problem only seems to be getting worse. We also urged DMV officials to explore reworking the design of the office to allow more space for examiners, finding a larger facility for the office, and adding an additional site in the area. All would accommodate more customers in our fast-growing area. We asked how DMV made decisions on staffing beyond one-day transfers to fill holes, but Commissioner Goodwin admitted that DMV has no system to receive data from around the state to determine where staff should go. They must have data-driven information to accurately allocate resources. If one of my constituents goes to another office in another county because the line is too long in Fuquay, DMV needs to know that. They don’t. They should. I am grateful that DMV leadership was willing to visit with us and to measure results of its customer service changes. We want this to be far less painful experience. The citizens of southern Wake County look forward to tracking DMV’s progress.
Rep. Erin Paré represents southern Wake County, including Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs.
COLUMN | REP. ERIN PARÉ
Area farmers participate in Watermelon Variety Trial Showcase
The Horticultural Crops Research Station is exploring new varieties of cucurbits
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
CLINTON — Located on Faison Highway, only a stone’s throw from the town of Faison, the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton serves as a platform for agricultural research to bring new crop opportunities and provide farmers with proven methods of growing such crops for greater yields and desirable qualities.
Approximately 20 area farmers and growers participated in a recent field crop tour where they learned about new crop opportunities and some of the work staff, faculty and graduate students have been doing.
Jonathan Schultheis, a professor with NC State University Horticultural Science Department working with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, told Duplin Journal that they are looking at different cucurbits.
“In the cucurbit family, we have some new types of melons, like dino melons, canary melons, which probably most people don’t know what they are, and then we have a whole selection of watermelons. … We cut about a third of them with some people that were really interested in the watermelons earlier,” said Schultheis, explaining one of the goals was to see what kind of varieties or cultivars might work for their commercial operation.
“We do these sorts of cultivar tests annually. We interact with seed companies because they want to hear back what’s of interest to them, and get some feedback,” he explained.
The canary melons are part of the New and Emerging Crops Program, said Schultheis, explaining that they re-
Jonathan Schultheis, an NC State Horticultural Science professor working with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, talks to participants about canary melons and their unique flavors, some described from
and juicy to
ceived a grant to look at that as an alternative type of crop.
“Most people don’t know what a canary melon is. We feel like we have some unique flavors and textures,” said Schultheis, adding that they believe the crop would do well here.
“We’re just trying to improve on some of the characteristics and things that we see with watermelons. And so, there’s some new varieties that are coming along there as well. And so, we are really excited about all that,” said Schultheis.
The melon varieties presented during the Watermelon Variety Trial Showcase came from seeds from international companies.
“We have close to 10 com-
panies that may be represented here. All those are basically international seed companies that breed for these different crops across the world.”
“We love working with North Carolina growers and the industry, and we want to try to help them as best as we can,” said Schultheis.
He explained that the idea is if they can grow them well here, they would work with commercial growers and give them a couple of varieties that not only yield well but that taste great.
“Brazil is a big producer of canary melons, and it’s very limited here in the United States. Part of it is an educational process,” said Schultheis. “I think as you expose people more
“We love working with North Carolina growers and the industry, and we want to try to help them as best as we can.”
Jonathan Schultheis, NC State University Horticultural Science Department
and more to that, and if you give them a good quality product, (the crop production) has a chance to really increase and more growers may grow (canary melons) to make those available to you as a consumer.”
Schultheis told Duplin Journal he would like to see canary melons at the stores and believes people will really enjoy them.
“We’re also working with Dr. Suzanne Johanningsmeier — she’s with USDA and one of the things she does is work with sensory analysis. We’re working with her and using her expertise,” he added, explaining they are hoping to do a sensory taste test next year. They are also planning on doing a taste test with a group of trained panelists.
“We sort of got into this because we had a fellow who was tasting every one of these different types last year,” said Schultheis, who said these varieties have some unique flavors described from succulent and juicy to caramel-like.
“We’re going to select four to six canary melons out of the 20 we’ve tested. And that’ll take some of the risk away from our commercial growers, and we’ll get them some plants,” said Schultheis, adding that they are seeing interest from some of the larger melon growers who are looking to expand their markets.
Cinderella Farms to open pumpkin patch Aug. 31
Wallace Cinderella Farms’ opening day for the fall season is Saturday, Aug. 31. “We will have limited pumpkins this year,” a post on Facebook reads. “We had severe damage but we do have pumpkins. We do have all varieties.” Food offerings available will include My Gals cookies, Brown Dog Coffee and Nate Dogs sausage wraps. Drinks and lemonade will also be available for purchase. New to the patch this year is hayrides, which will cost $3. The farm, located at 419 Northeast Rd. in Wallace, will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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: Finding Your Customer and Creating a Marketing Plan, Aug. 29, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30 -7:30 p.m.; Biz Curious, Sept. 3, 7-8:30 p.m.; Dynamite Marketing on a Firecracker Budget for Small Businesses, Sept. 5, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m.; How to Start a Business, Sept. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.; The Treasure Hunt: Finding the Funds to Finance Your Small Business, Sept. 12, 2-3 p.m. and 6:30 -7:30 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 as the center.
Six assumed business names recorded by Register of Deeds
Duplin County Six assumed business names were recorded in the Duplin County Register of Deeds Office for the month ending July 31. The assumed business names followed by the real name of the person engaging in business are: Piggly Wiggly #86, Fresh Buy, Inc.; Piggly Wiggly #91, Donna J. Horne; Piggly Wiggly #90, Warsaw Foods, Inc., Donna J. Horne; Cipher Green RV Park, Cipher Green, LLC, Vivian B. Brown; Duplin Family Dentistry, PLLC, Daniel Franco Garrido; and The Trading Company of Rose Hill, Gator Enterprises, LLC, Tweetie Short.
G ot local business news? Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, noteworthy achievements, or upcoming events, and we’ll share it with the community here! Note: editor reserves the right to edit for content, brevity, and clarity. Email Features/Business Editor Abby Cavenaugh at abby@ northstatejournal.com.
The canary melon is one of the varieties the New and Emerging Crops Program showcased during a recent crop field tour at the Clinton research station.
PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
succulent
caramel-like.
Duplin County Partnership for Children helps parents get kids ready for school
1,400 backpacks were distributed during the event
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — In preparation for the beginning of the new school year, Duplin County Partnership for Children along with nine other area organizations hosted a drive-thru Backto-School Community Day in Kenansville on Aug. 19.
“Over 1,400 backpacks were distributed today,” Christy Jones, Duplin County Partnership for
Children executive director, told Duplin Journal.
The event, which took place in front of the Duplin County Partnership for Children office on Limestone Road, kicked off at 1 p.m. Vehicles trickled in throughout the day to receive free school supplies and backpacks.
“Everybody’s very thankful, very grateful for the event,” said Jones. “They seem to be very pleased with it.”
Approximately 20 volunteers braved the heat, joining Duplin County Partnership for Children until 7 p.m., welcoming parents and children alike as they pulled in their vehicles.
“Our partners collaborated with us and brought volunteers,” said Jones, adding that the event went well considering they had to reschedule the original date due to rain, and it involved some planning logistics to make everything happen.
The event was made possible with the help of their partners, which included Smithfield, NC Healthy Blue, Eastern Baptist Association, First Baptist Church of Teachey, Duplin County Ray of Hope, Adoram Baptist Church, Anna’s Angels, St. James, and First Missionary Baptist Church of Kenansville.
The following were named Teachers of the Year at their individual schools: Ann Jones, B.F. Grady Elementary; Vanna Kaylyn Mobley, Beulaville Elementary; Amelia Bellomy, Chinquapin Elementary; Dwight Holland, Duplin Early College High; George Brown, DCS Center of Opportunity; Kaitlyn Kennedy, East Duplin High; Samantha Best, James Kenan High; Lindsey Marshall, Kenansville Elementary; Jenny Sasser, North Duplin Elementary; Sharon Brown, Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary; Thomasina Hill, Wallace Elementary; Kyndall Marshburn, Wallace-Rose Hill High; and Jazmine Robinson, Warsaw Elementary.
The Teachers of the Year are selected by their colleagues in the Duplin County School system.
Master Sgt. James Graves, JROTC instructor at James Kenan High School, was named the Beginning Teacher of the Year. Assistant Superintendent Daren Tyndall shared that this is one of the newer recognitions, chosen in the fall of the school year by peers.
Mayshelle Newkirk-Tate of Beulaville Elementary was named the Assistant Principal of the Year, while Rose Hill-Magnolia’s Susan Sellers was selected as Principal of the Year. The two honors were voted on by fellow assistant principals and principals throughout the school system.
Support staff, including nurses, social workers, media coordinators and counselors, were also honored at the banquet.
“Support staff are not eligible for Teacher of the Year, but no one in here would say that they’re not a valuable part of our schools,” Tyndall said.
“They’re a very essential part of our school and school staff.” The Support Staff of the Year for their individual ar-
eas are: Laurie Sholar, school digital learning/media coordinator at Beulaville Elementary; Jill Garner, school social
worker at B.F. Grady Elementary; Kelly Brock, school nurse at North Duplin Elementary; and Willoughby Newcomb, school
TOWN OF WARSAW SEEKING CANDIDATES
The Town of Warsaw is currently seeking candidates for the position of Zoning/Code Enforcement. Candidates must have the ability to relate well to the community and to partner with the planning board to carry out the strategic priorities of the town. Duties will include but are not limited to approving/ issuing all zoning permits, participating in all zoning-related
“There are little eyes watching you and there are teenage eyes watching you, and they may become what you are today.”
Daren Tyndall, DCS assistant superintendent
counselor at Duplin Early College High School.
Michael James, who was a counselor at Wallace Elementary but is now an assistant principal at Kenansville Elementary, presented the award for Support Staff of the Year, having held the title for the 202324 school year. That honor went to Willoughby Newcomb of Duplin Early College High School. Principal of the Year Susan Sellers and Teacher of the Year Jenny Sasser will go on to compete at the state level.
“We look forward to them hopefully winning that and bringing it back to Duplin County,” Tyndall said.
He added that DCS Superintendent Austin Obasohan was unable to attend the banquet this year, and asked for prayers for Obasohan and his family.
“Each and every one of you are a winner,” he told those present. “The people that were recognized overall are representative of those winners. You go out every day and set an example for the people that you work with. Remember that, in everything you do. Hold your head high. There are little eyes watching you and there are teenage eyes watching you, and they may become what you are today. So please remember that. The job you do every day is very much appreciated.”
meetings, enforcing the town’s zoning and nuisance codes. Bachelor’s Degree in planning or closely related field from an accredited college or university is required. Previous planning experience is preferred. Interested candidates may submit application and resume to Lea Turner, Town Manager at Town Hall, located at 121 S Front St, Warsaw.
TEACHER from page A1
PHOTOS BY ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Left, Kelly Brock, nurse at North Duplin Elementary, was named the 2024-25 DCS School Nurse of the Year. Right, Principal of the Year Susan Sellers of Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary and Assistant Principal of the Year Mayshelle Newkirk-Tate of Beulaville Elementary were honored at a Duplin County Schools banquet last Thursday night.
PHOTOS BY ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Left, Willoughby Newcomb, counselor at Duplin Early College High School, was named 2024-25 Support Staff of the Year at last Thursday night’s banquet. She was presented the award by Duplin County Education Foundation president Erin King-Brown. Right, Laurie Sholar of Beulaville Elementary was named the 2024-25 DCS School Digital Learning/Media Coordinator of the Year.
PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Left, more than 1,400 backpacks were distributed during the drive-thru Back-to-School Community Day on Aug. 19 in Kenansville. Right, volunteers braved the heat to distribute free school supplies and backpacks.
DUPLIN SPORTS
Rebels throttle Seahawk hopes behind Phillips, play in trenches
North Duplin beat SouthsideChocowinity and will visit Northside-Pinetown to complete its annual two-part Beaufort County challenge
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
CALYPSO — It would be simplistic to say the North Duplin football team
picked up where it left off in 2023 last Friday at H.E. Grubbs Field.
