Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 26 by North State Journal

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Community Engagement meeting and citizen survey

Rose Hill

The Town of Rose Hill is seeking the public’s engagement to help it develop a comprehensive plan to prepare for future growth. The meeting will take place on Oct. 21 at 109 S. Sycamore St. in Rose Hill. The first 50 participants will receive a free meal. Visit planrosehill.com to participate in the Citizen Survey.

Railroad improvements to close N.C. 41

Wallace The NC DOT announced that a portion of N.C. 41 near SE Railroad Street at the Wallace railroad tracks will be closed for improvements until Aug. 30. Rail crews will install new tracks while NC DOT conducts pavement removal and replacement as part of the project. Commercial vehicles will be detoured onto Wallace Highway, U.S. 421, N.C. 11 and U.S. 117, and other traffic can use downtown streets to access either side. Officials ask the public to use caution near the worksite.

Celebrate Warsaw Day this Saturday

Bring your children to the eighth annual Warsaw Day. The event will be held on Aug. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at 309 Memorial Dr. in Wallace. The event will feature games, food, a backpack giveaway and free dental screenings for children ages 1-12.

National Night Out set for Sept. 7

Warsaw 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.

Praying for a successful school year

Duplin County faith-based leaders held the annual Prayer at the Pole event to pray for the upcoming school year on Aug. 13 at the Duplin County Board of Education, featuring prayers from students and local pastors. See more photos on A3.

River Landing Builders’ Ben Jones, left, discusses plans for a new subdivision with Candace Knowles, resident of a neighboring subdivision, after the Teachey Board of Commissioners meeting Aug. 12.

Teachey OKs annexation, rezoning for Mill Creek Meadows subdivision

The development will add 203 homes

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — The town of Teachey is moving forward with plans for a new subdivision that will add 203 homes to the town limits. Mill Creek Meadows, as the subdivision will be named, is a 100-acre tract on U.S. High-

way 117. The front portion of the planned development was in the town limits, while the back 45-50 acres needed to be annexed into the town. The entire subdivision also needed to be rezoned to R-10, residential.

“Mill Creek Meadows is proposing 203 homes, so with 203 homes, that’s going to be a major addition to the town of Teachey,” said Mayor Bobby Jones. “If you do the math,

Local mayors voice concerns about adopting ordinance

Retiring Vicki Bostic was honored for her 17 years working for the county

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — There was a full house Monday night at the Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Warsaw Mayor A.J. Connors appeared in front of the board to discuss concerns about Warsaw adopting the county’s animal control ordinance as this would involve taking in large animals.

“The county has expressed that we could come together on some terms of animal control, but the town would have to accept hoofed animals and others in the city limits as well,” said Connors, explaining they do not have the manpower to handle that.

they’re in, which is just without the large animals, and that the county would only come in and pick up dogs and cats or animals that may become vicious, such as animals that may have rabies.”

Connors added that Warsaw residents are paying the same taxes outside the county but not getting the service. He also explained that it would cost more if they had to deal with large animals left behind.

“It’s a money saving for the county if we could keep it this way without the large animals in the town or reevaluate it and look at it from another point of view. … I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I’ve been here at this podium before on this issue,” said Connors.

Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones was next to address the board.

“We also have this issue with animals and animal

See TEACHEY, page B6 See ORDINANCE, page B6

“Our citizens are asking that the county revisit this issue and consider letting the town stay in the fashion that

Warsaw commissioner encourages businesses to sponsor kids’ sports

“My intent has always been to work together toward solutions to serve all the families, ensuring that no child is left out due to the financial barriers.”

Marbella Ascencio, Warsaw resident

The board extended the deadline for code of ordinances draft response

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Marbella Ascencio was among the residents who signed up for public comment at the Warsaw town hall meeting last week.

Ascencio addressed the board voicing her concerns about the recent increase in registration fees for sports at the Parks and Recreation Department.

“As a parent and a longtime resident of Warsaw, I’ve been proud of the community and the opportunities it provides our children. However, the fee increase has raised significant concerns among parents,” said Ascencio. “I was

able to speak to a few town leaders and members of our community who regularly use the Park and Recreation facilities. These conversations were insightful, but I must express that at times my efforts have been misunderstood.

“I’ve occasionally encountered responses suggesting that the fee increase is set in the annual budget and therefore unchangeable. While I fully understand the constraints of the budget, it’s disheartening to feel that my activism may have been perceived as an attack rather than an effort to collaborate and improve our community. My intent has always been to work together toward solutions to serve all the families, ensuring that no child is left out due to the financial barriers.”

Ascencio stated that she has been going door-to-door,

speaking to neighbors — many who were unaware of the fee increases but showed support for her efforts.

“The issue is about more than just the fee increase,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that our town’s recreational programs remain accessible to all families.” Commissioner Jack Hawes later explained that the town costs have gone up significantly and they weren’t breaking even with the way their fees were set.

“One reason why fees were low, and we can’t continue to depend on this, is that the department head, the manager over there, her friends and family were doing a lot of vol-

See WARSAW, page A5

$2.00

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

THURSDAY 8.22.24 “Join the conversation”

Duplin Journal

www.duplinjournal.com

North State Media LLC

Neal Robbins, Publisher publisher@northstatejournal.com

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

Ena Sellers, News Editor ena@northstatejournal.com

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

Michael Jaenicke, Sports Editor michael@northstatejournal.com

David Guy, Advertising Manager dguy@northstatejournal.com

CONTACT US

For a vacation hold or to report

a delivery problem: 919-663-3232

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

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

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@ nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line. In the xxx issue xxxxxx

CRIME LOG

Aug. 14

• Juan Carlos Avelar Perdomo, 38, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired (motor boat/vessel).

WEEKLY FORECAST

FRIDAY

THURSDAY AUG

Aug. 24

• On Saturday, Aug. 24, Ignite Youth Ministry will be hosting a Back to School/ Family Fun Day at Cabin Lake starting at 11 a.m. The event will feature a fun day of swimming, fishing, hiking, games, music, and food! Bring your swimsuit, towel, and fishing gear.

• The public is invited to join Warsaw Day, on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 309 Memorial Drive in Warsaw. The event which is organized by a group of young men and women from James Kenan High School will feature fun games, free food, and vendors.

• The English Country Barn will host Fur Ball 2024 on Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at 147 Sanderson Rd., Magnolia. Tickets are $125. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing and a silent auction.

• R&R Brewing located at 541 NW Center St., Mount Olive, will host their Friday Weekend Lineup on Friday, Aug. 24 from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Aug. 25

• Goshen Medical Center will host a Community Back to School Breakfast on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at 444 SW Center St., Faison.

Aug. 29

• The Horticultural Crops Research station located at 2450 Faison Highway,

DUPLIN CALENDAR

Clinton will host its 2024 NC State Coastal Plain Sesame Field Day on Aug. 29, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 13-15

• 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. Happening Monthly

• 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 Beulaville town board meets the first Monday of each month

Aug. 16

• Eric Courtney Graham, 46, was arrested by DCSO for resisting a public officer, robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a felon, felony possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule II controlled substance and cocaine, simple possession of Schedule V and II controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule VI controlled substance.

• Juan Antonio Lopez, 31, was arrested by DCSO for trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver cocaine, simple possession of Schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Aug. 15

• Donovan Brian Chase, 28, was arrested by DCSO for obtaining property by false pretense, fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, speeding, driving while license revoked, reckless driving to endanger, possession of drug paraphernalia, fictitious alteration of title registration card/tag, no insurance, window tinting violation, and failure to wear a seat belt.

• Michaela Dwan Rains, 30, was arrested by DCSO for driving while impaired and reckless driving to endanger.

at 6:30 p.m., at 508 East Main St., Beulaville. For more information, call 910-298-4 647.

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

• The Faison town board meets the 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 910-28 5-7564.

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

• Erik Andres, 25, was arrested by the Dublin Police Department for possessing a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, conspiracy to breaking and entering a building with felony larceny, and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

• Autumn Lea Cavenaugh, 43, was arrested by DCSO for disorderly conduct in a public building, driving while license revoked impaired revocation, canceled/revoked/ suspended certificate/tag, misdemeanor probation violation, DWI level 1, expired registration card/ tag, no liability insurance, and expired inspection.

Aug. 18

• Raven Sierra Frear, 27, was arrested by the Rose Hill Police Department for

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.

second-degree trespass and assault on a government official/employee.

• Montrena Delois Hall, 41, was arrested by DCSO for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Aug. 19

• Elicia Shanta Carr, 41, was arrested by DCSO for felony probation violation.

• Lois Jeanette Mayer, 49, was arrested by DCSO for felony possession of Schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked not impaired, and possession of disposable/altered/fictitious/revoked driver’s license.

Aug. 20

• Brittni Bonneville Grady, 35, was arrested by DCSO for misdemeanor probation violation and misdemeanor probation violation out of county. SPONSORED BY

Suspect leads Beulaville police on high-speed chase

Traffic stop leads to pursuit through three counties

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — A traffic stop on Aug. 15 led to a highspeed chase that wound its way through Duplin, Jones and Onslow counties. The Beulaville Police Department reported that officers attempted to stop a Chevrolet Sil-

verado near the intersection of NC Highway 241 and NC Highway 111 in Beulaville. The vehicle was operated by Donovan Brian Chase of Chinquapin. According to a press release from Beulaville PD, Chase failed to stop and led officers on a high speed pursuit, which went through Duplin County and Jones County before ending in Onslow County, where Chase led officers down a farm path off of Kinston Highway. Chase crashed his vehicle into a wood line and his vehi-

cle became disabled, effectively ending the pursuit. He was taken into custody without incident.

Chase was charged with the following offenses: felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle; felony possession of schedule II; possession of drug paraphernalia; driving while license revoked; driving while impaired; displaying a fictitious registration plate; no insurance; speeding; reckless driving to endanger; window tint; and failure to wear a seat belt.

Because Chase already had pending charges, he was held without bond. In addition to the listed charges, Chase was also served with an outstanding order for arrest and given a $40,000 secured bond.

Beulaville Police Chief Karl Mobley said in the release that he would like to thank the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office, Jones County Sheriff’s Office and the NC State Highway Patrol for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.

COURTESY PHOTO

Brian Chase

Rose Hill town board discusses old fire department

The mayor voiced concerns on grass in streets and roadways

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

ROSE HILL

— Now that the new Rose Hill Fire Department is operational, town officials are beginning to discuss what should be done with the old fire department, which sits next to the Town Hall.