The Rebels, who were a few plays away from advancing into the third round of the playoffs last fall, had a much better opening act than 2023 with a somewhat shocking 50-8 ambush of Southside-Chocowinity.
Last fall, ND eked by the Seahawks 20-18 in its season opener.
“It’s early and we played well. We still have things to continue to improve upon. It’s good to have the experience we have because the kids understand their roles better than last year.”
Junior wingback Carell Phillips had
“We did a lot of things well,” said longtime Rebels coach Hugh Martin, who returns the bulk of his team sans all-Duplin running back Dujuan Armwood.
Defense, Davis’ 4 TDs help Panthers bowl over Dixon
Shawn Davis returned from an injury to run for 265 yards as East Duplin’s offense piled up nearly 500 yards
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
HOLLY RIDGE — Dixon was much-improved last season, and that progress continues.
Yet it’s not enough to catch up to East Duplin, which roughed up the Bulldogs on Friday night during a 49-23 win in the season opener for both schools.
The Panthers beat Dixon 37-7 last season.
It’s the fourth straight open-
ing win for ED under coach Battle Holley, who is 12-1 in lid lifters since taking over for Brian Aldridge in 2011. Aldridge was 18-4 in openers during his two stints (1985-89 and 1994-2010).
Fullback Shawn Davis showed no indication his season-ending injury late last year had lingering consequences as the junior ran for 265 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Davis, who broke his collarbone two games short of a full season after running for 1,144 yards and 18 touchdowns, had an electric 71-yard score in the opener.
“The line blocked well for him to get him out in the open, and once he’s there he has a chance to
take it to the house,” said Holley, whose club was 10-2 last season after a second-round playoff loss at Whiteville. Sophomore wingback Keeshon McKinnie added his form of style points with four carries, 120 yards and a touchdown, which he got via a punt return.
Tied at 7-7, the Panthers put their feet on the gas pedal for five scores before halftime to go in front 42-14.
ED ran for 448 yards as new quarterback Landen Bond was able to settle in for what fans hope is a long ride this season. He connected with Aaron Hall for 27 yards on his lone pass as
See EAST DUPLIN, page B4
PHOTOS COURTESY HEATHER BEST
ND’s Issac Davis laid a hit on every Southside running back and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
COURTESY THURMAN PARKER
ED’s Landen Bond hung in tough in the pocket to complete his only pass for 27 yard to Aaron Hall.
Carell Phillips ran for 119 yards and scored five times in ND’s 50-8 win over Southside- Chocowinity.
’Cats turn tables on Cougars to snap opening-night skid
The Richlands football team beat South Brunswick 28-14 for its first win over the Cougars in three seasons
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
SOUTHPORT — South Brunswick’s opening act was becoming as worn out as a CD of old songs to Richlands’ football team.
But three seasons of firstnight losses came to a halt last Friday night when the Wildcats scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half for a 28-14 win over South Brunswick.
Two defensive scores and a 139-yard rushing performance and touchdown by Noah LeBlanc keyed the win for coach Pat Byrd’s club.
“Every year I’ve felt like we had the better team and lost the game,” said Byrd, who added that a win over a fellow 3A school in the nonconference season is invaluable at the end of the season in terms of its Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), which helps seeding position for the playoffs.
“Every year it was turnovers that beat us. We did what we needed to do to win. We had just one turnover.
Richland’s Tanner Branson finishes off a South Brunswick runner during the Wildcats’ first win over the Cougars in four tries.
And then there’s Rocco Welsh, a junior defensive back who was getting picked on all night by the Cougars. Welsh intercepted a pass after getting beat initially by a wide receiver.
“It looked like a touchdown for them,” Byrd said, “but Rocco just kept hustling and sprinting as hard as he could.
“To me, it solidified the victory.”
Helping build the wall of victory on defense was Julian Thiel, who Byrd said is the vocal and spiritual leader of the unit.
Rivalry game against Stallions on Friday
R ichlands will play archrival Southwest Onslow on Friday.
“Still, there is a lot to clean up. Like the penalties. They weren’t just offsides and procedure flags. They were personal fouls, unsportsmanlike and a blindside. That’s 60 yards right there.”
works his dang-gone tail off,” Byrd said.
“He was our strongest freshman. He has the talent to be a special player.”
Quarterback Caleb Simco (11-47 rushing, TD) and running back Christian Diaz (1042) added to an offense led by first-year LeBlanc, a 5-foot-11, 181-pound sophomore.
“LeBlanc loves football and
LeBlanc gobbled up his game-high running total on just nine carries.
Caden Hobbs benefitted from the defensive line play of Marcus Branthoover and Semaj Thompson during a 60-yard interception return.
Second-half surge leads march to road win
It was 14-14 at halftime as Richlands started to spin its wheels to find positive traction.
“Our kids remained faithful through some adversity, and it paid off,” Byrd said. “It’s good to be 1-0.”
JT Bratcher added another defensive score when he picked up a fumble and ran 15 yards.
“They run the ball a lot and get into a lot of formations,” Byrd said. “Their quarterback is real shifty and tough to bring down in the open field. I was proud of how physical we played (against South Brunswick) and we’ll have to do that again.”
SWO lost to Jacksonville by the same score as Byrd’s team won — 28-14 — and have fallen to the Wildcats in consecutive seasons after winning the previous 32 games.
“Their JV team was really good the past two seasons, so we will have to play well and eliminate a lot of mistakes,” said Byrd. “We’ve also got to get more touches to a few players.”
Tigers’ defense, Sanders leads the way in romp over 3A Pirates
James Kenan hit Swansboro hard and kept pounding away en route to a total dismantling of the Pirates
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
SWANSBORO — “Make a play,” a fan from the visitors’ stands yelled just before two James Kenan defenders combined to put up the first score against Swansboro last Friday at Earl Taylor Field.
Seconds later, Jaquez Smith blocked a punt and Josh Mitchell pounced on it in the end zone.
The rest of the night belonged to the Tigers, who crushed the Pirates 48-6 behind a stellar defensive effort, the running of Imir Sanders, three combined scores via Eli and Cal Avent, and touchdowns from David Zelaya and Zamarion Smith.
It was indeed a field day for the Tigers’ new offense, which converted from the single-wing attack of a season ago.
Sanders ran for a team-high 118 yards on a mere nine carries.
“We did what we needed to do while also making some mistakes,” said fourth-year coach Tim Grady, whose team played in only one scrimmage in the preseason due to Hurricane Debby. “Our defense was lights out.”
Two-way lineman Dakota Henderson agreed, saying the season’s start felt long overdue.
“We showed our brotherly love tonight,” he said. “We started slow, and it means a lot to us to be together and start after 100-degree practices.”
On a summer night that felt more like late September, JK’s defense was on-task and a step ahead of the Pirates.
Middle linebacker Hassan Kornegay, plus Ty Morrisey, Tyquise Wilson, Josh Mitchell and David Zelaya led the defense. They also got younger players, such as junior Hunter Whitman and sophomore Alex Vasquez, to be a part of the destruction crew.
Up 7-0 after the defensive score, Jeremiah Hall, Imir Smith, Henderson and Kornegay made plays to force a fourth-and-17.
Mitchell tackled the punter and JK had the ball at the Swansboro 11.
First-year starting quarterback Cal Avent ducked in-
side the Tigers’ blocking stampede to make it 13-0 at the 2:44 mark of the opening quarter.
JK forced a three-andout, and three plays later Zelaya scored from the 14 and Cal Avent’s 2-point conversion pushed the margin to 21-0.
Kornegay and Vazquez sacked the Pirates’ quarterback on fourth down as Swansboro refused to punt the rest of the game after two huge mishaps.
Then Sanders came to the forefront.
He had a 17-yard jaunt to start a drive and then an 8-yard pickup to get JK to a thirdand-1 from the 11. He pushed it from the 5 to the 1, where Cal Avent scored to make it 28-0 at the halftime break following
Morrisey’s sack just before the buzzer.
Tigers continue to dominate in second half
Eli Avent’s twisting, turning 22-yard scamper keyed JK’s next score after Swansboro drove 54 yards in 10 plays for its only points.
Wilson got the ball to 2 and Cal Avent scored from there.
On the ensuing kickoff, Kornegay ran to the ball carrier like a possessed man and slammed him to the ground.
At least three Pirates fell to the turf and moaned in pain after hard hits by JK defenders, another theme of the night.
Wilson’s 65-yard interception return made it 40-6, and
Smith’s score from the 6 with 7:26 to play kept the clock running continuously.
Fittingly, Kornegay had a sack and Wilson an interception on Swansboro’s final possession.
Kornegay led JK with 15 tackles. Morrisey had 10 and Mitchell, Hall, Henderson and Zelaya eight apiece.
Up next: Battle with Midway
JK’s next foe, Midway, is also coming into Friday night’s encounter feeling good about the season following a 34-0 crushing of Hobbton.
The Tigers will need to defend the air game of quarterback Tanner Williams (15-23 for 169 yards, 3 TDs), and also the ground game led by junior Geremiah Blue (15-94).
JK beat Midway 80-58 last season in Warsaw, though the Raiders lost quarterback Trip Westbrook, who threw for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season with 10 interceptions, and running back Cody Ammonds (1,267 yards rushing, 19 TDs).
That Midway game set the JK all-time record for points scored for and against the Tigers.
Tiger fans hope the matchup in northern Sampson County near Dunn is a prep for Whiteville the following week. They also want a trip to East Bladen on Sept. 13 to be a winning session for the following week, when the Tigers travel to East Duplin to play the preseason ECC favorite (though the Panthers were voted second to Wallace-Rose Hill in the conference coaches’ poll).
MICHAEL PAUL / STATE PORT PILOT
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Senior Imir Sanders used his breakaway speed for 118 yards.
Dawgs, Panthers, Tigers start new season with victory bells
Volleyball teams from WRH and ED are off to 4-0 starts, while JK finds a winning path
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — Anyone ready for a volleyball showdown between East Duplin and Wallace-Rose Hill?
The thought comes to mind for fans who noticed both schools had 4-0 starts, though the two ECC teams won’t square off until Sept. 19 in Beulaville.
Here’s another early volley: James Kenan is 2-2 in its quest to make the state playoffs. A premature thought perhaps given the short snapshot of a season that is filled with many hard spikes as the Tigers seek to find a winning formula after seasons of dwelling in the bottom of the conference.
Optimism was the word, even as North Duplin, the smallest school in the county, begins its rebuild with a 1-3 mark.
Yet two of the 1A Rebels’ losses came via the Panthers, including last Wednesday’s 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-11) match on ED’s home court.
ND played competitively and made runs. But each time ED thwarted the streaks with timely points to turn the momentum around.
Panthers answer call
Rebels coach Heather did her best to stop the bleeding with timeouts in seemingly the right moments. Yet it was all to no avail as the Panthers’ hustle and hitting ruled, as the play of Zoe Cavenaugh, Zoe Turner, Kinsey Cave and Emory Raynor was key.
The Panthers won the previous match 3-1 (14-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-20) on Aug. 15 in Ca-
East Duplin coach Susan Raynor kept her team focused during pushes by North Duplin. The Panthers entered the week with a 4-0 mark, just six wins short of last season’s total.
lypso. That match was a little closer because of Rebels Maggie Brown, Eva Quintanillla, M’Chelle Jaco and Lilly Fulghum.
ED also has a pair of victories over Richlands.
Cavenaugh and Turner combined for 19 kills in the second triumph over the Wildcats, a 3-1 verdict .
Tied at 1-1, the Panthers took a pair of 26-24 sets to capture the match.
ED went 2-2 in its first four outings last season en route to a disappointing 10-12 mark. Included in that mix were a pair of losses to WRH.
Bulldogs powering past opponents
W RH has whipped its rival in blue the previous four times, though those came after ED had dominated the Bulldogs for years.
WRH, second in the ECC to North Lenoir last fall, has lost just one set in matches against Trask, Lakewood and Pender (twice).
Ms. Volleyball Angelina Cavallaro is averaging 17 kills, five aces and six digs per match.
Jansley Page is posting eight kills and six digs, while Mattie Gavin is at 27 assists.