Town Administrator Angela Smith brought up the item as part of new business at the town board meeting on Aug. 13.

“What are the board’s wishes?” Smith asked. “I can tell you, I’ve talked to (Police) Chief (Michael) Tyndall and we’d like to maybe get the police department moved over there. We would have a lot more storage. The police department would have their own building.”

Mayor Davy Buckner said since the old lunchroom building in the Town Square was de -

molished to make way for the new fire department, perhaps the old fire department could be used as a venue for events and functions. However, Tyndall said he wasn’t sure that would be a good idea if the police department moved in to the administrative side of the old fire station.

“I don’t think we need to be in the venue business anymore,” said Commissioner Gary Boney, who’s also the town fire chief.

Commissioner Ross Powell added that there would be issues if the old fire department became a venue. “It’s not a perfect venue for sure,” he said. “There’s no place to park.”

Boney also pointed out that when it rains, the floors of the bay can be dangerous. “There’s not a slicker floor in this town than the bay when it’s raining,” he said.

After some discussion, the board agreed that a decision doesn’t need to be made right now and decided to table the discussion for a future meeting.

The annual Prayer at the Pole event was held at the Duplin County Board of Education at noon last Tuesday. Prayer at the Pole is organized by Duplin County faith-based leaders, and during the brief ceremony, prayers are made for teachers, students, administrators, parents and the community as a whole.

Students Hatch Becker, Riley Stroud, Catherine Lee, Karley Stroud and Zoe Bellomy led prayers, while Beulaville Presbyterian pastor Hank Bellomy gave the benediction and Sherman Dilley, pastor of Beulaville Free Will Baptist Church, was the emcee.

A large crowd of citizens, students, and Duplin County Schools staff and faculty took part in the event.

“I would love to have community input,” the mayor said.

In other business, Buckner said he wanted to bring up a “pet peeve” and see if the town could put an ordinance in place to keep mowers from littering the town’s streets with cut grass.

“I’m talking as a citizen now,” he said. “Going around in the summertime, and there’s grass all in the streets. People are kicking their grass out there.”

Smith said the town does not have an ordinance addressing the matter but said she had posted on the town’s website and Facebook page to ask citizens to be mindful of letting cut grass cover the street and roadway.

“It makes me mad as fire,” Buckner said. “The other thing is, if it’s on there and it gets a little wet, and a motorcycle comes by, he could have an accident. For safety reasons, we need to be thinking about it, if that’s something we want to pursue or whatever. Whoever does that needs to show the town and its citizens

Davy Bucker, Rose Hill Mayor

some courtesy and not do it.”

In other business at the Aug. 13 meeting, the board approved:

• A resolution to authorize the upset bid process for a parcel of land on Fourth Street, which previously held a house that the town had demolished.

• A resolution of acceptance for the drinking water state revolving fund lead service line replacement loan. The lead line replacement project is funded with $120,000. Originally, it was $200,000, but the town decided to decline the additional $80,000 zero-interest loan and handle the administration inhouse.

• An amended capital project ordinance for $425,800 for a stormwater project at Walnut and Charity.

• An amendment to the town of Rose Hill personnel policy incentivize additional education or certification in one’s field.

• A travel policy for town employees.

• The implementation for the fifth year of the resurfacing program, awarding the project to Legion Asphalt, which had bid $247,588.12. Because that number is $78,000 less than what was budgeted, Smith said Public Works Director Blake Parker would get with Legion and see if two more streets could be added to the resurfacing list.

• A resolution authorizing the repair of Lift Station No. 1 (First Street). The amount was $7,812 plus any taxes and fees, awarded to AC Schultes.

In her report, Smith also thanked the police and fire departments, public works and other town employees for their preparation and hard work during Tropical Storm Debby. There were no major issues during the storm thanks to the town’s preparation, she said.

Top, Hank Bellomy, pastor of Beulaville Presbyterian Church, gave the benediction at the Prayer at the Pole on

Sherman Dilley, pastor of Beulaville Free Will Baptist, who emceed the event. Bottom left, Catherine Lee prayed

Bottom right, Hatch Becker was the first student to

prayer at the annual Prayer at the

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

| JIMMY DIXON

The mainstream media — a smoke and mirrors show

The liberal media cycle is now showcasing the greatest “smoke and mirrors” show ever attempted in America. They will call evil good and good evil.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I started visiting some Duplin County elementary schools to inform myself and reconnect to my long-ago experiences in Miss Maggie’s first grade, Miss Nell’s second grade, and especially in Mrs. Womack’s third grade classes.

Memories of the third grade class come to mind because that is the earliest that I remember not wanting to miss any school days. My Granny had a very good answer when, or if, I wanted to miss a school day or complained about going to school: “That will be fine with me if you want to stay home today,” she would say.

Then she would make her closing case. “I really could use your help chopping the weeds and grass out of those cucumbers. With your help I could finish chopping in time to sucker the tobacco again. If it was winter time she could always say, “The firewood is getting low. Today would be a good time to split and stack some more. Take those good clothes off and put on your work clothes on.”

Based on my recent classroom visits, there is a real difference in classrooms now and ours 70 years ago. Surely our grandchildren and great-grandchildren are just as precious and as important and as loved as we were back then.

Today’s headlines constantly reflect the importance of a “quality education” for the current generation. However, “It’s for the children” is too often a repeated empty claim today. It is also my observation that, for the most part, current teachers are just as dedicated to the teaching profession and the well-being of their students as they were in my day.

The student-teacher ratio has always been recognized as a critical element in the attempt to provide the next generations with a quality education. It is undeniable that a child’s education begins, or should begin, at birth and is first initiated with interactions with his or her parents. So the pattern instituted by our Creator had a very low student-teacher ratio. Two parents, the primal teachers, to an average generally of no more than three or four children. When the parents, the primal teachers, neglect or

The support they deserve

“It’s not just about recruiting our teachers into the classroom but keeping them in our Duplin County classrooms with the support they deserve.”

Austin Obasohan

AS STUDENTS HEAD back to the classroom next week, they will enjoy seeing their teachers from last year. However, some familiar faces may be missing among the teachers.

According to an April 2024 report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the teacher attrition rate for the 2022-23 school year was 11.5%, a 3.7% increase over the previous year. The report notes, “Beginning teachers, defined as those in their first three years, have a higher attrition rate than their more experienced peers at 15.1%.”

The Public School Forum of North Carolina reports that vacancy rates and attrition affect school districts statewide. Additionally, the number of candidates for the vacant teaching positions has declined significantly, including college graduates with education degrees. While Duplin County’s attrition rate of 8.5% was lower than the state average, we certainly want to do everything we can to support and retain the dedicated teachers we have and recruit the best and the brightest graduates.

Mary Ann Wolf, president and executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina said, “Teachers are the number one school-related factor influencing student outcomes. Teachers need our support because students need theirs. It is truly that simple.

“If North Carolina intends to continue to thrive as a state, we must prepare our children to do so. By providing teachers the compensation, resources and respect they are entitled to as professionals, we give them the tools needed to build up each child.”

In April, the Pew Research Center released the results

shun their God-given responsibilities to their children’s education, evil forces stand ready to deceive and destroy those precious children. Progressive socialists then use those failures to fundamentally change America.

It seems to me that David O. McKay was, in large measure, correct when he said, “No success can compensate for failure in the home.” Forces that demean traditional families and homes are exactly what our teachers are trying now to compensate for. Despite failures in many homes, the goal is still to provide a quality education for future generations.

The tried and tested proverb “as the twig is bent so grows the tree” is almost universally true. Some children overcome improper “bending” in their formative years, but a very large number of them do not overcome failure in their homes. We are at war for the minds and souls of our children and our nation.

That war has intensified over the years until the evil forces now have thrown caution to the wind. They are openly and arrogantly challenging many of the bedrock principles that have prevailed, in the form of common sense, for thousands of years.

Forty days ago, a former president of the United States of America came within an inch of being assassinated. It seems to be almost forgotten by the mainstream media. During the common-sense era of the building of America, a news cycle was measured in months, weeks or, in rare cases, days. Now our children are bombarded with news cycles measured in hours and minutes.

The liberal media cycle is now showcasing the greatest “smoke and mirrors” show ever attempted in America. They will call evil good and good evil.

We the people should understand that all parents need to rededicate themselves to intense involvement in their children’s education and in our elections.

Jimmy Dixon (R-NC04) represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

of a poll that measured “What Public K-12 Teachers Want Americans to Know About Teaching.” One question asked teachers how much they think the public trusts them to do their jobs well. The public was also asked how much they trust teachers. Almost half of the teachers surveyed (47%) said the public doesn’t trust them. However, a majority of the public (57%) indicated they trust the teachers to do their jobs well.

This suggests to me that we need to do a better job of supporting our teachers and letting them know we trust them to do their jobs well. When asked what the public can do to support them, an elementary school teacher said, “Appreciate teachers. Sometimes just hearing a ‘thank you’ from families is all we need to get us through the day.”

A high school teacher responded, “That it takes community, local and state support for us to do our job for the good of the students we serve and teach.” A middle school teacher reminds us, “I think the public needs to know that teachers need more support from the community. This can be through encouragement, donations, volunteering and so much more.” In this “backto-school” season, let us be intentional about supporting our teachers and trusting them to do their jobs well. As Superintendent Austin Obasohan expresses so well, “It’s not just about recruiting our teachers into the classroom but keeping them in our Duplin County classrooms with the support they deserve.”

Philip Gladden lives in Wallace. He can be reached at gladdenphilip620@gmail.com.

COLUMN

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

Mount Olive native champions for hog farmers across the state

For nearly 10 years, NC Farm Families has been a voice for farm families

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

MOUNT OLIVE — Agri-

cultural roots run deep for NC Farm Families Executive Director Chad Herring.

The third-generation pig farmer who raises newly weaned pigs on his family farm in Mount Olive has been championing to educate people about the pig industry.

“My uncle got nine feeder pigs in 1965 on a 4-H project, and over the years we’ve grown into what is now about 15,000 nursery spaces,” Herring told Duplin Journal.

For nearly a decade, Herring has been welcoming colleges and universities interested in educational opportunities and opening his doors to members of the media to see for themselves the day-to-day operations of a hog farm.

Growing up on a farm, Herring learned about the trade from his dad.

“We were growing pigs and row crops at that time. I got to drive tractors and plow corn, pick corn and soybeans. That was my childhood, and it was wonderful. I wish my kids could have grown up during that time,” said Herring.

“The farm is kind of the nucleus of our family unit,” Herring told Duplin Journal, pointing at the different homes where his family members live.

“We built the farm and then we moved in around it. … My grandmother lived here, my uncle, uncle, aunt, my father, other aunt and we kind of surrounded the farm. That’s why it’s so important to me the sustainability of it. Because it is part of our family.”

Herring likes to lead by example. As a hog family farmer himself, he has a vested interest in sustainability of the industry. He believes transparency and education are key so people who may not be very familiar with the industry can learn the facts and not become easy targets of misinformation.

“We want people to see who we are and see that we’re just like them. We’re volunteer firefighters, we’re T-ball coaches, whatever it may be,” said Herring.

“If we see something that the media does that’s not right, we want to respond to it. And that’s where NC Farm Families is at,” said Herring as he spoke about a recent article by The New York Times about Tropical Storm Debby.

“They had a picture of a lagoon from six years ago, and the flood water is up to it, and the banks, obviously, it wasn’t inundated, so the lagoon was doing its job. But they were talking about flooding issues

and whatnot, and it just wasn’t so,” said Herring, explaining this was just one example of the type of misinformation that is out there.

“We’ve seen our farms perform, and we get ready for hurricanes like we are supposed to,” said Herring. “We’ve learned over the years how to prepare for them.

“Continuous improvement is in a pig farmer’s DNA, and nowhere is that more evident than the progress made in the industry’s environmental footprint over the past 50 years.”

Herring said it now takes 78% less land, 41% less water, and about 35% less carbon

WARSAW from page A1

unteer work that we can’t expect them to continue to do. They were doing all the cleaning, all the washing of uniforms … everything,” said Hawes.

“Growing up, I used to play Dixie Youth Baseball, Little League. We had business sponsors. And I challenge business leaders to start sponsoring kids to play,” said Hawes. “I already did the first step. I paid for every child to play basketball, the girls, I paid all their fees. And I challenge every single business owner to do the same. ... Even parents, where you work, challenge your employer to help the kids play ball.”

In other business

The board moved to postpone the deadline for the code of ordinances draft response to Oct. 31, the ordinance was due for legal review by American Legal Publishing on Sept. 1. The new date will

“I’ve raised my family here. If I knew there was an environmental concern or it was going to impact my family, we wouldn’t be here.”

Chad Herring, NC Farm Families executive director

emissions per pound of pork produced.

“One of the biggest, probably the biggest, technological advances that we’ve been implementing is the renewable natural gas piece,” said Herring, adding that the state ranks third in the nation with the most potential to become a leader in renewable energy.

“Especially in eastern North Carolina, we’ve got a lot of opportunity with all the hog farms to build those digesters and capture that gas.”

Herring also explained how the use of renewable natural gas technology is helping hog farms reduce emissions and minimize odors.

“There is a 51% decrease in odor unit emissions due to covered anaerobic digesters and a 90% decrease in methane emissions due to collection from digesters,” said Herring.

“The DEQ in North Carolina stated in their study that 34% of the state’s gross greenhouse gas emissions were sequestered by agricultural lands, natural lands and forests, which is a testament to what we’re doing in agriculture, especially on our farms.”

Herring is happy with the life he and his family members have built in their family farm, which is a testament that responsible hog farming practices do not pose a health risk.

“I’ve raised my family here. If I knew there was an environmental concern or it was going to impact my family, we wouldn’t be here. My goal is to protect my family, and that’s why I decided to raise my family here,” said Herring. “We play in these creeks behind our farm — it’s a great place.”

allow time for the planning board to meet and provide an update to the town board by the Sept. 9 meeting.

“The review that the consultant did takes a stab at updating the language and getting it into compliance with the laws that exist today,” explained Commissioner Al Searles. “I think if we would all really emphasize looking at that first, get it legal, and then if we want to change it, start that process as a secondary step. My gut tells me that if we try to do both of those things, we will never complete the task. “ Searles suggested updating the ordinance language and getting it into compliance with the state’s general statutes before making any changes. He explained that the process of changing ordinances is very cumbersome as there are legal requirements implicated with changing it.

Warsaw Town Manager Lea Turner, Warsaw town manager provided a brief recap from Tropical Storm Debby.

“For the most part, War -

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

ECU Health Duplin Hospital gears up for back-to-school

Duplin County

ECU Health Duplin

Hospital’s Community Health Improvement team is working in partnership with Duplin County Schools to provide free wellness screenings for all DCS employees. Last week, the team visited Rose HillMagnolia Elementary School, dropping off health and hygiene kits that will be given out to students. “We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Duplin County Schools and can’t wait to connect with faculty and staff at every school in the county,” reads a Facebook post from the hospital.

Summer interns complete program at Murphy Family Ventures

Wallace

This summer, four students interned in the swine production area of Murphy Family Ventures. The students — Josh Childs from Mount Airy, Vanessa Juarez from Newton Grove, Ellie Eichman from Greensboro and Oliveah Jackson from Pink Hill — are all working toward animal science degrees at NC State University or James Sprunt Community College. “They were assigned a farm and spent nine weeks learning how a sow farm works,” said MFV recruiter Megan Jensen. “Our interns had the unique opportunity to be hands- on and really be immersed in the farm culture. When not on the farm, they took one class taught by our Senior Production Manager Greg Wulf, and two classes taught by our Training and Development Manager Tomeka Robinson.”

The interns wrapped up the summer with a program at River Landing Clubhouse, where they made presentations on what they learned, what they liked and what they disliked about their internship at MFV.

saw fared very well. We had a few trees that were down in a few areas with some flood concerns. However, the flood water was down by the end of the day,” said Turner, explaining that if the outfall is full, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go. “As soon as our outfall started going down, our water receded.”

Thanks to the town’s forward vision preparing ahead of the storm, the flooding was more manageable.

According to Mayor A.J. Connors, Public Works cleaned ditches on both sides of South Gum Street, North Cross Street and from Hill Street to College Street.

Commissioner Ebony WillsWells shared that she had the opportunity to ride across town during the storm to observe the challenges they were experiencing.

“I will say that it was very eye-opening. And we do have a lot of work to do within our town. … It truly takes a village to be able to conquer the challenges,” said Wills-Wells.

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.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Chad Herring is a third-generation pig farmer from Mount Olive and the executive director of NC Farm Families.

Wallace delays Royal Farms rezoning hearing

The town received extra funding for Boney Mill repairs

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

WALLACE — After being rescheduled due to Tropical Storm Debby, the Wallace Town Council held its regular monthly meeting last Thursday night, which required a public hearing on a rezoning request to also be rescheduled until the Sept. 12 meeting.

“This is really just an administrative switch-up because we didn’t have our meeting on Aug. 8 so we have to readvertise the rezoning,” explained Planning Director Rod Fritz. The request from Two Farms, Inc. is to rezone the 6.08 acres that remains on their property from RA-20 to HB-Highway Business in order to build a Royal Farms gas station on the site.

The parcel is at the corner of Highway 11 and 41 (Southerland Street) in the Tin City area of town, and formerly housed the Tin City Express gas sta-

tion. “They only rezoned about half of their property,” Fritz said. “Behind it, adjacent to Plantation Acres, they’re now asking to rezone that parcel to HB. It’s probably going to be under construction sometime in the near future.”

At one point, Fritz explained, apartments were proposed for the site, but they ended up going across the street.

“That community got together and didn’t want that there,” Fritz said. “I’ve been in contact with a couple of people from that community, trying to work through a buffer scenario so that we don’t have a contested rezoning.”

The rezoning will allow Two Farms, Inc. to “maximize their future development,” Fritz said.

The council voted unanimously to reschedule the public hearing for after 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The town council also learned at the August meeting that the state has awarded an additional $50,000 for the repairs of Boney Mill, bringing the total for the project to $406,350.

Town Manager Rob Taylor said

the extra funds will be used to get the flooring done in the old grist mill.

“The foundations are complete, the steel structure has been reestablished and reinforced, and the pilings have been wrapped and filled with concrete,” Fritz said. “The roof rafters are complete. The roof has been put on. I think they have to come back yet and impregnate the beams with some kind of silly putty that’s going to preserve the beams.”

Next up, the floor should be finished. “We have to be able to walk in it,” Fritz said. “We don’t have to open it up to the public, though.”

The council unanimously approved a budget amendment to increase the construction project and set aside the grant proceeds.

The town is also applying to have Boney Mill added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In other business at the Aug. 15 meeting, the council:

Approved a resolution and memorandum of understanding, which allow the town to move forward with a strategic planning process in concert with Sa-

mantha Darlington from the NC Department of Commerce’s Rural Planning division.

Awarded a contract to Barnhill Contracting Company for $4,547,794 to realign a portion of the roadway by the Wallace-Pender Airport to allow for runway expansion. The contract will be fully reimbursable by the Department of Transportation, Town Manager Rob Taylor said.

Awarded a contract to Fred Smith Company for $3,783,150 to rehabilitate the existing runway at the airport and add new lights. The project requires a 10% match from the town, and Taylor said the town is using funds from the state to cover the match.

Approved a budget amendment to purchase a used vehicle for town employees and sell an unneeded 4x4 vehicle.

Approved a capital project ordinance for a $115,000 StRAP (Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program) grant to improve water flow at Nicholson Creek.

Approved a resolution to accept a loan from the NC Department of Environmental Quali-

A career and life of dedication, service

UMO professor retires after three decades of teaching

Submitted by Rhonda Jessup

University of Mount Olive

LOOKING BACK over the past 36 years, K. David Hines’ career at the University of Mount Olive reflects a lifelong commitment to Christian higher education and connecting with students, faculty, and staff. Through empathy, storytelling, and hands-on learning, he has transformed countless lives. As an administrator, he has used his skills as an encourager and communicator to promote policies and people in a place that is so dear to his heart. Hines’ warmth, humility, and passion for spiritual formation and academic excellence continue to influence the UMO campus community. For his service and devotion, the University will forever be grateful!

How it all started

David Hines measures his life in terms of time before and after UMO. His connection to the institution began during the summer of 1976. A self-professed math geek, Hines had mapped out a course for his future that included attending North Carolina State University and becoming an engineer. However, a different directional pull began forming during summer the summer of his senior year in high school. He was attending Cragmont Assembly.

“It was a Tuesday night,” Hines recalled. “We were gathered in the tabernacle when a group of friends and I started to sing an old Laney Wolfe Song, ‘Whatever it Takes.’ We belted out the lyrics, ‘Whatever it takes to draw closer to you, Lord that’s what I’ll be willing to do.’