And while this is the easier part of the Bulldogs’ schedule, it has given the coaching staff time to work on ways of being more consistent and beating the better teams.
Coach Kevin Williams scheduled two matches against defending 2A champ Midway.
ED coach Susan Raynor has won big in both Beulaville and Teachey and is currently looking to return the Panthers to its past glory.
Williams was her top assistant before taking over. A few years later, the Bulldogs were rising. They won 17 games in 2023 and 18 last season.
Tigers clip Rebels on road
James Kenan never gave up, even after being down 1-0 and 2-1.
The comeback Tigers tied the match with a 25-17 conquest and took the tiebreaker, 17-15.
Ava Jones had eight kills and Shylah Sloan six.
Jones and Sienna Pender each contributed five aces and Jazmine Lopez and Y’Anna Rivers combined for 10 digs.
The Tigers lost twice to unbeaten Hobbton, which hasn’t lost a set in four matches, and then whipped Union 3-0 (25-1, 25-22, 25-20) in Union Township behind the play of Kierra Williams and Jourdan Joe.
JK (2-2) went 2-15 last fall and 0-18 in 2022. Further, one more win would surpass every season since 2015, sans 2019’s 4-16 mark.
The Tigers lost many close matches in the past three seasons and are looking to find more about the thrill of victory via lessons learned from its agony-laced defeats.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE
Bill Carone
East Duplin, football
Shawn Davis is an imposing figure on the football field. He’s 6-foot-1, 225 pounds and nearly impossible to take to the ground by hitting him at the waste or above.
More often than not, it takes two defenders to drag him down.
East Duplin’s fullback ran for 265 yards and four touchdowns last Friday as the Panthers burned Dixon 49-23.
The junior is expected to vie for Player of the Year honors in both Duplin County and the ECC.
He ran for 1,144 yards and 18 touchdowns last season before a broken collarbone ended his season two games short.
ED went 10-2 last fall and is considered a favorite to win the ECC with Davis as its guiding offensive force. He also shows his gridiron prowess as a linebacker.
Bulldog spikers off to fast start after 5 straight wins
Defending ECC champ
Wallace-Rose Hill started off strong, James Kenan swept its first two matches and East Duplin nabs its first match
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — The WallaceRose Hill soccer team is on fire after claiming its fifth straight win.
The offense is productive as coach Rodrigo Diaz’s ball possession offense patiently works up the soccer pitch.
Finishing touch shots come only after several passes.
And when the ball is on the feet of their foes, the young but quick-checking Bulldogs leave little chance for a shot on their goalie.
The formula was fine-tuned during a 2-0 win over New Bern last Saturday at the North Carolina Soccer Coach’s Kickoff Classic at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
WRH has seemingly found itself since moving to the 2A classification, and a win over the 4A Bears gives that thought meaning. The Bulldogs have won the ECC 2A twice under Diaz.
WRH captured three 1A titles before he arrived, yet its solid base became slippery facing better and more high-caliber 2A teams in both a conference and especially during a playoff run.
Leading scorer Alex Zepeda, an all-state striker, scored both goals. A win that surprised Diaz came when his club beat Greene Central 3-1.
“We’re down 1-0 about 20 minutes in, tied it at the half and then turn the game in our favor,” he said. “It was a pleasant surprise and against a team I think we’re going to see again in the playoffs. Super proud of our guys after that one.”
Zepeda had a pair of cage ringers and Steve Acosta had a score. The Bulldogs have surrendered just two goals this season, while punching in 19. It’s nonconference season includes matches against powerhouse programs at Clinton and
Franklin Academy. Beware ECC schools, the defending champ could be the team that keeps the big trophy this fall. Omega, Ramirez get Tigers started James Kenan’s slow starts
are somewhat typical. Perhaps not this season as the Tigers won their first two matches after returning the bulk of a team that was second in the ECC to WRH. Yet JK stayed on top for the previous two seasons. This year’s team is filled
with seniors, one of which is a must-mark player for the opposition.
Striker Peter Omega’s scoring is as renowned as Zepeda.
The Tigers senior rammed home a goal after watching North Johnston register an owngoal last week during a 6-0 win in Warsaw.
Rony Ramirez connected as from near the Tigers sideline with a bullet that made it 3-0. Ramirez headed in both goals a day earlier when JK beat Spring Creek 2-0.
And while the Tigers looked a bit rusty, it is not overly concerning at this point according to coach Mitchell Quinn.
“I’m pleased with our progress knowing we have many things to work out,” Quinn said.
“We’ve got a good number back but are still looking to seize our opportunities when they come on the field. There’s plenty of room for improvement.”
JK (2-0) hosts Southern Wayne and has a rematch against the Panthers in Kenly as a prep for a Sept. 9 battle with Clinton at the Dark Horse’s soccer field.
That match should be a litmus test as to where the Tiger booters begin the season.
Panthers clip Eagles for first win
Junior Brayan Mendez scored twice, and senior Misael Barahona added a goal last Saturday when East Duplin beat East Bladen 3-1.
It was the first victory of the fall for the Panthers (1-2-1).
ED tied White Oak 2-2 in its opener despite scores from Yoskar Canales and Marvin Sanchez.
Canales had the lone tally in a 3-1 loss to Richlands. Oscar Ramirez notched his first during an 8-2 loss to Clinton. Canales, who leads the Panthers in scoring, also zipped in a score.
MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL
COURTESY THURMAN PARKER
COURTESY THURMAN PARKER
ED’s Orlando Rodriguez, middle, crashes into the box for a header. The Panthers got their first win of the season by beating East Bladen 3-1 on Saturday.
Havelock lowers boom on young Bulldogs
With 16 returning seniors from a 13-1 team and a top quarterback transfer, Havelock beat a WRH team that had just two returnees on the field
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
HAVELOCK — Call Wallace-Rose Hill’s 51-14 loss to Havelock last Friday a chess match in which the Rams had the most experience.
The new kids on the block from Teachey were clearly not ready to compete with a 3A team that returned 19 seniors, including nine on defense, and a new quarterback transfer who is on a record-setting pace.
The Bulldogs entered the season minus 16 players from last fall, including the entire offensive and defensive lines.
Opposites attracted only because the Rams and Bulldogs have powerful programs in their respective classifications.
WHR nearly upended Havelock last season at Jack Holley Football Complex/Thell Overman Field before falling 28-27.
Yet the difference between the two schools goes deeper than wins and losses. Havelock wins big because of its feeder program.
“All their kids are in rec ball for years and then in a good middle school setting,” said eighth-year WRH coach Kevin Motsinger, whose school must schedule top nonconference schools because 2A schools outside the East Central 2A Conference refuse to return calls for a game.
“We haven’t had rec play in
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seven years and our middle school is a mess,” Motsinger said.
“This group is very young and inexperienced, and I’m not saying that to be ugly. They jumped on us early and we didn’t handle it well. It was like a deer in the headlights. Once we started playing and got some stops, we were able to move the ball.
“We’ve got to get better and grow up quickly, and our offensive line has to jell.”
It didn’t help that WRH was playing without Division 1 recruit and running back Irving Brown due to an injury. Yet he alone would not have
the best game of his career in rushing for 191 yards on 17 carries and scoring five touchdowns.
Defensive end Trashawn Ruffin added a strip-sack and touchdown from 12 yards out, and Isaac Davis returned a fumble for a score 13 seconds into the game.
The Rebels defense did its part by holding the Seahawks to a paltry four first downs, 35 yards on the ground and no passing yards.
Big road battle Thursday on Panthers’ turf
N D’s second of three tough nonconference games is a Thursday night affair at Northside-Pinetown as the Rebels get their traditional early jump before the Labor Day weekend.
ND nipped the Panthers 14-13 last season. Northside beat Camden County 23-3 last Friday in a game closer than it appeared.
the Panthers’ Wing-T had quick scoring drives most of the game.
Hall (2-42) added a running score.
“He’s a hard-nosed kid,” Holley said of Bond, his senior signal caller.
“And he is gonna hit you hard on defense,” he continued with a laugh.
Yet Bond’s teammates more than had his back on the other side of the line.
ED defensive coordinator Seth Sandlin’s unit gave up two fourth-quarter scores, in part because the Panthers put mostly backup roster players on the field.
“We have something to build on,” said Holley. “We played all right, though we need to take care of a few penalties and other things. We got a lot of guys in.”
Three players earned the highest praise.
Jordan Hall made 17 tackles, while Calvin Harper and Luke Hughes each had 14.
The Panthers chalked up 20 first downs and were 3 of 4 on third downs. They had just one fumble and were charged with 65 yards in penalties, perhaps the most negative stat from a positive beginning.
Big road test against West Craven
A trip to West Craven on Friday will be a key early test for ED, which beat the Eagles 25-13 last fall in Beulaville.
WC went on to finish 8-4 with a competitive schedule that included a 20-13 loss to powerhouse Havelock.
The Eagles return a flock of players, including quarterback DJ Davis, who hit on 13 of 19 for 207 yards and four scores last Friday during a 50-20 win over Pamlico County. WC also gained 181 yards on the ground via the play of three juniors and a sophomore.
“Their quarterback can throw it, and he’s a good runner, too,” Holley said after watching a tape from the game.
The Panthers are at home the next three weeks, facing Richlands, Croatan and James Kenan, the latter on Sept. 20, which is the ECC opener for both schools.
survived a Havelock team that went to the fourth round of the 3A playoffs last season.
West Craven transfer Jaylen Hewitt hit on 20 of 30 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked fifth in passing yards (292 per game) in the state in 2023 as a sophomore. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to both Jalen Morgan and ECU recruit Jonathan Williams, who had a 7-yard score.
Havelock went up 30-0 in the opening quarter. The Rams outscored the Bulldogs 21-14 the rest of the way.
Jamarae Lamb (16-84) paced
The Panthers, who were 8-3 last season and won the Coastal 1A/2A Conference title, led 3-0 at halftime, 10-3 late in the third quarter and scored 14 points in the final eight minutes.
Martin said Northside is talented and well-prepared for the showdown. The game is key because of the amount of Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) points it will garner in playoff seeding.
“They have a more dynamic attack (than Southside) and are able to spread the ball around,” Martin said. “They’ve got a good wide receiver and three good wingbacks. This helps with the RPI because of what each team will do the rest of the season.”
It’s a big game that Martin is somewhat downplaying to his team.
“We keep our focus on the next play, next game,” he said. “You can’t get too high after a win or too low after a loss.”
Last year, ND went on to finish 9-3 after edging the two Beaufort County schools. A game against 2A Dixon on Sept. 20 is also a tough nonconference foe.
WRH’s ground attack, though he was covered by Havelock at nearly every turn, as was Lonnie Wilson (5-7).
Jamari Carr (8-44), Adrian Glover (4-52) found a little daylight, while quarterback Ryan Wells was thrown into the fire during his first start.
This season, Havelock was simply too much for WRH in most phases of the game.
“We had three returning players, one on offense and two on defense,” Motsinger said. And yet Motsinger saw a faster group of athletes in Bulldogs helmets.
ND’s other preconference tests come against Lejeune, Bear Grass Charter and Alleghany, which replaces Jones Senior, which went to 8-man football.
High performance Phillips finds the fast lane
ND needed just six plays to make it 9-0 as Carell scored from the 11 at the 9:15 mark.
A score by the junior from a yard out six minutes later pushed the ante to 16-0.
It was 23-0 after he toted the ball over at the 8:15 mark of the second quarter.
Then his 6-yard score capped an 11play, 78-yard march. Carell’s 32-yard bolt was a highlight of the drive.
And Ruffin, a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder who Georgia recently offered a scholarship, hit paydirt with eight ticks left on the first-half clock.
Carell’s 16-yard score in the third was more than any insurance policy for the Rebels, though Southside got its lone touchdown via a pass with 10:12 to play.
“Our overall speed has increased from the GPS stuff we’ve been doing,” he said. “We changed our training and even Tyvann Williams (a 6-foot-1, 310-pound two-way lineman) went from 10 mph to 16 mph. So it’s working.”
In-the-know fans witnessed that, even though Havelock was the superior team last Friday.