In hearing that song, Hines felt a strong calling towards a career in ministry. With a new vision, he enrolled at Mount Olive College to pursue that calling. He had great professors and “Legends,” as he called them like Dr. Michael Pelt and Mrs. Lorrelle Martin. Hines excelled in his studies. He completed his first two years at MOC and then transferred to Atlantic Christian College, now Barton College, to complete his baccalaureate degree. During his last semester, a professor asked him where he saw himself in 10 years. Hines replied, “I’m going to chair the MOC Religion Department.”

Every decision that Hines made as a seminary student, and later during his graduate studies, prepared him to become a teacher. In the fall of 1985, Hines joined MOC as an adjunct professor. Three years later he became Director of Education for Christian Ministries. In this role, he had the opportunity to meet many OFWB laypeople as he traveled around the state attending and leading workshops,

David Hines, who plays both guitar and mandolin, often uses music to connect and bridge gaps of both time and age in his classrooms and in the many different churches he has served.

building programs, and attending conferences. In 1995, Hines became a professor. “I just loved the classroom,” he said. “Trying new things and teaching in ways that were a little different from what everybody else was doing has always been a passion of mine.”

“As an educator, you train people to do a skill, but you teach them to think. Likewise, I have encouraged my students to wrestle with evidence and discern fact from fiction. I don’t care what a student thinks; rather, I care about how they got to that point in their thoughts. In my classroom, students must earn the right to an opinion.”

Being empathic is another gift that has served Hines well in the classroom. “I try to understand a struggling student and find a way to connect.” Being concerned over a student’s spiritual formation is a skill that he credits to former colleague Tyanna Yonkers. “When I first started teaching, I wanted students to know how smart I was. Now, as I finish out my career back in the classroom, I am more interested in them knowing I seek to be a Godly person.”

Hines the administrator

Beyond his time in the classroom, Hines’ 36-year career at UMO has included the roles of Chair of the Religion Department, Assistant to the President, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“As an administrator, I think the most effective thing I was able to do was build a really strong Academic Affairs team of deans and directors,” he said. “To me, the real strength of a leader is in building a team of complementary people who can challenge and push you to think. I can also figure out how to get things done, a gift I learned from my dad. Give me the raw material, let me know the outcome, and I will figure out how to get there.”

Hines credits both his dad and his grandad for this problem-solving ability. “I am a hybrid of these two men,” he said.

My maternal grandfather was always my biggest encourager. He could talk the ears off a billy goat. From him, I learned to be an encourager and communicator. My daddy taught me how to think and solve problems.” These skills have served Hines well during his steadily increasing levels of administrative responsibility at UMO.

Hines’ hair

Another trait that came from his dad is Hines’ trademark thick and perfectly groomed hair, which has been the topic of many conversations over the years. However, none is more memorable than a statement made during a Harrison Lecture in the early 1990s. The lecturer said, ‘I would like to thank David Hines for the hospitality. He has that great Baptist hair that you can never forget; once combed, always combed.’” The crowd erupted in laughter. The next day, Hines’ students made a poster to reflect that saying, a fond memory, and a story that Hines likes to tell.

A man of faith

In the words of Hines, “I have been a Free Will Baptist since nine months before I was born.” He was the older of two children born to Barbara and Melvin Hines. He and his sister, Alice, along with their many cousins, were prominent members of the Winterville OFWB Church.

Hines was nine years old when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. “I remember it well,” he said. “It was the third Saturday night in October of 1968. The invitational hymn on that revival night was ‘Only Trust Him.’

The words of the song are still prevalent in his memory. “‘Only trust Him. Only trust Him. He will save you. He will save you now,’” he recalled. “I was young, but I knew that I was asking God to be my Savior.”

Pastor Hines

Hines became a licensed min-

ty (DEQ) for construction of the Maple Creek force main project, which the town has titled the 830 Project. The loan is for $1,884,218, and will go with the existing $800,000 grant, Taylor said. Also at the Aug. 15 meeting, Councilwoman Tasha Herring thanked town employees for helping with Tropical Storm Debby.

“Usually, the streets downtown start flooding faster than anything,” she said. “When I looked downtown, the water was flowing. It was moving so it didn’t flood.”

Mayor Jason Wells echoed those sentiments. “During the storm, we had a lot of folks put in some extra hours,” he said. “The key is getting the water out. … [It] did not flood at all, which says a lot for the amount of rain we got.”

He added that the town should continue seeking funds to help clean out creeks and ditches. “That’s something that we need to continue to work on, even though the storm has passed,” the mayor said.

K. David Hines, University of Mount Olive

ister in January of 1978. The Central Conference of OFWB ordained him on June 7, 1979. He began pastoring his first church, New Sandy Hill OFWB Church when he was just a junior in college. Since then he has served more than a dozen churches as either an interim, lead, or senior pastor. Outside of his ministerial duties, Hines has served the OFWB denomination in many other capacities. He has been Director of General Youth for Cragmont Assembly, Chair of the Scholarship Committee for the North Carolina Foundation of Christian Ministries, and currently presides over the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. He has carried out the duties of these and other positions with a servant’s heart and a humble longing to do what is right and just in the eyes of God. His approach to ministry and life is reflected in his favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4: 1-4 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called…”

The musically gifted David Hines

Music has always been a part of Hines’ life. Born into a musically gifted family, he performed his first duet when he was just six years old. He recalls performing with his sister, and their cousins at churches, civic clubs, and other venues throughout eastern North Carolina in a group called “The Hines Cousins.” In addition to his vocal talents, Hines is widely known as a gifted musician. “For my seventh birthday, my dad bought me my first guitar,” he recalled. Hines plays both the guitar and the mandolin and often uses music to connect and

bridge gaps of both time and age in his classrooms and in the many different churches he has served. “Music crosses all boundaries,” he said.

David Hines the family man

Hines met the love of his life, Teresa Kelly, during his sophomore year at MOC. Classmate Alan Lamm (now Dr. Alan Lamm, a history professor at UMO) introduced the two. “Alan came into my room and told me that he had a girl he wanted me to meet. He said she was a water skier. It just so happened that the weekend before had been Labor Day, and I had just learned to ski barefoot. It was the first time in my life that I felt ‘cool.’ I met Teresa in the lounge of Hart Dorm. We started talking about skiing and we just hit it off. She was the prettiest girl at MOC. We started dating and every jock on campus was wondering why me because I was the certified bookworm nerd and she was Miss Mount Olive College. To me, she is still the prettiest and smartest woman in any room.”

This June marked David and Teresa’s 44th wedding anniversary. The couple are the proud parents of a daughter, Ashley, who is married to their son-inlaw, Orlando Rodriguez. Their pride and joy is their six-yearold granddaughter, Elliott. Retirement plans

Hines officially retired from UMO on May 15, after 36 years of service. He is ready to pass the torch while cherishing the memories and legacy he leaves behind. Entering retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his family, skiing, reading, boating, traveling, using his God-given musical gifts, and serving the Gum Swamp OFWB Church Family. The University of Mount Olive is a private institution roote d in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. Visit umo. edu for more information.

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE

DUPLIN SPORTS

Rebels on solid footing despite losing star power of Armwood

ND rolls on after losing Duplin County’s Offensive Player of the Year

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — North Duplin

was a solid football team last fall.

Yet there were times when running back Dujuan Armwood took over and willed the Rebels to a win.

Like when he scored twice in a 14-13 win over Northside-Pinetown in a game in which he accounted for 149 of the 213 offensive yards the Rebels had that night.

That’s the bad news. The

good news is the rest of last season’s 9-3 team return, including several key defensive players and a couple of runners that will look to provide more offense in lieu of losing Armwood (1,795 yards, 27 touchdowns), Duplin County’s Offensive Player of the Year last season.

Junior running back Carell

Phillips (6-foot-1, 160 pounds) and classmate and fullback Bryan Zambrano (5-8, 172) have matured over the past two seasons and seem prepared to step up their respective games.

Phillips ran for 678 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore after playing in 11

See REBELS, page B2

Regrouping O-line preps for Brown, Lamb and Wilson

An all-new offensive line is in place to block for the ’Dawgs three running backs

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Rebuilding isn’t a word in the vocabulary of Wallace-Rose Hill football.

It should, though, as the Bulldogs’ reputation scares away 2A schools for nonconference games. Yet in the real world, football is about teaching the game

and having players respond with their play on the gridiron.

And perhaps that is where coach Kevin Motsinger, offensive coordinator Adam Scronce and the rest of the staff prove that in teaching comes winning.

High expectations come with the pedigree and tone from Jack Holley, the winningest coach in NCHSAA history for 15 years until 2019. He’s now second.

With that said, no foe is crying for the Bulldogs, who won the ECC last fall but graduated all but four regulars.

If past indications offer a tip, a young ’Dawgs team, sans its

running back core, will once again be a threat in the 2A East Region.

“We look like what we are, young and inexperienced,” said Motsinger, who is also defensive coordinator. “In our scrimmages we made young mistakes early and late.

“But we saw a lot of good things, too. First, we didn’t keep running the same plays that were successful, or we could have run up the score. Instead, we worked on things. Scronce made adjustment and fixed some of them.”

See WRH, page B3

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

From left, Trashawn Ruffin, Luke Kelly, Carell Philipps and Ethan Turnage are returning letter winners who will lead ND this fall.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Irving Brown, who recently committed to play at Ohio University, is the top returning running back at WRH.

JOSEPH DIXON FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Junior Carell Phillips has grown and paid his dues since playing regularly as a freshman.

Davis returns to the field as quarterback exits

The return of ED’s leading rusher is tempered by the loss of quarterback

Branson Norris

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEAULAVILLE — The course of a season can change with one snap of the football, even during the preseason.

Such was the case on Wednesday last week when junior quarterback Branson Norris broke his collarbone during East Duplin’s first and long-awaited scrimmage.

Norris was penciled in as the starter by coach Battle Holley, who now looks to senior Landen Bond, who was slated to be big as a tight end and strong safety.

“He’s one of of best defensive players,” Holley said of Bond. “Branson had worked so hard. So, it was a jolt, after doing things every week to get better. When you lose someone like that for six to eight weeks, we have to regroup and do some shuffling.”

Though ED runs the run-orientated Wing-T offense, qurterback play has been key in the past.

Ironically, junior fullback Shawn Davis had his season cut two games short last season with a broken collarbone after rushing for 1,144 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Davis is ready to reenter prime time and bowl over defenders.

Sophomore Keeshon McKinnie, Jordan Hall and Aaron Hall will use their speed and the misdirection of the offense to find daylight with a line that returns Austin Rouse, Cain Graham, Sydney Lanier, with Luke Hughes and Garrett Sholar, Emauri Hill and Calvin Harper adding additional abil-

ED Football 2024

Aug. 23 @Dixon

Aug. 30 @West Craven

Sept. 6 Richlands

Sept. 13 Croatan

Sept. 20 James Kenan*

Sept. 27 @Kinston* Oct. 4 OPEN

Oct. 11 North Lenoir*

Oct. 18 @South Lenoir*

Oct. 25 Wallace-Rose Hill*

ity in the Panthers’ all-out, everyone-blocks offense that includes split ends and tight ends.

Gavin Jarman starts as the backup quarterback. Gavin Holmes is the starter for the junior varsity team.

“We have a lot of players going both ways, so that will have to be managed,” said Holley, whose team was 10-2 last season after winning its first state title in 2022 by going 15-1.

Holley’s ball-control offense chews time off the clock and keeps the opposition’s offense off the field.

“We have to do all the little things offensively and be satisfied, not having negative plays. And defensively, we need to make tackles and eliminate big plays.”

Hughes, Lanier, Hall power the defense

A ll-Duplin linebacker Luke Hughes will head up defensive coordinator Seth Sandlin’s defense.

Nov. 1 @ Southwest Onslow* ECC Games

NORTH DUPLIN from page B1

games as a freshman.

He’s toted the pig 100 times and is averaging 9.1 yards per carry, getting the bulk with his speed.

Zambrano (432 yards, four TDs) plays much tougher than his size might indicate and is good at hitting holes inside the tackles. He was an effective counterpunch to Outlaw and Phillips.

Other runners to see action include seniors Wesley Holmes (5-10, 165) and Vance Carter (5-10, 165), a JV player last fall, and athletic and solid sophomore Noa Quintanilla (6-2, 202).

Junior Trashawn Ruffin (6-3, 210) will play some tight end, though he’ll be counted upon heavily on defense. Classmate Lucas Dail (5-10, 139) will be there when Ruffin isn’t in the offensive huddle.

The Rebels’ O-line consists of guards Isaac Davis (6-0, 223), Ricky Castro (5-10, 210), with tackles Rahmeal Gates (5-9, 171) and Victor Chilel (5-9, 245).

The return of Gavin McClenny (6-1, 290) will also help. He missed the en-

North Duplin Football 2024

Aug. 23 Southside

Aug. 29 @ Northside

Sept. 13 @Lejeune

Sept. 20 Dixon

Sept. 27 Alleghany

Oct. 4 Bear Grass

Oct. 11 Lakewood

Oct. 18 @ Union

Oct. 25 Rosewood

Nov. 1 @Hobbton

ND (112-99 from 2006-23, East Duplin (18-23 from 1990-93).

Jordan Hall will also be a playmaker as a linebacker.

Sydney Lanier, Harper and Davis give ED bulk on the defensive line, which will also get production from Jacauri Hill, Javarious Dawson, Jack Tuck and Allen Stukes.

Bond, Colton Holmes and Aaron Hall play strong safety/ outside linebackers in the defense.

JP Murphy and McKinnie roam as free safeties, while Tucker Carson, Ryan Jenkins, Ball and Dwayne Davis will play at cornerback spots.

Holley, who is 149-53 overall and 118-45 in Beulaville, forces teams to play at ED’s pace. He’s concerned about mistakes and penalties.

“We had seven bad penalties in two scrimmages,” he said. We’re not that good of a ball club to withstand that. We need to work on our fundamentals. We’ll find out Friday exactly where we are.”

ED, which has won the ECC two of the previous three sea-

Coach: Battle Holley Career Record: 149-53. WRH (9-4 in 2007), Kinston (22-6 from 2008-09), ED (118-45 from 2011-23). He is 16th in career wins among current N.C. coaches. He is 135th all-time. Led ED to its first state final in 2017 and its first state title in 2022. Has coached in five East Region finals. Assistant Coaches: Brian Aldridge, Seth Sandlin (DC), Slade Brown, Scott Kennedy, Cameron Cottle, Scott Kennedy Record in 2023: 10-2, second in ECC

Key Returnees: Jr. RB Shawn Davis (1,141yards, 18 TDs); So. RB/DB Keeshon McKinnie (40

tire 2023 season after suffering an injury in the opening game.

Junior Carson Barwick (5-5, 189) will play center. Senior Allen Balencia (5-7, 155) will be seeking playing time on the line that runs Martin’s Wing-T offense.

Ruffin, Castro, Gates and Davis comprise ND’s defensive line.

“Our lines are experienced enough to have a good understanding of what we do and the technique needed and what we expect,” Martin said. “Across the board they’ve improved their strength in the weight room.”

Junior Ethan Turnage (6-0, 187) was a beast at linebacker and will be a leader and anchor.

Zambrano, and Austin Wolf (57, 150), Phillips and Holmes are safeties, and Anthony Kornegay (5-7, 148) is at one corner opposite either Holden Williams (5-10, 160) or Victor Mata (5-10, 145).

Junior Jose Juarez (5-9, 180) will handle the place-kicking duties, and Quintanilla punts the ball.

ND was a win over Lakewood away from claiming the Carolina Confer-

State titles: 1972 Notable: Went to 1A title games under Martin in 2007 and 2017. Martin was assistant coach at 2023 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. He is 27th in all-time wins among current N.C. coaches.

Coaching Staff: Brad Rhodes, Cody Langston, Grant Lee, Daniel Cates, Wilfredo Puac. Key Losses: RB Dujuan Armwood, TE Thomas Morrisey, WB-PK Brenden Reyna, LB Kamari Leak, OL/DL Oscar Romero. Key Returnees: Jr. RB Carrell Phillips (74 carries, 687 yards, 8 TDs, 53 tackles); Sr. RB/LB Brian Zambarano (100-442, 4 TDs); Sr. QB/DB Luke Kelly passing: 7-12, 202

sons, opens with trips to Dixon and West Craven before returning to Brian Aldridge Field to face Richlands on Sept. 6.

The Panthers also host games against Duplin rivals Wallace-Rose Hill and James Kenan.

ED enters as the obvious ECC favorite, though WRH, even with a new offensive line, is a fraction off the pace.

The two schools have contested many one-possession games in the past three seasons, including the Bulldogs’ 20-14 overtime win last fall. That contest, previewed to be the Game of the Year in Duplin until further notice, is Oct. 25.

ED lost 28-7 at Whiteville in the second round of the postseason last fall without Davis.

The Panthers are two steps ahead of every other ECC school, which includes JK after ED’s equally dominating 28-7 win last season. And even Southwest Onslow, which is slowly rising from a four-year slump.

tackles); Sr. LB Luke Hughes (121 tackles); Sr. LB Landon Bond; Sr. G/LB Calvin Harper (51 tackles); Sr. LB/RB Jordan Hall (115 tackles) The Skinny: ED has a chance to be unbeaten in regular season, especially if the offense continues to grow and defense matures. Look for Davis to take over the offense. ED has a way of transforming normal O-linemen into super blockers, also working in a team concept under defensive coordinator Seth Sadlin. Holly is the architect of the Wing-T offense. Few do it better. ED was 10-2 during a “rebuilding” season that followed the school’s first state title.

ence last fall. Both tied at 4-1 and the Leopards took the league’s No. 1 seed for the playoffs.

Martin anticipates close games throughout the season.

“Our ability to move and keep possession of the ball will be very important,” he said.

ND’s two biggest nonconference tilts come in the first two weeks, first at home against Chocowinity Southside, then on the road against Southside’s rival Northside-Pinetown, from across the Pamlico River.

“This group has been very committed, as last year’s group was,” Martin said. “We’ve had outstanding participation in summer and spring. Right now we’re learning to play together and be a team.”

Yet Martin feels his team isn’t in the best condition due to the scrimmage and practice limitations brought about last week by Hurricane Debby.

“In football, you have to play yourself into shape, getting used to the contact. I can’t run their legs off trying to get them used to the physicality of the games.”

yards, 5 TDs; rushing: 38-109 yards, 4 TDs); Jr. DL/OL Trashawn Ruffin (52 tackles); Sr. OL/DL/LB Issac Davis (54 tackles); LB Austin Wolfe (60 tackles); Sr. LB Wesley Holmes (72 tackles); Jr. LB Ethan Turnage (97 tackles); Sr. LB Anthony Kornegay (34 tackles); Sr. DB Branson Martin (29 tackles).

The Skinny: As usual, early games against Northside and Southside are key. ND won both last season and had a solid victory over Rosewood. Martin and his staff have a number of returning players, some of which will have different roles or play different positions. Ruffin, Turnage, Davis and Kornegay are very solid prep defensive players. Kelly has been a starter for the previous three seasons. Phillips must step up offensively. No

MICHAEL JAENICKE

Mistake-prone Crusaders implode in rough setback to Covenant Day

HCA struggled in all facets in a 28-6 loss to Covenant Day

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

HARRELLS — Harrells Christian did everything right to lose a 28-6 opener against Covenant Day last Friday at Murphy-Johnson Field in Harrells. And to a man, the Crusaders knew it walking off the field. Here is a capsule look at the trouble the Crusaders put themselves into.

• HCA fumbled the ball six

The sun on the faces of his young players could shine quickly.

“I’m excited about what we can do,” said Motsinger, who is 165-81 for his career and 68-24 at WRH, which includes a 2A title in 2017 and a run to the 2A final in 2021. “We’re very athletic and we’ve got the ‘want-to’ be a little better each day.”

Line ’em up for work in the trenches

W RH lost its entire offensive line and will regroup with seniors Jarard Smith (5-foot-11, 202 pounds) at right guard, Mason Diers (5-11, 198) at center and Tyvann Williams (6-1, 314) at left tackle.

Junior Christian Scarlett (6-6, 309) is at right tackle with classmate Aspen Brown (6-2, 209) at left guard.

More reinforcements come from junior Shane Miller (5-7, 244), senior Avery Murray (6-1, 256) and sophomore Adrian Allen (5-11, 311).

Senior Dane Turner (6-1, 172) will play tight end.

Showcase backfield in constant motion

Yet WRH’s backfield is stacked as usual.

It starts with Irving Brown (5-10, 202), who ran for 1,696 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall.