Rivalry against Horses continues at Legion Stadium
As bad as the final score was, there is relief in sight as WRH returns to Legion Stadium to host a Clinton team that was bashed 44-0 in its opener by 3A Northside-Jacksonville.
Former coach Corey Johnson and number of players and coaches bolted to South Carolina, leaving giant holes to fill.
Yet Motsinger is expecting nothing but Clinton’s best.
“Their kids are going to come to play,” he said. Last season, Clinton won 5528 with a ton of transfer players en route to a 15-1 mark that ended with a 28-18 loss to Reidsville in the 2A state final.
WRH has lost four of the past five against the Dark Horses. The Bulldogs’ last win was in their second game of 2022, a 35-18 decision in Wallace.
After Clinton, the Bulldogs’ brutal nonconference slate continues on Sept. 6 with a trip to Hoggard, which went 14-1 last season, losing to Weddington in the 4A title game.
The Vikings beat WRH 28-17 last season in Teachey.
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The undersigned, GREGORY MCKIVER AND/OR LOUELLA SAVAGE MCKIVER, having qualified on the 10TH DAY of JULY 2024, as CO-ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JEREMIAH GREGORY MCKIVER, 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 6TH Day of NOVEMBER 2024, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 8th Day of AUGUST 2024.
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Colton Holmes, left, and Jordan Hall squeeze a Dixon runner during East Duplin’s 49-23 win.
NORTH
JJ SMITH / CARTERET COUNTY NEWS-TIMES
Jamari Carr ran for 44 yards and scored a touchdown in WRH’s 51-14 loss to Havelock.
Janice Marie (English) Caison
Nov. 28, 1954 – Aug. 18, 2024 (age 69)
Janice Marie English Caison of Teachey departed her earthly life on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 while at home. Born on Nov. 28, 1954, she is the daughter of the late James Edward and Mary Elizabeth Mobley English.
Left to cherish her memory are her life partner, Gary Micheal Caison; siblings, Kenneth Edward English (Wanda) of Oklahoma, Terry Gene English (Laurie) of Wallace, and Benjamin Arthur Hall III (Jill) of Wilmington; and several nieces and nephews.
Janice spent a good part of her work career working as a seamstress in a local sewing factory. She also worked as a cashier in several local Wallace businesses.
Family requests that, rather than floral gifts, consideration be given to a contribution to the Pet Friends of Duplin County, PO Box 152, Wallace, NC 28466.
A service will be scheduled in the immediate future.
Helen Adeline (Boyce) Rouse
April 7, 1939 – Aug. 22, 2024 (age 85)
Helen Adeline Boyce Rouse, 85, of Rose Hill passed from this earthly life to her eternal rest on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.
Born on April 7, 1939, in Nash County, Helen was the daughter of the late Richard Herbert and Elizabeth Adeline Webster Boyce. She was also preceded in death by her best friend, the love of her life and husband of 56 years, Charles Vernon Rouse Sr. and their grandson, Dillon James Rouse.
Helen was employed with Carolina Savings and Loan in Wallace for over 20 years, where she acquired many friends throughout the years.
Surviving to cherish her memory is her children, Charles “Chuck” Rouse Jr. and wife, Ruth of Raleigh, Richard “Rick” Rouse and wife, Carla of Kenansville, Donald “Donnie” Rouse of Melbourne, Florida and Elizabeth Bell and husband, Dwight of Garland; grandchildren, Leslie Rouse, Logan Bell, Aiden Rouse, Ivey Rouse, Casey Rouse, Landon Bell and fiancée, Angela Ruggles; brothers, Richard Boyce and wife Phyllis of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Robert Boyce of Wilmington, Massachusetts; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Helen dearly. Helen was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and sister. She enjoyed the simplest things in life, but her greatest joy was family. Helen always made sure that her family was well taken care of and had whatever they needed. She was a good cook and made the best chocolate chip cookies. With her witty personality and love for people, she never met a stranger. Helen will surely be missed but treasured memories of her will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Inurnment service will be held at a later date at Devotional Garden Mausoleum, Warsaw. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or to the charity of your choice.
Mary Delores Williams Newkirk
April 14, 1952 – Aug. 15, 2024 (age 72)
LEESBURG, Ga. — Ms. Mary Delores Williams Newkirk, 72, of Leesburg, Georgia, formerly of Duplin County, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Lee County Health & Rehabilitation in Leesburg, Georgia.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill. Burial followed at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories; three children, Reginald D. Newkirk (Shannon) of Friendswood, Texas, Shelia N. Johnson of Tallahassee, Florida and Veronica Newkirk of Rose Hill; mother, Katie G. Fussell of Goldsboro; sisters, Christine Hinnant (James) and Tonya Williams, both of Goldsboro; 11 grandchildren; nieces, nephews cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
Kenneth Lewis Simpson Jr.
Dec. 2, 1985 – Aug. 19, 2024 (age 40)
Kenneth Lewis Simpson Jr., died Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Memorial service was held on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.
Visitation followed the service.
Survivors include: parents, Kenneth and Janet Simpson of Pink Hill; son, Aiden Swinson of Pink Hill; sisters, Sheila Duff of Richlands, Robin Heath (Richie) of Pink Hill, Deanna Pittman (Cecil Jr.) of Pink Hill, Kendy Breckel (Dave) of Goldsboro; brothers, Nicholas Simpson (Michelle) of New Bern, Kendall Simpson of Beulaville.
Vernell Denise Wolfe
April 15, 1966 – Aug. 19, 2024 (age 58)
MT. OLIVE — Ms. Vernell D. Wolfe, 58, received her ultimate healing on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 at home surrounded by family. The celebration of her life was held on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Shackle Free Church Outreach Ministries, 806 S. George Street, Goldsboro. She was born on April 15, 1966 in Duplin County, to Sandy Lloyd Wolfe and Beulah Mae Webb Wolfe. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and other loving relatives and friends.
Wayne Stewart Banks
July 6, 1947 – Aug. 20, 2024 (age 77)
WARSAW — Wayne Stewart Banks, 77, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin in Kenansville. Mr. Banks was born July 6, 1947 in Waynesboro, Virginia, to the late Junior Banks and Mae Louella Fisher Banks.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 in Devotional Gardens.