The senior recently committed to play Division I football for the Ohio University Bobcats.

“He’s a phenomenal player and we know what to expect,” Motsinger said. “He’s a great running back

times in the opening half, losing possession four times.

• HCA ran the ball 41 times for just 151 yards and got only 10 other yards of offense.

• HCA could not put significant pressure on quarterback Logan Misocky, who hit on 11 of 21 for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Teddy Helton also fooled the Cru by tossing a 1-yard score.

• HCA fumbled on fourthand-1 near midfield, fumbled following a Lions score that made it 7-0 and then again on the kickoff after it was 140. Three plays later it was 21-0 with 3:14 left in the second quarter.

• HCA finally got its ground game going in the third quarter as Jarrod Miller scored from the 4, but the PAT was blocked.

• The final quarter was almost as agonizing for Crusader fans as HCA punted following two penalties that killed one drive and went three-and-out on its other possession.

Eli Hardison paced the running attack with 39 yards on six carries. J’Kaeshi Brunson added 35 on nine totes, and Miller and Demetrius Jones combined for 59 yards on 19 carries.

HCA travels to face Wayne Christian on Aug. 30.

and an even better kid and human being.”

Flanking him will be upstart back Jamarae Lamb (5-11, 183), a junior who went for 839 yards and eight scores last season.

“Great vision, great feet, and I feel ‘Bubba’ is a Division I runner,” said Motsinger, who guided Javonte Williams to UNC and Kanye Roberts to Appalachian State.

Motsinger is also ecstatic about the return of senior running back Lonnie Wilson (5-7, 153), who was effective as a sophomore but did not play his junior season.

“He’s faster than any kid I’ve had since Brandon Satchell at James Kenan,” said Motsinger, who revived programs at the Warsaw school and at New Hanover. “We’re so happy to have him back in the ’Dawg pound.”

Jamari Carr (5-7, 165), Khalil Willis-Mathis (5-11, 188) and Darrius McCrimmon (5-9, 163) could also get handoffs from quarterbacks Matthew Wells (5-11, 177), a junior, and sophomore Adrian Glover (5-9, 158).

“We’ve had to replace a quarterback during the season the last three years,” Motsinger said. “So both will be playing.”

Dane Turner (6-1, 172) will work at tight end, with Kam Thomas (5-10, 165), Marlo Harris (5-9, 158) and DaShawn Fennell (5-6, 146), Willis-Mathis and Jamari Shaw (5-7, 163) rotating at split end.

Many ’Dawgs playing offense and defense

W RH’s method of destroying teams via its running from the Wing-T attack is legendary, while

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Alex Zepeda

WRH, soccer

Alex Zepeda is up to his old tricks.

And this time, he pulled off two hat tricks in consecutive wins over Southern Wayne (5-1) and Hobbton (5-0), the defending East Region champ in the 1A classification.

Zepeda, Mr. Soccer and an all-state striker, had 45 goals last fall to help Wallace-Rose Hill win the ECC title and advance to the third round of the state tournament for the first time as a 2A school.

The Bulldogs senior is one of the leaders on a team that lost a flock of players off a 17-5-2 squad that went unbeaten in ECC play to topple three-time defending champ James Kenan.

its defense has been regarded more along the lines of getting big stops at key moments.

Murray, Tyvann Williams, Allen and Scarlett will perform double-duty as two-way linemen for Motsinger’s defense and Scronce’s offense.

Motsinger is expecting solid play on his defensive line and from linebackers Devon Sloan (5-11, 168) Jerard Smith (5-11, 202), Jeremiah Baker (6-3, 188), Turner and Brown. Brown and Harris will be starting cornerbacks. Jamari Carr, Wilson, Lamb, Wells and Glover will rotate at safety.

Soccer player and senior Cesar Peria-Fuentes (5-6, 166) will handle the place-kicking duties.

First three games are battles

Motsinger is concerned about his team not cracking early. WRH opens with a trip to Havelock on Friday.

“If we survive the first four weeks is the first test,” Motsinger said. “Havelock ought to win the 3A championship. The biggest thing is for us to continue to get better.”

While WRH did not peak last year with a 55-24 loss to Hertford County in the second round of the 2A playoffs, the Bulldogs have six state crowns and a few visits to other East Region finals on their resume beginning in 2009.

The current standard shows WRH having a chance at making the fifth round or East Region final. It’s a difficult pace to maintain for even the best programs in the state.

And WRH and current top rival ED (it used to be JK) are both in that category.

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Dashaun McKoy and HCA had trouble running inside and outside the Covenant Day defense.

WRH from page B1

MICHAEL JAENICKE / DUPLIN JOURNAL

JAMES KENAN FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Grady tinkers with Tigers’ offense, mental focus

Entering his fourth season at JK, the coach is hoping to clean house and alter the offensive attack

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Tim Grady is the athletics director and football coach at James Kenan High School.

And after a disappointing 1816 loss to Wilson Beddingfield in the first round of the 2A playoffs last season, Grady took on another title: Cleanup man by sweeping the program of on- and off-thefield players who were not assets in practice, in the locker room or on campus.

His clean-start, do-it-the-Tigerway approach has trimmed JK’s roster, yet he’s loving how foes have downgraded his team to the underdog tag.

“We’re cutting the nonsense as we’ve been hit by a lot of immaturity,” said the longtime coach at Charity Middle who is 21-12 in three seasons at his alma mater (Class of 2000).

“We’ve had a lack of leadership, and it cost us big-time last year. We discussed this right after Beddingfield, and our kids were the ones who noticed the lack of discipline. They saw the damage to our group.

“It took away from special moments and we can’t get that back. This team wants that to change that.”

Fourth Avent QB emerges as single wing is scrapped

The Tigers went 6-5 overall and 3-3 in ECC play last fall. Key losses in the ECC to Southwest Onslow, East Duplin and Wallace-Rose Hill prevented further growth after JK had gone 9-3 in 2022 — its best mark since logging 12-2 in 2015 — and 6-4 in its comeback season of 2021 in Grady’s first season.

His team will scrap the single-wing offense as junior quarterback Eli Avent (5-foot-8, 155 pounds) becomes the fourth Avent to be a Duplin County signal caller. He follows his brother JT and cousin Ken III as Tiger quarterbacks in the past decade, plus his father John Bert Avent and uncle Ken Jr., who quarterbacked for their father, Ken Sr., who himself was a twoway Rebels tackle from 1957-60.

John Bert Avent returns as defensive coordinator, a post he has held most years since brother Ken Jr. arrived as head coach 2006.

While the Tigers will throw the ball, often in the flank to such players as senior Tyquise Wilson (5-9, 172) and juniors David Zeleya (6-0, 175) and CJ Hill (5-10, 170), they will also rely on heavily on a smashmouth running attack.

The running backs start with

senior Josh Mitchell (5-11, 185) and junior Zamarion Smith (5-8, 170), the latter of whom missed most of last season with an injury, and surprising junior Jeremiah Hall (5-8, 168).

JK’s skill players will depend on the muscle and movement of linemen Dakota Henderson (6-3, 220), Denarrio Bailey (5-10, 250) and Jeremiah Medlin (6-0, 220), though the power of tight end Hassan Kornegay (6-3, 202) and Hunter Whitman (6-4, 200) will also run over defenders.

“Nobody works harder in practice than Eli, who does workouts nobody sees,” Grady said of his quarterback.

“Josh is tough as nails after growing up. Smith’s very fast, and I’m thrilled to have him back. And Jeremiah has real leadership skills, is fast and has good vision.”

Tigers’ defense looks fast and improved

The first word out of most fans’ mouths about defense is by mentioning Kornegay, the ECC and Duplin County Defensive Player of the Year last season.

But there are several other tough guys in front of and beside the middle linebacker.

Kornegay will have to be double-teamed, which will empower outside ’backers Ty Morrisey (5-10, 205), Mitchell, Smith and Hall as JK will have more two-way players than in the previous three seasons.

Henderson and Denarrio will be going full bore on both lines. Newcomer Alex Vazquez (6-3, 240) is a sophomore with size and potential on the D-line.

Zeleya, Hill, Wilson and newcomer Terrell Allen (5-10, 170) will be counted on in the secondary.

“The discipline of the defense and offense are key,” Grady said. “We’ve had far too many penalties that have hurt us in the past on both sides of the ball and some in dead-ball situations.”

Grady said the Tigers will use speed as a weapon.

“We’re going to play fast and eliminate (opponents’) big plays, foolish penalties and holding and presnap flags,” he said.

“I see a fire in John Bert’s eyes again. With no disrespect to anyone, we’ve not played well defensively the last seven to eight years.” We’ve got some kids that understand what is expected.”

JK opens on Friday with a trip to Swansboro. The Tigers then have tough games against former ECC foe Midway and Whiteville.

“I think our strength is up front, and that we’ll be overlooked and that’s a wonderful thing,” Grady said. “I’ve said it before, but people won’t be in awe when we walk on the field. But I think if we don’t have injuries, we’ll show them with our play.”

TIGER ROSTER

JK Football 2024

Aug. 23 @Swansboro

Aug. 30 @Midway

Sept. 6 Whiteville

Sept. 13 East Bladen

Sept. 20 @ East Duplin*

Sept. 27 OPEN

Oct. 4 South Lenoir*

Oct. 11 Kinston*

Oct. 18 @ North Lenoir*

Oct. 25 Southwest Onslow*

Nov. 1 @Wallace-RH*

*Conference game

Record 2023: 6-5 overall, fifth in ECC

Coach: Tim Grady

Career Record: JK (21-12 from 2021-23)

Coaching Staff: John Bert Avent, Tyler Pugh, Ken Avent III, Lee Sutton, John Thomas Avent.

State titles: 1960, 2007, 2013

Key Returnees: Sr. LB Hasaan Kornegay,; Sr.

RB Josh Mitchell; Jr. RB Zamarion Smith; Jr. RB David Zeleya; Sr. RB Tyquise Wilson; Jr. QB Eli Avent; Sr. OL/DL Dakota Henderson.

The Skinny: JK leaves the single-wing attack for an offense more in line with the Wing-T. The arrival of Avent signals a new way of thinking for Grady, who will call the plays with Tyler Pugh after the departure of Randy Pugh. Longtime defensive coach John Bert Avent returns. JK has a stable of running backs, solid lines and Kornegay, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year in the ECC and Duplin County. How good its defense plays will be monumental. Being 4-0 or at least 3-1 entering a Sept. 20 ECC-opening matchup against East Duplin could be a setup for an upset for the Tigers. They close with SWO and WRH, and the

EXECUTOR 513 W. JAMES ST. MOUNT OLIVE, NC 28365 Run dates: A1,8,15,22p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000277

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.

GREGORY MCKIVER, COADMINISTRATOR 2665 S NC 903 HWY MAGNOLIA, NC 28453

LOUELLA SAVAGE MCKIVER, COADMINISTRATOR 506 BOXWOOD LANE, APT.C GOLDSBORO, NC 27534

Run dates: A8,15,22,29p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000154

The undersigned SANDRA G. SWINSON, having qualified on the 30TH day of APRIL, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ROBERT ANTHONY SWINSON, 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 24th 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 22nd Day of August, 2024.

SANDRA G. SWINSON, ADMINISTRATOR 881 NORWOOD EZZELL RD. MT. OLIVE, NC 28365

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#2024E000314

The undersigned, RANDY M. WILLIAMS AND/OR VICKY

MICHAEL JAENICKE/DUPLIN JOURNAL

Standing from left, Josh Mitchell, Dakota Henderson, David Zeyela, Hassan Kornegay and, kneeling from left, Jeremiah Hall, Eli Avent and Ty Morrisey will be leaders for JK this fall.

Forest Gene Parker

Nov. 15, 1942 – Aug. 12, 2024 (age 81)

Forest Gene Parker, a lifelong North Carolinian, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 11 surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Parker is the son of Jacob Franklin Parker Sr. and Lucy Elizabeth Brooks Parker. Preceding him in death are his son, Forest Gene Parker II, siblings Fred Milton Parker, Durwood Lee Paker, Margaret Louise Farrior, Mildred Alene Schineller, Mary Frances Nitschke, Jacob Franklin Parker Jr., Ernestine Mae Hoffmann, Ruth Gray Parker, Joseph Charles Parker, Jenieva Dee Albrycht, and Judy Brooks Parker.

Mr. Parker is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Parker; daughters, Carolyn Carr (Bill) and Amy Boyette (Mike); grandchildren, Brice Carr (Courtney), Gibson Carr (Misty), Tyler Parker and Blake Boyette; greatgrandchildren, Hunter Carr, Sloan Carr, Reese Carr and Mila Carr; his siblings, Ruby Parker-Merritt of Sumter, South Carolina, and Roger Parker of Rose Hill; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene resided in Rose Hill all of his life, growing up on a family farm where everyone learned to pitch in and pull their own weight. Sometime after marrying the love of his life, Elizabeth (“Liz”), Gene found his true calling as a first-class lineman. He performed his job exceptionally for 42 years, with some coworkers citing him as the strongest man they’d ever worked alongside.

Although his work is certainly a pivotal part of his story, there was much more to Gene. For one, he was a devout outdoorsman who loved to immerse himself in nature whenever possible. He liked to fish and loved to hunt, but he also didn’t mind simply basking in the picturesque scenery that gave life to his beloved property (from the herds of white tails to the flocks of turkeys that roamed the fields alongside his home).

If Gene wasn’t outside then you could almost certainly catch him enjoying a western of some kind, which was far and away his favorite genre. Whether it was a random re-run of “Gunsmoke” or one of his many John Wayne DVDs, Gene could tell you just about every detail of a movie (right down to what a character would be about to say onscreen). In addition to his impressive selection of movies that he was extremely proud of, Gene also collected guns, knives, watches, Ford cars, audiobooks, picture books, and of course the trophies from his hunts.

Above all else, Gene enjoyed “making memories” with his family, whether that was here in Rose Hill or in Winston-Salem and living his life in service of the Lord.

There was a visitation Thursday, Aug. 15, followed by a service at Rose Hill Baptist Church.

Victoria Renee Lyon

March 21, 1993 – Aug. 9, 2024 (age 31)

ROSE HILL — Ms. Victoria Renee Lyons, age 31, of Rose Hill (the Greenevers Community) passed away on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte.

A visitation of family and friends was held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at The Mount Church, 272 Cole Swamp Road in Chinquapin, followed by the funeral service. Burial followed at Pickett Family Cemetery in Wallace (the Deep Bottom Community).

She leaves to cherish her precious memories: mother, Stephanie Kenion of Rose Hill; father, James E. Lyons Jr. of Clinton, Mississippi; maternal biological grandmother, Marcylene White of Castle Hayne; paternal grandparents: Dr. James Lyons Sr. (Jocelyn) of Atlanta, Georgia; stepfather, Clayton Patterson of Greensboro; two stepbrothers: Jaylon and Jaden Lyons of Clinton, Mississippi; three aunts, three uncles; numerous great aunts and great uncles, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

William Paul Newmons

July 20, 1947 – Aug. 12, 2024 (age 77)

William Paul Newmons, 77, passed away peacefully on Aug. 12, 2024, while a resident of South Point Rehabilitation in Durham. Born on July 20, 1947, he is the son of the late Nathan Paul and Sally Christine Wiley Newmons. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Newmons; siblings, Edward Earl Newmons and Kenneth Wayne Newmons; and sister-in-law, Willa Newmons. Left to cherish his memory are children, Paula Newmons of Winton and Sarah Coats of Ahoskie; siblings, Ernest Edgar Newmons and wife Deborah of Willard, Jessie Ray Newmons of Wallace, and Michael Lynn Ezzell of Wallace; and sister-in-law, Toni Newmons of Willard.

Mr. Newmons was born in Duplin County and spent his childhood there. Then enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 19, where he spent the next two years. After departing the army, he worked at Rose Hill Poultry solving maintenance issues during the major part of his work career. Many hours of his free time were spent in deer hunting, which he dearly loved.

A graveside service to celebrate his life was set for Aug. 16, 2024, in the Devotional Gardens Cemetery in Warsaw.

Ray Carroll Smith

March 30, 1942 –Aug. 12, 2024 (age 82)

Ray Carroll Smith, 82, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in ECU Heath Medical Center, Greenville.

Visitation was Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Funeral service was Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at Beulaville Baptist Church in Beulaville. Interment followed at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Patsy A. Smith of Beulaville; sons, Johnnie Smith (Jimi) of Beulaville, Eric Smith (Doreen) of Beulaville; sister, Janice Lanier of Beulaville; grandchildren, Johnathan Smith, Johnna Whitley, Logan Albertson and Ransom Smith; greatgrandchildren, Codi Jane Smith and Branch Whitley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kennedy Home in Kinston or Beulaville Baptist Church Building Fund.

Margaret Reder Kenan

Feb. 22, 1934 – Aug. 12, 2024 (age 90)

Margaret Reder Kenan, 90, of Rose Hill peacefully submitted to the Master’s will and entered into her eternal rest on the afternoon of Aug. 12, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, Kenansville.

A Homegoing Service was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at New Christian Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Rose Hill. Visitation was held Friday night, Aug.16, 2024 at New Christian Chapel MB Church. Interment was in the New Christian Chapel MB Church Cemetery.

Kenneth Lee Heath

July 7, 1950 – Aug. 13, 2024 (age 74)

Kenneth Lee Heath, 74, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 at the Southwood Nursing and Rehab Center, Clinton. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary Lee Heath.

Funeral service was held on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3553 NC 111 Highway., Albertson, NC 28508. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, Pink Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Zandra Gail Raynor Heath of Pink Hill; sons, William Anthony “Tony” Heath (Crystal) of Pink Hill, Alex Bret Heath (Shalyn) of Littleton, Colorado, Jamie Lee Heath, Lone Tree, Colorado; daughters, Amanda Gail Aycock (Ryan) of Fremont and Mary Leanne Stainback (Nick) of Wilmington; 15 grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren.

William “Billy” Joseph Aman

Aug. 31, 1936 – Aug. 15, 2024 (age 87)

BEULAVILLE — William “Billy” Joseph Aman, age 87, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at Autumn Village in Beulaville. Billy was born on Aug. 31, 1936, in Jacksonville, to Versie Brown Aman and William Henry Aman.

He graduated from Jacksonville Senior High School in 1954 and enlisted in the US Army. After his time in the Army, he enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard and proudly served for 36 years until he retired. He was the District Engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, working Pender County and then Onslow County for 32 years. He was a Master Mason at both Beulaville and Jacksonville Masonic Lodges.

He loved racing cars, playing his guitar, cooking, mowing his yard, playing Bingo and Bridge, traveling the US, Canada, and Europe (which was his favorite) with Myrtle, and taking his granddaughter Reagan for rides in his convertible.

Mr. Aman is survived by his wife, Myrtle McClain Aman of Beulaville; daughter, Jennifer Aman-Heim and husband Clay of Jacksonville; son, Jonathan Aman and wife Nicole of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Dana McClain and husband Frankie of Beulaville; and daughter, Deedee McClain and husband Vince of New Brunswick, Canada; granddaughter, Reagan ReedMontague and husband Sam of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; grandson, John Adams of Jacksonville, Florida; and granddaughter, Queen Adams of Denton, Texas.

Billy’s family would like to thank Autumn Village Assisted Living and Liberty Home Care & Hospice Services for their care and support during his illness, and ministers Bartley Wooten and Debbie Summerlin.

Funeral service was Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at Serenity Funeral Home, with visitation one hour before service. Graveside service followed at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

Elsie Russell Lanier

Sept. 23, 1953 – Aug. 12, 2024 (age 70)

Elsie Russell Lanier, 70, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. Graveside service was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at Cole Cemetery, Cole Swamp Road, Chinquapin. Survivors include: daughters, Angela Conn (Jermiah) of Holly Ridge, Crystal Cannady (Robert) of Beulaville; sisters, Jeanette Surcey of Chinquapin, Judy Williams (Billy) of Beulaville, Sue Williams of Beulaville; brother, Tommy Brown of Castle Hayne; grandchildren, Stetson Prater, Justin Conn, Isabella Conn and Erin Novak.

Shawn Dale Davis

May 1, 1988 – Aug. 15, 2024 (age 36)

Shawn Dale Davis, 36, of Rose Hill, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, from a tragic auto accident in Harrells.

He was born on May 1, 1988, in Wilmington; the son of Shelia Gail Heath Colbert of Rocky Mount and James Dale Davis of Rose Hill. Shawn was also preceded in death by his sister, Amanda Colbert.