Wayne is survive by daughters, Cindy Howery and husband, Darren of Goldsboro; Sabrina Banks and Nancy Louella Fitzgerald, both of Virginia; grandchildren, Brooke Henderson Gwynn and husband, Kyle of Richland, Meghan Pittman Kornegay and husband, Blake of Grantham, Emily Pittman Massengill and husband, Jason of Goldsboro, Sasha Hickman and husband, Andy of Virginia, Tyler Banks, Billy Banks, Jesse Banks and Dillion Gibson; great grandchildren, Archer and Kole Gwynn, Kendall and Kelsey Kornegay, Ellie Parrish, Christain Parrish, Walker and Tucker Massengill, Everly Faith Hickman, Oakley Grace Hickman, Remi Hickman, and Kimber Hickman. He is also survived by brother Gary Banks and wife, Cindy; and sisters, Debbie Terry and husband, Roy and Tina Burnett and husband, Scottie and sister in law, Pam Banks.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by wife, Joan Lanier Banks and brother, Danny Banks.
Joseph Tate “J.T.” Mobley
March 6, 1948 – Aug. 21, 2024 (age 76)
Joseph Tate “J.T.” Mobley, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at his home.
Funeral service was Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.
Survivors include: spouse, Barbara Gail Mobley of Pink Hill; son, Jeremy Mobley of Beulaville; daughter, Melissa M. Mogollon of Beulaville.
Luther Davis Jr.
Feb. 25, 1937 – Aug. 24, 2024 (age 87)
WALLACE — Luther Davis Jr., age 87, died on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.
He is survived by his wife, Swannie Whitman Davis of Wallace; son, Danny Davis and wife Maleta of Wallace; two grandchildren, Jessica Brock and husband Ray, Jason Davis and wife Tara; and four great grandchildren, Madison Davis, Ian Davis, Jacob Davis, and Lydia Davis.
Visitation was held Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 at Serenity Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.
Baby Boy John Pirham Justice
Aug. 21, 2024 – Aug. 21, 2024
William Garrett “Will” Justice and Hannah Renee Whitman of Mount Olive announce the birth and death of their baby boy, John Pirham Justice. He was born Wednesday morning, Aug. 21, 2024, at 8:57 a.m. at what appeared to be a perfect infant, weighing seven pounds, 11 and a half ounces, and was 19 inches in length. One hour and two minutes later at 9:59 a.m. he was pronounced deceased, leaving a broken hearted mom and dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Baby John is now in the arms of Jesus. While the modern medical equipment and the well trained eye of physicians and health care workers did not detect a problem, obviously there was something amiss, but Jesus has healed that problem and this little one will enjoy the splendors of heaven forevermore.
Left behind to wonder what he would have become and who he would have been are his mommy and daddy; his maternal grandmother, Robin Darden Whitman of Mount Olive; paternal grandparents, Meredith Sutton Adams and Charles Adams of Wilmington, and Christopher “Chris” Allen Justice and Amanda Justice of Warsaw; maternal great grandmother, Margaret Millard Darden of Mount Olive; and paternal great grandparents, the Rev. Bill Sutton and Ruby Parks Sutton of Seven Springs, and Arnold Allen Justice and Sandra Justice of Warsaw.
His maternal grandfather would have been the late Junius Charney Whitman Jr. The families of Baby John will gather for a private service of remembrance.
Annie Turner Jarman
Nov. 13, 1949 – Aug. 20, 2024 (age 74)
Annie Turner Jarman, 74, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 in Vidant ECU Heath Center, Greenville. She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruth Turner; her spouse, Furney Jarman; sisters, Doris Howard, Isabell Wheeler and Gladys Culbertson; brothers, Parker Turner, Edward Turner, Harvey Turner and Kenley Turner; a granddaughter, Brittany Preston.
Graveside service is planned for noon on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville. Visitation will take place after the service.
Survivors include: daughter, Debbie Cherry (Michael) of Pink Hill; sisters, Estelle Hudson of Pink Hill and Tynia Capwell of Pennsylvania; brothers, Johnny Turner (Madeline) of Jacksonville, L.C. Turner (Barbara) of Pink Hill; and grandchild, Taylor Cherry.
Nov. 14, 1941 – Aug. 25, 2024 (age 82)
Edna Earle Blanton Usher, 82, of Wallace passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 25, 2024, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
She was born on Nov. 14, 1941, in Duplin County; the daughter of the late Albert Thomas and Mary Patricia Parker Blanton. Edna Earle was also preceded in death by her sister, Annie Catherine Blanton.
Edna Earle was survived by her devoted husband, Earl Usher of the home; sister, Patricia “Pat” Brown and husband Jerrell of Wallace; brother, Evrrett Parker “Pete” Blanton and wife Betty also of Wallace; nieces, Shannon B. Fisher and husband Tim of Winter Park, Florida and Jennifer B Hirata and husband Tak of Advance; great nephews, Zachary Hirata and Alex Hirata; and numerous extended family and friends that loved Edna Earle dearly.
Edna Earle was a kindhearted and sweet lady who loved her family and friends. She was a hairdresser with Ballard’s Beauty Shop in Wallace for over 40 years. During this time, Edna Earle developed many lifelong friends. She will surely be missed but treasured memories of Edna Earle will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Riverview Memorial Park in Watha. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be sent to Island Creek Baptist Church, 237 Pasture Branch Road, Rose Hill, NC 28458.
Edna Earle (Blanton) Usher
Barnstorming
Former President Donald Trump made a second campaign visit to North Carolina in as many weeks, this time stopping in Asheboro last Wednesday to speak on public safety and other topics. He appeared on stage with a dozen sheriffs from around North Carolina.
It was Trump’s first outdoor rally since he was shot in Pennsylvania in mid July, and increased security was visible everywhere. Randolph County Sheriff sniper teams were stationed on a nearby rooftop, thick bulletproof glass surrounded the podium and there was a significantly larger Secret Service detail than at Trump’s last outdoor event.
At one point, a member of the crowd needed medical attention and Trump stopped his speech to embrace her at the fence before she was taken away by Asheboro FD personnel.