Surviving in addition to his parents is his son, Skylar Eli Evans of Rose Hill; his brothers, Anthony Davis, Robert Woodcock and wife Amanda of Seven Springs, Joshua Davis of Rose Hill, Zachary Davis and wife Karena of Magnolia, Allen Ray Heath of Florida; sister, Heavenly Thornton of Rose Hill; his “Mom” Kimberly Davis of Rose Hill and stepfather, John Colbert of Rocky Mount; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who loved Shawn dearly.

Shawn was a loving son and caring father who loved his family with all his heart. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family. With a big heart and love for others, Shawn would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He enjoyed going to church and always knew God was with him. Those who knew and loved Shawn will surely miss him, but treasured memories of him will remain in their hearts forever.

Funeral arrangements were not announced as of press time.

Elsie

Hollingsworth

Herring

Dec. 23, 1937 – Aug.12, 2024 (age 86)

Mrs. Elsie Hollingsworth

Herring, 86, long time resident of the Rones Chapel community near Mount Olive, passed away early Monday morning, Aug. 12, 2024, at her home.

Born in Sampson County, she graduated with the class of 1956 from Halls High School. Aside from being a homemaker, she had been employed at Butterball for a number of years

Mrs. Herring is survived by her son, David Carroll Herring, of the home; two nieces, Phyllis Davis Burke of Jeffersonton, Virginia, and Lizette Gunkel of Florida; and a nephew, Jeffrey Davis of Manassas, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie F. and Thelma Thornton Hollingsworth; and her siblings, Magdaline H. Davis, David Hollingsworth, Annette Hollingsworth, Daniel Hollingsworth, and Minva Hollingsworth.

Visitation was Thursday, Aug. 15, at Tyndall Funeral Home. Private graveside services were at Wayne Memorial Park.

Gary Allen Bass

Dec. 25, 1955 – Aug. 16, 2024 (age 68)

ROSE HILL — Gary Allen Bass, 68, passed away early Friday morning, Aug. 16, 2024 at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation in Warsaw. Gary was born Dec. 25, 1955 in Duplin County to Alvin Joe Bass and the late Edna Gray Mathis Bass.

Visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024 at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church and a funeral service followed, with burial concluding the service in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Gary is survived by his father, Alvin Joe Bass of Rose Hill; stepdaughter, CeCelia Ann Costin (Nick) of Currie; three grandchildren, Ethan Timothy Bracken of Magnolia, Tyler Gray Bracken of Castle Hayne, and Amelia Ann Bracken of Currie; and numerous cousins.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Gray Mathis Bass; stepson, Dylan Gray Costin; and brother, Alvin Harold Bass.

Erma June

Baker Watkins

May 3, 1952 – Aug. 17, 2024 (age 72)

Erma June Baker Watkins, 72, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center.

Funeral service was Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, with visitation following. Interment was Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at A.H. Batchelor Cemetery, Richlands.

Survivors include: spouse, L.J. Watkins of Richlands; sons, Donnie (Tonia) Watkins of Richlands; daughters, Ashley (Jimmy) McGovern of Richlands; sister, Rebecca (Pat) Shivar of Pink Hill; grandchildren, Kamrey Watkins, Karley Watkins, Cash McGovern, Kynsley McGovern.

control, and obviously with Teachey being pretty small, we have limited capacity to handle those issues,” said Jones. “We don’t have the capacity to serve these animals and to have our own animal control officers, but also on the other end of the spectrum, we can’t have horses and cows in half-acre and quarter-acre lots. No. 1, that could be quite a nuisance in the town. No. 2, I doubt it’s very humane to have a herd of cows in a quarter-acre lot. And so that’s what we would be having if we adopted the county’s ordinance.” Jones added he was looking forward to working with the county to find a solution.

“It’s not just my municipality. It’s not just Mayor Connors’ municipality. There are multiple ones and some of them aren’t represented here,” Jones said. “But I’ve had conversations with multiple mayors and town managers that this has been an ongoing issue.

“While I don’t think it’s fair to add any tax or any fee to someone who lives in Teachey or someone who lives in Warsaw, just to get the extra animal service that the same resident in the county is getting. I do understand that money moves things. And I do understand that in order to create a solution, that may be a possibility. But at the end of the day, I want to know what the specifics are for that, what you guys are thinking so that we

Books & Friends closes its doors

on Monday he announced the change of plans.

Charles Stephen Turner

Sept. 28, 1966 – Aug. 16, 2024 (age 57)

Charles (Steve) Turner, 57, passed away on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 at Duke University Medical Center, Durham. Funeral service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024 at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville, with visitation following. Interment will be on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 at Mercer Family Cemetery, Pink Hill.

Survivors include: spouse, Maria A. Turner of Pink Hill; parents, L.C. and Barbara Turner of Pink Hill; son, Aaron (Nuha) Garnica of California; daughters, Yesenia (Dustin) Sanderson of Pink Hill, Guadalupe (Nicolas) Garnica of Pink Hill; sister, Angi (Joey) Kennedy of Pink Hill; grandchildren, Jose Hernandez, Aiden Hernandez, Bentley Covarrubias, Josiah Sanderson, Leo Garnica.

Thoren Franklin Sumner

Dec. 3, 1966 – Aug. 17, 2024 (age 57)

Thoren Franklin Sumner, 57, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in UNC Wayne Hospital, Goldsboro.

Funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, with visitation at 10 a.m. at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Interment will follow in Whaley Family Cemetery, 107 Baker Road, Pink Hill.

Survivors include: parents, Billy Sumner of Benson and Kay Holland (Tom) of Chinquapin; brother, Tony Sumner of Hampstead.

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

BOOKS & FRIENDS in downtown Wallace is now officially closed. Mark Grady, author and owner of Books & Friends, announced the closing of the bookstore located at 113 N. College St. in Wallace last week. Originally, Grady had planned to keep the bookshop open until Aug. 31, but

“Things are changing and happening much faster than I anticipated after announcing the closure of the bookshop. Since the next few weeks will likely result in bookshelves and large items being moved, I believe it would be safer to go ahead and officially close,” wrote Grady.

The Wallace business owner made the initial announcement on a social media post explaining the reason for his decision.

“It was not an easy decision at all. I opened the bookshop almost two years ago. I have

met many great people and have become a mentor of sorts to several young folks in town. That last part was the most difficult in making my decision,” wrote Grady, explaining that the bookshop never had a profitable month since its opening in 2022.

“I kept the bookshop operating with funds from my other income. That was seriously affected after the writer’s strike the end of last year,” wrote Grady. “I’m sad, but also a little frustrated. This small town supports six vape shops, but rarely buys a book. What a sad reflection on our society.”

In his announcement Grady thanked the support of patrons who were regulars at the bookshop and closed asking parents to encourage reading.

“Please encourage your children to read. It’s one thing that can definitely change their lives for the best,” Grady wrote.

if there’s 2.5 people per home on average, then it would be an addition of 518 people to the town city limits. If there’s three people in the home, it would be 609 people, which would be a 130% growth in population.”

During the public hearing on the rezoning and annexation, Friendly Acres resident Candace Knowles expressed concerns about drainage and how it might affect her neighborhood. “We already have water approaching on our back lots,” Knowles stated. “Our concern is, are the developers going to drain it properly? Is either the town or the county going to dredge the ditches? If you get 200-something homes, all that drainage has to go somewhere.”

Ben Jones attended the meeting on behalf of the developer, River Landing Builders. He said that a beaver trapper has been through the area to try to identify and destroy dams that may cause some drainage issues. However, the design process has not started yet, he said, because the builders wanted to get the annexation and rezoning approval before beginning that.

“We haven’t designed the lots and we haven’t designed the drainage system yet,” Jones said. “So I’m not even sure how the water’s going to run or where we’re going to dump the water.”

He added that he would definitely take Knowles’ concerns into account. “We’re not trying to build homes and flood everybody out. We’re trying to figure it out ourselves. We do not want to create problems, we want to create solutions.”

The mayor pointed out that it’s important for the town and River Landing Builders to build a relationship now so that any issues can be addressed quickly.

“Any issues that arise are going to be on us, the town of Teachey,” Mayor Jones said.

“We want to make sure we’re not putting anybody in jeopardy of having any natural disaster cause them any issues or any problems with their homes. We’re excited for the growth, but want to make sure we’re doing it the right way as well.”

Later in the meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved the annexation request, as well as the rezoning.

A public hearing on another rezoning request, this one for a

parcel on Page Street, was set for next month’s meeting. The mayor recused himself from the discussion, since he owns property on Page Street. In other business, the board also discussed the purchase of a utility trailer and safety lights for the Public Works Department. Zoning and Public Works Director James Parker said he had shopped around for a utility trailer, with the best price so far at $2,499. He also had a price of $3,875 for the lights. Because neither item is budgeted, the board will have to discuss and approve budget amendments at a future meeting to make the purchase.

The town is also receiving a new Christmas tree in the coming weeks, and the board discussed possibly moving the tree lighting ceremony up to November, rather than having it at the December town board meeting. Commissioner Ronnie Pope also said the town could give the old tree to the fire department for them to post out front during the holiday season. The discussion will continue at the next meeting.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

can move forward with this.

I’ve been in office for eight months and it’s been an ongoing issue every month. ... So, if we can open the case, close the case and move forward and be proactive with other issues, I would most appreciate your time and efforts and energy and working with us as municipalities for that.

“Whether it’s developing an amendment to the current or -

dinance municipality specific, or it’s us adopting that or it’s a fee for service type of situation.

I’m all ears.”

In other business

• The board adopted a resolution against bullying presented by the Revs. Michael C. McDougald and James H. Faison III, both with Kenansville Eastern Missionary Bap -

tist Association.

• Chris Vernon and Tammy Kennedy, both with Duplin County Communications, presented Vicki Bostic with a retirement plaque in appreciation for her commitment and dedication during her 17 years of service to Duplin County.

• Approved the next Board of County Commissioners meeting to be on Sept. 16.

“I doubt it’s very humane to have a herd of cows in a quarter-acre lot.” Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones

TEACHEY from page A1

ORDINANCE from page A1

The downtown Wallace bookshop has served the community for the past two years

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Vicki Bostic (center) was honored with a retirement plaque in appreciation for her commitment and dedication during her 17 years of service with Duplin County Communications on Aug. 19, at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Pictured from left to right, front row Chris Vernon, Vicki Bostic and Tammy Kennedy. Back row, Commissioners Jesse Dowe, Justin Williams, Dexter Edwards, Wayne Branch and Elwood Garner.

Books & Friends, a bookstore in downtown Wallace, closed on Monday.

PHOTO COURTESY BOOKS & FRIENDS